​Editor’s Note: I asked my friend Matt Dallas, who previously ran Covering the Corner and brings certified pitching-evaluation chops, to share quick reactions on several MLB draft pitching prospects the Guardians could consider in Sunday’s draft. Below are the evaluated players and the immediate impressions Matt offered after watching some game footage.
Jared Grindlinger, LHP/OF, 6’3, 190 lbs, Huntington Beach HS, CA, 17 years old
Logan Schmidt, LHP, 6’4, 210 lbs, Ganesha HS, CA, 17 years old
Cole Carlon, LHP, 6’5, 230 lbs, Arizona State, 21 years old
Tegan Kuhns, RHP, 6’3, 189 lbs, University of Tennessee, 21 years old
Logan Reddeman, RHP, 6’2, 185 lbs, UCLA, 21 years old
Cameron Flukey, RHP, 6’6, 210 lbs, Coastal Carolina, 21 years old
Here are Matt’s first-blush, immediate evaluations after viewing some footage:
Grindlinger: I’d draft him in a heartbeat. I’m not sure where he’s mocked, but this kid has a clean operation and a ton of room to fill out. His frame is highly projectable, and he doesn’t look like a fixed “grow into it” type who’ll never bulk up. The changeup is real, and the overall physicality suggests a floor with upside. I’m optimistic about his ceiling and think he’d be a strong addition if the Guardians pull the trigger.
Schmidt: I don’t see it. This body lacks mobility. He’s quad-dominant, meaning as he drops into his back leg he loads into the quads rather than the hamstrings and glutes. That can work, but he projects as a very unathletic, big kid with a live arm. There’s a lot of projection, but he’s going to need a ton of work. Essentially, the transformation of his body is required before you’d rely on him as a starter.
Carlon: That’s a reliever with a pretty good floor. The slider could get big-leaguers out right now. I’m noticing a pattern—lefties with size—that I like. He’d need to clean up the control and reduce the curveball, then try to split the slider into a cutter or sweeper if he’s to be seen as a starter. Even then, you’re looking at a pitcher without a viable changeup. Still, I’d like to see him emerge from the bullpen given the raw stuff.
Kuhns: That’s a dude. His profile is exactly the kind Cleveland tends to trust. Supremely athletic, high energy, unique arm slot. The fastball will play well, especially if they can add velocity or push him closer to his max out. The curveball is legit, and his feel for it is encouraging—likely indicating he can tinker with it. The overall package suggests high upside and a fit with Cleveland’s developmental approach.
Reddeman: There are reasons for optimism. He throws a wide array of pitches and demonstrates solid command. He may be maxed out in velocity and spin, but movement optimization and refined pitch sequencing could help him reach a higher ceiling. He seems to fit Cleveland’s pitcher-development philosophy. If forced to pick, I’d place Kuhns at the top of my board based on my initial ten-minute assessment, but I’m encouraged by what I’m seeing overall.
Flukey: He appears the most talented of the group. His fastball plays at the top of the zone, and he shows confidence with his command and a feel for pitching. There’s a sense he can continue to refine his arsenal and maximize his performance at higher levels. His size, delivery, and current velocity suggest a ceiling that Cleveland could harness effectively with the right development plan.
In summary, Matt’s quick take favors Grindlinger and Kuhns as especially appealing fits, with Carlon offering intriguing bullpen potential, Schmidt representing a tougher projection due to athletic limitations, Reddeman presenting a controllable but potentially optimized profile, and Flukey delivering the high upside that could become a cornerstone in a future rotation or bullpen. If you’re advising the Guardians, Kuhns stands out as the most attractive immediate target, followed closely by Grindlinger, with Carlon and Flukey offering appealing complementary upside, and Schmidt presenting a higher-risk, higher-reward scenario that would require a specific developmental plan to maximize his upside.