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Overview
School: McEachern High School (Ga.)
Position: Right-handed pitcher
Height: 6′ 4”
Weight: 190 lb.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Alex Speas 2016 MLB Draft Profile
In the 2014 Draft, the most electric high school arm belonged to a product of the Atlanta Blue Jays travel program: Touki Toussaint, who went in the first round to the Diamondbacks and since has been traded to the Braves. The Atlanta Blue Jays have another high-upside hurler for 2016 in Speas, who has a similar build and skill set. Speas is a 6’4″ 190 lb right handed pitcher from Powder Springs, GA with a college commitment to Mississippi State. Speas’ calling card is velocity on his Fastball. His trademark electrifying arm speed touched 97 mph at this past June’s Perfect Game National Showcase. He’s still pretty slim, but has a physical frame that should be able to gain more good weight. It’s safe to project another 3-4 mph on that Fastball after he gets into a program with weight training.
Strengths:
Explosive fastball with riding life (92-97mph)
Plus curveball
Lanky frame
Weaknesses:
Lack of command
Inconsistent mechanics
MLB Comparison: Dwight Gooden
Projected Pick Range: 40-50
Most Likely Landing Spot: Milwaukee Brewers
Bottom Line:
Speas isn’t nearly as polished as Gooden was at the same stage, however, and he has less pitchability than Toussaint did. Speas has trouble throwing strikes on a consistent basis, and the life on his fastball and the depth on his curve don’t help. The Mississippi State recruit could develop into a frontline starter, but if he can’t develop a changeup and better command, he could be a late-inning reliever. There’s a big boom or bust scenario with Speas.
Sources: Pefect Game USA, MLB Prospect Watch 2016
Main Photo via YouTube
