Jake Dunning Stats & Scouting Report

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A starting shortstop and occasional relief pitcher at Indiana, Dunning hit .227 in Rookie ball before he bought into a full mound conversion. The Giants did the same thing a decade ago with former all-star closer Joe Nathan, who like Dunning is tall, and coaches were thrilled when Dunning showed much better feel and touch at a similar stage. Dunning quickly was able to show command of a curveball, slider and changeup while his fastball consistently hit 94-95 mph. All could be solid-average pitches or better. His slider has good tilt, and his changeup fades away from lefty hitters. He's just learning how to compete on the mound and take the same demeanor out there every time. But his delivery is under control, he is confident and he is committed to his current career path. It's a bonus that he fields his position well, too. Dunning's grasp of four pitches should warrant his development as a starter, but San Francisco might have him work out of the bullpen this season as the organization tries to avoid overtaxing a fresh arm.

Initially drafted as a shortstop out of Indiana, the Giants stuck Dunning on the mound after he hit .227/.244/.307 in his pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League last year. He had pitched briefly for the Hoosiers and in junior college previously, so the transition wasn't entirely foreign to him. Dunning has prototypical size and arm strength, and he led NWL relievers by averaging 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings. His fastball sits at 92-93 mph and tops out at 95 with good life. His slider and changeup understandably need polish, but both display the potential to become at least average pitches, and the Giants may try him as a starter next year. Dunning's delivery is mechanical and needs to be smoothed out, which shouldn't be a problem given his athleticism. He uses his height to his advantage, though he sometimes drops his elbow and gets under his pitches. He has a clean delivery and the makeup to pitch in any situation.