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June 30, 2015

Eyewitness Accounts

June 30, 2015

by Tucker Blair

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Elniery Garcia
Joan Baez
Carlos Tocci
Deivi Grullon
Manuel Sanchez

Elniery Garcia


	Born: 12/24/1994 (Age: 20)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left
	Height: 6' 0"	Weight: 155

Build: Smaller frame; very slight projection left.

Mechanics: Three-quarters arm slot; average arm speed; keeps shoulders and hips in unison; mild drive; average plane; clean landing; easy and clean delivery; delivery times ~1.45

Evaluator	Tucker Blair
Report Date	06/15/2015
Affiliate	Lakewood BlueClaws (Low-A, Phillies)
Dates Seen	6/13/15
OFP/Risk	50/Moderate
Realistic	45; no. 5 Starter/Long man
MLB ETA	2018
Video	No

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
FB	50	55	88-91	92	Velocity: 50/50 Movement: 55/55 Command: 50/55 T92 2X; moderate arm-side run; average plane; flattens out at 91-92 velo band; ability to spot and command offering in all four quadrants; continued repetitions will get command to above average.
CB	50	55	73-75	75	Movement: 60/60 Command: 50/50 Replicates arm speed; 2-7 shape; two-plane break; tight spin; ability to spot and command offering; slight refinements in release points will improve pitch a tick.
CH	40	50	81-84	85	Movement: 50/50 Command: 40/50 Replicates arm speed; mild fade; moderate feel; inconsistent release points; continued repetition and refinement with release points can push pitch to average.

Signed as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2011. Garcia has a mature arsenal for a 20-year-old, with three potential average or better offerings. Garcia lacks a true out pitch and he's not going to blow the fastball by anyone, but he has pitchability and feel on the mound. There is moderate risk due to limited experience against stronger competition.

Joan Baez


	Born: 12/26/1994 (Age: 20)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 3"	Weight: 190

Build: Wiry; skinny hips; broad shoulders; very mild projection left.

Mechanics: Three-quarters arm slot; plus arm speed; deep stab; generates downhill plane; mild crossfire; falls off; rocks on delivery with unnecessary motion; out of sync and loses tempo; overall easy delivery; delivery times 1.20 - 1.40.

Evaluator	Tucker Blair
Report Date	06/15/2015
Affiliate	Hagerstown Suns (Low-A, Nationals)
Dates Seen	6/12/15
OFP/Risk	55/High
Realistic	50; Set-up Arm
MLB ETA	2018
Video	No

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
FB	60	70	92-95	96	Velocity: 65/70 Movement: 55/55 Command: 30/40 T96 2X; life; arm-side run; struggles to command glove side; velocity fluctuates from pitch to pitch, inning to inning due to mechanics; more consistent mechanics will help improve command; move to bullpen full time would provide tick in velocity.
CB	40	50	77-79	80	Movement: 55/55 Command: 30/40 Replicates arm speed; 11-5 shape; moderate depth; inconsistent release points; works best in 77-78 velo band; refinements in release points and mechanics will boost command.
CH	20	30	85-87	88	Movement: 40/40 Command: 20/40 Inconsistent arm speed replication; mild feel; very mild fade; inconsistent release points; currently firm offering with poor command; refinement in release points and mechanics will boost command.

Baez has a lively arm, but the mechanics are currently a mess. His body lacks consistency towards the plate, with too many contradictory motions. Overall, I like the stuff and think the mechanical aspects are fixable. At the very least, the inconsistencies can be toned down. There is a very small chance he can stick as a starter, and that relies on the progression of his changeup and the improvement of his mechanics. The risk is high due to this being his first experience in full-season ball.

Carlos Tocci


	Born: 08/23/1995 (Age: 19)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 2"	Weight: 160
	Primary Position: CF
	Secondary Position:

Wiry frame; skinny hips; has room to grow into upper half.

Evaluator	Tucker Blair
Report Date	06/15/2015
Dates Seen	6/12/15 - 6/13/15
Affiliate	Lakewood BlueClaws (Low-A, Phillies)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2018	High	60	50; Major-League Regular	Yes

Professional on the field; enjoys the game; responds well to coaching and instruction.

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	50	Plus bat speed; quiet hands; quick and loose wrists; moderate barrel control; mild leverage; moderate leg kick and load; stays balanced; recognizes spin; approach is still in the early stages of development.
Power	30	Fringe raw; mild leverage; plus bat speed; lacks the physical strength for in-game power; will spray ball to gaps for doubles power.
Baserunning/Speed	60	4.16 home to first; explosive second gear; lacks awareness on the basepaths currently.
Glove	60	Plus speed; efficient first step; adequate reads and routes; second-gear speed allows for leniency with mistakes; laid out on a full sprint dive for a ball in the gap.
Arm	60	Plus arm strength; displays carry and accuracy from whip-like motion.

Signed out of Venezuela as an amateur free agent in 2011 for $759,000. Tocci has the speed, defense, and arm to profile as a regular in center field. I think he will fill out his wiry frame more in the future, and the bat displayed optimism for a future average hit tool. The risk is still high with Tocci, but he has progressed this season and will be at the High-A level shortly.

Deivi Grullon


	Born: 02/17/1996 (Age: 19)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 1"	Weight: 180
	Primary Position: C
	Secondary Position:

Thick and sturdy frame; broad shoulders and hips; filled out more than listed weight; frame maxed.

Evaluator	Tucker Blair
Report Date	06/15/2015
Dates Seen	6/12/15 - 6/13/15
Affiliate	Lakewood BlueClaws (Low-A, Phillies)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2018	High	55	50; Major-League Regular	Yes

Nothing out of ordinary to note; looks to get along with coaches and teammates.

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	30	Average bat speed; noisy hands; strong forearms and wrists; lacks fluidity through zone with swing; drops back shoulder; does not use bottom half; mild load and leg kick; swing can become unbalanced; minimal recognition of spin.
Power	30	Average raw power; slight leverage; does not barrel ball consistently; hit tool will hinder ability for in-game power to manifest.
Baserunning/Speed	30	4.50+ home to first times; second gear is better; some agility but speed is not an asset.
Glove	60	Quick and agile behind plate; ability to get low; inconsistent with pitch framing and blocking; chance to be above average with both; instinctual behind the plate; aggressive.
Arm	80	Premium arm strength; extreme carry; low and accurate throws to bases.

Signed as an international free agent in 2012 for $575,000. Grullon has a defense-first profile, which will carry him through the minors. The glove is currently inconsistent, but flashes plus ability. I see a light bat that will struggle in the majors, but the glove is enough for Grullon to stick as an average regular. The risk is still high due to a lack of experience at the higher levels and concerns regarding the bat moving forward.

Manuel Sanchez


	Born: 10/06/1995 (Age: 19)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 2"	Weight: 220
	Primary Position: RF
	Secondary Position:

Big frame; taller than listed height; sturdy body with power frame; frame lacks projection.

Evaluator	Tucker Blair
Report Date	06/22/2015
Dates Seen	6/19/15 - 6/20/15
Affiliate	Hudson Valley Renegades (Short Season, Rays)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2019	High	55	45; Second-Division Starter	Yes

Interactions with coaching was light-hearted without sacrificing the seriousness of instruction.

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	40	Average bat speed; quiet hands; loose wrists; swing can become elongated on secondary pitches; mild barrel control; long extension; moderate load and leg kick; stays balanced and uses hips for torque; difficulties recognizing and laying off spin; expands zone.
Power	60	Double-plus raw power; leveraged swing with pure strength; will play down slightly in-game due to hit tool.
Baserunning/Speed	20	Routinely locked 4.50+ home to first; moves slightly better in OF.
Glove	40	Adventurous; awkward routes; poor first step; struggles on balls hit over his head; better at charging in; speed and aging likely hinder his value moving forward; could potentially move to first base.
Arm	70	Premium arm strength; extreme carry; throws are inaccurate.

Signed as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2013 for $132,500. Sanchez displays loud tools, including his raw power and strong arm, but the hit tool needs much refinement before he starts to see more consistency at the plate. The ingredients are all there for a bat-first type player who can play on the right side of the field in right field or first base. While he lacks a ton of athleticism, I am optimistic that the raw power will play even if the hit tool only plays to fringe.

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