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2019 MLB Draft Preview: Jack Kochanowicz scouting report
The 2019 MLB Draft is just three weeks away — the first round kicks off on June 3, 2019 — its time to start offering capsule looks at players the Texas Rangers could select with their top picks. The Rangers’ first round pick is at #8, their second round pick is at #50, and they have Milwaukee’s competitive balance pick, acquired in the Alex Claudio trade, which is #41.
Leading up to draft day, we will be doing writeups of some of the players who could end up getting selected by the Rangers with one of their first three picks. Today, we are looking at Pennsylvania high school pitcher Jack Kochanowicz.
Jack Kochanowicz is a 6’6” righthanded throwing pitcher who is listed at anywhere from 207 to 212 lbs. Kochanowicz is from Rosemont, Pennsylvania, a little ways outside of Philadelphia, and attends Harriton High School. He throws in the low-90s, though he has touched 95 mph, and his size is such that there’s some reason to believe he may add velocity as he fills out. Kochanowicz’s curveball is praised for its high spin rate and potential as an out pitch, and has a changeup as well.
Keith Law doesn’t have Kochanowicz in his top 50 draft prospects. Baseball America has Kochanowicz at #55 on their list, praising his ability to throw strikes “despite his long levers.” Fangraphs has Kochanowicz at #64 on their board, while MLB Pipeline has him at #70 on their list.
Kochanowicz is committed to Virginia, and MLB Pipeline says he could end up being a first round pick if he goes there and continues to develop. As a pitcher from the north, Kochanowicz has fewer reps on his arm, and has been seen less often than pitchers in the warmer climes. That, together with his size, could allow a team that likes him to project more improvement as he pitchers more and fills out. Taller pitchers can have trouble repeating his mechanics, but MLB Pipeline says he repeats his mechanics well.
He’s an intriguing, high-risk, high-reward arm, and someone I could see the Rangers targeting with their second round pick, potentially on an above-slot deal to buy him out of the Virginia commitment. His size and the high spin curve ball allows you to dream on his development and ceiling.
Some video: