Rockies select Tennessee ace Chase Dollander 9th overall
With the ninth pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, the Colorado Rockies selected Chase Dollander, a right-handed pitcher out of Tennessee.
A casualty of the abridged 2020 MLB Draft, Dollander followed through on his commitment to Georgia Southern after going unselected. Transferring to Tennessee the next season, the righty cemented himself as a top prospect in the country. He authored a 2.39 ERA and 8.3 strikeout-per-walk rate over 79 innings as a sophomore, getting named SEC Pitcher of the Year.
His junior season has caused some doubt, though, with a 4.50 ERA and 4.1 K/BB rate for the Volunteers plummeting his stock after entering the year as the presumptive top pitcher in the class.
Dollander is still considered a frontline starter thanks to a devastating repertoire but needs to work on command.
Bio
Age: 21
Position: RHP
Height/Weight: 6-2, 200 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
School: Tennessee
Pick value (#9): $5,716,900
Tools
- Fastball (93-97 mph, touches 99 mph)
- Impressive slider command with good feel for changeup, curve
- Quiet, smooth delivery
Why fans will love this player
- Entered year as top-rated pitching prospect
- Four-pitch mix is refined and showed impressive command in 2022
- Should be frontline starter
Things he'll need to overcome
- Command issues in junior year (walk rate doubled)
Take a look ...
(Video source: MLB Pipeline)
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