MacKenzie Gore

Position: LHSP
Level: Class A
Affiliate: Fort Wayne TinCaps
League: Midwest League
Born: 02/24/1999 (Age: 25)
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 195
B/T: Left / Left
Acquired: 1st Rd. (#3 overall), 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft (SDP)

Prospect Spotlight

The prized lefty threw two innings on the Arizona backfields in my view, showing four pitches, advanced command, and swing-and-miss stuff. He exerted more effort on his fastball in the second inning as he lost his release point, but was able to find his composure and finish out the outing. The 6’3″ 19 year old showed four pitches, and the quality of the repertoire suggests he’ll use them all in the majors. With some projection left in a very athletic frame, Gore projects for double-plus command and control at maturity based on the ease, athleticism, and repeatability of his mechanics.

Gore’s best pitch was a 93-to-96 mph fastball that he moved around the zone at will. He filled the zone aggressively with it, getting hitters to swing through it and spotting up for called strikes. He generates above-average, two-plane run on the fastball, with his four-seam variant showing ride up in the zone, and the two-seamer showing sink. His dynamic mix of command, velocity, and life combines for a future 70-grade fastball. Just as impressive is Gore’s ability to pitch away from his heater, with numerous secondary pitches projecting as swing-and-miss offerings. The go-to off-speed pitch is a high-70’s breaking ball that shows sharp 1-to-7 shape and plus bite. He moves the curveball around with feel beyond his years, able to use it to both lefties and righties while burying the pitch under the zone with two strikes. He throws his changeup with quality arm speed, generating excellent fade in the 83-to-85 mph range. A harder slider in the 86-to-88 mph velo band is more a second-look breaking ball, but it’s extremely impressive to see a teenage pitcher even have the present feel to incorporate a wrinkle pitch.

These are massive grades for a two-inning March intersquad look, and I’ll need to see him again in game action before finalizing my full report. Still, it’s clear Gore is the rare prospect that comes with both a high floor and a high ceiling. There just aren’t many four-pitch lefties with this type of stuff and command – especially ones entering their first full pro season. The profile could be that of a Role 70, number 1 or number 2 starter in the big leagues.