Zach Eflin to Padres: Video Highlights, Scouting Report and Analysis

Position: RHP

Height/Weight: 6’5”/200 lbs

Bats/Throws: R/R

DOB: 4/8/1994

High School: Hagerty (Fla.)

College Commitment: Central Florida

With a high arm slot and 6’5” frame that leaves room to fill out, Zach Eflin has everything one looks for in a prep right-hander. He’s improved the efficiency of his mechanics, and the results have sent him surging up the draft board.

His fastball has been up to 95 mph this spring—he was only flirting with 90 mph last summer—and he’s dominated some of the nation’s premier prep teams. The pitch also has a lot of late life and is consistently thrown on a downward plane to both sides of the plate.

Beyond his plus heater, the right-hander has the makings of a plus breaking ball that generates heavy downer action due to his lightning-quick arm. He’s also shown an increased feel for his changeup, though it still lags behind his curveball. 

Much like Lucas Giolito, Eflin suffered an arm injury early in the season that temporarily placed his draft stock in jeopardy. He missed all of April while recovering from triceps tendinitis but has since returned to the mound seemingly without missing a beat.

Due to his natural arm slot that allows him to pound the strike zone and mix in his off-speed pitches, Eflin’s game is very similar to the Nationals’ Jordan Zimmermann. However, don’t expect to see the right-hander for some time, because he’s a pitcher who should probably spend four seasons in the minor leagues.

Pick Analysis:

Eflin has the prototypical size of a workhorse big league starter with room to fill out. He picked up nearly 5 MPH on his fastball in the last year, which proves the sky is the limit for this kid.