Nick Mutz Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Nicholas Theodore Mutz
Born 06/15/1990 in Santa Rosa, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Dakota State
Drafted in the 9th round (285th overall) by the Los Angeles Angels in 2011 (signed for $100,000).

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Mutz has one of the most interesting back stories of any player in the top 10 rounds. He left NAIA Dakota State last season and did not pitch for anyone this spring. The Angels received a tip on him, however, and brought him into a predraft workout. Mutz threw a 20-25 pitch bullpen session and that's all the Halos needed to see to pop the 6-foot-1, 190-pound righthander in the ninth round. Mutz showed an easy 94-95 mph fastball with life down in the zone and good angle for his size. Mutz also showed flashes of an above-average cutter. Mutz has a short arm stroke, almost like a catcher, but exceptional hand speed and deception. The Angels will follow Mutz's progress this summer in the Cape Cod League and, if he signs, will start him out as a reliever to ease him back into pitching, but he could start later on in his career.

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In Ric Wilson's first draft as Angels scouting director in 2011, the club took several big arms with short track records, with Mutz serving as the prime example. He didn't pitch during the spring after leaving Dakota State (S.D.), an NAIA program, following the 2010 season. Working off a tip, Los Angeles worked him out prior to the draft, selected him in the ninth round and signed him for $100,000 in late July after following him in the Cape Cod League. The Angels see Mutz developing as a starter, though they plugged him into Orem bullpen last summer. He ranges from 93-95 mph with his fastball and throws a darting slider that has the makings of a plus pitch. Mutz's arm action is loose and he locates his pitches well down in the zone, especially after the Orem coaching staff helped him streamline his mechanics. He toned down a max-effort delivery and eliminating a head snap. He shows only a rudimentary feel for a changeup, so softening that pitch and improving his fastball command top his to-do list for 2012. Mutz bounced back quickly from multi-inning relief outings, so Los Angeles believes he can handle a starting job in low Class A.

Mutz didn't pitch this spring after leaving Dakota State (S.D.), an NAIA program, following the 2010 season. Working off a tip, the Angels worked him out prior to this year's draft. They drafted him in the ninth round and signed him for $100,000 in late July after following him in the Cape Cod League, where he showed above-average arm strength but walked 13 and allowed 20 hits in 16 innings. The Angels plugged Mutz into the Orem bullpen but envision developing him as a starter next season because he throws two quality pitches and began experimenting with a changeup after turning pro. He ranges from 92-96 mph with his fastball and also throws a darting 82-85 mph slider that has the makings of a plus pitch. His arm action is loose and he locates his pitches well down in the zone. When he joined the Owlz, Mutz tended to leave his pitches up and to his arm side, but the Orem coaching staff helped tone down his max-effort delivery and eliminate a head snap that prevented him from finishing his pitches. He has a resilient arm that bounced back well on days after making multi-inning relief appearances.