2025 Draft Prospect - #81 - LHP - Joe Ariola - Wake Forest

 

On 12-5-24, MLB.com posted their top 100 prospects in the upcoming draft. Beginning 2-2-25, we will post it in backward order, ending with the pick for 1.1

https://www.mlb.com/prospects/2025/draft/  -

#81                 Joe Ariola                 LHP, Wake Forest

20/years old                       6' 2"               175

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 55 | Cutter: 50 | Splitter: 50 | Control: 40 | Overall: 45

Wake Forest produced seven pitchers selected in the first four rounds of the last two Drafts, leaving little opportunity for hurlers who didn't throw strikes. Ariola totaled just 26 1/3 relief innings in those two seasons and battled his control in summer ball as well, though he did pitch in the Cape Cod League All-Star Game last summer. If he can build on the progress that he showed in fall practice, he could become the Demon Deacons' Friday starter and factor into the top two rounds.

Ariola's fastball sits at 92-94 mph and reaches 96, missing bats with carry up in the strike zone. His upper-70s curveball features high spin rates and can be devastating as well, though he struggles to land it for strikes. He also has a mid-80s cutter and an upper-80s splitter that could be decent but he hasn't used either very often.

It all comes down to throwing strikes for Ariola. He's athletic but struggles to repeat a delivery that includes a long arm action. He offers a ceiling of a No. 3 starter and his improved control during the fall leads to increased hope that he can reach it.

 

https://godeacs.com/sports/baseball/roster/joe-ariola/8067 -

Sophomore (2024)

Appeared in 16 games out of the bullpen... Recorded 18 strikeouts in 13.0 innings of work... Pitched scoreless innings in back-to-back appearances against Virginia (March 15) and High Point (March 19)... Notched his first collegiate win after pitching a scoreless frame against Clemson (May 11)... Recorded a season-high three strikeouts in 1.1 scoreless innings in the ACC Tournament against North Carolina (May 24)... Pitched two scoreless innings in the NCAA Regional against East Carolina (June 1).

Freshman (2023)

Appeared in 17 games this season… Pitched 12.2 innings and fanned 16 batters… Recorded first strikeout of his career in debut against Youngstown St. (Feb. 17)... Recorded five multiple strikeout appearances… Posted nine hitless appearances and 11 scoreless appearances.