Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | KC | RHP | 24 | 40 |
Grades Update: May 2021
| OFP | Role | FB | CB | SL | CH | Ctr/Cmd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 40 | 55 | 50 | 45 | 45 | 45/40 |
May 2021 Report
Evaluator: Danny Brackman
Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 230 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2016 IFA (SD)
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster
Physical Description: Sturdy athletic build. Long limbs with broad shoulders. Very good mobility. No physical projection remaining.
Delivery & Mechanics: Traditional overhead wind-up with some moving parts. Goes through motion very quickly which does help keep timing in check. Gets deep into internal rotation with the lower half while creating big layback in the upper half that translates into plus armspeed. High effort causes some issues finding high-3/4 release consistently. Explosive delivery.
Fastball: Sits 92-96 and has topped 99 during shorter stints. Velo has ranged at times. Average raw spin with apparent unoptimized spin efficiency that makes shape inconsistent. Release gives a lower than typical 4-seam axis that does flash in some heavy bore. Plays as an above average offering with a bit of room left for improvement. Grade: 55
Curveball: 72-76 on an 11-5 axis that adds horizontal break. Above average raw spin generates good depth and high efficiency helps keep shape. Big velo differential from FB keeps hitters off balance. Seems to play better starting out of the zone and breaking in. May want to lower spin axis closer to 6:00 to try and improve whiff potential. Above average overall potential but execution ability and shape need to be improved to get there. Grade: 50
Slider: 83-85 with above average sweep. Movement profile can blend with the CB but velo separation typically does enough to justify throwing it. Could raise axis to give more cutter shape or kill spin efficiency to increase gyro. Either could help create separation between the SL and CB. Fringe average offering even though it's his current go-to. Grade: 45
Changeup: 85-87 with above average sink. Good arm speed makes it difficult for hitters to see out of the hand but an inconsistent release hurts feel. Will flash as a solid whiff offering, especially to LHHs, but more often than not will rely on his breaking balls. Violent delivery likely hurts him here, making the change another fringe offering. Grade: 45
Control and Command: Has had times where control and command both look average or even a hair better, spotting the FB and tunneling the SL/CB off of it. At other times, he's nowhere near the zone, giving out free bases at a less-than-ideal clip. His mechanical sequencing is pretty efficient given how explosive he is, which typically does help him regain his control if he does lose it. Control: 45 | Command: 40
Overall: Bolanos has the pure stuff to start should the Royals want to continue testing him. However, the most likely outcome has him slotting in as low leverage relief option due to his command struggles. His stuff is good enough to work as is leaning on the FB and BB duo, though a bit of further tinkering could be a big boost to future success out of the bullpen.
OFP: 40
Role: 40 - Low-Leverage or Bulk Reliever
Risk: High
