Jake Eder

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #7 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Eder was a well-regarded lefthander in high school before heading off to Vanderbilt, where he confounded scouts with his inconsistency. The Marlins drafted him in the fourth round in 2020 and opened his pro career at Double-A Pensacola in 2021. Eder was quickly hailed as one of the best southpaws in the minor leagues before an elbow injury required Tommy John surgery, putting him on the shelf until 2023. Sidelined in spring training with a hairline fracture in his left foot, Eder finally got back on the mound at High-A Jupiter for four starts before returning to Pensacola for another six outings. The White Sox acquired Eder at the trade deadline for third baseman Jake Burger, after which he made five starts at Double-A Birmingham. Eder got regular work in instructional league before finishing the year with six appearances in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Eder steps to the mound with two plus pitches to go with control that could get to average as he gets further removed from surgery. In the fall, his four-seam fastball was sitting 93-94 mph and touching 97 with good angle and ride up in the zone. Eder’s breaking ball is considered a slider, but it’s more of a power slurve and sits 79-83 mph. It has depth when he’s on top of it like a power curveball and is more of a slurvy slider when he works around it. His low-80s changeup has the potential to be an average pitch when he gets more consistent with his delivery. Eder was working on better use of his lower half in the AFL, and his stuff is best when his posture is straight up and he’s consistent with his three-quarters arm slot.
  
  The Future: Eder has the ceiling of a No. 3 starter, giving him the chance to have a long major league career if he stays healthy. With a wealth of Double-A experience behind him, he should start 2024 at Triple-A Charlotte and could make it to Chicago sometime during the summer.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45
• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #6 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: In 2020, Eder was ready to make his move from the bullpen to the rotation at Vanderbilt. The pandemic prevented that move, but the Marlins were convinced enough to draft him with the fourth of their five picks of the shortened draft that year. The next spring, the Marlins pushed Eder and his fellow draftee Max Meyer to Double-A Pensacola to officially begin their professional careers. Eder rewarded their faith by being one of the biggest breakout stories in the minor leagues before having Tommy John surgery in August of 2021.
  
  Scouting Report: Before the surgery, Eder showed a dynamic two-pitch mix fronted by a one-two punch of a low-to-mid-90s fastball and slider which each project as plus. His fastball had the type of riding life at the top of the strike zone that is coveted today. Eder also showed a strong feel to lengthen and shorten the break on his slider, with the former version looking like a harder curveball. Eder's third pitch, a low-80s changeup, had a ceiling as an average offering with further refinement. A small tweak in the way Eder removed the ball from his glove at the beginning of his delivery helped improve his command and control, which projected as plus before the operation. He is a dedicated student of the game who keeps a journal of what worked and didn't work during each of his starts.
  
  The Future: Eder missed the entire 2022 season but should be ready in time for spring training in 2023. If his stuff comes back intact, he has the ceiling of a midrotation starter. If he shows the same form, he'll add an element of clarity to the Marlins' long-term rotation picture, which is currently clouded by injuries to Eder, Meyer and righthander Sixto Sanchez, who hasn't pitched since making his MLB debut in 2020.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 60
• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #6 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Eder was poised to use the 2020 season as a coming-out party after moving from Vanderbilt’s bullpen to the rotation, but the coronavirus pandemic cut that chance short. Marlins area scout JT Zink was still convinced by what he saw to push the Marlins to draft Eder in the fourth round, and Eder quickly rewarded that faith by jumping straight to Double-A in his pro debut. Eder dominated early and was one of the best pitchers in the minors, but his debut was cut short in August when he suffered a torn left elbow ligament and had Tommy John surgery.
  
  Scouting Report: Before his injury, Eder’s stuff placed him among the game’s best pitching prospects. His fastball parks in the low 90s and can bump a few ticks higher with excellent riding life up in the zone. His breaking ball can sometimes look like a slider and other times look like a curveball depending on his intent. If he wants to get swings and misses, he’ll add more sweep. If he wants to get early-count strikes, he’ll take something off and drop it into the zone. Eder’s changeup is at its best when thrown in the low 80s, where it shows solid fading life, but it straightens when it gets too firm. A small mechanical adjustment with the way Eder took the ball from his glove at the beginning of his delivery paid immediate dividends in terms of command and control. Eder now shows potentially plus command of his arsenal and his heady, competitive makeup helps him gut through times when he’s not at his best.
  
  The Future: Eder will miss the 2022 season rehabbing from his surgery. If he can make a full recovery, he has a chance to pitch toward the middle of a rotation.
  
• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #30 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Eder was one of Vanderbilt's top relievers during its run to the College World Series championship in 2019. He moved to the rotation in 2020 and showed the ability to miss bats in his four starts before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the season, but also a proclivity for walks. The Marlins drafted Eder in the fourth round, signed him for $700,000 and sent him to the alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Eder has the size and smooth delivery of a starter, but his stuff and control lack consistency. His velocity fluctuates between 89-92 mph and 90-94 mph, which affects his results depending on what he has that day. Eder's curveball is potentially a plus pitch with good break, and his changeup could become at least an average offering in time. Eder has flashed average control in spurts, but pitches more with fringe-average control over the long haul.
  
  THE FUTURE:The Marlins will have Eder work as a starter initially. Whether he stays there will be determined by his ability to be more consistent with his stuff and control.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #70 prospect in 2020 draft
  Eder checked a lot of boxes out of high school in 2017 as a strong, 6-foot-4 lefthander with a starter’s frame, a fastball that bumped 95 and a curveball that flashed above-average potential. Three years later, Eder still checks a lot of those same boxes, but he is something of an enigma for scouts to figure out because of his inconsistency. Scouts still love the way his arm works and believe he has close to a perfect pitcher’s frame at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, but his command is spotty and his fastball velocity comes and goes. One day he’ll throw in the 90-93 mph range, the next he’ll sit 92-96 and another day he could be 89-92. Eder’s breaking ball is a plus pitch when it’s on but, like his fastball velocity, is inconsistent. He lands his curveball for more strikes than his fastball, and he also has a fringe-average changeup in the mix. Eder has struggled to repeat his delivery going back to his high school days, and if that’s the reason for his struggles then there could be cause for concern that he’ll be able to figure it out. Teams have seen him locked in enough to know he’s capable of putting everything together. Another question mark is his track record as a starter. Eder started nine games as a freshman, but transitioned to a full-time reliever role in 2019, when he posted a 2.97 ERA over 39.1 innings. He started four games in the shortened 2020 season, striking out 27 batters in 20 innings, but also walked nine batters (4.05 per nine). Despite his inconsistencies, Eder seems like a safe lock to go in the first five rounds, with modest upside if he improves his control.
• Ranked #69 prospect in 2017 draft
  Jake Eder checks a lot of boxes. He is tall and physical, with a broad-shouldered, 6-foot-4 frame that looks to be built for a starter's workload. He throws hard; Eder's fastball works consistently in the low 90s and bumps 95. He's also lefthanded and has a loose-and-easy arm action and delivery. Two points of emphasis in Eder's development will be the continued growth of his command and the consistency of his breaking ball. Towards the end of the spring, Eder began throwing more strikes, but he struggled to get the ball down in the strike zone at times. His breaking ball, at its best, will look like an above-average pitch with tight spin and three-quarter break in the upper 70s. At its worst, Eder's curveball loops upward out of his hand and he's unable to spot it for strikes. Eder's biggest challenge is getting his timing down so that he can better repeat his delivery. He has a tendency to collapse early on his back side and lose balance, causing him to throw uphill and rush off the rubber. He's far from his ceiling, but represents an intriguing high-risk, high-reward option. Eder is committed to Vanderbilt, but could be selected on the first day of the draft.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Southern League #7 prospect in 2021
  Eder helped Vanderbilt win the 2019 College World Series as a reliever and moved into the rotation as a junior in 2020 when the season was truncated by the pandemic. The Marlins liked what they saw and drafted Eder in the fourth round that year. The pick paid off when the lefthander made Pensacola’s Opening Day roster and thrived. Eder pitched in the Futures Game and cracked the Top 100 Prospects, but his ride came to an end in late August when he had Tommy John surgery. Eder sits 92 mph and reaches 95 with life on his fastball that helps the pitch play up. He backs it with two above-average secondaries: a mid-80s changeup and curveball with late bite. He showed feel to use all pitches in all situations. As a three-pitch lefty who locates his stuff and attacks all zones, Eder has a high floor and, for scouts who like him, a No. 2 starter ceiling.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: In 2020, Eder was ready to make his move from the bullpen to the rotation at Vanderbilt. The pandemic prevented that move, but the Marlins were convinced enough to draft him with the fourth of their five picks of the shortened draft that year. The next spring, the Marlins pushed Eder and his fellow draftee Max Meyer to Double-A Pensacola to officially begin their professional careers. Eder rewarded their faith by being one of the biggest breakout stories in the minor leagues before having Tommy John surgery in August of 2021.
  
  Scouting Report: Before the surgery, Eder showed a dynamic two-pitch mix fronted by a one-two punch of a low-to-mid-90s fastball and slider which each project as plus. His fastball had the type of riding life at the top of the strike zone that is coveted today. Eder also showed a strong feel to lengthen and shorten the break on his slider, with the former version looking like a harder curveball. Eder's third pitch, a low-80s changeup, had a ceiling as an average offering with further refinement. A small tweak in the way Eder removed the ball from his glove at the beginning of his delivery helped improve his command and control, which projected as plus before the operation. He is a dedicated student of the game who keeps a journal of what worked and didn't work during each of his starts.
  
  The Future: Eder missed the entire 2022 season but should be ready in time for spring training in 2023. If his stuff comes back intact, he has the ceiling of a midrotation starter. If he shows the same form, he'll add an element of clarity to the Marlins' long-term rotation picture, which is currently clouded by injuries to Eder, Meyer and righthander Sixto Sanchez, who hasn't pitched since making his MLB debut in 2020.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 60
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: In 2020, Eder was ready to make his move from the bullpen to the rotation at Vanderbilt. The pandemic prevented that move, but the Marlins were convinced enough to draft him with the fourth of their five picks of the shortened draft that year. The next spring, the Marlins pushed Eder and his fellow draftee Max Meyer to Double-A Pensacola to officially begin their professional careers. Eder rewarded their faith by being one of the biggest breakout stories in the minor leagues before having Tommy John surgery in August of 2021.
  
  Scouting Report: Before the surgery, Eder showed a dynamic two-pitch mix fronted by a one-two punch of a low-to-mid-90s fastball and slider which each project as plus. His fastball had the type of riding life at the top of the strike zone that is coveted today. Eder also showed a strong feel to lengthen and shorten the break on his slider, with the former version looking like a harder curveball. Eder's third pitch, a low-80s changeup, had a ceiling as an average offering with further refinement. A small tweak in the way Eder removed the ball from his glove at the beginning of his delivery helped improve his command and control, which projected as plus before the operation. He is a dedicated student of the game who keeps a journal of what worked and didn't work during each of his starts.
  
  The Future: Eder missed the entire 2022 season but should be ready in time for spring training in 2023. If his stuff comes back intact, he has the ceiling of a midrotation starter. If he shows the same form, he'll add an element of clarity to the Marlins' long-term rotation picture, which is currently clouded by injuries to Eder, Meyer and righthander Sixto Sanchez, who hasn't pitched since making his MLB debut in 2020.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 60
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade:55/Extreme
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 60
  
  Track Record: Much like fellow 2020 Marlins draftee Max Meyer, Eder was poised to use the 2020 season as a coming-out party after moving from the bullpen to the rotation. The pandemic cut that chance short, but the Marlins—area scout JT Zink in particular—were convicted enough not only to spend one of their six picks on him, but also to send him to Double-A for his pro debut. Eder was one of the best pitchers in the minors until he had Tommy John surgery to repair his torn left elbow ligament.
  
  Scouting Report: Before the injury, Eder&#39s stuff and results placed him among the game&#39s best prospects. A small mechanical adjustment with the way Eder took the ball from his glove at the beginning of his delivery paid immediate dividends in terms of command and control and helped accentuate his three-pitch mix. Eder&#39s fastball parks in the low 90s but can bump a few ticks higher. The pitch also showed excellent riding life up in the zone, and scouts noticed an advanced feel to use the pitch on both halves of the plate. His breaking ball can sometimes look like a slider and other times look like a curveball depending on the intent. If he wants to get swings and misses, he&#39ll add more sweep. If he wants to get early-count strikes, he&#39ll take something off and drop it into the zone. It&#39s one pitch with two uses. His changeup is at its best when thrown in the low 80s, where it shows solid fading life, and it straightens when it gets too firm. Eder shows potentially plus command of his arsenal, and his extremely heady, competitive makeup helps him gut through times when he&#39s not at his best.
  
  The Future: Because the injury and surgery happened so late, Eder is likely out for the 2022 season. If he can make a full recovery, he has a chance to pitch toward the middle of a rotation.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Eder was poised to use the 2020 season as a coming-out party after moving from Vanderbilt’s bullpen to the rotation, but the coronavirus pandemic cut that chance short. Marlins area scout JT Zink was still convinced by what he saw to push the Marlins to draft Eder in the fourth round, and Eder quickly rewarded that faith by jumping straight to Double-A in his pro debut. Eder dominated early and was one of the best pitchers in the minors, but his debut was cut short in August when he suffered a torn left elbow ligament and had Tommy John surgery.
  
  Scouting Report: Before his injury, Eder’s stuff placed him among the game’s best pitching prospects. His fastball parks in the low 90s and can bump a few ticks higher with excellent riding life up in the zone. His breaking ball can sometimes look like a slider and other times look like a curveball depending on his intent. If he wants to get swings and misses, he’ll add more sweep. If he wants to get early-count strikes, he’ll take something off and drop it into the zone. Eder’s changeup is at its best when thrown in the low 80s, where it shows solid fading life, but it straightens when it gets too firm. A small mechanical adjustment with the way Eder took the ball from his glove at the beginning of his delivery paid immediate dividends in terms of command and control. Eder now shows potentially plus command of his arsenal and his heady, competitive makeup helps him gut through times when he’s not at his best.
  
  The Future: Eder will miss the 2022 season rehabbing from his surgery. If he can make a full recovery, he has a chance to pitch toward the middle of a rotation.
  
• October, 2021 Scouting Report
  Eder helped Vanderbilt win the 2019 College World Series as a reliever and moved into the rotation as a junior in 2020 when the season was truncated by the pandemic. The Marlins liked what they saw and drafted Eder in the fourth round that year. The pick paid off when the lefthander made Pensacola’s Opening Day roster and thrived. Eder pitched in the Futures Game and cracked the Top 100 Prospects, but his ride came to an end in late August when he had Tommy John surgery. Eder sits 92 mph and reaches 95 with life on his fastball that helps the pitch play up. He backs it with two above-average secondaries: a mid-80s changeup and curveball with late bite. He showed feel to use all pitches in all situations. As a three-pitch lefty who locates his stuff and attacks all zones, Eder has a high floor and, for scouts who like him, a No. 2 starter ceiling.
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Eder was one of Vanderbilt's top relievers during its run to the College World Series championship in 2019. He moved to the rotation in 2020 and showed the ability to miss bats in his four starts before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the season, but also a proclivity for walks. The Marlins drafted Eder in the fourth round, signed him for $700,000 and sent him to the alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Eder has the size and smooth delivery of a starter, but his stuff and control lack consistency. His velocity fluctuates between 89-92 mph and 90-94 mph, which affects his results depending on what he has that day. Eder's curveball is potentially a plus pitch with good break, and his changeup could become at least an average offering in time. Eder has flashed average control in spurts, but pitches more with fringe-average control over the long haul.
  
  THE FUTURE:The Marlins will have Eder work as a starter initially. Whether he stays there will be determined by his ability to be more consistent with his stuff and control.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Eder was one of Vanderbilt's top relievers during its run to the College World Series championship in 2019. He moved to the rotation in 2020 and showed the ability to miss bats in his four starts before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the season, but also a proclivity for walks. The Marlins drafted Eder in the fourth round, signed him for $700,000 and sent him to the alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Eder has the size and smooth delivery of a starter, but his stuff and control lack consistency. His velocity fluctuates between 89-92 mph and 90-94 mph, which affects his results depending on what he has that day. Eder's curveball is potentially a plus pitch with good break, and his changeup could become at least an average offering in time. Eder has flashed average control in spurts, but pitches more with fringe-average control over the long haul.
  
  THE FUTURE:The Marlins will have Eder work as a starter initially. Whether he stays there will be determined by his ability to be more consistent with his stuff and control.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Eder was one of Vanderbilt's top relievers during its run to the College World Series championship in 2019. He moved to the rotation in 2020 and showed the ability to miss bats in his four starts before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the season, but also a proclivity for walks. The Marlins drafted Eder in the fourth round, signed him for $700,000 and sent him to the alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Eder has the size and smooth delivery of a starter, but his stuff and control lack consistency. His velocity fluctuates between 89-92 mph and 90-94 mph, which affects his results depending on what he has that day. Eder's curveball is potentially a plus pitch with good break, and his changeup could become at least an average offering in time. Eder has flashed average control in spurts, but pitches more with fringe-average control over the long haul.
  
  THE FUTURE:The Marlins will have Eder work as a starter initially. Whether he stays there will be determined by his ability to be more consistent with his stuff and control.
• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Jake Eder checks a lot of boxes. He is tall and physical, with a broad-shouldered, 6-foot-4 frame that looks to be built for a starter's workload. He throws hard; Eder's fastball works consistently in the low 90s and bumps 95. He's also lefthanded and has a loose-and-easy arm action and delivery. Two points of emphasis in Eder's development will be the continued growth of his command and the consistency of his breaking ball. Towards the end of the spring, Eder began throwing more strikes, but he struggled to get the ball down in the strike zone at times. His breaking ball, at its best, will look like an above-average pitch with tight spin and three-quarter break in the upper 70s. At its worst, Eder's curveball loops upward out of his hand and he's unable to spot it for strikes. Eder's biggest challenge is getting his timing down so that he can better repeat his delivery. He has a tendency to collapse early on his back side and lose balance, causing him to throw uphill and rush off the rubber. He's far from his ceiling, but represents an intriguing high-risk, high-reward option. Eder is committed to Vanderbilt, but could be selected on the first day of the draft.