The Mets have selected Tony Dibrell in the Fourth Round of the Draft. Dibrell is a right-handed pitcher out of Kennesaw State.
Dibrell has pitched to a 2.45 ERA in 95.2 innings pitched this season with a 1.21 WHIP and 103 strikeouts. Dibrell was ranked 116th by MLB.com.
Dibrell is a hard throwing right hander who hits 96 mph but mostly sits around the 93-94 mark.
“Athletic” and “projectable” are scouting buzzwords more often thrown around in conversations about prep arms, but scouts often apply them to Dibrell too. He’s progressed each year that he’s been at Kennesaw State, and he’s become the ace of the Owls’ staff as a junior. Dibrell’s velocity has fluctuated throughout the season, but he’s reached the mid-90s late in some starts, and his plus arm speed points to further velocity gains. He’s thrown two breaking balls in the past—he’s shown an in-betweener this spring with sharp 11-to-5 shape—it projects as an average or slightly better pitch. His changeup could be his best offspeed weapon, with some scouts grading it as a future plus offering. Dibrell has been used a lot this season, eclipsing the 120-pitch mark often, especially for a pitcher of his age. He’s a projection play with a chance to make it as a starter and the whip-quick arm to have an impact out of the bullpen if he ultimately needs to move there.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45
Dibrell won just one game in his first two seasons at Kennesaw State, but he hinted at his upside by earning All-Star recognition in the Cape Cod League last summer. He has emerged as easily the best college prospect in Georgia this spring, drawing physical comparisons to Edwin Jackson, a Peach State high school product.
With a quick arm and a strong frame, Dibrell can run his fastball up to 96 mph and sit at 93-94. His velocity dipped at times later in the season, the result of throwing 110 or more pitches six times in his 14 starts. After trying different versions of a breaking ball in the past, he has mostly settled on a hard slider/cutter with late darting life.
Dibrell can spin a curveball with good depth and has aptitude for throwing a changeup. His fastball, slider and changeup all can be plus pitches at their best, so he has the ingredients to start. To succeed in that role in pro ball, he’ll have to continue to hone his strike-throwing ability.
This is a pick that could be a great pick. Edwin Jackson comp I don’t know if its meant to be a compliment bc Edwin Jackson had an electric arm but terrible control and pretty much annoyed any fan base with all his walks.