Cole
Stupp

Off to a rough start the first couple of weeks this season, our No. 144 ranked 2022 prospect had rebounded a bit with a strong start in Week Four against High Point and more positive results opposing Arkansas in Week Five. Taking the mound in Week Six, Stupp was strong out of the gates with a three up, three down first inning against Georgia. His fastball (sinker) was most effective at 90-91 showing power sink to his armside. He also reached back for a couple 93s at the top of the zone with two strikes. His next best offering was an average to better at times changeup. It was firm at 83-86, showing some late fade, and was especially effective early in the count. Although he mostly threw the curve to LHHs and the sweeping slider to RHHs, they blended together at times with the slider in the 76-82 range and curve 72-77. Stupp was removed after 5.1 IP and 97 pitches with an elbow injury. He is not expected to return this season.

6’4” 205. Tall lean athletic pitcher. FB 89-93 Good tail and sink. Slider 82-84 with tight sharp late break. Change 78-80 has deception and sink. Had plus command this day and threw the breaking ball behind in count for strikes. Strong performance and competed well. Possible 5th starter at ML Level. Day Two prospect for 2022 draft. (Slowik)

The 6-foot-4 right-hander battled throughout, allowing two runs on eight hits while striking out five over 102 pitches. With an on-line delivery and clean arm action, Stupp is a strike-thrower. He worked his 89-91 mph fastball in/out with fair life. His above average 82-84 mph sinking changeup was his main weapon and a big reason he induced nine groundouts in seven innings pitched. He also repeated a sharp 81-82 mph slider that played average. With a little more velo and life on his heater, Stupp could be considered in the top three to five rounds next summer.

Stupp is a long, lean, athletic-looking righty who is committed to Kentucky. His arm and delivery work well together and he is the definition of projectable, at 6-foot-4, 195 pounds. His fastball flashes some sink and angle down in the zone. He can spin the ball with ease, though his breaking ball is not yet a true out-pitch, but, again, it has enough spin to continue developing into one. Stupp has solid feel for a changeup for his age and he looks like the kind of kid that you’d feel comfortable betting on – and he’s continuing to put it all together.