Jordan Balazovic 2019 Top 100 MLB Prospects Stock Watch

Image credit: Jordan Balazovic (Photo by Tom DiPace)

This is part of a series highlighting several prospects in our 2019 Top 100 Prospects midseason update. To see the full rankings, click here. 

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Jordan Balazovic, RHP, Twins

Rank: 85
Preseason: NR

STOCK is headed: Up ??

When the Twins drafted Balazovic out of Canada as a high schooler in the fifth round in 2016, they were betting that there was much more to come from a young righthander with broad shoulders and room to grow.

The summer before his draft year, he sat 84-88 mph. By the time he was drafted he could touch 93.

Three years later, Balazovic now sits 93-95 mph and can touch 97. That fastball allows him to dominate Class A hitters, but his leap has come this year because he’s proving he can locate his average curveball and changeup to the point where hitters can’t sit on his fastball.

At two Class A levels he had gone 6-2, 2.54 through 11 starts with 82 strikeouts and 12 walks in 56.2 innings.

Balazovic fills the strike zone with a plus fastball and can manipulate his curveball in and out of the zone. It gives him a solid chance to start long term thanks to his stuff, average command and feel.