Dan Altavilla

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #9 prospect in 2017
  The Mariners drafted Altavilla and signed him for $250,000 after he was named the 2014 Division II pitcher of the year at Mercyhurst (Pa.). After progressing through the low minors as a starter, Altavilla converted to relief in 2016. Altavilla's move to the bullpen went even better than expected. He began pitching from the stretch full-time to simplify his delivery and saw his velocity spike. His fastball improved from 93-95 mph as a starter to 96-98 and touching 100 as a reliever, with a devastating plus-plus 89-92 mph slider as his putaway pitch. Altavilla rode his fastball-slider combo to become a Southern League all-star closer at Double-A Jackson and jumped straight to the majors in August, where he allowed only one run in 15 outings. He occasionally flashed a hard, below-average 89-93 mph changeup, but rarely needed it with his other two pitches consistently generating swings and misses and weak contact. Altavilla also earned plaudits for his composure pitching during the Mariners' playoff push. His control is just average, but his elite velocity and movement induces batters to swing through his stuff. Altavilla has a spot in the Mariners' 2017 bullpen and projects long-term as an elite setup man for closer Edwin Diaz.
• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #23 prospect in 2016
  After a down sophomore year at Division II Mercyhurst (Pa.) in 2013, Altavilla took his promising fastball/ breaking ball mix to the Cape Cod League, where he made strides and geared up for an exceptional junior spring. In 2014, Altavilla struck out five batters for every walk and threw five shutouts over 12 starts. The Mariners selected him in the fifth round, and he reached high Class A in his first full season, taking every turn in the rotation. Altavilla found spurts of success in 2015, hitting his stride and limiting walks in June and July. His fastball is a plus pitch, with low to mid-90s velocity, and he complements it with a powerful slurvy breaking ball. His delivery invites some concern, with a high back elbow and effort to his finish. That, as well as his stocky 5-foot-11 build and the rawness of his changeup, led some evaluators to project him as a reliever, though he remains a starter for now, and will have the opportunity to prove himself as such in Double-A in 2016.
• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #19 prospect in 2015
  Scouts don't have many reasons to check out NCAA Division II schools like Mercyhurst in Erie, Pa., but every now and then, a hidden gem like Altavilla emerges. He became the highest-drafted player in Mercyhurst program history, going in the fifth round in 2014 and breaking the record previously held by Orioles outfielder David Lough, an 11th-round pick in 2007. The D-II pitcher of the year, Altavilla posted a 0.57 ERA in his senior year of high school, a 0.91 ERA as a freshman and a 1.23 ERA as a junior. So he's had long stretches of dominance against admittedly weaker competition. Altavilla's dominance comes from impressive stuff. He sits 90-94 mph and has touched 97, thanks to strong legs which he incorporates into his delivery. His fastball has boring action to the arm side. He also throws a hard 82-85 mph power slider with tilt that could give him a second plus pitch. His changeup has some late drop, but it's a little too firm. Most scouts project him as a reliever because of the effort in his delivery, though the Mariners plan to see if he can remain in the rotation.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #199 prospect in 2014 draft
  After going undrafted out of high school, Altavilla became a dominant starter and won the Division II pitcher of the year award this spring. He finished the year with a 1.23 ERA in 80 innings, striking out 14.5/9 IP with a 5.2 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He struck out more than 40 percent of the hitters he faced. He also struck out more than a hitter per inning last summer in the Cape Cod League. Altavilla sits 90-93 mph and touches 95. His heater plays up with above-average armside bore and is tough on righthanded hitters. His slider is fringy but plays as average because of the way he deploys it. His changeup with split-like action is at least an average offering. He projects to have average control. The 6-foot, 200-pound Altavilla has a strong, physical build but no projection, and he projects as a reliever because of effort in his delivery.

• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: The Mariners drafted Altavilla and signed him for $250,000 after he was named the 2014 Division II pitcher of the year at Mercyhurst (Pa.). After progressing through the low minors as a starter, Altavilla converted to relief in 2016. Scouting Report: Altavilla's move to the bullpen went even better than expected. He began pitching from the stretch full-time to simplify his delivery and saw his velocity spike. His fastball improved from 93-95 mph as a starter to 96-98 and touching 100 as a reliever, with a devastating double-plus 89-92 mph slider as his putaway pitch. Altavilla rode his fastball-slider combo to become a Southern League all-star closer at Double-A Jackson and jumped straight to the majors in August, where he allowed only one run in 15 outings. He occasionally flashed a hard, below-average 89-93 mph changeup, but rarely needed it with his other two pitches consistently generating swings and misses and weak contact. Altavilla also earned plaudits for his composure pitching during the Mariners' playoff push. His control is just average, but his elite velocity and movement induces batters to swing through his stuff.
  
  The Future: Altavilla has a spot in the Mariners' 2017 bullpen and projects long-term as an elite setup man for closer Edwin Diaz.