Dean Livingston 5/8/26

Diamondbacks 2025 4th rounder Dean Livingston threw at SRF Friday night. Livingston signed for $1MM which was almost double slot value. Intriguing HS righty from Georgia who is oozing with SP traits. Good athlete. Two-sport kid in HS – also QB for the football team.

5 pitch mix - 4SM/2SM/SL/CHG/CB. Induced a lot of weak contact – 8 ground balls in 4 IP. The tailing 2sm bores in on RHH and misses barrels. LHH also rolled over the CHG down/away. Livingston spotted his fastball on low corners and made hitters defend the plate E/W.

Showed some pitching acumen, wasn’t afraid to double down on a pitch if it elicited a bad swing or uncomfortable take -> would see him go SL, SL or CHG, CHG. SL best present secondary pitch with most swing and miss potential, flashed late 2p break. CB shape often loose/lazy, had trouble staying on top of it. Would like to see more 4SM up/SL down type sequencing – possible pitch mix optimization opportunity.

CHG shows promise as an early count GB inducer. believe in FB projection, which would help CHG play better too Smooth, graceful delivery with low effort and easy arm action. Good balance; easy finish. Repeats very well. Coordinated athlete on the mound, above average fielder off.

Great SP frame with solid present strength but also see room to add more. Listed at 6’4” 205. Believe 6’4” 225 is a reasonable projection. Delivery, arm action, body, athleticism all suggest velo could improve with age. Strong belief in SP chance. Consistency of secondary pitches a risk factor.

Present feel for spin is just ok. Could argue with full-time dedication to baseball it is lower risk. Didn’t get velo in this outing, but read he was routinely 92-94 in HS and and touched 97-98 at MLB draft combine. Even though all signs point to improved velo, he still needs to prove it. High variance in outcomes depending the type of velo he can sustain.