Chris Flexen is the man for the No. 38 spot after an impressive and dominant campaign in Kingsport.
38. Chris Flexen
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 215
DOB: 7/1/1994 (Age:19)
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Fastball: 55/60+ Curve: 50/55 Changeup: 40/50 Control: 60/60 Mechanics: 60/60
Not only does Chris Flexen have an awesome name, but he’s a fun prospect to follow down in Kingsport. He and Rob Whalen were part of a dominant rotation with the K-Mets this season, with Flex finishing the year with a 2.09 ERA in 69.0 innings. He posted an 8-1 record with two shutouts on the season in just 11 starts, so that’s not too shabby at all.
Flex gets through his starts with an above average fastball and curveball — and it is notable that curveball showed improvement over the course of the year. His claim to fame, for the most part, is his control. The Mets took a flier on him by giving him third-round money as a 14th rounder — which was a nice move. He throws an average change-up and slider to back up the two main offerings, and the change-up could pan out to be an average pitch. The fastball currently sits in the low-90s, but I could see it where his fastball ends up in the mid 90s in a couple year — based on projecting his frame a little.
Outlook: I like Flexen a lot because a pitcher with solid control (1.6 BB/9 in ’13) over three separate pitches can progress through the system quickly. He should find himself in Brooklyn next year and perhaps given the push I expect for him soon if he matches his results in Kingsport. I think he could turn out to be a solid pitcher in the back-end of an MLB rotation someday — but it won’t happen for a few years, at least.
ETA: 2017