Noah Song

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #30 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme
  
  The Phillies acquired Song, who is still serving in the Navy, in the first round of the 2022 Rule 5 Draft. He immediately becomes one of the most talented arms in the system, with a four-pitch arsenal that includes an upper-90s fastball, two breaking balls and a changeup, but it's not certain when he'll be able to resume his professional career.
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #30 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Song was one of the best college pitchers in the 2019 draft but slipped to the Red Sox in the fourth round based on the uncertainty created by his military commitment. He was given permission by the Navy to delay his report date to flight school, and dazzled in both the New York-Penn League and pitching for Team USA in the Premier12. But his petition to serve as a reservist while advancing in pro ball stalled amidst Department of Defense personnel and policy changes, leaving Song in limbo. He dropped the petition in mid 2020 and trained to be a pilot throughout 2021.
  
  Scouting Report: No one has seen Song pitch since the Premier12 in November 2019, but when he was last on the mound, he showed mid-to-upper-90s four-seam velocity, a swing-and-miss slider, the potential for a solid to plus curveball and changeup and a repeatable, athletic delivery.
  
  The Future: It’s hard to know if Song will ever pitch professionally again, and if he does, whether he’ll look anything like he did in 2019, when he showed mid-rotation potential.
  
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #12 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Song came to the Red Sox with a first-round college pedigree and arsenal but uncertainty given his service obligation as a Naval Academy graduate. The Red Sox hoped that Song might be able to fulfill his service obligation while also pitching in pro ball, a notion that seemed to gain steam when he was allowed to pitch for Team USA at the 2019 Premier12 tournament. His request to pursue a dual track languished for more than a year after he graduated, and he reported to flight school last summer.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Song arrived in Annapolis with a mid-80s fastball, but gained considerable strength that translated into easy mid-90s velocity with a putaway slider from a repeatable delivery as a senior. He seldom used his curveball or changeup in college, but both pitches impressed in short-season Lowell and the Premier12 in 2019.
  
  THE FUTURE: Song can petition for a military service waiver in May 2021 -- two years after he graduated -- but no one knows when, or if, such a request might be granted. If he's given permission to return to baseball, it's hard to forecast what kind of pitcher he'll be after at least a year and a half away from competition.
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #10 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: When Song enrolled at Navy in possession of a mid-80s fastball and little else, he was convinced he'd pitch for four years in college and then never again. But his velocity soared and he went 11-1, 1.44 with 15.4 strikeouts per nine innings as a senior. Teams stayed away from Song in the draft due to questions about whether he'd be able to pursue a pro career given his two-year active military service commitment. The Red Sox decided Song's talent was worth the risk even if the start of his career was delayed and drafted him in the fourth round. He signed for $100,000 and dominated at short-season Lowell and for Team USA during the Olympic qualifying tournament.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Song features a four-pitch mix from a powerful starter's build, anchored by a fastball that ranges from 94-98 mph. After working at the bottom of the zone in college, his fastball is likely to be more effective at the top of the zone in pro ball. While Song leaned chiefly on his slider as a secondary weapon at Navy, his changeup stood out as a potential plus offering in his pro debut. He still needs to define the velocities and shapes to his pitches that will generate the greatest effectiveness, but there's plenty with which to work. He is long, athletic and throws strikes
  
  THE FUTURE: The Navy announced in December that Song, a commissioned Naval flight officer, will have to serve his military commitment immediately. He will spend the next two years as an active service member and can petition to serve his final three years in the reserves, which would allow him to resume his baseball career in 2022 at the earliest. He has the stuff, poise and mentality to project a mid-rotation starter, but it will be at least two years before he gets the chance to show he can rise to that level.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #65 prospect in 2019 draft
  The most talented senior in the country, Song ranked No. 135 on the 2018 BA 500 thanks to a plus fastball that touched 98 mph, a 1.92 ERA and 121 strikeouts in 89 innings. Yet complications with his Naval commitments and Song's desired signing bonus meant he went undrafted, despite the fact that multiple teams viewed him as a second-round pick on talent alone. This spring, Song has taken another step forward, and through his first 11 starts he led the country with 133 strikeouts in 73 innings. After showing a below-average breaking ball a year ago, Song has improved all of his secondary pitches enough to where some scouts now consider his curveball a plus pitch. He's struggled with walks at times, but he's likely an average strike-thrower with a clean delivery from his 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame. Song's draft status is once again clouded by the fact that, under the current U.S. Department of Defense policy, he would have to complete two years of military service before he could pitch professionally, at which point he would be 24 years old. In 2016, Air Force righthander Griffin Jax was in a similar situation, but the third-round pick was able to join the Twins' organization immediately. That was because Jax's situation played out prior to former U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis rescinding a Department of Defense policy in 2017 that allowed athletes to avoid active-duty service after graduating in order to pursue a career in professional sports. Regardless, it's an unusual hurdle for teams--and Song--to have to climb over, but in a draft class that lacks high-end college pitching, it might be one that a team decides is worth it.
• Ranked #135 prospect in 2018 draft
  Much like Air Force righthander Griffin Jax in 2016--a Twins third-round pick--there's an air of mystery surrounding Song heading into the draft. Song has a commitment to the Naval Academy that he'd need to work out in order to pitch in pro ball right away. A three-year starter for the Midshipmen, Song has been one of the Patriot League's most dominating arms, going 21-10, 2.61 across 227.1 career innings and going 6-3, 1.42 with 106 strikeouts to 33 walks through 76 innings this spring. Song's best attributes are his durable, 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame and his sheer arm strength. He has touched as high as 98 mph this spring, but generally sits in the low to mid-90s with average control. While both his body and arm are attractive to scouts, Song throws a below-average breaking ball and lacks a third pitch, making him a long-term project and capping his ceiling. Song's fastball alone is usually enough to put away hitters in the Patriot League. That kind of arm strength normally would be enough for a team to take a flier, but Song's Navy commitment makes him a riskier draft-day investment than most.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme
  
  The Phillies acquired Song, who is still serving in the Navy, in the first round of the 2022 Rule 5 Draft. He immediately becomes one of the most talented arms in the system, with a four-pitch arsenal that includes an upper-90s fastball, two breaking balls and a changeup, but it's not certain when he'll be able to resume his professional career.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme
  
  The Phillies acquired Song, who is still serving in the Navy, in the first round of the 2022 Rule 5 Draft. He immediately becomes one of the most talented arms in the system, with a four-pitch arsenal that includes an upper-90s fastball, two breaking balls and a changeup, but it's not certain when he'll be able to resume his professional career.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Song was one of the best college pitchers in the 2019 draft but slipped to the Red Sox in the fourth round based on the uncertainty created by his military commitment. He was given permission by the Navy to delay his report date to flight school, and dazzled in both the New York-Penn League and pitching for Team USA in the Premier12. But his petition to serve as a reservist while advancing in pro ball stalled amidst Department of Defense personnel and policy changes, leaving Song in limbo. He dropped the petition in mid 2020 and trained to be a pilot throughout 2021.
  
  Scouting Report: No one has seen Song pitch since the Premier12 in November 2019, but when he was last on the mound, he showed mid-to-upper-90s four-seam velocity, a swing-and-miss slider, the potential for a solid to plus curveball and changeup and a repeatable, athletic delivery.
  
  The Future: It’s hard to know if Song will ever pitch professionally again, and if he does, whether he’ll look anything like he did in 2019, when he showed mid-rotation potential.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Song came to the Red Sox with a first-round college pedigree and arsenal but uncertainty given his service obligation as a Naval Academy graduate. The Red Sox hoped that Song might be able to fulfill his service obligation while also pitching in pro ball, a notion that seemed to gain steam when he was allowed to pitch for Team USA at the 2019 Premier12 tournament. His request to pursue a dual track languished for more than a year after he graduated, and he reported to flight school last summer.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Song arrived in Annapolis with a mid-80s fastball, but gained considerable strength that translated into easy mid-90s velocity with a putaway slider from a repeatable delivery as a senior. He seldom used his curveball or changeup in college, but both pitches impressed in short-season Lowell and the Premier12 in 2019.
  
  THE FUTURE: Song can petition for a military service waiver in May 2021 -- two years after he graduated -- but no one knows when, or if, such a request might be granted. If he's given permission to return to baseball, it's hard to forecast what kind of pitcher he'll be after at least a year and a half away from competition.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Song came to the Red Sox with a first-round college pedigree and arsenal but uncertainty given his service obligation as a Naval Academy graduate. The Red Sox hoped that Song might be able to fulfill his service obligation while also pitching in pro ball, a notion that seemed to gain steam when he was allowed to pitch for Team USA at the 2019 Premier12 tournament. His request to pursue a dual track languished for more than a year after he graduated, and he reported to flight school last summer.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Song arrived in Annapolis with a mid-80s fastball, but gained considerable strength that translated into easy mid-90s velocity with a putaway slider from a repeatable delivery as a senior. He seldom used his curveball or changeup in college, but both pitches impressed in short-season Lowell and the Premier12 in 2019.
  
  THE FUTURE: Song can petition for a military service waiver in May 2021 -- two years after he graduated -- but no one knows when, or if, such a request might be granted. If he's given permission to return to baseball, it's hard to forecast what kind of pitcher he'll be after at least a year and a half away from competition.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Song came to the Red Sox with a first-round college pedigree and arsenal but uncertainty given his service obligation as a Naval Academy graduate. The Red Sox hoped that Song might be able to fulfill his service obligation while also pitching in pro ball, a notion that seemed to gain steam when he was allowed to pitch for Team USA at the 2019 Premier12 tournament. His request to pursue a dual track languished for more than a year after he graduated, and he reported to flight school last summer.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Song arrived in Annapolis with a mid-80s fastball, but gained considerable strength that translated into easy mid-90s velocity with a putaway slider from a repeatable delivery as a senior. He seldom used his curveball or changeup in college, but both pitches impressed in short-season Lowell and the Premier12 in 2019.
  
  THE FUTURE: Song can petition for a military service waiver in May 2021 -- two years after he graduated -- but no one knows when, or if, such a request might be granted. If he's given permission to return to baseball, it's hard to forecast what kind of pitcher he'll be after at least a year and a half away from competition.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: When Song enrolled at Navy in possession of a mid-80s fastball and little else, he was convinced he’d pitch for four years in college and then never again. But his velocity soared and he went 11-1, 1.44 with 15.4 strikeouts per nine innings as a senior. Teams stayed away from Song in the draft due to questions about whether he’d be able to pursue a pro career given his two-year active military service commitment. The Red Sox decided Song’s talent was worth the risk even if the start of his career was delayed and drafted him in the fourth round. He signed for $100,000 and dominated at short-season Lowell and for Team USA during the Olympic qualifying tournament.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Song features a four-pitch mix from a powerful starter’s build, anchored by a fastball that ranges from 94-98 mph. After working at the bottom of the zone in college, his fastball is likely to be more effective at the top of the zone in pro ball. While Song leaned chiefly on his slider as a secondary weapon at Navy, his changeup stood out as a potential plus offering in his pro debut. He still needs to define the velocities and shapes to his pitches that will generate the greatest effectiveness, but there’s plenty with which to work. He is long, athletic and throws strikes
  
  THE FUTURE: The Navy announced in December that Song, a commissioned Naval flight officer, will have to serve his military commitment immediately. He will spend the next two years as an active service member and can petition to serve his final three years in the reserves, which would allow him to resume his baseball career in 2022 at the earliest. He has the stuff, poise and mentality to project a mid-rotation starter, but it will be at least two years before he gets the chance to show he can rise to that level.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: When Song enrolled at Navy in possession of a mid-80s fastball and little else, he was convinced he'd pitch for four years in college and then never again. But his velocity soared and he went 11-1, 1.44 with 15.4 strikeouts per nine innings as a senior. Teams stayed away from Song in the draft due to questions about whether he'd be able to pursue a pro career given his two-year active military service commitment. The Red Sox decided Song's talent was worth the risk even if the start of his career was delayed and drafted him in the fourth round. He signed for $100,000 and dominated at short-season Lowell and for Team USA during the Olympic qualifying tournament.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Song features a four-pitch mix from a powerful starter's build, anchored by a fastball that ranges from 94-98 mph. After working at the bottom of the zone in college, his fastball is likely to be more effective at the top of the zone in pro ball. While Song leaned chiefly on his slider as a secondary weapon at Navy, his changeup stood out as a potential plus offering in his pro debut. He still needs to define the velocities and shapes to his pitches that will generate the greatest effectiveness, but there's plenty with which to work. He is long, athletic and throws strikes
  
  THE FUTURE: The Navy announced in December that Song, a commissioned Naval flight officer, will have to serve his military commitment immediately. He will spend the next two years as an active service member and can petition to serve his final three years in the reserves, which would allow him to resume his baseball career in 2022 at the earliest. He has the stuff, poise and mentality to project a mid-rotation starter, but it will be at least two years before he gets the chance to show he can rise to that level.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  The most talented senior in the country, Song ranked No. 135 on the 2018 BA 500 thanks to a plus fastball that touched 98 mph, a 1.92 ERA and 121 strikeouts in 89 innings. Yet complications with his Naval commitments and Song's desired signing bonus meant he went undrafted, despite the fact that multiple teams viewed him as a second-round pick on talent alone. This spring, Song has taken another step forward, and through his first 11 starts he led the country with 133 strikeouts in 73 innings. After showing a below-average breaking ball a year ago, Song has improved all of his secondary pitches enough to where some scouts now consider his curveball a plus pitch. He's struggled with walks at times, but he's likely an average strike-thrower with a clean delivery from his 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame. Song's draft status is once again clouded by the fact that, under the current U.S. Department of Defense policy, he would have to complete two years of military service before he could pitch professionally, at which point he would be 24 years old. In 2016, Air Force righthander Griffin Jax was in a similar situation, but the third-round pick was able to join the Twins' organization immediately. That was because Jax's situation played out prior to former U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis rescinding a Department of Defense policy in 2017 that allowed athletes to avoid active-duty service after graduating in order to pursue a career in professional sports. Regardless, it's an unusual hurdle for teams--and Song--to have to climb over, but in a draft class that lacks high-end college pitching, it might be one that a team decides is worth it.