Michael
McAvene

4/19/16 GAME NOTES: The 6-foot-5, 208 pound right-hander went 6.2 IP allowing 2H, 1R, 4BB and striking out 10 vs. No. 4 Cathedral.  The Purdue recruit was consistently 90-93 throughout the first four innings, sitting 91-92 the rest of the way while scattering a few 93s and even touching 95 once in the sixth.  He showed the ability to spin both breaking pitches (74-78CB and 82-85SL) for a strike with sharp break.  He was a little erratic throughout, tending to miss up in the zone leading to the four walks and a HBP.  Despite giving up two hits, opposing hitters failed to make hard contact off McAvene.  He works from a high 3/4 arm angle with a short arm circle back, getting good extension out front. Arm is quick. Delivery is online, falls off towards 1B side on the finish.  

October 2015: Pitching for LIDS Team Indiana McAvene sat 89-90 touching 91 several times. McAvene pitched 5 scoreless innings striking out 8 and allowed one hit. McAvene flashed a good breaking ball at times and showed command of both sides of the plate. McAvene is a low elbow guy that works from a 3/4 slot.  

September 2015: 6-foot-5, 205-pound, right-handed pitcher with a large frame. Ranked No. 106 in the PBR Overall Ranks. Purdue commit. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm circle in back and gets extension out front. Online delivery falls off towards first base on finish. Fastball sat 86-87 topping out at 89 mph. Slider showed tight weeping rotation at 79-81 mph.

2/22/14: 6-foot-3, 180 pound sophomore committed to Purdue this winter.  The righty pitches from a high ¾ slot with a clean arm action.  Arm speed is quick.  Displays smooth rhythm with easy effort and athleticism throughout his delivery. Lands closed.  Fastball topped out at 86 at the event with some sink action.  11/5 breaking sat 70-72 mph with tight spin. Changeup shows arm side run at 81-82. 

2/23/13: 6-foot-2, 160 pound RHP from Roncalli HS, is an extremely projectable prospect. He is currently tall and skinny (6-foot-2, 160-ponds) and has not physically matured, but his arm really works.   At the event, he was 81-84 mph with his fastball from a ¾ arm slot. He possesses an easy arm action, the type of arm action you don’t have to dream much to project a big velocity jump in the coming years. He has a shot at finding his way into Roncalli’s rotation as early as this spring if he can show the ability to throw strikes and get outs.

9/23/12: McAvene has good size for a freshman.  He showed a good arm from the OF for a freshman at 79 mph.  His arm action is long and over the top, showing good carry.  At the plate he uses a wide base, with decent bat speed.  He shows some stiffness with an uphill swing plane.  He displays the ability to hit to all fields, and should continue to improve throughout his HS career.    

Pitching-McAvene is an impressive 2016 with long limbs making him easy to project. McAvene works across his body in his delivery but shows a repeatable delivery with a good high ¾ arm action.

8-1-2018: Louisville righty Michael McAvene closed out the game, lighting up the radar gun at 93-96 mph from a high three-quarters slot. He had a tendency to overthrow at times and drift off his front side, and his fastball command wasn’t great on this look, but his arm is electric, and he flashed a plus power curveball at 82 mph. Tommy John surgery has limited McAvene to just 27.2 innings over his first two seasons at Louisville, but he’s an emerging arm who looks like a strong candidate to take over as Louisville’s closer next year, though he could also compete for a spot in Louisville’s crowded rotation. (A Fitt)