Extended scouting report: Drew Cisco, rhp, Wando HS, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

Cisco's polish stands out among the high school pitchers in the 2010 class. | Courtesy Photo

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Cisco is nearly maxed out, but he should naturally add more strength as he matures and tightens his physique.  He has the broad, durable body type and compact, repeatable delivery suited to handle a starting pitcher’s workload.  He also shows solid body control and fielding actions.  Conditioning maintenance should not become a problem.

MECHANICS

Cisco’s delivery is smooth and simple, bearing strong resemblance to that of brother Mike, a 36th-round draft pick of the Phillies in 2008.  He gets a full circular arm swing before he reaches his mid-three-quarters release point, but he will raise his arm slot slightly when throwing his curveball.  At the top of his break, his elbows never get higher than his shoulders, minimizing hyperabduction (i.e. rotator cuff and labrum wear).  Cisco throws with little effort, using a strong lower half and good hip-shoulder separation to generate low-90s velocity throughout the duration of the game.  He throws across his body slightly before finishing his motion with a centered glove-side elbow over a bent plant leg.  He wheels his pitching arm-side leg around too far, however, landing him in an awkward fielding position.

PITCH REPERTOIRE

Cisco sits in the 88-91 mph range with his fastball, and he can touch 92 in the early innings.  The pitch gets cut and run, and he exhibits the confidence and command to throw it to both halves of the plate.  Cisco also spots a 74-76 curveball well, which he is comfortable throwing in any count.  Although the offering varies in shape, the pitch gets solid rotation and average depth when it’s on, and he can throw it for a strike or bury it as a chase pitch.  With as good of a feel for a changeup as one could expect from a high-schooler, Cisco shows good arm speed and gets occasional fade on the potential plus pitch, which ranges from 75-78.

SUMMARY

With an advanced feel for pitching beyond his years, Cisco could be the most polished arm in this year’s prep class.  His present pitchability reveals his big-league bloodlines, with grandfather Galen having pitched parts of seven seasons in the major leagues and brother Mike currently working in the upper levels of the Phillies organization.  His physical maturity limits his upside, but he offers a higher floor because of his pitching acumen and sound delivery.  Cisco is similar to Jeff Suppan and has a chance to become a middle-of-the-rotation workhorse if he can maintain his present velocity.

OFP CLASS: Average | DRAFT RECOMMENDATION: 3rd-4th Round

VIDEO

Courtesy: Nick James