Chase Shugart

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #30 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: After spending his first two years at Texas and on the Cape working as a part-time closer, Shugart's four-pitch mix convinced the Longhorns to convert him to the rotation. While the results were mixed, Shugart still showed an occasional big fastball, topping out at 97 mph. Shugart's season started late, after serving a 50-game suspension for a second positive test for a drug of abuse.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Shugart has a simple, athletic, repeatable delivery with clean arm path. Listed at just 5-foot-10, deception is an issue, which is reflected in his 7.3 percent strikeout rate. Shugart's strengths are his command, ability to use both sides of the plate while working in the strike zone (2.3 walks per nine) and limiting hard contact (.101 ISO). While his fastball has topped out at 96 mph, Shugart works in the 91-93 range. Shugart's curveball is his most effective pitch now with good shape, spin and command. Shugart also has a solid changeup and a developing slider.
  
  THE FUTURE: Shugart shows traits of a potential back-end starter or long reliever. He will need to continue to refine command and his pitchability as well as remaining comfortable with contact.
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #24 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: After Shugart spent two years pitching out of Texas’ bullpen, the Longhorns moved him into the rotation as a junior. He showed the ability to mix four pitches while working to a 4.36 ERA in 84 innings, but then showed surprisingly impressive stuff in his pro debut after the Red Sox took him in the 12th round and signed him for $125,000.
  
  Scouting Report: In bursts, Shugart has shown arm strength with a fastball up to 97 mph and an athletic delivery that allows him to work to both sides of the plate with a four-pitch mix. His diminutive stature raises questions about whether he will have the durability to sustain mid-90s velocity as a starter or if he’s more likely to work in the low 90s as he did at Texas. He mixes in a changeup, slider and curveball to round out his arsenal, though none stand out as plus.
  
  The Future: Shugart’s mix permits him to project as a multi-inning reliever if not a starter. He’ll get a chance in spring training to compete for a rotation spot at high Class A Salem in 2019.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #294 prospect in 2018 draft
  After a solid summer in the Cape Cod League, Shugart was poised to prove to scouts that he could start, as he was slated to move into the Longhorns rotation after two years in the bullpen. The move to the rotation hasn't gone as smoothly as Shugart hoped. He'd touched 96-97 in shorter stints, but it's dropped to 89-93 mph as a starter. His fastball and his 81-84 mph slider and 73-75 mph curve have proven more hittable than expected in longer outings. As a reliever both played up a little more, but starting has allowed him to use a playable changeup as well. He struggles at times to get his fastball down in the zone, and without much plane on the pitch, it's hittable up in the zone even when it has solid velocity. Shugart already faced draft headwinds because he's a 5-foot-10 righthander, and he's yet to prove he can stick in the rotation in pro ball.

• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: After spending his first two years at Texas and on the Cape working as a part-time closer, Shugart’s four-pitch mix convinced the Longhorns to convert him to the rotation. While the results were mixed, Shugart still showed an occasional big fastball, topping out at 97 mph. Shugart’s season started late, after serving a 50-game suspension for a second positive test for a drug of abuse.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Shugart has a simple, athletic, repeatable delivery with clean arm path. Listed at just 5-foot-10, deception is an issue, which is reflected in his 7.3 percent strikeout rate. Shugart’s strengths are his command, ability to use both sides of the plate while working in the strike zone (2.3 walks per nine) and limiting hard contact (.101 ISO). While his fastball has topped out at 96 mph, Shugart works in the 91-93 range. Shugart’s curveball is his most effective pitch now with good shape, spin and command. Shugart also has a solid changeup and a developing slider.
  
  THE FUTURE: Shugart shows traits of a potential back-end starter or long reliever. He will need to continue to refine command and his pitchability as well as remaining comfortable with contact. BA GRADE 40 Risk: High BA GRADE 40 Risk: High BA GRADE 40 Risk: High
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: After spending his first two years at Texas and on the Cape working as a part-time closer, Shugart's four-pitch mix convinced the Longhorns to convert him to the rotation. While the results were mixed, Shugart still showed an occasional big fastball, topping out at 97 mph. Shugart's season started late, after serving a 50-game suspension for a second positive test for a drug of abuse.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Shugart has a simple, athletic, repeatable delivery with clean arm path. Listed at just 5-foot-10, deception is an issue, which is reflected in his 7.3 percent strikeout rate. Shugart's strengths are his command, ability to use both sides of the plate while working in the strike zone (2.3 walks per nine) and limiting hard contact (.101 ISO). While his fastball has topped out at 96 mph, Shugart works in the 91-93 range. Shugart's curveball is his most effective pitch now with good shape, spin and command. Shugart also has a solid changeup and a developing slider.
  
  THE FUTURE: Shugart shows traits of a potential back-end starter or long reliever. He will need to continue to refine command and his pitchability as well as remaining comfortable with contact.