The Dominant Presence
ATTLEBORO, MASS. — Bishop Feehan defeated Attleboro High School 2-1 in walk-off fashion, but the real story stood near the mound.
Brody Bumila's 6-foot-9 frame distorts perspective — much like his high-powered 101 mph fastball. The left-hander didn't pitch that day. He didn't need to. His presence still filled the ballpark.
The buzz surrounding Bishop Feehan baseball this spring was largely his doing, amplified by a 20-strikeout no-hitter that further fueled the attention.
MLB Draft Ceiling
He's committed to Texas, but few inside the game expect him to ever throw a pitch in Austin.
The 6-foot-9 left-hander is widely projected to be a first-round pick in July's MLB Draft, cementing himself as perhaps the most coveted high school player Massachusetts has ever produced.
"It would be so cool to be a first-round draft pick because that's my dream," he said. "But that's the first step of the dream."
His high school coach, Joe Breen, took it a step further: "He wants to be round No. 1, pick No. 1. He wants a Cy Young, World Series. He wants it all."
High Risk, High Reward
There is an industry-wide reluctance to spend first-round picks on high school pitchers. The reasons are understandable: teenagers are still growing into their bodies, and the jump from pitching once a week in high school to professional baseball demands can be difficult to predict.
"The Bumila kid, he's got everything you want to see," said a former MLB executive who has evaluated countless amateur pitchers. "He's got arm strength, aptitude, and he's gonna get a better feel for a breaking ball and changeup."
But projecting teenage pitchers carries volatility. Of the 53 high school pitchers drafted in the first round between 2013 and 2022, 30% (16) failed to reach the majors.
In Bumila's case, his high-powered fastball and size are the hook. Standing next to him, it's easy to forget he's only 18.
"They are so difficult to evaluate," added another executive. "How is Brody's stuff going to evolve?"