Cleveland Guardians 2023 prospect scouting report: #25 LHP Parker Messick

Can the Cleveland pitching development factory help Messick add strength and velocity to plus control?

Build, Background, and Delivery 

Drafted in the round two (54th overall) from Florida State, he signed for $1.3 million to join the Guardians organization. Messick displays a short, thick, and stocky build. The lefty utilizes a repeatable, quick, low three-quarters arm action with a drop and drive delivery.

What Messick does well 

Messick is a control freak with 70-grade command numbers (1.54 BB9%) as a college junior. 

Rob Friedman @PitchingNinja

Parker Messick's 14 Strikeouts. 🔥

He creates deception with a low approach angle and hides the ball behind his back. The lefty utilizes a four pitch mix with a low-90’s heater that tops out at 94-95 on occasion. He utilizes both a low-mid 80s slider and low-mid 70s curveball. His low-mid 80s changeup was one of the best in the 2022 draft class According to Baseball America, he utilized it (his changeup) 32% of the time dispatching 52% of hitters.

Where Messick needs to improve 

The left-hander will need to add a tick or two of consistent velocity to reach his potential. While he flashes 94-95 mph he often works 90-92 mph. Increased velocity would add depth and help his overall stuff play up. Conditioning and added strength to his stocky frame could help produce the aforementioned velocity as well as improved endurance.

Will Hoefer @whoeferbaseball

LHP Parker Messick (Florida State, 2022) got his fastball hit around by Parada and Tim Borden (HR and 2B respectively), but got out of trouble here with a 84 MPH changeup to strike out Drew Compton. Has got at least one whiff on all his pitches.

Intangibles 

Messick is a reliever turned starter with low mileage on his arm, but big game experience in both roles with Team USA and Florida State. The former Seminoles left-hander is a fiery competitor with swagger on the mound. He’s an athletic former two-way player and former high school football player. 

Rob Friedman @PitchingNinja

Parker Messick, Elevated Fastball...and K Strut.

Future 

Messick projects as a low-ceiling, high-floor backend left-handed starter. There is a chance for more (#3 starter) if the lefty makes velocity gains. He has a relatively safe floor as a former left-handed reliever with an out pitch in his changeup. The native Floridian should start 2023 in Lake County.

Role- 45 4th/5th starting pitcher

Joe Doyle @JoeDoyleMiLB

Florida State LHP Parker Messick has James Madison outfielder Chase DeLauter's number today. DeLauter 0 for 3 with 3 punchies so far. Bugs Bunny changeup buoy-bobbin' all over the plate for Messick.