Inspired by a couple of Tucker Blair’s posts last year, I decided to try my hand at scouting a series in the Northwest League this summer. I am not a scout, of course, but I watch a lot of minor league baseball and figured that writing about prospects for a few years had prepared me well for the challenge.
It proved much more difficult than I anticipated, especially trying to evaluate both sides at once. There is always so much going on in baseball, but I never appreciated the speed of the game more than when I was trying to scribble the details of a player’s swing plane while recording his time down the line from home to first, while simultaneously paying as much attention as I could to a new reliever’s—a guy who would only throw once all series—mechanics and stuff. There’s just so much going on at once, and scouts have to be cognizant of everything, at all times. It’s a tremendously demanding job. My only hope is that I didn’t miss too much.
I also found myself (silently) rooting for odd things to happen in the games. It’s not just that I wanted to see Hillsboro rally in the ninth inning: it’s that I wanted them to do it specifically so that Manny Jefferson could bat again, in the hopes that maybe he would hit a grounder to the left side of the infield that would require him to book it down the line, and let me get another chance to see him sprint. Or, on a single to the outfield with a runner on second and a close play expected at the plate, I couldn’t have cared less about whether the runner was safe. Rather, all of my focus was on outfielder Austin Grabeck so I could get a good look at his arm.
Finally, focusing intently on everyone really helped demonstrate just how few potential major leaguers were on the field. The gap between, say, an average arm and a 30 arm is striking, and seeing the two next to each other really highlights how special big league tools and talent really are.
Everett Hitters
Future Grades
|
Name |
Pos. |
Hit |
Power |
Speed |
Glove |
Arm |
OFP |
Notes |
|
3B |
40 |
40 |
50 |
45 |
50 |
40 |
Moderate load; linear bat path with some late loft; hits to all fields; sometimes struggles to cover the outside corner. |
|
|
RF |
40 |
30 |
45 |
40 |
45 |
40 |
Lacks true defensive home, ultimately profiles as a bat-first utility player in the upper minors. Aggressive approach; struggles against good breaking pitches. |
|
|
SS/2B |
30 |
20 |
60 |
45 |
40 |
30 |
Lack of arm strength will push him to second full time. Speed fluctuates, have had him anywhere from 4.15 to 4.40 on a dig. |
|
|
Johmbeyker Morales |
3B/2B |
20 |
20 |
50 |
45 |
45 |
30 |
Has played SS, 3B, and 2B this season. Great makeup, high energy player. |
|
2B, SS |
20 |
20 |
50 |
40 |
40 |
20 |
Medium load and stride, efficient swing path, hits to all fields, feel for contact. Often approaches grounders and pop-ups tentatively. |
|
|
C |
20 |
20 |
35 |
40 |
45 |
20 |
2.08 pop time, throws consistently straight and generally accurate |
|
|
RF |
20 |
20 |
45 |
40 |
45 |
20 |
Works deep counts, hits to all fields, excellent feel for the strike zone; very old for level; 4.26 DTL. |
|
|
OF |
20 |
20 |
55 |
45 |
40 |
20 |
Above-average runner; split time between left and center; quick first step. |
|
|
1B |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
30 |
20 |
Poor hands at first base; slow bat; poor pitch recognition. |
|
|
LF |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
45 |
20 |
Can’t recognize spin; extremely aggressive approach; slow feet. |
|
|
C |
20 |
20 |
20 |
40 |
40 |
20 |
Limited feel for the barrel, will have trouble barreling good velocity. Good makeup. |
|
|
RF |
20 |
20 |
50 |
40 |
45 |
20 |
Drops back shoulder; small load; bat doesn’t stay in the hitting zone for long. |
|
|
Joseph Venturino |
2B |
20 |
20 |
45 |
45 |
30 |
20 |
4.35 DTL; works counts; good feel for the strike zone. |
Pitchers
Jake Brentz, LHP
Mechanical Notes: Good athlete, projectable frame, quick arm. Over the top slot; equal and opposite delivery; motion lacks fluidity; above-average arm speed; mild spinal tilt; head whack; hides the ball well; crossfire delivery; slow to plate.
|
Pitch |
Present/Future: |
Notes |
|
FB |
55/60 |
91-94 mph, T95 with life; predominantly throws a two-seamer w/average tail; command drifts, often misses north-south. |
|
CB |
40/50 |
72-74 mph, 12-6 break; average movement; can throw for strikes; pitch has improved over last calendar year, flashes average. |
|
CH |
30/40 |
85-88 mph; tailing action; struggles to replicate arm speed. |
|
Command |
30/40 |
Realistic Role: 30; org arm
OFP: 40; spot starter, middle reliever
____________________________________________________________________________
Thomas Burrows, LHP
Mechanical Notes: High 3/4 arm slot; physical frame; mild head snap; front shoulder flies open; hunches on delivery; crossfire; works on first-base side of the rubber.
|
Pitch |
Present/Future: |
Notes |
|
FB |
45/55 |
89-91 mph; two-seam with sink, fringe-average command. |
|
CH |
45/50 |
80-84; sinking action with a touch of fade. |
|
SL |
50/55 |
Low-80s velocity, sharp dropping action with a bit of horizontal run, can throw for strikes and drop it out of the zone, lefties don’t see it well, righties missing it too. |
|
Command |
40/45 |
Realistic Role: 30; organizational arm.
OFP: 40; left-handed middle reliever.
____________________________________________________________________________
Matt Festa, RHP
Mechanical Notes: 3/4 arm slot; open stride; shoulder drifts; hip swivel; falls towards first base; still head; clean arm action.
|
Pitch |
Present/Future: |
Notes |
|
FB |
50/55 |
89-92 mph, T93; average tail on two-seam; moves the ball around the zone effectively, more comfortable working glove side. |
|
SL |
40/50 |
80-82 mph; predominantly vertical movement; inconsistent shape; flashes average with sharp vertical drop. |
|
CH |
30/40 |
Mid-80s, late sink with mild fading action; below-average drop; predominantly locates arm-side; barrel misser, not bat misser. |
|
Command |
45/55 |
Realistic Role: 30; org arm
OFP: 40; middle reliever
____________________________________________________________________________
Michael Koval, RHP
Mechanical Notes: Low 3/4 arm slot; loose arm; rotational mechanics; leg swivel leaves him prone to missing east-west; keeps head still; inconsistent landing spot.
|
Pitch |
Present/Future: |
Notes |
|
FB |
50/50 |
89-92 mph; plus movement; below average command. |
|
SL |
30/40 |
Tight shape; small break; spins out of hand occasionally. |
|
CH |
40/40 |
82-84 mph; late sink with a touch of fade; kept it low. |
|
Command |
30/40 |
Realistic Role: 30
OFP: 30
____________________________________________________________________________
Reggie McClain, RHP
Mechanical Notes: High 3/4 arm slot; rock and fire delivery; pronounced back leg collapse; swivel stride; balanced; deep, long arm action; below average arm speed; projectable frame; no deception.
|
Pitch |
Present/Future: |
Notes |
|
FB |
40/40 |
87-89 mph, T90, wiggles both ways, fringe average command, average movement. |
|
SL |
30/30 |
78-80 mph; two-plane with depth, break is soft but with late vertical tumble, pitch draws whiffs from righties, average command. |
|
CH |
40/50 |
High-70s velocity, fading action, flashes average. |
|
Command |
45/45 |
Realistic Role: 20
OFP: 20
____________________________________________________________________________
Paul Covelle, RHP
Mechanical Notes: Over the top arm slot; rock and fire delivery; mild crossfire; spinal tilt; mild head whack.
|
Pitch |
Present/Future: |
Notes |
|
FB |
40/40 |
86-89 mph, T89; below-average movement and command. |
|
CH |
30/30 |
84-85 mph; sinking action; limited movement. |
|
SL |
30/40 |
82-85 mph; long horizontal break; inconsistent shape; often overthrows; flashes depth. |
|
Command |
30/30 |
Realistic Role: 20
OFP: 20
____________________________________________________________________________
Jeffeson Medina, RHP
Mechanical Notes: Over the top slot; quick arm; high-effort delivery; pronounced head whack; speeds up motion mid-delivery; spinal tilt.
|
Pitch |
Present/Future: |
Notes |
|
FB |
40/50 |
90-91 mph, T93; poor command; below average movement. |
|
CB |
30/30 |
78-79 mph; 12-6 shape; good span; good arm speed; occasionally flashes average or a tick better; very inconsistent execution, often misses spot badly with poor movement. |
|
Command |
20/30 |
Realistic Role: 20
OFP: 20
____________________________________________________________________________
Elliott Surrey, LHP
Mechanical Notes: High 3/4 slot, slow arm; good posture; still head; clean landing; waist bends at finish; good command profile.
|
Pitch |
Present/Future: |
Notes |
|
FB |
20/20 |
83-85 mph, T85; average command. |
|
CH |
30/30 |
73-74 mph; fading action; soft movement. |
|
CB |
30/30 |
71-73 mph, 1-6 break, early horizontal break with late drop, long action with depth. |
|
Command |
50/50 |
Realistic Role: 20
OFP: 20
____________________________________________________________________________
Tim Viehoff, LHP
Mechanical Notes: Over the top slot; deep, stabbing arm action; below-average athlete; stiff delivery; open stride; slow to the plate; does not hide the ball effectively.
|
Pitch |
Present/Future: |
Notes |
|
FB |
30/30 |
84-86 mph, T88; throws a two-seam and a four-seam; nibbles; well below-average command; likes to run two-seamer back over outside corner against lefties. |
|
CH |
30/30 |
73-74 mph; fading action with mild depth; soft movement. |
|
CB |
20/30 |
Low-70s velocity; soft, short break; can throw for strikes. |
|
Command |
30/30 |
Realistic Role: 20
OFP: 20
____________________________________________________________________________
Robert Dugger, RHP
Mechanical Notes: Low 3/4 arm slot; quick arm; short, not a physical frame; late hip collapse; stiff arm action.
|
Pitch |
Present/Future: |
Notes |
|
FB |
40/50 |
87-91, T91; adds and subtracts; above-average tail; can sink it; fringe-average command. |
|
CB |
30/30 |
70-71 mph; slurvey shape; hitters didn’t chase it out of the zone. |
|
SL |
30/30 |
77-80 mph; movement resembles curve; soft break. |
|
Command |
45/45 |
Realistic Role: 20
OFP: 20
____________________________________________________________________________
Lane Ratliff, LHP
Mechanical Notes: High 3/4 arm slot; spinal tilt; rushed arm action, doesn’t line up with lower half; head whack.
|
Pitch |
Present/Future: |
Notes |
|
FB |
40/45 |
87-90 mph, natural cut; poor command; lacks ability to hit target in any quadrant consistently. |
|
CH |
30/30 |
Fading action with some depth; poor command; slows arm. |
|
CB |
20/20 |
Slurvy shape; struggles to hit strike zone. |
|
Command |
20/20 |
Realistic Role: 20
OFP: 20
____________________________________________________________________________
Hillsboro Hitters
Future Grades
|
Player |
Pos. |
Hit |
Power |
Speed |
Glove |
Arm |
OFP |
Notes |
|
1B |
45 |
50 |
40 |
40 |
50 |
45 |
High leg kick, hitch, head yank, incorporates lower half, above-average bat speed; aggressive approach; lays off high fastball; recognizes spin out of the hand and can adjust swing make hard contact on breaking balls. Hands are poor, often bobbles GBs and pop ups; first step is slow. Frame conducive to additional strength. High energy player in the field. |
|
|
C |
20 |
30 |
40 |
50 |
60 |
40 |
Moderate load; long swing; average bat speed; leveraged swing; swing-and-miss problems. Plus arm; quick transfer; likes to throw from his knees, but more accurate and still sub-two second pop times when he comes out of the crouch; some feel for framing; blocking needs improvement; good athlete. |
|
|
SS |
30 |
20 |
50 |
45 |
50 |
30 |
Smooth swing; efficient bat path; late loft in swing; average bat speed; strength and frame limits power. Solid understanding of the strike zone, likes to work counts. Clean actions, accurate throwing arm. Range should play in a utility role. |
|
|
20 |
20 |
50 |
55 |
50 |
30 |
Played short and second; range to handle a utility role at major-league level. Toe tap; no load; small weight transfer; flat, short swing; quick to the ball; 20 raw. |
||
|
CF |
20 |
20 |
55 |
50 |
45 |
30 |
Best athlete on the field; above-average runner; gets good jumps and reads in center; average arm sometimes plays down due to slow transfer and double clutch. Swing is stiff: small load; foot down early, no momentum or rhythm in swing. |
|
|
C |
20 |
20 |
20 |
40 |
50 |
20 |
Poor pitch recognition; expands zone; swing and bat speed not conducive to hitting above-average velocity. Below-average receiver and blocker. 2.03 pop. |
|
|
C |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
40 |
20 |
Below-average arm strength and receiving skills; org catcher. |
|
|
1B |
20 |
30 |
20 |
20 |
40 |
20 |
Above-average raw; slow bat; aggressive approach; extremely thick and heavy frame. Poor range and actions in the field. |
|
|
Manny Jefferson |
2B |
20 |
20 |
55 |
45 |
50 |
20 |
High-energy player; tall, stringy athlete; patient hitter, works counts; foot drifts towards third base during stride; bat path doesn’t stay in the zone for long. Strong arm for position; quick transfer on double plays; ranges well on pop ups. |
|
3B |
20 |
20 |
20 |
30 |
40 |
20 |
Short stride; fringy bat speed; power predominantly pull. Well below-average range and arm at third. Organizational corner infielder. |
|
|
OF |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
45 |
20 |
Leveraged swing; extreme contact problems. slow feet; organizational player. |
|
|
OF |
20 |
20 |
30 |
30 |
50 |
20 |
Small frame for corner outfield. Slow bat, struggled with good velocity inside, swing built to hit the ball to opposite field. Poor reads and routes in the outfield. |
|
|
RF |
20 |
20 |
20 |
30 |
45 |
20 |
Expands zone; susceptible to spin. Routes and first step need work; organizational outfielder. |
|
|
LF |
20 |
20 |
45 |
45 |
60 |
20 |
Starts swing w/ hands high; big leg kick; limited weight transfer; arm bar; struggled with off-speed. Strong arm, quick first step, speed limits him to a corner. Org outfielder. |
|
|
OF |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Only saw batting practice: Off-balance at the plate; narrow base; short stride; upright stance; weight drifts forward. |
Pitchers
Curtis Taylor, RHP
Mechanical notes: Tall, slender frame, could add bulk and velocity; low 3/4 arm slot; drop and drive; balanced; quick arm; repeats delivery well.
|
Pitch |
Present/Future |
Notes |
|
FB |
55/60 |
90-93 mph, T94; plus tail; late movement; commands well arm-side, some feel for hitting opposite side of plate. |
|
SL |
45/55 |
80-81 mph; sharp break; tight spin; good depth; predominantly vertical drop with run on it. |
|
CH |
40/50 |
80-81 mph; above-average tail with tumble; movement resembles fastball action at lower velocity band. |
|
Command |
45/55 |
Realistic role: 40; middle reliever
OFP: 50; setup role.
____________________________________________________________________________
Mack Lemiux, LHP
Mechanical Notes: 3/4 arm slot, rock and fire delivery; average extension; still head; falls towards first base; clean arm action; lands off-balance; slows delivery on off-speed pitches.
|
Pitch |
Present/Future |
Notes |
|
Fastball |
40/50 |
87-90 mph, T91. Average movement; fringe-average command; misses up; some feel for moving around the zone. Pitch can flatten when left up. |
|
Curve |
40/45 |
76-78 mph. 1-7 shape; slurvy, early break; flashes more depth on occasion; can throw for strikes; fringe-average command. |
|
Change |
40/50 |
81-84 mph. Predominantly fading action; mild tumble; used sporadically. |
|
Command |
45/55 |
Realistic Role: 30; organizational arm
OFP: 40; spot starter, long reliever
____________________________________________________________________________
Anfernee Benitez, LHP
Mechanical notes: High 3/4 arm slot; limited plane; slight crossfire; moderate effort in delivery; can lose center of gravity; mild spinal tilt; stabbing arm action.
|
Pitch |
Present/Future |
Notes |
|
FB |
40/50 |
88-90 mph; above-average arm-side sink; also throws a four-seamer; held velocity well over the course of six outings; below-average present command, though he can pitch to all quadrants of the zone. |
|
CH |
45/55 |
79-80 mph; fading action with depth; fringe-average command; keeps it down; slows arm slightly. |
|
SL |
30/40 |
78-81 mph; slurvy shape; movement flattens at higher velocity; movement looks similar to curveball movement. |
|
CB |
30/40 |
Low-mid 70s velocity; 12-6 shape, though pitch can tilt and resemble slider at lower velo band; soft break; can throw for strikes. |
|
Command |
40/50 |
Realistic role: 30; organizational arm.
OFP: 40; middle relief, spot starter.
____________________________________________________________________________
Bo Takahashi, RHP
Mechanical Notes: 3/4 arm slot; straight stride; leg swivel; loose arm; mild stabbing arm action; mild head snap; clean posture; overthrows and loses slot occasionally. Command drifted over course of outing.
|
Pitch |
Present/Future |
Notes |
|
FB |
40/45 |
86-90 mph, T91. Throws a two-seam and a four-seam; also cut it occasionally; fringe-average command; average movement. |
|
CH |
40/45 |
Low-80s velocity; tumbling action; poor command, often leaves pitch up in zone. |
|
SL |
30/40 |
82-83 mph; short break; average sharpness; predominantly horizontal shape; occasionally flashes depth when thrown lower in zone. |
|
CB |
40/40 |
72-75 mph; 12-6 shape; inconsistent coming out of the hand; inconsistent shape; poor command. |
|
Command |
45/50 |
Realistic Role: 30; organizational arm.
OFP: 30
____________________________________________________________________________
Kevin Ginkel, RHP
Mechanical notes: Tall, sturdy frame; mild crossfire; accelerates pace of delivery late; headsnap; spinal tilt; often overthrows.
|
Pitch |
Present/Future |
Notes |
|
FB |
45/50 |
90-93, T94; below-average command; straight; reportedly has touched and sat much higher in the past. |
|
SL |
30/40 |
79-82 mph; limited feel; prone to spiking pitch in the dirt. |
|
Command |
40/45 |
Realistic role: 20; org arm.
OFP: 30
____________________________________________________________________________
Riley Smith, RHP
Mechanical notes: High 3/4 slot; stiff; deep arm action; rock and fire delivery; mild crossfire; limited plane; maxed out frame.
|
Pitch |
Present/Future |
Notes |
|
FB |
45/45 |
89-90, T92; two-seam tail, no sink; throws strikes; fringe average command. |
|
SL |
40/50 |
80-82 mph; two-plane break; long horizontal run; slows arm slightly; throws strikes. |
|
CB |
30/30 |
Mid-70s velocity; 12-6 shape; soft break; limited spin; pitch tilts off axis occasionally; can throw strikes with it; won’t miss bats. |
|
Command |
45/45 |
Realistic role: 20; org arm.
OFP: 30; upper minors relief depth.
____________________________________________________________________________
Jake Winston, RHP
Mechanical notes: 3/4 arm slot; spinal tilt; clean arm action; weight drifts forwards; loses arm slot; moderate plane.
|
Pitch |
Present/Future |
Notes |
|
FB |
40/45 |
88-90 mph, T91; poor command; spiked a few fastballs in the dirt; average tail. |
|
SL |
40/45 |
84-86 mph; below average command; sharp vertical drop with a bit of run; keeps pitch low; lost feel for ball out of the hand a couple times. |
|
CB |
— |
74 mph; 12-6 break; only threw twice over my two viewings. |
|
Command |
40/45 |
Realistic role: 20
OFP: 30
____________________________________________________________________________
Wei-Chieh Huang, RHP
Mechanical notes: over the top slot; slight crossfire; balanced; good posture; clean landing; no head whack; no spinal tilt; slows arm on off-speed.
Additional notes: Huang threw less than one inning and barely used his curve. His fastball velocity also dropped from 88-90 mph to 82-83 mph over the course of his outing.
|
Pitch |
Present/Future |
Notes |
|
FB |
20/45 |
83-88 mph, T90; sat 83-84 after three hitters; missed his spot to the arm-side routinely; average movement. |
|
CH |
40/50 |
77-80 mph; fading action; slows arm; fringe average command. |
|
CB |
— |
Barely used it; 12-6 shape; slows arm. |
|
Command |
40/50 |
Realistic role: 20
OFP: 20
____________________________________________________________________________
Tyler Mark, RHP
Mechanical notes: over the top arm slot; spinal tilt; often releases ball too early; mild head snap; deep arm action, long arm path; moderate effort in delivery;
|
Pitch |
Present/Future |
Notes |
|
FB |
35/45 |
87-88 mph two-seamer, 89-90 mph 4-seamer; poor command, lost feel for fastball as game progressed; prone to missing up. |
|
SL |
30/30 |
79-80 mph; below-average movement; mild vertical drop; soft; early break; occasionally lost feel for pitch altogether. |
|
CH |
— |
Barely used; didn’t see shape. |
|
Command |
30/30 |
Realistic role: 20; org arm.
OFP: 20
____________________________________________________________________________
Colin Poche, LHP
Mechanical notes: over-the-top slot; works from extreme first base side of the rubber; crossfire; moderate stabbing arm action; wrist wrap; slow arm; hides the ball effectively.
|
Pitch |
Present/Future |
Notes |
|
FB |
40/40 |
86-88 mph, touched 91 once; missed in all quadrants; well below-average command; below-average movement. |
|
SL |
30/30 |
80-85 mph; variable depth and movement; slows arm down on pitch; below-average command. |
|
CH |
30/30 |
Low-80s velocity; tumbling action; limited feel for pitch; employed less often than FB or SL. |
|
Command |
40/40 |
Realistic role: 20
OFP: 20
____________________________________________________________________________
Trevor Simms, RHP
Mechanical notes: Tall and skinny; low 3/4 arm slot; curls leg tight to chest; crossfire delivery; deep arm action; release point drifts pitch-to-pitch.
|
Pitch |
Present/Future |
Notes |
|
FB |
40/40 |
88-91 mph, T93; tailing action; average tailing action with a touch of sink; poor command. |
|
SL |
30/40 |
84-85 mph; replicates arm speed; predominantly vertical movement; poor command; often spikes it in the dirt. |
|
Command |
20/20 |
Realistic role: 20; org arm.
OFP: 20
____________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for reading
This is a free article. If you enjoyed it, consider subscribing to Baseball Prospectus. Subscriptions support ongoing public baseball research and analysis in an increasingly proprietary environment.
Subscribe now
My guess would have been 0 to 1. Looks like that's about right.
Impressive work grinding out all those 20s.