Typically for a Live Looks piece, I get at least 3 games worth of looks and feel pretty comfortable seeing guys over the course of a week. Here, I got 5+ innings worth of a look on the Pirates complex, so you could call it a small sample. Where this is a bite-sized look, I figured “first impression” was a better indicator of the experience here. Let’s dive in.
RF Lonnie White Jr
On a pair of rosters stocked with good to premium athletes, Lonnie White Jr still easily stands out. He matches the listed 6’3”, 212lbs and it’s all good weight. He’s a little raw at the plate, expanding low and away in my look, but that’s to be expected from someone who was a multi-sport star in high school (White was committed to Penn State to play wide receiver). He’s got solid range in right field and a solid arm to go with it. What really stands out is just how much juice is in the bat. White launched a high fastball well over the left center field wall at the end of the game and did it with ease. It was the type of power that makes you involuntarily say “wow”. He’s going to be so much fun to follow.
3B Tsung-Che Cheng
H/T to Geoff for bringing Cheng to my attention prior to the game. I think this line from a scout I was chatting with during the game sums up Cheng well: “he’s the best player here”. Yes, including all the highly-paid, newly drafted talent on this squad. How’s that for high praise? Cheng is a ball player. He hits, he makes plays in the field; it may not be flashy but it’s very productive.
The frame isn’t one you write home about; He’s listed at 5’7, 154, which seems pretty accurate. If anything, he might be a little heavier - he’s got a solid, muscular build. That’s not ideal, but it’ll still play at second base. There’s no projection here, obviously, but he’s doing damage already, hitting .299 with 11 extra base hits (4 HR) and 26 walks to just 14 strikeouts in 137 plate appearances. Keep in mind that he did just turn 20, but he’s a name to watch next year in full season ball.
3B Juan Jerez
Jerez’s frame stood out to me, he looked longer than the listed 6’0 and in turn heavier than 160. He made solid contact and stroked a couple of line drives — one of which found the grass while the other was right at the shortstop. He’s having a very good season on the complex (.296, .178 ISO, 4 HR, 21:41 bb:k) and is someone to follow. There’s a lot of projection left.
OF Luke Brown
It’s been a rough start to Brown’s pro career, but his wheels were on display today when he roped a ball off the RF wall for a triple. The ball was well struck, but this would have been a double for most players. The frame is medium with a lean but strong build. I’m a little surprised at how poor the stat line is so far considering he’s a college bat from a power program (Louisville).
LHP Luis Peralta
Peralta was dominant in his short stint, striking out 4 over 2.1 IP and allowing 2 walks and a hit. He was 90-93 from the left side and featured a changeup at 82-86 with tumble and fade (heavy usage) and curveball in the low-70s with 1-7 shape. He lived in the zone and attacked hitters, getting weak contact when he wasn’t getting whiffs. Another good arm in the Pittsburgh system.
RHP Bladimir Dotel
Dotel’s final numbers today weren’t very impressive, but the raw stuff was. He was up to 95 from a low slot with run and it really jumped on hitters. He mostly worked 91-92, but it was a tough look that ate guys up when he was in the zone. The breaking ball sat 75-77 with a 10:30-4:30, slurvy shape. He struggled to maintain his release today and had bouts where he couldn’t throw strikes. The frame is big and strong with good projection remaining. Live arm worth watching and only 18 years old.
RHP Jack Carey
The Duke alum made his pro debut today and looked solid. Worked 1 inning and did a good job of pounding the gloveside edge of the plate with fastballs for strikes and then running his slider off it for chases. A good debut for Carey after beginning his career on the IL.
C Wyatt Hendrie
Hendrie, a catcher, was a 7th rounder this year out of San Diego State. While the bat doesn’t appear to be much to talk about right now, I wanted to put him on here because his arm might be elite. Two other scouts and I clocked him at about 1.90 on one throw and 1.88 on a second — both on target. Easily one of the best arms I’ve seen behind the plate this year.