Carmen Mlodzinski

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #22 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Mlodzinski generated first-round buzz on the strength of a dominant Cape Cod League showing in 2019 despite never putting it all together at South Carolina. Pittsburgh drafted him No. 31 overall in 2020. Mlodzinski turned heads in his pro debut with High-A Greensboro the following year, striking out 54 batters in his first 41 innings, but right shoulder stiffness sidelined him for more than a month. He hasn't regained that form since. He spent all of 2022 with Double-A Altoona, posting a 4.78 ERA in 105.1 innings.
  
  Scouting Report: The metric-savvy Mlodzinski has a bevy of offerings but is still seeking the optimal pitch mix. He has experimented with both a sinker and four-seamer as his predominant fastball, opting to stick with his preferred 93-95 mph four-seamer. Mlodzinski also re-introduced a two-seamer and can occasionally cut his fastball as well, but it doesn't generate many whiffs. His two offspeed pitches are above-average. Mlodzinski altered the movement profile of his mid-80s slider to add more depth in 2022, and he rounds out his arsenal with an upper-80s changeup. There's some deception in his effortful delivery, but his command wavers and he battles inefficiency.
  
  The Future: Erraticism has defined Mlodzinski's pro career. Clean health and improved command in 2023 would help him stay on track to his ceiling as a back-of-the-rotation starter.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 50
• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #10 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Mlodzinski had a limited track record at South Carolina because of a foot injury in 2019 and the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, but the Pirates saw enough in limited time to draft him 31st overall and sign him for $2.05 million. Mlodzinski got his pro career off to a hot start with 51 strikeouts in 37.1 innings at High-A Greensboro before he suffered right shoulder stiffness that sidelined him for more than a month. He was limited to shorter outings upon returning in August, but he still made it to Triple-A for one relief appearance. He finished the year in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Mlodzinski has long had a deep arsenal, if not a true swing-and-miss pitch. He set out to change that in 2021 by relying more on a traditional four-seam fastball with carry through the zone as opposed to his typical sinker-heavy approach. Mlodzinski’s four-seamer sits 93-95 mph and touches 98 and has the potential to play up from his low arm slot, aided even more by his effortful-yet-deceptive delivery. Mlodzinski also throws an average cutter with late life and his assortment of secondaries includes an above-average slider, an above-average, mid-80s changeup he throws with impressive arm speed and the occasional fringy curveball. Sequencing and efficiency can be an issue for Mlodzinski, and he sometimes struggled to finish at-bats. His velocity also tends to fluctuate
  
  The Future: The health of Mlodzinski’s shoulder and his lack of a true out pitch are concerns. He still has the upside of a back-end starter and could arrive in Pittsburgh sooner rather than later.
  
• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #12 prospect in 2021
  Fastball: 60. Slider: 55. Changeup: 40. Cutter: 55. Control: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Mlodzinski was one of the 2020 draft’s biggest question marks due to a lack of track record. He suffered a broken foot that limited him to three starts in 2019, made six starts in the Cape Cod League the following summer and had just four outings before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the 2020 college season. His stuff was undeniable, though, and the Pirates drafted him 31st overall and signed him for $2.05 million to turn pro as a redshirt sophomore.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Mlodzinski throws a heavy sinking fastball that sits 92-94 mph and has reached 98. He throws a slider and a cutter that have flashed plus potential, especially during an impressive performance in the Cape. Both pitches were less sharp in the spring, however, with the slider lacking depth and tilt, and his cutter sitting at a reduced 89-91 mph. Mlodzinski has a fringe-average curveball and a below-average changeup that each need to be improved. He throws strikes and generates a lot of ground balls with his fastball, but he’s still trying to find a consistent swing-and-miss pitch.
  
  THE FUTURE: Mlodzinski is capable of being a groundball-oriented starter at the back of a rotation. He needs to find a consistent second pitch.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #25 prospect in 2020 draft
  Mlodzinski (pronounced ‘Muh-jin-ski’) had some top-five round grades from clubs coming out of Hilton Head (S.C.) High, but he made it to campus at South Carolina, where he posted a 5.61 ERA over two abbreviated seasons. A foot injury limited him to just three games in 2019, but Mlodzinski entered the 2020 season as a redshirt sophomore with some of the most hype in the country following an exceptional summer in the Cape Cod League. He ranked as the top pitcher in the league with a fastball up to 97-98 mph, an impressive slider and cutter and a 2.15 ERA over six starts, with 40 strikeouts to just four walks. He managed just four starts before the season shut down ahead of a big SEC matchup with Tennessee, posting a 2.84 ERA in 25.1 innings with less gaudy strikeout numbers but plenty of ground balls induced. Mlodzinski sat in the 92-94 mph range and showed 96-97 at times. The pitch is a heavy sinking fastball that generates tons of ground balls but doesn't as miss many bats as scouts would like. After flashing a plus slider and cutter in the Cape, Mlodzinski’s breaking balls were more above-average or solid this spring, with the slider lacking the depth and tilt he previously showed and the cutter sitting in the 89-91 mph range. He tinkered with a curveball that was fringe-average at times, and also infrequently threw a changeup that needs further refinement. Without a true swing-and-miss offering, it’s more difficult to see Mlodzinski going at the top of the first round. As a physical, 6-foot-2, 231-pound righty who throws a lot of strikes, has a clean arm action and forces hitters into beating the ball into the ground, he still offers a reasonable floor as a middle or back-of-the-rotation starter.
• Ranked #172 prospect in 2017 draft
  Mlodzinski committed early to South Carolina, and he took a significant step forward from last summer's showcase circuit through to spring 2017. He's added solid weight to his listed 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame and got stronger, leading to more velocity. An 87-91 mph fastball has turned into a plus pitch, at times touching 95 mph and sitting 91-93 mph for stretches. He has hand speed and shows the ability to spin a curveball that earns present average grades, with a chance to be a plus pitch with time and development. He's athletic and has am speed to go with his newfound strength. While his Gamecocks commitment is considered strong, Mlodzinski could be a target for some clubs in the first five rounds.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Mlodzinski generated first-round buzz on the strength of a dominant Cape Cod League showing in 2019 despite never putting it all together at South Carolina. Pittsburgh drafted him No. 31 overall in 2020. Mlodzinski turned heads in his pro debut with High-A Greensboro the following year, striking out 54 batters in his first 41 innings, but right shoulder stiffness sidelined him for more than a month. He hasn't regained that form since. He spent all of 2022 with Double-A Altoona, posting a 4.78 ERA in 105.1 innings.
  
  Scouting Report: The metric-savvy Mlodzinski has a bevy of offerings but is still seeking the optimal pitch mix. He has experimented with both a sinker and four-seamer as his predominant fastball, opting to stick with his preferred 93-95 mph four-seamer. Mlodzinski also re-introduced a two-seamer and can occasionally cut his fastball as well, but it doesn't generate many whiffs. His two offspeed pitches are above-average. Mlodzinski altered the movement profile of his mid-80s slider to add more depth in 2022, and he rounds out his arsenal with an upper-80s changeup. There's some deception in his effortful delivery, but his command wavers and he battles inefficiency.
  
  The Future: Erraticism has defined Mlodzinski's pro career. Clean health and improved command in 2023 would help him stay on track to his ceiling as a back-of-the-rotation starter.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 50
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Mlodzinski generated first-round buzz on the strength of a dominant Cape Cod League showing in 2019 despite never putting it all together at South Carolina. Pittsburgh drafted him No. 31 overall in 2020. Mlodzinski turned heads in his pro debut with High-A Greensboro the following year, striking out 54 batters in his first 41 innings, but right shoulder stiffness sidelined him for more than a month. He hasn't regained that form since. He spent all of 2022 with Double-A Altoona, posting a 4.78 ERA in 105.1 innings.
  
  Scouting Report: The metric-savvy Mlodzinski has a bevy of offerings but is still seeking the optimal pitch mix. He has experimented with both a sinker and four-seamer as his predominant fastball, opting to stick with his preferred 93-95 mph four-seamer. Mlodzinski also re-introduced a two-seamer and can occasionally cut his fastball as well, but it doesn't generate many whiffs. His two offspeed pitches are above-average. Mlodzinski altered the movement profile of his mid-80s slider to add more depth in 2022, and he rounds out his arsenal with an upper-80s changeup. There's some deception in his effortful delivery, but his command wavers and he battles inefficiency.
  
  The Future: Erraticism has defined Mlodzinski's pro career. Clean health and improved command in 2023 would help him stay on track to his ceiling as a back-of-the-rotation starter.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 50
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Pittsburgh drafted Mlodzinski No. 31 overall in 2020, but the South Carolina product had less track record than a typical top SEC pick because of a foot injury in 2019 and the shortened season in 2020. Mlodzinski drew plenty of buzz early in 2021, striking out 51 batters over his first 37.1 innings with High-A Greensboro, but he missed more than a month with right shoulder stiffness in early July. He was limited to shorter outings upon returning in August, which included one October relief appearance for Triple-A Indianapolis. Pittsburgh then sent Mlodzinski to the Arizona Fall League for further development.
  
  Scouting Report: Mlodzinski has long worked with a deep arsenal, but evaluators often lamented the lack of a true swing-and-miss pitch. He set out to change that this year, relying more on a traditional four-seam fastball that carries through the zone than his typical sinker-heavy approach. The Pirates believe the four-seamer, which sits 93-95 but can touch 98, can play even better from Mlodzinski&#39s low arm slot, aided even more by his effortful-yet-deceptive delivery. Mlodzinski also throws a cutter with good late life, and his assortment of secondaries include an above-average slider, a mid-80s changeup scouts say he throws with impressive arm speed and the occasional curveball. As one might expect, sequencing and efficiency can be an issue for Mlodzinski, and he sometimes struggled to finish at-bats. Mlodzinski&#39s velocity also fluctuated at times in 2021.
  
  The Future: Injuries remain a concern, but Mlodzinski has the upside of a No. 4 starter who could arrive in Pittsburgh sooner rather than later.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Cutter: 50. Curveball: 45. Slider: 55. Changeup: 55. Control: 50.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Mlodzinski had a limited track record at South Carolina because of a foot injury in 2019 and the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, but the Pirates saw enough in limited time to draft him 31st overall and sign him for $2.05 million. Mlodzinski got his pro career off to a hot start with 51 strikeouts in 37.1 innings at High-A Greensboro before he suffered right shoulder stiffness that sidelined him for more than a month. He was limited to shorter outings upon returning in August, but he still made it to Triple-A for one relief appearance. He finished the year in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Mlodzinski has long had a deep arsenal, if not a true swing-and-miss pitch. He set out to change that in 2021 by relying more on a traditional four-seam fastball with carry through the zone as opposed to his typical sinker-heavy approach. Mlodzinski’s four-seamer sits 93-95 mph and touches 98 and has the potential to play up from his low arm slot, aided even more by his effortful-yet-deceptive delivery. Mlodzinski also throws an average cutter with late life and his assortment of secondaries includes an above-average slider, an above-average, mid-80s changeup he throws with impressive arm speed and the occasional fringy curveball. Sequencing and efficiency can be an issue for Mlodzinski, and he sometimes struggled to finish at-bats. His velocity also tends to fluctuate
  
  The Future: The health of Mlodzinski’s shoulder and his lack of a true out pitch are concerns. He still has the upside of a back-end starter and could arrive in Pittsburgh sooner rather than later.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 60. Slider: 55. Changeup: 40. Cutter: 55. Control: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Mlodzinski was one of the 2020 draft's biggest question marks due to a lack of track record. He suffered a broken foot that limited him to three starts in 2019, made six starts in the Cape Cod League the following summer and had just four outings before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the 2020 college season. His stuff was undeniable, though, and the Pirates drafted him 31st overall and signed him for $2.05 million to turn pro as a redshirt sophomore.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Mlodzinski throws a heavy sinking fastball that sits 92-94 mph and has reached 98. He throws a slider and a cutter that have flashed plus potential, especially during an impressive performance in the Cape. Both pitches were less sharp in the spring, however, with the slider lacking depth and tilt, and his cutter sitting at a reduced 89-91 mph. Mlodzinski has a fringe-average curveball and a below-average changeup that each need to be improved. He throws strikes and generates a lot of ground balls with his fastball, but he's still trying to find a consistent swing-and-miss pitch.
  
  THE FUTURE: Mlodzinski is capable of being a groundball-oriented starter at the back of a rotation. He needs to find a consistent second pitch.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 60. Slider: 55. Changeup: 40. Cutter: 55. Control: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Mlodzinski was one of the 2020 draft’s biggest question marks due to a lack of track record. He suffered a broken foot that limited him to three starts in 2019, made six starts in the Cape Cod League the following summer and had just four outings before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the 2020 college season. His stuff was undeniable, though, and the Pirates drafted him 31st overall and signed him for $2.05 million to turn pro as a redshirt sophomore.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Mlodzinski throws a heavy sinking fastball that sits 92-94 mph and has reached 98. He throws a slider and a cutter that have flashed plus potential, especially during an impressive performance in the Cape. Both pitches were less sharp in the spring, however, with the slider lacking depth and tilt, and his cutter sitting at a reduced 89-91 mph. Mlodzinski has a fringe-average curveball and a below-average changeup that each need to be improved. He throws strikes and generates a lot of ground balls with his fastball, but he’s still trying to find a consistent swing-and-miss pitch.
  
  THE FUTURE: Mlodzinski is capable of being a groundball-oriented starter at the back of a rotation. He needs to find a consistent second pitch.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 60. Slider: 55. Changeup: 40. Cutter: 55. Control: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Mlodzinski was one of the 2020 draft’s biggest question marks due to a lack of track record. He suffered a broken foot that limited him to three starts in 2019, made six starts in the Cape Cod League the following summer and had just four outings before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the 2020 college season. His stuff was undeniable, though, and the Pirates drafted him 31st overall and signed him for $2.05 million to turn pro as a redshirt sophomore.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Mlodzinski throws a heavy sinking fastball that sits 92-94 mph and has reached 98. He throws a slider and a cutter that have flashed plus potential, especially during an impressive performance in the Cape. Both pitches were less sharp in the spring, however, with the slider lacking depth and tilt, and his cutter sitting at a reduced 89-91 mph. Mlodzinski has a fringe-average curveball and a below-average changeup that each need to be improved. He throws strikes and generates a lot of ground balls with his fastball, but he’s still trying to find a consistent swing-and-miss pitch.
  
  THE FUTURE: Mlodzinski is capable of being a groundball-oriented starter at the back of a rotation. He needs to find a consistent second pitch.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  Mlodzinski (pronounced ‘Muh-jin-ski’) had some top-five round grades from clubs coming out of Hilton Head (S.C.) High, but he made it to campus at South Carolina, A foot injury limited him to just three games in 2019, but Mlodzinski entered the 2020 season as a redshirt sophomore with some of the most hype in the country following an exceptional summer in the Cape Cod League. He ranked as the top pitcher in the league with a fastball up to 97-98 mph, an impressive slider and cutter and a 2.15 ERA over six starts, with 40 strikeouts to just four walks. He managed just four starts before the season shut down, posting a 2.84 ERA in 25.1 innings with less gaudy strikeout numbers but plenty of ground balls induced. Mlodzinski sits in the 92-94 mph range and shows 96-97 at times. The pitch is a heavy sinking fastball that generates tons of ground balls but doesn't as miss many bats as scouts would like. After flashing a plus slider and cutter in the Cape, Mlodzinski’s breaking balls were more above-average or solid this spring, with the slider lacking the depth and tilt he previously showed and the cutter sitting 89-91 mph. He's tinkered with a curveball that was fringe-average at times, and also infrequently throws a changeup that needs further refinement. Without a true swing-and-miss offering, it’s more difficult to see Mlodzinski going at the top of the first round. As a physical, 6-foot-2, 231-pound righty who throws a lot of strikes, has a clean arm action and forces hitters to beat the ball into the ground, he still offers reasonable upside as a middle or back-of-the-rotation starter.
• December, 2019 Scouting Report
  Mlodzinski (pronounced ‘Muh-jin-ski’) had some top-five round grades from clubs coming out of Hilton Head (S.C.) High, but he made it to campus at South Carolina, where he posted a 5.61 ERA over two abbreviated seasons. A foot injury limited him to just three games in 2019, but Mlodzinski entered the 2020 season as a redshirt sophomore with some of the most hype in the country following an exceptional summer in the Cape Cod League. He ranked as the top pitcher in the league with a fastball up to 97-98 mph, an impressive slider and cutter and a 2.15 ERA over six starts, with 40 strikeouts to just four walks. He managed just four starts before the season shut down ahead of a big SEC matchup with Tennessee, posting a 2.84 ERA in 25.1 innings with less gaudy strikeout numbers but plenty of ground balls induced. Mlodzinski sat in the 92-94 mph range and showed 96-97 at times. The pitch is a heavy sinking fastball that generates tons of ground balls but doesn't as miss many bats as scouts would like. After flashing a plus slider and cutter in the Cape, Mlodzinski’s breaking balls were more above-average or solid this spring, with the slider lacking the depth and tilt he previously showed and the cutter sitting in the 89-91 mph range. He tinkered with a curveball that was fringe-average at times, and also infrequently threw a changeup that needs further refinement. Without a true swing-and-miss offering, it’s more difficult to see Mlodzinski going at the top of the first round. As a physical, 6-foot-2, 231-pound righty who throws a lot of strikes, has a clean arm action and forces hitters into beating the ball into the ground, he still offers a reasonable floor as a middle or back-of-the-rotation starter.