Eyewitness Accounts

Northcraft has a feel for pitching and demonstrated an ability to attack a hitter’s weaknesses. He also generally locates his fastball well, but with minimal velocity and limited plane, he must be precise with his command to have success. The slider is flat and while he can spot it to both sides of the plate, it isn’t a bat-misser. The change tumbles early and isn’t an out pitch.

The right-hander doesn’t have an impact offering, but a switch to relief could help the slider play up a grade. If short work also helps him live at the upper end of his velocity range more often, he could have some success as a middle reliever.

Hess is a college arm who has quickly risen through the Orioles' system since being drafted last season. While he has four pitches, I envision a long-term relief profile due to the lack of a secondary offering that can consistently cause deception or timing issues relative to the fastball/slider. The mechanics are relatively clean, but the head whack, inverted landing, and moderate exertion lead me to believe his best role is suited for the bullpen. In this role he can maximize his fastball. For the time being, I would continue to have Hess work as a starter to see if he can continue the progression of his secondary pitches.

Round Drafted: fifth round, 2014
Why: Advanced college arm with a four-pitch arsenal; potential to stick as a starter; potential plus fastball/slider work as a relief option.

Gsellman's profile is limited because he features only average velocity and won't miss a ton of bats with his fastball, but his curveball will make up for the lack of velocity. It's a legitimate plus big-league pitch that he is comfortable using against any hitter at any time.

His build is ideal for a starter, with a tall frame that generates a good downward plane with an easy delivery. He can stand to add a little weight in his lower half in order to handle the rigors of 200 innings a year, but is otherwise ideally built to be a starter.

Gsellman should fit nicely in the middle of a big-league rotation, and even if the changeup never reaches its average potential, the curveball gives him a weapon to combat left-handed hitters. If the changeup gives him a legitimate third offering for hitters to consider, he could develop into a number three starter. As primarily a two-pitch pitcher, he can still remain a starter if he develops plus fastball command because of the swing-and-miss potential of the curveball.