Jake
Wong

4/25/18 - Durable built righty with good arm action and an easy downhill delivery. Throws from a high three-quarter slot. Showed more control than command of his fastball, running it up to 95 mph while pitching at 92-93 for the first three innings. Had much more down angle than wiggle, grading as below average life on this look. Overall, it played average early and below average later in the game as the Illinois hitters routinely squared it up in the fourth and fifth innings. For the night, his fastball spin rate was typically between 2000-2100 rpm. An 11/5 shaped curveball at 76-79 mph was his main secondary offering. Mostly an average pitch with a spin rate of 2400-2500 rpm. Projects to be a future above average to plus pitch when its current rotation, shape, velocity and control are considered. Also threw a handful of firm changeups at 84-86 mph. Present below average pitch that he will be forced to throw more in pro ball. Held runners with 1.27-1.32 time to the plate. Went six innings, allowed two hits and earned the win while throwing 96 pitches. Walked three, struck out three while inducing nine fly outs and four groundouts. He has increased his strikeout rate from 6.05 per 9 innings last season to 9.84 this spring. More of a fly ball pitcher which will limit his value in the eyes of statistical analysts. Wong is one of the better college right-handers in this year’s draft who has a starter-type delivery and arm action. He’s a good bet to be selected in the top three-to-four rounds.

2/22/18 - Impressive first start for Wong, to say the least. Kendall Rogers said it best: “Grand Canyon junior right-hander Jake Wong might’ve made himself some money on Friday night against TCU. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder, ranked No. 67 in our Preseason College Top 100, looked like somebody ready to climb the draft boards. Wong had a strong build and sat 94-96 mph with his explosive fastball the first two frames before settling in at 92-94 and up to 95. Wong also showed excellent feel for a nasty breaking 78-79 mph curveball, which he added during fall workouts, while also mixing in a mid-80s changeup. Wong’s command went in and out at times, but he looked the part on an emotional day with a boatload of scouts in attendance. Wong struck out nine, walked two and allowed two hits in six shutout innings.”