The 2021 MLB Draft will begin on July 11. Today we look at Michael McGreevy, one of the top college arms out of UC Santa Barbara. McGreevy went undrafted out of high school before starting out in the bullpen for the Gauchos. After a successful transition to the rotation in 2020, the right-hander has worked his way to a first-round pitcher as a junior.
Michael McGreevy, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 215
Age: 22
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
2019: 5-1, 1.94 ERA, 53/13 K/BB, 6 SV in 60.1 IP
2020: 2-0, 0.99 ERA, 26/7 K/BB in 27.1 IP
2021: 8-1, 2.94 ERA, 104/10 K/BB in 88.2
Scouting Grades
Fastball: 60
Slider: 60
Curveball: 55
Changeup: 50
Control: 70
Overall: 55
Micheal McGreevy was a two-way player coming out of high school and he actually viewed his primary position as a shortstop. But as a freshman, the UCSB coaching staff felt pitching was the San Clemente, California native’s best position. Once he started focusing on pitching, his career took off, and now less than three years later, he is getting a lot of hype and attention from major league teams.
Strengths
McGreevy made a seamless transition to the rotation in 2020. He was having a great season before the pandemic, unfortunately, cut it short after he made four starts. His fastball has seen an uptick of velocity this season, now consistently as high as 96 mph and sitting around 93 with sinking action. McGreevy worked on improving his secondary pitches in the 2021 season without tarnishing his control much if at all. He has a very solid slider, developing curveball, and an average changeup. His slider is his best secondary offering, as it tunnels well with his fastball and he throws it as hard as he can. With his ability to command all four of his pitches, McGreevy has been able to have his stuff play up even more. He always attacks the zone and is looking to continue to improve his velocity on his fastball and movement on his pitches. Not to mention, he has a very easy and repeatable delivery.
Weaknesses
There is a lot to like about McGreevy. He has the ideal size, stuff, and command to be a solid mid-rotation innings eater. The one thing that needs more work than anything else is his curveball, which he can get a little lazy with and leave hanging in the zone at times. If he can develop the breaking pitch more and focus on hitting his spots, McGreevy will only get better.
Pro Comparison: Zach Plesac
Just like Plesac, McGreevy isn’t going to blow anyone away with his fastball. Both guys do a great job of commanding their pitches, as Plesac also has a low walk rate in the majors. The Cleveland Indians right-hander was in the top one percent of the league with a mere 2.9 percent walk rate in 2020. Plesac wasn’t selected until the 12th round by the Indians in 2016. But the two righties have a very similar arsenal and build. McGreevy also profiles similarly to other Indians pitcher Justin – I mean – Shane Bieber, the 2020 American League Cy Young. Bieber also attended UCSB and was drafted in the fourth round.
Draft Projection: Round 1, Pick 19, Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have a number of high-velocity guys in their system, but not one of them has the top-notch command that McGreevy does. If he falls to pick 19, Toronto should not hesitate to add a very high-ceiling pitcher who offers a nice change of pace to their current system.
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Main Image Credit: From MLB.com
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