Zach Willeman Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Zachary D Willeman
Born 03/27/1996 in Napoleon, OH
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 219 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Kent State
Drafted in the 19th round (580th overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 (signed for $125,000).

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Kent State head coach Jeff Duncan and pitching coach Mike Birkbeck have established an assembly line of interesting starters. A year after Eric Lauer turned himself into a top prospect, the Flashes got a solid season out of Willeman, their closer for two years who turned into a starter as a junior. Willeman's 90-95 mph fastball has plenty of sink and he can run it in on the hands of righthanded hitters. His curveball was a little loopier and slower this spring than it was last summer in the Cape Cod League, grading out more as a 40-45 pitch this spring. Some scouts believe he'll end up back in the pen as he has a deep stab in his arm action, but he showed fringe-average control this year as a starter.

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Track Record: Willeman spent two years as Kent State's closer before moving to the rotation as a junior in 2017. He pitched well as a starter and had late draft helium, but he had Tommy John surgery a week before the draft and fell. The Dodgers snagged him in the 19th round and signed him for $125,000. Willeman sat 90-95 before surgery, but after nearly 14 months of rehab with the Dodgers, he returned in late July sitting 94-96 mph and touching 99.

Scouting Report: Willeman is a broad, physical power pitcher. His fastball velocity stands out, and he impresses even more with two power breaking balls that flashed plus. His hard slider checked in 91-92 mph and his hammer power curveball clocked 83-84. Willeman's control was a little off, but not beyond what was expected from someone who hadn't pitched in a year. His head stays still in his delivery and he reaches top velocity with little effort, enough to project average control.

The Future: Willeman threw only 19.1 innings, so his durability remains an open question. With a premium fastball and two potential plus secondaries, his upside is enormous if he can stay healthy.

Kent State head coach Jeff Duncan and pitching coach Mike Birkbeck have established an assembly line of interesting starters. A year after Eric Lauer turned himself into a top prospect, the Flashes got a solid season out of Willeman, their closer for two years who turned into a starter as a junior. Willeman's 90-95 mph fastball has plenty of sink and he can run it in on the hands of righthanded hitters. His curveball was a little loopier and slower this spring than it was last summer in the Cape Cod League, grading out more as a 40-45 pitch this spring. Some scouts believe he'll end up back in the pen as he has a deep stab in his arm action, but he showed fringe-average control this year as a starter.