2016 Mets draft profile: RHP Gary Cornish

Name: Gary Cornish
Born: Scottsdale, Arizona
Age: 22 (1/21/94)
Height/Weight: 6'3"/200 lbs
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
School: University of San Diego (San Diego, California)

Born in Scottsdale, Arizona, Gary Cornish attended Arcadia High School, where, as a senior, he compiled a 6-4 record, posting a 2.32 ERA in 57.1 innings, striking out 85 batters and walking 17. He went on to attend Saint Mary's College, where he pitched out of the bullpen. As a freshman with the Gaels, he threw 56.1 innings, posting a bloated 6.71 ERA with 47 strikeouts—the most among relief pitchers in the West Coast Conference—and 20 walks. As a sophomore, he transferred to Palomar College, where he went 2-1 with a 2.78 ERA in 35.2 innings. The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Cornish in the 19th round of the 2014 MLB Draft, but the right-hander decided against signing with them, instead electing to attend the University of San Diego. In his first year with San Diego, Cornish made seven total appearances, with five starts. He went 0-0 with a 5.76 ERA in 25 innings, striking out 26 and walking 10. His second year with the Toreros was decidedly better. The senior worked himself into the Friday night ace of the pitching staff, posting a 4.57 ERA in 80.2 innings with 80 strikeouts and 16 walks.

Cornish uses a fairly standard delivery, throwing from a 3/4 arm slot. Despite the lack of success with San Diego, Cornish has somewhat legitimate stuff. His four-seam fastball sits in the low 90s but has touched as high as 94 MPH. He complements it with a two-seam fastball that features plenty of sink and generates plenty of ground balls, and a slurvy curveball that has shown improving speed and depth. While his arsenal is not necessarily standout, Cornish generally displays excellent command of his pitches.