Hunter Harvey

RHP

Orioles

DOB: 12/09/94

Height: 6’3’’

Bats: R

MLB ETA: 2016

Weight: 175

Throws: R

Current Team: Short-season Aberdeen

Date(s) Seen: 8/26/13

Date Filed: 8/27/13

Have Video?: No

How Acquired: 1^st Round, 2013

Filed By: Chris Mellen

Mechanics

¾ arm slot; uses size to throw downhill; can land toward first base and crossfire ; loose delivery – generates easy velocity; even pace; will jerk head - eyes drift off target and arm slot wavers; quick arm; low-energy motion; repeatable mechanics; starter’s body; long-levered

#1 Pitch

Fastball: Velocity: 91-94, Top 95; Command: below average; Movement: cut and late finish in lower velocity band; ride when elevated. Notes: Pitch comes out of hand very easily; lot of life; will work down in the zone; in early stages of executing to both sides of the plate; ball will cut when in lower tier of the zone; potential to consistently sit 94-95 with physical maturity; profile to improve command with focus on landing more square to plate.

Grade: Present 60/Future 65

#2 Pitch

Curveball: Velocity: 78-81; Command: average; Movement: overhand break with power.

Notes: Strong wrist rotation; shows advanced feel for age; bite and depth; can throw for a strike; throws offering with ease; bat-missing ability; occasionally wraps when head jerks; future big-league out pitch; stays above the ball well.

Grade: Present 55/Future 70

#3 Pitch

Changeup: Velocity 83-85; Command: below average; Movement: arm-side fade.

Notes: Shows feel and arm speed; will telegraph at times; fades off the table with good depth when executed properly; bat-missing potential; needs to improve throwing for a strike to get enough chases; strong separation between fastball; ingredients there for growth (loose wrist, quick arm, etc.).

Grade: Present 45/Future 60

Other

Frame to fill into and add more strength; athletic; presently a thrower with fastball; even-keeled on mound; comes after hitters; confident in ability; advanced for age; will be pushed by better hitters to refine fastball command.

Overall

Harvey is a young arm with all of the ingredients to project as a starter in the majors. The big things that jump out are the overall looseness, ease in which he throws, and quality of the raw stuff. I really liked the ability to throw downhill displayed in the outing, along with how well, for a pitcher of his age, Harvey stays on top of his curveball. The pitch has the potential to be one of the better ones in the bigs down the road. While behind the curve, his changeup showed the makings of a potential plus offering with repetition. It flashed the type of arm-side fade and depth to neutralize left-handed hitters. I see moderate-to-better grow within reach, but the pitch is presently on the inconsistent side and should come down to how much trust can be built.

Harvey’s fastball is live and will jump on hitters. He also creates some cut when his arm angle drops a touch. Typical of pitchers this age, Harvey operates in a challenge mentality with his heater. The pitch grabbed a lot of the plate. While the pitcher can consistently throw to the lower tier of the strike zone, he’s not there yet working to the sides of the plate and throwing good strikes. I see command growth as possible, due to his athleticism and the ease with which he throws, though it may take some failure with the offering for it to fully mentally set in. It may only progress to area command, but it can be good enough because he’ll work down in the zone.

Overall, Harvey’s one of the better arms I have seen this year. There’s a lot to like with the profile and stuff. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him cruise through Low-A next season and finish the year in High-A. The risk is high due to age and position, but the grade is more than warranted in my eyes.

OFP grade: 7; no. 2 starter on a first-division team

Risk: High

Matt Purke

LHP

Washington Nationals

DOB: 07/17/90

Height : 6’4

Bats: L

MLB ETA: Mid-2015

Weight: 205 lbs.

Throws: L

Current Team: High-A Potomac

Date(s) Seen: 8/20/13

Date Filed: 8/28/13

Have Video? No

How Acquired: 3^rd Round; 2011

Filed By: Zach Mortimer

Mechanics

¾ arm slot; works all the way to 3B side of rubber; throws across body; minimal leg drive; minimal extension; body will drift toward 1B during delivery.

#1 Pitch

Fastball: Velocity: 89-93; Command: Fringe-average; Movement: solid-average armside life.

Notes: struggles to spot to arm side, overrotation will cause it to miss low to glove side, and will elevate over heart of plate when attempting to go armside.

Grade: 50/50

#2 Pitch

Slider: Velocity: 78-82 Command: average Movement: drifts through zone horizontally, but flashed a few with bite and tilt. Notes: Does not trust himself to throw the offering, but he showed a few that had some bite and could be a usable offering.

Grade: 40/50

#3 Pitch

Changeup: Velocity: 82-84; Command: fringe-average; Movement: below-average arm-side fade.

Notes: inconsistent arm speed; vanilla offering that is not going to miss bats.

Grade: 40/40

Other

Major shoulder concerns; delivery is heavily reliant on the arm; unable to maintain composure after defensive miscues; has pitchability.

Overall

Strength: Left-handed fastball will play; slider flashes the ability to miss bats; understands how to pitch.

Weakness: Lacks knockout offering; inconsistent secondary offerings; hitters are able to cheat on fastball.

Overall, Purke offers a fastball that can work in the low 90s from the left side and a slider that has potential, but he has many inconsistencies in delivery and no dominant pitch. He should be able to reach the majors because he has just enough stuff and an idea how to use it, but I do not foresee him consistently staying on the roster.

OFP: 40; Up-and-Down Pitcher

Risk Factor: Moderate (Injury concerns)

Reese McGuire

C

Pittsburgh Pirates

DOB: 3/02/1995

Height: 6’0”

Bats: L

MLB ETA: 2017

Weight: 181

Throws: R

Current Team: GCL Pirates

Date(s) Seen: 8/15/2013, 8/26-8/28/2013

Date Filed: 8/29/2013

How Acquired: Draft; First Round; 14^th overall

Filed By: Chris King

Physical/Health

Strong foundation; athletic movement behind the plate and on base; good footwork; durable frame will hold up playing every day; ideal catcher build.

Hit Tool

Wide stance; simple bat-to-ball approach; quick hands; short compact swing; above-average bat speed; stays balanced and level; drives the ball to opposite field; line-drive machine. Grade: Present 40/Future 55

Power

Presently gap to gap; still developing; shows some raw during BP; level swing will limit over–the-fence potential. Grade: Present 30/Future 50

Glove

Brick wall behind the plate; quick feet; presents a nice target; receiving skills still improving; drops quickly when needed; stays square on balls in dirt. Grade: Present 50/Future 65

Arm

Easy plus arm; flashes plus-plus ability; sub 2.0 pop times consistently; 1.85 best in-game time I recorded; quick release; excellent accuracy. Grade: Present 60/Future 65

Baserunning/Speed

Faster than expected; consistent average times to first; top-end speed slightly above average; good instincts; shows some aggressiveness taking the extra base. Grade: Present 50/Future 50

Other

Cerebral player with a high baseball IQ; runs the infield like a quarterback; takes to instruction very well; plus-plus makeup; defense stands out, but the bat is coming along nicely.

Overall

Very impressive all-around talent; His defense will always be his calling card; his bat should become a real weapon from the left side; will never be an easy out; embraces being a leader and players respond; has a real chance to be an elite catcher with an above-average bat; definite future all-star ability.

OFP Grade: 65; First-division; all-star potential

Risk Factor: Medium

Orlando Arcia

SS

Milwaukee Brewers

DOB: 8/4/1994

Height: 6’0”

Bats: R

MLB ETA: 2017

Weight: 165

Throws: R

Current Team: Low A Wisconsin

Date(s) Seen: June 29-30, 2013; July 11, 2013; August 23, 2013

Date Filed: 8/29/2013

Have Video? Yes

How Acquired: IFA, October 2010 (Venezuela)

Filed By: Nick J. Faleris

Physical/Health

Middle-infield build; some projection in frame should allow for muscle to hang comfortably; medium-broad hips; medium shoulders; significant ankle injury in 2011, has not shown lasting ill effects.

Hit Tool

Shows pitch-ID game and understanding of strike zone; generally handles barrel well and demonstrates good bat-to-ball ability; when clicking, produces hard contact to the gaps; can get defensive, leading to soft contact; room to sacrifice strikeouts in exchange for more purposeful swings when behind in the count; will drop a bunt, though average speed limits long-term utility of weapon; lots of room to project the hit tool – will require some overhaul of approach, but lots of developmental time available due to young age; back foot can lift, but strong front side helps minimize ill effects; comfortable working to the areas where pitched.

Grade: Present 35/Future 50

Power

Minimal over-the-fence pop, but shows ability to drive gaps and pull down extra bases; high contact skills should help extra-base power play as he continues to refine approach; can create leverage through length.

Grade: Present 20/Future 35

Glove

Ranges to both sides and body control/hands allow him to finish plays at the margins with surprising consistency; lower half is smooth and sets up defensive game; soft hands and quick transfer; comfortable going deep into the hole, and will range behind second; pivots generally clean; chance to be sexy.

Grade: Present 55/Future 60

Arm

Plenty of arm for left side; comfortable throwing from various angles; accurate delivery on the run without losing carry.

Grade: Present 60/Future 60

Baserunning/Speed

Average speed plays to grade on bases; 4.27-4.35 home-to-first times; first step and ability to finish at margins help speed play up defensively.

Grade: Present 50/Future 50

Other

Brother Oswaldo (Twins); significant ankle injury (2011) led to missed season; one of youngest players in Midwest League – turned 19 at the beginning of August.

Overall

Very interesting defensive prospect with up-the-middle profile and some projection in the hit tool. High risk due to proximity to majors and nature of hit tool development, but there’s a chance for an everyday player here, perhaps more. Ultimate production will hinge on hit tool refinement – could be a bonus if gap pop develops further. Could be challenged with High-A next year, or repeat Low-A to start season due to young age. Glove will be carrying tool, but hit might surprise.

Grade: 50; second-division starter

Risk Factor: High

Victor Sanchez

RHP

Seattle Mariners

DOB: 01/30/1995

Height: 6’0”

Bats: R

MLB ETA: 2016

Weight: 260

Throws: R

Current Team: Low-A Clinton

Date(s) Seen: 08/23/2013

Date Filed: 08/29/2013

Have Video: Yes

How Acquired: IFA July 2011 (Venezuela)

Filed By Nick J. Faleris

Mechanics

Simple step in to controlled leg lift; medium stride, landing can get stiff with some recoil in the arm; good hip/shoulder separation; corkscrew up top, adds to deception; shields ball with body; solid balance throughout; gets over front leg well; throws with effort but maintains relatively steady head, solid finish; repeats well.

#1 Pitch

Fastball: 89-92 (T94); solid to above-average velocity/life, played to both sides of the plate; worked very well belt to knees, and below; created some downhill plane despite 6-foot stature; seldom missed in fat of the plate; impressive command for age/developmental history; should be able to improve on slowly expanding the zone through starts, which will help to miss more bats; could see slight uptick in velo as body continues to mature/physique tightens; showed ability to drop velo as part of sequencing – impressive given age/league.

Grade: Present 55/Future 60

#2 Pitch

Change-up: 77-80, threw with good deception in slot and arm speed; pitch comes with arm-side fade, mirrors fastball action; below-average command right now but effective as chase pitch; projects; hand swallows ball.

Grade: Present 45/Future 60

#3 Pitch

Curveball: 78-79; slow variation at 75 mph; 11-to-5 action; flashed hard bite; depth; two variations – hard curve projects/soft curve as change-of-pace; inconsistent execution, lapsed into casting; with reps and improved consistency, potential plus offering.

Grade: Present 40/Future 55/60

Other

Diminutive height, but creates plane with high three-quarters slot and ability to work the lower-U; body lacks projection, though physique could tighten with attention, work, and natural physical maturity; high risk for bad body; could be durable starter with fallback as late-inning arm; highly impressive fastball command for age/developmental placement; even temperament on mound, invested without reliance on emotion; 2016 ETA, but would not be surprised to see fast track to Double-A in 2014 with a cup of coffee following summer.

Overall

Sanchez’s thick body and shorter stature are two knocks against him as soon as he takes the hill. The stuff, however, is good enough to overcome those hurdles, and his current pace of development bodes well for odds each of his offerings will fully refine in time. Upside is durable innings eater with three average to plus offerings. Curve’s ability to change eye level will aid in minimizing plane limitations on fastball. Overall attrition rates of arms, age, and proximity to Bigs hold risk at “high” for now, but surprisingly advanced profile. Once curve is executing with more consistency, overall package could take off quickly.

OFP Grade: 55/60; no. 2/no. 3 Starter

Risk: High