June 13, 2017

Notes from the Field

June 13, 2017

by BP Prospect Staff

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Wilson Karaman
Reggie McClain, RHP, Seattle Mariners (High-A Modesto)
Mature frame, limited projection remaining; slow, full wind, stays tall through high leg kick, rapid acceleration through drop-and-drive; deep arm swing, loose, average arm speed to high-three-quarters slot; lands closed, mild inversion, cross-fire delivery, struggles to get over front side and finish glove-side, timing to slot got increasingly inconsistent with fatigue; heavy FB 89-92, sink with arm-side run, generates some plane down low, below-average command, ball wanders into hitting zone too frequently; low-80s CH with good tumble and late action, quality pitch with feel, tunnels well; slurvy breaker 76-82, inconsistent shape and bite, struggled to snap it consistently, flashes occasional average utility, projects to play fringy; controls the ball well despite fine command deficit, stays around the zone, likely upper-minors org depth, could see some big-league innings if the SL tightens up more than projected

JH Schroeder
Drew Jackson, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers (High-A Rancho Cucamonga)
R/R SS, premium athlete. 4.1 to 1B. Very aware guy, made a couple very heads up decisions in the field. Big for SS w/plus speed. Plus-plus arm, quick release and carry from deep in hole w/ limited tail. Plus instincts and hands. Made pre-pitch positional adjustments. Don't love defensive starting position, seems a little high. Very fast transfer turning DP. High, loose hands at the plate, slightly open stance. Uses whole field, lets FB get deep. Very good eye on inner-half. Stayed on BBs well. Doesn't drive ball the other way, probably only a pull power type guy.

D.J. Peters, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (High-A Rancho Cucamonga)
R/R OF, good athlete with sculpted 6-foot-6 body. Max-effort guy, runs out every ball hard. Plus raw power to all fields. Average zone control, can get tied up inside, and often just doesn't offer at velocity on the inner half. Slightly open stance, high/loose hands, abbreviated leg kick. looks really good when he goes the other way. Ball has good carry, backspins ball. Actually did nice job of staying on BB away. Defensively has average range, long, loping stride. Above-average jumps/routes. Plus arm-strength, but showed heavy tail, and airmailed 3B with a runner holding. 4.25 run time to 1B.

Ariel Sandoval, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (High-A Rancho Cucamonga)
R/R OF. Good athlete, was a plus-plus runner as an international signing before knee injury. Moved to OF, struggling to adjust, poor routes and instincts. Plus arm. No spin recognition. Moderate leg kick, aggressive hand cock, and shoulder turn, keyhole hitter. Can drive ball in. Gets longer against velocity.

John Eshleman
Justin Lopez, IF, San Diego Padres (complex-level AZL)
Signed for $1.2 million out of Venezuela as part of San Diego's monster 2016 J2 class, Lopez just turned 17 in May and is a projectable 6-foot-2, 170 lbs. He split time with Luis Almanzar between SS and 2B in extended, and while he has the tools and ability to stay on the dirt, I project him to 3B with added mass that will affect his range, as his 55 arm will play there. A team source noted they can't predict how his body will change, but CF could even be an option down the road. Regardless, Lopez can flat out hit with advanced barrel awareness and strike zone discipline beyond his age. He shows gap power at present, and I anticipate he converts some of that to increased fence-clearing pop at maturity, as the bat speed and bat path portend hard contact in the future.

Greg Goldstein
Edwin Espinal, 1B, Pittsburgh Pirates (Double-A Altoona)
Big guy, soft body, not very athletic and could use some better conditioning; long bat path with lots of leverage; bat does not say in the zone long; utilizes a toe tap; doesn’t stay on his back foot despite his power profile; inconsistent balance; poor barrel control and can get off balance when he’s fooled by an offspeed offering; average raw power with average bat speed; trouble getting inside on pitches because of his inefficient bat path; 20 speed; below-average arm; heavy footed and lacks fluidity in his motions when making a play on ground balls. Lacks the flexibility to stretch well on in-betweeners; not a liability at first, but he’s by no means a strong fielder at first base; org player that will experience troubles as he continues to climb up the minor league ladder.

Jerrick Suiter, OF/DH, Pittsburgh Pirates (Double-A Altoona)
Muscular build, large person with big limbs, stands out when on the field; armbar present in swing; moderate leverage/long swing path with a moderate load; max effort; pulled his head out on multiple occasions; lacks bat control; not in the zone for long. Athletic, but he remains stiff at the plate and has trouble handling off speed pitches; gets fooled more than you would like; plus raw power because of his strength, large frame and above-average bat speed; hitting mechanics make it extremely difficult to project him to have even average game power; below-average speed; athletic mover for his size; doesn’t look all too comfortable in the outfield; takes less than ideal routes to balls and was put in the DH role.