Eyewitness Accounts

Kline has cleaned the mechanics marginally since last season, dropping some of the unnecessary pre-windup movements. The fastball can become hittable due to the high release and ability for the hitter to track the offering the entire way, but the velocity can be premium at times. I don't envision Kline being able to consistently sit at the higher velo bands as a starter due to the amount of exertion and lack of command, but the fastball/slider combo has improved since 2014 and gives him a chance to start for now. The likely role is still a reliever profile due to the lack of an out pitch.

Round Drafted: 2nd Round, 2012
Why: Power arm with a chance to stick and develop as a starter. FB/SL combo would work out of the back end of a bullpen.

Faria is an intriguing pitching prospect, thanks to the downward plane his length and mechanics create on his fastball. Coupled with strong velocity and some movement, the fastball alone could be enough to get Faria to the big leagues, if he can learn to command it more consistently within the strike zone. The secondary pitches trail behind the fastball at this point, but the changeup has a chance to be a good pitch, with diving action that causes hitters to swing over the top of it. The pitch plays up because of the deception caused by his delivery and mechanics, and he should be able to use it effectively against lefties and righties, giving him a good chance to remain a starter. The curveball is more of a show-me pitch, but he throws it for strikes enough to keep it in hitter's minds and when down in the zone, it can generate ground balls.

The key for Faria will be fastball command. He throws strikes, but he needs to throw better ones. When down in the strike zone and on the edges, he can dominate with the fastball alone. If he learns to command the pitch effectively, the fastball/changeup combination will be enough to keep him in the rotation. If not, his velocity and changeup will work well in the bullpen in late innings.

Payano creates quite the conundrum when observing him. He physically looks big-league ready now and has all the attributes you want in a power starter. His pre-game warm-ups looked polished, smooth, and consistent. However, the bullpen did not transfer to game speed. He looked inconsistent, unsure, and with runners on, very awkward. He failed to look at baserunners multiple times and was very predictable with his timing in the stretch. He looked uncomfortable with the slide step, leaving everything up in zone. He managed to get out of the game with with no runs in four innings and only one hit, but walked five. Still only 22, I'd like to see him develop more of a feel for the game and a plan of attack with his fastball. The lack of command of the fastball was bothersome, however it would only be minute mechanical adjustments to improve upon that aspect. With experience, he should mature and grasp the game better. I'd still keep him around to develop two to three more seasons, because there is a much higher ceiling achievable for him than where he is at now.