Scouting Report - LHP - Seth Lonsway

 

Seth Lonsway

 

LHP 6-3 200 Ohio State 

 

2020 Ohio State stat line - 4-starts, 1-2, 3.00, 18-IP, 42-K, 18-BB 

 

11-11-20 - Prospects Live Top 300 Prospect List -

 

46. Seth Lonsway - LHP 

Bio:

Height: 6-3

Weight: 195 lbs

Hits/Throws: L-L

Hometown: Celina, OH

School: Ohio State

 

Lonsway struckout 42 batters in 18 innings before play was shut down last season in 2020 in what some were calling his breakout. 94-95 with the full complement on the mound (CB, SL, CH). Command has been an issue. 

 

Prospect Live - 

 

*Seth Lonsway (L)

 

6’3’’ 200

 

Ohio State

 

Lonsway is an underrated Big 10 pitching prospect despite being on many top 100 lists. He comes in at a solid 6’3’’ 200, with a relatively athletic build. His fastball is average by professional standards hovering around 92–94, with a lackluster spin rate of just over 2100.

 

However, this doesn’t tell the whole story, as he gets a massive 10 inch plus vertical movement on the heater. This means that he has nearly a 100% spin efficiency on the fastball, and that his axis is at a perfect 12:00, both ideals. As mentioned prior, the massive vertical movement and solid spin axis, offsetting previous concern regarding his low spin rate.

 

Lonsway’s entire repertoire doesn’t lack quick rotating pitches however, as both his curve and slider are plus in the rpm department. Both feature solid numbers in regards to both vertical and horizontal break as well. The Bauer Unit scores of 32.5 (SL) and 35.65 (CU) are very good, and tell the tale of what kind of a pitcher he is. Lonsway has only allowed 3 home runs in 110+ innings pitched at the division 1 level, and has an outstanding K/9 sitting at 13.73 lifetime. He won’t overpower you, but with his long stride and a good low center of gravity, he creates a low approach angle that keeps balls in the yard, and forces a lot of pop ups. Lonsway’s arm speed stays consistent on the offspeed, and the hitch in his wind up helps him gain momentum driving forward.

 

I can see Seth projecting as a bottom of the rotation kind of guy, but one that can definitely reach the big league level (low risk pick) due to his outstanding movement. He will have to cut down on walks to reach that level however, as the high walk rate (77 bb in 110.1 ip) is of concern. 

 

Stateline -

 

(6-15-20) Insight on why Celina’s Seth Lonsway will return to Ohio State in the fall was answered in a Press Pros Magazine story, after he was not drafted in the shortened (due to COVID 19)  five round MLB draft that was held last week.

 

Ohio State Head Coach Greg Beals told PPM that Lonsway’s decision not to sign was because his family had a dollar figure ($1 million)  in mind going into the draft as a signing bonus and was not going to sign for anything less.

 

Beals added –

 

“We’ve been in constant contact throughout this process. It was the inability to come to terms with a team. He’s coming back to us and will be in a Buckeye uniform. He still has dreams of pitching in the big leagues.’’