Matt Mervis - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	CHC	1B	52	35

Grades Update: Nov 2020

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
35	30	40	50	40	50	40

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Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 23 yr
Height: 6-4
Weight: 225 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/R
Acquired: 2020 UDFA
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Two way player at Duke that focused primarily on hitting during his last two years on campus. Mervis has big thighs and rear end but still has mobility and athleticism. We could've been on the cusp of a breakout season for Mervis, he had more walks than strikeouts in 16 college games before the shutdown.

Hit: Bat doesn't stay in the zone very long so he will always be prone to swinging and missing. Lots of hand movement but everything is firing towards the ball after his modest leg kick and stride. Need to see more of him to know if 2019 plate discipline gains stick. Grade: 40

Power: Above-average power plays average in games. Looks to lift and elevate pull side. Capable of some impressive homers when everything lines up. Cubs might have something here. Grade: 50

Field: No issues with him at first base, but lacks the athleticism to play anywhere else on the diamond. Grade: 40

Arm: As a pitcher he can gas it up to 93. Above-average arm doesn't help much at first base. Grade: 50

Run: Below average runner. Speed isn't his game. Grade: 40

Overall: Matt Mervis started his career in college as an arm, but the last two seasons on campus he was their primary first baseman. There's some untapped potential here depending on how much you buy into his success in the abbreviated 2020 NCAA campaign. Reportedly has looked good during instructs and is a name to watch as a power bat that appears to be developing some plate skills.

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

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Max Shrock - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	CHC	2B/3B	51	35

Grades Update: Nov 2020

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
35	30	55	30	50	40	45

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Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 26 yr
Height: 5-9
Weight: 185 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/R
Acquired: 2015 Draft - Round 13, WSH
RuleV: On 40 man

Physical Description: Short, boxy frame. Likely heavier than listed 185, but proportioned.

Hit: Strong bat-to-ball and pitch recognition skills. Line drive oriented stroke to all fields. 2019 in Triple-A was the first time in his career he had a double digit strikeout rate. He will battle hard to sneak pitches by him, especially fastballs. Prone to weak contact for the sake of making contact though. Grade: 55

Power: The lack of power is the biggest weakness. Doesn't hit for enough power to be an everyday player. Extra base hits are gap-to-gap or ground balls down the line. Grade: 30

Field: Steady hands, will make the routine play but lacks agility, foot speed and arm to be impact defender. A heavy shifting team can use him at second base but he might be best suited for third base defensively, but doesn't have the bat for the position. Grade: 50

Arm: Accurate but lacks carry. Grade: 40

Run: Below average runner, but smart on the basepaths. Grade: 45

Overall: Shrock will go as far as the hit tool will allow him. It's the carrying tool here. He fits well in the National League style of play when you needed a pure pinch hitter, but with the universal DH likely coming that will close that door. Currently he's a utility infielder that can't play short.

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

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Nelson Velazquez - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	CHC	OF	50	35

Grades Update: Nov 2020

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
35	30	40	55	45	55	45

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Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Jake Kerns

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 190 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 Draft - Round 5
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Thick middle half. Big, strong thighs. Strong upper body. Impressive forearms. Has filled out considerably since being drafted. Maxed out. Moves well for his size.

Hit: Upright and open stance. Keeps his hands high. Small leg kick and toe tap before impact. Swing has been toned down since signing. Above-average to plus bat speed. Strong hands. Below-average barrel control. Inconsistent approach and often tries to muscle the ball. Takes big cuts and swing can get long. Solid eye but is overly aggressive, leading to a high strikeout rate Grade: 40

Power: Plus raw power and beginning to get to it in-game. Utilizes his lower half well and possesses the pure strength to simply muscle the ball out. Can hit the ball out of all parts of the park. Needs to cut down on the aggressiveness at the plate and wait for his pitch to help him consistently get to his natural power. Grade: 55

Field: Solid actions in the field but size and speed probably confine him to LF. Fringe-average fielder there because of his range Grade: 45

Arm: Strong arm but is a below-average transferer Grade: 55

Run: Flashed above-average times as an amateur but has filled out significantly and is now a fringe-average runner and may continue to slow. At or around 4.35 down the line from the right side on multiple looks. Hustles out of the box Grade: 45

Overall: Possesses significant power and is capable in left field, but, as with so many prospects, Velazquez will need to hit to reach his below-average regular ceiling. His aggressiveness at the plate will need to be toned down and he will need to cut his strikeouts to have a chance.

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

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Luke Little - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	CHC	LHP	49	35

Grades Update: Nov 2020

OFP	Role	FB	SL	Cmd/Cnt
35	30	55	45	40/40

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Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Trevor Hooth

Age: 20 yr
Height: 6-8
Weight: 225 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2020 Draft - Round 4
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Tall, lanky build, extremely long levers. Might be slightly taller and bigger than listed.

Delivery & Mechanics: Deliberate movements through the balance point before exploding for a high effort through the rest of the delivery. Throws from a 3/4 arm slot. Doesn't always have control of his long limbs which causes inconsistencies in delivery. Lands closed. Arm speed can be inconsistent at times, especially when throwing offspeed. Long levers and arm slot create a difficult plane, especially for lefties.

Fastball: Generates double plus velocity. Sat 95-97 T98 as a starter in college. Report have had the pitch in triple digits T105 according to a pre-draft video. There isn't much movement through the zone, some armside run at times. Grade: 55

Slider: 80-82. Gets good late bite. More horizontal movement than depth, potentially limiting it's ceiling for whiffs. Sits slightly fringe average, but can flash average when it hits the higher end of it's velo. Could play off fastball better with more consistent arm speed. Professional development might help the pitch to become a truly above average offering. Grade: 45

Control and Command: Showed improved control in the shortened 2020 season. Long levers make repeating mechanics hard, which puts a strain on command. Control: 40 | Command: 40

Overall: A tall, lanky fireballer. He generates big velo, but struggles to repeat mechanics. Best chance to make big league impact is in the bullpen. Control improvements in 2020 were promising. Data is not kind to him, but there's a chance at a plus fastball and fringe above average slider from the left side. Drafted as a project, inherent high risk in his profile.

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

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Adam Laskey - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	CHC	LHP	48	35

Grades Update: Nov 2020

OFP	Role	FB	CB	CH	Cmd/Cnt
35	30	50	45	55	45/40

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Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 23 yr
Height: 6-3
Weight: 205 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/L
Acquired: 2019 Draft - Round 19
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: 6'3" lefty, looks skinnier than listed 205, has some physical projection remaining. Battled injuries his final year at Duke, Cubs then shut him down following 2019 draft. With no 2020 season he hasn't pitched in a competitive setting since college.

Delivery & Mechanics: Stands tall on back leg, upright delivery. Moderate effort. Some head movement that hinders command. Intriguing project for Cubs player development group.

Fastball: Sits in low 90s, expectation is he adds a tick or two as he fills out. Pitch tends to straighten out at higher levels of velocity band. Has ability to manipulate the pitch. Grade: 50

Curveball: Ideal shape. Primary secondary against lefties. Will throw it behind lefties and try and catch inside part of the plate; can make for uncomfortable at bat. Grade: 45

Changeup: His best secondary pitch. Has fade and moves away from right-handed bats. Lives down and away against right-handers with this pitch. Disguises it well; has look of fastball before dropping off table. Grade: 55

Control and Command: Laskey comes with some polish but he battled command and injury issues at Duke. I'd guess and say they were related. Was dominant on the Cape in 2018. Control: 45 | Command: 40

Overall: Laskey's outing on the Cape and then only 12 innings in the ACC in 2019 were the last public looks at him in competitive games. Good feel for a changeup and sequencing here, enough athleticism and physical projection to be a backend starter long term. Was regarded as a potential top three round talent as a prep but had hard commitment to Duke.

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

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Brendon Little - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	CHC	LHP	47	35

Grades Update: Nov 2020

OFP	Role	FB	SL	CH	Cmd/Cnt
35	30	50	55	40	35/30

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Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Joe Drake

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 195 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2017 Draft - Round 1
RuleV: Eligible

Physical Description: Average pitcher's build. Looks the part of his listed 6'1, 195. Shoulders have a little width to them. Strong, thick thighs, but doesn't look overly athletic in uniform. Body looks mature, not much room for more weight. Midsection looks a bit soft. Arm looks live, but in short stints.

Fastball: 89-94, t96. Velo fades hard as pitch count rises; Sits mid 90s in the first and was down to 89-91 in the 3rd inning. Has some tail. Doesn't spot well, will throw it up but seems to work down more. This pitch would play much better in a relief role where he could let it fly for an inning or two. Doesn't seem to have the stamina to work deep - especially with his poor control. Grade: 50

Slider: 82-83. Like a power curve; shape varies from 10-4 to 11-5. Good ones have late movement that get whiffs and freeze guys for called strikes. Big, sharp break. Should throw it more often than he does. Grade: 55

Changeup: 80-83. Runs armside, occasionally flashes plus but very inconsistent and most don't have much fade. More of a show-me pitch than anything. Hard time finding the zone with it, but that might be for the best. Uses too often for how inconsistent it is. Grade: 40

Control and Command: Leaves a lot to be desired. Falls behind in counts and doesn't work very efficiently. Often struggles to find the zone, prone to walks. Command feels nonexistent at times, like he's just hoping to hit the zone, let alone hit a spot. Limits him to bullpen, won't get away with the walks and meatballs in the big leagues. You can only spike so many fastballs. Control: 35 | Command: 30

Overall: Live arm from the left side is enticing, but lack of consistent third pitch and control make starting a long shot. LIkely destined for the pen where his velo should tick up and he can ditch the changeup when he doesn't have it. The stuff is probably good enough for a high-leverage role, but the control is so bad it's hard to see him in anything other than low-leverage spots right now. His repertoire makes him an ideal left-handed pen arm with the new 3-batter minimum, control will determine his ceiling.

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

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Jose Albertos - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	CHC	RHP	46	35

Grades Update: Nov 2020

OFP	Role	FB	CB	CH	Cmd/Cnt
35	30	55	55	60	20/20

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Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2015 IFA
RuleV: Eligible

Physical Description: Barrel chested, body on softer side. Much larger than listed 6'1", 185 pounds. Has the look of a traditional big league starter.

Delivery & Mechanics: Looks like he's playing catch. Starts at the belt and brings the hands to the chest as he starts his motion. Drives up and over the front leg. Inconsistent timing, pace, arm speed. All of these plague him in his delivery and it is a fierce battle within himself with every pitch to throw strikes.

Fastball: Big pitch. Reportedly has sat as high as 96-97, but has also been as "low" as 93-94. Has been dealing with inconsistent velocity for some time now. Could be due to multitude of factors. Arm strength for days. Grade: 55

Curveball: Two plane break, and drops off the table. Generates some ugly swings. Used mostly against right-handers and when ahead in the count. Grade: 55

Changeup: His best pitch. Equipped with desired fade and looks just like the fastball. Will throw it in any count. Will miss bats. Grade: 60

Control and Command: Easy bottom of the scale command and control. Will miss location by feet with the fastball to his arm side. Spikes curveball in the dirt, will miss up and down with changeup. Can be a helpless feeling watching someone walk more batters than innings pitched. Control: 20 | Command: 20

Overall: Will never get written off as a prospect because of how good the stuff is. Multiple red flags and issues with delivery but still has three above-average or better offerings. Really frustrating and confusing. There are a million possible outcomes here.

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

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Hunter Bigge - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	CHC	RHP	45	35

Grades Update: Nov 2020

OFP	Role	FB	CB	Cmd/Cnt
35	30	60	55	40/40

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Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 23 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 205 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2019 Draft - Round 12
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Filled out, strong durable build. Muscular.

Delivery & Mechanics: Straight over the top delivery. Quiet, calm delivery. Tight arm. Very repeatable.

Fastball: Was a starter at Harvard in the low 90s, now has a plus heater that sits 94-96 and has touched 99. Attacks hitters. Looks like a completely different guy than he was in school. Grade: 60

Curveball: Curveball has tremendous depth to it. Chase pitch, starts out as a strike but will drop below the zone. Noticeably decreases arm speed on the pitch. Grade: 55

Control and Command: Put up some high walk numbers as a collegiate starter, and he's always going to have high walk totals as a reliever. As long as they come with big strikeout numbers it will play. Control: 40 | Command: 40

Overall: Ivy League two-way player is now a pitcher only as a pro and has completely changed his outlook. Was a low 90s starter, now a big two pitch reliever that lives in the upper 90s. Has the makings of a bullpen arm that could move quickly.

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

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Reivaj Garcia - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	CHC	2B	44	35

Grades Update: Nov 2020

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
35	30	45	30	50	50	55

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Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Jake Kerns

Age: 19 yr
Height: 5-11
Weight: 175 lbs
Hits/Throws: S/R
Acquired: 2017 IFA
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Solidly built but does not possess much strength. Has some room to fill out. Average athlete.

Hit: Switch hitter; initial stance is same from both sides, but footwork varies. From the right side he has a wide base and is slightly open with a minimal leg kick. Keeps his weight on his back foot and steps into the pitch. From the left side he starts wide and slightly open but brings his legs together to varying degrees as he loads. Takes a bigger step into the ball. Good hands and quick bat from both sides. Looks more comfortable and makes better contact from the right side in BP. Limited looks from the right side in-game. Shows an ability to go the opposite way from the left side. A present slap hitter. Swing can get long from both sides leading to some swing and miss issues. Inconsistent approach. Has good bat to ball skills and fights off pitches. Flashes an ability to lay down bunts Grade: 45

Power: Below-average raw power. Does not drive the ball and will not be a power threat without either additional strength or a more consistent approach. Grade: 30

Field: Moves well laterally in the field. Average range. Makes the routine plays at 2B. Lacks the arm and range necessary for the left side of the infield. Grade: 50

Arm: Average arm strength. Quick transferer. Balls were on target to 2B and 1B in limited looks. Grade: 50

Run: Flashes plus speed down the line from the left side. Timed between 4.10 and 4.15 in several looks. Unable to get a time from the right side. Grade: 55

Overall: Garcia possesses little power projection and will need to maximize the hit tool to reach the big leagues. He has the underlying bat to ball skills to see growth in the tool, but even that will not ensure him a spot in a future lineup. His defensive chops are well suited for 2B and the tools don't translate to other positions on the dirt.

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

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James Norwood - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	CHC	RHP	43	35

Grades Update: Nov 2020

OFP	Role	FB	SL	SPL	Cmd/Cnt
35	30	70	45	40	40/40

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Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 27 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 215 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2014 Draft - Round 7
RuleV: On 40 man

Physical Description: 6'2" 215. Muscular, durable build.

Delivery & Mechanics: Exclusively from the stretch. Comes set at the letters. Big leg kick before coming home. High effort delivery.

Fastball: High velocity with significant arm side run. Double plus grade due to movement and velocity traits. Sits in the high 90s, can touch 100. Has averaged 97 during his MLB stints. Grade: 70

Slider: The better of the two secondaries, but still a fringe offering. Has good two-plane depth but command is inconsistent. Grade: 45

Splitter: Has had difficulty with commanding the pitch. Sits in the high 80's, and has averaged 88 during his MLB time. Went to the pitch more than the slider in 2020. Grade: 40

Control and Command: With average command of the slider and control overall Norwood immediately jumps to a late inning relief arm. As is, he is destined for lower leverage work due to below average command and control. Will pull slider gloveside and miss up with fastball often. Control: 40 | Command: 40

Overall: One monster double-plus pitch paired with two below-average offerings and below average command and control isn't the most exciting profile but it's one that will continue to get opportunities. Norwood did go on the IL late in the season with a shoulder injury so that is something to monitor.

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

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Fabian Pertuz - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	CHC	3B	42	35

Grades Update: Nov 2020

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
35	30	40	40	50	50	50

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Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Trevor Hooth

Age: 20 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 156 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 IFA
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Small frame. Looks bigger than listed weight. Still plenty of room for projection as he adds weight.

Hit: Slightly open stance. Rests bat on his shoulder until load. Big leg kick. Once his leg kicks his hands quickly find the launch position. Hands fire when the foot comes down. Flat bat path. His body is in sync. Swings hard and wild. Not much barrel control making it difficult to make quality contact. Will swing often, but covers the plate well. Will dive out over the plate on offspeed pitches out of the zone.Can get pull happy and sell out for power, increasing swing and miss. Grade: 40

Power: Quick hands and above average bat speed provide power. On the flip side, his high effort swing is hard to control. His hard swing will show some fantastic raw BP power. As his frame fills out, there is more to come. Has a tendency to start swing before his foot is down. The ingredients for power are there, but filling out his frame and barrel control will be vital in accessing it. Grade: 40

Field: Sufficient with the glove. Has been used at 3B and SS in the past, could settle into either as a defensive home. Grade: 50

Arm: Strong arm. Has proven accurate in the lower levels as well. Should allow him to stay at either position on the left side of the infield. Grade: 50

Run: Has shown the ability to steal bases. Steals come more from instinct than raw speed. Likely not to become a massive steals threat, but he's also not slow. Grade: 50

Overall: There's work to be done with the bat. With his natural ability and room for projection, there's reason to believe the power is what has the most growth potential. His plate coverage might yield him an average hit tool, but he'll need to find the barrel. He swings very hard to sell out for power, which can cost him barrel control. Defensively he will be able to settle into anywhere on the infield, and there is projection in the bat to dream on.

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

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Michael Rucker - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	CHC	RHP	41	35

Grades Update: Nov 2020

OFP	Role	FB	CB	SL	CH	Cmd/Cnt
35	30	55	50	60	45	55/45

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Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Jake Kerns

Age: 27 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 195 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2016 Draft - Round 11
RuleV: Eligible

Physical Description: Maxed out physically. Thick lower half. Goes about his business on the mound.

Delivery & Mechanics: Easy, repeatable delivery. Little effort. 3/4 slot from the right side. Consistent release point. Gets good extension and lands softly, but sometimes falls off toward 1B.

Fastball: 92-95. Shows easy velocity, topping out at 97 after a spike in 2020. Was 89-92 before 2019. Keeps the ball down in the zone and locates it well side-to-side. Lacks movement but plays up because batters do not see it until late. Grade: 55

Curveball: Solid shape and depth. Can be slurvy at times. Uses it to keep batters off-balance. Tends to throw it away from the hitter. Pitch lags behind his slider but is usable and flashes at least average. Grade: 50

Slider: Trusts it and will throw it during any count. Uses it as his out pitch. Dives into lefthanders and leads to big swings and misses. Righthanders chase it out of the zone. Keeps it down. Creates poor contact when barreled. Grade: 60

Changeup: Looks like fastball out of hand. Natural arm-side run. Does not throw it often but demonstrates feel for the pitch. Grade: 45

Overall: A Rule V selection by Baltimore in 2019 after his velocity spiked, Rucker was returned to the team around Spring Training. He projects best as an up/down reliever but there's additional upside, potentially as a multi-inning reliever, if the velocity holds and he makes gains on his curveball and changeup.

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

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Edmond Americaan - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	CHC	OF	40	35

Grades Update: Nov 2020

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
35	30	45	45	40	60	60

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Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 170 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2018 Draft - Round 35
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Wiry, loose athlete with underdeveloped baseball skills. High energy, has some flash, doesn't lack confidence.

Hit: Loose hands, utilizes double toe-tap as trigger with hands cocking and ready to swing. Aesthetically pleasing left-handed swing with high one-handed follow through. Will also use wheels and lay down a bunt. Strong bunter and will take a walk. Solid fit around the edges of a lineup. Grade: 45

Power: There's underrated strength here. Plays more of a scrappy type game but don't let that fool you, there's some pop in the bat. Learned how to pull the ball with the Cubs and now will hit some no doubters to right. Average raw power here. Grade: 45

Field: Inconsistent routes and poor angles make him a better fit on a corner despite his speed. Strong fit for right field due to arm. Grade: 40

Arm: Has a strong arm. Accurate, strong foot work. Some transfer issues but arm is a weapon. Grade: 60

Run: Plus speed. Can steal bases, but needs some polish on the basepaths. Speed makes up for less than ideal angles in the outfield. Grade: 60

Overall: Very fun player to watch. Older than most prospects at his level but unusual developmental timeline to blame for that. He was born in Curacao and drafted three times, but he ended up at JUCO powerhouse Chipola and is making up for lost time.

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

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Erich Uelman - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	CHC	RHP	39	35

Grades Update: Nov 2020

OFP	Role	FB	SL	Cmd/Cnt
35	30	55	50	50/40

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Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 25 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 185 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 Draft - Round 4
RuleV: Eligible

Physical Description: Good body, limited projection. Mature durable build.

Delivery & Mechanics: Uses an abbreviated windup, has toned down hand movement since college. Throws across body with low 3/4 arm slot and will vary timing. Gets himself in strong fielding position after delivery. Repeats mechanics very well.

Fastball: Sinker, his primary pitch. Gets weak contact more than swing and misses, bottom falls out of the pitch making it difficult to square up. Works everything low in the zone. Above-average pitch. Leans heavily on it. Can touch 95. Sits 91-94. Grade: 55

Slider: His best secondary pitch. Good movement but doesn't miss bats, instead getting more groundballs. Will throw the pitch in any count and it plays well off of the sinker. Grade: 50

Control and Command: Control over command profile. Throws strikes but will leak over the middle of the plate too much. When he's in sync he lives on the lower quadrants and even below the zone. Thin margin for error and below average command is living on the fringes of a big league roster. Control: 50 | Command: 40

Overall: Future relief arm. Could get some extra ticks on the fastball with a permanent shift to the pen. Ability to work multiple innings increases big league utility with expanded staffs.

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

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Jeremiah Estrada - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	CHC	RHP	38	35

Grades Update: Nov 2020

OFP	Role	FB	CB	CH	Cmd/Cnt
35	30	55	40	60	40/40

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Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185 lbs
Hits/Throws: S/R
Acquired: 2017 Draft - Round 6
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Lean, athletic build at 6'1", 185. Likely a little heavier than listed weight but nothing concerning. Not much physical projection here. Had some elbow injuries since draft. Former UCLA commit hurt elbow in June of 2018, rehabbed and ended up having Tommy John surgery in August of 2019. Expected to be a full go as baseball resumes. Worth tracking as sixth rounders that get a six digit signing bonus are special arms.

Delivery & Mechanics: Slower paced delivery with fast, loose arm. Showcases athleticism as he drives off back leg from high 3/4 slot. Used to work quicker but slowed himself down and now is able to repeat.

Fastball: Estrada found consistent velocity by slowing down his delivery and was touching 95 frequently before the arm injury. Pitch had some arm-side run and generated weak contact and missed bats. Grade: 55

Curveball: Inconsistent pitch with good shape and will flash plus, but it backs up at times and needs more refinement. Grade: 40

Changeup: Plus pitch with fade and depth. Feel for his changeup is rare for a kid with so few professional innings. Swing and miss pitch and one of better changeups in the system. Grade: 60

Control and Command: High octane stuff with below average to fringe command. Has moments where he completely loses himself in his delivery and can't find the plate. Nothing unusual for such a young, inexperienced arm. Control: 40 | Command: 40

Overall: Electric arm with injury question marks. High probability he's a reliever with two above average pitches that can advance quickly so Cubs can start getting some return on their high cost investment. Excited to see him in game action after shutdown. Only 17 professional innings since being drafted in 2017.

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

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Trent Giambrone - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	CHC	2B	37	35

Grades Update: Nov 2020

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
35	30	40	50	50	50	55

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Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Jake Kerns

Age: 27 yr
Height: 5-8
Weight: 175 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2016 Draft - Round 25
RuleV: Eligible

Physical Description: Short and maxed out but compensates with athleticism and hustle. Looks like a 2B. Charismatic in the field and superstitious in the box. Max effort player. Fun to watch on the diamond.

Hit: Significant movement pre-pitch. Big leg kick. Uses his whole body as he loads. Takes big cuts, but quickly gets through the zone. Possesses plus bat speed. Average pitch recognition. Aggressiveness at the plate and his big swings lead to a lot of swing and miss. Grade: 40

Power: Uses his size as leverage and attacks the ball with the intent of driving it. Has the power to put the ball out regularly if he connects. Grade: 50

Field: Good reaction times at 2B. Moves well laterally but range is limited by his size. Transfers ball from glove well. High effort fielder not afraid of laying out for the ball. Fits best at 2B. Would be well below-average at SS due to range and arm. Fringe-average at 3B based on arm. Could play LF. Tool plays up because of his hustle. Grade: 50

Arm: Average arm strength. Ball lacks carry out of hand. Can make the routine throws from 2B. Grade: 50

Run: Hustles out of the box and runs with some effort. Capable of beating out grounders. Timed around 4.25 down the line from the right side. Can hit an extra gear rounding 1st and grab an extra bag. Good base stealer. Grade: 55

Overall: Older than most prospects. Diminutive in size but plays all out and looks like a big leaguer because of it. Lacks the hitting ability to be a regular on the dirt, but his other tools translate to a utility/bench role with a bit more improvement and consistency. Without that, Giambrone is a likely injury replacement.

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

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Davidjohn Herz - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	CHC	LHP	36	35

Grades Update: Nov 2020

OFP	Role	FB	SL	Cmd/Cnt
35	30	60	55	35/30

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Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 20 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 175 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/L
Acquired: 2019 Draft - Round 8
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Athletic, long limbed lefty with a medium build. Room for physical growth. Tri-sport athlete that played football and basketball, could explode now that he's just focused on pitching.

Delivery & Mechanics: Left-hander with a little bit of funk, with a mid 3/4 arm slot, and a long arm swing. He throws across his body but the arm is plenty fast enough to catch up. Delivery and release create difficult angles for hitters and he's tough to square up, especially for lefties.

Fastball: Sits 91-92 with the fastball, but the belief is he will live in the mid 90s as he develops physically. The pitch has a lot of arm-side life, and with added velocity can become a future plus pitch. Grade: 60

Slider: Sits in the mid-80s. Inconsistent shape but still generates bad swings. This can also develop into a plus pitch with more consistency. Grade: 55

Control and Command: The crossfire nature of the delivery causes the stuff to play up but it makes it that much more difficult for the young lefty to consistently throw strikes. He also has a long arm rotation. Control: 35 | Command: 30

Overall: Herz lacks feel for the changeup and because of that I project him to work out of the bullpen long term. The stuff should play up in that role, and the mechanics and delivery are better fits for short bursts. The ingredients are here for a dominant late inning relief arm with time.

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

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Dakota Mekkes - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	CHC	RHP	35	35

Grades Update: Nov 2020

OFP	Role	FB	SL	CH	Cmd/Cnt
35	30	55	50	50	40/40

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Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 26 yr
Height: 6-7
Weight: 275 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2016 Draft - Round 10
RuleV: Eligible

Physical Description: Big righty checks in at 6'7" and 275 pounds. Soft body that lacks projection, Mekkes has long limbs and an intense personality on the mound.

Delivery & Mechanics: Low arm slot despite frame, gives hitters an unusual look. Has limited hits and posted big strikeout numbers going back to collegiate days, and has outpitched his stuff. Added funk gives a unique look mostly due to long stride and extension.

Fastball: Fastball sits in the low 90s, does creep up into 93-95 range but jumps on hitters. Hs the illusion of rising as it gets to the plate due to arm slot and extension. Late arm side run also make it very difficult to square up. Grade: 55

Slider: Average pitch that has shown flashes. Gets groundballs and weak contact. Will miss down and use this pitch to entice hitters to chase out of the zone. Grade: 50

Changeup: Works changeup low in the zone, and it will miss down. Average pitch. Grade: 50

Control and Command: Mekkes has a difficult time throwing consistent strikes, and that's largely due to a few things. His XXL frame and low arm slot aren't things you typical find together. He gets great extension as well. Delivery has a lot of moving parts and requires some effort. When he does miss though it is down and in a spot where he won't get hurt. Control: 40 | Command: 40

Overall: Cubs are building a stable of relievers with large frames that occupy the fringes of the 40-man and Mekkes will require a 40-man spot this offseason. He will likely get added but this profile is one that will likely get nabbed in the Rule V draft if the Cubs elect to pass.

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

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Yohendrick Pinango - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	CHC	OF	34	35

Grades Update: Nov 2020

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
35	30	45	30	40	50	60

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Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 19 yr
Height: 5-11
Weight: 170 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2018 IFA
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Well filled out, Pinango has an advanced frame for his age but still possesses some explosiveness. There's a lot of unknown here but the early returns have been encouraging.

Hit: Loud, high effort swing, reminds me quite a bit of Robinson Cano's setup but louder. Swing features a tremendous amount of hand movement and also features a double load as he sets his hands twice before attacking the baseball. Not the prettiest swing but ony a SwStr rate of 13.3% shows that he can still get the bat on the ball despite the inefficiencies in his stance. His overall strikeout rate was just over 7% and he walked more than he struck out. A lot to love production wise. A testament to his strong hand-eye coordination and strikezone feel. Grade: 45

Power: Has shown more raw power in batting practice than games so far, but it's not his game. He will slap the ball the other way. His 0 homers and 51% opposite field rate detail that. He was amongst the league leaders in the DSL in doubles so he can drive the ball a bit. This will likely always be a below average skill. Grade: 30

Field: Oddly enough he didn't appear in center during his time in the DSL if you believe the box scores. With his body type I wouldn't project him as a future centerfielder anyways, despite the plus speed. Grade: 40

Arm: I admittedly don't have anything on the arm, but reports I've seen say at it's at least average. Grade: 50

Run: Plus runner. Stole 27 bases in the DSL. Slap hitter whose game is built around speed. Grade: 60

Overall: The Cubs signed Pinango out of Venezuela for $400,000 as part of their 2018 international class. Dominant in the DSL, Pinango was set to hit the states before the Covid-19 shutdown, but has been here for instructs.

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

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Koen Moreno - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	CHC	RHP	33	35

Grades Update: Nov 2020

OFP	Role	FB	CB	SL	CH	Cmd/Cnt
35	30	55	50	40	55	45/40

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Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Jake Kerns

Age: 19 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 170 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2020 Draft - Round 5
RuleV: 2024

Physical Description: Tall and lean with plenty of room to fill out. Athletic; also played SS during HS. Impressive calves and leaping ability. Gym rat and hard worker who wants to get better.

Delivery & Mechanics: Quick arm. 3/4 slot from the right side. Uses his legs well and gets a good extension off the mound. Throws with some effort.

Fastball: Velocity varied widely, but mostly low-90s as an amateur. Some natural arm-side run. Locates it well away from righties. Possesses the physical projection to fill out and see a boost to his velocity. Grade: 55

Curveball: Shows an ability to spin a big breaker with 11/5 action. Solid depth. Projects as a future average pitch. Grade: 50

Slider: Show-me slider now. Still learning to control it; buried it in front of the plate on several looks. Grade: 40

Changeup: 80-84 as an amateur. Shows considerable feel given his age. Looks like his FB before its break. Pitch could be plus with time. Grade: 55

Control and Command: Around the zone but often misses high with his fastball. Does not hit his spots with regularity. Still a thrower. Control: 45 | Command: 40

Overall: Moreno could have taken a step forward prior to the 2020 draft but a cancelled spring season derailed those plans. He's a high-upside albeit very raw arm with a long lead time. He needs reps and professional coaching to become less of a thrower and more of a pitcher. He has the ingredients to remain a starter in time.

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

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