Lucas Giolito

Position: RHSP
Level: Double-A
Affiliate: Harrisburg Senators
League:
Age: 21
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 255
B/T: Right / Right
Acquired: 1st Rd., (#16 overall) 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft (WSH)

Prospect Spotlight

The Potential Tools: 70 FB, 80 CB, 60 CH, 60 Command

Strengths: Premium size and strength; FB will work 93-to-97 mph and touch higher; extreme downhill life from large 6’6” frame; extreme arm-side boring life; weapon pitch; will miss barrels; CB is elite offering; mid-80s velocity with 12-to-6 shape; extreme depth to the pitch; will miss bats at a high rate; plus CH with late vertical action and fade; plays well off of FB; fear of FB/CB will help changeup effectiveness; ball explodes out of hand, feel for all pitches; repeats delivery well; command projects plus.

Weaknesses: Although he repeats, shows effort in delivery; gap between present command and future is moderate; still learning to command changeup; injury history on resume.

Role Ceiling: 70; #1 SP.

Risk: Low; advanced profile for age/level; will dominate upper minors.

Summary: Giolito is the top pitching prospect in the minors right now. He features one of more elite arsenals to come through the minor leagues in some time. Giolito has all the makings of an elite-level pitcher, and he’s proven through his success so far that he very well could hit that ceiling sooner rather than later. One of the more underrated aspects of Giolito’s game that’s overshadowed by his quality stuff is his intelligence for pitching. Giolito shows the pitchability and feel for sequencing of a ten-year major league veteran. His baseball IQ and high-quality arsenal with elevate him not only through the upper minors but also up to the top tier of starting pitchers in major league baseball.