Scouting Report: Christian Chamberlain
Oct 20, 2022 12:16:55 GMT -8
wilkyisdashiznit and Bodhisattva like this
Post by chinmusic on Oct 20, 2022 12:16:55 GMT -8
Has touched 98 mph, has electric stuff - the Royals have the bus waiting to bring him to Kansas City. Had to overcome some adversity but now on his way to the Show.
Christian Chamberlain, LHP, Royals | 96.5 mph FB Avg. | 2,450 rpm | 23% Whiff Rate | 70% Strike Rate
The cancellation of the 2020 collegiate season impacted players in a variety of ways both good and bad. It certainly can be said that the 2020 shutdown impacted Chamberlain as negatively as any player. After starting the season in Oregon State’s rotation, Chamberlain was trending upward, posting a 0.82 ERA and 13.9 strikeouts per nine innings over four starts. The season then abruptly ended, and Chamberlain lost an opportunity to push his way into the top two rounds of the draft and slipped to Kansas City in the fourth round.
Things didn’t get easier in 2021, as Chamberlain sustained a hamstring injury in spring training, meaning he had to wait a little longer to make his pro debut. He joined Quad-Cities in late May and made a two-inning appearance against Peoria, striking out a pair and earning the win. In the following appearance disaster struck as Chamberlain injured his shoulder, and after just two appearances his 2021 season came to an end. Back healthy and throwing early in camp, Chamberlain is all systems go for 2022, and he'll be armed with one of the best fastballs in the minor leagues. Chamberlain has a rare combination of power, shape and unique release characteristics that make his fastball one of the best four-seamers thrown by a lefthander in the minors. He sits 96-97 mph and touches 98 with—on average—20 inches of induced vertical break from a low release height. This combination of power, vertical movement and a low release is rare in general, but even more so for a lefty.
Future Role: With a plus fastball and one of the better breaking balls in the Royals system Chamberlain looks ready-made for a high-leverage bullpen role in the future, but he may not be done starting for now.
Christian Chamberlain, LHP, Royals | 96.5 mph FB Avg. | 2,450 rpm | 23% Whiff Rate | 70% Strike Rate
The cancellation of the 2020 collegiate season impacted players in a variety of ways both good and bad. It certainly can be said that the 2020 shutdown impacted Chamberlain as negatively as any player. After starting the season in Oregon State’s rotation, Chamberlain was trending upward, posting a 0.82 ERA and 13.9 strikeouts per nine innings over four starts. The season then abruptly ended, and Chamberlain lost an opportunity to push his way into the top two rounds of the draft and slipped to Kansas City in the fourth round.
Things didn’t get easier in 2021, as Chamberlain sustained a hamstring injury in spring training, meaning he had to wait a little longer to make his pro debut. He joined Quad-Cities in late May and made a two-inning appearance against Peoria, striking out a pair and earning the win. In the following appearance disaster struck as Chamberlain injured his shoulder, and after just two appearances his 2021 season came to an end. Back healthy and throwing early in camp, Chamberlain is all systems go for 2022, and he'll be armed with one of the best fastballs in the minor leagues. Chamberlain has a rare combination of power, shape and unique release characteristics that make his fastball one of the best four-seamers thrown by a lefthander in the minors. He sits 96-97 mph and touches 98 with—on average—20 inches of induced vertical break from a low release height. This combination of power, vertical movement and a low release is rare in general, but even more so for a lefty.
Future Role: With a plus fastball and one of the better breaking balls in the Royals system Chamberlain looks ready-made for a high-leverage bullpen role in the future, but he may not be done starting for now.
