Jackson
Rutledge

11/23/18: Committed to Kentucky out of San Jacinto JC (TX)

Summer '18- Transferred from Arkansas to San Jacinto JC, TX.

Super 60 - Arkansas recruit. 6-foot-8, 245-pound right-handed pitcher, extra-large frame, athletic for size, with still room for physical development. Aside from his hulking stature, he made his presence known in a big way with his improved arsenal and velocity at the Super 60. Fastball sat 91-93, touching 94 once, with hard, late arm-side life. Breaking ball was vastly improved. In late June at the PBR Midwest ProCase, it was a mid-70s slurve with inconsistent action. At the Super 60, he was throwing a true slider at 81-83 mph with some power 11/5 late action. His changeup, too, had been overhauled, flashing arm-side sink at 83-85 mph. Shows athleticism in the arm, works somewhere between a 3/4 and high-3/4, with slight variances on his off-speed pitches, moderate wrap on the backside. Repeats delivery well for his size; everything works with minimal effort. Likely more velocity to come down the road.

6.21.16 - Recently de-committed from Kansas State and is back on the open market. Judging by his performance at the PBR Midwest ProCase, Rutledge’s services should be in high demand. Highly projectable 6-foot-7, 230-pound frame, athletic build with plenty of room for continued physical development. For his size, his arm works quickly and cleanly from high-3/4 slot, uninterrupted arm action with good acceleration. Works slightly across his body, shorter stride for his length, hides the ball well; maintains rhythm and tempo throughout delivery. Fastball sat 89-90 with hard heavy sink and run when down in zone and mechanics in sync; more velocity likely to come. Breaking ball has slurvy inconsistent shape, in mid-70s. Also flashed an upper-70s splitter during warmups. Overall, Rutledge is a high-ceiling prospect who should generate draft buzz come next June. 

8/1/15 - Rutledge tossed two-scoreless innings the the Future Games in July, touching 88 mph with his fastball.  He showed a 69-70 11-to-5 breaking ball with late action.  Rutledge is a physical presence on the mound, standing 6-foot-7, and repeats his delivery well for a tall pitcher.  He has loose arm action with a high three-quarters release.

2/8/19: Working from a high- slot with a short, compact arm circle, the first bolt of the game was 97 mph. He sat 94-96 in his first two innings of work, with a shorter stride down the mound, landing closed. Showed late life on his fastball for swings and misses at the top of the zone, as well as heavy sink at the bottom. His put away pitch for the day was a hammer curveball that came in at 79-82 mph. Pitch had tight rotation with late drop off the table depth and 12/6 shape, freezing multiple hitters as well as getting swings and misses. Slider was 85-88 with short, lateral shape that looked more like a flat cutter. Mixed in several changeups at 87 mph. Velocity held up throughout the cold day, still sitting mostly 94-96 in the sixth inning, and spinning his curveball at 79-80 mph. Final Line: 6 IP, 12 K, 2 R, 0 ER. Likely 1st round selection and future top of the rotation starter. 

11/23/18: Committed to Kentucky out of San Jacinto JC (TX)

10/28/18: Previously at Arkansas, Rutledge stands at an imposing 6-foot-8, 255 pounds. In a fall scrimmage against Texas, he was sharp in his first inning of work, showing glove-side command with a fastball that sat 94-96 mph. For a player his size, his mechanics work well with a short, clean arm action and little effort. He didn’t have the same stuff during a lengthy second inning, losing feel for his release and timing, but he also didn’t get much help from his defense. At one point, Rutledge flashed a plus slider at 88, but his breaking stuff can blend together to resemble a low-80s slurve. He also shows feel for a changeup with fade.