Hitter of the day
Tyler O’Neill, LF, Seattle Mariners (Peoria Javelinas) 2-6, HR. O’Neill’s swing is a bit like Two Chainz’ music career; there’s a lot of ambition, a fair share of swings and misses but when the contact is flush the home runs go a really long way. O’Neill is yoked up with a strong upper body and a muscled up swing. His contact issues will always be present, it’s just the nature of his profile. But O’Neill is blessed with impressive strength which will pay dividends if he can actualize his raw power in game. He also earns bonus points for bat flipping a home run off the tee.
Pitcher of the day
James Kaprielian, RHP, New York Yankees (Scottsdale Scorpions) 3 IP, 1 H, 0 RA, 0 BB, 6 SO. Health has been the major issue for Kaprielian in his young career as he’s logged just 29.1 innings in his young career. He was sharp in his AFL debut, sitting 95-97 and utilizing both his slider and curve well.
Best of the Rest
Andrew Stevenson, LF, Washington Nationals (Glendale Desert Dogs) 2-4, HR. Stevenson profiles more as a spray hitter with little power so the home run stands out as an outlier. He does have elite speed and the ability to play a plus defensive centerfield.
Ramon Laureano, RF, Houston Astros (Glendale Desert Dogs) 3-5, 2B, 3B. Laureano’s loudest tool is his speed and he shows a solid approach with command of the strike zone. He profiles well as a fourth outfielder with some contact skills and solid defensive skills.
Eloy Jimenez, RF, Chicago Cubs (Mesa Solar Sox) 2-3. Jimenez has 7 strength and at 19 there’s still some space on the frame to add even more raw power which is a terrifying thought.
Austin Gomber, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals (Glendale Desert Dogs) 3 IP, 1 H, 0 RA, 2 BB, 5 SO. Gomber’s command and pitchability give him a shot at a backend role in spite of average stuff.
Corey Toups, 2B, Kansas City Royals (Surprise Saguaros), 3-5, 2B, HR. Toups shows off some solid barrel control and he has some over the fence power in spite of his slight frame.
Jose Trevino, C, Texas Rangers (Surprise Saguaros) 2-6, HR. Trevino has some pop, a strong arm and his receiving skills are still a work in progress as he became a full-time catcher in 2015.
Phil Maton, RHP, San Diego Padres (Peoria Javelinas) 2 IP, 1 H, 0 RA, 0 BB, 4 SO. Maton works in the lower 90s and pairs it with an above-average cutter and fringey secondaries in a curve and a change. He gets by on deception and command.
Fight another day
Brent Honeywell, RHP, Tampa Rays (Peoria Javelinas) 2 IP, 4 H, 5 RA, 1 BB, 1 SO. Tough night for the talented Honeywell. Honeywell’s fastball-screwball-change combination usually gives hitters fits.
Cody Bellinger, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Glendale Desert Dogs) 0-4, 3 SO. Bellinger hit 23 home runs in the Texas League and he did a good job cutting down his strikeout rate from 27.6 percent in 2015 to 20.2 percent in 2016. Strikeouts came back to bite last night.
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