Flaherty was selected in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft (34th overall) out of Harvard-Westlake H.S. (Los Angeles, CA), and much like several Cardinals prospects of the recent past, he’s shot through the farm system rapidly, and could be an impact starter for St. Louis sooner than later. With four above-average offerings and great pitchability, Flaherty projects as a Role 60, number three starter.

Flaherty displayed a four-seam fastball that grades as above-average and sat 92-to-95 mph with some downward plane, eliciting weak contact. He successfully commands the fastball in all quadrants consistently, and he has above-average control of the pitch thanks to his repeatable delivery and plus athleticism. His overall control numbers are also above average (career 2.59 BB/9).

Flaherty has two breaking balls, a curveball and a slider, both grade as above average. The curveball sat 74-to-76 mph when used early in the count and was able to locate it to both sides of the plate. He could also dial it up to 77-to-79 mph with 12-to-6 shape and solid depth when used for put-away. His slider was 83-to-86 mph and had sharp two-plane break. Flaherty had great feel for it during this viewing, starting it in the zone and burying it low and away to righties, and to the back foot of lefties.

Flaherty’s best secondary offering could be his above-average changeup. It sat 84-to-86 mph with good velocity separation from the fastball and significant fading action. The pitch plays up even more because of his arm action, which adds some deception. Flaherty has tremendous feel for the changeup and is comfortable throwing it in any count.

Just 21 years old, Flaherty is significantly younger than the average prospect at the Triple-A level, which speaks to how highly the Cardinals think of him and how polished he is for his age. Having said that, the Cardinals should be in no rush given their pitching depth at the big league level. Flaherty has advanced feel for sequencing with above-average command and control of his entire arsenal. With Lance Lynn (RHP, Cardinals) set to become a free agent, Flaherty could compete for a spot in the rotation out of camp in 2018.