August 1, 2013

What Scouts Are Saying

August 1, 2013

by Baseball Prospectus

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Many of our authors make a habit of speaking to scouts and other talent evaluators in order to bring you the best baseball information available. Not all of the tidbits gleaned from those conversations make it into our articles, but we don't want them to go to waste. Instead, we'll be collecting them in a regular feature called "What Scouts Are Saying," which will be open to participation from the entire BP staff and include quotes about minor leaguers and major leaguers alike.

Major Leagues

Braves RHP Brandon Beachy: "Not a lot of positives to take away from his outing this week. Fastball was up to 93 but very straight. Had a decent changeup but was really casting his breaking balls and had problems with control and command. It's going to take time for him to adjust to the major league level, and he was probably rushed because of injuries, but it was not a great first step."

Athletics IF Alberto Callaspo: "This might seem like a small move on the surface, and isn't a blockbuster prospect-frenzy like the Garza or Peavy trades, but I think it is my favorite move of the deadline. Oakland added a switch-hitter who is much better than his performance to date, and they get more versatile on defense as well. Callaspo is a solid defender at 3B and good enough at 2B to platoon with Sogard. He can do damage against LHP and he almost never strikes out. The A's didn't have to do anything to remain an odds-on favorite to win the AL pennant, but they went ahead and got even better anyway.”

Padres RHP Andrew Cashner: : “He’s an interesting pitcher who tries to be a power pitcher and pitch maker. He has real stuff across the board and is managing his innings so far. He has a loose delivery and all the makings of a good major-league starter.”

Cardinals 1B/OF Allen Craig: “He’s a really good player, but not a great player. It's an advanced hit approach where he lets the ball travel deep, and he has power to all fields. There's value in his defense and versatility with the ability to play outfield and even spell at 3B. He's a really good player, but is he an elite 1B? Not for me.”



Mets RHP Matt Harvey: “The main difference in Harvey now is he is more aggressive and confident in his fastball. In high school you knew he was going to be good, maybe a no. 2 or no. 3 starter in the beginning, but not a no. 1 this quickly. More confidence and the ability to control his emotions, along with much better command of all his pitches, have led to his early success.”

Tigers SS Jose Iglesias: "I thought this was a great acquisition for Detroit. I don't think he has suddenly developed into even a below average offensive player, but I'm not so sure that the Tigers care. He is a defender of the highest caliber and he fills a major hole should rumors of the Peralta deal prove true. He shores up the left side of the infield almost singlehandedly, thanks to tremendous lateral range and quickness and a strong accurate arm, and that could make all the difference in the world for Detroit in tight October games."

Phillies 3B Cody Asche: “For me, he's a .275, 15-home-run, 30-double bat that will steal you 10 bases and give you solid defense at third. It's not an all-star profile, but he's going to have a long career as a solid regular. He doesn't get the hype, but I'd probably take him over a guy like [Matt] Davidson or even [Mike] Olt. He's a safer bet; he's going to hit.”

Minor Leagues

White Sox Triple-A OF Avisail Garcia: “Five-tool player; he can do it all. 55 runner, 5/6 hitter with 5 power and a chance to be a 6 fielder with a solid 5 arm. I think he can be a .280-plus hitter, 20-HR power with 10-plus SB and great defense.”