Kevin Gausman

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #2 prospect in 2014
  A sixth-round pick out of a Colorado high school in 2010, Gausman went to Louisiana State before the Orioles took him with the fourth overall pick in 2012 and he signed for $4.32 million. Eight starts into his 2013 season at Double-A Bowie, the Orioles summoned him to make his big league debut in May against the Blue Jays. He shifted to the bullpen in subsequent recalls to the majors. Gausman has pitched with more velocity than he'd shown at LSU, sitting in the mid-90s with his fastball and touching 99 mph. He throws a lot of strikes with his fastball and now does with his changeup as well. He added a get-me-over circle change, thrown harder than his original plus split-changeup, around midseason. The Orioles decided Gausman's slider would become his primary breaking pitch, and it shows good depth and bite but lacks consistency. Gausman wants to add bulk to his slender frame, and maintaining his control and improved slider will be crucial for him to fulfill his No. 2 starter potential. He could open the season in the Baltimore rotation.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #2 prospect in 2013
  Considered a first-round talent out of high school, Gausman declined seven-figure overtures from clubs before the draft and turned down the Dodgers as a sixth-round pick to attend Louisiana State. A draft-eligible sophomore in 2012, he went fourth overall and signed for $4.32 million. Gausman's two premium pitches and developing third option give him No. 2 starter upside. His plus-plus fastball sits at 94-96 mph and touches 98, and he mixes in a sinking low-90s two-seamer to induce groundouts. His 84-86 mph changeup is an easy plus pitch, and some scouts ranked it among the best they've seen at the amateur level. Gausman threw both a 76-79 mph curveball and an 82-86 mph slider that blended together in college. His diving slider flashes more swing-and-miss potential and showed significant improvement during instructional league. A premium athlete with a live body, he has a smooth, high leg-kick delivery that helps him stay over the rubber. His aptitude and intelligence help set him apart. Bundy and Gausman give the Orioles one of the minors' best 1-2 pitching punches. After making a playoff appearance for Bowie, Gausman might return to Double-A to open his first full pro season. He could reach Baltimore before the end of the season.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #5 prospect in 2012 draft
  Gausman ranked No. 50 on the Top 200 Prospects list in 2010 coming out of Grandview High in Centennial, Colo., but an uneven senior season, he slipped to the sixth round. The Dodgers failed to sign him, and Gausman headed to LSU, where he's made a leap forward after pitching for USA Baseball's College National Team last summer. New pitching coach Alan Dunn also has made some subtle tweaks to Gausman's repertoire this spring, shelving his slider earlier in the season in favor of a curveball before bringing back his slider later in the season. At his best, Gausman has two premium pitches with a fastball that sits 94-96 mph, touching 98, and he mixes in a low-90s two-seamer to get something with some armside run. Gausman's 85-86 mph changeup is a second plus pitch, but scouts do have significant questions about the development of his breaking pitches. He throws an upper-70s curve as an early-count offering and throws his inconsistent mid-80s slider as a chase pitch. An eligible sophomore, Gausman has made strides in his two college seasons and should go out in the first five to seven picks.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #20 prospect in 2014
• Ranked Baseball America's #26 prospect in 2013

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Considered a first-round talent out of high school, Gausman declined seven-figure overtures from clubs before the draft and turned down the Dodgers as a sixth-round pick to attend Louisiana State. A draft-eligible sophomore in 2012, he went fourth overall and signed for $4.32 million. Scouting Report: Gausman's two premium pitches and developing third option give him No. 2 starter upside. His plus-plus fastball sits at 94-96 mph and touches 98, and he mixes in a sinking low-90s two-seamer to induce groundouts. His 84-86 mph changeup is an easy plus pitch, and some scouts ranked it among the best they've seen at the amateur level. Gausman threw both a 76-79 mph curveball and an 82-86 mph slider that blended together in college. His diving slider flashes more swing-and-miss potential and showed significant improvement during instructional league. A premium athlete with a live body, he has a smooth, high-leg kick delivery that helps him stay over the rubber. His aptitude and intelligence help set him apart. The Future: Bundy and Gausman give the Orioles one of the minors' best 1-2 pitching punches. After making a playoff appearance for Bowie, Gausman might return to Double-A to open his first full pro season. He could reach Baltimore before the end of the season.