2023 MLB Draft Profile: Steven Echavarria

2023 MLB Draft Profile: Steven Echavarria

Next up on our list is 17-year-old Steven Echavarria selected by the A’s with the 72nd pick of the 2023 MLB Draft. You may not be too aware of Echavarria, but worry not as I take you through his 2023 MLB Draft profile.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 50

Well, If I’m being honest, I don’t know how much I can truly say about this kid. Not because I haven’t done my research, but because he is just 17-years-old. He can’t even vote yet and has been drafted by an MLB team–that’s just crazy to think about.

Even if he does pan out and become a hit, it won’t be for another five years at the very least. With that in mind, there is still a lot to like about Steven Echavarria and a reason the A’s took a shot on him when he did.

His fastball currently sits in the 93-94 mph range, but reports have it getting as high 98 mph. He does a good job of commanding it and keeping it elevated in the zone, leading to a lot of swings and misses. He compliments that with his two-seamer down in the zone with notable run.

He also has two plus offspeed pitches with a slider and a curveball that have the potential to be great put-away pitches. The slider as of now seems to be the better of the two in large part due to its sweeping motion.

He would likely benefit from combing the two and turning it into a nasty sweeping curve. A pitch that countless different pitchers have made a career off of. His changeup also flashes serious potential with late drop and can be a great pitch for inducing weak contact.

But perhaps the most impressive thing about Steven Echavarria is the command he has of all his pitches. He is able to throw all of them consistently for strikes and knows how to work his pitches off each other.

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That’s not something most 17-year-old prospects have the ability to do. He doesn’t give up free passes and does a great job of staying around the zone, something that should translate to higher levels as he continues to develop.

Really there just isn’t anything to dislike about Steven Echavarria. While I usually am not a fan of that kind of prospect. When it’s a 17-year-old you’re taking in the third round, I think it’s a very good thing. He will need some time in the minors, but under the right coaching, we could be looking at a future ace.

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