By: Matt Present and Jon Lewis

Ht: 6’8″        Wt: 215        Year: SO (R)
Hometown (HS): Beltsville, MD (Riverdale Baptist HS)

2016 Stats

GP: 27     IP: 37.1    ERA: 4.33      K/9: 6.0       BB/9: 3.6    H/9: 8.4

Ryan Selmer joined the team as a very late addition to the 2014 roster, beginning his time in College Park during the second semester of his freshman year.  He took that as a redshirt season, and has been a fixture in the bullpen in 2015 and 2016.

In 2015, Selmer combined with Kevin Mooney (15th Round, WSH 2015), Alex Robinson (5th Round, MIN 2015), Zach Morris (26th Round, PHI 2015), and Robert Galligan to form one of the most formidable bullpens in college baseball. This bullpen was one of the key ingredients to the super-regional run the Terps were able to make last season; including notable wins against UCLA.  Selmer’s 2015 stats were very formidable 3-1 with a 2.18 ERA. However, his 3.1 K/9 doesn’t scream dominant, especially for a man of Selmer’s stature.  In 2016, Selmer’s ERA ballooned a bit to 4.50, but his peripheral stats were solid: a 1.29 WHIP, and a much better 5.59 K/9.

Arsenal: fastball (88-92 MPH), slider, changeup

Pros: Lots of arm side run on his fastball, ability to get ground balls

Cons: Low velocity for a 6’8 frame, not a strikeout pitcher

Present: Selmer’s ability to get ground balls makes him a very appealing bullpen arm, and he has demonstrated his versatility, as a guy who has the stamina to pitch multiple innings. The ground balls are a product of his low arm angle, which makes the ball dip down and in on a right handed batter. While he doesn’t throw as hard as his height suggests, a low 90s fastball with movement is better than a straight fastball at 96. Selmer isn’t a guy who has scouts flocking to the stadium, but I think his size is an intangible that will convince a team to take a flyer on him in the later rounds, and hope that they can help him develop more strikeout stuff, or turn him into the more prototypical hard throwing right hander.

Lewis: Selmer is every bit of the listed 6’8’’ frame, and has plenty of room to fill out his currently lanky frame, which certainly should have scouts salivating. Selmer’s mechanics are a bit unorthodox, he does not really utilize his lower body in his delivery, and still manages to throw 88-91 from a cross-fire delivery with solid command living at the knees for the most part.  He screams a mechanical overhaul and work in progress, but his frame, ability to command the zone, and present velocity should inspire professional teams to give this kid a look.

20/80 Scale (50 is Big League average)

Fastball: 50     Slider: 35    Changeup: 30    Command: 45     Overall: 40 

Range: Late (30-40)

* Matt Present did play-by-play for the Maryland Terrapins in 2015 and 2016

* Jon Lewis is a former college baseball player and provided color analysis on MBN broadcasts in 2015. He is pursuing a career in professional scouting.

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