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: Victor Valley High School, Victorville, California
Position: RHP
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 185 lbs.
Bats: R
Throws: R
Reggie Lawson 2016 MLB Draft Profile
Hailing out of Victorville, California, Reggie Lawson looks to be one of the top prospects in the 2016 MLB Draft as a pitcher. The right-hander also carries a consistent bat, having batted .461 with four home runs and twenty-six runs batted in during his junior year. Much more impressive was his pitching, however, as he went 6-4 while fanning sixty-seven batters in fifty-three innings, and carrying an ERA of 2.25.
Strengths:
- Built like a pitcher at 6’4”, 185 lbs.
- Fastball has reached 95 MPH at times.
- Didn’t start pitching until freshman year, giving him a young arm.
- Can hit pretty well, making him attractive for the National League.
- Diverse arsenal of a changeup, 4-seam fastball, 2-seam fastball, and a curveball.
Weaknesses:
- Reggie was shut down abruptly from pitching early in his senior season, despite pitching well with a 3-0 start. This could be because he’s actually saving his arm for his commitment with Arizona State or for a potential MLB organization, or that there is something lingering. Either way, teams will likely be cautious until more information is released as to the reason he was shut down.
- As ESPN’s Keith Law reports, his delivery this season appears to be off compared to his junior year, and that on occasion the curve is thrown, it is too slow to be effective.
MLB Comparison: Jake Arrieta, Chicago Cubs
Projected Pick Range: 25-35
Most Likely Landing Spot: The Los Angeles Dodgers could certainly use some more pitchers in their farm system, and have found it hard to come by right-handed pitchers lately. If anything, the Dodgers would be able develop him and spin him off for a more immediate need.
Bottom Line
Lawson has been ranked as high as ninth at one point by Baseball America, and as low at 59th, where he sits as of May 5th. Regardless of where he goes, Lawson seems like a more than safe bet when it comes to adding consistent pitching to any team’s staff. With development, Lawson could prove to be even more.
Main Photo: via YouTube
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