Mize blossomed as a sophomore, posting an outstanding 12.11 K:BB ratio on his way to an 8-2 record and 2.04 ERA. That success earned him a spot on the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team where he continued to shine before being shut down with a forearm strain. This season, Mize has picked up where he left off, showing plus stuff and missing bats with regularity. Last weekend against Bryant, Mize weathered a couple mistakes in the zone, but still showed why he’s a top follow for the MLB Draft. In the start, he allowed four runs on five hits over five innings, striking out nine and allowing two walks.

Broad shouldered and well-proportioned with an XL frame, Mize has filled out considerably since high school and now looks the part of a future innings eater. Though he maintained his fastball velocity at 94-to-96 mph throughout the evening, Mize surrendered a few hard hit balls when he caught too much of the plate while pitching from behind. The fastball appeared to gain effectiveness as the evening progressed, generating five swinging strikes in his final inning of work. Mize’s best offering is a heavy split-changeup thrown at 86-to-88 mph with hard downer action tailing to his arm side, and serves as an out-pitch to righties and lefties alike. A tight mid-80s slider with horizontal movement gives Mize a third pitch that projects as at least above average.

Mize has the talent and track record to warrant a top 10 overall selection in June. After missing time in the spring and summer, the biggest variable for his outlook is his ability to show a clean bill of health over the next three months.