Making the Case for Jake Stinnett
When it comes to Major League Baseball’s draft, it is typically very tough to guess which teams will select which players. Many factors come into play: some teams prefer high school players over college players, some will draft pitcher-heavy, and others will look to take local players. There are several top prospects, and one of them is Maryland righty Jake Stinnett.
Stinnett has pitched in the ACC, which is arguably the second-best conference in NCAA Baseball, and he has done well. This year, Stinnett has been Maryland’s Friday-night starter, and he has pitched to a 2.92 ERA. Stinnett is also tied for the ACC lead with Carlos Rodon with 94 strikeouts and 80 innings pitched. Rodon is projected by many to go to the Houston Astros with the top pick this year. Stinnett outpitched Rodon in College Park earlier this season. He also threw a no-hitter earlier in the season.
Several first round draft picks out of college have made the leap to pro ball with ease. Orioles fans have gotten the chance to see Kevin Gausman, who was drafted out of LSU, already pitch in the majors, just a year after being drafted. Brian Matusz, a key piece of the O’s bullpen, was taken out of San Diego. If you go right down the beltway, Stephen Strasburg was drafted out of San Diego State in the first round.
Currently, Perfect Game has Stinnett going in the supplemental round after the first round or the second round. However, there is definitely a case to be made for someone taking him in the first round. His stuff is solid, and he could move quickly through the organization, taking a path like Gausman’s. If you haven’t seen Stinnett pitch live, he’ll get the ball on Friday night against Notre Dame in College Park. He will play a huge role in determining how far Maryland goes this year, and he has the potential to be a star at the next level.
