Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45

Massey spent his freshman year as a starter at Tulane before transferring to Wake Forest and becoming a reliever on college baseball's best pitching staff in 2023. He was overpowering in short bursts, striking out 48 percent of the hitters he faced and limiting opponents to a .161 average. After the Demon Deacons lost three starters in the first three rounds of the 2023 Draft, he moved into their rotation this spring before missing four starts with hamstring and back injuries and returning to the bullpen in late May.

Benefiting from Wake Forest's renowned pitching lab, Massey has souped up his stuff since changing schools, though it hasn't been as sharp in longer stints. As a reliever, he operated with a pair of well above-average pitches in a 93-97 mph fastball with explosive carry and an 82-85 mph slider that plummeted at the plate. Since he became a starter, both offerings have lost a tick or two of velocity and played more as plus offerings.

Massey has added a 75-78 mph curveball with good depth but has trouble landing it for strikes, and he doesn't trust his mid-80s changeup with fade. Scouts think his aggressive, short-arm delivery is better suited for relief work, though it does create deception without hampering his control too much. He'll probably land in the bullpen after turning pro.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

Massey spent his freshman year as a starter at Tulane before transferring to Wake Forest and becoming a reliever on college baseball's best pitching staff in 2023. He was overpowering in short bursts, striking out 47.2 percent of the hitters he faced and limiting opponents to a .161 average. After the Demon Deacons lost three starters in the first three rounds of the 2023 Draft, he moved into their rotation this spring before missing four starts with hamstring and back injuries and returned to the bullpen in late May. The Tigers selected Massey in the fourth round and signed him for $522,500.

Benefiting from Wake Forest's renowned pitching lab, Massey souped up his stuff after changing schools, though it wasn’t as sharp in longer stints. As a reliever, he operated with a pair of well-above-average pitches in a 93-97 mph fastball with explosive carry and an 82-85 mph slider that plummeted at the plate. Since he became a starter, both offerings have lost a tick or two of velocity and played more as plus offerings.

Massey has added a 75-78 mph curveball with good depth but has trouble landing it for strikes, and he doesn't trust his mid-80s changeup with fade. Scouts think his aggressive, short-arm delivery is better suited for relief work, though it does create deception without hampering his control too much. He could be a bullpen candidate before long in the Detroit system.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	08/05/2024	RHP Michael Massey assigned to FCL Tigers.
	07/22/2024	Detroit Tigers signed RHP Michael Massey.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated RHP Michael Massey.
	03/01/2024	RHP Michael Massey assigned to Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
	06/29/2023	College Workout activated RHP Michael Massey.
	06/26/2023	RHP Michael Massey assigned to USAB Stars Team.
	06/26/2023	RHP Michael Massey roster status changed by USAB Stars Team.
	05/26/2023	College Workout activated RHP Michael Massey.
	05/24/2023	College Workout activated RHP Michael Massey.
	05/20/2023	RHP Michael Massey assigned to Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
	04/29/2022	RHP Michael Massey and assigned to Tulane Green Wave.
	06/16/2020	RHP Michael Massey assigned to PG National 3 - Gold.
	06/16/2020	RHP Michael Massey assigned to PG National 3 - Gold.