Scouting Report

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

Oakie was part of a loaded Area Code Games White Sox staff that included six pitchers who could go in the first three rounds of the 2024 Draft. He struck out five of the 12 batters he faced at the event, touching 96 mph with his fastball and getting seven swings-and-misses on 15 sliders. Gatorade's Iowa high school player of the year, he could become the state's highest-drafted prep pitcher since 1965 first-rounder Bill Burbach.

Working from a low three-quarters slot, Oakie imparts a lot of armside run and sink on a 92-94 mph two-seam fastball that peaks at 97. Given the flat vertical approach of his pitches, he might thrive with a harder four-seamer that could have terrific carry up in the zone. His mid-80s slider is already a plus offering with two-plane depth as well as horizontal movement and it could be a legitimate plus-plus weapon with further refinement. 

Oakie attacks hitters with two pitches, and while he's working on a sinking changeup, it's too firm and he rarely uses it in games. The Iowa recruit doesn't have an ideal starter's size or delivery and needs to improve the consistency of his strike-throwing, but he also has a quick arm and works with little effort. He earns praise for his makeup, which contributes to his mid-rotation starter upside.

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

Oakie stood out the most in a deep 2023 Area Code Games, striking out five of the 12 batters he missed while reaching 96 mph and throwing some unhittable sliders. He also excelled at the 18-and-under World Cup that fall and while winning Gatorade Iowa high school player of the year accolades last spring. The state's highest-drafted prep pitcher since 2014 (Mitch Keller), he signed for a well-over-slot $2 million as a third-rounder.

Oakie featured one of the best sliders in the 2024 Draft, a mid-80s weapon with two-plane depth and plenty of horizontal movement. It works well in tandem with his two-seam fastball, which sits at 92-94 mph and tops out at 97 with considerable armside run and sink. He has begun to work on a changeup with similar action, though it was too firm in high school and he barely used it in games.

While Oakie doesn't have an ideal starter's delivery and needs to provide more consistent strikes, he does have a quick arm and works with little effort. He adds deception with a flat approach angle that could be conducive to throwing a four-seamer with more velocity and carry up in the zone. His competitiveness and work ethic contribute to his mid-rotation upside.

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

Part of a loaded White Sox pitching staff at the 2023 Area Codes, Oakie stood out most among that contingent by striking out five of the 12 batters he faced at the event, touching 96 mph with his fastball and getting seven swings-and-misses on 15 sliders. He added to his résumé by pitching well for Team USA at the 18-and-under World Cup last September and excelling this spring while earning Gatorade Iowa High School Player of the Year accolades. He became the state's highest-drafted prep pitcher since 2014 second-rounder Mitch Keller, signing for a well-over-slot $2 million in the third round.

Working from a low three-quarters slot, Oakie imparts a lot of armside run and sink on a 92-94 mph two-seam fastball that peaks at 97. Given the flat vertical approach of his pitches, he might thrive with a harder four-seamer that could have terrific carry up in the zone. His mid-80s slider is already a plus offering with two-plane depth as well as horizontal movement, and it could be a legitimate plus-plus weapon with further refinement. 

Oakie attacks hitters with two pitches, and while he's working on a sinking changeup, it's too firm and he rarely uses it in games. He doesn't have an ideal starter's size or delivery and needs to improve the consistency of his strike-throwing, but he also has a quick arm and works with little effort. He earns praise for his makeup, which contributes to his mid-rotation starter upside.

Awards

CAR Pitcher of the Week

Week	Team
08/31/2025

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	07/28/2025	RHP Joey Oakie assigned to Lynchburg Hillcats from ACL Guardians.
	08/05/2024	RHP Joey Oakie assigned to ACL Guardians.
	08/05/2024	ACL Guardians activated RHP Joey Oakie.
	07/27/2024	Cleveland Guardians signed RHP Joey Oakie.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated RHP Joey Oakie.
	08/16/2023	RHP Joey Oakie assigned to High School Workout.