Jake Higginbotham

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #305 prospect in 2018 draft
  A blue-chip recruit for the Clemson Tigers, Higginbotham made just seven starts his freshman year before he suffered a stress fracture in his throwing elbow that required surgery and kept him off the field in 2017. The Tigers slowly built him up this season and he made 15 starts as Clemson's Sunday starter, going 6-1, 3.27 with 62 strikeouts to 30 walks in 77 innings. Higginbotham has shown few ill effects from that elbow injury, generally working 90-93 mph with his fastball and touching 94 mph with a loose arm. An athletic, 6-foot, 170-pounder, Higginbotham creates some deception with his delivery as he turns his back to the hitter. He has good feel for spinning an average, upper-70s breaking ball and serviceable, low-80s changeup. His control is ahead of command, as Higginbotham sometimes loses his release point and gets underneath the ball, creating some Jekyll and Hyde innings. But because of his lefthandedness, his athleticism and his raw stuff, Higginbotham should be an attractive option in the draft as long as teams are confident in his medical reports.
• Ranked #454 prospect in 2015 draft
  Higginbotham was the ace of Buford High's dominant pitching staff and helped lead the Wolves to a state championship this spring. He didn't start pitching until he was 15, but took to it quickly. He dominated hitters this spring, allowing just two earned runs and striking out 127 batters in 65 1/3 innings. Higginbotham throws his fastball in the upper 80s and often pushes it into the low 90s early in outings. He has the makings of a good curveball and changeup, and he earns praise for his pitchability. Higginbotham's professional potential comes down to how much scouts are willing to project on him. He's already 19, but there's some room for him to add strength to his 6-foot, 160-pound frame. If he's able to hold his velocity better as he physically matures, he could end up as a back-of-the-rotation starter. Higginbotham is committed to Clemson and would be a draft-eligible sophomore in 2017 if he does go to school.