New York Yankees select Miami pitcher Gage Ziehl in 2024 MLB Draft

The New York Yankees have selected Miami Hurricanes pitcher Gage Ziehl in the 2024 MLB Draft with the No. 119 overall pick in the fourth round.

Now 21 years old, Gage Ziehl spent three seasons at Miami, between the 2022 and 2024 seasons. During that time, he appeared in 61 games, making 31 starts. All of those starts came in his sophomore and junior seasons after he came out of the bullpen as a freshman.

In total, Ziehl pitched 227.2 innings while at Miami. He had an ERA of 4.07 and a WHIP of 1.217. He also struck out 241 batters and walked an additional 65 batters. That gave him a strikeouts per nine in college of 9.5 and a walks per nine of 2.6.

Over those three seasons at Miami, the Hurricanes had an overall record of 109-71 and hosted the NCAA Regional twice. The team also underwent a coaching change going into his final season after Gino DiMare wasn’t retained following the 2023 season.

Coming out of high school, Gage Ziehl was an 11th-round selection in the 2021 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs. He, instead, chose to go to school. At the time, he had been named the 2021 Section V Class AA Player of the Year and helped lead his high school to the 2021 Section 5 championship.

Along with his time at Miami, Gage Ziehl also played one year of baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Harwich Mariners. He played in seven games for them and had three starts with a 3.13 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 23 total innings pitched.

Scouting reports on Gage Ziehl ahead of MLB Draft

Coming into the 2024 MLB Draft, Gage Ziehl was the 89th-ranked prospect available, according to MLB.com.

At this point in his career, Gage Ziehl is a three-pitch pitcher with a fastball, a slider, and a changeup. He’s also slightly undersized for most MLB pitchers, at only six feet tall.

“When he’s at his best, the 6-foot right-hander has three solid pitches and the ability to use his stuff late into games. His fastball has averaged around 93 mph and is up to 95 mph as a starter, while he touched 97 mph out of the bullpen as a freshman. He used to rely more on sink with his heater but has shifted to higher spin four-seamers up in the zone, and he can move it around the zone well. His best pitch now is a hard cutter-like slider thrown in the mid-80s, and he has feel for a changeup that is particularly effective against left-handed hitters,” MLB.com wrote.

“While Ziehl isn’t the biggest guy in the world, he’s compact and strong at 223 pounds. He repeats his delivery well and has a strong history of throwing strikes. Scouts laud his makeup and toughness on the mound, wanting the ball in key situations and leading a staff.”

Like most players, Gage Ziehl will likely need some time to develop in an MLB system. As he goes through that process it’ll be interesting to say how he can improve velocity or potentially add another pitch. It’s also worth monitoring if he stays a starter or gets moved to the bullpen.