There likely will be more NDFAs to come, but so far, officially, it’s these four.
Mariners Draft analysis episode at Baseball Things
Reid Easterly, LHP — Duke
Reliever in the ACC, up to 93 mph, but generally sits 88-91 with tons of strikes, allowing him to get to his slurve (45% whiff). He has a cutter and curveball for development, but he threw the changeup just 10% of the time, so despite the high strike rate (69%) and multiple secondaries, the bullpen may be where he has to stay.
Easterly is a drop-and-drive arm, using his low slot to create angles and deception, which helps the ordinary fastball velocity play up. He dominated left-handed batters (.193/.250/.235), and there might be a bit more velocity to go get, despite no significant physical projection left.
Brady O’Brien, 2B — Richmond
O’Brien spent 2025 at Richmond after three seasons at Colby College, and batted .366/.422/.777 with 20 homers. He’s a physical, aggressive hitter with a loft-generating swing path, but swings and misses a lot, and has struggled some with above-average velocity.
He’s a good enough athlete to handle second base in the lower minors, but probably belongs at third. His arm should work there, or in a corner outfield spot.
Reese Lumpkin, RHP — Miami
Lumpkin is a four-pitch starter, including a fastball up to 93-94 mph and living 89-92. The changeup is his best pitch at 82-85 mph with 38% whiff in 2025. He also has a 75-79 mph breaking ball that exhibits both slider and curveball traits, with some projection to the major leagues. However, he was throwing 85% fastballs and changeups this spring.
The low-90s velo comes easy, and the heater has run and carry from a 3/4 slot. He turns over the changeup fairly consistently, and the breaking ball occasionally looks like an average pitch — generally it lacks depth, but he’ll push a few good ones each start.
Lumpkin didn’t face a lot of legitimate ACC competition, but handled Louisville late in the year, and there’s certainly physical projection left in the 6-foot-6, 205-pound frame. Lumpkin is my favorite of the NDFAs.
Konni Durschlag, OF — High Point
It’s not a Power 4 schedule or anywhere near, but Durschlag pounded out 15 homers, 23 doubles, and walked more than he struck out this past season, all despite his 5-foot-9 stature. He’s strong with good bat speed, however, and does not get cheated at the plate.
Durschlag is a solid-average or better runner, though not much of a base-stealing threat. He is viable at all three outfield spots, thriving in the corners and playing a passable center.
