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June 23, 2016

Eyewitness Accounts

June 23, 2016

by BP Prospect Staff

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Ryan Castellani
Domingo Acevedo
Stephen Gonsalves
Tyler Jay
Miguel Diaz
Johan Mieses
Ke'Bryan Hayes
Kevin Newman

Ryan Castellani


	Born: 04/01/1996 (Age: 20)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 3"	Weight: 193

Prototypical frame, natural strength throughout with remaining physical projection; full wind-up, fluid through rock and kick, drops center of gravity, maintains posture well; short arm action, moderate drag, jerky action, above-average arm speed to three-quarters slot, struggled to maintain consistent slot; inconsistent drive, sweeps front leg to inverted strike, hips open early, closed finish, can get unbalanced; arm-strength delivery, stress on shoulder

Evaluator	Wilson Karaman
Report Date	06/06/2016
Affiliate	Modesto Nuts (High A, Rockies)
Dates Seen	6/5/16
OFP/Risk	50/Very High
Realistic	45/back-end starter
MLB ETA	2018
Video	Yes

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
FB	45	55	91-93	94	Two-seam action, natural tail with heavy sink, can cut it in same velo band, plus movement; looks to pound it down, elevates occasionally, will back-door it with cut down in the count; poor present command, fringe-average projection, struggles to finish it glove-side, trackable in upper quadrants; velo dipped to 89-91 (t92) around 75 pitches, remaining physical projection, potential for an additional tick or two; moderate swing-and-miss potential
CH	40	50	83-86	87	Primary go-to against lefty-heavy lineup; firm pitch with hard tumble, minimal fade, split-like action at top of velo band; shows some feel, arm angle will migrate north, will leave it hanging; potential to tunnel off the fastball, similar plane, movement, hitters able to adjust after multiple looks
SL	40	50	82-85	86	Moderate bite, some two-plane action, sequences it in the zone, moderate swing-and-miss potential below the zone; drops his slot, some wrap, will get on the side and roll it; hung a couple early and gave up some loud contact, largely shelved it for duration of outing, limited useage

The club's 2014 second-rounder, Castellani just simply didn't have it in this start. He fought to find his timing and arm slot from the jump and never did, instead aiming the ball and losing too many pitches over the white, especially when he tried to go glove side. The mechanics are such that weaker glove-side command is likely to be a persistent issue. The fastball showed glimpses of plus potential, and the change flashed average as well. His lack of confidence in the slider led to predictable sequencing, though the pitch showed some potential despite poor feel in this start. He noticeably tired in his third time through the order.

Castellani boasts an ideal frame, and there's enough raw stuff, arsenal depth, and athleticism to project a rotation future, though he looked pretty far away from it in this start.

Domingo Acevedo


	Born: 03/06/1994 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 7"	Weight: 190

XL frame with a thin, wiry build, looks larger than listed weight of 190, perhaps closer to 200. Fair amount physical projection remaining. Pitches from a full windup with hands over head; legs and arms flail; lacks posture and balance; still able to repeat delivery; long arm action with above-average arm speed; three-quarters slot.

Evaluator	Steve Givarz
Report Date	06/16/2016
Affiliate	Tampa Yankees (High A, Yankees)
Dates Seen	6/15/2015
OFP/Risk	55/High
Realistic	Role 5, Setup Reliever
MLB ETA	2019
Video	No

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
Fastball	70	80	95-96	99	Fastball 95-96; lacks life; shows early; lacks fine control of pitch, is able to locate over plate but lacks command. Movement- 40/40
Slider	40	50	84-87	88	Slider 84-87; short pitch; has some depth but stays on one-plane; fair bite; often left up; flashed average but needs more consistency.
Changeup	30	40	87-89	89	Changeup 87-89; third pitch right now; lacks feel for pitch; arm speed is better than in previous viewings; still in early stages of development; lacks overall movement; gets hitters in front because of FB velocity.

Acevedo has the size, projectability, a big arm, all of which are things I like to see out of young players. The Fastball is explosive and reports have had it touching higher in the past. The secondaries are coming along but needs more consistency from game-to-game in order to be a SP. In the bullpen his FB will really play up and you hope the breaking ball comes along with it.

Command- 35/40
Control- 40/50

Stephen Gonsalves


	Born: 07/08/1994 (Age: 21)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left
	Height: 6' 5"	Weight: 213

XL Frame with wiry body; has fair physical projection remaining; long levers. Pitches from a full windup; lots of arms and legs in delivery; low-effort delivery; hands set at belt; step back; long arm stroke with a full arm circle; fair arm speed; three-quarters slot.

Evaluator	Steve Givarz
Report Date	06/17/2016
Affiliate	Fort Myers Miracle (High A, Twins)
Dates Seen	6/12/2016
OFP/Risk	50/Medium
Realistic	Role 4, Swingman/Longman
MLB ETA	2018
Video	No

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
Fastball	50	55	90-92	93	Fastball 90-92 T93, sinking action; deceptive with arm action; fair control. Movement- 45/45
Curveball	30	40	76-77	77	Curveball 76-77; lacks tight shape; fair depth but loopy; needs better arm speed and to reach out more; effective at this level; not in zone.
Changeup	60	60	76-78	78	Changeup 76-78; plus pitch; split like action; large separation from FB; late tumble; thrown at arm speed which helps pitch play up.
Slider	30	40	82-83	85	Slider 82-83 T85; lacks sharpness; frisbee break; needs better shape; in early stages of development; primarily v. LHH; should get better with arm speed and repetitions.

Projectable SP with a plus changeup and a potential above-average fastball combination. Needs a breaking ball to step up to be a back-end rotation guy. Features reverse splits and will need to be more effective v. LHH to be a rotation piece.

Command- 40/50
Control- 50/55

Tyler Jay


	Born: 04/19/1994 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left
	Height: 6' 1"	Weight: 185

Media guide listed weight at 172 lower than official weight of 185; quality athlete. Pitches from a full windup; 3rd base side of the rubber; works quickly with an athletic delivery; slight crossfire; slinger arm action with above-average arm speed; three-quarters slot; lacks extension on pitches.

Evaluator	Steve Givarz
Report Date	06/17/2016
Affiliate	Fort Myers Miracle (High A, Twins)
Dates Seen	6/14/2016
OFP/Risk	55/Low
Realistic	55, Mid-Rotation Starter/Back-end reliever
MLB ETA	2017
Video	No

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
Fastball	55	60	90-93	93	FB 90-93; features natural cut; tended to miss on inner half; poor command; fair control. Movement- 50/50
Curveball	45	50	75-78	78	CB 75-78; 1/7 shape; fair shape and depth; okay bite; used to both sides; able to locate in strike as well as for chase.
Slider	60	60	83-85	85	SL 83-85; two-plane depth; tended to miss on outer half which is better than on inner half; potential plus offering; plus tilt; good bite.
Changeup					No CH thrown this outing, have had fair reports this year.

Poor outing but still showcased two potential plus pitches, his lack of command hurt him as he got hurt hard over middle of the plate. Would like to see CH for a better report but still has mid-rotation potential. Needs to build up IP workload to reach that potential. Still has a relatively high floor as a late-inning reliever.

Miguel Diaz


	Born: 11/28/1994 (Age: 21)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 1"	Weight: 175

Shows effort at times; getting reps at three-quarters slot for consistency; can move back to lower slot at times; has fought with delivery at times but working towards consistency; wavered occasionally

Evaluator	Grant Jones
Report Date	06/18/2016
Affiliate	Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Low A, Brewers)
Dates Seen	June 12th 2016
OFP/Risk	60/High
Realistic	50; back-end starter/setup reliever
MLB ETA	Late 2018
Video	Yes

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
FB	60	70	95-96	98	Features tailing action when in a groove on the pitch in the mid 90s, will elevate the pitch and straighten out when in the high 90s. Ability to mix the movement and velocity leads to it becoming a potentially plus-plus pitch with consistent reps. Will miss down at times.
SL	45	60	77-78		Ability to manipulate pitch from hard horizontal break that's almost frisbee like, can back it up for late movement into the zone or push out for it to dive at lefties feet. Great feel with the pitch and is confident enough to manipulate as he sees fit.
CH	40	55	87		Great separation from fastball, firm with fade and tumble on the pitch as it mirrors his fastball with a 10 mph difference, will miss down, confident with pitch to righties and lefties.

Upside of good number three pitcher; risk factor makes power reliever very possible. Ability to throw all three for strikes, confident with all pitches, needs more reps with repeating delivery and will be a starter if he can find more consistency. High-upside arm, risk factor is very high but stuff is there. Has the makings for everything to come together soon.

Johan Mieses


	Born: 07/13/1995 (Age: 20)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 2"	Weight: 185
	Primary Position: CF
	Secondary Position: RF

Above-average athlete, projectable frame, added 10-plus pounds of good weight in the off-season, additional physical projection remaining; strength throughout frame, fluid, quick-twitch

Evaluator	Wilson Karaman
Report Date	05/12/2016
Dates Seen	3x 2015, 5x 2016
Affiliate	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (High A, Dodgers)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2018	Extreme	50	40/4th outfielder	Yes

He's the handshake guy, has one with a solid dozen-plus players; loose, engaged, upbeat, unbridled enthusiasm

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	40	Wide stance, open with a crouch; deep load, tight coil, significant wrap; hands inconsistent at trigger, drift forward, extreme length into zone; leveraged swing, plus bat speed, loop in path, gets under the ball, weak fly ball contact; waffles between mild inverted leg lift and aggressive leg kick, aggressive weight transfer, early to front side with stiffness; poor spin recognition, present guess hitter, wants to extend, inner-third hole, expands against anything soft or spin, loads of swing-and-miss; minimal progress honing approach since last summer, bat speed and fluidity suggest ample room for projection
Power	50	Plus pull-side raw, above-average to all fields; leveraged swing with bat path to lift the ball, plus bat speed; triple-digit exit velocities, hard line-drive contact, towering pull-side fly balls in BP; approach limits game utility, mistake hitter at present
Baserunning/Speed	50	Above-average present runner, 4.24 home-to-first, moderate pick-up, second gear, pushes plus underway; fluid motion, high-intensity runner; present utility plays down on the bases, raw cross-over, uneven reads, poor decision-making, will play out of control; should settle in as average tool once physically maxed
Glove	55	Ball hawk, all-out style, shows track-and-close, propensity for highlight-reel catches; better reads and routes in right, struggles with right-at-him reads in center, raw defender with instincts, questionable decision-making at times, will throw behind runners, try to do too much; plus potential in right with potential average utility in center
Arm	60	Raw arm strength pushes plus-plus, excellent velocity, throws hold their lines with carry; generally accurate, will uncork some wild ones; will get over-aggressive in decision-making

Mieses is a high-volatility prospect with an above-average regular ceiling if everything comes together. His all-out style of play, straight-line speed, and canon of an arm give him projection for utility in all three outfield spots, with a present trajectory towards a lefty-mashing fourth-outfielder profile.

Ke'Bryan Hayes


	Born: 01/28/1997 (Age: 19)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 1"	Weight: 210
	Primary Position: 3B
	Secondary Position:

Weight is proportionate and non-issue; still-developing upper half; thick, strong lower half; smooth actions on field; able to slow game down; athletic for a corner guy.

Evaluator	David Lee
Report Date	06/14/2016
Dates Seen	6/2-6/4/2016
Affiliate	West Virginia Power (Low A, Pirates)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2019	High	55	50; average regular	Yes

Confident on field; carries himself like a pro; focuses pregame and throughout time on field; major-league bloodlines.

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	55	Line-drive approach geared for contact; will settle for contact; covers the plate well; can work line drives to gaps and up the middle; advanced approach for age/level; above-average bat speed; hands can drift deep and lengthen swing at times; swing plane can get inconsistent between long or choppy.
Power	45	Above-average raw power; in-game power plays down by contact approach/swing plane; approach settles for line drives; consistent gap production; doesn't consistently utilize lower half to drive ball; occasional arcing home run.
Baserunning/Speed	45	4.35 to first; not impact runner but not station-to-station; will steal occasional base; shows baserunning instincts.
Glove	55	Soft hands; smooth actions at third; average lateral range; decent quickness and footwork; soft glove plays up grade.
Arm	60	Quick arm speed; optimal arm action with straight throws; easy carry with plus arm strength.

There's untapped potential in Hayes that will take tweaks to see it fulfilled. The biggest is above-average to plus raw power that plays down in games because of a contact-geared swing with an occasional choppy plane and lack of lower-half utilization. He has an advanced approach and makes consistent contact, and his value will be carried between an above-average hit tool and strong defense at third base. It's not an impact profile, but it's enough to play every day with the chance for more if adjustments are made.

Kevin Newman


	Born: 08/04/1993 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 1"	Weight: 180
	Primary Position: SS
	Secondary Position:

Medium frame; lacks remaining physical projection.

Evaluator	Steve Givarz
Report Date	06/17/2016
Dates Seen	4/11/2016-4/14/2016
Affiliate	Bradenton Marauders (High A, Pirates)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2017	Low	55	Role 5, League-Average Starter	No

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	70	Plus bat speed; line-drive swing with an all-fields approach; innate feel for the barrel; good pitch recognition; works counts well and recognizes spin; lacks a weight transfer so the contact is more singles and doubles at this point; quick hands and wrists; one of the best pure hitters I have seen.
Power	30	Well below-average raw power; swing isn't built for over the fence power; lack of weight transfer in swing; lacks natural strength to take balls out consistently; power will play more so in doubles and some triples.
Baserunning/Speed	55	4.28 clock; second gear and better runner underway; good base-stealing instincts; only average speed but gets good jumps off pitchers which allows it to play up slightly.
Glove	50	Fringe-average at present; choppy footwork; good instincts and good first step; gets rid of ball quickly; not flashy but fair; should get to average at full utility.
Arm	50	Average arm strength; quick hands that allow him to get rid of balls quickly; throws don't have great carry but makes it work and is accurate.

One of the best pure hitters I have ever scouted, Newman was recently promoted to Double-A. The biggest concern is if he can play SS on a daily basis. While he won't wow anyone there, he should be able to handle it.

Related Content: Kevin Newman, Tyler Jay, Ke\'Bryan Hayes, Stephen Gonsalves, Johan Mieses, Miguel Diaz, Ryan Castellani, Domingo Acevedo

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