Adam Macko

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #16 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: A native of Slovakia, Macko was introduced to baseball in grade school and learned to pitch by watching YouTube videos of MLB pitchers. His family moved to Ireland and then Canada, where Macko entered more formal baseball training and blossomed into a legitimate draft prospect. The Mariners drafted Macko in the seventh round in 2019. Macko was traded to the Blue Jays for Teoscar Hernandez after the 2022 season. He spent all of 2023 in his native Canada, making 20 starts for High-A Vancouver. Macko was added to the 40-man roster following the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Macko is an undersized lefthander with a deep repertoire of pitches. He mixes five different pitches in his four-seam fastball, slider, curveball, changeup and cutter. Macko’s fastball sits 93-95 mph with heavy ride and run, and the pitch is commanded well to both sides of the plate. He mixes two different breaking balls in a slider sitting 82-84 mph with moderate sweep and an upper-70s curveball with a big two-plane break. Macko’s mid-80s changeup has good shape and is effective when he lands it, but he struggles to get in the strike zone. Macko’s cutter sits 87-88 mph and was used sparingly. Overall, Macko shows above-average command of his three primary pitches.
  
  The Future: Macko has multiple average or better pitches and improving command of his arsenal, giving him a chance as a back-of-the-rotation starter.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Cutter: 30 | Control: 55
• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #10 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Very High
  
  Track Record: Macko was born in Slovakia and was first introduced to baseball in first grade. He taught himself to pitch by watching YouTube videos of Justin Verlander and David Price and developed a unique talent for the game, which he honed after his family moved to Ireland and eventually Canada. Macko blossomed with formal baseball instruction and became Canada's top prospect in the 2019 draft, leading the Mariners to draft him in the seventh round and sign him for $250,000. He became a hot trade commodity in 2021 and got off to a solid start at High-A Everett in 2022, but made only eight starts before having season-ending meniscus surgery in his right knee.
  
  Scouting Report: Macko's stuff was inconsistent in 2022 as he lowered his arm slot and dealt with injuries, but it's still plenty potent. His fastball ranges from 91-96 mph out of a low slot and release point from the left side that creates a tough angle for lefthanded hitters. His signature pitch is a plus curveball with tight spin and late drop in the low 70s, but at times it devolves into a sweepy, soft offering in the upper 60s. Macko also has an average horizontal slider in the mid-80s that gives lefties trouble and a fringy, low-80s changeup that is improving. Macko is a good athlete, but overthrows at times and nibbles at others, resulting in below-average control. His biggest concern is health. Macko has pitched only 95 innings in three seasons after missing most of 2021 with shoulder tenderness and most of 2022 with his knee injury.
  
  The Future: Macko has the arsenal to start, but his control and health point to a likely relief future. His primary goal will be to stay healthy in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Curveball: 60. Slider: 50. Changeup: 45. Control: 40
• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #9 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Born in Slovakia, Macko was introduced to baseball in the first grade when he began hitting balls off a tee at his elementary school. When he was 10, he began watching YouTube videos of Justin Verlander and David Price to teach himself how to pitch. Macko’s family moved to Ireland when he was 11 and eventually settled in Canada, where he grew into the country’s top high school pitching prospect. The Mariners drafted him in the seventh round in 2019 and signed him for $250,000 to forgo a Purdue commitment. Macko made his full-season debut with Low-A Modesto in 2021 and was limited to 33.1 innings by recurring shoulder tenderness, but he showed electric stuff when healthy.
  
  Scouting Report: Macko has progressed rapidly given his unconventional background. After sitting in the upper 80s in high school, he now averages 93-94 mph and touches 97-98 with his fastball. His primary weapon is a sweeping, high-spin curveball in the low 70s with late tilt and bite that gets both swings and misses and called strikes on both sides of the plate. He has advanced feel to alter the shape and length of his curveball, making it a consensus plus-plus offering. Macko also has an average low-80s slider and fringy low-80s changeup, although he mostly just dominates with his fastball and curveball. Macko flashes average control but struggles with consistency. He often cruises for a few innings before suddenly unraveling.
  
  The Future: Macko is frequently requested by other teams in trade discussions. His stuff and projection give him mid-rotation potential if he can stay healthy and tighten his control with more experience.
  
• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #14 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: If Levi Stoudt was the biggest surprise of instructional league, Macko at least deserves the consolation prize. After making his pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2019, Macko, who was raised in Canada but born in Slovakia, reported to instructs after working out at home during the summer.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Macko stands out for his pitchability, athleticism and above-average command of four pitches. He took a big step forward in 2020, and while he doesn't have any bat-missing pitches, he has the finesse to get batters out. Macko's fastball ranges from 88-94 mph, sitting 90 mph, with late armside tail. The Mariners see his curveball as a potentially plus pitch and his slider has progressed to average after he changed his grip. Macko rounds out his arsenal with a fringy changeup with fade and good separation from his fastball. He's a studious worker who keeps a journal about what he's learned.
  
  THE FUTURE: Macko should begin at low Class A in 2021. His feel and pitchability from the left side give him the potential to be a back-of-the-rotation starter.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #295 prospect in 2019 draft
  A 6-foot, 180-pound lefthander, Macko is a stereotypical pitchability lefthander who doesn't have the biggest pure stuff but has above-average command and knows how to spot his fastball--a rare trait for a prep pitcher. Last summer at the Area Code Games, Macko threw his fastball in the mid to upper-80s and showed a curveball with big depth and a 2400 rpm spin rate. His curveball and changeup are both solid secondaries that he has good feel to locate, and they could become plus pitches in the future as Macko gains weight and adds more strength and power to his game. He's committed to Purdue, and he might have to get to campus before teams want to sign him out of the draft, without an average fastball.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Very High
  
  Track Record: Macko was born in Slovakia and was first introduced to baseball in first grade. He taught himself to pitch by watching YouTube videos of Justin Verlander and David Price and developed a unique talent for the game, which he honed after his family moved to Ireland and eventually Canada. Macko blossomed with formal baseball instruction and became Canada's top prospect in the 2019 draft, leading the Mariners to draft him in the seventh round and sign him for $250,000. He became a hot trade commodity in 2021 and got off to a solid start at High-A Everett in 2022, but made only eight starts before having season-ending meniscus surgery in his right knee.
  
  Scouting Report: Macko's stuff was inconsistent in 2022 as he lowered his arm slot and dealt with injuries, but it's still plenty potent. His fastball ranges from 91-96 mph out of a low slot and release point from the left side that creates a tough angle for lefthanded hitters. His signature pitch is a plus curveball with tight spin and late drop in the low 70s, but at times it devolves into a sweepy, soft offering in the upper 60s. Macko also has an average horizontal slider in the mid-80s that gives lefties trouble and a fringy, low-80s changeup that is improving. Macko is a good athlete, but overthrows at times and nibbles at others, resulting in below-average control. His biggest concern is health. Macko has pitched only 95 innings in three seasons after missing most of 2021 with shoulder tenderness and most of 2022 with his knee injury.
  
  The Future: Macko has the arsenal to start, but his control and health point to a likely relief future. His primary goal will be to stay healthy in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Curveball: 60. Slider: 50. Changeup: 45. Control: 40
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Very High
  
  Track Record: Macko was born in Slovakia and was first introduced to baseball in first grade. He taught himself to pitch by watching YouTube videos of Justin Verlander and David Price and developed a unique talent for the game, which he honed after his family moved to Ireland and eventually Canada. Macko blossomed with formal baseball instruction and became Canada's top prospect in the 2019 draft, leading the Mariners to draft him in the seventh round and sign him for $250,000. He became a hot trade commodity in 2021 and got off to a solid start at High-A Everett in 2022, but made only eight starts before having season-ending meniscus surgery in his right knee.
  
  Scouting Report: Macko's stuff was inconsistent in 2022 as he lowered his arm slot and dealt with injuries, but it's still plenty potent. His fastball ranges from 91-96 mph out of a low slot and release point from the left side that creates a tough angle for lefthanded hitters. His signature pitch is a plus curveball with tight spin and late drop in the low 70s, but at times it devolves into a sweepy, soft offering in the upper 60s. Macko also has an average horizontal slider in the mid-80s that gives lefties trouble and a fringy, low-80s changeup that is improving. Macko is a good athlete, but overthrows at times and nibbles at others, resulting in below-average control. His biggest concern is health. Macko has pitched only 95 innings in three seasons after missing most of 2021 with shoulder tenderness and most of 2022 with his knee injury.
  
  The Future: Macko has the arsenal to start, but his control and health point to a likely relief future. His primary goal will be to stay healthy in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Curveball: 60. Slider: 50. Changeup: 45. Control: 40
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Born in Slovakia, Macko was introduced to baseball in the first grade when he began hitting balls off a tee at his elementary school. When he was 10, he began watching YouTube videos of Justin Verlander and David Price to teach himself how to pitch. Macko&#39s family moved to Ireland when he was 11 and eventually settled in Canada, where he grew into the country&#39s top high school pitching prospect. The Mariners drafted him in the seventh round in 2019 and signed him for $250,000 to forgo a Purdue commitment. Macko made his full-season debut with Low-A Modesto in 2021 and was limited to 33.1 innings by recurring shoulder tenderness, but he showed electric stuff when healthy.
  
  Scouting Report: Macko has progressed rapidly given his unconventional background. After sitting in the upper 80s in high school, he now averages 93-94 mph and touches 97-98 with his fastball. His primary weapon is a sweeping, high-spin curveball in the low 70s with late tilt and bite that gets both swings and misses and called strikes on both sides of the plate. He has advanced feel to alter the shape and length of his curveball, making it a consensus plus-plus offering. Macko also has an average low-80s slider and fringy low-80s changeup, although he mostly just dominates with his fastball and curveball. Macko flashes average control but struggles with consistency. He often cruises for a few innings before suddenly unraveling.
  
  The Future: Macko is frequently requested by other teams in trade discussions. His stuff and projection give him mid-rotation potential if he can stay healthy and tighten his control with more experience.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 50. Curveball: 70. Changeup: 45. Control: 45.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Born in Slovakia, Macko was introduced to baseball in the first grade when he began hitting balls off a tee at his elementary school. When he was 10, he began watching YouTube videos of Justin Verlander and David Price to teach himself how to pitch. Macko’s family moved to Ireland when he was 11 and eventually settled in Canada, where he grew into the country’s top high school pitching prospect. The Mariners drafted him in the seventh round in 2019 and signed him for $250,000 to forgo a Purdue commitment. Macko made his full-season debut with Low-A Modesto in 2021 and was limited to 33.1 innings by recurring shoulder tenderness, but he showed electric stuff when healthy.
  
  Scouting Report: Macko has progressed rapidly given his unconventional background. After sitting in the upper 80s in high school, he now averages 93-94 mph and touches 97-98 with his fastball. His primary weapon is a sweeping, high-spin curveball in the low 70s with late tilt and bite that gets both swings and misses and called strikes on both sides of the plate. He has advanced feel to alter the shape and length of his curveball, making it a consensus plus-plus offering. Macko also has an average low-80s slider and fringy low-80s changeup, although he mostly just dominates with his fastball and curveball. Macko flashes average control but struggles with consistency. He often cruises for a few innings before suddenly unraveling.
  
  The Future: Macko is frequently requested by other teams in trade discussions. His stuff and projection give him mid-rotation potential if he can stay healthy and tighten his control with more experience.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: If Levi Stoudt was the biggest surprise of instructional league, Macko at least deserves the consolation prize. After making his pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2019, Macko, who was raised in Canada but born in Slovakia, reported to instructs after working out at home during the summer.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Macko stands out for his pitchability, athleticism and above-average command of four pitches. He took a big step forward in 2020, and while he doesn't have any bat-missing pitches, he has the finesse to get batters out. Macko's fastball ranges from 88-94 mph, sitting 90 mph, with late armside tail. The Mariners see his curveball as a potentially plus pitch and his slider has progressed to average after he changed his grip. Macko rounds out his arsenal with a fringy changeup with fade and good separation from his fastball. He's a studious worker who keeps a journal about what he's learned.
  
  THE FUTURE: Macko should begin at low Class A in 2021. His feel and pitchability from the left side give him the potential to be a back-of-the-rotation starter.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: If Levi Stoudt was the biggest surprise of instructional league, Macko at least deserves the consolation prize. After making his pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2019, Macko, who was raised in Canada but born in Slovakia, reported to instructs after working out at home during the summer.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Macko stands out for his pitchability, athleticism and above-average command of four pitches. He took a big step forward in 2020, and while he doesn't have any bat-missing pitches, he has the finesse to get batters out. Macko's fastball ranges from 88-94 mph, sitting 90 mph, with late armside tail. The Mariners see his curveball as a potentially plus pitch and his slider has progressed to average after he changed his grip. Macko rounds out his arsenal with a fringy changeup with fade and good separation from his fastball. He's a studious worker who keeps a journal about what he's learned.
  
  THE FUTURE: Macko should begin at low Class A in 2021. His feel and pitchability from the left side give him the potential to be a back-of-the-rotation starter.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: If Levi Stoudt was the biggest surprise of instructional league, Macko at least deserves the consolation prize. After making his pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2019, Macko, who was raised in Canada but born in Slovakia, reported to instructs after working out at home during the summer.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Macko stands out for his pitchability, athleticism and above-average command of four pitches. He took a big step forward in 2020, and while he doesn't have any bat-missing pitches, he has the finesse to get batters out. Macko's fastball ranges from 88-94 mph, sitting 90 mph, with late armside tail. The Mariners see his curveball as a potentially plus pitch and his slider has progressed to average after he changed his grip. Macko rounds out his arsenal with a fringy changeup with fade and good separation from his fastball. He's a studious worker who keeps a journal about what he's learned.
  
  THE FUTURE: Macko should begin at low Class A in 2021. His feel and pitchability from the left side give him the potential to be a back-of-the-rotation starter.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  A 6-foot, 180-pound lefthander, Macko is a stereotypical pitchability lefthander who doesn't have the biggest pure stuff but has above-average command and knows how to spot his fastball--a rare trait for a prep pitcher. Last summer at the Area Code Games, Macko threw his fastball in the mid to upper-80s and showed a curveball with big depth and a 2400 rpm spin rate. His curveball and changeup are both solid secondaries that he has good feel to locate, and they could become plus pitches in the future as Macko gains weight and adds more strength and power to his game. He's committed to Purdue, and he might have to get to campus before teams want to sign him out of the draft, without an average fastball.