After a two week hiatus we’re back to take a look at another top draft prospect and potential future Met. In the last edition we went in-depth with University of New Mexico’s big right-hander Michael Cederoth. This week we’ll look at prep righty Touki Toussaint.

Touki Toussaint, Coral Springs Christian H.S (FL)

Position: RHP

Height: 6’2

Weight: 185

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Toussaint started to catch the attention of talent evaluators as a junior with a blazing fastball. He used that fastball to go out and dominate the competition in his junior season. In 45 innings for Coral Springs he struck out an eye-popping 83 batters on his way to a minuscule 0.78 ERA. Touki is currently committed to attend Vanderbilt University, but with MLB calling in the form of a possibly top-1o draft slot it’s going to be tough to turn down that kind of pay day.

Fastball

Sitting 92-95 and topping out at 97 with heavy life down in the zone, it’s a head turning pitch for a kid entering his senior season in high school. The only question thus far has been his ability to maintain velocity, as some scouts have seen him sit more 91-93. However, Toussaint figures to add bulk as he ages, which should help him hold his velocity.

Current: 60

Future: 65

Curveball

If the fastball gets your attention, the curveball keeps it. A true out-pitch hammer that will miss bats at the highest level and grade out as at least plus. Touki throws it in the mid-70’s and it’s been nearly uncatchable due to it’s downward break. Only issue has been controlling the pitch– something that will come with repetition and maturity.

Current: 55

Future: 70

Changeup

Toussaint’s changeup is a work in progress. He throws it in the 85-86 range with good arm action, but perhaps needs to learn to throw it closer to 81-83 to make it effective. Developing the change will be vital to the righty’s success at the pro level because ML hitters will sit on his fastball if he can’t keep them honest.

Current: 30

Future: 50

Command/Control

Despite the dominant numbers in 2013, Toussaint struggled with control,  walking 29 batters in 45 innings. Learning to hit his spots with his fastball is imperative if he wants to crack the majors as a starter. If he can do that, his other pitches will play up even if he never has above-average control of them.

Current: 40

Future: 50

Summary

The Florida native really jumped onto draft boards in 2013, and has risen into most top-10’s to start 2014. He flashes two potential plus pitches with the curveball potentially being plus-plus. That’s hard to find in any draftee, let alone a high schooler. His upside makes him tantalizing, but the key to future success will be in his ability to harness his repertoire. If everything comes together Toussaint has the ability to pitch towards the front of a MLB rotation.

 

 

(Photo Credit: MLB.com)