Sandber Pimentel, 1b, Athletics
Team: low Class A Beloit (Midwest)
Age: 20
Why He’s Here: .333/.391/.905 (7-for-21), 5 R, 4 HR, 8 RBIs, 2 BB, 5 SO
The physical lefthanded hitter has muscled his way onto the prospect map with a loud full-season debut at Beloit. Pimentel’s nine home runs place him in a tie for the Midwest League lead, while his .530 slugging percentage also ranks him among the league leaders. His emergence, combined with that of shortstop and teammate Yairo Munoz, will go a long way toward replenishing an Athletics system that has lost Addison Russell, Billy McKinney and Daniel Robertson in the past calendar year.
Friday, May 29, 2015
Monday, May 25, 2015
Week 7 Hero of the Week
The reigning Kelly's Ace of the year stepped up this week to nail down the Hero of the week honors. Yondano Ventura went 1-1 in 14inn, 13K's, 2.57era, with a 0.79whip
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Week 6 Little Hero of the Week
Bradley Zimmer, cf, Indians
Team: high Class A Lynchburg (Carolina)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: .500/.593/.864 (11-for-22), 9 R, 2 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBIs, 4 BB, 4 SO, 4-for-4 SB
The No. 21 overall selection in the 2014 draft, Zimmer has thrived in his first taste of high Class A, and this week he put up a monster 1.457 OPS. Splitting time with Clint Frazier in center field, Zimmer has shown an impressive array of tools. He’s hit for average (.302) and power (his seven homers lead the Carolina League) while showing speed (19 stolen bases) and a strong batting eye. That kind of diverse skill set will make him an asset no matter which outfield spot he calls home.
Team: high Class A Lynchburg (Carolina)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: .500/.593/.864 (11-for-22), 9 R, 2 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBIs, 4 BB, 4 SO, 4-for-4 SB
The No. 21 overall selection in the 2014 draft, Zimmer has thrived in his first taste of high Class A, and this week he put up a monster 1.457 OPS. Splitting time with Clint Frazier in center field, Zimmer has shown an impressive array of tools. He’s hit for average (.302) and power (his seven homers lead the Carolina League) while showing speed (19 stolen bases) and a strong batting eye. That kind of diverse skill set will make him an asset no matter which outfield spot he calls home.
Monday, May 18, 2015
Week 6 Hero of the Week
SP Noah Syndergaard went 11.1inn allowing only 9hits while striking out 11 batter and winning 1 game. Very good to see some of the young players coming up and adding to the MLB this year.
Friday, May 15, 2015
Week 5 Little Hero of the Week
Sandber Pimentel, 1b, Athletics
Pimentel signed with the Athletics for $160,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2011. He had showcased as an outfielder at the time and had a strong arm, but he was a slow, awkward runner, so Oakland moved him to first base.
Pimentel’s bat remains his calling card, but he spent three seasons in the Dominican Summer League. Following the 2014 season, the A’s brought him to Arizona for their instructional league, where he made a strong impression, and he continued to hit well enough in spring training that the organization skipped him over their short-season affiliates and sent him straight to low Class A Beloit.
Despite skipping two levels, Pimentel is having the best year of his career, batting .311/.403/.509 with 15 walks, 30 strikeouts and a career-best four home runs in 30 games. The lefthanded batter has a hit-first, power-second offensive profile, but the increased pop this season is an encouraging sign for a player who’s value is going to be entirely driven by what he does at the plate.
— Ben Badler
Pimentel signed with the Athletics for $160,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2011. He had showcased as an outfielder at the time and had a strong arm, but he was a slow, awkward runner, so Oakland moved him to first base.
Pimentel’s bat remains his calling card, but he spent three seasons in the Dominican Summer League. Following the 2014 season, the A’s brought him to Arizona for their instructional league, where he made a strong impression, and he continued to hit well enough in spring training that the organization skipped him over their short-season affiliates and sent him straight to low Class A Beloit.
Despite skipping two levels, Pimentel is having the best year of his career, batting .311/.403/.509 with 15 walks, 30 strikeouts and a career-best four home runs in 30 games. The lefthanded batter has a hit-first, power-second offensive profile, but the increased pop this season is an encouraging sign for a player who’s value is going to be entirely driven by what he does at the plate.
— Ben Badler
Monday, May 11, 2015
Week 5 Hero of the Week
Over the past 7 days the newest Hero has shined the brightest, Dilson Herrera. He went 5/13 1HR 3RBI 2RUNS and a walk.
Friday, May 8, 2015
Week 4 Little Hero of the Week
The Little Her of the week:
Rafael Devers, 3b, Red Sox
Team: low Class A Greenville (South Atlantic)
Age: 18
Why He’s Here: .500/.500/1.050 (10-for-20), 7 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBIs, 0 BB, 5 SO
The Scoop: Devers doesn’t turn 19 until the offseason, but that hasn’t stopped him from tearing up the South Atlantic League. He ranks among the league leaders in average (.353) and slugging (.518) and already has more multi-hit games (10) than hitless games (seven). Devers’ bat has the potential to be special, and he’s got the arm to play third base, but scouts are split on whether he’ll eventually outgrow the position and move across the diamond to first base.
Runner ups
Noah Syndergaard, rhp, Mets
Team: Triple-A Las Vegas (Pacific Coast)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: 2-0, 1.20, 2 GS, 15 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 18 SO
The Scoop: Syndergaard on Thursday put together perhaps the game of the year for a pitcher. Not only did he fire eight innings of two-run ball with eight punchouts and no walks, but he also finished a triple short of the cycle at the plate. (Bonus points for logging a 72 game score while toeing the rubber in Albuquerque.) Oh yeah—he struck out 10 over seven shutout innings the start before that. Syndergaard has worked to a 4-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio this year, and he’s done so in one of the least pitcher-friendly environments in baseball.
A.J. Reed, 1b, Astros
Team: high Class A Lancaster (California)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: .385/.433/1.000 (10-for-26), 7 R, 1 2B, 5 HR, 13 RBIs, 3 BB, 7 SO
The Scoop: The reigning College Player of the Year enjoys his time in the California League. The two-way standout from Kentucky clubbed five home runs this past week, including a three-homer game with nine RBIs on May 6. He’s been a bit of a three true outcome player thus far, with more than 49 percent of his plate appearances ending in a walk (16.7 percent), strikeout (25.8 percent) or home run (0.49 percent). Reed leads the league in walk rate and ranks second in isolated slugging (.316).
Lance McCullers Jr., rhp, Astros
Team: Double-A Corpus Christi (Texas)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: 1-1, 1.64, 2 GS, 11 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 HBP, 5 BB, 16 SO
The Scoop: OK, so McCullers isn’t the prospect to see even on his own Double-A team, at least not until the Astros promote Carlos Correa. Nevertheless, McCullers has overpowered Texas League hitters. With an ERA of 0.72, he has 37 strikeouts in 25 innings, mixing a mid-90s fastball with a wicked breaking ball to put hitters away. The control is still a work in progress, but that too is trending in the right direction.
Rafael Devers, 3b, Red Sox
Team: low Class A Greenville (South Atlantic)
Age: 18
Why He’s Here: .500/.500/1.050 (10-for-20), 7 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBIs, 0 BB, 5 SO
The Scoop: Devers doesn’t turn 19 until the offseason, but that hasn’t stopped him from tearing up the South Atlantic League. He ranks among the league leaders in average (.353) and slugging (.518) and already has more multi-hit games (10) than hitless games (seven). Devers’ bat has the potential to be special, and he’s got the arm to play third base, but scouts are split on whether he’ll eventually outgrow the position and move across the diamond to first base.
Runner ups
Noah Syndergaard, rhp, Mets
Team: Triple-A Las Vegas (Pacific Coast)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: 2-0, 1.20, 2 GS, 15 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 18 SO
The Scoop: Syndergaard on Thursday put together perhaps the game of the year for a pitcher. Not only did he fire eight innings of two-run ball with eight punchouts and no walks, but he also finished a triple short of the cycle at the plate. (Bonus points for logging a 72 game score while toeing the rubber in Albuquerque.) Oh yeah—he struck out 10 over seven shutout innings the start before that. Syndergaard has worked to a 4-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio this year, and he’s done so in one of the least pitcher-friendly environments in baseball.
A.J. Reed, 1b, Astros
Team: high Class A Lancaster (California)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: .385/.433/1.000 (10-for-26), 7 R, 1 2B, 5 HR, 13 RBIs, 3 BB, 7 SO
The Scoop: The reigning College Player of the Year enjoys his time in the California League. The two-way standout from Kentucky clubbed five home runs this past week, including a three-homer game with nine RBIs on May 6. He’s been a bit of a three true outcome player thus far, with more than 49 percent of his plate appearances ending in a walk (16.7 percent), strikeout (25.8 percent) or home run (0.49 percent). Reed leads the league in walk rate and ranks second in isolated slugging (.316).
Lance McCullers Jr., rhp, Astros
Team: Double-A Corpus Christi (Texas)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: 1-1, 1.64, 2 GS, 11 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 HBP, 5 BB, 16 SO
The Scoop: OK, so McCullers isn’t the prospect to see even on his own Double-A team, at least not until the Astros promote Carlos Correa. Nevertheless, McCullers has overpowered Texas League hitters. With an ERA of 0.72, he has 37 strikeouts in 25 innings, mixing a mid-90s fastball with a wicked breaking ball to put hitters away. The control is still a work in progress, but that too is trending in the right direction.
Monday, May 4, 2015
Week 4 Hero of the Week
Zach Cozart was named Hero of the week for the 2nd week in a row for his line of 8/26 1HR 3RBI 2Runs 1BB and a steal
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Week 3 Little Hero of the Week
Bradley Zimmer, cf, Indians
Team: high Class A Lynchburg (Carolina)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: .545/.615/.727 (12-for-22), 6 R, 4 2B, 3 RBIs, 3 BB, 3 SO, 4-for-4 SB
The Scoop: The 21st overall pick in last year’s draft, Zimmer has yet to meet a real challenge in pro ball while showing off five-tool ability. He aced the short-season New York-Penn League last year and has zoomed to a hot start in the Carolina League this April. Zimmer leads the circuit in hitting (.357), home runs (four), on-base (.452) and slugging (.586), while spending time in both center and rigth field.
also having great weeks was
Noah Syndergaard, rhp, Mets
Team: Triple-A Las Vegas (Pacific Coast)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 SO
The Scoop: Syndergaard had by far his best outing of the season against Albuquerque on April 27. The big righthander is blessed with some of the best pure stuff in the minors, and consistency remains the only box he needs to check before becoming a viable option for the major league club, which doesn’t need pitching reinforcements at this point.
Lance McCullers Jr., rhp, Astros
Team: Double-A Corpus Christi (Texas)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: 0-0, 0.00, 4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 SO
The Scoop: Mark Appel isn’t the only Astros pitcher thrilled to put high Class A Lancaster in his rear-view. A back injury may have worsened McCullers’ below-average control in 2014, but his four-inning, no-walk outing this week is the first time he’s worked that long without issuing a free pass since a June 2013 start at low Class A Quad Cities. His 94-96 mph fastball and power breaking ball give him one of the best one-two punches in the minors, and he’s put his weaponry to good use in 2015 in now allowing an earned run through 14 innings.
Raimel Tapia, cf, Rockies
Team: high Class A Modesto (California)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: .316/.391/.789 (6-for-19), 5 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBIs, 2 BB, 5 SO, 0-for-1 SB
The Scoop: Tapia tapped into the favorable hitting conditions at Lancaster and High Desert this week to club four extra-base hits, including two home runs. Nicknamed “Straight-Ball Tapia” for his ability to hit a fastball but not much with a bend in it, he has nevertheless started well at Modesto, hitting .321 with 10 doubles and 17 strikeouts in 19 games.
Team: high Class A Lynchburg (Carolina)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: .545/.615/.727 (12-for-22), 6 R, 4 2B, 3 RBIs, 3 BB, 3 SO, 4-for-4 SB
The Scoop: The 21st overall pick in last year’s draft, Zimmer has yet to meet a real challenge in pro ball while showing off five-tool ability. He aced the short-season New York-Penn League last year and has zoomed to a hot start in the Carolina League this April. Zimmer leads the circuit in hitting (.357), home runs (four), on-base (.452) and slugging (.586), while spending time in both center and rigth field.
also having great weeks was
Noah Syndergaard, rhp, Mets
Team: Triple-A Las Vegas (Pacific Coast)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 SO
The Scoop: Syndergaard had by far his best outing of the season against Albuquerque on April 27. The big righthander is blessed with some of the best pure stuff in the minors, and consistency remains the only box he needs to check before becoming a viable option for the major league club, which doesn’t need pitching reinforcements at this point.
Lance McCullers Jr., rhp, Astros
Team: Double-A Corpus Christi (Texas)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: 0-0, 0.00, 4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 SO
The Scoop: Mark Appel isn’t the only Astros pitcher thrilled to put high Class A Lancaster in his rear-view. A back injury may have worsened McCullers’ below-average control in 2014, but his four-inning, no-walk outing this week is the first time he’s worked that long without issuing a free pass since a June 2013 start at low Class A Quad Cities. His 94-96 mph fastball and power breaking ball give him one of the best one-two punches in the minors, and he’s put his weaponry to good use in 2015 in now allowing an earned run through 14 innings.
Raimel Tapia, cf, Rockies
Team: high Class A Modesto (California)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: .316/.391/.789 (6-for-19), 5 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBIs, 2 BB, 5 SO, 0-for-1 SB
The Scoop: Tapia tapped into the favorable hitting conditions at Lancaster and High Desert this week to club four extra-base hits, including two home runs. Nicknamed “Straight-Ball Tapia” for his ability to hit a fastball but not much with a bend in it, he has nevertheless started well at Modesto, hitting .321 with 10 doubles and 17 strikeouts in 19 games.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Week 3 Hero of the Week
Zach Cozart was named Hero of the week for back to back weeks 6/24 3HR 7RBI, 5runs, 1SB. At one point during the week Cozart held down the top spot on player rater for SS's.
Friday, April 24, 2015
Week 2 Little Hero of the Week
9. Dilson Herrera, 2b, Mets
Dilson HerreraTeam: Triple-A Las Vegas (Pacific Coast)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: .441/.472/.647 (15-for-34), 7 R, 4 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 2 BB, 2 K, 2-for-4 SB
The Scoop: Everything is going right for the Mets right now. They have the best record in baseball and a franchise-best 11-game winning streak. And they have one of the most talented teams in Triple-A, which has provided the depth needed to survive injuries to Travis D’Arnaud, David Wright and Bobby Parnell. But the Mets’ success might slow down Herrera’s return to the big leagues. If the Mets had struggled, second baseman Daniel Murphy would likely be a trade target. But now it’s hard to see that happening, which means Herrera will continue teaming with Matt Reynolds for one of the best middle infield combos in the upper minors. In 14 games this year, Herrera has nine multi-hit games.
Dilson HerreraTeam: Triple-A Las Vegas (Pacific Coast)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: .441/.472/.647 (15-for-34), 7 R, 4 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 2 BB, 2 K, 2-for-4 SB
The Scoop: Everything is going right for the Mets right now. They have the best record in baseball and a franchise-best 11-game winning streak. And they have one of the most talented teams in Triple-A, which has provided the depth needed to survive injuries to Travis D’Arnaud, David Wright and Bobby Parnell. But the Mets’ success might slow down Herrera’s return to the big leagues. If the Mets had struggled, second baseman Daniel Murphy would likely be a trade target. But now it’s hard to see that happening, which means Herrera will continue teaming with Matt Reynolds for one of the best middle infield combos in the upper minors. In 14 games this year, Herrera has nine multi-hit games.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Monday, April 20, 2015
Sneak Peak 2016 Draft
Here is an early look at the Heroes 2016 Draft board. Down on many of the SP's in this class.
Write ups from http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2015-mlb-draft-rankings-april-edition/
1. Brendan Rodgers, SS, Lake Mary HS (FL), Florida State commit Video: Rodgers has been seen a ton, standing out early in his high school career and going to tons of events where he faced top pitching with a wood bat. He developed physically last summer and now has plus bat speed and raw power, though his power plays closer to average in games. He’s an average runner with a plus arm and some scouts see a lack of the loose, flashy actions and say he isn’t a shortstop, but some scouts literally haven’t seen him misplay a ball in dozens of games over the last few years, so that opinion is becoming less popular. He’s struggled at times against crappy prep pitching this spring, but has performed everywhere that matters in a predictive sense and has been hitting for power all spring. He isn’t the strongest #1 pick in recent years, but he’s still the clear choice for me at this point.
2. Alex Bregman, SS, LSU Video: Some scouts see the 6’0/185 Bregman field grounders and say he’s a second baseman. I’ve seen him a lot the last three years and his unique approach to defense–charge everything and never slow down–works for him and I think it’ll work in the big leagues. He has 12-15 homer power in games, advanced feel for contact and average to above speed along with all the gritty makeup stuff you could ask for. He nearly signed out of high school if not for an ACL tear and toyed with the idea of catching then, though that probably won’t happen now.
3. Kyle Tucker, RF, Plant HS (FL), Florida commit: Tucker has one the prettiest swing many scouts have ever seen, with comparisons to Ted Williams, Daryl Strawberry and Ken Griffey, mechanically-speaking. Tucker is 6’4/190 with fringy speed, a solid average arm, plus current raw power and more coming along with the effortless all-fields ease to his swing that scouts are looking for. Some are turned off by Tucker’s low energy approach to the games while others see his confident, laid-back demeanor will allow him to get through the grind of pro ball. Tucker can also get passive at the plate and get opposite-field happy and slap at the ball, but he will also go through stretches where he looks like an unstoppable hitting machine, which has been happening more and more often down the stretch.
4. Dansby Swanson, SS, Vanderbilt Video: Swanson was an advanced defender with a light bat in high school, then played second base his first two years at Vanderbilt and over the summers. Scouts got their first recent look at him playing short this spring and it still works. Swanson is a plus runner with fringy raw power and a strong 6’1/190 frame. He’s a contact hitter with more 10-13 homer power that wears out the gaps and would be a nice 6th-10th overall pick most years, but a high probability shortstop with some ceiling is hard to ignore in this draft.
5. Ian Happ, RF, Cincinnati Video: Happ has been moving up and down in the 5-20 range for me all spring. He played shorstop as a freshman and second base two summers ago on the Cape, but has been a corner outfielder since. Some scouts think he can still play second or third and that makes his above average bat and power from both sides of the plate even more attractive.
6. Mike Nikorak, RHP, Stroudsburg HS (PA), Alabama commit Video: Nikorak was a revelation last summer as an unknown who hit 97 mph and flashed a plus curve from a 6’5/220 frame. His velo dipped later in the summer but he worked in a solid average changeup. Nikorak’s velo is back, sitting 93-96 and hitting 98 mph this spring, checking all the boxes for a projection prep arm with limited miles on the odometer.
6. Kyle Funkhouser, RHP, Louisville Video: Funkhouser has been a plus fastball, above average to plus slider, average changeup, good enough command guy for a couple years, then he took a step forward last week (where the video is from). He sat 93-96 and hit 98 mph with more life and now has that #2/3 starter look if he can keep it up. Funkhouser has a bulldog’s 6’3/225 frame and approach, but had struggled with command at time earlier this spring, so that will be something to watch down the stretch.
7. Carson Fulmer, RHP, Vanderbilt Video: I’m the high guy on Fulmer, but I think teams are coming around on him. There’s some effort to the delivery, but he’s never been hurt, goes deep in games, has succeeded hugely as a starter and reliever at the highest amateur levels, is hyper-aggressive and strong-bodied. At his best, Fulmer sits 92-96 and hits 97 mph with life, an above average to plus hook and an above average changeup. If the starting thing doesn’t work out, he’s a closer that could be big league ready in no time, where some scouts think his delivery and approach fit best, while other see Sonny Gray. If I’m betting on someone in this draft class to succeed more than the industry consensus, I’m rolling with the dude that’s never failed before, that’s never been hurt before, that has has plus stuff and that has performed everywhere, delivery and height be damned.
8. Dillon Tate, RHP, UC Santa Barbara Video: Tate was a reliever getting into the mid-90’s last spring after a low-profile high school career, then he got famous last summer for Team USA when he hit 99 mph along with a 65 slider, though he tired late in the summer. He was supposed to relieve this year until an injury just before opening day gave him a rotation spot (for the first time in his career) that he hasn’t given up since. He sits in the mid 90’s with heavy life, a plus slider and at least an average changeup. Tate is super loose and athletic but only 6’1 or 6’2 and there’s enough effort to the delivery and general crudeness that some scouts say he’s still a reliever (I don’t), but either way, it’s among the best balls of clay a development staff could receive.
9. Brady Aiken, LHP, IMG Post-Grad (FL) Video: Aiken is a massive question mark at this point. He has that #1 overall ability in him and he’s recovering from Tommy John surgery, so many fans just assume he’ll go from a top 3 pick to a top 10-15 pick and that’s that. There is persistent, consistent and detailed buzz coming from many sources that there is more to Aiken’s injury than just a clean surgery like Erick Fedde, Jeff Hoffman or Lucas Giolito from recent years
10. Daz Cameron, CF, Eagle’s Landing Christian HS (GA), Florida State commit Video: Son of Mike Cameron was hyped early in his high school career as a potential 1-1 but hasn’t made the expected progress since then. He’s an above average to plus runner with the same kind of bat speed and average raw power, but the game performances were only okay over the summer and he’s facing weak competition this spring. He could easily go in the top 5-10 picks, but some teams don’t like him in the top 20.
Write ups from http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2015-mlb-draft-rankings-april-edition/
1. Brendan Rodgers, SS, Lake Mary HS (FL), Florida State commit Video: Rodgers has been seen a ton, standing out early in his high school career and going to tons of events where he faced top pitching with a wood bat. He developed physically last summer and now has plus bat speed and raw power, though his power plays closer to average in games. He’s an average runner with a plus arm and some scouts see a lack of the loose, flashy actions and say he isn’t a shortstop, but some scouts literally haven’t seen him misplay a ball in dozens of games over the last few years, so that opinion is becoming less popular. He’s struggled at times against crappy prep pitching this spring, but has performed everywhere that matters in a predictive sense and has been hitting for power all spring. He isn’t the strongest #1 pick in recent years, but he’s still the clear choice for me at this point.
2. Alex Bregman, SS, LSU Video: Some scouts see the 6’0/185 Bregman field grounders and say he’s a second baseman. I’ve seen him a lot the last three years and his unique approach to defense–charge everything and never slow down–works for him and I think it’ll work in the big leagues. He has 12-15 homer power in games, advanced feel for contact and average to above speed along with all the gritty makeup stuff you could ask for. He nearly signed out of high school if not for an ACL tear and toyed with the idea of catching then, though that probably won’t happen now.
3. Kyle Tucker, RF, Plant HS (FL), Florida commit: Tucker has one the prettiest swing many scouts have ever seen, with comparisons to Ted Williams, Daryl Strawberry and Ken Griffey, mechanically-speaking. Tucker is 6’4/190 with fringy speed, a solid average arm, plus current raw power and more coming along with the effortless all-fields ease to his swing that scouts are looking for. Some are turned off by Tucker’s low energy approach to the games while others see his confident, laid-back demeanor will allow him to get through the grind of pro ball. Tucker can also get passive at the plate and get opposite-field happy and slap at the ball, but he will also go through stretches where he looks like an unstoppable hitting machine, which has been happening more and more often down the stretch.
4. Dansby Swanson, SS, Vanderbilt Video: Swanson was an advanced defender with a light bat in high school, then played second base his first two years at Vanderbilt and over the summers. Scouts got their first recent look at him playing short this spring and it still works. Swanson is a plus runner with fringy raw power and a strong 6’1/190 frame. He’s a contact hitter with more 10-13 homer power that wears out the gaps and would be a nice 6th-10th overall pick most years, but a high probability shortstop with some ceiling is hard to ignore in this draft.
5. Ian Happ, RF, Cincinnati Video: Happ has been moving up and down in the 5-20 range for me all spring. He played shorstop as a freshman and second base two summers ago on the Cape, but has been a corner outfielder since. Some scouts think he can still play second or third and that makes his above average bat and power from both sides of the plate even more attractive.
6. Mike Nikorak, RHP, Stroudsburg HS (PA), Alabama commit Video: Nikorak was a revelation last summer as an unknown who hit 97 mph and flashed a plus curve from a 6’5/220 frame. His velo dipped later in the summer but he worked in a solid average changeup. Nikorak’s velo is back, sitting 93-96 and hitting 98 mph this spring, checking all the boxes for a projection prep arm with limited miles on the odometer.
6. Kyle Funkhouser, RHP, Louisville Video: Funkhouser has been a plus fastball, above average to plus slider, average changeup, good enough command guy for a couple years, then he took a step forward last week (where the video is from). He sat 93-96 and hit 98 mph with more life and now has that #2/3 starter look if he can keep it up. Funkhouser has a bulldog’s 6’3/225 frame and approach, but had struggled with command at time earlier this spring, so that will be something to watch down the stretch.
7. Carson Fulmer, RHP, Vanderbilt Video: I’m the high guy on Fulmer, but I think teams are coming around on him. There’s some effort to the delivery, but he’s never been hurt, goes deep in games, has succeeded hugely as a starter and reliever at the highest amateur levels, is hyper-aggressive and strong-bodied. At his best, Fulmer sits 92-96 and hits 97 mph with life, an above average to plus hook and an above average changeup. If the starting thing doesn’t work out, he’s a closer that could be big league ready in no time, where some scouts think his delivery and approach fit best, while other see Sonny Gray. If I’m betting on someone in this draft class to succeed more than the industry consensus, I’m rolling with the dude that’s never failed before, that’s never been hurt before, that has has plus stuff and that has performed everywhere, delivery and height be damned.
8. Dillon Tate, RHP, UC Santa Barbara Video: Tate was a reliever getting into the mid-90’s last spring after a low-profile high school career, then he got famous last summer for Team USA when he hit 99 mph along with a 65 slider, though he tired late in the summer. He was supposed to relieve this year until an injury just before opening day gave him a rotation spot (for the first time in his career) that he hasn’t given up since. He sits in the mid 90’s with heavy life, a plus slider and at least an average changeup. Tate is super loose and athletic but only 6’1 or 6’2 and there’s enough effort to the delivery and general crudeness that some scouts say he’s still a reliever (I don’t), but either way, it’s among the best balls of clay a development staff could receive.
9. Brady Aiken, LHP, IMG Post-Grad (FL) Video: Aiken is a massive question mark at this point. He has that #1 overall ability in him and he’s recovering from Tommy John surgery, so many fans just assume he’ll go from a top 3 pick to a top 10-15 pick and that’s that. There is persistent, consistent and detailed buzz coming from many sources that there is more to Aiken’s injury than just a clean surgery like Erick Fedde, Jeff Hoffman or Lucas Giolito from recent years
10. Daz Cameron, CF, Eagle’s Landing Christian HS (GA), Florida State commit Video: Son of Mike Cameron was hyped early in his high school career as a potential 1-1 but hasn’t made the expected progress since then. He’s an above average to plus runner with the same kind of bat speed and average raw power, but the game performances were only okay over the summer and he’s facing weak competition this spring. He could easily go in the top 5-10 picks, but some teams don’t like him in the top 20.
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