Brandon
Birdsell

2022 MLB Draft: The power right-hander was selected in the 11th round last summer by the Minnesota Twins, but elected to return to Lubbock for his fourth year of college and his second at Texas Tech. With a refined delivery and more compact arm path this spring, Birdsell was able to repeat his release point much more consistently than years past. The result is a heater that ranges from 93-98 mph, mostly 94-96. It is also one that he is able to move to both sides of the plate, while keeping down in the strike zone. His slider is thrown from a near identical release point to his fastball and ranges from 83-87 mph with the lower velocities showing more curveball shape and the upper velos cutter-like. Overall, the pitch flashes plus and plays above average. Birdsell's composure and calm presence on the mound also stand out, something that has developed nicely during his college career. The Red Raider ace finished the season 9-3 with a 2.75 ERA and struck out 106 while walking just 29 in 85 IP. Opponents batted just .216 off Birdsell. After a fully healthy 2022 season (he went down in mid-April last spring with a rotator cuff injury) expect Birdsell to be strongly considered early on Day Two.

Currently sitting at No. 75 in our college prospect rankings, Birdsell was selected in the 11th round last summer by the Minnesota Twins, but elected to return to Lubbock for his fourth year of college and his second at Texas Tech. Dating back to Birdsell's senior season in high school (2018) and one JUCO season at San Jacinto (2020), I've seen plenty of the 6-foot-2, 240-pound right-hander. And this look was my best look at both his fastball velocity and his command. More refined with his delivery and showing a more compact arm path, Birdsell was able to repeat his release point much more consistently than previous evaluations. His release height was consistently around 6.1' and his release side around 2.7' on his fastball. The result was a heater that ranged from 93-98 mph, mostly 94-96, with a spin rate ranging from the low-2100s to the mid-2300s. It was also one that he was able to move to both sides of the plate, while keeping down in the strike zone. Of the 57 fastballs he threw, 35 were thrown for strikes, fouled off or put in play. Five were swung at and missed. His slider was thrown from a near identical release point to his fastball. It ranged from 83-87 mph with the lower velocities showing more curveball shape and the upper velos cutter-like. Overall, the pitch flashed plus on a couple occasions and played average over the course of his 87-pitch start. It was a challenge to distinguish between his slider and changeup, as both arrived at the plate with similar velocity and spin. To my eyes his best change-of-pace was a swinging strikeout by left-handed hitter Sam Hojnar on a 84 mph offering in which the bottom fell out. Birdsell's composure and calm presence on the mound also stood out, something that has developed nicely during his college career. The Red Raider ace earned the W going five innings, allowing five hits and two runs (one earned) with two walks and nine strikeouts. For the season he is now 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA and has struck out 43 while walking just eight in 25 innings pitched. Opponents are batting just .169 off Birdsell. If he remains healthy (he went down in mid-April last spring with a rotator cuff injury) expect Birdsell to be strongly considered early on Day Two this July.

Birdsell looked a little heavier than I remembered, sitting at 6-foot-2, 240 pounds. But it doesn't look like bad weight to me. It looks more like a physical frame than one to be concerned about. Birdsell held his velocity at 95-97 mph and showed a power slider at 88-89 that was an absolute beast away to righthanded hitters at times. However, some of the same command issues that have hindered him at times in the past also bit him in this look. Birdsell looked slightly more refined than my last look, but there's work to be done between now and the draft. (Rogers)

Scattering rockets up to 99 mph, the durable-bodied reliever impressed with his pure arm strength out of the Red Raiders’ bullpen. However, that arm strength didn’t transfer into strikes on this look as Birdsell lasted only six batters with three of them reaching via base on balls. He also showed a 86-88 slider/cutter and a slower breaker at 80 mph. This recent look was much different from my last in early February of 2020 when the right-hander showed some pitchability with a four-pitch mix during his start for San Jacinto JC against NW Florida State. Better days are likely soon ahead for Birdsell as he sharpens his control and offspeed offerings.

2020 DRAFT: From a high slot, the 6-foot-2, 210 pound strong bodied righty consistently works his 91-94 mph fastball downhill to the bottom of the zone. He will touch 96-97 at times, but can become predictable with his location down in the zone. With more down plane than lateral life to his heater, Birdsell could benefit by working his four-seamer to the letters instead of exclusively pounding away at the knees. His 84-86 mph slider is tight and above average at times. Birdsell will also show a slower version of his breaking pitch in the 79-82 mph range with similar shape and action and flashes an average changeup a 83-85 mph with fastball arm speed. Overall, he shows good poise and a solid three-plus pitch mix. It's not the type of stuff and performance that screams early rounds at this point, but it's good enough to keep cross-checkers coming to future starts. He began his college career at Texas A&M and is now committed to Texas Tech for next school year.

2/16/2020Estimated 6-foot-2, 210 pounds. The right-hander throws from a high slot with a quick arm swing. His fastball sat 93-94 mph touching 96 mph command to both sides of the plate. He also threw an 81-84 mph curveball with 11/5 shape and flashed an 86-87 mph changeup.

2/7/20:The 6-foot-2, 210 pound strong bodied righty got the start in the opener on Friday afternoon for the Gators againstMotlowState. Birdsell pitched three innings, allowed three hits, walked two and struck out six. He consistently worked his 91-94 mph fastball downhill to the bottom of the zone while spiking it out in front of the plate on occasion. He became predictable with his location down in the zone and could have benefited by working his four-seamer to the letters instead of pounding away at the knees. His 84-85 mph slider was tight and above average at times. Also showed a slower version of his breaking pitch in the 79-80 mph range with similar shape and action. Flashed an average changeup a 83 mph with fastball arm speed. Overall, Birdsell showed good poise and a solid three-pitch mix. It wasn’t the type of stuff and performance that screamed early Day Two, but it was good enough to keep cross-checkers coming to future starts. He began his college career at Texas A&M and is now committed to Texas Tech for this fall.

11/1/19:A Texas A&M transfer, Birdsell has a 6-foot-1, 230-pound frame and possesses a power fastball that will sit 91-95 and up to 96-97 in shorter outings and a slider that ranges 80-82 mph. Present command isn’t yet there, but the delivery and arm path are simple enough to project that he will throw enough strikes with both pitches. He has committed to Texas Tech for his junior season.

10/14/19:Texas A&M transfer, 6-foot-1, 230-pounds has a power fastball that will sit 91-95 and up to 96-97 in shorter outings, with a slider that will be from 80-82 mph. Present command isn’t there yet but the delivery and arm path are simple enough for you to think he will throw enough strikes with both pitches. (Haig)

10/28/18:Birdsell has a strong, broad shouldered frame at 6-foot-2, 210-pounds. The right-hander works from a high- slot, with his fastball topping out at 94 mph, settling in at 90-92 mph. Features a very effective 79-81 mph curveball with 11/5 shape and sharp break. (Kelly)

The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a long, loose arm stroke. His fastball comes out clean at 91-93 mph, touching a couple of 94’s and 95’s in the first two innings. His curveball was 76-79 mph with 11/5 shape, and deep break with a slight hump out of the hand. Recorded ten punchouts in just five innings pitched, allowing no runs on three hits and five walks. Although he was not efficient at times, throwing 108 pitches in five innings, the senior showed the ability to bow his neck and work out of jams in both the fourth and fifth innings with inning ending strikeouts. With his frame and loose arm swing, Birdsell has plenty of upside.

08.07.17 - Area Code Games - RHP Brandon Birdsell (Conroe HS, TX) went 1.2 innings and allowed five runs on a walk and a hit, though none of them were earned. He was 92-94 with a sharp, swing-and-miss slider at 78-80. 

06.26.17 - 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame. The right-hander works from a high slot with short, compact arm stroke from the ear and some effort in his delivery. His fastball was 90-93 mph during the game. His breaking ball was 77-78 mph, while his changeup was 83 mph.