Kyle Muller – LHP, Jesuit College Prep (TX)
Following the Pirates pitching mold, the Pirates could turn to a Texas high schooler to headline the rotation for the West Virginia Black Bears this summer. Muller sports a 0.26 ERA, .069 batting average against, and a 55% (100-182) strikeout rate, according to Max Preps. He also happens to lead the country in home runs at 15, not home runs allowed. In the summer of 2015, Muller was throwing in the high-80s. Scouts were beginning to have serious doubts about his draft potential. By the time he took to the mount this spring, he had added enough muscle to throw in the low-90s and reaches 95.
At one point this spring, Muller got 36 batters out in a row by way of the strikeout. As the video above shows, he lives on the black with good control, and he can fill a strike zone well beyond what would be expected from even the top high school pitchers. He has a smooth repeatable delivery. Muller is also a force to be reckoned with at the plate with plus power, smooth contact from the right side, and good plate awareness and discipline.
Conclusion: Muller is capable of contributing on the mound, at the plate, and in the field. His dedication this past offseason to add muscle shows he has what it takes to make it to the majors someday. His upside puts him at a #2 or #3 starter in the right developmental program. He throws with good downward sink. I still feel the first choice should be Alex Kirilloff if he’s available at 22, just for the sake of taking the best player, but the case is clearly there to take Muller if Kirilloff goes to the Mets or Dodgers.
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