Joe DeMers Stats & Scouting Report

IP	173
ERA	5.775
WHIP	1.486
BB/9	2.081
SO/9	6.711

Full name Joseph Charles DeMers
Born 11/09/1996 in Martinez, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 240 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Washington
Drafted in the 11th round (323rd overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2018 (signed for $125,000).

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A highly touted pitching prospect coming out of College Park (Pleasant Hill, Calif.) High, DeMers was ranked No. 126 on the BA 500 in 2015, but went undrafted and made it to campus at Washington. A decorated prep pitcher who had success with multiple Team USA clubs, including a perfect game with the 14U team in 2010 and a gold medal with the 18U team in 2013, DeMars touched 97 mph at times in high school but has never had the same electric arm in college. That's not to say he hasn't had success, as DeMers jumped into a starting role as a freshman, posted a 3.35 ERA as a sophomore and has lowered that to 2.34 through his first 13 starts this spring. In his second start of the season, DeMars threw a perfect game against UC Riverside, striking out nine batters on just 84 pitches. DeMars has had success by locating, mixing pitches and adding and subtracting velocity more than overpowering hitters, as his fastball hasn't come close to the 97 mph he had in high school. Instead, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound righthander sits in the 88-91 mph range with his fastball, with a changeup and slider that he sequences effectively. His changeup is his best secondary pitch, an above-average offering with arm-side fading action. His slider has several shapes, one that is harder with tighter breaking action and a second that's softer and looser with a more slurvry look. While none of his pitches are plus, DeMars has good feel to locate each of them and is confident throwing any of his pitches early in the count. A big-bodied pitcher since high school, DeMars hasn't shown any progress trimming down, but scouts are impressed with his athleticism and the flexibility he shows in getting over his lower half. While he hasn't turned into the electric arm that he once seemed capable of, DeMers nonetheless will interest teams thanks to his impressive pitchability and track record of success.

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Draft Prospects

A highly touted pitching prospect coming out of College Park (Pleasant Hill, Calif.) High, DeMers was ranked No. 126 on the BA 500 in 2015, but went undrafted and made it to campus at Washington. A decorated prep pitcher who had success with multiple Team USA clubs, including a perfect game with the 14U team in 2010 and a gold medal with the 18U team in 2013, DeMars touched 97 mph at times in high school but has never had the same electric arm in college. That's not to say he hasn't had success, as DeMers jumped into a starting role as a freshman, posted a 3.35 ERA as a sophomore and has lowered that to 2.34 through his first 13 starts this spring. In his second start of the season, DeMars threw a perfect game against UC Riverside, striking out nine batters on just 84 pitches. DeMars has had success by locating, mixing pitches and adding and subtracting velocity more than overpowering hitters, as his fastball hasn't come close to the 97 mph he had in high school. Instead, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound righthander sits in the 88-91 mph range with his fastball, with a changeup and slider that he sequences effectively. His changeup is his best secondary pitch, an above-average offering with arm-side fading action. His slider has several shapes, one that is harder with tighter breaking action and a second that's softer and looser with a more slurvry look. While none of his pitches are plus, DeMars has good feel to locate each of them and is confident throwing any of his pitches early in the count. A big-bodied pitcher since high school, DeMars hasn't shown any progress trimming down, but scouts are impressed with his athleticism and the flexibility he shows in getting over his lower half. While he hasn't turned into the electric arm that he once seemed capable of, DeMers nonetheless will interest teams thanks to his impressive pitchability and track record of success.
Demers has as long a track record as any prep pitcher in the country, thanks to his experience with USA Baseball. He's pitched for national teams since 2010 and had several highlight moments over the years, including a perfect game for the 14U national team in 2010 and winning a gold medal in 2013 for the 18U national team. Mature-bodied yet athletic, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Demers plays shortstop and third base when he doesn't pitch for College Park High, which he led to a runner-up finish at the National High School Invitational this year. DeMers is a competitor who has pitched in a variety of roles for USA Baseball and has the durability to start. He brings his best velocity when needed; he touched 97 mph against Cuba last summer for the national team and repeatedly hit 95 in a May showdown with fellow NorCal prospect Justin Hooper. DeMers' polish has scouts convinced he's ready to compete as a pro, as does a more consistent, solid-average slider, which scouts prefer to his slow curveball and changeup, which also can be an average pitch. Committed to Washington, Demers has good present command for a prep pitcher as well. He lacks projection, but with three average to above-average pitches and present strength, he may not make it to college.