Luke McNeillie

IMPROVEMENT AREAS

• Evaluate sustained performance with level and age context
• Review role fit, health, roster status, and organization need

SCOUT REPORT

McNeillie was the top high school pitcher in Georgia in 2023, but went undrafted because he was intent on fulfilling his commitment to the University of Florida. He was an intriguing combination of projection and polish when he got to campus and three years later, scouts are still trying to figure out who he is as a pitcher. He's thrown almost entirely as a reliever, showing off premium stuff at times but not with results that have always matched it. There was hope the 6-foot-3 McNeillie would take to a starting role at some point with the Gators, but while that hasn't come to pass, some feel he should be given a chance to do so as a pro. His stuff is louder in shorter stints out of the bullpen, starting with a fastball that's been 96-99 mph this year as a reliever. It can have some carry when it's at the top of the zone, and there's some occasional, perhaps unintentional, two-seam action because his delivery pulls him open and he drops his slot, but it's often too straight and gets hit more than it should. His best and most-frequently thrown pitch is his 86-88 mph slider and it flashes plus, with good downer action to it when it's on. There is a changeup in there, but he doesn't use it often. McNeillie's command in and out of the zone has been spotty at Florida and that, along with a lack of extension or deception, makes it tougher to project what he might be at the next level. He can get caught between trying to be a complete pitcher and attacking with his power stuff. There will be teams interested in his arm strength, with one good at pitching development perhaps working with him on starting long-term.