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Jun 04, 2012 - Jun 06, 2012     
TBD - ,
Mitchell Traver
RHP 6-7 240   R/R
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle
3/23/12: In a draft class full of outsized high school pitchers, Houston area right hander Mitchell Traver is still notable. He’s listed at 6-foot-7, 250-pounds, so he wouldn’t stand out in a police lineup from fellow right-handed pitchers such as Taylore Cherry (6-9/260) and Lucas Giolito (6-6/244) as well as left-handers Matt Smoral (6-8/225) and LHP Chase Mullins (6-9/250), among others. But for some reason Traver just looks bigger. One scout has compared him to Jonathan Broxton, and they don’t get much bigger and more intimidating than a healthy Jonathan Broxton. While they both offer power arsenals, in all fairness to Traver, the 6-foot-4, 300-pound Broxton has a different build than the well-proportioned Traver. As a sophomore in 2010, Traver pitched in the 87-90 mph range with a 77 mph knuckle curveball. He made a big leap last summer, topping out at 92 mph at the Perfect Game National Showcase in June, then consistently pitching in the 92-94 mph range at the Perfect Game All-American Classic in August and again at the WWBA World Championships in October. His knuckle curveball also picked up comparable velocity and is now in the 80-83 mph range. Aggressive scheduling by his high school, Houston Christian Academy, has led to Traver already pitching 35.2 innings this spring, including a number of level matchups. He only threw 42 innings total as a junior in 2011, going 2-3, 2.31 with 27 walks and 61 strikeouts. On February 24, Traver matched up against Fort Worth Christian High School and their top prospect, right-handed pitcher Teddy Stankiewicz, in Fort Worth in front of a large crowd of scouting directors and cross checkers. Traver drew raves for his raw stuff, with his fastball consistently in the 92-95 mph range, but dropped a 5-3 decision. His next start, on March 1, was against top outfield prospect Nick Williams of Galveston Ball High School. With another huge crowd of scouts in town for the Minute Maid Classic starting the next day, Traver’s velocity was down, topping out at 91-92, but he threw effectively and emerged with a 10-4 win, although Williams went 1-1 with a couple of walks. Traver also made a start in Arizona against Arcadia High School on March 14 at the Cleats Sports Classic Invitational and again had his 92-95 mph stuff. Traver has “big man” mechanics in that they aren’t completely fluid or consistent, but he has done a good job of keeping those mechanics as simple as possible. His arm action is clean in back and coming through and he throws from a low effort tight three-quarters release point. The mid-90s velocity comes easily for him. Traver’s knuckle curveball isn’t a consistent pitch for him yet, but it flashes good depth at times while maintaining slider-type velocity, and his downhill angle helps the pitch get additional downward plane. His changeup is still a work in progress. Traver is not a polished product by any means with his command, although he is around the plate most of the time. In addition to his 27 walks in 42 innings last year, he has walked 20 hitters and hit an additional 7 batters in his 35 innings this spring. Because he throws with such little effort, scouts feel that his command will continue to improve as he grows into his coordination better and can repeat his delivery and release point more consistently. A bigger mystery for some scouts is why Traver doesn’t miss more bats considering his intimidating physical presence and frequently overpowering raw stuff. He has struck out only 40 hitters this spring despite facing some weaker small school competition and may lack deception in his delivery with his simple mechanics and easy release. He gets most of his strikeouts on curveballs out of the strike zone and very few with his fastball. Traver is a well above average student with a scholarship to TCU, so scouts will have plenty of homework to do on the signability angle as well before the draft.




Oct 20, 2011 - Oct 24, 2011   Houston Heat  22
Roger Dean Complex - Jupiter, FL
Mitchell Traver
RHP 6-7 235   R/R
FB
94
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
90-94
CB
80
SL
CH
82
Split
Knuckle
Related Scout Blogs 




Aug 14, 2011 - Aug 14, 2011   West  
PETCO Park - San Diego, CA
Mitchell Traver
RHP 6-7 235   R/R
FB
94
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Jul 09, 2011 - Jul 15, 2011   Houston Heat - Silver  22
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Mitchell Traver
RHP 6-7 235   R/R
FB
94
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
89-94
CB
SL
83
CH
Split
Knuckle
Related Scout Blogs 




Jun 16, 2011 - Jun 19, 2011   4-Green  29
City of Palms Park - Ft. Myers, FL
Mitchell Traver
RHP 6-7 245   R/R
FB
92
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
89-92
CB
SL
81
CH
79
Split
Knuckle
Related Scout Blogs 
Mitchell Traver is a 2012 RHP with a 6-7 235 lb. frame from Sugar Land, TX who attends Houston Christian HS. XXL build, well proportioned, likely to get even stronger. Simple leg raise delivery, stays balanced and directional, good arm circle, tight 3/4's release, could get over his front side more consistently. Fastball sits at 91 mph, touched 92, heavy at the plate with occasional arm side run, primary fastball pitcher who tends to throw to the middle of the plate. Slider shows good depth and tilt, should throw more, rare change up. Repeats delivery well for a big young pitcher and creates velocity with little effort, will keep getting better with time. Very good student.
PG Grade 10.0




Baseball Web TV Video | See this player's personally updated Skillshow ACT profile & videos ACT Profile
Mitchell Traver Skillshow video 2011 National Showcase
Mitchell Traver P 2011 National Showcase
Oct 21, 2010 - Oct 25, 2010   Houston Heat  22
Roger Dean Complex - Jupiter, FL
Mitchell Traver
RHP 6-7 235   R/R
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Oct 08, 2010 - Oct 11, 2010   Canes Baseball   50
Terry Park - Ft. Myers, FL
Mitchell Traver
RHP 6-7 240   R/R
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Oct 02, 2010 - Oct 04, 2010   Houston Heat  22
Dell Diamond - Round Rock, TX
Mitchell Traver
RHP 6-7 235   R/R
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Aug 11, 2010 - Aug 12, 2010   Central (Orange)  23
USD - San Diego, CA
Mitchell Traver
RHP 6-7 240   R/R
FB
90
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
86-88
CB
75
SL
CH
77
Split
Knuckle
Mitchell Traver is a 2012 RHP/1B with a 6-7 235 lb. frame from Sugar Land, TX who attends Houston Christian. Traver has a huge frame, very good pitchers build, ball comes out well, good downhill plane, fastball has life, ball gets on you fast, projects to add even more velo, off speed has potential but needs refinement. Very interesting RHP to watch very closely.
PG Grade 10.0




Baseball Web TV Video | See this player's personally updated Skillshow ACT profile & videos ACT Profile
Mitchell Traver Skillshow video 2010 PG National Games Class of 2012
Mitchell Traver P 2010 PG National Games Class of 2012
Jul 06, 2010 - Jul 12, 2010   Houston Heat - Silver  22
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Mitchell Traver
RHP 6-7 230   R/R
FB
89
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
86-88
CB
77
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Jan 09, 2010 - Jan 10, 2010   Orange  17
Terry Park - Ft. Myers, FL
Mitchell Traver
RHP 6-6 225   R/R
FB
87
60
7.55
40
OF
IF
1B
83
C
Pop
Range
84-87
CB
71
SL
77
CH
77
Split
Knuckle
Mitchell Traver is a 2012 RHP/1B with a 6'7'', 240 lb. frame from Sugar Land, TX who attends Fort Bend Baptist Academy. XXL frame. Surprisingly smooth delivery, low effort, online to plate, good clean arm action, good downhill plane, good mound presence, good run on fastball, has feel for change, developing 11/5 curveball, projects very high. Also hit and showed some raw power, could figure it out. Very good student, Named to Top Prospect team.
PG Grade 9.5




Baseball Web TV Video | See this player's personally updated Skillshow ACT profile & videos ACT Profile
Mitchell Traver Hitting 2010 National Underclass Showcase - Session 3
Mitchell Traver P 2010 National Underclass Showcase - Session 3
Mitchell Traver 60 2010 National Underclass Showcase - Session 3
Mitchell Traver 1B 2010 National Underclass Showcase - Session 3