Ben Holmes

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #229 prospect in 2014 draft
  No college player had a more eventful spring than Wetzler. The NCAA suspended the Beavers' ace for the first three weeks of the season for violating its "no-agent rule" after ruling that he negotiated with the Phillies, who drafted him in the fifth round last year. Philadelphia reported Wetzler to the NCAA after he agreed to sign but then changed his mind, opting instead to try to lead the Beavers back to Omaha. He was doing his part on the field with a 10-1, 0.84 mark. Scouts and Pac-12 coaches, though, report Wetzler's velocity has been down this year, more in the 86-89 mph range than the 88-91 he showed in the past. He commands and locates his pitches well and has baffled hitters with his plus changeup. His May arrest for two misdemeanors (criminal mischief and trespassing) left a sour taste in scouts' mouths, who expect more out of a 22-year-old senior. Wetzler's combination of diminished velocity, hard-to-gauge signability and makeup questions, plus his dominance as the Pac-12's top pitcher, make his draft round difficult to peg.
• Ranked #243 prospect in 2013 draft
  Wetzler was the top prep prospect in Oregon in 2010, but slid to the Indians in the 15th round because of his strong commitment to Oregon State. He has been a starter for the Beavers for three years and is a combined 20-6, 3.12. He missed time early in the season with a back injury but was back in the weekend rotation. Wetzler has a strong build at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, and while he doesn't wow scouts in any one area, he stands out for his all-around package and track record of success. He pitches in the 88-91 mph range and has touched 95 in shorter stints in the past. His fastball has good natural tail and he commands it well. His slider is an average pitch that shows flashes of being better. He throws a changeup but will need to do a better job of staying on top of it with his low three-quarters arm slot, as it can sometimes flatten out. Wetzler is a bulldog on the mound and scouts love his competitive drive. While he may wind up in the bullpen, he'll get every chance to start.