Andrew James Krodel, a right-handed pitcher out of Villa Park, California, is one of those prospects who's had a journey that's anything but linear heading into the 2026 MLB Draft. This guy's college career has been a total rollercoaster, leaving scouts with a real puzzle to solve.
From High School Diamond to Gaucho Struggles
Back in high school, Krodel lettered for three years with the Villa Park Spartans, putting up a respectable .288/.356/.352 slash line across 80 games. On the mound, he pitched to a 3.70 ERA over 98.1 innings, striking out 90 while walking 29. But even with those numbers, and a fastball that sat around 90 MPH, the California baseball scene wasn't exactly buzzing about him. He went undrafted in 2023, which sent him off to the University of California Santa Barbara that fall. His freshman year with the Gauchos was a rough entry, giving up 4 earned runs in just 3.2 innings for a 9.82 ERA, along with 2 hits, 3 walks, and 4 strikeouts in 3 appearances. Talk about a tough welcome. Yet, the kid didn't quit. That summer, he suited up for the Cowlitz Black Bears in the West Coast League and showed a flash of what he could be, putting up a much more impressive 2.25 ERA over 24.0 innings in 7 games. He allowed 17 hits, walked 13, and punched out 16 there.Inconsistency Plagues College, Summer Leagues Bring Hope
Returning to Santa Barbara for his sophomore year, coach Checketts gave Krodel a longer leash, but the performance just wasn't there consistently. He appeared in 11 games, posting a 6.18 ERA across 27.2 innings, giving up 23 hits, 17 walks, and striking out 37. It was another head-scratcher. But again, the summer collegiate circuit seemed to be his redemption arc. He stayed local, playing for the Santa Barbara Foresters of the California Collegiate League alongside fellow 2026 draftee Aidan Keenan. Against that competition, Krodel absolutely thrived as a starter, locking down a fantastic 1.74 ERA over 31.0 innings in 7 starts. He gave up just 22 hits, walked 9, and struck out 44. Despite that success in a starting role during the summer, Checketts kept Krodel in the bullpen for his 2026 season back at UCSB. In 25 appearances, he posted a 5.66 ERA in 35.0 innings, allowing 42 hits, walking 17, and striking out 42.What Scouts See in the 6'4" Righty
So, what does this all mean for his draft stock? Krodel is a 6'4", 200-pound right-hander who throws from a high-three-quarters arm slot with good extension off the mound. He actually commands a four-pitch mix, even with all his bullpen work: a two-seam fastball, slider, curveball, and a circle changeup. His two-seamer, which sits in the low-90s, isn't a velocity monster. But here's the kicker: it's effective because it has a unique combo of below-average spin rates and above-average induced vertical break. This creates some wild seam-shifted wake effects, making the pitch appear to resist gravity and then dive arm-side late. Of his complementary pitches, that circle changeup is probably the best, sitting in the low-to-mid-80s and racking up strikeouts against both lefties and righties with its extreme arm-side break. What's next for Krodel leading up to the 2026 Draft? Teams will be looking hard at whether his unique fastball and sharp changeup can translate consistently, especially given his up-and-down college performances versus his summer league dominance. It's going to be fascinating to see where this raw talent lands.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.