2016 Mets draft profile: RHP Max Kuhns

Name: Max Kuhns
Born: Parker, Colorado
Age: 21 (8/11/1994)
Height/Weight: 6'3"/210 lbs
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
School: Santa Clara University (Santa Clara, California)

Max Kuhns comes from a family of collegiate athletes. His grandfather, Dan Avis, played baseball at Cleveland State University. His cousin, Freddy Avis, was a pitcher at Stanford who looked to have a promising future until a shoulder injury derailed his career and forced him to hang up the cleats for good. Another cousin, Charlie Avis, attends Princeton and is a member of their cycling team. Cousin Emily Avis plays volleyball at Williams University, and cousins Elliot, Mackie, and Gabe all play lacrosse, Elliot at Wittenberg University, and Mackie and Gabe at Kenyon College. Of all of the athletes in his family, Max is the first to play professionally.

Kuhns played both football and baseball in high school, and excelled in both. Though he was very good at football, throwing for 2,401 yards with 25 touchdowns and only six interceptions in his senior year and getting cursory looks from NFL scouts, he always intended to pursue baseball as a career. Upon graduation from Chaparral High School, he enrolled at Santa Clara University. He only appeared in a handful of games as a freshman and sophomore, pitching out of the bullpen in seven and 16 games, respectively. He hit his stride in 2016, serving as the Broncos' closer. He saved 14 games, a Santa Clara record, and appeared in 28 games overall, posting a 2.21 ERA in 40.2 innings with 37 strikeouts and 16 walks.

The right-hander throws from a high 3/4 arm slot, with a full arm circle and length in the back. Kuhns is a "beat to the sound of his own drum" type. He has been described by former coaches as quirky and free-spirited. He is not vocal necessarily, but he has a confidence and swagger about him, as he believes in his abilities.