Scouting the 2018 Draft: Ryan Rolison

Ryan Rolison is a draft eligible college sophomore LHP from Ole Miss.  He's close to perfect size for a pitcher listed at 6'3", 200 lbs.  He started off his freshman year pitching in the bullpen but moved into the rotation as the season progressed and was Ole Miss' best pitcher by the end of the college season.  He followed that up with a terrific Cape Cod League performance and is poised for a breakout sophomore campaign and possible first round MLB draft stock.  Here are his 2017 stat lines:

2017(College):  6-3, 3.06, 61.2 IP, 24 BB, 64 K.
2017(CCL):  6-0, 1.54, 28 IP, 11 BB, 35 K.

One scouting report has his FB 89-93 and sitting at 91.  Another says his velocity ticked up toward the end of the CCL season reaching 94-95 consistently when he needed something extra.  His delivery is low-moderate effort which makes scouts think he can reach back for more when he needs to.  The delivery is a smooth and clean with a 3/4 arm slot reminiscent of Madison Bumgarner with a little less sweeping motion.  He commands the FB on both sides of the plate.  Some scouts think his best pitch is a 2-8 slurve.  His change up is rated as a work in progress, but I saw one on a video that had nice sink and a bit of a tail on the outside corner to a RH batter.  His goals for 2018 should be to lower his walk rate by about 0.5-1 BB/9.

My take: He does not have quite enough stuff to be a top of the draft prospect, but could be a nice high floor pick late in the first round or early second round.

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DrB's Updated 2018 Draft Board:

1.  Seth Beer, OF/1B, College(Clemson).
2.  Jarred Kelenic, OF, HS.
3.  Nander De Sedas, SS, HS.
4.  Kumar Rocker, RHP, HS.
5.  Ethan Hankins, RHP, HS.
6.  Brady Singer, RHP, College(Florida).
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7.  Matthew Liberatore, LHP, HS.
8.  Nolan Gorman, 3B, HS.
9.  Greyson Jenista, OF/1B, College(Wichita St).
10. Casey Mize, RHP, College(Auburn).
11. Nick Madrigal, 2B, College(Oregon St.).
12. Shane McClanahan, LHP, College(Univ. of South Florida).
13. Ryan Rolison, LHP, College(Mississippi).
14. Griffin Conine, OF, College(Duke).
15. Brice Turang, SS, HS.