Welcome back to LWOS 2016 MLB Draft Coverage, the column that brings you player profiles for the next crop of professional baseball players that are likely to be selected in the upcoming draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow us on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical profiles and scouting reports. Click here to check out our complete coverage of the 2016 MLB Draft. Last Word On Sports is your new headquarters for all things 2016 MLB Draft!
Overview
School: Vintage High School
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 195 lbs.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Jared Horn 2016 MLB Draft Profile
Jared Horn is a something of a jack of all trades. While the high schooler may project to the majors as a pitcher, he is undoubtedly competent with the lumber. Across three seasons of varsity baseball out of Vintage High in Napa, CA, Horn owns a career .316 batting average, a .402 on base percentage, and a .504 slugging percentage. He’s also a versatile fielder who can play both third base and all three outfield positions.
Nevertheless, it is clear that Horn’s Major League dreams most likely rest on his abilities on the mound. From his sophomore year through his senior year in high school, Horn’s ERA sits at 1.35, and he has struck out 183 batters while walking 61. Now that may seem like a lot of walks, but consider this: 31 of those walks (just over half, for those as bad at math as I), came in his sophomore year. Since then, he hasn’t issued more than fifteen walks in a single season. As a senior, he put it all together, to the tune of an other-worldly 116 strikeouts against just 15 walks, with a 0.41 ERA.
Horn has committed to play for the University of California Berkeley, but is a top 30 prospect come June 9. He’ll come off the board high enough that his commitment shouldn’t hamper a team’s efforts to sign him. He needs to add more velocity to his fastball, but that will come with age. His command and his slider are already plus-level, and he’ll help a major league team sooner rather than later.
Strengths:
- Plus command
- Strong fastball that will get better with age
- Slider is well developed
- Quick, easy, repeatable delivery
- Highly athletic (also played football and basketball)
- Competent fielder and hitter
Weaknesses:
- Needs more velocity on his fastball
- College committment could make him hard to sign
- Very raw
- Needs a consistent third pitch
MLB Comparison: Gerrit Cole, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Projected Pick Range: 16-30
Most Likely Landing Spots: Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, Pittsburgh Pirates
Bottom Line
Horn has the potential to be a frontline starter if he develops a third pitch. Even if he can’t, his fastball, slider, and overall command should turn him into a top closer someday. He’ll come off the board in the top half of the first round, and the team that selects him will not regret it at all.
Source: MaxPreps
Main Photo via Youtube.
