Zach Pettway

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #373 prospect in 2021 draft
  Pettway spent four years in UCLA’s rotation and was the Bruins’ Opening Day starter as a sophomore and junior. He entered this year expected to be one of UCLA’s top pitchers, but his stuff regressed and he had his worst season. He went 2-5, 4.89 as the Friday night starter for the Bruins and got worse as the season went on. Pettway succeeds more on deception than stuff even when he’s going well. His fastball sits at 87 mph and touches 91 at its best and plays up with elite extension, and his stop-and-start delivery disrupts hitters’ timing. But at the end of this season his fastball averaged 85 mph and topped out at 89, leading to lots of hard contact and short, ugly outings. Pettway’s above-average changeup is his best secondary. His low-70s breaking ball is a below-average offering. Pettway has the command to work the corners and avoid the middle of the plate, but at his current velocity, his stuff is hittable even when he locates his pitches. Pettway needs to return to his previous velocity to have success moving forward. He is a senior sign candidate for an analytically-inclined team who likes his extension and past performance.
• Ranked #302 prospect in 2020 draft
  Pettway combined to throw the first no-hitter in Area Code Games history in high school and spent three years in UCLA’s starting rotation. He was a freshman All-American and served as the Bruins’ Opening Day starter both his sophomore and junior years. Pettway succeeds on deception more than stuff. His fastball sits 87-91 mph but plays up with his stop-and-start, crossfire delivery. Batters struggle to find the ball and have trouble adjusting their timing. Pettway’s elite extension further helps his fastball get on hitters quicker than they expect. Pettway’s best secondary is his above-average changeup, while his slider is fringy but usable. He avoids the middle of the plate and works the corners with plus command and control. Pettway is an elite strike-thrower and competitor who pitches above his pure stuff. Analytically-inclined teams are higher on him than traditional clubs due to his track record, extension and command.