Detroit Tigers MLB Draft Player Profile: RHP Ty Madden

The team at MCB is covering the MLB Draft all month, and today we check in on Ty Madden. Be sure to check back every day for new content related to the 2021 MLB draft.

Ty Madden Background

Ty Madden is a right handed starting pitcher for the University of Texas. Standing at 6’ 3” 215 lbs., with a mid to upper 90s fastball, Madden already looks like a big leaguer. In 2018 he was drafted by the Kansas City Royals straight out of Cypress Ranch High School, where he was teammates with a pair of high picks in the 2019 draft in JJ Goss (36th overall) and Matthew Thompson (45th overall).

But Madden elected to take his talents to Texas instead, and the decision paid off. His number 2 Longhorns just swept South Florida to advance to the College World Series, and on his way to Omaha Madden may have increased his draft stock, with many predicting him to be a top ten pick.

Ty Madden Scouting Report

Ty Madden garnered scouts’ attention with his command and plus slider. His 55-grade control is strong, besting Jack Leiter, Kumar Rocker, and Jackson Jobe. The fastball / slider is a lethal one-two-punch, but Madden will have to develop a third pitch to make an impact on the major league level.

According to MLB.com

“Madden added 35 pounds to his 6-foot-3 frame in college and the extra strength has helped him not only to improve his pitches but also to repeat his sound delivery more consistently. He walked just four batters in four starts last spring and scouts love the way he attacks hitters.”

Madden’s best pitch is his slider, featuring an above average spin rate. The pitch doesn’t move as much as some big-league sliders, but has late bite to it.

Even with good command, sinking movement, and a mid-to-upper 90s velocity, Madden’s fastball is still not his best pitch. This is perhaps because of its low spin rate, which could be cause for concern.

He also throws a changeup and a curveball from time to time, but needs to develop them more if he wants to use them in the majors. His changeup shows promise, with a low spin rate and good sinking movement. He mainly throws it against lefties, but will have to get comfortable throwing it to righties for it to be a true third pitch.

Ty Madden’s College Stats

Will the Tigers Draft Ty Madden?

Ty Madden is seasoned with strong command and a great slider, but the Tigers will have better options with the third overall pick. If Vanderbilt’s Jack Leiter or prep pitching sensation Jackson Jobe are still available, the Tigers will go that route. Madden is solid, but seems more like a mid-rotation guy than an ace. It is also possible the Tigers could end up with one of the high school shortstops in Jordan Lawlar or Marcelo Mayer if the Rangers and Pirates don’t draft them first.

Madden is projected in the Motor City Bengals Mock Draft going 9 to the Angels. Given Madden’s college experience and strong command it’s feasible to think he’ll be in the majors quicker than most young pitchers. He doesn’t have as much upside as Leiter, Jackson, or Rocker, but he seems like a safer pick than latter two.

Madden would be a good pick for an Angels team that can’t waste any more of Mike Trout’s career with mediocrity. With the addition of a changeup and possibly a curveball, Madden has the potential to be a solid middle rotation guy for years to come.