Jonathan Santucci

School: Duke
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.6
BA Grade: 55/Extreme
Tools: Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 40.

Santucci flashed big-time upside in each of his first two seasons at Duke, but he was limited as a hybrid starter/reliever as a freshman and then started just seven games in 2023 thanks to a season-ending elbow surgery. He finally worked a complete season as a starter for the Blue Devils in 2024, when he served as the team’s Friday night ace and posted a 3.41 ERA in 13 starts and 58 innings with a 35% strikeout rate and 14% walk rate. Santucci was one of the most electric pitchers in the country through the first three weeks of the season but began struggling with control as he entered Atlantic Coast Conference play. He also dealt with a rib injury in May. He’s a strong and athletic southpaw with a 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame and quality three-pitch mix. Santucci’s fastball sits 93-95 mph, touches 97 and has above-average riding life and bat-missing qualities, but his command of the pitch leaves a lot to be desired. He has better feel for a mid-80s slider that features snappy two-plane break at its best, but he would also overthrow the pitch at times to find the strike zone, which meant hitters could find success sitting on it. His upper-80s changeup has late tumbling action and fade and above-average potential, but he threw it just 9% of the time this spring. Santucci’s below-average control creates reliever risk, but he offers first-round stuff for a team that thinks it can help him improve his command.