MLB Draft Names to Know: Injured College Pitchers

Daulton Jefferies, RHP, University of California

Who Is He?

Jefferies is a smaller-built righty that stands just 6′ tall and is listed generously at 180 pounds. His motion generates tremendous movement, however, as Jefferies has a fastball that runs in the low 90s and can touch the mid-90s. His change is his best pitch, getting scouting grades of 70 thrown on it at times. It shows the same arm speed, angle, release and torque as his fastball, but has a solid 12-15 MPH difference at its best with wicked movement both sinking and fading. His slider is average at worst, but when it’s on, it’s a near dominant pitch in its own right.

Jefferies had started his spring with dominance on the mound, but he then missed starts, first reported as due to a hamstring injury, and then later verified as a shoulder injury. He’s not pitched since.

Where May He Be Picked?

Jefferies was a no-doubt top half of the first round pitcher in a fairly weak college pitching class before his injury. If he can get back on the mound and establish his health, he’s got a good shot at ending up in that same area again. Otherwise, he could be a guy that falls into the compensatory and competitive balance picks at the end of the first round to the beginning of the second round.

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