Diego Cartaya - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 LAD C 3 50

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

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Wyatt Kleinberg

Age: 19 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 199 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 IFA
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Cartaya is built athletically for a catcher. Despite showcasing below average speed, the 6'2'' 195 frame still has obvious room to grow. He likely projects into the 215lb range, and can add a lot of lower body strength as his body matures more.

Hit: Cartaya's greatest offensive asset is his hit tool. With a simple, short-to-the-ball approach, Cartaya prioritizes his ability to make solid contact over his potential power. While he does not get a lot of separation, a fast firing lower half and plus hands make him a solid potential hitter looking forward. Cartaya holds his bat vertically in his stance (similar to Acuna), which is helpful in getting the bat into the hitting zone quickly -- his slight leg kick works thanks to his ability to get his hands into the zone quickly. With feel for the barrel and a mature approach for his age, Cartaya has already started taking strides toward becoming an above average big league bat. However he doesn't project to walk at a high rate adding a level of volatility to the profile. There's some swing and miss concerns and ultimately he's a volatile profile as a teenage catching prospect. Grade: 50

Power: Cartaya's swing is not geared towards producing crazy power numbers. The simple, quick to the ball approach suggests that power is not his goal. However, with a solid weight transfer and powerful hips, plus power could be a byproduct. It is very difficult to project the future power of a 19 year old as he has not come into his body yet. However, based on what a typical player development cycle looks like for a guy of his build, it would be expected that he adds more weight, which will help him get more force behind the baseball. Cartaya has a pretty good sense of lifting the ball and with an approach focused solely on barreling up the baseball, 20 to 25 home runs are within the realm of possibility. Grade: 50

Field: Cartaya is already showing signs of being an above average backstop. He is pretty athletic for a guy of his size, moving behind the dish very well. While an expected mobility regression needs to be accounted for as he ages, Cartaya is an above average defender in regards to his blocking and fielding abilities. He's flashed good hands and his receiving skills are coming along. Cartaya while raw has a strong baseline of defensive skills and has the potential to become an above average big league defender with proper development. Grade: 55

Arm: Cartaya flashes an above average arm already, with plus potential. Not only is Cartaya's arm strong, but it is extremely accurate for someone new in his professional career. The solid pop time and above average overall arm will for the most part allow him to hold opposing running games in check. Grade: 55

Run: Despite being pretty athletic for a catcher, he's pretty subpar in the speed department. Adding weight as he matures into his body will also see him lose further speed. Grade: 30

Overall: Cartaya presents as a potential above average big league catcher. His hit tool looks as if it could end up being at least league average, anchored by his consistent and simple mechanics, along with a mature approach. While he may not be a massive offensive asset as a power bat, he more than makes up for it with plus defensive skills. It is very difficult to project 19-year-old bats before they have full seasons in the minors, but right now Cartaya looks like a guy that could fall into the average big leaguer range with a chance for more if the profile maxes out.

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


Michael Busch - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 LAD 2B 2 50

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

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Anthony Franco

Age: 23 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 207 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/R
Acquired: 2019 Draft - Round 1
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Listed at 6'0", 207; muscular build; thick lower half; strong upper body with noticeably built shoulders. Toes a line between athletic and stiff, limited projection remaining with minimal maintenance concerns long term.

Hit: Wide base, relaxed setup; slightly open stance; hands level with back shoulder. Very patient approach, especially early in counts; 18 BB% in three years at UNC. Quiet front foot stride, gets into lower half early in swing. Average bat speed. Shows some ability to cover different quadrants of the strike zone and willingness to use entire field. Good hands through contact; a little bit of loft through contact. Showcased elite on base ability as an amateur, and reports from the Alternate Site rave about Busch's ability with the bat. Grade: 55

Power: Showed above-average raw power with wood bats during the 2018 Cape Cod League slugging .567 over 111 plate appearances with Chatham. Elite pitch recognition, above average bat-to-ball skills and bat path enable him to tap into power in-game. Shows the ability to leverage path and mechanics to get the most of his strength at the point of contact. Demonstrated ability to hit for power to all fields in-game. Over his final two seasons at UNC Chapel Hill Busch hit 26 home runs slugging >.520, with a .253 ISO his junior season. Grade: 55

Field: Drafted as a second baseman; played primarily first base and left field in college. Below-average infield actions and hands in limited game experience at second. Had above-average quickness and hands for a first baseman; comfortable reading and tracking fly balls in left field. Grade: 45

Arm: Fringe arm isn't a weapon but is sufficient at each of first base, second base and left field. Actions are fine, but not good enough to help the arm strength play up. Grade: 45

Run: Fringe-average runner; average overall athlete. Not likely to make a huge impact as a baserunner but adequate enough to handle the corner outfield. Grade: 45

Overall: Busch fits the model of position player the Dodgers have developed well in recent years. He's a high-OBP player who should tap into enough power to hit in the middle of the order. Chances are Busch would probably be miscast as an everyday second baseman, but the Dodgers aggressively shuttle players to different positions and have shown a willingness to tolerate lackluster second base defense. He's a perfectly fine left fielder and an above-average first baseman, so there'll be plenty of places to work his bat into the lineup.

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


Bobby Miller - Scouting Report


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

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role FB CB SL CH Cnt/Cmd
55 60 70 45 55 50 55/45

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Mike Kinsela

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-5
Weight: 220 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/R
Acquired: 2020 Draft - Round 1
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: XL frame with long, broad build that encompasses both high end athleticism and physical strength.

Delivery & Mechanics: Short rocker step back to align with rubber, good hip hinge over back side to engage core and lower half, gates front hip some, gets into good directional pattern, length to arm stroke through the back, gets offline, is able to time up longer stroke, some effort to operation with more control than command. Generates lower release height due to extension.

Fastball: Dominant pitch at times, was nearing triple digits at Louisville. Regularly sat mid-90s and reached back for more, holds velocity deep into games, above-average arm-side life, pitch can get heavy when down in zone. Average raw spin rates, can throw pitch for strikes consistently, will need to avoid the middle of the plate even with plus velocity. Falls short of elite fastball due to average traits, likely a 70 fastball in starter role. Could see velocity tick up in bullpen role to maintain 70 grade. Grade: 70

Curveball: Probably Miller's 4th best pitch right now, thrown mostly in the low-80s and not very frequently; can throw for strikes vs. hitters of either handedness. Mostly on the 11/5 plane, lacks hammer bite and depth; missed bats at collegiate level but will need to improve to do so in pro ball. Average spin rate, could see an average future but likely falls shy of that. Solid change-of-pace and strike-stealer pitch. Grade: 45

Slider: Best secondary offering to my eyes. Thrown firmly in mid-upper 80s, gets closer to a cutter than a true tilting slider at times, plays well off fastball movement on the horizontal axis. Can get under hands of left handed hitters, runs it away from righties, has control of the pitch. Has touched as high as 90 mph. Unlikely to play as an overwhelming bat-misser at highest level, but quality projection. Grade: 55

Changeup: Miller's changeup is something of a hybrid between a true changeup and a splitter, earning that ever-popular "split-change" designation. It's a solid pitch for him, thrown in the mid-80s with dive, though the spin isn't as low as one would expect given the intent and action of it. Can throw it at the bottom of the zone and get whiffs overtop of it, better to lefties at present than righties. Solid third pitch. Grade: 50

Control and Command: Miller went from a prep arm with no clue how to throw strikes to a pretty solid zone-pounder at Louisville, averaging 3.6 BB/9 in his college career. It's more control than command, with Miller able to pound the strike zone but limited in his ability to move the ball around the zone. His athleticism and aptitude speak to some projection here, but the violence in his delivery likely leaves him shy of average command long term. Control: 55 | Command: 45

Overall: Miller's size, athleticism, arm talent, and overall stuff, along with a performance pedigree at one of college baseball's best programs, lead him to being selected in the first round. Some concerns over his command lead to reliever questions, which do remain, but this evaluator felt that Miller was a little undervalued by the industry. With the Dodgers player dev system, it's realistic to expect them to maximize Miller's value and we could see a mid-rotation starter or dynamic closer here.

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


Brock Jones - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ARI LHP 47 35

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

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 20 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2019 16th
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Short and athletic frame. More room to fill out and add strength. Good athlete. Long and lanky.

Delivery & Mechanics: Shortened 3/4 delivery from left side. Slower, methodical windup. Clean and reliable mechanics. No hiccups in delivery, smooth and repeatable. Good approach and extension.

Fastball: High 80s-to-low 90s offering that lacks life and velocity. Sits flat and gets barreled in the zone. Relies more on secondaries. Needs more velocity to become an effective pitch. Grade: 40

Curveball: Mid 70s velocity with good depth. 12-to-6 shape. Needs more reps and consistency. Grade: 45

Slider: Low-80s slider with good feel and movement. Throws with confidence. Pitch has late break in the zone. Can locate it well. Grade: 50

Control and Command: Struggles to find the zone with his fastball, will leak it over the plate. Has better command and feel for his secondaries. Control: 45 | Command: 40

Overall: Jones has a good feel for his secondaries, and his athletic frame produces clean mechanics. He needs improved fastball command and velocity to compliment his secondaries. Likely relief arm.

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


Spencer Brickhouse - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ARI 1B 46 35

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
35 30 40 55 40 45 30

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Geoff Pontes


Age: 23 yr
Height: 6-4
Weight: 235 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/R
Acquired: 2019 7th
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Imposing physical presence, every bit of his listed 6-4, 235 lbs. Broad shouldered and muscular, maxed out physically as he already looks like an MLB slugger.

Hit: Aggressive swinger at the plate, looks to jump on fastballs, early but often gets behind in the count due to this. Sets up square to the pitcher, with deep bend in his lower half, hands start just above the shoulder. Slight toe tap timing trigger mechanism, drops hands to stay short to the ball, but it ultimately leads to a grooved swing and an operation that saps away from his greatest asset his raw power. This approach worked in college, where Brickhouse was a career .313 hitter at East Carolina. The on base skills and approach did not show in his first run through pro-ball. It's a below average hit tool until he shows the ability to translate his college approach. Grade: 40

Power: Plus or better raw power that plays above average in games. When Brickhouse gets all of one he's reasonable for some of the loudest home runs you'll witness. He unfortunately doesn't get to as much of his raw as he should due to his setup and swing path. Despite these flaws the power still plays, aiding a profile that needs to hit to click long term. Grade: 55

Field: First base only at this point, played some corner outfield in a pinch at East Carolina but was entirely first base with Missoula in his professional debut. Moves well around the bag and has the size to stretch. Lacks range at mobility in deeper or more difficult plays. Solid enough to handle the position but it's below average everyday first base defense. Grade: 40

Arm: Fringe average infield arm, not a tool that adds much to his profile and likely limits him to first base. Accurate on the throws we observed with some zip, likely why he's had tryouts in left and third base as an amateur. Grade: 45

Run: Poor runner out of the box and station to station on the bases, might flirt with below average run times here and there. Grade: 30

Overall: Brickhouse is a personification of his last name in the physical form, but he will need to further refine his approach to tap into his massive raw power. Shows glimpses of elite hitting ability, and his amateur track record supports approach improvements. But at the moment Brickhouse is an up and down bat first profile that's right handed throwing and limited to first base. He will have to breakout with the bat over the next couple of seasons to cut it.

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



Jeremy Beasley - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ARI RHP 45 35

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

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 25 yr
Height: 6-3
Weight: 245 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 30th, LAA
RuleV: On 40-Man

Physical Description: Maxed out frame, high waist. Was the return from the Angels for swingman Matt Andriese prior to the 2020 season.

Delivery & Mechanics: Clean, simplistic mechanics. High leg kick, uptempo delivery and repeatable. No frills. Gets into glutes very well, will tip a bit at times but it can add some deception, especially pitching from the stretch. Drop and drive.

Fastball: It's a fringe fastball that averaged 91.5 during his brief big league stint in 2020. Attacks hitters, for better or worse, and locates it well. Not afraid to go inside. Gets a good amount of ground balls. Grade: 40

Slider: Long, sweeping slider that he will use against right-handers. Ideally the pitch is below the zone to get whiffs or weak contact, but he will also throw it at their hip and it will catch the inside corner for a strike early in the count. For putaway counts it'll dive low or off the plate looking for a swing. Grade: 50

Splitter: This can be a potential out-pitch but he leaves it out over the plate too much and it's very hittable. Not much depth, essentially functions as a changeup. Does look like a fastball out of his hand though. Grade: 50

Control and Command: Beasley was able to march through the minors as a late round pick due to his ability to spot the fastball. The rest of the arsenal plays off of the fastball and he's generally around the plate with all of his offerings. Control: 55 | Command: 45

Overall: There's enough for Beasley here to occupy the backend of 40-man rosters and big league bullpens through his controllable years. He's a versatile relief arm capable of working multiple innings and even starting a game in a pinch. He's likely an up and down depth piece for the majority of his career, bouncing between Triple-A and the big league club.

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


Drew Ellis - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ARI 3B 44 35

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
35 30 40 50 45 55 30

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson


Age: 25 yr
Height: 6-3
Weight: 225 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 2nd
RuleV: 2020

Physical Description: Filled out, big physical corner infielder. Lacks athleticism.

Hit: I generally dislike mechanical comps, but this one is dead on. Ellis is a dead ringer for Matt Holliday aesthetically. Obviously he has nowhere near the hit tool as him, but The leg kick and swing components are dead on. Ellis has a good approach and will work walks, but is prone to weak contact due to pitch selection. Grade: 40

Power: Plus raw power that plays down a grade in game. Raw strength is the key driver for his power, but his superb trunk rotation also helps him get it done. Will try to swing at pitches he can't drive, needs to be more selective. Grade: 50

Field: Ellis was playing a lot of first base already at Louisville but has played mostly third with Arizona. Lacks a quick first step and range at the hot corner, but I don't mind the hands and think he's a decent enough fielder to stick there. Grade: 45

Arm: Ellis has an above-average arm at the hot corner. A move to first base would render that essentially useless, and he's not athletic enough to play the outfield. Grade: 55

Run: Poor runner, moves ok underway but slow. Grade: 30

Overall: Tweener profile for Ellis, meaning he might not hit for enough power if he has to move to first base full time. I think he's adequate enough at third to stick there, anyways, but it's close enough I'm sure that opinion is split. Ellis was available in this December's Rule Five draft and was not selected.

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



Conor Grammes - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ARI RHP 43 35

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

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Rhys White

Age: 23 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 200 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2019 5th
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Short and compact frame with a thick lower half. Built like a running back. He has some room to fill out especially in the upper body. He is a good athlete on the mound.

Delivery & Mechanics: Grammes comes at you with a three-quarters delivery with a whippy arm. He starts his delivery with a decent leg kick, then takes a short stride towards the plate where he starts to dip and drive towards the mound. His front leg swings open on the follow-through and he lands completely facing the first-base side. When he has runners on base he speeds up the delivery which at times messes up the timing and affects his command.

Fastball: The pitch explodes out of the hand and can touch 99 in short spurts. More consistently sits 92-95 when he has to pitch multiple innings in an outing. The fastball is straight which causes it to pay down due to the lack of movement. He is aggressive early in counts and will throw it to both lefties and righties. More advanced left-handed hitters will be able to pick it up out of the hand because of the lack of deception in the delivery. The command comes and goes and when you pair that with the lack of movement, it plays down from its velocity. Grade: 55

Slider: Grammes slider is his swing and miss pitch. It is slurvy in its movement with average horizontal movement and plus vertical movement. He uses the pitch late in counts to get swings and misses or to generate weak contact. He is more likely to throw it against right-handed batters to give him a second offering against righties. When he is ahead in a count he will attack batters with it, especially after throwing back-to-back fastballs. Grade: 55

Changeup: The changeup is inconsistent in my looks. When thrown well and at the same arm-speed as his fastball, it can show good movement and deception and plays well off the fastball. The problem is he lacks feel for the changeup, and more often than not he overthrows the changeup which hurts the movement and in turn causes the ball to get barreled up by opposing hitters. Grade: 40

Control and Command: Grammes has below-average command and control. He consistently misses the target that his catcher sets up. His stuff is wild and the movement of the slider is hard for him to place in spots where it can be effective. During spurts he losses the strike-zone because he tends to overthrow his pitches which affects the control of his offerings. Control: 45 | Command: 40'

Overall: Conor Grammes is relatively new to solely focusing on pitching and there is some hope that he can refine the rougher edges. If he can refine his command and control there is the hope of a low leverage reliever. The fastball and slider are both graded above average and will ultimately carry the profile as he ascends up the minor leagues. The changeup does need to take a step forward for him to ever hope to remain a starter, which already looks to be a very low percentage outcome. Back in college, he was a two-way player who drew rave reviews because of his ability to hit for power and throw in the upper 90's, so if pitching doesn't work out there is still a chance he could play as a position player in the minors.

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


Matt Peacock - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ARI RHP 42 35

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

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 27 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 23rd
RuleV: On 40-Man

Physical Description: Small frame, looks to be physically mature despite small stature. Don't forecast any changes in his body in the future.

Delivery & Mechanics: Starts from the first base side of the rubber. Easy, delivery. Low effort as can be, just playing catch. Drives over stiff front leg. Repeats well.

Fastball: Peacock was recently added to the 40-man roster because of his fastball. It's low velocity, primarily working 88-92, up to 94 if needed. It's a heavy, bowling ball sinker and he keeps the ball in the yard, as well as throwing it for strikes. Peacock had an incredible 68% groundball rate in 2019 and that skill has some utility in a bullpen. Grade: 50

Slider: His slider has good shape, but it lacks bite. Slower slurvier pitch, hitters will chase and often time the result is yet another ground ball. Not a pitch he can throw as a stand alone offering. Only effective due to sequencing. Grade: 45

Changeup: Peacock's changeup is an ordinary pitch. Moves like his sinker but he slows his arm down. Similar movement profile. Grade: 40

Control and Command: He limits walks and is around the zone with the sinker. The other two pitches aren't thrown for strikes and are designed to get weak contact. Nothing sexy about this profile but Peacock provides a unique look for hitters. Control: 50 | Command: 45

Overall: You need unique looks for hitters in a big league bullpen, and Peacock is that heavy ground ball option that enters the game in the middle of a jam. Remarkable ground ball rates, over 66% in his last three minor league stops. That's essentially it though as the secondary offerings are both below average.

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


Eduardo Diaz - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ARI OF 41 35

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
35 30 45 40 45 60 55

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Geoff Pontes


Age: 23 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 175 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2015 IFA
RuleV: 2020

Physical Description: Physically maxed out, strong, muscular forearms, broad chested, powerful build. Good strength throughout his frame. No projection remaining.

Hit: Starts slightly open to the pitcher with his front foot offset by a foot from his back. Deep bend in knees, with his bat set by the top of his helmet. Utilizes slight toe drag trigger mechanism, followed by a steep drop in his hands. Consistent above average bat to ball skills, but mediocre approach based around putting the ball in play, shooting the gaps and pushing for extra bases with his legs. Doesn't do a good job of tapping into his lower half to drive the ball. His swing produces a significant "lean" at the point of contact that saps energy away from his swing. Lack of approach and quality of contact is boosted by above average hand eye coordination and speed. Split heavy approach with significantly better numbers against righthanders. Grade: 45

Power: Below average power, fringe-average raw due to bat speed and natural strength in frame. He was near the bottom third of the minors in estimated flyball distance in 2019, and despite average line drive and flyball rates he doesn't make hard contact with frequency. While he's flashed over the fence power at stops throughout his five season odyssey in the Diamondbacks system, it's likely to max-out at 12-15 home run pop. Grade: 40

Field: Fringe average fielder, lacks average instincts in the outfield despite raw tools that could play in all three outfield positions. Diaz's above average speed allows him to make up for his sub-par instincts. While he's fine in a corner, particularly left field, he still has growing to do in terms of comfort. Grade: 45

Arm: Plus arm, good carry from the outfield, ability to hit every base on the fly with accuracy. Diaz's best tool and a saving grace for his long term role. Grade: 60

Run: Strong runner out of the box clocking above average home to first times. Uses his speed well on the bases, taking extra bases, and showing a strong base stealing acumen. Speed is his saving grace in the outfield where his reads and route are not instinctual. Grade: 55

Overall: A consummate up/down profile with some spark for a potential platoon outfielder role with a second division club. Diaz possesses fringe-average offensive skills across the board and acceptable defensive abilities. Further growth in the field, as well as refinements to all areas of his hitting could see Diaz breakout in the coming year. However, there's a lot of development needed to get to that point.

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



Avery Short - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ARI LHP 40 35

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

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Geoff Pontes

Age: 20 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 205 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/L
Acquired: 2019 12th
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Strong sturdy broad shouldered build, physically mature for a teenager. Muscular glutes and hamstrings. Uses his muscular lower half to generate good push.

Delivery & Mechanics: Full delivery begins with rocker step, to slow paced leg lift that contracts into his body along with his hand before glove break. He fires from a short armed vertical slot, that gives all of his pitches a bit of deception. While he does a good job of getting drive from his lower half his operation is erratic overall and he doesn’t do a good job of maximizing his lower half’s strength.

Fastball: Below average to poor velocity in fastball from day to day. Sits 88-90 mph some days and 90-92 mph on others. With lack of physical projection remaining there's some question as to how much Short has in tank in the way of velocity. That said mechanical improvements to better incorporate his lower could pay dividends long term. He has a higher release point due to his arm slot allowing him to create significant downhill plane despite anything more than average height. The pitch generally misses bats and he does a good job of working east to west with the pitch. A fringe average pitch due to its promise and command. Grade: 45

Curveball: Big 12-6 curveball with lots of vertical drop, average speed at around 77-79 mph. Lacks consistency but when he has feel it's a devastating offering. It's just very touch and go. Potential swing and miss pitch with poor command. Grade: 45

Changeup: Still developing feel for the pitch, firm, doesn't show the ability to locate the pitch with consistency. Not a major part of Avery's arsenal at last look. Grade: 30

Control and Command: Strong command of fastball for a player right out of the draft. Consistently displayed the ability to land his fastball glove side and arm side with some dexterity. He cuts his fastball some, leading to a separation between his average command and the above average feel he possesses at times. Lacks feel for his secondaries. Average strike thrower with below average ability to hit his spots. Control: 45 | Command: 40

Overall: A young lefty learning to get the most out of his body and unique characteristics. I'm sure the Diamondbacks were intrigued by his upside and arm a lot, at least enough to pay him second round money in the twelfth and scoop him away from a Louisville commitment. Lots of potential growth in the coming years and mention of a developing slider which might play at his arm slot. Heavy follow with some risk baked in.

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


Glenallen Hill Jr. - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ARI INF 39 35

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
35 30 50 30 40 45 60

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Isaiah Burrows


Age: 20 yr
Height: 5-9
Weight: 170 lbs
Hits/Throws: S/R
Acquired: 2019 4th
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Short and slender build with room to fill out. Average upper and lower half strength. Small, compact frame. Added weight and muscle can help his physical strides.

Hit: Tight and compact stance from both sides. Upper and lower half stay connected. Elbows locked in, hands slightly above the letters. Feet stay shoulder width apart with bent knees. Slight leg kick within his load. Looks more comfortable from the left side, signs of going the opposite way. Quick bat speed makes solid contact to all fields. Plate discipline concerns, swings often at off-speed away. Grade: 50

Power: Lacks significant raw power from both sides of the plate. Squares up an occasional ball for extra bases. Not much over-the-fence power in his frame. Relies on his contact skills and approach to get on base, doesn't pull the ball. Lack of strength and size translates to weak power results. Grade: 30

Field: Average range in the field continues to be a work in progress. Struggles to make the simple play consistently, one-hoppers get past him on occasion. Stuck with second base in pro ball. Doesn't make eye-popping dives or plays defensively. Needs to hone in on his defensive skills. Grade: 40

Arm: Fringe average arm strength that lacks velocity to first base. Lacks arm strength and accuracy for shortstop. Good mechanics to his motion, needs to improve accuracy and overall arm strength. Grade: 45

Run: Plus-speed that bodes well with his athletic traits. Good hustle and determination, always digs for the extra bag. Quick, small strides and burst of speed out of the box. Gets to top-end speed quickly, utilizes quickness to steal bases. Grade: 60

Overall: Hill Jr. lacks the power and hit tool to become an offensive force, but he makes plays with his speed and athleticism. His defense at second base continues to be a work in progress, and his offensive profile needs to improve to rise up Arizona's minor league ranks.

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



Alvin Guzman - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ARI OF 38 35

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
35 30 30 50 50 60 55

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Geoff Pontes


Age: 19 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 166 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 IFA
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: High waisted, tall, with long levers, oozes natural athleticism. Plenty of room to add positive projection in the coming years and he's begun to fill out some.

Hit: The biggest hole in Guzman's game. Setup and operation are both raw at the plate and his approach up to this point has been non-existent. There's major question marks around his ability to hit, adding risk to an already risk-heavy profile. Set up is square to the pitcher, utilizes a loud leg kick trigger mechanism before unloaded long swings with electric bat speed. There's potential growth over the last ten months we're not privy to. So certainly some growth in this area is possible. As it stands it's a poor hit tool Grade: 30

Power: Plus raw power plays when he does make contact. Twitch and whippy bat speed that should play as he refines his approach and hitting mechanics. It would be unfair to judge Guzman solely on power output in the Dominican Summer League. The tool is loud enough to earn at least an average distinction to delineate off of. Grade: 50

Field: Underdeveloped fielder without refined feel for center. Plus plus run times cover up some less than efficient routes. These flaws are indicative of a young player's learning curve. Anticipating Guzman developing into an at least average outfield defender is fairly realistic. Grade: 50

Arm: Cannon for an arm. Quite possibly the strongest arm in the Arizona system. Clocked with mid-90s throws from the outfield. The tool should be among Guzman's strongest and give him the ability to gun down base runners who test him. Grade: 60

Run: Elite runner consistently clocking double plus run times. Still uncertain how speed will play in games once he comes stateside, but the raw foot speed is about a 70. Without much knowledge of Guzman's baserunning acumen, I feel an above average grade is safe. Grade: 55

Overall: One of the most tooled up players in the Diamondbacks system and a lottery ticket to breakout at the plate in 2021, which should be his stateside debut. Due to the pandemic we likely missed a large chunk of time with Guzman in AZL play. It's hard to put an exact finger on long term role with Guzman which is why a high end Up/Down Emergency Depth role makes the most sense until proven otherwise. Intriguing talent to follow in the coming years regardless.

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



Brandon Pfaadt - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ARI RHP 37 35

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

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Isaiah Burrows

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-4
Weight: 220 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2020 5th
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Filled out frame on the mound. Broad shoulders and strong upper half. Long, lanky legs used in his delivery. Near full maturity, little room for added muscle and growth. Profile fits the mold of a reliever.

Delivery & Mechanics: Standard three-quarter slot delivery from the windup/stretch. Solid extension and follow through. Throws behind his front foot for velocity. Loose and quick arm action, struggles with command.

Fastball: Low-90s fastball with solid sink and fade. Thrown like a sinker. Sits 93-94, topped at 96. Has good late life to force soft contact. Doesn't force much swing-and-miss. Maxes out for velocity at times, which doesn't hold up late in innings. Grade: 50

Curveball: Low-to-mid 70s curveball that is rarely thrown. Behind development in comparison to his slider and changeup. Has some depth and downward break. Needs more reps and improvement as a fourth pitch. Grade: 40

Slider: Mid-80s offering that lacks consistent break and movement. Shows signs of good break against righties. Has depth and lateral movement, but stays flat in the zone. Needs improved command to reach its full effectiveness. Grade: 45

Changeup: Low-80s pitch that continues to make strides. Sits 80-81, good velocity drop compared to his fastball. Changeup has good run and fade against lefties and righties. Spots it well armside, generates several swings and misses. Has the potential to become his best off-speed pitch. Grade: 50

Control and Command: Command issues hold back his potential as a starter. Struggles to find the zone in outings. Doesn't locate well, lacks pinpoint accuracy for called strikes. Competitor on the mound, battles back in counts and forces softly hit grounders. Needs improvement to string together innings. Control: 40 | Command: 30

Overall: Pfaadt has a standard four-pitch mix, but command concerns may lend to more time in the bullpen. His fastball has good sink and run to go along with a hard-thrown slider, though his changeup has the potential to become his best off-speed pitch. Pfaadt must improve his command and consistency to make the most of his arsenal.

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


Jhosmer Alvarez - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ARI RHP 36 35

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

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 20 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 155 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 IFA
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Physical 19-year old prospect. Likely 20-30 pounds heavier than the listed 155 pounds. Body is a little soft. Missed some time in 2019 due to a shoulder injury, and now with 2020 washed out he's a bit of a mystery. Big arm strength gamble.

Delivery & Mechanics: Alvarez has a loose, high effort delivery. He uses his hips exceptionally well and transfers the energy from his lower half through the baseball. Long arm stroke, but the arm is quick. Violent recoil on follow through, and will fall hard towards first base when he overthrows. Arm slot is nearly over the top.

Fastball: Mostly straight but has enough juice to touch 97. Sits around 92-95. Lack of life and vertical arm slot can make the pitch easier to barrel. He's around the zone with the heater and has done a good job of limiting walks so far in his pro career. Grade: 50

Curveball: I've also seen this pitch called a slider, but it works well off the fastball which is normally on the upper part of the zone. It has inconsistent shape. The amount of depth varies from pitch to pitch and the command is spotty. That being said he's shown the ability to snap off some nasty breaking balls, and if you show a skill you own it. Grade: 40

Changeup: This is his best pitch by far. Slows arm down a bit but the changeup is firm and has good depth with some fade. Grade: 55

Control and Command: Alvarez struggles to throw strikes consistently with his high octane stuff. High high effort delivery and youth don't help matters either. Also since he's signed his fastball velocity has gone up nearly ten miles per hour, with an additional 20-30 pounds of mass. He's more likely a reliever for me due to the frame. Control: 40 | Command: 30

Overall: Alvarez was a low cost J2 signing that has since physically matured and added a big fastball to his repertoire. The delivery makes him a reliever for me but he can potentially work the high leverage innings down the road. For now he's a depth piece, but be sure to keep tabs on him.

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


Jorge Barrosa - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ARI OF 35 35

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
35 30 45 20 55 40 55

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Isaiah Burrows

Age: 20 yr
Height: 5-9
Weight: 195 lbs
Hits/Throws: S/L
Acquired: 2017 IFA
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Short and wiry frame. More room to grow and mature physically. Compact upper half with short arms and loose shoulders. Short legs create quick bursts of speed.

Hit: Open and wide stance from both sides, hands remain above the letters. Doesn't incorporate his lower half much into his swing. Looks more comfortable from the left side of the plate. Gets better leverage and creates more solid contact. Very subtle leg kick within his load. Hands drop when making contact. Struggles with velocity, needs to improve plate discipline for more consistent results. Grade: 45

Power: Little power present from both sides. Lacks consistent extension and drive for extra bases. Drives an occasional hanger to right field as a left-handed batter. More of a contact-oriented hitter. Has time to develop more raw power if he matures physically. Grade: 20

Field: Shows good range and ability to cover ground in center field. Has good instincts to get a jump on the ball defensively. Speed and athleticism cover up some bad routes and mental errors. Has a solid foundation defensively and continues to improve. Grade: 55

Arm: Throws lack velocity and timing. Runners advance when he makes a catch deep in center field. Throws come out accurately, but lack the zip needed to tag opposing base runners. Needs to improve his arm to highlight his defensive prowess. Grade: 40

Run: Above average speed with quick bursts and acceleration. Lacks true top-end speed, but has enough to stretch for extra bases. Reads the pitcher well, gets a good jump for stolen bases. Has good awareness and athleticism on the basepaths. Grade: 55

Overall: Barrosa's athleticism and defensive prowess have shined for a teenager. His hit tool and power are well behind other prospects in the system. He has the speed and range to stick in center field, but his offensive profile must improve to develop and tap into his potential.

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



Matt Mercer - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ARI RHP 34 35

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

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Rhys White

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 180 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 5th
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Average height for a starter, decent frame with some room to fill out. Long upper body with short arms.

Delivery & Mechanics: Three-quarters delivery. Starts the motion by pulling both the glove and ball arms up and over the head, he will ditch this when runners are on base. Then with his back leg, he steps down twice, follows this with a slight leg-kick. He takes a short step towards the plate with minimal moving parts. His front leg sways and then he ends the motion. He has a quick arm action, there is no deception in the delivery but it's a quick delivery especially when runners are on base.

Fastball: During his college days he would top out at 96 but in pro ball, he has been closer to the low 90's sometimes dipping into the high 80's. There is arm-side movement and sink. He does a good job of tunneling the fastball with his other offerings. The fastball consistently gets barreled up and if his college velocity doesn't come back he is gonna have to limit the exposure of the pitch to higher-level hitters. He has average command of the fastball and moves it around the zone. It is at its best when thrown low in the zone especially when sequenced with the changeup. Grade: 45

Curveball: Standard 12-6 shape on his curveball with average vertical movement. He uses the curveball late in counts especially after he has shown the fastball and changeup. It is not a swing and miss offering but provides another look for batters late in counts, and causes weak contact. Grade: 45

Slider: The least refined of his pitches. It shows average vertical movement and at times he will break off a slider that shows above-average horizontal movement. From my looks, he likes to throw that offering up in the zone as well as a way to right-handed batters. He will use it to get hitters to chase and provide a horizontal look for hitters. Grade: 40

Changeup: He sets up the fastball, slider, and curveball with his best pitch the changeup. He shows above-average feel for the changeup and will use it in any count to both handednesses of batters. The changeup shows above-average movement. He throws the changeup with the same arm speed as the fastball which allows it to play up. The changeup has above average deception because of how well Mercer tunnels the fastball with the changeup and how he does a good job of matching the arm speed of the fastball and changeup. Grade: 55

Control and Command: Mercer does an above-average job of filling up the strike zone. He consistently throws strikes. He commands all four pitches at an average rate, he knows where to put his offerings at a spot where each individual pitch can be efficient. Control: 55 | Command: 50

Overall: As things stand Mercer is a pitcher who will live and die by the changeup. Back in college, he had the premium velocity to pair with that changeup but in 2019 the velocity went away hurting the overall profile and putting more importance on the development of his secondary pitches outside of the changeup. The slider and curveball are both below-average pitches for Mercer, again putting more stress on the changeup. If he can develop a more useable secondary offering he may have a chance to be a low leverage reliever but as things stand he is an emergency call-up profile.

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


Taylor Widener - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ARI RHP 33 35

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

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Isaiah Burrows

Age: 26 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 230 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2016 12th
RuleV: On 40-Man

Physical Description: Short in height, but makes up for it with solid frame. Broad shoulders and long arms. Strong lower half with larger sized thighs. Frame looks to be maxed out, little room for added growth.

Delivery & Mechanics: Standard three-quarter slot from the windup/stretch. Clean mechanics throughout. Ball comes out crisp and effectively. Gets good extension. Simple windup and delivery.

Fastball: Mid-90s offering with good spin and late life. Fastball touched 96-97 last season, primarily sticks around 93-94. Late ride and spin make it a swing-and-miss piece in his arsenal. Throws it with confidence in any count. Solid offering that produces softly hit fly balls. Grade: 55

Slider: Mid-80s off speed pitch that is inconsistent. Has glimpses of backfoot break against lefties, but still hangs flat over the plate at times. Slider shows signs of good break, needs more consistency to become a plus offering. Grade: 50

Changeup: Low-80s changeup that has some natural sink and fade. Not far behind his slider in development. Showed improved movement, forced several ground balls. Has the tendency to sit firm and gets barreled. Shows signs of a potential go-to third pitch. Grade: 45

Control and Command: Poor command holds back his true stuff. Can't seem to find the zone consistently. Off-speed pitches hang over the plate. Struggles to spot his fastball down and away for called strikes. Must improve command/control to survive at big league level. Control: 40 | Command: 30

Overall: Widener has the makings of an effective reliever with a solid three-pitch mix, but command issues have held him back. His fastball and slider have good movement while his changeup continues to develop. A lack of fourth pitch limits his ceiling as a starter, but command will ultimately decide his big league future.

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


Buddy Kennedy - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ARI 3B 31 40

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

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Robert James

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 190 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 5th
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Average height and medium build but he looks very block-y. He looks kind of like a catcher but he is tall, it's not that he's short, he just has that squat catcher's look. Thick lower half. His body is almost completely maxed out, although he'll probably get a bit thicker as he ages.

Hit: Odd batting stance. His body is closed off and pre-load he holds his hands up with bat resting on his shoulder at a 45 degree angle. He bounces the bat up and down on his shoulder as the pitch is coming. Also, his posture is very peculiar, he's standing almost completely straight up and sort of dives at the plate during the pitch. Very good bat speed. He's quick to the ball and his swing is not off-balanced but it does not look like he's getting the most out of his physical power. His approach is good, he works counts and draws plenty of walks. Does not have a ton of swing and miss Grade: 45

Power: Around average, really warning track power or doubles power. However, he can drive the ball to the opposite field. Feels like he could tap into his power more with a swing adjustment but as is its a tick below average. Grade: 45

Field: Kennedy has almost exclusively played 3B but last year saw a few rare starts at 2B. His defense is not great, he's actually a better athlete then he looks, and his reflexes are fine but he made a lot of errors last year. I think he actually looks better at 3B then his scouting report would indicate but even putting him as slightly below average is probably generous. Grade: 45

Arm: Strong and accurate, capable of making any routine throw as long as he sets his feet. Can make throws from behind the bag as well but lack of foot speed makes him a poor fit at anywhere but 3B in the future. Grade: 50

Run: Kennedy is not a great runner but again, he runs fine for a 3B. I did not clock him Grade: 45

Overall: Kennedy has been a very solid contributor for Arizona since he was selected in the draft. If he hit for more power, the profile would be a lot more attractive but as is there's no real carrying tool. Right now, Kennedy projects as bench bat, although I suppose there could be more if he tweaks his swing and finds more power.

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



Tristin English - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 ARI 1B/3B/OF 30 40

Grades Update: Dec 2020
OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run
40 40 45 55 40 60 40

Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Geoff Pontes

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-3
Weight: 208 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2019 3rd
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Tall, strong, high waisted athlete. Two-way player at Georgia Tech serving as the teams closer his junior season with the Yellowjackets. Not bulky but broad shouldered, lean and muscular. Very good body with average athleticism.

Hit: Upright stance, with pronated front foot that gives way to a moderate leg lift trigger mechanism. Hands set by ear, drops down in load with a heavy lean into contact getting his bat into good hitting position despite an uppercut path. In fact, English's bat to ball skills can best be described as plus. He's consistently limited strikeouts and swing and miss in general throughout his amateur and professional career. He ran a contact rate > 85% in his 2019 professional debut and has posted a strikeout rate below 14% since his redshirt sophomore season at GT. However, it's still an aggressive approach in the box, as English looks to make contact, and walks at a low rate. The aggression in the approach does downgrade the overall hit evaluation even if the contact skills hold. Corner bats with sub-8% walk rates aren't attractive in the modern game. Additionally I have some question around how English handles advanced breaking stuff and elite velocity at the upper levels of the minors. Some elements of his hit are above average or better (contact and contact quality) but his approach is risky enough to bring the overall grade down to fringe Grade: 45

Power: Leveraged for power with good raw strength and plus batting practice power. Slugged .710 his junior season at GT with 40 extra base hits over 262 plate appearances. He followed that up with 21 extra base hits across 216 plate appearances with Hillsboro. His aforementioned uppercut bat path, above average bat speed, and large, strong physical frame point to more game power to come in English's full season debut in 2021. He has a track record with wood bats as well hitting for power in the Cape Cod League in 2018. Not a plus tool as of yet but it's close. Grade: 55

Field: Stiff fielder with no true home yet. Has spent time at first, third, and right field. His versatility is his greatest asset. Footwork needs improvement at all positions but left field may end up being his best position due to his strong arm and lack of foot speed typical of right field. Grade: 40

Arm: Strong arm, was up to the low-90s as a closer for Georgia Tech in 2019. Arizona was intrigued by his arm strength and has started to give him run at third base. Regardless of where he ends up English has a plus arm in the field and the ability to pitch in a pinch. Grade: 60

Run: Fringe average runner, but it's not part of his game. Not a base clogger or station to station guy. Heads up on basepaths and has enough speed toolsy some outfield but it's a below average tool. Grade: 40

Overall: The feel of a utility bat with some chance to blossom in the field with more experience. Good contact and power skills, but English's overall profile is hampered by his overly aggressive approach. A little more patience at the plate could lead to improved power numbers as well even if it is at the expense of strikeouts. Bat path and strength conducive for power with more in game pop in the tank. A major leaguer with an opportunity to breakout with some refinement on both sides of the ball.

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