| W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | SO | WHIP |
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| G | W-L | ERA | IP | SO | WHIP |
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Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 50
A two-sport standout who was the starting quarterback and top starting pitcher for Mt. Lebanon High School in Pittsburgh, Shields was looking like he might be one of the more intriguing arms in the class of 2025. A decision to give up football and reclassify for the 2024 Draft immediately created some buzz, as did his performance at summer showcase events like Major League Baseball’s PDP League. A bout with mono just prior to the start of his senior season slowed him out of the gate, but scouts were watching him as he returned to the mound and the weather in southwest Pennsylvania warmed.
Athletic and super-projectable, Shields has plenty of raw stuff and it’s easy to dream on more in the tank to come. He has starting pitcher traits, starting with a fastball that’s up to 94 mph now. He can throw it to both sides of the plate, and thanks to some deception and solid ride with good extension, it misses a good amount of bats. So does his above-average slider -- a low-80s sweeper he can land for strikes and use to expand the zone. He also has good feel for an average changeup.
Shields’ athleticism is a plus on the mound, helping him to repeat his delivery consistently. Everything comes out easy for the left-handed Miami recruit, and he can throw all of his pitches for strikes. He’ll still be 17 come Draft time, another plus, with the chance for him to have a big up arrow next to his name as the spring unfolds.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 45
A two-sport standout who was the starting quarterback and top starting pitcher for Mt. Lebanon High School in Pittsburgh, Shields was looking like he might be one of the more intriguing arms in the class of 2025. A decision to give up football and reclassify for the 2024 Draft immediately created some buzz, as did his performance at summer showcase events like Major League Baseball’s PDP League. A bout with mono just prior to the start of his senior season slowed him out of the gate, but scouts were watching him as he returned to the mound and the weather in southwest Pennsylvania warmed. He went in the second round to the Royals in July and signed for right around slot at $2.3 million.
Athletic and super-projectable, Shields has plenty of raw stuff, and it’s easy to dream on more in the tank to come. He has starting pitcher traits, starting with a fastball that’s up to 94 mph now. He can throw it to both sides of the plate, and thanks to some deception and solid ride with good extension, it misses a good amount of bats. So does his above-average slider -- a low-80s sweeper he can land for strikes and use to expand the zone. He also has good feel for an average changeup.
Shields’ athleticism is a plus on the mound, helping him to repeat his delivery consistently. Everything comes out easy for the left-handed former University of Miami recruit, and he can throw all of his pitches for strikes. He was still only 17 at the time of the Draft, another plus, and the Royals will have plenty of developmental runway to work with in the years to come.
| Team | Date | Transaction |
|---|---|---|
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08/05/2024 | LHP David Shields assigned to ACL Royals. |
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07/21/2024 | Kansas City Royals signed LHP David Shields. |
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06/16/2024 | College Workout activated LHP David Shields. |
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06/11/2024 | LHP David Shields assigned to College Workout. |
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08/09/2023 | LHP David Shields assigned to High School Workout. |
