Player: Jared Viertel
Position: RHP
School: Missouri State

Viertel was off to a 3-1 start with a 2.67 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 27 IP for Crowder College in 2020 before the season was cancelled. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound sophomore righty features a 89-94 mph fastball with more velo in the tank when his frame fills out. He shows an average curveball with the spin, shape and velocity to project to become a plus pitch in the future. His changeup is another average pitch which should become above average with greater use and leading to refined command. At this point he pitches with more control than command, but the delivery and arm action are sound enough that he will likely attain average command down the road. If history tells us anything with top JUCO arms heading to Springfield, MO and Missouri State pitching coach Paul Evans, expect Viertel to be polished up quickly into a top 10 round arm for the 2021 draft.

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