Paul
Dufrene

At 6-foot-5, 175 pounds, Dufrene owns a long, lean, ultra-projectable frame with wiry strength and plenty more coming as he continues to mature physically. The 2028 right-hander drew the Opening Night start for the Patriots against Live Oak and, while it wasn’t his sharpest outing, he still flashed the traits that make him one of the premier arms in Louisiana’s freshman class. Dufrene is an exceptionally athletic mover down the slope with a lightning-quick arm that really works. His fastball sat 87-91 mph and showed different shapes throughout the outing — at times flashing ride and run through the zone, and at others showing late cutting action. There’s clear arm speed and life to the pitch, and very few balls came out flat. He paired the heater with a sharp 77-80 mph slider that already shows the makings of a future above-average offering. The pitch had late bite and swing-and-miss potential, particularly when he was able to land it down in the zone. Dufrene earned the win after tossing three innings, allowing two hits and three earned runs with one walk and six strikeouts, though he also hit two batters. The stuff is undeniable. If he continues to refine his control and raise his overall strike percentage, the ceiling is extremely high for this young arm.