Kieran Lovegrove
| IP | 297 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 5.091 |
| WHIP | 1.519 |
| BB/9 | 5.242 |
| SO/9 | 9 |
- Full name Kieran M. Lovegrove
- Born 07/28/1994 in Johannesburg, South Africa
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Mission Viejo
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Drafted in the 3rd round (110th overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2012 (signed for $400,000).
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Lovegrove has flashed outstanding stuff over the last two years, but the quality of his stuff can vary from outing to outing, or even from inning to inning. He was electric last summer, tired in the fall, then got off to a good start to the spring. He labored early in a May outing, working in the 86-91 mph range, then ran his heater up to 92-94 mph and flashed a vicious 86 mph slider in his final inning after his team took the lead. Lovegrove has plenty of projection in his lean 6-foot-4 frame, but durability is a concern for scouts. He often pitches around 90-93 and bumps 94, but he needs to prove he can maintain his velocity in order to be a starter. His slider can be a wipeout pitch in the 83-86 mph range, but it can also get slurvy and softer. He also has the makings of a decent changeup. Lovegrove's funky, complicated delivery and short stride probably contribute to his inconsistency, but if the Arizona State signee can iron out his mechanics and add strength, his upside is significant.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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Scouts had a hard time getting a read on Lovegrove out of high school, as he flashed plus stuff at times but not on a consistent basis. The Indians drafted him in the third round in June and paid him a $400,000 bonus. At his best, Lovegrove will operate in the low 90s with his fastball, but it ranges anywhere from 86-94 mph. With his big, projectable frame, more velocity may come. He showed a wicked mid-80s slider as the draft approached, but it usually has slurvier break. The slider has two-plane break, so if he can tighten it up, it can be a putaway pitch. He also shows the beginnings of a changeup. There are questions about Lovegrove's durability, as he needs to show that he can maintain his velocity from inning to inning as well as throughout a full season. His inconsistency might stem from his unorthodox delivery, which is complicated and includes a short stride. He may not be ready for an assignment to low Class A, so Mahoning Valley could be his next destination.
Draft Prospects
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Lovegrove has flashed outstanding stuff over the last two years, but the quality of his stuff can vary from outing to outing, or even from inning to inning. He was electric last summer, tired in the fall, then got off to a good start to the spring. He labored early in a May outing, working in the 86-91 mph range, then ran his heater up to 92-94 mph and flashed a vicious 86 mph slider in his final inning after his team took the lead. Lovegrove has plenty of projection in his lean 6-foot-4 frame, but durability is a concern for scouts. He often pitches around 90-93 and bumps 94, but he needs to prove he can maintain his velocity in order to be a starter. His slider can be a wipeout pitch in the 83-86 mph range, but it can also get slurvy and softer. He also has the makings of a decent changeup. Lovegrove's funky, complicated delivery and short stride probably contribute to his inconsistency, but if the Arizona State signee can iron out his mechanics and add strength, his upside is significant.
