Ethan McElvain

IMPROVEMENT AREAS

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

SCOUT REPORT

Tennessee's top prep prospect in 2023, McElvain went undrafted because he was intent on following in the footsteps of his older brother Chris (now in the Blue Jays system) and attending Vanderbilt. He compiled a 5.33 ERA in two years with the Commodores before transferring to Arkansas and enjoying much more success. He logged a 1.88 ERA and 34 percent strikeout rate while establishing himself as one of the top lefty relievers in the Draft. McElvain is throwing a tick harder this season, working with a 94-96 mph fastball that peaks at 98 and is most effective when he locates it with carry up in the zone. The Razorbacks have had him employ his heater more than ever and mostly shelve the slider and curveball he used at Vanderbilt. He mainly complements his fastball with a cutter that averages 89 mph and touches 92, tying up both lefties and righties. Arkansas has streamlined McElvain's delivery, helping him repeat it more easily while still preserving much of its funk. He has cut his 17 percent walk rate at Vandy in half this spring, though his command still wavers at times. He's purely a reliever but has the stuff and mentality to handle a late-inning role.