| Player: Boston Bateman | |||||||||||
| Org: Baltimore Orioles | Highest Level: High A | Position(s): LHP | |||||||||
| Height: 6’8″ | Weight: 240 lbs. | Bats: Right | Throws: Left | ||||||||
| Summary: Bateman’s size is the first thing that jumps off the page, along with one of the better nicknames in baseball with Sasquatch, but it’s the way he moves for 6’8” that keeps evaluators hanging onto a legitimate starter projection. The fastball already works in the 93–97 mph band with heavy downhill plane and some late arm-side tail, though it lacks the elite carry or deception that would let it play above the raw velo. His best present secondary is the high-spin curveball, a 2,800–2,900 rpm power breaker that flashes real swing-and-miss depth when he finishes it. Everything else is still forming—the slider can blend into the curve, and the changeup is in its early developmental stages after limited amateur usage—but the ingredients are workable with pro instruction. Despite the extra-large frame, Bateman repeats better than most pitchers his size. The arm stroke is fairly ordinary, but he’s athletic enough to keep the delivery synced and has begun trimming the bouts of scatter-shot command that showed up in early looks. The Orioles have leaned into refining his sequencing and breaking-ball consistency, with some evaluators believing the slider could eventually emerge as the truer third pitch if he finds a firmer, more distinct version from his high three-quarter slot. The profile still carries both starter traits and reliever risk. The upside hinges on secondary improvement—if one of the offspeeds sharpens enough to pair consistently with the fastball/curve foundation, there’s a path toward a mid-rotation ceiling. If not, the fallback is a power lefty who leverages angle, size, and a hammer curveball in late innings. Either way, Bateman’s combination of physicality, competitiveness, and developmental runway makes him one of the more intriguing young arms in Baltimore’s system which they acquired in a deadline deal in July. | |||||||||||
Shaun Kernahan is the founder and lead writer of Three Quarter Slot, where he blends scouting precision with a storyteller’s eye for the human side of the game. Based in Parker, Colorado, he has covered baseball prospects at every level since 2013, delivering in-depth evaluations, draft analysis, and developmental insight. Over the years, he has built Three Quarter Slot into a trusted home for thoughtful prospect coverage, detailed scouting reports, and a grounded look at how talent evolves
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