Blue Jays Select LHP Nick Wells in 3rd Round

June 6, 2014

 

LHP / 18 years old / 6’5″ 180 lbs.

Born: February 22, 1996

Bats/Throws: Left/Left

High School: Battlefield HS (Haymarket, VA)

Ranked as the baseball America’s 119^th best prospect entering the draft, Nick Wells was anticipating being drafted early Friday morning. And he was. With the 82^nd overall pick of the draft, the Toronto Blue Jays selected the 6-foot-5 lefty out of Battlefield High School.

MLB.com states that the lefty’s best features are his fastball, which sits in the low 90s, touching 93 mph, and his tall frame which helps him create a good downhill plane. “His curveball has very good shape with hard, late movement and has the chance to be a swing and miss pitch for him in the future,” they add. “He hasn’t thrown his changeup much at this point, but scouts who have seen it say it has the potential to be a solid pitch with good fade and deception.”

This past season at Battlefield High, Wells was dominating, pitching 53 innings and recording 102 strikeouts, six complete games and two no-hitters while allowing eight earned runs, giving him a 1.06 ERA to end the season.

His incredible performance on the mound has made it no surprise that he has already committed to a college. Presently, Wells has signed a letter of intent to the College of Charleston.

Having a good relationship with the school, the deciding factor for the Blue Jays could come down to money.

“There isn’t a definite number,” Wells told the Washington Post. “If the money comes in and looks good, I’ll take it. But right now I’m still headed down to College of Charleston.”

In an interview with Inside Nova, Battlefield baseball coach Jay Burkhart said he remembers Wells once just being skinny kid but highlights at Wells’ determination and perseverance. His star pitcher worked hard on his performance, starting a relentless weightlifting regimen with his best friend, a new diet and a complete work out schedule.

“Wells has added 40 pounds to his frame in the past year, thanks to a 5,000-calorie a day diet that emphasizes protein and limits carbohydrates, and his intense weightlifting program,” Burkhart said. “Wells credits Weaver with helping him implement and remain committed to that diet.”

“Before this diet, I would literally demolish entire packs of Oreos. Now I don’t eat sugar,” Wells added.

Due to the Blue Jays’ first draft pick, Jeff Hoffman, currently recovering from Tommy John surgery, it is suspected the team may be able to afford to afford Wells a higher signing bonus.

With the deadline for major-league teams to sign drafted players being July 18^th, here’s hoping they can lock up this young lefty.