Mack's Mock Pick - #82 - RHP - Ben Kudrna

 

Ben Kudrna

Mack's spin - 

3-pitch mix with a heater topping at 95... "impressive" command... top Kansas player... committed to LSU... could be a tough sign.

I have Kudrna as the 34th RHP on my board.

 

RHP     6-4      195     Blue Valley SW HS (KS) 

 

3-30-21 - Prospects Worldwide -

 

46. RHP Ben Kudrna | School: Blue Valley Southwest, KS | Commit: LSU | B / T: R / R | Ht: 6’3 | Wt: 195lbs | Age: 18.3

 

Another recent riser, Kudrna features a 3 pitch mix with plus arm speed and projection remaining in the frame. The Fastball, grading as a future Plus, touches 91-93 T95 (with room for upper 90s well within reach) a league-average Slider and a Plus Changeup he has shown impressive command and ability to miss bats simultaneously. Likely not done with his climb, a loud spring will push Kudrna closer to early 2nd or potentially Late-1st Round grades. 

 

3-12-21 - top 50 HS players  -

 

27. Ben Kudrna, RHP, Blue Valley Southwest HS, Overland Park, Kan.

 

Teams will have to decide if they want to pay Kudrna now based on his projection or potentially pay more in a few years if the LSU commit takes his 92-95 mph fastball, slider, and changeup to Baton Rouge. 

 

2-27-21 - https://www.maxpreps.com/news/GLOc9IV-DkGJ9WKbGyXewg/top-high-school-baseball-player-from-all-50-states.htm -

 

Top baseball player in all 50 states

 

Kansas

 

Ben Kudrna | Blue Valley Southwest (Overland Park)

 

Kudrna only saw a couple of starts as a sophomore, posting a 1-1 record with 16 strikeouts. He has developed into the state's top pitcher and is ranked as the state's top player by Prep Baseball Report.

  

1-14-21  -  Baseball America

 

Ben Kudrna

 

Blue Valley Southwest HS, Overland Park, Kan.RHP

 

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R

Commit/Drafted: Louisiana State

Age At Draft: 18.5

 

With Christian Little enrolling early at Vanderbilt, Kudrna becomes arguably the top prep arm in the upper Midwest in the 2021 class. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound righty is committed to Louisiana State and has a solid combination of arm speed, projection, strike-throwing ability and feel to spin a breaking ball. With broad shoulders and a narrow waist, scouts and coaches alike believe Kudrna will add plenty more physicality in the future, which should improve his already solid 92-94 mph fastball. When Kudrna initially committed to LSU, he was primarily a fastball/changeup arm, but he has recently taken strides with a slider in the low 80s that flashes plus at times with good tilt. Kudrna had a loud performance at the Area Code Games in Georgia, where he touched 95 mph and showed the good version of his slider, and scouts think he could be a candidate to make a jump next spring after adding more strength in the offseason. 

 

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

 

82. Ben Kudrna - RHP 

Bio:

Height: 6-3

Weight: 195 lbs

Hits/Throws: R-R

Hometown: Overland Park, KS

School: Blue Valley SW

 

Long 3/4's arm slot with fluidity and ease. Big extension. Fastball is 90-92/93, expected to bump 5s and 6s by draft-day. Changeup is a well-commanded and has plenty of arm speed, has confidence in the pitch and can spot it. Slider has too often been cutter-esque, but flashes potential for out pitch. Very projectable. One of the easier arm strokes in the class. 

 

11-11-20  -  Prospects Live -

 

Prep righty Ben Kudrna really popped after an impressive showing at WWBA last week. The stuff is advanced for his age, the command has bumped up and the body continues to be incredibly intriguing to pro scouts. The biggest jump in two months? Kudrna -- up 102 spots to no. 82. He’s firmly in day-one chatter right now and could end up a top 50 pick if the velo bumps into next Spring like many are expecting. 

 

PG -

 

Ben Kudrna, RHP, Reds Midwest Scout Team

 

Kudrna’s start at WWBA was an especially important one as a cold-weather prep arm, and he was solid in his outing, working up to 93 mph and showing flashes of above-average secondaries in a slider and changeup. An LSU commit who has been on the rise for over a year now, Kudrna will have an important spring ahead, and with further refinements could rise boards further.

 

PG -

 

Ben Kudrna is a 2021 RHP with a 6-3 195 lb. frame from Overland Park, KS who attends Blue Valley Southwest. Big and strong athletic build with plenty of room to get stronger. Pretty clean delivery with an extended 3/4's arm slot, ball comes out of his hand easily, really gets out front well. Fastball topped out at 93 mph, more there with additional strength, has an advanced ability to work in and out already with his fastball. Change up is a polished pitch with feel and arm speed, has confidence in the pitch and can spot it. Short breaking slider has flashed potential in the past. Very projectable right hander who will keep improving.

 

MLB -

 

Ben Kudrna, RHP, Blue Valley Southwest (Kan.) -- The 6-foot-4 LSU recruit offers a ton of projection to his frame to go along with a 91-93 fastball, a low-80s slider and a mid-80s changeup that’s a bit firm. He has a loose arm and clean delivery, filling up the zone with all three pitches during two hitless innings (three strikeouts). 

 

Prep Baseball Report -

 

2/22/19

Kudrna is a well built 6-foot-2 180-pound right-handed pitcher in Kansas' 2021 class. On the mound, Kurda has an athletic delivery, high three quarters arm slot, loose arm action, repeats release, throws with some effort, finishes in athletic position, fastball at 83-84 mph, slight running action, curveball 11-to-5 shape, sharp and late at times, 75-76

Mack's Previous Ben Kudra reports: 11/6/2020;

Click here for the full list of Mack's MLB Draft Scouting Reports.