Monday, September 18, 2017

Arizona 30: Michell Miliano AZL Check In


#27. Michell Miliano (RHP/San Diego Padres)



[6'3"/185; 2016 J2 $400K]




[Seen 3x AZL; 2016 Instructs, 2017 Spring Training, 2017 Extended Spring] 






Michell Miliano took steps backwards in development through his first stateside summer camp in Peoria which places him at a lower position on this ranking for the time being, concerns that have risen up are noticeable and deserve attention. High upside profile still remains, though at an inconclusive point for the moment given the developments of this Arizona Rookie League year. Arm has become much later and stiff as of late; far more exerted, actions more lethargic and labored coinciding with velocity drop from typical 89-94 band of the past calendar year to 86-89 range with lesser extension and of course little to no command. Curveball has backed up some as well, due to the aforementioned later, stiffer arm. 




The elongated stride, closed landing, shoulder tilt and deeper arm swing have caused some issues with armside command before, but everything becoming much later and deliberate; everything going to third base; inconsistent getting to balance point and replicating leg lift. Seemed all around fatigued after six week stall following Extended Spring prior to debuting in the AZL. Issues and the consequent failure in game also visibly affected Miliano, leading to pouty and defeated demeanor on the hill; looked to have lost confidence, which is understandable for a 17 year old. 





Still confident in the premium right handed projection build, decent arm action, CB action/feel and the previous half a dozen plus looks at the arm prior to the summer. Upside still remains and will be reevaluated during the upcoming spring. 



Arizona 30: Lazaro Armenteros AZL Report

#29. Lazaro Armenteros (OF/Oakland Athletics)





[6'0"/182; 2016 J2 $3M]



[Seen 15+ in AZL] 







Physical Description/Projection:




Chiseled, lean lithe athlete build with toned muscle; premium athlete build for size; sloped shoulders, average length; muscular chest, thighs; outstanding projection build. More average built, no further significant gains of any sort on to body





Makeup:




Disinterested in the field at times, lackadaisical in approach to the game; poor effort on basepaths and in outfield close, not convinced in desire to improve at the sport itself; keeps to himself and personal inner circle of players; off field concerns as well; serious emotional immaturity concerns; 20 makeup







Hit - Present 20, Future 25 




Extremely poor, scoop bat path; off top hand through extension; can be had inner half of plate, has to cheat to get barrel out front. Weight centered back in box, oriented further back in box; slight knee tuck. Hands steady at the shoulders with limited pre pitch movement, can get noisy feet up there however. Moderate base pre pitch, toe tap slide into moderate leg lift; deep coil and pinch with front side, rotational; leaks out well early ahead of time. Shows some ability to sit back early in count on pitches, though exploitable; can be had if behind or deeper into count, some hand eye there; marginal barrel control, swing does not project for adjustment. Unlikely to play versus major league competition 







Power - Present 35, Future 40




Double plus raw power, extremely easy; explosive wrists; some of the easiest five o' clock raw in all of baseball; plus bat speed, strong; will not play in game to that extent. Has to cheat to get barrel out front in game, feasts on pitches on outer half; bat path a serious issue, rolls over ton of pitches and can struggle to drive balls with any consistency; prolific raw to allow him to be able to run into some. Not confident in game utility






Run - Present 55, Future 55




Good athletic projection, shows good explosive second gear; shoes poor effort home to first frequently, 4.18-4.22 when showing effort; decent reads on basepaths, not as much conviction in first step on SB tries, can get bit passive; projects to hold footspeed, utility can come from it. 






Glove - Present 45, Future 45




Stiff, deliberate actions and reads with wonky outfield close at present; will give up on some balls and lose interest in outfield on occasion; mediocre first step; definite corner future; not confident in any sort of significant development or improvement. 







Arm - Present 50, Future 50




Plays down from average on occasion, ok arm stroke though inconsistent with carry to throws; will lose some semblance of situation and lack urgency at times; moderate, average arm strength is there, negligible. Primarily left field looks, can moonlight in right if necessary







Role: Organizational Bat (30) 





Overalll: 





Not confident in Armenteros' bat to ball projection or makeup enough to project a major league future. Volatile, high upside profile.


Arizona 30: Charlie Neuweiler AZL Report

AZL TOP 30



#30. Charlie Neuweiler (RHP/Kansas City Royals) 



[6'1"/205; 5th Round 2017 Draft] 



[Seen 3x in rotation] 







Physical Description/Projection:



Sturdy bodied, broad backed, wider set build; moderate length to build, thicker through trunk and lower half; pronounced chest; limited remaining physical projection on to build, possible 10 lbs of muscle before body starts to head south. Will have to be monitored over course of professional career 



Makeup:



Demonstrates advanced acumen on the mound; shows adjustment and fortitude; feel for stuff; competitive demeanor. Relatively good with teammates, nothing out of the ordinary off the field. Good foundation 



Mechanics:




Initiates from first base side of rubber; slight rock into motion from windup with moderate leg lift tight to body; somewhat stiff lift and hurried, varies with timing; hands break above chest; slightly longer stride; extends, elongates front prior to foot strike; somewhat firm at foot strike, inverted; medium arm circle with whippy arm stroke from 3/4 slot, arm can get late; loose arm w/ average arm speed; minimal turn with slight shoulder tilt; back half collapses some, slight drop and drive component to delivery; cuts off extension, cross body finish; relatively compact. Moderate command projection on profile






Fastball - 88-92 T93; Present 45, Future 50



Fastball typically sitting in 88-92 band, can work in upper reaches of band consistently when necessary, more exerted for 92-93 band; achieves moderate run to pitch and flashes three way action, shows semblance of how to utilize pitch action; can run back out backdoor R/L; achieves quality sinking action and weight to fastball, weaker contact sort of pitch; flashes ability to cut pitch out as well, truer action. Bit too finesse with pitch at times, though will look to finish north when ahead in count; will stagnate with sequence and look to go outside without adjustment for periods, can show good ability to work it east west with plane when completely on; moderate command projection on to pitch, marginal velocity gains foreseeable. 





Curveball - Present 45, Future 50




Quality action and achieves good 11-5 depth to pitch, advanced feel at present and shows advanced confidence in pitch; ability at present to subtract to pitch when necessary and chase as well, arm/glove and front/back; will challenge to lefties as well; can get bit cute and fall back on pitch as a crutch frequently, will use backwards; more deliberate when spotting in zone and taking it out of overhand two plane depth; arm slows and delivery can spread out, bit higher set on hand break for pitch; arm stroke doesn't project for pitch consistency, legitimate pitch action/depth with confidence in it




Changeup - Present 40, Future 45




Utilizes pitch sparingly; will show ability to work in backwards and throw in R/L matchups; can flash good depth and fade when on, more deliberate in execution on it at present; more firm sinking depth typically; confident in more utility eventually given the sort of pitcher he is







Role: Realistic: Up and Down Arm (35)




Overalll: 



Neuweiler shows advanced feel for pitching and confidence in his stuff on the mound. Sturdy bodied build with a loose, fairly strong arm with decent fastball action and legitimate curveball depth. Not confident in the athletic projection on the profile or in the arm action to further project; still ways left of development with ironing out sequence, throws far too cute and finesse at present, arm gets very late and adjustments slow to come in regards to delivery. More of a basic sort of arm, limited projection 



Friday, April 7, 2017

Anderson Tejeda (SS/Texas Rangers)

Anderson Tejeda (SS/Texas)



Seen 5+ Instructs, 5+ Spring



Physique -


Average build; slighter throughout with limited mass; lean with squared slighter shoulders; decent athlete and some moderate quick twitch athleticism; no significant remaining projection; potential to tone into build further





Makeup -


Nothing too exceptionally out of the ordinary; competitor; fairly even tempered and softer spoken, well liked by teammates and shows some leadership qualities; can be slow to adjust and show some dismissive body language in game at times; decent foundation to work off of





Hit - Present 20, Future 40



Relaxed, moderate base further back of box with slightly open front; bent at waist, hands over plate; huge leg kick, hands load in time as stride starts after kick; deep hip coil with slight knee tuck; continues load towards and into foot strike; often extremely early through lower half, completely opens hips as hands begin; late lift, mild drag and turn; large lift through zone and bat path; plus bat speed with explosive wrists, violence through rotation; enjoys attacking out front and early in count, fastball bat; present timing inconsistent, numerous moving parts through swing; some moderate hand-eye coordination, limited barrel control through swing; limited acumen and adjustment at plate at present; always a swing and miss type bat




Power - Raw 60, Future in game 45



Tremendous lift and raw strength; explosive wrists and strong hands, can get fairly well extended through contact; swing conducive for opposite field; shows present raw actualizing in game; lack of bat to ball projection places limitation on future of in game utility of exceptional raw strength and bat speed; potential for 15+ annually with outlier peak years possible






Run - Present 55, Future 50



Straight line footspeed above average with second gear on the basepaths; acumen in reads off stolen bases in fledgling stages at present; 4.22, 4.26, 4.18, 4.15, 4.33 turn, 4.39 turn; enough athleticism and projection to maintain majority of present footspeed through maturity






Glove - Present 45, Future 45



Not a shortstop; moderate athleticism and decent close, average range; stiff, deliberate with messy actions; mediocre first step and inconsistent body control; inconsistent transfers, hair on fire glove with game pace too intense at times; enough to potentially argue utility future given modest raw athleticism and straight line footspeed, some moderate projection is there



Arm - Present 45, Future 45




Average arm strength with mediocre arm stroke; often tails and inconsistent in showings in game; arm action not conducive for accuracy and consistency; utility of arm may play down; often hurries throws at present





Realistic Role - 40 (Bench; second division utility)




Review -


Tejeda possesses exceptional bat speed and explosiveness at the plate that generates tremendous raw power from the left side; limited bat to ball utility and barrel control alongside natural swing first approach place a limitation there at the plate to have the full potential of the bat speed actualize; decent present athlete but shows mostly in straight line capacity, moderate utility on basepaths and potential to develop into utility glove in best case scenario; not confident in profile actualizing to fullest potential; high risk investment with realistic low reward major league future; .240/15 at second base

AJ Puk (LHP/Oakland Athletics)

AJ Puk (LHP/Oakland Athletics) -


Seen 2x Instructs, 2x Spring



Physique -



Tremendous length through build; higher set waist; extremely wide through lower half with noticeable excess through midsection and trunk; high risk of build further softening; sloped shoulders with a chest through upper half, large hands; poor athletic projection and limited present athleticism; big bodied




Makeup -



Goes about business on the mound; even tempered, softer spoken amongst teammates; aggressive on mound, demonstrates pitching acumen and competitiveness, shows in game adjustment; limited visible emotion in game; good foundation for in game actualization




Mechanics -



Very slight rock and adjustment on rubber from wind up, almost identical to stretch; slightly to first base side; smooth leg lift, hands set away from body and break away as lift ends and delivery begins to initiate towards the plate; moderate shoulder tilt and slight closed landing, can show firm on foot strike and collapse front half; mild effort; larger circle with wrap on back side of arm path; good arm action with decent extension, above average arm speed, slight hook in arm; shoulders frequently leak and can show some rotation at times; delivery fairly repeatable with better extension possible





Fastball - Present 55, Future 70



Quality life from left side with exceptional hop; 93-96 T98 plays higher with length, mild natural tail from left side at times with giddy up, flashes intense bore; long term command projection limited given physical and athletic restraints, confidence in pitch and mature approach with fastball will play pitch up beyond; frequently alters batter sightline, establishes armside to lefties and gloveside righties, works inside and north out of zone to both establish and execute in sequence; pitch action and deception plays up dramatically; truly a special pitch; approach to pitching will carry fastball further and allow it to actualize.





Slider - Present 50, Future 60



Flashes quality late tilting action and depth when on, 84-88; has shown to be more loose spinning two plane 2-8 depth on occasion, can let up off arm speed and extension, tells pitch; even with slot and plane can struggle to get on top of offering; mostly executes at back end of sequences, can struggle to manipulate and throw for strikes consistently and reliably; arm strength, arm speed more than conducive for pitch to show even higher; will play up and work more than effectively off of fastball




Changeup - Present 35, Future 50



Firm mild tumbling action with limited present feel for pitch; lesser deception and arm speed replication, deliberate in executing pitch, can show more hesitance in utilizing pitch when forced to in sequence; can flash decent tumble and depth on occasion; will play up given fastball and approach on mound, confident in pitch actualizing to in game utility




Curveball - Present 45, Future 55



Decent wrist action and spin; 1-7 two plane depth with noticeable improvement to feel and confidence in pitch since picking it up during Instructs; better depth and break with above average potential; 79-82 MPH velocity band, serviceable to facilitate velocity separation off fastball and remaining firmer offerings; legitimate projection on pitch with potential to actualize in game



Realistic Role - 60 (Mid-Rotation Starter)





Review -





Puk has very noticeable risk given state and what will be the continued condition of the physique; physical monitoring and conditioning will be absolutely paramount. Fastball life, extension from left side alongside approach and confidence in fastball will allow profile to actualize to major league future easily; fastball is miss bat pitch. Introduction of multiple breaking balls often risky, confident in foundation of the profile to benefit rather than regress given another developmental focus; change of pace will have opportunity to play up in game; ultimate role of mid-rotation value from left side in short term, may possess shorter window, at least in rotation capacity, given the athletic projection and the soft body

Gabriel Arias (SS/San Diego Padres)

Gabriel Arias (SS/San Diego Padres)




Seen 10+ Instructs 2016; 5+ Spring 2017



Physique -


Sturdy built frame; base to squared shoulders, mature definition and mass through upper half; definition and muscle throughout present build with more room to tone and develop, especially through trunk and lower half; potential to outgrow position up the middle, not pure quick twitch athlete and limited further athletic projection




Makeup -



Communicative with teammates and coaching staff, well received around teammates; shows work ethic and emotional maturity greater expected for present age; mature game acumen for age in field, can have lapses in between the lines on occasion; good foundation for further development and for profile to actualize





Hit - Present 20, Future 50



Pigeon toed in box, pinch and deep hip coil through moderate kick; often early on timing through lower half, front open well early; moderate load with fairly deep turn and large bat wrap; fluid loose hands with average bat speed, mild bat drag, bat will be quicker at maturity; extension can improve; mild lift through zone, bat can take time to get to zone at present, components there for improved bat path; shows fledgling two strike approach; decent pitch tracking for age and mature fastball approach, struggles to adjust at present; difficult to get inside of balls in game at present; some hand-eye coordination and barrel control; components there for future .270 production at plate, never going to be elite bat to ball profile





Power- Raw 60, Future in game 50


Can adjust and extend out front in cage, legitimate present raw to pull side in cage with backspin and lift, present build will tone further and become stronger, in game swing conducive to have actualize to opposite field as well; confident in strength actualizing in game, tremendous raw for age with projection; potential 20+ annual future at the highest level





Run - Present 45, Future 50




Not quick twitch; strides can become fairly choppy; hesitant and shy on basepaths at present; can get out slow from box, at best 4.32 from right side, shown improved run times and footspeed from the Instructional League; more room to tone and develop through build, becoming too bulky a potential concern; confident in average straight line footspeed at physical maturity; never a true basestealing threat




Glove - Present 50, Future 55



Fluid, smooth hands and advanced actions for age; quality first step and reads at present, actions of a natural shortstop; not quick twitch athlete, will always lack elite close and range, presently fringe for position, slower to right; can lose focus inbetween lines on occasion, not always there and set, not a concern; confident enough in actions, the individual and components there to project at the position and overcome athletic restraints and potential physical future




Arm - Present 70, Future 70



Fluid, phenomenal arm stroke with exceptional arm strength; easily will play regardless of defensive future; not hesitant to show full arm in game



Realistic Future - 55 (Above Average Regular at Shortstop)



Review -



Arias possesses the emotional maturity and consequent projection to actualize enough at the plate with a natural shortstop glove and plus plus arm; worst case scenario for profile is defensive future at third base attributed to possible physical excess. Profile lacks quick twitch explosiveness or exceptional athletic projection; confident enough in the profile and traits of Arias himself to play at shortstop in the very least in the short term. Exceptional strength, fluid hands and plane enough to facilitate remaining adjustment at the plate; timing most easily corrected in short term; future 5/5 .270/20 HR bat at shortstop

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

LHP Logan Allen (San Diego Padres)

Logan Allen (LHP/San Diego Padres)


Seen 3x Instructs, 2x Spring




Physique -


Shorter than listed 6'3"; Compact through upper half, squared and Average built through shoulders, some length through lower half, some mild excess through midsection, sturdy built for size with no remaining projection;potential for build to go backwards, limited athletic projection




Makeup -

Competitor; aggressive in sequence and confident in stuff; adjusts from previous at-bats and through multiple goes against a lineup, takes interest in studying competition; nothing out of the ordinary through participation in drill work or interaction with teammates, not a detriment in a clubhouse; good approach and on field makeup on the mound, traits conducive to actualize talents to fullest potential; good foundation for a pitcher




Mechanics -



Slightly longer arm action, moderate effort; avg arm speed, arm slightly slower at present than from Fall; moderate rock into motion from just off middle of rubber towards third base, stiff through large leg lift, stab in back with considerable shoulder tilt; firm at foot strike, slight crossfire and closed landing; 3/4 arm slot; fairly stiff and multiple parts to delivery, physical limitations are a concern




Fastball -

Present 50, Future 60


89-93 T94; cut action in lower reaches of band, more exerted to reach upper portions. Achieves decent extension and natural cut action, pitches well downhill with plane and flashes natural lefty tail, run and sinking action; can show three way action. Average command projection on pitch, shows confidence with pitch early and throughout sequence, not passive or doubting in fastball effectiveness; confident in pitch north up and out of zone, has shown ability to execute with offering forwards or backwards. Quality foundation; action to pitch there with decent arm strength, capable of actualizing to plus potential with approach to pitching and his strength.




Curveball -


Present 45, Future 55


Flashes quality depth and break, 1-7 depth in 76-79 MPH band; good spin and possesses natural ability, hand speed and wrist action, to spin a curveball. Can have tendency to roll and soften at times, can yank to gloveside and struggle to time with pitch on occasion; can get cute in sequence at times with pitch, will initiate heavy with pitch to start sequence in some left on left and right handed out front bats, can be adjusted; good feel for pitch, can better improve ability to subtract and throw for strikes, shows as softer more rolling variation when looking to locate in zone too often at present. Actualizing fastball command will allow pitch to actualize alongside it with pitch action and feel for pitching enough to project pitch to potential





Slider -


Present 40, Future 50



New addition to arsenal; yanks out of zone gloveside frequently; inconsistent pitch action, struggles to get on top and down on pitch despite slot and plane, throws in 85-87 MPH reach at present, shows more truer cutter action than slider depth and tilt at present; can drag arm and fly open, poor feel for pitch at present; flashes on at times, flash good late depth and bite can show; potential to complement remaining pitches




Changeup -


Present 45, Future 50

Deliberate with extension and deception to pitch can lack at times; yanks gloveside frequently, flashes good depth and tumbling action, arm drags; can flash true fade to armside when pronating off pitch, deliberate to achieve that action at present; feel for pitching will allow for pitch to play in game when fully actualized




Realistic Role - 4th Starter (50)


Ceiling - 4th Starter (50)




Review -



Logan Allen possesses the competitiveness, strength, fastball and stuff to function within a major league rotation at full maturity with three pitches that can flash plus in a vacuum and an advanced, aggressive approach to pitching on the mound. The overall package should be enough to overcome his shortcomings, lacking premier athleticism, a projectable arm action, a possibly questionable body long term and the effort that exists in the delivery. Potential to pitch above projection if everything breaks accordingly, confident in the actualizing of the profile given the individual himself and the fastball that goes along with him

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Henry Henry 2016 Instructs

HENRY HENRY



Slighter through shoulders and waist, long and wiry arms, long fingers; moderate definition through chest; lean muscle throughout torso and thighs; slighter higher set through waist; moderate projection remaining, weight increase not extremely significant; potential 15 added pounds through physical maturity; lower maintenance physique with good athletic projection



Middle of the rubber, slighter adjustment on rubber prior to moderate rock into motion, can hurry from windup at times; moderate leg kick as hands remain joined and tight to body while oriented slightly below chest; break slightly after drive initiates, slight back half collapse; frequently drifts with inconsistent drive to plate at present, frequently rotational, significant front collapse at foot strike, can open front and finish well off to first base side; shows quality strength through lower half through bullpen sessions, potential to better incorporate and improve with further development, potential for further velocity in that regard; perpendicular to plate with retained kick from stretch, better in achieving balance point and utilizing lower half, 1.23-1.27 to plate; fluid, loose arm acceleration; medium circle, hooks and accelerates with whippy arm action; average arm speed; quality present arm strength; easy 91-94 with good late truer life, not miss bat pitch but good weak contact offering at present; shows quality athleticism despite not throwing with premium athleticism and good competitiveness on mound; good semblance of strike zone, works all quadrants and possesses good feel for fastball at present age; repeats fairly well despite non traditional aspects in delivery; achieves good sinking action and decent plane, can orient hand and wrist on top of pitches from slighter lower than traditional 3/4 arm slot; can orient slightly higher for curveball, spin with above average action, good depth and break; can lollipop and bubble, overthrow pitch at times and throw with lesser arm speed; natural ability to spin curveball and command projection will allow for pitch to actualize in game; changeup with present firm mild sinking action and occasional slighter fade, limited present velocity separation; mature arm speed replication and deception to pitch, further projection off command projection; potential above average offering at maturity.




Present maturity and feel for strike zone, loose and fluid arm strength, athletic projection and characteristics that would suggest further acumen provide for above average fastball command projection once actualized and therefore provide additional multiple above average offspeed futures; concerns in profile lie in remaining development, marginal physical projection at younger age, questions in stresses through delivery and arm intensive stress because of it, and ultimate role if body isn't able to sustain a 200 inning future. Potential for revision and signs of natural strength are present; shows work ethic for age and an interest in development. Potential major league rotation future at developmental maturity, mid-rotation ceiling

Fernando Tatis Jr. Instructs 2016

Broad shouldered frame, tapered and lean throughout remainder of present build; lean through lower half, long limbed; more mature, pronounced through chest and shoulders from previous viewings; muscular forearms; significant potential for added quality weight, lower maintenance physique conducive to retain athleticism; 20+ pounds possible until physical maturity; frame shows potential to acquire significantly more strength

Emotional maturity expected for present age; works with coaching contingent and instructors fine; high energy presence, affable and fond of teammates; well liked; shows quality work ethic for age, earlier to fields; can loose sight on instruction when around teammates at times. Shows mature acumen in areas of the game for present age, engaged and focused between the lines. Framework for acceptable makeup and work ethic through physical and emotional maturity.


Large leg kick and moderate coil through hips as stride initiates at the plate; drops shoulder and has continued tendency to try for over the fence approach at times in games, often in cage as well; hands set into position at kick reaches height and balance point, deepens load with bar and bat wrap as moderate linear stride initiates; leveraged with variances and longer bat paths at times, hands can leak out front and ahead of timing at times; strong fluid hands and strong wrists, above average bat speed, significant loft through zone; shows mature hand-eye coordination and barrel control, can track pitches fairly deep for age; tendency to lose approach consistency at times and expand out elevated, spinning from armside; struggles to barrel pitches up north and out of zone; adjustments come late given present bat path and moving parts; experimenting with larger linear base and stationary foot down two strike approach towards conclusion of Instructs; shows consistent plus raw in cage, majority of raw comes from pure strength, bat speed and loft, present strength not completely natural but flashes, physical projection will allow for significant increases in strength; potential 7 raw power at physical maturity; 5/6 game potential at peak possible with further development, i.e. .270/25+ HR potential future at the plate.



Future average foot speed, present slightly above average; shows greater second gear and straightline utility; 4.52, 4.47, 4.43 turns; 4.26, 4.21 to first base; advanced reads on basepaths, can be caught lapsing off at times; quality jumps and good closes; potential 15-20 stolen base utility at the highest level



Advanced first step and decent actions at shortstop at present; not always set at first pitch; above average present range with decent lateral action underway; lacks fluidity at position but displays raw athleticism and gets to balls with little to no wasted actions; above average arm strength with decent stroke; can play back on balls at times; can show mature tendencies with situation; physical projection, length and remaining possible weight on build likely push defensive future over left to third base; potential above average glove at third base with athleticism and actions more than passable for left side corner infield future.



Tatis Jr. displays characteristics at a young age indicative of a potential breakout and first division future at the major league level. Risk in remaining development, physical projection and adjustment is fairly extreme; upside bat from right side with left side defensive future through physical maturity. High ceiling lower level piece with a likely major league future in some capacity even if ceiling is not achieved.