Karl Kauffmann

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #23 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: After leading Michigan to a runner-up finish in the 2019 College World Series, the Rockies drafted Kauffmann No. 77 overall and elected to rest him that summer because of his high workload in college. A shoulder injury limited his development at the alternate site in 2020. The righthander made his pro debut in 2021 with High-A Spokane and the Rockies elevated him to Double-A after just two impressive starts, where he pitched to a 7.35 ERA in 19 games (18 starts).
  
  Scouting Report: Kauffmann relies on command and grittiness to elevate an ordinary pitch mix. He’s comfortable throwing his low-90s sinker to both sides of the plate, but hitters weren’t fooled by it (.398 wOBA against) and he needs to throw it in the strike zone more frequently. Kauffmann also deploys a low-90s four-seamer and an average changeup that needs more development, but neither miss many bats. His best secondary offering is his mid-80s slider which looks extremely similar to his fastball out of his hand and projects as an above-average pitch.
  
  The Future: Kauffmann’s ceiling is an innings eater at the back of a rotation, though he could profile as a reliever as well. The Rockies challenged Kauffmann in 2021, unworried by the growing pains at Double-A, and the same will likely be true in Triple-A in 2022.
  
• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #18 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Kauffmann enjoyed a successful career at Michigan and helped the Wolverines finish as runner-up at the 2019 College World Series. The Rockies drafted Kauffmann in the supplemental second round and elected to rest him after a long college season, so he has yet to pitch an official game after the coronavirus pandemic canceled the 2020 minor league season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Kauffmann has solid stuff and a reputation for being a dogged competitor. His sinking fastball that sits in the low 90s is his best offering, and he also has an above-average changeup that he varies well and an average slider. Full seasons of pro baseball are a different animal, but there is little doubt about Kauffmann's durability as a starting pitcher. He throws plenty of strikes with average control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Kauffmann's durability, strike-throwing ability and competitiveness give him a good shot to be a solid back-of-the-rotation starter. He'll aim to make his pro debut in 2021.
• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #13 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Kauffmann enjoyed a successful three-year run at the Michigan, posting a 17-9, 2.74 mark while serving as a rotation stalwart in each of the last two seasons. Kauffmann signed with the Rockies for $805,600 soon after the Wolverines were bounced from the College World Series. After pitching a Michigan-record 130.2 innings, the Rockies used the rest of the summer as a chance for Kauffman to get acquainted with the organization.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Kauffmann features an above-average, 91-95 mph sinking fastball that reminds the Rockies of the version used by former pitcher Aaron Cook. Kauffmann complements the sinker with a solid-average changeup. Scouts are mixed on the quality slider, which is still developing. Kauffmann is durable and has solid command of his pitches thanks to a smooth, athletic delivery. Kauffmann carries a reputation for mental toughness and gamesmanship from his amateur days.
  
  THE FUTURE: Kauffmann projects as a potential back-end starter with the assortment of pitches designed for Coors Field, although some scouts the effort in his delivery may push him to the bullpen. With his savvy approach to pitching and strike-throwing ability, he could move quickly through the system.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #133 prospect in 2019 draft
  Michigan had a deep rotation this year with Tommy Henry and Kauffman serving as excellent anchors to the weekend rotation. When Kauffman is on, he pounds the bottom of the zone with sinkers and sliders. His above-average fastball has solid sink, and his velocity has ticked up to 91-95 mph in the later parts of this season. His slider gives him a second potentially above-average offering, and he generally shows feel to locate both pitches. He will sporadically throw a fringe-average changeup as well. Kauffman throws strikes and shows solid feel for setting up hitters. When he doesn't get his sinker and slider down in the zone, however, hitters are able to tee off, as neither is a pitch that can blow hitters away. Kauffman's delivery is clean and conventional, and he's proven to be durable throughout his time at Michigan. He will likely begin his pro career as a starter, but as a sinker/slider righthander he could eventually end up as a useful reliever.

• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: After leading Michigan to a runner-up finish in the 2019 College World Series, the Rockies drafted Kauffmann No. 77 overall and elected to rest him that summer because of his high workload in college. A shoulder injury limited his development at the alternate site in 2020. The righthander made his pro debut in 2021 with High-A Spokane and the Rockies elevated him to Double-A after just two impressive starts, where he pitched to a 7.35 ERA in 19 games (18 starts).
  
  Scouting Report: Kauffmann relies on command and grittiness to elevate an ordinary pitch mix. He&#39s comfortable throwing his low-90s sinker to both sides of the plate, but hitters weren&#39t fooled by it (.398 wOBA against) and he needs to throw it in the strike zone more frequently. Kauffmann also deploys a low-90s four-seamer and an average changeup that needs more development, but neither miss many bats. His best secondary offering is his mid-80s slider which looks extremely similar to his fastball out of his hand and projects as an above-average pitch.
  
  The Future: Kauffmann&#39s ceiling is an innings eater at the back of a rotation, though he could profile as a reliever as well. The Rockies challenged Kauffmann in 2021, unworried by the growing pains at Double-A, and the same will likely be true in Triple-A in 2022.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: After leading Michigan to a runner-up finish in the 2019 College World Series, the Rockies drafted Kauffmann No. 77 overall and elected to rest him that summer because of his high workload in college. A shoulder injury limited his development at the alternate site in 2020. The righthander made his pro debut in 2021 with High-A Spokane and the Rockies elevated him to Double-A after just two impressive starts, where he pitched to a 7.35 ERA in 19 games (18 starts).
  
  Scouting Report: Kauffmann relies on command and grittiness to elevate an ordinary pitch mix. He’s comfortable throwing his low-90s sinker to both sides of the plate, but hitters weren’t fooled by it (.398 wOBA against) and he needs to throw it in the strike zone more frequently. Kauffmann also deploys a low-90s four-seamer and an average changeup that needs more development, but neither miss many bats. His best secondary offering is his mid-80s slider which looks extremely similar to his fastball out of his hand and projects as an above-average pitch.
  
  The Future: Kauffmann’s ceiling is an innings eater at the back of a rotation, though he could profile as a reliever as well. The Rockies challenged Kauffmann in 2021, unworried by the growing pains at Double-A, and the same will likely be true in Triple-A in 2022.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Kauffmann enjoyed a successful career at Michigan and helped the Wolverines finish as runner-up at the 2019 College World Series. The Rockies drafted Kauffmann in the supplemental second round and elected to rest him after a long college season, so he has yet to pitch an official game after the coronavirus pandemic canceled the 2020 minor league season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Kauffmann has solid stuff and a reputation for being a dogged competitor. His sinking fastball that sits in the low 90s is his best offering, and he also has an above-average changeup that he varies well and an average slider. Full seasons of pro baseball are a different animal, but there is little doubt about Kauffmann's durability as a starting pitcher. He throws plenty of strikes with average control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Kauffmann's durability, strike-throwing ability and competitiveness give him a good shot to be a solid back-of-the-rotation starter. He'll aim to make his pro debut in 2021.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Kauffmann enjoyed a successful career at Michigan and helped the Wolverines finish as runner-up at the 2019 College World Series. The Rockies drafted Kauffmann in the supplemental second round and elected to rest him after a long college season, so he has yet to pitch an official game after the coronavirus pandemic canceled the 2020 minor league season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Kauffmann has solid stuff and a reputation for being a dogged competitor. His sinking fastball that sits in the low 90s is his best offering, and he also has an above-average changeup that he varies well and an average slider. Full seasons of pro baseball are a different animal, but there is little doubt about Kauffmann's durability as a starting pitcher. He throws plenty of strikes with average control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Kauffmann's durability, strike-throwing ability and competitiveness give him a good shot to be a solid back-of-the-rotation starter. He'll aim to make his pro debut in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Kauffmann enjoyed a successful career at Michigan and helped the Wolverines finish as runner-up at the 2019 College World Series. The Rockies drafted Kauffmann in the supplemental second round and elected to rest him after a long college season, so he has yet to pitch an official game after the coronavirus pandemic canceled the 2020 minor league season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Kauffmann has solid stuff and a reputation for being a dogged competitor. His sinking fastball that sits in the low 90s is his best offering, and he also has an above-average changeup that he varies well and an average slider. Full seasons of pro baseball are a different animal, but there is little doubt about Kauffmann's durability as a starting pitcher. He throws plenty of strikes with average control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Kauffmann's durability, strike-throwing ability and competitiveness give him a good shot to be a solid back-of-the-rotation starter. He'll aim to make his pro debut in 2021.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Kauffmann enjoyed a successful three-year run at the Michigan, posting a 17-9, 2.74 mark while serving as a rotation stalwart in each of the last two seasons. Kauffmann signed with the Rockies for $805,600 soon after the Wolverines were bounced from the College World Series. After pitching a Michigan-record 130.2 innings, the Rockies used the rest of the summer as a chance for Kauffman to get acquainted with the organization.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Kauffmann features an above-average, 91-95 mph sinking fastball that reminds the Rockies of the version used by former pitcher Aaron Cook. Kauffmann complements the sinker with a solid-average changeup. Scouts are mixed on the quality slider, which is still developing. Kauffmann is durable and has solid command of his pitches thanks to a smooth, athletic delivery. Kauffmann carries a reputation for mental toughness and gamesmanship from his amateur days. FUTURE: Kauffmann projects as a potential back-end starter with the assortment of pitches designed for Coors Field, although some scouts the effort in his delivery may push him to the bullpen. With his savvy approach to pitching and strike-throwing ability, he could move quickly through the system.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Kauffmann enjoyed a successful three-year run at the Michigan, posting a 17-9, 2.74 mark while serving as a rotation stalwart in each of the last two seasons. Kauffmann signed with the Rockies for $805,600 soon after the Wolverines were bounced from the College World Series. After pitching a Michigan-record 130.2 innings, the Rockies used the rest of the summer as a chance for Kauffman to get acquainted with the organization.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Kauffmann features an above-average, 91-95 mph sinking fastball that reminds the Rockies of the version used by former pitcher Aaron Cook. Kauffmann complements the sinker with a solid-average changeup. Scouts are mixed on the quality slider, which is still developing. Kauffmann is durable and has solid command of his pitches thanks to a smooth, athletic delivery. Kauffmann carries a reputation for mental toughness and gamesmanship from his amateur days.
  
  THE FUTURE: Kauffmann projects as a potential back-end starter with the assortment of pitches designed for Coors Field, although some scouts the effort in his delivery may push him to the bullpen. With his savvy approach to pitching and strike-throwing ability, he could move quickly through the system.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Michigan had a deep rotation this year with Tommy Henry and Kauffman serving as excellent anchors to the weekend rotation. When Kauffman is on, he pounds the bottom of the zone with sinkers and sliders. His above-average fastball has solid sink, and his velocity has ticked up to 91-95 mph in the later parts of this season. His slider gives him a second potentially above-average offering, and he generally shows feel to locate both pitches. He will sporadically throw a fringe-average changeup as well. Kauffman throws strikes and shows solid feel for setting up hitters. When he doesn't get his sinker and slider down in the zone, however, hitters are able to tee off, as neither is a pitch that can blow hitters away. Kauffman's delivery is clean and conventional, and he's proven to be durable throughout his time at Michigan. He will likely begin his pro career as a starter, but as a sinker/slider righthander he could eventually end up as a useful reliever.