Carlos Tavera

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #28 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme
  
  Track Record: A rare early pitcher pick for the Orioles, Tavera signed for a below-slot $375,000 but looked like he'd be a fast-mover in his full-season debut at High-A Aberdeen. He allowed one earned run in four May starts to earn organizational pitcher of the month honors, and entered June striking out 12.1 batters per nine with a 17% swinging strike rate and 0.98 WHIP before non-baseball medical issues that eventually ended his season materialized. Even with two months where he wasn't at his best, Tavera still struck out 32.9% of batters he faced.
  
  Scouting Report: Tavera has a compact, repeatable delivery with a quick arm action that makes him hard for hitters to get comfortable against. His fastball was in the low-to-mid 90s with great hop, and played well off a slider that he can locate for strikes or bury for chase. Over the course of the season, he began to vary his slider to separate a sweeper and a cutter, the latter in the upper 80s and quite effective. Tavera has a changeup that's an effective way to attack lefties as well, though it worked against both sides in High-A. The command is still poor, as he walked 13.8% of batters in 2022.
  
  The Future: He might have moved quickly were he healthy this year, but as it stands, Tavera will look to re-establish his mid-to-backend rotation future if he's healthy in 2023, likely at Double-A Bowie.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 30

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #480 prospect in 2021 draft
  Tavera combined with Tanner King this season to throw Texas-Arlington’s first no-hitter since 1983. Tavera went nine innings on that day, but it took Texas-Arlington 11 innings to win the game, 1-0. That was just part of a dominating season where Tavera went 3-4, 3.04 with 12.7 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9. His 117 strikeouts ranked 25th among Division I pitchers. Tavera has gone from sitting in the high 80s to 91-93 mph with the Mavericks. In addition to his average fastball, he spins an above-average slider and mixes in a changeup. His delivery is a very simple one—he has an abbreviated takeaway that ensures his delivery is repeatable.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme
  
  Track Record: A rare early pitcher pick for the Orioles, Tavera signed for a below-slot $375,000 but looked like he'd be a fast-mover in his full-season debut at High-A Aberdeen. He allowed one earned run in four May starts to earn organizational pitcher of the month honors, and entered June striking out 12.1 batters per nine with a 17% swinging strike rate and 0.98 WHIP before non-baseball medical issues that eventually ended his season materialized. Even with two months where he wasn't at his best, Tavera still struck out 32.9% of batters he faced.
  
  Scouting Report: Tavera has a compact, repeatable delivery with a quick arm action that makes him hard for hitters to get comfortable against. His fastball was in the low-to-mid 90s with great hop, and played well off a slider that he can locate for strikes or bury for chase. Over the course of the season, he began to vary his slider to separate a sweeper and a cutter, the latter in the upper 80s and quite effective. Tavera has a changeup that's an effective way to attack lefties as well, though it worked against both sides in High-A. The command is still poor, as he walked 13.8% of batters in 2022.
  
  The Future: He might have moved quickly were he healthy this year, but as it stands, Tavera will look to re-establish his mid-to-backend rotation future if he's healthy in 2023, likely at Double-A Bowie.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 30
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme
  
  Track Record: A rare early pitcher pick for the Orioles, Tavera signed for a below-slot $375,000 but looked like he'd be a fast-mover in his full-season debut at High-A Aberdeen. He allowed one earned run in four May starts to earn organizational pitcher of the month honors, and entered June striking out 12.1 batters per nine with a 17% swinging strike rate and 0.98 WHIP before non-baseball medical issues that eventually ended his season materialized. Even with two months where he wasn't at his best, Tavera still struck out 32.9% of batters he faced.
  
  Scouting Report: Tavera has a compact, repeatable delivery with a quick arm action that makes him hard for hitters to get comfortable against. His fastball was in the low-to-mid 90s with great hop, and played well off a slider that he can locate for strikes or bury for chase. Over the course of the season, he began to vary his slider to separate a sweeper and a cutter, the latter in the upper 80s and quite effective. Tavera has a changeup that's an effective way to attack lefties as well, though it worked against both sides in High-A. The command is still poor, as he walked 13.8% of batters in 2022.
  
  The Future: He might have moved quickly were he healthy this year, but as it stands, Tavera will look to re-establish his mid-to-backend rotation future if he's healthy in 2023, likely at Double-A Bowie.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 30