Robert Tyler
| IP | 83 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 6.289 |
| WHIP | 1.687 |
| BB/9 | 5.205 |
| SO/9 | 10.627 |
- Full name Robert Prosser Tyler
- Born 06/18/1995 in Cordele, GA
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 226 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Georgia
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Drafted in the CB-A round (38th overall) by the Colorado Rockies in 2016 (signed for $1,701,600).
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After missing most of his sophomore season with arm issues, Tyler returned with authority for the end of the 2015 season, then showed elite velocity as a member of Team USA's Collegiate National Team. Tyler's bread is his big fastball, which sits in the mid-90s and touches as high as 99. His butter is his changeup, a pitch he locates down and away from hitters effectively, garnering above-average or plus grades from scouts. Tyler's breaking ball received atrocious reviews from scouts prior to this spring, but he has adopted a knuckle-curve grip and had some success with the pitch. While it still lacks the consistency to warrant an average grade, it could play as a below-average pitch whose presence keeps hitters honest. The righthander can sometimes struggle with the timing of his delivery, with his front side landing early or flying open at times. His lack of consistency and lack of a potent breaking pitch lead some evaluators to believe he belongs in the bullpen, but there are plenty of believers in his ability to start.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Track Record: Tyler's pro career had a one-year detour. After making his short-season debut in 2016, he was sidelined in 2017 by lingering shoulder soreness. He was fine in 2018, and after an impressive effort at low Class A Asheville that included 52 strikeouts and seven walks in 38.1 innings, he was promoted to high Class A Lancaster. Like many pitchers, he struggled in the California League.
Scouting Report: Tyler can dominate with two pitches--fastball and changeup. He has consistent velocity in the 98-101 mph range on his fastball. His changeup is typically about 10 mph slower, creating great separation. His changeup comes out of the same arm slot as his fastball. Tyler is working on a slider that would give him a change of location option to go with the other two pitches.
The Future: Tyler has a big arm that has him destined for a bullpen role. He has that "here it is--hit it"mentality that is a part of successful late-inning pitchers. He is not afraid to come inside with his fastball to lefthanded hitters as well as righthanded hitters. -
The Rockies drafted Tyler 38th overall in 2016 and signed him for just over $1.7 million, but he endured a rough pro debut at short-season Boise. He signed late, struggled with control (he walked 16 in seven innings) and then missed most of instructional league with a strained hamstring. Tyler has one of the hardest fastballs in the system at 95-97 mph. He throws a changeup he can command. He rarely threw a breaking pitch in college, in part because he was shut down for three months in 2015 with a forearm strain. He adopted a knuckle-curve as a Georgia junior, with inconsistent but at times encouraging results. The Rockies have made minor adjustments to Tyler's delivery to reduce strain on his forearm. That has led scouts to suggest he will wind up as a late-inning power arm. The Rockies aren't oblivious to that, but they would rather see how his breaking ball develops. That was going to be the focus of instructional league before his hamstring injury. The Rockies would rather have Tyler try to learn that third pitch and give him a chance to start, which will be his focus in 2017.
Draft Prospects
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After missing most of his sophomore season with arm issues, Tyler returned with authority for the end of the 2015 season, then showed elite velocity as a member of Team USA's Collegiate National Team. Tyler's bread is his big fastball, which sits in the mid-90s and touches as high as 99. His butter is his changeup, a pitch he locates down and away from hitters effectively, garnering above-average or plus grades from scouts. Tyler's breaking ball received atrocious reviews from scouts prior to this spring, but he has adopted a knuckle-curve grip and had some success with the pitch. While it still lacks the consistency to warrant an average grade, it could play as a below-average pitch whose presence keeps hitters honest. The righthander can sometimes struggle with the timing of his delivery, with his front side landing early or flying open at times. His lack of consistency and lack of a potent breaking pitch lead some evaluators to believe he belongs in the bullpen, but there are plenty of believers in his ability to start. -
A showcase veteran, Tyler pitched in both of the big high school all-star games last summer (Perfect Game and Under Armour) and is the top prep pitcher in the Peach State this spring. He's a Georgia signee who is raw enough that some scouts would rather wait until after college to try their luck with him. Listed at 6-foot-5, 195 pounds, Tyler is thin and has had nagging injuries this spring. He consistently shows premium velocity, sitting 90-93 and flashing 94-95 mph fastballs regularly. His curveball needs work, however, as he lacks a feel for throwing it with power and doesn't throw it for strikes. His stiff arm action doesn't help matters and might explain why he had to miss a start late in the season, though he returned to lead Crisp County High to its deepest state playoffs run since 1962.
