Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45 

The Colorado high school pitcher demographic hasn’t been a particularly productive one, with just two -- Case Williams in 2021 and Brock Burke in 2014 -- taken in the top five rounds in the last decade, though prep arms like Kevin Gausman and Kyle Freeland went on to college and big league careers. This year’s class has two intriguing high school arms from the Centennial State, Trey Gregory-Alford and Shephardson, who had some serious helium as things warmed up this spring.

A 6-foot-1 right-hander, Shepardson has the makings of two pitches that could be plus in time. He’s throwing his fastball in the 91-95 mph range now, a high-spin heater with some arm side run and ride to it up in the zone. His slider is his go-to out pitch, thrown 81-85 mph, also with high spin, a hard breaker that misses bats. There’s some feel for a mid-80s changeup, but it’s a distant third pitch and he leans heavily on the fastball-slider combination, reminding some of a young Lance McCullers.

Command has been an issue for Shepardson in the past, but he was doing a better job of throwing his two offerings for strikes this spring, helping his Draft stock. He’s a solid athlete, so there’s reason for optimism that he can continue to find the zone. Shepardson trains with his older brother, Blake, who is a reliever at the University of San Francisco and flirts with triple digits, and if the Draft doesn’t work out, he’ll head to join the Dons pitching staff as well.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

Focusing on adding strength during the fall and winter helped Shepardson boost his stuff and stock as a Colorado high school senior this spring. The Marlins drafted him in the fifth round and paid him third-round money ($897,500) to lure him away from a San Francisco commitment. His older brother Blake pitched with the Dons and signed with the White Sox as an 11th-rounder.

Shepardson gained 15 pounds on his 6-foot-1 frame and about four mph on his high-spin fastball, which now parks at 91-95 mph and peaks at 98 with carry and armside run. He also creates high spin rates with his low-80s slider, a potential plus offering. His fastball/slider combination has earned him some comparisons to Lance McCullers Jr.

Shepardson also throws an interesting mid-80s changeup with a Vulcan grip and uses an upper-70s curveball as a get-me-over pitch. As he gets stronger, he's also doing a better job of repeating his delivery and providing strikes. His solid athleticism could help him develop average control as he continues to mature.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	08/05/2024	RHP Grant Shepardson assigned to FCL Marlins.
	07/22/2024	Miami Marlins signed RHP Grant Shepardson.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated RHP Grant Shepardson.
	06/03/2024	RHP Grant Shepardson assigned to College Workout.