Reid Schaller

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #30 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Schaller missed his freshman year at Vanderbilt after having Tommy John surgery, but he returned the following season and struck out 39 batters in 28.2 innings. The Nationals selected him in the third round as a rare draft-eligible redshirt freshman. After making two starts in college, Schaller has been a starter exclusively in the Nationals system. He went 4-3, 3.29 in 12 starts at low Class A Hagerstown in 2019 and went to instructional league in 2020.
  
  Scouting Report: Schaller is a physical, power pitcher who relies on his fastball. His fastball sits 93-95 mph as a starter with late hop and has touched 99 in relief. He can locate his fastball for strikes to both sides of the plate and is able to dominate with it. Schaller is working on repeating the action of his potentially average slider and shows good feel for a late-dropping changeup, but both pitches are inconsistent. His fringe-average control is another area targeted for improvement. Schaller got stronger during the pandemic and looked good in limited action in 2020. He takes a cerebral approach and enjoys studying the technology of pitching.
  
  The Future: Schaller projects as a reliever long-term, but he’ll continue starting for now. He’s a strong candidate for a multiple-innings role.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #18 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Schaller lettered for four years in baseball and one in football at Lebanon (Ind.) Senior High before heading to Vanderbilt. He missed the 2017 season after having Tommy John surgery but was still picked 101st overall. Schaller recorded a 3.77 ERA with 39 strikeouts and nine walks in 28.2 innings as a draft-eligible redshirt freshman for the Commodores. He made 21 appearances in college that year, including two starts, before taking a starting role in pro ball. Schaller signed for $551,100.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Schaller's season at low Class A Hagerstown didn't begin until June 24 because of an injured oblique. He got off to a slow start but was extended to five innings in six of his final nine starts. Schaller has good carry on his mid-90s fastball, pitches to the top of the zone and has a short and quick pitching motion. In instructional league, he altered his motion a bit and focused on his slider. He has improved his changeup and will be asked to throw it more frequently.
  
  THE FUTURE: If he stays healthy, Schaller has a chance to move quickly, whether it's in a starting or relief role.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #11 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: A hard-throwing righthander who missed his first season at Vanderbilt after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Schaller struck out 39 batters in 28.2 relief innings for the Commodores this spring before Washington signed him for $551,100 as a draft-eligible freshman.
  
  Scouting Report: The Nationals used Schaller in a starting role in Rookie ball and low Class A, but most scouts expect to see Schaller provide major league value in the bullpen thanks to a high-effort delivery. While Washington has not cemented a role for him moving forward, the organization does prefer to give their priority arms more innings as starters and that could be the case here. Schaller has a fastball that sits in the 94-97 mph range in the bullpen and touches as high as 99-100 mph. For secondary offerings, the 6-foot-3 righty has a power slider in the mid-80s with sharp, downward action that could become a put-away pitch, as well as a changeup that needs more work.
  
  The Future: The Nationals will try and stretch Schaller out more with a full season in 2019 and continue to build his workload as he gets further away from his Tommy John surgery, but without the development of a consistent third pitch, the bullpen will remain his most likely future destination.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #152 prospect in 2018 draft
  Schaller missed last season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery, returning healthy this spring as a redshirt freshman. He came out firing, running his fastball up to 99 mph. Schaller has a fast arm and produces big velocity, consistently sitting 94-97 out of the bullpen. His slider is his main secondary offering and flashes above-average potential but hasn't been consistent. He also has a seldom-used changeup. He throws his fastball for strikes and works it to both sides of the plate. Schaller, listed at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, is the rare draft-eligible freshman. His high-effort delivery and arm action mean he will likely stay in the bullpen in pro ball.

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Schaller missed his freshman year at Vanderbilt after having Tommy John surgery, but he returned the following season and struck out 39 batters in 28.2 innings. The Nationals selected him in the third round as a rare draft-eligible redshirt freshman. After making two starts in college, Schaller has been a starter exclusively in the Nationals system. He went 4-3, 3.29 in 12 starts at low Class A Hagerstown in 2019 and went to instructional league in 2020.
  
  Scouting Report: Schaller is a physical, power pitcher who relies on his fastball. His fastball sits 93-95 mph as a starter with late hop and has touched 99 in relief. He can locate his fastball for strikes to both sides of the plate and is able to dominate with it. Schaller is working on repeating the action of his potentially average slider and shows good feel for a late-dropping changeup, but both pitches are inconsistent. His fringe-average control is another area targeted for improvement. Schaller got stronger during the pandemic and looked good in limited action in 2020. He takes a cerebral approach and enjoys studying the technology of pitching.
  
  The Future: Schaller projects as a reliever long-term, but he’ll continue starting for now. He’s a strong candidate for a multiple-innings role.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Schaller missed his freshman year at Vanderbilt after having Tommy John surgery, but he returned the following season and struck out 39 batters in 28.2 innings. The Nationals selected him in the third round as a rare draft-eligible redshirt freshman. After making two starts in college, Schaller has been a starter exclusively in the Nationals system. He went 4-3, 3.29 in 12 starts at low Class A Hagerstown in 2019 and went to instructional league in 2020.
  
  Scouting Report: Schaller is a physical, power pitcher who relies on his fastball. His fastball sits 93-95 mph as a starter with late hop and has touched 99 in relief. He can locate his fastball for strikes to both sides of the plate and is able to dominate with it. Schaller is working on repeating the action of his potentially average slider and shows good feel for a late-dropping changeup, but both pitches are inconsistent. His fringe-average control is another area targeted for improvement. Schaller got stronger during the pandemic and looked good in limited action in 2020. He takes a cerebral approach and enjoys studying the technology of pitching.
  
  The Future: Schaller projects as a reliever long-term, but he’ll continue starting for now. He’s a strong candidate for a multiple-innings role.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Schaller lettered for four years in baseball and one in football at Lebanon (Ind.) Senior High before heading to Vanderbilt. He missed the 2017 season after having Tommy John surgery but was still picked 101st overall. Schaller recorded a 3.77 ERA with 39 strikeouts and nine walks in 28.2 innings BA GRADE 45 Risk: High BA GRADE 45 Risk: High BA GRADE 45 Risk: High as a draft-eligible redshirt freshman for the Commodores. He made 21 appearances in college that year, including two starts, before taking a starting role in pro ball. Schaller signed for $551,100.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Schaller’s season at low Class A Hagerstown didn’t begin until June 24 because of an injured oblique. He got off to a slow start but was extended to five innings in six of his final nine starts. Schaller has good carry on his mid-90s fastball, pitches to the top of the zone and has a short and quick pitching motion. In instructional league, he altered his motion a bit and focused on his slider. He has improved his changeup and will be asked to throw it more frequently.
  
  THE FUTURE: If he stays healthy, Schaller has a chance to move quickly, whether it’s in a starting or relief role.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Schaller lettered for four years in baseball and one in football at Lebanon (Ind.) Senior High before heading to Vanderbilt. He missed the 2017 season after having Tommy John surgery but was still picked 101st overall. Schaller recorded a 3.77 ERA with 39 strikeouts and nine walks in 28.2 innings as a draft-eligible redshirt freshman for the Commodores. He made 21 appearances in college that year, including two starts, before taking a starting role in pro ball. Schaller signed for $551,100.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Schaller's season at low Class A Hagerstown didn't begin until June 24 because of an injured oblique. He got off to a slow start but was extended to five innings in six of his final nine starts. Schaller has good carry on his mid-90s fastball, pitches to the top of the zone and has a short and quick pitching motion. In instructional league, he altered his motion a bit and focused on his slider. He has improved his changeup and will be asked to throw it more frequently.
  
  THE FUTURE: If he stays healthy, Schaller has a chance to move quickly, whether it's in a starting or relief role.