Although he has already signed with Ole Miss, the pitching prowess of DCHS senior Steven Jennings has been drawing lots of attention from Major League Baseball scouts and with high prospects of being taken in the upcoming MLB draft, Jennings could be facing a major decision, whether to further his career in college or turn pro.
MLB scouts, sporting radar guns, have been at almost every Tiger home game this season when Jennings takes the mound and apparently have liked what they’ve seen from the rising star.
MLB.com currently ranks Jennings at 47 among the “top 100 prospects to watch” for the draft scheduled for June 12-14.
(Click link below)
http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2017?list=draft
“A star quarterback who was the offensive MVP of his Tennessee high school district as a junior, Jennings tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during a game in September. While the injury ended his football season, he not only recovered in time to play baseball this spring but also has emerged as the top prep prospect in the state. His stock has risen so much that he could go as high as the second round,” according to a report on MLB.com
“Jennings didn’t spend much time on the showcase circuit because of his football commitments, so he has been a bit of a revelation. His loose, quick arm generates a fastball that sits at 89-92 mph, reaches 95 and should add some more velocity in the future. His hard slider can hit 85 mph and shows the upside of a plus offering, and he also has unveiled a curveball that can be a solid breaking pitch as well,” the report continued.
“Though he hasn’t had much need for a changeup yet, Jennings shows some aptitude for the pitch. He’s athletic and has an easy delivery, which enables him to throw strikes. He’s committed to Mississippi but figures to get drafted early enough to lure him away from the Rebels,” the report stated.
Players are graded on a 20-80 scale for future tools – 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average.
Jennings’ scouting grades are as follows: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50.
Although Jennings is not scheduled to start Friday, the Tigers are set to open play in the District 8AA baseball tournament against Livingston Academy at Carthage starting at 2:00 p.m. weather permitting. WJLE plans LIVE coverage.
Archived News & Obituaries