Seattle Mariners 2019 Draft Profile: Tyler Dyson

As the Seattle Mariners begin preparations for their 2019 season, we are getting ready for the 2019 MLB Draft. Could the Mariners select a power collegiate arm with the 20th pick?

Almost no focus is being spent on what the Mariners may do in the upcoming draft. Which makes a lot of sense. Seattle has the 20th pick, and there is no way to predict the top 19 picks with any certainty. Also, we do not know who will quickly rise up boards with a killer 2019 season.

However, we have already asked if the Mariners rebuild will change their draft strategy and took a quick look at Bryson Stott. But today, we profile our first arm for the consideration of GM Jerry Dipoto in June.

The University of Florida has been a pitcher factory of late, producing 5 first round starters in the past 3 drafts. Tyler Dyson could be number six. The 6’3″, 225 lbs right-hander has flashed first-round talent in his first two seasons in the SEC.

Dyson has a big fastball, sitting at 93 with movement and has touched 97 MPH. The fastball plays up thanks to his quick, fluid delivery. Dyson is a prototypical power right-handed pitcher. He backs up his big fastball with an above-average slider. While the pitch flashes plus at times, it lacks the consistency to be a true plus offering like the fastball.

2019 will be a big season for Dyson’s draft profile in 2 key areas. First, Dyson must show some semblance of a third quality offering. When we last saw Dyson his third pitch was a changeup, and not a very good one. It is a well below-average offering at Florida, and in order to avoid the “bullpen” tag, he needs to quickly improve it.

The other big hurdle for Dyson is refining his command. Currently, Dyson has below-average command, relying instead on his big fastball to cover up his flaws. At Florida in 2018, Dyson racked up a staggering 28 walks in 50 innings, good for a 5.01 BB/9.

There is hope for Dyson. His freshman year, he posted a solid 2.31 BB/9 and appeared to make some strides in the Cape Cod League. Currently, with his lack of a 3rd pitch and even average command, Dyson could be looked at as a future middle-reliever by some teams.

If the Mariners believe they can help Dyson in both areas, he could be a steal at 20, using his power heater and slider combo to stay in the middle of a rotation for years to come. Dipoto typically stays away from arms with control issues, so Dyson will need to show significant growth in that area to be high on the team’s board.

Scouting Grades (20-80) scale: Fastball- 65 Slider- 55 Changeup-40 Command-40 Overall-50 Future Potential- 55

Dyson is a player who, with solving the issues mentioned above, could rocket up the draft board thanks to a lack of high upside college arms. Dyson should be motivated in 2019 after his poor command forced him out of the Florida rotation in 2018.

Perhaps a shoulder injury hampered his performance in 2018. But one thing is for certain: 2019 will be a massive year for Tyler Dyson and his chances to be a Top 20 pick the MLB Draft.