Rockies select Tennessee ace Chase Dollander 9th overall

With the ninth pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, the Colorado Rockies selected Chase Dollander, a right-handed pitcher out of Tennessee.

A casualty of the abridged 2020 MLB Draft, Dollander followed through on his commitment to Georgia Southern after going unselected. Transferring to Tennessee the next season, the righty cemented himself as a top prospect in the country. He authored a 2.39 ERA and 8.3 strikeout-per-walk rate over 79 innings as a sophomore, getting named SEC Pitcher of the Year.

His junior season has caused some doubt, though, with a 4.50 ERA and 4.1 K/BB rate for the Volunteers plummeting his stock after entering the year as the presumptive top pitcher in the class.

Dollander is still considered a frontline starter thanks to a devastating repertoire but needs to work on command.

Bio

Age: 21
Position: RHP
Height/Weight: 6-2, 200 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
School: Tennessee
Pick value (#9): $5,716,900

Tools

• Fastball (93-97 mph, touches 99 mph)
• Impressive slider command with good feel for changeup, curve
• Quiet, smooth delivery

Why fans will love this player

• Entered year as top-rated pitching prospect
• Four-pitch mix is refined and showed impressive command in 2022
• Should be frontline starter

Things he'll need to overcome

• Command issues in junior year (walk rate doubled)

Take a look ...

(Video source: MLB Pipeline)