Miami Marlins: 10 Pitchers to Target in the 2021 MLB Draft

9. Michael McGreevy

School: UC Santa Barbara

McGreevy started his career at UC Santa Barbara pitching out of the bullpen during his freshman season where he posted a 1.94 ERA across 60.1 IP. Transitioning to the starting rotation for the 2020 and 2021 seasons, McGreevy became the ace for the Gauchos where he posted two back-to-back strong seasons.

The 6’4 right-hander displays some of the best pure command among pitchers in this draft, evident by a combined 1.5 BB/9 across 189.1 collegiate innings. Combine that phenomenal command with four pitches that are all considered at least average to above-average, it’s clear why McGreevy has a chance this year to become one of the highest drafted players ever from UC Santa Barbara.

8. Chase Petty

School: Mainland (NJ)

The 2021 New Jersey Gatorade High School Player of the Year has the chance to be the first right-handed pitcher from the state of New Jersey to be selected in the first round of the MLB Draft since 2007. When looking at Petty overall, the 18-year old Florida commit will potentially become just that solely based on his pure stuff alone.

Petty’s 3-pitch repertoire is led by an elite fastball that consistently sits in the upper-90’s with movement, along with an above-average slider and changeup. While there have been concerns about command at times, Petty is an intriguing player that could potentially end up in either the rotation or bullpen going forward, depending on where he lands in the first two rounds.

7. Ryan Cusick

School: Wake Forest

While a top high school talent back in 2018, Cusick attended Wake Forest where he struggled in three seasons posting a combined 5.01 ERA. Despite these numbers, the 6’6 right-hander has emerged as a potential first round pick solely due to his impressive stuff.

Cusick displays an elite fastball that sits in the upper-90’s with a lot of movement and the ability to make batters miss, evident by an 11.7 K/9 in three seasons in the ACC. While the 21-year old also adds an impressive curveball, slider, and changeup, there is room for improvement with his command, but will most likely be selected anywhere from rounds 1-2.