Tyler Ferguson Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Tyler Clark Ferguson
Born 10/05/1993 in Fresno, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Vanderbilt
Drafted in the 6th round (168th overall) by the Texas Rangers in 2015 (signed for $200,000).

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Entering the season, Ferguson was expected to play a key role on Vanderbilt's pitching staff and he was in the rotation on opening weekend. But he seemingly lost the ability to throw strikes and has spent the rest of the spring trying to work his way back. When he's right, Ferguson has electric stuff. He can run his fastball up to 98 mph and his power curveball flashes plus potential. He's never pitched with much command during his college career, but this year he simply struggled to throw the ball over the plate. He had walked 34 batters and thrown 9 wild pitches in 19 innings entering the NCAA Tournament. Ferguson's power arsenal and significant upside will likely entice some team to take on the project of getting him straightened out. But it's tough for a team to know just what they'd be getting after such a difficult season.

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As a sophomore at Vanderbilt, Ferguson pitched in the Commodores rotation and started a game in Omaha during their College World Series title run. Ferguson's control escaped him as a junior in 2015--he walked 35 in 20 innings--but his stuff was tantalizing enough for the Rangers to take him in the sixth round and sign him for $200,000. Strictly a relief prospect in 2016, Ferguson overpowered short-season Northwest League hitters in June and July, but when he got moved up to low Class A Hickory in August, his control vanished again. No pitcher in the Rangers system has a wider gap between his pure stuff and his feel for pitching than Ferguson. His fastball rides at 93-97 mph with plus movement, and his plus slider has sharp bite. Ferguson has the ability to generate swings and misses with both pitches, but his wildness makes him extremely risky. He should open 2017 either back at Hickory or at high Class A Down East, with a chance to develop into a quality reliever--though he might not escape Class A if he can't harness his control.

Entering the season, Ferguson was expected to play a key role on Vanderbilt's pitching staff and he was in the rotation on opening weekend. But he seemingly lost the ability to throw strikes and has spent the rest of the spring trying to work his way back. When he's right, Ferguson has electric stuff. He can run his fastball up to 98 mph and his power curveball flashes plus potential. He's never pitched with much command during his college career, but this year he simply struggled to throw the ball over the plate. He had walked 34 batters and thrown 9 wild pitches in 19 innings entering the NCAA Tournament. Ferguson's power arsenal and significant upside will likely entice some team to take on the project of getting him straightened out. But it's tough for a team to know just what they'd be getting after such a difficult season.

Ferguson pitched in the Vanderbilt rotation in 2014 and even started a game in Omaha as the Commodores won the College World Series title. As a junior he lost command of the strike zone, walking 35 in 20 innings, and the Rangers took a sixth-round flier on him in 2015. He showed better control in the NWL this season, and many evaluators believe in his future. At this point, Ferguson utilizes two pitches primarily--a mid- to high-90s fastball with plus life and a sharp-biting slider. When he's right, he can get swings and misses with both pitches. Evaluators don't see a problem with his delivery and noted that his misses weren't by large margins. It's a matter of making adjustments and staying mentally focused. If he can make those adjustments, Ferguson can be a relief weapon, but he lost control again following a promotion to low Class A Hickory, when he walked 18 in 13 innings.

Oakland Athletics recalled RHP Tyler Ferguson from Las Vegas Aviators.
Las Vegas Aviators activated RHP Tyler Ferguson.
Oakland Athletics optioned RHP Tyler Ferguson to Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics recalled RHP Tyler Ferguson from Las Vegas Aviators.
Las Vegas Aviators activated RHP Tyler Ferguson.
Oakland Athletics optioned RHP Tyler Ferguson to Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics optioned RHP Tyler Ferguson to Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics selected the contract of RHP Tyler Ferguson from Las Vegas Aviators.