Age: 24
2019 Level: A+/AA
Pitches (current/future value)
Fastball: 45/45
Curveball: 50/50
Changeup: 50/55
Slider: 55/55
Command: 40/45
Most Likely Future Role: Middle Reliever
Ceiling: Strong opener/one time through the order pitcher
What we know: Sedlock completely fell off the prospect map over the last couple years. It wasn’t just poor performance, it was a complete loss of the stuff that made him a 1st round pick. He had a number of arm issues – including some of the symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome – that tanked his arm speed. In 2019, he came back. It wasn’t quite the arm speed that led to 95-96mph as a starter and an above average curveball out of college. But it was much better than the upper 80s that he’d seen in the 2017-2018 seasons. More so, he tailored his pitches to the new normal. He crafted a new slider, tweaked his changeup, switched to a four seam fastball, and altered his release point. It’s a well rounded repertoire of pitches, with the weakness being the 90-93, t95mph fastball. It can miss bats at the top of the zone, but it is quite hittable if not located well. This combined with fringy command of the pitch limits the profile.
What we don’t know: Is this all of the velocity that’s coming back? Mostly these questions are bad questions, but in this case, there is a slight chance that he can find the old arm strength now that his injury issues seem to be behind him. Is there more command coming? It’s tough to project much more with his long windmill style arm action. Can he pitch backwards effectively? This is the big one, he’s got three offspeed pitches that should play at the major league level, the more he can hide the fastball, the better.
What we think: Sedlock probably needs some AAA seasoning, but he’s not far off. He has a mature pitch mix and looks to fit the role of the middle reliever who can give you some length if needed. Limiting him to one time through a lineup should help protect his fastball from becoming over-exposed and it’s possible he could hold 94-95mph in those shorter outings. The biggest risk (other than injury) is command, he’ll need to locate well enough to get advanced bats to bite on the offspeed stuff.
Another Take: Sedlock brought himself back to the prospect scene after looking finished last season. His velocity started to return as did some of the sink, but he still doesn’t have that 94-95 MPH bowling ball he had when drafted. I’d like to see what he looks in a relief role to see if his stuff takes a jump. He’s a fringe guy for me. (Tony Pente)
