Scouting Report

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 65 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

Wes Obermueller pitched five seasons in the Majors after the Royals took him in the second round of the 1999 Draft out of Iowa, and his son could go in the same range after a strong season for the Hawkeyes. A Draft-eligible sophomore a year ago, Cade turned down the Rangers as a 19th-rounder. He has been a favorite of scouts dating back to his high school days and they're happy to see him increase his velocity and his strike-throwing as a junior.

Obermueller works from a low arm slot that produces outstanding metrics on his fastball and slider. He sits at 91-94 mph and can reach 98 with his heater, showing the ability to create carry, run or sink from an unusually flat approach angle. He imparts huge horizontal break, as well as good depth, on a low-80s slider that eats up lefties and righties.

Obermueller has yet to show much feel for a sinking mid-80s changeup that he barely uses, though he'll flash a solid one on occasion. The biggest question about his ability to remain a starter is his lack of physicality at 6 feet and 170 pounds, though he's helping his cause by cutting his walk rate nearly in half from his sophomore to junior year. He'll get a chance to prove himself in the rotation in pro ball, though if he immediately headed to the bullpen he could surface in the Majors by the end of 2026.

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

Obermuller had the chance to begin his pro career after his sophomore season at Iowa but opted to return to the Hawkeyes for his junior year rather than entertain signing with the Rangers, who took him in Round 19 of the 2024 Draft. It turned out to be a wise decision as the son of five-year big leaguer Wes Obermueller went in the same round as his dad did, the second, with the Phillies in 2025, signing for $1.2 million.

Obermueller has a slender, wiry frame and is a plus athlete on the mound with a little bounce. The left-hander employs a low arm slot that helps provide excellent metrics on his fastball and slider. The heater sat at 91-94 mph, topping out at 98 and he’s able to manipulate the pitch for carry, run or sink coming from a flat approach angle. He’ll use his low-80s slider with a ton of horizontal break against hitters on both sides of the plate. He has a sinking mid-80s changeup he didn’t use much in college, but the Phillies think it can be a usable third pitch in the future.

Standing around 6-foot even and 170 pounds, Obermueller will have to prove he can handle the workload of a starter. His improvement in the strike-throwing department as a junior helps his case there and he brings a very calm demeanor to the mound. He’ll get the chance to develop as a starter, but moving him to the 'pen would put him on a faster track.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 65 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

Wes Obermueller pitched five seasons in the Majors after the Royals took him in the second round of the 1999 Draft out of Iowa, and his son went in the same round to the Phillies after a strong season for the Hawkeyes. A Draft-eligible sophomore a year ago, Cade turned down the Rangers as a 19th-rounder. He had been a favorite of scouts dating back to his high school days and they were happy to see him increase his velocity and his strike-throwing as a junior.

Obermueller works from a low arm slot that produces outstanding metrics on his fastball and slider. He sits at 91-94 mph and can reach 98 with his heater, showing the ability to create carry, run or sink from an unusually flat approach angle. He imparts huge horizontal break, as well as good depth, on a low-80s slider that eats up lefties and righties.

Obermueller has yet to show much feel for a sinking mid-80s changeup that he barely uses, though he'll flash a solid one on occasion. The biggest question about his ability to remain a starter is his lack of physicality at 6 feet and 170 pounds, though he helped his cause by cutting his walk rate nearly in half from his sophomore to junior year. He'll get a chance to prove himself in the rotation in pro ball, though if he immediately headed to the bullpen he could surface in the Majors by the end of 2026.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/05/2026	LHP Cade Obermueller assigned to Philadelphia Phillies Prospects.
	08/07/2025	LHP Cade Obermueller assigned to FCL Phillies.
	07/22/2025	Philadelphia Phillies signed LHP Cade Obermueller.
	06/03/2025	LHP Cade Obermueller assigned to College Workout.
	03/31/2025	LHP Cade Obermueller assigned to Iowa Hawkeyes.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated LHP Cade Obermueller.
	05/10/2024	LHP Cade Obermueller assigned to Iowa Hawkeyes.
	06/09/2023	Hyannis Harbor Hawks activated LHP Cade Obermueller.
	02/06/2023	LHP Cade Obermueller assigned to Iowa Hawkeyes.