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June 11, 2015

Eyewitness Accounts

June 11, 2015

by Tucker Blair

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Mychal Givens
Joe Ross
Colten Brewer
Mike Yastrzemski
Glynn Davis

Mychal Givens


	Born: 05/13/1990 (Age: 25)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 0"	Weight: 207

Build: Athletic and muscular build; strong foundation and core; quick-twitch athlete; frame maxed.

Mechanics: Sidearm delivery; plus arm speed; hips can become rotated before top half; generates force on hip torque towards home; exerted delivery; will fly open when overthrows.

Evaluator	Tucker Blair
Report Date	05/20/2015
Affiliate	Bowie Baysox (AA, Orioles)
Dates Seen	5/5/15
OFP/Risk	50/Low
Realistic	50; Set-up Arm
MLB ETA	2016
Video	Yes

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
FB	60	65	93-95	96	Velocity: 65/65 Movement: 70/70 Command: 40/50 T96 4x; extreme arm-side run; heavy movement from a low arm slot provides deception; hitters have trouble barreling offering; command is inconsistent and will need tightening; continued repetition will help improve command.
SL	55	60	85-87	87	Movement: 60/60 Command: 30/40 Short and tight break; replicates arm speed; deceptive; command and release points are highly inconsistent; hitters are chasing but better competition will lay off more regularly; improvements in release points will improve command slightly.
CH	30	40	86-87	87	Movement: 50/50 Command: 30/40 Mild fade; replicates arm speed; lacks feel but is able to turn the pitch over and keep it out of the zone; command and release points are very inconsistent; could see slight improvement but the offering is likely a reserve pitch to throw against left-handed hitters to keep them off balance.

Givens played shortstop for the first three seasons of his professional career. He was converted to a pitcher full time during the 2013 season.

The development of Givens has been far from linear. I have seen him pitch every season since his conversion, and the progression this season has been notable. He has cleaned the mechanics, and is repeating his delivery better. The command is much improved, which leads me to believe he can be a late-inning arm in the majors if there is more consistency. The stuff is hard to barrel, and Givens is efficient in keeping hitters uncomfortable and unbalanced.

Round Drafted: Second Round, 2009
Why: Raw two-way player that displays tools and athleticism with a big arm; potential to work as a power pitcher or develop into an everyday shortstop.

Joe Ross


	Born: 05/21/1993 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 4"	Weight: 205

Build: Tall and built; sturdy frame with broad shoulders; frame likely maxed.

Mechanics: Three-quarters arm slot; plus arm speed; stab; mild crossfire; easy delivery with hips and shoulders in unison; solid drive with clean foot plant; repeats delivery; delivery times 1.35 - 1.45.

Evaluator	Tucker Blair
Report Date	05/31/2015
Affiliate	Harrisburg Senators (AA, Nationals)
Dates Seen	5/31/15
OFP/Risk	55/Low
Realistic	50; no. 4 Starting Pitcher
MLB ETA	2015
Video	No

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
FB	60	60	92-94	97	Velocity: 60/60 Movement: 50/50 Command: 50/50 T95 6x; T97 1x; big downhill plane and stays on top of pitch; very mild arm-side run; consistently peppered bottom half of zone; more control than command but is effective when keeps the ball low in the 92-94 velo band; can notch up velo when needed.
SL	50	55	82-85	86	Movement: 50/50 Command: 50/50 Replicates arm speed; short and tight break; can flash bite but is inconsistent; release points vary; better offering in higher velo band; works well off the fastball.
CH	50	50	84-86	87	Movement: 50/50 Command: 50/50 Replicates arm speed; tumbles; lacks big velo separation, but is deceptive due to arm speed replication and ability to consistently throw pitch lower in the zone; not a bat misser.

Note: Traded from San Diego to Washington in the 2014 offseason. Brother of Tyson Ross.

Ross has three major-league caliber offerings in his arsenal, with average command across the board. He has little projection left and profiles to stick in the rotation. There is minimal risk because he has pitched in Double-A with success. Ross could see time in the majors in 2015, and profiles as a solid back-end option who could play as a no. 4 starter.

Round Drafted: First Round (25th overall), 2011
Why: Sturdy and athletic frame; three-pitch arsenal with projection; bloodlines.

Colten Brewer


	Born: 10/29/1992 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 4"	Weight: 200

Build: Broad shoulders; power bottom; physical workhorse; maxed frame.

Mechanics: High three-quarters arm slot; plus arm speed; stab; slight crossfire; mild head whack; hips out of sync with upper half; front shoulder opens; high leg kick to a slightly inverted landing; front leg can get stiff; moderate effort; delivery times 1.35 - 1.45

Evaluator	Tucker Blair
Report Date	05/31/2015
Affiliate	West Virginia Power (Low A, Pirates)
Dates Seen	5/16/15
OFP/Risk	45/High
Realistic	40; Middle Relief/Long Relief
MLB ETA	2018
Video	No

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
FB	55	60	92-95	96	Velocity: 60/60 Movement: 50/50 Command: 30/40 T96 2x; downhill plane; displays arm-side run at lower velo band; command is currently well below average; flattens when elevates offering; consistency in mechanics can improve command a grade.
CB	40	45	77-78	79	Movement: 50/50 Command: 30/40 Inconsistent arm speed replication; 11-5 offering; mild depth; release points inconsistent; easy to see from arm slot; refinements in arm speed and release points can improve offering a tick.
CH	30	40	82-84	86	Movement: 50/50 Command: 30/40 Inconsistent arm speed replication; mild feel; mild fade; release points highly inconsistent; missed in zone often; improvements in arm speed and release points could improve offering a tick.

Note: Brewer missed the entire 2014 season

Brewer has a big fastball, but the mechanics and secondary pitches need refinement before he hits his ceiling. There is enough ability for a potential backend arm, but the inconsistencies in his mechanics and the lack of an average secondary offering leave his role likely in the bullpen as a middle-relief option.

Round Drafted: Fourth Round, 2011
Why: big-framed pitcher; power fastball; potential to be a workhorse starting pitcher.

Mike Yastrzemski


	Born: 08/23/1990 (Age: 24)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left
	Height: 5' 11"	Weight: 180
	Primary Position: LF
	Secondary Position: CF

Athletic build; small and muscular frame; physically maxed.

Evaluator	Tucker Blair
Report Date	06/02/2015
Dates Seen	8 Games (April-May 2015)
Affiliate	Bowie Baysox (AA, Orioles)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2016	Low	45	40; Fourth Outfielder/Below-Average Regular	No

Hustles at all times; liked by all members of team and media; strong makeup

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	45	Average bat speed; minimal noise in swing; quiet hands with barrel control; swing can become elongated; mild load; bottom half unbalanced at times; front side will leak open; mild recognition of spin; struggles against same-side spin; strong approach with ability to make in-game adjustments.
Power	40	Average raw power; mild leverage; raw plays down in game due to average bat speed and unbalanced bottom half against spin.
Baserunning/Speed	50	~4.20 home to first times; average speed and second gear; agile player.
Glove	55	Speed and agility to play all three OF positions; profiles best on corners due to lack of second-gear athleticism; efficient first jump and displays perfect reads and routes; aggressive OF.
Arm	55	Above-average arm strength; carry from medium depth; accurate.

Yastrzemski lacks a carrying tool but the skill set will be valuable in the majors. He can play all three outfield positions and can be a useful option as a second-division starter or a fourth outfielder. His hustle and makeup makes for a solid bench option or club depth. The profile is nearly a finished product with success in the upper minors.

Round Drafted: 14th round, 2013
Why: Four-year starter at Vanderbilt; average tools across board with strong makeup; bloodlines.

Glynn Davis


	Born: 12/07/1991 (Age: 23)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 3"	Weight: 170
	Primary Position: CF
	Secondary Position: LF

Wiry and athletic frame; fast twitch athlete; frame not conducive for added weight gain.

Evaluator	Tucker Blair
Report Date	06/02/2015
Dates Seen	8 Games (April-May 2015)
Affiliate	Bowie Baysox (AA, Orioles)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2016	Low	40	30; Organizational player	No

Poor attitude and lack of hustle on field; generally seems to be liked by teammates.

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	30	Plus bat speed; mild noise in hands; will drop hands occassionally; quick wrists; mild barrel control; swing can become elongated; front side can leak open; mild load; unbalanced swing; struggles to recognize spin; will swing at poor pitches; struggles against same-side off-speed.
Power	30	Fringe raw power; mild leverage; swing is not conducive for home-run power; more gap-to-gap style.
Baserunning/Speed	70	~4.00 home to first times; displays extreme burst and agility; speed is weapon in outfield and on basepaths.
Glove	60	Athleticism and speed; helps to play up average reads and routes; covers ground efficiently; first step has improved in past few years.
Arm	45	Average arm strength; mild carry; inconsistent accuracy; plays down grade a tick.

Davis is a toolsy outfielder with a plus glove and double-plus speed, but lacks the approach and barrel control to consistently provide enough value as an everyday regular; Davis will struggle against stronger competition, but the defensive value will make him a reserve or depth player.

Round Drafted: UDFA (Signed for $100,000)
Why: Athletic player with potential for plus glove, speed and a workable hit tool.

Tucker Blair is an author of Baseball Prospectus. Follow @TuckerBlairON
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