Tyler Jay

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #10 prospect in 2018
  Taken sixth overall in 2015, one pick ahead of Arkansas outfielder Andrew Benintendi and three picks ahead of Ian Happ, Jay received a $3,889,500 signing bonus and initially made a seemingly successful transition to a starting role after serving as an All-American closer at Illinois. Upon reaching Double-A at midseason 2016, however, the slightly built Jay ran into neck, shoulder and fatigue issues. After Jay was worn down by the summer heat and a rotation burden that caused him to shed 20 pounds, a mutual decision was made to return him to the bullpen last spring. Instead, more neck and shoulder woes (that he blamed on poor mechanics) limited him to just two appearances over the first four months of the season and had him fearing surgery before he finally returned for good in mid-August. Sent to the Arizona Fall League, Jay mostly pitched in the low-90s with his four-seam fastball but did touch 95 mph in the Fall Stars Game. A hard, late-breaking slider that showed plus potential at 86-87 mph in his first two seasons remained erratic upon his return. Even in relief he continued to flash an above-average curveball at 78-80 mph and a show-me changeup just in case he's used in multi-inning roles. The product of the Chicago suburbs has a football background and a competitive streak that should serve him well as he pushes for a spot in the big league bullpen at some point in 2018.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #5 prospect in 2017
  The Twins drafted Jay sixth overall in 2015 with visions of developing him as a starter. He was a power closer and first-team All-American on a 2015 Illinois team that went to super regionals. In 71 college appearances, Jay started just twice. He made 15 starts in 2016 before moving to the bullpen in the second half at Double-A Chattanooga, and the Twins shut him down at the end of the year with neck inflammation. With his mid-90s fastball and hard, late-breaking 88-92 mph slider, Jay has two big league quality pitches that give him a high floor as a potential closer. As a starter, he features a four-pitch mix, flashing an above-average curveball and mixing in a changeup that has proven effective against righthanded hitters. Evaluators question whether the modest-framed Jay has the physicality to sustain his stuff in extended work. Though electric in short stints, he wasn't as sharp the second and third time through lineups in 2016. Whether Jay will ever build that durability is a divisive topic among scouts. The Twins remain committed to developing Jay as a starter, and he should return to Chattanooga in 2017. However, with the major league club in need of arms, he could at least begin his major league career out of the bullpen.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #5 prospect in 2016
  Taken sixth overall, Jay signed for $3,889,500 as the Twins completed a four-year run of top-six picks. A reliever for all but two of his 71 career outings at Illinois, Jay was the Big 10 Conference pitcher of the year as a junior. He distinguished himself the previous summer at the Cape Cod League and with Team USA, where he shared late-game relief duties with Rangers first-rounder Dillon Tate. A wide receiver and kick returner on the football powerhouse at Lemont (Ill.) HS, Jay prides himself on taking a football mentality to the mound. He had 24 career saves for the Illini, and the Twins had visions of fast-tracking him to the majors, a la Brandon Finnegan with the Royals in 2014. Pushed to high Class A Fort Myers, Jay struggled to a 7.56 ERA through July before giving up just one earned run in his final 10 innings. His fastball was 92-94 mph and touched 98. Yet his best pitch is a late-breaking, wipeout slider to lefties that comes in at 88-92 mph and earns at least a 70 grade. He mixes in an above-average curve and shows a feel for the changeup. He has surprising strength and durability, given his modest frame. He has a tremendous work ethic and an aggressive approach on the mound. After seeing other fast-track relievers struggle to make the jump to the Southern League, the Twins are likely to start Jay back at Fort Myers in 2016. Once he polishes his changeup, he'll have the pitches to start, so it makes sense to stretch him out and see if he can go that route.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #13 prospect in 2015 draft
  Jay was a prep punter and punt returner in football and has a muscular, athletic 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame. He's has taken off as Illinois' closer during the Illini's storybook 2015 season, which included a 24-game win streak. Jay first emerged as the closer as a sophomore, earning a spot with USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team as the only lefthander in the bullpen. While he excels in a short-relief role, he's held firm stuff over extended outings, such as a five-inning early-season start against Lamar and a six-inning outing at Penn State. He ranked second in the nation in ERA and was overpowering hitters with a 92-96 mph fastball from a quick-armed, high-energy delivery with a long stride and deception. Scouts were mixed on whether or not Jay could start, but he'd maintained similar velocity when extended, and he's shown a four-pitch mix. His low 80s slider earns "wipeout" designation from scouts, while he locates both an average curveball and change. Jay was trending toward the top half of the first round and could be the first player from the draft class to reach the majors if he stays in a relief role.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #80 prospect in 2016

• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Taken sixth overall in 2015, Jay signed for $3,889,500 and initially transitioned to a starting role after serving as an All-American closer at Illinois. Upon reaching Double-A Chattanooga at midseason 2016, however, the slightly built Jay ran into neck, shoulder and fatigue issues. After he was worn down by the summer heat and the rigors of starting, he and the Twins mutually decided to return him to the bullpen in 2017. Instead, more neck and shoulder woes limited him to just two appearances over the first four and a half months of the season before he finally returned for good in mid-August. Scouting Report: Sent to the Arizona Fall League, Jay mostly pitched in the low 90s with his four-seam fastball but did touch 95 mph in the Fall Stars Game. A hard, late-breaking slider that showed plus potential at 86-87 mph in his first two seasons remained erratic upon his return. Even in relief he continued to flash an above-average curveball at 78-80 mph and a show-me changeup just in case he's used in multi-inning roles. The Future: The product of the Chicago suburbs has a football background and a competitive streak that should serve him well as he pushes for a spot in the big league bullpen at some point in 2018.
• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: The Twins drafted Jay sixth overall in 2015 with visions of developing him as a starter. He was a power closer and first-team All-American on a 2015 Illinois team that went to super regionals. In 71 college appearances, Jay started just twice. He made 15 starts in 2016 before moving to the bullpen in the second half at Double-A Chattanooga, and the Twins shut him down at the end of the year with neck inflammation. Scouting Report: With his mid-90s fastball and hard, late-breaking 88-92 mph slider, Jay has two big league quality pitches that give him a high floor as a potential closer. As a starter, he features a four-pitch mix, flashing an above-average curveball and mixing in a changeup that has proven effective against righthanded hitters. Evaluators question whether the modest-framed Jay has the physicality to sustain his stuff in extended work. Though electric in short stints, he wasn't as sharp the second and third time through lineups in 2016. Whether Jay will ever build that durability is a divisive topic among scouts.
  
  The Future: The Twins remain committed to developing Jay as a starter, and he should return to Chattanooga in 2017. However, with the major league club in need of arms, he could at least begin his major league career out of the bullpen.
• December, 2014 Scouting Report
  Jay was a prep punter and punt returner in football and has a muscular, athletic 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame. He's has taken off as Illinois' closer during the Illini's storybook 2015 season, which included a 24-game win streak. Jay first emerged as the closer as a sophomore, earning a spot with USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team as the only lefthander in the bullpen. While he excels in a short-relief role, he's held firm stuff over extended outings, such as a five-inning early-season start against Lamar and a six-inning outing at Penn State. He ranked second in the nation in ERA and was overpowering hitters with a 92-96 mph fastball from a quick-armed, high-energy delivery with a long stride and deception. Scouts were mixed on whether or not Jay could start, but he'd maintained similar velocity when extended, and he's shown a four-pitch mix. His low 80s slider earns "wipeout" designation from scouts, while he locates both an average curveball and change. Jay was trending toward the top half of the first round and could be the first player from the draft class to reach the majors if he stays in a relief role.