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Jake Faria

Born: 07/30/1993 (Age: )
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 4" Weight: 230
Mechanics
Long limbs lead to long throwing motion, over-the-top arm slot, repeats arm slot well; tall, thin frame, needs to add weight, especially in lower half which will help with repeating delivery and having more consistent mechanics; lands with front side open, causes arm to drag and miss arm side.
Evaluator Jeff Moore
Report Date 00/00/0000
Affiliate Charlotte Stone Crabs (High A, Rays)
Dates Seen 4/18/15
OFP 55
MLB ETA 2017
Video No
Pitch Type Future Grade Sitting Velocity Peak Velocity Report
Fastball 65 92-94 95 Fastball sits 92-94 mph with easy mechanics, no effort required to ramp up velocity; throws a two-seamer with good arm-side fade; tall frame and over-the-top arm slot make for strong downward plane; will induce lots of weak contact when working down in the strike zone; pitch can flatten out when up; throws strikes but in-zone command is still below average; potential plus pitch once command catches up with velocity.
Curveball 45 77-79 80 12-6 break, little horizontal movement, straight down break due to over-the-top release; break is short and lacks depth, not a swing and miss pitch; throws for strikes consistently, usable pitch when down in the zone, hittable when left up.
Change-up 55 85-86 86 Thrown with identical arm-action and release point to fastball, giving it good deception; little horizontal movement but strong diving action that generates swings and misses; will throw to batters of either handedness; could be a plus pitch if he develops any arm-side fade on the pitch, but pitch currently features only vertical movement.
Overall

Faria is an intriguing pitching prospect, thanks to the downward plane his length and mechanics create on his fastball. Coupled with strong velocity and some movement, the fastball along could be enough to get Faria to the big leagues if he can learn to command it more consistently within the strike zone. The secondary pitches trail behind the fastball at this point, but the change-up has a chance to be a good pitch, with diving action that causes hitters to swing over the top of it. The pitch plays up because of the deception caused by his delivery and mechanics, and he should be able to use it effectively against lefties and righties, giving him a good chance to remain a starter. The curveball is more of a show-me pitch, but he throws it for strikes enough to keep it in hitter's minds and when down in the zone, it can generate ground balls.

The key for Faria will be fastball command. He throws strikes but he needs to throw better ones. When down in the strike zone and on the edges, he can dominate with the fastball alone. If he learns to command the pitch effectively, the fastball/change-up combination will be enough to keep him in the rotation. If not, his velocity and change-up will work well in the bullpen in late innings.

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