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June 16, 2016

Eyewitness Accounts

June 16, 2016

by BP Prospect Staff

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Yaisel Sierra
Reynaldo Lopez
Max Fried
Eric Stamets
David Dahl
Herschel Powell

Yaisel Sierra


	Born: 06/05/1991 (Age: 24)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 1"	Weight: 170

Slender frame, wiry strength, athletic movements, minimal remaining projection; low-effort delivery, semi-wind, moderate leg kick; mild stab, clean to high-three-quarters; slows tempo, mild drop, stays uphill, stride drifts offline; hips over-rotate, drag to release, flies open, frequent arm-side misses, inconsistent finish; timing issues exacerbated in stretch, inconsistent takeaway; quick to the plate, 1.16-1.25; fought his catcher in first start, poor mound presence in multiple outings, struggles to respond to adversity

Evaluator	Wilson Karaman
Report Date	05/22/2016
Affiliate	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (High A, Dodgers)
Dates Seen	4/30, 5/10, 5/20/16
OFP/Risk	45/High
Realistic	40/Middle Reliever
MLB ETA	2017
Video	Yes

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
FB	50	55	91-93	94	Mild sink, moderate run, some life and mild deception, can get under barrels, will elevate it to the hands; flashes true plus, generates in-zone whiffs; fringe-average control with below-average present command projection
SL	50	60	81-84	85	Softer and rounder in-zone, will steal early strikes with it, confidence to double- and triple-up; right-handers have shown propensity to pick it up better; late vertical action, sweeps it out of the zone ahead; above-average tilt, will flash plus projection with tight two-plane bite, can get there with greater consistency

Cuban IFA signed for six years and $30 million. Sierra's frame is on the small size for a right-hander and pretty well maxed out physically at 24. The arm action is loose and clean, though he shows poor synch between his upper and lower halves at present. His drive has an awful lot of drift, leading to inconsistencies in his timing and poor present command. The fastball-slider combination flashes above-average potential, with the slider showing elements of a plus pitch, and an additional tick of velocity could be possible in a short relief role. He lacks consistency over multiple innings in a starting role, and has struggled with poor mound presence and failure response in multiple outings. He's thrown a whopping two hard changeups with split-like action across the three starts I've seen, and the lack of that third pitch's game utility at present limits projection to that of a straight middle relief profile if the command sharpens into at least fringe-average range.

Reynaldo Lopez


	Born: 01/04/1994 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 0"	Weight: 185

Body: Short, muscular, athletic frame. Well-built. Broad shoulders; strong lower half.

Delivery: Slow-paced semi wind-up; tall leg kick and long gather at top of delivery; effort in finish w/ consistent pull off-line after release; front side opens up early, gets away from arm at release. Reliever's mechanics.

Arm Action: Electric arm speed; plus-plus quickness and strength to arm-stroke through 3/4 slot. Injury/command concerns: arm does all the work; long in the back; effort and recoil after release.

Evaluator	Adam McInturff
Report Date	05/22/2016
Affiliate	Harrisburg Senators (AA, Nationals)
Dates Seen	2 (April, May 2016)
OFP/Risk	60/High
Realistic	50 — Late-Inning Relief
MLB ETA	2018
Video	Yes

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
Fastball	70	70	96	98	Special arm speed generates natural double-plus velocity. Sits 95-96 in starting role, even late into outings, scraping the upper 90s. Explosive bursting life to FB w/ hop and arm-side run when working at the top of the zone. "Thrower" w/ overwhelming velocity; lacking command within zone; likely will always need to overpower; tough to project on command w/ shorter frame and max-effort finish.
Curveball	45	50	79	82	Hard CB w/ flashes of tight spin and two-plane depth at best; likely finishes an average pitch; length to arm action and recoil can make it inconsistent on off nights. Seen it good once, bad another; on-and-off pitch at this point in his development.
Changeup	50	55	87	89	Hard, late-tumbling split-like action that dives down/away from LHB; good arm speed sell in front; best ones have swing-and-miss action playing off plus fastball. Lots of confidence in CH; good feel for third pitch for power arm; used to both RHB and LHB.
Control	40	45			Fails into sequences of poor command within the zone, falling behind hitters and into fastball counts. Room to still make some mechanical adjustments, but control/command still likely profiles best in a shorter-exposure role.

Short, big-velocity, explosive RHP; dominant fastball paired w/ two solid secondary pitches. Wouldn't write him off as starter quite yet, but see more likely big-league role as a high-leverage reliever, where velocity and three pitch mix could make him a valuable bullpen piece.

Max Fried


	Born: 01/18/1994 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left
	Height: 6' 4"	Weight: 185

High three-quarters arm slot; above-average arm speed; repeats slot; smooth tempo; crossfire delivery but limits upper-body rotation; can cast pitches and lose extension; doesn't consistently take advantage of height/length; long levers; starting to fill out projectable frame; good starter's body.

Evaluator	David Lee
Report Date	05/30/2016
Affiliate	Rome Braves (Low A, Braves)
Dates Seen	4/20; 5/29/2016
OFP/Risk	60/Extreme
Realistic	50; Mid-rotation starter
MLB ETA	2018
Video	Yes

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
FB	50	60	88-94	95	Fringe-average command; slight arm-side run; flashes downhill plane with life; settles 88-92 after a couple innings but consistently reaches back for 94 deep into start; works both sides with confidence; consistently locates arm side; glove-side command a tick behind; differing effectiveness from fringy in-zone command; hittable up and on plate
CB	50	60	71-76	77	Average feel; plus depth; above-average bite; 1/7 downward action; out pitch with bite when spun tightly; change-of-pace with slow break when loose; needs to consistently tighten for true 60 effectiveness in upper levels
CH	45	55	78-80	81	Fringe-average feel; average fade flashes late; arm action produces deception; occasionally casts and floats into zone; projection pitch with framework to reach above-average

Fried's biggest concern right now is staying healthy and gaining feel for his stuff after Tommy John surgery. The stuff is still there. He has three pitches that all flash plus and two could reach that grade consistently with a third just behind. He has command struggles despite an easy delivery, and his feel for pitching comes and goes. The goal is to get used to a body that's filling out and gain feel for his release over time. Fried will require patience, but the end result could be special.

Eric Stamets


	Born: 09/25/1991 (Age: 24)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 0"	Weight: 190
	Primary Position: SS
	Secondary Position:

Thin, bony, narrow frame; average build. Lacks physicality for extra-base power. Above-average athlete; light on feet; quick first step; accelerates quickly.

Evaluator	Adam McInturff
Report Date	04/28/2016
Dates Seen	April 7-April 10, 2016
Affiliate	Akron RubberDucks (AA, Indians)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2018	Low	40	ML Bench/Defensive Specialist	Yes

High-energy player; consistent hustle; high baseball IQ; good baserunner w/ knack for defensive positioning.

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	35	Lacks the hit tool for regular big-league profile, even at glove-first position. Singles hitter with pull-oriented contact. Minimal bat-speed from frame that lacks strength; beaten by plus velocity; consistently struggled to cover outer-half; would be exposed offensively if given everyday at-bats.
Power	30	Well below-average power, not part of offensive game. Singles contact; lacks strength to even drive the gaps; slightly more authoritative drives to pull side.
Baserunning/Speed	60	above-average to plus runner, plays up to 60-grade from good base running instincts. Gets out of his swing and up the line well; fair stolen base capability; can score from second and/or go 1st to 3rd.
Glove	60	Plus glove at SS; impressive glovework; has natural defensive tools and polish to finish plays. Loose, fluid defensive actions; completed plays to both sides and on the run; agile and mobile w/ quick first step to both his left and right. Standout defender; looked at home defensively.
Arm	55	At least above-average arm-strength, chance tick more; consistent carry across the IF w/ reliable accuracy; showed he can finish arm-strength plays on challenge balls to the deep 5/6 hole.

Fairly safe low-ceiling prospect; big-league utility lies in defensive value at SS w/ ability to slot all around the IF. Lacks bat for everyday profile. Provides bench value w/ glove, arm, speed. Paul Janish type toolset. Moderate interest.

David Dahl


	Born: 04/01/1994 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 2"	Weight: 195
	Primary Position: CF
	Secondary Position: LF

narrow frame; lithe, athletic build; mature strength but not bulky; sturdy lower half; history of injuries

Evaluator	Adam Hayes
Report Date	05/23/2016
Dates Seen	5/02, 5/03, 5/04, 5/05
Affiliate	New Britain Rock Cats (AA, Rockies)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2017	Medium	60	Above-average regular OF	Yes

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	55	elite, plus-plus bat speed; hands drift with slight wrap while leg lift and plant triggers swing; timing in lower half inconsistent--late on pitches despite bat speed ; aggressive early in counts, though capable of working counts for walks
Power	55	generates easy loud, hard contact; drives to the gaps, opposite field; level, line-drive stroke; will rack up doubles with ease; bat speed to generate more power—20 HR seasons not out of the question
Baserunning/Speed	50	4.27 home-first in look; confident, aggressive baserunner--track record of 20+ SB seasons
Glove	55	handles routine plays well, though glove will have occasional lapses; range and instincts to play CF, but corner spot seems likely
Arm	50	showed AVG carry with accuracy; would be more of a deterrent in LF than CF, but capable arm for CF

Athletic OF with elite bat speed and above-average hit tool. Former first-round pick with injury history. Bat speed is plus-plus and generates hard contact. Mechanics of swing have some issues with consistent timing, leading to late contact or frequent swing-misses. Swing-miss tendency and early count aggressiveness will be limiters of hit tool, but feel to hit is there to be above-average. Capable of loud, hard contact, though more of a line-drive stroke. Should be a doubles machine, though increased HR production, especially if Coors is his home field, is highly possible. Above-average defender with ability to handle CF. Like the profile better, given average arm and injury history, in a corner spot. average speed with good instincts. 20-20 seasons not out of the question. Above-average regular in the outfield when healthy.

Herschel Powell


	Born: 01/14/1993 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left
	Height: 5' 10"	Weight: 185
	Primary Position: CF
	Secondary Position:

Trim, athletic frame, quick twitch athlete. Lacks physicality, below average build.

Evaluator	Brendan Gawlowski
Report Date	05/30/2015
Dates Seen	4/23-4/26, 5/19-5/22
Affiliate	Tacoma Rainiers (AAA, Mariners)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2016	Low	50	45, fourth outfielder	No

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	55	Quick hands; short stroke; linear swing path; wrists lack explosion; frequently makes contact, though contact is often soft; has a plan at the plate; works counts; recognizes offspeed out of the hand; ability to work a walk will translate to big leagues.
Power	30	Mild pull power; can drive mistakes out to right and into the right-center field gap; singles hitter to left and center.
Baserunning/Speed	60	Consistent times between 4.05 and 4.15 on a dig; gets out of box quickly, effective drag bunting helps speed play up on bunts; strong instincts on bases; good reads on balls in dirt and off bat.
Glove	60	Quick; reads ball off bat; efficient route runner; tracks flies; good footwork moving back on the ball.
Arm	50	Average arm strength; arm plays up slightly due to quick release and accuracy.

Powell puts the bat on the ball and can take a walk. His lack of power will limit his OBP at the highest level, however, as pitchers will not be afraid to challenge him. He can pull a ball hard on a mistake, but is otherwise at his best when shooting line drives over the field and hitting the ball where it's pitched. Defensively, he's a good center fielder who uses his plus speed effectively, taking crisp routes in the field and demonstrating an aptitude for going back on fly balls. Ultimately, his lack of hard contact suggests that he's a fourth outfielder. He'll be a good one though, and it wouldn't be shocking if a modest uptick in power allowed him to start in center for a few years.

Related Content: Max Fried, David Dahl, Boog Powell, Reynaldo Lopez, Yaisel Sierra, Eric Stamets

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