Twenty four year old RHP Max Lazar has signed a minor league contract. He pitched at the High A and AA levels last season in the Brewers organization. Lazar posted a 3.86 ERA in 17 appearances (one start) at AA Biloxi last season in 25.2 IP after recording a 2.91 ERA at High A Wisconsin in 16 appearances (43.1 IP in relief). He had 73 strikeouts and 19 walks combined and a 1.25 WHIP. Max was the Brewers 11th round draft selection in the 2017 draft from Coral Springs High School in Coral Springs , FL. In his minor league he’s made 91 appearances (38 starts) pitching 275.1 innings with a 3.46 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. He pitched for Brisbane in the Australian Baseball League during the 2022-2023 season making ten starts posting a 4.30 ERA in 46.1 IP.
The 2020 MLB scouting report said this about him - “Lazar has one of those invisible fastballs that hitters can’t seem to figure out. That allows him to get whiffs inside the zone, and he adeptly changes hitters’ eye levels by working north and south with the pitch, throwing it with good life and angle. He pairs his heater with a changeup that has above-average potential and rounds out his three-pitch mix with a slider that requires work. Lazar’s clean and repeatable delivery gives him advanced control and command. He earns high marks for his work ethic as well as his ability to digest and apply instruction.”
BrewerFanatic dot com wrote this about him this past July - “Lazar was selected in the 11th round of the 2017 draft. Before COVID hit, he was seen as an up and coming starting pitcher prospect in the organization. Unfortunately COVID threw a small wrench in those plans, and then a torn UCL threw a much bigger wrench into those plans. Prior to Tommy John surgery and as a starter, Lazar’s fastball sat in the 88-90 range, dipping as low as 86 at times. He was getting by on deception and with a very good changeup. When he returned from the surgery in 2022, Lazar was moved to the bullpen in a multi-inning role. In 2023, his fastball is sitting in the 92-95 range and spinning at 2500+ RPM. Coming from an extremely over the top slot that is somewhat reminiscent of Oliver Drake, it gets a ton of ride and plays very well at the top of the zone. With the jump in velocity it has turned into a much bigger swing and miss pitch for him. His changeup is still his best secondary, but his breaking ball has improved as well. It may not be as a starter anymore, but Lazar has been regaining some of his prospect luster.”
From a fan’s view welcome to the Phillies organization Max!
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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