Jamie Arnold is MLB Pipeline’s No. 4-ranked prospect for the 2025 Draft and one of the most pro-ready pitchers in this year's class. Here is what you need to know about the left-hander.
FAST FACTS
MLB Pipeline ranking: No. 4
Position: LHP
Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 188 lbs.
Bats/throws: L/L
Age: 21 (Born March 21, 2004)
School: Florida State
MLB PIPELINE SCOUTING GRADES (20-to-80 scale)
Fastball: 60
Slider: 65
Changeup: 50
Control: 55
Overall: 60
Draft coverage:
Day 1 (Rounds 1-3): Sun., July 13, 6 p.m. ET (MLBN/MLB.com/ESPN)
Day 2 (Rounds 4-20): Mon., July 14, 11:30 a.m. ET (MLB.com)
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
1. He has plus stuff and command
Arnold was one of the top strikeout artists in college baseball over the past two seasons. After racking up 159 K's in 2024 -- the third-most in Division I -- he struck out 119 batters across 84 2/3 innings this spring.
A lot of pitchers can be overpowering at the amateur level, but not many can harness that power as effectively as Arnold. He walked only 53 batters over the past two years, giving him a strikeout-to-walk ratio better than 5-to-1. His strikeout stuff and strike-throwing prowess are a couple of reasons why Arnold could advance quickly through the Minor Leagues.
2. His repertoire is simple but very effective
Arnold recorded a 2.98 ERA in each of the past two seasons at Florida State, spanning 190 1/3 innings. And he really needed only two pitches to dominate: A fastball that can touch 97 mph and a sweeping, mid-80s slider that is one of the best in this year's class. Deception is also a big part of Arnold's game as his whippy left arm attacks hitters from a near-sidearm angle.
3. He has drawn comparisons to a Cy Young-winning lefty
A left-handed starter from the state of Florida with an unorthodox delivery and a devastating fastball-slider combo -- does that sound like anyone familiar? Some scouts see Chris Sale when they look at Arnold on the mound. The incoming pro is five inches shorter than the Braves' All-Star hurler -- 6-foot-1 to 6-foot-6 -- but that kind of comp is why Arnold will likely hear his name called early in this year's Draft.
4. His pitch mix is evolving
However, Arnold might have a third reliable weapon in his arsenal soon. He didn't need to use his changeup much in college, but he's been gaining a better feel for it. He said on the MLB Pipeline Podcast back in April that he knows he needs to keep hitters from sitting on his heater, and this offspeed offering might just do the trick.
"When I do get [the changeup] in the spots I want it, I've gotten great results on it," Arnold said. "So I think moving forward, that's a pitch where I know if I get the feel for it down and I'm throwing it where I want it, I think it's going to open up a lot of things for me."
5. His strikeouts supported his biggest fan
Arnold’s 119 K’s this season not only helped Florida State reach the Super Regionals, they also raised money for a great cause. Through his season-long K-Time For Cystic Fibrosis initiative, Arnold donated $2,975 – $25 for each strikeout – to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's West Florida chapter.
The cause is in honor of 8-year-old Bradley Wombles, who was born with cystic fibrosis and is Arnold's biggest fan.
"You’re pitching for something bigger than yourself, and that was the main thing this year," Arnold told the Tampa Bay Times.