Scouting grades 20–80
60Fastball
50Slider
50Changeup
50Control
Willoughby is an exceptional mover down the mound who creates solid extension. It's a fluid, repeatable operation and a loose, easy arm.
Willoughby's arsenal is headlined by a heater that has been up to 99 mph at times with both riding life and tailing action. The pitch can lose some velocity deeper into outings, generally sitting in the low 90's past his first inning of work. Willoughby has two solid offerings, both projecting as average or better. The first is a frisbee slider that works into the low 80's with exceptional tunneling characteristics off the fastball, as Willoughby works the pitch away from right-handed hitters well. The pitch did show to be inconsistent towards the back end of the summer, as he'd have some outings where the pitch would live more in the upper 70's, and he would loose feel for it pitch out of the hand. It's flashed above average upside. Willoughby's changeup is another solid offering that he kills spin on well, though it can look flatter in shape at times.
Willoughby has many avenues to make jumps this spring up draft boards, but the clay here is intriguing. If he does make it to Kentucky he'll be a draft-eligible sophomore come 2028.
