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May 11, 2017

Eyewitness Accounts

May 11, 2017

by BP Prospect Staff

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Cody Sedlock
Chase Johnson-Mullins
Trey Ball
Jacob Brentz
Magneuris Sierra

Cody Sedlock


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

Build: Big guy with an athletic build; durable body; probably maxed out in terms of build/strength

¾ delivery; Choppy windup with lots of moving parts; repeats well despite moving parts; stab on the windup; finishes well; moderate effort in his delivery.

Evaluator	Greg Goldstein
Report Date	05/03/2017
Affiliate	Frederick Keys (High A, Orioles)
Dates Seen	4/23/17 (5.0 IP)
OFP/Risk	55/Moderate
Realistic	50; Number four starter/set-up man
MLB ETA	2019
Video	No

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
Fastball	60	60	90-91	94	90-92 early in the start, tempered back to 88-90 later on; heavy, boring, arm-side movement, generates worm-burners and weak contact as well as whiffs; wasn’t as heavy as he got later into his start.
Changeup	45	50	80-82	82	Can throw for strikes; Tumbles down in the zone at times, which can be a solid compliment for his sinker
Curveball	50	55	75-76	78	Inconsistent shape, but seemed to fool hitters out of the hand, most strikes came looking as he was able to control the movement to glove-side corner; major-league caliber pitch; flashed late movement that can play as a strikeout pitch
Slider	50	55	82-83	84	Didn’t throw has much as the curve, but it did flash some sharp, late movement that can act as a putaway pitch.
Control/Command	50	55			Sinker was mostly down in the zone, he did have some hard contact when the pitch was left up; was able to hit his spots with the CB and can throw it for strikes even with pretty sharp late movement; has a feel for his curve and changeup; showed an ability to throw all four pitches for strikes, but was not as crisp during the last few innings of his outings. Control was plus early on, but faded back in terms of grade because of the inconsistencies during the last few innings of his start.

There is a lot to like about Sedlock. He brings a legit four-pitch mix to the table that features a plus sinker. He controls his curveball/slider combo enough with the decently sharp movement for those pitches to be slightly plus as well. Throw in a possibly average changeup and he has all the makings to be a middle of the rotation type starter. However, the primary concern is that his mechanics are not crisp and fluid. This, with the effort in his delivery, caused his primary stuff to fall off during this fourth and fifth innings of work. That’s not encouraging for a pitcher that is trying to start. The upside is there to be a number three type starter, but there is risk considering his mechanics and some concern with how well his plus pitching arsenal will hold up late in games. He’s certainly not a slam dunk to remain a starting pitcher and could turn into an above-average reliever if that is the case.

Chase Johnson-Mullins


	Born: 07/19/1994 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left
	Height: 6' 8"	Weight: 270

3XL, barrel-chested, fat donkey; pitches from third base side; separates late, slight wrap, deep, flat arm at footstrike; average arm speed; closed front shoulder, small hitch in landing foot for added deception, inverted footstrike; H3/4; for size, repeats delivery well; delivery has ease.

Evaluator	Javier Barragan
Report Date	05/08/2017
Affiliate	Florida Fire Frogs (High A, Braves)
Dates Seen	5/3
OFP/Risk	55/High
Realistic	45; Up/Down Reliever
MLB ETA	2018
Video	Yes

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
Fastball	70	70	94	96	Cutter: 94-95 has moderate depth with darting action, scatters well for strikes Movement: 40/50 Sinker 94-96 moderate tailing action Movement: 40/50 Both pitches tunnel well off of each other, both are out pitches Command: 30/50 Control: 40/50
Curveball	40	50	78	79	Soft 2-7, moderate depth, lacks bite, used when ahead, behind or even, can steal 1st pitch strikes and punch out hitters throws to both less intensity repeats release point 40/50 control

At 6-foot-8, 270 pounds, Johnson-Mullins is a lefty reliever with the size of an NFL lineman. He throws three pitches for strikes, and utilizes all three for out-pitches. He has an idea and presence. The big question mark: will he be able to limit the walks? With the inhibiting size, pitch repertoire, and control issues, he projects to be set-up reliever.

Trey Ball


	Born: 06/27/1994 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left
	Height: 6' 6"	Weight: 185

Long and lean, loose arm, hides the ball well. H3/4 slot, a little bit of crossfire to the delivery. Standard lefty pickoff move. Slow to the plate, 1.5.

Evaluator	Jeffrey Paternostro
Report Date	05/09/2017
Affiliate	Portland Sea Dogs (AA, Red Sox)
Dates Seen	5/1/17
OFP/Risk	50/Med
Realistic	40: fringe starter or lefty middle reliever
MLB ETA	2018
Video	No

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
Fastball	45	50	90-91	93	Wild early; struggled with release point and missed up consistently. Settled in and showed average command. Deception helps it play up some. One at 95 but it was hideously overthrown and not close to the zone. Some projection left in the body, could still add a tick or two and beat this future grade.
Curveball	40	50	76-78	78	Feel came and went, big breaker, 1-8 action, would flash a better one with good depth.
Slider	45	50	83-86	86	Short, late tilt, acts like a cutter, might be a cutter. Longer break at lower end of velo, bleeds into curve some there. Comes out of the hand like the fastball and gets swings over because of the late movement.
Changeup	30	40	82		Good arm action on it, but firm. Pulled the string for one with good sink left on left, but struggles to turn over. Clear fourth pitch in present arsenal.

Former first-round pick that wandered in the wilderness for a while, but showed three potentially average major-league offerings. Good athlete on the mound, repeated well once he settled in, goes right after hitters. Stuff limits ceiling, and may not end up with an offering to get major league righties out, but he's a guy again.

Jacob Brentz


	Born: 09/14/1994 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left
	Height: 6' 2"	Weight: 195

3B side of rubber, stretch, high leg lift, good separation, ideal hip and shoulder separation, drop and drive, clean footstrike, head whack, spine tilt, plus arm speed, finish; H3/4; effort, very fast rhythm, comes at you very quick, plus-plus torque, out of sync occasionally, thrower, intimidating.

Evaluator	Javier Barragan
Report Date	05/09/2017
Affiliate	Bradenton Marauders (High A, Pirates)
Dates Seen	5/9/17
OFP/Risk	60/Moderate
Realistic	55; potential closer
MLB ETA	2018
Video	Yes

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
Fastball	80	80	99	99	velo speaks for itself; misses were consistently arm-side; didn't get in on hitters; below-average action. Movement: 20/30 Command: 20/30 Control: 20/40 Registered 100 mph on a warm-up pitch
Curveball	40	60	85	85	12-7 shape, hard bite, moderate depth; a good pitch on its own plays up coupled with 80 fastball; same release point with slightly less intensity. Projected improvement based on steps forward in command/control. Control: 20/40

Flame-throwing lefty with premium arm speed, high torque, and hip-shoulder separation. Struggles to command and control his pitches, still intimidating and around the zone enough to be a serious threat.

Note: did not see vs. LHH

Magneuris Sierra


	Born: 04/07/1996 (Age: 21)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left
	Height: 5' 11"	Weight: 160
	Primary Position: CF
	Secondary Position: RF

Lean, v-shaped frame. Athletic. Limited projection.

Evaluator	Javier Barragan
Report Date	05/07/2017
Dates Seen	4/6-4/9; 5/1, 5/3-5/5
Affiliate	Palm Beach Cardinals (High A, Cardinals)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2018	Moderate	60	55; Above-Average Center Fielder	No

Average, non-issue, competes.

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	55	An aggressive swinger with good lift to his game; lines the ball all over the field; average bat speed; needs to improve pitch recognition, can get too swing-happy; decent bunt game.
Power	35	Good extension, lacks the frame and raw power to hit the ball over the fence, will hit for doubles and triples, HRs will come sparingly, <10 HR/season tops.
Baserunning/Speed	70	The kind of speed that forces infielders to rush; will steal many, many bags but currently not optimally used; needs to learn to control it for base-stealing. DIG 3.93.
Glove	65	Athletic, instinctive center fielder who tracks the ball well; good jumps and routes; speed allows him to cover ground, will stay in CF long term.
Arm	60	Strong arm; carry on a low line with accuracy; short, quick arm.

Sierra is a center fielder in the short- and long-term. He has the instincts, speed, and glove to create highlight reel plays. His body type should allow him to retain his speed over the long haul. Sierra has leadoff-guy ability with a hit tool that allows for fast-guy slug--triples and doubles. However, what's holding him back is his plate discipline and base-stealing, though more the former than the latter. Luckily, these are skills that talented ballplayers like Sierra improve with playing time, which he is sure to get. The formula is simple: improve his pitch recognition, he improves his hit tool.

Related Content: Trey Ball, Magneuris Sierra, Cody Sedlock, Chase Johnson-Mullins, Jacob Brentz

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