Draft profile: Kyle Funkhouser
*** With the 2015 First-Year Player Draft fast approaching, we take a closer look at the top prospects in this year's class. ***
Name: Kyle Funkhouser
Position: RHP
School: University of Louisville
Rank on Draft Top 200: 13
DOB: 3/16/1994
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 6'2" Weight: 218 lbs.
Tools
Future grades on 20-80 scouting scale
30: Well below average
40: Below average
50: Average
60: Above average
70-80: Well above average
Hit: 60
Fastball: 60
Slider: 55
Changeup: 55
Control: 50
Overall: 55
Stats
Games-Starts: 15-15
W-L: 7-5
ERA: 3.29
IP: 98 1/3
K: 93
BB: 42
WHIP: 1.30
Scouting report
Funkhouser ranked as the top prospect on the U.S. collegiate national team last summer, topping the staff with 36 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings. That capped a stellar sophomore season, during which he tied for the NCAA Division I lead with 13 victories and helped Louisville reach its second straight College World Series. Undrafted out of an Illinois high school in 2012 because of his commitment to the Cardinals, Funkhouser has a solid three-pitch mix that begins with a 92-96 mph fastball. Both his slider and changeup show flashes of becoming plus offerings as well. Funkhouser's 6-foot-2, 218-pound frame is built for durability. There's some effort to his delivery, though not enough to lead scouts to think he'll wind up in the bullpen. His biggest need is to improve the consistency of his control and command.
MLB comp: Jordan Zimmermann with less control and command.
Fun fact: Kyle's mother, Laura, played college volleyball at Indiana State University.
They said it: "He's a cowbell kind of pitcher. You put the bell around his neck and everyone follows him along. He's been that 'This is how you do it, boys' guy for two years. He's very competitive and sets the tone for the whole staff."
-- Louisville coach Dan McDonnell