Alex Faedo

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #20 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Faedo was named the Most Outstanding Player in the 2017 College World Series in his final season at Florida, and it was no surprise when the Tigers locked him in as their first-round selection in 2017 for $3.5 million. Injuries, including Tommy John surgery as well as a positive test for Covid-19, and ineffectiveness have plagued Faedo’s career to this point. He hasn’t pitched since 2019, when he struck out 134 hitters with Double-A Erie. The figure ranked third among all Tigers prospects that season, behind only Tarik Skubal and Matt Manning.
  
  Scouting Report: Since his days at Florida, Faedo’s slider has always been his signature pitch. There was concern early in his professional career about a drop in his fastball velocity, but the pitch slowly worked back to its previous form. With those two pitches Faedo also blends a changeup that was below-average at the close of the 2019 season. There were also questions about how much his unorthodox delivery would hinder the progression of his command and control.
  
  The Future: Faedo’s rehab work will dictate his future with the Tigers, and there’s a growing likelihood he transitions to a relief role once he returns.
• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #11 prospect in 2021
  Fastball: 50. Slider: 55. Changeup: 45. Control: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Faedo went 28-6 in three years at Florida and was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2017 College World Series after leading the Gators to the national title. The Tigers drafted him 18th overall and signed him for $3.5 million. Faedo suffered a mysterious drop in velocity in his first full season, but he rebounded in 2019 to finish third in the Double-A Eastern League with 134 strikeouts. He expected to compete for a spot in the majors in 2020, but he tested positive for COVID-19 in July and was shut down with a forearm strain in late August after a brief stint at the alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: When healthy, Faedo’s fastball sits 91-93 mph and touches 95. His main weapon is his slider. It’s an above-average pitch and he can manipulate its length depending if he’s trying to land it for a strike or get a batter to chase. Faedo’s changeup is a fringe-average offering he needs to throw more regularly to become an average pitch. He is an intense competitor who goes right after hitters, throws strikes and draws rave reviews for his makeup.
  
  THE FUTURE: Faedo’s competitive edge and three-pitch mix are enough for scouts to project a back-of-the-rotation starter. His health is a question mark entering 2021.
• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #6 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Faedo won the Most Outstanding Player honors during Florida's run to the 2017 College World Series win. The righthander endured surgeries on both knees before his junior season but bounced back and showed the stuff necessary to be selected 18th overall by Detroit. Questions arose when Faedo didn't show the fastball velocity he did as an amateur during his first full season as a pro. The velo returned in 2019, and his performance responded in kind. His strikeouts per nine innings jumped from 8.85 in 2018 with Double-A Erie to 10.46 in 2019 at the same level. Faedo ranked as the Eastern League's No. 12 prospect.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Faedo's fastball tops out in the mid-90s but usually averages around 92 mph. Faedo's main secondary is his slider, which was one of the best in his draft class and generates swings and misses thanks to improved depth. His feel to throw it and miss bats lends it to project as an above-average pitch. Faedo's seldom-used changeup has plenty of natural run, but he needs to command the pitch better for it to project as better than fringe-average. Faedo also earns praise from Tigers executives for his aggressive nature on the mound.
  
  THE FUTURE: His arsenal is effective but doesn't feature a wipeout pitch. His competitiveness and above-average control create a profile of a back-end starter.
• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #10 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Surgeries on both knees between Faedo’s sophomore and junior seasons at Florida kicked off his draft year with uncertainty. He started slowly in 2017 but finished strong enough to earn Most Outstanding Player honors in the 2017 College World Series as the Gators claimed the national championship. The Tigers selected Faedo 18th overall and signed him for $3.5 million. He made his pro debut at high Class A Lakeland in 2018.
  
  Scouting Report: The first thing that jumped out about Faedo in 2018 was his missing fastball velocity. He sat 89-92 mph as a pro, down a couple of ticks from the 92-94 he sat in college. The lessened velocity affected all of his pitches. Faedo’s average changeup sometimes lacked separation, and his once plus slider dropped a half-grade because of his lack of arm speed. Without the ability to beat hitters with his fastball or command his pitches effectively, Faedo became home run prone. He allowed 15 in just 60 innings with Double-A Erie as a result of poor command that left a lot pitches in the middle of the zone.
  
  The Future: It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that 2018 was Faedo’s pro debut. If he can rediscover his previous arm speed, his fastball and slider could still work in a starting role.
• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #2 prospect in 2018
  The Tigers understandably never imagined when the 2017 college season began that Faedo might be on the board when they picked. After knee surgery during the fall, Faedo got off to a slow start for the Gators and started sliding down draft boards (he'd been considered a likely top 10 pick). But just as teams lined up their preference lists, Faedo began to dominate again. He was the Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series after posting a 0.32 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 27.1 postseason innings to lead the Gators to the title. The Tigers shut Faedo down when they signed him, as he already had thrown 123 innings during the college season. He will make his pro debut in 2018. At his best, Faedo has three plus pitches. He manipulates his 90-94 mph fastball as he can cut it, sink it or make it run. His low-80s slider was among the best in the college class as he can toy with its bite and depth depending on the situation. And his changeup falls off at the plate, giving him another swing-and-miss pitch. His stuff was not as firm early in the 2017 college season and he can get too reliant on his slider, but overall, it's a well-honed three-pitch package. While Faedo has a long arm action, he has average to above-average control. As an accomplished pitcher in the SEC, Faedo should move quickly, even if he's yet to make his pro debut. The cold weather of West Michigan in April makes the case to push Faedo to high Class A Lakeland. He projects as a solid No. 3 starter.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #10 prospect in 2017 draft
  The nephew of 1978 first-round pick and ex-big leaguer Len Faedo, Alex Faedo played at Tampa's Alonso High for his uncle. An unsigned 40th-round pick in 2014, he became an instant rotation member at Florida, pitching ahead of A.J. Puk in the rotation by the end of 2016 and finishing the summer as the No. 1 prospect on USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team. At that time, all three of his pitches--fastball, slider, changeup--earned plus grades from some scouts. Faedo had minor surgery on both knees in the fall, affecting his conditioning and offseason routine, and hadn't quite gotten rolling for much of the spring as the calendar turned to May. At its best, Faedo's slider rivals that of North Carolina's J.B. Bukauskas, though it has a bit less power in the 83-84 mph range. He manipulates the pitch's shape well and can locate it for strikes or as a chase pitch, though at times he gets too cute and throws too many sliders. Faedo's fastball velocity has tended to be average at 88-92 mph this spring, but he's pitched in the 92-94 register in the past, and he fills up the strike zone with his heater despite it having plus life. He can sink it and cut it, and at times his changeup has similar sinking life and run. Faedo's longer arm action gives scouts some pause but hasn't impeded his feel for the strike zone, and he has plenty of track record for clubs picking high to rely on.
• Ranked #403 prospect in 2014 draft
  Faedo is the son of former major leaguer Landy Faedo, who now coaches his son at Alonso High, the school that produced Jose Fernandez. Alex had a strong summer and finished the fall on a high note, touching 94 mph with his fastball. But he has had a tough spring, starting with a turf toe injury in January. His velocity has been slow to return, sitting 86-88 mph and touching 92 this spring. Faedo has an easy delivery and looks like he is playing catch, with a slingy arm action that gets sink and armside run. His breaking ball has been inconsistent but flashed above-average with a changeup that has average potential. He is a natural strike-thrower, and even though his injury affected his delivery he still filled up the zone this spring. Faedo showed a long, lanky and projectable build at 6-foot-4 last summer, but his injury affected his conditioning and he has since added at least 15 pounds. Despite the uneven spring, the Florida commit still has lots of potential with his easy delivery, strike-throwing ability and large frame.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Eastern League #12 prospect in 2019
  Faedo was missing some velocity and arm strength during the 2018 season, which had affected his ability to attack hitters. This season was a different story, however, as Faedo found his form once again. The righthander cut his walk rate nearly in half while also generating more strikeouts as well (10.5 strikeouts per nine). Competitiveness is what stands out about Faedo. He doesn't back down from hitters and stays aggressive regardless of the count. Faedo attacks hitters with a fastball that tops out in the mid-90s, and he works with a slider that flashes plus and has good shape. The return of his arm strength has seen both pitches return to form and play up. His third offering is a changeup, which has some sink on it but lags behind his slider. Faedo profiles as a back-of-the-rotation starter and should be in the starting rotation for Triple-A Toledo next season.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #50 prospect in 2018

• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Faedo was named the Most Outstanding Player in the 2017 College World Series in his final season at Florida, and it was no surprise when the Tigers locked him in as their first-round selection in 2017 for $3.5 million. Injuries, including Tommy John surgery as well as a positive test for Covid-19, and ineffectiveness have plagued Faedo’s career to this point. He hasn’t pitched since 2019, when he struck out 134 hitters with Double-A Erie. The figure ranked third among all Tigers prospects that season, behind only Tarik Skubal and Matt Manning.
  
  Scouting Report: Since his days at Florida, Faedo’s slider has always been his signature pitch. There was concern early in his professional career about a drop in his fastball velocity, but the pitch slowly worked back to its previous form. With those two pitches Faedo also blends a changeup that was below-average at the close of the 2019 season. There were also questions about how much his unorthodox delivery would hinder the progression of his command and control.
  
  The Future: Faedo’s rehab work will dictate his future with the Tigers, and there’s a growing likelihood he transitions to a relief role once he returns.
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 50. Slider: 55. Changeup: 45. Control: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Faedo went 28-6 in three years at Florida and was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2017 College World Series after leading the Gators to the national title. The Tigers drafted him 18th overall and signed him for $3.5 million. Faedo suffered a mysterious drop in velocity in his first full season, but he rebounded in 2019 to finish third in the Double-A Eastern League with 134 strikeouts. He expected to compete for a spot in the majors in 2020, but he tested positive for COVID-19 in July and was shut down with a forearm strain in late August after a brief stint at the alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: When healthy, Faedo's fastball sits 91-93 mph and touches 95. His main weapon is his slider. It's an above-average pitch and he can manipulate its length depending if he's trying to land it for a strike or get a batter to chase. Faedo's changeup is a fringe-average offering he needs to throw more regularly to become an average pitch. He is an intense competitor who goes right after hitters, throws strikes and draws rave reviews for his makeup.
  
  THE FUTURE: Faedo's competitive edge and three-pitch mix are enough for scouts to project a back-of-the-rotation starter. His health is a question mark entering 2021.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 50. Slider: 55. Changeup: 45. Control: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Faedo went 28-6 in three years at Florida and was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2017 College World Series after leading the Gators to the national title. The Tigers drafted him 18th overall and signed him for $3.5 million. Faedo suffered a mysterious drop in velocity in his first full season, but he rebounded in 2019 to finish third in the Double-A Eastern League with 134 strikeouts. He expected to compete for a spot in the majors in 2020, but he tested positive for COVID-19 in July and was shut down with a forearm strain in late August after a brief stint at the alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: When healthy, Faedo’s fastball sits 91-93 mph and touches 95. His main weapon is his slider. It’s an above-average pitch and he can manipulate its length depending if he’s trying to land it for a strike or get a batter to chase. Faedo’s changeup is a fringe-average offering he needs to throw more regularly to become an average pitch. He is an intense competitor who goes right after hitters, throws strikes and draws rave reviews for his makeup.
  
  THE FUTURE: Faedo’s competitive edge and three-pitch mix are enough for scouts to project a back-of-the-rotation starter. His health is a question mark entering 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 50. Slider: 55. Changeup: 45. Control: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Faedo went 28-6 in three years at Florida and was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2017 College World Series after leading the Gators to the national title. The Tigers drafted him 18th overall and signed him for $3.5 million. Faedo suffered a mysterious drop in velocity in his first full season, but he rebounded in 2019 to finish third in the Double-A Eastern League with 134 strikeouts. He expected to compete for a spot in the majors in 2020, but he tested positive for COVID-19 in July and was shut down with a forearm strain in late August after a brief stint at the alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: When healthy, Faedo’s fastball sits 91-93 mph and touches 95. His main weapon is his slider. It’s an above-average pitch and he can manipulate its length depending if he’s trying to land it for a strike or get a batter to chase. Faedo’s changeup is a fringe-average offering he needs to throw more regularly to become an average pitch. He is an intense competitor who goes right after hitters, throws strikes and draws rave reviews for his makeup.
  
  THE FUTURE: Faedo’s competitive edge and three-pitch mix are enough for scouts to project a back-of-the-rotation starter. His health is a question mark entering 2021.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Faedo won the Most Outstanding Player honors during Florida’s run to the 2017 College World Series win. The righthander endured surgeries on both knees before his junior season but bounced back and showed the stuff necessary to be selected 18th overall by Detroit. Questions arose when Faedo didn’t show the fastball velocity he did as an amateur during his first full season as a pro. The velo returned in 2019, and his performance responded in kind. His strikeouts per nine innings jumped from 8.85 in 2018 with Double-A Erie to 10.46 in 2019 at the same level. Faedo ranked as the Eastern League’s No. 12 prospect.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Faedo’s fastball tops out in the mid-90s but usually averages around 92 mph. Faedo’s main secondary is his slider, which was one of the best in his draft class and generates swings and misses thanks to improved depth. His feel to throw it and miss bats lends it to project as an above-average pitch. Faedo’s seldom-used changeup has plenty of natural run, but he needs to command the pitch better for it to project as better than fringe-average. Faedo also earns praise from Tigers executives for his aggressive nature on the mound.
  
  THE FUTURE: His arsenal is effective but doesn’t feature a wipeout pitch. His competitiveness and above-average control create a profile of a back-end starter.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Faedo won the Most Outstanding Player honors during Florida's run to the 2017 College World Series win. The righthander endured surgeries on both knees before his junior season but bounced back and showed the stuff necessary to be selected 18th overall by Detroit. Questions arose when Faedo didn't show the fastball velocity he did as an amateur during his first full season as a pro. The velo returned in 2019, and his performance responded in kind. His strikeouts per nine innings jumped from 8.85 in 2018 with Double-A Erie to 10.46 in 2019 at the same level. Faedo ranked as the Eastern League's No. 12 prospect.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Faedo's fastball tops out in the mid-90s but usually averages around 92 mph. Faedo's main secondary is his slider, which was one of the best in his draft class and generates swings and misses thanks to improved depth. His feel to throw it and miss bats lends it to project as an above-average pitch. Faedo's seldom-used changeup has plenty of natural run, but he needs to command the pitch better for it to project as better than fringe-average. Faedo also earns praise from Tigers executives for his aggressive nature on the mound.
  
  THE FUTURE: His arsenal is effective but doesn't feature a wipeout pitch. His competitiveness and above-average control create a profile of a back-end starter.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Faedo was missing some velocity and arm strength during the 2018 season, which had affected his ability to attack hitters. This season was a different story, however, as Faedo found his form once again. The righthander cut his walk rate nearly in half while also generating more strikeouts as well (10.5 strikeouts per nine). Competitiveness is what stands out about Faedo. He doesn't back down from hitters and stays aggressive regardless of the count. Faedo attacks hitters with a fastball that tops out in the mid-90s, and he works with a slider that flashes plus and has good shape. The return of his arm strength has seen both pitches return to form and play up. His third offering is a changeup, which has some sink on it but lags behind his slider. Faedo profiles as a back-of-the-rotation starter and should be in the starting rotation for Triple-A Toledo next season.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Faedo has made it to Double-A in his first pro season. That’s the good news. The more concerning news is that Faedo’s fastball has lost two ticks from his days as a Florida Gator. Faedo generally has sat 89-92 mph this year and has bumped 93 sporadically. He is using his changeup more and it shows more promise than it did when he was in college. His lost arm speed has also cost some of the bite of his still above-average slider. The Tigers have to hope Faedo’s arm speed will come back, but even Faedo in his current form could pitch in the back of a big league rotation.
• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: The Tigers never imagined when the 2017 college season began that Faedo, the Florida ace who ranked as the top collegian available, might be on the board when they picked at No. 18. After knee surgery during the fall, Faedo got off to a slow start and started sliding down draft boards, but just as quickly, he began to dominate again. He was the Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series after posting a 0.32 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 27.1 innings to lead the Gators to the title. Scouting Report: At his best, Faedo has three plus pitches. He manipulates his 90-94 mph fastball and can cut it, sink it or make it run. His low-80s slider was among the best in the college class, and he can toy with its bite and depth. His changeup falls off at the plate, giving him another swing-and-miss pitch. His stuff was not as firm early in the 2017 college season, and he can get too reliant on his slider, but overall he offers a well-honed three-pitch package. While Faedo has a long arm action, he has average to above-average control. The Future: The Tigers held Faedo, who projects as a strong No. 3 starter, out of games in 2017 after a long, eventful college season. He probably will make his pro debut at high Class A Lakeland in 2018.