Ryan Birchard Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Ryan Joel Birchard
Born 07/12/2003 in Auburn, NY
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 207 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Niagara County CC
Drafted in the 5th round (155th overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2023 (signed for $322,500).

View Draft Report

Birchard is a stocky 6-foot, 207-pound righthander who had an excellent 2023 season at Niagara (N.Y.) JC. He had a 1.08 ERA with 95 strikeouts across 50 innings pitched. Birchard’s fastball will sit in the mid 90s and is an offering he pairs with a high-spin curveball. He spun nine excellent innings this summer in the MLB Draft League with a 1.00 ERA and a 16-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Birchard is a likely reliever in pro ball.

Top Rankings

BA Grade: 40/High

Track Record: The Brewers were among the handful of teams that made the trip out to remote niagara County (n.Y.) JC to see Birchard, who struck out 95 in 50 innings in 2023. After the season, Birchard pitched in the MLB Draft League, where he dominated and showed high-octane stuff, making him more well known leading into the draft. The Brewers drafted him in the fifth round and signed him for $322,500, and while he didn’t pitch in games after signing, he threw well during instructional league.

Scouting Report: Birchard has a strong, compact 6-foot frame with a high-effort delivery and a power arm. His fastball sits in the mid-90s, reaching 98 mph with riding life up in the zone. Birchard has a pair of breaking balls that can miss bats and flash above-average, including a mid-80s slider with good lateral break and an upper-70s curveball with tight rotation and big depth. Birchard walked 15% of the batters he faced his final year at niagara, though his control was better in the MLB Draft League. He should develop in the minor leagues as a starter but some scouts see him fitting best as a reliever in the majors.

The Future: The Brewers have shown a knack for identifying and developing quality junior college arms. Birchard could be next in line from that path.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 40

RHP Ryan Birchard assigned to Peoria Javelinas.
RHP Ryan Birchard assigned to Wisconsin Timber Rattlers from Carolina Mudcats.
Carolina Mudcats activated RHP Ryan Birchard from the 60-day injured list.
Carolina Mudcats sent RHP Ryan Birchard on a rehab assignment to ACL Brewers.
Carolina Mudcats sent RHP Ryan Birchard on a rehab assignment to ACL Brewers.
Carolina Mudcats transferred RHP Ryan Birchard from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
Carolina Mudcats placed RHP Ryan Birchard on the 7-day injured list.
RHP Ryan Birchard assigned to Carolina Mudcats from ACL Brewers.
RHP Ryan Birchard assigned to ACL Brewers.
ACL Brewers activated RHP Ryan Birchard.
Milwaukee Brewers signed RHP Ryan Birchard.