Jeff Criswell

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #17 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Criswell starred as a reliever in the 2019 College World Series and was Michigan's No. 1 starter during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. The A's drafted him in the second round that year but a shoulder injury in 2021 limited him to just 12 innings through two years as a professional. He bounced back in 2022 and logged 130.1 innings with a 4.03 ERA among three levels. He was dealt to to the Rockies in December for reliever Chad Smith.
  
  Scouting Report: Criswell's frame and four-pitch mix provide foundational starter ingredients, although he continues to face questions about whether his delivery can hold up in that role. His four-seam fastball sits 93-94 mph and touched 97 with a bit of running life. He can throw all of his secondaries for strikes. Criswell's low-80s changeup may now be his best secondary and he's comfortable throwing it to righties and lefties. His tight, mid-80s slider is an above-average pitch with swing-and-miss potential, and his slower curveball is a pitch he can use early in counts. Criswell has focused on trying to add more fluidity to his delivery to help alleviate potential injury risk. It's still rather effortful and he can leave himself in compromising positions at foot strike. He repeats it fairly well, walking 3.4 batters per nine innings in 2022.
  
  The Future: Criswell draws some comparisons to Chris Bassitt, another cold-weather arm who straddled the starter-reliever line as a prospect and had success in the A's system. With his new team he'll return to the upper levels in a starting role to open the 2023 season.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 55. Curveball: 50. Control: 50.
• 
  Ranked Oakland Athletics #11 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Criswell was an All-Big Ten first-team selection at Michigan in 2019, logging 106 innings primarily as a starter until the College World Series, where he starred in a relief role. He was expected to anchor Michigan’s rotation in 2020, but the pandemic ended his season after 24 innings. He has pitched sparingly since. Criswell missed nearly all of 2021 dealing with arm trouble, throwing just 12 innings for High-A Lansing, but pitched in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Criswell teases the potential for four potential above-average offerings, but he needs to prove he can sustain them in a starting role. His fastball touched 98 mph in shorter instructional league outings in 2020 and sat 93-95 mph in the AFL in 2021. He pairs his fastball with a vertically-breaking mid-80s slider that he commands well and a low-80s changeup that dives off the plate. Both pitches flash plus and generate swings and misses, although he struggled to command them in his limited AFL time.Criswell occasionally features a solid-average curveball as a fourth offering, too. He has ample arm strength, but his effortful delivery and inconsistent foot strike concern evaluators who watch him.
  
  The Future: Criswell’s professional debut hasn’t allayed fears of reliever risk, but those highest on him still see a potential mid-to-back of the rotation arm.
  
• 
  Ranked Oakland Athletics #13 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Criswell's stuff intrigued teams as a high schooler, but most wanted to see him go to school and add strength. He immediately stepped in as a high-leverage reliever at Michigan as a freshman, helped the Wolverines to the College World Series as a sophomore and appeared as their No. 1 starter in the shortened 2020 season. The A's drafted Criswell in the second round in 2020 and signed him for a $1 million bonus. His father, Brian, was drafted by the A's in 1984 and reached Double-A.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A physical righty with impressive arm strength, Criswell already has one of the loudest arsenals in the A's system. His fastball sat at 95 mph and touched 98 in instructional league. He throws both a power curveball and a slider that flash plus and pairs them with a changeup that has average potential. Criswell has long faced reliever concerns because of his effortful delivery and spotty control--he walked 4.5 batters per 9 innings in college--but the A's were impressed with his analytical aptitude, experience working with high-speed video and willingness to make changes to his delivery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Criswell will need to hone in on his delivery to stay on a starter track. The A's intend to leave him in the rotation for now.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #53 prospect in 2020 draft
  Criswell showed promising stuff coming out of high school, with a fastball that got into the mid-90s at its best, and a projectable, 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame. He was a projection arm who scouts wanted to see go to college and add strength and consistency—which is exactly what he did. Criswell stepped into a high-usage reliever role as a freshman and led Michigan with 24 appearances while posting a 2.23 ERA. While his walk rate was a bit erratic, he improved that mark in his second season as he transitioned into a starting role. Again, he had success, posting a 2.72 ERA and improving his strikeout and walk rates. As a junior, Criswell is now listed at 6-foot-4 with a strong, 225-pound frame and a solid three-pitch mix. His fastball regularly gets anywhere from 94-97 mph, and he pairs the offering with a slider and changeup that both have average potential. Scouts would have liked to get more time to bear down on Criswell this spring, but he threw just 24 innings over four starts, getting hit around a bit by Pepperdine in his last outing. There is some concern about whether Criswell fits best in a starter or reliever role. He has enough stuff to succeed in either, but without improved control at the next level (he’s walked 4.5 batters per nine through his Michigan career) he might fit best in the bullpen. However, he has taken steps to improve the walk rate each season, so he could simply continue learning how to harness his repertoire and limit the damage he does to himself. Criswell is a day one pick in a normal draft and should be off the board by the third round.
• Ranked #263 prospect in 2017 draft
  Criswell showed promising stuff at the 2016 East Coast Pro Showcase. There, Criswell's fastball hit 94 early on in his outing before settling in at 87-91 in his second inning. This spring, Criswell hasn't quite taken the next step forward that some evaluators were hoping for. He has a live arm and his arm speed portends future velocity. Criswell has a high leg kick and suspect balance over the rubber, something he should be able to correct as he gets stronger and fills in his frame. He has a long arm swing with a deep wrap in the back and has trouble repeating his arm slot. Criswell's breaking ball flashes sharp 12-to-6 action, though the lateness of its break lacks consistency and he will sometimes release the pitch early. He buries a low 80s changeup at times and has shown some tumbling action on the pitch. Scouts would like to see Criswell get stronger and become more deceptive. He has a projectable 6-foot-3 with wide, squared off shoulders that could add muscle to his current 185-pound frame. He's likely headed for college; he could be an intriguing prospect after three years at Michigan.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Criswell starred as a reliever in the 2019 College World Series and was Michigan's No. 1 starter during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. The A's drafted him in the second round that year but a shoulder injury in 2021 limited him to just 12 innings through two years as a professional. He bounced back in 2022 and logged 130.1 innings with a 4.03 ERA among three levels. He was dealt to to the Rockies in December for reliever Chad Smith.
  
  Scouting Report: Criswell's frame and four-pitch mix provide foundational starter ingredients, although he continues to face questions about whether his delivery can hold up in that role. His four-seam fastball sits 93-94 mph and touched 97 with a bit of running life. He can throw all of his secondaries for strikes. Criswell's low-80s changeup may now be his best secondary and he's comfortable throwing it to righties and lefties. His tight, mid-80s slider is an above-average pitch with swing-and-miss potential, and his slower curveball is a pitch he can use early in counts. Criswell has focused on trying to add more fluidity to his delivery to help alleviate potential injury risk. It's still rather effortful and he can leave himself in compromising positions at foot strike. He repeats it fairly well, walking 3.4 batters per nine innings in 2022.
  
  The Future: Criswell draws some comparisons to Chris Bassitt, another cold-weather arm who straddled the starter-reliever line as a prospect and had success in the A's system. With his new team he'll return to the upper levels in a starting role to open the 2023 season.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 55. Curveball: 50. Control: 50.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Criswell starred as a reliever in the 2019 College World Series and was Michigan's No. 1 starter during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. The A's drafted him in the second round that year but a shoulder injury in 2021 limited him to just 12 innings through two years as a professional. He bounced back in 2022 and logged 130.1 innings with a 4.03 ERA among three levels. He was dealt to to the Rockies in December for reliever Chad Smith.
  
  Scouting Report: Criswell's frame and four-pitch mix provide foundational starter ingredients, although he continues to face questions about whether his delivery can hold up in that role. His four-seam fastball sits 93-94 mph and touched 97 with a bit of running life. He can throw all of his secondaries for strikes. Criswell's low-80s changeup may now be his best secondary and he's comfortable throwing it to righties and lefties. His tight, mid-80s slider is an above-average pitch with swing-and-miss potential, and his slower curveball is a pitch he can use early in counts. Criswell has focused on trying to add more fluidity to his delivery to help alleviate potential injury risk. It's still rather effortful and he can leave himself in compromising positions at foot strike. He repeats it fairly well, walking 3.4 batters per nine innings in 2022.
  
  The Future: Criswell draws some comparisons to Chris Bassitt, another cold-weather arm who straddled the starter-reliever line as a prospect and had success in the A's system. With his new team he'll return to the upper levels in a starting role to open the 2023 season.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 55. Curveball: 50. Control: 50.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Criswell was an All-Big Ten first-team selection at Michigan in 2019, logging 106 innings primarily as a starter until the College World Series, where he starred in a relief role. He was expected to anchor Michigan&#39s rotation in 2020, but the pandemic ended his season after 24 innings. He has pitched sparingly since. Criswell missed nearly all of 2021 dealing with arm trouble, throwing just 12 innings for High-A Lansing, but pitched in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Criswell teases the potential for four potential above-average offerings, but he needs to prove he can sustain them in a starting role. His fastball touched 98 mph in shorter instructional league outings in 2020 and sat 93-95 mph in the AFL in 2021. He pairs his fastball with a vertically-breaking mid-80s slider that he commands well and a low-80s changeup that dives off the plate. Both pitches flash plus and generate swings and misses, although he struggled to command them in his limited AFL time.Criswell occasionally features a solid-average curveball as a fourth offering, too. He has ample arm strength, but his effortful delivery and inconsistent foot strike concern evaluators who watch him.
  
  The Future: Criswell&#39s professional debut hasn&#39t allayed fears of reliever risk, but those highest on him still see a potential mid-to-back of the rotation arm.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Criswell was an All-Big Ten first-team selection at Michigan in 2019, logging 106 innings primarily as a starter until the College World Series, where he starred in a relief role. He was expected to anchor Michigan’s rotation in 2020, but the pandemic ended his season after 24 innings. He has pitched sparingly since. Criswell missed nearly all of 2021 dealing with arm trouble, throwing just 12 innings for High-A Lansing, but pitched in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Criswell teases the potential for four potential above-average offerings, but he needs to prove he can sustain them in a starting role. His fastball touched 98 mph in shorter instructional league outings in 2020 and sat 93-95 mph in the AFL in 2021. He pairs his fastball with a vertically-breaking mid-80s slider that he commands well and a low-80s changeup that dives off the plate. Both pitches flash plus and generate swings and misses, although he struggled to command them in his limited AFL time.Criswell occasionally features a solid-average curveball as a fourth offering, too. He has ample arm strength, but his effortful delivery and inconsistent foot strike concern evaluators who watch him.
  
  The Future: Criswell’s professional debut hasn’t allayed fears of reliever risk, but those highest on him still see a potential mid-to-back of the rotation arm.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Criswell's stuff intrigued teams as a high schooler, but most wanted to see him go to school and add strength. He immediately stepped in as a high-leverage reliever at Michigan as a freshman, helped the Wolverines to the College World Series as a sophomore and appeared as their No. 1 starter in the shortened 2020 season. The A's drafted Criswell in the second round in 2020 and signed him for a $1 million bonus. His father, Brian, was drafted by the A's in 1984 and reached Double-A.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A physical righty with impressive arm strength, Criswell already has one of the loudest arsenals in the A's system. His fastball sat at 95 mph and touched 98 in instructional league. He throws both a power curveball and a slider that flash plus and pairs them with a changeup that has average potential. Criswell has long faced reliever concerns because of his effortful delivery and spotty control--he walked 4.5 batters per 9 innings in college--but the A's were impressed with his analytical aptitude, experience working with high-speed video and willingness to make changes to his delivery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Criswell will need to hone in on his delivery to stay on a starter track. The A's intend to leave him in the rotation for now.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Criswell's stuff intrigued teams as a high schooler, but most wanted to see him go to school and add strength. He immediately stepped in as a high-leverage reliever at Michigan as a freshman, helped the Wolverines to the College World Series as a sophomore and appeared as their No. 1 starter in the shortened 2020 season. The A's drafted Criswell in the second round in 2020 and signed him for a $1 million bonus. His father, Brian, was drafted by the A's in 1984 and reached Double-A.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A physical righty with impressive arm strength, Criswell already has one of the loudest arsenals in the A's system. His fastball sat at 95 mph and touched 98 in instructional league. He throws both a power curveball and a slider that flash plus and pairs them with a changeup that has average potential. Criswell has long faced reliever concerns because of his effortful delivery and spotty control--he walked 4.5 batters per 9 innings in college--but the A's were impressed with his analytical aptitude, experience working with high-speed video and willingness to make changes to his delivery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Criswell will need to hone in on his delivery to stay on a starter track. The A's intend to leave him in the rotation for now.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Criswell's stuff intrigued teams as a high schooler, but most wanted to see him go to school and add strength. He immediately stepped in as a high-leverage reliever at Michigan as a freshman, helped the Wolverines to the College World Series as a sophomore and appeared as their No. 1 starter in the shortened 2020 season. The A's drafted Criswell in the second round in 2020 and signed him for a $1 million bonus. His father, Brian, was drafted by the A's in 1984 and reached Double-A.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A physical righty with impressive arm strength, Criswell already has one of the loudest arsenals in the A's system. His fastball sat at 95 mph and touched 98 in instructional league. He throws both a power curveball and a slider that flash plus and pairs them with a changeup that has average potential. Criswell has long faced reliever concerns because of his effortful delivery and spotty control--he walked 4.5 batters per 9 innings in college--but the A's were impressed with his analytical aptitude, experience working with high-speed video and willingness to make changes to his delivery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Criswell will need to hone in on his delivery to stay on a starter track. The A's intend to leave him in the rotation for now.