Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Potential Fifth Round Draft Picks

RHP J.T. Quinn

J.T. Quinn is a 6’6″, 215-pound right-hander coming out of Berkley Prep. The high school prospect has a large frame at 18-years-old and the talent to use that frame to his advantage. Quinn does have a commitment to Mississippi, but the right amount of slot money might pry him from his commitment.

At just 18-years-old, Quinn is already touching 95 MPH. Though he usually sits in the lower-90s, with his age and frame, there’s plenty of reason to believe he’ll eventually average out in the mid-90s. It’s not a flat fastball either. He throws it with some sink. Although his fastball already flashes plus-plus, his curveball is already a plus-plus offering. He tunnels it well with his fastball and gets a ton of swings and misses outside the zone on it. However, he can also throw it for strikes. Because he tunnels it so well with his four-seamer, Quinn can throw batters off coming out of the hand.

Quinn doesn’t have a third pitch. MLB Pipeline gives him a 40-grade for his change-up, but he does have the potential to get a third offering. As a high school draft prospect, Quinn has plenty of time to develop a third pitch. Given he is also considered an early-round selection, he also has the talent to hammer down a third offering.

Despite his large frame, Quinn has a good feel for his mechanics. He can easily repeat his delivery and has fast arm speed. Typically with someone 6’6″ and 18-years-old, they’d need to polish that part of their game up, but Quinn already has clean arm work. That’s why many believe he can add a third pitch to his arsenal. Quinn might be an over slot pick, but it is worth it in the long run.