Chayce
McDermott

2021 MLB Draft: Athletically built at 6-foot-3, 200-pounds, McDermott works from a high-3/4 delivery and spots his arsenal to both sides of the plate. Possessing uncommon arm strength, his heater sits 93-96 and he shows the ability to reach back for 97 early on. The plus velocity comes at a cost, however, as there’s considerable effort in the delivery, with some recoil during arm deceleration. Despite the effort, the righty works consistently around the plate, and has cut his walk rate down year to year. He throws a pair of breaking balls: a 73-76 mph curveball with 11/5 break and a spin rate up to 2750 rpm, as well as a 79-82 mph slider with tilt and depth. As a fourth offering, McDermott throws a firm high-80s changeup, but the pitch lacks fade. While he’ll be given the opportunity to start at the next level, there’s some reliever risk in the profile.

Undrafted as a redshirt-sophomore this June, McDermott is yet another big arm in the making from Muncie. He has the athleticism and raw stuff to follow in the footsteps of recent top round Cardinal arms Drey Jameson (34th overall in 2019) and Kyle Nicolas (61st overall in 2020). He may lack the ceiling of the top two rounds, but certainly the top five is within reason. Standing 6-foot-3, 200 pounds McDermott ran his lively fastball up to 95.5 mph on the stadium Trackman, peaking around 2400 rpm on his spin rate. He’s a long strider who works down the mound and in good direction to the plate. He delivers the ball from a high slot and has good extension out front. Although he held his delivery together pretty well today, I can see why his control may come/go as his BSU career stat line of 32 BB in 56 IP indicates. He also showed a promising 74-79 mph top-to-bottom breaker with sharp spin and good depth. Currently it’s a marginal offering due to the inconsistency of his control, but it’s a potential plus pitch in the future. His other secondary offering was an 82-86 mph changeup.

4/1/17 Game Notes: Athletic, broad shouldered RHP at 6'3" and 180 pounds. Threw 2 clean innings before struggling in the third inning. Finished the day with 3 IP, 2 H, 4 ER, 6 K, and 4 BB. Sat 89-90 first two innings touching a 91. Settled in the 3rd inning out of the stretch at 87-88, struggled to repeat delivery and lost command. First two innings commanded both sides of the plate and threw 11/5 breaking ball for a strike. Breaking ball was 70-71mph that had good shape to it. Changeup was 78-79mph. Athletic down the mound and fluid, clean delivery. Fielded his position well. Ball State commit.

2/20/16: 6-foot-2, 167 pound righty pitches from a loose, high ¾ arm action with quick arm speed.  Good balance, easy effort with smooth rhythm in the delivery.  Good direction.  Fastball was thrown for a strike at 85-86.  Breaking ball was thrown with fastball arm speed showing an 11/5 shape with sharp break at 69-71.  Changeup was straight at 78-80.  One of the top uncommitted 2017 arms in the state. 

October 2015:2017 RHP Chayce McDermott of Pendleton Heights 83-85, 66-70 CB, 77 CH

5/12/15 GAME NOTES: The righty came in for a short relief appearance, pitching two innings, scattering three hits while striking out two and walking one.  He also allowed one run.  McDermott is an interesting sophomore with above average arm speed and a fastball consistently sitting 81-82 with some movement.  He pitches from a 3/4 slot with a fairly clean, loose arm action. He showed a slow curveball with a big break at 62-64 for a strike and a 74-76 mph changeup. He projects to have more velo in the tank.