July 11, 2017
Notes from the Field
July 11, 2017
by BP Prospect Staff
Greg Goldstein
Tyler Watson, LHP, Washington Nationals (Low-A Hagerstown)
Saw for 2.0 IP; tall guy that has some weight to him; still has the frame to add some more muscle; decent athlete; left start early; slow and deliberate motion; hitch in his delivery; hand stab; slight leg kick; average arm speed; moderate effort; clean finish; 1.26 to home; repeats delivery well; FB 88-90, (t93); little life; missed around the zone when he did miss; controlled pitch well, but needs to work on hitting the corners; missed both low and high; CH tumbles in the zone with late movement; CB has 1/7 shape, above-average bite, but could get tighter; has the ability to throw for strikes; control (50,55); command (40,45); realistic No. 5 starter.
Luke Williams, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies (Low-A Lakewood)
Skinny; still has some room to add strength; lacks load; compact, linear swing; below-average bat speed; balanced throughout stroke; average bat control; lacks the bat speed to be a dynamic major league hitter; struggled with breaking balls; will be late on velo; below-average physical tools keep him from barreling a lot of pitches; can add some weight, but won’t make much of a difference; average runner; average arm strength; strong fundamentals in the field; stays down well on hot shots; average movement skills to both side; isn’t the athlete to make many flash plays; moves well enough to play second base; org infielder.
Nick Banks, OF, Washington Nationals (Low-A Hagerstown)
Compact stroke; mild leverage; balanced; leeps his weight back well; hits the ball where it’s pitched; can’t seem to handle movement and creates some weak contact; average barrel control; below-average raw power because of smaller frame; doesn’t have enough leverage or bat speed to make up for a lack of natural strength in his upper body; gap power; 4.21 home to first; above-average arm strength; above-average range; takes good routes that allow his speed to translate in the field; potential second-division starter.
Steve Givarz
Sean Poppen, RHP, Minnesota Twins (High-A Fort Myers)
Seen in a 2 IP start shortened by rain. Ideal pitcher’s body, still lean and wiry and can add strength to frame. Pitches from a FWU, drop and drive delivery, low elbow, lacks plane for size, above-average arm speed, three-quarters slot. FB 92-94 (t95), plus sink/run, quality movement, knows how to use it and gets groundballs effectively, ran under RHH hands for Ks. CH 84-86, plus fade, has confidence in offering, can use to both LHH and RHH, chase offering. SL 85, fringe-average offering, short break with early action, almost cut-fastball like, has feel in pitch and velocity, could be a future average offering. A 19th-round senior sign from Harvard in 2016, Poppen has...popped up this year.
Zachary Jackson, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays (High-A Dunedin)
Seen in a 1 IP relief app on 6/23, as well as a 1/3IP outing in 6/29. Acting as closer for ballclub. Extra-large frame and body, intimidating presence on the mound, lacks remaining projection. Pitches from the stretch only; long, deep arm action with a plunge, above-average arm speed, overhand. High front shoulder, extends glove-side, large leg lift, has a head whack. FB 93-94 (t95), heavy offering, often left up, but has good sink when located at bottom of the zone, will be effectively wild, not a spotter, but can locate in parts of the plate. CB 86-87, 12/6 shape with extreme hard downer action, quick and sharp, hitters struggle to see it out of hand and look foolish, just really inconsistent offering, doesn't throw it for strikes, more a s/m offering out of the zone. CH 86-87, almost SF like action, falls off table, late action, s/m offering. Really interesting arsenal featuring 3 above-average to plus offerings, doesn't have the strike throwing to start but would be a good late-inning bullpen arm, strong interest.
Kirby Snead, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays (High-A Dunedin)
Seen in a 1.1 IP relief app on 6/23. Large frame and build, lacks remaining projection. Pitches from the stretch only, compact arm action, chickenwings ball, average arm speed, slot in between low-three-quarters and side-arm. FB 89-90, fringe-average sink, controls well arm-side, struggles more so glove-side, will be an issue given lower slot and delivery. SL 78-80, sweeping action with good depth and break, comfortable throwing to LHH, can drop for strikes on the outer half v. RHH, future average offering. No CH thrown, looks to be a two-pitch pitcher. Fields position well and is athletic. See as a matchup LHR, would acquire.
Notes from the Field: ... (07/05)
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4 comments have been left for this article. 
Closer Report: Week 15
FWU?
FWU stands for Full-Windup. Means a pitcher has multiple parts to their windup. Such as hands over head, step back, high leg lift, etc.
Thanks. I enjoy these pieces a lot.
One note, it would be helpful if the authors or editors could clean up some of the shorthand or abbreviations so we wouldn't have to wonder / ask for clarification.
I've noticed that some of the writers provide a more finished product, while others literally use their 'notes from the field'. Both are illuminating, but the more clearly written pieces work better for me.
Cheers.
I do clean them up, often. I also try to leave some short-hand in because some people have requested the more literal notes style, so it's striking a balance. We use more prose in Ten Packs, as well. I'll keep trying to find one that works for everyone, and appreciate your comment. Cheers!