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Wilson Karaman

Seth Romero, LHP, University of Houston
6-foot-2, rounded, dense frame, pretty physically maxed; quick through early progressions, can lack for consistent flow into leg kick; high kick, can get unbalanced, hips open early, struggled to sync with upper-half; yanked balls arm-side consistently at start of innings, struggled to make adjustments; deep arm action, above-average arm speed to low three-quarters slot, struggled to stay on time to consistent release point all night; front arm will come up, can pitch uphill; minimal effort, consistent foot strike, easy deceleration, clean finish.

Fastball 92-94 (t95), four-seam, natural ride to it, can draw out occasional cut; sequences in-out, inconsistent elevating, flashed explosiveness in and above zone, moderate deception with swing-and-miss potential, lacks plane and can flatten out; occasional two-seam variant with mild sink, 90-91; potential plus pitch with command; slider 80-83, sweeping pitch with hard, horizontal movement, flashes late bite, plus movement; commands to glove side, will work out-in to steal strikes and in-out as chaser, swing-and-miss potential, flashes plus, projection to plus; changeup 79-80, sporadic usage, draws out heavy fade, above-average movement with quality separation, kept the handful he threw down and out of danger; mild deceleration, flashed average or better third-pitch utility.

Romero has outstanding raw stuff, with two pitches that offer plus potential and the makings of a quality average third. He really struggled to harness it all on this night, walking seven across 5 1/3 laborious innings on a cold night. His timing was off from the jump, with erratic early rhythm running into a longer arm action and poor posture that combined to torpedo his command consistency. There were enough flashes to suggest a late first-round or early second-round pedigree, but this was not a great performance by any measure.

Keston Hiura, ???, UC-Irvine
Compact frame, boxy, wide shoulders, broad chest; thick quads and backside, developed strength throughout frame, mild projection remaining; complex pre-pitch progression, gradually gathers weight onto back leg, toe-tap into high leg kick, outstanding rhythm and consistency through progression; stays balanced through aggressive stride, generates separation, loads hands low, launches consistently right before front foot strike; strong wrists, very quick trigger, plus bat speed with significant loft; hips can get too quick and create loop, issues getting to elevated velo; above-average raw, should get to it in games, swing geared for pull-side damage; intelligent hitter, clear situational plan, outstanding body control, stays on spin, looks to drive pitches ahead in counts; 4.3 home-to-first, takes a couple strides to get to speed, fringe-average projection.

Hiura demonstrates outstanding natural hitting ability, with top-shelf balance and rhythm and a highly advanced approach. He was DH-only last week, just as he’s been DH-only since a minor UCL tear knocked him off the grass over almost a full year ago. The bat certainly looks the part of a Day One pick, but uncertainty about his defensive profile so far removed from game action in the field may limit him on some draft boards.

Steve Givarz

Garrett Cave, RHP, University of Tampa (D2)
Saw in a 4 IP start on 2/3; also saw in a 5 2/3 IP start on 3/10. Prototypical pitcher's body; lacks remaining physical projection at this point. Pitches from a full windup; simple, easy delivery; shoulders stay flat through delivery; doesn't create any tilt for a better angle and plane; smooth, clean arm action with good arm speed; three-quarters slot; inconsistent release point. FB 93-95, T96; featured above-average cut life at times but had trouble with consistency; with more refinement pitch could sustain life with plus-to-better velocity; had trouble with control. CB 79-81, T82; power pitch; some slurviness to shape; above-average break and depth with bite; had trouble finishing off hitters with offering but was able to locate for strike when needed. SL 84-85, T87; short; cutter-like; had some tilt and late action but lacked depth; showed feel and used against LHH. One CH at 88; doesn't look comfortable with feel at this point; need another look. Believe issue to be with lack of athleticism in delivery; as well as inconsistencies with release point. More around the zone in second game; command still behind but better control of arsenal. CH non-factor again. See as a bullpen arm where arsenal will play up and can get away with fewer strikes.

Dylan Busby, 1B, Florida State University
Seen in 2 games from 3/14-3/15; both 1B. Looks larger than listed weight; more muscular; athletic body; has some physical projection remaining in upper half. Hits from a tall stance with a wide base; longer swing but has good bat speed to make up for it; long arms; doesn't sell out for power; has natural strength; uphill stroke. Average raw power; should play to full utility given approach and hitting ability. Average runner; 4.28 H-1B; surprising given size and strength. Average arm strength; wasn't tested in game; throws looked to have good line and carry in I/O. Rough around 1B; new to the position and it’s obvious; struggles with footwork and finding the bag; can improve given athleticism and more time at the positon; has played 3B in past but did not see take reps there. Average tools across the board; see as a bench bat/second-division starter.

Jackson Tetreault, RHP, State College of Florida-Manatee (JC)
Seen in a 6 IP start on 3/17. Tall, lean frame; could add 15 pounds. Full wind-up with a compact arm action; some reach in back; three-quarters slot; small head whack; has timing issues with upper half. FB 92-93, T94; some sink when down but lacked movement overall; struggled with control arm side. CB 75-79; 11/5 shape; has depth and action; can drop for strikes; struggled to locate for finishing batters; often left up. CH 82-84; has some feel for offering but is behind others; inconsistent movement; most were thrown in dirt to LHH. Struggled with control this game. Committed to Mizzou. Older player. Control problems could keep from going high; but is projectable and can spin CB. See as a reliever with possible set-up work.

Kevin Santa, SS, University of Tampa (D2)
Hits from an even stance with good rhythm in hands; lacks bat speed but has contact ability, as well as ability to manipulate barrel; understands approach which is to hunt middle-in and pull the ball. Not a slapper but isn't a power threat with over the fence power; below-average raw given size; strength; as well as bat speed; plays below that now given those factors; won't be a primary factor moving forward. Average runner; 4.33 H-1B good quickness; just not a long-runner; will look for extra bases. Have not seen attempt to steal a base thus far; will update when he does. Plus throwing arm; throws have quality velocity and carry across the diamond; very accurate. Average first-step and lateral range; range could improve on glove-side as he plays more in the six-hole. Soft hands; scoops up everything; quality footwork. While he might be light with the bat; ability to play all over the diamond with a plus arm will help provide value to an organization. See as a potential utility defender.

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