In the second round of the 2024 MLB draft, the New York Yankees selected Bryce Cunningham, a right-handed pitcher from Vanderbilt University. The Yankees went back-to-back top rounds with pitching selections.
Yankees 2024 MLB Draft Round Two: Scouting Report and Analysis
The notorious Vanderbilt Commodores strike high in the MLB draft once again. The Tennessee powerhouse school produces professional ball players, especially pitching. Veterans like David Price or recent draft picks such as Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter continue the trend for the Commodores. Bryce Cunningham is next up.
The 21-year-old is in his junior year with the Vandy Boys, which compete in the notorious Southeastern Conference in the NCAA.
2024 MLB Draft Prospect Bryce Cunningham: College And Statistics
The right-handed pitcher out of Vandy nation combined two college seasons with two summer league seasons to highlight his skillset. As a freshman, he broke into the SEC with a managed 33 and ⅓ innings pitched. He went 2-1 in six starts with three no-decisions.
He continued the show in the Cape Cod League, pitching 25 and ⅔ innings in the summer. His pitch arsenal and ability to go deeper into games were on full display. This protruded into his sophomore season.
2023 showed to be a better year, pitching with more substance and experience. His ERA took a hit and he learned that his command needed to be more consistent. Although the ERA was up in the air, his strikeout rates were better than expected.
Back to the Cape that year, he posted a more acceptable ERA and struck out 25 hitters only walking seven. 2024 was an anticipated one due to the changes made in delivery, approach, and pitch usage.
His SEC numbers ironed out this year, lowering his ERA from 6.43 to 4.36. Cunningham tossed 84 and 2/43 innings striking out 96 hitters while only walking 34. The changes Cunningham made to his approach and offerings has substantially boosted his projection and value to the draft.
Scouting Synopsis
Physical maturity was never a question with Cunningham. He’s 6’5” at 230 lbs. He’s a physical specimen on the mound. His big questions were how long can he last on the bump and what was his control going to be like?
The work progressed until this year where it all came together. He brings a very simple wind-up on delivery and repeats it well. Everything is mechanical compared to his freshman year where flaws were obvious in his mechanics.
He runs his fastball that tops 97 mph and lives 93-95 mph consistently. He’s learned to live lower and glove side arm side compared to middle-middle and middle-in. He’s found more success on the corners and off the plate.
He has a very workable mid-80s slider with more growth potential, however his put-away option is the changeup. The change-piece sits low-mid 80s and gains fade low and away, becoming a chase piece.
Cunningham has found his control and is able to command the zone, staying up in counts and reducing his pitch count. His changes have increased the number of innings he throws per game, making him a dependable starter. This led to his success as a Yankee in the 2024 MLB draft.
Main Photo Credits: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK
