The Twins have announced the signing of first-round pick Chase Petty. MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis reports a $2.5MM bonus for Petty, slightly below the $2,653,400 assigned slot price for the 26th overall pick.
Pundits were a little split on Petty’s draft stock, with MLB Pipeline (27th), Baseball America (29th) and The Athletic’s Keith Law (33rd) all placing the right-hander roughly around his actual draft spot, while Fangraphs (55th) and ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel (65th) weren’t quite as high.
Velocity is the calling card for the New Jersey high schooler, as Petty has cracked the 100mph threshold with his 70-grade fastball. The issue is that Petty’s control of that big fastball is a little spotty, limiting the pitch’s effectiveness. Petty also doesn’t have a smooth delivery and is a little undersized, so his eventual future might be in the bullpen. However, given how Petty combines his fastball with a plus slider and a promising changeup, the Twins will definitely give the 18-year-old every opportunity to stick as a starting pitcher.