• Full name Duane Lee Underwood Jr.
  • Born 07/20/1994 in Raleigh, NC
  • Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Alan C. Pope
  • Debut 06/25/2018
  • Drafted in the 2nd round (67th overall) by the Chicago Cubs in 2012 (signed for $1,050,000).
    View Draft Report
    A Georgia signee, Underwood has plenty going for him. He has a quick arm and athletic frame at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, and if he winds up in Athens, he has a chance to contribute as both a hitter (he's a solid-average runner) and on the mound. He's young for the draft class as well, as he turns 18 in July. Pro scouts see him as a pitcher and a potential first-rounder on the right day, but that had not happened often enough in his senior season. Underwood at his best has a fastball that sits in the 91-94 mph range and touches 97-98. He has shown the ability to spin a breaking ball, though his curve often is soft in the 73-75 mph range and he tends to overthrow it. He has a firm but effective changeup, and this spring it has been his best pitch, in part because it's the pitch he controls the best. Underwood's fastball command has been erratic this spring, and his velocity often drops off quickly into the 87-92 mph range, and he hasn't shown much feel for pitching this spring. His mechanics are sound, though at times he loses his tempo and rushes his delivery. Scouts also want to see him handle adversity better. Scouts like Underwood and he had some supplemental-round buzz, but his inconsistent spring could knock him back a bit.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Draft Prospects

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Best Tools List

  • Rated Best Changeup in the Chicago Cubs in 2019

Career Transactions

  • Indianapolis Indians activated RHP Duane Underwood Jr. from the 7-day injured list.
  • Indianapolis Indians placed RHP Duane Underwood Jr. on the 7-day injured list.
  • Pittsburgh Pirates sent RHP Duane Underwood Jr. outright to Indianapolis Indians.
  • Indianapolis Indians activated RHP Duane Underwood Jr..
  • Pittsburgh Pirates sent RHP Duane Underwood Jr. outright to Indianapolis Indians.
  • Pittsburgh Pirates designated RHP Duane Underwood Jr. for assignment.
  • Puerto Rico activated RHP Duane Underwood Jr..

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