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The GM Trade Game (07/20)

July 20, 2017

Eyewitness Accounts

July 20, 2017

by BP Prospect Staff

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Daniel Zamora
Wander Suero
Jordan Romano
Lucas Giolito
Harold Ramirez
Austin Hays
Daniel Johnson
Sheldon Neuse

Daniel Zamora


	Born: 04/15/1993 (Age: 24)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left
	Height: 6' 3"	Weight: 190

Tall, high waist, slender; pitches from the first base side, stretch-only, good separation, medium leg lift, slightly closed through drive; long arm action with wrap, low three-quarter slot, quick arm, clean foot strike; repeats, mild effort, creates angle to the plate; fields his position

Evaluator	Javier Barragan
Report Date	05/10/2017
Affiliate	Bradenton Marauders (High A, Pirates)
Dates Seen	5/8 & 5/10/17
OFP/Risk	40/Moderate
Realistic	30: Org Value
MLB ETA	None
Video	No

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
Fastball	30	40	90	92	Sinks to both side of the plate, controls it down, occasional out pitch at corners, inconsistent command, can get flat Movement - 30/40 Command - 30/40 Control - 40/50
Slider	40	50	78	80	Tight sweeper, 2-7 movement, tough track, can generate swings & misses even in obvious counts, throws to both sides, flashes as an out pitch, comfort backfooting it to righties and taking it down and away to lefties; below-average command and control Control - 30/40

Zamora creates a solid angle to the plate and deception, with a sweeping, sharp slider flashing as a quality pitch that he can sweet with reasonable consistency to the glove side. Hitters often start and stop their swing too late, or miss badly. This puts him in consideration for middle relief, but the fastball is below-average in both command and movement, and the resulting margin for error is very small. Org value is most realistic.

Wander Suero


	Born: 09/15/1991 (Age: 25)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 3"	Weight: 195

Physical: Wirey build with lengthy limbs; Lacks athleticism in his frame. Not a lot of power coming from the lower half.

Low ¾ delivery with clean arm action; Average arm speed; Bends when he throws to create deception; Choppy throughout his throwing motion, has some quirks and stops to it; Closes shoulder before throwing, makes it difficult for RHH to pick up on his pitches; Finishes slightly off balance; Moderate effort.

Evaluator	Greg Goldstein
Report Date	06/08/2017
Affiliate	Harrisburg Senators (AA, Nationals)
Dates Seen	6/1/2017
OFP/Risk	40/Moderate
Realistic	30; Up-and-down reliever
MLB ETA	2018
Video	No

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
Fastball	45	45	88-90	91	Cutter with considerable glove-side movement; Movement and deception make it difficult to square; Worked corners successfully at times; Rather mess around then go after hitters.
Slider	45	50	80-81		Average tilt; Produced late swings and weak contact; Average sharpness; Sweeps the pitch in and then out of the zone; More effective vs. RHH; Hitters swing and miss by chasing; Plays more to weak contact at higher levels.

Suero closes ballgames for Harrisburg and shows some capability to be a middle-relief option because of the quirkiness, deception and movement in his pitching profile. He’s already 25 years old so there isn’t much projectability left, he kind of is what he is, which is a quality minor league relief arm who uses deception and movement effectively. However, he lacks the pure stuff to be anything more than an average relief pitcher at best.

Control: 50/50
Command: 50/50

Jordan Romano


	Born: 04/21/1993 (Age: 24)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 4"	Weight: 200

Ideal pitchers frame, lacks remaining projection, TJ in 2015. Pitches from a full windup, long arm action, average arm speed, three-quarters slot, lacks deception, hitters get a long look at ball.

Evaluator	Steve Givarz
Report Date	07/04/2017
Affiliate	Dunedin Blue Jays (High A, Blue Jays)
Dates Seen	6/22/2017
OFP/Risk	45/High
Realistic	Role 4, Up/Down Arm
MLB ETA	2019
Video	No

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
Fastball	60	60	91-95	95	Features some cutting action, but fringe-average to average control. Movement- 45/45
Slider	45	55	80-83		Can vary in shape from 10/4-9/5, some had downer action, has feel for spin and is confident in it, some were sharper than others but is still a swing-and-miss offering, over-relied on it at times.
Changeup	30	30	83		Fringe-offering, can drop v. LHH but lacks action, more a change of pace pitch than one he would throw all the time.

See as an up/down reliever with potential for 7th inning work.

Command- 40/45
Control- 50/55

Lucas Giolito


	Born: 07/14/1994 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 6"	Weight: 255

Big body; stands tall on mound; athletic build; above average arm speed; high-three-quarters slot; arm stab; long extension to plate; minimal activation of lower half; controlled, easy delivery; loses some balance out of stretch; moderate-high leg kick.

Evaluator	Jeff Long
Report Date	07/11/2017
Affiliate	Charlotte Knights (AAA, White Sox)
Dates Seen	7/8
OFP/Risk	60/Moderate
Realistic	60; No. 3 Starter
MLB ETA	2017
Video	Yes

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
FA	60	70	92-94	95	Mid-90s offering with late life; fairly straight; occasionally arm-side run at lower velocities; better command to glove-side; moved around the zone with ease; sometimes loses the ball up and to arm-side; holds velocity well; average command; Not the elite offering it once was, but uses the pitch well to set up other offerings.
CB	60	70	79-81	82	Hard-spinning curve; excellent depth; 11-5 shape; lots of tilt, significant horizontal movement; will throw in any count; able to bury in the dirt for strikes; occasionally slows down arm when trying to throw for a strike; throws to both LHH and RHH; flashes plus-plus; shows the potential to be an elite offering, but needs stronger consistency to rely on it more.
SL	50	60	85-87	88	New pitch in mix; significant tilt and depth; sweeps across the zone; can throw for strikes or whiffs; above-average velocity; flashes plus; not a wipeout pitch; new velocity profile helps fastball and curve play up.
CH	40	50	81-83	83	Below-average offering; moderate fade; uses to keep LHH off-balance; replicates arm speed well; command below average; could be a ML-average pitch long term.

This new Giolito is still very, very good. He's just not a dominant stuff guy anymore, showing elite pitchability and getting outs by outsmarting hitters rather than overpowering them. He uses his two breaking balls to change the hitter's eye level, often pitching backward and starting hitters with breaking balls to get to the fastball later in the plate appearance. Sometimes became too predictable, with hitters taking big cuts on first pitch curves.

His fastball-curve-slider combination is major-league quality, with only consistency and command potentially holding him back. Whether or not his changeup will develop enough to get opposite-handed hitters out enough is an open question. There's also a question of whether or not getting his lower half more engaged might lead to more velocity, or if it would undo some of the command gains he's seen.

Giolito brings a maturity to the mound that is clearly evident as he works. He works methodically, setting hitters up with purpose pitches, to maximize the effectiveness of pitches later in the plate appearance. His margin for error is much lower than it once was, but he seems to have bridged that gap with a more cerebral approach. Right now Giolito is a likely mid-rotation starter, and at 23 years old there's reason to think he can still improve. The ceiling just isn't quite as high as it once was.

Harold Ramirez


	Born: 09/06/1994 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 5' 10"	Weight: 220
	Primary Position: RF
	Secondary Position: LF

Stocky build with short legs, better athleticism than expected given frame

Evaluator	Greg Goldstein
Report Date	06/22/2017
Dates Seen	3x May
Affiliate	New Hampshire Fisher Cats (, Blue Jays)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2018	High	40	30: Org bat	No

Doesn't show much emotion, can lack for hustle at times, though has suffered multiple leg injuries

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	45	Mild leverage, some stiffness, above-average bat speed, average bat control; consistent hard contact to opposite field, question how tools play vs. MLB-caliber stuff; max effort swing causes lack of balance, pulls head, projects fringe-average hit utility
Power	30	Doubles more than homers, body hasn’t translated to HR power, mild leverage limits loft, swing geared to line-drive contact over power, projects to well below-average game power
Baserunning/Speed	50	Clocked 4:15-4:20, deceptive quickness, history of leg injuries, physicality knocks grade down to average
Glove	50	Surprising agility given frame, makes the routine plays, average glove skills; fringe-average range, acceptable in both corners; projects to average defensive utility in a corner
Arm	40	Lacks arm strength for RF, better fit in left, throws have below-average carry and velocity

Ramirez was inconsistent in these viewings, flashing plus hit skills in some at-bats, but looking lost and producing weak choppers in others. His ability to create hard line drive contact is his strength, but the lack of power in his profile leaves his offensive projection on the fringy side, and I’m not confident he will consistently barrel up pitches against better arsenals because of the lack of athleticism in his stroke. It’s difficult to envision him as anything more than a potential reserve, and a lack of defensive versatility in the outfield gives him a very small window for logging consistent time on a big-league roster.

Austin Hays


	Born: 07/05/1995 (Age: 21)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 1"	Weight: 195
	Primary Position: CF
	Secondary Position: RF

Muscular frame, defined body; definitely does his work off-the-field to stay in shape.

Evaluator	Greg Goldstein
Report Date	06/22/2017
Dates Seen	4/23/17 (2), 6/5/17 (2), 6/6/17
Affiliate	Frederick Keys (High A, Orioles)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2018	Low	55	50; Major League regular	No

Flat out competitor. Only knows one speed, which is full-go. His aggressive style of play can hurt him at times, but it's hard to root against the passion and old school mentality he has for the game.

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	50	Above-average bat speed, creates hard contact to all fields; max effort, tends to pull head, aggressive approach causes swings and misses, low on-base projection compared to average, average barrel control, maintains balance; projects average utility.
Power	50	Power to all fields, natural strength creates loud contact, uses effort for power; plays best pull-side, moderate leverage plays at higher levels; projects average game power.
Baserunning/Speed	55	Clocked 4.25; Above-average runner, hustles; aggressiveness causes some bonehead mistakes.
Glove	50	Above-average speed leads to quality range, athletic enough to hold up in all three outfield spots, aggressive nature may fit better in right field, average glove skills.
Arm	60	Plus arm strength, ball has carry from center field, can make most any throw when set, maintains velo on the move.

Hays is fun to watch because of how hard he goes all the time. While he is an easy guy to root for, Hays also has all the tools to become a starting caliber outfielder at the next level. His power to all fields as well as his ability to barrel up balls and consistently make hard contact will make him a dangerous hitter in the future, despite his aggressive plate approach. You will have to put up with a few chased balls and miscues along the way, but Hays is a complete player that will be able to hit for both average and power at the next level, while remaining versatile in the outfield.

Daniel Johnson


	Born: 07/11/1995 (Age: 21)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left
	Height: 5' 10"	Weight: 185
	Primary Position: RF
	Secondary Position: CF

Smaller frame, but strong and in shape; Quick-twitch athlete.

Evaluator	Greg Goldstein
Report Date	06/22/2017
Dates Seen	4/9/17, 6/9/17-6/11/17
Affiliate	Hagerstown Suns (Low A, Nationals)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2020	Moderate	45	40; Reserve outfielder	No

Calm player, goes about his business with out much emotion. Doesn't get too high or low.

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	40	Mild leverage, balanced follow through; plus bat speed, pull hitter, at his best when turning on inside pitch, tendency to roll over on pitches on the outer half, will sell out for power at times, struggles keeping his balance against offspeed on the outer half, aggressive hitter; projects below-average utility.
Power	45	Above-average raw power, keeps weight back, uses his lower body to create power, produces loud contact, can drive with high launch angle, gets underneath hittable pitches, ability to go down and lift pitches low in the zone, advanced power approach; Projects fringe-average utility.
Baserunning/Speed	70	Clocked 4.00; Plus-plus runner, aggressive, burst to take the extra base, hustles.
Glove	55	Plus range, ability to make flash plays, average glove skills, could take better routes in both outfield positions; makes up ground due to speed.
Arm	60	Plus arm strength, uses lower body strength well when throwing to a base.

While his plus tools shine when a bat isn't in his hands, Johnson flashes plus raw power and should continue to be able to barrel up balls as he moves up. His ability to wait for his pitch and improve his bat control on outside offerings is what will determine if he can be a regular at the major league level. I’m not so confident that he will make enough adjustments in order to reach this point, but he’ll find a place on a big league roster given his power, speed and fielding ability.

Sheldon Neuse


	Born: 12/10/1994 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 0"	Weight: 195
	Primary Position: 3B
	Secondary Position: SS

Not the thinnest guy, has some thickness throughout frame, stronger and more athletic than frame would indicate

Evaluator	Greg Goldstein
Report Date	06/22/2017
Dates Seen	4/9/17, 6/9/17-6/11/17
Affiliate	Hagerstown Suns (Low A, Nationals)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2019	Low	50	50: Major League regular	No

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	50	Compact stroke, little noise; mild leverage, can ramp up to moderate situationally; swings with max effort at times; efficient swing path, ability to barrel up pitches everywhere in the zone, keeps his weight back on off-speed offerings, flashes barrel control on breaking balls; not the loosest hands, will pull head, approach can lead to weak contact; stiffness and approach limits projection to average utility
Power	55	Plus raw power, home run pop to all fields, strength and bat speed allows for quality launch angle; remains balanced enough to drive balls away to opposite field; swings can get max effort, don’t need to be; projects above-average utility at maturity
Baserunning/Speed	45	Timed 4.27, more foot speed than size would indicate, flashes some quick-twitch, not a big-time stolen base threat, will swipe an occasional bag
Glove	45	Played shortstop in the series, future lies at third base; deceptive athleticism allows for quality lateral agility, average glove skills, makes the routine plays; didn’t look comfortable at short, lacks smoothness, struggled to anticipate hops, stuck in between on multiple chances
Arm	60	Plus arm strength, plenty of velo to throw out fast runners from third base, capable of making long throws by the foul line, arm to cover for developing footwork

Neuse is an advanced hitter for Low-A, and he shows power and a feel for hitting that gets you excited about his potential with the bat. He has above-average bat speed and power to all fields that can play at any level. He will swing too hard at times and the approach is still developing, but major-league average hitting skills are apparent. He has the arm to play third base, with sneaky athleticism allowing him to make the plays he needs to. There’s not a ton of relative risk in the profile, nor is there much gap between the ceiling and the likely outcome. He has a fairly straight path to an average regular role down the line.

Related Content: Lucas Giolito, Harold Ramirez, Sheldon Neuse, Daniel Zamora, Wander Suero, Jordan Romano, Austin Hays, Daniel Johnson

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