Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 55 | Splitter: 60 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50 

Texas hasn't placed a prep pitcher in the first round since 2018, but Sykora could put an end to that dry spell. He has the biggest fastball in the high school class, reaching triple digits on the showcase circuit while showing he was more than just a flamethrower. He was arguably the most dominant pitcher at both the PDP League and the Area Code Games.

Sykora's fastball not only parks at 95-98 mph and can reach 101, but it also comes with a flat approach angle and late arm-side run. He shows the aptitude to locate and miss bats with both of his secondary pitches, which could become plus offerings when fully developed. His short slider and his splitter both sit in the mid-80s, and the latter dives when it approaches the plate. 

Both physical and athletic, Sykora repeats his sound delivery well and pounded the strike zone last summer against top competition. Scouts praise his intelligence and work ethic, and there's still projection remaining in his 6-foot-6 frame. A Texas recruit, he'll be Draft-eligible as a 21-year-old sophomore in 2025 if he attends college. 

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 55 | Splitter: 60 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55

Although it wasn’t a banner year for high-school arms in 2023, Sykora gave scouts and organizations plenty to dream on as the holder of arguably the best fastball in his class. He dominated at both the PDP League and Area Code Games in the summer before his senior year and entered the Draft as MLB Pipeline’s No. 40 prospect. He may have fallen to the Nationals’ third-round pick at 71st overall, but Washington signed him for $2.6 million (roughly Top 35 money) to get him away from a Texas commitment.

That aforementioned heater touched 101 as an amateur and was typically around 95-98 mph with a flat approach angle and some armside run. His mid-80s splitter dives nicely as it approaches the plate, giving some evaluators belief it could be a plus pitch, while his short slider in the same velocity band flashes above-average but is a touch less consistent. It helps that Sykora fires all three pitches from a tall 6-foot-6 frame and hides the ball until late into his delivery.

Because he had the stuff, Sykora went right after showcase hitters and could beat them in the zone. He might have to take a little off early in his career as he gets used to a professional workload, but there’s hope he could have at least average control needed to be a future starter. As is the case throughout the Nats system, this all equates to a long-term project with potential high-ceiling payoff.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 55 | Splitter: 60 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

Syokora had the biggest fastball in the high school class, reaching triple digits on the showcase circuit while showing he was more than just a flamethrower. He was arguably the most dominant pitcher at both the PDP League and the Area Code Games. Washington selected the righty in the third round and signed him for $2.6 million, which equates to Top 35 money.

Sykora's fastball not only parks at 95-98 mph and can reach 101, but it also comes with a flat approach angle and late arm-side run. He shows the aptitude to locate and miss bats with both of his secondary pitches, which could become plus offerings when fully developed. His short slider and his splitter both sit in the mid-80s, and the latter dives when it approaches the plate. 

Both physical and athletic, Sykora repeats his sound delivery well and pounded the strike zone last summer against top competition. Scouts praise his intelligence and work ethic, and there's still projection remaining in his 6-foot-6 frame. He’ll have a long path of development in the rebuilding Washington system, but there’s ample ceiling here.

Awards

CAR Pitcher of the Month

Month	Team
08/2024

CAR Pitcher of the Week

Week	Team
08/11/2024
08/04/2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	04/25/2024	RHP Travis Sykora assigned to Fredericksburg Nationals from FCL Nationals.
	03/07/2024	Washington Nationals Prospects activated RHP Travis Sykora.
	08/03/2023	RHP Travis Sykora assigned to FCL Nationals.
	08/03/2023	Washington Nationals signed RHP Travis Sykora.
	06/15/2023	RHP Travis Sykora assigned to College Workout.
	07/01/2022	High School Workout activated RHP Travis Sykora.
	07/01/2022	RHP Travis Sykora assigned to High School Workout.
	07/01/2022	High School Workout activated RHP Travis Sykora.
	07/01/2022	High School Workout activated RHP Travis Sykora.