Drafted in the 2nd round (44th overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2023 (signed for $2,800,000).
View Draft Report
School: Mahomet-Seymour HS, Mahomet, Ill. Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Arizona Age At Draft: 18.7 BA Grade:55/Extreme Tools:Fastball: 60. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 50.
In 2022, Wolters pitched in the 89-92 mph range with his fastball and earned himself a scholarship to Arizona. Quickly in 2023 outings, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound righty took a step forward with his velocity. He broke the annual PBR Super 60 Showcase velocity record when he touched 97.7 mph, and became one of the most talked about high school arms in the country entering spring ball. The power-armed righty uses a simple delivery that’s under control up to his balance point. With a loose, traditional takeback, the ball is released from a three-quarter slot with proper finish out in front. Some evaluators believe more power can be tapped into when he learns how to fully engage his lower half with each pitch. He has plenty of power presently, though, and was consistently into the upper 90s early in his starts before settling into the 93-95 range with an average rpm north of 2,300. Wolters complements his fastball with a slider that will flash plus throughout his starts and only projects to improve as he continues his development. The slider sits 82-86 mph with traditional break, 2,700 rpm spin and he can add more sweep when he is looking for a punchout. Wolters has a changeup that isn’t used frequently, but it could be an average third offering in the future. Wolters is around the zone consistently with his pitches, enough to project solid-average control.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
BA Grade: 50/Extreme
Track Record: Wolters didn’t participate in many of the big high school showcases, but the Arizona commit certainly popped onto the radar when his fastball velocity jumped significantly just prior to his senior year. The Royals grabbed the Illinois prep product in the second round in 2023 and went over slot to sign him for $2.8 million. The PBR Super 60 Showcase in February, when he broke the event’s velocity record with a 97.7 mph fastball, helped put him on the map. With plenty of downtime leading up to the draft, Wolters did not pitch in an official game in 2023 but was very impressive in a pair of one-inning starts late in the fall instructional league.
Scouting Report: With a strong frame that has been described as the perfect build for a pitcher, Wolters’ fastball touches 98 mph with power ride and some bore. It sits in the mid 90s and is delivered with a fast arm from a three-quarters arm slot and a proper finish out in front. He could add velocity with more strength to his frame and better use of his lower half. Wolters pairs his heater with a wipeout 82-84 mph slider that flashes as a plus offering with hard break and 2,700 rpm spin. He lands it to both sides of the plate and can add more sweep when looking for a strikeout. He didn’t show a changeup in his brief outings. He used the pitch infrequently in high school, but it projects as an average offering around 80 mph. He repeats his delivery well.
The Future: Wolters will likely follow the same development path that the Royals have used with previous high school pitchers, staying behind in extended spring training for a month or so in 2024 before heading to Low-A Columbia. Projecting as high as a no. 3 starter, Wolters already has shown enough potential that with more experience he could rocket up the Royals’ prospect list.
School: Mahomet-Seymour HS, Mahomet, Ill. Source: HS
Commit/Drafted: Arizona Age At Draft: 18.7 BA Grade:55/Extreme Tools:Fastball: 60. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 50.
In 2022, Wolters pitched in the 89-92 mph range with his fastball and earned himself a scholarship to Arizona. Quickly in 2023 outings, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound righty took a step forward with his velocity. He broke the annual PBR Super 60 Showcase velocity record when he touched 97.7 mph, and became one of the most talked about high school arms in the country entering spring ball. The power-armed righty uses a simple delivery that’s under control up to his balance point. With a loose, traditional takeback, the ball is released from a three-quarter slot with proper finish out in front. Some evaluators believe more power can be tapped into when he learns how to fully engage his lower half with each pitch. He has plenty of power presently, though, and was consistently into the upper 90s early in his starts before settling into the 93-95 range with an average rpm north of 2,300. Wolters complements his fastball with a slider that will flash plus throughout his starts and only projects to improve as he continues his development. The slider sits 82-86 mph with traditional break, 2,700 rpm spin and he can add more sweep when he is looking for a punchout. Wolters has a changeup that isn’t used frequently, but it could be an average third offering in the future. Wolters is around the zone consistently with his pitches, enough to project solid-average control.
Career Transactions
RHP Blake Wolters assigned to Columbia Fireflies from ACL Royals.
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