2021 MLB Draft: Cleveland Indians bank future on 100 mph college arm

The Cleveland Indians selected college pitcher, Gavin Williams, of East Carolina University with the 23rd overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft.

Most noticeably, Williams, is capable of touching triple-digits on the radar gun. Hey Gavin, what are you doing Thursday?

The Tribe has done a stellar job of producing pitchers, and now the organization is counting on Williams to turn into an elite prospect down on the farm.

Per Baseball America, Williams enjoyed his best collegiate season, as he was able to put everything together in 2021. That helped the right-hander post a 1.46 ERA through is first 10 starts. In 68 innings he fanned 108, making for 14.3 punch outs per nine innings.

Additionally, he enjoyed the best walk rate of his career, issuing a total of 18 (2.4 BB/9).

Strong command and wiping out free passes drum up memories of Shane Bieber and Aaron Civale went hey were coming through the minors. These guys barely walked anybody. It really doesn’t matter (maybe it does) but these also college pitchers, albeit, picked beyond the first round.

As Williams develops, it will be imperative that he develops some secondary pitchers to complement his heat, as noted by Baseball America (subscription required).

"“The Indians have had success squeezing some extra velo out of their young pitchers. They won’t need any of that with Williams, who already brings it up to 100 mph. There isn’t a knockout secondary pitch in his arsenal, but the offspeed stuff could be average to a tick better across the board.”"

The MLB Draft has tried to ramp up excitement around the draft, but it’s difficult for the casual fan to get excited. It just takes so long for prospects to go through the system. Out of sight, out of mind syndrome, no doubt.

I’d like to think Cleveland is a little, different though. Most of their minor league clubs are in-state, which means the top prospects usually pass through town.

With a college pitcher, you might see him sooner than later, as well, as they’re typically more advanced than prep arms.

For what it’s worth, I did touch on a few mock draft this season, and while the last had the Tribe taking a bat, the other ones had Cleveland going with collegiate pitching. Those prospects, Gunner Holland and Michael McGreevy, went 18th and 19th, respectively, to the Cardinals and Blue Jays.