2014 MLB draft prospects rankings: nos. 15-11

12. Brandon Finnegan, TCU, LHP, 5′ 11″, 185 lbs.

So you look at the height and weight and wonder if he can be a starter. This is where some lefty bias comes into play. But there’s more to Finnegan’s package than merely being a lefty hurler.

His fast ball sits around low to 90’s, but has popped a 97 and 98 before. Hard to believe a guy with Finnegan’s stature can produce that velocity. He can avoid bats with it, no question. But what about the rest?

One of his pitches is a slider than can at times resemble a curve. You know what’s next: a slurve. In this case, and not because he’s a lefty, if Finnegan can continue to develop the pitch one way or another, he’s will produce a second bona fide offering. Better yet, what about developing both a slider and a curve?

The changeup isn’t special. If Finnegan cannot make it as a starter, he can scrap this pitch.

Easy beginning with an explosive delivery. That can work both ways. We now see where Finnegan can generate the velocity. The explosive aspect of the delivery has produced concerns about Finnegan’s control and consistency. Then, the durability factor arose, especially when Finnegan had to leave an outing earlier this year. The diagnosis was minor shoulder inflammation.