Scouting grades 20–80
55Fastball
65Slider
55Changeup
55Control
Valincius is a strongly built southpaw with some of the best starter traits in the 2027 college class. He's a smooth, controlled mover down the mound with a short, quick arm action he repeats well.
Valincius has been up to 98 mph at this stage, and will hold in the mid-90s at his best. The pitch lacks dynamic shape, and will have more run than carry at most times, but it still gets on top of barrel due to lower his arm-slot and the deceptive nature of his delivery. His best secondary is a tight, sweepish slider that sits in the mid-80s. Valincius's feel for that pitch stands out. He can backdoor is to righties and land it front hip to lefty. It's a plus breaking ball. Valincius also shows feel for an upper-80s changeup he sells with good arm speed, though it will at times lack vertical separation off the heater.
Valincius has a long track record filling up the zone and rarely walking hitters. While his strike rate is closer to above-average, it's outstanding feel for working the ball to both halves of the plate, part of the reason he's seen so much success against SEC hitters as he has up to this point.
