Drew Finley | RHP
Background
Finley, 18, attends Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego, and he set the state’s single-game record with 20 strikeouts last month. Rancho Bernardo consistently produces high-end talent, including Alex Jackson (last year’s sixth overall pick) and Cole Hamels back in the day. The Yankees selected Gosuke Katoh out of Rancho Bernardo two years ago. Finley’s father David is currently the Dodgers’ vice president of amateur and international scouting after previous stints with the Marlins and Red Sox.
Scouting Report
At 6-foot-3 and 200 lbs., Finley is a classic projectable high schooler, one with an 88-91 mph fastball that is expected to add some oomph as he fills out. His best pitch is a 12-to-6 curveball with tight spin that is easy to project as an out pitch down the road. Finley also throws an advanced changeup — advanced by high school pitcher standards, anyway — with some fade down and away from lefties. His delivery is smooth and he has no issues throwing strikes.
Miscellany
Finley was ranked as the 24th, 57th, and 61st best prospect in the draft class by Keith Law (subs. req’d), MLB.com, and Baseball America in their latest rankings, respectively. For what it’s worth, in last week’s chat Law said he’s heard the Yankees are “big on Drew Finley for one of their extra picks,” which makes total sense. Scouting director Damon Oppenheimer is a Southern California guy who’s shown an affinity for Southern California pitchers over the years (Ian Kennedy, Gerrit Cole, Ian Clarkin, etc.). Finley doesn’t have ace upside, not unless his fastball jumps two grades as he fills out, but he throws strikes with three pitches, giving him long-term rotation ability.