Name: Ryan Cusick
School: Wake Forest
Position: RHP
Height/Weight: 6’6″, 235-lbs
B/T: R/R
D.O.B.: 11/12/1999
Previously Drafted: 40th round of the 2018 MLB Draft (Cincinnati Reds)
Scouting Report
Right-hander, Ryan Cusick, put together an impressive high school career. Recognized nationally, Baseball America ranked Cusick as the 235th overall prospect heading into the 2018 MLB Draft and tabbed him as the number two prospect coming out of Connecticut. Cusick’s prep performance made him a 40th round selection of the Cincinnati Reds in the 2018 MLB Draft. Cusick, however, decided not to sign and to play collegiately at Wake Forest.
The decision by Ryan Cusick to attend Wake Forest worked out in his favor. As a freshman at Wake Forest, he led the team in wins with seven, giving him the second most all-time for a Wake Forest freshman. As a sophomore in a shortened 2020 season, Cusick struck out 43 batters in 22.1 IP. His 17.3 K/9 was a new Wake Forest record and was good enough to be the sixth best K/9 nationally.
Ryan Cusick entered the 2021 season with first round grades and he maintained that status throughout the year. He finished the season posting a 4.24 ERA with 108 strikeouts and 32 walks in 70.0 IP. He owned a 5.01 ERA throughout his three seasons at Wake Forest, with 206 strikeouts and 79 walks in 158.0 IP. His career numbers were good for an 11.7 K/9 and 4.5 BB/9.
Ryan Cusick’s fastball is his best pitch, sitting in the mid-to-upper 90’s and can touch triple digits. His fastball owns high spin rates. A low 80’s curveball, changeup, and mid-80’s slider make up the rest of his repertoire. His delivery is pretty simple and repeatable, and doesn’t have too many moving parts. Despite all of this, one thing Ryan Cusick needs to work on is throwing strikes more regularly.
Cusick won’t be one of the first few collegiate arms taken in this upcoming draft. However, there is a lot to like about his game. Given his big frame and already present impressive velocity, Cusick is the type of player that an organization will dream on by getting the chance to develop.
Scouting Grades
These scouting grades are according to MLB Pipeline. Cusick’s grades likely vary across other publications.
Fastball: 70
Slider: 50
Curveball: 55
Changeup: 50
Control: 45
Overall: 50
Prospect Overview and Future Outlook
Ryan Cusick possesses the frame and arsenal that can make him a valuable starting pitcher as a professional. He throws from a high arm slot, paired with the riding action on his fastball can cause headaches for opposing hitters. If he can find the ability to throw strikes more consistently, then he seems like a high ceiling starting pitcher that can find himself near the top of a starting rotation. With control being something Cusick needs to work on, he might take a little bit more time than some of the other collegiate pitchers to make his way up to the majors.
Mock Drafts
In Jim Callis’ latest mock draft, he has Cusick landing in Tampa Bay with the 28th selection. Callis mentions that his stock has fallen a bit due to a few rough outings to end his 2021 season. Jonathan Mayo slotted the Wake Forest righty to the Reds at #17 in his latest. Keith Law at The Athletic sends Cusick to the Los Angeles Dodgers at #29. In Mock Draft 3.0 here at FutureSox, the Washington Nationals select the right hander at #11 overall.
Potential Fit with White Sox
The White Sox have heavily favored a college approach in the first round in recent years, so it wouldn’t be a complete surprise to see someone like Ryan Cusick taken at 22. The inability to throw strikes consistently is a red flag for sure. However, the premium velocity and improving breaking stuff make Cusick an intriguing option if he’s available when the White Sox are on the clock. Some of the top prospects in the farm system at the moment are right-handed pitchers, but you can never have enough pitching.
Photo Credit: Wake Forest Athletics
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