2 MACKENZIE GORE, LHP

BA GRADE

65

Risk: Extreme

FB: 60.

CB: 60.

SL: 55.

CHG: 60.

CTL: 60.

Born: Feb. 24, 1999. B-T: L-L. Ht: 6-3. Wt: 180. Drafted: HS—Whiteville, N.C., 2017 (1st round). Signed by: Nick Brannon.

Gore posted jaw-dropping numbers throughout his prep career, winning BA’s High School Player of the Year award as a senior in 2017 after he went 11-0, 0.19 with 158 strikeouts and five walks in 74.1 innings for Whiteville (N.C.) High. Many clubs considered Gore the top prospect in the 2017 draft, even ahead of lauded righthander Hunter Greene, and the Padres took him with the No. 3 overall pick and signed him for $6.7 million to forgo a commitment to East Carolina.

An elite athlete with a sky-high leg kick in his delivery, Gore blends his supreme athleticism with an advanced four-pitch arsenal and top-notch competitive makeup.

His fastball operates 92-95 mph, but plays up thanks to plus command and gets on hitters quickly with good extension out of his delivery. His mid-70s curveball with tight 1-to-7 snap is another plus pitch, and his tumbling 82-85 mph swing-and-miss changeup was even better than expected after signing. His low-80s short slider gives him another potential plus offering. With four pitches, command and deception, many evaluators who saw Gore in his pro debut called him one of the best pitching prospects in 30-year history of the Rookie-level Arizona League.

Gore shares physical similarities with Cole Hamels at the same age, with the potential stuff and control to match. He will head to low Class A Fort Wayne in 2018 as he tries to reach his top-of-the-rotation potential.

Year	Club (League)	Class	W	L	ERA	G	GS
2017	Padres (AZL)	R	0	1	1.27	7	7
Minor League Totals			0	1	1.27	7	7

Year	Club (League)	CG	SV	IP	H	HR
2017	Padres (AZL)	0	0	21	14	0
Minor League Totals		0	0	21	14	0

Year	Club (League)	BB	SO	K/9	WHIP	AVG
2017	Padres (AZL)	7	34	14.3	0.98	.184
Minor League Totals		7	34	14.3	0.98	.184