Notice: Trying to get property 'display_name' of non-object in /var/www/html/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-seo/src/generators/schema/article.php on line 52
keyboard_arrow_uptop

Franklin Perez

Born: 12/06/1997 (Age: 18)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 3" Weight: 197
Mechanics
Broad shoulders, tapered waist, thick lower half, room for added strength; high three-quarter arm slot, plus arm speed, hides the ball well against righties, left-handed hitters get a better look; drives over a closed front side, repeatable mechanics; up-tempo worker, good mound demeanor
Evaluator Mauricio Rubio Jr.
Report Date 08/27/2016
Affiliate Quad Cities River Bandits (Low A, Astros)
Dates Seen 7/2/16
OFP/Risk 70/Moderate
Realistic 60: No. 3 Starter
MLB ETA 2018
Video No
Pitch Type Present Grade Future Grade Sitting Velocity Peak Velocity Report
Fastball 60 60 90-94 95 Plane, mild run; worked it east-to-west, elevated in two-strike counts as the situation dictated; flashes of plus command, can lose his release point and miss down with the offering; will establish the fastball for strikes at the highest level, offering will also generate ground ball outs
Curveball 50 60 74-78 11-5 shape, inconsistent depth, occasionally flashed plus; feel for the offering inconsistent early, gained feel and stayed on top of the offering as the game went on; has a good feel for spin, adds and subtracts with intent; showed bat-missing potential at the highest level
Changeup 60 70 82-84 Manipulated the pitch well, can sink it and run it to the arm side; plus feel for the offering, deceptive, swing-and-miss pitch to lefties and righties alike, weak right-on-right contact; plus command, pitch will play as a true bat-misser at the highest level
Overall

FB Command: 60/60
Secondaries Command: 50/60

Profiles as a rotation anchor with plus command, three plus-or-better offerings, and the ability to add to his repertoire. Perez has an advanced feel for pitching that is rare for someone his age, as evidenced by his ability to mix in changeups for first-pitch strikes and his willingness to change speeds and eye levels. Perez attacks the strike zone with all three of his offerings. Once he finds consistency with his breaking ball it will be a weapon against right-handed hitters. He profiles as a rotation stalwart who can overshoot his projection if the command develops in full.


Yadier Alvarez

Born: 03/07/1996 (Age: 20)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 3" Weight: 175
Mechanics
Start, stop, and go delivery, early hitch into leg lift; full arm circle, long path to three-quarter slot, quick arm, generates extension; finishes easy, some mild violence; athletic, fields his position well, shows poise on the mound
Evaluator Grant Jones
Report Date 09/02/2016
Affiliate Great Lakes Loons (Low A, Dodgers)
Dates Seen 8/16, 9/1/16
OFP/Risk 60/High
Realistic 55: Mid-Rotation Starter
MLB ETA 2018
Video Yes
Pitch Type Present Grade Future Grade Sitting Velocity Peak Velocity Report
FB 60 70 95-98 100 Plus-plus velocity, easy out of hand; slight arm-side run, variable movement; inconsistent command, loses it for stretches; downhill pitch, will work it up and in
SL 40 60 83-86 Natural feel to spin it, plus bite with sharp, late break; sequences well with his fastball, tipped one but consistent arm speed overall, swing-and-miss offering that expands the zone; presently inconsistent but has the feel, plus projection
CH 30 45 80-85 Inconsistent, lacks natural feel for the pitch, command not there, inconsistent arm speed, slows it down; moderate tumble, projection to fringe utility based on athleticism, lacks feel to develop into average range
Overall

Alvarez works off a plus-plus heater, using his lanky body to his advantage by creating extension and a quality downhill angle to attack with it. He sequences it well with his slider, which flashes as a plus pitch with swing-and-miss potential. The changeup needs a good bit of work to develop utility, though his athletic delivery offers some cause for optimism that it improves to become a fringe-average pitch. He showed a couple curveballs in the second start, but neither featured great shape or finish. He's still learning how to harness his body, and it shows with occasional bouts of command inconsistency.

Alvarez has front-line potential, but more likely profiles as a heavy fastball-slider type whose future role will be tied tightly to the development of a third pitch to keep lefties honest.


Kolby Allard

Born: 08/13/1997 (Age: 19)
Bats: Left Throws: Left
Height: 6' 1" Weight: 180
Mechanics
Plus arm speed, high three-quarters slot, clean arm path; slight deception, consistent drive with extension; slight recoil, can cut off and finish high; occasional arm drag, generally repeats well; average build, room to grow slightly but will remain average in stature, must continue to prove health and ability to handle workload; confident on mound, competitive
Evaluator David Lee
Report Date 09/06/2016
Affiliate Rome Braves (Low A, Braves)
Dates Seen 9/3/2016
OFP/Risk 60/High
Realistic 55: No. 3 starter
MLB ETA 2019
Video Yes
Pitch Type Present Grade Future Grade Sitting Velocity Peak Velocity Report
FB 50 60 89-93 94 Plus arm-side run and sink, explosive life to arm side; above-average feel for commanding arm side, less consistet life to glove side, confidence to attack both sides; above-average plane despite average height, occasionally flattens and leaves up, above-average command
CB 50 60 76-80 81 Consistent 1-7 break, will flash 12-6; plus-plus depth, falls off table when on top; tight spin with two-plane ability and late bite, occasionally shows hump and loosens; inconsistent present feel from start to start, will flash plus-plus
CH 40 50 80-83 84 Average depth and fade, deception, late movement when turned over; occasionally slows actions or releases firm, inconsistent present feel; framework for average pitch, will flash above-average
Overall

With above-average command potential of two plus pitches – and a third with average potential – Allard has the ingredients to develop into a No. 2 or 3 starter with occasional flashes of frontline ability. His profile is a safe bet as a No. 3 starter. The biggest question is whether he can handle the workload that comes with the role; he has back surgery on his resume, and while the frame isn't slight, it's an average build without much room to grow. If Allard can stay healthy and log the necessary innings, he has the ability to develop into a talented major-league starting pitcher.


Eloy Jimenez

Born: 11/27/1996 (Age: 19)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 4" Weight: 205
Primary Position: LF
Secondary Position: RF
Physical/Health
Monster; tall, strong, lean body, plenty of natural strength, projection to develop more
Evaluator Grant Jones
Report Date 08/29/2016
Dates Seen 9x viewings April-July
Affiliate South Bend Cubs (Low A, Cubs)
MLB ETA Risk Factor OFP Realistic Role Video
2018 High 70 60: First-Division Outfielder Yes
Tool Future Grade Report
Hit 55 Loose in the box, early rhythm, moderate leg lift gets swing flowing early, powerful hip rotation, quick hands, plus bat speed, natural feel for the barrel; shows ability to adapt and adjust ot pitchers, demonstrates ability to manipulate swing plane, can gear for power or get compact to drive the ball to all fields; leverage in swing generates carry, will occasionally open up and revert to longer swing with some miss; approach has shown improvement through season
Power 70 Raw power translates in games; leveraged swing, tons of lift, easy natural power with carry, ability to hit with authority to any part of the field, potential for 30-plus home runs, leverage in swing allows for carry in his contact to all fields
Baserunning/Speed 40 Fringe-average present runner, below-average projection as his body fills out; adequate for a corner, will not be a base-stealer, still able to add some value on base paths currently, but expected to regress as he grows into his profile
Glove 50 Not a liability, will make the routine plays, speed limits range some, has natural tracking ability to play into average
Arm 50 Above-average arm strength, throws lack a ton of carry, plays as more of an average tool
Overall

Jimenez was the best prospect in the Midwest League this year. He has transitioned from a raw, physical player with some questions on his approach, to a potential monster who has made adjustments to become more selective and reduce his swing-and-miss profile significantly. That he has made these improvements without trading off any of his power utility speaks to the offensive ceiling. His bat will carry him, but he he is by no means a bad fielder, with average potential in a corner outfield spot and enough arm strength for right. This is a potential All-Star player at the big-league level, with an impact, middle-of-the-order bat.


Yusniel Diaz

Born: 10/07/1996 (Age: 19)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 1" Weight: 195
Primary Position: CF
Secondary Position: RF
Physical/Health
Smooth, athletics actions, some quick-twitch, explosive wrist and hand strength, quick start-up; projectable frame, should grow into additional strength without compromising agility and athleticism
Evaluator Wilson Karaman
Report Date 09/05/2016
Dates Seen 11x April-September 2016
Affiliate Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (High A, Dodgers)
MLB ETA Risk Factor OFP Realistic Role Video
2019 Moderate 55 50: Average Regular Yes
Makeup

Lo-fi player, goes about his business, has taken instruction to address situational awareness and mild effort issues, steady progress through the season

Tool Future Grade Report
Hit 55 Deep load, electric wrists, generates torque at trigger, can get flat at launch w/ mild wrap; length into the zone, plus bat speed, shows quality hand-eye; long stride w/ aggressive weight transfer, some balance issues, gets to front side too early on the regular; will stay open, early struggles with inside velo have improved, strength and bat speed to inside-out with authority; extreme aggressiveness has shown signs of toning down, still expands zone up and out against velocity and struggles to track breaking balls, will get caught guessing; above-average hit projection based on plate coverage, wrist strength, and solid bat-to-ball, with demonstrated improvements in the approach
Power 50 50 present raw, projection for another half grade; plus bat speed with mild leverage, present approach significantly limits game utility, works to center and opposite field with line drives; has improved ability to turn on pitches, strength to drive the ball with mild carry; 15-homer power potenial with average or better extra base-hit production
Baserunning/Speed 55 4.24 average on nine clocks, not consistently clean out of the box; fluid running motion, second gear can push plus; raw baserunner, over-aggressive, will lose his coaches, incremental improvement; struggles to time pitchers and release on stolen-base attempts, flashes average future base-stealing skills
Glove 50 Raw defender, incremental improvements, more corner starts as season has progressed; can struggle with early reads and route inefficiencies, will rush and get ahead of plays; easy actions, closing speed to track into gaps and behind, outstanding body control; chance to stick primarily in center, versatility to move around
Arm 50 Above-average arm strength, moderate carry; loose mechanics, will get too quick through delivery, has improved accuracy to the cut, work in progress
Overall

Signed out of Cuba for a hefty bonus last fall, Diaz has held his own as one of the youngest regulars in the California League all season. He's a raw player, and while there is in some cases a sizable gap between his present and future grades, his skill set doesn't really have any holes. The approach and swing mechanics are both inconsistent, but he has the skill set to develop into a quality hitter, and he has the frame to grow into more power. He's not a great base-runner at present, but there's above-average or better straight-line speed that plays well in the outfield. There's enough track-and-close skill to leave him primarily in center for now, and he possesses enough arm strength to handle either corner if he doesn't quite get there up the middle.

This is a potential above-average regular if it comes together, one who does a little bit of a lot of different things to help a team win, and does everything pretty well. The skill set is broad enough to where he's a lower-variance prospect despite a longer probable lag time to the majors.


Ronald Acuna

Born: 12/18/1997 (Age: 18)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 0" Weight: 180
Primary Position: CF
Secondary Position:
Physical/Health
Quick-twitch movement, explosive hands; present strength in lower half, potential to outgrow present speed; developing upper half, room to add muscle to upper-body; not an imposing figure but well-rounded, strong, athletic
Evaluator David Lee
Report Date 09/06/2016
Dates Seen 4/18-19; 9/3-5/16
Affiliate Rome Braves (Low A, Braves)
MLB ETA Risk Factor OFP Realistic Role Video
2019 High 70 55: Above-Average Regular Yes
Makeup

Inconsistent body language; stood on second base with arms crossed for extended period of time after called out, similar actions at plate; shy nature, still adjusting to new culture; aggressive and intense competitor

Tool Future Grade Report
Hit 45 High hands stay quiet through load, attacks ball with stride and hands at fire; Plus bat speed, explosive hands through contact; loft to utilize power, plane can get inconsistent and loop to cause pop-ups; advanced tracking and pitch recognition, framework for 50 hit, but inconsistent plane slightly hinders contact
Power 60 Plus-plus raw power; outsized raw despite average size; hands, explosiveness through lower body generate power; swing plane to tap into raw; 30-plus-homer ceiling, contact concerns likely limit game utility to mid-20's
Baserunning/Speed 55 Times range 4.2-4.3, 4.15 on a leaner out of box; should settle to above-average speed as body develops; double-digit steals, big first-to-third speed; will easily rack up doubles and triples from speed; still developing baserunning skills, but shows some feel
Glove 45 Uncertain center-field future; above-average range for center, speed helps make up for inconsistent first step, below-average reads; fringe route skills, fringe overall skill set for center, athleticism would play up well in corner
Arm 55 Above-average arm for center; would play to average in a corner; good accuracy and limited arc, proper arm path for outfield
Overall

Acuna flashes all five tools with quick-twitch ability and true plus power, and he has the potential to play an up-the-middle position. Offensively, he projects as a .250 hitter with 25 home runs, 15 stolen bases, and the ability to walk enough for an average on-base percentage. The biggest question is whether he sticks in center. The range is there, but the reads are inconsistent at present and must develop further. Even with the defensive questions, Acuna has the chance to be an excellent everyday player in the majors, and if he puts it all together and surpasses a grade or two, there is All-Star potential here.


Rhys Hoskins

Born: 03/17/1993 (Age: 23)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 4" Weight: 225
Primary Position: 1B
Secondary Position:
Physical/Health
Long frame, square shoulders; lean, mature strength over bulk; durable build
Evaluator Adam Hayes
Report Date 09/07/2016
Dates Seen 8 Games, April – August 2016
Affiliate Reading Fightin Phils (AA, Phillies)
MLB ETA Risk Factor OFP Realistic Role Video
2018 Medium 45 40: Bench/Platoon Bat Yes
Tool Future Grade Report
Hit 50 Front leg coil starts load, long stride shifting weight forward; quiet hands, minimal hand load, some length to the bat path, above-average bat speed; backside collapse adds loft to level swing path; swing-and-miss tendencies, velocity will beat him in-zone, expands away; patient approach, will take walks; hunts fastballs, limited production against off-speed, works middle and pull-side, heavy fly ball tendency
Power 50 Above-average raw, predominantly pull power, strength to carry to middle of the field; pull-heavy, fly ball approach maximizes utility, anticipate dip in production with more exposure to offspeed offerings, larger parks
Baserunning/Speed 30 4.53 home-to-first, plodding stride; competent baserunner, will take extra bases given opportunity, will attempt to sneak occasional stolen base
Glove 45 First base-limited, inconsistent glove, below-average range
Arm 40 Below-average arm strength, tendency to place throws high
Overall

A fifth-round pick in 2014, Hoskins is a bat-first prospect experiencing a breakout season at Double-A. The hit tool shows average potential; he demonstrates feel to hit and patience to work counts, though swing-and-miss tendencies, a pull-heavy approach, and a fly ball-heavy profile are limiting factors. The swing generates loft, with power that plays to the pull side and up the middle. Ballpark and lineup factors have contributed significantly to his present production, and the game power is more of an average tool. Hoskins profiles as a first baseman all the way, with a fringe arm and suspect glove. The foot speed is lacking, though he is a competent baserunner. His ability to adapt to off-speed exposure could push hit tool another half grade, making projection of a second-division first baseman more probable. More likely, this is a platoon player and power bat off the bench.


Thank you for reading

This is a free article. If you enjoyed it, consider subscribing to Baseball Prospectus. Subscriptions support ongoing public baseball research and analysis in an increasingly proprietary environment.

Subscribe now
You need to be logged in to comment. Login or Subscribe
Averym2
9/15
Rays version of BJ Upton a good comp for Acuna?
Eddy5791
9/16
Odd seeing someone like Perez, a 60-grade player according to the report, not mentioned a single time this season on the site!