The Pittsburgh Pirates have drafted Vanderbilt right-handed pitcher Patrick Reilly in the fifth round of the 2023 MLB draft. He was ranked 233rd by Baseball America and 219th by MLB Pipeline.
Patrick Reilly, RHP, Vanderbilt
Age: 21 | DOB: 10/7/01 | HT: 6′ 3″ | WT: 208 | B/T: R/R
2023 Stats
Reilly pitched mostly out of the bullpen, making four starts. He had a 5.77 ERA in 48.1 innings, striking out 65 and walking 30.
The Mechanics
Reilly was rated 103rd overall in the shortened 2020 draft, but ended up going to Vanderbilt. His control has struggled at the level, while pitching from a power three-quarters arm slot with fast arm action. His delivery has effort, taking him out of sync, and leading to control issues that have dropped his value while in college.
The Pitches
Compiling the Baseball America and MLB Pipeline reports on Reilly.
Fastball (60): Reilly’s fastball is his best pitch, sitting 93-96 MPH, touching 98, and having a lot of run on the pitch. He throws two fastballs, with his two-seamer having more run and sink. He generates a high amount of swing and miss with the fastball, but lacks control with the pitch.
Slider (55): Like the fastball with two variations, Reilly throws a mid-80s slider which he ramps up for an 89-91 MPH cutter. The pitch could be a plus offering, but like the fastball, lacks control.
Changeup (45): The changeup is used against lefties, with some slight fading action. He’s mostly a fastball/slider pitcher.
Control (40): Reilly is below average with his control and command, with inconsistent mechanics and the effort in his delivery leading to inconsistencies.
Overall (40): The stuff is appealing, but Reilly hasn’t gotten to the point where he’s more than a raw arm. That profile grades well out of high school, but not as much in college, after a career that regressed to the bullpen. If the Pirates can get his stuff harnessed, they’ve got a fastball/slider reliever who knows how to add variation to both pitches.
