Prospect Spotlight: Matt Sauer (NYY)

Paul Pagnato | Pinstriped Prospects

Matt Linder

Going into the 2017 draft, Sauer was viewed as a borderline first-round talent.  The Yankees drafted him in the second round, giving him an over-slot $2,497,500 bonus to keep him from attending the University of Arizona.  Over 67.1 innings this season, he had a 3.90 ERA and a K/BB ratio of 45/18, while holding opponents to a .236 BAA.  I saw Sauer pitch during a July start against the Hudson Valley Renegades.

Currently, Sauer’s best pitch is his power fastball, which consistently sits between 92-to-94 mph and possesses average two-seam action.  The 19-year-old is able to generate his plus velocity thanks to his prototypical size – listed at 6’4” and 200 lbs.  Sauer’s slider is his strongest secondary pitch, sitting in the low-80s and exhibiting sharp, late break at its best.  His changeup has greatly improved since his pro-debut last season.  Sitting between 86-to-87 mph, he showed an ability to command the pitch and the confidence to throw it against both righties and lefties.  Additionally, Sauer clearly refined his delivery and tightened up his arm action since being drafted, which has helped improve both his command and overall pitch consistency.

Like all teenage pitchers, Sauer is far from a finished project. In the start I saw, his slider lacked consistency and his control would suffer once there were runners on base and he had to pitch from the stretch.  He struggled to get swings and misses to put batters away throughout the season, which will be a focus of development going into 2019. Also, despite cleaning up his delivery, it still possesses some effort and lacks fluidity. Sauer definitely has room for improvement, but his physical frame, arm strength and aggressive mentality are a solid foundation for a young pitcher to build upon. With enhancements to his changeup and overall command, I think Sauer can be a #6 starter on a better staff or a back-rotation guy in a lesser rotation, FV 45.

If you have any questions, comments or criticisms feel free to reach out to me at mattlinder2@gmail.com