Shane McClanahan

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #5 prospect in 2021
  Fastball: 70. Curveball: 60. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 45
  Track Record: McClanahan had Tommy John surgery at South Florida but recovered to become one of the top pitchers in the 2018 draft class. The Rays drafted him 31st overall and signed him for just over $2.2 million. He spent most of 2020 working five-inning stints every fifth day at the alternate training site but moved to the bullpen as the major league playoffs neared. The Rays added him to their postseason roster, and he became the first pitcher in history to make his debut in the postseason.
  
  Scouting Report: Few lefthanders can match McClanahan’s fastball velocity, which sits 95-98 mph as a starter and touched 101 in the playoffs. What’s even better is his 86-88 mph breaking ball. McClanahan can throw it tighter with more of a curveball shape or turn it into a wipeout slider that starts in the middle of the plate and ends up at a righthanded hitter’s feet. In either form, it’s a pitch that finishes hitters. McClanahan’s fringe-average changeup plays up when he throws it with conviction. His control has improved as he’s gotten better at maintaining a regular pace to his delivery, but it’s still fringe-average.
  
  The Future: McClanahan’s improvements to his changeup and control give him a chance to start. His big fastball and wipeout breaking ball would also fit in high-leverage relief.
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #6 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: A Tommy John survivor, McClanahan entered his junior year at South Florida as a candidate to go first overall in the 2018 draft. An erratic spring ruined those hopes, but he was still seen as one of the best arms in that class, albeit one with reliever risk. He made big strides in body control during 2019. After walking 30 batters in his first 48 innings, he walked 15 over his final 73 innings.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: In addition to finding his control, McClanahan refined his changeup while working with high Class A Charlotte pitching coach Doc Watson. His fastball remains a plus-plus marvel. He can sit 93-98 mph and has touched 100. McClanahan explodes off the rubber to get to his velocity, though early in the season his arm struggled to catch up to his lower half. He doesn't need to rely on only one pitch because he shows excellent feel for spin. His power downer curveball gives him a second plus pitch, though it sometimes morphs into a hard, tilting slider. He started to figure out his changeup in the second half, though he needs to make more strides with the pitch.
  
  THE FUTURE: The easiest assumption is to expect to see McClanahan turn into an impact reliever. His fastball and breaking balls need little projection for that role. But the improvement he's made in his control and with his changeup gives the Rays a reason to keep trying him as a starter. He'll be part of a potent roster at Double-A Montgomery.
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #12 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: A potential top 10 pick, McClanahan ended up sliding almost out of the first round when he failed to allay scouts' concerns about his ability to remain a starter. Tommy John surgery that sidelined him in 2016 and fastball command and control that wavered significantly from game to game left many teams convinced he'll end up as a power reliever. McClanahan finished second in Division I with 14.5 strikeouts per nine innings and struck out 54 percent of all batters he faced in his pro debut.
  
  Scouting Report: While McClanahan's delivery is effortful, he can reach 100 mph although he generally sits 93-95. It's rare velocity and has life in the strike zone. McClanahan does struggle to stay in sync. He'll need to rectify that to improve his below-average control. The Rays would like to work on figuring out how to add a little more separation with his 88-90 mph changeup, but he showed confidence in it at South Florida. McClanahan's slider gives him a shot to have three above-average or better pitches down the road. He does a good job of making it look like a fastball, but it's too inconsistent.
  
  The Future: McClanahan will work on developing his stamina and consistency as a starter at low Class A Bowling Green. He most likely will end up as a potentially dominating closer or setup man.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #8 prospect in 2018 draft
  The top college lefthander in the 2018 draft class, McClanahan possesses some of the best raw stuff of any draft-eligible player in the country led by a fastball that can reach 100 mph. That number would have seemed absurd after seeing McClanahan prior to his senior season at Cape Coral (Fla.) High, when he was throwing a mid-80s fastball. But McClanahan went through a massive growth spurt around that time, going from 5-foot-6 to the 6-foot-2 he's currently listed at and touched 94 mph at times during the spring of 2015. Three years later, and through his first 10 starts of the 2018 season with South Florida, McClanahan is regularly in the mid- to upper 90s with his fastball and has used that pitch to help him lead the country in strikeouts per nine innings (15.02), with 94 strikeouts in 56.1 innings. At just 188 pounds with a lean frame that could still add more weight, McClanahan doesn't get that sort of velocity with a huge, muscular build but instead with a lightning quick arm out of a low, three-quarter slot in a delivery that some scouts describe as high-effort. In addition to his fastball, McClanahan has a mid-80s changeup and a slider, both of which project as plus pitches down the line although the changeup is currently more consistent than the breaking ball. McClanahan isn't without warts, however, as he already had Tommy John surgery, which sidelined him during the 2016 season, and is regularly erratic to the plate. McClanahan has a history of being more of a thrower than a pitcher at this point, with more than five walks per nine innings through his first 10 starts in 2018. Durability will be a question mark with McClanahan as well, as many college pitchers around him on draft boards have a much longer track record of performance and summer history. Still, the pure stuff he offers from the left side is a rare commodity and one that teams at the top of the first round will likely pounce at given the opportunity this June. McClanahan offers the potential of a top-of-the-rotation southpaw if everything breaks right and he improves his control and command. Assuming good health, a worst-case scenario for McClanahan would likely be taking on the role of a shutdown reliever.
• Ranked #197 prospect in 2015 draft
  In the last 18 months, McClanahan has shot up eight inches, going from 5-foot-6 to 6-foot-2. That gave him a projectable look, but he's started to put on weight and add velocity sooner than expected. He's gotten up to about 160 pounds and has gone from throwing in the mid 80s last fall to sitting around 90 mph and touching 94 mph this spring. His still-lean frame leaves room for more projection, but some scouts wonder how much weight he'll ultimately be able to carry. He also flashes a plus curveball and occasionally mixes in a changeup. McClanahan wasn't high on follow lists at the start of the season, but his physical improvements and strong performance this spring have led to a rise in his draft stock. He's committed to South Florida and some scouts believe he would benefit from going to school. Others see a projectable lefthander with arm strength and may be willing to take a chance to get add that kind of upside to their system.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Florida State League #11 prospect in 2019
  McClanahan has one of the most obviously gifted left arms in a system that also includes Brendan McKay and Matthew Liberatore. Whereas those two rely on a degree of finesse, McClanahan simply shoots lightning bolt after lightning bolt past hitters’ bats with a devastating combo of a mid-90s fastball that can tickle triple-digits and a dastardly breaking ball that flashes double-plus. His 154 strikeouts and 11.49 strikeouts per nine innings each finished second in the organization behind righthander Joe Ryan, and he made it all the way to Double-A in his first full season as a pro. His changeup is both seldom-used and below-average, and his command and control could stand to be tightened, but the ingredients he has right now are enough to have left hitters flummoxed at three levels. The Rays will continue to develop him as a starter, but there’s a strong chance that his optimal role will be as the kind of relief ace that Andrew Miller and Josh Hader have modeled in recent years.
• 
  Ranked Midwest League #5 prospect in 2019
  McClanahan began the season as part of Bowling Green’s outstanding rotation. He finished it at Double-A Montgomery after showing steady improvement all season. “He’s learned to slow himself down in the heat of the game,” a scout said. “Pure power. He has wonderful stuff, and now he’s learning how to control his body. That’s not an easy thing to do for some kids.” McClanahan sits comfortably between 92-95 mph and can add a few more ticks when needed. He still is polishing his slider and changeup, which have improved thanks to sharper command. “The ease with which he gets velocity and life created through zone is special,” a scout said. “He can blow dudes away with his fastball but can really spin a breaking ball. That’s a future plus offering. There’s a changeup in there, too.”

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #100 prospect in 2021
• Ranked Baseball America's #83 prospect in 2020

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 70. Curveball: 60. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 45
  Track Record: McClanahan had Tommy John surgery at South Florida but recovered to become one of the top pitchers in the 2018 draft class. The Rays drafted him 31st overall and signed him for just over $2.2 million. He spent most of 2020 working five-inning stints every fifth day at the alternate training site but moved to the bullpen as the major league playoffs neared. The Rays added him to their postseason roster, and he became the first pitcher in history to make his debut in the postseason.
  
  Scouting Report: Few lefthanders can match McClanahan’s fastball velocity, which sits 95-98 mph as a starter and touched 101 in the playoffs. What’s even better is his 86-88 mph breaking ball. McClanahan can throw it tighter with more of a curveball shape or turn it into a wipeout slider that starts in the middle of the plate and ends up at a righthanded hitter’s feet. In either form, it’s a pitch that finishes hitters. McClanahan’s fringe-average changeup plays up when he throws it with conviction. His control has improved as he’s gotten better at maintaining a regular pace to his delivery, but it’s still fringe-average.
  
  The Future: McClanahan’s improvements to his changeup and control give him a chance to start. His big fastball and wipeout breaking ball would also fit in high-leverage relief.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 70. Curveball: 60. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 45
  Track Record: McClanahan had Tommy John surgery at South Florida but recovered to become one of the top pitchers in the 2018 draft class. The Rays drafted him 31st overall and signed him for just over $2.2 million. He spent most of 2020 working five-inning stints every fifth day at the alternate training site but moved to the bullpen as the major league playoffs neared. The Rays added him to their postseason roster, and he became the first pitcher in history to make his debut in the postseason.
  
  Scouting Report: Few lefthanders can match McClanahan’s fastball velocity, which sits 95-98 mph as a starter and touched 101 in the playoffs. What’s even better is his 86-88 mph breaking ball. McClanahan can throw it tighter with more of a curveball shape or turn it into a wipeout slider that starts in the middle of the plate and ends up at a righthanded hitter’s feet. In either form, it’s a pitch that finishes hitters. McClanahan’s fringe-average changeup plays up when he throws it with conviction. His control has improved as he’s gotten better at maintaining a regular pace to his delivery, but it’s still fringe-average.
  
  The Future: McClanahan’s improvements to his changeup and control give him a chance to start. His big fastball and wipeout breaking ball would also fit in high-leverage relief.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A Tommy John survivor, McClanahan entered his junior year at South Florida as a candidate to go first overall in the 2018 draft. An erratic spring ruined those hopes, but he was still seen as one of the best arms in that class, albeit one with reliever risk. He made big strides in body control during 2019. After walking 30 batters in his first 48 innings, he walked 15 over his final 73 innings.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: In addition to finding his control, McClanahan refined his changeup while working with high Class A Charlotte pitching coach Doc Watson. His fastball remains a plus-plus marvel. He can sit 93-98 mph and has touched 100. McClanahan explodes off the rubber to get to his velocity, though early in the season his arm struggled to catch up to his lower half. He doesn’t need to rely on only one pitch because he shows excellent feel for spin. His power downer curveball gives him a second plus pitch, though it sometimes morphs into a hard, tilting slider. He started to figure out his changeup in the second half, though he needs to make more strides with the pitch.
  
  THE FUTURE: The easiest assumption is to expect to see McClanahan turn into an impact reliever. His fastball and breaking balls need little projection for that role. But the improvement he’s made in his control and with his changeup gives the Rays a reason to keep trying him as a starter. He’ll be part of a potent roster at Double-A Montgomery.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A Tommy John survivor, McClanahan entered his junior year at South Florida as a candidate to go first overall in the 2018 draft. An erratic spring ruined those hopes, but he was still seen as one of the best arms in that class, albeit one with reliever risk. He made big strides in body control during 2019. After walking 30 batters in his first 48 innings, he walked 15 over his final 73 innings.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: In addition to finding his control, McClanahan refined his changeup while working with high Class A Charlotte pitching coach Doc Watson. His fastball remains a plus-plus marvel. He can sit 93-98 mph and has touched 100. McClanahan explodes off the rubber to get to his velocity, though early in the season his arm struggled to catch up to his lower half. He doesn't need to rely on only one pitch because he shows excellent feel for spin. His power downer curveball gives him a second plus pitch, though it sometimes morphs into a hard, tilting slider. He started to figure out his changeup in the second half, though he needs to make more strides with the pitch.
  
  THE FUTURE: The easiest assumption is to expect to see McClanahan turn into an impact reliever. His fastball and breaking balls need little projection for that role. But the improvement he's made in his control and with his changeup gives the Rays a reason to keep trying him as a starter. He'll be part of a potent roster at Double-A Montgomery.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  McClanahan has one of the most obviously gifted left arms in a system that also includes Brendan McKay and Matthew Liberatore. Whereas those two rely on a degree of finesse, McClanahan simply shoots lightning bolt after lightning bolt past hitters’ bats with a devastating combo of a mid-90s fastball that can tickle triple-digits and a dastardly breaking ball that flashes double-plus. His 154 strikeouts and 11.49 strikeouts per nine innings each finished second in the organization behind righthander Joe Ryan, and he made it all the way to Double-A in his first full season as a pro. His changeup is both seldom-used and below-average, and his command and control could stand to be tightened, but the ingredients he has right now are enough to have left hitters flummoxed at three levels. The Rays will continue to develop him as a starter, but there’s a strong chance that his optimal role will be as the kind of relief ace that Andrew Miller and Josh Hader have modeled in recent years.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  McClanahan began the season as part of Bowling Green’s outstanding rotation. He finished it at Double-A Montgomery after showing steady improvement all season. “He’s learned to slow himself down in the heat of the game,” a scout said. “Pure power. He has wonderful stuff, and now he’s learning how to control his body. That’s not an easy thing to do for some kids.” McClanahan sits comfortably between 92-95 mph and can add a few more ticks when needed. He still is polishing his slider and changeup, which have improved thanks to sharper command. “The ease with which he gets velocity and life created through zone is special,” a scout said. “He can blow dudes away with his fastball but can really spin a breaking ball. That’s a future plus offering. There’s a changeup in there, too.”
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  McClanahan had some of the nastiest stuff in the draft, including a fastball that has touched 100 mph from the left side as well as slider and changeup that can each get swings and misses. The arsenal gives him the potential to dominate on any given night, but he struggled with command at times this season at South Florida. Still, the Rays saw enough potential to snap him up with the second of their three first-round picks.