The prepster from Connecticut had a remarkable season and put himself firmly on the map for the MLB Draft on July 11. While prep arms scare away some teams, Frank Mozzicato is among the top 5. The lefty improved his velocity and absolutely dominated this season leading his team to a perfect 25-0 record. Let’s take a look at what Mozzicato brings to the draft.
Make sure to check out all of our other MLB Draft Profiles.
Frank Mozzicato, LHP, East Catholic (CT)
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 175 lbs.
Age: 18
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
2021: 55.2 IP, 0.16 ERA, 9 hits, 135 Ks
Scouting Grades
Fastball: 55
Changeup: 50
Curveball: 60
Control: 55
Overall: 50
Frank Mozzicato has arguably the best fastball-curveball combo of any prep pitcher in the draft. He used that lethal mix to put up the video game numbers you see above. He has worked hard on improving his velocity and command which showed this season. His East Catholic Eagles topped off an undefeated year with a Championship and saw Mozzicato threw a gem in his final start in High School allowing one hit, no walks, and striking out 17.
Strengths
While Mozzicato’s fastball sits around 90-93, it has good life and scouts are confident that there is more to come when the Connecticut product adds more weight and strength. He locates it well and it has some riding action which, with a little more oomph, can be a great weapon at the top of the zone. His curveball is his out pitch. It has excellent late bite and he can throw it for strikes in any count. As a teenager, he has great command of his hook, and with a little more refinement, it could be a 70-grade pitch.
The changeup is developing. Mozzicato hasn’t really needed to throw it much at the High School level but it can be an equalizer especially against right-handed hitters as he moves up. The thing scouts love about the Connecticut prepster is his command and aggressiveness on the mound. He attacks hitters and trusts his stuff. This kid can absolutely dominate with his current three-pitch mix.
Weaknesses
Prep arms always have question marks. Mozzicato is no exception. He relied on his top two pitches in High School but will need to refine his change and possibly add either a cutter or slider into his repertoire to handle hitters at the top levels. There is no doubt he can do it but it remains to be seen. The only other knock on Mozzicato is that his velocity is a tick below average. It may not be much of a concern as he gets bigger, but the lanky build right now has scouts wondering if he can increase his velocity and then maintain it throughout a start.
Pro Comparison: Max Fried
Both pitchers are tall and wiry and both feature a heavy fastball-curveball mix. Fried was drafted back in 2012 out of High School seventh overall by the San Diego Padres. While Mozzicato won’t go that high, he can certainly put himself in the second-round discussion. Teams will look at the upside and realize the kid from Connecticut has the tools to succeed at the next level.
Draft Projection: Round 2, Pick 40, Boston Red Sox
With the Sox going with a college arm in Kumar Rocker in the first round, they double up here and take a prep pitcher. Boston does not shy away from High School pitchers as they’ve taken four of them in the last 10 years in the first round. With a little more weight and a little more zip to his fastball, Mozzicato also resembles a young Jon Lester which worked out well for the Red Sox in the long run.
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Main Image Credit: https://www.courant.com/sports/high-schools/hc-sp-frank-mozzicato-east-catholic-uconn-baseball-mlb-scouts-20210420-wzdxvicttjhnblmjgpxfwc55je-story.html
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