Prospect Profile: Cody Sedlock

The number 12 prospect on the Baltimore Orioles preseason top 30 prospects list is Cody Sedlock. He comes in ahead of fellow first round pick D.J. Stewart who I profiled earlier. He finished the 2016 season as the Orioles top prospect after a strong start to his career and was number two in the 2017 preseason list, but a poor 2017 performance saw him drop to number 12.

After mostly coming out of the bullpen for his freshman and sophomore season, Sedlock transitioned into a starting role for the University of Illinois. He performed exceptionally as a starter winning Big Ten Pitcher of The Year as a junior in 2016. In 2016, Sedlock pitched in 101.1 innings across 14 starts. He had an ERA of 2.49 with 116 strikeouts, which set a single season school record for strikeouts.

The Orioles selected Sedlock with their first pick in the 2016 draft. His first stop was with the Aberdeen IronBirds in 2016. He made nine starts with the IronBirds, but was limited to three innings in each start. He had an ERA of 3.00 and struck out 25 in those 27 innings of work.

He started the 2017 season with the Frederick Keys. He struggled this season and was plagued with injuries, going on the disabled list twice. In 20 starts and 90 innings of work, Sedlock had an ERA of 5.90 striking out only 69.

MLB.com Analysis:

Sedlock’s velocity was down during his time in the Carolina League, but he still showed a consistent 91-93 mph fastball that featured sink as well as some arm-side life. Sedlock’s curveball is his go-to secondary offering, flashing above-average potential, and he’ll also show some feel for an average changeup as well as an inconsistent slider in the low 80s. The effort in Sedlock’s delivery combined with his longer arm stroke led to control issues in 2017, though the Orioles believe that will be less of an issue going forward after having him return to his college mechanics.

Thought of as a lock to remain a starter out of the Draft, Sedlock now has much to prove after his underwhelming full-season debut. A fresh start with a clean bill of health and more consistent mechanics could go a long way for the right-hander, though he still faces an uphill battle towards reaching his ceiling of a mid-rotation starter.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45

MLB ETA: 2019

 

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Andrew Geckle

Graduate of the University of South Carolina, the REAL USC. Currently an account manager with the Aberdeen IronBirds. I cover the Orioles and minor league affiliates. Twitter- @ageckle35

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