Power arm with late-round upside, but 2026 Tommy John surgery clouds timeline
Dudan entered the pro pipeline as the Athletics’ No. 83 pick in the 2026 MLB Draft after working as a high-leverage reliever for NC State and then moving into the rotation, a role change that points to both trust and starter-level stuff.[1][4] The big caveat is health: he was shut down in 2026 after a torn UCL and Tommy John surgery, so his pro debut is expected in 2027.[1][4] For a team, the appeal is a right-handed arm with impact relief experience and starter traits, but the fit depends on patience and medical risk tolerance.[1][2]
