Scouting Report - RHP - Christian Little

 

Christian Little

 

RHP 6-4 205

 

Next On Deck -

 

21. Christian Little, RHP, Christian Brothers College Prep (HS)

 

6-foot-4, 210 pounds. Strong, durable frame with strength littered throughout. Young for the class, will be 17 years old at draft time. Potential three pitch mix that all flash future above-average grades. Fastball has been up to 95 mph with loose, whippy arm speed. Curveball is more advanced than changeup. Mechanical adjustments must be made for him to consistently throw strikes and avoid injury. High-upside prospect in this class given age and pedigree.

 

 Talking Chop  - Christian Little  RHP - Coming into the Perfect Game Nationals, most would have ranked Christian Little as the #1 arm in the high school class. While Little was hardly bad, others moved ahead of him because they have louder stuff. Still there is a lot to like with this athletic 6’4, 205 pounder who will still be just 17 years old on draft day. Little may be the safest of the top prep arms along with Painter, as he brings the potential for at least above average command with three plus pitches, a projectable starter’s frame, and an excellent feel for pitching. Little sits more low to mid 90s for right now, with a change that some would even call his best pitch, and the plus curve that he has tightened up in the past year. Little has been ranked at the top of his class for years, and has a long track record of success in events against top competition. It is worth noting that he is a Vanderbilt commitment, and those are almost never easy signs.

 

MLB -

 

Christian Little, RHP, Christian Brothers College HS (Mo.) -- Little wasn’t in our Top 15 because of news he’s graduated early from high school and intends to head to Vanderbilt for the spring semester. But he was nonetheless one of the top performers on Sunday, striking out the side in his inning of work, with an effective, if not electric, 90-92 fastball and curveball.

 

Pitcher List -

 

15. Christian Little, RHP, Christian Brothers High School (Missouri)

 

Christian Little has popped up on a number of radars due to his mid-90s velocity, but also because of his knee-buckling curve (@ 37 seconds; video by Prospects Live):

 

Prospects Live -

 

Christian Little: Little, who recently made waves in the scouting community after his decision to head to Vanderbilt instead of the draft got the nod to start the PG All American Classic for the West. Little’s fastball velocity on Friday was right around where it was expected to be (92-94 range), though he had trouble commanding it. One thing of note that will have the Vanderbilt staff licking their chops is the fact that Little, already an elite arm, can pick up more fastball velocity right now, due to a mechanical issue. Little plants late, with the heel coming down after the backside has started coming forward. While the backside fire is on time, he would pick up velocity from planting earlier- it would allow him to get maximum energy output into the pitch; a firm planted front side results in the energy firing forward (from the back) to all come into use upon release. With adjustments, Little will easily be sitting 95-96, making him an easy first round candidate.

 

Outside of the two HBP (both fastballs), Little did manage to get the fastball to play well up in the zone, generating some whiffs. The most impressive aspect of the outing were his offspeed pitches. He attacked the zone with his breaking ball (particularly late in counts), with the pitch sitting in the 77-78 range. The curve had outstanding late bend, and the changeup looked good as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a lot of two-plane movement on the pitch, making it one of the better prep curves out there. This righty also has size, standing roughly 6’3 and 200 pounds. Physical maturation could also mean more velo. Little also features a changeup that flashes plus. He’s one of the top prep pitching prospects for sure.

 

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