MLB Draft: 2016 Top High School Prep Arms

Alex Speas has gotten Doc Gooden comparisons, according to MLB Pipeline, due to his body type and stuff, which is a huge comparison that would be hard to live up to. The 6’4” and 190 pound right hander from McEachern High School in Georgia, has an impressive arm.

Speas currently sits in the mid-90s, and with his frame he can end up sitting in the upper mid-90s. He also features a plus curveball which will be a plus out pitch. His athleticism really shines on the mound, and he comes from over the top in a simple, repeatable motion. His control can get a tad off every now and then, but if he learns to harness that he will be a number one starter with ease, or at the very least a shutdown reliever.

Speas not only has the stuff to look the part of a future front of the rotation starter, but he has the athleticism, and I see a Chris Archer type pitcher in him. Any pitcher who has had comparisons to Dr. K – a pitcher who was once arguably the best in the game, especially early on – are hard expectations to live up to.

I can see him being gone when the Pirates pick at 22 based off his stuff, but I expect him to fall past the Pirates. Speas could, however, be a player the Pirates envision to not being there at 41, and therefore take him at number 22, similar to what the team did with Cole Tucker in 2014.

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