With the 2018 Draft fast approaching (June 4-6 on MLB Network and MLB.com), we take a closer look at the top prospects in this year's class.
:: 2018 Draft coverage ::
Name: Ryan Weathers
Position: LHP
School: Loretto (Tenn.) HS
Rank on Draft Top 200: 13
DOB: 11/06/1999
Bats: R
Throws: L
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 210 lb.
College commitment: Vanderbilt
Tools
(Future grades on 20-80 scouting scale)
Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 55
Top 20 Draft Prospects profiles
Stats:
Games: 11
Innings pitched: 58 1/3
Record: 10-0
ERA: 0.12
Strikeouts: 119
Scouting report
A two-way player for Loretto (Tenn.) High School, Weathers has power behind the plate as well as on the mound and could keep the bat in his hands at Vanderbilt if he doesn't turn pro. His future, though, is with his pitching.
Weathers mixes his three pitches well, with a deceptive fastball that sits at 90-93 mph, a deep, upper-70s curveball and an advanced changeup. He uses all three offerings to his advantage even though he lacks a true out pitch. Weathers is a power pitcher with finesse, thanks to his ability to locate the ball well. Last season, he struck out 139 batters and walked only five in 63 innings pitched. He throws strikes with ease and carries the velocity throughout innings. He set a Tennessee high school tournament record with 28 strikeouts last spring, including 12 in a shutout in the Class A championship game. He's proved to be consistent this year, despite a bone bruise in between his left thumb and index finger that set him back early in the season. In this year's sectional game, Weathers surpassed 400 career strikeouts, fanning 18 of the 22 batters he faced and leading his team to the state championship tournament for the third straight year.
MLB comp:Jonathan Lester
Fun Fact: Weathers has a stake in two out of Loretto's three state titles -- the 2017 Class A baseball championship and the 2018 Class A boys' basketball championship. The other Mustang title was a girls' basketball championship in 1958, almost 40 years before Weathers was born.
He said it: "I try my best to not pay attention to [the scouts]. They're coming here to watch me do what I do, and I just keep trying to perfect that. Don't try to do anything special, just do you and hopefully everything will be all right. You have to keep tunnel vision with it and never forget the end goal -- I'm just trying to win another state championship for our school because that's a big deal for our community."
They said it: "As far as anything we've asked Ryan to do, he's done it. Pitched, played first, played outfield, and even though he's left handed, I'm sure he could play shortstop, third and catch. He's a kid that's all in." -- Loretto head coach Gary Lamm