Drafted in the 5th round (137th overall) by the Colorado Rockies in 2015 (signed for $100,000).
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French has a power pitcher's body at 6-foot-2, 218 pounds, but he lacks the zip he had in high school, when his fastball touched 95 mph at times. Now he pitches with below-average stuff, sitting 88-90 mph with his fastball, and he's lost power on his curve as well, which rolls up in the low 70s rather than its former power and snap. He locates the curve, changeup and fastball well, however, and he's compiled a 2.70 ERA over 227 career innings entering the NCAA postseason. French likely will wind up a senior sign.
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When French enrolled as a freshman at Texas, he wasn't sure he would play baseball. He wound up playing for four years after spurning the Tigers as a 19th-round pick after his junior season. Since signing with the Rockies for a below-slot $100,000 as a fifth-round senior sign, French has made a quick impression. He threw six shutout innings in three of his first four starts at low Class A Asheville in 2016 and spent the rest of the year at high Class A Modesto, ultimately leading the hitter-friendly California League in ERA (2.85). He's so pitch-efficient that he led the minor leagues with 177.2 innings. French showed few signs of fatigue and tossed five scoreless innings in his final start. He can pitch in and out with his 88-91 mph fastball with big-time sinking action and 90-93 mph with a four-seamer that peaks at 94. His repertoire also includes an average slider and a changeup that mimics his fastball with its action. His knack for pitching and fastball command are both plusses, a key because none of his pitches earns that grade. French will head to Double-A Hartford in 2017.
Draft Prospects
French has a power pitcher's body at 6-foot-2, 218 pounds, but he lacks the zip he had in high school, when his fastball touched 95 mph at times. Now he pitches with below-average stuff, sitting 88-90 mph with his fastball, and he's lost power on his curve as well, which rolls up in the low 70s rather than its former power and snap. He locates the curve, changeup and fastball well, however, and he's compiled a 2.70 ERA over 227 career innings entering the NCAA postseason. French likely will wind up a senior sign.
French has a power pitcher's body at 6-foot-2, 218 pounds, but he lacks the zip he had in high school, when his fastball touched 95 mph at times. Now he pitches with below-average stuff, sitting 88-90 mph with his fastball, and he's lost power on his curve as well, which rolls up in the low 70s rather than its former power and snap. He locates the curve, changeup and fastball well, however, and he's compiled a 2.70 ERA over 227 career innings entering the NCAA postseason. French likely will wind up a senior sign.
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