Jonathan Stiever

A control-oriented righthander who has been a two-year Friday night starter for Indiana, Stiever is having his best season for the Hoosiers, with his strikeout rate ticking up significantly this spring. After striking out just 57 batters in 77 innings (6.63 K/9) during his first season as the Friday night starter in 2016, Stiever fanned 87 batters in 84.2 innings (9.25 K/9) through his first 13 games this spring. His stuff hasn't taken a noticeable jump, but he has a great feel for a three-pitch mix that includes a fastball in the low 90s, a hard, spike-grip breaking ball in the low 80s and developing feel for an average changeup. His fastball can reach up to 95 mph at its best and it has slight arm side movement and occasional sink. Stiever is a solid athlete and repeats his release point consistently, which has allowed him to walk fewer than two batters per nine innings through parts of three seasons with Indiana. Because Stiever is so frequently in the zone, some scouts wonder if he's too hittable. None of his pitches are plus offerings, although his breaking ball comes the closest as it occasionally shows 55 grades, and he's allowed close to nine hits per nine innings in the Big 10. Last summer in the Cape Cod League, Stiever posted a 4.45 ERA in 28.1 innings, working mostly as a reliever, with 25 strikeouts and just two walks.