Top Prospect

CJ Van Eyk - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 TOR RHP 9 50

Grades Update: Mar 2021
OFP Role FB CB SL CH Cnt/Cmd
50 50 55 60 45 50 45/45

Mar 2021 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 205 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2020 Round 2
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Strong, yet smaller build for a pitcher at 6"1", 205 pounds. Has added some weight since draft day, some projection left to his frame. High waisted specimen, particularly strong lower half to frame. Definite bulldog on the mound. Formerly a highly regarded prep arm in 2017, though arm injury caused him to make it to campus.

Delivery & Mechanics: Pitches from third base side of the rubber with a moderately high leg kick. Throws from a three-quarters arm slot. Relatively easy and clean delivery with little to no effort involved. Lower half mechanics could use some work though, which would help Van Eyk become more consistent with his velocity/command.

Fastball: Van Eyk's velocity can be a bit inconsistent at times. Sometimes, he'll be sitting 91-94, other times, he'll be sitting more in the mid-90's, touching 95-96 mph. Has been clocked as high as 98-99 mph in the past while at Florida State. The pitch gets good riding life and some running action, as well. Van Eyk has good command of the offering, spotting it nicely to both sides of the plate when he's on. Lower half instability in his delivery will need to be worked on in order to tap into more consistent mid-90's velocity, which would help the pitch become a plus offering in the future. For now, it's above average. Grade: 55

Curveball: Best secondary in Van Eyk's arsenal. Big breaking curveball thrown in the high-70's to low-80's with good shape and bite. Thrown from a knuckle curve grip and the pitch possesses 12-to-6 action. Excellent spin on the pitch, reaching as high as 2,800 RPM's or more. Van Eyk has big confidence in the pitch, throwing it in any count and garnering swings and misses along the way. Certainly a plus pitch. Grade: 60

Slider: Currently Van Eyk's fourth pitch. Not as effective as his curveball, but sits in the 83-85 mph range with some sweeping action to it. He's got a feel for the pitch, but it does not garner the amount of swings and misses that the curveball does. Will need some refinement, though it's a fringe-average offering that will not be oft used. Grade: 45

Changeup: Van Eyk's change-up sits in the low-to-mid 80's with good sink and separation from his fastball. Currently his third pitch, it can be inconsistent at times, as it can flatten out, but he manages to fool hitters by keeping a consistent arm speed when throwing the pitch. Very confident in throwing the pitch against both righties and lefties. Likely can become an above-average offering, but for now, it's average. Grade: 50

Control and Command: Van Eyk showcased good command and control throughout his first two years at Florida State, though in the COVID-shortened 2020, Van Eyk had some trouble with walks. The command can come and go for him at times, though the Blue Jays certainly hope that can be refined to become more consistent. Control: 45 | Command: 45

Overall: Van Eyk fits the mold of a backend starter for the time being, as a relatively clean delivery and useful mix of pitches gives him an advantage. He'll need to work on his control and command and refine his lower half, though. If he doesn't pan out as a starter, he could have a bright future as a bullpen arm.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Backend SP
Risk: High


Miguel Hiraldo - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 TOR SS/2B 8 50

Grades Update: Mar 2021
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
50 50 55 50 40 45 50

Mar 2021 Report

Evaluator: Ian Smith

Age: 20 yr
Height: 5-11
Weight: 170 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 IFA
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Hiraldo is already physically advanced for his age. Stocky frame with a filled out lower half. Broad shoulders and a barrel chest stand out. Some projection remaining as well.

Hit: Hiraldo presents a very sound bat from the right side. Upright, closed stance with his feet square to his shoulders, the 20-year-old keeps his hands at his ears and incorporates a slight leg kick while keeping his back elbow very high throughout his swing. Will show some of the best bat speed in the Blue Jays system while being extremely short to the baseball. Shows ability to get his barrel to the ball anywhere in the zone. Will create some loft to his swing path and has a good feel to spray it all fields. Advanced approach allows him to pick up spin and shows consistent ability to attack the ball early in counts. Limited swing and miss in his approach. Grade: 55

Power: Hiraldo has a current approach that is geared towards creating consistent hard contact from gap to gap, but is slowly growing into more raw power daily. A short, efficient swing that comes with controlled violence allows him to tap into every bit of power that his frame offers, and rarely has to sell out. Average exit velo is currently around 88 and has maxed out at 100+ as a teenager, Hiraldo is quickly developing consistent over the fence power as he continues to add strength to his frame. If you combine his advanced ability to rotate to the ball with all of that, then there's a chance for way more to show down the line. Grade: 50

Field: Hiraldo has average lateral range in both directions and will show soft hands upon receiving. Gets in good position and bends to the ball well, but will sometimes rush on his transfers leading to unforced errors. Has shown position versatility in his short pro career getting time at 2B, 3B and SS already but likely to profile as a 2B or 3B going forward. Grade: 40

Arm: Keeps a consistent arm angle on almost all of his throws. Gets his weight behind his throws and shows decent raw arm strength. Likes to make throws moving and will lose some accuracy. Limited looks overall at the arm. Grade: 45

Run: Will get a very good first step out of the box and reaches top speed quickly due to plus foot speed. Takes short, choppy steps that work perfectly for his frame. Shows very good instincts with his legs as well being a quality base stealer and will always take the extra base. Grade: 50

Overall: This is a very sound profile going forward for Hiraldo. Likely to hit for a very solid average, sneaky speed and growing into some legit raw power to all fields. Second base feels like the eventual long term home for Hiraldo as he develops where his bat can shine through. If you can squint real hard, you can even see some similarities to a young Jose Ramirez.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Average Everyday Regular
Risk: High


Gabriel Moreno - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 TOR C 7 50

Grades Update: Mar 2021
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
50 50 50 40 50 45 40

Mar 2021 Report

Evaluator: Jake Martin

Age: 21 yr
Height: 5-11
Weight: 160 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2016 IFA
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: Not a lot of mass, quick-twitch and athletic body. Additional muscle and mass could be beneficial.

Hit: Slightly open stance with a base slightly wider than shoulder-width. Lots of bend in knees and they point inward. Has a funky hand motion; hands rest on shoulder and barrel tilts behind his back, move up and down every couple seconds. Pretty big leg kick before striding towards pitcher. Leans over the plate while swinging with weight falling towards first base. Front leg lockout creates an upwards bat path. Advanced bat speed. Due to his front leg lockout and lean over the plate, he hits nearly every ground ball to the pull side. He under rotates with his back leg and his weight falls towards the right side of the field, creating a fair amount of opposite field contact on line drives and fly balls. Front leg lockout creates loft in the swing to hit for more power. He does not take a ton of pitches and does not draw that many walks or work many counts. On the same note, he rarely strikes out and fouls off a lot of pitches. Advanced bat-to-ball skills and timing. His swing mechanics are not great but he has an uncanny ability to put the bat on the ball and timing out pitches, offspeed or not. Grade: 50

Power: Due to his small frame, he does not appear as if he would hit for a lot of power. However, he has some sneaky pop due to quick-twitch muscles and an upward swing plane. Above-average exit velocity in the minor leagues. Does not project to be a 20 home run hitter but he can hit a home run from time to time. Gap-to-gap power. Grade: 40

Field: Athleticism assist with fielding ability behind the plate. One-knee catching assists with framing pitches. Catches ball up into the zone. Average receiver and framer. Good at blocking pitches thanks to athleticism. Could be an average big league backstop. Grade: 50

Arm: Not a ton of arm strength. Above-average footwork behind the plate assists in making quick transfers that make up for lack of arm strength. Accurate throws with good footwork create average pop times. Grade: 45

Run: Hustles out of the box and to bases. Not a ton of speed despite athleticism. Athleticism assists more in agility than top speed. Short legs. Grade: 40

Overall: A lot of evaluators are extremely bullish of Moreno. He is a decent defender with a superior ability of bat-to-ball contact. He has also tacked on additional power with added strength and more loft in his swing, all while maintaining contact rates. His strength of making contact comes with weaknesses in chasing pitches and not drawing walks. Pretty low risk but low ceiling. His contact could decrease upon reaching higher levels but it's usually a sustainable skill. If he could be given an OFP between 45-50, I would put him in that classification. Since that is not possible, he is bumped up to a 50.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Average Everyday Regular
Risk: Low


Orelvis Martinez - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 TOR SS 5 50

Grades Update: Mar 2021
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
50 50 45 55 40 50 40

Mar 2021 Report

Evaluator: Ian Smith

Age: 19 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 188 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 IFA
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: Martinez presents an athletic frame that has added significant muscle mass since signing in 2018. Very strong in his shoulders and lower half. Still has plenty of projection remaining as well. Will continue to fill out as his body matures.

Hit: There is a lot to unpack with Martinez at the plate. Very wide base in an open stance, bat flat on the shoulder preload. Hands stay shoulder level throughout and bat will pivot off his shoulder to angled above his helmet while incorporating a predominant high hanging leg kick into his swing. Elite level bat speed comes with very noisy hands through the zone. A lot of moving parts in his swing overall, but comes with a linear swing path that creates some loft and works heavily to the pull side. An advanced eye allows Martinez to stay back on pitches and show power to all fields on occasion as well. Will need to quiet his overall swing as he develops to really tap into his full ceiling with the hit tool. Grade: 45

Power: Potential to be the loudest carrying tool in Martinez' game. Has clocked exit velos of 105 as a 17 year old and is only continuing to fill out. All of his power currently is showing to the pull side, with all 7 of his rookie ball HRs coming to LF. Creates impressive rotational acceleration combined with a strong lower half and plus bat speed allows him to attack balls out front. Launch angle currently sits around 8 degrees, so creating a bit more loft on his swing could be beneficial moving forward. Already shows ability to impact the baseball as a teenager, Martinez is going to continue to fill out and add strength giving this tool an even higher raw ceiling. Grade: 55

Field: Shows average range moving in both directions, but rarely will attack the ball. Hands are slow to the baseball, allowing it to get to his body but shows effective movements on his transfers. Footwork is average and has a bad habit of not setting his feet, but his athletic frame allows him to bend and pivot to the ball well. Grade: 40

Arm: Martinez shows the ability to make strong throws from multiple angles and remains accurate throughout those angles. Gets good carry and is able to get his weight behind his throws with ease. Arm has the ability to play anywhere on the diamond. Grade: 50

Run: Will get an explosive first step out of the box and will reach top speed quickly, but doesn't show a true second gear. Clocked 6.9-7.2 in the 60. Grade: 40

Overall: Martinez presents a very risky, albeit very exciting profile for Blue Jays fans going forward. Likely a third baseman or corner outfielder as his body continues to mature, and gives his bat a chance to thrive with less defensive expectations. There's potential for 20+ home run pop at his peak, it's just going to take some refinement as he develops in the talented Toronto system.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Average Everyday Regular
Risk: Extreme


Nate Pearson - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 TOR RHP 1 55

Grades Update: Mar 2021
OFP Role FB CB SL CH Cnt/Cmd
55 60 60 45 70 50 50/45

Mar 2021 Report

Evaluator: Geoff Pontes

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-6
Weight: 250 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 Round 1
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: Gargantuan size on the mound, broad shouldered with a thick lower half and defined glutes. Not a muscular build, more country strength and size. Will need a fair amount of maintenance long term to maintain conditioning. Long track record of injuries, dealing with soft tissue injuries as well as a freak broken ulna in his elbow on a comebacker during his 2018 debut.

Delivery & Mechanics: Throws exclusively from the stretch; step and throw; drop and drive; moderate leg lift; short arm action; high 3/4 slot; average extension; gets downhill quickly using his long limbs in synced up motion. Will fly open and lose command of his fastball in the upper quadrants.

Fastball: Plus pitch; sits 95-99 mph touching 100 consistently. Gets above average ride on the fastball but limited run. Will get straight at times and hittable despite velocity. Does a good job of using his height to his advantage, creating downhill plane and locating in the lower quadrants. He commands the pitch best when locating low gloveside, but will elevate for swings and misses on his best days. Shows the ability to generate groundballs and whiffs when needed simply by locating north or south. Grade: 60

Curveball: 12-6 curveball, downer action and good drop; sits 77-79 mph. Mostly used early in the count against left handers. Will generate whiffs but it's primarily a change of pace offering. At times it's interchangeable with his changeup in function and situational usage. Likes to attack glove side and low off the plate. Grade: 45

Slider: Plus, plus pitch; sits 84-87 mph, touching as high as 93 mph. Tight spin and gyro movement profile. The spin and arm action allow him to straddle the line of slurve and sweeper, showing serious two-plane break. His go-to swing and miss pitch. Looks to tunnel off his fastball and attack low gloveside, with the break to catch hitters off guard as it sweeps and tumbled downward. Grade: 70

Changeup: Average pitch, but improving. Sits 86-89 mph, average run and tumble. Has improved his feel and ability to pronate. Used primarily against lefties, but it looks to be his true third pitch over the curveball based on his confidence to throw it in two strike counts. Still learning feel for the pitch, and he will struggle to kill rise at times. Has shown improvement in this area over the last two seasons Grade: 50

Control and Command: Average strike thrower and manages to get it over the plate with consistency despite the challenges of his movement and long limbs. This is what separates Pearson from many other hard throwers. While it is by no means above average control or average command, he has shown the ability to work around the plate and locate to the zones each pitch requires. Working north to south with his fastball and gloveside with his slider, armside with his curveball and changeup. Changing eye levels and keeping hitters off balance. Could improve in the realm of command and locating more effectively elevated with his fastball and turning over his changeup. Control: 50 | Command: 45

Overall: Strong middle of the rotation type starter with the stuff to be a bullpen star should his health require a move. The questions around Pearson's health and reliever risk keep him out of the 60 OFP sphere. He does however have that upside with his highest outcome. It's a matter of staying healthy and sharpening his command across the board. A truly maxed out Pearson could develop into one of the most fearsome starters in the game. His warts however make it a hard conclusion to come to. An electrifying arm talent.

OFP: 55
Role: 60 - Mid-Rotation SP or Above-Average High Leverage Reliever
Risk: High


Jordan Groshans - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 TOR SS/3B 4 55

Grades Update: Mar 2021
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
55 60 55 55 50 60 40

Mar 2021 Report

Evaluator: James Chipman

Age: 21 yr
Height: 6-3
Weight: 205 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 Round 1
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Looks the part: every bit of listed 6'3" 205 pounds. Lean, athletic frame; tapered build. Broad shoulders that slightly slope; average upper body and core; high waist with long limbs, muscular thighs and backside. Average athleticism. Impressive work ethic and leadership qualities. Moderate physical projection remains; upper body should fill out nicely as he continues to mature. Injury history includes a left foot injury (plantar fasciitis) that sidelined him for the majority of the 2019 season.

Hit: Slightly open stance that squares on load; hands high above the letters; upright stance with a slight crouch and wide base. Busy pre-load; large leg lift on gather opens body up to clear hips on load; shortens to a smaller stride or toe tap when behind in the count. Quick trigger. Strong hands and quick wrists generate plus bat speed. Fluid swing with natural loft. Advanced feel; solid bat-to-ball skills; shows patience, grinding out ABs waiting for his pitch; occasionally more passive than you'd prefer to see. Utilizes entire field. Enough bat speed to handle premium velocity; occasionally exposed by chase up in the zone and above-average or better off-speed and breaking balls. Deficiencies should shore up a tick with further pro instruction. Grade: 55

Power: Plus raw in BP; shows average in game. Explosive hands and quick wrists generate plus bat speed. Fluid swing with natural loft. Good barrel control; stays within his swing, seldom selling out for power. Drives the ball with authority to all fields; drives the gaps; shows significant over-the-fence pop. Frame and physicality ideal for future power; should easily mature into an above-average asset. Grade: 55

Field: Reads contact well; fringe-average first step but he has natural feel for SS. Has mobility but foot speed limits range. Soft hands; good footwork; quick transfers and turns. Enough instincts and skill to yield a fringy but passable defender at short in a pinch; grade plays closer to average if/when he's eventually pushed to 3B; could also see him as an asset in RF where the arm strength would shine. Grade: 50

Arm: Clean arm actions and solid mechanics yield plus arm-strength that's an asset on the left side of the diamond. Decent accuracy with crisp velocity and optimal carry. Has enough arm to throw over-the-top across the diamond with steam from deep in the hole. Grade: 60

Run: Presently a fringe-average runner with clocks mostly between 4.35-4.41 home to first. Speed likely to regress a half grade with physical maturity. Slow out of the box; lacks an impact second gear; runs flat footed with short, choppy strides. Enough instincts and feel to occasionally take the extra hustle bag but mostly a station to station guy. Grade: 40

Overall: Groshans has the ingredients of a potential middle of lineup bat capable of hitting for both average and power. The eventual move to third should yield a solid average defender with a plus arm. The profile has some additional value as there's likely some defensive versatility. Overall Groshans should continue to mature physically and evolve into an above-average first-division regular.

OFP: 55
Role: 60 - Above-Average Regular: Occasional All-Star
Risk: High


Carlos Colmenarez - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 TB SS 7 50

Aug 2021 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 17 yr
Height: 5-10
Weight: 175 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/R
Acquired: 2020 IFA
RuleV: 2025

Overall: Colmenarez might be the best player in the international class, right up there with Cristian Hernandez of the Cubs and Wilman Diaz of the Dodgers. Colmenarez has a lean but powerful frame, wiry strength should give him plus power in the future, if the hit tool will allow it. He makes exception contact, seemingly finding the barrel at will but he's prone to over aggressiveness per some reports and that could get in the way of him becoming a future 60 hit and 60 power shortstop. He's a strong defender, could be average to slightly above. Really strong internal clock, and quick first step. Arm earns potential plus grades presently. Colmenarez will start in the DSL which kicks off in the middle of July. He has the look of a future franchise player up the middle.

OFP: 50
Risk: High


Oswald Peraza - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 NYY SS 8 50

Grades Update: Jan 2021
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
50 50 60 45 60 55 60

Jan 2021 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings

Age: 21 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 176 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2016 IFA
RuleV: 2020

Physical Description: Smaller body compared to other players in this system, but has plenty of projection remaining. Nimble player with good athleticism and instincts. Becoming one of the better infield bats in the Yankees system.

Hit: Hands begin just below the ears and the operation is triggered by a subtle leg kick. Slight crouch in his stance with bent knees. Stance is closed. Peraza's game is contact-oriented, with great bat-to-ball skills and has great control of the strike zone. Most of his batted balls are line drives, as well. Swing is relatively smooth and he uses all fields, primarily using the pull side. Has all the makings of a future plus hitter from the right side of the plate. Grade: 60

Power: Despite his small frame, Peraza has tapped more into his power. He's started to produce some of the top exit velocities in the organization this year, with a maximum of 110 MPH and an average of 87 MPH. If he continues to impress with his contact rate, he's likely to develop more into fringe-average power, hitting closer to 15 home runs a year once in the big leagues. This, of course, will be dependent on if Peraza can start adding more loft to his swing. Grade: 45

Field: Peraza is a plus defender at shortstop with very good instincts and smooth actions at this position. He's got very good awareness on plays and has the arm to make it all happen. He's cleaned up on errors as he's progressed through the Yankees' system. Likely to stick at shortstop long term. Grade: 60

Arm: Peraza's arm is certainly strong enough to make plays happen. He's accurate enough to get it done, though there's work to be done. It's above-average for now, though an upgrade to plus isn't out of the question. Grade: 55

Run: Peraza is an aggressive base runner who uses his speed to his advantage. Throughout his career, he's stolen 44 bases across 159 minor league games. He's likely going to pan out as a plus runner. Grade: 60

Overall: Peraza fits the mold of an up the middle defender with an impressive bat. His line drive-oriented swing will help his hit for average more as he develops and he will grow more into his power. He'll be a menace on the base paths, as well. He's got plenty of time to develop further, as he's only 20 at the present time and is a couple of years away from the big leagues.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Average Everyday Regular
Risk: High


Anthony Volpe - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 NYY SS 5 50

Grades Update: Jan 2021
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
50 50 60 50 55 50 50

Jan 2021 Report

Evaluator: Mike Kinsela

Age: 20 yr
Height: 5-11
Weight: 180 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2019 Draft, Round 1
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Compact, athletic build with good weight distribution and some projection remaining. Has come into more and more strength, body still projects some moving forward.

Hit: Volpe's hit tool was one of the best of the 2019 prep class and it projects to be an above-average tool for him. The swing is simple, compact, and direct with above-average bat speed that portends some power projection. He's always been able to control the zone and in spite of elevated K numbers in rookie ball, he still walked quite a bit. The ingredients of a plus hit tool are here. Grade: 60

Power: Volpe is certainly a hit-over-power profile, but there's some present pop to his game right now and the projection for more is there given his frame and bat speed. He's more of a line drive, gap-to-gap approach at the plate but can turn on fastballs over the plate and can drive mistakes out to the pull-side. His consistent contact quality will lead to plenty of extra base hits and the projection for 15-18 HR annually is there. Grade: 50

Field: The instincts come into play here as well, as Volpe was lauded as the most steady, consistent infield defender in the '19 prep class, though he lacks explosive athleticism. His range, hands, feet, and feel for the position all grade above-average and he's got a higher degree of polish as a defender than most prep drafts do. Good chance to play short long term, backup plan of 2nd base. Grade: 55

Arm: Neither a plus nor minus here, Volpe has solid-average raw arm strength that plays well due to the quickness of his release and the consistency of his mechanics and subsequent accuracy. Can make all the throws required to play shortstop, though arm will never be a weapon. Grade: 50

Run: Volpe can turn in an above-average time down the line but is mostly a solid-average runner who maximizes his speed with an extremely instinctual baserunning game. His instincts should allow him to steal some bases, but it's not a burner profile. Grade: 50

Overall: Hit tool-driven profile with shortstop projection, Volpe lacks a super high ceiling but has a high one as well as more of a floor than typical prep drafts. Still risky as are all HS hitters, but the upside of first division starting shortstop exists here.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Average Everyday Regular
Risk: High


Austin Wells - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 NYY C 4 50

Grades Update: Jan 2021
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
50 50 55 55 40 40 45

Jan 2021 Report

Evaluator: Geoff Pontes

Age: 21 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 220 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/R
Acquired: 2020 Draft, Round 1
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Tall, muscular, and well proportioned. Nearly at physical max, will likely require some maintenance over time but minimal overall. High level of athleticism for a catcher with the ability to play an outfield corner.

Hit: Above-average hit tool with a track record of high batting averages, high on base percentages and strong quality of contact. He showed some swing and miss during his stint with Yarmouth-Dennis on the Cape, but still slashed .308/.389/.526 over 180 plate appearances. Discerning eye, that looks to swing on pitches he can drive. This selectivity leads to high walk rates and contact on the right pitches. Sets up square to the pitcher with slight knee bend, hands set by head. At load hands drop and pull back, with moderate leg lift, followed by slight rock before trigger. Shows the ability to stay inside and not get overly long. Bat path creates natural lift due to strong vertical and horizontal bat angles at contact. Above average tool with the characteristics to blossom into plus at peak. Grade: 55

Power: Plus bat speed, optimal bat angle at the point of contact and raw strength that allows him to make quality contact over selling out for pull-side power. Does show the ability to drive balls to all fields but his hardest hit balls come when he turns on pitches on the inner-half. Power played throughout his tenure in the Cape Cod League; a notoriously difficult place to hit for power with consistency. The combination of strength, twitch, and optimal mechanics give Wells above average game power with plus upside at peak Grade: 55

Field: A versatile defender that played a variety of positions (catcher, outfield, and first base) competently. Has made strides with his receiving over the last year but is still a below average defender behind the plate. Has the ability to play an outfield corner and his speed is stronger than an average catcher so it's not out of the question that his long term role lies in the grass. Below average arm likely limits him from right. Grade: 40

Arm: Below average arm with limited carry and strength. Limits him to first base and left field long term. Likely to push Wells off of catcher if his arm does not improve. Grade: 40

Run: On the higher end of running catchers. Not a base clogger but a fringe average straight line runner. Showed smart base running instincts throughout his time as an amateur. Not a prolific base stealer but will keep you honest when he's on. Grade: 45

Overall: Bat first profile with a strong combination of above average tools in his hit and power. The questions around his defensive role lead to extra pressure on the bat to perform. That said, Wells possesses enough skills defensively to be an everyday player; it's just likely at first base or left field. One of the more polished College players in the draft with a track record of performance against the nation's best competition.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Average Everyday Regular
Risk: Moderate


Luis Gil - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 NYY RHP 7 50

Grades Update: Jan 2021
OFP Role FB SL CH Cnt/Cmd
50 50 70 55 45 40/40

Jan 2021 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings

Age: 23 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 185 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2015 IFA, MIN
RuleV: 2019

Physical Description: Slender frame with projection at 6'2", 185 pounds. High waisted pitcher with long levers. Strong lower body, upper body has more room for strength to be added. Had shoulder surgery with the Twins, whom he signed with in 2015, before joining the Yankees in the Jake Cave trade prior to the 2018 season.

Mechanics: Gil pitches from the third base side of the rubber, triggering the operation with a higher leg kick and throws from a low three-quarters arm slot. Arm action is a bit long, though the arm speed is very impressive. Gil gets elite extension, topping upwards of seven feet, though he shortens up his extension with his slider. Release points can use some refinement, as they can get a bit inconsistent.

Fastball: Gil has an upper-90's fastball that has been tinkered with throughout 2020. The Yankees worked on adding more riding action to the pitch and eliminating a two-seam variant of the pitch. With this, Gil has averaged 17 inches of vertical break at the alternate site, making the pitch much more potent at the top of the zone. The pitch does get good horizontal life, as well, getting near nine inches of run. Pitch has above-average spin, with spin rates consistently topping 2,400 RPM's. He's touched triple digits in the past and has held velocity throughout starts, as well. Easily a double-plus offering. Grade: 70

Slider: The slider is a newer offering in Gil's arsenal, replacing a high-spin curveball. The new pitch provides some promise, as it sits in the mid-80's with high-spin, coming close to 2,500 RPM's on average. The pitch gets less than half a foot of vertical break, with seven inches of sweep. With it being a new pitch, there is still quite a bit of development to go with the offering. He's got the feel for it, though it could be a tad bit firmer. More than likely to be an above-average offering, at best. Grade: 55

Changeup: Gil throws a hard change-up, averaging just over 90 MPH in 2020. The pitch certainly has good shape and action, with 15 inches of fade and nine inches of vertical break, though the pitch needs more consistency. The spin rates are rather high, topping 1,900 RPM's on average, as well. The Yankees have worked on making Gil tinker with his grip in order to find that consistency, though it has a ways to go. Fringe-average offering with a chance to be average. Grade: 45

Control and Command: Throughout his minor league career, Gil has struggled with throwing strikes, averaging 5.4 walks per nine innings. However, he's worked on finding the zone more consistently with the Yankees, though he's got a lot of work to do in order to get average control and command. Unless there's a drastic turn-around, Gil is only likely to have below-average control and command. Control: 40 | Command: 40

Overall: Gil has shown promising stuff as a starter, though his strike-throwing ability will be what ultimately decides if he stays in the rotation or becomes a bullpen arm. If he does become a bullpen arm, he can become a good late-inning reliever with electric stuff. If he can stay in the rotation, he'd be a back-end piece. Certainly a very fun arm to follow.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - #4 or #5 Backend SP
Risk: High


Clarke Schmidt - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 NYY RHP 3 50

Grades Update: Jan 2021
OFP Role FB CB CH Cnt/Cmd
50 50 55 60 50 50/40

Jan 2021 Report

Evaluator: James Chipman

Age: 25 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 200 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 Draft, Round 1
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: Large physically developed frame: broad shoulders with mild slope; long levers; average strength throughout upper body and core; high waist with a strong, sturdy lower half. Frame is likely at projection. Lengthy injury history includes Tommy John surgery in May of 2017 and additional IL stints for minor elbow inflammation.

Mechanics: Semi-windup; tall and fall. High 3/4 arm slot with above-average arm speed and high effort in the delivery. Short compact arm action. Long stride with above-average extension. Solid deception from waist high leg kick and deep hand break. Frame and high arm slot generate steep downward plane. Choppy but fairly simple and well repeated mechanics on delivery.

Fastball: Sits 93-96. High slot generates a steep plane. Two-seam variant generates heavy sink and hard bore against same-sided batters. Four-seamer features solid arm-side run. Trusts the pitch; attacks all four quads; will attack with it in hitter's counts. Control over command; misses are predominantly glove side and up in the zone. Grade: 55

Curveball: Sits 83-86. Often misclassified as a slider because of its velocity, shape and high spin rate; utilizes a hybrid spike curve / knuckle curve grip. Shows advanced feel; manipulates arm action to occasionally mix in a softer variant with more traditional 11/5 break. Primarily shows firm two-plane break; more vertical tilt than sweeping action with exceptional bite. Commands the offering exceptionally well; will throw it inside on RHB to steal strikes and back foot it against LHB for chase. Legitimate put-away offering. Grade: 60

Changeup: Firm change of pace offering that sits 87-90. Has feel and thrown with conviction; lacks optimal velo separation and consistent execution. Occasionally slows arm speed telegraphing and guiding the pitch; should refine with further pro instruction. Lacks significant fade but features solid late vertical drop. Thrown almost exclusively to LHB; elicits weak contact and moderate swing and miss. Grade: 50

Control and Command: Control over command. Confident strike thrower; lives in or around the zone. Shows some pitchabilty; attacks all four quads; adjusts the eye level and sets up secondaries well; shows confidence pitching backwards. Shallow arsenal that's prone to heavy FB / CB sequencing and may have issues turning over a big league lineup multiple times. Average control and below-average command yields additional reliever risk. Control: 50 | Command: 40

Overall: A bit of an anticipated slow burn, Schmidt finally debuted late last season with mixed results. The development of his change-up and command will ultimately determine if he reaches draft day's mid-rotation ceiling, or settles in as a solid backend SP. A less optimal, but solid fallback plan would be a move to the bullpen where his electric FB/CB combo likely yield an impact high-leverage relief arm.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - #4 or #5 Backend SP
Risk: Moderate


Michael Baumann - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 BAL RHP 7 50

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role FB CB SL CH Cnt/Cmd
50 50 60 45 55 45 55/50

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Jason Kamlowsky

Age: 25 yr
Height: 6-4
Weight: 225 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 Draft - Round 3
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: Impressive physical stature. Long and thick lower half that has already filled out giving him plenty of strength in his legs. Good looking upper body with plenty of muscle down through his forearms. Could take on some extra weight although it is not a necessity to be effective. Sturdy righty whose body is built to eat innings at the big-league level. Wouldn't look out of place on a Major League mound.

Delivery & Mechanics: No nonsense approach and repeatable delivery. Gets right to work attacking hitters. Slight side step off the first base side of the rubber with the hands starting at the chest and working down to the waste then back to the chest. Minimal effort through the balance point. Balance point out of the windup is place of strength and allows him to get tremendous drive off his back leg. Long, overhand delivery with enough deception to keep hitters honest. Gets consistent full extension through the pitch and follow-through. Can fall off to the first base side. Athletic enough to recover on bunts and slow rollers.

Fastball: Has a four-seam fastball that explodes out of his hand. Touches 99 but sits consistently around 93-96. Good glove side run. Uses it to get ahead early in the count and gets bonus points for movement. Command is plus and throws it to all four quadrants. Does need to harness it early in games. Elevates in the zone which may present an issue. Has no fear of coming inside on hitters. Overall potential plus pitch. Grade: 60

Curveball: 77-80 MPH show me pitch. Much different look than the slider with more traditional loop. More confident throwing to lefties. Development of this pitch could be the difference between him being a high-floor SP3 or a back-end starter. Grade: 45

Slider: 88-89 MPH with hard, tight spin. Breaks like a cutter and he uses it effectively against righties and lefties. Can generate swings and misses and is already a put-away offering. Command can be spotty at times although it gets better later in games. Seems to get a better feel in the middle innings. Projects as an above-average offering. Grade: 55

Changeup: 84-88 MPH work in progress. Velo isn't a concern relative to his fastball. Shows some late movement but not enough to warrant more than an average offering at present. When he gets on top of it, he is much more effective. Will need to improve consistency. Grade: 45

Control and Command: Fills up the zone and gets right to work. Made vast improvements in pitchability and sequencing in 2019. Flashed above average on secondary pitches. Needs more consistency, although the slider is coming along nicely. Fastball command is already above average. Sometimes tends to push his changeup and will need to work better down in the zone. Mound presence is among the best in the Orioles system. Control: 55 | Command: 50

Overall: I will try and temper my enthusiasm here but Baumann could be the SP3 Robin to DL Hall and Grayson Rodriguez's Batman for years to come. He broke out in 2019 pitching effectively across two levels. Threw a no-hitter for Bowie and had a stretch of 27 innings in AA where he gave up just one run. There is some concern he may be better in a relief role so he can let his stuff fly like a bull coming out of the chute. Fastball velocity holds late into games and gives me a lot of optimism that he can hit his ceiling as a starter, however. One of the fastest risers in a very good system for pitching. Should make his Baltimore debut sometime in 2021. Mid-rotation upside, with back of the rotation SP a more realistic ceiling.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - #4 / #5 SP
Risk: Moderate


DL Hall - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 BAL LHP 3 55

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role FB CB SL CH Cnt/Cmd
55 60 60 55 55 50 55/45

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Jason Kamlowsky

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 195 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2017 Draft - Round 1
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Medium build but looks to be heavier than 190. Not the prototypical pitcher's body but has off-the-charts athleticism. Can drunk a basketball flat-footed and is one of the best pure athletes in the entire system. Has added weight, especially in his core, and could stand to add more. Fluid and smooth body movements.

Delivery & Mechanics: Athletic delivery. Starts on third-base side of the rubber. Slight rocker step with a high leg kick at the balance point. More repeatable from the windup than the stretch. 3/4 arm slot with loose, quick arm. Sometimes has arm lag instead of getting out in front. Tremendous leg drive. Has made adjustments from rushing his front side through and collapsing the backside, unlocking more velocity. Has tendency to pitch uphill out of the stretch getting a little crouch before separating his hands. Needs to consistently generate a downhill plane.

Fastball: Live arm. Throws an easy 97 and sits 93-96. Reports are that he has touched 99 at the Orioles instructional camp. Gets some late run which gradually increases later in the game. Pitches to both sides of the plate. Arm lag and inconsistency out of the stretch allows fastball to sail. Potential plus pitch. Grade: 60

Curveball: 75-79 MPH with 2/7 shape. Can be devastating, especially on lefties. Already shown ability to drop it into the zone. Will throw it in any count or situation. Potential out-pitch that has flashed plus. If the slider is for real, the curve will pair with it as a terrific secondary combo. Grade: 55

Slider: 86-88 MPH, touching 90 at instructs. Has passed the curveball as his best secondary offering. Hasn't thrown it much in live games but has been unhittable in instructs. Could be the big-time weapon that turns him into an ace. Grade: 55

Changeup: 83-85 with consistent arm action to fool hitters. Gets above average late fade. Command comes and goes. Will need to mix it more to be truly effective. Grade: 50

Control and Command: Command of the fastball is solid for his age. Works the lower half of the strike zone well. Curveball command flashes average when arm slot is maintained. In my live looks he already knew how to set hitters up. Sequencing is coming along. Changeup command needs significant work. Will go outside, inside, and then drop a curveball making him one of the top left-handed pitching prospects in baseball. Control: 55 | Command: 45

Overall: The raw stuff is outstanding and when combined with the elite athleticism there is a lot to get excited about. The Orioles got a steal with Hall dropping to 21st overall in 2017 and the new front office has done wonders for him. The projectability here is off the charts and he has already shown that he loves the big stage in getting a 1-2-3 inning in the 2019 Futures Game. If the slider is as good as it has been advertised to be in instructs, Hall could have some of the nastiest stuff in all of baseball. Overall there's legitimate impact level mid-rotation upside here.

OFP: 55
Role: 60 - #3 SP
Risk: High


Grayson Rodriguez - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 BAL RHP 2 55

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role FB CB SL CH Cnt/Cmd
55 60 60 50 55 55 55/50

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Eric Garfield

Age: 21 yr
Height: 6-5
Weight: 220 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/R
Acquired: 2018 Draft - Round 1
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Tall, long limbed righty. High torso. Athletic build still maturing. Effective weight added throughout pro career. Shoulders are broad, square. Chest is developed. Strong, athletic legs with room for more muscle near torso. Huge hands with long fingers. Straight, tall posture athletically on the mound. Competitive, commanding mound presence.

Delivery & Mechanics: High 3/4 almost over-the-top slot with moderate effort in the delivery. Short strider but decent extension and good arm speed. Limb length contributes to moving parts during delivery. Legs seem to hinge several times throughout motion. Hands held high, they're joined and torqued down then up together in the windup creating a hop effect into the motion. Pro career has included shaving rough edges off raw HS delivery while dominating hitters.

Fastball: Sits 93-97 t98; average velo 95 with explosive late life. Velocity has ticked up incrementally as a pro. Shows confidence throwing it in any count. Heavy bore low in the zone; decent run elsewhere; willing to elevate it to finish off hitters. Late explosion into the mitt increases a heavier feel. Places well on perimeter of zone; command average and improving. Grade: 60

Curveball: Sits 74-79. Inconsistent but improving. Shows desired velocity, tight rotation and 11/5 break at its best. Primarily a spike pitch buried low in the zone. Less optimal ineffective cement mixers and hangers occasionally come in around 74-76. Can be located well at times and end plenty of ABs. Will clean up with more success against advanced hitters. Flashes average enough to keep me optimistic. Grade: 50

Slider: Sits 84-88. Highly effective to RHB influencing weak contact, good K rates. Breaks tight and sharp; short with slight, floating motion like a cutter. Shows longer two-plane horizontal breaker with darting action at lower velo band. Developing pitch that's seen significant gains. Grade: 55

Changeup: Sits 78-82. Previously a low usage pitch that has now become a potential weapon. Significantly improved, the change is a byproduct of pro instruction and technology. Flat pitch that's firm with contrast movement; works well off the high spin heat. His ability to control, pull the string and influence tumble very high. If he's able to repeat fastball arm speed, and gain consistency the ceiling only increases. Grade: 55

Control and Command: Improving part of an ace repertoire, Grayson has showed both throughout his pro career. A stuff monster with a projectable frame, Rodriguez shows flashes of above-average control and solid average command. Control: 55 | Command: 50

Overall: Drafted as a prep arm, Rodriguez has already experienced massive physical gains, losing baby fat and maturing into a long, lean flamethrower. Tasting success at the lower levels wasn't enough as he added and then began to perfect and further develop his secondary offerings. Lots of hope and faith for the organization's pitching future hinges on Rodriguez rescuing expectations. Despite being aware of this, his attitude and focus are uncommonly forward focused. Frontline rotation upside, with realistic #3 SP future potential. The Orioles don't usually have prospects like this. I see innings, strikeouts and wins in his near future with no need to rush his already increasing progress.

OFP: 55
Role: 60 - #3 SP
Risk: High


Gunnar Henderson - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 BAL SS 6 50

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
50 50 50 50 55 60 55

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Eric Garfield

Age: 20 yr
Height: 6-3
Weight: 195 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/R
Acquired: 2019 Draft - Round 2
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Still growing into a sturdy frame. Thick forearms, broad shouldered, long limbed with room to add bicep area strength. Nimble feet; extremely athletic lower body with thick and defined upper legs that show power not heft when moving; shows ability to put torque into movements with ease and low effort. Alabama state basketball player of the year gathers into his movements like a shooting guard.

Hit: Open stance; balanced foundation with a slight crouch. Quiet pre-load; moderate toe tap. Gradual buildup of momentum as the swing opens wider. Hand load is significant and rapid. Swing gets lengthy with power as he uses his hands to square the barrel with accuracy. Longer than average arms mean that he can reach high and away and drive it to the opposite field. Uppercut action is evident and somewhat exploitable. Susceptible to high FB. Advanced strike zone judgement; ability to make clean contact regardless of situation/matchup. Will walk. Power is present with room to add some weight as he grows his already skilled offensive resume. Grade: 50

Power: Above-average raw in BP. Present in-game but significantly lower than it projects moving forward. Should mature to average as he gets reps and gains weight. Strong ability to barrel and drive the ball over the fence. Trained prospect in ability to use the velocity of the pitch to his advantage and turn his wrists over directly into the pitch's path. Ball travels faster and farther than it should because the contact is so clean and buildup so controlled. Output post-contact is naturally uppercut (sometimes extreme) so future HR numbers would not only be higher than expected, but hit to all fields. Grade: 50

Field: Impressive transfer speeds, precise movements and a weightless first step contribute to a highly athletic shortstop profile. Plays with balance and never rushes, seems to have a good plan, high level baseball instincts on grounders, double plays and especially positioning. Shows leadership through defense. A natural middle infielder; his best baseball skill. Grade: 55

Arm: More than adequate strength to make every throw, plays in the hole made with ease, footwork leads to accurate yet measured throws across the diamond. Indifferent to angles as every throw would be similar from every spot. Never seemed rushed, feet consistently under shoulders. Throws get slightly sidearm occasionally. Finishes and starts double plays with veteran's guile. Grade: 60

Run: Easy to tap into lateral quickness, high top speed, excellent burst into acceleration. Flies out of the box, keeps tight lanes to bases to burst into turns. Seems like this won't last as he transitions from slender to strong-for now a player who can use his quickness all over the field but it translates best to base path acceleration. Can steal, smart enough to pick spots and know pitcher's patterns. Grade: 55

Overall: Dripping with instinct, skill and quiet confidence, Henderson is a sign of both the Orioles new direction and the athletic profile they'll be using to fill out their future infields. Henderson is a team leader and proud communicator on the field. He plays with style and his chemistry lifts teams. Sticking at shortstop through his physical growth would show the rest of his path with clarity. His future profile projects a solid everyday shortstop with potential All-Star ability.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Average Everyday Regular
Risk: Moderate


Cole Wilcox - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 TB RHP 13 50

Grades Update: Aug 2021
OFP Role FB SL CH Cnt/Cmd
50 50 50 55 60 50/45

Aug 2021 Report

Evaluator: Anthony Franco

Age: 21 yr
Height: 6-5
Weight: 232 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2020 Round 3 (SD)
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Listed at 6-5, 232. Big, prototype starter's frame. Tall and muscular with sloped shoulders. No physical projection remaining but he's already sufficiently strong.

Mechanics: Fairly low effort delivery. Throws from 3/4 arm slot. Exaggerated lean of upper half shows the ball pretty early to left-handed hitters. A little bit of stiffness at release driven by fringe athleticism; doesn't really get over his front hip which could inhibit his ability to work glove-side.

Fastball: Was into the high-90's at UGA; has been 93-97 in minors this season. Plays below its plus velocity because of suboptimal shape. Fastball lacks life and opposing hitters can stay on top of it when he works up in the zone. Better used down for weak, groundball contact. Grade: 50

Slider: Breaking ball shape can be a little inconsistent but it's plus at its best. Can get bat-missing depth at high-80's velocity when he snaps off a good one but also gets a little slurvy when he leaves it up in the zone. Likely settles in an as above-average pitch as he develops a little more consistency with release point. Grade: 55

Changeup: High-80's changeup can be really deceptive. Mimics arm speed well and the changeup shape mirrors that of the fastball. Needs to locate the pitch more consistently down and to his arm-side but has the potential to neutralize left-handed hitters. Grade: 60

Control and Command: Solid strike-thrower. Better control than command; hits the strike zone but can be inconsistent with his locations within the zone. Fringy flexibility in the lower half can impede his ability to work with precision to glove-side. Control: 50 | Command: 45

Overall: Wilcox has the makings of a mid-rotation starter, based primarily on the quality of his secondary pitches. The fastball's not as effective as the radar gun indicates, so it'll be critical for him to develop consistency with and creatively sequence his offspeed stuff.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Backend SP #4
Risk: Moderate


Brendan McKay - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 TB LHP 12 50

Grades Update: Aug 2021
OFP Role FB CU CB CH Cnt/Cmd
50 50 55 55 50 45 55/50

Aug 2021 Report

Evaluator: Isaiah Burrows

Age: 25 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 220 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2017 Round 1
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: Sound height and weight on the mound. Broad shoulders and sturdy lower half. Good athleticism for his size, uses it well in his delivery. Well-proportioned frame throughout.

Mechanics: High three-quarter delivery from the left side. Lifts right leg just above the belt before coming downhill in his operation. Repatale arm motion; creates good extension. Upper and lower half stay connected with each pitch. Simple mechanics play well in his delivery, pitches in one smooth motion.

Fastball: Mid-90s offering with subtle ride towards the top of the zone. Sits 92-95; reaches 97-98. Good velocity and late movement; forces consistent whifs on either side of the plate. Doesn't reach back for velocity, fastball thrown with a natural feel and touch. Above-average pitch in his deep arsenal. Grade: 55

Cutter: Mid-to-high 80s cutter with good movement. Sits 84-86; reaches 88-89. Manipulates it well with his fastball due to its late spin and movement. Effective offering against righties, ties them up at the hands. Sits a bit firm in the heart of the zone, but has enough velocity and movement as a reliable offering. Grade: 55

Curveball: Low-80s curveball with tight rotation and break; lacks consistency and depth. Sits 82-84 that breaks well of the out zone. Good strikeout pitch against lefties; heavy break off the plate. Immediate drop and movement plays well off his fastball-cutter combination. Another solid pitch thrown with confidence. Grade: 50

Changeup: Mid-80s changeup that was seldomly used in the big leagues two years ago. Has a chance to develop into a solid fourth pitch. Sits 85-87 with average depth and fade. Lacks tumble out of the zone, stays more firm. Shows improvement with its command. Can transform into a reliable offering with more reps and development. Grade: 45

Control and Command: Has a good makeup and feel for his three main pitches. Pounds all four corners of the zone. Dots low and away with his fastball and cutter. Curveball breaks out of the zone.Pitches with confidence; knows when and how to attack opposing hitters. Gives up seldom walks, but some pitches eat too much of the plate and get barreled as a result. Repeatable mechanics bode well to his feel and knowledge of the zone. Control: 55 | Command: 50

Overall: With a good feel for three solid pitches in a deep arsenal, McKay has what it takes to pitch at the highest level when healthy. He showed glimpses of two-way play with the Rays, but his future seems to be destined for the mound. McKay knows how to manipulate his pitches to force consistent whiffs, and his smooth mechanics are a big part of that. Injuries and command issues have held him back, especially his most recent left shoulder surgery. Time will tell if McKay returns to form as a hitter or pitcher, but he still has room for improvement at the big league level.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Backend SP #4
Risk: High


Brent Honeywell - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 TB RHP 11 50

Grades Update: Aug 2021
OFP Role FB CU CH SCR Cnt/Cmd
50 50 50 55 50 55 50/45

Aug 2021 Report

Evaluator: Jake Boes

Age: 26 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 180 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2014 CBB
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: Medium build with long limbs; average strength throughout. Sloped shoulders, high waist, wide hips, strong midsection and thighs. Overall build reminds me of Anibal Sanchez in his Marlins days. Frame is at projection currently. Injury history includes Tommy John Surgery in 2018, a fractured throwing elbow in 2019, and right ulnar nerve surgery in 2020.

Mechanics: High 3/4 slot with moderate effort; full windup with modest pace. Stays fairly upright through motion; tall and fall mechanics give downhill plane with slight head whack upon release. Clawing arm action with plus arm speed, yielding moderate deception. Repeats delivery well. Shows comfort from the stretch and holds runners close.

Fastball: 92-94 t95 with riding life in the upper part of the zone; plays best when located in the upper third, compliments his change up well. Tends to get straight when spotted down. Shows average command with the offering with little projection remaining, although he may find himself in the upper part of the velocity band in a relief role. Grade: 50

Cutter: Shows slider characteristics at 86-88; sharp, sweeping breaker with bite used mostly against same-sided batters. Heavy horizontal movement but does have some depth when the pitch is at its best. Flashes plus but sits more above-average, used more as a put away pitch rather than the more conventional deployment to induce weak contact. Grade: 55

Changeup: 85-87 flashing steep fade into the bottom of the zone; feel wavers at times, casting into the upper part of the zone with floating movement. Maintains arm speed well and causes the fastball to play up when the pitch is working. Flashes plus but likely settles in at solid-average long-term with the ability to miss bats at the major league level. Grade: 50

Screwball: 81-83 with sharp, vertical break. Usage has become rare over time, flashes fade and generates swings and misses consistently in the lower part of the zone; also capable of freezing hitters for called strikes. An easy plus offering considering the rarity of the pitch, the command, and the movement profile, but the usage suggests it may not have an opportunity to make its full potential impact long-term. Grade: 55

Control and Command: Average control with fringe-average command. Shows the ability to fill the zone with each offering; swings and misses out of the zone help to mitigate some shortcomings with command, with misses mostly East-west. Not likely to improve over time; shows enough command to start but recent appearances have been in relief. Control: 50 | Command: 45

Overall: Honeywell doesn't dazzle with high-octane stuff, but his four viable offerings that compliment each other in each quadrant help to get him by and generate swings and misses and navigate an order multiple times through. Injuries, which have haunted Honeywell, add to his relief risk more so than stuff or command. This process may already be in the works, with the vast majority of his MiLB appearances coming in relief this season. His stuff and impact will always play best as a starter, but health may necessitate a bullpen role long-term.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Backend SP #4 or High Leverage Reliever
Risk: High


Heriberto Hernandez - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 TB OF 10 50

Grades Update: Aug 2021
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
50 50 55 50 45 45 40

Aug 2021 Report

Evaluator: Jake Kerns

Age: 21 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 195 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 IFA (TEX)
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Above-average height with a solid, sturdy build. He's filled out since signing, and has the physical look of a major league catcher, but there is a chance he continues to grow and move out of the field entirely.

Hit: Utilizes a slightly open and upright stance, and he keeps his knees bent. His hands stay high and back, with some loose and rhythmic movement pre-pitch. Uses a small-to-moderate leg kick as he closes his stance and steps into the pitch. Stands back in the box and has a wide base at impact. Above-average or better bat speed that generates hard contact on barreled balls. The ball jumps off the bat when he connects. It's a rotational swing with a mostly linear bat path, but he does show an inclination to swing upwards. Either bat path gets the ball in the air with regularity, and he has the look of an extra-base hitter. Has innate bat-to-ball skills and does a good job with getting the ball into play. He shows a strong eye and regularly produces excellent walks rates. Despite his bat-to-ball skills and eye, he does strike out too frequently, which is a sign of both his aggressiveness and confidence with the stick. If he can cut down his K-rates, and show some improved plate discipline, he has the potential to be an on-base machine. Grade: 55

Power: Possesses above-average to plus raw power. His bat-to-ball skills and propensity to get the ball in the air suggests he can get to that raw power, too. He's a strong kid, and he generates some very loud contact and high exit velocities, and when that's coupled with his bat-to-ball skills, there's reason to believe he's a future 20+ home run hitter at the next level. Grade: 50

Field: Hernandez has played a lot of catcher in the past, but he's mostly getting reps in LF this season. He moves well behind the plate and has solid instincts there, but he's rough around the edges. He's not afraid to get in the dirt and block a pitch, but I've also watched him be somewhat nonchalant with his backhands, which could be a sign of his indifference to the position or the trust in his glove. He has the look of an average receiver, and shows an understanding of pitch framing, but he'll need reps there, and those chances are diminishing. In the grass, he's showing fringe-average to average range. He takes solid routes, but his foot speed limits him. As with catcher, he's playable there, and that might be where he ends up, assuming he even plays the field. Grade: 45

Arm: He has average arm strength, but my limited looks at him behind the plate suggest his arm plays below that due to slower-than-desired transfers. His pop times were in the 2.10 range, which is, again, playable at the position, but it hardly stands out. In the field, the ball shows decent carry from the grass. Grade: 45

Run: Timed 4.33 down the line from the right side. Hustles out of the box and is surprisingly agile for his size, but he'll probably slow with time and/or any additional bulk. Grade: 40

Overall: Hernandez possesses one of the better bats in the system, and there's legitimate hit and power potential from that standpoint. The knock on Hernandez is, and will continue to be, his spot in the field. He's a capable catcher, but the rigors of the position would likely suppress his bat. The Rays have stuck him in LF and asked him to mash in Charleston, and that appears to be the plan with each level moving forward. He projects as a high on-base hitter, and that very well may come from a corner spot or DH position. He's good enough with the stick for that to work, though.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Average Everyday Regular
Risk: Moderate