Zach Kirtley, 1B Peoria Chiefs (St. Louis Cardinals) Video
Surprisingly advanced understanding of the zone. This is the third time I've seen him this season, 20 percent strikeout rate to 9 percent walk rate that will improve with reps.
Don't know if I see much power projection, line-drive hitter, gap power at best without plan adjustments. - Swing is compact, little bit of an exaggerated wrap up that if cleaned up, should shorten swing and improve approach even more.
Don't know what future is, but he's not mentioned enough in Cardinals prospect circles.
Jake Dahlberg, LHP Peoria Chiefs (St. Louis Cardinals) Video
Lefty, 87-88 sinker, fantastic changeup feel when "on top" of pitch as he told me. Both changeup and lesser-used slider are 79-81. Able to generate whiffs with smaller than normal velocity differential with changeup off sinker.
Probably projects as a reliever long term, but strike-throwing ability helps to maintain starter hope in Midwest League. Whiffs are dependent on feel for changeup in given day.
Trevor Larnach, OF Cedar Rapids Kernels (Minnesota Twins)
Second time seeing Larnach, hit tool is great, bat speed is above majority of hitters in Midwest League, approach is polished, understanding of zone is advanced.
Not entirely convinced the approach is more advanced than plus contact and gap power at the moment with wood bat, I know he showed pop with metal. Swing is projectable, have no reason to believe power doesn't come with time.
Any motion and "rolling" of hands into his load is negated by bat speed and pitch recognition, will be interested to see if K's tick up in Ft Myers or Chattanooga if this isn't smoothed out.
One of 2018 draft bats—with Madrigal—that could succeed at High-A/Double-A right now.
Akil Baddoo, OF Cedar Rapids Kernels (Minnesota Twins)
Compact swing, small stride, allows for advanced walk rate (14% in 113 games). Pitch recognition allows for this, but still has some contact issues with 24% K rate, that I don't have substantial confidence will come down at higher levels.
Will still be able to survive with OBP, speed and fielding ability.
Second time seeing him, first look was a poor 3-K performance, this was much more encouraging to see some contact and good takes off the plate.
Lance Brozdowski @LanceBrozdow
Elehuris Montero, 3B Palm Beach Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals) Video
XL frame, Thick lower half and core and will add size with maturity. Gets out on his front foot too quick but the hands stay back and can do damage. Bat speed appears to be more from upper body strength and not wrists or lower half.. Poor utilization of hips with swing, front leg collapses. Quick inside. Pull approach. Plus raw power. 4.69 runner. 20 speed. Stiff hands at 3rd. Fringe arm, side arm motion. Profiles as 1B/DH type.
Ricardo Sanchez, LHP Mississippi Braves (Atlanta Braves)
Medium height with stocky frame. minimal effort with avg. arm speed. Deliberate delivery. FB 90-92 w./ occasional run. Poor FB command. CH 82-84. Good arm speed on CH adds to deception. CH is firm. CB 75, inconsistent shape. Poor pitchability. FB lacks zip. No true put away pitch. Relies on moxie. Control over command. Must keep ball down and extend the plate to both sides in order to be successful.
Kacy Clemens, 1B Dunedin Blue Jays (Toronto Blue Jays)
Thick upper body and lower half. Strong chest and arms. Chiseled.Wide stance with a hand waggle pre-load. Poor use of lower half and hips with swing. Bat speed generated by upper body strength. Swing is long w/ head movement Tries to pull everything. Lot of swing and miss. Below average speed. Stiff defender.
Kody Clemens, 2B Lakeland Flying Tigers (Detroit Tigers) Video
Athletic build with some projection. Loose. open stance w/ wide base and crouch. Hands low at load. Lots of moving parts in the swing. Out front against off-speed, unable to keep hips closed. Pull approach, struggles against soft away. Minimal to no outer half coverage. Needs to get all the parts in sync. Improved approach at 4th look. Hard line drive contact up the middle. At his best when he lets the ball get deep and works to CF.
Robert Dugger, RHP Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Miami Marlins) Video
Athletic build, no projection for body. Fast worker, upbeat tempo. Fast, short arm action w/ 3/4 release. Max effort in delivery. Delivery has some deception. Mainly FB/CB mix. FB 90-91 but plays up due to tempo/deception. CB is a lateral breaker with a slurvy feel at 79. Worked deep into game, pounded the bottom half of the zone. Profiles as RP.