Trey Dillard

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #225 prospect in 2020 draft
  Dillard was considered one of the better juco arms in 2018, although his below-average control (6 walks per nine innings) was a concern. The Dodgers drafted him in the 16th round that year, but he opted to head to Missouri. His sophomore season for the Tigers was a struggle, as continued inability to locate consistently kept him from earning a significant role in the bullpen—he pitched 1.1 innings in conference play in 2019. In 2020, he was starting to show signs he’d turned a corner before the season ended. Dillard allowed only one run in eight outings as Missouri’s closer, posting a 1.08 ERA with 11.9 strikeouts per nine. Dillard’s fastball is a little straight, but it’s hard and heavy and sits at 96-99 mph. His plus power slider gives him a way to finish hitters. Dillard does not provide a comfortable at-bat for hitters when he’s on, and his aggressive approach fits a late-inning relief role. But his short track record (he’s yet to throw 25 innings in a college season) will work against him in the draft.
• Ranked #122 prospect in 2018 draft
  Very few junior college relievers get drafted and even fewer will get popped early on day two of the draft, but Dillard is the exception thanks to his pair of plus pitches. Dillard's 92-97 mph fastball is excellent with some arm-side run and modest plane, but it's actually less impressive than his low-80s hammer of a 12-to-6 curveball. The curveball earns easy plus grades. He has plenty of arm speed and a strong frame. Dillard didn't work all that much this year at San Jacinto, throwing only 15.2 innings in 16 appearances as of mid-May. He was dominant, however, going 1-0, 1.72 with 7 saves and 15.5 K/9. His control will need to improve. He's generally around the zone, but he did walk 6.3 batters per nine innings this year.
• Ranked #327 prospect in 2017 draft
  Dillard ranks as one of the best prep arms in the Four Corners region. He has flashed two above-average pitches with a fastball that has reached 94 mph, usually sitting 90-92, and his slider also has flashed above-average. Some scouts have projected it as a future plus slider, and he's got a fairly clean arm stroke. Pair that with his strong 6-foot-2, 215-pound frame, and scouts believe Dillard will throw quite hard down the line. He's even flashed some feel for a changeup with some sinking action, which his fastball also has when he's right. The downside: He's effectively wild with his fastball and lacks control, not to mention command, as he walked 21 in 25 innings this spring. He was banged up late in the year, making him hard to scout. He had a 4.94 ERA in his last two seasons at Desert Mountain High. He's committed to San Jacinto (Texas) JC, which likely means he's signable.