Brian Flynn

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Kansas City Royals #23 prospect in 2016
  The final spot in the Royals' bullpen coming out of spring training in 2015 came down to Flynn vs. Ryan Madson. Manager Ned Yost was inclined to go with Flynn and send Ryan Madson to Triple-A, but Madson's contract allowed him to sign elsewhere if sent to the minors. Just one outing later, Flynn was lost for the season to a torn oblique. A starter throughout his minor league career, the 6-foot-7 Flynn gets downhill plane on a 90-93 mph average sinker that he pairs with an above-average changeup. It played up to 93-94 more consistently working out of the pen. Flynn has average control and attacks hitters with his fastball. His curveball and slider are both fringy. Flynn's fastball-changeup combo has made him nearly as effective against righthanders as lefties, so as a reliever he's more of a middle-innings option rather than a specialized matchup lefty. Fully recovered, Flynn will compete for a spot in the bullpen.
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  Ranked Kansas City Royals #11 prospect in 2015
  A 6-foot-7 lefty with low-90s velocity, Flynn is difficult for other teams to miss, which explains how he's been traded twice in the past two years. First the Tigers traded him to the Marlins as part of the haul for Anibal Sanchez, then Detroit shipped him to the Royals for Aaron Crow last November. Flynn arrived at Marlins camp in 2014 as one of the favorites to earn a big league rotation spot. That bid never got on track because he couldn't command the bottom of the strike zone and his delivery was a mess. Flynn shows average to solid-average velocity and sink on his fastball, and his low-80s changeup plays as average when his delivery is in sync and he's commanding his fastball. Neither his curveball nor slider plays consistently as a reliable third pitch, but his fastball, changeup and average control give him back-end starter potential.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #6 prospect in 2014
  Little more than a raw arm when the Tigers drafted him three years ago, Flynn has made tremendous strides since the Marlins acquired him, Jacob Turner and Rob Brantly in a 2012 deal for Omar Infante and Anibal Sanchez. His 2.80 ERA easily led the Triple-A Pacific Coast League in 2013. The big, physical southpaw works on a downward plane, commanding an average to above-average fastball that touches 95 mph and typically sits 88-93. His best offspeed pitch is a hard slider with nice tilt that grades as an average offering. He uses his 1-to-7 curveball as a show-me pitch most days, though he'll occasionally feature it more prominently. He has a feel for an average changeup, a pitch with good movement that he has learned to throw for strikes. A level-headed worker and great self-evaluator, Flynn has proven to be an adept student willing to try anything Marlins coaches suggest. Some mechanical adjustments in 2012 to lengthen his stride and better incorporate his entire body paid dividends last year. He's also made tremendous progress in basics like fielding his position and holding runners. Flynn uncharacteristically struggled with his control and command in four September starts. His nerves shouldn't be as much of a factor next time around. He profiles as a back-end starter with the size and stamina to eat innings.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #24 prospect in 2013
  A year after the Tigers signed Flynn for $125,000 as a seventh-round pick, they packaged him with Jacob Turner and Rob Brantly to acquire Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante from the Marlins. The big, physical lefty is raw but reached Double-A in his first full pro season. Flynn commands the bottom half of the strike zone with an 89-92 mph fastball that touches 94 and has decent movement. He throws two breaking balls, getting more swings and misses with his slider than with his curveball. He's not afraid to throw his changeup, which improved significantly by the end of last season. Flynn attacks the zone and has good angle on his pitches. Though he's a quick study who's willing and able to make adjustments, he has been susceptible to lapses in focus. His lack of athleticism shows at times, particularly on defense and with the running game. Flynn projects as a back-of-the-rotation starter and will challenge for a Triple-A job in spring training.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #24 prospect in 2012
  A teammate of Matt Hoffman's at Owasso (Okla.) High, Flynn won just eight games in three years at Wichita State, missing 2010 while academically ineligible. Despite his lack of dominance, a 6-foot-8 lefthander with plus velocity is hard to ignore. The Tigers made him the first pitcher they drafted last year, signing him for $125,000 in the seventh round. Flynn's fastball ranges from 88-93 mph and touches 96 with solid life. His heater jumps on hitters quickly because of his size, which also helps him get steep plane on his pitches. Flynn threw a soft, loopy curveball in college until Shockers pitching coach Brent Kemnitz taught him a slider midway through his final season. The pitch has short, cutter-like action at times and the depth of a true slider at others. He still throws the curveball as an occasional show-me pitch and also has a changeup that has yet to develop into a reliable weapon. The Tigers believe Flynn has more projection than a typical college draft pick and will send him to high Class A to begin his first full pro season. If everything comes together, he might develop into a No. 3 starter.