THE PROSPECT: CARRASCO, Carlos (R/R)
Age: 3/21/87 = 22 years old
Build: 6-3, 215. Big frame that is maxed out. Very big thighs.
Delivery: Very quite delivery with hands going over his head. A little hitch from both the wind and stretch that he has to keep his weight back.
Stuff: FB, CB, SL, CU. Fastball has some armside run that he has above average command of. His curveball is a 1-7 pitch with pretty good depth that he had solid command for and is a slightly above average pitch. His slider is tight with good bite and should be a solid major league offering. His change is his breadwinner and it showed good sink and fade from righties, but may be a tad overhyped, as I think it is just slightly above average. Overall, he has above average command and was locating and keeping the ball down.
1st Inning: FB (86-92), CU (80)
Settled In: FB (88-92), SL (80-85), CB (76-79), CU (80-84)
Touched 93 and 94 once.
Outlook: Carrasco is big league ready. He has had some struggles in AAA, but there isn't much else he can learn here. What you see with him is what you get, a solid pitcher, but not a great one. His upside is that of a # 3 starter and he is probably a # 4 or 5 right now. He just needs to tighten his off speed stuff a little more and continue to develop his command.
THE PROSPECT: BALESTER, Collin (R/R)
Age: 6/6/86 = 23 years old
Build: 6-5, 200. Big frame that can add a lot more muscle and should be able to get up to atleast 235. Twig like right now and no way he could handle the rigors of starting every day in the majors and stay healthy.
Delivery: Clean windup where he only moves his hands when he kicks his leg. Doesn't look like he is comfortable doing it, but repeats it well.
Stuff: FB, CB, CU. His fastball has some run in on righties, but he left it up in this outing. They were getting great contact and were squaring it up with no problem. His curveball is his go-to offering and is a sharp 11-5 (from our angle, 1-7 to him). It has great bite and can be a knee-buckler when right. It is his out pitch, but doesn't appear to have full confidence in it. He will guide it on occasion and was scared to bounce it with runners on 3rd. He chose instead to throw fastballs, which were hit. His change is a distant 3rd offering and has some fade from lefties with sink. He will need to either develop the change more or learn a slider to remain a starter. He has good control, but needs to improve his command and the quality of strikes he throws.
1st Inning: FB (87-92), CB (73-76)
Settled In: FB (89-91), CB (71-79), CU (79-83)
Touched 92 once.
Outlook: If Carrasco is a finished product, Balester is your project. Balester has all the tools to be a # 2 starter, but his more likely potential would have him be a # 3 or # 4 starter. Balester should be able to add a couple of ticks to his fastball and sit in the low 90's if he can add some more weight to his frame. However, the guy is now 23 and has pitched in the big leagues, so you have to wonder if he will continue to get stronger. I give him about a 5 % chance of being a # 2, but a 75 % chance at being a major league starting pitcher. You will likely see him in September.
I will post my observations from my 2 charts from today after I return from our baseball game.
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