| Player: JJ Drennan | |||||||||||
| School: Boston College | Position(s): RHP | ||||||||||
| Height: 6’2″ | Weight: 195 lbs. | Bats: Right | Throws: Right | ||||||||
| Summary: The secondary arsenal and feel for the baseball give Drennan a profile that commands attention well beyond what the fastball velocity alone would generate. The curveball is the standout offering — generating spin rates among the best in the class with the ability to locate it in the zone for early-count strikes or bury it below as a finishing pitch, giving the profile a genuine weapon that earns its grade through execution and command rather than just raw movement. A mid-80s changeup that gets deployed in actual game situations rather than treated as a theoretical offering rounds out the arsenal and reflects a competitive maturity and willingness to trust the pitch that is uncommon for a prep arm. The fastball has shown velocity gains this spring and reached the mid-90s with arm-side movement, but the more typical operating range sits lower and the delivery carries effort that compounds the concern — a combination that introduces a real push toward the bullpen regardless of how the secondary development progresses. The athleticism and physical foundation give the starter path a foundation worth pursuing, and the back-end ceiling is achievable if the velocity can stabilize higher and the mechanical effort can be reduced. The two breaking ball shapes also need more distinct separation to fully optimize their effectiveness against pitchers who can identify them early out of the hand. The spin capacity and touch for executing pitch shapes across multiple plans give a development program real material to work with on a pitcher who won’t turn 19 until after the draft. The ceiling is genuinely divided between a back-end rotation outcome if everything breaks right and a relief role where the curveball and changeup can operate without the velocity demands of a starter’s workload — both paths give the profile a legitimate big league conversation. | |||||||||||
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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