#28 - RHP Ian Bedell
Scouting grades: Fastball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Cutter: 35 | Command: 50 | Overall: 35+
Background: Bedell was the Cardinals' 4th-round pick in their illustrious 2020 Draft Class, which featured Masyn Winn, Jordan Walker, and Alec Burleson. He grew up in Davenport, Iowa, and stayed close to home, pitching at the University of Missouri. Bedell spent his first few seasons at Mizzou as a reliever before transitioning to the rotation, making four starts in the COVID-19 shortened season. Later that year, he would hear his name called by the team he grew up rooting for.
Scouting Report: After throwing just 2 2/3 innings for the Peoria Chiefs in 2021, Bedell underwent Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for nearly two full seasons. He made a brief return in late 2022, pitching a handful of games at the complex and Palm Beach, but it wasn’t until 2023 that he finally had the chance to fully showcase his ability. Bedell returned to Peoria, where his professional career began, but this time, he was able to pitch through a full season—and he dominated posting a 2.44 ERA in 96 innings pitched. Bedell’s most effective pitch was actually a new addition to his arsenal—a bullet slider.
Sitting around 82 mph, it’s on the slower end for gyro sliders, but Bedell has good feel for the offering, and it tunnels effectively off his ride-run four-seamer, making it tough for hitters to pick up. Though the pitch is typically a bullet shape, Bedell likes to manipulate the shape of the offering. Getting the slider closer to his fastball velocity without sacrificing its movement profile will be key for his development. Speaking of the four-seamer, Bedell has a natural feel for pronating, generating decent ride and extreme arm-side run (~14 inches) from a slightly below-average vertical release. The pitch plays solidly well up in the zone but isn’t one he should heavily rely on against opposite-handed batters. Bedell worked in a high-80s cutter in 2023, and its usage increased throughout his 2024 season. He struggles to consistently get the pitch glove-side movement, which should be a focus for him in 2025. Bedell throws a changeup with plus arm-side movement. However, his feel for the pitch remains subpar—while it flashes, it has yet to translate into an effective weapon in the minor leagues.
Bedell faced major issues in 2024 limiting damage against left-handed hitters, who slugged .506 against him. He can’t spam the gyro-slider like he does against righties, forcing him to rely on the kitchen sink, which hasn’t done him any favors. Finding better feel for the changeup while improving the cutter shape to get the pitch glove-side will be paramount if there’s any hope of him sticking as a starter. Bedell got his first taste of Triple-A in 2024, and it didn’t go as planned, posting an ERA over 5.00 with well below-average strikeout and walk rates. His velocity completely tanked, with all of his pitches losing a couple of ticks on average compared to his time in Springfield earlier that season. Bedell attributed the drop-off to the transition from the minor league ball in Double-A to the major league ball used at Triple-A in 2024. I’ll be keeping a close eye on his velocity this season—if it remains at 2024 Triple-A levels, it’s hard to see much of a big league future for him.
Future: Bedell’s advanced feel for his gyro-slider has carried him to Triple-A, but he’ll need to adjust his pitch usage and execution against lefties to hit his ultimate ceiling. His velocity also must return to at least 2024 levels in Springfield for me to feel comfortable with the profile. If he can regain that lost velo and showcase improvements against lefties, there’s enough in there to project as a potential middle-relief option in the near future.
