Will Bednar RHP. DOB: 6/13/2000. 6'2", 230 lbs. Drafted 2021 Round 1(#14 overall).
2022(A): 1-3, 4.19, 43 IP, 10.67 K/9, 4.60 BB/9.
2022(AFL): 0.0. 16.20, 3.1 IP, 3 K, 2 BB.
It would be hard to to overstate how disappointing Bednar's first full pro season was. I sensed something wasn't right when he received an extremely conservative assignment to Low A ball. Generally high draft picks from major college conferences go to high A for their first full pro season and a few even start out at AA. The numbers themselves are disappointing, particularly the walk rate, Although the K rate is encouraging and he did have his moments.
I saw Bednar pitch in person in May in San Bernardino. He took a no-hitter into the 5'th inning but struggled to keep his FB in the low 90's and his command was inconsistent. After 12 similar starts with mixed results, he went out with an injury and did not come back until the fall league where he got shelled in 2 appearances.
I ranked him this high purely due to not wanting to write off a guy with his draft pedigree just yet. Hopefully he and the Giants pitching gurus will figure out what went wrong and he's come back strong in 2023 but the track record for player with this kind of start to their pro career is not encouraging.
Heard on a podcast that Bednar was never right physically last year due to back issues and contracting COVID. Haven't seen a report that these health issues caused him to pitch poorly however. Like you said too early to write him off unless he continues to struggle this year.
ReplyDeleteRemember Stratton? Had a solid 94mph FB in college. Yet for a few years in the minors he could barely hit 90MPH. He recovered somewhat (sitting between 91-92 in the major) and has made something of a career as a journeyman. Never did get an explanation, though. Glad to see he has had at least much of a career because of the line-drive to the head and his subsequent struggles, I wasn't sure he was going to have any career.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it's probably going to be another one of those 'who knows' things.