Drey Jameson

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #8 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium
  
  Track Record: A multi-sport athlete in high school and initially a two-way player at Ball State, Jameson focused his attention solely on pitching during his draft-eligible sophomore year and took off. He turned himself into the program's best pitching prospect since Bryan Bullington went No. 1 overall in 2002. Jameson was named the 2019 Mid-American Conference pitcher of the year, setting a conference record with 146 strikeouts in 91.2 innings. He steadily climbed through the D-backs' system, reaching the majors in 2022 and turning in four impressive starts late in the year.
  
  Scouting Report: Jameson has a big fastball that averages close to 97 mph and can occasionally reach triple-digits. Hitters can square it up on occasion, prompting him to adopt a two-seamer that has turned into a weapon. It sits closer to 94 mph with late, boring action that gets both ground balls and whiffs. His slider is a swing-and-miss pitch with sharp, late life, but he can also vary the speed and shape on it depending on the desired outcome. His curveball and changeup are average at best, pitches he uses primarily early in counts. Jameson has more control than command, but both have improved, as has his willingness to attack hitters with more than just his fastball. He is undersized, but he has a lightning-quick arm and is a terrific athlete. He is one of the fastest runners in the organization.
  
  The Future: Jameson's performance in MLB at least temporarily put to rest questions about a move to the bullpen, but he still might need to refine his command to remain a starter. He figures to come to camp with a chance to win a rotation spot or put himself in position to claim one when a need arises.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65. Curveball: 50. Slider: 70. Changeup: 50. Control: 50
• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #7 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: The D-backs placed a bet on the undersized Jameson’s athleticism when they selected him with the 34th overall pick in 2019 out of Ball State. Already, the gamble looks like it may pay off. Jameson turned in a solid first full season as a pro in 2021, posting a 3,98 ERA with 145 strikeouts in 110.2 innings as he rose from High-A to Double-A. Most importantly, he also provided reasons to believe he could stick as a starter in the majors.
  
  Scouting Report: Jameson has perhaps the most electric stuff in the D-backs’ system. His four-seam fastball averages 96 mph, occasionally touching 98-100, and he holds it deep into games and throughout the season. His four-seamer pairs well with a two-seamer that sits in the 91-93 mph range and his slider, which he can throw both for strikes and chase swings, is a dominant pitch that earns plus-plus grades at its best. Jameson’s curveball rates as at least an average offering, as does his changeup, which behaves like a splitter when it’s on. He has eased some durability concerns by toning down his delivery and looks more like a pitcher than a pure thrower, although his 6-foot, 165-pound size remains a question. Hitters at times see the ball well against him and his fastball doesn’t play quite as well as his velocity would suggest.
  
  The Future: Given his size, Jameson is the sort of prospect who can’t dispel reliever risk until he succeeds as a starter in the majors. He will come to big league camp in 2022 and has a chance to break into the majors during the season.
  
• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #18 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Jameson is undersized and the product of humble roots. He was raised by a single mom who worked two jobs, an upbringing that helped shape his competitive nature. He was initially a two-way player at Ball State but ultimately developed into the program's ace and best pitching prospect since Bryan Bullington was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 draft. The D-backs took Jameson with the 34th overall pick in 2019 and signed him for $1.4 million.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Despite his small frame, Jameson generates some of the best velocity in the organization. He pumps fastballs that sit in the mid 90s as a starter and 98-100 mph in relief with his super-quick arm speed. But Jameson does so with significant effort, taking away his ability to command it. His fastball also gets hit more than would be expected, raising questions about a potential lack of deception. Jameson has a full repertoire, including a slider, curveball and changeup that all have average potential, though his breaking pitches are inconsistent and sometimes blend together.
  
  THE FUTURE: Jameson may need to tone down his delivery in order to gain consistency with his location and the shape of his secondary stuff. In the eyes of many, he is looking more and more like a future late-inning reliever.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #15 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Jameson arrived at Ball State a two-way player but quickly turned himself into the Cardinals' best pitching prospect since Bryan Bullington went No. 1 overall in 2002. As a draft-eligible sophomore, he earned Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Year honors in 2019 and was drafted 34th overall by the Diamondbacks.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Jameson stands out for his pure stuff. Despite an undersized frame, his quick arm produces rising fastballs that regularly gets into the 93-97 mph range. He compliments his fastball with a swing-and-miss curveball, a potential above-average slider that elicits soft contact and a changeup that flashes plus with split action. All have intriguing potential but are inconsistent. Jameson's size and uptempo delivery create questions about whether he'll be able to maintain his stuff as a starter. He also did not throw enough strikes his freshman year, and while he improved as a sophomore, his control wasn't sharp in his abbreviated pro debut and will be worth watching moving forward.
  
  THE FUTURE: Jameson is regarded as a tremendous athlete, giving the Diamondbacks hope he'll find a way to stick in the rotation. If he can't, his explosive stuff should play well in relief.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #50 prospect in 2019 draft
  An undersized, draft-eligible sophomore out of Ball State, Jameson has a lightning quick arm with electric stuff out of a 6-foot, 165-pound frame. Jameson works with an up-tempo delivery and has been up to 97 mph with his fastball, although he's more regularly in the 93-95 mph range. While it's a plus offering, Jameson's control of his fastball isn't great, which leads to him pitching off of an average slider. He has better feel to throw strikes with his slider, but it's not currently a wipeout pitch. Some scouts believe Jameson's slider could turn into an above-average offering in a bullpen role, if he's able to improve his fastball command and use his breaking ball as a chase pitch more regularly. His changeup might be his best pure secondary offering, as it flashes plus at times but remains wildly inconsistent at the moment. There are plenty of ingredients to like with Jameson, but he'll need to continue sharpening his control moving forward and will always face reliever questions given his size.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Northwest League #10 prospect in 2021
  Of all Hillsboro’s high-upside arms, Jameson’s stuff was the loudest. The Ball State product boasted two- and four-seam fastballs which sat in the mid 90s and peaked at 99 mph. Jameson paired the fastballs primarily with a sharp, darting slider to get swings and misses. He’s working to refine his changeup, which has plenty of separation and fading action but needs to be thrown with more consistency. Jameson learned throughout the year how to better pace himself to get the most out of his stuff deeper into games. The progress was evident in a pair of August starts at Double-A, when Jameson went a combined 14.1 innings and allowed one run on eight hits and two walks and struck out 22. If Jameson’s changeup continues to develop, he could be a mid-rotation starter. If not, his fastball/slider combo would play in the bullpen.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium
  
  Track Record: A multi-sport athlete in high school and initially a two-way player at Ball State, Jameson focused his attention solely on pitching during his draft-eligible sophomore year and took off. He turned himself into the program's best pitching prospect since Bryan Bullington went No. 1 overall in 2002. Jameson was named the 2019 Mid-American Conference pitcher of the year, setting a conference record with 146 strikeouts in 91.2 innings. He steadily climbed through the D-backs' system, reaching the majors in 2022 and turning in four impressive starts late in the year.
  
  Scouting Report: Jameson has a big fastball that averages close to 97 mph and can occasionally reach triple-digits. Hitters can square it up on occasion, prompting him to adopt a two-seamer that has turned into a weapon. It sits closer to 94 mph with late, boring action that gets both ground balls and whiffs. His slider is a swing-and-miss pitch with sharp, late life, but he can also vary the speed and shape on it depending on the desired outcome. His curveball and changeup are average at best, pitches he uses primarily early in counts. Jameson has more control than command, but both have improved, as has his willingness to attack hitters with more than just his fastball. He is undersized, but he has a lightning-quick arm and is a terrific athlete. He is one of the fastest runners in the organization.
  
  The Future: Jameson's performance in MLB at least temporarily put to rest questions about a move to the bullpen, but he still might need to refine his command to remain a starter. He figures to come to camp with a chance to win a rotation spot or put himself in position to claim one when a need arises.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65. Curveball: 50. Slider: 70. Changeup: 50. Control: 50
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium
  
  Track Record: A multi-sport athlete in high school and initially a two-way player at Ball State, Jameson focused his attention solely on pitching during his draft-eligible sophomore year and took off. He turned himself into the program's best pitching prospect since Bryan Bullington went No. 1 overall in 2002. Jameson was named the 2019 Mid-American Conference pitcher of the year, setting a conference record with 146 strikeouts in 91.2 innings. He steadily climbed through the D-backs' system, reaching the majors in 2022 and turning in four impressive starts late in the year.
  
  Scouting Report: Jameson has a big fastball that averages close to 97 mph and can occasionally reach triple-digits. Hitters can square it up on occasion, prompting him to adopt a two-seamer that has turned into a weapon. It sits closer to 94 mph with late, boring action that gets both ground balls and whiffs. His slider is a swing-and-miss pitch with sharp, late life, but he can also vary the speed and shape on it depending on the desired outcome. His curveball and changeup are average at best, pitches he uses primarily early in counts. Jameson has more control than command, but both have improved, as has his willingness to attack hitters with more than just his fastball. He is undersized, but he has a lightning-quick arm and is a terrific athlete. He is one of the fastest runners in the organization.
  
  The Future: Jameson's performance in MLB at least temporarily put to rest questions about a move to the bullpen, but he still might need to refine his command to remain a starter. He figures to come to camp with a chance to win a rotation spot or put himself in position to claim one when a need arises.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65. Curveball: 50. Slider: 70. Changeup: 50. Control: 50
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: The D-backs placed a bet on the undersized Jameson&#39s athleticism when they selected him with the 34th overall pick in 2019 out of Ball State. Already, the gamble looks like it may pay off. Jameson turned in a solid first full season as a pro in 2021, posting a 3,98 ERA with 145 strikeouts in 110.2 innings as he rose from High-A to Double-A. Most importantly, he also provided reasons to believe he could stick as a starter in the majors.
  
  Scouting Report: Jameson has perhaps the most electric stuff in the D-backs&#39 system. His four-seam fastball averages 96 mph, occasionally touching 98-100, and he holds it deep into games and throughout the season. His four-seamer pairs well with a two-seamer that sits in the 91-93 mph range and his slider, which he can throw both for strikes and chase swings, is a dominant pitch that earns plus-plus grades at its best. Jameson&#39s curveball rates as at least an average offering, as does his changeup, which behaves like a splitter when it&#39s on. He has eased some durability concerns by toning down his delivery and looks more like a pitcher than a pure thrower, although his 6-foot, 165-pound size remains a question. Hitters at times see the ball well against him and his fastball doesn&#39t play quite as well as his velocity would suggest.
  
  The Future: Given his size, Jameson is the sort of prospect who can&#39t dispel reliever risk until he succeeds as a starter in the majors. He will come to big league camp in 2022 and has a chance to break into the majors during the season.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 70. Curveball: 55. Changeup: 55. Control: 50.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: The D-backs placed a bet on the undersized Jameson’s athleticism when they selected him with the 34th overall pick in 2019 out of Ball State. Already, the gamble looks like it may pay off. Jameson turned in a solid first full season as a pro in 2021, posting a 3,98 ERA with 145 strikeouts in 110.2 innings as he rose from High-A to Double-A. Most importantly, he also provided reasons to believe he could stick as a starter in the majors.
  
  Scouting Report: Jameson has perhaps the most electric stuff in the D-backs’ system. His four-seam fastball averages 96 mph, occasionally touching 98-100, and he holds it deep into games and throughout the season. His four-seamer pairs well with a two-seamer that sits in the 91-93 mph range and his slider, which he can throw both for strikes and chase swings, is a dominant pitch that earns plus-plus grades at its best. Jameson’s curveball rates as at least an average offering, as does his changeup, which behaves like a splitter when it’s on. He has eased some durability concerns by toning down his delivery and looks more like a pitcher than a pure thrower, although his 6-foot, 165-pound size remains a question. Hitters at times see the ball well against him and his fastball doesn’t play quite as well as his velocity would suggest.
  
  The Future: Given his size, Jameson is the sort of prospect who can’t dispel reliever risk until he succeeds as a starter in the majors. He will come to big league camp in 2022 and has a chance to break into the majors during the season.
  
• October, 2021 Scouting Report
  Of all Hillsboro’s high-upside arms, Jameson’s stuff was the loudest. The Ball State product boasted two- and four-seam fastballs which sat in the mid 90s and peaked at 99 mph. Jameson paired the fastballs primarily with a sharp, darting slider to get swings and misses. He’s working to refine his changeup, which has plenty of separation and fading action but needs to be thrown with more consistency. Jameson learned throughout the year how to better pace himself to get the most out of his stuff deeper into games. The progress was evident in a pair of August starts at Double-A, when Jameson went a combined 14.1 innings and allowed one run on eight hits and two walks and struck out 22. If Jameson’s changeup continues to develop, he could be a mid-rotation starter. If not, his fastball/slider combo would play in the bullpen.
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Jameson is undersized and the product of humble roots. He was raised by a single mom who worked two jobs, an upbringing that helped shape his competitive nature. He was initially a two-way player at Ball State but ultimately developed into the program's ace and best pitching prospect since Bryan Bullington was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 draft. The D-backs took Jameson with the 34th overall pick in 2019 and signed him for $1.4 million.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Despite his small frame, Jameson generates some of the best velocity in the organization. He pumps fastballs that sit in the mid 90s as a starter and 98-100 mph in relief with his super-quick arm speed. But Jameson does so with significant effort, taking away his ability to command it. His fastball also gets hit more than would be expected, raising questions about a potential lack of deception. Jameson has a full repertoire, including a slider, curveball and changeup that all have average potential, though his breaking pitches are inconsistent and sometimes blend together.
  
  THE FUTURE: Jameson may need to tone down his delivery in order to gain consistency with his location and the shape of his secondary stuff. In the eyes of many, he is looking more and more like a future late-inning reliever.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Jameson is undersized and the product of humble roots. He was raised by a single mom who worked two jobs, an upbringing that helped shape his competitive nature. He was initially a two-way player at Ball State but ultimately developed into the program's ace and best pitching prospect since Bryan Bullington was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 draft. The D-backs took Jameson with the 34th overall pick in 2019 and signed him for $1.4 million.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Despite his small frame, Jameson generates some of the best velocity in the organization. He pumps fastballs that sit in the mid 90s as a starter and 98-100 mph in relief with his super-quick arm speed. But Jameson does so with significant effort, taking away his ability to command it. His fastball also gets hit more than would be expected, raising questions about a potential lack of deception. Jameson has a full repertoire, including a slider, curveball and changeup that all have average potential, though his breaking pitches are inconsistent and sometimes blend together.
  
  THE FUTURE: Jameson may need to tone down his delivery in order to gain consistency with his location and the shape of his secondary stuff. In the eyes of many, he is looking more and more like a future late-inning reliever.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Jameson is undersized and the product of humble roots. He was raised by a single mom who worked two jobs, an upbringing that helped shape his competitive nature. He was initially a two-way player at Ball State but ultimately developed into the program's ace and best pitching prospect since Bryan Bullington was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 draft. The D-backs took Jameson with the 34th overall pick in 2019 and signed him for $1.4 million.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Despite his small frame, Jameson generates some of the best velocity in the organization. He pumps fastballs that sit in the mid 90s as a starter and 98-100 mph in relief with his super-quick arm speed. But Jameson does so with significant effort, taking away his ability to command it. His fastball also gets hit more than would be expected, raising questions about a potential lack of deception. Jameson has a full repertoire, including a slider, curveball and changeup that all have average potential, though his breaking pitches are inconsistent and sometimes blend together.
  
  THE FUTURE: Jameson may need to tone down his delivery in order to gain consistency with his location and the shape of his secondary stuff. In the eyes of many, he is looking more and more like a future late-inning reliever.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Jameson arrived at Ball State a two-way player but quickly turned himself into the Cardinals’ best pitching prospect since Bryan Bullington went No. 1 overall in 2002. As a draft-eligible sophomore, he earned Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Year honors in 2019 and was drafted 34th overall by the Diamondbacks. BA GRADE 50 Risk: High BA GRADE 55 Risk: Extreme BA GRADE 50 Risk: High
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Jameson stands out for his pure stuff. Despite an undersized frame, his quick arm produces rising fastballs that regularly gets into the 93-97 mph range. He compliments his fastball with a swing-and-miss curveball, a potential above-average slider that elicits soft contact and a changeup that flashes plus with split action. All have intriguing potential but are inconsistent. Jameson’s size and uptempo delivery create questions about whether he’ll be able to maintain his stuff as a starter. He also did not throw enough strikes his freshman year, and while he improved as a sophomore, his control wasn’t sharp in his abbreviated pro debut and will be worth watching moving forward.
  
  THE FUTURE: Jameson is regarded as a tremendous athlete, giving the Diamondbacks hope he’ll find a way to stick in the rotation. If he can’t, his explosive stuff should play well in relief.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Jameson arrived at Ball State a two-way player but quickly turned himself into the Cardinals' best pitching prospect since Bryan Bullington went No. 1 overall in 2002. As a draft-eligible sophomore, he earned Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Year honors in 2019 and was drafted 34th overall by the Diamondbacks.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Jameson stands out for his pure stuff. Despite an undersized frame, his quick arm produces rising fastballs that regularly gets into the 93-97 mph range. He compliments his fastball with a swing-and-miss curveball, a potential above-average slider that elicits soft contact and a changeup that flashes plus with split action. All have intriguing potential but are inconsistent. Jameson's size and uptempo delivery create questions about whether he'll be able to maintain his stuff as a starter. He also did not throw enough strikes his freshman year, and while he improved as a sophomore, his control wasn't sharp in his abbreviated pro debut and will be worth watching moving forward.
  
  THE FUTURE: Jameson is regarded as a tremendous athlete, giving the Diamondbacks hope he'll find a way to stick in the rotation. If he can't, his explosive stuff should play well in relief.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  An undersized, draft-eligible sophomore out of Ball State, Jameson has a lightning quick arm with electric stuff out of a 6-foot, 165-pound frame. Jameson works with an up-tempo delivery and has been up to 97 mph with his fastball, although he's more regularly in the 93-95 mph range. While it's a plus offering, Jameson's control of his fastball isn't great, which leads to him pitching off of an average slider. He has better feel to throw strikes with his slider, but it's not currently a wipeout pitch. Some scouts believe Jameson's slider could turn into an above-average offering in a bullpen role, if he's able to improve his fastball command and use his breaking ball as a chase pitch more regularly. His changeup might be his best pure secondary offering, as it flashes plus at times but remains wildly inconsistent at the moment. There are plenty of ingredients to like with Jameson, but he'll need to continue sharpening his control moving forward and will always face reliever questions given his size.