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May 26, 2016

Eyewitness Accounts

May 26, 2016

by BP Prospect Staff

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Jeff Hoffman
Kyle Freeland
Sandy Alcantara
Trea Turner
Clint Coulter
Julian Leon
Javier Guerra

Jeff Hoffman


	Born: 01/08/1993 (Age: 23)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 5"	Weight: 225

Tall, strong, broad shouldered athlete. Easy delivery: Low effort, still head, straight stride, clean drive, clean landing, premium arm speed, loose arm, clean arm action, no spinal tilt, repeats delivery well.

Evaluator	Brendan Gawlowski
Report Date	04/09/2016
Affiliate	Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA, Rockies)
Dates Seen	4-9-16
OFP/Risk	70/Low
Realistic	No. 3 starter
MLB ETA	2016
Video	No

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
Fastball	60	60	93-95	97	Explosive fastball with life; plus-plus arm-side movement on his two-seam fastball with sink; capable of adding and subtracting velocity and movement; comfortable elevating the fastball; average command, can move the ball around the zone but control is not pinpoint; held his velocity for most of the outing; sat 92-94 over his final two hitters.
Slider	60	70	85-87	88	Two-plane break; plus movement, average command; can throw for strikes or add depth to induce a whiff; sharp break.
Curve	55	60	75-76	76	Tight spin; 12-6 break; maintains arm speed; plus movement; has a hump; consistently threw for strikes; pitch didn't induce whiffs when thrown out of the zone.
Change	45	50	85-87	87	Maintains arm speed; below-average movement; modest tumbling action; barrel misser, not bat misser; did not use as much as other three offerings.

Hoffman can throw strikes with four pitches and he has two offspeed pitches that flashed plus. While his command is only average, he has a feel for pitching, and is capable of adding and subtracting and pitching backwards. His curve, which featured plus movement in my viewing, has reportedly been thrown 5-6 mph harder in previous outings as well. The slider is a relatively new pitch but it was his primary offspeed weapon, and he used to both steal strikes against lefties and draw swings and misses against righties. He's an easy thrower with clean mechanics and no red flags in his delivery. He tired in the sixth inning and may need time to build stamina; otherwise, he appears ready for big league work where he should be ready to slot into the middle of a rotation.

Kyle Freeland


	Born: 05/14/1993 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left
	Height: 6' 3"	Weight: 170

Arm Action: clean action, though some shortness to arm extension in windup; above avg arm speed

Delivery: Low-three-quarters release with moderate body tilt; some drop and drive; long stride; moderate effort to release

Body: long, wiry frame; thin legs; narrow at hip; broad shoulders with slight slope

Evaluator	Adam Hayes
Report Date	05/11/2016
Affiliate	Hartford Yard Goats (AA, Rockies)
Dates Seen	5/05
OFP/Risk	60/Medium
Realistic	Solid #3 starter, back-end reliever floor
MLB ETA	2016
Video	Yes

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
FB	55	60	91	93	pounds lower half of zone; plus control; command to both sides of plate; maintained velo into later innings, but could play up a tick or two in shorter stints; maintains from stretch; slight armside tail with sink to both sides of plate
SL	60	60	87	88	sharp, cutter action with late movement; downhill only from release, little to no depth; frequent use to gloveside; swing-miss offering
CB	45	55	82	83	2-7 break; more sweep than depth, though displays both; bigger, slower version of SL; backdoor option to righties, slow chase pitch to lefties; confidence in and expanded use needed to improve pitch
CH	45	50	85	86	slight fade and drop; keeps down in zone; throws to gloveside with frequency

Plus-plus control lefty with average-to-plus four-pitch mix. Tall, lanky former first-round pick features above-average FB with sink; works in lower half of zone. Complements with a plus SL with cutter action that consistently generates swings-and-misses. CB is a slower, bigger version of SL, with more depth and sweeping action; can backdoor righties or induce chasing from lefties. CH shows fade and drop; present third pitch, but growth of CB could make fourth option. Locates everything for strikes and limits walks. Delivery is not without effort. Lower release point. FB/SL could play, even play up, now in bullpen role. More convinced now than in 2015 fall league that he can start. Solid #3 starter given opportunity, high quality reliever floor.

Sandy Alcantara


	Born: 09/07/1995 (Age: 20)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 4"	Weight: 170

Physical: Tall, rangy frame with plenty of room for strength; narrow waist and broad shoulders; big hands and feet; still growing into body and will get taller.

Mechanics: Starts from semi-windup and three-quarters slot; slot wavers at times; simple in back with small pause; excellent upper-body acceleration; gets to front quickly with quality extension and lands on flexed front leg; recoil in delivery but will not be an issue.

Evaluator	James Fisher
Report Date	05/19/2016
Affiliate	Peoria Chiefs (Low A, Cardinals)
Dates Seen	4/15/2016
OFP/Risk	60/Moderate
Realistic	#3 Starter
MLB ETA	2019
Video	Yes

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
Fastball	70	70	95	98	93-98; big time velocity that comes out easy; holds velo (93-96 in 6th); quick arm with good extension that allows ball to get on hitters quickly; slight arm-side run when down in the zone. Locates to both sides of the plate with occasional yanks glove side; will elevate for strikeouts.
Curveball	30	60	79	81	Shape wavers from 11/5 to 10/4; still tinkering with grips and gets around it at times; will flash quality 11/5 shape with rotation and late bite; locates to both sides of the plate; gets swings and misses in zone.
Changeup	30	50	84	82	Straight change; average fade when thrown with conviction; lacks quality arm speed at present.

Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2013, the 20-year-old has shown the ability to pitch with a plus-plus fastball and still has projection left in his long, lanky frame. The fastball is the main attraction here, comfortably sitting 93-95 and touching 98 with slight arm-side run. The curveball flashes average spin at times but the shape varies as he continues to tinker with his grip. Alcantara's command profile is lacking at this point but he locates the fastball to both sides of the plate and elevates it for strikeouts when needed. The ceiling is high with Alcantara but the distance to reach it is great. If everything comes together, the Cardinals will have a no. 2 starter on their hands.

Trea Turner


	Born: 06/30/1993 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 1"	Weight: 185
	Primary Position: SS
	Secondary Position: 2B

thin, lithe build; long limbs but not gangly; strength in the frame

Evaluator	Adam Hayes
Report Date	05/10/2016
Dates Seen	04/18, 04/19
Affiliate	Syracuse Chiefs (AAA, Nationals)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2016	Medium	60	Starting Shortstop with plus-plus speed	Yes

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	55	up the middle approach; leg lift and body coil, long bat wrap makes for long swing path; plus bat speed, strong wrists compensate; everything moves forward in sync post-coil; swing and miss in approach; aggressive early in counts
Power	30	low line-drive stroke; gets decent carry, but seems limited to warning track; extra base threat due to speed; line-drive swing/approach makes him dangerous to the gaps
Baserunning/Speed	70	easy speed and growing understanding of how to use it; will turn singles to doubles, doubles to triples; 4.14 time to first despite being slow out of the box
Glove	55	fluid in field; hands are reactive and smooth; speed provides range, though still working to improve timing/reads; not flashy, but highly capable
Arm	55	can throw on the run; makes throw from hole; arm works easy

SS with plus-plus speed and above-average tool set. Speed is the carrying tool; boosts the aggregate skill set. Long swing path from bat wrap/body coil, but generates bat speed with wrist strength and bat whip. Line-drive, up the middle approach. Aggressive, swing-and-miss approach will keep from plus on base skills. Light on power, but will rack up extra base hits with speed. Capable and dependable defender, but not elite in field. Average to above-average player who should remain productive even if speed diminishes.

Clint Coulter


	Born: 07/30/1993 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 3"	Weight: 222
	Primary Position: RF
	Secondary Position:

Extra large frame with a large muscular body; lacks remaining physical projection.

Evaluator	Steve Givarz
Report Date	04/29/2016
Dates Seen	4/19-21/16
Affiliate	Brevard County Manatees (High A, Brewers)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2018	Moderate	45	Role 40, Bench Bat/5th OF	No

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	40	Hits from an even, tall stance with a leg lift; slight uppercut stroke; was easily tied up inside during my looks this series; would get passive early in count and get behind; plus bat speed and strength; fair eye but is looking to hit.
Power	50	Plus raw power; has loft and necessary arm strength on hits for over the fence power; could play to plus in-game but lack of feel to hit will cause it to play down.
Baserunning/Speed	50	4.32 to 1B, average runner underway; not a base-stealing threat.
Glove	45	Below-average fielder at present; inefficient routes to the ball; doesn't have necessary speed to make up for poor jumps. Below-average range due to poor jumps.
Arm	60	Plus arm strength; throws have solid carry and line; accurate throws to cut-off men; wasn't challenged this series but runners knew better.

Prototypical RF profile, lack of feel for hitting and below average defense hurts value overall. Could hit 15-20 homers in an everyday role but is more likely a bench bat/5th OF.

Julian Leon


	Born: 01/24/1996 (Age: 20)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 5' 11"	Weight: 200
	Primary Position: C
	Secondary Position:

Thick frame, compact weight, square shoulders with upper-body strength, strong base, limited physical projection remaining, body will require maintenance

Evaluator	Wilson Karaman
Report Date	05/12/2016
Dates Seen	5 games, April-May 2016
Affiliate	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (High A, Dodgers)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2018	Moderate	45	40	Yes

Strong leadership qualities, good feel for mound visits, will challenge his pitchers, diligent between innings

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	40	Slightly open setup, front knee pigeoned, hand and elbow high off back shoulder with pointed bat head; hitch with hand drift at load, length and loop into zone; hips leaks, stays open on stride; toe tap, consistent weight transfer, stiff front side, limited leverage off back leg, average bat speed; noisy hands, difficulty shutting down and adjusting; over-aggressive hitter, hunts early fastballs, will expand up in hitter's counts, gets himself out
Power	45	Average raw, natural strength, all-fields power, carry to opposite field, swing path to get balls into the air; limited lower-half leverage, loses hip-shoulder alignment, game utility plays down a half-grade
Baserunning/Speed	20	Rarely digs even on double-play balls, coasting runner, zero second gear, 4.88 on a one-step checkup closest to true run time; bottom of the scale with poor utility on the bases
Glove	50	Some effort to the ground on blocks, average present mobility with higher-maintenance frame; strong glove hand, firm receiving with little give; struggles to massage balls on the corner, can steal low strikes; captains the defense, leadership with pitchers
Arm	55	1.97 average on three pops, solid transfer, below-average foot speed, above-average arm strength plays down a half-grade at present on account of inconsistent footwork

An undercard IFA signee from Mexican trip that netted Julio Urias (and Yasiel Puig) in 2012, Leon is a solid receiver and field general behind the plate. His frame is physically maxed and borders on stocky, and the present mobility is only an average asset. An aggressive hitter, Leon can drive the ball with authority to all fields but his long, looping swing and impatient approach leave him with exploitable holes and portend well above-average swing-and-miss. He's quite young for the level after an aggressive promotion, and the foundational skill set is broad enough to suggest second-division big-league potential if he develops an approach at the plate and maintains his present physicality.

Javier Guerra


	Born: 09/25/1995 (Age: 20)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Right
	Height: 5' 11"	Weight: 155
	Primary Position: SS
	Secondary Position:

Lean frame, high waist, athletic & fluid, wiry muscle, sneaky strength, quickness in first step, mild upper-body projection remaining without compromising quickness as asset

Evaluator	Wilson Karaman
Report Date	05/15/2016
Dates Seen	4/7, 4/9, 5/13
Affiliate	Lake Elsinore Storm (High A, Padres)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2018	Moderate	60	55/Above-average starting shortstop	Yes

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	40	Wide setup, noisy pre-pitch, inconsistent trigger; toe tap, hips leak, firm to front side, struggles with timing; above-average bat speed, strong wrists, bat gets into the zone in a hurry, ability to drive the ball to LCF, can square velocity; hyper-aggressive approach showed signs of toning down in second series look, above-average hand-eye, limited ability to get ahead of sequencing/make adjustments, no present two-strike approach
Power	50	Above-average raw, swings hard; moderate leverage, swing path to lift it, ball carries off the barrel; power to opposite gap, average possible to pull side, poor approach limits in-game
Baserunning/Speed	45	4.05 with release on a bunt, below-average tool projection; high-effort running style; tentative primary and secondary leads, struggles to time pitchers, below-average base-stealing potential
Glove	65	Natural shortstop actions, extremely fluid, makes it look easy; quick feet, confident first step, lateral quickness offsets below-average raw foot speed; soft, strong hands, body control, seamless transfer from awkward angle; poor reads on a couple hops, non-chalant effort on multiple plays
Arm	65	Easy plus velocity plays up with quick transfer, ability to control trajectory and deliver accurate throws from multiple arm angles

Signed by Boston for $250,000 out of Panama in 2012, traded to San Diego in November 2015. Guerra is extremely young for his league, and it shows in an extremely raw, aggressive approach at the plate. Premier defensive tools at a premium position, along with some pop in the batter's box, combine to set a high floor for Guerra as an above-average big-league shortstop. A couple steps forward with the approach and swing consistency can put him on the doorstep of a first-division career.

Related Content: Clint Coulter, Jeff Hoffman, Kyle Freeland, Javier Guerra, Sandy Alcantara, Julian Leon

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