CSS Button No Image Css3Menu.com

Baseball Prospectus home
  
  
Click here to log in Click here to subscribe
<< Previous Article
Short Relief: Marlins ... (05/18)
<< Previous Column
Eyewitness Accounts: M... (05/11)
Next Column >>
Eyewitness Accounts: M... (05/25)
Next Article >>
Answer Man: Aaron Judg... (05/18)

May 18, 2017

Eyewitness Accounts

May 18, 2017

by BP Prospect Staff

the archives are now free.

All Baseball Prospectus Premium and Fantasy articles more than a year old are now free as a thank you to the entire Internet for making our work possible.

Not a subscriber? Get exclusive content like this delivered hot to your inbox every weekday. Click here for more information on Baseball Prospectus subscriptions or use the buttons to the right to subscribe and get instant access to the best baseball content on the web.

Subscribe for $4.95 per month
Recurring subscription - cancel anytime.


a 33% savings over the monthly price!

Purchase a $39.95 gift subscription
a 33% savings over the monthly price!

Already a subscriber? Click here and use the blue login bar to log in.

Roniel Raudes

Born: 01/16/1998 (Age: 19)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 1" Weight: 160
Mechanics
Over-the-top motion. Clean arm action. Average arm speed and mild effort. Capable of repeating delivery well. Odd timing mechanism pre-pitch out of windup including body gyration and glove going over head before coming set. 1.35-1.38 to home plate.
Evaluator Victor Filoromo
Report Date 05/15/2017
Affiliate Salem Red Sox (High A, Red Sox)
Dates Seen 5/1/17
OFP/Risk 50/Medium
Realistic 45: Back-end of rotation
MLB ETA 2020
Video No
Pitch Type Present Grade Future Grade Sitting Velocity Peak Velocity Report
Fastball 40 50 89-91 93 Sat 89-90 in early going with average command; heavy and boring pitch with arm-side run evident. Late life on fastball as game moved on. Showed better command of pitch as game moved on as well. Average command of pitch overall. Capable of slowing pitch down to get better movement and wiggle in the zone.
Curveball 45 55 75-76 77 Sharp 12-to-6 break. Above-average command and great feel for pitch. Late bite; swing and miss potential and chance to be above-average pitch.
Changeup 40 50 80-82 83 Good command; strong fade with arm speed consistently similar to that of fastball. Creating better velocity separation from fastball than in past; has the potential to be an average pitch.
Slider 35 45 83-84 85 Handful of sliders thrown in game; below-average command of pitch. Below-average depth, not much tilt on the pitch.
Overall

Raudes, a 19-year-old from Nicaragua, shows an advanced feel with his curveball and has average command of a fastball that currently sits 89-91 mph. Listed at just 160 pounds, one would expect Raudes to fill out a bit and gain some strength on the fastball. He has a clean, repeatable delivery, and has the potential to be a back-end of the rotation option.


Dylan Cease

Born: 12/28/1995 (Age: 21)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 2" Weight: 190
Mechanics
Slim, athletic build with slight projection left; starts from a semi-windup, three-quarters slot, plus arm speed, efficient motion with mild effort, clean finish, athletic deceleration; fields position well
Evaluator Nathan Graham
Report Date 05/15/2017
Affiliate South Bend Cubs (Low A, Cubs)
Dates Seen 5/6/17
OFP/Risk 60/High
Realistic 55 — No. 3/4 starter
MLB ETA 2019
Video Yes
Pitch Type Present Grade Future Grade Sitting Velocity Peak Velocity Report
4-Seam FB 60 60 94-95 96 Generates velocity with plus arm speed, straight and heavy; locates well, will elevate to generate strikeouts
2-Seam FB 55 60 91-92 92 Shows arm side run and some weight, will run in on the hands of right handed hitters, trusts pitch, will throw in hitters counts
CH 45 50 79-81 81 Still developing feel, inconsistent arm speed replication, good velocity separation, showed late fade, some swing-and-miss potential
CB 40 50 71-73 74 11-to-5 movement; when right has depth and bite; inconsistent, will lose shape on occasion; lacks command
Overall

Cease is a quality starting pitching prospect. He shows four potentially major league average or better pitches. His delivery is clean with only mild effort which project plus command in the future. If the change and curve can continue to improve he could develop into a high No. 3 starter. Without that development, there is still enough in his stuff to become a valuable bullpen arm.


Luis Valdes

Born: 01/18/1989 (Age: 28)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 0" Weight: 190
Primary Position: SS
Secondary Position:
Physical/Health
At 28 years old, effectively no projection, he is what he is. Large body, moderate fill, slight extra baggage in the stomach area.
Evaluator Javier Barragan
Report Date 05/09/2017
Dates Seen 5/5,5/7
Affiliate Lakeland Flying Tigers (High A, Tigers)
MLB ETA Risk Factor OFP Realistic Role Video
2017 Low 45 40 — Backup Infielder Yes
Makeup

Went about his business, calm, cool and collected.

Tool Future Grade Report
Hit 40 Line-drive hitter with occasional ability to lift for power, middle of the field and pull; loose hands, bat wrap, load combination of recoil and quasi-knee tuck/quasi-toe tap, average bat speed; aggressive approach, expands the zone; first live game action in three seasons.


Pitch recognition 40/40
Power 30 Aggressive approach and slight lift does not allow for elevated batted balls, lacks the ability to impact the ball for high exit velo; demonstrated pull power with consistency during BP for average raw power.
Baserunning/Speed 40 Runs well, not aggressive on basepaths, not a steal threat, better underway.
Glove 60 Covers ground spatially with confidence and focus, body control, good footwork and anticipation around the bag, fields all, glove control, no rust here.

Glove 60/60
Range 60/60
Arm 55 Different arm angles, on the bag, clean and controled arm action.

Arm strength 50/50
Arm accuracy 60/60
Overall

After signing on March 1, 2017, these PAs were to shake off rust as Valdes' last official professional season was 2014 in Serie Nacional. His best tool is his glove, demonstrating the range, glove and arm needed to cover SS. Since his bat and speed are both below average, he slots into an emergency back-up role for a championship team.










Ke'Bryan Hayes

Born: 01/28/1997 (Age: 20)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 1" Weight: 210
Primary Position: 3B
Secondary Position:
Physical/Health
Light, quick twitch, square frame, room for muscle, appears to be 10 lbs lighter than 210.
Evaluator Javier Barragan
Report Date 05/10/2017
Dates Seen 5/8 - 5/10
Affiliate Bradenton Marauders (High A, Pirates)
MLB ETA Risk Factor OFP Realistic Role Video
2020 High 55 50 - Everyday Third Baseman No
Makeup

No issues, competes, even-keeled, good instincts for the game; baseball background, father is Charlie Hayes, former major leaguer of 14 seasons, brother Tyree pitched for 6 minor-league seasons.

Tool Future Grade Report
Hit 60 Open stance, feet set shoulder width, knee bent, on top of plate, flat bat with light wiggle, a knack for getting the barrell to the ball, sprays ball, plus bat speed, good takes, front foot bails.

Barrel contact 30/60
Pitch recognition 30/50
Box presence 30/50
Power 40 Approach more fitting for spraying line drives, no lift, added strength will give

Raw power 40/50
Game power 25/35
Baserunning/Speed 50 Runs well, springy strides, aggressive on the basepaths, will steal bags, gets good leads good instincts to have future average speed play up.

Dig on bunt: 3.94
SB time: 3.20
Speed 50/50
Glove 60 Reacts very well at hot corner, active feet, good first step read, body control, rangy, good pre-pitch, glove control, athleticism for other positions, too.

Glove 50/60
Range 60/60
Instincts 60
Arm 55 Clean arm action and accurate, different angles, quick and controlled exchanges.

Arm strength 55/55
Arm accuracy 55/60
Overall

Instinctive, confident, athletic position player with the ability to spray the ball, Hayes does a lot of things right. He holds down third exceptionally well, is aggressive on the basepaths, has bat control as well as plus bat speed. He lacks the power for third base, which might be okay for the creative and progressive Pirates, still a move off of third is likely. Depending on the team and their criteria for power at the corners, Hayes projects to be a major-league third baseman with the ability to cover other positions.











Cole Tucker

Born: 07/03/1996 (Age: 20)
Bats: Switch Throws: Right
Height: 6' 3" Weight: 185
Primary Position: SS
Secondary Position:
Physical/Health
XL, gangly, long limbs, lean, V-shaped torso, high waist; muscular development can lead to position change
Evaluator Javier Barragan
Report Date 05/10/2017
Dates Seen 5/8 - 5/10
Affiliate Bradenton Marauders (High A, Pirates)
MLB ETA Risk Factor OFP Realistic Role Video
2019 High 60 50 - Everyday Third Baseman No
Makeup

Leader, competitor, confident, mature, loves to play the game, game seems easy, smile on his face, baseball player.

Tool Future Grade Report
Hit 50 Prototypical Switch hitter — line drive from right, more light from left;
L - feet separated at shoulder width, upright with slight knee bend, balanced, bat at 45 degrees with light wiggle, high hands, slight bat wrap, knee lift, leaks, smooth, better than average bat speed, barrel control, spray, more lift.

R - feet separated at shoulder width, upright with slight knee bend, balanced, bat at 45 degrees with light wiggle, high hands, deep load, small knee lift, near arm bar, leakage, better than average bat speed; swing can get lengthy, more swing and miss.

executes plan at plate, some chase, hits where the ball is pitched, comfortable at plate.

Barrel awareness 50/50
Pitch recognition 40/50
Box presence 40/50
Power 50 Approach fitted for line drives and gaps all over the field, slight uphill, room for more power and aptitude suggests more power to come.

Raw power 50/60
Game power 30/45
Baserunning/Speed 50 Average raw speed, but instincts to allow tool to play up, takes healthy leads, aggressive on basepaths, at writing of this report leads all of minor league baseball with 24 steals, looks to take extra base, added weight will slow down, but instincts will play up speed then, too.

Speed 60/50
Glove 60 Sure-handed, sound defensive actions, rangy, gets to balls, good instincts, high center of gravity, mobile, body is framed for third base.

Glove 55/60
Range 50/55
Instincts 60
Arm 50 Low arm slot, short arm circle, some tail, ball released on front leg, on the bag, gets there in time, average arm speed and arm strength; right shoulder labrum surgery in Aug 2015.

Arm strength 50/50
Arm accuracy 50/50
Overall

Charismatic leader, exudes confidence, and loves to play the game, Tucker is a switch hitter with an advanced understanding of the game. Defensive actions to stick at short, but more muscle will slot him to third base—more power to come with position change and baseball aptitude. Though with current season high of two home runs, there is huge uncertainty as mechanical and approach change would be required. Tucker projects to be a fan favorite and everyday third baseman.

0 comments have been left for this article.

<< Previous Article
Short Relief: Marlins ... (05/18)
<< Previous Column
Eyewitness Accounts: M... (05/11)
Next Column >>
Eyewitness Accounts: M... (05/25)
Next Article >>
Answer Man: Aaron Judg... (05/18)

RECENTLY AT BASEBALL PROSPECTUS
Playoff Prospectus: Come Undone
BP En Espanol: Previa de la NLCS: Cubs vs. D...
Playoff Prospectus: How Did This Team Get Ma...
Playoff Prospectus: Too Slow, Too Late
Premium Article Playoff Prospectus: PECOTA Odds and ALCS Gam...
Premium Article Playoff Prospectus: PECOTA Odds and NLCS Gam...
Playoff Prospectus: NLCS Preview: Cubs vs. D...

MORE FROM MAY 18, 2017
Premium Article Flu-Like Symptoms: A Taxing Problem
Banjo Hitter: Gimme a Quarter's Worth: Vanis...
Answer Man: Aaron Judge
Short Relief: Marlins Park of Darkness, and ...
What You Need to Know: Jose's Mound
Fantasy Article The Stash List: Week 7
Premium Article Minor League Update: Games of May 17

MORE BY BP PROSPECT STAFF
2017-05-30 - Premium Article Monday Morning Ten Pack: May 30, 2017
2017-05-23 - Premium Article Notes from the Field: May 23, 2017
2017-05-22 - Monday Morning Ten Pack: May 22, 2017
2017-05-18 - Premium Article Eyewitness Accounts: May 18, 2017
2017-05-17 - Premium Article Notes from the Field: May 17, 2017
2017-05-15 - Premium Article Monday Morning Ten Pack: May 15, 2017
2017-05-11 - Eyewitness Accounts: May 11, 2017
More...

MORE EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS
2017-06-08 - Eyewitness Accounts: June 8, 2017
2017-06-01 - Eyewitness Accounts: June 1, 2017
2017-05-25 - Eyewitness Accounts: May 25, 2017
2017-05-18 - Premium Article Eyewitness Accounts: May 18, 2017
2017-05-11 - Eyewitness Accounts: May 11, 2017
2017-05-04 - Eyewitness Accounts: May 4, 2017
2016-10-06 - Eyewitness Accounts: October 6, 2016
More...