Jack DeTienne isn’t like most Wisconsin high school pitchers.
The Verona High School right-handed pitcher throws a 96-mph fastball with a quality curveball that is a dominating strikeout pitch. Wisconsin doesn’t typically produce legit power-throwing prep pitchers with a high-octane pitch mix.
Professional scouts consider DeTienne as a potential early-round pick in July’s MLB draft because of his present skills and exceptional upside on the mound.
DeTienne’s status as a draft prospect is uncommon for a Wisconsin prep pitcher. As the Wisconsin high school season rapidly approaches, DeTienne appears likely to be the state’s second prep pitcher selected in the first five rounds since the Seattle Mariners drafted left-handed pitcher Tony Butler out of Oak Creek High School in the third round in 2006.
The Minnesota Twins selected righty Dylan Questad out of Waterford High School in the fifth round of last year’s draft.
“It’s been really cool,” said DeTienne, a Xavier University commit. “We view it as there is no wrong decision no matter which way you go. It’s cool to see where my future can take me, and what it holds in store for me.”
DeTienne wasn’t always a top prospect. He describes himself as a late bloomer after he played on GRB Academy’s B team for multiple years before making the 16U-A team. He’s matured physically in recent years, allowing him to take a huge step forward in his development as a baseball player.
“When I was younger and smaller, I’d be down on myself because I made the yellow (B) team,” DeTienne said. “It’s really cool because I would have never guessed I’d be in the spot I am today. I’m super happy with how my hard work has paid off.”
DeTienne is a 6-foot-3, 180-pound right-handed pitcher who throws a four-seam fastball, two-seamer, curveball and changeup from an over-the-top arm slot. He boasts a lot of upside and figures to work as a starter in pro ball.
His fastballs are quality offerings that touch 96 mph with ease. He’s already touched 95 mph during his preseason throwing program and figures to increase his game velocity this spring. His two-seamer shows really good late life.
DeTienne’s spike curveball tunnels well off of his fastballs. It’s a 12-to-6 breaking pitch that projects as an above-average strikeout pitch at the next level. He’s worked on improving the consistency of the pitch’s shape, as it looked slurvy at times last year.
Last year, DeTienne didn’t throw his changeup regularly. This offseason, he’s worked on developing consistency and confidence with the pitch in hopes of making it a quality secondary offering.
“I didn’t throw it much in the summer, but it has been outstanding this offseason,” DeTienne said. “I’ve worked really hard on it because I haven’t thrown it that well in the past and my confidence has been down with it. My confidence has skyrocketed in that pitch. It’s really taken off as a third pitch.”
DeTienne’s skill set and potential have put him in the draft spotlight. But that’s not the only option he will have after he graduates high school this spring.
DeTienne is a Xavier commit. He’s excited about the opportunity and the program’s rise under coach Billy O’Conner. Last season, Xavier made it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017.
The future is bright for DeTienne, regardless of whether he jumps straight into pro ball in the summer or attends Xavier in the fall.
“The Xavier program is on an uprise right now, which is really cool to see,” DeTienne said. “Billy is a good coach, and this past year was his year. He’s been doing an amazing job recruiting. Our class is really good and talented.”
Read more in-depth stories on top 2024 MLB draft prospects at Baseball Prospect Journal.
Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for nine years. He has interviewed 518 of the top draft prospects in that period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com, The Arizona Republic and The Dallas Morning News, have quoted his work, while he has appeared on radio stations as a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
He has a pretty darn good bat too