Ricky Vanasco

Vanasco was selected as a high schooler in the 15th round of the 2017 draft and signed for him an over-slot bonus of $200,000. Across four stops in the lower minors, Vanasco has shown the ability to pile up strikeouts by punching out 116 batters across 83.1 innings. He did so with plus offerings in his fastball -- a pitch that could sit in the mid-90s and hit 99 at times -- and curveball. Unfortunately, that velocity caught up to him as he had to undergo Tommy John Surgery in September of 2020 and will miss the entirety of the 2021 campaign. He will be 23 when he is pitching without restrictions next offseason, at which point refining his changeup and improving his command will be paramount. Nothing about his upside has changed, but Vanasco will need to be added to the 40-man roster next offseason, which could expedite his path to the majors, and thus, enhance the risk that he eventually gets pigeonholed as a reliever.