Logan Brown - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	ATL	C	29	40

Grades Update: Dec 2020

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

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Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Ian Smith

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 195 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/R
Acquired: 2018 Draft, Round 35
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Stocky build with a thick core and broad shoulders. Shows impressive flexibility in the crouch and explosive out of the crouch. Ideal body overall for the current MLB catcher.

Hit: Open feet with his hands at the numbers. Operates out of a slightly crouched stance that uses a wide base and incorporates a big leg kick timing mechanism. Swing path takes an uppercut approach and can show above average bat speed at times. Hips will fly open on offspeed early in counts. Batted ball approach is very up the middle oriented currently. Overall pitch recognition at the plate is below average. Grade: 40

Power: Above-average bat speed and swing path is conducive to power, but it hasn't shown yet in game. Will show decent pull side power when he barrels up, but lack of consistency doing so will limit the overall power profile. Grade: 30

Field: Shows very soft hands when receiving. Will have trouble on foul tips and some high fastballs. Operates out of a traditional crouch, and will show great flexibility. Ranges well to both sides of the plate and gets out in front of the ball quickly. Framing made big strides over the course of 2019, and is still improving currently. Pop times are currently grading above average in the 1.98-2.04. Grade: 50

Arm: Big time tool here with plus arm strength and gets long carry on his throw. Will beat runners to the bag consistently but needs to tighten up accuracy to get quality caught stealing numbers. Grade: 55

Run: Slow first step out of the box. Will gain speed on XBH when his short, choppy steps turn into a decent stride. Grade: 30

Overall: Defensive minded catcher that has made big improvements since being drafted. Elite makeup, and game manager with big league bloodlines being the son of former 10 year vet Kevin Brown. Was added the Braves 60 man roster in 2020, and earned quality instruction at the alternate training site. Will likely never hit for a ton of power, but will hit enough to keep a spot on an MLB roster as a backup.

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

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Spencer Strider - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	ATL	LHP	28	40

Grades Update: Dec 2020

OFP	Role	FB	SL	CH	Cnt/Cmd
40	40	50	45	50	45/40

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Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Anthony Franco

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 195 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2020 Draft, Round 4
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Listed at 6'0, 195 pounds. Average build with a little bit of room for added muscle mass in the lower half. Average athlete. Had Tommy John surgery in 2019.

Delivery & Mechanics: Rhythmic, low-effort delivery with 3/4 arm slot. Gets down mound well and stays on-line to the plate. Not much head movement. Ball is quickly up near his head before foot strike, enabling on-time delivery.

Fastball: 87-92, T93, as a freshman. Lower arm slot enables some sink when he works down in the zone but high spin helps it stay on plane despite the arm angle when he works above the belt. Grade: 50

Slider: 78-81 MPH with short, horizontal break. Almost has a cutter movement profile but at slider velocity. Best used to jam lefties for weak contact. Grade: 45

Changeup: 74-77 MPH; plus velocity gap off fastball. Slows down delivery a bit on the changeup, which decreases deception. Doesn't have a ton of depth, more arm-side run. Grade: 50

Control and Command: Decent athlete with a low-effort delivery; throws a fair amount of strikes. Has some feel for working east-west and pitching with intent to his glove-side but overall missed the zone too often as a freshman. Limited reps between missing sophomore season due to Tommy John and most of junior season because of COVID-19; could project some late command gains with more playing time. Control: 45 | Command: 40

Overall: The Braves are betting on Strider's arm strength and lofty college strikeout rates (89 punchouts in 63 career innings as an ACC arm). His secondaries and strike-throwing both need to improve, but that's possible given his limited innings in college. Overall, he probably settles in middle relief.

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

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Stephen Paolini - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	ATL	OF	27	40

Grades Update: Dec 2020

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

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Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Joe Drake

Age: 20 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 195 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2019 Draft, Round 5
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Long and lean build on a fairly narrow frame. Average shoulders that have squared off with added muscle since draft. Narrow hips with long legs; some muscle on the thighs but a slender build overall. Butt gets lost in his pants. Room for a little projection on most of the body, but narrowness of the frame will be a limiting factor. Live, lean, athletic body. Twitchy.

Hit: Sets up mostly upright, hands sit chin-high lined up with the back shoulder with a slight rock. Balanced with minor knee bend and average base; open just a touch. Loads with a short step toward pitcher. Slight coil, hands slide back and down just a couple inches. Swing is quick and powerful with a steeper swing path built to lift the ball. Gets solid separation; above-average bat speed. Looks to drive the ball, doesn't mind a little swing and miss in the process; willing to take a walk. Athletic and loose but essentially no track record against premier pitching as a cold-weather kid with limited showcase track record. Tools are there to develop into an average hitter, but very raw at present. Very limited game looks, likely to change. Grade: 45

Power: Above-average bat speed and lift in the swing drive most of his pop. Looks to drive the ball Probably 55 raw, could get to 60 if he really maximizes his frame. Pull-side pop with plenty of gap doubles is the most likely outcome. Plenty of speed to stretch extra bases. Hit tool will be the key to getting into game power for him. Raw, so it may be a slow burn. Grade: 50

Field: Limited looks. Smooth actions, athleticism, and speed make him a candidate for CF. A little raw due to his cold-weather background. Some tweener risk here if the speed slows but the bat doesn't develop enough for a corner. Grade: 45

Arm: Quick twitch body provides some explosiveness for the arm. Reportedly 97MPH from the outfield. Plenty of strength for anywhere on the field and makes RF an option should he outgrow his speed and add power. Limited game looks, may change as we see more. Grade: 60

Run: Smooth athlete that moves fluidly. Clocked a 6.37 60-yard dash. Former multi-sport athlete with good body control. A definite threat to stretch hits into extras bases and go from 1st to 3rd easily. Base-stealing potential. Likely to keep speed as he matures unless he makes a conscious choice to go with a power focus. Grade: 60

Overall: Raw, toolsy athlete from the northeast with plenty of potential and risk. Wiry build with good speed make him a candidate for CF with enough arm to fall in RF if necessary. There's a tantalizing combination of power and speed, but lack of experience against established pitching and rough pro debut highlight presently raw hit tool. High risk, high reward profile with both an average regular and org depth among the range of outcomes. Hit tool will drive the profile.

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

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Justin Dean - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	ATL	OF	26	40

Grades Update: Dec 2020

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

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Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Jake Boes

Age: 24 yr
Height: 5-6
Weight: 185 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 Draft, Round 17
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Small, physically-developed frame; spark plug-type with a wiry upper half; sloped shoulders; wide hips with a thick, sturdy lower half. Muscular thighs and legs. Built like a college running back; twitchy athlete. Little projection left in the arms and chest for strength. Good work ethic; energetic and upbeat presence in the clubhouse.

Hit: Simple set-up; slightly open stance with legs barely bowed. Bend at the knee forms a wide base. Weight favors the back side with a coiled upper-half; hands sit high near the ear, bat rests on the shoulder before perking into load. Pronounced leg kick that closes the stance before landing square. Above-average bat speed generated from quick hands strong engagement from the lower half. Up-the-middle approach; shows the ability to take free passes; passive at times. Spoils good pitches but misses mistakes on occasion, especially hanging spin; may cause issues in the upper levels. Legs will generate infield hits. A below average hit tool that plays more fringy thanks to legs and on-base ability. Grade: 45

Power: Frame and approach are not geared for power; will overswing at times. Surprising pop considering his height. Legs will help extra-base numbers; over-the-fence power predominantly to the pull field. May crack double digit totals across a full season, but not likely to reach average long-term. Grade: 40

Field: Confident, reliable defender in the field. Strong routes and textbook glovework. Glove could play anywhere in the outfield grass. Combination of solid routes and speed should help limit extra-base hits. Grade: 60

Arm: Fringy arm; accurate to cut-offs but throws often lack significant carry. Sets feet well for throws but will short arm mechanics occasionally. Arm is passable anywhere in the outfield, but not likely to be a weapon at any spot. Grade: 45

Run: Plus runner; base-stealing threat at any bag with home-to-first times ranging from plus to double plus: 4.10-4.13. Figures to lose a step as the body reaches maturity, but shows good instincts on the bases. Shows calculated aggressiveness that should help stolen base totals reach well into double-digits at the big league level. Grade: 60

Overall: Dean has the makeup of a solid fourth or fifth outfielder--a good clubhouse presence, speed that can be a difference-maker deployed in late-game and pinch-run situations, and a steady glove that would provide versatility, although he is best-suited for center field. The on-base ability coupled with his speed makes his profile intriguing; if he can make more consistent hard contact, there is a sightline for an every day role. With his struggles against quality spin that he figures to see more of as he progresses, a utility or bench role is the most likely outcome.

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

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Philip Pfeifer - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	ATL	LHP	25	40

Grades Update: Dec 2020

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

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Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Justin Lada

Age: 28 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 200 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2015 Draft, Round 3, LAD
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: Compact frame. Short, ordinary build. Short limbs. No physical projection remaining in neither frame, or for his age. Similar build to Wade Miley.

Delivery & Mechanics: Mid-section leg kick from a modified stretch. Works from middle of the rubber. Long arm swing. Lacks efficiency in lower half. Good lead leg block but doesn't get good extension or stay over the rubber well. Does not have real strong hip/torso shoulder separation. Despite long arm swing, Pfeifer does show good arm speed through his high 3/4 arm slot. Uses a slide step from his true stretch. Not much of a pickoff move but slide step will make him hard to run on. Works with a very quick tempo that seems to benefit his profile.

Fastball: 89-93, runs up to 95. Fills up the zone with the pitch. Good at working east-west and north-south. Despite not having much height or long levers he does manage to get good plane with the heater. Does not have much extension with his delivery but his fastball does appear to get on hitters faster than his velocity might suggest, possibly due to his tempo and arm speed. Has to work on the black of the plate to miss bats and avoid the barrel. Very hittable pitch when in the zone. Comfortable locating all over the zone. Pitches off the fastball. No real movement. Grade: 50

Curveball: 76-78 with 1-6 movement. Good, downward break but depth can be inconsistent. Usually introduces the offering more consistently later in outings. He can steal strikes with it and induce weak contact. Lower-usage third offering that flashes average. Arm action slows down at times to throw it, but big break lets him get away with it at times. Grade: 45

Slider: 78-81. 2-7 shape with good, two plane action. Has sharp, late tilt and often gets hitters to swing over it. Will miss up at times with it but has enough movement to get away with occasionally. Tunnels well with the fastball. Best pitch in his arsenal and isn't afraid to double up on it. Grade: 50

Changeup: 83-85 with powerful, vertical action. Doesn't show horizontal movement. His overall arm speed gives him the ability to sell the pitch. Below-average command of the pitch and below average characteristics overall. May be occasional offering to keep left handers honest but needs better control Grade: 40

Control and Command: Fills up the strike zone and has good fastball command. Control over command profile. Long arm swing and moderate-effort delivery lacking efficiency reduces ability to show average command. Does not need to throw the slider for strikes for it to be effective as it plays well off the fastball, which as noted, he does have good command of. Below-average control of the changeup and average command of his curveball. Better control as a starter than as a reliever in 2019 after switching to the rotation. Control: 45 | Command: 40

Overall: Pfeifer moved into the rotation from the bullpen in 2019 and got stretched out as a 27 year old in High-A, moving up to Double-A and ended up in the bullpen briefly in Triple-A late in the year. His fastball command and slider were too advanced for High-A to get a good read, where he had a 17 strikeout game in eight innings. Up at Double-A, he managed to hold 91-93 with his fastball in starts as he got stretched out. Command, plane, arm speed and tempo help him get swings and misses with the pitch, when he locates it on the black, despite the average velocity. The slider plays very well as he pitches off his fastball with good, two-plane break. He can use the curveball effectively in spots as a third pitch but is mostly a two pitch arm that profiles as a spot starter or a multi-inning reliever. His slider gives him a real weapon as a reliever that works against left and right handed hitters. He could use some tweaks to his delivery to become more efficient. His overall success depends on his newfound velocity holding up to 93 consistently and the command of his fastball.

OFP: 40
Role: 40 - Spot Starter or Long Reliever
Risk: Moderate

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Alex Jackson - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	ATL	C	24	40

Grades Update: Dec 2020

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

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Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Jake Kerns

Age: 25 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 215 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2014 Draft, Round 1, SEA
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: Above-average height. Strong. Broad shoulders and thick core. Wide hips and thick lower half. Maxed out. Hard worker.

Hit: Slightly crouched and open stance. Pre-pitch toe tap and hand movement. Hands and right elbow stay back. Moderate leg kick as he loads and steps into the pitch. Wide base at impact. Good hip rotation. Above-average bat speed. Level swing. Takes big cuts and his swing gets long. Tries to kill the ball and often gets underneath it. Drives the ball when he barrels it but there is significant swing and miss to his game. Shows a decent eye. Fastball hitter and often struggles with offspeed stuff. Needs to tone down his swing and alter his approach to get more out of his natural ability. Grade: 40

Power: Plus raw power. Uses his hips well to create good leverage. Strong enough to muscle the ball out. Sells out for his power; would get to it more with a better approach. Grade: 50

Field: Fringe-average but capable behind the plate. Has the aptitude for future growth. Moves well and quickly gets out of his crouched stance. Decent framer. Pitchers like working with him. Grade: 45

Arm: Above-average or better natural arm strength with pop times between 1.95 and 2.00. Throws were generally on-line in looks. Grade: 55

Run: Below-average runner; timed at and in excess of 4.35 down the line from the right side. Not a threat on the basepaths. Grade: 40

Overall: Jackson possesses some starter-quality traits, including very real raw power. He debuted in the majors in 2019 and had several appearances in 2020. He still needs to get more out of his bat to stick, but he is a hard worker and has enough tools to suggest a sustained major league future, albeit one best suited for a backup role.

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

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Thomas Burrows - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	ATL	LHP	23	40

Grades Update: Dec 2020

OFP	Role	FB	SL	Cnt/Cmd
40	40	55	60	50/45

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Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Joe Doyle

Age: 26 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 230 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2018 Draft, Round 4, SEA
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: Well-built, burly left-handed pitcher with much of his weight in his lower half. Strong hips and sturdy core. Sloping shoulders.

Delivery & Mechanics: Quick, simply delivery. Arm action can get a little long as he can get upper-body dominant, lacking hip-fire drive. Quad dominant delivery with three-quarter delivery that comes from a wide angle.

Fastball: Some run and sink, relies on his ability to throw secondaries for strikes. Generally 92-94/95. Has shown average command for the pitch. Generates a lot of ground balls. Grade: 55

Slider: 83-86, bread and butter offering. Tunnels extremely well off his fastball and wide horizontal approach angle. Sweep and vertical tilt are both present. Likes to backfoot righties with this pitch quite a bit. Definitive plus offering. Grade: 60

Control and Command: Generally a good strike-thrower. Has run into some issues when he can't find the fastball command. Two-pitch guy who will need his command to stand if he hopes to lock down backend of bullpen role Control: 50 | Command: 45

Overall: Burrows is a two-pitch guy, but both are above average or better. The slider is his best pitch and is a true plus offering. Burrows misses bats with both pitches and doesn't walk a ton of guys. His stuff isn't necessarily electric, so he'll rely on ground balls and getting ahead in counts. He's likely a low-leverage reliever, but there's upside here.

OFP: 40
Role: 40 - Low-leverage Reliever
Risk: Moderate

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Tyler Owens - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	ATL	RHP	22	40

Grades Update: Dec 2020

OFP	Role	FB	SL	CH	Cnt/Cmd
40	40	60	50	40	45/40

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Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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CJ Alexander - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	ATL	3B	21	40

Grades Update: Dec 2020

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

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Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Joe Doyle

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-5
Weight: 215 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/R
Acquired: 2018 Draft, Round 20
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Built with an imposing frame with a high waist, long arms and wide shoulders. Plenty of room for 10 or 15 more pounds. Upper body is less developed than his lower body. Has a tendency to get disconnected in his swing, though that is a product of his long levers more than anything.

Hit: Alexander deploys a high-handed setup with weight extremely shifted into his back hip. Drops and drives into his bat path. Narrow setup lead to a long stride. Hand path can also get long as he reaches for power. Lacks back speed currently, though the frame suggests some tinkering could lead to more. Currently a hit over power guy, but needs to find more barrels if he's to impact the ball at the big league level. Grade: 45

Power: Despite his frame and size, Alexander struggles to get leverage at the plate and create exit velocities. There's some loft in his swing, though he tends to catch the ball deeper in the zone rather than extending and optimizing extension in his swing. There's reason to believe more power could come, but as it stands, it's merely building blocks rather than usable power. Grade: 45

Field: There was a time when Alexander appeared an outside shot to stick at shortstop. Those days have since passed. Lacking explosiveness and range, he's definitely a third-basemen long-term now. That said, his lateral mobility for the position is average at worst, and he's shown a soft glove that should be an asset. Alexander can get to most balls, though his arm may be in question Grade: 50

Arm: Arm has always been a bit of a question, and elbow injuries have only exacerbated those concerns. It's a fringy arm that lacks the strength traditionally needed for the position. The routine plays aren't an issue as accuracy has always been just fine. Should the arm be fully healed, Alexander has the chance to develop it into an average offering with time. Grade: 45

Run: Not the greatest runner in the world. He might steal a handful of bases in the earlier part of his career, but given his body and frame, with added weight and power as expected, he may even lose a step. It's fringy now, though in his prime he may end up a slightly below average runner. Grade: 45

Overall: There's a lot to like in the frame of CJ Alexander. He *looks* like a big league ballplayer. Unfortunately, the bat speed and tools on the field fall a little short. Alexander is likely a utility man at the next level, though added strength and a possible swing change could further his upside.

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

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Vaughn Grissom - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	ATL	SS	20	40

Grades Update: Dec 2020

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

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Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Ian Smith

Age: 20 yr
Height: 6-3
Weight: 180 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2019 Draft, Round 11
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Physical, athletic build with long levers. Lots of room for growth in his lower and upper half. Should be able to put on healthy weight without hindering his overall frame.

Hit: Feet square with a high handset. Operates out of an upright stance with a slightly wide base. Stays on his back leg well and incorporates a small leg trigger to stay balanced and in time. Quiet hands that will fire a linear bat path through the zone. Bat speed stands out on film. Will get on his front foot on occasion and swing can get long on off-speed. Grade: 45

Power: Presents impressive mobility at the plate with a very rotational swing that shows present power to all fields. Will ambush fastballs early in the count. Incorporates his lower half well. Plus bat speed and barrel acceleration allow him to tap into massive power in BP, but currently hasn't translated the true raw power into games. Grade has a chance to tick up with added strength. Grade: 50

Field: Smooth actions in both directions. Will field the ball out front and shows soft hands on transfer. Shows plus range with easy movements and advanced flexibility. Grade: 50

Arm: Loose, low slot delivery that will get good carry across the diamond. Can make strong throws ranging in both directions and from multiple angles. Grade: 50

Run: 6.78 in the 60. Quick first step. Long strider who will cover ground quickly, and should be able to stretch routine singles into XBHs. Grade: 45

Overall: Gives you the look of a power hitting SS who should hit for a solid enough AVG while sticking at short long term. Likely a bench bat with a chance to pick up a few starts a week.

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

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Greyson Jenista - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	ATL	OF	19	40

Grades Update: Dec 2020

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

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Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Joe Doyle

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-4
Weight: 210 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/R
Acquired: 2018 Draft, Round 2
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Tall, strong, athletic build with big wrists and strong legs. Jenista is a strength over finesse guy on the field, and it shows in his bat speed and quick hands. Moderately wide setup with generic hand setup. Inordinately long strides that he uses to create torque in his core. Swing can get long.

Hit: Some of the inherent mechanics of Jenista's swing make it difficult for the imposing lefty to create consistent contact. The long stride and moderately high hands make him susceptible to breaking balls and offspeed pitches away. He has shown the ability to really drive mistake pitches though. He's currently a line-drive hitter though most expect loft to come. Grade: 40

Power: There's a little bit of Larry Walker in Jenista's swing. That said, the bat path can get flat at times, destroying his ability to create lift. There's a lot of raw juice in this swing with quick hands and a fast bat, but it's still fairly unrefined. With time and consistent at-bats, Jenista could develop into a solid power threat. Grade: 50

Field: Definitely a corner profile as he lacks the speed to play centerfield. Jenista generally takes good routes to the ball, though his lack of explosiveness can be mistaken for disorientation in the field at times. Hustles to the balls in the corner. Grinder. Gives what he's got. Grade: 50

Arm: Arm is definitely one of his better assets, and it's improving. Long stroke that gets good velocity on the ball. Accuracy has taken major strides since his days on the Cape. Could be a true plus tool. Grade: 60

Run: Pretty fringy runner. Lumbering at times. All-out effort lacking long-strides. Might steal a few effort-bases, but will likely regress into a fringy to below-average runner at the big league level. Grade: 45

Overall: Jenista is a an all-out hustle guy who gives his all on the field. There's a ton of sheer power in all of his movements, though his brute athleticism can get in the way of some tools. His struggles to run and react to advanced pitching come by way of stiff movement patterns on the field. He's likely an up-and-down guy, though the possibility certainly exists he becomes a sought bench bat.

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

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Bryce Ball - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	ATL	1B	18	40

Grades Update: Dec 2020

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

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Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Rhys White

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-6
Weight: 240 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/R
Acquired: 2019 Draft, Round 24
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Tall and well filled out. Broad shoulders with tree-trunks for legs. Well filled out upper body. Ready-made body with little projection, long levers.

Hit: At the plate, there is very minimal pre-pitch movement for Ball, he stands tall with a slight bat wag. When he swings, the bat-path starts linear with a slight bit of loft towards the end of the swing through the zone. He shows average bat-speed which will allow him to catch up to premium velocity. Ball has a very pull-heavy approach where he easily taps into his power. He looks to attack fastballs thrown on the inner half of the plate. Pitches thrown on the outer-half are a place in which pitchers can attack Ball because the quality of contact goes down, leading to weak flares that go to the opposite field. He shows an average understanding of the strike zone and will draw his fair share of walks. Ball does have a tendency to swing and miss at breaking stuff, even fringy breaking balls. I have concerns about his ability to recognize spin out of the hand, and how more advanced pitchers with better breaking stuff will take advantage of Ball. Grade: 40

Power: Ball has the power to hit the ball out of any ballpark. He generates average bat-speed and has tremendous raw strength. He doesn't have to sell out to reach his plus power. He has double-plus raw power but in-game it is closer to plus power. He looks to use that power to deposit batted-balls towards the pull-side where he easily taps into his power. Opposite field power is average for him, but that is rare. Grade: 60

Field: In the field, there is little to be encouraged when watching Ball, he is a below-average defender at first base. There is nowhere else for him to play on the field, limiting him to being a potential designated-hitter. He lacks lateral agility and is overall stiff in his movements. He sets a good target in large part due to his huge frame but is below average when he needs to scoop throws off the dirt. In double-play situations the less he has to move the better if he can just be a target at first he is fine, but if he has to make the initial throw it results in failed double plays because of his lack of agility. Grade: 40

Arm: The arm is fine at first, the few times you see him have to use it he can throw well to second-base to initiate the double-play. It is accurate and has average carry. Grade: 45

Run: Ball has a short and choppy stride with a below-average first-step. He will not be a base-running threat because of his lack of a good jump off the bag or general foot speed. Grade: 30

Overall: Ball will have to consistently hit for power for him to be a consistent big-league role player. He is someone who is a below-average defensive first-baseman so the easiest pathway for him to be anything at the big leagues is as a designated hitter and there are questions if he will hit enough to profile there consistently. The power is the carrying tool and if he keeps hitting for power as he goes against more advanced pitchers. This is a three true outcomes profile, and he will need to hit for power and keep the strikeouts down to be considered a bench piece.

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

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Victor Vodnik - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	ATL	RHP	17	40

Grades Update: Dec 2020

OFP	Role	FB	SL	CH	Cnt/Cmd
40	40	60	50	45	45/40

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Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Justin Lada

Age: 21 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 200 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 Draft, Round 14
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Short, stocky, athletic build. Powerful legs. Has added some good strength since being drafted. No significant room left for good size to be added to his frame.

Delivery & Mechanics: Works first base side of the rubber with left leg step towards first from the windup. Slight pelvis and upper half tilt towards the hitter moving into a drop and drive motion where he gets into his drive leg strongly. Uses drop into his lower half to hide the ball well. Uses long arm swing out of drive as he pushes force up through his upper half. Shoulders and upper body shift towards first base side to unwind force up his body and allows him to create a high 3/4 arm slot that's about as high as you can get without being a true over the top release. Uses a slide step with same motion from the stretch. Gets good extension on his delivery for his lack of length in legs or wing spn in arms. High arm slot allows him to get good plane on his pitches. Falls off towards first base side often thanks to the effort in his delivery, especially with the tilt needed in his shoulders and upper half to create his high arm slot. Loses release point at times due to effort. Reliever delivery.

Fastball: 93-95 t98. The late, great John Calvagno caught him at 100 in April of 2019. Velocity has reportedly bounced around. Was 91-94 pre-draft and then sat around 93-95. Jumps out of his hand. Gets good plane on it thanks to his arm slot. Inconsistent command. Extension on his delivery appears to make it play above its velocity at times. Misses bats at the top of the zone and in it. Above-average spin and has some arm side run to it. Doesn't need to locate it to be an effective pitch. Grade: 60

Slider: Falls off the table late. Inconsistent shape but more drop than sweep, but sharp action that dives under bats. Good at tunneling with the fastball. Right handers have a hard time laying off on the outer half. Not afraid to front-door it to right handers. Gets swing and misses from left handers with it finishing at their feet. Inconsistent control and below-average spin. Grade: 50

Changeup: 86-88. Power, vertical change. Arm speed slows when he throws the pitch. Very noticeable 'hump' in pitch with late drop. Low-usage third offering that flashes average with good fade, but lacks the arm speed, confidence and separation from fastball at present. Grade: 45

Control and Command: Control over command profile. Misses both arm side and down to the glove side with the fastball often due to efforted follow through when he loses his release point. Misses around the zone enough to be effective. Better command of the fastball working north-south due to the arm slot. Fringe-average command of secondaries. Control: 45 | Command: 40

Overall: A rare prep-arm that's been mostly used as a reliever out of the draft, the Braves used Vodnik in multi-inning stints in 2019 up to four innings out of the pen. He made one start where he went five innings in 2019. The effort in his delivery, particularly how his upper half shifts to create his arm slot that causes him to fall off to the first base side make him a better fit for the bullpen. The fastball and slider are enough of weapons to profile as a reliever who can get swings and misses in high leverage spots thanks to the velocity and tunneling of the two offerings. He doesn't need above-average command of either thanks to the fastball velocity and late, sharp movement of his slider. Too firm changeup with slower arm speed need to be improved upon if there is a chance to start long term, but ultimately his delivery, and subsequently, command, should keep him in the bullpen, where he could be an effective leverage option. Power profile that could move fast with average control.

OFP: 40
Role: 40 - Spot Starter or Long Reliever
Risk: Moderate

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Terone Harris - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	ATL	OF	16	40

Grades Update: Dec 2020

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

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Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Jake Kerns

Age: 25 yr
Height: 5-11
Weight: 220 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 Draft, Round 32
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Average height. Thick core and lower half. Big butt and calves. Wide hips. Strong upper body. Maxed out. A joker and high character kid. Plays with a smile in the field. Will be a fan favorite.

Hit: Upright and open stance. Keeps his hands high and back. Substantial pre-pitch body sway and bat movement. Big leg kick as he steps into the pitch. Has quick wrists and uses his whole body to generate above-average bat speed. Level swing that creates line-drive contact. Uses the whole field. Above-average bat to ball skills but velocity down and in can give him problems. Average eye; knows when to lay off. Grade: 50

Power: Above-average raw power. Flashed power to all fields in college but has been pull-side in the minors. His approach is focused on making contact and putting the ball in play, but he can muscle the ball out on occasion. Grade: 45

Field: Takes average routes and adjusts well. Average range in LF but possesses quick instincts. Shows good leaping ability at the wall. Plays with some flair in the field. Athletic enough to stay in LF. Grade: 50

Arm: Average arm with average carry. Won't be a weapon in the field but enough arm strength to stay on the grass. Throws were on-line and mostly to the cutoff in looks. Grade: 50

Run: Timed 4.29 down the line from the right side. Quick out of the box. Moves well for his size but does run with some effort. Not a real threat to steal but enough speed to keep the pitcher honest. Straight-line speed will decrease with time. Grade: 45

Overall: He will be a cherished teammate and leader in the clubhouse, and his character and aptitude will allow him to maximize his mostly average tools. He is a high-probability big leaguer albeit one without impact potential. Looks best in LF but probably does not have enough of a bat to start. Profiles best as a backup.

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

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Michael Harris - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	ATL	OF	15	45

Grades Update: Dec 2020

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

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Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Jake Kerns

Age: 20 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 195 lbs
Hits/Throws: S/L
Acquired: 2019 Draft, Round 3
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Strong hands. High-waisted and thick lower half. Lacks physical projection. Athletic. High character.

Hit: Upright and open stance. Some pre-pitch body sway and hand movement from the right side; less animated from the left. Keeps his hands back from both sides. Small leg kick/knee torque as he closes and steps into the pitch from the right side; moderate, traditional leg kick from the left side. More relaxed and looks natural from the left side. Quick wrists that produce average or better bat speed. Level swing that generates live-drive contact to all parts of the field. Ball jumps off the bat. Flashes an ability to bunt from the left side. Average eye. Can get jammed up and in from the right side and still adjusting to professional-quality breaking stuff. Grade: 45

Power: Above-average raw power from both sides of the plate that manifests mostly to the pull-side. Line-drive approach that produces gap power in-game. Room for improvement as he grows stronger and makes better contact. Grade: 45

Field: Moves well in the outfield. Good instincts and above-average foot speed give him above-average range. Takes good routes in the field. Could play all three positions but tools play best in RF. Grade: 55

Arm: Strong arm that shows significant carry. Ball thrown on a rope. Shows good accuracy to the plate from the grass and routinely hits his cutoff. Can be a weapon. Threw low-90s off the mound in HS. Profiles well in RF. Grade: 60

Run: Flashes plus times down the lines depending on his jump. Above-average to plus times in the 60 yd dash as an amateur. Hustles and runs with some effort. Capable base stealer; gets a good jump. Heads up runner and can take an extra base on balls to the grass. Body type indicates he will slow with time. Grade: 55

Overall: Harris is noticeably raw, although he possesses some of the best tools in the system. His bat lags behind the other facets of his game but he possesses the underlying ability to see substantial growth as he acclimates himself with the professional game. He shows feel at the plate and the ball jumps off the bat when he connects. He will go as far as the bat takes him, and there's reason to believe he could be an average regular or better with time. The overall package fits best in RF, particularly if he can get to his power potential.

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

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Jesse Franklin - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	ATL	OF/1B	14	45

Grades Update: Dec 2020

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

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Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Mike Kinsela

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 215 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2020 Draft, Round 3
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Strong, athletic player with broad shoulders and obvious build throughout his trunk and lower half. Good combination of physical strength and athleticism throughout.

Hit: Franklin hit in spurts throughout his college career, performing extremely well for Michigan as well as on the Cape in 2018 before showing more power but less barrel accuracy through both stops in 2019. The swing can get long, potentially as a result of how wide he gets in his stance, and the hands can get a little tight through his stroke as well, but he's shown consistently ability to barrel baseballs with strength to all fields. There's variance here depending on how much Franklin wants to tap into his power. Grade: 45

Power: His power is likely his loudest tool at present, with excellent strength and above-average bat speed combining to give him plus raw power from the left side of the plate. He can drive the ball out to all fields and really launch it pull-side, and he's shown progression through his amateur career of getting the barrel in better spots to launch while retaining plate coverage. Grade: 55

Field: Franklin played first-base as a freshman following shoulder surgery on his throwing arm, but returned to center field in 2019 once fully healthy. He's more athletic than his physical, thick build might indicate, with a quick first step and good speed once underway, and his routes consistently improved throughout the course of his sophomore season. There's a chance for him to potentially be fringe in center field, but realistically he'll be a defensive asset in a corner. Grade: 55

Arm: Franklin had labrum surgery on his throwing shoulder prior to his freshman season at Michigan, and while he's been fully recovered from that injury for some time, his arm strength is still mostly in the 40-45 range. He shows good accuracy along with a quick release, but the arm will keep him in left field if he proves unable to play center long-term. Grade: 45

Run: Franklin has a quick first step and can move well for a player of his build, turning in times in the 55-60 range at times during his sophomore campaign. On the whole he's a half-tick above average as a runner right now, with solid-average projection long term as he matures. Grade: 50

Overall: Franklin brings a solid set of tools to the table along with a performance pedigree and universally-praised makeup, though the overall profile likely falls a little short of a solid-average regular. He should be able to hit 15-20 home runs a year while playing a solid left field, and should see some average years at his peak in terms of WAR output.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Below-Average Player: Utility / Platoon
Risk: Moderate

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Bryce Elder - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	ATL	RHP	13	45

Grades Update: Dec 2020

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

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Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Anthony Franco

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 220 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2020 Draft, Round 5
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Listed at 6'2", 220 pounds. Very physical; thick, muscular upper half. No physical projection remaining. Below-average athlete.

Delivery & Mechanics: High-effort delivery with some stiffness throughout. Seemed to shorten arm action a bit from 2019 to 2020, enabling him to be more on time. Has some head movement at release. Exaggerated dip of front shoulder leads to high 3/4 arm slot but allows hitters to pick up the ball early, decreasing deception.

Fastball: 90-93 MPH. Fastball has heavy downhill plane with some sink and arm-side action. Plays down a bit because of subpar in-zone command. Grade: 45

Curveball: 78-82 MPH. Works in a more vertical breaking ball as he faces the opposing lineup multiple times. Curve flashes good bite but can blend with his slider at times. Typically average although it flashes above. Grade: 50

Slider: 84-86 MPH. Best pitch in his arsenal. Has two-plane tilt with plus bite and tight spin. Generates plenty of whiffs. Grade: 60

Changeup: 85-87 MPH. Infrequently utilized fourth pitch; occasionally mixes it in against left-handers. Has some feel for creating arm-side run but is generally too firm. Not great feel for locating. Grade: 40

Control and Command: Control-over-command pitcher; throws fastball for strikes but misses his spots within the zone. Breaking balls are typically close enough to the zone to generate chases. Walk rate was down over four starts during his draft season; seemingly shortened arm action could explain that improvement, but he'll need to prove he can sustain strike-throwing gains over a longer term. Control: 45 | Command: 40

Overall: Elder projects as a middle reliever. He seemingly cleaned up his delivery and made some strides with his command during his junior season at Texas. Even so, he's not a great athlete and probably won't ever have particularly good in-zone command. His low-90's velo and plus slider fit comfortably in the middle innings mix if his fringe command and/or below-average changeup eventually push him to the bullpen.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Spot Starter or Long Reliever
Risk: Moderate

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Freddy Tarnok - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	ATL	RHP	12	45

Grades Update: Dec 2020

OFP	Role	FB	CB	CH	Cnt/Cmd
45	40	45	50	50	45/40

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Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: James Chipman

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-3
Weight: 185 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 Draft, Round 3
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Ideal pitcher's frame. Athletic, wiry build. Average torso; high waist with broad shoulders that slope and long levers. Average core; sturdy lower half. Impressive athlete with excellent coordination and fluid actions.

Delivery & Mechanics: Stretch only; tall and fall. High 3/4 arm slot with above-average arm speed and moderate effort in the delivery. Long arm path. Simple well repeated delivery. Moderate deception from high leg kick and arm speed.

Fastball: Sits 91-94; tapers off to 89-91 after turning the lineup over. Sinks it in the lower third; modest arm side life elsewhere in the zone. Average command. Misses are predominantly glove side and unintentional spikes low. Likely plays up in shorter stints, closer to average. Less than optimal velocity will give him a smaller margin for error at the big league level. Grade: 45

Curveball: Sits 80-83 with tight rotation and late 11/5 action at its best. Has the late break and bite necessary for it to effectively play as a bat misser at the big league level. Rolls in the occasional cement mixer but feel and consistency is trending in a positive direction. Grade: 50

Changeup: Underutilized but a solid average offering. Sits 82-84. Has feel; maintains arm speed; tunneled well off FB with optimal velocity separation. Features late tumble and fade. Thrown almost exclusively to LHB. Further pro instruction and reps should push it to average. Grade: 50

Control and Command: Fringe-average control and below average command; capable of throwing strikes but struggles to consistently find the zone and hit the glove. Lack of strength and long arm path hurt command; FB has average command: secondaries significantly lag. Pitch sequencing can be FB heavy and predictable at times. Control: 45 | Command: 40

Overall: A solid summation of near average offerings, the profile's main deficiency is a substandard FB and command that has regressed to below-average. Rumored to possess the ability to hit as high as 97 mph, Tarnok has been a low 90s guy that can't hold velo deep into his outings over my live looks. Should that velocity return, there's some back of the rotation upside or high leverage relief potential. Without the velocity he looks more like a spot starter or long relief project.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Spot Starter or Long Reliever
Risk: Moderate

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Patrick Weigel - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	ATL	RHP	11	45

Grades Update: Dec 2020

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

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Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Isaiah Burrows

Age: 27 yr
Height: 6-6
Weight: 248 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2015 Draft, Round 7
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: Tall and sturdy right-hander on the mound. Solid and lanky build. Filled out frame with broad shoulders. Long arms and legs. Strong lower half that plays within his delivery.

Delivery & Mechanics: Standard 3/4 arm slot from the windup/stretch. Loose extension and follow through, struggles with command. Lots of moving parts with his upper and lower half, gets wild at times. Inconsistent delivery that needs to be tinkered with.

Fastball: Mid-90s offering with good life and ride towards the top of the zone. Fastball typically sits 93-94, but occasionally reaches 96-97 mph. Good plane to the pitch, doesn't sell out for max velocity. Spots it well armside. Grade: 55

Curveball: Mid-70s breaking ball with solid depth, though a bit behind in development to his slider. Tends to hang in the zone, lacks consistent shape and break. Shows signs of improvement with good dip and break. Grades as average off-speed pitch with room for growth. Grade: 50

Slider: Mid-80s slider with good break and spin. Go-to off-speed pitch. Throws it hard to the plate with late dive to force whiffs. Consistent velocity and break makes it effective. Struggles with command holds back its full potential. Effective offering that flashes signs a true plus pitch. Grade: 55

Changeup: Mid-80s changeup that keeps improving. Still a bit firm in the zone, but plays it well off his fastball. Throws it with late bite against lefties. Needs more refinement as a fourth pitch, but has shown improved development and growth. Grade: 45

Control and Command: Has good stuff, but command and control holds back its potential. Fits more of the reliever role. Struggles to find the zone consistently. Let's the count run deep, has trouble putting away batters. Needs to refine his mechanics to throw more quality strikes. Control: 45 | Command: 40

Overall: Patrick Weigel has the physical build and arsenal, but struggles with his command and control holds him back at times. His fastball and slider stick out the most amongst his four pitches with good velocity and movement. He needs to refine his arm action to secure a permanent role in the Braves bullpen.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Spot Starter or Long Reliever
Risk: Moderate

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Jasseel De La Cruz - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	ATL	RHP	10	45

Grades Update: Dec 2020

OFP	Role	FB	SL	CH	Cnt/Cmd
45	40	60	55	40	45/40

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Dec 2020 Report

Evaluator: Geoff Pontes

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 195 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2015 IFA
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: Average height to slightly below for a pitcher, not a particularly projectable frame. Lacks a high overall fitness level with a slight potbelly showing despite not being a heavyset guy. Has strength in his lower half, but doesn't use it terribly effectively in his motion.

Delivery & Mechanics: Inefficient mechanical operation due to poor timing. However, other positive mechanical traits like his fast arm, good lead leg block and heavily glute dominant operation allow him to get the most possible velocity out of his below average physique. De La Cruz starts his full delivery with a slight rock, to a contracted leg lift that closes off his front side. Simultaneously getting heavily into his back leg and glutes, before springing forward and slinging the ball from a lower three quarters delivery. He has some serious shoulder and pelvis tilt upon release, with his arm doing speed doing much of the work to stay in time. High effort delivery due to up-tempo motion, this coupled with his timing issues lead to De La Cruz losing the strike zone for stretches.

Fastball: High octane fastball and the dominant usage pitch in De La Cruz's arsenal. Sits 93-95 mph touching 97-99 mph at his hottest. In certain outings De La Cruz would sit 95-98 mph but only for the first two innings before dropping to his usual 93-95 mph. He gets solid backspin high in the zone with around 18+ inches of lift and an average raw spin rate of 2300+. His command of the pitch is fringe average, but he does a good job of stealing strikes on the outer part of the plate while driving swings and misses elevated or inside. Plus fastball with the velocity, traits, and results. Grade: 60

Slider: Slurvy breaking ball with mid-spin efficiency. Will have tighter offerings at 82-84 mph and more vertical breaking benders at 79-82 mph. Does a good job manipulating the pitch as needed and will land them for called strikes to higher and outside parts of the zone. Will lose feel at times and spike the pitch, and most of his hardest contact comes when he loses shape in the zone, but it's infrequent. Above average pitch with good raw spin rates in the 2750-2800 rpm range. Grade: 55

Changeup: Infrequently used and inconsistent third pitch, De La Cruz will show the ability to turn it over, and when he does he generates a fair amount of run. When he doesn't the pitch flattens out and looks like a bad fastball. Could be used more if he develops consistent feel for the pitch. It's a usable in game pitch now and flashes average or better in spurts. Grade: 40

Control and Command: Violent operations like De La Cruz's rarely lend themselves to consistent strike throwing or good command profiles, and Jasseel is no different. He is a bit of Jekyll and Hyde with his control as he'll pound the strike zone for long stretches driving swings and misses and soft contact, looking like a starting pitching prospect. Then as quickly as you can snap your fingers he loses it, misses with his fastball and slider to all parts of the zone. It typically only lasts for a batter or too, but it seemed to me, walks did him in more often than hard contact. There's some hope De La Cruz can get to an average level as a strike thrower but it likely settles in at fringe average control and below average command. Control: 45 | Command: 40

Overall: De La Cruz possesses one of the best one-two punches in the Atlanta system due to his plus mid-to-upper-90s fastball and above average slider. Further refinement of his changeup and control + command are needed in order for him to maintain a starting role long term. Mechanically speaking it's questionable that De La Cruz's up-tempo high effort operation ever yields even fringe average command. For this reason we project his long term role in the pen with a real chance his stuff plays up enough to fit into a high leverage role. For now he's a spot starter profile that could handle some low leverage situations.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Spot Starter or Low Leverage Reliever
Risk: Moderate

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