Kenyon Yovan

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #136 prospect in 2019 draft
  Yovan is one of the bigger wild cards in the 2019 draft class, as the former two-way player was expected to move into a full-time starting role this spring after a solid summer with USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team and in the Cape Cod League. However, Yovan threw just two innings in his debut before leaving the game with a hand injury and hasn't returned to the mound since. After running tests, it was found that Yovan had a couple small blood clots in his wrist that caused the injury, and the team has played it safe by keeping him out for the entirety of the season. That leaves major league clubs in a difficult situation, as Yovan displayed a solid four-pitch mix over the summer but doesn't have a prior track record as a starter over a full season. Yovan was used in relief in 2017 and 2018 while also hitting for the Ducks, showing raw power from the right side. When healthy, Yovan throws a fastball that sits in the low 90s and ticks up in a reliever role, and he has a solid feel for a curveball, slider and changeup that are all average pitches. Yovan looked confident throwing each of the offerings at any point, and while there is some stiffness and effort in his arm stroke, he has the size (6-foot-2, 225 pounds), athleticism and pitchability to start. It could be tough for teams to sign Yovan away from returning to Oregon at this point given his injury and lack of innings this spring. If he returns to school, Yovan could be given a redshirt season and retain two years of eligibility.
• Ranked #219 prospect in 2016 draft
  A physical righthander who is committed to Oregon, Yovan could be a two-way player in college thanks to his righthanded power potential, but pro ball has interest in his arm. An Area Code Games alumnus, Yovan was an early-bloomer physically, and for some scouts he's plateaued a bit as a prospect. He's shown an average breaking ball; while he throws both a slider and a curveball, he has had trouble keeping them separate and distinct this spring at times. His fastball has been up to 94 mph regularly over the last two years, mostly parking in the 90-92 mph range. Yovan generates his velocity more with strength than with arm speed or whippiness. He's a solid athlete with present strength at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds.

• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Yovan is one of the bigger wild cards in the 2019 draft class, as the former two-way player was expected to move into a full-time starting role this spring after a solid summer with USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team and in the Cape Cod League. However, Yovan threw just two innings in his debut before leaving the game with a hand injury and hasn't returned to the mound since. After running tests, it was found that Yovan had a couple small blood clots in his wrist that caused the injury, and the team has played it safe by keeping him out for the entirety of the season. That leaves major league clubs in a difficult situation, as Yovan displayed a solid four-pitch mix over the summer but doesn't have a prior track record as a starter over a full season. Yovan was used in relief in 2017 and 2018 while also hitting for the Ducks, showing raw power from the right side. When healthy, Yovan throws a fastball that sits in the low 90s and ticks up in a reliever role, and he has a solid feel for a curveball, slider and changeup that are all average pitches. Yovan looked confident throwing each of the offerings at any point, and while there is some stiffness and effort in his arm stroke, he has the size (6-foot-2, 225 pounds), athleticism and pitchability to start. It could be tough for teams to sign Yovan away from returning to Oregon at this point given his injury and lack of innings this spring. If he returns to school, Yovan could be given a redshirt season and retain two years of eligibility.