Kevin Gowdy is not a typical high school pitcher. With advanced command and polished mechanics, Gowdy will likely be a first round pick in the 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft, which begins June 9.
It has been an exciting, but hectic time for Gowdy, with professional scouts in attendance at every one of his starts his senior year.
During the season Gowdy made it a priority to focus on his team instead of his future. But, since the end of his high school season on May 24, he’s had the chance to focus his attention on the draft.
“You can definitely take a breath and take a step back from it all,” Gowdy said. “During season your so focused on going out there winning with your team and are so focused on your starts. It is nice to take a step back and look at what’s going on while being excited for what’s going to happen.”
Gowdy has a free and easy delivery, along with a great feel for pitching. A 6-foot-4, 175-pound right-handed pitcher, Gowdy has an outstanding three-pitch mix that is uncommon for high school hurlers.
His pitching repertoire consists of three above average pitches. He throws a low-90s fastball, a slider with good bite and a changeup that he displays advanced command of.
If Gowdy decides to skip the opportunity to play professional baseball this year, he’s committed to playing baseball at UCLA beginning in the fall.
“I look at it as a win-win situation,” Gowdy said. “If the draft doesn’t work out, I still have UCLA in my back pocket. I didn’t try to pay attention to the pressure or hype and just went out there to have fun.”
Regardless of what the future holds, it will be an exciting and rewarding time for Gowdy when he hears his name called on draft night, he said.
“Even when you sign the hard work is just beginning,” Gowdy said. “It is cool to see because it’s everyone’s dream who has played baseball to play professionally. Just seeing all the hard work through your childhood, junior high and high school years pay of is pretty cool.”
Read my previous feature articles on Kevin Gowdy here:
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Over the last few months I’ve interviewed 31 of the top MLB Draft prospects. Read my profiles on these draft prospects here.
