Age: 23
Level: Low-A
Position: Starting Pitcher
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 6’4″/235 pounds
Acquired:2024 Draft, Round 1
Current BSB Ranking: 3
Previous BSB Ranking: 3
Pic Credit: Fresno Grizzlies
Player Summary
Brief Summary
Brody Brecht, the Rockies’ second pick in the 2024 draft after Charlie Condon, brings elite power stuff to the mound. A former two-sport athlete at Iowa, Brecht transitioned fully to baseball and steadily improved his command, trimming his walk rate while maintaining dominance. His fastball sits mid-to-upper 90s and touches triple digits, pairing with a devastating upper-80s slider. With a developing split-changeup and potential fourth pitch, Brecht has the upside of a lower-volume No. 2 starter.
More detailed breakdown
The Rockies made their 2024 draft power-centric, snagging Charlie Condon in the first round before looking to the other side of the ball for an equally powerful player in Brody Brecht out of Iowa. The former two-sport athlete, Brecht, caught 9 passes as a freshman for the Hawkeyes before transitioning to baseball full-time in 2023 and 2024. The development was linear at Iowa following that decision, seeing his walk rate go from an alarming 22.3% all the way down to a palatable 13.3% his junior year, the exact walk rate Brecht would post in 2025 with Fresno. The walks are still somewhat problematic; however, every pitcher has weaknesses, and they’re a fair price to pay when you have Brecht’s stuff and strike out 36.7% of hitters in Single-A (7th best rate in MiLB among starting pitchers).
Speaking of stuff, Brecht caught headlines throughout his collegiate career for topping 100 mph in a game with his highest (accurately) recorded pitch at Iowa coming in at 101.5 mph. Brecht easily sits 94-97 and can touch 98/99 consistently, though the lower velo range has helped him harness control. Brecht throws from a high arm slot, which helps his fastball get downhill and generate weaker contact. It’s a pitch that’s also gotten even livelier in the pros thanks to some grip and release optimization. The moneymaker here though, is Brecht’s demon slider. It’s an upper-80s offering — up to 91 — with a big-time drop. To throw a breaking ball that hard with that much break is rare, and Brecht should have a unique pitch for hitters throughout the minors.
Brecht also has a split-changeup that he’s been developing further, capable of touching 93 with a steep downhill plane that makes it impossible to elevate when located at the knees and below. Surely, the Rockies will try to develop another pitch to fit into Brecht’s arsenal, and perhaps a cutter or curveball could become the next addition. If he can execute 4 pitches and remain in control of his arsenal, Brecht looks the part of a lower-volume #2 starter. Written by Tyler Paddor.
Player Links
MLB.com player page | Fangraphs | Baseball Savant | Baseball Reference
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