J.C. Flowers

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #205 prospect in 2019 draft
  A legitimate two-way player for the Seminoles, Flowers was a highly touted prospect out of Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, where he was also recruited as a wide receiver. Flowers' best tool might be his athleticism, which allows him to cover expansive ground in center field, where he is an above-average defender. Which role he fills at the next level could depend on who drafts him, however, as some in the industry prefer him on the mound and some teams prefer him as a hitter. Flowers has some pop in the bat--he hit a career-best 11 home runs through his first 54 games this spring--but he has a career strikeout rate of approximately 22 percent and scouts are concerned with the amount of swing-and-miss in his game. On the mound, Flowers has been used as FSU's closer this spring, though he did start one game in early April against Jacksonville, when he pitched three innings and struck out three batters. Flowers' fastball reaches the mid-90s at its best, but it usually sits in the low 90s and averages 91 mph. He has a hard slider or cutter that sits in the upper 80s and flashes above-average, but the pitch remains inconsistent. Flowers also shows a solid, third-pitch changeup. For the most part, Flowers has been up and down as a pitcher this spring. But his athleticism, and the fact that he's a two-way player, could mean there is plenty of room for improvement if he focuses exclusively on pitching. He could be drafted in the middle of Day 2, although there are a few teams who might think he could be a starting pitcher. If that's the case, Flowers could be drafted sooner rather than later on the draft's second day.
• Ranked #142 prospect in 2016 draft
  Flowers stood out on the football field, as well as the diamond, for Trinity Christian and drew scholarship offers for his play as a wide receiver. But he ultimately chose to pursue baseball, and is committed to Kentucky. Now, it will be up to scouts to determine whether Flowers' raw tools will play better on the mound or in the outfield. His athleticism and 6-foot-3, 175-pound frame serves him well in both roles. He is an above-average runner with plus arm strength, giving him a chance to play all three outfield positions, though his speed and mature routes profile well in center field. At the plate, he has a knack for putting the barrel on the ball and should develop some power as he grows into his frame. As a pitcher, Flowers runs his fastball up to 95 mph, and typically sits in the low 90s. At his best, he has a plus slider and average changeup, but his secondary stuff is inconsistent. His delivery will also have to be refined, but he may be able to add some velocity as he incorporates his lower half better.

• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  A legitimate two-way player for the Seminoles, Flowers was a highly touted prospect out of Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, where he was also recruited as a wide receiver. Flowers' best tool might be his athleticism, which allows him to cover expansive ground in center field, where he is an above-average defender. Which role he fills at the next level could depend on who drafts him, however, as some in the industry prefer him on the mound and some teams prefer him as a hitter. Flowers has some pop in the bat--he hit a career-best 11 home runs through his first 54 games this spring--but he has a career strikeout rate of approximately 22 percent and scouts are concerned with the amount of swing-and-miss in his game. On the mound, Flowers has been used as FSU's closer this spring, though he did start one game in early April against Jacksonville, when he pitched three innings and struck out three batters. Flowers' fastball reaches the mid-90s at its best, but it usually sits in the low 90s and averages 91 mph. He has a hard slider or cutter that sits in the upper 80s and flashes above-average, but the pitch remains inconsistent. Flowers also shows a solid, third-pitch changeup. For the most part, Flowers has been up and down as a pitcher this spring. But his athleticism, and the fact that he's a two-way player, could mean there is plenty of room for improvement if he focuses exclusively on pitching. He could be drafted in the middle of Day 2, although there are a few teams who might think he could be a starting pitcher. If that's the case, Flowers could be drafted sooner rather than later on the draft's second day.