Daniel Vasquez - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	KC	SS	21	40

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May 2021 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 17 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 170 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2021 IFA
RuleV: 2025

Overall: Vasquez was the big ticket international signee by the Royals in 2020, getting around $1.5 million. He's a lean, projectable athlete that should stick up the middle with present bat-to-ball skills and emerging power. Vasquez has a chance at five average to above-average tools but might not have that standout tool. There's plenty of time for that to change however as he fills out and adds a few inches. He's one of the top players in the class and a very exciting prospect.

OFP: 40
Risk: Extreme

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Wilmin Candelario - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	KC	SS	20	40

Grades Update: May 2021

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
40	40	40	45	55	55	50

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May 2021 Report

Evaluator: Jake Kerns

Age: 19 yr
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165 lbs
Hits/Throws: S/R
Acquired: 2018 IFA
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Above-average height with a lean build. Has room to fill out. Athletic and twitchy. Plays fast and is fun to watch.

Hit: Near-mirror image swing. Stands crouched and slightly open with a wide base in the box. Keeps his elbow high and back. Big leg kick as he loads and steps into the pitch. Mostly linear bat path. Above-average or better bat speed from both sides, but noticeably impacts the ball better from the left-side. Shows a feel for using all parts of the field during BP but most of his hits were to the pull-side in looks. Takes some big cuts and struggles with offspeed pitches down. Shows a good eye on pitches away and out of the zone, but can fall victim to overaggresiveness, as demonstrated by a 33% strikeout rate in the DSL during the 2019 season. Strikeouts will be a part of his game without a reduction in aggressiveness. Grade: 40

Power: Average raw power; presently gets the ball in the air to the gaps during games. Big, rotational swing that creates natural loft off the bat from both sides. Has room to physically mature, which combined with his swing gives him a shot at future above-average power; will need to improve upon his hit tool to get to it. Grade: 45

Field: Plays with high intensity and frenetic pace, too frequently leading to mistakes; would be better served to dial it back a notch. Quick feet and moves well laterally; has above-average range and can cover a lot of ground in short order. Shows a good backhand when moving to his right. Unafraid to charge the ball. Gets low on grounders and keeps the ball in front of him. Plays with moxy. Grade: 55

Arm: Strong arm with good carry across the infield. Comfortable throwing from several slots; throws low sidearm when getting the ball out quickly and throws high 3/4 when he needs to put something on it. Throws mostly on target in looks. Grade: 55

Run: Recorded above-average times in the 60 as an amateur. Accelerates well but has average straight-line speed. Not a traditional threat to steal, but is a heads up runner and a risk taker on the bags. May slow as he fills out. Grade: 50

Overall: Candelario is an intriguing talent, one who could make an impact on both sides of the ball if he fulfills his potential. He's very rough around the edges, however, and he figures to be a slow mover. He's aggressive in all aspects of the game and cutting down on that will do him well. His best tool is his defense, but the swing gives hope that his power might eventually match it.

OFP: 40
Role: 40 - Below-Average Player: Utility or Bench
Risk: Moderate

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Darryl Collins - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	KC	OF	19	40

Grades Update: May 2021

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
40	40	50	45	45	40	50

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May 2021 Report

Evaluator: Jake Kerns

Age: 19 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 185 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/R
Acquired: 2018 IFA
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Tall with a good build. Lean when he signed and has begun to fill out. Offers some room to add upper body strength. Athletic. High energy and high IQ.

Hit: Stands crouched and slightly open with his hands by his left ear. Keeps the bat on his shoulder prior to loading. Some pre-pitch bat bounce. Inconsistently uses a leg kick as he closes his stance which creates some out-of-synchness in his swing. Inconsistent bat path, but it's mostly linear. Has above-average or better bat speed and generates line-drive contact, but does take his fair share of big hacks. Has good barrel control, which allows him to move up and down the zone effectively; has good bat-to-ball skills and is capable of fighting off pitches. Shows a good eye on pitches away and out of the zone, but has a tendency to swing on low pitches out of the zone. Shows a willingness to bunt. Grade: 50

Power: Has average raw power; present gap-hitter with a quick bat and some remaining physical projection. Has some rotation in his swing and already gets the ball in the air to the pull side. Swing creates natural lift off the bat. Would do well to better utilize his lower half. Some room to grow. Grade: 45

Field: Unrefined in the field, but shows good instincts. Has the natural footspeed to cover an average amount of ground in the outfield. Arm limits the whole package, likely confining him to LF. Grade: 45

Arm: Has some funk in his throwing motion which limits the arm strength and carry of the ball out of his hand. Plays below-average. Grade: 40

Run: Timed 4.30 down the line from the left side, but with an awkward jump and deceleration near the bag. Not a threat to steal. Grade: 50

Overall: Collins' best skill is his ability to put the bat on the ball, and he has some unlocked potential because of it. He moves well for his size, but he's probably stuck in LF defensively and currently does not offer the power to project as a regular. He has an opportunity to better utilize his lower half, which may open up some more power projection, but until that happens, he looks to be a bench bat.

OFP: 40
Role: 40 - Below-Average Player: Bench
Risk: Moderate

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Jonathan Bowlan - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	KC	RHP	18	40

Grades Update: May 2021

OFP	Role	FB	SL	CH	Ctr/Cmd
45	40	60	55	40	60/50

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May 2021 Report

Evaluator: Trevor Hooth

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-6
Weight: 240 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 Round 2
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Big bodied with sloping shoulders. The frame is maxed out, physically.

Delivery & Mechanics: Standard 3/4 arm slot. Easy, fluid arm action and delivery. Hands start separated, glove at the shoulder and throwing hand behind the body. They meet belt high before the windup starts. On the rocker step, Bowlan brings the hands over his head and back down to chest height where they meet his knee on the leg kick. Stays tall as he extends out. Uses size well to get good extension. Finishes with a leg kick and slightly closed off to the plate.

Fastball: A tooled up athlete with enough supporting skills to cover the hole in his game, contact. McConnell will likely always swing and miss, but it's a matter of further refining his approach and reining in his aggressive tendencies. Fits best as a multi-positional utility player with some thump in the bat. If he can improve his contact and approach he might push for second division regular status. Grade: 60

Slider: Low 80's. Tight, gyro movement. This pitch plays to righties and lefties. It's what he uses most often as a secondary offering. By itself, it looks like an average pitch, but his great control means the slider will play above average. Grade: 55

Changeup: Some fade. This is a change of pace pitch that rarely is used, generally against lefties. He's shown some feel for it. Development of this pitch might be the difference between a bullpen and rotation future. Grade: 40

Control and Command: As walk numbers prove, his control is very good. It helps him to move his pitches all around the zone with relatively high success. There are times, however, where he can miss his spot and it hurts him. Especially with as much as he relies on his fastball specifically. The control is plus, the command looks more average for now. The slider might be the pitch he commands best at present. Control: 60 | Command: 50

Overall: Bowlan is a big, physical presence on the mound. Without a third pitch and with such a heavy reliance on the fastball, his rotation future is not a given. He's got the size to handle that kind of workload, but he might be served better as a very good reliever. If his fastball can play at the upper end of his velo range, the slider will play up and his control would be an asset. That might be the best route. The Royals will continue to develop him as a starter, so the development of his changeup will be key.

OFP: 40
Role: 40 - Spot Starter or Bulk Reliever
Risk: High

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Brady McConnell - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	KC	SS	17	40

Grades Update: May 2021

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
45	40	30	55	50	55	70

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May 2021 Report

Evaluator: Geoff Pontes

Age: 23 yr
Height: 6-3
Weight: 195 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2019 Round 2
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Tall, long levered, lean, and muscular. Long arms and legs with room to add muscle and good weight in his upper-body. Very high level of athleticism, despite svelte build, he possesses good strength throughout his frame.

Hit: Open setup, with front leg offset; gets deep into back leg, hands low and set chest height pre-load. Busy hands pre-pitch, slight toe tap to close off frontside. Quick hands and good bat speed, longer bat path with steep bat plane. Struggles with fastballs up in the zone and changeups. Hard contact but a lot of swing and miss built in. Expands the zone and is aggressive early in counts. Needs to improve approach and plate discipline. Quality of contact carries the profile, poor overall hit tool. Grade: 30

Power: Above-average power tool, shows power in games and it plays to all fields. Looks to do damage each time up, has the strength, leverage and steep bat path to get to all of it. Plus raw that loses half a grade in game for his lack of contact. Carrying offensive tool. Grade: 55

Field: Average fielder at shortstop with the ability to play anywhere in the infield. Average infield actions and hands, good range and quickness. High level of athleticism will allow him to make a standout play. Focus and consistency are question marks. Team has considered moving him to outfield where his speed and arm strength might play. Grade: 50

Arm: Strong arm, capable of making the necessary throws at shortstop or third base. Enough arm strength to handle any position in the outfield where the team is rumored to have considered him. Grade: 55

Run: Double-plus runner; flys out of the box clocking consistent 4.1 or better times. Moves well in the field and is a threat to steal a base when on. Moves well in the field, rangy with good first step and twitch. Grade: 70

Overall: A tooled up athlete with enough supporting skills to cover the hole in his game, contact. McConnell will likely always swing and miss, but it's a matter of further refining his approach and reining in his aggressive tendencies. Fits best as a multi-positional utility player with some thump in the bat. If he can improve his contact and approach he might push for second division regular status.

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

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Nick Pratto - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	KC	1B	16	40

Grades Update: May 2021

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
40	40	40	55	60	60	45

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May 2021 Report

Evaluator: Jake Martin

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 215 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2017 Round 1
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Thick and muscular frame. Done growing height-wise but could still fill out a little bit more. Has filled out a lot already since joining the Royals. Almost done physically but could just add mass with age. Above-average twitch muscles for a first baseman.

Hit: Left handed hitter starts in an even stance with hands a little lower and in front of back shoulder. A little hunch over the plate and knee bend with a base moderately wider than shoulder-width. Stride and swing are simple, just a foot pick up and set back down. Swing is pretty simple, not a lot going on, just throws his hands and twists his back leg. He does a good job staying in his lane and not leaning over the plate, although he will on outside pitches. He sprays the ball all over the diamond, where the ball goes is essentially all based on the timing of his hands. It seems like Pratto's swing would be pretty conducive for making contact but he has struggled making contact as evidenced by his 35% strikeout rate in 2019. He has decent control over the zone, does not chase a ton of pitches but will on occasion. His main problem is his back leg twisting in one spot, it severely limits his barrel time in the zone. Contact improvements could be made by pointing his back knee at the ball while hitting and simultaneously moving forward and driving back knee towards the ground. Another factor could be his timing, his swing is simple which usually creates contact, he might just struggle with timing of pitches, which could definitely improve with age and maturity. Grade: 40

Power: Pratto has a lot of current strength and can hit some balls out of the ballpark. He will not be a 40 home run type of player but averaging 15-20 seems feasible. His worsening strikeout rate (has trended in the wrong direction every season) could be a factor of trying to elevate the ball more and hit for more power. However, his best season came in 2018 where he made fairly consistent contact and struck 14 home runs. Making contact is probably key to hitting for power in Pratto's case. Smart base runner also contributes to extra bags but current strength is the main cause of power. Grade: 55

Field: Athletic first baseman with quick-twitch movements. Has shown above-average flexibility, hands, and range for a first baseman. Should save a pretty good amount of runs. Would not be surprised if he finds some time in the outfield in a pinch. Grade: 60

Arm: Strong arm for a first baseman. Former two-way player. Throws carry with some accuracy. Could factor in at an outfield spot if he proves capable of fielding the position. His arm would definitely play in right field. Grade: 60

Run: Really smart baserunner. Not incredibly fast but understands the situations in which to use his speed. Runs an above 7 second 60-yard dash. Speed could hold him back in the outfield but if he fields like he runs the bases, he would probably take really efficient routes. Grade: 45

Overall: Interesting player. Shed his two-way playing abilities upon entering pro ball but could always try pitching again if the whole hitting thing doesn't work out. Has a simple swing from the left side of the plate but does not make a ton of contact, seems like a timing issue. If he can cut down on his strikeout rate, he would be an average to slightly above-average player at all facets of the game but that is a big if. Good fielding first baseman who could probably play some outfield in a pinch and can hit 15-20 home runs. Floor is fairly high and ceiling could raise with maturity. Will be interesting to see his progression.

OFP: 40
Role: 40 - Below-Average Player: Bench or Platoon
Risk: Moderate

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Zach Haake - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	KC	RHP	15	45

Grades Update: May 2021

OFP	Role	FB	SL	CH	Ctr/Cmd
45	40	60	50	55	40/30

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May 2021 Report

Evaluator: Danny Brackman

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-4
Weight: 186 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 Round 6
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Prototypical pitcher build. Tall and strong with long limbs. Above average mobility and athleticism. Still a little room left for adding some more muscle.

Delivery & Mechanics: Starts wind-up slightly off-set. Gets moving quickly, starting his downhill move almost immediately after beginning to lift his leg. Utilizes long levers well, generating big separation and lots of torque. Medium effort delivery into an over the top arm action that generally sequences well but has blips where timing is off. Front side could stay a bit tighter through rotation. Speed of motion helps minimize chance for error. Likes to work quickly.

Fastball: Sits 93-95 and tops 97. Above average raw spin and a good 4-seam axis. Ball jumps out of his hand. Plays plus both in and out of the zone. Will freeze hitters on the corners and register whiffs. Might even have another gear to reach. Grade: 60

Slider: 83-85 with heavy gyro and a cutter-ish axis. Sharp, late two-plane break. Will flatten out at times though velo separation from FB helps keep hitters off balance. Tunnels off the FB effectively. Should be at least an average offering. Grade: 50

Changeup: 84-85 with good fade and sink. Arm slot and arm speed help deceptiveness and movement mirrors SL well. Good feel and a willingness to throw to RHHs. Can change shape and show more horizontal than vertical. Effective for both generating weak contact and whiffs. Above average offering. Grade: 55

Control and Command: Has shown an improved ability to spot within and around the zone. Will work the FB around and look for his spot. Less ability to command offspeed but generally does well staying away from hittable areas. Pitch profiles generally stay on plane and rarely slip, spike, or back up. Control: 50 | Command: 45

Overall: Haake has steadily built his functional strength and cleaned up pitching mechanics over the past couple years. There's still tons of risk in the profile and he's far from a finished product, though the on-mound athleticism and stuff is certainly interesting enough to give a look. He could profile as a solid weapon out of the pen in the near future, yet there's seemingly a puncher's chance he turns into a real MLB rotation option.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Backend SP #5 or High-Leverage Reliever
Risk: High

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MJ Melendez - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	KC	C	14	45

Grades Update: May 2021

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
45	40	30	55	55	60	40

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May 2021 Report

Evaluator: Jake Martin

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 190 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/R
Acquired: 2017 Round 2
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame. Some current muscle spaced out throughout. Catchers usually have a stockier frame with a thicker lower half, but this body type is not unheard of. Could fill out a little further.

Hit: Slightly closed stance with hands near back ear. Barrel sways from over his head to resting on his shoulder. Base is slightly wider than shoulder-width. His timing mechanism varies. Sometimes he uses a large leg lift with his front leg crossing over his body before striding. Other times he uses a simple toe-tap trigger. He keeps his weight in his toes causing some plate-side lean. Melendez does a good job incorporating his lower half into his swing and moving forward through the pitch. Majority of ground balls go to the pull side, line drives are sprayed but more pull side and fly balls are pretty well sprayed with most going up the middle. Really struggles making contact. Has struck out over 30% of the time in all three minor league seasons including a poultry 40% in 2019. It is not necessarily a chase problem, he has average walk rates, but he will swing out of the zone and struggles making contact in the zone. Hits right handed pitching exceedingly better than left handed pitching. The main problem with Melendez is timing and a little bit of balance. His swing is not horrible, he uses his body well. He just struggles with timing and might hesitate on some swings. He also is a little herky-jerky, kind of a lot going on. Mechanics are there, it is just some mental room for improvement. Grade: 30

Power: Has some present power thanks to his strength and swing mechanics. He does not lock out his front leg or lean back, he surprisingly has a pretty good contact swing (despite not making much contact). He just uses his lower half extremely well and gets the most out of his body. Mostly extra-base power but certainly has the ability to hit the ball out of the ballpark. Not a speedster, so most of the power is legit. Grade: 55

Field: Melendez has received mixed reviews behind the dish. He generally catches off of one leg which is more conducive for framing pitches. He also has solid footwork on throws with athletic and agile movements. Athleticism helps with blocking skills. I am more impressed than skeptical so I will take the high side. Grade: 55

Arm: Strong footwork definitely contributes to plus pop times down to second base. However, Melendez also gets strong force into his throws thanks to plus arm strength. Throws have good strength, carry, and accuracy. Plus arm but unfortunately catcher throwing is typically overrated. Grade: 60

Run: Not a speedster and legs will probably wear down faster than average because of his strenuous position. Faster than current catcher Salvador Perez but slower than the average runner. Grade: 40

Overall: Solid defensive catcher with some power potential. This combination has played at the Major League level time and time again. His swing actually is not too mechanically bad other than some balance points but he struggles with making contact. It could be something of a mental barrier that he needs to eclipse. If he does, we are looking at an all-star caliber catcher because all of the other tools are there. However, as it currently stands, he would project to be an average second division Major League player.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Second Division Regular
Risk: Moderate

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Will Klein - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	KC	RHP	13	45

Grades Update: May 2021

OFP	Role	FB	CB	Ctr/Cmd
45	40	60	60	40/30

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May 2021 Report

Evaluator: Joe Drake

Age: 21 yr
Height: 6-5
Weight: 220 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2020 Round 5
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Large, athletic frame that's nearly maxed out. Well-developed lower half; muscle on the upper body; broad shoulders. Live arm.

Delivery & Mechanics: Stretch-only; explosive, high-effort drop and drive delivery with 3/4s arm slot. Long arm stroke; fast arm; average stride and extension. Motion is a little abrupt, but appears to repeat fairly well.

Fastball: 93-95, t99. Average ride with some run, fairly generic shape but jumps out of the hand a little. Locates up in the zone where it plays best and sets up the curve. Command is not a strong point. Will need to locate on the edges to beat major league hitters. Grade: 60

Curveball: 80-82; power curve with good depth and sweep, 11-5 shape. Hard, hard bite when it's on, diving from high armside corner of the zone to the low gloveside corner. Pairs very well with four seam; solid tunneling action. Command appears touch and go, often yanking it gloveside, but doesn't need to be too fine to get chases due to big time movement. Grade: 60

Control and Command: Okay strike thrower; fires at the zone and lets the stuff play. Lose his release and struggles to get it back leading to walks and deep counts. Aggressive and borderline wild at times, but has shown improvement. Control: 40 | Command: 30

Overall: Relief-only profile with a big arm that can spin it. Fastball/curveball pairing is lethal as long as he can find the zone. Command will be the deciding factor as to whether he can compete for an high-leverage role, low-leverage or is an up and down arm.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - High-Leverage Reliever
Risk: High

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Carlos Hernandez - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	KC	RHP	12	45

Grades Update: May 2021

OFP	Role	FB	CB	CH	Ctr/Cmd
45	40	60	55	45	45/40

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May 2021 Report

Evaluator: Joe Drake

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-4
Weight: 245 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2016 IFA
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: Big, thick workhorse frame. Mostly maxed. Long limbs, somewhat high waist, broad shoulders. Thicker build; strong legs and back, softer midsection. Conditioning may be a factor down the road. Live arm. Broken rib in 2019.

Delivery & Mechanics: Full windup; dip and drive delivery with moderate effort and 3/4s slot. Long arm action with above-average arm speed. Gets down the mound well with big frame, finishes low. Fairly simple motion that he repeats fine. Quick worker. Will mix leg kick and slide step from the stretch.

Fastball: 93-97. t100; good carry with some run. Flattens out and gets away when he overthrows. Gets pop-ups from the belt up with some whiffs and can spot it on the black on both sides of the plate, but not consistently. Typically misses high; ball slips out early. Enough velo and life to get away with misses over the middle. Grade: 60

Curveball: 79-85; power curve with solid depth, little sweep; near 12-6 shape. Tunnels with fastball pretty well. Best ones have good, hard bite and fall off the table while others roll in. Almost never humps out of the hand. Locates most down, but some slip out early and fade up and to the arm side -- get punished when they're hittable. Around the zone often and in good locations for chases. Steals strikes with it here and there, too. Plus characteristics, just needs consistency. Grade: 55

Changeup: 84-88; more fade than depth. Clear third pitch and used as such. Struggles to locate and has a hard time finding the zone; often leaves it out armside or yanks it down. Sometimes too firm. Plays best below the zone. Lacks feel, confidence. Good traits, but needs development. More of a show-me pitch at present. Grade: 45

Control and Command: Fringy control with below-average command. Fringy strike thrower. Around the zone often, but more than a few slip away; has trouble with the release in most outings. Tries to work the shadows of the zone, but doesn't spot it consistently and leaves too many over the heart. Doesn't walk a ton of hitters, but not very efficient. Decent pitchability; not afraid to start an AB with offspeed, but typically fastball-heavy and mixing in the curve. Control: 45 | Command: 40

Overall: Big, hard-throwing righty with good stuff and a chance to start. Modern arsenal with a high-90s fastball and power curve with a change to boot. Command or changeup will probably need to take a step forward in order to go deep enough to be a reliable starter, but has a real chance to do so. A no-doubt major league arm with a 4-5 starter ceiling and multi-inning role floor. Stuff is live enough to play well at the back of the bullpen, too, if a team went that route.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Backend SP #5 / Bulk Reliever / High-Leverage Reliever
Risk: Moderate

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Tyler Gentry - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	KC	OF	11	45

Grades Update: May 2021

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
45	40	50	50	50	50	45

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May 2021 Report

Evaluator: Geoff Pontes

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 210 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2020 Round 3
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Tall, broad-shouldered, muscular, and physical. Sneaky athleticism and moves well for his size. Physical max, strong upper body, with muscular arms, and holed up lower half.

Hit: Sets square, hands set low by mid-chest, quick compact swing. Takes quick stiff cuts, handsy swing, but he's so strong he does need to engage his lower half much. Average bat to ball skills, with improving plate discipline and approach. There's some swing and miss in the profile but no major holes or problem areas due to Gentry's short, succinct, and quick bat path. He will expand, but doesn't get in trouble as he has the contact skill to shoot pitches on the black the other way. Average hit tool with a chance to push an above-average grade if the 2020 plate discipline holds. Grade: 50

Power: Average game power with above-average raw. Gentry has the bat speed and raw strength to hit for above-average game power, but he does not sell out for leverage or lift. Some swing adjustments could lead to increased game power but might come at the expense of his approach and contact. For now he should hit for an average amount of over the fence power and lots of doubles. Grade: 50

Field: Average corner outfielder capable of playing centerfield, though his range might be a little stretched in the middle of the outfield. Takes efficient routes and moves well underway. Arm plays and he's a steadying influence in the field. Never tries to do too much. Grade: 50

Arm: Average arm that plays at any outfield spot, doesn't possess huge arm strength but he shows on-line carry and accuracy to the bases. Grade: 50

Run: Fringe-average runner, that finds another gear when underway. Not the fastest player out of the box but he's not cement footed by any stretch. Better than station to station runner and heads up baserunner. Grade: 45

Overall: A bag of average tools that's highlighted by a good combination of feel to hit and game power. There's a non-zero chance Gentry's approach improves to the point that he pushes above-average hit tool territory. There's an equally good chance he manifests more of his game power into games, though it's highly unlikely both develop to 55 grade level. Regardless, Gentry can hit and has supporting skills to make a second-division regular role a likely outcome.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Second Division Regular
Risk: Low

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Ben Hernandez - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	KC	RHP	10	45

Grades Update: May 2021

OFP	Role	FB	CB	CH	Ctr/Cmd
45	40	50	40	60	50/45

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May 2021 Report

Evaluator: Geoff Pontes

Age: 20 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 205 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2020 Round 1
RuleV: 2024

Physical Description: Average height, thin muscular frame with some bulk in his lower half. Ability to add muscle and good weight in the coming years. Above-average athleticism, moves well on the mound.

Delivery & Mechanics: Semi-wind-up; tall and fall delivery; short claw arm action; high 3/4 slot, fast arm. Easy, clean repeatable mechanics with a little bit of effort at release. Repeats well, stays on time, finishes in good position to field.

Fastball: Sits 90-93 mph; up to 96 mph in game last spring. Locates best to the gloveside; run over ride movement profile, but will flash good shape elevated. Locates well to all four quadrants, not a bat missing pitch, but sets up changeup well. Gets an average grade to ability to locate and velocity projection. Grade: 50

Curveball: Below average mid-70s breaking ball, used as a change of pace pitch. Will show good late downward break when he gets on top of it. Can get slurvy and he can break off a few non-competitive pitches. Improvement on this pitch is essentially to maintain starter's future. Grade: 40

Changeup: Plus pitch; low-80s with late run and tumble. Sold well with arm speed, tunnels with fastball before dropping as it hits the zone. Can throw in any count against either handedness. Go-to out pitch that generates ugly swings and misses. Grade: 60

Control and Command: Fastball and changeup command is above average, as Hernandez works all around the zone with both pitches. Breaking ball command is poor. Needs to improve in that regard to avoid two-pitch relief role. Above-average strike thrower that works in the zone. Doesn't get behind often and sets himself up. Fastball is hittable and he often catches too much of the middle of the plate. Control: 50 | Command: 45

Overall: A young talented arm with projection in his fastball and advanced feel for his changeup. Needs to improve feel for his breaking ball to avoid future relief role. Adding velocity and improving his breaking ball could push the profile up a full role grade. Still early in Hernandez's career with a wide range of outcomes. Shows advanced pitchability for a young prep arm.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Backend SP #5 or High Leverage Reliever
Risk: Extreme

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Nick Loftin - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	KC	SS	9	45

Grades Update: May 2021

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
45	40	55	40	55	55	50

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May 2021 Report

Evaluator: Trevor Hooth

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 180 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2020 Round 1CBA
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Lean, athletic build. There's still a little room to add to the frame.

Hit: Even stance. Stands tall. Hands start shoulder height, bat head over shoulder. Toe tap load mechanism. Pretty quiet operation. Quick hands and quick to the ball. Covers the plate well and sprays the ball around the field. Adept at finding the barrel. Shows good on base ability. Grade: 55

Power: More gap power than anything. Can access bigger power to the pull side. The bigger power is sporadic but it does show up. If he accesses that slightly more there's a potential half grade bump, but the gap power is likely all he will have. Grade: 40

Field: Smooth actions and good footwork on the dirt. Is more than capable of sticking at shortstop. He's even sprinkled in some outfield time in the past. The kind of glove that could adequately play all around the diamond. Grade: 55

Arm: Strong arm. Ball carries across the infield. Arm could play at any spot in the infield, and would hold up as a low end right field arm. Grade: 55

Run: Legs cycle through quickly with long strides. Uses speed well defensively, and runs the bases well. Grade: 50

Overall: He's got the kind of skillset that, at best, could make him a reliable leadoff hitter. Loftin's glove, however, is what will lead the way. The likely outcome might be a high end hit tool first, super utility type. Other than his power, he's got a handful of above average tools that give him a safe floor.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Below Average Player: Bench/Utility
Risk: Low

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Austin Cox - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	KC	LHP	8	45

Grades Update: May 2021

OFP	Role	FB	CB	SL	CH	Ctr/Cmd
45	40	55	60	50	45	55/45

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May 2021 Report

Evaluator: Trevor Hooth

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-4
Weight: 235 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2018 Round 5
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Medium build, sloping shoulders. Is at physical maturity, but looks lighter than listed weight.

Delivery & Mechanics: High 3/4 arm slot, borderline over the top. Smooth, low effort delivery. Motion starts with hands extending fully above his head. As his hands come down he starts his rocker step when his hands are about chest height, but his hands don't stop until they are by his belt. Quick, chest high leg kick, hands are just below neck height. Back leg bends as he drives out towards the plate. Lands closed. Finishes with a high leg kick.

Fastball: 92-94 T95. Gets some ride through the zone. He works this pitch east and west, but does like to elevate it. What could only occasionally touch mid 90's has taken a step forward in both velocity and command. Works well with the rest of his arsenal. More proven consistency in velo could make it a plus offering, especially if more whiffs come. Grade: 55

Curveball: High 70's. 12-6 movement. Uses this pitch early and often. It's got tight break and he commands it well to the bottom of the zone. It's very distinct, and he has no problem doubling up on it for success. It's clearly his best pitch and a true weapon in his arsenal. It specializes in whiffs and weak contact. Grade: 60

Slider: Gyro movement. Likes to backdoor it against righties. At times it can look like a curveball, but it doesn't mirror the action his curveball takes. When used correctly it can generate swing and miss, but he can tend to miss up in the zone with it. There's more in the tank with this pitch, but it is at least an average offering. Grade: 50

Changeup: Generates some fade at the bottom of the zone. It's clearly his fourth pitch which speaks more to how good his other three are than the quality of the changeup. It's a good pitch against righties, but he hasn't utilized it as often as the breakers. Grade: 45

Control and Command: He's shown really good control to this point in his career, keeping walk numbers very low. That extends through his entire arsenal, which can make him a very deadly pitcher. At times he can lose the zone and miss up with all of his pitches, but it never seems to last too long. If he gets more consistency in this part of his game, watch out. Control: 55 | Command: 45

Overall: There is a lot to like with Cox. He's got three really good pitches already and a fourth that will play just fine. He's a few tweaks away from being a legitimate rotation arm. If nothing else, potentially a solid bullpen piece. Rotation seems more likely, though. The Royals are flush with arm talent and he's got the potential to be as good as any of them.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Spot Starter
Risk: Moderate

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Kyle Isbel - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	KC	OF	7	45

Grades Update: May 2021

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
45	40	55	40	50	50	60

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May 2021 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Henninger

Age: 24 yr
Height: 5-11
Weight: 190 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/R
Acquired: 2018 Round 3
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: Lean, wiry frame. Slender build. Live, athletic body. Has some muscular development. Twitchy movements. Some room to add strength and weight, but will always be a smaller frame.

Hit: Open stance. Hands right above letters. Upright upper body, some bend in knees. Feet shoulder width apart. Minimal movement in hand load with minor leg kick timing mechanism. Short stride. Slightly above-average bat speed on a slight uppercut path. Barrel stays in zone for a long time. Ability to use the whole field. Line drive approach. Hits ball hard frequently. Stays on back side well. Allows him to drive breaking balls. Fringe contact skills, has some swing and miss history but continues to improve. Aggressive approach, but can take a walk. Good knowledge of strikezone. Ability to square up the ball will allow him to get on base frequently. Grade: 55

Power: Average raw power, game power plays more below-average for now. Showcases mostly gap power. Will drive ball out on occasion, mostly pull-side. Hits ball hard. Uses gaps and speed for frequent XBH, boosting current power. Bat speed and loft in swing indicate the possibility of more power in future with continued development. Grade: 40

Field: Still raw after transitioning to OF. Athletic defender. Catches what he gets to. Could improve routes and angles. Speed and ability to get good jumps allow him to cover some ground. Can make highlight reel plays from time to time. Has shown ability to play all three spots, potential above-average glove. Still needs some work. Grade: 50

Arm: Short arm action. Bit of an effort thrower. On target most of the time. Lacks carry through bag but on-line to cutoff. Not going to throw out a lot of runners. Playable in CF but profiles better for LF. Grade: 50

Run: Plus runner down the line. Quick out of the box with ability to accelerate underway. Type of speed to make fielders rush. Will beat out INF singles. Can steal a base. Could improve instincts and decision making. Will take an extra bag. Speed is playable in CF. Grade: 60

Overall: Isbel features an interesting set of tools. He shows enough signs to be an above-average hitter due to his hard hit frequency and ability to use the whole field. The swing and miss looks like it will continue to go down, but does need to be watched. While he has shown the ability to hit the ball out pull-side, most of his power is gap to gap. He can rely on his plus speed and ability to drive balls to the gap to collect XBH, along with a couple HRs. On the bases, he has shown the ability to steal a bag and take an extra base. His instincts continue to improve and he should provide value on the bases. Defensively he is serviceable at all three outfield spots, but profiles best for LF or CF. He should continue to get better with more reps, but has enough athleticism to make plays. The arm does not stand out, but is playable. It may be better suited for LF due to fringe carry. Overall, Isbel has a chance to be a second-tier regular who could possibly be an average everyday starter.

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

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Jackson Kowar - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	KC	RHP	6	50

Grades Update: May 2021

OFP	Role	FB	CB	CH	Ctr/Cmd
50	50	60	50	60	50/45

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May 2021 Report

Evaluator: Danny Brackman

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-5
Weight: 200 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 Round 1C
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Lanky athletic build. Long limbs with a high, skinny waist. Above average athleticism and mobility. Has put on some muscle in the lower half.

Delivery & Mechanics: Starts slightly off-set towards 1B edge of rubber. Windup begins under control at an easy tempo. Keeps good posture while initiating a chest-high leg kick that starts internal rotation. Generally uses levers well downhill though some pulling to the 1B side creates slight timing issues. Medium-low effort delivery that helps minimize the mechanical problems while still generating above average arm speed from a high-3/4 angle. Not much extension and can get inefficient with the lower half. Starts pre-coiled from stretch.

Fastball: Sits 95-97 and tops 99. Uses 4-seam and 2-seam. Both play as their traditional variations though they can blend together and get hit frequently when left over the plate despite the velo. 4-seam shows good carry and 2-seam is generally a couple ticks slower with run. Likes to work off FB variations and tunnel secondaries from there. Plus offering more often than not with a slight chance of unlocking more with improved feel for shaping. Grade: 60

Curveball: 76-80 with 11-5 break and good depth. Shape can tighten up and look a bit slider-ish but movement is typically sharp with good vertical drop. Tunnels well with FB. Feel for spin notably improved since college days. Willingness to throw to both RHHs and LHHs shows increased confidence as well. Looks to be an average breaking ball. Grade: 50

Changeup: Mid-80s with heavy sink and arm-side run. Natural feel for pronating. Arm slot and makes it difficult to pick up out of the hand. Does leave it up over the plate looking for easy strikes/weak contact so I'm not sure how sustainable that is--CH has a double-plus movement profile but it's definitely easier to recognize when it's up. Plus whiff potential regardless. Will need to locate a bit better to reach true pitch ceiling. Grade: 60

Control and Command: Shows an average ability to stay around the zone with all three offerings. Can lose feel for mechanics at times but generally holds enough pitchability to remain competitive. Likes to work quickly by inducing contact but has shown an improved ability throwing secondaries early in the count. FB command average and secondary command will need to continue improving to get there as well. Control: 50 | Command: 45

Overall: Kowar has long proven he has ideal workhorse stamina and a bulldog mentality, yet concerns about how his stuff will sustain against advanced hitters are out there. He was hit around quite a bit in 2021 ST, though the CB did look improved. Regularly harnessing the CB with his already plus FB and CH and maybe cleaning up some minor mechanical issues will go a long way towards future success. He's a good athlete and tough competitor who has an opportunity to join the back of the Kansas City rotation in the near future.

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

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Erick Pena - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	KC	OF	5	50

Grades Update: May 2021

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
50	50	50	50	50	50	50

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May 2021 Report

Evaluator: Jake Kerns

Age: 18 yr
Height: 6-3
Weight: 200 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/R
Acquired: 2019 IFA
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Signed as a tall and lean prospect with an ideal frame, he’s begun to noticeably fill out without losing much of his athleticism. By all accounts is a hard worker who devotes himself to the weight room and honing his craft. Genuinely enjoys the game.

Hit: Stands slightly crouched and open with a wide base. Keeps his hands high and back by his left ear; left elbow stays back. Some pre-pitch bat movement, including a periodic bat cock. Used a toe tap as his timing mechanism during 2019 instructs, but appears to have cleaned up his footwork and reimplemented a moderate-to-big leg kick, which he used prior to signing. Keeps his weight on his back foot and steps into the pitch with authority. Incredibly quick bat that gets through the zone in the hurry; plus bat speed that generates impressive exit velocities when he connects. The ball jumps off the bat. Rotational swing with a linear bat path that creates significant natural lift. Showed some noise in the swing with an inconsistent finish during 2019 instructs. Has good hand-eye coordination and shows an ability to move up and down the strike zone, but his barrel control is still unrefined and he swings through a lot of pitches in the zone. Swings early and often and takes some big cuts; would be better served to tone down his aggressiveness. His best results come when he’s not trying to kill everything. Shows a natural ability to use the whole field, often going the opposite way. Substantial potential with the bat that can be unlocked with a more patient approach and some cleanup in the swing mechanics, both of which he’s already begun working on. Grade: 50

Power: Shows above-average raw power to all fields, notably putting on some impressive performances as an amateur. His in-game power is mostly to the gaps, largely because his approach has been toned down some to the point where he appears comfortable spraying line drives to all parts of the field. He already rotates well and generates significant lift off the bat, and he has the bat speed and swing to project average or better in the future. Grade: 50

Field: Fluid athlete that moves well in a straight line and laterally. Signed as a CF, but looks destined to play in a corner as he moves up the ladder due to his average range. He tracks the ball well and has good hand-eye coordination. Some room for improvement as he grows more comfortable in a corner spot. Grade: 50

Arm: Shows a strong arm with only average carry, often short hopping it to 3B from RF. Grade: 50

Run: Timed 4.13 down the line from the left side during 2019 instructs before he added weight. He’s a present above-average runner that will likely lose a step as he continues to add bulk. Heady runner on the basepaths. Grade: 50

Overall: Pena is yet to take an official minor league at-bat, but he’s already generated substantial buzz because he physically looks like a big leaguer and possesses some of the better tools from his J2 class. He’s shown marked physical improvement since signing, which is a testament to his work ethic. Above all else, he needs in-game reps, but the underlying ability is there for a future regular. He’ll go as far as his bat takes him.

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

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Alec Marsh - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	KC	RHP	4	50

Grades Update: May 2021

OFP	Role	FB	CB	SL	CH	Ctr/Cmd
50	50	55	45	55	50	45/45

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May 2021 Report

Evaluator: Geoff Pontes

Age: 23 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 220 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2019 Round 2 CBB
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Average height, with thick boxy frame; broad shoulders, strength throughout.

Delivery & Mechanics: Semi-windup; short, quick arm action, high 3/4 arm slot. Moderate leg kick, tall and fall delivery, quad-dominant operation. Repeats well, consistent release points, fast mover.

Fastball: Previously sat 90-93 mph up to 96 mph; with two variations of fastball. Since his time at Arizona State the velocity is up big, sitting mid-high 90s this summer and being clocked as high as 100 mph. This has really pushed Marsh's profile as it's caused his three secondaries to play up in turn. Throws a four-seamer and a sinker. The four seam has above-average raw spin but only average ride, and some late run. Sinker darts down late with sharp run. Generates more soft contact and groundballs than four-seam. How the new velocity has impacted pitch shape is worth watching in 2021. Grade: 55

Curveball: Slower breaker with 12-6 movement, sits 77-80 mph with more steep break than his slider. Used heavily versus lefthanded hitters, and his third pitch versus righthanders. Fringe-average curveball that generates swings and misses and shows the ability to steal bottom of the zone strikes. Has become less of a factor than it was at ASU based on summer looks. Grade: 45

Slider: Tight, hard slider at 81-84 mph, up to 86 at peak. Good swing and miss pitch located heavily to the lower gloveside quadrant. His velocity much like his fastball was sitting in what was his peak velocity at ASU. With strong command of the pitch, he's done well executing it to the gloveside again and again with good results. Used almost exclusively versus righthanders. Grade: 55

Changeup: Used primarily against left handed hitters, sits 80-84 mph, with above-average armside run. Sells the pitch with arm speed and sequencing, shows the ability to control it armside, generating swings, misses, and chases. Generates primarily groundball contact, and is rarely barreled up. Average changeup that should allow him a pathway to starting with three secondaries he can throw for strikes. Grade: 50

Control and Command: While Marsh showed command of the zone in his short professional debut, he struggled to always throws strikes and execute his pitches to intended target quadrants within the zone. Fastball command is a major red flag, Marsh lacks the stuff to execute middle-middle and he frankly catches too much of the plate with regularity. Fringe average control and below average command. Control: 45 | Command: 40

Overall: A starter's profile with a bevy of secondaries to choose from. He has a definitive plan of attack versus righties and lefties. His secondaries have above-average velocity and should continue to play as bat-missing offerings. His fastball while fringe-average at Arizona State, took a huge leap in the last year as he was up as high as 100 mph this summer in the Constellation Energy League during the MiLB shutdown in 2020. This development and a jump in slider feel has pushed the profile into fringe-#4 starter territory. Previously he had teetered between a #5 and a long arm out of the pen. However, if the jump in stuff holds Marsh may push for the title of best non-Lacy arm after Daniel Lynch graduates.

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

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Daniel Lynch - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	KC	LHP	3	50

Grades Update: May 2021

OFP	Role	FB	CB	SL	CH	Ctr/Cmd
50	50	55	50	55	55	50/45

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May 2021 Report

Evaluator: Joe Drake

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-6
Weight: 200 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2018 Round 1C
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: XL frame with wide shoulders, long limbs and high waist. Ideal projectable starter's frame. Very lean, lanky; plenty of room for good weight still. Moves well around the mound. Missed 2 months with arm discomfort in 2019.

Delivery & Mechanics: Windup; Tall and fall delivery, with moderate effort out of a 3/4s slot. Long arm action with good speed. Big frame gives him above-average extension. Hides the ball fairly well behind big body. Simple delivery that he repeats well; quick worker. Maintains leg kick from the stretch but pace ticks up. Very cognizant of runners, borderline preoccupied at times.

Fastball: 93-96, t99; Some ride and run, but fairly average shape. Works to all four quadrants, up for whiffs and down for weak contact. Command is solid, always around the zone. Doesn't miss as many bats as the velo would suggest. Up to 99 at both the AFL in 2019 and ATS in 2020, so we may see a step forward in 2021 that would lead to a plus grade. Grade: 55

Curveball: 77-80; more vertical than the slider and a few ticks slower. More of a 1-7 shape. Good depth, plays well off the high fastball. Leaves it up here and there, like the slider, but generally consistent. Shape bleeds into slider a bit at times getting slurvy. Reliable pitch but doesn't have the bite the slider does. Grade: 50

Slider: 83-86; sweeping action with depth. Features against all hitters, low and away to lefties and back foot to righties, but will steal strikes in the zone with it, too. Sometimes leaves it up in the zone and flattens out. Pretty consistent bite; breaks late, misses barrels well when it's on. Typically located below the belt and around the edges getting whiffs and bad contact. Sometimes manipulates it for a more cutter-ish appearance, but not sure if it's a truly separate offering. Grade: 55

Changeup: 81-83; Solid tumble and some fade. Sells with arm speed and sequencing, setting it up well. Good feel. Hitters struggle to identify it, especially when located down - bottom falls out. Will use against both lefties and righties, but a real weapon against righties. Gets whiffs and weak contact. Grade: 55

Control and Command: Mixes pitches well; will throw any pitch to any hitter. Varies time to plate with runners on. Average and fringe control and command, respectively. Always around the zone, but nibbles which leads to deeper counts and needing to come over the heart. Can throw a strike when he needs to, just not particularly efficient. Hitters who control the zone well will make him work. Locates to all quadrants and able to spot chase pitches in competitive areas. A bit erratic at times, may be a side effect of increased velo; keeps the grade at average instead of above. Control: 50 | Command: 45

Overall: Tall, lanky lefty with good stuff and command, but hasn't missed as many bats as you would expect. He's got an arsenal of 4 average or better pitches and he's comfortable attacking any hitter with all of them. Fastball has ticked up since college and has taken a step forward since we've seen him in regular season action -- Lynch reportedly touched 99 in the AFL and ATS. There's frontline starter upside here should everything break perfectly, but more likely a solid mid to back of the rotation arm with a #5 floor.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - #4 or #5 SP
Risk: Low

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Asa Lacy - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	KC	LHP	2	55

Grades Update: May 2021

OFP	Role	FB	CB	SL	CH	Ctr/Cmd
55	60	60	40	70	50	50/45

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May 2021 Report

Evaluator: Geoff Pontes

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-4
Weight: 215 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2020 Round 1
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Physically imposing presence. Large, broad-shouldered and muscular. High level of conditioning and physicality. Concisely put -- jacked.

Delivery & Mechanics: Semi-windup; drop and drive delivery; short claw arm action, over the top slot; high leg lift, head whack, strong leg block, gets deep into glutes at foot strike generating premium velocity in all of his pitches.

Fastball: Sits 93-95 mph, touching 98 mph in game this spring. High ride fastball with the ability to miss bats at the top of the zone. Explodes out of his hand and seems to pickup steam as it enters the zone. His fastball is tough to square up leading to lots of swings and misses in the heart of the plate. Struggles to command low gloveside due to movement and action. Plus fastball that has ceiling to improve over the next few seasons. Grade: 60

Curveball: Clear fourth pitch, rarely used, change of pace pitch with slow 12-6 break. Sits 77-80 mph, mostly thrown armside in left in left matchups. Below average pitch, likely eliminated from his arsenal in the coming years. Grade: 40

Slider: Hard, tight slider, sitting 84-86 mph, up to 89 mph, with hard late bite and sweep. Heavy gyro pitch that he can manipulate to add more vertical or horizontal break. Shows two plane break consistently. Nasty swing and miss pitch that hits the zone as a strike and drops off the table. Still learning to land it low gloveside with consistency. More likely to miss a bat than skim a barrel. Double plus pitch that could baffle elite big league bats now. Grade: 70

Changeup: Hard off-speed, with late fade and tumble, more late vertical dump than armside run. Sits 84-87 mph giving him a good separation from his fastball. Throws it exclusively to righthanders with even usage to his slider. Generates lots of swings and misses. Not a dominant pitch but a valuable part of Lacy's arsenal. Grade: 50

Control and Command: Average control with fringe average command that will play up when he's on. Works the fringes well with his fastball, but the hard two-plane break on his slider makes it difficult to fully harness. Lacy has the kind of stuff that's typical of the get in the zone mantra. Hitters will have a difficult time squaring Lacy up regardless of location in the zone. Control: 50 | Command: 45

Overall: One of the best arms to enter the draft in the last few years, Lacy is a nasty lefty with big velocity and the movement to match. Will he dominate the fringes of the zone and showcase surgical precision? No, but he throws enough strikes and his stuff will limit the damage time and again. He has a clear plan of attack versus left handed and right handed hitters, and has the body and pitch mix to start. There's some effort in his delivery and many view his changeup as fringe-average versus average. There's certainly and element of relief risk, but if it does end in a bullpen role at peak he should be one of the more dominant relievers in the game. That said, we fully believe that Lacy in a mid-rotation or better starter at the next level.

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

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