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Landon Sims - MLB Draft Profile

2022 MLB Draft Scouting Report for RHP Landon Sims

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Elijah Green - MLB Draft Profile

2022 MLB Draft Scouting Report & Interview with Elijah Green

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Cole Young - MLB Draft Profile
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Bryce Hubbart - MLB Draft Profile
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Zach Neto - MLB Draft Profile

Tyler Jennings

Bryan Van Belle - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 BOS RHP 38 30

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role FB CB CH Cnt/Cmd
30 30 50 40 55 55/50

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 187 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2020 UDFA
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Very athletic frame at 6'2", 187 pounds. Started Friday nights for Miami ahead of two 2020 draftees (Slade Cecconi and Chris McMahon). Has projection remaining to his frame. Had Tommy John prior to arriving at Miami, has transformed himself into a very competitive arm.

Delivery & Mechanics: Pitches from a three-quarters arm slot from first base side of the rubber. High leg kick, pitches downhill well. Very good at repeating his delivery. Good pitchability.

Fastball: Not an overpowering pitch. Velocity sat 89-92 MPH in college and topped out at 93 MPH with some late movement to the pitch. Likely will see velocity uptick with added strength, but likely to only be an average offering. Grade: 50

Curveball: Inconsistent pitch that lags behind his change-up. Gets loopy at times, but he can locate it for strikes. Refinement is needed. Grade: 40

Changeup: Easily his best secondary offering. Pairs well with the fastball and generates a solid amount of swings and misses. Circle change-up grip, thrown for strikes, and has good fade and sink to it. Has potential to be a plus offering, but is above average right now. Grade: 55

Control and Command: Throws a ton of strikes, only walked 22 hitters at Miami across two seasons. Pitches around the zone very well, controls the strike zone. Likely to be an above-average asset down the line. Control: 55 | Command: 50

Overall: Refinement of his curveball will be key to how he progresses. He's shown to be a very competitive pitcher at Miami and likely will replicate it with Boston. Chances to start will rely on development of third pitch.

OFP:30
Role:30-Up/Down Emergency Depth
Risk:High

Marcus Wilson - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 BOS OF 34 35

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
35 30 45 45 50 50 55

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 198 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2014 Draft - CBB, ARI
RuleV: On 40-man

Physical Description: Lanky and projectable frame at 6'2, just shy of 200 pounds. Will add strength to his frame as he develops. Very athletic player, he was a former two-sport athlete in high school in California.

Hit: Wide stance at the plate with a moderate leg kick trigger to operation. He has decent bat speed, but struggles with swings and misses, particularly against off-speed pitches. He does showcase decent plate discipline, although the strikeout rate is a tad worrisome. Controlled load during coil, hands start high and are nearly parallel with shoulder. Contact rate is low and approach is rather aggressive, which creates concern over progression of hit tool. Grade: 45

Power: Tapped more into his power after trade from Arizona to Boston. Swing change allowed Wilson to hit the ball in the air more, leading to 16 home runs in Boston's system in 2019. Swing has some natural loft. Worry about contact rate limits how power will play at the next level. More than likely to become a fringe-average to average tool. Grade: 45

Field: Good instincts and speed will allow Wilson to potentially stay in center field long term. Average defense in center field, shows some good range. Move to a corner outfield spot, particularly left field, is possible. Grade: 50

Arm: As mentioned with defense, a move to a corner outfield spot is not out of the question, mainly due to his arm. At best, his arm is average, and will work better in left field in Fenway Park. Arm strength is present. Grade: 50

Run: Has become a noteworthy baserunner in recent seasons, stealing 15-20 bases a season. Moves well thanks to his slender frame, will likely be his best tool moving forward: Grade: 55

Overall: Hit tool concerns will continue to follow Wilson as he makes his way through the Red Sox system. Will need to improve his approach and plate discipline to fully tap into his potential. Projects to be a bench bat for the time being, maybe even a 5th outfielder.

OFP:35
Role:30-Up/Down Emergency Depth
Risk:Extreme

Yoan Aybar - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 BOS LHP 27 35

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role FB SL CH Cnt/Cmd
35 30 60 45 40 40/40

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 210 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2013 IFA
RuleV: On 40-man

Physical Description: Lean frame at 6'2", 210 pounds with little, if any, projection remaining. Athletic body, strong lower half. Shoulders are broad, muscular arms. Former outfielder turned pitching prospect.

Delivery & Mechanics: Works from the stretch only. Throws across his body from the third base side of the rubber. Throws from a three-quarters arm slot with a lengthy arm motion and not-so-deceptive delivery. Struggles to stay in sync at times, but that is to be expected from someone who is only two years into pitching. Arm is a tad late at foot plant, as well.

Fastball: Fastball is lights out when Aybar is on. Reportedly has touched 100 MPH in the past, but primarily sits in the mid-to-high 90's with some run to it. Pitch is primarily located armside, has some trouble commanding pitch at times. Even when it's not on, the pitch is useful for getting outs. Velocity tends to taper off during longer outings. With further development of control/command and more movement, could be a plus-plus offering. Grade: 60

Slider: Main secondary offering with two-plane shape to it. Lack of consistency with pitch creates some concern. Slider/Cutter hybrid at times. Pitch sits in the mid-to-upper 80's, primarily 86-88 MPH. Could become an above-average offering with further development, but looks more like fringe-average offering presently. Grade: 45

Changeup: Not thrown very often. Sits in the mid-80's with some sink to it, but overall, not likely to be anything of worth in the future, if he keeps it in his repertoire. Grade: 40

Control and Command: Struggles to find the strike zone. Throughout his career, he has walked 55 batters across 85 innings of work. Development of control/command will be key. If he can learn to land the fastball glove side, could see a bump in grade, but both grade as below-average currently. Control: 40 | Command: 40

Overall: Has the makings of a solid fastball/slider combination out of the bullpen, but needs to develop consistency with control/command and slider. At worst, he's a low-leverage relief arm that could be used sparingly. At best, likely an average high leverage arm with a nasty fastball/slider combo. His development will be very intriguing to watch as he progresses through the Red Sox's system.

OFP:35
Role:30-Up/Down Emergency Depth
Risk:Extreme

Shane Drohan - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 BOS LHP 25 35

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role FB CB CH Cnt/Cmd
35 30 50 55 45 40/40

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-3
Weight: 195 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2020 Draft - Round 5
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Long limbs to his body, athletic frame. High waisted pitcher. Some projection remaining to his frame. Drafted in the 5th round of the 2020 Draft out of Florida State.

Delivery & Mechanics: Throws from a three-quarters arm slot with a loose arm. Hides ball well, creating some deception to his delivery. High leg kick triggers delivery, threw from the third base side of rubber at Florida State.

Fastball: Not the most overpowering offering in his arsenal, but has solid late sink to the pitch that sits in the low-90's (91-93 MPH) and has topped out at 95 MPH in the past. More velocity could be added as his frame matures and adds weight/muscle. Solid spin rates. Grade: 50

Curveball: Best secondary offering in his arsenal. Showcases plus spin rates with 1-to-7 shape and great depth. Tight rotation to the pitch. Sat in the high-70's in college. Can be effective against left-handed hitters if he can locate the pitch better. Grade: 55

Changeup: Has a feel for pitch, but needs improvement/consistency to be a true weapon in his repertoire. Velocity in college was 80-84 MPH. Fringe-average pitch at best. Grade: 45

Control and Command: Has worked on improving his control throughout his college career, especially in 2020. However, he struggles to find the strike zone, as showcased by his 69 walks across 73.2 innings in college. His athleticism will help his delivery become repeatable and will certainly help him throw more strikes. Control: 40 | Command: 40

Overall: Has good upside for a college pitcher that struggles to find the zone. If he can improve his fastball command and overall control, he could have a chance to remain a starter for a little bit longer. However, his future resides in the bullpen.

OFP:35
Role:30-Up/Down Emergency Depth
Risk:Extreme

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

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

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

Connor Wong - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 BOS C 13 40

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
40 40 40 50 50 50 50

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings

Age: 25 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 178 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 Draft - Round 3, LAD
RuleV: Eligible

Physical Description: Small for a catcher at 6'1" and just shy of 180 pounds. Skinny, athletic frame, but not much projection remaining to his body. Plays second and third base as well. Smaller frame allows for some more fluid movement.

Hit: Moderately wide stance at the plate, leg kick is his trigger. Hands moved to a higher starting point after trade from Dodgers, where his hands started low during his load. Swing is long and his approach is aggressive, which hampers the hit tool. Genuine concern for swings and misses, will need to refine his approach. Grade: 40

Power: Dodgers worked with Wong to give his swing more loft and to lift the ball more into the air. Swing is loose. He has shown solid raw power to all fields, but in game power will likely not be more than average due to contact concerns. Further adjustments will be needed if he wants to tap more into his power. Grade: 50

Field: Versatility is key for Wong. Primarily a catcher, he has played at second and third base in the past. Moves well for a catcher behind the plate. Receiving and framing skills are fringe-average, but have improved and could become average. Smooth hands in the field too, but likely will be placed behind the plate. Grade: 50

Arm: Average arm strength behind the plate. Works well for second base, too. Has worked on throwing as he has progressed, but likely won't reach a higher grade than what it is. Grade: 50

Run: Has shown off speed in the past, particularly in college at Houston, where he stole 26 bases in his final season on campus. Moves well, but will become an average asset as he gets older. Not likely to be a menace on the basepaths. Grade: 50

Overall: Wong's versatility will make him a future utility piece for the Red Sox. Hit tool will carry the most questions as he progresses. Will be interesting to see how far improvements behind the plate with receiving, framing, and throwing progress as well.

OFP: 40
Role: 40-Below-Average Player: Bench / Utility
Risk: High

Nick Yorke - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 BOS 2B 10 45

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
45 40 55 50 50 45 50

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings

Age: 19 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 200 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2020 Draft - Round 1
RuleV: 2024

Hit: Many scouts adored the hit tool coming out of high school, which was one of the better hit tools amongst prepsters in the 2020 class. Has a slight leg kick as a trigger, hands start around the ears and he produces solid bat speed. Swing is compact and he has a very solid approach at the plate. Uses all fields. Currently above-average, but has a good chance to be a plus tool as he develops. Grade: 55

Power: Still developing his power, with most of it being to the pull side. More power was evident in the short stint that was his senior season, and as he adds more strength to his upper body, the power will come. Likely to be an average tool moving forward. Grade: 50

Field: Due to shoulder surgery and subsequent healing, likely will be limited to second base in the future. Speed hurts his range on the left side of the diamond as well. Has solid instincts in the infield and good footwork, but likely will be a bat-first player. Grade: 50

Arm: Arm strength was solid prior to injury, but subpar healing has caused some issues with regaining that strength. Could see more of that strength return, but the arm will be fringe-average at best currently. Grade: 45

Run: Fastest 60 in high school was a 7.00, which is average. Likely to lose some speed as he progresses. Grade: 50

Overall: Will become an offensive-minded second baseman in the future. His hit tool will be his loudest asset, if he works on his opposite field pop, his power could see a better grade next to it. Arm and defensive placement will be key components to watch as he progresses through Boston's system.

OFP:45
Role:40-Below-Average Player: Platoon
Risk:High

Tanner Houck - Scouting Report


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

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

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings

Age: 25 yr
Height: 6-5
Weight: 230 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 Draft - Round 1
RuleV: On 40-man

Physical Description: Strong, tall frame at 6'5, 230 pounds. Very minimal projection remaining, but has an ideal pitchers body. Waist is high, limbs are long. Movements are fluid and body is athletic.

Delivery & Mechanics: Throws from a low three-quarters arm slot, starts on first base side of rubber. Delivery includes effort, with a lengthy arm action and relatively high leg kick from the windup. Crossfire delivery, creating tough at-bats for right-handed hitters. Despite longer arm action, the arm itself is very quick and a tad deceptive. Mechanics mirror fellow Red Sox starter Chris Sale, but with the opposite throwing arm. Has struggled with maintaining mechanics throughout starts.

Fastball: Houck throws two fastballs, a four-seam and a two-seam. Four-seamer will sit in the mid-90's and he has touched 98 MPH in the past, but the main issue with the pitch is that it is pretty straight and flat, causing it to be hit hard. He likes to locate the pitch up in the zone. The two-seamer is the better of the two pitches, with good arm-side run and sink. The pitch sits more in the lower-90's and will rely on the pitch more the farther he goes into an outing. Both offerings are low-spin, averaging around the 2,000-2,100 RPM mark. Needs to work on fastball command in the future. Grade: 55

Slider: Pitch sits in the mid-80's with serious sweeping action. Spin rate is not enormously high, averaging 2,400-2,500 RPM in 2020. Very confident in throwing to both left-handed and right-handed hitters, drawing some bad swings along the way. Has a good chance to be a legitimate, bat missing offering in his repertoire. Best offering that he brings to the table. Grade: 60

Splitter: Ditched change-up for a splitter grip in 2020. Shows late downward action, but the pitch is inconsistent. Could become a very good weapon against left-handed hitters, but development of the pitch is key for that to happen Grade: 45

Control and Command: Due to the moving parts in his delivery, his control/command is relatively spotty and can be inconsistent. Will need to refine moving forward if he wants to avoid a demotion to the bullpen. Control: 45 | Command: 45

Overall: Certainly has a solid fastball/slider combination to get outs, but lack of third pitch right now makes it tough for him to remain in the rotation long term. With further development of the splitter, chances that he sticks in the backend of the rotation are higher. If he becomes a bullpen piece, likely will be a high leverage arm to rely on.

OFP: 50
Role: 50-#4 or #5 SP or Above-Average High Leverage Reliever
Risk: High

Wander Franco - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 TB SS/3B 1 60

Grades Update: Aug 2021
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
60 70 70 60 55 55 55

Aug 2021 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings

Age: 20 yr
Height: 5-10
Weight: 189 lbs
Hits/Throws: S/R
Acquired: 2017 IFA
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: Smaller, yet strong frame at 5'10", 189 pounds. Body is nearly physically maxed out. Levers aren't very long. Very dynamic athlete who recently made MLB debut.

Hit: Franco is a switch-hitting bat with the ability to use all fields from both sides of the plate. He has an advanced approach at the plate, drawing more walks than strikeouts throughout his minor league career and very rarely swings and misses. Both swings feature a subtle leg kick and his hands start right by his ear, with a quiet load into his swing. He has electric bat speed and has excellent strike zone recognition. He is aggressive with pitches in the zone, as he has swung at more than 70% of pitches in the strike zone during his abbreviated MLB career so far. It's hard to get soft contact from Franco, as well. At this point, it's a 70 grade tool, but you certainly can't rule out the potential for an 80 grade in the near future. Grade: 70

Power: Franco packs quite the punch. He's shown off more power from the left side, with a large portion of his career home runs coming from that side, but there's still solid power potential from the right side of the plate. He will utilize all fields with his pop, especially as he's starting to add loft to his swing and get the ball in the air more. He's likely a guy to give you 20+ home runs in a total season. Plus tool. Grade: 60

Field: There is some concern that Franco likely won't stay at the shortstop with his size, but he's proven he can play at third base and even second base. He's got a good internal clock and has the instincts to play all three positions. He's got good range on the left side of the infield and has made some difficult plays look relatively easy over there. Grade: 55

Arm: Wander certainly has the arm strength to play at both third base and shortstop. In the views we have had of him in Durham this year, he's made strong and accurate throws with good carry. Above average tool for Franco. Grade: 55

Run: Wander possesses above-average speed on the basepaths. 27 stolen bases to his name throughout his career, including two at the major league level. Grade: 55

Overall: We are likely looking at one of the future stars of this sport. Of course, time will tell, but the tools and the performances that Franco has shown off have proven as such. He'll provide versatility to the Rays defensively and his at-bats will be must watch TV as he gets more major league time under his belt.

OFP: 60
Role: 70-Impact Player/Perennial All-Star
Risk: Moderate

Tylor Megill - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 NYM RHP 20 40

Grades Update: Feb 2021
OFP Role FB CB SL CH Cnt/Cmd
40 40 55 55 40 45/40

Feb 2021 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings

Age: 25 yr
Height: 6-7
Weight: 230 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 Round 8
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Large, imposing frame at 6'7", 230 pounds. High waisted player with broad shoulders and long limbs. Body is filled out with minimal to zero projection remaining to frame. Lower half is strong. Brother of Cubs pitcher Trevor Megill.

Delivery & Mechanics: Turn and fire delivery from the first base side of the mound with operation triggered by high leg kick. Throws from a three-quarters arm slot and generates good extension. Operation is pretty effortless and arm action is good. With his large frame, mechanics could use some refinement to get into more consistency. Delivery does have a crossfire in it, which makes it tough for hitters to get comfortable against him, though it hampers fastball command.

Fastball: Megill has previously sat in the 92-94 MPH range with his fastball, touching 96 MPH on several occasions. Pitch is helped by high spin rates and the extension created by his delivery. Does get some arm-side run on the heater. Command of pitch can be hampered at times, especially to the arm-side. Could be some more in the tank velocity-wise, though it's already an above-average offering. Grade: 55

Slider: Megill's slider has seen much improvement since signing with the Mets in 2018. With Arizona, the pitch tended to get flat often. Now, it's an above-average offering in the 82-85 MPH range with a ton of spin and good shape. It can get flat at times still, but it's more consistent than it was with the Wildcats. Helps form a solid fastball/slider combination that would work well in a major league bullpen. Grade: 55

Changeup: Megill has a feel for the pitch, but it is far behind the fastball and slider in development. Likely won't be more than a below-average offering at the next level. Grade: 40

Control and Command: Megill's control and command have certainly improved as he has progressed, though he's got some more work to do if he wants to have average assets for both. This will limit his role to a bullpen arm in the future. Control: 45 | Command: 40

Overall: Megill is currently being developed as a starter, though it's very likely he becomes a bullpen arm at the next level. The fastball/slider combination would play well in a multi-inning role, though further development would help him earn a better role in the Mets bullpen.

OFP: 40
Role: 40 - Long Reliever or Low Leverage Reliever
Risk: Moderate

Mahki Backstrom - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ATL 1B/OF 32 35

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
35 30 40 60 50 40 50

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings

Age: 19 yr
Height: 6-5
Weight: 220 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2019 Draft, Round 18
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Very strong and athletic build with even proportions. Broad shoulders and long levers. Not much physical projection remaining to his frame. Has added quite a bit of muscle since entering the Braves organization.

Hit: Wide stance, hands start around the ears and the operation is triggered with a very subtle leg kick. Smooth swing with loft to it. Does use all fields, primarily using the opposite field during his 2019 campaign. However, there is a legitimate concern for his strikeout rate, which sat at 32.9% in 2019. He does struggle against breaking balls and will need to refine his approach to improve contact. Backstrom fits the bill of a three true outcome hitter. Grade: 40

Power: Backstrom's power is his potential carrying tool. He is able to get great coil, which has led to tremendous bat speed and power from the left side of the plate. Exit velocities in high school reached as high as 109 MPH. Power does play to all fields, but primarily to the pull side. Contact issues prevent his power from being double plus. Grade: 60

Field: For his size, Backstrom is able to move well, but he will be limited to first base defensively. Showcases good footwork and agility, which have improved with the Braves. Will be interesting to see how his body progresses, but likely to be an average defender at first base. Grade: 50

Arm: Backstrom's arm is a below average asset. The highest recorded infield velocity in high school was 82 MPH. With added strength, could see a velocity increase. Grade: 40

Run: As mentioned before, Backstrom moves well for his size, showing off great athleticism. He registered a 6.90 60 in high school, which grades out to average. Grade: 50

Overall: Backstrom brings intriguing power to the plate, but the contact issues and strikeout rates limit the potential. He fits the definition of a three true outcome hitter. Being limited to first base defensively hampers him, but the athleticism for his size is helpful.

OFP: 35
Role: 30 - Up/Down Emergency Depth
Risk: Extreme

Tyler Owens - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ATL RHP 22 40

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role FB SL CH Cnt/Cmd
40 40 60 50 40 45/40

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings

Age: 20 yr
Height: 5-10
Weight: 185 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2019 Draft, Round 13
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Owens is on the shorter side of the pitching spectrum, but has an athletic and strong frame. Broad shoulders with lots of strength in his lower half and good arm strength, as well. Definite power pitcher, prominent prep pitcher in 2019 draft that signed away from strong Florida commitment.

Delivery & Mechanics: Turn and fire delivery with a high three-quarters arm slot and good arm speed. Pitches from the first base side of the rubber. Arm action can be a bit awkward at times, but maintains lower half through delivery. Owens has re-worked his delivery through the years, as he used to pitch with a slight skip off the rubber in high school.

Fastball: With mechanics change, Owens' fastball has seen an uptick in velocity. Previously touching mid-90's in high school, Owens touched 98 MPH before the draft and has touched 99 MPH with the Braves. Will sit 92-95 MPH in starts with some late life. Command of the pitch will need refinement as he progresses. Grade: 60

Slider: The best off-speed offering that Owens has, the slider compliments the fastball well. The pitch has short break to it, with his arm slot being lowered and arm action becoming shorter in his delivery. Threw the pitch in the low-to-mid-80's in high school. Currently his primary out pitch that rates as an average offering, with the potential to get better with improved arm actions. Grade: 50

Changeup: Third and final offering in Owens' arsenal. There is some feel for the pitch and it has some fade to it, but it's not used often. High-80's offering, but lags behind fastball and slider. Below-average offering with a chance to become fringe-average. Grade: 40

Control and Command: Owens has the ability to throw strikes, but has better control and command of his pitches on the lower end of his velocity spectrum. With higher velocity, he has a tendency to get a bit wild. His command of all three pitches will need refinement as he harnesses his stuff. Control: 45 | Command: 40

Overall: Owens has been trotted out as a starter with the Braves, but likely becomes a reliever as he goes through Atlanta's system. With the uptick in his velocity, the control and command of his arsenal will be essential to starting in the future, as well as developing the change-up into a more consistent offering. Likely to become a long relief/low leverage arm in the bullpen with a chance to start on occasion.

OFP: 40
Role: 40 - Long Relief or Low Leverage Reliever
Risk: High

Yerry Rodriguez - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 TEX RHP 15 45

Grades Update: Mar 2021
OFP Role FB CB CH Cont/Cmd
45 40 60 45 55 60/55

Mar 2021 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings

Age: 23 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 198 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2015 IFA
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: High-waisted right-hander with some projection left to his frame. Broad shoulders with long levers to his body. Athletic player. Durability is a concern, as he hasn't thrown more than 73.2 innings in a single season due to elbow ailments. Has been previously suspended for a banned substance in 2017.

Delivery & Mechanics: Low effort delivery with some deception to it. Utilizes first base side of rubber and triggers operation with a moderately high leg kick. Arm slot is low three-quarters with a slingy arm action. Generates good separation between hips and shoulders once foot is down, with the arm being on time.

Fastball: Rodriguez possesses a high-octane heater that has touched 98 MPH in the past, but usually sits in the 92-96 MPH range with high spin rates. Pitch gets good ride at the top of the zone, which will help the pitch play. Fastball has good run to the pitch, as well. Furthermore, Rodriguez has excellent command of the pitch and utilizes it all around the strike zone. Gets a solid amount of swings and misses with the pitch. Likely to be a plus offering at the major league level. Grade: 60

Curveball: Rodriguez's curveball is a bit of an oddball. It's a slurvy pitch in the low-to-mid-70's with decent shape and depth to it. Much like the fastball, Rodriguez's ability to spin the ball gives the pitch high spin rates, though the curveball needs tightening up. Might be better suited in throwing a slider at the next level. Projects as Rodriguez's third pitch. Grade: 45

Changeup: The change-up projects as Rodriguez's best secondary offering. It's a low-80's pitch with good separation to the fastball and has splitter action with good fade and sink to the pitch. Maintains good arm speed with pitch and sells it well. Throws it for strikes. Likely an above-average offering at next level. Grade: 55

Control and Command: Rodriguez has never walked more than 21 batters in a season, though take that with a grain of salt due to lack of professional innings. Either way, Rodriguez commands the ball well and helps his arsenal play. Has averaged just under two walks per nine innings throughout his career. Control: 60 | Command: 55

Overall: Rodriguez has the potential to rise up the rankings with a full season under his belt. However, he will likely not be a starter at the next level, as he must refine the breaking ball. Fits the role of a potential long relief arm or low leverage profile out of the bullpen. Will be interesting to see how the stuff plays with a full season.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Long Reliever or Low-Leverage Reliever
Risk: High

Tyler Baum - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 OAK RHP 11 45

Grades Update: Feb 2021
OFP Role FB CT CH Cnt/Cmd
45 40 55 55 45 50/45

Feb 2021 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings


Age: 23 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 195 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2019 Round 2
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Long, lanky build at 6'2", 195 pounds with lengthy levers. Certainly has room to add strength throughout his body. High waisted pitcher. Not a physical specimen by any means. Highly regarded prep arm out of West Orange HS in Florida, though stuff diminished slightly while at UNC.

Delivery & Mechanics: Both the wind-up and stretch feature a high leg kick with a crossfire in his delivery. There is effort in the delivery and the arm action will need to be improved if he wishes to stay in the rotation long term. Arm slot is primarily high three-quarters, though it will get inconsistent at times, especially late into starts.

Fastball: As a high schooler, Baum sat in the low-90's and touched 96 MPH. The velocity fluctuated at times while in Chapel Hill, though he began to get more velocity back in his junior year. Baum was regularly sitting 91-94 MPH and topped out at 97 MPH at times, consistently touching the upper-90's more often with average spin rates at around 2,200 RPM's. This velocity followed him to pro ball, as well. The pitch can get good run, though it can be inconsistent at times. He can get more ride on the pitch, as well, as he only averaged 13.5 inches of vertical break at UNC. Can flash plus at times, though it's likely an above-average offering at the next level. Grade: 55

Curveball: The best secondary in his offering, the curveball is a hard thrown breaker in the high-70's to low-80's. It's got good spin, averaging more than 2,300 RPM's, with a tight, 11-5 shape with good two-plane break. The pitch can get slurvy at times, however. Much like the fastball, it has flashed plus in the past, though there needs to be more consistency. Above-average offering. Grade: 55

Changeup: Baum's change-up has been a work in progress throughout his high school and college careers, though it's become a more consistent pitch that can mirror the fastball well at times. It's a low-80's offering with decent separation from the fastball and nice fade to it. The pitch averages nearly 1,800 RPM's, as well. There is a chance that it can become an average offering in the future, though the inconsistencies of the pitch limit it to a fringe-average offering presently. Grade: 45

Control and Command: Baum's control and command have gradually gotten better as he's progressed in his career. His walk rate dropped significantly during his junior year at UNC and it continued to drop in his debut season at Vermont. The improvements have given more hope that Baum could stay a starter, though he could still ultimately become a reliever. Control: 50 | Command: 45

Overall: Baum provides the Athletics with an intriguing option. While the arm action and delivery hamper his efforts to be a starter, the improved control and command help him stay in the conversation. Ultimately, he'll likely be reverted to a relief arm with a solid fastball-curveball combo, though a spot start can't be ruled out for Baum.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Long Reliever or Low Leverage Reliever
Risk: High

Jagger Haynes - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 SD LHP 13 40

Grades Update: Mar 2021
OFP Role FB CH SLV Cnt/Cmd
40 40 50 45 50 45/40

Mar 2021 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings


Age: 18 yr
Height: 6-3
Weight: 170 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2020 Round 5
RuleV: 2024

Physical Description: Tall, very projectable frame to Haynes' body. Broad shoulders, long limbs, high waisted. Athletic body. Fairly unknown and under the radar selection by the Padres in the 2020 draft. Plenty of muscle to add to frame, has worked out with fellow Padres farmhand Seth Frankoff.

Delivery & Mechanics: Athletic delivery triggered by a high leg kick. Pitches from third base side of the rubber and throws from a high three-quarters arm slot. Relatively clean delivery with a longer arm action. Has good scap retraction, likely to add plenty of velocity in the future. Release height can get inconsistent at times, though hovers under 6 feet.

Fastball: Haynes was never a hard thrower in high school, usually sitting in the high-80's with the occasional low-90's trickling in starts at times. However, he's shown improved velocity in 2020, reaching up to 93 and 94 MPH respectively. The velocity band still is gaudy, though he's been more in the low-90's in bullpen sessions. It's a low-spin offering around 2,100 RPM's with good run on the fastball and good spin efficiency. Definitely has plenty of room to add velocity as he adds muscle to his frame. Expect an upgrade to AA or even plus with more velocity, but for right now, it's average. Grade: 50

Changeup: Haynes' change-up has good separation from the fastball and he's able to maintain a good arm speed to sell the pitch with some good fade. It's a high-70's offering and has gotten into the low-80's at times. Certainly has some promise to it, though it's a fringe-average offering at the moment. Grade: 45

Slurve: As of now, Haynes has more of a slurvy breaking ball that sits in the high-70's with sweep. A pitch that will certainly need to be tightened up, it has shown more of a slider shape to it in recent months and will likely become more of one as he progresses through the minors. Likely to be an average offering at the present projection, could become better. Grade: 50

Control and Command: Haynes will certainly have enough time to get better control/command, potentially growing into potentially average or better once all is said and done. As of now, it's more fringy, if anything. Control: 45 | Command: 40

Overall: Haynes is still a long way from the majors, being the youngest arm taken in this year's class. The Padres think he's a steal, in which time will tell on that front. He certainly has the frame to add plenty of muscle and velocity, with control and command to follow. He could become a backend starter, though right now, he's likely to be more of a spot starter and a long reliever.

OFP: 40
Role: 40 - Long Relief / Low Leverage Reliever
Risk: Extreme

Liam Norris - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ARI LHP 23 45

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role FB CB SL CH Cnt/Cmd
45 40 60 60 55 45 40/30

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings

Age: 19 yr
Height: 6-4
Weight: 215 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2020 3rd
RuleV: 2025

Physical Description: Big, sturdy build at 6'4", 215 pounds with broad shoulders, long limbs, and a high waist. More of a physical specimen than an athletic one. Once highly touted a couple of years ago, inconsistencies caused stock to drop, especially after a disappointing summer campaign in 2019.

Delivery & Mechanics: Norris seems to work exclusively from the stretch, pitching from the third base side of the rubber with a high leg kick. Norris has a high three-quarters arm slot, with release heights around six and a half feet. He does struggle to repeat his delivery at times and has subpar extension.

Fastball: Before being plagued by "prospect fatigue" at Green Hope High School, Norris touched 94 MPH, but began sitting 87-91 MPH in his junior year. He turned it around in 2020, sitting 90-94 MPH and touching 96 MPH before the coronavirus ended his senior year. At instructs, the velocity stayed, as the fastball averaged just under 94 MPH. Norris showcases above-average spin rates, averaging just above 2,300 RPM with the fastball. There is some late run to the pitch, which is also accompanied by nearly 21 inches of vertical break. The main question will be if Norris can continue sitting where he is now, but certainly a plus pitch presently. Grade: 60

Curveball: Potentially Norris' best off-speed offering. Pitch sits in the low-80's with 12-to-6 movement and high spin, sitting around the 2,400-2,450 RPM range. Comes from a slightly higher release point than the rest of his arsenal at 6.6 feet. According to scouts who saw Norris prior to the COVID-19 shutdown, the pitch became more of a plus offering with the return of prior velocity. Grade: 60

Slider: A sharp breaking offering that sits that averaged 86 MPH at instructs. It's a high spin breaker, with spin rates averaging 2,500 RPM with good depth. Can get a bit inconsistent, but when Norris is in the zone, it has the potential of a plus pitch. As of now, it's above-average. Grade: 55

Changeup: Newly developed offering that sits in the high-80's with suboptimal velocity separation from fastball. Low-spin offering with less than 1,400 RPM and some fade to the pitch. However, there is a lack of feel currently. Will need improved command and feel, likely to be a fringe-average offering. Grade: 45

Control and Command: The tool that holds Norris back. At Green Hope, Norris struggled to find the strike zone and the command of his arsenal was suboptimal. Will need to drastically improve both if he wishes to continue being a starter at the big league level. However, he has shown better command with Arizona. Control: 40 | Command: 30

Overall: Norris has the stuff to find his way into the rotation, but the lack of control and command is what ultimately hurts him. It's also hard to tell if the return of velocity will stick, as he's only been viewed in short stints in 2020. He has the potential to be a backend starter, but as of right now, he's likely a relief arm with a chance to spot start.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Spot Starter/Long Relief & Low Leverage Relief
Risk: Extreme

Tommy Henry - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ARI LHP 21 45

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role FB SL CH Cnt/Cmd
45 40 55 55 55 60/55

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings

Age: 23 yr
Height: 6-3
Weight: 205 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2019 CBA Round 2
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Big, slender frame at 6'3", 205 pounds with some projection left. Long limbs, his legs in particular, with a high waist and broad shoulders. Very athletic. Big piece to Michigan's 2019 College World Series run.

Delivery & Mechanics: Turn and fire delivery with a high leg kick. Throws from a three-quarters arm slot and pitches downhill well. Gets elite extension, upwards of seven feet, from release heights of 5.7-5.9 feet. Good at repeating delivery and has incorporated more into his lower half with Arizona.

Fastball: Henry was never a hard thrower at Michigan, sitting in the low-90's and seeing his velocity dip into the high-80's at times. However, he did touch 94-95 MPH at times, and according to reports out of camp, Henry saw an uptick in velocity. He was sitting around 93 MPH and was reaching back for 95 MPH, which is very promising. It's a low-spin fastball, with spin rates averaging just above 2,200 RPM, with nearly nine inches of run to the pitch and 16 inches of vertical break. The main question will be if Henry can maintain this velocity into 2021. Grade: 55

Slider: Another low-spin offering in Henry's arsenal, averaging just above 2,000 RPM in the low-to-mid 80's. There is some good depth to the pitch, with tight break to it, as well. Gets just under a half foot of vertical break and three inches of horizontal movement on average. Good ability to locate the pitch well, including being able to use it as a backdoor pitch this year. Looks to be an above-average offering. Grade: 55

Changeup: Low-to-mid 80's offering that has an optimal spin rate average at just under 1,500 RPM. Gets good fading action with the pitch, with nearly six inches of vertical break and about 12.5 inches of run. Good separation from the fastball, especially with recent velocity uptick with the heater. Commanded very well and is a good weapon for Henry. Grade: 55

Control and Command: The most impressive part of Henry's toolset is his ability to control and command the baseball. In nearly 237 innings at Michigan, Henry only walked 63 batters and has a good ability to throw strikes. He's able to command all three pitches excellently, which is what makes Henry's stuff play well. Control: 60 | Command: 55

Overall: Henry is likely to be a quick riser through Arizona's system. The current plan is for Henry to continue starting, with a chance that he becomes a good backend starter. However, the lack of track record with the newfound velocity is what currently limits him. Spot starting at the big league level is an option, though he could be a nice long relief arm.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Spot Starter/Long Relief
Risk: High

Blake Walston - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ARI LHP 11 50

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

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings

Age: 20 yr
Height: 6-5
Weight: 197 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2019 1st
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Tall, lanky frame with plenty of projection to come. High waisted, long limbs with broad shoulders. Very athletic. Has added strength with Arizona, gone from 175 to 197 pounds. Former QB recruit at New Hanover High.

Delivery & Mechanics: Turn-and-fire delivery from the first base side of the rubber. High leg kick, low three-quarters arm slot. Extension is subpar and release points have been inconsistent throughout his arsenal, but he has worked on getting all of his pitches to the same release point in the past year. Arm action is clean and the delivery is repeatable with minimal effort.

Fastball: Velocity was inconsistent in high school, routinely sitting in the high-80's to low-90's. After signing and adding strength, the velocity went up and became more consistent, regularly touching 96-97 MPH in 2019. However, the pitch only averaged 91 MPH in 2020, leaving a bit more to be desired. Low-spin offering that averages 2,100 RPM's, Walston gets solid armside run and nearly a foot and a half of vertical break from a release height of six feet. Walston has shown great control and command of the pitch since getting to Arizona, as well. While he lacks present elite velocity, he's likely to be able to tap into it more as he adds muscle to his athletic frame. For now, he will need to show more consistent velocity. Grade: 60

Curveball: Has all the makings of a plus pitch. Hard curveball that is thrown with excellent velocity in the low-80's and high spin, exceeding 2,500 RPM'S on average. Comes from a higher release height than the rest of his arsenal at 6.1 feet. The pitch has great shape and depth to it, getting nearly ten inches of negative vertical break and eight inches of horizontal movement. Walston is able to use the pitch against hitters on both sides of the plate, as well. Easily the best offering in Walston's arsenal at the present time. Grade: 60

Slider: Lateral-breaking slider that is thrown in the mid-80's. Much like the fastball, it's a low-spin offering, averaging just over 2,100 RPM's from a release height of 5.9 feet, lower than the rest of his arsenal. Not as impressive as his curveball, but shows promise as a potential above-average offering. Grade: 55

Changeup: Developing pitch that has shown some promise. Decent separation, in terms of velocity, from the fastball, as it averaged 82-83 MPH in camp. Release height is the same as the fastball at six feet and is a low-spin offering at just under 1,300 RPM's, which is within the optimal spin rate band for change-ups. Gets some decent fade and sink. Development of this pitch will be key moving forward. Grade: 50

Control and Command: Walston has good control of all four pitches in his arsenal, leaving some evaluators to think he will have above-average command moving forward. The command is there, as well, as he commands an impressive arsenal well. Through the small sample size that was his 2019 campaign, he walked only two batters across eleven innings. Will be interesting to see how he progresses with addition of velocity to fastball. Control: 55 | Command: 50

Overall: Due to a lack of elite velocity and inconsistency, Walston's fastball will need to undergo some work before it can be a plus offering. The off-speed offerings are legitimate, especially the curveball, although he will need to further develop the slider and change-up as he progresses. He has the ceiling of a mid-rotation starter, but until he adds more consistent velocity, he's likely a backend starter.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - #4-5 Backend Starter
Risk: High