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Michel Baez
Born: 01/21/1996 (Age: 21) |
| Bats: Right |
Throws: Right |
| Height: 6' 8" |
Weight: 220 |
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| XL frame with long levers; will struggle with balance and get off line early; arm drags a bit in back, high-three-quarters slot; inconsistent drive and landing at present, flashes quality extension when he gets downhill efficiently; there's a lot for him to control physically, flashes physicality to harness it though; 1.32-1.41 from stretch. |
| Will Siskel |
| 08/20/2017 |
| Fort Wayne TinCaps (Low A, Padres) |
| 08/19/2017 |
| 70 |
| Late 2020 |
| Yes |
| FB |
70 |
92-97 |
98 |
Plus-plus velocity (95-98) out of the gate, heavy pitch, downhill, plane, and run; flashes of east-west command, elevated effectively to generate swinging strikes, well-above-average swing-miss; command faltered high and arm-side, velo dipped to 92-94 (t95) by fourth inning; plays down presently due to command/control inconsistency and flagging velocity; frame and physicality to improve command, hold velocity; velocity and movement for plus-plus projection. |
| CH |
70 |
83-86 |
87 |
Extreme dive and tumble with excellent plane; sells pitch, consistent arm speed, plays off fastball with above-average velocity separation; shows ability to land it in-zone for strikes, pitch can also really fall off the table, well-above-average swing-and-miss potential; will have to hone command of movement and release, but really buy this pitch. |
| CB |
55 |
77-79 |
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11/5 shape, moderate spin rotation and depth, average horizontal movement; can land it ball-to-strike, spins it well, nascent trust to work backwards with it; can get slurvy, will leave it up at present, couple backed up including one hanger for a homer; spotted a few with 10/5 shape and tighter rotation; some risk that it doesn't tighten up, projection pitch. |
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Baez is a 21-year-old starting pitcher from Cuba currently excelling in his first crack at full-season ball. He struck out 11 in four innings in this start, but also got tagged for two homers. There are two legitimate weapons in the fastball and change, both of which project to plus-plus pitches thanks to plane, arm speed, and excellent movement. The development of the curveball will determine whether he reaches what is a very high ceiling. Long-term he'll have to battle the challenges of being 6-foot-8 and the standard mechanical difficulties that presents, but the ingredients are here for a frontline starting pitching prospect.
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