Unowned
Eduard Bazardo, P
Edit player ✎
FanGraphs →
MLB →
Scouting report
Sometimes pitchers whose fastballs have other impact traits (Bazardo's has a backspinning axis) suddenly add velocity and see the quality of the heater leap several more grades than the velo bump alone would indicate. That seems to have happened to Bazardo, whose fastball sat 91-94 in 2019, then was 94-96 and torching hitters in the Fall of 2020, though his stride direction has also changed (he used to land closed and is now more direct to the plate, which has caused him arm slot to lower a bit ad may have altered his fastball movement profile). He was added to the Red Sox 40-man and will likely be part of their bullpen mix in 2021. Bazardo's high-effort delivery and imprecise fastball command both push him to the bullpen, but he may be an impact relief piece because his mid-80s curveball has such ridiculous power and depth. He also has rudimentary feel for creating diving action on a low-90s splitter, though Bazardo doesn't locate it consistently enough for that pitch to be very competitive right now. He's 25, much older than most other prospects on this list, but he's clearly one of the more talented arms in the entire org now that he's throwing this hard. (Fall Instructional League)