Scouting grades 20–80
60Fastball
55Slider
60Curveball
50Changeup
55Cutter
50Control
Townsend's arsenal is headlined by a mid 90's fastball that has peaked as high as 98 mph at times. The pitch posseses huge carry towards the top of the zone and high spin rates. His best secondary is an upper 80's slider/cutter with tight break and exceptional vertical seperation off the heater. The pitch performed at a plus rate in 2025 due to high whiff and chase rates. Townsend also throws a hammer of a breaking ball, a pitch that at times has eclipsed 3000 rpms with huge vertical break readings on trackman. Though he uses the pitch less then the slider, it still flashes plus upside. Townsend also mixes in a solid-average changeup, though he'll need to do a better job of establishing that pitch to left handed hitters.
Towsend's command has jumped multiple grades in 2026, now looking like it could end up above average. With the stuff, the array of different offerings and the SEC performance to back it all up, Townsend looks firmly like a first round arm.
