Mitchell Traver

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #492 prospect in 2017 draft
  Traver's stuff is good enough get him drafted at some point on day two. His medical history will likely make him wait until day three. That was the case last year as well, when his lengthy medical history led him to fall to the Reds in the 17th round. He was drafted by the Cubs in the 28th round the year before. Traver missed his freshman year at TCU because of Tommy John surgery. He also had a rib removed because of thoracic outlet syndrome. A back injury wiped out his redshirt freshman year, and he missed further time as a redshirt junior because of back issues. Traver missed the start of this season as well because of back problems, but once he got back on the mound, he's shown the same solid stuff he's featured year after year. Traver will sit 91-93 mph and touch 95 at his best with a plus slider. He also mixes in a potentially average changeup. Three average or better pitches and Traver's track record would make him a high draft pick if not for the medical concerns which will lead some teams to avoid him completely.
• Ranked #495 prospect in 2016 draft
  Traver's medical report is very, very lengthy. He had a rib removed in his first year at Texas Christian because of thoracic syndrome and then was sidelined with Tommy John surgery to fix his pitching elbow. In his redshirt freshman year, Traver gave up four runs in 1/3 of an inning in his only appearance as he missed the rest of the season with a back injury. Traver was healthy and excellent as a redshirt sophomore, as he pitched his way into the Horned Frog's rotation. He turned down the Cardinals as a 28th-round pick last year, but in his return, injury issues again flared up. Traver missed the first three months of the season with a back injury. His stuff was solid once again in a late-season return as he's once again 90-94 mph with a potentially above-average slider and a changeup that needs work. Traver's stuff and size (6-foot-7) make him a potentially high ceiling prospect, but his history of injuries, especially the back problems, make him a risky pick.
• Ranked #140 prospect in 2015 draft
  Before he ever threw his first official pitch at Texas Christian, Traver had spent way more time than he ever would have liked in doctors' offices. Traver spent his freshman year recovering from having a rib removed for thoracic syndrome, as well as undergoing Tommy John surgery. He then missed nearly all of his redshirt freshman year because of a back injury, returning in time to appear in one game and record one out in the Big 12 Tournament. So Traver's return to form this year is a testament to his perseverance. A 39th-round pick of the Astros out of high school, Traver was able to get his fastball back to 90-92 mph again this year and touched 94. He also showed some ability this year to survive when he didn't have his best stuff. Traver's stuff tailed off a little later in the season and his changeup will have to improve significantly to give him a third pitch to go with his potentially average breaking ball if he's going to remain a starter in pro ball. Traver is a massive (6-foot-7) pitcher with a rock-and-fire delivery who is generally around the plate but has yet to demonstrate command. Traver's redshirt sophomore status (and resulting price tag) and his injury history make him a riskier pick than most players around his spot, but there are few tall power pitchers of Traver's type in this draft.
• Ranked #110 prospect in 2012 draft
  Traver established himself as a first-round candidate with a breakout performance at the World Wood Bat Association World Championship in Jupiter, Fla., last fall. He sat at 92-94 mph with hard sink on his fastball and backed it up with a hard curveball and a solid changeup. His 6-foot-7, 240-pound frame added to his intrigue. But Traver hasn't lived up to that standard this spring. He has operated mostly at 89-92 mph with his fastball, showing less life and command. His secondary pitches have been inconsistent too, as has his ability to repeat his delivery. Traver is more physical than athletic, struggling at times to stay on top of his pitches and to field his position. It's still easy to dream on Traver's upside, but he figures to go no higher than the third round--and that may not be early enough to sign him away from a Texas Christian commitment.