Arizona Diamondbacks

The Dbacks' Center Fielder of Tomorrow: Corbin Carroll

The Dbacks' Center Fielder of Tomorrow: Corbin Carroll

The Dbacks #16 overall pick this June, center fielder Corbin Carroll has plus plus speed, a selective approach, and a short, smooth swing with gap power potential. Though only 18 years old, he has a high floor to at least be a big league regular, with a chance for more if he develops the power stroke.

AZL Notes - Arizona Diamondbacks

AZL Notes - Arizona Diamondbacks

From 7/19-7/28 I sat on the Diamondbacks AZL roster. Corbin Carroll, Arizona’s 2019 first-round pick (16th overall) was the headliner. Also notable was Brennan Malone, a 2019 comp round selection (33rd overall). Malone has a workhorse frame, easy mid-90s velo and a chance for three 60-grade pitches. The Dbacks did gymnastics with their draft spending, signing two players in middle rounds to big bonuses: Glenallen Hill in the 4th for $850K (slot value $469K) and Avery Short in the 12th for $922k. Hill is a speedy 2B prospect. Short is a pitchability lefty. Notable international signees include Wilderd Patino, Jose Curpa and Neyfy Castillo. Patino is a physically-advanced 18-year-old OF with 60 speed. Curpa is a versatile infielder with super-utility upside. Castillo flashes plus power potential.

Live Looks: Notes From the Midwest League

Levi Kelly- Kelly has been one of the best arms in the Midwest League in 2019. The righty is listed at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, but may be a little shorter than that. It’s a good frame, larger already but also one that has more physical projection. The windup is basic, but it starts off at a slower tempo before becoming violent as he moves towards home. There’s more effort here than I would prefer, and it even comes with a head whack, but he’s able to repeat it well so far. He’s throwing strikes and missing bats due to his fastball/slider combination. The fastball sits 91-93 but can touch 95, and it plays up due to sequencing and his plus slider. The slider is his put away pitch. It’s not as tight as some others but has two-plane depth and keeps hitters off balance due to his willingness to thow it in any count. He also mixed in a below-average curveball. This overall profile screams reliever, but this is Kelly’s first full season as a starting pitcher so I don’t want to throw that tag on him just yet. He needs to work on going deeper in games but that’s something that will come with time.

Shane Baz- Short, sturdy frame with an easy, upright delivery, Baz showed off the stuff in my viewing. He predomintely sat 94-96 with the fastball but hit 98 and had a few 97’s mixed in. He threw 94 pitches in this start and got ten whiffs on just the fastball alone. The command is below average right now, but power pitchers like this often struggle with consistency, and they can be absolutely dominant when on. He struggled with his release point all night, especially on the changeup. He worked the fastball up in the zone for most of his whiffs, and I don’t expect that to change as he climbs through the Rays system. I’m confident in putting a plus grade on Baz’s slider despite only seeing him once. Its a tight, late breaking pitch that will induce groundballs as well as whiffs. His changeup flashed plus as well but is wildly inconsistent. He battled with this pitch for most of the night, but showed enough fade and depth with it to earn the lofty grades. Baz has the potential for three plus offerings, and like most 20-year-olds, needs to work on his command and sequencing. If everything goes right Baz has the makings of a future number two starter. Also his name is pronounced BAHZ.

Geraldo Perdomo- Tall, slender frame with loose actions in the box and in the field. He’s a slick fielder with smooth hands and quick feet. The hands and feet are good enough to be an above-average big league shortstop. Perdomo is a threat on the basepaths, and he routinely draws multiple pick-off attempts while on first or second base. He’s aggressive and gets good jumps, but I have seen him get picked off a time or two. He’s a switch-hitter with elite feel for the strikezone and always works deep counts, making him an ideal fit for the top of the big league lineup. Despite his long limbs he’s got a short, quick stroke. There’s some power projection here, and I think he can develop plus power in the future, but it’s a 30-grade tool right now. Perdomo is an exciting young player, and is a future on-base machine. His eye is too advanced for the Midwest League and I have seen him rung up on pitches off the plate due to this. In addition to his elite eye I think he can hit 15-20 homers as he matures.

Chris Betts- Left-handed hitter with a thick frame, the 2019 Midwest League Home Run Derby champion has plus raw power to the pull-side. He had two hard hit balls in my look with exit velos over 100 MPH, and is worth a look. Betts has missed some development due to Tommy John, and before the injury the arm was regarded as plus. Betts has plus raw power and will take a walk, and I’m confident that the Rays will find a way to utilize Betts.

Midwest League Live Looks

Midwest League Live Looks

The Prospects Live crew digs into multiple players from the Midwest League in this edition of live looks.

Live Looks: Julian Smith and Luis Frias -Deep Fantasy Sleepers

Live Looks:  Julian Smith and Luis Frias -Deep Fantasy Sleepers

Julian Smith, LHP - Dodgers

Age: 21 (6/6/97)

Lanky, long legs. Extremely easy delivery with loose arm. Not a frame that will support a ton of weight but room for some. FB 93-95 with life, often to glove side. CB 76-79 flashed plus with 1 to 7 shape and depth. CHG 83-86 could get firm. Impressive out of nowhere guy, scouts not even knowing who he was.

Live Looks: Teenage Kicks

Live Looks: Teenage Kicks

Kristian Robinson, OF - Diamondbacks VIDEO

Age: 17 (12/11/00)

Strong as hell, can’t believe he’s 17. Prototype body, will only get bigger; elite athlete. Thick thighs. Slightly open base stance with hands near head. Short stride forward. Limited lower body use, relies on upper body strength which is prolific. Hit massive HR to L/CF. Below average OF arm in morning drills. Possible LF future but the bat should carry the profile even if there is a move down the defensive spectrum.

Live Looks: First Year Player Draft

Live Looks: First Year Player Draft

Brice Turang, SS Brewers - 1st Round VIDEO

Smooth at short, solid hands, IF actions, and reactions. Quick first step and nice range to get to ball off Sugilio’s bat. Plus arm. Patient hitter; took 11 pitches:zero swings in first two ABs. Wide base stance, kept weight back and bat path was linear, maybe a slight uppercut in his one swing in his third AB.