Paul McLaughlin: OF/LHP, (2023) Boston College, MA. 5-foot-11, 155-pound lean athletic build. Projectable raw during batting practice, Mclaughlin had a max exit velocity of 84 mph. Began in a balanced wide stance with a small load, then used a closed short stride. Has developing average bat speed, uphill loose swing plane and high finish. He created loud contact and found a few barrels. Line drive approach. Athletic  and capable from the outfield, his best throws to the bases were registered at 75 mph; shows a clean natural exchange, athletic developing feet, and soft developing hands. Fields the ball out front, movements laterally were developing. Consistent accuracy to the bag, used a high ¾ slot with a loose arm action. Established speed as one of his strengths with an efficient 60 time of 6.8. Projectable raw on the mound, used a consistent loose arm action with a high ¾ arm angle while showing developing arm speed. Feel type pitcher who shows some effort. Has a consistent balance point and falling off shoulders. Lands open with a falling off finish. Threw his fastball 75-77 mph; has arm side command and slight running action. Showed sweeping action and glove side around the zone command on his 11/5 curveball (65-67). 

Scout Evaluation 

Paul McLaughlin, Boston College, 2023, MA

Position: OF/LHP

Body: 5-foot-11, 155-pound lean athletic build.

Hit: (LHH) Projectable raw. Starts in a balanced wide stance with a small load, then uses a closed short stride. Developing average bat speed. High finish, uphill loose swing. Line drive approach. 

Power: 84 mph exit velocity. 

Defense:  (OF) Soft developing hands, athletic developing footwork, clean natural exchange. Athletic capable.  Fields the ball out front, movements laterally were developing. 

Arm: 75 mph outfield velocity. Loose arm action, high ¾ slot, consistent accuracy. 

Speed: 6.80 (60-yard).

Pitching: Projectable raw. Feel delivery, some effort. High ¾ arm angle, developing arm speed, consistent loose arm action. Consistent balance point, falling off shoulders, lands open, a falling off finish.

FB: T77. 75-77 mph. Arm side accuracy, slight running action. 

CB: 65-67 mph. Glove side around the zone command, sweeping action, 11/5 shape. 

McLaughlin is a 5-foot-11, 165 pound left-handed hitting two-way prospect. He hits out of a wide stance, with the hands set just off the back shoulder. He uses a leg lift to stack the weight over the back side. The bat-head takes an uphill path through the hitting zone, yielding an exit velocity of 81 MPH during his round. He remains balanced throughout the swing and gets good extension through contact.

Defensively, he was 75 MPH on his throws from the outfield. His feet are light as he works to get into a good fielding position. The arm-swing is fluid and creates a good line with his target. He finishes over his front leg, maintaining a good line with his target.

On the mound, McLaughlin works primarily out of the stretch. He separates well at the top, using a long, high arm-swing that allows for heavy sink on a fastball that sits 72-74 MPH. McLaughlin also cuts his fastball at 67-69 MPH. He stays in line with home plate, finishing over his front leg, with his chest in line with the target. His breaking ball was 68-69 MPH and showed good spin. He also mixed in a change-up at 67-69 MPH with similar action to his fastball.