Luke Heimlich 2017 MLB Draft

Luke Heimlich (Photo by Bill Mitchell)

Luke Heimlich | LHP | 6’1 | 190 | L/L | Oregon State | Never drafted

Rank: No. 31 in the Top 200 MLB Draft Prospects

Rank: No. 84 in the Top 100 MLB Draft Prospects

Scouting Report: In 2014, Oregon State powered to the College World Series behind Michael Conforto and ace lefthander Ben Wetzler, who posted a 0.78 ERA to lead the nation. In 2017, top-ranked Oregon State had the nation’s best record in early May with a rotation led by Heimlich, a lefthander leading the nation in ERA. Heimlich has firmer stuff than Wetzler (now known as Ben Holmes), who was a senior at the time. Heimlich was thriving with deception and excellent command of his entire repertoire to go with competitiveness and moxie. Primarily a reliever in his first two seasons with the Beavers, Heimlich used to pitch in the upper 80s and use his fading changeup as his out pitch. Planning to start this season, he got stronger (up to a listed 6-foot-1, 197 pounds) and has pitched off his fastball more, sitting at 89-91 mph with his fastball, touching 92 and spotting it up well with a deceptive, slinging arm action. His curveball also has become a solid-average weapon, and he works up with his improved fastball and down with the curve to get awkward swings and rack up strikeouts (10 per 9 IP). Heimlich’s average stuff plays up due to plus control, but scouts stop short of giving him above-average command. Still, being a lefthanded, high-performing college pitcher with enough velocity gives Heimlich a chance to go out in the first 50 picks.

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