Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | OAK | RHP | 26 | 35 |
Grades Update: Feb 2021
| OFP | Role | FB | SL | CH | Cnt/Cmd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 30 | 50 | 40 | 30 | 40/30 |
Feb 2021 Report
Evaluator: Rhys White
Age: 27 yr
Height: 6-3
Weight: 225 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2015 Round 1 (NYY)
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster
Physical Description: Prototypical pitchers build, thicker lower-half. Lacks projection on the frame because he is maxed out.
Fastball: 93-97 fastball with slight arm-side run at times. Consistently sits 95 but touches 97 when he needs it late in counts with below-average spin-rates of around 2100 RPMs. He has a tendency to nibble with the fastball and it doesn't have the movement characteristics that allow it to play up especially when he is nibbling up in the zone. If he leaves a fastball in the zone opposing batters tend to damage against it. Grade: 50
Slider: Below average spin-rate, at just under 2100 RPMs that touches 87 mph from time to time, slider with more of a slurvy shape. He gets less than an inch of horizontal movement and gets 34 inches of vertical movement on the slider. He uses it primarily against right-handed batters where he throws it on the outer half of the plate and has it dive in the dirt. He also avoids throwing the slider in the zone on a consistent basis. Grade: 40
Changeup: Rarely threw the changeup in my looks. It lacked significant velocity separation off of the fastball hitting 91 mph and was firm, and lacked movement. As he transitions towards a bullpen role he probably is best to eliminate the changeup from his repertoire. It looks more like a fringe fastball than a changeup and would get crushed if he keeps it in his repertoire. Grade: 30
Control and Command: He consistently nibbles around the strike-zone which at times hurts him and leads to walks. He also consistently leaves the catcher mixed up and doesn't throw the pitch where the catcher calls for. He isn't consistently in the strike-zone and will avoid the heart of the zone with most of his pitches. Control: 40 | Command: 30
Overall: Kaprielian has lost some of the luster of being a first round pick, while it shows well on a pure velocity look all of the pitches lack spin rates and movement traits that would entice someone. He has dealt with injuries in his past that took away his entire 2017 and 2018 seasons. The stuff has ticked down since the injuries. He lacks consistent control to even project him out as a reliever. He has a tendency to leave his pitches on the outer reaches of the zone because when he does throw the ball in the zone it has a tendency to be hit hard. He projects out as an emergency depth up down piece, which is a bummer considering he was once so highly thought of.
OFP: 35
Role: 30 - Up/Down Emergency Depth
Risk: High
