2021 MLB Draft Profile: Sam Bachman

Overview

Position: RHP

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 235 pounds

School: Miami (OH)

Sam Bachman is a right-handed pitcher from Fishers, Indiana and plays for the Miami University RedHawks. Bachman is one of the top pitching prospects in the draft and might have the best fastball in this draft class.

During his time at Miami (OH), Bachman became one of the top freshman pitchers in the country and made the First Team All-MAC. As a freshman, Bachman made fifteen appearances including fourteen starts. He had a 7-1 record with a 3.93 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and an 8.9 K/9.

As a sophomore, Bachman pitched well but was only able to get four starts due to the 2020 season getting shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In those four starts, Bachman had a 1-2 record with a 3.42 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and an 11.8 K/9.

During the 2021 season, Bachman had a breakout season in which he was one of the most dominant pitchers in the country. Bachman made twelve starts as he posted a 4-4 record with a 1.81 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and a 14.0 K/9 that ranked seventh in the country.

At 6’1” 235 pounds, Bachman isn’t the tallest pitcher in the draft class but he’s a strong individual that possess one of the best fastballs in the 2021 MLB Draft. On MLB Pipeline, Bachman’s fastball is a 70-grade pitch. His fastball sits 94-97 mph but was clocked at 101 in his junior season. Bachman also has one of the best sliders in this draft class, considered to be a 65-70 grade pitch. His slider’s velocity sits in the mid-to-upper 80s but is devastating against left-handed and right-handed hitters. Bachman also throws a changeup which is considered to be an average pitch.

There is some relief risk with Bachman due to his lack of command and as he’s 6’1” with short-arm action. The control was much better for Bachman this season but scouts will still wonder if he can continue that at the next level.

Strengths

• Elite fastball with high velocity and spin rate
• Might have the best slider in draft class
• Gets plenty of swing-and-miss
• Strong pitcher
• Terrific work ethic
• Control has improve since freshman season

Weaknesses

• Reliever risk
• Needs to work on command with changeup
• Hasn’t shown he can pitch deep into games
• Missed some starts due to tired arm in 2021

Pro Comparison: Max Meyer/Garrett Crochet

Projection: Top 20 Draft pick

Bottom Line

The Miami Marlins have done a tremendous job when it comes to developing pitchers and watching them perform at a high level in the major leagues. Pitchers like Trevor Rogers, Sandy Alcantara, Sixto Sánchez, Pablo Lopez and Zac Gallen came through the Marlins farm system and have been very successful.

The Fish still have more top pitching prospects in the minors such as Edward Cabrera, Max Meyer, Eury Pérez and Jake Eder. With the abundance of top pitching prospects the Marlins have, it’s fair to assume the Marlins would likely go after a hitter with their first round pick.

However, the 2021 MLB Draft is a very deep and full of talented pitchers. This draft class is pretty down on collegiate bats but there are a ton of college arms who have crazy potential and are highly coveted.

Miami University right-handed pitcher Sam Bachman needs to be a potential option for the Marlins. Bachman’s plus fastball and plus breaking ball already give him a strong foundation. The Marlins player development staff has shown the ability to teach pitchers how to throw an effective, consistent changeup.

Bachman sounds like a pitcher the Marlins would love to have in their farm system and also sounds a lot like their 2020 first round selection, Max Meyer. The same things scouts were saying about Meyer are what they are now saying about the Indiana native.

If Bachman is still available with the 16th overall pick, I find it very difficult to see the Marlins passing on him—he’s exactly what they look for in a pitcher.