2024 MLB Draft Profile: William Schmidt

[Hector Rodriguez]

Another high school pitching prospect who could be on the Marlins' radar, William Schmidt has one of the best breaking pitches in this draft along with a mid-to-upper 90s fastball. 

Overview

Position: RHP

Height: 6’4″

Weight: 180 pounds

School: Catholic HS (LA)

Commitment: LSU

William Schmidt is a 6’4”, 180-pound right-handed pitcher out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The 2024 draft class is filled with high-level college prospects, but Schmidt is one of the top prep prospects in this class.

Schmidt is 18th on the 2024 MLB Mock Draft Consensus Board. On Perfect Game, Schmidt is the sixth-ranked prospect and the #1 right-handed pitcher in the country. He’s also the #1 prospect in Louisiana.

The 18-year-old Schmidt has recorded 93 strikeouts in 56 ⅔ innings pitched this season.

On the mound, Schmidt has a three-pitch mix consisting of a fastball, curveball, and changeup. His curveball is an elite pitch and one of the best breaking pitches in this draft class. It has a 3,000+ RPM spin rate, which tops all high school prospects and most college pitchers.

Schmidt has a fastball that sits in the mid-90s and has been clocked at 99 mph this spring. He also has a good feel for his changeup.

 

Strengths

• Elite curveball
• Power fastball
• High spin rate on all of his pitches
• Strike-thrower
• Still has room to fill in his frame

 

Weaknesses

• Needs to further develop a third pitch
• Tends to leave pitches over the heart of the plate

 

Pro Comparison: Charlie Morton

Projection: Top 25 pick

 

---

Bottom Line

The Miami Marlins have done well drafting and developing pitching prospects. William Schmidt fits the mold that the Marlins have liked in recent years.

One obstacle that Miami might face is that Schmidt has a strong verbal commitment to LSU. He will need to be offered an overslot bonus to convince him to turn pro.

View full article