J.T. Ginn Stats & Scouting Report

IP	34
ERA	4.24
WHIP	1.32
BB/9	2.38
SO/9	7.68

Full name John Thomas Ginn
Born 05/20/1999 in Flowood, MS
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Mississippi State
Drafted in the 2nd round (52nd overall) by the New York Mets in 2020 (signed for $2,900,000).

View Draft Report

After being selected by the Dodgers in the first round out of high school in 2018, Ginn entered the 2020 season as a draft-eligible sophomore with a chance to double up on the accomplishment. However, he made it through just three innings of his first start of the season against Wright State before exiting the game. It was later announced the Ginn would need surgery on his right elbow and that he would miss the season. While the rest of the college season was canceled due to the novel coronavirus, Ginn’s status is more up in the air after being considered a top-15 caliber player in the 2020 draft class. He has plenty of prospect pedigree going back to his high school days, when his pure stuff stacked up among the best arms of a loaded 2018 prep pitching class. As a high schooler, Ginn ratcheted his fastball up to 99 mph and buried a mean, wipeout slider as well. Rather than sign with Los Angeles at the back of the first round, he had a strong freshman season at Mississippi State and proved he could be a dominant starter. He posted a 3.13 ERA over 17 starts and 86.1 innings, while striking out 105 batters and walking 19. When healthy, Ginn possesses two potentially double-plus pitches. His fastball has impressive velocity, but the pitch’s life and running action makes it even more impressive. His slider has also been graded as a future plus-plus offering by some evaluators, and he has a solid changeup as well. Ginn showed he could hold his stuff over longer outings, repeat his delivery consistently and throw enough strikes to start, but now teams will have to decide whether to take the risk on his health. He could again be a difficult sign because of the additional leverage that comes with being a draft-eligible sophomore.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: The A's explored the signability of Ginn in the 2020 draft, but the Mets landed the Mississippi State product at 52nd overall for a $2.9 million bonus as he rehabbed from Tommy John surgery. Oakland ultimately acquired the righty less than two years later in a trade for RHP Chris Bassitt. A forearm injury limited Ginn to just 42.1 innings in 2022 and he struggled in his first taste of the upper minors at Double-A Midland, but he pitched well in the Arizona Fall League after the season.

Scouting Report: Ginn operated with a mid-90s fastball that touched 99 mph at his peak, but his fastball settled into the low-90s and touched 95-96 as he returned from surgery. The pitch has nasty sinking action and leads to elevated groundball rates. Ginn can manipulate his fastball, sometimes tinkering with his approach from start-to-start, and experimented with a cutter in the fall league. His most effective secondary is a tight low-80s gyro slider that flashes plus. His mid-80s changeup tunnels well with his sinker. Ginn attacks hitters from the extreme first-base side of the rubber. He doesn't have the most fluid delivery, but he repeats it well and his athleticism allows for slightly above-average command potential.

The Future: Ginn has thrown just 89.1 innings as a professional and his track record of arm injuries is a concern. He has a fairly high floor and the ceiling of a No. 4 starter with a usable three-pitch mix if he can remain healthy.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 50
Track Record: Ginn made it to campus at Mississippi State despite being the 30th overall pick out of high school by the Dodgers in 2018. He won Southeastern Conference freshman of the year honors in 2019 but didn’t get a chance for an encore after having Tommy John surgery early in 2020, before the pandemic canceled the college season. The Mets drafted Ginn in the second round in 2020 as an eligible sophomore and signed him for $2.9 million, which was late first-round money. After rehabbing elbow surgery, Ginn made his first pro start for Low-A St. Lucie on June 3.

Scouting Report: As Ginn regained feel and shape on his pitches, his upside came into sharper focus. He works fast, throws strikes and keeps the ball on the ground. He allowed just three home runs and 22 walks in 18 starts, while his 62% groundball rate ranked second in the minors for pitchers with at least 90 innings. Ginn pitched in the low 90s with plus sink and boring action to break bats. He reaches back for 95 mph when motivated. Ginn is able to work inside against hitters on both sides of the plate from his extreme first base setup. He is a strong athlete with good feel for a low-80s slider he can land for strikes or expand off the plate for chases. The pitch has heavy vertical movement and can be used to back-foot lefthanded batters. Ginn needs to develop more conviction in his changeup, because when he executes it he gets swings and misses.

The Future: Ginn’s average velocity trended up in his final starts of 2021 as he moved farther away from surgery. Armed with three pitches and plus control, he projects as a No. 3 or 4 starter, and one who could be MLB ready late in 2022 or early 2023.
Fastball: 60. Slider: 70. Changeup: 40. Control: 50.
TRACK RECORD: The Dodgers failed to come to terms with Ginn as the 30th overall pick in 2018 out of Brandon (Miss.) High. At Mississippi State he was recognized as the Southeastern Conference freshman of the year in 2019. Ginn lined up as a probable first-round talent again in 2020 as an eligible sophomore, but he had Tommy John surgery after three innings and missed the rest of the season. The Mets drafted him in the middle of the second round and signed him for $2.9 million, the equivalent of late first-round money.

SCOUTING REPORT: Ginn had his elbow surgery in March 2020, just before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the season. At his best, Ginn works with two plus or better pitches on the 20-80 scouting scale. His heavy sinker features outstanding armside life and premium velocity. The pitch operates in the low-to-mid 90s with a peak of 99 mph. Ginn’s slider has vicious two-plane life in the mid 80s and is a major swing-and-miss weapon. He had toyed with a changeup prior to his injury and will resume its development as a pro.

THE FUTURE: The Mets like Ginn’s physical 6-foot-2 frame and work ethic, giving them confidence he can make a full recovery. His rehab should be complete in time to break camp with a minor league affiliate in 2021.

Draft Prospects

After being selected by the Dodgers in the first round out of high school in 2018, Ginn entered the 2020 season as a draft-eligible sophomore with a chance to double up on the accomplishment. However, he made it through just three innings of his first start of the season against Wright State before exiting the game. It was later announced the Ginn would need surgery on his right elbow and that he would miss the season. While the rest of the college season was canceled due to the novel coronavirus, Ginn’s status is more up in the air after being considered a top-15 caliber player in the 2020 draft class. He has plenty of prospect pedigree going back to his high school days, when his pure stuff stacked up among the best arms of a loaded 2018 prep pitching class. As a high schooler, Ginn ratcheted his fastball up to 99 mph and buried a mean, wipeout slider as well. Rather than sign with Los Angeles at the back of the first round, he had a strong freshman season at Mississippi State and proved he could be a dominant starter. He posted a 3.13 ERA over 17 starts and 86.1 innings, while striking out 105 batters and walking 19. When healthy, Ginn possesses two potentially double-plus pitches. His fastball has impressive velocity, but the pitch’s life and running action makes it even more impressive. His slider has also been graded as a future plus-plus offering by some evaluators, and he has a solid changeup as well. Ginn showed he could hold his stuff over longer outings, repeat his delivery consistently and throw enough strikes to start, but now teams will have to decide whether to take the risk on his health. He could again be a difficult sign because of the additional leverage that comes with being a draft-eligible sophomore.
Ginn has one of the best arms in this year's draft class, having lit up radar guns with a 93-99 mph fastball with well above-average life. The Mississippi State signee has done a good job this year of cleaning up his delivery, as he's more flowing and fluid after being stiffer in the past. He also hides the ball well in his delivery, which makes it even harder to hit his excellent fastball. He throws both a slider and curveball but the two blend together. One or the other should end up as a plus pitch, but right now it's his power curve that is the better of the two as it presently flashes plus. When he throws his changeup between innings in warm-ups, it looks to be potentially average, but he's yet to need to throw it against Louisiana high school hitters. Ginn's biggest hurdles are his body and the fact that scouts have rarely seen him work longer than four or five innings. He was even used as a reliever early in the season at Brandon (Miss.) High, as his coach wanted to give him a chance to break the state saves record. He's listed at 6-foot-2, but is probably closer to 6-foot and he's already physically mature. He could move quickly through the minors, although there's a lot of debate whether it will ultimately mean he pitches the first through fifth innings or in the eighth or ninth.

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: The A's explored the signability of Ginn in the 2020 draft, but the Mets landed the Mississippi State product at 52nd overall for a $2.9 million bonus as he rehabbed from Tommy John surgery. Oakland ultimately acquired the righty less than two years later in a trade for RHP Chris Bassitt. A forearm injury limited Ginn to just 42.1 innings in 2022 and he struggled in his first taste of the upper minors at Double-A Midland, but he pitched well in the Arizona Fall League after the season.

Scouting Report: Ginn operated with a mid-90s fastball that touched 99 mph at his peak, but his fastball settled into the low-90s and touched 95-96 as he returned from surgery. The pitch has nasty sinking action and leads to elevated groundball rates. Ginn can manipulate his fastball, sometimes tinkering with his approach from start-to-start, and experimented with a cutter in the fall league. His most effective secondary is a tight low-80s gyro slider that flashes plus. His mid-80s changeup tunnels well with his sinker. Ginn attacks hitters from the extreme first-base side of the rubber. He doesn't have the most fluid delivery, but he repeats it well and his athleticism allows for slightly above-average command potential.

The Future: Ginn has thrown just 89.1 innings as a professional and his track record of arm injuries is a concern. He has a fairly high floor and the ceiling of a No. 4 starter with a usable three-pitch mix if he can remain healthy.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: The A's explored the signability of Ginn in the 2020 draft, but the Mets landed the Mississippi State product at 52nd overall for a $2.9 million bonus as he rehabbed from Tommy John surgery. Oakland ultimately acquired the righty less than two years later in a trade for RHP Chris Bassitt. A forearm injury limited Ginn to just 42.1 innings in 2022 and he struggled in his first taste of the upper minors at Double-A Midland, but he pitched well in the Arizona Fall League after the season.

Scouting Report: Ginn operated with a mid-90s fastball that touched 99 mph at his peak, but his fastball settled into the low-90s and touched 95-96 as he returned from surgery. The pitch has nasty sinking action and leads to elevated groundball rates. Ginn can manipulate his fastball, sometimes tinkering with his approach from start-to-start, and experimented with a cutter in the fall league. His most effective secondary is a tight low-80s gyro slider that flashes plus. His mid-80s changeup tunnels well with his sinker. Ginn attacks hitters from the extreme first-base side of the rubber. He doesn't have the most fluid delivery, but he repeats it well and his athleticism allows for slightly above-average command potential.

The Future: Ginn has thrown just 89.1 innings as a professional and his track record of arm injuries is a concern. He has a fairly high floor and the ceiling of a No. 4 starter with a usable three-pitch mix if he can remain healthy.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 50
BA Grade: 55/High

Track Record: Ginn made it to campus at Mississippi State despite being the 30th overall pick out of high school by the Dodgers in 2018. He won Southeastern Conference freshman of the year honors in 2019 but didn&#39t get a chance for an encore after having Tommy John surgery early in 2020, before the pandemic canceled the college season. The Mets drafted Ginn in the second round in 2020 as an eligible sophomore and signed him for $2.9 million, which was late first-round money. After rehabbing elbow surgery, Ginn made his first pro start for Low-A St. Lucie on June 3.

Scouting Report: As Ginn regained feel and shape on his pitches, his upside came into sharper focus. He works fast, throws strikes and keeps the ball on the ground. He allowed just three home runs and 22 walks in 18 starts, while his 62% groundball rate ranked second in the minors for pitchers with at least 90 innings. Ginn pitched in the low 90s with plus sink and boring action to break bats. He reaches back for 95 mph when motivated. Ginn is able to work inside against hitters on both sides of the plate from his extreme first base setup. He is a strong athlete with good feel for a low-80s slider he can land for strikes or expand off the plate for chases. The pitch has heavy vertical movement and can be used to back-foot lefthanded batters. Ginn needs to develop more conviction in his changeup, because when he executes it he gets swings and misses.

The Future: Ginn&#39s average velocity trended up in his final starts of 2021 as he moved farther away from surgery. Armed with three pitches and plus control, he projects as a No. 3 or 4 starter, and one who could be MLB ready late in 2022 or early 2023.

Scouting Grades:
Fastball: 55. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 60.
Track Record: Ginn made it to campus at Mississippi State despite being the 30th overall pick out of high school by the Dodgers in 2018. He won Southeastern Conference freshman of the year honors in 2019 but didn’t get a chance for an encore after having Tommy John surgery early in 2020, before the pandemic canceled the college season. The Mets drafted Ginn in the second round in 2020 as an eligible sophomore and signed him for $2.9 million, which was late first-round money. After rehabbing elbow surgery, Ginn made his first pro start for Low-A St. Lucie on June 3.

Scouting Report: As Ginn regained feel and shape on his pitches, his upside came into sharper focus. He works fast, throws strikes and keeps the ball on the ground. He allowed just three home runs and 22 walks in 18 starts, while his 62% groundball rate ranked second in the minors for pitchers with at least 90 innings. Ginn pitched in the low 90s with plus sink and boring action to break bats. He reaches back for 95 mph when motivated. Ginn is able to work inside against hitters on both sides of the plate from his extreme first base setup. He is a strong athlete with good feel for a low-80s slider he can land for strikes or expand off the plate for chases. The pitch has heavy vertical movement and can be used to back-foot lefthanded batters. Ginn needs to develop more conviction in his changeup, because when he executes it he gets swings and misses.

The Future: Ginn’s average velocity trended up in his final starts of 2021 as he moved farther away from surgery. Armed with three pitches and plus control, he projects as a No. 3 or 4 starter, and one who could be MLB ready late in 2022 or early 2023.
Fastball: 60. Slider: 70. Changeup: 40. Control: 50.
TRACK RECORD: The Dodgers failed to come to terms with Ginn as the 30th overall pick in 2018 out of Brandon (Miss.) High. At Mississippi State he was recognized as the Southeastern Conference freshman of the year in 2019. Ginn lined up as a probable first-round talent again in 2020 as an eligible sophomore, but he had Tommy John surgery after three innings and missed the rest of the season. The Mets drafted him in the middle of the second round and signed him for $2.9 million, the equivalent of late first-round money.

SCOUTING REPORT: Ginn had his elbow surgery in March 2020, just before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the season. At his best, Ginn works with two plus or better pitches on the 20-80 scouting scale. His heavy sinker features outstanding armside life and premium velocity. The pitch operates in the low-to-mid 90s with a peak of 99 mph. Ginn's slider has vicious two-plane life in the mid 80s and is a major swing-and-miss weapon. He had toyed with a changeup prior to his injury and will resume its development as a pro.

THE FUTURE: The Mets like Ginn's physical 6-foot-2 frame and work ethic, giving them confidence he can make a full recovery. His rehab should be complete in time to break camp with a minor league affiliate in 2021.
Fastball: 60. Slider: 70. Changeup: 40. Control: 50.
TRACK RECORD: The Dodgers failed to come to terms with Ginn as the 30th overall pick in 2018 out of Brandon (Miss.) High. At Mississippi State he was recognized as the Southeastern Conference freshman of the year in 2019. Ginn lined up as a probable first-round talent again in 2020 as an eligible sophomore, but he had Tommy John surgery after three innings and missed the rest of the season. The Mets drafted him in the middle of the second round and signed him for $2.9 million, the equivalent of late first-round money.

SCOUTING REPORT: Ginn had his elbow surgery in March 2020, just before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the season. At his best, Ginn works with two plus or better pitches on the 20-80 scouting scale. His heavy sinker features outstanding armside life and premium velocity. The pitch operates in the low-to-mid 90s with a peak of 99 mph. Ginn’s slider has vicious two-plane life in the mid 80s and is a major swing-and-miss weapon. He had toyed with a changeup prior to his injury and will resume its development as a pro.

THE FUTURE: The Mets like Ginn’s physical 6-foot-2 frame and work ethic, giving them confidence he can make a full recovery. His rehab should be complete in time to break camp with a minor league affiliate in 2021.
Fastball: 60. Slider: 70. Changeup: 40. Control: 50.
TRACK RECORD: The Dodgers failed to come to terms with Ginn as the 30th overall pick in 2018 out of Brandon (Miss.) High. At Mississippi State he was recognized as the Southeastern Conference freshman of the year in 2019. Ginn lined up as a probable first-round talent again in 2020 as an eligible sophomore, but he had Tommy John surgery after three innings and missed the rest of the season. The Mets drafted him in the middle of the second round and signed him for $2.9 million, the equivalent of late first-round money.

SCOUTING REPORT: Ginn had his elbow surgery in March 2020, just before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the season. At his best, Ginn works with two plus or better pitches on the 20-80 scouting scale. His heavy sinker features outstanding armside life and premium velocity. The pitch operates in the low-to-mid 90s with a peak of 99 mph. Ginn’s slider has vicious two-plane life in the mid 80s and is a major swing-and-miss weapon. He had toyed with a changeup prior to his injury and will resume its development as a pro.

THE FUTURE: The Mets like Ginn’s physical 6-foot-2 frame and work ethic, giving them confidence he can make a full recovery. His rehab should be complete in time to break camp with a minor league affiliate in 2021.

Career Transactions

Oakland Athletics selected the contract of RHP J.T. Ginn from Las Vegas Aviators.
Las Vegas Aviators activated RHP J.T. Ginn from the 7-day injured list.
Las Vegas Aviators placed RHP J.T. Ginn on the 7-day injured list.
RHP J.T. Ginn assigned to Las Vegas Aviators from Midland RockHounds.
Midland RockHounds activated RHP J.T. Ginn from the 7-day injured list.
Midland RockHounds sent RHP J.T. Ginn on a rehab assignment to ACL Athletics.
Midland RockHounds sent RHP J.T. Ginn on a rehab assignment to ACL Athletics.
Midland RockHounds sent RHP J.T. Ginn on a rehab assignment to ACL Athletics.
Midland RockHounds placed RHP J.T. Ginn on the 7-day injured list retroactive to May 15, 2023.