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August 25, 2016

Eyewitness Accounts

August 25, 2016

by BP Prospect Staff

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Justin Maese
Jose Paulino
Angel Perdomo
Anfernee Seymour
Kyle Tucker
Lucas Erceg

Justin Maese


	Born: 10/24/1996 (Age: 19)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 3"	Weight: 190

Slightly lower three-quarter slot, high leg lift, tight path to slot, natural delivery, some balance issues, will fall off-line; command can be an issue at times, but consistency and repetitions will help, athletic enough to work through issues

Evaluator	Grant Jones
Report Date	08/08/2016
Affiliate	Lansing Lugnuts (Low A, Blue Jays)
Dates Seen	8/2/16
OFP/Risk	55/High
Realistic	50: No. 4 starter/high-leverage reliever
MLB ETA	2019
Video	Yes

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
Two-seam FB	55	60	91-94	96	Natural arm-side movement, lively pitch, reliant on mix of two-seam and cut fastballs, play well together, easy velocity, inconsistent present command
Cut FB	55	60	91-93	93	Hard cut, impressive movement at velocity, ran it away from right-handers and in to the feet of lefties; more consistent present command than two-seamer, 60+ potential if command maxes out
CH	35	50	86-87	87	Very hard, limited separation, hard sink and drop, plays off fastballs, flashes average compliment, athleticism will play into ability to improve with repetition

This was a very impressive outing for the former high-school quarterback, as the mix of velocity and movement for each fastball was too much for Low-A hitters. Both flashed 60+ on both, and while the cut command is ahead at present, both pitches will require further refinement and consistency. He needs more reps to keep the changeup low, but the pitch works off the fastballs and he's athletic enough to get there. A high-leverage relief role is a realistic outcome, with mid-rotation potential if he can gain greater consistency with his command and changeup.

Jose Paulino


	Born: 04/09/1995 (Age: 21)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left
	Height: 6' 2"	Weight: 165

Impressive athlete, loose, live arm, rangy frame, some physical projection left; fairly clean arm action, medium high three-quarter arm slot, medium leg lift; moderate extension, can be stiff, some spine tilt, slightly hunched posture mid-delivery; throws across his body, falls to third base side; holds runners, 1.13 average from the stretch

Evaluator	Will Siskel
Report Date	08/09/2016
Affiliate	South Bend Cubs (Low A, Cubs)
Dates Seen	08/08/2016
OFP/Risk	50/High
Realistic	40: Swingman/Middle Relief
MLB ETA	2019
Video	Yes

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
Fastball	50	55	89-91	92	Some effort to the consistent 90-91, touched 92 multiple times, loose arm, looks like there is more velo in there; moderate running action, glove-side command may prove challenging, needs more reps, fringe-average present command, mechanics dampen future projection; tries to pitch inside, reports of mid-90s velo; above-average offering to plus if velocity ticks up
Changeup	45	50	84-85	86	Advanced command, leaned on it heavily in this outing, will sequence it early in counts and throw left-left; circle change action, depth and dive, occasional fade; syncs arm speed, effective to right-handed hitters falling off the table away; lacks ideal velocity separation; pitch is too much for low-A batters, clear feel, kept it low in zone; showed out-of-zone command
Slider	40	45	82-84	85	Inconsistent shape, can get one-plane and slurvy, effective at lower velo spectrum; flashed above-average horizontal movement; will flash moderate tilt with bite; trouble harnessing it, low-4 present command; projection pitch given arm speed and arm slot
Cutter	45	50	87-88	88	Grades as a separate pitch; more effective variation of the slider, hard cutting action, tight; horizontal movement complemented with minimal tilt/slider action; can and should attack with it, neutralizes right-handed batters inside; big biting action, movement holds up in zone; inconsistent command, could be a real asset as a different look

Paulino was recently promoted from short-season; a big-time athlete, he boasts an athletic frame with projection, and he showed off present athleticism by converting two extremely difficult defensive plays off the mound. The mound presence is an asset, and though the mechanics and body control are causes for some concern, he threw strikes in this start. He projects fringe-average command, though the advanced fastball-changeup combo is rare from left side, and he should be able to get left- and right-handed hitters out given the arsenal. Command and lack of a true plus out-pitch impedes overall profile. Potential back-end starter with an above-average fastball and two average secondaries from the left side. Rule 5-eligible this winter.

Angel Perdomo


	Born: 05/07/1994 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left
	Height: 6' 6"	Weight: 200

Tall, lanky; high leg lift, rock, open shoulders, long path to slot, three-quarter slot, average arm speed, nice extension, comes off line often, struggles to harness long body, below-average command

Evaluator	Grant Jones
Report Date	08/10/2016
Affiliate	Lansing Lugnuts (Low A, Blue Jays)
Dates Seen	8/9/16
OFP/Risk	45/High
Realistic	40: Middle Reliever/Swingman
MLB ETA	2019
Video	Yes

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
FB	50	60	88-92	93	Volatile velocity, low as 86; downhill plane from long arms and extension, hard arm-side run at its best; inconsistent command
SL	35	50	78-83	84	Inconsistent, flashes average; nice sweeping action, tight at its best, spun well at times; struggled to keep shape, several backed up; needs reps but can get there
CH	30	40	83-84		Not a standout pitch; mild arm-side fade, used sparingly; inconsistent, meshed in with fastball, just looked like a slower version

Perdomo benefits from his tall body and extension, utilizing it well to create downward plane with his running fastball. With average velocity, it's a nice pitch, but command issues are very apparent with all of his pitches. The slider was inconsistent through the entire outing, showing different shapes but flashing the makings of an average pitch with greater consistency. The changeup needs a lot of work, as he only threw a handful that had the look of a slower version of his fastball.

Long-term outlook is a bullpen arm, with some potential be a swingman if he makes strides with his change. The velocity and movement on his fastball combined with the potential average slider makes it more likely he settles into a middle-relief role.

Anfernee Seymour


	Born: 06/24/1995 (Age: 21)
	Bats: Switch	Throws: Right
	Height: 5' 11"	Weight: 165
	Primary Position: SS
	Secondary Position: CF

Small, wiry build, twitchy, first-step explosiveness; lacks bulk muscle for power, plus athlete with center-diamond features

Evaluator	Adam McInturff
Report Date	07/04/2016
Dates Seen	5x April-June 2016
Affiliate	Greensboro Grasshoppers (Low A, Marlins)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2019	High	45	40: Bench Utility, Pinch-Running Option	No

Working hard to turn athleticism into baseball skills, slowly but surely improving his hands in the infield

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	45	Switch hitter, slap-contact approach, puts it on the ground with some line drives; swing lacks strength, below-average bat speed, vulnerable to velocity; speed-based offensive game, puts pressure on defenes; 40 stand-alone hit tool, speed will marginally inflate batting averages
Power	20	Bottom-of-the-scale home run power, limited strength to drive the gaps, speed to turn some singles into doubles when defense is asleep
Baserunning/Speed	80	Dynamic, top-of-the-scale runner, impact speed that changes games; accelerates very quickly, speed plays home-to-first, threat to turn ground balls into hits; consistent sub 4-second times up the line
Glove	45	Ranges well laterally, poor game speed, lacks internal clock and natural feel to finish plays; hard-handed turning the double play and on challenge plays to backhand side; has made notable improvement, still lacks actions of an average defender at short; enough athleticism to learn a handful of positions adequately for super utility role
Arm	50	Fringe raw arm strength plays up with range and mobility in the middle infield; playable arm at a few defensive positions, but not an asset

Ceiling: Longshot second-division regular; utility player with impact speed and defensive versatility
Floor: Up-and-down speedster; few cups of coffee as designated pinch runner

Seymour is a plus athlete with impact speed that plays, but he lacks strength on both sides of the ball. He is still turning his athleticism into baseball skills, continuing to learn how to get the most value from his speed-based tool set. His unique range of skills can help a big league club, albeit most likely in a reserve capacity.

Kyle Tucker


	Born: 01/17/1997 (Age: 19)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 4"	Weight: 190
	Primary Position: RF
	Secondary Position: CF

Tall, lean, athletic frame, wiry strength throughout; broad shoulders, narrow waist, highly projectable, plenty of room to add more strength

Evaluator	James Fisher
Report Date	08/17/2016
Dates Seen	5/12, 5/24, 6/23/16
Affiliate	Quad Cities River Bandits (Low A, Astros)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2019	High	55	50: Average Regular	Yes

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	60	Starts from a tall, balanced stance; low hands near his armpit, backward drift with hands to start load; above-average bat speed and barrel awareness, quick wrists; medium stride with timing, slight uppercut to swing plane, ample leverage; ability to hit .280-.290 in the big leagues at peak
Power	50	Bat speed and ability to barrel baseball consistently lead to power at present, loft power will come as strength continues to develop; plenty of doubles and 15-18 homers in the future
Baserunning/Speed	40	Average speed at present but will slow a grade as he continues to fill out; long strides, oppotunistic baserunner, will steal a bag when pitchers lose him
Glove	50	Alert defender in both center and right, eventual home will be right as he continues to fill out; sound defensive actions, quality first step on reads; works hard and takes infield/outfield seriously
Arm	60	Live arm, throws carry through the bag; most throws on target, will play in right

Tucker has physical tools and plenty of projection remaining. The bat is the calling card here, with above-average bat speed, feel to hit, and an advanced approach. He has an easy swing and a knack for finding the barrel like few others in the Midwest League this season. The power will develop as his strength does, and it shows projection for utility thanks to a combination of bat speed and barrel awareness. Defensively he will end up in right field as he fills out, but he does have the athleticism to handle center in a pinch with a plus arm.

Lucas Erceg


	Born: 05/01/1995 (Age: 21)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 3"	Weight: 200
	Primary Position: 3B
	Secondary Position:

Tall, lean frame, long limbs, wiry present strength, room for added bulk

Evaluator	James Fisher
Report Date	08/21/2016
Dates Seen	8/5/16-8/8/16
Affiliate	Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Low A, Brewers)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2019	High	50	40	No

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	40	Starts slightly open with hands at head; leveraged bat path, above-average bat speed, lets hands work, rhythm to hit; swing gets long, leaks open on front side, struggles with quality breaking stuff, sells out for power at times; long limbs will limit plate coverage and ability to close holes at highest level
Power	50	6 raw, bat speed and barrel awareness carry at present; in-game power plays down due to holes in swing and tendency to get long; doubles will turn into homers as he adds strength
Baserunning/Speed	35	Slightly heavy feet, will not be a clogger but base-stealing not in his future; steady on bases, enough to go first to third when needed
Glove	50	Proper range for third, instinctual with the glove; will make routine plays, moves laterally well enough, lays back on grounders at times but makes up for it with arm
Arm	70	Loves to show off the arm, carries through the bag with authority; throws from all angles with consistency; former pitcher, sat 93-95 in college

Drafted in second round of the 2016 draft, Erceg quickly hit his way out of Rookie ball. The 21-year-old has a lean frame with wiry strength that should add more power as he continues to mature. At the plate he combines above-average bat speed with power potential, while a true plus-plus arm plays in the field with enough range for third base. He's high-risk, and there's ample swing-and-miss. But the power is to all fields, and he projects as a major-league regular if enough of it plays.

Related Content: Kyle Tucker, Justin Maese, Angel Perdomo, Lucas Erceg, Jose Paulino, Anfernee Seymour

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Minor League Update: G... (08/25)

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Eyewitness Accounts: A... (08/18)

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Eyewitness Accounts: S... (09/01)

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What You Need to Know:... (08/25)

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