Max
Alba

2022 MLB Draft League: Swing-and-miss strikeout pitcher: 21K/3BB. Lethal ride fastball with 21" of IVB and 7" of HZB giving the illusion of rising vertically from release to plate. Up to 93 mph and generates 35% Whiff%. Hard slider pairs well with the fastball and moves with good sinking action down and away from RHH. Pitch generates 45% Whiff% and 29% Chase%.

After earning the “W” with five shutout innings during a Tuesday start at home against North Carolina A&T, Alba pitched one inning out of the bullpen on Sunday against Purdue. Pitching from a high slot and without much deception, he allowed three runs on three hits with an 88-90 mph fastball and a 78-82 mph slider with some tilt. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound, 2020 draft-eligible red-shirt freshman will have some ups and downs as he continues his comeback from Tommy John surgery which took place in June of 2018.

North Carolina signee. Ranked No. 4 in Wisconsin’s Class of 2018 and No. 106 Nationally. Showed sharper feel and command for his three-pitch mix since last seen at the Super 60 in February. 6-foot-5, 190-pounds, long, lanky projectable frame. Working from a 3/4 arm slot, quick, clean arm action, long on the back, quick to get out front. Drop and drive delivery. Fastball, mostly straight, was most effective down in the zone, sat 88-90, touched 91 multiple times and 92.6 once, spin rates 2200-2500 rpm. Curveball, 11/5 shape, sharp bite when kept low in the zone, 79-82, spin rates 2300-2500. When consistently locating fastball and curveball low, had batters guessing and chasing. 

6/6/18 - Drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 39th round.

2/4/18 - North Carolina recruit. 6-foot-5, 190-pound right-handed pitcher; long, lean and athletic; big projection in frame as he continues to physically develop. Excellent overall showing at the Super 60. Works out of a full windup, drop-and-drive delivery, maintains rhythm, tempo and balance throughout. Arm is quick, clean and easy coming out of a high-3/4 slot, deep takeaway in the back, highly athletic out front. Fastball sat 90-91, topping at 92, mostly straight with occasional arm-side action. Three-pitch feel, around the zone with everything. Consistent strikes with changeup, 82-85 mph, with some late running action, thrown with near fastball arm speed. Curveball shows above-average potential at times, throws it firmly at 80-81 mph, a few with sharp 11/5 bite; some with early, flatter break. Overall, Alba has the combination of tantalizing upside with current three-pitch stuff that will make him a high-interest draft prospect, if not this June, then certainly after three-years at North Carolina.

7/11/17 - North Carolina commit. Currently ranked No. 3 in the Wisconsin Class of 2018 and No. 69 in the PBR Overall Ranks. 6-foot-5, 190-pound right-handed pitcher with a projectable, athletic frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Wrap on the backside. Full overhead, drop and drive delivery with good tempo. Works in line with home plate, square landing with good balance. Fastball is mostly straight worked 86-88 topping out at 89 mph. Curveball has continued to get better, has 11-5 shape with late, sharp breaking action, thrown with fastball arm speed. Curveball worked 77-80 mph. Also took batting practice and worked out at first base.  Shows athleticism running a 7.11 60 yard dash. Hits from a balanced setup with a short toe tap stride. Short, uphill swing path. 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. Fluid footwork and actions at first base, with good feel around the bag. Threw 85 mph across the infield. 

6/24/17 - Verbally committed to North Carolina. 

5/16/17 - 6-foot-5, 190-pound right-handed pitcher, long lean and athletic frame, body projects well. Top uncommitted 2018 in the PBR coverage area. Full windup delivery, athletic and easy. Arm plays free and quick from a high ¾ slot. Showed the best fastball command we’ve seen from him, worked the bottom of the zone consistently, sat 86-87 mph, late life with slight arm side run, created a ton of swing and miss. Used curveball sparingly early on, 74-76 mph, showed it more later, flashed sharp swing and miss. Changeup also rarely used, 76 mph, occasional fade. Dominated his competition in this outing with virtually one pitch, if fastball command continues on this progression Alba will like continue to see his stock rise throughout the summer.

3.12.17 - 6-foot-5, 190-pound, lanky left-handed hitting RHP/1B with a projectable, athletic frame. High level athlete, averaged 20/10 in basketball and as a quarterback lead his team to a runner up finish in state. Emerged from the event as one of the state’s biggest winners. Currently ranked No. 3 in the Wisconsin Class of 2018 and No. 49 in the PBR Overall Ranks. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short draw out of the glove and quick arm action. Drop and drive delivery, slow paced working in line with home plate. Square landing with an athletic finish. Fastball is straight at 89-90, topping out at 93 mph for strikes. Curveball has made great strides since the Future Games. Works 77-78 mph with 11-5 shape and late, sharp breaking action for strikes. Showed feel for his changeup with fastball arm speed at 79-83 mph for strikes. At the plate hits from a couched setup with a short stop and short uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 90 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 6.99. Defensively has athletic actions at first base. Threw 85 mph across the infield.

Future Games 2016 - 6-foot-5, 185-pound right-handed pitcher, lean athletic frame, high upside frame. Delivery is athletic, works downhill, slight drop and drive, works downhill. Arm action is loose and athletic, high ¾ slot, quick arm with upside. Fastball is lively with swing and miss finish, sat 87-88 mph, topping at 89 mph, hard late action in the hitting zone. Curveball has depth, swing and miss potential, 74-77 mph, throws aggressively. Alba is a high ceiling right-handed pitcher who is highly athletic and one of the best available arms in the Midwest.

3/13/16 - 6-foot-5, 185-pound left-handed hitting RHP/1B with a lanky, athletic frame. Works from an over the top arm angle with a short, loose, quick arm action. Full over head drop and drive delivery with an athletic finish. Fastball was straight, tends to get underneath it at times, sat 87-89 mph. Curveball showed 11-5 shape with sharp action at 71-75 mph. Maintained arm speed on changeup that showed fading action at 77-81 mph for strikes. One of the top arms in Wisconsin’s 2018 class. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork and soft hands. Threw 82 mph across the infield. At the plate hits from an open stance with a drop load and short leg kick stride. Good balance with an uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.12.

9.5.15 - 6-foot-5, 175-pound, right-handed pitcher with a lanky, projectable frame. Currently ranked No. 6 in the Wisconsin Class of 2018 and No. 50 in the PBR Overall Ranks. High ceiling arm. Came in to close out the game for PTA working one inning. Works form a high ¾ arm angle with a short quick arm action. Fastball sat 83-85 mph in his inning of work. Curveball showed 12-6 shape with tight rotation and depth at 71 mph.

7.20.15 - Lean athletic projectable frame, 6-foot-5, 175-pound two-way player. Looks to project best on the mound. Full windup delivery, high leg kick, squared landing, works online. Arm action is quick and loose, high ¾ slot. Fastball has slight arm side run, sat 82-84 mph, showed control of the zone. Used curveball sparingly in game action, 70-71 mph, lateral action 10/4 plane almost slider type, near fastball arm speed. Flashed a straight changeup at 74 mph. Offensively hits from the left side, wider setup, hands drop at load. Pull side approach with uphill/lifting path, flashed power potential. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively has plus arm strength from first base for his age, 83 mph across the diamond.

7.15.15 - 6-foot-5, 175-pound, highly projectable frame. On the mound showed a drop-and-drive delivery, landing on line to home. Long arm action  from a high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 81-83 mph. Slider showed 10/5 shape, sharp break at times, 69-71 mph. Threw two innings, no earned runs, two strikeouts.

3/1/15 - Young prospect with huge ceiling, highly projectable frame, long slender build, 6-foot-4, 170-pound left-handed hitting two-way prospect. Currently shows more upside on the mound, although bat really projects as well, average first base defender. Works from a full windup, clean delivery, tall and fall, stays online, good landing and direction, athletic finish. Arm action is short, over the top slot, quick arm that projects well. Fastball is mostly straight, four seam finish, 82-83 mph, pounded the zone. Throws slider that has downward action, occasionally backs up, 72-75 mph, throws aggressively with fastball arm speed. Sinking changeup shows promise, 72-74 mph, throws aggressively. Hits from the left side, balanced stance, short stride, good balance through contact. Short path, lacks extension, slight pull side hitter, hits with rhythm, fast bat, projects well with the bat. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed average actions at first base, athletic around the bag, shows confidence. Short over the top arm action, 77 mph across the diamond. Ran the 60 at 7.52. High follow 2018 prospect, will be one of the top prospects in Wisconsin’s 2018 class.