Peter Kussow is creating significant buzz among scouts, with many praising the Wisconsin prep right-handed pitcher’s devastating breaking ball. His curveball has drawn comparisons to New York Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt, thanks to its sharp shape and impressive velocity.
Kussow has made significant strides at Arrowhead High School, where his physical maturation and refined pitch mix have caught evaluators’ attention. His development and immense potential have led scouts to project him as a possible top-five-round selection in July’s MLB draft.
“I’ve been just from like 13 and 14 just this long, lanky kid that always has been able to throw a little bit harder,” said Kussow to Baseball Prospect Journal. “But then, going into my sophomore year, just kind of growing into my body, like really filling out my body more, (led to me) seeing that development. It felt great to me, because it finally feels like all the hard work was paying off.”
Kussow is a 6-foot-5, 215-pound right-hander who throws a fastball, curveball and changeup from a three-quarters arm slot and starter profile. He relies mostly on his fastball and curveball combination, which has allowed him to thrive against premium prep hitters.
Kussow’s fastball and curveball generate swings and misses and boast above-average potential. His fastball sits in the low-90s and touches 94 mph with arm-side run. His curveball is one of the better-breaking pitches in the country.
“I would say definitely my competitiveness. Just the pure drive to win every single pitch,” said Kussow on his biggest strength. “I love competing against the best hitters in the state and in the country. I’ll never shy down from a competition.”
Kussow possesses tremendous upside, fueled by his strong work ethic, motivation and deep understanding of his pitch repertoire. He is currently focused on refining his pitch mix to enhance its effectiveness, aiming for visible growth throughout his senior season and in the future.
Besides his draft prospect status, Kussow is also a Louisville commit. The program’s track record of developing talent for pro ball stood out to him throughout the recruiting process.
“I absolutely loved the coaching staff and felt like I could really meet my end goals there,” Kussow said. “I really feel like they have the best coaching staff in the nation, and I can really play major league baseball after college.”
Learn about Peter Kussow, including his skill set and development, by watching our full interview with him here:
Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for 10 years. He has interviewed 580 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.
