Reds select TCU ace Nick Lodolo No. 7 overall

With the seventh pick in the 2019 MLB amateur draft, the Cincinnati Reds selected Nick Lodolo, a left-handed pitcher out of Texas Christian University.

Lodolo is expected to sign with the Reds for the No. 7 pick's full slot value of $5.43 million, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Lodolo opted not to sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates after they selected him with the 41st overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft. The southpaw has posted strong strikeout numbers in college and his fastball sits comfortably in the low-90s, though his tall frame adds to the downhill plane. Lodolo also mixes in an above-average changeup and an average curveball.

"Nick is a tall left-handed pitcher that has a plus mix of pitches and durability to start in the big leagues," Reds president of baseball operations Dick Williams said. "He was a first-round pick out of high school and has only gotten better with three years of college experience. Playing in a top conference, we believe he was one of the top college pitchers available in this year's draft and we're thrilled to add him to our organization."

Bio

Age: 21
Position: LHP
Height/Weight: 6-foot-6, 185 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/L
School: Texas Christian
Pick value (No. 7): $5,432,400
MLB.com money quote: "Lodolo misses plenty of bats yet also gets hit harder than he should because he lacks command of each of his pitches. He doesn't always maintain his three-quarters arm slot and has more success when he does."

2019 stats (as of June 3)

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