CHASE PETTY
School: Mainland Prep (N.J.)
Position: RHP
Height/Weight: 6’2” 185
B/T: R/R
D.O.B: 4/4/2003
Previously drafted: No
Scouting Report
Chase Petty has been must-see viewing around his high school for quite some time. The hard-throwing righty has drawn crowds whether it’s game day or him tossing a bullpen session pretty much since he arrived at his school. The University of Florida recruit has drawn attention from scouts thanks to a blistering fastball that hit 100 mph at the Area Code Games and routinely sits in the high 90s. The pitch has some dip and runs in on righties.
Petty recorded an 18-strikeout no-hitter this spring for Mainland but his most impressive performance came May 23 when he led his team to an upset of highly-ranked Don Bosco Prep. Pitching in front of an estimated 70 scouts and 1,000 spectators at minor league Arm & Hammer Park in Trenton N.J., he topped 99 in the first inning. He demonstrated his bulldog mentality by hitting 98 with his final pitch, the 103rd of the game, to finish off the complete game with his 13th strikeout.
Most of the damage was done with his slider, however. His secondary pitch reaches upper 80s and buckles hitters with big movement. His change-up, which also approaches 90 mph, is an effective pitch for him but still a work in progress. He will likely need to lower the speed in order to fool Major League players with it. He completed his senior season by compiling a 6-1 record and minuscule 1.15 ERA; striking out 99 in 48 2/3 innings.
Scouting Grades
Scouting grades are according to MLB Pipeline’s rankings, grades may vary between different publications*
Fastball: 70
Slider: 55
Changeup: 50
Control: 50
Overall: 50
Prospect Overview and Future Outcomes
The only thing preventing Petty from being a first-round lock is his size. Depending on where you look, the 18-year-old has been listed as short as 6-0; not the prototypical height of a flame-thrower. His pure stuff, however, has his upside as a No. 2 starter. He may have the best arm speed in the entire class. On the flip side, there is concern about whether he will remain a starter due to his delivery which gives some scouts pause. The high effort, three-quarters release point results in command issues at times. That being said, his control is considered advanced for someone his age.
Mock Draft Outcomes
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, who last year correctly predicted the Sox selecting Garrett Crochet and Jared Kelley with their top two picks on draft day, has the White Sox landing the hard thrower at 57. MLB.com had Petty going as high as No. 18 to the St. Louis Cardinals at the end of April, while Bleacher Report has him landing at 29th to the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the latest edition from Keith Law at The Athletic, the White Sox are tied to Chase Petty as well.
Potential Fit with White Sox
Much like last year’s second-round pick Jared Kelley, the current top prospect in the White Sox system, Petty has the potential to go in the first round and would likely be a steal if he slips to the 57th spot. It’s not uncommon for prep hurlers, especially righties, to tumble in the draft in favor of more experienced college pitchers. The thought, however, is that if Petty doesn’t get selected in the first round there is a good chance he will honor his commitment to Florida unless he gets first round money at a later spot.
Photo Credit: 2080 Baseball
Want to know right away when we publish a new article? Type your email address in the box on the right-side bar (or at the bottom, if on a mobile device) and click the SUBSCRIBE button. Our list is completely spam free, and you can opt out at any time. Also, consider supporting FutureSox on Patreon! You will get early access to special articles and Patreon-only posts, in addition to more benefits.
Shop our exclusive merchandise! Show your support with the latest FutureSox apparel.