Travis Sykora Stats & Scouting Report

IP	78
ERA	2.31
WHIP	.86
BB/9	2.65
SO/9	13.5

Full name Travis Sykora
Born 04/28/2004 in Round Rock, TX
Profile Ht.: 6'6" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Round Rock (Texas) HS
Drafted in the 3rd round (71st overall) by the Washington Nationals in 2023 (signed for $2,600,000).

View Draft Report

School: Round Rock (Texas) HS Source: HS

Commit/Drafted: Texas
Age At Draft: 19.2
BA Grade:55/Extreme
Tools:Fastball: 70. Slider: 50. Changeup: 55. Control: 50.

It’s almost a given that the state of Texas will annually produce a physical and hard-throwing righthanded pitcher. The 2023 version of that pitcher is Sykora, who possesses the hardest-thrown fastball in the high school class and stands at 6-foot-6, 220 pounds. Sykora is an athletic mover on the mound who has a simple delivery and throws from a three-quarter slot with a tick of head whack and recoil. In shorter outings during the 2022 showcase circuit, Sykora pitched in the upper 90s and has already touched 101 mph. The pitch has hard running life at times but has overwhelmed prep hitters on pure velocity alone. Sykora’s secondaries include a mid-80s slider and a mid-80s split-changeup. Both are pitches that need continued development but have flashed some promise at times. The slider is a short-breaking pitch that doesn’t have elite spin or movement, but he throws it firmly in the upper 80s at times. His split-change features solid tumble, but like the slider doesn’t stand out for exceptional movement overall, and is instead best when he’s able to spot it at the bottom of the zone. Like most hard-throwing prepsters, Sykora’s control is inconsistent and he’ll need to learn to be more precise with his power at the next level. He’s old for the class and will be 19 on draft day. Sykora is committed to Texas and would be a solid infielder and hitting prospect as well if he didn’t throw 100 mph.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Sykora ranked as the No. 36 player in the 2023 draft class and owned the hardest-thrown fastball in the class by a high school pitcher. The Nationals managed to land Sykora No. 71 overall and signed him to a $2.6 million bonus, more than double the slot value at that pick, to pry him from a Texas commitment. He did not make his professional debut in 2023.

Scouting Report: At 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, Sykora is an athletic mover on the mound. His electric fastball sits in the upper 90s and has touched triple digits. His fastball, just based on velocity alone, seems to overwhelm hitters, though it is not always consistent. Sykora’s secondaries both need significant development, but his mid-80s slider and mid-80s split-changeup have both flashed average or better at points. His slider doesn’t have elite spin or movement, but the sheer velocity allows the pitch to generate swings and misses. The Nationals--under their old player development staff--said the righty will likely scrap his split-changeup and move toward a more traditional changeup. Sykora’s biggest challenge will be working on control and learning to be more precise with his power.

The Future: Sykora, who turns 20 in late April, is ready for his pro debut. He has a long road of development ahead, but also a rather high ceiling. He will likely begin the season at the Florida Complex League and could earn a promotion to Low-A in relatively short order.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50

Draft Prospects

School: Round Rock (Texas) HS Source: HS

Commit/Drafted: Texas
Age At Draft: 19.2
BA Grade:55/Extreme
Tools:Fastball: 70. Slider: 50. Changeup: 55. Control: 50.

It’s almost a given that the state of Texas will annually produce a physical and hard-throwing righthanded pitcher. The 2023 version of that pitcher is Sykora, who possesses the hardest-thrown fastball in the high school class and stands at 6-foot-6, 220 pounds. Sykora is an athletic mover on the mound who has a simple delivery and throws from a three-quarter slot with a tick of head whack and recoil. In shorter outings during the 2022 showcase circuit, Sykora pitched in the upper 90s and has already touched 101 mph. The pitch has hard running life at times but has overwhelmed prep hitters on pure velocity alone. Sykora’s secondaries include a mid-80s slider and a mid-80s split-changeup. Both are pitches that need continued development but have flashed some promise at times. The slider is a short-breaking pitch that doesn’t have elite spin or movement, but he throws it firmly in the upper 80s at times. His split-change features solid tumble, but like the slider doesn’t stand out for exceptional movement overall, and is instead best when he’s able to spot it at the bottom of the zone. Like most hard-throwing prepsters, Sykora’s control is inconsistent and he’ll need to learn to be more precise with his power at the next level. He’s old for the class and will be 19 on draft day. Sykora is committed to Texas and would be a solid infielder and hitting prospect as well if he didn’t throw 100 mph.