Scouting Report

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

After pitching in relief for Miami as a freshman, Ziehl moved into the Friday night starter role as a sophomore in 2023. He was moved to Saturday after a rough start to the season but ended up perhaps the Hurricanes’ most consistent starter for a bulk of the year, with a 3.26 ERA over his last 13 starts. Once again installed as the No. 1 starter this year, Ziehl once again scuffled in his Opening Day start, but he's settled in to anchor the rotation and is now in top-three-round consideration.

When he’s at his best, the 6-foot right-hander has three solid pitches and the ability to use his stuff late into games. His fastball has averaged around 93 mph and is up to 95 mph as a starter, while he touched 97 mph out of the bullpen as a freshman. He used to rely more on sink with his heater but has shifted to higher spin four-seamers up in the zone, and he can move it around the zone well. His best pitch now is a hard cutter-like slider thrown in the mid-80s, and he has feel for a changeup that is particularly effective against left-handed hitters.

While Ziehl isn’t the biggest guy in the world, he’s compact and strong at 223 pounds. He repeats his delivery well and has a strong history of throwing strikes. Scouts laud his makeup and toughness on the mound, wanting the ball in key situations and leading a staff. Some scouts think he might be best suited for a setup type role in a bullpen, where his stuff might tick up, while others give him every chance to stick in a rotation.

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

The Cubs drafted Ziehl in the 11th round out of a New York high school in 2021, but he turned them down to attend Miami. The Hurricanes' most-used reliever as a freshman, he became their top starter in each of the next two seasons. The fourth of seven straight college pitchers selected by the Yankees to kick off their 2024 Draft, he signed for $637,000.

Ziehl's fastball command stood out more than his velocity and life this spring, when he worked at 92-94 mph and topped out at 96 with average ride. He missed more bats with a mid-80s slider that features horizontal action as well as impressive two-plane depth at times. His mid-80s changeup features some fade and sink, but he has trouble landing it for strikes. 

Six feet and 223 pounds, Ziehl is compact but strong and earns plaudits for his mound presence. He repeats his high three-quarters delivery well, allowing him to locate his fastball and slider where he wants. The Yankees specialize in helping pitchers soup up their stuff, and if they can do that with Ziehl, they could raise his present ceiling of a No. 4 starter.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	08/05/2024	RHP Gage Ziehl assigned to FCL Yankees.
	07/29/2024	New York Yankees signed RHP Gage Ziehl.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated RHP Gage Ziehl.
	03/13/2024	RHP Gage Ziehl assigned to Miami Hurricanes.
	05/26/2023	College Workout activated RHP Gage Ziehl.
	05/24/2023	College Workout activated RHP Gage Ziehl.
	05/20/2023	RHP Gage Ziehl assigned to Miami Hurricanes.
	05/21/2022	RHP Gage Ziehl and assigned to Miami Hurricanes.
	07/05/2021	RHP Gage Ziehl assigned to College Workout.
	07/05/2021	College Workout activated RHP Gage Ziehl.
	06/18/2020	RHP Gage Ziehl assigned to PG National 9 - Purple.
	06/18/2020	RHP Gage Ziehl assigned to PG National 9 - Purple.