Ljay Newsome, RHP, Seattle Mariners

Fastball 85-89 … Cutter 76-79 … Curveball 73-75 … Changeup 78-80 … To the plate with runner on first 1.27, 1.28, 1.29, 1.30, 1.30, 1.31, 1.31, 1.31, 1.33, 1.36.

Pretty significantly undersized, especially for a rotation role; three-quarters release with tight, quick arm action; no downward plane on the ball and very little power behind repertoire. Consistent mechanics and a true strike thrower to the extreme. Everything is tight; entire repertoire moves, but not a ton, and everything tends to stay within the zone. Lacks a huge wipeout pitch or any average/above average stuff with real depth to go multi-plane and get off barrels. That said, everything tunnels well and works down in the strike zone at the knees … Tons and tons of strikes; really pitches to contact, shows double-plus control and plus command … Good competitor with some idea of how to set up and sequence hitters, but he’s extremely hittable and will really struggle the second and third time through a lineup. Won’t miss bats. Pitching in the hitter-friendly California League may be a tough go for Ljay Newsome.

The Seattle Mariners invited Ljay Newsome to big league camp this spring after he won an organization-wide contest for throwing strikes the year before; hate to put it so starkly but that camp invite may prove to be the height of his pro career. Lacks upside/projectability; entire repertoire is well below-average, and it lacks any sign it could improve drastically. Command helps him survive and could make him modestly competitive into the future, but better hitters will hit him hard, especially the second and third time through a lineup. Low-leverage long reliever at ceiling, but likely organizational depth arm who should plateau relatively soon. Pretty significant underdog story if he makes it further than that.

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