Draft profile: Braxton Garrett

June 7th, 2016

With the 2016 Draft fast approaching, we take a closer look at the top prospects in this year's class. 
Name: Braxton Garrett
Position: LHP
School: Florence (Ala.) High School 
Rank on Draft Top 200: 14
DOB: 8/5/1997
Bats: R Throws: L
Height: 6' 3" Weight: 190 pounds
College commitment: Vanderbilt
Complete 2016 Draft coverage
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Tools
(Future grades on 20-80 scouting scale)
Fastball: 
55
Curveball: 60
Changeup: 55
Control: 55
Overall: 55
Stats
Innings:
65 1/3
ERA: 0.54
Walks: 15
Strikeouts: 131
Scouting report
Alabama's best prep pitching prospect since Kasey Kiker went 12th overall to the Rangers in 2006, Garrett helped Team USA win the 18U World Cup in Japan in September. Coached by his father, Steve, at Florence (Ala.) High, he's part of a typically strong Vanderbilt recruiting class. Garrett has been better than ever this spring, impressing a throng of scouts with a shutout at the National High School Invitational in March and pitching his way into the middle of the first round.
Garrett spins one of the best curveballs among high schoolers in the 2016 Draft class, a 76-80 mph bender with good depth, though he can fall in love with his breaking ball at times. He also throws an 88-94 mph fastball with deceptive angle and some late life. Both pitches figure to add more velocity once Garrett strengthens his athletic frame.
Garrett has feel for a changeup that has shown signs of developing into a plus pitch as he has used it more as a senior. With his loose, whippy arm and clean delivery, he shouldn't have trouble remaining a starter in pro ball. Garrett has a ceiling of a No. 2 starter and a relatively high floor for a high school pitcher.
MLB comp: John Danks
Fun fact: Garrett had a 19-strikeout performance in April and fanned 15 in two other starts.
He said it: "Since I was a kid I imagined playing in the big leagues, because being that young that's all I thought I was going to do. I don't know if I ever imagined being where I am now; I just imagined playing baseball until I couldn't anymore." (MLB Mayhem)
They said it: "Not only is he the best high school pitcher that I have ever seen, but he plays the game so hard and with passion, yet with great character. He is a rare player." -- Scott Mitchell, head coach at rival Rogers High, to USA Today