3/2/14

A Quick Look - LHP - Brandon Finnegan - TCU



1.       Brandon Finnegan

6-9-13  -  12.Brandon Finnegan, LHP (TCU): He’s overshadowed by Rodon as far as college lefties go, but Finnegan has touched the upper 90s with a plus breaking ball (and posted nearly an identical FIP to Rodon). 

6-11-13 - Player:  Brandon Finnegan -  Position:  LHP -  School:  Texas Christian -  Date of Birth:  4/14/1993 -  Height/Weight:  5’11/184 -  Bats/Throws:  L/L -  2014 Class:  College Junior -  Previously Drafted:  2011, 45th rd, Rangers -  Scouting Report:  Low 3/4 arm slot   Quick arm   Fastball 93-96 early, 91-94 late, has touched 97   Fastball shows very good life -  Slider, 85-88, shows above average potential -  Change 82-85 -  Does a good job of changing speeds -  Has some issues with command 

8-14-13 – Through The Fence – Top 50 Prospects – 34. Brandon Finnegan, LHP, TCU - He has reportedly hit triple-digits with his fastball. That alone will get you first-round attention. At 5-’11”, however, his size draws question marks for a frontline starter. He also features an upper-70s slurve and a decent change-up that has come a long way. He could end up a dominant closer in the mold of Billy Wagner. Had 86 K/35 BB over 79.1 innings as a sophomore. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-top-50-prospects/36463#mwWwsFxSUZy7YC5V.99

7-17-13 –  Brandon Finnegan, LHP, TCU - The stadium gun was off on Monday night but it was easy to see Finnegan was throwing heat, blowing his fastball past hitters and recording two strikeouts in his one inning of work.  Kevin Gallo tells me he topped out at 96 mph.  I mention Finnegan because he's just 5'11", 185 lbs and generates much of that velocity with tremendous arm speed.  Obviously there's not a lot of downward plane here and you wonder if his size will relegate him to the bullpen, though I'm told he can sustain that velocity late in games and he has a hard slider and a solid change-up to go with the fastball -- so he does have the necessary tools/skills to stick as a starter.   Either way, he's an interesting prospect whether he sticks as a starter or becomes a Billy Wagner type closer. http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2013/07/looking-ahead-to-the-2014-and-2015-mlb-draft-notes-from-the-collegiate-national-team-games/ 

9-4-13 – Mack’s Mock Draft v1.0 – 27 –  LHP Brandon Finnegan – TCU – In any other year Finnegan would be easily ranked as the top college lefty in the draft.  Fastball: 93-96, 97…  slider: 85-85... change 82-85… Very polished pitcher who mixes pitches well. Some project him out as an eventual closer.

10-6-13 – Kendall Rogers/PG – College Prospects -  4. Brandon Finnegan, lhp, Texas Christian (Drafted: 2011, Rangers -- 45th round) - The fact Finnegan is a 5-foot-11, 190-pounder, might turn off some because he’s a not an imposing physical specimen, but don’t let that fool you. Finnegan has a classic Texas gunslinger attitude, and has the stuff to complement that well. He’s 95-98 with his fastball, has good feel for an 82-84 changeup and continues to develop a low-80s slider. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9081 

10-15-13 – Baseball America - 23. Brandon Finnegan, lhp, Texas Christian: Smallish lefty holds upper-90s velocity deep into games and developed a plus slider during his time with Team USA. http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-draft-top-50-october-2013-carlos-rodon/

11-4-13 – MLB Draft Insider - Top 14 for ’14: College Pitchers - 6. Brandon Finnegan / LHP / TCU — Finnegan gets rave reviews for his feel for pitching — and has touched 98 with his fastball to go along with an above-average slider and average change — although his size and arm action could give teams concerns. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2013/11/top-14-for-14-college-pitchers/

11-27-13 – Big League Futures Top 25 Poll –   12 Brandon Finnegan    LHP Texas Christian http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2013/11/26/mlb-draft-top-25-prospects-poll/    

B/R – 11-21-13 - 6. Seattle Mariners: Brandon Finnegan, LHP, Texas Christian - While Brandon Finnegan doesn’t require much physical projection at 5’11”, 190 pounds, the left-handed pitcher boasts one of the better fastballs in the draft class, sitting consistently in the mid-90s and even flirting with triple digits at times. More importantly, he’s already shown the ability to hold the velocity deep into games. His breaking ball is slurvey, registering in the low-80s with a deceptive shape and projects as an above-average offering at maturity. His changeup is another solid pitch with good fading action out of the zone. Beyond the stuff, Finnegan stands out in the draft class for his feel for sequencing and overall confidence on the mound. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1860341-2014-mlb-mock-draft-early-first-round-projections-for-all-30-teams/page/10

12-9-13 – Pine Tar Press  -  39- LHP Brandon Finnegan TCU 4/14/93- The win total for a pitcher we all know is a terrible statistic to define how good a pitcher is. Certainly, that case is proven with Brandon who went 0-8 as a sophomore at TCU. The power lefty sits under 6’0 but routinely dials his fastball at 95 plus. Some see him as a game changing 2-pitch reliever but he certainly has the repertoire to be a SP if his change develops. But, if I had to project him out I would suggest his future is out of the bullpen. (Out of first round- Rockies selection) http://pinetarpress.com/early-look-2014-mlb-draft/

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 20. Cincinnati Reds — Brandon Finnegan, LHP, TCU - A power lefty who can touch 97 mph with his fastball, Finnegan’s size (5’-11”, 185 pounds) has some questioning his ability to remain a starter. His fastball sists in the mid 90s with a lot of life and his slider has plus potential. Posted a 3.18 ERA, 1.37 WHIP with 86 K/35 BB over 79.1 innings as a sophomore. Starring for the Collegiate National Team, he had a team-high 23 K over 23.2 innings, allowing just 11 hits. He did issue 10 walks, however, and his command can get him in trouble at times. A strong junior season is expected. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99  

2-1-14 - Brandon Finnegan - Texas Christian University  - Standing under 6', listed at 5'11", 190 LBS, Finnegan wouldn't be as big of a prospect as a righty but he is blessed to be throwing from the left side. He is mature physically and likely won't add any velocity. He has a solid delivery with a ¾ arm slot and long arm action in back but he repeats it fairly well. His fastball sits 90-95 but I have seen it up to 101 on a TV gun, which I'm sure was a little hot. I've heard reports up to 98. His command has improved since he was a freshman as has his stamina and ability to hold his velocity deeper into games. As a freshman, I thought I was watching a future closer. As a sophomore, he looked like there was a good chance to start and I think that remains. http://www.minorleagueball.com/2014/2/1/5365036/2014-mlb-draft-profile-brandon-finnegan-lhp-texas-christian-university

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