(Photo Courtesy of Alonzo Tredwell/Instagram)
UCLA Baseball Recruiting Class Spotlight: RHP Alonzo Tredwell
UCLA baseball has 14 new players coming to Westwood this fall to replace the 10 who got picked in the 2021 MLB Draft and even more who graduated and went elsewhere. From top recruits to under-the-radar prospects and high-profile transfers, All Bruins is breaking all of them down to see what they could offer UCLA in 2022 and beyond.
Here is the assessment on incoming freshman Alzonzo Tredwell.
The size, statistics and track record of Alonzo Tredwell could make the right-hander the highest ceiling prospect of this recruiting class.
When looking at a 6-foot-7 frame from a pitcher, it only brings intrigue. Tredwell brings that intrigue and much more, especially after returning from Tommy John surgery to compete this summer on the mound. The Mater Dei High School (CA) alumnus played his senior season primarily as a power hitting first baseman, but his future lies on the mound. Playing a lick of baseball in June has built promise that the right-hander could play from day one.
The former three-time Preseason Underclass All-American is unlike any other of his recruiting class counterparts, bringing height the Bruins have not seen since 6-foot-8 Justin Hooper took the mound for UCLA in 2019.
Tredwell is ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 56 right-handed pitcher in the country and the No. 5 right-handed pitcher in California.
His rankings and profile would generally lead to a draft selection, but in early July, Tredwell pulled his name from the 2021 MLB Draft, bringing him to Westwood.
On the mound, Tredwell features a low-90s fastball that could rise with development, a slider, a 12-6 curveball and a changeup. His fastball is his best pitch at this point in his career, but with time under coach John Savage, his secondaries should improve.
This summer, Tredwell played for the Portland Pickles of the West Coast League, suiting up alongside fellow UCLA 2021 recruiting class member, right-hander Nate Leibold.
In four starts for the Pickles, Tredwell had an 0-2 record with a 7.59 era and 14 strikeouts in 10.2 innings.
Though the statistics don’t look great from the surface, Tredwell allowed two or fewer runs in three of his four starts. Taking out his 1.2-inning performance on June 25 in which he got rung up for six earned runs, Tredwell’s ERA goes down to 3.00 and his WHIP sits at 1.00. His first start of the summer season brings interest, striking out five in 3.0 hitless innings against the Bellingham Bells.
If Tredwell can repeat efficient three-inning performances in Westwood this spring, he should be able to carve himself a high-leverage role in the pitching staff.
Coming back from Tommy John surgery recently may make Savage hesitant to throw Tredwell straight into the fire, but he will get on the field either hitting or pitching. Tredwell is also a left-handed hitter that has power with his swing. Though not hitting this Summer, the new Bruin did it for his whole senior year, even hitting a home run in his senior day game for Mater Dei.
Prediction
It is unlikely that Tredwell will take up a starting spot this spring, but high-leverage roles as a setup man are available to be had in the Bruins’ bullpen. With the losses of Adrian Chaidez and Michael Townsend, who featured in that role last season, Tredwell could compete for holds late in close games. Similar to pitcher/first baseman Jack Filby, Tredwell could hit and pitch in games this spring. There is a likely scenario where Tredwell could feature as the designated hitter in mid-week games showcasing his lefty power. Tredwell should start in the bullpen in 2022 as a late reliever who can go multiple innings, before making a move to the rotation in 2023 – his 21-year-old and draft eligible season.
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