2011 Amateur Draft Board

Tried to write this on Facebook, but it was being a pain in the ass.


Similar to last year, I have compiled reports on the 2011 Amateur Draft. I have written over 250 reports on players with video I acquired myself (over 225 games) to get a good look at these players.


I would draft any player graded above 35.


The draft board, with summaries on players grading 50 or higher, is below:


CATCHERS
1 - Andrew Susac (Oregon State) - 55

Collegiate C w/ AA bat. Close to mature mdm, sturdy build. Solid base. Strong kid. SL Open, Str Up. Back shoulder hand location. Lowers hands a bit, leg kick and load.

SL Uppercut w/ above avg bat speed. Whips bat through zone. Gd avg approach. Works all fields. Hits a lot of line drives, at times to detriment of power. Despite leg kick, shows ability to keep hands back. Avg power. Works CF to Pull. Doesn't always have the loft in his swing to hit ball out. Likes to swing for it early in the count. Gd approach. Understands his zone and rarely expands. Selectively aggressive. Shows ability to recognize spin and handle velo.

Quiet mover behind the plate. Utilizes as little body mvmt as possible to set-up target. Provides gd target to throw to. Agile and gets out of crouch quickly, gd blocker. On breaking balls, moves a bit loudly and doesn't set as good a target. Did not see throw.

Below avg runner and athlete. Not a baseclogger.

Catcher provides total package w/ gd receiving skills and gd offense. Upside of All-Star C.

2 - James McCann (Arkansas) - 50

Collegiate catcher with gd hit tool. Mdm, athletic build. Lacks physicality associated with Catchers. Chance to add more muscle. Str On, SL Crouch. Bit hunched over. High back ear hand location w/ hands in front of his body even with bill of his helmet. Shift of weight, leg kick and slight hand load.

SL Uppercut w/ above avg bat speed. Solid avg approach. LD oriented. Likes to work CF to pull. Prefers to extend hands on pitches away. Fringy power. Pull only. Prefers to hit gap to gap. Will pull on inside pitches and hit them out. Solid approach. Selectively aggressive. Swing and miss struggles with SL's early in counts.

Solid defensive C. Solid receiver. Quiet behind the plate and moves quietly. Agile and able to get in gd blocking position. Avg arm and puts ball on bag. Bit of a cocking action in release causes pop times to be inconsistent.

Below avg runner who will get slower as puts more muscle on. Shouldn't be baseclogger.

Intriguing prospect that combines solid offense and defense. Upside is that of an All-Star catcher.

3 - John Hicks (Virginia) - 50

Collegiate C w/ avg bat. Mdm, athletic build w/ slender base. Close to mature, lacks physicality associated w/ catchers. Str On, SL Crouch. Crouch in knees only, with back straight. Back shoulder hand location w/ hands in front of body, even with inside corner. Crouch lower, shift of weight, load and stride.

SL Uppercut w/ avg bat speed. Ok avg approach. Pull oriented, flashes all fields ability. Some weight transfer issues. Tendency to hit routine groundballs to SS with pitches on outer half. Tendency to square balls. Hits more groundballs then you would like. Avg power. CF to Pull. Can put a charge on pitches on inner half. Selectively aggressive. Understands his zone, sees spin well. Vulnerable to CH's in hitter counts. Chokes up with 2 strikes, helping to limit strikeouts and ability to do damage in 2 strike counts.

Quiet receiver. Sets quality targets and moves quietly. Handled premium staff at Virginia. Tendency to stab at balls in dirt as opposed to getting down and blocking. Gd wrists. Quick release with hands, almost works too quickly, not getting full arm strength into each throw. Feet are ok. Tendency to lose footing and doesn't get shoulders to target. Lower slot on release causes late action on throws. Tendency to bounce ball to 2B.

Below avg runner and athlete.

Collegiate C w/ solid bat and future avg defender. Some concerns controlling the run game, bat becomes very average if moved to another position. Solid avg starter.

4 - Zach Wright (East Carolina) - 45
5 - Austin Barnes (Arizona State) - 40
6 - Curt Casali (Vanderbilt) - 35
7 - Tony Caldwell (Auburn) - 35
8 - Xorge Carrillo (Arizona State) - 35
9 - Rafael Lopez (Florida State) - 35
10 - Adam Davis (Illinois) - 30
11 - Zach Jones (Stanford) - 30
12 - Steve Rodriguez (UCLA) - 30
13 - Chadd Krist (California) - 30
14 - Mike Williams (Kentucky) - 30
15 - Jett Bandy (Arizona) - 30
16 - Parker Berberet (Oregon State) - 30
17 - Miles Hamblin (Ole Miss) - 30
18 - Jacob Stallings (North Carolina) - 25
19 - Kevin Gonzalez (Texas A&M) - 25
20 - Phillip Chapman (Memphis) - 25
21 - Doug Elliot (Connecticut) - 25
22 - Casey Rasmus (Liberty) - 25
23 - Brock Bennett (Alabama) - 20
24 - Jose Behar (Florida International) - 20


1ST BASEMEN
1 - C.J. Cron (Utah) - 50

Collegiate corner w/ future plus power. Mature big, strong kid w/ solid base. Str On, Str Up. Back shoulder hand location. Leg kick and load.

SL Uppercut w/ above avg bat speed. Below avg approach. Pull heavy hitter only goes oppo when late. Tendency to pull front shoulder. Hits a lot of flyballs. High maintenance swing needs to be quieted down to hit for consistent avg. AA power will be plus. All Fields. Swings for it early in count. Can put a charge into the ball when squared up. Ok approach. Recog swing and miss issues. Aggressive hitter looking for 1st FB. Will chase and give at bats away. Will get better at recog w/ adjustments to keep weight back.

Below avg runner and athlete. Will be a baseclogger.

Power bat has some work to do to smooth out swing. Will hit for power, but will also strikeout with some questions on ability to control the strike zone. Upside of All-Star 1B.

2 - Aaron Westlake (Vanderbilt) - 50

Collegiate 1B w/ plus power. Mature big, strong kid w/ solid base. Str On, SL Crouched. Low back shoulder hand location w/ hands even with armpit. Hand load, shift of weight and leg kick.

SL Uppercut w/ avg bat speed. High maintenance swing causes difficulty repeating. Pull Oriented approach. Hits a lot of flyballs. Flashes ability to stay back and hit ball to all fields. Plus, near plus-plus power. As learns to consistently stay on ball, power will increase. CF to Pull. Big time power. When connects, hits the ball a long way. Swings for fences early in count. Selectively aggressive approach. Some swing and miss recog issues. Right handed changes cause him to swing out of his shoes. Shows ability to stay on balls from LHP. Struggles with FB's in from lefties, but have to get it in or he will hurt you. Will strike out and draw some walks.

Below avg runner and athlete.

Senior is a powerful hitter, showing power and pitch recognition. Is going to strike out, which will cause him to struggle to hit for average. Profiles as a 5 hole hitter w/ .250-.340-.500 line.

3 - Nick Ramirez (Cal State Fullerton) - 45
4 - Alex Dickerson (Indiana) - 45
5 - Cam Seitzer (Oklahoma) - 45
6 - Ricky Oropesa (USC) - 40
7 - Harold Riggins (North Carolina State) - 40
8 - Nick O'Shea (Minnesota) - 40
9 - Trever Adams (Creighton) - 35
10 - Johnny Coy (Wichita State) - 35
11 - Cole Frenzel (Arizona) - 35
12 - Chase Davidson (Georgia) - 35
13 - Kevin Patterson (Auburn) - 35
14 - Matt Snyder (Ole Miss) - 35
15 - Taylor Ard (Washington State) - 35
16 - Zach Wilson (Arizona State) - 30
17 - Jesse Wierzbicki (North Carolina) - 30
18 - Mike Nemeth (Connecticut) - 30
19 - Paul Karmas (St. John's) - 30
20 - Jordan Leyland (Cal Irvine) - 25


2ND BASEMEN
1 - Ryan Wright (Louisville) - 55

Collegiate 2B w/ above avg power. Mdm, athletic build w/ round butt. Some growth left. Solidly built. Str On, SL Crouch. Back shoulder hand location. Crouches lower (changing head location), toe tap and load.

SL Uppercut w/ plus bat speed. Gd avg approach. LD oriented, works CF to pull. Flashes ability to go all fields. Pull heavy at times. Above avg power. CF to pull. Can put a charge into the ball when right. Will sell out at times early in count. Solid approach. Over-aggressive at times. Has a plan. Looking for FB in zone to hit. Rarely chases in 2-strike counts.

Avg runner once gets going. Fringy athlete.

Intriguing collegiate bat w/ quality offensive profile. Upside of All-Star 2B.

2 - Joe Panik (St. John's) - 50

Collegiate middle infielder w/ AA approach. Close to mature mdm, athletic build w/ solid base. Str On, Str Up. Back shoulder hand location. Crouch a little lower, shift of weight, toe tap and load.

SL Uppercut w/ avg bat speed. Gd avg approach. Works all fields, spraying line drives. Shows gd bat control and able to place balls. Below avg power. Pull HR power. More gap to gap doubles hitter. AA approach. Understands his zone, rarely expands. Sees spin well. Hangs in well vs. lefties, will not need platoon partner. Selectively aggressive. Will draw his share of walks.

Below avg runner and fringy athlete. Does the little things to get the most out of his speed.

Solid prospect with low floor. Will get a cup of coffee in majors at worst. Doesn't wow you with tools, but understands his role and plays it well. Upside of solid avg starter.

3 - Tommy La Stella (Coastal Carolina) - 50

Redshirt junior w/ avg ability. Small, mature build w/ strong base. Open, Str Up. Low back shoulder hand position w/ hands near team name on jersey. Stride, shift of weight and load.

SL Uppercut w/ above avg bat speed. Line drive oriented, all fields approach. Gets into trouble when drifts forward and becomes pull heavy. Ability to stay back will unlock offensive potential. Fringy power w/ chance for avg power. All Fields. More pop then frame suggests. Ok approach. Some issues with CH's, though they should go away if can stay back. Patient hitter that can fight pitches off. Looking FB early.

Fringy runner and athlete.

Intriguing bat that should play. If he can stay back consistently, will be a quality hitter in majors. If not, is high minors org depth. Upside of All-Star 2B.

4 - Zeke DeVoss (Miami) - 45
5 - Casey McElroy (Auburn) - 45
6 - John Hinson (Clemson) - 40
7 - Kevin Medrano (Missouri State) - 35
8 - Jeremy Patton (Florida International) - 35
9 - A.J. Petterson (Minnesota) - 35
10 - Cody Asche (Nebraska) - 35
11 - Zack MacPhee (Arizona State) - 35
12 - Josh Adams (Florida) - 30
13 - Danny Pulfer (Oregon) - 30
14 - Joe De Pinto (USC) - 30
15 - Bryce Ortega (Arizona) - 30
16 - Chad Zurcher (Memphis) - 30
17 - Austin Booker (California) - 25
18 - Raph Rhymes (LSU) - 25
19 - Tyler Sibley (Texas State) - 25
20 - Tyler Hanover (LSU) - 25
21 - Khayyan Norfork (Tennessee) - 25
22 - Brad Zapenas (Boston College) - 25
23 - Carter Bell (Oregon State) - 25
24 - Nick Popescu (Texas Tech) - 25
25 - Cody Bartlett (Washington State) - 25
26 - Jerome Pena (TCU) - 20
27 - Matt Williams (Liberty) - 20
28 - Landis Ware (Baylor) - 20


3RD BASEMEN
1 - Anthony Rendon (Rice) - 65

Collegiate corner w/ near plus plus power. Mature mdm, sturdy build w/ powerful base and strong upperhalf. Open, Str Up. Back ear hand location. Hands drop to back shoulder hand location, stride and load.

SL Uppercut w/ plus bat speed. Ok avg approach. Pull heavy hitter w/ some weight transfer issues. Flashes ability to go oppo, but hasn't shown ability to do it with authority. High maintenance swing will be difficult to repeat. Plus power will be near plus-plus as learns to stay back and consistently hammer the ball. Ball jumps off bat. CF to Pull. Can get fooled and still hit ball out to pull side. Plus approach. Selectively aggressive, rarely expands zone or get self out. Sees spin well and doesn't get fooled often. Some swing and miss on hittable pitches is a concern.

Below avg runner and athlete.

Power hitter will be special hitter in majors. While avg will not consistently be there, will hit for a lot of power and draw a lot of walks. Anticipate a number of .260-.400-.530 lines. Upside of hall of fame hitter.

2 - Jason Esposito (Vanderbilt) - 50

Collegiate corner w/ avg bat. Close to mature mdm, athletic build w/ solid base. SL Closed, Very SL Crouch. Back ear hand location w/ front shoulder turned inside. Leg kick and load.

SL Uppercut w/ avg bat speed. Ok bat speed. Pull oriented hitter. Only goes oppo when late. Some timing issues prevent him from using all fields. Hits a lot of line drives, when struggling the line drives are fly balls. Avg power. All Fields. Swings for the fences early in count. At his best as a doubles hitter who hits HR's as part of the swing. Fringy approach will be avg as learns to keep weight back. Aggressive looking for FB's early in the count. Swing and miss recog issues.

Fringy speed w/ avg athleticism.

Collegiate corner has tools to be quality big league hitter. Upside of an All-Star 3B.

3 - Kyle Kubitza (Texas State) - 50

Collegiate corner w/ above avg power. Projectable big, athletic build w/ solid base. Open, Str Up. Back shoulder hand location w/ high back elbow. Leg kick, shift of weight and load.

SL Uppercut w/ above avg bat speed. Despite leg kick, does great job of keeping weight and hands back. Ok avp approach. Pull Oriented, flashes all fields ability. Tendency to hit a lot of flyballs. All fields power. Able to hit the ball out to any part of the ballpark. Swings for it early in count, resulting in swings and misses. Fringy approach. Selectively aggressive looking for a ball on the inner half. Sees spin well. Questions on ability to handle velo inside. Not afraid to fall behind in the count.

Below avg runner and athlete.

Corner with AA power. Some questions on ability to hit for avg, but should have avg approach. Will draw fair share of walks and strikeouts. Upside of solid avg starter.

4 - Mark Ginther (Oklahoma State) - 50

Collegiate corner w/ solid avg bat. Projectable big, athletic build w/ solid base and round butt. Str On, Str Up. Back shoulder hand location. Load, slight shift of weight in upper body and stride.

SL Uppercut w/ above avg bat speed. Whips it through the zone. Ok avg approach. Works line drives to all fields. Pulls off-speed pitches and drives fastballs middle and oppo. Swing will take work to allow him to hit all pitches to all fields. Fringy power will be avg. All fields, more HR power pull side. Tendency to lose loft when driving fastballs oppo. Below avg approach will be avg. Selectively aggressive and understands his zone. Some recog issues, vulnerable to velo in. Incorporating legs into swing more will allow tools to play better.

Below avg speed and athlete.

Corner has quality bat as learns to use legs more. Should at least be a solid platoon 3B who will handle LHP. Upside of solid starter.

5 - Jason King (Kansas State) - 45
6 - Matt Skole (Georgia Tech) - 45
7 - Riccio Torrez (Arizona State) - 45
8 - Harold Martinez (Miami) - 40
9 - Steven Proscia (Virginia) - 40
10 - Garrett Buechele (Oklahoma) - 40
11 - Dan Gamache (Auburn) - 40
12 - Tant Shepherd (Texas) - 35
13 - Chris Lashmet (Northwestern) - 35
14 - Zach Johnson (Oklahoma State) - 35
15 - Travis Shaw (Kent State) - 30
16 - Matt Duffy (Tennessee) - 30
17 - Jarrod Parks (Mississippi State) - 30
18 - Dean Espy (UCLA) - 30
19 - Reid Redman (Texas Tech) - 30
20 - Adrian Morales (South Carolina) - 30
21 - K.C. Serna (Oregon) - 25
22 - Brian Hernandez (Cal Irvine) - 25
23 - Nick Vickerson (Mississippi State) - 25
24 - Drew Hillman (Cal Irvine) - 25
25 - Kenny Jackson (Texas A&M) - 25
26 - Matt Argyropoulos (Washington State) - 25
27 - Tyler Bream (Liberty) - 20
28 - Kevin Lusson (Texas) - 20


SHORTSTOPS
1 - Brad Miller (Clemson) - 45
2 - Nick Ahmed (Connecticut) - 45
3 - Levi Michael (North Carolina) - 45
4 - Austin Nola (LSU) - 45
5 - Peter Mooney (South Carolina) - 45
6 - Taylor Motter (Coastal Carolina) - 40
7 - Brandon Loy (Texas) - 35
8 - Taylor Black (Kentucky) - 35
9 - Marcus Semien (California) - 35
10 - Kelby Tomlinson (Texas Tech) - 35
11 - Tyler Grimes (Wichita State) - 35
12 - Taylor Featherston (TCU) - 30
13 - Matt Wessinger (St. John's) - 30
14 - Josh Parr (Illinois) - 30
15 - D.J. Crumlich (Cal Irvine) - 25


OUTFIELDERS
1 - George Springer (Connecticut) - 55

Collegiate junior with chance for 5 plus tools. Big, athletic with solid base and round butt. Close to mature major league body. Str On, Str Up. Back shoulder hand location. Stride (where he gets on front toe turned inward and moves downward and towards pitcher at same time) and load.

Plus bat speed in SL Uppercut. Swing is long. Limited avg ceiling. Tries to get to power at all times. Needs to learn to rein it in. Pull Oriented. Pulls front shoulder at times, making it difficult for him to stay on the ball. Recog issues help limit avg ceiling. Avg power now will be above avg as adjustments are made. CF to Pull. Should unlock oppo power. Bad approach. Struggles to recognize below avg SL's, let alone MLB caliber. Gives at bats away. Getting him to stay back and getting foot down on time will improve recog and ability to hit to all fields. Correctable.

Near plus-plus runner and is a plus-plus athlete. Runs hard down the line.

True toolbox with a ton of talent. Question is will he recognize pitches? Upside of a potential hall of fame CF. More likely settles into an above average CF with some All-Star berths.

2 - Mikie Mahtook (LSU) - 55

Collegiate OF w/ AA hit tool. Close to mature mdm, athletic build w/ powerful thighs. Open, SL Crouch. Back shoulder hand location. Shift of weight, toe tap and load. Will mix in a leg kick.

SL Uppercut w/ AA bat speed. Gets around the ball at times. Gd avg approach. Works all fields. At his best working CF to oppo. When struggles, b/c is pull heavy trying to get to power. Lot of line drives. Above avg power. All fields. Legitimate oppo power. Put a charge into the ball when right. Gd approach. Understands his zone. Looking for pitches he can mash early. Some struggles w/ plus velo and premium stuff.

Avg runner and athlete.

Safe pick who will play in major leagues. Struggles w/ premium stuff raises questions on ultimate ceiling. Upside of multiple All-Stars.

3 - Jackie Bradley Jr. (South Carolina) - 55

Collegiate OF w/ gd hit tool. Close to mature small, athletic build w/ powerful base. Open, Str Up. Back shoulder hand location. Stride to come square, toe turn, shift of weight and load.

SL Uppercut w/ AA bat speed. Not always AA and drags through zone at times. Gd avg approach. Pull oriented, flashes ability to stay back and drive ball to all fields. Line drive machine when right. Easy to repeat swing. Fringy power. Doesn't always have the loft in his swing to take advantage. Gap to gap hitter who will hit 15 homers a year. Tries to swing for it early in count. Gd approach. Understands his zone and rarely expands. Sees spin well. Some issues with velo in on his hands. Should hold up L on L, as he recognizes. Fastballs from lefties on inner half cause some problems.

AA runner and athlete. An able bunter who doesn't utilize it heavily.

Intriguing collegiate w/ tools to be top of the order hitter. Should hit .280 w/ strong on base percentage. Upside of All-Star OF.

4 - Preston Tucker (Florida) - 45
5 - John Andreoli (Connecticut) - 40
6 - James Ramsey (Florida State) - 40
7 - Mac Williamson (Wake Forest) - 40
8 - Chad Wright (Kentucky) - 40
9 - Johnny Ruettiger (Arizona State) - 40
10 - Adam Matthews (South Carolina) - 40
11 - Zach Cone (Georgia) - 35
12 - Jaron Shepherd (Mississippi State) - 35
13 - Jason Coats (TCU) - 35
14 - Taiwan Easterling (Florida State) - 35
15 - Collin Kuhn (Arkansas) - 35
16 - Drew Martinez (Memphis) - 35
17 - Brett Williams (North Carolina State) - 35
18 - Brandon Meredith (San Diego State) - 35
19 - Bryson Smith (Florida) - 35
20 - Nick Martini (Kansas State) - 35
21 - Justin Gominsky (Minnesota) - 35
22 - Jeff Holm (Michigan State) - 35
23 - Kash Kalkowski (Nebraska) - 35
24 - Derek Jones (Washington State) - 35
25 - Brian Stamps (Oregon State) - 35
26 - Casey Kalenkosky (Texas State) - 35
27 - Taylor Dugas (Alabama) - 30
28 - Ben McMahan (Florida) - 30
29 - Kenny Swab (Virginia) - 30
30 - Jason Krizan (Dallas Baptist) - 30
31 - Chris Epps (Clemson) - 30
32 - Mike McGee (Florida State) - 30
33 - Chris Ellison (Oklahoma) - 30
34 - Nathan Melendres (Miami) - 30
35 - Daniel Bowman (Coastal Carolina) - 30
36 - John Barr (Virginia) - 30
37 - Jarrod McKinney (Arkansas) - 25
38 - Peter Verdin (Georgia) - 25
39 - Willie Argo (Illinois) - 25
40 - Kyle Robinson (Arkansas) - 25
41 - John Gianis (North Carolina State) - 25
42 - Chris Giovinazzo (UCLA) - 25
43 - Andy Workman (Arizona State) - 25
44 - Brandon Eckerle (Michigan State) - 25
45 - Nick Baligod (Oral Roberts) - 25


RIGHT HANDED STARTERS
1 - Gerrit Cole (UCLA) - 70

Collegiate starter w/ near 80 FB.

Power. Works 96-99, up to 101. Lightning quick arm. Maintains velo deep into game. Ride. Run and sink at times. Lacks life and deception, allows hitters to square up. Around the zone, works both corners. Tendency to pitch in middle of plate too often. Devolves into thrower trying to chuck it by you.

Plus CH. Gd armspeed w/ fade and sink. Hitters don't recognize out of hand. Around the zone. Throws R on R. Doesn't mind doubling up on it. Despite being plus, doesn't generate swings and misses.

AA SL. 3/4 tilt w/ gd late bite and avg depth. Cut-like at times. Able to throw for strikes, consistently locating down and away to RHH. Doesn't use as a finishing pitch, preferring to go to FB.

3/4 from SWU. Pretty clean mechanically.

Classic pitcher build. Big, strong kid w/ solid base. Close to mature.

Special pitcher has Verlander FB velo and maintains throughout game. Features plus CH and above avg SL. Command should come, as delivery is clean. True # 1 starter.

2 - Trevor Bauer (UCLA) - 65

Collegiate starter w/ plus FB, CB.

Power. Plus FB. Works 92-95, up to 96. Ride. Shows run and sink at times. Plays up due to plus deception. Ball explodes on you. Pounds the zone. Works both corners, loves pitching inside. Changes eye level to help set-up plus CB.

Near plus-plus CB. Hard downer w/ AA depth and tight spin. True out pitch that generates silly swings in pitchers counts. Command is gd. Buries too often, tough for him to throw strikes with.

AA SL. Hard 3/4 tilt. Late breaking. Below avg depth. Around the zone. Better able to throw strikes then with CB. Shows ability to bury. Uses as 2nd out pitch to RHH after CB.

Avg SF. AA dive. Looks like FB until dives out of strike zone. Uses as out pitch to LHH. Chase pitch that he doesn't get in the zone.

Avg CH. Gd armspeed w/ little action. Hitters don't see it out of his hand. Firm. Keeps ball down and away from LHH. More of a get ahead pitch.

OTT from SWU. High effort throw. Delivery similar to Lincecum, but everything gets in right spot.

Mdm, athletic build w/ solid base. Close to mature.

Special collegiate starter. 2 plus pitches, quick mover. Upside of # 2 starter.

3 - Matt Barnes (Connecticut) - 55

Projectable collegiate starter w/ plus FB and AA CH.

Power. FB has plus velo. Gets inconsistent deeper into games. Should hold velo better as gains weight. Around the zone, keeps ball down. Heavy ball with run and sink. Mvmt is inconsistent. Both 2 and 4 seamers.

CH is best off-speed pitch. Good sink and fade w/ gd armspeed. Potential chase pitch. Keeps ball down, around the zone. Doesn't throw for strikes often. One side of the plate.

CB is solid avg. 12-6 downer with inconsistent depth. Short, SL like depth at times, classic mdm depth others. Issues with finishing the pitch and has a tendency to elevate. Struggles to bury.

Cutter is developmental. Well below avg now. Lacks consistent mvmt and command. Should be below avg pitch as he gets consistent.

Ok mechanically from a SWU and H 3/4 release. High effort throw w/ some head violence. Delivery similar to Justin Verlander.

Big, slender build w/ flat butt. Projection to him. Projection more for ability to hold stuff into games then adding stuff.

Solid starter w/ 3 avg or better pitches. Cutter should be usable when he is ready. Upside of # 2 starter if CB takes some steps forward. More likely, solid middle of the rotation # 3.

4 - Sonny Gray (Vanderbilt) - 50

Collegiate starter w/ plus FB velo.

Power. Plus velo, works 92-94. Holds velo deep into start. Run and sink when right. Late life. Flashes above avg. Flattens out at times. Works both corners. Likes to pitch inside. Tendency to miss middle of the plate. Mistakes tend to be in parts of plate where damage can be done. Flashes ability to change eye level to set-up CB.

Plus CB. Tight 12-6 hammer. Big breaker. True out pitch and swing and miss offering. Depth is inconsistent, gets slurvy at times. Hitters have hard time picking up out of hand. Around the zone. More comfortable burying then throwing for strikes.

Avg SL. Tight 3/4 tilt. Late breaker w/ ok bite. 1-plane cutter at times. Flashes gd bite. Likes to use in on LHH. Around the zone. Struggles to consistently get ball inside. Tendency to miss middle of the plate and elevated.

Below avg CH. Gd armspeed w/ fade and sink. Inconsistent mvmt, flattens out and straight CH at times. Around the zone. Likes to throw to LHH on outer half. Uses R on R once in awhile. Tendency to misfire way off plate. Some struggles throwing for consistent strikes.

H 3/4 from SWU. High effort throw.

Small, sturdy build w/ solid base. Close to mature, strong kid.

Small collegiate starter w/ high effort delivery. Should be able to remain starter despite below avg CH thanks to 2 plus pitches. Closer material as reliever. Upside of # 3 starter.

5 - Anthony DeSclafani (Florida) - 50

Collegiate swingman w/ potential for 3 avg or better pitches.

Power. FB is AA. Gd velo out of pen (92-96). Loses a little as starter. Some ride. Lacks quality feel of pitch. More thrower at this stage. Can get in the zone, not always quality. Can attack hitters with FB more.

CB is best secondary. Potential AA offering. Inconsistent now. 12-6 mdm downer with inconsistent tightness. Flashes AA with out pitch capability. Around the zone. Tries to use to get ahead, but struggles to throw strikes. Can get out of the zone for K's.

CH is solid avg. Fade and sink w/ gd armspeed. More reliable then CB from outing to outing. Around the zone. Keeps down. Will use R on R for strikeouts. Confident in pitch.

H 3/4 from SWU. Fairly clean mechanically. A lot of moving parts in delivery throws off timing.

Mdm, athletic build w/ slender base and flat butt. Can add 15-20 pounds of muscle.

Intriguing swing-man with better pure stuff then 2 of 3 starters on Florida. Lacks feel required to start for Florida. Develop as a starter, where upside is # 3 starter. If forced to move to pen, potential set-up man with FB-CB combo.

6 - Ross Stripling (Texas A&M) - 50

Collegiate starter w/ avg 3 pitch mix.

Balanced. Avg FB. Works 89-93. Doesn't hold velo deep into games, working 88-90 later. Late run. Lacks deception, hitters get good look. Locates to both corners and changes eye levels. Works fringes and keeps ball out of danger zones.

Avg CH. Gd armspeed w/ fade and sink. Go to offspeed pitch. Will throw in any situation. Likes to throw in on RHH with 2 strikes. Locates well to armside corner, some struggles throwing gloveside. Shows ability to bury or tease off plate with 2 strikes.

Avg CB. Tight 12-6 mdm downer. Gd depth. Potential out pitch. Keeps ball down. Some inconsistencies finishing causes elevation on occasion. Able to locate to either side of the plate.

OTT from SWU. Clean mechanically.

Big, slender build w/ solid base. Close to mature. Additional muscle would improve ability to maintain stuff deep into outing as opposed to improving stuff.

Collegiate starter w/ avg 3 pitch mix. Upside of # 5 starter with floor of solid org depth.

7 - Taylor Jungmann (Texas) - 50

Big collegiate starter w/ potential plus CB.

Power. AA FB. Works 91-93. Holds velo deep into outing. Run and sink. Gets a lot of groundballs when right. Inconsistent command, controls well. Struggles to place ball on either corner. Misses middle and up too often. Can pitch in more.

Potential plus CB. Tight, mdm downer. Throws 2 types, a get me over one at 75-77 and a power 2 strike offering at 77-80. Power offering is closer to SL. Quality offering either way, as features gd spin. Depth is inconsistent. Command is avg. Strike or bury. Will throw any count to any hitter. Go to offering.

Below avg CH has potential to be fringy. Gd armspeed, but little action and life. Only threw 1, which ended up in RHH batters box. Needs to keep throwing to grow pitch.

Below avg CU. Short cut action, more of a show pitch. Tries to get in on LHH hands with it, but struggles to locate. Tendency to leave in middle of plate or on outer half. Will use occasionally on RHH. Doesn't generate many swings and misses.

H 3/4 from SWU. Long arm action in back is a concern, as well as throwing a bit across body.

Tall, slender build w/ ok base. Needs muscle. Flat butt calls into question ability to put muscle on frame.

Collegiate starter has front of the rotation pitches in FB and CB. Questions on durability due to slender frame and big workload at Texas. If moved to pen, solid set-up guy. Profiles better as a # 4 starter.

8 - Tyler Pill (Cal State Fullerton) - 50

2-Way college player who will have 3 avg or better pitches.

Finesse. FB below avg now. Works 87-89. Projects to avg FB. Run and sink. Pounds the strike zone. Uses FB to get strike 1. Pitches off his FB with 2 AA off-speed pitches.

CH best off-speed. Go to pitch. Excellent arm speed. Fade and sink. Throws early and often. For strike or bury. Around the zone. Misses are down. Adds and subtracts from pitch.

CB flashes AA. Tight 12-6 mdm downer. Inconsistent tightness. Strikeout offering. Around the zone. Tends to miss up. Projects to avg.

Cutter is bad. Extremely inconsistent. Shows some cut and sink at times, not nearly enough. Improve as throws more. Around the zone. Misses are down. Better at 82-83 then 78-80.

H 3/4 from FWU. Excellent mechanics. Repeats.

Mdm athletic build w/ round butt. Can add another 5-10 pounds of muscle.

2-way player in college should show vast improvement focusing on only pitching. Look for FB velo to jump and for CB to tighten. Similar to Dillon Gee. Upside is # 4 starter.

9 - Sam Gaviglio (Oregon State) - 50

Collegiate starter w/ plus CH.

Finesse. Fringy FB. Worked 86-88. With a little more muscle, should have avg velo. Sinkerballer. Ball has gd run and sink. AA command will be plus. Keeps ball down and out of danger zones. Works both sides to RHH, but struggles to come in with front hippers to LHH.

Plus CH. Gd armspeed w/ fade and sink. Falls off the table. Looks like a FB out of hand. Swing and miss CH. AA command will be plus. Keeps ball down and out of danger zones. Lot of quality strikes or gd tease pitches with 2 strikes.

Fringy CB will be avg. Short 12-6 downer w/ ok spin. Slurvy at times. Flashes avg with gd spin and avg depth. Not as fine command as other 2 pitches. Tendency to leave up in the zone. Keeps pitch around the zone, not always quality.

3/4 from SWU. Take a little more time over rubber will allow more command.

Mdm, athletic, loose build w/ round butt. Close to mature. Questions on ability to handle starter workload.

Collegiate starter with somewhat slight build. To start, will likely need to learn a cutter to be able to get in on LHH. As a reliever, would profile as solid middle relief. Upside of # 4 starter.

10 - Tanner Peters (UNLV) - 50

Collegiate starter w/ AA CH.

Balanced. Solid avg FB. Sits 88-90. Holds velo deep into outing. Up to 94. Run and sink. Despite 6'0" frame, does nice job getting dwnd action on ball. Straightens out when elevated. Pounds the zone. Likes to work away, can pitch inside more. Gd control, some command struggles. Tendency to miss up.

AA CH. Bugs-Bunny like. 15 mph difference. Gd armspeed w/ fade and sink. Velo difference causes swing and misses against MWC hitters, won't cause as many against pro hitters. Trusts. Around the zone, keeps out of danger zones. Will throw 3-2 and R on R.

Avg CB. Short 12-6 downer w/ ok spin. Flashes gd spin w/ avg depth. Threw 1 or 2 above average. Around the zone. Not as consistent within the strike zone. At its best when buried, though tendency to bury too early.

H 3/4 from SWU. Violent landing w/ some effort.

Mdm, slender build w/ flat butt. Lacks muscle. Able to add weight if able to keep it on him, which is a challenge. Questions on ability to hold up as starter.

Collegiate w/ avg to above avg 3 pitch mix. Stuff will translate to pen, but has a chance to be solid back-end starter. Got to let him prove he can't start. Solid avg middle reliever.

11 - Navery Moore (Vanderbilt) - 50

Collegiate closer w/ above avg FB and potential conversion to starting.

Balanced. Solid avg FB. Works anywhere from 88-93. Works in the high 80's to get in strike zone in hitter counts. Up to 95 and 96 when going for strikeout to end game. Run and sink. Never has the same mvmt pitch to pitch. Will show above avg life, then flatten out. Around the zone. Bit of a thrower right now. Struggles to command the strike zone. Goes through spurts where can't find the strike zone.

Plus SL. Tight 3/4 late. Late breaker. 1 plane cutter at times. Inconsistent depth. Around the zone. Flashes ability to throw quality strikes to gloveside corner. Buries at will. True out pitch.

Fringy CH will be above avg. Gd armspeed w/ fade and sink. Flashes above avg now. Will flatten out at times. Still getting a feel for pitch. Throws it and hopes for the best. Misses all over.

H 3/4 from SWU. Some concern about arm action in starter role.

Mdm, athletic build w/ solid base. Close to mature.

Collegiate starter w/ chance for 3 above avg pitches. Like to try as starter in pro ball to see if get a # 3 starter out of him. Concern as starter is cocking arm action and being able to repeat, as well as developing command. As reliever, quick mover and profiles as solid set-up man.

12 - Andrew Gagnon (Long Beach State) - 50

Collegiate starter w/ chance to be solid middle of the rotation starter.

Balanced. Likes to pound the zone w/ avg FB. Works 90-92, carries velo deep into games. Works down in the zone. Confident in pitch. Run and sink. FB is out pitch.

SL shows most potential of off-speed. In warmups, big league pitch w/ gd tilt. Struggles to translate to games. Tries to throw too hard and throw the break. In games, slurvy and hanging. Some struggles finishing. When right, is above avg and potential out pitch. Like to see abandon CB and refine SL.

Potential avg CH. Firm w/ gd arm speed. Minimal action. Can generate weak swings. More of a weak contact/change of pace pitch. Throw in 3-2 counts R on R.

CB is below avg. Like to see him drop this pitch. Short 12-6 w/ inconsistent spin. Slurvy. Runs together w/ SL at times. Inconsistent command.

H 3/4 from SWU. Some effort.

Big frame w/ broad shoulders, strong lower half and round butt. Some projection remaining. Classic pitcher body.

Command of solid avg 3 pitch mix w/ chance for AA FB and SL. Upside of # 3 starter or solid avg middle reliever.

13 - Justin Amlung (Louisville) - 50

Redshirt sophomore w/ potential for 3 avg pitches.

Balanced. Solid avg FB velo. Maintains throughout start. Run at times, ride at others. Solid control, iffy command. Pounds the zone. Flashes ability to work both corners. Misses tend to be elevated and middle of plate.

Potential AA SL. Tight 3/4 tilt. Inconsistent. Flashes avg depth w/ AA tilt. Throws a lot of backups at this stage. Pounds zone w/ pitch. Can spot gloveside corner at knees. Some struggles burying. Tried to throw too hard as out pitch, limiting break. Throws early and often. Trusts in pitch, will throw 3-2.

Threw 1 CH. Solid avg w/ fade and sink. Gd armspeed, late break. Needs to throw more to develop better feel. One thrown was belt high and away.

H 3/4 from SWU. Some effort w/ tendency to fly open. Weird arm action, almost slinger like.

Small, athletic build w/ thin base and round butt. Can add muscle, though muscle will help stuff play deeper into games.

Lacks prototypical pitcher size w/ some effort. Shows ability to maintain stuff deep into games. 3 pitch mix fits better in rotation then pen. Upside of # 3 starter or solid avg middle reliever.

14 - Colin O'Connell (Cal State Fullerton) - 50

Collegiate starter w/ AA slider.

Finesse. Solid avg FB. Run and sink. Keeps ball down. Pounds the strike zone. Misses are out of danger zone.

Solid avg SL, chance to be AA. Tight, late breaking 3/4 tilt. Inconsistent. Will flatten out, cut-like. Is AA when thrown right. Pounds the strike zone. Both sides. Bury or for strike.

Did not show CH. Used back-door and back-foot SL's as off-speed pitch to LHH.

Solid mechanically from 3/4 SWU. Should have more velo in there.

Big, slender build w/ flat butt. Can get up to 6'5", 230 if can get muscle on him.

Starter in college that should get chance to start in pro ball to develop CH. Upside of a 5th starter or solid middle reliever.

15 - Taylor Hill (Vanderbilt) - 45
16 - Dixon Anderson (California) - 45
17 - Carson Smith (Texas State) - 45
18 - Matthew Neil (BYU) - 40
19 - Michael Palazzone (Georgia) - 35
20 - Derek Varnadore (Auburn) - 35
21 - Dennis O'Grady (Duke) - 35
22 - Joe DiRocco (Seton Hall) - 30
23 - Brandon Williamson (Dallas Baptist) - 30
24 - Bobby Shore (Oklahoma) - 30
25 - Joe Robinson (UNLV) - 30
26 - Cole Johnson (Notre Dame) - 25
27 - Ben Alsup (LSU) - 25
28 - Austin Lubinsky (Minnesota) - 25


RIGHT HANDED RELIEF PITCHERS
1 - Alex Meyer (Kentucky) - 65

Collegiate starter w/ plus FB velo and plus SL.

Power. FB velo is plus. Works 93-97 early in games. Doesn't hold velo, dropping to 88-91 late into games. Still touches 97 in 7th when needs it. Gd downhill plane w/ sink and some late run. Flashes ability to have dominant sinker. Around the zone. Prone to misfires. Most misses are elevated.

SL is plus. Tight 3/4 tilt. Late breaker flashes as wipeout. Inconsistent depth. Cut-like at times. Some command. Prone to misfires. Misfires tend to be armside, resulting in HBP. Can throw for strike or bury.

CH is distant 3rd pitch. Developmental. Gd armspeed w/ some sink. Doesn't use much. Lacks trust and feel with pitch. The few he throws, manages to keep down in the zone. Will use R on R.

H 3/4 from SWU. Needs a lot of work. 6'9" frame makes it hard to keep delivery in sync. Violent throw raises durablity questions as a starter.

Classic pitcher body. Tall and slender. Flat butt. Projectable. Addition of muscle will allow stuff to hold up deeper into games.

FB and SL are major league tools. As a starter, is going to take a lot of time to develop and work to smooth out delivery. Will need to develop a CH, quiet his mechanics and more consistently command his stuff. As a reliever, moves quickly. Upside of # 2 starter. More likely, settles in as an All-Star closer.

2 - Tony Zych (Louisville) - 60

Collegiate closer with overpowering FB and plus SL.

Power. Attacks w/ 95-97 FB. Run and sink w/ gd late action. Primary offering. Don't get the sense he commands. Thrower at this stage. Ok control. Tends to catch a lot of the plate.

Plus SL. Wipeout offering w/ 3/4 tilt and avg depth. Will backup at times. Has to subtract mvmt from pitch to get in strike zone. Can bury at will. More comfortable as strikeout pitch. When able to throw for strikes, becomes nearly unhittable.

3/4 from NWU. Max effort delivery w/ head violence. Herky jerky nature of delivery helps hide pitches and stuff plays up. However, command ceiling is limited.

Mdm, powerful build w/ strong lower half and round butt. Close to mature. Closer to 190.

Exciting closer prospect. Command will determine ultimate ceiling. Will pitch in the major leagues. Upside of first division, multiple All Star games closer.

3 - Erik Johnson (California) - 60

Collegiate starter w/ plus FB velo.

Power FB/SL pitcher. FB has plus velo (93-95). Maintains velo deep into games. Touches 96. Some ride. Inconsistent command. Comes and goes. Will lose zone in spurts. Flashes ability to command.

Power SL. Tight 3/4 tilt. Flashes sharpness, avg depth. Cut-like at times. Around the zone. Inconsistent. Will bury when doesn't want to bury and strike when doesn't want strike. Misses are elevated.

CB is a tight 12-6 mdm downer. Avg offering. Doesn't throw often. Lacks feel. Needs to throw more and develop.

CH is below avg. Ok arm speed. Some sink. Lacks feel. Struggles to command. More of a show pitch. Needs to throw more and develop.

Ok mechanically. High effort throw makes it difficult to repeat. Questions on ability to handle starter workload.

Mdm, athletic build w/ round butt and solid base. Can get up to 225.

Intriguing power arm w/ chance to be # 3 starter. Major league arm that will be a reliever at worse. If starter, needs to tighten SL into cutter and use CB more. Command determines ability to remain starter. As reliever, FB/SL combo is enough to be AA. Don't think the command will allow him to start. Upside of a # 3 starter.

4 - Kyle Winkler (TCU) - 55

Collegiate starter w/ plus FB and SL.

Power. Plus FB, works 92-95 with a lot of 94's. Out of pen, potential to play into 95-97 range. Some run, ride others. Not a lot of life. Around the zone. Likes to challenge in hitter's counts. Shows ability to throw quality strikes to both corners, though not constant.

Plus SL. Tight 3/4 tilt w/ gd depth. True swing and miss offering. Around the zone. Almost throws too many strikes. Will backdoor to LHH. Doesn't show aptitude for burying yet. Likes to start just on outside corner and have it break off.

Below avg CH. Gd armspeed w/ little action. A little fade. Has some issues w/ armspeed, will slow down and guide into zone. Lacks feel from relying on FB-SL. Throws only a handful each game.

H 3/4 from FWU. High effort throw w/ arm playing catchup and checkered injury history suggests bullpen best option.

Small, powerful build w/ strong base. Close to mature. Lacks size to handle starter workload.

Had a lot of success as starter in college, but plus FB-SL translates better to pen with high effort delivery. Lack of a 3rd pitch isn't a big deal. Should move quickly as a reliever. Potential of an All-Star closer.

5 - Noe Ramirez (Cal State Fullerton) - 55

3-year collegiate starter with plus CH.

Balanced. FB is solid avg. Works 90-92, loses velo deeper into starts. Some run and sink. Gd deception. Around the zone. Hits spurts where struggles to find zone. Keeps ball down.

Plus CH. Excellent arm speed. AA fade and sink. True swing and miss CH. Commands. Around the zone. Misses are down. Spurts where struggles to throw for strikes.

Fringy SL projects to avg. 3/4 tilt, gd depth. Early breaker, shows flashes of tight, late break. Command a bit behind other 2 pitches. Keeps around zone. Struggles for strike.

High effort SWU from H 3/4. Some late head violence. Questions on delivery holding up over 200 innings.

Mdm, athletic build w/ round butt. Strong thighs. Projectable.

3 avg or better pitches. Mechanics call in question ability to be starter. If remains starter, solid # 3. As reliever, is solid set-up man relying on AA FB and plus CH.

6 - Evan Marshall (Kansas State) - 55

Collegiate closer w/ plus velo and plus SL.

Power. Plus velo. Works 93-95. Ride. Explodes out of his hand. Thrower at this stage. Can throw for strikes, struggles to command. Misses tend to be elevated and middle.

Plus SL. Out pitch to all hitters. Late breaking tight 3/4 tilt w/ gd depth. Generates some silly swings. Flashes ability to throw for strikes, inconsistent. Bury at will to both corners.

Below avg CH. Ok arm speed w/ fade and sink. Get ahead pitch vs. out pitch. Almost exlusively to LHH. Ok command. Keeps down and out of danger zones.

Max effort NWU from H 3/4. Parts get out of sync at times, resulting in misfires.

Big, strong kid w/ powerful thighs. Mature classic pitcher build.

Quality closer w/ 2 AA or better pitches. Command will determine how quickly he moves. Upside of a closer.

7 - Cory Mazzoni (North Carolina State) - 55

Collegiate starter w/ 2 potential plus pitches as reliever.

Balanced. Avg FB as starter, working 88-92. Velo should pick up as reliever, as touched 93 twice and 94 once. FB has gd downhill plane w/ run. When elevated, straightens out and hittable. Command is erratic. Flashes ability to command down and away, then will leave pitch in middle of plate and up numerous times.

AA SL should be plus. Throws early and often, leading questions to if can stay healthy as starter. 3/4 tilt w/ solid depth. Harder, tighter one with 2 strikes w/ similar depth. Needs to learn to throw hard, tight one as only offering. Gets cut-like at times. Out pitch. Commands better then FB. Around the zone and keeps pitch down. Buries at will. Will misfire and over-rotate, leaving pitch in LHH batters box.

Below avg CH shows potential. Doesn't use much in college. Has ok armspeed w/ fade and sink. Despite arm slowing slightly, looks like FB out of hand. Commanded 3 he threw ok, leaving ball down and away from LHH. Used as an out pitch once and had it fouled off. Needs to keep throwing to develop feel.

H 3/4 from SWU. Will drop down at times. High effort throw w/ head violence.

Mdm, athletic build. Solidly built w/ round butt. Close to mature. Lacks physicality associated with starters.

Potential plus FB/SL combo w/ inconsistent command and smaller stature leads to future in pen. Chance to have good enough CH to start, but concern over throwing 40 % of SL's over 150 IP. As a starter, upside of # 4 starter unless FB velo makes consistent jump. As a reliever, solid set-up guy.

8 - Matt Price (South Carolina) - 50

Collegiate closer w/ plus SL.

Balanced. Solid avg FB works 89-91. Up to 93. Hides ball well. Hitters consistently late. Explodes with run and sink. Erratic command. Controls well and able to throw for strikes consistently. Tendency to miss up and middle. Struggles to consistently locate on both corners, more comfortable working gloveside corner.

Plus SL. Tight 3/4 tilt w/ AA depth. True out pitch. FB plays up because hitters have to respect SL. Erratic command. Around the zone and misses out of danger zones. Shows ability to bury and throw for strikes. Flashes ability to throw quality strikes on outer half.

DNS a 3rd pitch.

L 3/4 from SWU. Clean mechanically.

Mdm, athletic build w/ solid base. Close to mature.

Gamer who comes at you with his stuff and dares you to hit it. Gives his all everytime on the mound. Plus SL will be meal ticket, but ability to locate his FB will determine ultimate ceiling. Safe bet to pitch in big leagues w/ Huston Street upside.

9 - Tyler Wilson (Virginia) - 50

Collegiate starter fits best as reliever.

Balanced. Solid avg FB. Works 88-91. Ok life. Run w/ occasional sink. Tends to straighten out. Around the zone. Some struggles commanding the strike zone. Spurts where loses strike zone. Will subtract to get pitch in strike zone. Changes eye level well and knows how to use pitch to set-up hitters.

Plus SL. Late breaking 3/4 tilt. Excellent bite w/ avg depth. Wipeout. Out pitch. Go to pitch. Throw for strikes or bury. Likes to backdoor LHH out of bullpen. Uses in all counts and situations.

Fringy CH. Gd armspeed w/ fade and sink. Around the zone. Will pull on occasion. Keeps out of danger zones. Likes to throw as tease pitch to LHH as starter. Flashes ability to keep in zone.

3/4 from SWU. High effort throw suggests future in bullpen.

Mdm, athletic build w/ solid base. Close to mature. Some questions on ability to hold up for 30 starts.

Collegiate starter was Virginia's go-to pitcher, throwing out of pen or starting depending on what team needed. Attacks hitters and gets most out of his stuff. Translates well to bullpen. Upside of set-up man.

10 - Will Clinard (Vanderbilt) - 50

Redshirt sophomore reliever w/ future AA SL.

Balanced. Solid avg FB, works 89-92. Run and sink. Not a lot of life. Pounds the zone, working both corners. Controls well, able to get in strike zone. Not always quality strikes, tendency to miss up in the zone.

Solid avg SL will be above avg. Late breaking 3/4 tilt w/ gd bite. Not always a 2-plane breaker. Flattens into a 1-plane cutter at times. Early breaking on occasion. Pounds the zone. Will throw in any count. Throw for strike or bury.

DNS a 3rd pitch.

H 3/4 from SWU. Clean mechanically. Potential starter delivery.

Big, athletic build w/ solid base. Close to mature.

Collegiate reliever w/ solid avg FB and above avg SL. Shows ability to command both pitches. Depending on development of 3rd pitch, could move to starting rotation with upside of back of the rotation starter. Upside of solid middle reliever in bullpen.

11 - Cole Green (Texas) - 50

Collegiate starter w/ command of AA SL.

Balanced. Solid avg FB. Works 90-92 as a starter, up to 94. As reliever, profiles 93-95. Late run and some sink. Plays up due to gd deception. Pounds zone. Not always quality strikes. Works belt high too often. Struggles to come inside. Chance for growth w/ learning to get inside and finishing pitch better.

AA SL. Tight 3/4 tilt w/ avg depth. Late breaker on same plane as fastball. Gets short at times. Pounds the zone. Trusts this pitch. Throw any count in any situation. When needs a strike, goes to SL. Will backdoor to LHH. Can throw for strike or bury.

Below avg CH. Gd armspeed w/ little action. Fade and sink. Controls ok. Throws for strikes, tends to elevate. Likes to start off the plate to LHH and run further off. Gd college and pro hitters will spit on the pitch. More of a show pitch.

3/4 from SWU. Fairly clean mechanically, some adjustments needed.

Mdm, sturdy build w/ solid frame. Strong thighs. Mature.

Starter had big workload at Texas. Will need to develop the CH to be a starter in pro ball. Tools translate better to pen, working w/ AA sinker and AA slider. Upside of # 5 starter or solid middle reliever.

12 - Matthew Reckling (Rice) - 50

Collegiate starter w/ 2 potential AA pitches.

Balanced. Solid avg FB velo, works 88-92. Loses velo as gets deeper into outing, sitting 86-88 range. Run and sink w/ gd plane. Flies open early, allowing hitters to get a real good look at it. Controls well, keeping ball around the zone and down. Tendency to misfire armside and leave ball middle of plate.

Potential plus SL. AA now w/ hard 3/4 tilt, gd depth. Early breaker at times. Gd sharpness. Around the zone, struggles to get in strike zone. Can bury and flashes ability to throw for strikes. Prone to misfires. Will back-up on occasion.

DNS 3rd pitch.

H 3/4 from SWU. High effort w/ some mechanical issues.

Big, slender build w/ round butt. Size you look for in pitcher, needs to add muscle. Projectable.

Offers 2 quality pitches. Delivery is a problem and will have some arm issues down the line if remains starter. Fits better as a reliever, where he doesn't need to learn a 3rd pitch and mechanical issues aren't as large of a problem. Upside of solid avg middle reliever.

13 - James Allen (Kansas State) - 45
14 - Nick Fleece (Texas A&M) - 45
15 - Will Roberts (Virginia) - 45
16 - Kevin Vance (Connecticut) - 45
17 - Jack Armstrong (Vanderbilt) - 40
18 - Matt Summers (Cal Irvine) - 40
19 - Greg Holt (North Carolina) - 40
20 - Matty Ott (LSU) - 40
21 - Tyler Maloof (Georgia) - 40
22 - Matt Flemer (California) - 35
23 - Tommy Toledo (Florida) - 35
24 - Daniel Bennett (Florida State) - 35
25 - Mark Lamm (Vanderbilt) - 35
26 - Nathan Kilcrease (Alabama) - 35
27 - Kramer Champlin (Arizona State) - 35
28 - Chris Haney (Dallas Baptist) - 35
29 - Kyle McMillen (Kent State) - 35
30 - T.J. Oakes (Minnesota) - 35
31 - Joe Dvorsky (Texas State) - 35
32 - Chris Devenski (Cal State Fullerton) - 35
33 - John Taylor (South Carolina) - 35
34 - Logan Odom (USC) - 35
35 - Danny Winkler (Central Florida) - 35
36 - Cody Winiarski (Virginia) - 35
37 - Taylor Cole (BYU) - 30
38 - Greg Larson (Florida) - 30
39 - Travis Miller (Miami) - 30
40 - Jordan Pries (Stanford) - 30
41 - Erik Miller (TCU) - 30
42 - Blake Drake (Indiana State) - 30
43 - Patrick Johnson (North Carolina) - 30
44 - Ross Gerdeman (Bowling Green) - 30
45 - John Leonard (Boston College) - 30
46 - David Fischer (Connecticut) - 30
47 - Kevin Jacob (Georgia Tech) - 25
48 - Scott Matyas (Minnesota) - 25
49 - Steve Martin (Texas A&M) - 20


LEFT HANDED STARTERS
1 - Danny Hultzen (Virginia) - 60

Collegiate starter with plus SL and CH.

Power. Above avg FB. Works 91-94. Maintains velo deep into game. Run and sink. Gd deception with quick arm. Hides ball well. Pounds the zone. Works both corners, changing eye levels. Tendency to miss middle of the plate. Likes to challenge with FB. Comes inside well on RHH.

Plus CH. Excellent arm speed w/ fade and sink. Swing and miss pitch. Around the zone. Some struggles keeping on outside corner, tendency to lose in LHH batters box. Keeps ball down.

Plus SL. Tight 3/4 tilt. Late breaker w/ above avg depth and bite. Likes to backfoot RHH for strikeouts. Around the zone, pounds the zone w/ quality strikes. Some inconsistencies finishing, misses are elevated. Out pitch.

L 3/4 from SWU. Clean mechanically w/ added deception from throwing across body.

Mdm, athletic build w/ solid base. Close to mature.

Close to majors collegiate starter just need to continue to refine command. Upside of # 2 starter.

2 - Jed Bradley (Georgia Tech) - 55

Collegiate starter w/ 2 plus pitches.

Power. FB has AA velo w/ plus velo coming as adds a bit more muscle. Run and some late life. Pounds the zone. Works the outer half. Some struggles coming gloveside, but able to get it there. Tendency to leave balls middle. Gets into a throw it by you mentality at times, losing command.

CH is plus. Exc arm speed w/ fade and sink. Some struggles harnessing it for strikes. Commanded better in another outing. Won't finish at times, leaving in other batters box. Chase pitch for him. True out pitch.

SL is below avg. Doesn't really show growth potential in games. Needs to tighten into true SL. Lacks weapon for lefties. Slurvy with 3/4 tilt. Inconsistent. Will elevate at times. Can throw for strikes or throw off plate for strikeouts.

H 3/4 from SWU. Clean mechanically.

Classic pitcher build w/ broad shoulders and solid base.

Close to mature.FB and CH will play. Will need time to refine his breaking ball. Upside of a # 2 starter if he can find an avg breaking ball.

3 - Sean Gilmartin (Florida State) - 55

Collegiate 2-way player with 2 AA pitches.

Finesse. Works with avg FB velo. Run and sink. Keeps ball down. Works both sides. Will come in to set-up other pitches. Pounds the zone and forces you to put ball in play.

AA CH. Excellent arm speed w/ fade and sink. Around the zone. Keeps misses down. For strikes or start on outside corner to RHH and run away for strikeouts. More weak contact pitch in pro ball then consistent swing and miss offering.

Avg SL flashes AA. Tight 3/4 tilt w/ gd depth. Out pitch to LHH. Spots on gloveside corner for strikes. Can bury for strikeouts. Knee-buckler at times.

Fringy CB. Big 12-6 downer w/ inconsistent depth. Doesn't command as well as other pitches, tends to leave elevated. Early count pitch to steal strikes. Just an occasional pitch in pro ball.

H 3/4 from FWU. Clean mechanically w/ easy to repeat mechanics.

Mdm, athletic build w/ solid base and round butt. Some projection left to allow to work starter workload.

Collegiate ace projects favorably as # 3 starter w/ solid avg FB and 2 AA off-speed offerings.

4 - Nick Maronde (Florida) - 55

Go-to collegiate reliever w/ 3 avg or better pitches.

Power. Attacks hitters with AA FB. Works 91-94 in longer relief outings. Ride. Not a lot of life. Pounds the zone. Works both corners. Keeps ball down.

SL is potential AA offering. Tight 3/4 tilt w/ inconsistent depth. Cut-like at times. Flashes AA with wipeout potential. Tough on LHH, who don't recognize it. Around the zone. Struggles to finish the pitch at times. Can throw for strikes early and throw off the plate for strikeouts.

CH is solid avg. Gd armspeed w/ fade and sink. Will throw a lot if feels hitter is sitting on FB. Solid command. Tries to start away and run off plate. Inconsistent for strikes. Weak contact pitch vs. swing and miss pitch.

H 3/4 from SWU. Solid mechanically.

Mdm, athletic build w/ slender base and flat butt. Projectable, though projection is to help maintain stuff over long innings workload.

Intriguing lefty with the stuff to be a solid middle of the rotation starter. If fails, FB-SL combo will play as a primary lefthander and set-up man. Upside of a # 3 starter.

5 - Grayson Garvin (Vanderbilt) - 50

Collegiate starter w/ avg 3 pitch mix.

Balanced. Solid avg FB. Works 89-93. As adds muscle to frame, FB velo will jump to above avg. Run and sink. Gets groundballs when right. Some struggles locating within the strike zone. Works both corners. Tendency to miss middle.

Solid avg SL, will be above avg. 3/4 tilt. Flashes late break w/ gd bite. Tough on lefties. Will use in all counts. Around the zone, misses are down. Throws to both corners, likes to backdoor RHH. Throw for strikes or bury.

Fringy CH will be avg. Ok armspeed w/ fade and sink. Around the zone, misses are down. Can bury, some struggles finishing and getting pitch in strike zone.

H 3/4 from SWU. Some adjustments needed mechanically.

Big, athletic build w/ slender base. Projectable with some more stuff coming.

Collegiate starter w/ present stuff and some future projection. Upside of # 3 starter.

6 - Adam Morgan (Alabama) - 45
7 - Michael Roth (South Carolina) - 45
8 - Tyler Webb (South Carolina) - 40
9 - Alex Panteliodis (Florida) - 35
10 - Greg Nappo (Connecticut) - 35
11 - Matt Crouse (Ole Miss) - 35
12 - Kyle Hallock (Kent State) - 30
13 - Matt Tomshaw (Jacksonville) - 30


LEFT HANDED RELIEF PITCHERS
1 - Matt Purke (TCU) - 50

Collegiate starter w/ potential plus CB.

Power. Solid avg FB. Works 88-91. As adds muscle, should work closer to 92-93. Run and sink, though mvmt is not always there. Around the zone. Flashes of locating to both corners w/ quality strikes. Tendency to let it get away from him and leave middle and elevated.

Potential plus CB. Tight spin w/ avg depth. Slurve. Inconsistent depth, flattens out. Sweeper. True out pitch to LHH. Inconsistent command. Able to throw around the zone, but struggles to locate. At its best when he can just bury it.

Fringy CH. Ok armspeed w/ fade and sink. Should develop into an avg offering as he throws more. Lacks feel from focusing on FB-CB combo. Can throw for strikes, but struggles for quality strikes.

L 3/4 from SWU. Bit of a project delivery-wise. Needs to be slowed down. Arm action is a concern.

Big, sturdy build w/ slender base and round butt. Projection remaining.

Game was seen as tried to come back from injury. Breaking ball lacked bite for this reason and could be reason for inconsistent command. Low arm slot causes questions to be starter despite possible avg CH. Future is in bullpen as a solid avg reliever. Upside of # 4 starter or set-up man.

2 - Andrew Chafin (Kent State) - 50

Collegiate starter w/ potential AA FB velo.

Balanced. Solid avg FB velo projects AA. Works 88-91, touches 93 and 94. Should be able to work 92-94 as gets stronger and makes slight adjustment. Loses velo as game goes on. Some ride. True at times. Fringy command should be average. Controls well and can throw for strikes. Works both corners. Misses tend to be elevated from trying to overthrow. Doesn't miss middle.

Avg SL. 3/4 tilt w/ late break and gd depth. Potential swing and miss offering to LHH. Commands well. Able to throw for strikes or bury for strikeouts. Reliable pitch for him, trusts it.

Below avg CH w/ minimal growth. Ok arm speed with fade and sink. Slows arm down a bit. Commands okay. Keeps down and away from RHH. 3rd pitch.

H 3/4 from SWU. High effort throw. Getting more of a backside load will provide more velo.

Big, strong kid w/ powerful thighs. Close to mature. Needs to add weight to better maintain stuff over the course of the start.

Intriguing lefty. Should have AA FB and avg SL. CH will determine ultimate role. Solid # 4 starter if can develop a CH. More likely, settles in as a solid league average middle reliever.

3 - Corey Williams (Vanderbilt) - 50

Collegiate reliever w/ above avg FB.

Power. Above avg FB. Works 91-94. Up to 95. Holds velo in multiple inning outings. Run and sink. Gd late life. Around the zone. Works both corners. Loses zone on occasion due to hard to repeat mechanics. Tendency to lose armside.

Avg SL will be above avg. 3/4 tilt. Late breaker w/ gd bite. Tight. Will throw spinners. Lefties do not pick up, flail or take. Around the zone. Commands better then FB. Will throw 3-2. Some struggles keeping in strike zone. Buries at will.

Avg CH. Gd armspeed w/ fade and sink. Would play up if able to get in strike zone more consistently. Struggles finishing leaves pitch in LHH batters box. At his best, works around the zone, keeping pitch down. Likes to throw SL's to RHH's, so needs to work on developing CH.

3/4 from SWU. High effort throw.

Mdm, athletic build w/ solid base. Close to mature.

Collegiate reliever profiles as 1st lefty in a pen w/ plus FB and above avg SL. Needs to work on smoothing out delivery, which will allow command to improve. Upside of set-up man.

4 - Sam Stafford (Texas) - 45
5 - Trent Daniel (Arkansas) - 35
6 - Daniel Miranda (Miami) - 35
7 - Corey Kimes (Illinois) - 35
8 - Mitchell Lambson (Arizona State) - 35
9 - Andrew McKirahan (Texas) - 35
10 - Brandon Parrent (Texas A&M) - 30
11 - Elliot Glynn (Connecticut) - 30
12 - Sam Robinson (Miami) - 25
13 - Kyle Ottoson (Arizona State) - 25
14 - Bryan Harper (South Carolina) - 20

First 2 Weeks of June (Final Post)

This will be the final blog posting, as I have gained a position with a major league team and this blog will now no longer have info put in it.

Boston Red Sox (Pitchers):
About the only Low-A series I watched involved Greenville. First the pitchers. RHP Stolmy Pimentel, who is just 19 at the time of his pitching, showed like a top 15 prospect. He is very advanced and while he doesn't have great raw stuff, his command is very good. He features a sinking fastball he can spot, a 12-6 curveball that shows potential and a change that will flash as a plus pitch. I think there is some more velocity there and he projects as a # 3 starter to me. RHP Leandro Marin worked with an explosive 4-seamer that he had some inconsistsent command of and a 2-7 slider with some bite that shows potential though it can be a hanger. Profiles as a solid middle reliever with the chance to be a set-up man. RHP Stephen Fife impressed in a matchup against Jordan Lyles, where he threw 5 no hit innings before being yanked. He features a good looking sinking fastball and a 12-6 downer curve that can be an out pitch that he needs to improve a bit in burying. His other 2 pitches (a 2-7 slider with okay bite and a change that shows potential that he struggles to throw for strikes) are a bit further behind. Profiles as a solid # 4 or # 5 starter or as a solid middle reliever. RHP Michael Lee is a massive 6-7 guy, but doesn't appear to have the overpowering stuff that is normally expected from a guy like that. Throws a fastball, curve and change and is an organizational arm. LHP Mitch Herold is a 23 year old who operates with an okay fastball and a slurve that is a little loopy which he also appears to tip based on his arm action. More of an organizational arm.

Cleveland Indians:
RHP Brandon Hynick is your typical Indians pitcher and the Indians tend to value the pitchability factor higher then most and Hynick is another example. Acquired from the Rockies, Hynick's best projection has him as a # 4 or # 5 starter. He operates with a fastball that looked to be at 88-90 that he could spot, a 12-6 curve that he could spot but isn't good enough to be an out pich, a splitter with above average diving action and an okay slider. LHP Nick Hagadone is the opposite. While he has yet to be extended (and thus hasn't developed his change as much as a pitcher normally has by now) he operates with a plus fastball and a sharp 11-5 slider with good bite that he struggles to throw for strikes but can bury. His change is a bit further away. Profiles as a lefty reliever in the mold of Matt Thornton (with a better breaking pitch) or as a lefty starter similar to that of Derek Holland. He should get every chance to prove he can't start. Now the hitters (for the record, it seemed just about everyone on this team was a prospect).

Boston Red Sox (Hitters): Editing mistake and don't want to retype everything.
1B Anthony Rizzo is a legitimate 1B prospect and features a beautiful left handed swing. More gap power now, but I think he should hit 15-20 homers as a pro and profiles to hit for a .300 or better average. Grade 55 overall. OF David Mailman is a guy I really like and think his stick is pretty good, one based on lining the ball into the gaps and just hitting the ball all over the field. His bat needs to carry him though, as I see him being limited to LF defensively. 3B Will Middlebrooks still has a lot of tools, but no pitch recognition ability and a longer swing and don't see him as anything more then an organizational player (and a guy who has been hyped way too much). OF Mitch Dening profiles to me as a 4th OF who can play some CF. Still raw and needs to make some adjustments with his swing (heavy pull guy) and defensively (bit of a slow first step). They had 2 pretty good catchers in Ryan Lavarnway and Tim Federowicz. Lavarnway looks like he may struggle with good fastballs as he moves up the ladder and looks a bit awkward behind the plate as a bigger catcher (6-4) who may have knee problems. He does have very good power though. Federowicz is the opposite, as he is a guy who looks to slot very well into the 2nd spot of the order and looks to his the ball around the field with some gap power. Think he profiles as a solid backup catcher. SS Ryan Dent profiles as an utility infielder who can play everywhere and hit for a little average but not much power and is another organizational guy. OF Pete Hissey is another raw OF with a pretty left handed line drive based swing that may project for some pop if he hits the weight room and adds some muscle. Similar to Kalish with a lesser build.

Colorado Rockies:
CF Chris Frey actually impressed me, though his stats were nothing special. I think he can be the strong-side of a platoon in CF (maybe paired with Reed Johnson somewhere) and provide a solid batting average and slightly above average defense with good speed. LF Matt Miller looks to be nothing more then an organizational guy who is limited to LF and doesn't offer much power. INF Jonathan Herrera is a solid utility infield option who can play some short, but not play there full time and is a better fit at 2B. Will never hit for much power.

Detroit Tigers:
RHP Brooks Brown, who was acquired for C James Skelton from the D'Backs, looks the part of a sinkerballing righty. Brown worked at 86-91 with his fastball, 78-81 with his slider and 78-81 with his change. His sinker was solid, but neither off-speed pitch does much for me and he struggles to locate his stuff. He needs another year in AAA to try and get to his ceiling as a # 4 or # 5 starter or as a solid middle reliever.

Houston Astros:
RHP Henry Villar put up video game strikeout numbers, but don't expect those to last. He features a fastball with good late run in on righties, an average change and a slightly above average slider with solid bite. I think he could be a solid middle reliever, but want to see him pass the AA test.

Los Angeles Dodgers:
LHP Armando Zerpa was their top pick in the Rule 5 draft from the Red Sox low A team and he shows potential as a LOOGY and has a 50/50 chance of sticking with the big league club. He has a slinging arm action with a sinking fastball and a sweeping slider.

San Francisco Giants:
LHP Aaron King is another big armed lefty who appears to throw a hard fastball, but is very raw. He has quite a bit of command issues and still needs to develop a changeup. Profiles as a solid lefty reliever with a mid 90's fastball and a sweeping slider. SS Ehire Adrianza is very, very toolsy, but has a lot of maturing to do in regards to putting muscle on his body. His swing can get long, but nothing unexpected for a player of his age. Projects to be a pretty solid all-around shortstop as long as he adds some muscle to his frame (55 grade overall). OF Wendell Fairley was a guy I really liked when they drafted him, but he is fighting to just get himself into plans as being an organizational guy. He has a fast swing, but he struggles to recognize pitches or to get his front foot down, slowing his ability to recognize pitches. Best case for him now is to be a 4th OF unless he makes some big time improvements. C Matt Klimas projects to me as an organizational catcher, a guy who you stick in AAA and just wait and see if something happens to necessitate a call-up. Profiles as an average back-up catcher.

Toronto Blue Jays:
C J.P. Arencibia had his first real step back this past year. He still shows his great power bat (projecting to hit for 15-20 home runs in the majors) but he can not recognize sliders and is a very aggressive hitter who will get himself out. This year is the year he shows whether he is just another good defense, power hitting back-up catcher or one who has the ability to adjust and be a solid starter. My money is on the back-up.

Washington Nationals:
RHP Ryan Mattheus, who was acquired from the Colorado Rockies for Joe Beimel, went down with an arm injury that will likely cost him most or all of the upcoming 2010 season. Before the injury, he featured a fastball, slider and splitter. His fastball looked to be at about average to slightly above major league average in regards to velocity, but was pretty straight that he missed with in the middle of the plate. Both his slider (which is his out pitch) and his splitter flash as slightly above average, but he isn't consistent with them.

I will now be breaking down a couple things before the start of the season (and my job) in this order:

1) Break down as many of AAA Durham's home games with pitchers of note to get an idea on their stuff and velocities.

2) Break down as many of AAA Syracuse's games with all players still on the Nationals roster.

3) Break down as many of Low-A Lexington's games to get an idea for the next wave of guys.

If you have any questions on any of this or have a specific player you want me to look at, feel free to let me know at kaytea@bluffton.edu

The Blog Will Live On!

The Blog will live on, but will undergo a change in the type of data available.

This blog will now focus primarily on minor league reports for the upcoming baseball season. I have subscribed to MILB.TV, so I will break down 3 or 4 game series as they become available.

This blog will no longer have any major league breakdowns, though I am still working at BIS. My major league breakdowns will now be done through Excel and some other means and I will no longer be writing observations on this blog.

Look for this blog to return in mid to late April.

Dominican Winter League Breakdown

The DWL is currently in its final series, so I will keep an eye on it and see if any new players crop up that I want to watch (unlikely), and if there are, they will be included in the minors June wrap up.

The DWL is an offensive league and an older league, so there wasn't a ton to look at, but here is what I saw:

Hitters

Constanza, Jose: Age 26, Cleveland Indians Organization

The OF put up solid numbers, though he only played at AA at the age of 25. Solid hitter, but was a hitter that I got a feel that he was up there trying to force a walk rather then trying to get a hit. This is a guy that will never hit for much power at all, but is a plus runner. He profiles as a 4th OF who is limited to LF or CF due to a below average arm and he won't offer much with the bat. Not much of an upside to him, but he will likely get a few major league at bats at some point.

Francisco, Juan: Age 22, Cincinnati Reds Organization

Francisco can mash. He can also get into slumps. Another guy who swings at whatever is there, he reminds me of Pablo Sandoval, though he is just a left handed stick. They are built very similarly, profile similarly offensively and have/had defensive question marks in regards to 3B. As it relates to Francisco, he is a pull heavy hitter who is beginning to have the shift put on for him (or are at least heavily shading that way). He is a big swinger who takes the swing hard in case you hit it approach and has the strikeout number to prove it. He can jam himself at times also. He will hit for power and I think he will hit for a solid enough average. Defensively, I think he can stay at the hot corner, but has the arm (plus) to try the OF and see if that fits (since 1B is not an option with Votto coming up and Alonso behind him)

Lake, Junior: Age 19, Chicago Cubs Organization

Hi, I ooze tools. He is everything you look for in a prospect. He has all 5 tools, though they are still extremely raw. Offensively, he has a pull heavy approach and the pitch recognition of a 19 year old. If I was a hitting coach, I would love to have him and be able to refine what he does (though not as much as a prospect that is a little lower on this list). Has some things within his swing that he needs to refine (such as a longer trigger that creates a hitch, shortening his swing, etc.) but the raw tools are there for success. Defensively, he plays an above average shortstop with a good first steop on balls to his right and an above average arm with good footwork turning the double play. Needs to not stab at the ball with the backhand and just receive it, but he profiles very well as an All-Star shortstop (granted, is at least 3 years away) and a good defensive one. If Starlin Castro forces him off short, he should have more then enough bat to handle 2B and enough to handle 3B.

Peguero, Francisco: Age 21, San Francisco Giants Organization

If you thought Lake was raw, Peguero is even rawer. He has more tools then an Acme Toolbox, but is still learning to translate them. He has one of the worst stances and swings I have seen and he will need a lot of work to refine them. He is a pull heavy hitter who triggers too early and struggles to recognize off-speed stuff. He pounds the ball in the ground, which doesn't allow his average power to play, but does allow his plus speed (3.80, 4.01 to 1st... as a righty) to play. Defensively, hear he has an above average arm, but does put his plus speed to use with solid routes and a good 1st step. Still has a ton of questions to answer, but this is a guy to watch and he could be a future Vladimir Guerrero if absolutely everything falls right. I am not that optimistic.

Pitchers

Del Rosario, Enerio: Age 25, Cincinnati Reds Organization

Del Rosario was a recent addition to the Reds 40 man roster so they wouldn't lose him in the Rule V draft and that was a good decision. Saw him 3 separate times and he operates with a fastball at 86-88 and a slider at 80-82. He comes from a 3/4 arm angle and his fastball has good run in on righties and good sink that is very difficult for hitters to elevate, making him an ideal candidate to be a situational reliever. His slider is serviceable enough, but isn't an out pitch and he won't put up big strikeout numbers. A mini version of Darren O'Day, he should be a solid reliever for the Reds and wouldn't be surprised if he broke camp with the team in April.

Pena, Tony: Age 28, San Francisco Giants Organization

After playing SS failed due to his inability to hit, he was converted to pitching by the Royals and posted some intriguing numbers. He signed as a minor league free agent with the Giants for this upcoming season. He was a guy I was excited to see, but he didn't pitch like your typical convert. He doesn't feature a big fastball, instead sitting at 87-89 with a sinker that can elicit groundballs and he threw a raw change at 79. His mechanics (even working only from the stretch) still need a lot of work and he is a lot of arm in his delivery. You hope he may add velocity focusing on pitching everyday, but he profiles as no better then a solid middle reliever, and one that will require more work then a normal pitcher.

Oneli Perez: Age 26, St. Louis Cardinals Organization

Perez intrigued me by putting up some pretty solid numbers for AAA Memphis this year, but he is what he is. He is not an overwhelming pitcher and is a guy who should be able to get AAA hitters out fairly consistently, but just lacks the stuff to do it in the majors. He was 89-91 with his fastball, a sinker variety and was 77-80 with his slider, which is average but can't be an out pitch. You will see him in the major leagues a couple more times.

Juan Perez: Age 31, Los Angeles Dodgers Organization (LHP)

The oldest guy I looked at, he put up some nice strikeout numbers at AAA Gwinnett and signed as a minor league free agent with the Dodgers. I only saw him once (and he only threw 1 fastball at 86), but he looks like he is just AAA depth. He also threw a curve at 75-77 that was a sweeping pitch with above average tilt and was a true swing and miss offering, but he doesn't have the FB velocity to not have major league hitters sit on it.

Rosa, Carlos: Age 24, Kansas City Royals Organization

Rosa is a guy I have always liked and wanted to see how he looked as a starter. I am still holding out hope, but his start I watched wasn't good (only lasted 2 innings) and struggled to throw strikes with his fastball out of the windup. For the outing, he showed a fastball at 90-94 with good movement and inconsistent command, a slider at 86-88 that was tight but didn't have great movement, a below average curve at 78 and a change at 84-86 that was usable. Is a major league arm, but he probably does profile better as a reliever, though if I am KC I make him prove it by starting him a few times this coming season.

Severino, Atahualpa: Age 25, Washington Nationals Organization (LHP)

His first name is quite the treat. Anyways, Severino is a 5-9, 170 pound lefty reliever who doesn't have much growth left. The first 2 games I saw, he was 88-90 with his fastball and 77-80 with his slider. His last outing I saw, he sat at 90-92 (had read reports he touched 94) and showed a slider at 79. His slider is more of a slurve, but it should be enough to get out lefties and righties if his velocity stays at 90-92. Solid reliever prospect who probably profiles as a 2nd lefty in a pen and one better suited to face lefties (in the DWL, he was used as a LOOGY, facing only the occasional right handed bat)

Valdez, Jose: Age 26, Houston Astros Organization

Valdez signed as a minor league free agent after coming out of the Yankees organization (and putting up some solid strikeout numbers). The 6-4 Valdez needs to be locked in a weight room for a while, as he is just 185 pounds and is built like a stringbean. However, the one thing that is known about him is he has a big arm, sitting at 93-94 with his fastball and touching 95 and showing a slurve that I classified as a curveball at 79-83. His fastball is major league ready and is a worthwhile risk by the Astros to see if they can tighten his off-speed pitch into something major league ready.

Venezuelan Winter League Breakdown

Had 2 games available to break down on ESPN 360 (with a ton of Dominican Winter League games, so there will be a post on that in some time) and so here is a brief summary (keep in mind, I still only watch guys that pique my interest):

C Wilson Ramos (Minnesota Twins): Age 22
Ramos is a very highly touted catching prospect and prospect overall. Ranked the # 2 prospect by Baseball America entering the upcoming season, he likely slots somewhere in the middle of the Top 50. Ramos has "light tower" power, especially to his pull side and his power output in the VWL was no fluke. He is very smooth defensively with an above average arm that he is fairly accurate with. No doubt in my mind he can hit 25-30 homers and be an above average defender.

However, he is a guy that sabermetrics may not like. This is a guy who employs the Vladimir Guerrero approach. He put up solid numbers in a half season at AA, but it will be interesting to see what happens when more advanced pitchers face him. In the 1 game I saw, it could be a slider off the plate, a fastball in or a curveball, he was swinging at it on the 1st pitch. He has better tools then another free swinger with a good pedigree coming up (Francouer), but I still have those same questions.

With that said, I still view him as a sometime all star and an everyday catcher.

Ezequiel Carrera (Seattle Mariners)
The 22 year old had a great year at AA (.337-.441-.416) and showed his ability. It has surprised me that he hasn't yet been ranked in the top 30 for either the Mets or Mariners. He is a true speedster who I had a 65 or a 70 runner on the 20-80 scale. He is a slap hitter who will never hit for much power, but can work the count and is a good contact hitter who shouldn't strike out much. Defensively, he uses his speed well and has a slightly above average 1st step with a slightly below average arm, so he is limited to CF or LF.

He should start next season in AAA and be primed for a starting job the year after, though Franklin Gutierrez is a big time blocker in CF, so he may need to settle at being a 4th OF.

Pitchers (ESPN360 had a radar gun for those telecasts, so awesome)

Eduardo Sanchez (St. Louis Cardinals)
This guy was unlisted on the Baseball America St. Louis page (not even a depth guy), but let me give you this guys numbers this past season:

Hi A Palm Beach: 19 G, 25 IP, 12 H, 5 BB, 26 K
AA Spingfield: 41 G, 50 IP, 32 H, 20 BB, 56 K

Did I mention that he pitched last season at the age of 20? The 21 year old will likely start next year at AAA and has a great chance to be in the St. Louis bullpen by June. He showed a fastball at 90-92 (though I have read reports where it can sit in the mid 90's) and a devastating, lights out 76-78 slider that even if the FB is only 90-92, he can be a solid set-up guy. He also showed a change at 81, but that is a distant 3rd pitch.

Needless to say, he is now Baseball America's 6th best prospect in the St. Louis organization entering this season.

Yohan Pino (Cleveland Indians) Age 26
One of many that will be competing for a starting job with Cleveland, Pino operates with a fastball at 86-89, a slider at 78-82, a curve at 71-74 and a change at 73-75. I believe this is right, but Pino is the unabashed champion at throwing back-up sliders and he was a little difficult to distinguish between sliders and changeups. His fastball has some good late movement and he has good command of the pitch, but is still a below average offering due to velocity. His 2 breaking pitches are both average and his change is okay. He is a guy with a very small margin of error and I don't see him having prolonged success in the majors.

Fernando Hernandez (Oakland Athletics)
A minor league free agent signing, the 25 year old Hernandez operates with a fastball at 89-90, a slider at 79-81 and a curveball at 71-76. Your classic 3-pitch reliever, he is good AAA depth who will likely make 1 or 2 more major league cameos before his days are done.

Joseph Ortiz (Texas Rangers)
The now 19 year old Ortiz is a 5-7, 175 pound lefty. He struggled in a brief introduction to full season ball and will likely get another chance this coming season. He operates with a fastball at 87-90, a sweeping curve at 71 and a change at 79. To me, he profiles as nothing better then a 2nd lefty in a pen and he could have a chance to be a solid LOOGY.

Clevelan Santeliz (Chicago White Sox)
Ahhhh, the whole stats lying thing. The 23 year old posted an ERA of .96 at AA Birmingham in 40 appearances, but had a WHIP of 1.38. He has good stuff, but he doesn't have .96 ERA stuff. He operates with fastball that sat at 92-93 and touched 94 and 95 once and a slider at 83-87. I see him as a solid middle reliever, as he does have some command questions.

Rafael Cova (San Francisco Giants)
An interesting story, this is what he did in minor league ball last year (he was hurt):

AZL Giants: 4 G, 4 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 8 K
Hi A San Jose: 12 G, 11 IP, 5 H, 12 BB, 19 K

Obviously, he has strike out stuff. The question for me on him was his age, as he is 27. He apparently signed as a minor league free agent after not pitching since 2006 (used to be a Mets prospect). This may turn out to be one heck of a find if he can stay healthy. Cova featured a fastball at 93-94 and a downer 1-7 slider at 82-85 that could be a strikeout pitch. One to watch, as he has to be put on the fast track due to his age.

Danny Rondon (Minnesota Twins)
The 22 year old is a non prospect to me. The reliever operated with a fastball at 86-88 that touched 89 and 90 and showed a slider at 82 that is still a ways away.

Carlos Alvarez (Florida Marlins)
One of the older guys I looked at, the 25 year old disappointed me. He has a delivery and arm angle that would make him tough on lefties and showed a fastball at 86 and a sweeping curve at 74-75. Just 5-9, he is likely destined to be AAA filler and get a few looks in the majors.

The Minors: April

I have stuck to a list of around 300 some players breaking down the AAA video. Most of the AAA video is fairly good with a CF camera allowing you to see pitch movement and how a hitters aligns. Any velocities I find on here are thanks to Durham, who hooked up their stadium gun to their "telecast" and that is useful.

Stumbled upon some video from Lexington (Low A, South Atlantic League) which has a pretty good rotation of Jordan Lyles, Ross Seaton, Robert Bono, Kyle Greenwalt and Brad D(more on him below). This would have been amazing, except for the fact they use more camera angles then the Yankees use money. They very rarely use their CF angle, instead opting for an angle behind home plate (about useless) or zooming in on the pitcher/hitter. They are about the most frustrating video to watch and most of the time I stop, but I have found some things that are useful.

This will likely be the only time I post on these guys (though I won't stop watching). My plan was to now jump to June games and break those down (and hopefully get some All-Star Games) and then jump again to September to see how they react. The hope is to find these guys when they are locked in and struggling.

I determined these players that I followed (keep in mind some of them haven't yet debuted in AAA) by name value (guys like Stephen Head and Jon Jay have always stuck out to me), stats (guys like Brian Dopirak and Kila Ka'aihue have put up solid numbers) and personal preference (Some guys I want to see that casual fans have no interest in, such as Drew O'Neil, a high school teammate or Josh Kroeger, who has always intrigued me for some reason)

If you have questions on anyone not mentioned, feel free to make a comment. More then likely I have watched them.

If you disagree, please voice your concerns, as this way I can look for that in June and September.

Here is the 1-month breakdown on what I have seen:

Atlanta Braves:
None. They don't have too many guys on my list to evaluate. The Rome-Lexington series has also been impossible to evaluate through video. Saw brief glimpses of Tim Gustafson, who profiles as a reliever to me. Of guys not on their team during the season, I think they took good risks on Brent Clevlen (formerly a Tiger) and Eric Duncan (formerly a Yankee) as minor league free agents. Clevlen didn't show the defensive ability that Baseball America says he has (the hardest thing to evaluate on video is an IF or OF's first step), but he does show the power and shows spurts where he is squaring pitches up consistently. Duncan, the former 1st round pick of the Yankees, still shows good tools and I think he profiles solidly as a bench bat in the NL, as he will not hit for the power needed for a corner infielder. He isn't yet ready and needs more refinement, but I think the change in scenery will do him well and after watching him hit and seeing his swing mechanics, surprised he hasn't hit for average. Todd Redmond pitched against Durham and showed a pitcher whose mechanics deemed a move to the bullpen but whose stuff deemed staying in the rotation. He worked at 86-89 with a 2-seamer and touched 90, 91 and 92 once. His curve was a power curve that really throws you off because it was 76-82. His change was 77-81 and his split was 76-77 with the split serving as his out pitch to lefties. Mariano Gomez compiled good numbers at AAA Gwinnett, but didn't get a call-up and doesn't really have a role as a lefty who works with a fastball at 88-91 and no real breaking pitch to speak of.

Baltimore Orioles:
Norfolk has a couple hitters that I took the time to look at. Justin Turner showed well in a brief September call-up, but to me profiles as a solid utility infielder who can play SS. I don't know how we will continue to hit for average from his current set-up, as it is fairly active. Also feel like he should hit for a little more power then he has shone. And for anyone holding out hope that Mike Costanzo will come through and make his acquisition a success, good luck. Long swing with no real pitch recognition ability and can't hit a breaking pitch from a lefty.

Chicago Cubs:
Have just begun breaking down Chris Robinson.

Chicago White Sox:
Kannapolis played Lexington for a 4-game set and they gave me enough to know that I don't like Jorge Castillo or Jordan Cheatham and think they max out in AA or lower. Tyler Kuhn is an intriguing bat who looks like he should provide some gap power and is a guy I can't break down through video, as his ? mark is position and where he profiles. Good looking line drive oriented stick. The big names on Kannapolis (according to Baseball America) are Eduardo Escobar and Jon Gilmore. Failed to get a decent feel for either one of these guys in this time, but Escobar seems like he is far away while Gilmore should begin his ascent to Chicago and has the potential to be a middle of the order bat. On the pitching side, saw a few guys that may have a future in a big league bullpen in Nate Jones, who looked like he threw a fairly hard fastball but nothing else, and Drew O'Neil, who profiles as a sidearming ROOGY to force groundballs, though he needs to refine his command. 22 year old Stephen Sauer also looked good out of the pen and the White Sox are now attempting to develop him as a starter apparently. I believe the scouting report when he was drafted that he was working at 88-91 and showed a 12-6 downer curve that was a swing and miss offering and a cutter/slider hybrid that was more of a show pitch. His change looked fairly refined as well.

Cincinnati Reds:
Chris Valaika was the Reds 4th best prospect entering the season. That was WAY too high and I fail to understand what Baseball America saw. Valaika is a useful guy, but he is way too mechanical to stay at SS with a below average arm and needs to be a 2Bmen or a utility guy. His bat looks okay, though he struggled to put up numbers. Wilkin Castillo's best hope is to be a super utility guy, as he showed he can catch and play some OF (and could probably learn 2B), but he isn't very good at any of the positions and his bat isn't good enough that you have to find a spot for him. Have tried to watch Sam LeCure twice, but twice the video hasn't worked which has been extremely disappointing.

Cleveland Indians:
The Indians had a trio of guys I wanted to look at. The top name on my list was Jordan Brown who had a strong year statistically in AAA, but never got a look when the Indians were trying out everyone and their mother. After watching him, you can understand why. I believe he is a perfect comparable with Oscar Salazar. He will hit in the majors, but not enough to hold down a corner outfield or 1B position. More of an average hitter, I see him as a good fit on a NL bench where he can pinch hit and other things (just like Salazar). Wes Hodges may be ready for a big league cameo next year, though he will be a little rough in regards to defense due to his throwing mechanics and his swing implies he should hit for more power then he has shown thus far. Stephen Head is a name that has shone out to me since his days at Ole Miss and it appears both myself and the Indians have misevaluated him and he is a non-prospect. Not an Indian during the April season, Jason Donald profiles to me as a utility infielder. Unlike Baseball America, I think he could stay at SS if he had to, but isn't going to beat out Asdrubal. Luis Valbuena is also a better option to Donald in my opinion. Donald shows like he should be able to hit for average and power and I think this season was a fluke and he should have a strong bounceback campaign at AAA next season. Mitch Talbot (Rays) should be able to fill one of the holes in the Indians rotation. Comes from an over the top with quiet, repeatable mechanics and showed a 2-seamer with some run in on righties and some sink (though the movement can be inconsistent), a change with good fade from lefties and some sink that he can throw for strikes, a tight 2-7 slider with good late cut action and a 12-6 downer curve with good tilt and slightly above average depth. Primarily FB-CB and can throw all his off-speed stuff for strikes and profiles as a back of the rotation starter.

Detroit Tigers:
This is a team that will need to rely on some of their younger guys to step up and 2 have made a favorable impression on me. Wilkin Ramirez is extremely questionable defensively and may get lost in LF in Comerica. However, this guy will hit if given the chance (for both power and average) and will be an asset in the batting order, though he can get pull heavy at times and will go through spurts where he swings at everything. The other was the man they had acquired from the Yankees, Austin Jackson. He showed me enough to think he will be able to stick in CF (though some of his routes will be interesting) and I think his stick can play in the majors this coming season, though not necessarily that well. He still shows a problem recognizing (and laying off) the slider down and away and can get overaggressive and pull heavy at times. I think his power bat will return however (though Comerica will make it look it hasn't). Will Rhymes and Brent Dlugach profile as utility guys at best and neither will hit much in the big leagues.

Florida Marlins:
The Marlins have a toolsy OF who is trying to get a chance to prove himself at the big league level. No, I am not referring to Maybin, but rather Jai Miller. Miller is a true 5 tool guy, but he is still very raw. He flashes ability in all 5 phases of the game and then will turn around the next game and strike out 4 times and look bad everytime at the plate. He needs to refine his approach (very pull oriented) and learn to go the other way and develop a better plan at the plate. Gaby Sanchez to me is a placeholder for Logan Morrison and doesn't profile to do much, as he doesn't show much power and seems to swap between being over aggressive and too patient. The pitcher they got from the Astros, Robert Bono, is an athletic guy who looked like he was operating with a high 80's to low 90's sinker with some raw offspeed offerings and solid command. I must have seen one of the few quality outings as a starter from Brett Sinkbeil. He looked like he threw gas with a heavy fastball that forced a lot of groundouts. He was locating that pitch as well as his above average 2-7 slider, which he buried or threw for a strike in any count. His change was more of a show pitch and really hasn't developed. Likely a future set-up guy, if his command is like what I saw (plan on watching some bullpen appearances to see how he looks). Ryan Tucker showed about the cleanest mechanics I think I have seen and he went down to an arm injury. He showed a hard fastball, though it was fairly straight, a tight 2-7 slider that could be sweeping but was inconsistent break-wise and a change that actually is close to being usable. Was lobbying to be a reliever to try and make the team out of the spring and got an arm injury out of getting to start in AAA. Interesting to see how he bounces back. Chris Schroder (A's) could be a usable cog for them out of the pen in the way Brendan Donnelly was last year and showed a pretty straight 4-seamer, a cutter, a sweeping 3-8 slider and a change. James Houser (Rays) is a worthwhile gamble, but he showed a fastball at 82-86 that touched 87, 88 and 89, a good 12-6 curve at 70-73, a solid change at 74-78 and a Jamie Moyer like cutter at 77-80.

Houston Astros:
Not yet seen their AAA team, but they have another Michael Bourn coming through the system in Jay Austin, an 18 year old playing full season ball. I graded him out as a 55, which is an everyday starter who will make a few all-star teams. He is extremely fast (though he has a little too much loft to his swing at this stage for my taste) and he uses it well on the bases, where he is aggressive and in the field where he is a plus defender. While his stats weren't overwhelming, any time an 18 year old holds his own in a fullseason league is news. Obviously needs to improve his pitch recognition ability and further refining his skills, but he has a bright future. Federico Hernandez is a guy who is much more valuable then his stats indicate. He shows tremendous feel for the game as a young catcher and does a tremendous job controlling a game and working with a staff. However, his bat is very raw. He is a switch hitter, so it bodes well for his chances to be a solid back-up catcher in 3 or 4 years. Brandon Barnes made it to AA after starting the season at Lexington and profiles as a solid average 4th OF. Ebert Rosario has all the tools in the world and has a ton of projection left, but at 22 it is getting tougher for the Astros to wait to turn his tools into production. The Astros have some pitching coming, though it is a couple of years away at best. Jordan Lyles is the real deal and profiles as a # 2 starter in the majors. He looked like he was throwing 90-96, though it did straighten out on him on occasion and didn't have great movement to begin with. His change needed further refinement, as he appeared to slow his arm down, but his curve is a 12-6 pitch with above average depth and good tilt that he just needs to learn how to bury, as he can already throw it for strikes to set up his high fastball. Very clean delivery and generates easy velocity. Had Ross Seaton twice thus far and video hasn't cooperated either time, but he shows a nice and easy delivery (though he can get a little bouncy) with a good moving fastball from what I have gathered. The other pitcher that really excites me is 19 year old Brad Dydalewicz. He reminds me of Marc Rzepczynski (and not just because spelling both their names wins you a medal). He is a quality athlete who comes from a 3/4 release, though his delivery has some effort to it being a rock and fire delivery with a fast tempo. His fastball is a true sinker from a lefty and had good sink, though he had inconsistent command of this pitch. His curve was a power, sweeping 11-5 pitch that served as his out pitch and he flashes the ability to throw it for strikes or bury it, but wasn't consistent. His slider and change are behind his other 2 pitches, but flash the ability to be major league average. Is an emotional guy on the mound who has a great pickoff/balk move. Ceiling of a middle of the rotation starter, though apparently the Astros wanted to develop him as a Billy Wagner type (nowhere near that velocity) and just started him to get him innings. Bet that has changed. The scary part for NL Central teams is that Lyles is 18 and Dydalewicz and Seaton are just 19 (but they are young pitchers, so anything can happen)

Kansas City Royals:
None. Hoping to get an Omaha game to see Ka'aihue and end a debate...

Los Angeles Dodgers:
Albuquerque is the 1 AAA angle where nothing can be done to evaluate.

Los Angeles Angels:
None.

New York Mets:
Apparently the Mets rushed another young infielder who goes by the name Jose Coronado. He is intriguing with a lot of tools, but he is likely to be ruined. Shows good plate discipline as a switch hitting shortstop, but his defense is very inconsistent. A guy who could use a full season at High A or AA to refine some things before getting a look in AAA. Before going down with a torn labrum, Dillon Gee showed a good package at being a back of the rotation starter. Featuring a high 3/4 release from a clean delivery and the command to throw any pitch in any count, he was very impressive in a start against Pawtucket. He worked quickly with a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, though he could nibble too much with it and that flashed above average run sink and good run in on righties and a change with good fade from lefties and some sink he would throw in any count (and was his preferred pitch in 3-2 counts) and loved throwing it in hitter's counts. He operates with those 2 pitches the 1st time through the order primarily and then mixes in a 2-7 slider with average bite that he could start off the plate to be a swing and miss pitch or throw a flatter one for strikes and a 12-6 downer curve with average depth and okay tilt that he would throw for strikes or bury. Interesting to see how he comes back. Eddie Kunz features a devastating sinker, but little command of the pitch and 2 raw off-speed offerings (a straight change with little cation and tight 2-7 slider that he can only throw as an out pitch and that he liked to throw on the hands of lefties). Is rawer then you would expect of a former 1st round pick in AAA.

New York Yankees:
Of the guys still there, Kevin Russo profiles as a useful utility guy with good speed and J. Brent Cox still resembles the guy he replaced at Texas (Huston Street) with an average fastball that he could command and an above average 2-7 slider that he could bury for strikeouts or throw it for a quality strike and he profiles as a solid middle reliever, though the number of sliders he throws has taken a toll on his arm, already having Tommy John Surgery once.

Oakland Athletics:
On this A's team, the guy I had the toughest time reading resides. Before I get to him, let me quickly touch on 2 other guys: Jeff Baisley has great tools and I love his set-up at the plate, but his tools just haven't translated into production and is entering a make or break season. Anthony Recker is a guy I am a big fan of. I think he profiles as a starting catcher if all goes well. However, I want to see if he has made an adjustment, as he was triggering too late and thus was either behind on fastballs or driving everything the other way. Good looking stick with a little rawness still to knock out of him defensively. Sean Doolittle is a guy I keep trying to think about what he could be. He is a rhythm hitter with swing mechanics very similar to that of Chone Figgins. He has a plus arm and is an average runner. I keep going back and forth between a 4th OF and a starting RF, but I have decided on a starting RF with a good average and 10-15 homers, similar to Ryan Sweeney with lesser defense. Marcus McBeth (Red Sox) is a worthwhile signing as a possible relief option, as he shows a diabolical plus changeup, but a slider that is more of the get me over variety and a sinker with some movement. Would like him better on a NL team in a big park (like San Diego). Jared Lansford was one of the first high school pitchers the A's took (or atleast him and Craig Italiano got the pub like they were), but he barely profiles as a major league reliever, featuring a sinker and a slider (with neither pitch major league ready). James Simmons was renowned as amongst the most major league ready of the pitchers available when he was drafted in the 1st round and still looks that way. Always going to be a back of the rotation guy, he pounds the zone (primarily gloveside corner) with a fastball that has a little movement, a 2-7 slider he is more comfortable throwing for strikes then burying, a change with good late action, though it can just float to the plate at time and a 12-6 curve with good downward action and above average depth. Fast worker who commands all his pitches well, but lacks a true out pitch. Chad Reineke is an organizational soldier who's only fit in a big league bullpen would be as the blowout guy. Scott Patterson (Padres) profiles as a solid middle reliever who features a straight 4-seamer and a hammer 12-6 curve that flashes above average tilt to go with an average changeup. Has some definite injury questions, as he has quite the bizarre delivery.

Philadelphia Phillies:
None that are currently on the team.

Pittsburgh Pirates:
There is a lot of talk about a guy being available who teams should jump on and his name is Neil Walker. He is blocked by Andy LaRoche now and Pedro Alvarez in the future, but he is talented enough to be at least a platoon player next season. He is an above average defender who can make every play necessary and then some at third base. He shows flashes with the stick and the one bugaboo on him (plate discipline) was non existent early in the season, as he worked counts and consistently got himself into hitter's counts. Shelby Ford had a lost season and still profiles as a utility man, though one who needs to really adjust his approach at the plate. Erik Kratz profiles as your ideal back-up catcher, as he is a good catch and throw guy and shows enough offensively where he won't hurt you in the lineup and can offer some production. I prefer Kratz to Jaramillo and Diaz. Yoslan Herrera got a lot of hype when he signed out of Cuba, but didn't look to break 84 with his fastball, making his solid curve and splitter very hittable and cement the fact he likely won't pitch in the majors again. Justin Thomas (Mariners) was signed to try and win one of the lefty bullpen spots and he has an outside chance at it, featuring an above average slider he can spot (though throws too much) and an average fastball. In West Virginia, the Pirates had a trio of youngsters, led by AFL alum Chase D'Arnaud. He played SS here and he may be good enough to stick there. He is either a 2B or SS down the road and is still a talented prospect. Robbie Grossman was one of their bonus babies, but this 18 year old is further away then Jay Austin. He is a plus runner, but is raw in every other area. He has a below average arm that will limit him to LF or CF and he doesn't hit for the power to carry a corner. Even further away is 20 year old Quincy Latimore, who is another speedster with similar question marks but has a worse approach at the plate and resembles an athlete trying to play baseball as opposed to a baseball player who is an athlete.

San Diego Padres:
Chad Huffman profiles as a 4th OF and one who is not a good fit for PETCO, as he is your classic old ballplayer. Can get overaggressive at the plate at times and struggle to recognize breaking pitches. Have my concerns that his power #'s are PCL inflated, but shows above average bat speed and is a slightly above average runner. Mike Ekstrom got some big league time last season and still profiles to me as a solid middle reliever. Gabe DeHoyos is a butterball shaped reliever who looked to be throwing hard and had an absolute hammer curve that he relies on to be his out pitch, but struggles to throw it for strikes. Cesar Ramos still profiles to me better as a back of the rotation starter (especially in PETCO) then as a reliever.

Seattle Mariners:
Mike Carp was in line to be the Mariners 1Bmen until the Casey Kotchman acquisition. Likely a good thing, as I don't feel Carp is quite ready yet. He isn't a great defender, which makes you wonder if he may be trade bait with the new vision in Seattle. He isn't a big power bat, but is more of a guy that will hit for a high average. He is at his best when he is using all fields and just lining the ball gap to gap, though he will get to times where he gets pull oriented. Gaby Hernandez came from a high 3/4 release in a clean delivery and features a 2-seamer with some movement, a straight 4-seamer (tends to miss up with both fastballs, bad idea), a slurvy 1-7 curve with below average depth but good tilt that he can bury or throw for a FAT strike that should get hammered, a change that looks like a fastball out of his hand and some fade and then a cutter with good cut and some sink that he relied on too much. The 2nd and 3rd times through the order, he used the cutter as his primary fastball and also tended to miss up with it. Jesus Delgado is still a minor league free agent as of this writing, but I would take a chance on him if he was healthy. He came from a max effort delivery with a cocking action and a violent head jerk, but looked like he was throwing gas (though it was also dead straight) to go with a power 12-7 curve that is a true out pitch that he could also throw for strikes. His change is also a quality offering that he needs to throw more. His command is iffy and his body type isn't great, but he is worth a minor league contract.

St. Louis Cardinals:
Allen Craig is one of those guys stats guys look at and wonder why he isn't up in the majors. After watching him hit, he is ready from an offensive standpoint. His problem is that he has a quirky release at 3B when, coupled with a slightly below average arm, means he can't play 3B full time and isn't a much better fit in LF. May just be a professional hitter type. A couple guys I do like are Jon Jay and Bryan Anderson. Anderson seems to have fallen under the radar and behind guys like Posey and Jason Castro when discussing catchers, but he needs to be in the same discussion. Similarily built like Posey, he is an athletic catcher who will need to answer questions on whether he can catch for a full season. His bat is close to ready, though it can be slow at times. More of a gap to gap hitter who will hit the occasional home run to RF. Jay profiles similarily and is a guy (like Head) that I have liked since he was in college, which for him was Miami. His set-up and trigger is similar to that of Cliff Floyd with the hand movement, but he is more of a gap to gap hitter with good speed who can spot play in CF for you. Matt Scherer featured an average fastball and a good splitter, but doesn't profile as anything more then organizational depth.

Tampa Bay Rays:
Maybe it's because I used to work for one of their minor league affiliates, but more guys piqued my early interest here. Reid Brignac has the tools to eventually be a starting SS, though he will need to refine his offensive approach and make better in game adjustments. He profiles with 15-20 homer power and above average defense, but will struggle to hit for average until he makes those adjustments. John Jaso still profiles to me as a solid utility player who can catch on occasion. He has improved himself defensively and is a useful hitter who will draw walks and hit some doubles, but can't catch full time. Justin Ruggiano is a 5-tool guy who has never met a breaking pitch he couldn't recognize, but he shows himself well enough you keep hoping that 1 year the light will turn on. The Rays also had 2 guys who won't make much of an impact in the majors that I scouted: Elliot Johnson, who profiles as a guy who can play everywhere and hit like he is worrying about where he is going to play next and Chris Nowak, who hit a 400 foot bomb when I saw him live at Montgomery, but doesn't have the bat to carry a corner infield position as a starter and is another guy who has some struggles recognizing breaking pitches and/or catching up to a good fastball. Bowling Green had some guys I really wanted to watch, but the camera angles were terrible. This includes Matt Moore (mechanics looked interesting), Tim Beckham (line drive swing, but really doesn't have the body type of a SS) and Jake Jefferies (who has a stat line sabermetrics love but is rough defensively)

Texas Rangers:
Max Ramirez has been a guy I have always loved and this was the 1st year he really didn't hit. I still believe in his bat and he is refining his ability catching, but I think he may have to be a 1Bmen. Greg Golson is all tools with zero refinement or ability to hit an offspeed pitch. Joaquin Arias and German Duran are utility infielders at best, with myself preferring Duran because he is faster with a lower maintenance swing.

Toronto Blue Jays:
Jarrett Hoffpauir (Cardinals) was claimed off waivers in November, but profiles as nothing more then a utility infielder and one who will not provide much with the bat at that.