Drafted in the 2nd round (48th overall) by the New York Mets in 2013 (signed for $850,000).
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Church has struggled to get on the mound as a high school player, but his stuff still intrigues teams. He started his prep career at Bishop Gorman High in Las Vegas, then transferred to Palo Verde High in 2011 but couldn't pitch because of transfer rules, or in 2012 because of a dispute with the coach. He switched to Basic High in suburban Henderson for this season, an unconventional transfer because Church is already 18 and moved into an apartment by himself to get into his new school's boundaries. State officials initially ruled him ineligible, but he appealed the decision and was able to return to the mound in late April. He threw bullpen sessions for teams during his period of ineligibility and joined the Langley (B.C.) Blaze travel squad in Arizona for a weekend. Church has an athletic build at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds and has smoothed out his delivery. His fastball sits in the 90-93 mph range and touches 95. He holds his velocity well, and his curveball shows flashes of being a plus pitch. He also throws a slider and a changeup. If Church goes in the top two rounds, he'll likely pass on his commitment to San Diego.
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Draft Prospects
Church has struggled to get on the mound as a high school player, but his stuff still intrigues teams. He started his prep career at Bishop Gorman High in Las Vegas, then transferred to Palo Verde High in 2011 but couldn't pitch because of transfer rules, or in 2012 because of a dispute with the coach. He switched to Basic High in suburban Henderson for this season, an unconventional transfer because Church is already 18 and moved into an apartment by himself to get into his new school's boundaries. State officials initially ruled him ineligible, but he appealed the decision and was able to return to the mound in late April. He threw bullpen sessions for teams during his period of ineligibility and joined the Langley (B.C.) Blaze travel squad in Arizona for a weekend. Church has an athletic build at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds and has smoothed out his delivery. His fastball sits in the 90-93 mph range and touches 95. He holds his velocity well, and his curveball shows flashes of being a plus pitch. He also throws a slider and a changeup. If Church goes in the top two rounds, he'll likely pass on his commitment to San Diego.
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