Mack's spin -
Fitts is the first of my wild cards.
No one has benefited more from the shortened COVID season, First, he put up decent numbers in the shortened 2020 season. Then, he followed it with impressive showings throughout the off-season.
He is rocketing up the mock drafts.
RHP 6-3 200 Auburn
2020 Auburn stat line - 6-G, 1-start, 1-0, 2.77, 13-IP, 16-K
1-25-21 - auburn tigers -
Auburn right-handed pitcher Richard Fitts has been named Second Team Preseason All-America by D1 Baseball, the publication announced Monday.
Fitts has earned a plethora of preseason recognition after a strong performance during the fall. He has been ranked the No. 8 and No. 9 college prospect by Perfect Game and D1 Baseball, respectively, entering the 2021 season. Fitts has also been tabbed the No. 13 overall prospect by Perfect Game, the No. 15 overall prospect by Baseball America and the No. 17 overall prospect by MLB.com.
A key contributor since his freshman season in 2019, the Helena, Alabama, native has made 27 career appearances, including six starts, and has posted a 6-3 record with a 4.88 ERA. Fitts made appearances in the SEC Tournament, regional, super regional and College World Series as a freshman before going 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in six appearances as a sophomore.
1-26-21 - BA -
15. Richard Fitts, RHP, Auburn
Areas To Improve: Maintain stuff in starter’s role, improve control, develop changeup, start full season
One of the biggest risers from the fall, Fitts wowed evaluators with a big-time fastball, plus slider and—like many Auburn arms—a changeup with split action. If he can maintain the stuff he showed last fall in a starter’s role this spring, he should be off the board within the first 20 picks. Improving his command and making strides with his changeup would also help him answer starter/reliever questions, and with just six collegiate starts on his resume, starting a full season will be key.
1-20-21 - D1 Baseball's top 100 College Prospects -
9 Richard Fitts RHP P Auburn SEC
1-20-21 - prospect live -
#26
Minnesota Twins
Richard Fitts
RHP, Auburn
Fitts really exploded onto the scene during the fall of 2020 touching triple digits and showing growth in his secondary offerings. Primarily a reliever over his first two years at Auburn, Fitts will assume a weekend rotation role in 2021 where he'll look to be the next in a long line of Tigers starters drafted early (Mize, Burns). Fitts is a fastball-slider-changeup arm who saw the most growth from his breaking ball in 2020. If his command and durability prove strong enough to stick in a rotation, he'll be a nice, high-ceiling find for the Twins here at no. 26.
1-18-21 - LOOKOUT LANDING -
There’s a lot to like from Richard Fitts as a pro prospect. The body is really, really good. The arm speed and athleticism on the mound certainly help project more potential coming. The velo is trending in the right direction and he’s really starting to harness a plan for what his secondary offerings are doing.
There are still the concerns of his intrinsic ability to supinate and spin a breaking ball, as well as the ability to kill lift on an off-speed pitch, but that should come with time. Fitts comes from a conference, and more specifically a school with fantastic tutelage and tradition in terms of sending premier arms to the next level. If Fitts commands the baseball in 2021 and his stuff takes a step forward like many are anticipating it has, he’s certainly in-play for the Mariners at pick no. 12.
1-14-21 - Baseball America
Richard Fitts
Auburn RHP
Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.6
A 6-foot-3, 200-pound righthander, Fitts threw the second most innings among Auburn freshmen in 2019, with a 5.21 ERA through 62.2 innings primarily out of the bullpen. As a sophomore in 2020, Fitts had more success in 13 innings, posting a 2.77 ERA with 16 strikeouts (11.1 per nine) and five walks (3.5 per nine). Fitts has an above-average fastball which could improve to become a plus heater as he continues to fill out a lean and projectable frame. He has an average slider and changeup, with the slider possessing solid spin rates and pairs that solid three-pitch mix with a good feel for throwing strikes. Despite the quality control grades evaluators give Fitts, he has started just six games in his collegiate career and has never been a full-time starter with Auburn. Showing he can start over a full season would help his draft stock considerably.
1-5-21 - Baseball America's Mock Draft -
Richard Fitts Auburn RHP
The Blue Jays have one of the best farm systems in baseball thanks mostly to an exciting group of hitters, including the steal of last year’s draft—SS Austin Martin—in addition to SS Jordan Groshans, C Alejandro Kirk and SS Orelvis Martinez.
Here they add a pitcher to that group with Fitts, who raised his profile this fall but, like many pitchers in this draft class, has limited starting track record. Fitts has a three-pitch mix including a fastball, splitter and slider, but he has started just six games in his career and will have to perform to go in the top 20 picks—though his pure stuff fits. Fitts has a chance to become the fourth Auburn righthander selected in the first round, joining Casey Mize (2018), Chris Bootcheck (2000) and Gregg Olson (1988).
12-18-20 - Future Sox Mock Draft -
33. Milwaukee Brewers: Richard Fitts, RHP, Auburn
Former reliever with improving stuff. Could go much higher than this.
Auburn -
2020 – SOPHOMORE YEAR
Made six appearances, including one start … turned in a 1-0 record and 2.77 ERA … pitched in a pair of the team’s shutouts … struck out 16 batters and issued five walks in 13.0 innings … earned the win in his season debut and lone start of the season vs. Illinois-Chicago (Feb. 15) … pitched 5.0 scoreless innings and allowed just two hits with three walks and seven strikeouts … didn’t allow a run in three combined appearances and 4.1 innings against Alabama A&M, Wright State and Chicago State (Feb. 25 – Mar. 7) … faced the minimum and struck out three batters in 2.1 innings vs. Wright State … pitched 2.2 innings and struck out four against Georgia Tech (Mar. 10).
1 comment:
Fitts' spring should spell out where he falls in the first round.
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