| Player: Tanner McDougal | |||||||||||
| Org: Chicago White Sox | Highest Level: Triple A | Position(s): RHP | |||||||||
| Height: 6’5″ | Weight: 185 lbs. | Bats: Right | Throws: Right | ||||||||
| Summary: Few arms in the White Sox system generate the kind of raw excitement McDougal does on the mound. A hulking, deceptively athletic frame with a loose, whippy arm action from a low three-quarter slot, he sits 96-99 and touches 101 with a fastball that holds its velocity deep into games. The heater’s downhill plane from a high release point limits some of its bat-missing potential, but the pure arm speed and in-zone performance make it a legitimate plus offering. A high-spin curveball in the low 80s with sharp downer action is the secondary that turns heads, while a firm slider sitting 86-90 with natural short bite gives him a second breaking ball option that has posted strong miss rates. The changeup trails the rest of the arsenal and is rarely deployed, leaving a platoon question that will need addressing as he faces more advanced hitters. Tommy John surgery wiped out an entire developmental year early in his career, and the command issues that followed took time to sort through — increased walk rates persisted through multiple levels before a breakthrough second half at Double-A showed meaningful improvement, cutting the walk rate to a far more encouraging figure over a substantial workload. The dedication to physical conditioning alongside the mechanical refinements has been cited as a driving force behind the progress, and the late-season results gave the rotation projection renewed credibility. The starter path is alive and the stuff supports it — if the command continues trending in the right direction and the changeup develops into a usable third option against left-handed hitters, the profile fits a mid-rotation arm. The reliever floor is legitimate and frankly comfortable given the fastball-breaking ball combination, but the size, durability and arsenal depth give him every reason to chase the rotation. The 2025 second half was the most encouraging stretch of his career — building on it will define the trajectory. | |||||||||||
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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