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Anderson Espinoza

Born: 03/09/1998 (Age: 18)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 0" Weight: 160
Mechanics
Quick, loose arm, three-quarter slot; inconsistent finishing delivery at present, occasional effort, command can wander as a result; intense competitor, advanced mound presence, particularly in third outing; physicality to suggest consistency gains with experience and reps
Evaluator Grant Jones
Report Date 09/02/2016
Affiliate Fort Wayne TinCaps (Low A, Padres)
Dates Seen 3x Aug-Sept 2016
OFP/Risk 60/High
Realistic 55: Mid-Rotation Starter
MLB ETA 2019
Video Yes
Pitch Type Present Grade Future Grade Sitting Velocity Peak Velocity Report
FB 60 70 93-96 97 Hard arm-side run, showed plus-plus velo in third start, plus in first two; likes to work it arm side, consistent command when he does; advanced ability to manipulate velocity and movement, projection as plus-plus weapon with standard command gains
CH 40 55 81-83 Above-average fade and tumble, velocity separation can be extreme; can struggle to find feel early, tendency to spike it; swing-and-miss pitch against left-handers, potential to mitigate splits; inconsistent; flashes plus but inconsistency will hold him back
CB 45 60 72-74 Natural feel to spin it, quality shape, quality depth, flashes command into the zone and as a finishing pitch down low; swing-and-miss potential, plus projection with refinement
Overall

Espinoza produced fittingly inconsistent results for an 18-year-old in full-season ball across my three looks. His first outing showed flashes amid difficulty stringing together quality sequences, the second was a disaster in which he showed little comfort or feel, and the third was electric. His present fastball velocity, along with late movement, gives the pitch an explosive finish. He already flashes above-average command of it to the arm side, and the frame and athleticism lend optimism that the pitch will actualize. Both secondaries flashed plus, though both are expectedly raw at present and the change likely comes up short of that grade. This is a high-risk, high-reward prospect. He has impact starter potential, though his youth and frame make it a longer shot that he gets there. If greater consistency with his pitches never quite materializes, there's still enough raw stuff and feel to project mid-rotation value.


Joshua Rogers

Born: 07/10/1994 (Age: 22)
Bats: Left Throws: Left
Height: 6' 3" Weight: 185
Mechanics
Projectable frame, particularly in lower half; full-wind, some stiffness, front shoulder stays closed, hides the ball well, deceptive motion; arm stab, mild wrist wrap, average arm speed, three-quarter slot; repeats well
Evaluator Steve Givarz
Report Date 09/05/2016
Affiliate Tampa Yankees (High A, Yankees)
Dates Seen 4x in 2016
OFP/Risk 40/High
Realistic 30: Upper-Level Starting Depth
MLB ETA 2019
Video No
Pitch Type Present Grade Future Grade Sitting Velocity Peak Velocity Report
FB 45 50 88-90 91 Mild sink down in the zone, plays fairly true overall, below-average movement; above-average control
CB 30 40 78-79 82 Slurvy shape at bottom of velo band; early action, trackable; higher velo band has more bite, shorter action, sharper
CH 40 45 83-85 Primary off-speed; deceptive arm speed, generates late tumbling action; poor command, frequently left it over the plate
Overall

Rogers is a good competitor who throws strikes, but he can get predictable with his sequencing, often leaning on a formulaic fastball-early, changeup, curveball progression. He lacks a big-league out pitch, though there is some mild organizational interest on account of solid-average control and left-handedness. He profiles as an upper-level arm who offers emergency utility as an up-and-down starter.

Command- 40/45
Control- 55/55


Brock Dykxhoorn

Born: 07/02/1994 (Age: 22)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 8" Weight: 250
Mechanics
Extra-large frame, broad shoulders, bulky, rigid movements; moderate rock and leg kick, some backside collapse, front shoulder and head stay closed; shot, flat am path, below-average arm speed, high three-quarter slot will drift over-the-top; hips get open and downhill, very firm strike, some dead-arm to finish, cuts off; repeats well, arm action and closed front side create moderate deception, quality plane from high slot and extreme height, will lose balance points and fall off to first-base side; quick to the plate, 1.16-1.28, varies timing, tough to run on
Evaluator Wilson Karaman
Report Date 09/08/2016
Affiliate Lancaster JetHawks (High A, Astros)
Dates Seen 5/13, 8/31/16
OFP/Risk 40/Moderate
Realistic 30: Org Arm, Up-And-Down Reliever
MLB ETA 2018
Video Yes
Pitch Type Present Grade Future Grade Sitting Velocity Peak Velocity Report
FB 50 55 89-92 93 Quality plane, mild run and boring action down in the zone, plays fairly straight, deception pads perceived velocity, gets on hitters, generates ample fly ball contact; average control, fringe-average command, works it to both sides, trusts pitch, will attack in hitter's counts; potential to play above-average with another tick in shorter bursts, lack of movement gives him smaller margin for error
CH 45 50 79-83 84 Solid-average fade, some tumble; go-to pitch, shows some feel, will double-up, uses it to get back into counts, occasional swing-and-miss; will tip it with higher arm slot, action plays better right-on-right
SL 40 45 78-80 81 Sweepy pitch, horizontal breaker lacks bite, vertical action; some utility setting up righties away, trackable for lefties, struggles to bury it
CB 30 40 73-74 74 Used as a chase pitch, 12-5 shape, lacks bite, limited depth; occasional strike-stealer, not a feature pitch
Overall

Dykxhoorn is a Canadian moose-man drafted in the sixth round in 2014. He lacks overpowering stuff, though his frame, arm slot, and deception all help his pitches play up. There is notable self-confidence in how he attacks hitters, and the control profile is solid-average thanks to reasonably consistent repetition of his stiff, funky mechanics. He struggles to spin the ball and generate quality bite with his breaking pitches. The arsenal is more limited against left-handed hitters, but I like the idea of him coming out of someone's bullpen as a right-on-right guy, especially if he can squeeze another tick or two out of his fastball in shorter stints.


Oscar Mercado

Born: 12/16/1994 (Age: 21)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 2" Weight: 175
Primary Position: SS
Secondary Position: CF
Physical/Health
Large frame, lean and wiry; some room to fill out, not likely to build a ton of bulk; good-looking athletic body
Evaluator Steve Givarz
Report Date 09/05/2016
Dates Seen 7/8/2016-7/11/2016
Affiliate Palm Beach Cardinals (High A, Cardinals)
MLB ETA Risk Factor OFP Realistic Role Video
2019 High 45 40: Pinch-Runner/Defensive Replacement No
Tool Future Grade Report
Hit 30 Tall, even stance; short hand path to the ball, fringe-average bat speed, lacks present strength; struggled to recognize pitches, particularly vulnerable to breaking balls away; mild feel for the barrel, hit balls lack velocity and carry
Power 30 Well below-average raw; swing lacks plane and strength, not an over-the-fence power hitter; will generate some extra bases with speed, gap-to-gap appoach

Baserunning/Speed 70 4.11 home-to-first; takes poor jumps on the bases, better runner underway, still has enough raw speed to play on the bases
Glove 50 Plus range in the middle infield, shows good hands, elite athleticism, will make the flashy play; footwork needs to be polished, will overrun balls, raw feel for setting up the best hops
Arm 55 Above-average arm strength, plays on the left side of the infield and all three outfield positions
Overall

While my looks were shortstop-only, Mercado played outfield as well this year and has the physical tools to profile in center. He needs to add strength to frame, though, as his contact right now is consistently weak and he struggles with a poor approach at the plate. The light bat leaves him profiling as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement off the bench.


Zack Zehner

Born: 08/08/1992 (Age: 24)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 4" Weight: 215
Primary Position: LF
Secondary Position: RF
Physical/Health
Tall, good athletic body, lacks remaining physical projection
Evaluator Steve Givarz
Report Date 09/05/2016
Dates Seen 15x April-August 2016
Affiliate Tampa Yankees (High A, Yankees)
MLB ETA Risk Factor OFP Realistic Role Video
2018 Medium 40 30: Quality Org Depth No
Tool Future Grade Report
Hit 40 Upright, even stance, leg lift, loose hands; below-average bat speed, shows some barrel control; commands the zone, sees pitches well, works the whole field; knack for making contact, tough out
Power 40 Below-average raw, has strength that can translate to some pull-side pop; doubles more than over-the-fence power, tool should play to full utility at maturity
Baserunning/Speed 40 Below-average runner; 4.34 home-to-first, heavy feet, not a base-stealing threat
Glove 50 Gets quality jumps, clean routes to the ball; polished defender, lacks range to run down balls in the gaps, sure on balls he can reach
Arm 40 Below-average arm strength, accurate, hits cutoff men quickly, lacks carry to cut down runners
Overall

Zehner has a fairly fringy tool set across the board, but he's a gamer with a knack for contact and good instincts. He could see some emergency action for a club down the road, but otherwise projects as a quality organizational player.


Josh Morgan

Born: 11/16/1995 (Age: 20)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 5' 11" Weight: 185
Primary Position: 3B
Secondary Position: SS
Physical/Health
Stocky build, developed chest and shoulders, thick backside and lower half, strong quads, quick feet; present leg strength, some spring in his step; fluid physicality, loose movements, limited physical projection for additional upper-half strength
Evaluator Wilson Karaman
Report Date 09/15/2016
Dates Seen 6x April-September 2016
Affiliate High Desert Mavericks (High A, Rangers)
MLB ETA Risk Factor OFP Realistic Role Video
2018 Moderate 45 40: Quality Utility Infielder Yes
Makeup

Lo-fi player, quiet focus, steady, stays in his own space

Tool Future Grade Report
Hit 50 Subtle early rhythm, open with a leg kick to square, quiet setup, high back elbow; leg kick has toned down, now quick and short, sets front foot firm, some rigidity, hips fire early off strong plant, rotational; quick stroke, steep path, minimal leverage, fringe-average bat speed, arms swing; up-the-middle approach, doesn't try to do too much, adept at punching it oppo, strong bat-to-ball, some inner-third vulnerability to velocity; works counts, can get passive, advanced approach, above-average on-base profile
Power 30 40 present raw to pull side, chance for another tick with added strength; plays down with approach, swing lacks leverage or plane to drive the ball with carry, line-drive game power with ability to hook an occasional ball to pull-side foul pole
Baserunning/Speed 45 4.36 average on four clocks; mild effort to the stride, picks up coaches, solid instincts; passive leads, not a base-stealing threat; thicker lower half, borderline average tool at present should settle in as fringe
Glove 50 Smooth defender at third, solid-average lateral agility, first-step quickness to handle the position, soft hands, fluid fielding actions; borderline range at short, lacks explosiveness to the ball, steady with sound fundamentals on balls he can get to, some feel for the turn on both sides of second, quick transfer; average potential at second or third with fringe utility at short
Arm 55 Solid-average arm strength, plays up a bit with quick transfers and consistent mechanics when set, enough to play comfortably at third; throws hold their lines when he has time, struggles with cross-body accuracy working to his left, tendency to short-arm and spike throws
Overall

Drafted and signed as an over-slot third-rounder in 2014, Morgan offers the potential to fill a valuable bench role with infield versatility and solid on-base skills. He's a natural hitter with simple swing mechanics and quality bat-to-ball. While his patient approach can border on passivity, he's a selective hitter who will take what he's given, and the swing plane produces frequent line-drive and hard ground-ball contact to all fields. On defense his is a steady if unspectacular glove, with quick feet and transfers that help him convert outs efficiently from all over the diamond. I liked him best at third, though he showed as capable both at second and, to a lesser extent, short.

There is second-division starting potential here at his peak, with a realistic path to a long career as a quality utility asset off the bench.


Jairo Beras

Born: 12/25/1994 (Age: 21)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 6" Weight: 195
Primary Position: RF
Secondary Position: CF
Physical/Health
Thin frame, no ass, long straight line, wiry muscle and lots of it; won't fill out with bulk but possesses plus physical strength overall
Evaluator Wilson Karaman
Report Date 09/17/2016
Dates Seen 4x April-September
Affiliate High Desert Mavericks (High A, Rangers)
MLB ETA Risk Factor OFP Realistic Role Video
2019 High 50 45: Second-Division Regular Yes
Makeup

Well-documented signing scandal, served one-year suspension 2012-2013

Tool Future Grade Report
Hit 40 Very wide stance, low hands, noisy load, big hitch, rhythm into short stride; can get stuck on his back foot, uphill swing, rotational, big leverage, strong wrists, plus bat speed; bat doesn't stay on plane long, lots of swing-and-miss, frequent roll-over contact; aggressive approach, offers at most anything hard and close, inner-third hole, struggles with velocity up, consistently out in front of changeups and breakers; some progress in refining attack, zones in better in hitters' counts; encouraging growth, length and holes limit to below-average projection
Power 50 60+ raw, highly leveraged swing, generates extension, hit balls carry, power to pull-side and center; aggressive approach, swing-and-miss issues significantly limit in-game
Baserunning/Speed 50 Above-average present, suprising run times, three clocks at 4.25 average; slow start-up, long strides, chews up real estate once underway; limited base-stealing utility, long cross-over, raw reads; likely settles in as an average tool once he fills out
Glove 45 40 present with fringe-average projection in right; slow start-up, raw reads, inconsistent route efficiency, above-average closing speed underway; deliberate field-and-gather, takes a couple steps to steady after fielding on the run
Arm 60 Arm strength pushes double-plus, very long arm action, takes him a minute to collect, set, and fire, plays at plus utility
Overall

A big-money ($4.5 million) international signee in 2012, Beras is a physical presence with length and strength for days and surprising speed. He made some moderate approach gains between early- and late-season looks, but he's still a highly aggressive hitter with multiple coverage holes, and the combination will likely limit his impressive raw power in games. The raw tools for a capable right fielder are apparent, though his reads and routes are decidedly raw. He'll be a longer-burn prospect, but there's potential for an eventual average regular if the hit tool maxes out.


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batts40
9/22
1. As always, love these pieces.

2 Dykxhoorn?
Muboshgu
9/22
Do you think Josh Rogers' stuff could play up in relief, if the Yankees chose to go that route?
jfranco77
9/23
I, for one, really want to see a 6-foot-8 Canadian named Brock Dykxhoorn succeed.