JB
Middleton

Cape Cod: Middleton showed 94-96 mph heat during an electrifying first impression in our fall visit to Hattiesburg, but his freshman year was limited to 9.1 innings due in large part to injury. He added 9.2 more innings this summer for Hyannis, going 2-0, 3.72 with 17 strikeouts and seven walks over seven relief appearances. He also showed some of the best pure stuff on the Cape, sitting 94-97 with a wipeout slider at 85-88 and promising feel for an 84-87 changeup that ranks as the best of the three on Hyannis’ Stuff+ model. In the playoffs, he used that disappearing changeup to fan Cape League MVP Travis Bazanna, who was on a tear. Middleton isn’t overly physical at 6-foot, 175 pounds, but he’s a quick-twitch athlete with lightning in his right arm, and his upside is very exciting. Look for him to make a huge leap forward as a sophomore.