Jake Jewell

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #27 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Jewell's climb through the minors appeared to have a happy ending when he earned his first callup last June. But in his third appearance, he suffered a fractured right fibula covering home on a wild pitch in Fenway Park and had season-ending surgery.
  
  Scouting Report: Jewell's stuff played up and he developed more of an attacking mentality after he moved from the rotation to the bullpen last season. He combines a four-seam fastball that touches 97 mph and has a natural cut with a two-seam fastball he throws in the low-90s. He mostly works those two pitches, and occasionally mixes in an average 86-89 mph slider and a fringy changeup. Jewell struggles with a wandering arm slot and as a result has below-average control, but it's less of an issue in relief.
  
  The Future: Jewell is expected to be ready for the start of spring training. It's possible he could find his way to the back of a bullpen if he throws more strikes, but he projects more as a middle or long reliever.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #25 prospect in 2018
  Jewell bounced back from a brutal 2016 at high Class A Inland Empire to become an above-average strike thrower at Double-A in 2017. The difference was stark, as he became a pitcher who generates more swings and misses and weak contact and has lowered his walk rate with a more compact, smooth and repeatable delivery. Jewell had a tendency to drop his arm slot and leave pitches in the upper part of the zone, where they were crushed, in 2015, but has made adjustments since then and added velocity as well. The average velocity of Jewell's fastball jumped from 91 mph in 2016 to 93 mph in 2017. He can ride his four-seam fastball, which sits at 94-95 mph, up to 98 mph with a natural cut and throws a sinking two-seamer in the low-90s. Jewell throws an average slider in the 86-89 mph range, a sweeping curveball in the low-80s and has mixed in an occasional cutter. His command has improved, but there's still room for growth. Jewell, who has bounced back and forth between the rotation and bullpen throughout his career, projects better as a reliever. He'll take on the challenge of Triple-A Salt Lake in 2018.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #29 prospect in 2017
  Jewell was the Angels' breakout candidate for 2016, ranking as the fifth-best prospect after a strong growth season in 2015 with low Class A Burlington. Instead, he struggled mightily at high Class A Inland Empire, turning in a 2-15, 6.31 record. The biggest issue for Jewell was an inconsistent arm slot and mechanics, with a tendency to drop his arm slot down and leave pitches in the upper part of the zone, where they were crushed. At present, he is a four-pitch righthander with little feel for any of his offerings. Jewell attacks the zone with a lively 92-95 mph fastball but struggles to command it. An average changeup is Jewell's best secondary pitch, while his curveball and slider are both below-average pitches. Jewell also added an 86-90 mph two-seamer during the season that would cut in under the hands of righthanded hitters. His ability to mentally handle adversity came under criticism during the year, as did his competitiveness on the mound. Jewell is a project at this point, with the hope that getting him in the right frame of mind and improving his mechanics could help him get back on track. He'll get a second try at Inland Empire in 2017.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #5 prospect in 2016
  Jewell spent the last part of his college career as a closer at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M JC, but the Angels envisioned him as a starter and went over slot to sign the 2014 fifth-round pick for $250,000. He started strong at low Class A Burlington in 2015, recording a sub-3.00 ERA over the first two months while working shorter outings, but his ERA ballooned to 5.37 in the second half while he adjusted to higher pitch counts and worked to refine his changeup. Jewell takes a solid four-pitch mix to the mound, highlighted by a plus, heavy fastball with late tail that sits 91-96 mph and touches as high as 99. His fastball velocity fell in the second half as he wore down as a starter and in his first full season. His high-70s, plus changeup with split action is now his best secondary pitch, giving him a secondary offering that batters have trouble squaring. He made significant advances with his changeup in the second half of 2015, and it's now a separator. He shows the ability to spin both a slider and curveball. Both are inconsistent now but project as average offerings. Jewell has a loose arm and a strong build, and he throws all four pitches for strikes. Jewell will move up to high Class A Inland Empire in 2016, with the Angels planning to increase his innings total to around 140.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #19 prospect in 2015
  After struggling in the rotation as a freshman at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M JC, Jewell worked as a closer in his second year, saving eight games for the Golden Norsemen in 2014. The Angels signed their 2014 fifth-round pick for $250,000. He moved back into a starting role in his first pro season, and he pitched effectively in the Rookie-level Arizona League. Jewell throws four pitches for strikes and all project to play as a tick above-average. His fastball gets up to 96 mph and sits 92-94 with late tail. Jewell's curveball is a hard 11-to-5 downer, with his other breaking ball a power slider at 84-86 mph. He also works in a 78 mph changeup that features some fade. He delivers his four-pitch mix with a repeatable high-three-quarters delivery, and he has a loose arm and strong build. While some scouts think Jewell will wind up in the bullpen, the Angels believe he has the pitches and strength to start.