| IP | 41.1 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 8.06 |
| WHIP | 2.06 |
| BB/9 | 11.32 |
| SO/9 | 12.41 |
- Full name Jacob P. Heatherly
- Born 05/20/1998 in Cullman, AL
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Cullman
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Drafted in the 3rd round (77th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in 2017 (signed for $1,047,500).
View Draft Report
Lefthanders with velocity and quality breaking stuff are always hot commodities on draft day. Heatherly fits the profile with a physical, broad-shouldered frame and two pitches that project to be above-average or better. Heatherly has a simple, athletic lower half and finds grooves where he commands the ball down in the strike zone, though his timing isn't always there for him and he loses his command at times. | Heatherly's fastball can reach the mid 90s, though he settles in mostly at 89-92. He's able to sink his fastball when he's locating it down in the strike zone. The lefty has shown two breaking balls, one thrown in the low 70s with long break and more depth, and a more powerful offering in the upper 70s that breaks later and projects as an above-average to plus pitch. Heatherly rarely throws a changeup. The Alabama recruit is also a dangerous high school hitter capable of producing triple-digit exit velocities off his lefthanded bat. His future, however, is on the mound. Heatherly is a bit old for the class, and will be 19 at the time of the draft.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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TRACK RECORD: The Reds plucked Heatherly in the third round of the 2017 draft and signed him for an above-slot $1.047 million. He flashed high-quality stuff but also walked more than a batter per inning at Rookie-level Greeneville in 2018, then made only four starts for low Class A Dayton in 2019 before shoulder soreness ended his season.
SCOUTING REPORT: Heatherly uses a repeatable, compact delivery but doesn't have good control, some of which is due to his scarce time spent on the mound due to injury. He is armed with a fastball that ranges from 92-95 mph and tops out at 97 with life. Heatherly has the ability to spin the ball effectively, flashing a curveball that at times is near top-of-the-scale. His slider is behind his curveball but flashes average at times, while he shows feel for a changeup that is his decided fourth pitch.
THE FUTURE: With control issues hampering his success as a starter, Heatherly is destined for the bullpen. His fastball-curveball mix could play up as a late-inning power lefthander. -
Track Record: When the Reds drafted Heatherly in the third round and paid him an above-slot $1.047 million, they knew they were acquiring a high-ceiling project. After a solid pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League, Heatherly reminded everyone how far he has to go with a very difficult start to the 2018 season. He walked 11 batters in just 3.2 innings over his first two starts with Rookie-level Greeneville. He settled down afterward but still battled significant control issues all season.
Scouting Report: Heatherly is physical and has a relatively clean delivery, but that hasn't helped him throw strikes so far. Heathlerly sits 92-93 mph and touches 95 with a heavy fastball that he can command to both sides of the plate at his best. His best secondary offering is his future plus curveball, which has good spin and works against both lefties and righties. He also throws a slider that tends to blend from time to time with his curveball. He has worked on a low-80s changeup that he doesn't yet show much confidence in.
The Future: Heatherly is learning how to pitch more aggressively and how to throw strikes. Much like last year, he'll compete for a spot in low Class A Dayton, but he'll have to show significant improvement to survive in the Midwest League. -
Projected as a first-rounder headed into his senior season of high school, Heatherly fell to the second day of the draft, where the Reds pounced on him with the 77th overall pick. Cincinnati actually considered taking him in the second round, but passed in favor of Wake Forest center fielder Stuart Fairchild. The Reds still paid him second-round money, giving him a $1 million bonus to sign and forgo his commitment to Alabama. Once in the system, Heatherly pitched well in the Arizona League before earning a late-season callup to rookie league Billings, where he struggled in three appearances. The lefty sits in the 91-93 mph range with his fastball. His filled-out body belies his age; he's big and throws with a good downward plane. Despite his age, he has good pitchability and the presence on the mound of a more experienced player. He's working on his changeup and curveball, both of which have the makings of being above-average pitches, but neither is close to being consistently above-average yet. While the raw talent is there, Heatherly still needs time to develop in pro ball to get to his projection as a back-of-the-rotation starter with a chance for more. He will head to spring training competing to earn a spot in low Class A Dayton.
Draft Prospects
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Lefthanders with velocity and quality breaking stuff are always hot commodities on draft day. Heatherly fits the profile with a physical, broad-shouldered frame and two pitches that project to be above-average or better. Heatherly has a simple, athletic lower half and finds grooves where he commands the ball down in the strike zone, though his timing isn't always there for him and he loses his command at times. Heatherly's fastball can reach the mid 90s, though he settles in mostly at 89-92. He's able to sink his fastball when he's locating it down in the strike zone. The lefty has shown two breaking balls, one thrown in the low 70s with long break and more depth, and a more powerful offering in the upper 70s that breaks later and projects as an above-average to plus pitch. Heatherly rarely throws a changeup. The Alabama recruit is also a dangerous high school hitter capable of producing triple-digit exit velocities off his lefthanded bat. His future, however, is on the mound. Heatherly is a bit old for the class, and will be 19 at the time of the draft.
Scouting Reports
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TRACK RECORD: The Reds plucked Heatherly in the third round of the 2017 draft and signed him for an above-slot $1.047 million. He flashed high-quality stuff but also walked more than a batter per inning at Rookie-level Greeneville in 2018, then made only four starts for low Class A Dayton in 2019 before shoulder soreness ended his season.
SCOUTING REPORT: Heatherly uses a repeatable, compact delivery but doesn’t have good control, some of which is due to his scarce time spent on the mound due to injury. He is armed with a fastball that ranges from 92-95 mph and tops out at 97 with life. Heatherly has the ability to spin the ball effectively, flashing a curveball that at times is near top-of-the-scale. His slider is behind his curveball but flashes average at times, while he shows feel for a changeup that is his decided fourth pitch.
THE FUTURE: With control issues hampering his success as a starter, Heatherly is destined for the bullpen. His fastball-curveball mix could play up as a late-inning power lefthander. -
TRACK RECORD: The Reds plucked Heatherly in the third round of the 2017 draft and signed him for an above-slot $1.047 million. He flashed high-quality stuff but also walked more than a batter per inning at Rookie-level Greeneville in 2018, then made only four starts for low Class A Dayton in 2019 before shoulder soreness ended his season.
SCOUTING REPORT: Heatherly uses a repeatable, compact delivery but doesn't have good control, some of which is due to his scarce time spent on the mound due to injury. He is armed with a fastball that ranges from 92-95 mph and tops out at 97 with life. Heatherly has the ability to spin the ball effectively, flashing a curveball that at times is near top-of-the-scale. His slider is behind his curveball but flashes average at times, while he shows feel for a changeup that is his decided fourth pitch.
THE FUTURE: With control issues hampering his success as a starter, Heatherly is destined for the bullpen. His fastball-curveball mix could play up as a late-inning power lefthander. -
Lefthanders with velocity and quality breaking stuff are always hot commodities on draft day. Heatherly fits the profile with a physical, broad-shouldered frame and two pitches that project to be above-average or better. Heatherly has a simple, athletic lower half and finds grooves where he commands the ball down in the strike zone, though his timing isn't always there for him and he loses his command at times. Heatherly's fastball can reach the mid 90s, though he settles in mostly at 89-92. He's able to sink his fastball when he's locating it down in the strike zone. The lefty has shown two breaking balls, one thrown in the low 70s with long break and more depth, and a more powerful offering in the upper 70s that breaks later and projects as an above-average to plus pitch. Heatherly rarely throws a changeup. The Alabama recruit is also a dangerous high school hitter capable of producing triple-digit exit velocities off his lefthanded bat. His future, however, is on the mound. Heatherly is a bit old for the class, and will be 19 at the time of the draft.
