UCLA's Ace Was SHUT DOWN for Six Weeks, And He's Still a Mid-First Rounder the Mariners NEED
Okay, let's be real, Emerald City. We all just watched our Mariners drop a tough one, 5-1, against the Boston Red Sox. Oof. It stings, right? But while we're grinding through the regular season, the future of our club, what's next for T-Mobile Park, is always on our minds. And lemme tell you, there's a name floating around in the MLB draft buzz that should get every M's fan hyped: Logan Reddemann. This kid, an ace out of UCLA, is making waves, even after a pretty scary arm fatigue issue earlier this season. We're talking potential game-changer here, folks.
From Shut Down to Shooting Up Draft Boards, What Happened?!
So, here’s the scoop on Reddemann. This right-handed phenom was already ranked No. 23 in the recent draft rankings. But get this: he was actually shut down with arm fatigue back on April 17! Imagine that, sidelined for weeks. You'd think that would tank a guy's draft stock, right? WRONG. Before he was sidelined for the final six weeks of UCLA's season, Reddemann was absolutely lights-out. We're talking a 2.87 ERA with 84 strikeouts over 59⅔ innings in his first year at UCLA. The dude was throwing fire.
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He wasn't just good, he was dominating. He rocketed into consensus first-round territory around April 10, after he mowed down Rutgers hitters for a mind-blowing 18 strikeouts over eight innings. Eighteen! In one game! That's the kind of stuff that makes scouts sit up and take notice, and it's why, even with the arm fatigue, his name is still right there at the top of the draft class. This is the kind of arm you dream about seeing in our rotation someday, making Cal Raleigh's job easier behind the plate.
The Comeback Trail and a Crucial Combine
The big question was: how's that arm holding up? Reddemann was quietly supposed to pitch in the winner-takes-all NCAA regional game on June 1, but UCLA got knocked out by Saint Mary's just before that. So, no big stage return there. But he's been working! Just this week, he threw live to UCLA hitters for the first time since April, a 23-pitch outing. The pitch data showed his four-seamer sitting 91-94 mph, which is a few ticks below his normal 93-97 mph, and with a bit less extension as he ramps back up. His off-speed stuff looked similar in shape, just a tick slower. Totally understandable as he gets back to full speed, right?
Now, the real test is coming up. Reddemann has committed to throwing a bullpen session at next week's MLB draft combine in Phoenix, alongside other top collegiate pitchers. This is HUGE. If he can prove to scouts there that he's back to that electric form he showed this season, we're looking at a potential mid-first-rounder. Imagine an arm like that in our system, building towards the big league club. That's the kind of future we're craving after a game like today.
The 2026 MLB draft kicks off July 11 in Philadelphia, and you better believe our front office will be watching Reddemann very, very closely. We need talent, we need arms, and a guy with this kind of upside, who's already showing he can bounce back, could be exactly what the Emerald City needs for the long haul. Let's hope he shines in Phoenix and makes his way to our green and blue!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.