there are no pictures of Missouri Tiger Michael Plassmeyer in the photo tool, so here is a picture of a baby tiger

After taking a catcher in the previous round, the Mariners went back to the college ranks again, this time taking 6’2” lefty Michael Plassmeyer from Missouri. This isn’t the first time the Mariners have taken a Tiger pitcher—RHP Reggie McClain, currently with Modesto, is also a Mizzou grad.

Plassmeyer is a fairly under-the-radar choice; his two rotation-mates, TJ Sikkema and Bryce Montes De Oca, are arguably both bigger names. But it was Plassmeyer who blossomed this year, posting a 3.05 ERA over 90+ innings of work with an incredible 103:17 K:BB ratio. Plassmeyer isn’t a power pitcher—his fastball will sit in the high 80s and maybe touch 92 or 93—but his elite skill is an ability to locate. His teammate notes his pitches are so accurate he can “hit a gnat’s ass.”

After a sophomore slump where he struggled to the point of losing his rotation spot, Plassmeyer came back determined this year. He spent the off-season training with his brother at P3 Academy in St. Louis, Mariners bullpen coach Brian DeLunas’s facility, and returned to Mizzou with some extra velo on his fastball. That, plus a new grip on his curveball, helped skyrocket Plassmeyer’s draft stock.

Here’s some video of him throwing: