3. Triston McKenzie, RHP
Birthdate: 8/2/97 (19 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: short season A, low A
Stats in 2016: 83 1/3 IP, 1.62 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 6.77 BB%, 32 K%
After selecting him in the CBA round with the #42 overall selection in the 2015 draft, Cleveland has been very impressed with McKenzie. They limited his innings in his debut, but he showed so much that they moved him straight to short-season class A for his first year.
McKenzie was one of the youngest players in the 2015 draft, and his body is still developing, with reports of an additional inch or two of height added since he was drafted along with some solid muscle weight developed. He has room to still develop physically without hurting his high level of athleticism.
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After dominating the New York-Penn League, he was bumped up to low-A Midwest League, and he arguably performed BETTER after promotion as one of the youngest players in the entire league.
McKenzie works with a fastball that works more velocity now than had been reported at draft time, touching as high as 95 now, but sitting more like 90-92 in game. He gets tremendous sink on the fastball from his height and long arms, and his long legs allow him to get great extension toward the plate as well.
He has two above-average off speed pitches with both having future values that could be plus. He has a great curve that has incredible depth at its best and generates weak contact even when it’s not getting as deep. His change gets excellent late movement down in the zone as well to mimic his fastball.
McKenzie’s control took a huge step forward this season, and he is a legit top 100 guy at this point. What will be intriguing is to see how the Indians promote him and protect his inning progression as he moves up the system as he has the chance to be a truly special arm.
Next: #2