​The Guardians surprised many by selecting Logan Schmidt, a high school pitcher from California, with their No. 59 overall choice in round two. Schmidt stands 6’4” and weighs around 210 pounds, a left-handed starter who is among the youngest prospects in this draft class at just 17 years old. MLB Pipeline had Schmidt ranked as the 45th best prospect in the draft, highlighting him as a potential pick for teams that favor high school left-handers.
MLB Pipeline’s scouting notes describe Schmidt as a strong option for teams seeking a left-handed pitcher from the prep ranks. They noted that within the first round, clubs might have their pick among three notable lefties from different regions—Gio Rojas from South Florida, Carson Bolemon from South Carolina, and Schmidt from the West Coast in California. Schmidt’s ascent began after he effectively closed the summer showcase circuit, with standout performances at events such as the Area Code Games and MLB’s All-American Game. These showings helped him move toward the top tier of prep lefties.
A key driver of Schmidt’s rising stock was an uptick in velocity this summer, particularly at the Area Code Games. He typically sat in the 93-94 mph range with his fastball, but he began to sit more consistently in the 94-97 mph window. Coaches and evaluators agree that more consistency with that heat would further boost his draft standing. While the fastball shows life, there is limited deception right now, which can lead to some hittable moments. Schmidt complements the heater with a 78-81 mph slider that features a three-quarters release and a shape that can blur on hitters, occasionally missing bats and flashing plus.
In addition to the fastball and slider, Schmidt shows a usable changeup and sells it well with solid arm speed out front. He has demonstrated the ability to repeat his delivery and fill up the strike zone with all three offerings, giving him a well-rounded arsenal for a left-handed starter. His ability to command multiple pitches, paired with a repeatable delivery, makes him an appealing pitching prospect, especially given his youth for the class.
Schmidt’s background adds to his projected upside. He is an LSU recruit who reclassified to complete high school early, which means he will still be 17 at the time of the Draft. This age factor tends to play well in team evaluations as clubs project a longer development timeline and potential ceiling. MLB Pipeline assigned Schmidt a fastball grade of 55, a slider at 55, a changeup at 50, a control grade of 55, and an overall tool grade of 50, underscoring him as a promising but not flawless prospect with clear upside.
Here are some quick highlights of Schmidt’s game: he has a clean, repeatable delivery that supports his consistency on the mound, and his velocity trend is upward, suggesting more upside if he continues to add strength and refine his secondary pitches. The combination of a powerful, left-handed fastball, a slider with substantial bite, and a credible changeup gives Schmidt a compelling three-pitch mix, which is especially valuable for a teenage pitcher stepping into professional baseball.
So, what do you think of the Guardians’ pick? How would you grade the selection? From an in-depth scouting perspective, Schmidt represents a high-upside project who could develop into a long-term contributor if his velocity remains consistent and his secondary offerings sharpen with age and experience. His youth and the potential for growth give him a solid chance to become a key piece in the Guardians’ future pitching plans, assuming continued development and a smooth transition to facing stronger competition at higher levels. Given his age, draft position, and the current profile, Schmidt earns consideration as a potential breakout candidate, with a mid-to-high upside that could justify the selection for a team looking to infuse talented arms into its system.