Zech Lemond
| IP | 408 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.699 |
| WHIP | 1.441 |
| BB/9 | 2.603 |
| SO/9 | 7.632 |
- Full name Zechariah David Lemond
- Born 10/09/1992 in Houston, TX
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 170 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Rice
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Drafted in the 3rd round (86th overall) by the San Diego Padres in 2014 (signed for $600,000).
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A Houston product, Lemond was an unsigned 50th-round pick of the Pirates in 2011 before staying in town to attend Rice. He struggled with command in a limited role as a freshman but burst into prominence as a sophomore, helping the Owls reach the super-regional round while breaking the school saves record set by David Aardsma and Tony Cingrani. Rice extended Lemond late last season, allowing him to toss 6 2/3 innings during the Conference USA tournament and in a start on three-days' rest against Oregon in the regional final. Lemond opened this year as a reliever and impressed scouts at the Astros College Classic in March, sitting 94-96 mph with a plus curveball in a three-inning stint against Texas Christian. He moved into the rotation the next week to start conference play after staff ace Jordan Stephens had Tommy John surgery, but he left a start April 4 with a sore arm. Lemond pitched in the low-to-mid 90s even as a starter, holding his velocity for five-to-six innings. Lemond's arm action is long, but the 6-foot-4, 200-pounder previously showed the athleticism to repeat his delivery. His injury and arm action likely profiles him as a reliever, and he has the two plus pitches to make an impact out of the bullpen.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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Lemond moved into the Rice rotation in time for conference play as a junior in 2014, but he made just five starts before suffering from elbow inflammation. The Padres selected him in the third round that June and signed him for $600,000, and he worked mostly as a starter during his pro debut at short-season Eugene. Lemond pitches with a plus 93-94 mph fastball he locates to both sides, and he's capable of reaching back for 96. He toned down use of his above-average spike-curveball in pro ball while working on a fringe-average changeup, though a long arm action might inhibit his feel for commanding his entire repertoire. His post-draft MRI came back clean, though, so the Padres intend to keep Lemond in the rotation as he advances to high Class A Lake Elsinore in 2015.
Draft Prospects
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A Houston product, Lemond was an unsigned 50th-round pick of the Pirates in 2011 before staying in town to attend Rice. He struggled with command in a limited role as a freshman but burst into prominence as a sophomore, helping the Owls reach the super-regional round while breaking the school saves record set by David Aardsma and Tony Cingrani. Rice extended Lemond late last season, allowing him to toss 6 2/3 innings during the Conference USA tournament and in a start on three-days' rest against Oregon in the regional final. Lemond opened this year as a reliever and impressed scouts at the Astros College Classic in March, sitting 94-96 mph with a plus curveball in a three-inning stint against Texas Christian. He moved into the rotation the next week to start conference play after staff ace Jordan Stephens had Tommy John surgery, but he left a start April 4 with a sore arm. Lemond pitched in the low-to-mid 90s even as a starter, holding his velocity for five-to-six innings. Lemond's arm action is long, but the 6-foot-4, 200-pounder previously showed the athleticism to repeat his delivery. His injury and arm action likely profiles him as a reliever, and he has the two plus pitches to make an impact out of the bullpen.
