The 2017 MLB Draft begins Monday! While Kevin Smith and Brian Shaffer are the Terps’ biggest name draft prospects, several other Maryland players have a chance to hear their names called throughout the three-day draft. Here’s a look at each player, one by one, and where their draft stock sits after the 2017 campaign, as well as an interview about the draft with D1 Baseball’s Frankie Piliere.

Kevin Smith | SS

Class: Junior

Hometown: East Greenbush, N.Y.

Bats/Throws: R/R

Height/Weight: 6’0″/188 lbs.

2017 Stats: .268/.323/.552, 13 HR, 48 RBIs

---

Brian Shaffer | RHP

Class: Junior

Hometown: Pylesville, Md.

Bats/Throws: R/R

Height/Weight: 6’5″/200 lbs.

2017 Stats: 7-4, 2.66 ERA, 109 K, 108.1 IP

---

Ryan Selmer | RHP

Class: Junior

Hometown: Beltsville, Md.

Bats/Throws: R/R

Height/Weight: 6’8″/220 lbs.

2017 Stats: 2-2, 3.05 ERA, 26 K, 41.1 IP

---

Marty Costes | OF

Class: Sophomore

Hometown: Baltimore, Md.

Bats/Throws: R/R

Height/Weight: 5’9″/200 lbs.

2017 Stats: .322/.429/.548, 13 HR, 46 RBIs

---

Class: Senior

Hometown: Monmouth, Beach, N.J.

Bats/Throws: R/R

Height/Weight: 6’1″/230 lbs.

2017 Stats: 2-1, 5.40 ERA, 18 K, 16.2 IP

---

Jamal Wade | RHP

Class: Junior

Hometown: Owings Mills, Md.

Bats/Throws: R/R

Height/Weight: 6’0″/205 lbs.

2017 Stats: 1-0, 5.03 ERA, 33 K, 19.2 IP

---

Zach Jancarski | CF

Class: Junior

Hometown: East Norriton, Pa.

Bats/Throws: R/R

Height/Weight: 6’0″/185 lbs.

2017 Stats: .325/.434/.453, 17 2B, 20 SB

---

Jared Price | RHP

Class: Redshirt Senior

Hometown: Mohnton, Pa.

Bats/Throws: R/R

Height/Weight: 6’3″/240 lbs.

2017 Stats: 1-0, 3.04 ERA, 27 K, 23.2 IP

---

Taylor Bloom | RHP

Class: Junior

Hometown: Severna Park, Md.

Bats/Throws: R/R

Height/Weight: 6’0″/195 lbs.

2017 Stats: 7-2, 3.83 ERA, 53 K, 89.1 IP

---

Nick Cieri | C

Class: Senior

Hometown: Hainesport, N.J.

Bats/Throws: L/R

Height/Weight: 6’3″/250 lbs.

2017 Stats: .216/.395/.330, 2 HR, 17 RBI

---

Justin Morris | C

Class: Junior

Hometown: Edgewater, Md.

Bats/Throws: L/R

Height/Weight: 6’2″/215 lbs.

2017 Stats: .211/.290/.389, 5 HR, 13 RBI

---

Madison Nickens | OF

Class: Senior

Hometown: Gonzales, La.

Bats/Throws: L/L

Height/Weight: 6’2″/210 lbs.

2017 Stats: .222/.218/.380, 5 HR, 32 RBI

---

Brandon Gum | INF

Class: Redshirt Senior

Hometown: Woodbridge, Va.

Bats/Throws: R/R

Height/Weight: 6’2″/185 lbs.

2017 Stats: .338/.451/.468, 5 HR, 37 RBI

---

Brandon Gum – 1B/3B/SS

Ht: 6’2″        Wt: 185       Year: R-Sr.        Bats/Throws: R/R

Hometown (HS): Woodbridge, Va. (George Mason)

2017 Stats: 

G: 53     PA: 230    Slash Line: .338/.451/.468     HR: 5       RBI: 37     K-rate: 16.5 %      BB-rate: 13.7 %

Background: Brandon Gum came to Maryland this season as a graduate transfer after spending four seasons across the Potomac River at George Mason. The infielder posted a .298 career batting average in 615 at-bats with the Patriots, including a breakout junior season in 2015, when he hit .338 with 12 doubles and 32 RBIs. After starting his senior year hot, hitting .304 with four extra-base hits in 11 games, his season abruptly ended with a rotator cuff injury, and Gum’s George Mason career was over. The Woodbridge, Virginia, native received a medical redshirt and an extra year of eligibility, and came to Maryland this season to play that fifth and final year of college ball.

A shortstop and third baseman for most of his career at George Mason, Gum transitioned across the diamond this season, becoming the Terps’ every day first baseman and solidifying himself in the middle of the order. Starting in 54 of the team’s 61 contests, he tied his career high with a .338 average, while setting new career marks in homers (5), RBIs (37) and stolen bases (13).

While consistently hitting over .300 for most of the 2017 campaign, Gum came on especially strong in the postseason, reaching base in all eight games across the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments, and collecting multiple hits in five of them. In his final ten games, he went 19-for-39 (.487), with two homers and 10 RBIs.

BANG! GUM GRAND SLAM!! 6-4.#DirtyTerpshttps://t.co/vLwbqiLVuY

— Maryland Baseball (@TerpsBaseball) May 28, 2017

Outlook: With a .308 career average across parts of five collegiate seasons and a .338 mark with Maryland in 2017, Gum is one of the better pure hitters that the Terps have had in recent years. While he is not immune to the strikeout, he works the count and sees a lot of pitches, leading Maryland in walks and OBP this season. Solely a contact hitter prior to this season (just two homers in 615 AB at George Mason), he improved his power stroke as a Terp, breaking out for five home runs and a .468 slugging percentage, both of which ranked in the top five on the team. Gum is versatile defensively too, as he spent most of this season at first base but throughout his career has played solid defense all around the infield.

Despite a proven track record at the plate, Gum does carry some red flags into the draft. He missed most of last season with a torn rotator cuff, and it is not known if he still has the same arm strength to throw across the diamond from third or short. Additionally, as a fifth year senior, he is much older than many of his college contemporaries that may possess the same offensive skills without the shaky injury history.

At 23, Gum is the same age as major league players such as Trea Turner and Andrew Benintendi, and he will only be taken if scouts feel that he could quickly rise through the minor league ranks. However, there is no question that he can hit, and given his consistency at the plate over the years, a team may like his bat later in the draft and take a flier on him.

Madison Nickens – OF

Ht: 6’2″        Wt: 210       Year: Sr.        Bats/Throws: Left/Left

Hometown (HS): Gonzales, La. (LSU-Eunice)

2017 Stats: 

G: 57     PA: 197    Slash Line: .222/.318/.380     HR: 5       RBI: 32     K-rate: 26.6 %      BB-rate: 11.8 %

Background: Madison Nickens transferred to Maryland before his junior season in 2016, after playing his first two seasons of college ball at LSU-Eunice. As a freshman for the Bengals in 2014, he hit .318 in 35 contests and showed impressive speed on the basepaths, going 15-for-16 in stolen base attempts. The Louisiana native found his power stroke in his sophomore season, hitting six homers and nine doubles while batting .289 and stealing 38 bases for a Bengals team that won the Division II National Championship. After two season, Nickens left LSU-Eunice and came to Maryland with a career .301/.411/.463 slash line.

A speedy outfielder with good on-base skills, Nickens joined the Terps and spent most of the season atop the Maryland order. He started the season hot, launching a two-run homer, his first at the Division I level, in Maryland’s second game of the season against Alabama, and reaching base safely in his first 13 contests. He saw time at all three outfield positions, as well as at DH, and tied with Marty Costes for the team lead with four outfield assists. He finished the season with a .260 average and a team-best eight steals and 40 runs scored, while ranking second with eight homers and a .423 slugging percentage.

With Marty Costes’ transition to right field, Nickens opened the 2017 season as the Terps’ starting left fielder. After a strong 2016, he struggled to find consistency at the plate, hitting in the lower part of the order for much of the season. He walked 24 times, but increased his swing-and-miss tendencies, whiffing 54 times in 57 games, and hitting just .222. He showed power and speed, hitting five homers and a team-high three triples, while ranking third on the team with 14 stolen bases. Perhaps his best contribution, across his inconsistency at the plate, was his stellar defense, as he turned in numerous highlight reel plays, especially down the stretch and in the Big Ten Tournament.

The bases were loaded…

The Cajun Sensation cleared them!! 6-1.#DirtyTerpshttps://t.co/PRHvYbtbq1

— Maryland Baseball (@TerpsBaseball) May 27, 2017

Outlook: In 2016, Nickens showed his potential in many different aspects of the game: power, speed, defense, among others. Should he have improved on his junior season and turned in the same power with a higher average this year, Nickens would be an intriguing prospect with a good shot to hear his name called in the draft. However, one of his biggest assets – his left-handed uppercut swing that produces extra base hits – also was one of his biggest drawbacks this season, as it led to a high strikeout rate and a much lower average.

When he was hot, Nickens was one of the most dynamic players on the field, and some teams in the later rounds could like his combination of speed and power and take a chance on the “Cajun Sensation.” However, his disappointing senior season limits him from being a sure-fire draft prospects, and keeps him on the fringe of those that would be taken late if they’re taken at all.

Justin Morris – C

Ht: 6’2″        Wt: 215        Year: Jr.        Bats/Throws: L/R

Hometown (HS): Edgewater, Md. (DeMatha Catholic HS)

2017 Stats

G: 38 (31 GS)    AB: 90     Slash Line: .211/.290/.389     HR: 5     RBI: 13        K-Rate: 26.9%        BB-Rate: 9.6 %

Previously Drafted: 2015 – 35th Round, 1050th Overall – Arizona Diamondbacks

Background: Entering his freshman season with the Terps in 2015, Justin Morris was ranked the third best player in Maryland by Perfect Game USA. The Edgewater, Maryland, native started 27 games his freshman year between first base, catcher and DH, but struggled to hit, batting just .133. With the departure of Kevin Martir after the 2015 season, Morris secured his spot as a mainstay in the catching rotation as a sophomore, starting 34 games and throwing out 38 percent of runners from behind the plate. He improved his average to .194, but still struggled at the plate.

The following summer, in 2016, Morris demonstrated his offensive potential with the Ripken League’s Bethesda Big Train. In 35 games, he hit .287 with 10 doubles, 25 RBIs and a league-leading four triples. Coming off a breakout summer season, Morris started the 2017 season as part of a three-man catching rotation with Danny Maynard and Nick Cieri. He again struggled to hit early in the season, earning much of his playing time due to the fact he was the best defensive catcher of the three. Late in the season, however, he solidified himself as the starting catcher, and with every day playing time, his bat came around. In 14 games after he was named starting catcher, he hit .267 with three homers and nine RBIs, including a .353 mark in five Big Ten Tournament contests.

After the 2017 regular season, Maryland hitting coach Rob Vaughn praised Morris’s drive to compete and develop as a player.

“Justin has been unbelievable. He had a tough start to the year… but he kept working and when his number is called he’s been unbelievable.”

J-MO!! The catcher goes yard and we are tied!#DirtyTerps https://t.co/wzUKYwIslv

— Maryland Baseball (@TerpsBaseball) May 25, 2017

Outlook: Throughout his time in College Park, Morris established himself as a premier defensive catcher, both in his ability to limit the running game and block behind the plate, but for the most part could not find a consistent rhythm at the plate.

He seemed to figure things out at the dish late in his junior season though. The lefty-swinging Morris has always been pull happy, which can limit him, especially when he hits the ball on the ground, and his high strikeout rate can be worrisome. However, if he cuts down on the whiffs and hits the ball in the air more, as he did throughout postseason play, he can provide solid offensive punch.

For now, Morris’s value relies more on his defense, but his timely hitting and power should not go unnoticed. His combination of solid blocking behind the plate, his ability to throw out base runners and his power from the left side is something that scouts will like to see from the catcher position. If teams look at the offensive spark he provided as an every day player late in the season, Morris will be a solid middle to late round pick in the upcoming draft.

Taylor Bloom – RHP

Ht: 6’0”        Wt: 195       Year: Jr.       Bats/Throws: R/R

Hometown (HS): Severna Park, Md. (Riverdale Baptist High School)

2017 Stats:

G: 18 (17 GS)  IP: 89.1   ERA: 3.83    K/9: 5.34      BB/9: 2.52    H/9: 10.18

Arsenal: Fastball (86-88), Changeup, Curveball

Background: Taylor Bloom made the short trip over to College Park from nearby Severna Park, making 15 appearances and five starts his freshman year in 2015. He had his highest K/9 of any year at Maryland, at 7.41, but posted a 4.04 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 33.2 innings. He established himself as a big game starter in the Los Angeles Regional of the NCAA Tournament, when he allowed one run over six innings in the clinching game over UCLA. 

The 6-foot, 195-pound right-hander’s role expanded greatly in a breakout 2016, as he became a mainstay in the Terps’ rotation as the Saturday starter. He posted a 2.46 ERA, fourth-best in the Big Ten, while pitching 102.1 innings and walking just nine hitters. Not a strikeout pitcher, Bloom whiffed just sixty hitters, instead relying on pinpoint control to induce ground balls and work efficiently. This approach paid off, as he tossed five complete games, including one shutout. The then-sophomore threw 7.1 innings in the Big Ten Tournament against Michigan State, allowing just two runs.

After a brilliant 2016, Bloom regressed some as a junior in 2017. Shuttling back and forth between the Saturday and Sunday roles, he pitched to a 3.83 ERA, and posted good, but not great walk numbers (25 in 89.1 innings). He came up big in the postseason as usual, however, tossing five innings of two-run ball against Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament and eight strong innings against UMBC in the NCAA Tournament.

Outlook: Expectations were high for the righty coming into his junior season, and while he was still a solid performer, he fell short of his stats from a year ago. However, he has proven to be a consistent starter over past two-plus seasons, tossing a combined 191.2 frames with a 3.10 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across his sophomore and junior seasons. Additionally, he has come up big numerous times in important games for the Terps.

Bloom doesn’t blow anyone away, as his fastball sits in the mid- to upper-80s, and his 5.64 career K/9 is not the shining rate that many teams look for in early rounds. When he is on, though, his pinpoint control allows him to pitch to contact and work deep into games. If he doesn’t locate, however, the right-hander can be hit hard, evidenced by a .289 opponents’ average and 11 homers this season. The key to his draft stock lies in teams’ confidence that he will be able to consistently control his pitches and get ahead of hitters.

If teams read more into his strong 2016 and his flashes of brilliance this season, including his postseason performances, then he could make for an intriguing selection in the mid to late rounds of the upcoming draft.

Jared Price – RHP

Ht: 6’3″        Wt: 240        Year: R Sr.       Bats/Throws: R/R

Hometown (HS): Mohnton, Pa. (Twin Valley HS)

2017 Stats

G: 16  IP: 23.2    ERA: 3.04     K/9: 10.27       BB/9: 3.42     H/9: 8.75

Arsenal: Fastball (93-96), curveball, changeup, slider

Previously Drafted: 2012 – 33rd Round, 1010th Overall – New York Mets

Background: The longest-tenured Terp player, Jared Price has been on the Maryland roster since 2013. He pitched in 23 games his freshman season, the second most on the team. The big right-hander struggled at times, with an ERA near six and a WHIP over 1.60, but did whiff over 12 batters per nine innings. As a sophomore in 2014, Price made 19 appearances, but struggled to limit damage, with an ERA of 6.80 and a WHIP approaching two.  

He saw limited action in his junior season, making just 11 appearances spanning eight innings, and then saw his senior season in 2016 cut short by an injury after making just two appearances. The Pennsylvania native received a medical redshirt and was eligible to return for a fifth year in 2017.

Price made the most of that extra year of eligibility, and turned in his best collegiate season as a redshirt senior. He made 16 appearances, turning in a 3.04 ERA while striking out 27 batters in 23.2 frames.

Outlook: As a hard-throwing righty that was drafted out of high school, Price had high expectations coming into his time at Maryland. Injuries and ineffectiveness masked his potential for most of his college career, but after a strong 2017 campaign he put himself back on the map. Perhaps his biggest game as a Terp came in this year’s Big Ten Tournament against top-seeded Nebraska. In an elimination game, Price came in and tossed 4.2 innings, with five strikeouts and just one earned run, earning the win and keeping Maryland’s season alive.

PRICE! What a big K to get Maryland out of the seventh.#DirtyTerps https://t.co/PcMuWrmJ39

— Maryland Baseball (@TerpsBaseball) May 27, 2017

Price has a heavy fastball that can reach the mid-to-upper 90’s. That, paired with his power curveball, is enough to attract teams, especially after he proved that he can mix his pitches effectively this season.

While he has the potential from a big right-hander that teams are looking for in the draft, some red flags hurt his stock. At 23, he is older than most of his contemporaries, and considering his injury history, some teams may shy away from him given the high risk. However, he is still likely to go in the middle to late rounds in the draft, given his “stuff” and his performance late in this season.

Zach Jancarski – OF

Ht: 6’0″        Wt: 185        Year: Jr.       Bats/Throws: R/R

Hometown (HS): East Norriton, Pa. (Chestnut Hill Academy)

2017 Stats

G: 58  Slash Line: .325/.434/.453      HR: 3     RBI: 26     SB: 20    K-rate: 11.7 %     BB-rate: 11.7 %

Background: Zach Jancarski started his career in College Park as a reserve player and a go-to pinch runner. After a freshman season in which he scored nine runs and pinch ran 16 times — including twice in the Big Ten Tournament — Jancarski turned from a catalyst on the basepaths to a catalyst atop the lineup.

In April 2016, Jancarski became a staple in the Terrapin lineup as a full-time center fielder. The right-handed hitter posted a .257 average with six RBIs, four doubles, a home run and 19 runs scored. He also stole five bases, a sign of things to come.

After a productive summer, in which he hit .288 and stole 20 bases in 38 games as a member of the Sanford Mariners, Jancarski elevated his game yet again. In a breakout junior year, Jancarski hit .325 with a team-leading 50 runs, 17 doubles and 20 stolen bases. A leadoff hitter, Jancarski evolved into one of the most efficient run-producers in the Maryland lineup. 

Terps lead!

Jancarski brings home Lee with a single. 1-0. #FearTheTurtle https://t.co/x4ScsKmUBD

— Maryland Baseball (@TerpsBaseball) May 12, 2017

Outlook: In his first full season as a starter, Jancarski proved that he can be an asset with the bat, on-base and defensively in center field. Because of his ability to work the count and make contact (33 walks, 33 strikeouts), he fits atop the lineup as a prototypical leadoff hitter. While his 66.7 percent success rate on the basepaths leaves some to be desired, there is no question he has speed to burn and can evolve into a more effective base stealer.

As a junior with only one full season under his belt, Jancarski does have a limited track record, which will most likely limit his stock in this draft to the middle rounds. D1Baseball.com’s Frankie Piliere told Maryland Baseball Network that because of the prevalence of quality seniors in the early rounds of the draft, many teams will likely want to see how he develops after another season. “I think people will take sort of a ‘let’s wait and see’ type of approach on a guy like [Jancarski],” he said.

While projected as a mid-round pick in this draft, if Jancarski returned for his senior year, he would instantly be one of the Terrapins’ best offensive weapons. Should he put up similar offensive numbers next year to those that he posted in 2017, he would elevate his draft stock significantly and have a shot at being taken in the earlier rounds of the 2018 MLB Draft. 

Jamal Wade – RHP

Ht: 6’0″        Wt: 205        Year: Jr.        Bats/Throws: R/R

Hometown (HS): Owings Mills, Md. (St. Paul’s HS)

2017 Stats

G: 17  IP: 19.2    ERA: 5.03     K/9: 15.1       BB/9: 5.9     H/9: 7.3

Arsenal: Fastball (92-94), Curveball

Background: Jamal Wade came out of high school as the No. 1 third baseman in Maryland, according to Perfect Game. The Owings Mills, Maryland, native began his collegiate career with the Terps in 2015, playing in 35 games between the outfield, third base and designated hitter. He showed impressive power in his freshman season, as his first three hits were all home runs. He finished the season hitting .231 with five homers and 11 RBIs, but struggled to make contact at times, whiffing 29 times in just 91 at bats. Wade experienced a sophomore slump in 2016, batting a microscopic .111 in 19 games, as he saw his role reduced, making just four starts. He spent the summer with the Keane Swamp Bats in the NECBL, which is where he found his home on the mound.

He entered the summer as an outfielder for the Swamp Bats, but when they found themselves down 14-5 and short on arms, Wade volunteered to pitch in mop-up duty. He mowed down the opposition and made 10 more appearances on the mound for Keene, finishing the summer with a 1.59 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 11.1 innings of work.

The newly converted pitcher first took the mound for the Terps on the road against LSU in February. Wade allowed an inherited runner to score on a single but retired five of the six batters he faced, picking up two strikeouts in the process. He wasn’t used much in the early parts of the season (four times in the first 25 games), but the Terps’ coaching staff liked what it saw and became more committed to him down the stretch. Over the season’s final 28 games, Wade was used 10 times — tied for the third most used pitcher out of the Terps’ pen. Despite his lofty 5.03 ERA, he held opponents to a .208 average and struck out 33 batters in 19.2 innings of work.

Wade uses an 84 MPH hammer to finish off the side 🔨#DirtyTerps https://t.co/wjN6oNTsNz

— Maryland Baseball (@TerpsBaseball) May 27, 2017

Outlook: Wade was a revelation for the Terps in 2017, and he is truly a wildcard when it comes to the draft. His sample size is small, but he exhibited the tools major league teams seek in bullpen arms. Wade’s fastball sits in the low- to mid-90s, and he is capable of producing a lot of strikeouts when pairing that heater with a devastating curveball. When this combination is on, he can be dominant. He’s posted a 15.9 K/9 ratio in his 17 appearances this season, an average of nearly two strikeouts per inning. However, he’s proven to be erratic at times this season, walking 13 hitters in just 19.2 innings of work, something that he will need to improve upon should he look to compete at a higher level. 

Including his time with the Keene Swamp Bats, Wade has thrown just 31 innings at the collegiate level. This can figure as both a positive and a negative for the junior right-hander. His limited workload means that his arm is fresh, without the wear and tear that many college pitchers have at this point in their careers, which bodes well for his durability down the road. However, without much experience under his belt, many teams may not be comfortable selecting a player with little proven track record in the early rounds.

If a team is enamored with Wade’s stuff and potential and is willing to overlook the small sample size, he could go earlier than expected. Otherwise, it is more likely that Wade comes off the board somewhere in the middle rounds. If and when he gets drafted, the right-hander will have to weigh his options. Should he return to College Park for his senior season, he could have another full year to work on developing his pitches and working on his control. If he were to produce and polish his skills ahead of the 2018 draft, he could very well work his way up the draft boards next year.

Mike Rescigno – RHP

Ht: 6’1″        Wt: 230        Year: Sr.        Bats/Throws: R/R

Hometown (HS): Monmouth Beach, N.J. (Red Bank Catholic HS)

2017 Stats

G: 14 (1 GS)     IP: 16.2    ERA: 5.40      WHIP: 1.54      K/9: 10.0       BB/9: 3.3     H/9: 10.6

Arsenal: Fastball (92-94), curveball

Previously Drafted: 2016 – 25th Round, 755th Overall – San Francisco Giants

Background: Mike Rescigno started his college career with the Terps in 2014 as an infielder, seeing time at first base, third base and designated hitter. The New Jersey native hit .241 with 11 RBIs in 26 games his freshman season, but the coaching staff was impressed by his live arm, and moved him to the mound.

After making only six appearances as a sophomore in 2015, Rescigno became an integral part of the bullpen in 2016. He ranked third on the Terps with 23 appearances, notching three saves while striking out 23 in 19.1 innings of work. The San Francisco Giants drafted him in the 25th round, but the 6’1 right-hander decided to return for his senior season.

Last summer, Rescigno dazzled for the Baltimore Redbirds of the Cal Ripken League, allowing just two earned runs in 15.1 innings (1.14 ERA) while striking out 19. His performance impressed scouts, as he was named the top prospect in the Cal Ripken League by Baseball America and Perfect Game. Prior to the 2017 season, Perfect Game ranked Rescigno as the No. 1 senior draft prospect in college baseball. This year, Rescigno made 14 appearances (13 in relief), pitching to a 5.40 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 16.1 innings of work. He began the year as one of Maryland’s most-used relievers, but missed time in the second half of the season due to injury. 

Outlook: After a dazzling summer, expectations were high for Rescigno entering his senior season. However, he failed to take the leap to the next level, as he remained an important part of the Terps’ bullpen, but not the lockdown reliever that some had expected. The right-hander did improve in some regards, as he lowered his BB/9 and his H/9, and his overall ERA (5.40) was much higher than his mark as a reliever (3.55) thanks to one rough start he had against UNC-Wilmington.

Rescigno throws a low- to mid-90s fastball and a power curveball – a combination that, when he is on, produces a lot of swing and misses. With little movement on his fastball, however, he relies on his control to be effective. He can be hit hard (.284 opponents’ average this season) when he leaves it over the heart of the plate, and is prone to bouts of wildness.

His inconsistent control limits his ceiling as of now, but should he get a handle on it, he has the skillset to be an effective late-inning reliever. He wasn’t rated the top senior prospect in baseball for nothing, and even with his shaky spring, his dominance last summer and his intriguing fastball-curve combo could be enough to raise him above last year’s draft slot and into the middle rounds.