With the 2018 Draft fast approaching (June 4-6 on MLB Network and MLB.com), we take a closer look at the top prospects in this year's class.
:: 2018 Draft coverage ::
Name: Shane McClanahan
Position: LHP
School: South Florida
Rank on Draft Top 200: 14
DOB: 04/28/1997
Bats: L
Throws: L
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 173 pounds
Tools
(Future grades on 20-80 scouting scale)
Fastball: 70 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55
Top 20 Draft Prospects profiles
Stats
Games started: 12
Record: 5-6
IP: 66 1/3
ERA: 3.53
K: 111
Opp. batting avg.: .174
Scouting Report
A late bloomer in high school, McClanahan honored his commitment to South Florida instead of the Mets, who drafted him in the 26th round in 2015. The Cape Coral, Fla., native missed his freshman season due to Tommy John surgery but came back as the Bulls' Saturday starter in '16. He's kept it up this season as USF's ace, holding the best strikeouts per nine innings ratio (15.06) in Division I. As a result, he was named to the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List.
McClanahan is regarded by many to have as good of an arm as almost any pitcher in the Draft. Being a lefty doesn't hurt his Draft stock, either. His fastball has consistently touched triple digits this spring, hitting between 97-100 mph on a regular basis. His repertoire also features a plus changeup -- a pitch thrown with good arm speed and features late drop. His slider gives him at least a third average pitch.
Though McClanahan's strikeout rate has been high, so has his walk rate. McClanahan also has a delivery with big recoil, which has some wondering if he's better suited for a bullpen -- especially if it could put him on a fast track to the big leagues. A loose and athletic frame, however, may give McClanahan the ability to get away with minor mechanics issues.
MLB comp: Alan Embree
Fun fact: Favorite player growing up was Cal Ripken Jr. McClanahan says Ripken epitomizes class and hard work on- and off-the-field. Ripken is the reason McClanahan wears No. 8.
He said it: "At first you're scared, but then you realize you need the surgery and you need to get healthy. It was a big learning experience for me and I took a lot of positives out of it. I don't think it was a negative in my life at all. I got healthy, I got stronger, and ultimately, I learned a lot about the game just from sitting and watching it for a year and a half." -- McClanahan, on going through Tommy John surgery.
They said it: "I think he can start. Now, early in his career, maybe you monitor it closely in terms of innings because of the amount of innings he'll throw. But I think he'll get there. His stuff is going to be so good, he won't need the command other guys do. He'll never be Tom Glavine, painting both sides, but he doesn't have to be." -- An anonymous cross-checker who has seen McClanahan in high school and college.
"I thought he was going to be a one-pitch pony his whole career, but he's done a really good job developing his changeup, which I believe is his second-best pitch. And his slider has also come a long way in the last two years. I think just the biggest thing I've been impressed with is his maturity over the last couple of years. Coming in as a freshman, he had this deer in the headlights look, to now handling all this attention and doing what he's doing. It's really impressive". -- USF head coach Billy Mohl.