Brandon Pfaadt - 3/9/23

A look at Dbacks right-hander Brandon Pfaadt

Prospect Spotlight 🔦

Brandon Pfaadt RHP – Age: 24 – B/T: R/R, 6’4’’ / 22 – Diamondbacks (AAA)

• Born: 10/15/1998 (Louisville, KY)

• Draft: 2020, Arizona Diamondbacks, 5^th Round.

• School: Bellarmine University

While Spencer Strider is the most prominent under the radar success story from the 2020 draft, Brandon Pfaadt has been building a strong resume since being drafted in the fifth round by the Diamondbacks in the same year. Originally from Louisville, Pfaadt opted to go to college in his hometown at Division II Bellarmine University, were he didn’t start full time until his junior year. A strong showing on the Cape peaked scouts interest heading into his draft year. He continued that success in his five starts before COVID-19 shut down the season, where he posted a 1.38 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 26 innings. Now on the cusp of the big leagues, let’s take a look at what type of prospect he’s become.

From a pitch mix perspective, Pfaadt has changed quite a bit since college. While pitching for the Knights, Pfaadt threw a sinker as his main fastball, where it was up to 95 MPH, but would trickle down to the upper 80s as his starts progressed. Now, while Pfaadt will mix in his sinker, as well as a cutter, he has primarily switched to a four seamer — a pitch that now sits comfortably in the mid 90’s. From a raw movement perspective, the pitch falls a bit in the dead zone, but it plays up due to his low release point and long stride.