Zech Lemond: Prospect Profile for San Diego Padres' 3rd-Round Pick

Player: Zech Lemond

Drafted by: San Diego Padres

Position: RHP

DOB: 10/09/1992 (Age: 21)

Height/Weight: 6’4”, 200 lbs

Bats/Throws: R/R

School: Rice

Previously Drafted: 50^th round, 2011 (Pirates)

Background

Full Scouting Report

Note: Numerical scores are on the conventional 20-80 scouting scale, with the current score first and projected score second. 

Body/Mechanics

The 6’4”, 200-pound right-hander possesses a projectable frame and big-time arm strength; delivery involves some effort, but his athleticism allows him to repeat it consistently; utilizes upper-body turn at top of delivery to create deception; arm action is long on the backside, but he manages to find a consistent release point; excellent hand speed; mechanics better suited for long-term bullpen role.

Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press

Fastball: 55/65

Heater registers at 92-96 mph with good arm-side run; sits towards high end of velocity range early in games but still holds up well deeper into games; he uses height to create consistent downhill plane toward plate.

Curveball: 50/60

Throws a hard curveball that flashes plus in the low 80s with sharp, downer bite; swing-and-miss offering that complements his heater nicely and baffles right-handed batters; struggles to control the pitch at times.

Slider: 40/55

Added a slider to his arsenal over the summer that was coming along nicely prior to his injury; thrown at 81-84 mph with tight rotation and late biting action.

Changeup: 35/45

Would have been crucial toward future development as a starter, but much less important now that he’s likely to end up in the bullpen; projects as at least serviceable at maturity, with decent fading action and good velocity separation compared to fastball.

Control: 40/50 

Good feel for throwing strikes in spite of active delivery and powerful stuff; has shown ability to work the zone and get ahead with multiple pitches; control of arsenal will be less important as a reliever.

Command: 35/45

Command is better than expected considering the delivery, arm action and explosive fastball; more effective when he trusts his stuff instead of prioritizing location; potential to miss bats with multiple pitches regardless of future role.

MLB Player Comparison: Zack Wheeler

From a mechanical perspective, Lemond’s delivery, specifically his turn at its height and controlled stride toward the plate, strongly resemble Zach Wheeler’s. And assuming Lemond stays healthy moving forward, he also has the potential to develop a similar four-pitch mix.

Projection: No. 3 starting pitcher/late-inning reliever

Major Leagues ETA: Starter: 2017/Reliever: Late 2015

Chances of Signing: 70 percent

Lemond proved he was a first-round talent this spring, but his recent elbow injury raises questions about his long-term durability as a starter and could cause him to slide down the board on draft day.