Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 50 

Campbell had never had a player taken before the second round until Rays supplemental first-rounder in 2019 Seth Johnson, who was followed by Angels first-rounder Zach Neto and Pirates sandwich pick Thomas Harrington last July. Kuehler could join that trio in 2023 and like them he dramatically boosted his prospect profile after joining the Camels. He finished his sophomore season with double-digit strikeouts in each of his last four starts, became the first Campbell player ever to make the U.S. collegiate national team and had an even better junior year despite missing two starts with mononucleosis.

Kuehler has some of the best fastball metrics in the Draft, generating outstanding spin rates and carry on a four-seamer that sits at 93-95 mph and peaks at 98, and he'll mix in some two-seamers as well. He possesses a second plus pitch in a mid-80s slider with depth that he can turn into a shorter, harder cutter. He also deploys a solid low-80s curveball, a traditional low-80s changeup with fade and a mid-80s splitter/changeup. 

Despite his stuff, Kuehler gets hit harder than he should because he doesn't always locate his pitches effectively. He has a high three-quarters slot and a short arm action that provide deception but his inconsistency repeating them hampers his command. He probably needs to pare down his repertoire, and some evaluators wonder if his mechanics and mature 6-foot frame will make him more of a reliever than a starter.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45

Campbell’s reputation for generating draftable talent has taken a large step forward over the past several years, starting with Seth Johnson going No. 40 overall to the Rays in 2019, followed by 2022 first-rounder Zach Neto and sandwich pick Thomas Harrington. Kuehler extended the run by landing No. 70 overall to the Braves in 2023 after pitching for the U.S. Collegiate National Team in the summer of 2022 and having a huge junior year as the Fighting Camels’ Friday night starter. He tossed seven shutout innings over two appearances during his brief pro debut with full-season Augusta.

Kuehler can throw as many as seven pitches depending on when you see him. His four-seam fastball, which averaged 94 mph in 2023 and topped out at 98 mph, has plus spin rates and carry, and he’ll mix in some two-seamers as well. His mid-80s slider has depth that misses bats and he can manipulate it into a shorter, harder cutter. He has an above-average low-80s curve, a traditional low-80s changeup with fade and a mid-80s splitter/changeup, though he leaned on the fastballs and breaking balls mostly at Campbell.

The six-foot right-hander can get hit at times when he’s not commanding his arsenal consistently. There’s deception stemming from his short arm action and high three-quarters slot, but he hasn’t always been able to repeat his delivery to throw strikes. Working from the stretch during his pro debut seemed to help, but he’ll have to prove he can find the zone enough to remain a starter as he moves up the ladder.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 50 

Campbell had never had a player taken before the second round until Seth Johnson, the Rays' supplemental first-rounder in 2019. He was followed by Angels first-rounder Zach Neto and Pirates sandwich pick Thomas Harrington last July. Kuehler dramatically boosted his prospect profile with the Camels, finishing his sophomore season with double-digit strikeouts in each of his last four starts and becoming the first Campbell player to make the U.S. collegiate national team. He had an even better junior year, and while he didn’t quite join that Campbell trio in 2023, he was taken as a compensation pick just after the second round to the Braves, signing for a full-slot $1.05 million.

Kuehler had some of the best fastball metrics in the Draft, generating outstanding spin rates and carry on a four-seamer that sits at 93-95 mph and peaks at 98, and he'll mix in some two-seamers as well. He possesses a second plus pitch in a mid-80s slider with depth that he can turn into a shorter, harder cutter. He also deploys a solid low-80s curveball, a traditional low-80s changeup with fade and a mid-80s splitter/changeup. 

Despite his stuff, Kuehler gets hit harder than he should because he doesn't always locate his pitches effectively. He has a high three-quarters slot and a short arm action that provide deception, but his inconsistency repeating them hampers his command. He probably needs to pare down his repertoire, and some evaluators wonder whether his mechanics and mature 6-foot frame will make him more of a reliever than a starter.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	10/28/2024	Rome Emperors activated RHP Cade Kuehler from the full-season injured list.
	07/19/2024	Rome Emperors placed RHP Cade Kuehler on the full-season injured list.
	06/25/2024	RHP Cade Kuehler assigned to Rome Emperors from Augusta GreenJackets.
	08/29/2023	RHP Cade Kuehler assigned to Augusta GreenJackets from Braves Organization.
	08/10/2023	RHP Cade Kuehler assigned to Braves Organization.
	07/12/2023	Atlanta Braves signed RHP Cade Kuehler.
	06/14/2023	RHP Cade Kuehler assigned to College Workout.
	04/02/2023	Campbell Fighting Camels activated RHP Cade Kuehler.
	04/02/2023	RHP Cade Kuehler assigned to Campbell Fighting Camels.
	07/02/2022	USAB Stars Team activated RHP Cade Kuehler.
	07/01/2022	RHP Cade Kuehler and assigned to College Workout.