School: Campbell University; Class: Junior
Position: RHP; B/T: R/R
Height: 6-0; Weight: 215
Previously Drafted: N/A
High School: Cuthbertson High School
| FB | CB | SL | CH | Command | Overall |
| 55 | 50 | 55 | 50 | 45 | 45 |
Background: Campbell University’s turned into to a little baseball hotbed in the past couple years. The Fighting Camels have had three first round picks since 2019: Seth Johnson (Tampa Bay Rays, 40th overall, 2019), Tom Harrington (Pittsburgh Pirates, 36th overall, 2022), and Zach Neto (Los Angeles Angels, 13th overall, 2022). And that doesn’t include Cedric Mullins, a 13th round pick in 2015.
Cade Kuehler, a hefty right-hander from Cuthbertson High School, is the next notable Camel.
A three-year member of the school’s starting rotation, Kuehler was able to parlay his sophomore success – he averaged nearly 12 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 – into a couple brief stints in the Cape Cod League and with Team USA.
This season the 6-foot, 215-pound righty was even better. Making 13 starts for the Big South Conference squad, Kuehler struck out 91 and walked just 26 to go along with an 8-1 win-loss record and a 2.71 ERA.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2011, there’s been only six instances in which a Big South hurler averaged at least 11 strikeouts every nine innings in a season (min. 70 IP): Mason Miller, Matt Fraudin, Mike Morrison, Andre Scrubb, and Cade Kuehler, who accomplished it twice.
Thick bodied right-hander who hides the ball incredibly well before attacking hitters from a high arm slot. While the arsenal is solid – low- to mid-90s fastball, above-average slider, and an average curveball and changeup – Kuehler has reliever vibes. The command isn’t great. He lacks a true wipeout pitch. Dan Straily vibes if he lands with the right organization.
Ceiling: 1.0- to 1.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
Grade: Second / Third Round
