Tanner Houck 2017 MLB Draft

Tanner Houck | RHP | 6’5 | 218 | R/R | Missouri | Blue Jays ’14 (12)

Rank: No. 29 in the Top 200 MLB Draft Prospects

Rank: No. 17 in the Top 100 MLB Draft Prospects

Scouting Report: Houck has been one of the best pitchers in the Southeastern Conference since he arrived in 2015. He was also a stalwart for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team for two summers. Early this season, Houck’s stuff was a tick softer than it had been in the past. But as the weather warmed up, Houck started to return to form. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound righthander’s unconventional delivery has long led to debates among scouts. He has plenty of arm speed, but he throws from a low arm slot and throws across his body–his front foot lands pointing somewhere between home and third base. He then spins off toward first base in his finish. It’s anything but direct to the plate, but that also helps make him deadly against righthanded hitters. They struggle to pick the ball up out of his hand and his 90-94 mph heater has outstanding sink. It’s a plus pitch and some scouts give it a 70 grade thanks to its movement. His slider garners average grades, and he’s started to develop his fringe-average changeup as he’s thrown it a bit more. But scouts are still trying to figure out what Houck will be. Some see the delivery and his sinker-heavy approach and see a future one-and-a-half pitch reliever. Others believe he’ll end up as a solid No. 3/4 starter who has enough of a changeup to keep lefties honest while his above-average control and sinkerball beats up righthanders.

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