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August 18, 2016

Eyewitness Accounts

August 18, 2016

by BP Prospect Staff

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Clay Holmes
Oscar De La Cruz
Jean Cosme
Cody Sedlock
Ryan McBroom
Jose Azocar
Josh Naylor

Clay Holmes


	Born: 03/27/1993 (Age: 23)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 5"	Weight: 230

Body: XL frame, tall with workhorse width and classic features of a power pitcher; broad shoulders, muscular lower-half, XL arms and legs; fairly athletic and coordinated for size, quick pickoff move

Delivery: semi-wind, moderate stiffness and effort that can hinder command, consistently pulls off-line from targets, falls to first base as backside swings around hard; upper-half is upright and stiff through finish

Arm Action: Long, off-line arm in the back, hooked appearance; stiffer high three-quarter slot, varied release points

Evaluator	Adam McInturff
Report Date	07/08/2016
Affiliate	Altoona Curve (AA, Pirates)
Dates Seen	April, July 2016
OFP/Risk	50/High
Realistic	45: Middle Relief
MLB ETA	2018
Video	No

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
Fastball	55	60	90-94	96	Sits 92-93, grabs 95/96 on best bolts; playable arm-side run, slows his arm and works around 90 when the zone escapes him; plus natural arm strength, velocity plays up in pen role without as much pressure on his control; below-average control and command, marginal room left for adjustments; loses his mechanics and the zone wavers on him, lack of extension takes his height and angle out of the equation, consistently misses up and arm-side during worst sequences
Curveball	50	55	78-80	81	Power curveball flashes good shape and the sharp bite to miss bats when best executed; showing more consistent quality action as season progresses; can play down in a starting role, gets ahead in counts too infrequently to get to it as a swing-and-miss offering
Changeup	45	50	83-84	85	Fringy-but-playable changeup, flashes average; quality arm speed replication, straight, limited movement, velocity separation to get hitters out in front
Control	40	45			Below-average control, strike-thrower, has fallen out of best control-command sequences frequently across two viewings; can throw basic strikes with high-velocity three-pitch mix at best, inconsistent execution inning to inning

Ceiling: Back-end starter with impact stuff and limited consistency
Realistic: Hard-throwing middle reliever

Physical workhorse, power frame and arsenal. Low-90's fastball with flashes of plus velocity in the 95-96 range, backed up by two solid secondary pitches. Development and consistency of control and command will dictate starting or relief future, though frame and raw stuff give him a decent chance to be big-league contributor in some capacity.

Oscar De La Cruz


	Born: 03/04/1995 (Age: 21)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 4"	Weight: 200

Tall, athletic frame with projection for added weight; starts from a semi-windup, high leg kick, three-quarter arm slot, mild effort with clean arm action; works quickly and controls tempo, plus command

Evaluator	Nathan Graham
Report Date	08/07/2016
Affiliate	South Bend Cubs (Low A, Cubs)
Dates Seen	8/5/16
OFP/Risk	50/high
Realistic	40: Middle Reliever
MLB ETA	2019
Video	Yes

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
FB	50	60	90-91	93	Heavy pitch, mild arm-side run, late life; attacked the bottom of the zone; showed above-average command
CH	30	45	83-85	86	Mild fade, inconsistent arm speed; currently lacks velocity separation
CV	50	60	74-76	79	11-6 shape, plus bite, back-doors to lefties, generates plenty of swings and misses; advanced feel to adjust velocity and angle

De La Cruz has finally made it to South Bend after a stay in extended spring training and a brief stop in Eugene. The converted middle infielder has a large frame and the potential to add more weight and strength. The fastball and curve, while currently average, show the necessary ingredients to be above-average as he progresses. These two pitches, along with plus command, give him the floor of a useful bullpen arm. With some added polish on the changeup there is potential for a back-of-the-rotation starter.

Jean Cosme


	Born: 05/24/1996 (Age: 20)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 2"	Weight: 155

High leg lift, opens up shoulders, long fluid motion; full circle, three-quarters slot, will muscle up on fastballs, inconsistent finish, will fall off line; throws strikes, average control

Evaluator	Grant Jones
Report Date	08/08/2016
Affiliate	Fort Wayne TinCaps (Low A, Padres)
Dates Seen	8/2/16
OFP/Risk	40/Moderate
Realistic	30: Org Reliever/Spot Starter
MLB ETA	2019
Video	Yes

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
FB	50	60	90-93	94	Mixed cut and two-seam variants; mild cut, tailing version showed better movement; unable to hold velocity over course of five innings, backed up to 89-90 over final couple frames, more effort as he tired compromised repeatability and command
CH	35	45	80-81	81	Falls off of the table with occasional fade, improved feel as the outing went on; needs consistent reps, potential for utility
CB	30	50	76-78	78	Inconsistent, quality 11-5 shape with depth at its best; shape leaks to 12-6 action with some roll on some, needs work but flashed as potential average pitch

Future reliever with spot-starter potential. Cosme has a nice, fluid action in his delivery, and showed quality fastball velocity at the outset of this start that faded as the game wore on.The changeup is further along than curveball at present, though the curve flashed true average where the change was fringe. Quality arm to have in an organization, should provide pitching depth at Triple-A with occasional big-league utility

Cody Sedlock


	Born: 06/19/1995 (Age: 21)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 3"	Weight: 190

Body: Large workhorse frame; broad across upper-half, durable core and legs, features of hard-throwing pitcher

Delivery: Slow tempo, semi-wind; tall leg kick, moderate effort from active back-leg drive; lands closed and works slightly across body, mild noise at finish, crossfire landing causes backside to swing around hard and pulls him off-line at release; room to make adjustments

Arm Action: Slight plunge; off-line circle that wraps and shows behind body; arm has lengthy path to get to extension, plus arm speed to occasionally catch up through slot

Evaluator	Adam McInturff
Report Date	08/10/2016
Affiliate	Aberdeen IronBirds (Short Season, Orioles)
Dates Seen	8/10/16
OFP/Risk	50/Moderate
Realistic	45: Middle Relief
MLB ETA	2019
Video	No

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
Fastball	60	65	93-95	97	Above-average raw arm strength, touching 97 and routinely grabbing 94-95 early in outings; naturally heavy ball, flashes above-average bore and run to arm side; lively power pitch, plays as a blow-by; projection to play a tick better with improved command in zone and/or transition to late-innings role
Slider	45	55	82-85	86	Power mid-80's slider, shows above-average at best with late, crisp glove-side action and two-plane tilt; loses feel for it upon occasion, bouncing it or backing it up; projects to play as solid secondary offering off fastball with continued pro development and reps
Changeup	40	45	82-83	85	Third pitch, sporadic use, fringy feel, still working to incorporate into arsenal; occasional arm speed sell out front, moderate fade, slows arm and guides; hittable at times
Control	40	45			Falls in and out of playable control/command for a starter; fastball has more basic control than command, better ability to land it to arm side; sporadic feel to land slider for strikes, most effective when working ahead with fastball to induce chase swings on breaking ball; will likely need to hold overpowering raw stuff to offset fringy command in a starting role

Best-Case Role: Power sinker/slider mid-rotation starter
Realistic Role: Middle Reliever

Strong-bodied frame; looks like a big-league workhorse with a solid fastball-slider mix. Developing the changeup and ironing out delivery will dictate starting or relief role. His power sinker could be a real weapon, and even if he's a two-pitch reliever the plus stuff gives him a high likelihood to fill a big-league role in some capacity.

Ryan McBroom


	Born: 04/09/1992 (Age: 24)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Left
	Height: 6' 3"	Weight: 230
	Primary Position: 1B
	Secondary Position: LF

Large body, extra-large muscular frame; filled-out upper half, lacks remaining projection

Evaluator	Steve Givarz
Report Date	07/23/2016
Dates Seen	6/23-6/25/2016, 6/27/2016
Affiliate	Dunedin Blue Jays (High A, Blue Jays)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2018	Medium	45	40: Platoon/bench bat	No

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	40	Slightly closed stance, wide base; below-average bat speed, strength over bat speed swing, uphill swing path, makes hard loud contact when he connects; long swing, slow trigger, decent balance; fair pitch recognition, struggles on inner half; looks to extend on pitches away
Power	50	Plus raw power; loud contact with strength to take the ball out to pull side and straight away; has loft on hit balls; plays down due to long swing and below-average hit utility
Baserunning/Speed	30	Well-below average runner; 4.54 home-to-first, not a base-stealer
Glove	50	Fair at first base, makes the routine plays; decent footwork around bag; lacks speed and arm for outfield, looks lost at times, first-base only, 30 on the grass
Arm	40	Below-average arm; lacks carry on throws, doesn't play anywhere other than first

McBroom is limited to first base, which limits his overall value given. His plus raw power plays at average in game, and he has some value as a weak-side platoon player. Mild interest.

Jose Azocar


	Born: 05/11/1996 (Age: 20)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 5' 11"	Weight: 165
	Primary Position: CF
	Secondary Position: RF

Athletic, slender build, fluid, quick twitch

Evaluator	Nathan Graham
Report Date	07/30/2016
Dates Seen	6/3,6/4,7/28/16
Affiliate	West Michigan Whitecaps (Low A, Tigers)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2019	High	50	40: Reserve Outfielder	Yes

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	40	Wide, balanced stance, quick, simple load, toe tap; plus bat speed; poor spin recognition at present, room for projection
Power	30	Line-drive power to all fields, does not produce fly ball trajectory; power will come to gaps, speed to create extra bases
Baserunning/Speed	80	Easy, fluid runner, top-of-scale speed; 3.93 home-to-first, quick acceleration; currently plays down on the bases, learning to read pitchers
Glove	50	Plus range, efficient reads and routes; speed and arm will allow him to stick in centerfield
Arm	60	Plus raw arm strength, excellent velocity and carry; usually accurate, can become aggressive in decision-making

With 80-grade speed and a plus arm, the floor for Azocar is high. He projects for utility at all three outfield positions, though given his lack of power the ceiling of a major-league regular will be dependent on the continued development of his hit tool.

Josh Naylor


	Born: 06/22/1997 (Age: 19)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left
	Height: 6' 0"	Weight: 225
	Primary Position: 1B
	Secondary Position: DH

Body: Average height, stocky build, compact musculature, carries extra padding in the middle, thick lower half; first base-only frame

Swing: Wide, straight-on base, deep crouch; fairly large hand load, takes a big stride into the pitch, gets too heavy on his front foot; noisy swing at present, aggressive hacks, natural hitter who trusts his hands

Evaluator	Adam McInturff
Report Date	07/08/2016
Dates Seen	5x April - June 2016
Affiliate	Greensboro Grasshoppers (Low A, Marlins)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2019	High	50	45: Platoon Option, Bench Bat	Yes

Boisterous, youthful on-field demeanor; occasionally struggles to slow the game down, well-documented incident earlier this season resulting in team-sanctioned suspension

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	45	Streaky hitter, present issues recognizing spin, struggles to make consistent contact against same-side pitching; shows rhythm and loose hands, but limited present ability to track secondary pitches; will over-swing, frequently expands the zone down with two strikes; has time to make adjustments, fringe-average projection at highest level
Power	55	Plus raw power, won't play up to full utility in games; ball flies off the barrel to all fields with ease, home run carry from pole to pole, notable opposite-field power for a young hitter; carrying tool, should get to above-average in prime, potential for 20+ home run seasons
Baserunning/Speed	35	Below-average runner, portly body and thick lower half limit projection; speed not a part of his game
Glove	50	First base-only body, already has significant experience playing there, displays comfort, good lower-half flexibility on the long stretch; stays calm on bad throws at the dirt, ability to make the back-hand pick and start double-plays
Arm	45	Fringy arm that rarely comes into the equation throwing first to third

Ceiling: regular first baseman
Floor: platoon power off the bench

Naylor is a bad-body first baseman with power and hitting tools you can't teach. There's lots of natural loft and strength in his swing, and he consistently shows power to both fields. He has held his own all year in full-season leagues as a young player assigned aggressively. He has demonstrated an ability to make adjustments as the year has progressed, and showed big flashes of power and some hitting ability. All the pressure is on his bat, but the offensive tool set and left-handed power gives him the best-case ceiling of a regular first baseman at the highest level. His aggressive approach and issues with same-side pitching leave the floor as that of a platoon player or a bat that gives a jolt of power off the bench.

Related Content: Josh Naylor, Jean Cosme, Jose Azocar, Cody Sedlock, Oscar De La Cruz, Clay Holmes, Ryan McBroom

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