Hans Crouse

Crouse owns the most electric arm in this year's class. He's 6-foot-5 and skinny. Off the field, he's goofy and playful, but when he hops on the mound, Crouse is an animal. He's an intense competitor who isn't afraid to attack hitters with his fastball--which worked consistently in the upper 90s and shows life through the zone. He shows the ability to hold his velocity deep into his starts. His breaking ball has varied throughout the past year, sometimes showing more horizontal sweeping action and sometimes being more vertical, but it shows plus spin and projects as a plus pitch as Crouse gains more reps with it and gains strength and consistency. Mechanically, Crouse's delivery isn't the prettiest. His long arm action includes a high back elbow and a violent across-body finish. He's a short strider and doesn't get tremendous extension despite his tall frame. Despite his mechanics, however, Crouse is a consistent strike thrower and shows at least average control of his arsenal. He rarely throws a changeup and would likely need to develop one to remain a starter. Crouse, whose older brother Merrick pitches at Southern California, dominated in a starting role for USA Baseball's 18U team last fall, striking out 11 in seven one-hit innings against Cuba in a 6-1 victory. Still, many scouts believe he has the mentality and elite fastball-breaking ball combo to be a lights-out closer. He remains physically projectable and could some day throw extremely hard. He should clear the triple digits threshold and then some, especially if he shifts to a bullpen role.