With so many golf equipment needing to plunge into the minors for pitching reinforcements, let’s put extra consideration on this subsequent wave of arms.
5 Large Hype Prospects
Andrew Abbott, 24, SP, CIN (AAA)31.1 IP, 13.21 Ok/9, 4.02 BB/9, 3.16 ERA
Abbott walked all around the Southern League earlier this season, posting a 1.15 ERA with 20.68 Ok/9 and 1.72 BB/9 in three begins. The Reds bought him out of there in a rush – probably as a result of the pre-tacked ball utilized in that league was obscuring points of his improvement. Since arriving in Triple-A, Abbott has reverted to a good-not-great trajectory and there’s nonetheless danger he’ll finally land within the bullpen. From a stuff perspective, he has a starter’s repertoire. Like most younger pitchers, Abbott’s command could be inconsistent and principally attracts damaging feedback. There’s motive for concern about house run prevention, particularly at Nice American Ball Park.
Ben Brown, 23, SP, CHC (AAA)24 IP, 13.50 Ok/9, 4.50 BB/9, 3.75 ERA
Brown was acquired from the Phillies within the David Robertson commerce. Like Abbott, Brown dominated the Southen League (20 IP, 0.45 ERA) en path to a fast promotion. He’s continued to overlook bats, albeit with a pair purple flags. Per a statistical supply, hitters have averaged a 91.3-mph exit velocity towards Brown in Triple-A. It’s a small pattern concern for now. Inconsistencies together with his command stay on show, and the aid danger is palpable. Whereas his fastball, slider, and curve are all seen as above-average choices, the dearth of command and changeup are traits of pitchers who finally land within the bullpen. We’ve seen loads of guys succeed with non-traditional repertoires recently, however they often depend on some kind of unicorn trait. I’m unaware of Brown becoming this mildew.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 23, 1B/3B, CIN (AAA)146 PA, 13 HR, .346/.384/.721
Prospects like CES are likely to create quite a lot of arguments among the many basic public. He was one of many prime minor league performers in 2022, and he’s repeating the trouble this season. Nonetheless, poor plate self-discipline and a hefty swinging-strike charge introduce appreciable danger. There’s additionally doubt about his means to stay at third base. Cincinnati has already conceded this through the use of him 17 video games at first, seven at DH, and 7 at third. Few first basemen are this ill-disciplined. Of certified first basemen, solely Brandon Drury, Gio Urshela, and Ryan Mountcastle have stroll charges under 6.0 p.c. Drury and Urshela aren’t actually first basemen. Alternatively, CES punishes baseballs when he connects, averaging 92.2-mph on contact. If he can mount any kind of resistance to the inevitable bevy of breaking balls out of the zone, he may develop right into a professional 40-homer menace.
Cade Povich, 23, SP, BAL (AA)40 IP, 13.73 Ok/9, 3.83 BB/9, 4.50 ERA
Acquired within the Jorge Lopez commerce, Povich most likely deserves inclusion within the latter portion of Prime 100 lists. The southpaw doesn’t have any overwhelming traits, however the whole package deal resembles many satisfactory left-handers across the league. Povich’s fundamental stats counsel trigger for each optimism and skepticism. His 2.20 FIP and a pair of.47 xFIP are a sight higher than his 4.50 ERA – largely resulting from a .356 BABIP and 62.2 p.c strand charge. Within the minors, such stats could be greater than the “luck” we usually attribute them to within the Majors, and Povich additionally had a poor strand charge in 2022. It may point out points pitching out of the stretch. I’ve reached out to a few contacts for his or her ideas.
Price mentioning, the Jap League is just not utilizing the pretacked ball.
Emmet Sheehan, 23, SP, LAD (AA)44 IP, 15.55 Ok/9, 3.68 BB/9, 1.64 ERA
The Texas League additionally isn’t utilizing the pretacked ball. Sheehan began to generate hype late final season, culminating in a profitable stint within the Arizona Fall League. Sheehan is overwhelming the Double-A contest as evidenced by a 20.1 p.c swinging strike charge, .176 BABIP, and 97% strand charge. Such figures point out luck, however additionally they converse of a capability to overlook bats with impunity. The star of the present is a double-plus changeup. A prospect watcher tipped me off final season about changeup artists – they have a tendency to overperform within the minors. On the time, we have been discussing Grayson Rodriguez. Like the opposite pitchers we’ve lined as we speak, Sheehan’s command sparks feedback a few future within the bullpen. Scouts additionally appear to dislike his mechanics – he tends to fall off arduous to the primary bottom line. I are likely to ignore such feedback. Goofy mechanics might (or might not) improve harm danger, however additionally they result in uncommon appears to be like for hitters.
Three Extra
Matt McLain, CIN (23): McLain, who we mentioned on this part final week, has rushed out to a heady .380/.456/.600 efficiency in 57 Main League plate appearances. Crimson flags embrace a .531 BABIP, modest exit velocities, and 28.1 p.c strikeout charge. Nonetheless, McLain is displaying energy, superior plate self-discipline, and a excessive charge of swinging contact (7.3 p.c SwStr%).
Zach Dezenzo, HOU (23): Though not but on the radar for prime prospect standing, Dezenzo is rapidly accelerating via the Astros system as a 3rd baseman. A scout introduced him to my consideration a month in the past. He’s a low-angle, line-drive machine, resulting in excessive BABIPs. There’s appreciable swing-and-miss in his sport, introducing danger of stalling within the higher minors. Dezenzo was lately promoted to Double-A.
Johan Rojas, PHI (22): For followers of Esteury Ruiz, Rojas mainly has a greater model of an analogous profile. He doesn’t visually seem like Alfonso Soriano the best way Ruiz does, however you possibly can simply discern the athletic means. Not like Ruiz, he’s already thought to be a plus middle fielder. Already on the 40-man roster, Rojas appears more likely to ascend to Triple-A within the coming weeks.
Did I miss a element or nuance? DM me on Twitter @BaseballATeam to counsel corrections.
