Mason Erla
RHP 6-4 220 Michigan State
2020 Michigan State Stats - 4-starts, 2-0, 1.04, 1.00, 26-IP, 42-K, 6-BB
11-11-20 - Prospects Live Top 300 Prospect List -
44. Mason Erla - RHP
Bio:
Height: 6-4
Weight: 217 lbs
Hits/Throws: R-R
Hometown: Cass City, MI
School: Michigan State
Draft-eligible in 2020, Erla went unselected, but his stuff really ticked up in 2020. FB was up 4-5mph in 5 starts, up to 92-93. Pitch showed significantly more ride in 2020 too. Slider is more often than not average, but did improve break profile in 2020 as well. Flashed 55 on occasion. CH is fringy but really showed better fading profile in 2020 and could develop into a significant offering. Profiles as a potential back-end of the rotation arm.
The 6’4’’ 220 Erla out of Michigan State is a very good guy to look at for teams that need big league ready arms. Erla has a sinker/fastball that touches up to 97 (big league average spin rate in the 2300s), with solid secondary options including a plus slider along with a good change and curve.
Being a senior in 2021, Erla will not struggle with any personal issues in the minors, as he should be more mature having traveled for four plus years at the collegiate level (redshirted due to torn acl senior year of hs). His delivery is solid mechanically, as he takes a pretty good stride (low release) and rotates well from the back (quality hip hinge). I see him being a guy that could be brought up to the bigs quickly as a stopgap, then finding a role similar to that of Ross Stripling on the Dodgers. With his plus fastball, he could find immediate use in a bullpen, while on the other hand his solid arsenal of pitches and experience could land him as an immediate filler in a rotation (developing into a mid to bottom of the rotation starter). He is a very low risk pick that could give a major league team some help faster than most other players in the draft. The only concern with Erla is the discussion of bullets in the gun. Being a senior, he has thrown more in college than what most would find ideal, though his versatility and stuff can’t be denied. It is worth noting that Erla is a kid very focused on his development.
After struggling in 2019, he elected to not play in a summer league, and instead go on a throwing program to improve his fastball velocity. He got said velocity and took a massive leap in his development. This says a ton in regards to his maturity and understanding of what he needs to do to reach the next level; something that I would like to see out of all arms drafted into an organization. He would be a great 5th-10th round pickup, and could go higher if he has a dominant 2021 season.
After his disappointing season, Erla elected to skip summer ball and work on his game. Erla worked with his pitching coach, Mark Van Ameyde, to build a program that would lead to increased velocity.
The program seemed to work as he came into this season throwing in the mid-’90s, and reaching as high as 97 MPH. Prior to the season, Erla’s fastball was clocked at 89-91 MPH. He improved fastball led him to early-season success in 2020. In 26 innings, Erla put up these stats: 1.04 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 6.9 H/9, a .3 HR/9. He also had a BB/9 of 2.1 and K/9 14.5. The most notable difference was in his strikeout ability. Coming into 2020, Erla struck out 121 batters in 170 innings. This year in 26 innings, he struck out 42 batters.
Mack's spin -
Eria's draft projection really soared after his dominant start last year. The shame for him was the fact that the season ended so quickly.
Some have him as an early second round pick. I have him in the third.
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