| Player: Duke Stone | |||||||||||
| School: Mississippi State | Position(s): RHP | ||||||||||
| Height: 6’5″ | Weight: 225 lbs. | Bats: Right | Throws: Right | ||||||||
| Summary: The frame and delivery give Stone a strong starter foundation, with a clean, repeatable operation that allows him to work efficiently through outings. The fastball typically lives in the low 90s and has shown the ability to climb into higher bands, playing with solid plane and enough life to challenge hitters in the zone. There’s still room for velocity growth as he continues to mature physically, and the ease of the delivery supports optimism that added power won’t come at the expense of strikes. The changeup is the separator at present, showing consistent sink and fade in the mid-80s and giving him a legitimate weapon against left-handed hitters. He’s comfortable throwing it in any count, and it plays off the fastball well when he maintains arm speed. The slider is trending in the right direction, tightening into a firmer power look in the mid-80s with improving bite. It’s not yet a finished bat-misser, but the shape and intent point toward an average-to-above offering as reps accumulate. Overall, Stone fits the mold of a durable, coachable starter with a chance to settle into a rotation role at the next level. The combination of size, delivery, and three-pitch mix gives him a clear path as a weekend starter type, with upside tied to continued velocity gains and the slider taking a final step forward. The competitiveness and makeup draw consistent praise, reinforcing a projection built more on reliability and progression than flash. | |||||||||||
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