#17 - RHP Zack Showalter
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Sweeper: 40 | Changeup: 35 | Command: 40 | Overall: 40+
Background:
Zack Showalter was acquired by the Cardinals at the 2023 trade deadline as part of the return package from Baltimore in the deal that sent Jack Flaherty to the Orioles. Showalter was an 11th-round selection in the 2022 MLB Draft out of Wesley Chapel High School in Florida who signed an overslot bonus to forgo his commitment to South Florida. Despite the lower draft position, Showalter had gained attention in scouting circles for his athleticism and unique delivery, which prompted the Orioles to take a swing on him with an overslot $440,000 signing bonus in the 11th round. Still just 21 years old and with limited professional innings under his belt, Showalter is one of the most intriguing pitching prospects in the Cardinals organization.
Scouting Report:
What immediately stands out with Showalter is the athleticism and lower-half explosiveness in his delivery. He gets into a deep launch position and throws from a low three-quarters arm slot, creating a difficult look for hitters, particularly because of how well he hides the baseball during his delivery. The release height on his fastball is just 4.6 feet—significantly below average—and when combined with solid carry, it creates what is effectively a visual nightmare for hitters. His four-seamer sits in the 90–92 mph range and features more than 14 inches of induced vertical break, giving it true "invisiball" characteristics due to its incredibly flat approach angle. Despite the modest velocity, the pitch consistently induces whiffs at an elite rate, especially at the top of the zone.
That said, the rest of Showalter’s pitch mix remains a work in progress. His primary breaking pitch is a low- to mid-70s sweeper, averaging around 77 mph with a few inches of ride and 14 inches of horizontal break. The shape and movement on the pitch are decent but the consistency just isn’t there yet. He doesn’t command the pitch particularly well to either side of the plate and has struggled to generate whiffs with it in pro ball so far. As it stands, it projects as a below-average offering, but there’s room for growth if he can sharpen the shape and find more consistent feel.
Showalter also mixes in an 86 mph changeup with 5 inches of IVB and 14 inches of horizontal, but much like the sweeper, it hasn't performed all that well and the feel isn't where it needs to be. I think the pure shape is more intriguing than his sweeper, though he has yet to show any sort of feel for the offering.
What makes Showalter so fascinating as a prospect is that he has a truly special fastball, which gives him a great foundation as a pitching prospect. His fastball is so unique and deceptive that I at least like his chances of developing into an MLB reliever if he can stay healthy. It’s a rare case where velocity is not a strict necessity for success, though a bump to the 93–95 mph range would certainly elevate his long-term ceiling. Given how well the fastball already plays and how young he still is, there’s real upside here.
Future:
Zack Showalter is still early in his professional development, but one thing is for sure—his fastball is electric. While he’s far from a finished product and still needs to tighten up his secondaries and improve his strike-throwing, the raw ingredients are present for a future medium to high-leverage reliever. There’s an outside shot he could develop as a starter if he can develop his secondaries, though the bullpen remains his likeliest landing spot.
