Jason Rackers

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #332 prospect in 2019 draft
  In 2018, as a freshman at Jefferson County (Mo.) JC, Rackers impressed evaluators with his stuff and strike-throwing ability. A year later, he's just finished up a sophomore season that wasn't as impressive. Rackers' numbers this year (8-3, 3.97, 61 hits in 65.2 innings, 22 walks and 82 strikeouts) were good, but not great. His size (6-foot-7), projectability and durability could entice a club to buy him out of his commitment to Tennessee. Rackers' velocity slowly warmed up with the weather as he went from 89-92 mph early this year to 91-95 mph by the end of the season. His above-average fastball shows some life, and he generates plenty of ground balls. But his slider has not really progressed and remains a below-average pitch, much as it's been for the past two years. There are some concerns whether Rackers really has the feel to spin a breaking ball. His fringe-average changeup does flash average and is more promising than his slider.
• Ranked #337 prospect in 2018 draft
  A 6-foot-7 basketball/baseball star in high school, Rackers got off to a slow start this spring, although his reduced velocity (87-90) could in part be blamed away by the brutal weather he and his teammates faced. As the sun came back out and the temperature warmed, Rackers' fastball heated up as well. He's helped lead Jefferson County (Missouri) to the NJCAA World Series with a 10-1, 2.68 season and racked up 95 strikeouts while walking 22 in 74 innings. Rackers is able to throw his 90-93 mph fastball and his below-average slider for strikes. He needs to improve the depth and bite of his slider and he has work to do on sequencing and pitch location--he's in the zone, but doesn't hit his spots.

• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  In 2018, as a freshman at Jefferson County (Mo.) JC, Rackers impressed evaluators with his stuff and strike-throwing ability. A year later, he's just finished up a sophomore season that wasn't as impressive. Rackers' numbers this year (8-3, 3.97, 61 hits in 65.2 innings, 22 walks and 82 strikeouts) were good, but not great. His size (6-foot-7), projectability and durability could entice a club to buy him out of his commitment to Tennessee. Rackers' velocity slowly warmed up with the weather as he went from 89-92 mph early this year to 91-95 mph by the end of the season. His above-average fastball shows some life, and he generates plenty of ground balls. But his slider has not really progressed and remains a below-average pitch, much as it's been for the past two years. There are some concerns whether Rackers really has the feel to spin a breaking ball. His fringe-average changeup does flash average and is more promising than his slider.