Mariners of the Future: 2017 MLB Draft Prospect Profile Alex Lange

The Major League Baseball Draft is just 12 weeks away, and Seattle Mariners scouts are already well into their search for the Mariners of the future. Today, we begin our profile series with LSU right-hand, Alex Lange.

The Seattle Mariners hold the #17 overall pick in the upcoming 2017 MLB Draft. This draft class is loaded with quality college arms, and LSU pitcher Alex Lange is one of the best.

Lange was considered a high round pick coming out of high school in 2014, but went undrafted, thanks to his strong commitment to Louisiana State University.

Lange exceeded all expectations in his freshman season in 2015, going 12-0 with a microscopic 1.97 ERA in 17 starts. He regressed some in 2016, though he still posted solid numbers (a 3.79 ERA) and is off to a solid start in 2017.

Lange statistics show a dominant strikeout pitcher, averaging 10.43 k/9 in his two-plus seasons in the SEC. He can be wild at times, posting a career 3.66 BB/9. However, early in the 2017 season, Lange has improved this rate to just 2.18 BB/9.

Lange’s stuff is more than MLB quality, as he currently possess two above-average pitches. His fastball sits at 93 mph, though he can reach back and hit 96 or 97 mph at times.

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Lange’s power curve is one of the best off-speed pitches in all of the college baseball. The change-up lags behind the other two pitches. However; it has already shown great improvement over the summer and has continued in 2017.

Lange’s windup isn’t effortless, making it difficult for him to consistently repeat his delivery. He has been known to overthrow at times, not trusting his fastball in tough spots. This leads some scouts to believe Lange is destined to wind up as a power arm in the big leagues.

This is the Mariners opportunity to strike at pick 17, adding a potential #2 starter who would otherwise be unavailable without these concerns. Lange fits the Dipoto mold. He has upside stuff with a safe floor, and an ability to miss bats.

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If the Mariners believe they can tweak the delivery to improve the command of Lange’s pitches, the team will jump for joy if Lange should be on the board at 17.