Oakland Athletics select USC pitching commit Dylan Volantis in 2024 MLB Draft

USC pitching commit Dylan Volantis was selected by the Oakland Athletics with the No. 586 pick in the 20th round of the 2024 MLB Draft.

Volantis played his high school baseball at Westlake High in California. Standing at six-foot-six and 200 pounds, the big lefty is an enticing prospect.

He was named a First-Team All-American by the National High School Baseball Coaches Association for 2024.

Now, Volantis will weight starting his career in Major League Baseball and climbing the minor leagues or playing Big Ten baseball in LA.

Dylan Volantis selected in 2024 MLB Draft

Volantis’ size is what jumped out immediately to scouts, per MLB.com. He has “solid starting ingredients” and could develop a nice pitching arsenal.

“The first two things that jump out for Volantis is that he’s 6-foot-6 and he’s left-handed,” Volantis’ scouting report read. “He’s mostly ceiling rather than now stuff, though there are some solid starting ingredients. The fastball has started to tick up a bit this spring and has been seen up to 94 mph with some running life. He’s more consistently in the 89-91 mph range, though, and he sometimes struggles commanding his fastball coming from a high slot that wanders a little. His go-to pitch is his curve, which could be a plus offering in time. He throws it 76-80 mph with 1-to-7 shape, and he can land it in the zone and miss bats with it. He does have a changeup he’ll fold in every once in a while, and it could get to average in the future. 

“If Volantis can continue to add strength to his large frame, he could add some more power to both the fastball and the breaking ball, and the changeup will come if he can keep to his arm slot and throw it more frequently. The team that likes his feel for spin and can dream on the fastball getting bigger could take a chance on the upside in the top five rounds and sign him away from his Southern California commitment.”