Eli Saul Stats & Scouting Report

IP	35
ERA	5.4
WHIP	1.77
BB/9	3.86
SO/9	6.69

Full name Elias Robert Saul
Born 08/16/2001 in Vancouver, BC, Canada
Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Sacramento State
Drafted in the 13th round (378th overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2022 (signed for $125,000).

View Draft Report

One of the top high school pitchers from Canada in the 2019 draft, Saul turned down the Rangers as a 29th-round pick and made his way to Sacramento State, where it took him a while to find success. He got blasted for an 8.82 ERA in his first season in the Hornets rotation, but he bounced back this spring to become one of the most intriguing pitchers on the West Coast. Saul has made consistent velocity gains and now features a power sinker at 93-96 mph with above-average run that induces ground balls in bunches. He complements his sinker with an 87-89 mph cutter that gets weak contact and a below-average, low-80s slider that plays up with his ability to locate it. Saul still has room to get stronger and throw harder in the future. His sinker and cutter combination gives him a chance to be successful as a reliever.

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Draft Prospects

School: Sacramento State Committed/Drafted: Rangers ’19 (29)
Age At Draft: 20.9
BA Grade: 35/High
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: - | Slider: 45 | Changeup: - | Cutter: 50 | Control: 50
Considered one of the top high school arms coming out of Canada in the 2019 draft class, Saul made significant velocity gains as a high school senior, but it’s taken him quite a while to turn that newfound velocity into collegiate success. After barely pitching in the Covid-shortened 2020 season, Saul went 2-4, 8.82 in 2021 with 77 hits and 21 walks allowed in just 50 innings. That would not seem to be the profile of a draftable pitcher, but Saul has made significant strides this year. He throws a 92-94 mph above-average sinker with above-average run. It doesn’t miss many bats, but it does lead to lots of ground balls. He’s added an 87-89 mph average cutter that is more about getting weak contact than strikeouts. His below-average low-80s slider is semi-effective because he can locate it. A team picking Saul is betting on his upside. He’s a fresh arm with a still-skinny frame that could get stronger and add more power. He’s yet to show feel to spin a breaking ball or develop a changeup, so he has a lot of work to do to remain a starter in pro ball.
A big bodied, projectable righthander out of Canada, Saul is listed at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds but is just starting to come into his body. Young for the class, last summer Saul showed a fastball in the upper 80s, but has started taking the right steps forward this spring. He's been up to 94 mph with a mid-70s breaking ball. A Sacramento State commit, Saul is more strength-based on the mound than twitchy and athletic, which concerns some scouts about the adjustments he'll be able to make in the future, but he's already made improvements and has plenty of projection left.

Scouting Reports

A big bodied, projectable righthander out of Canada, Saul is listed at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds but is just starting to come into his body. Young for the class, last summer Saul showed a fastball in the upper 80s, but has started taking the right steps forward this spring. He's been up to 94 mph with a mid-70s breaking ball. A Sacramento State commit, Saul is more strength-based on the mound than twitchy and athletic, which concerns some scouts about the adjustments he'll be able to make in the future, but he's already made improvements and has plenty of projection left.