(*) CALL-UPS: August 4-10, 2020

Spencer Howard (RHP, PHI)

The players covered in this column are only those who have not exceeded 50 IP / 130 AB in their MLB career, and who have not already been written up earlier in 2020. Find previous Call-up profiles on the News tab of the player's PlayerLink page. 

Contributing writers: Jeremy Deloney, Nick Richards, Matthew St-Germain, and Andy Smith.

August 10, 2020

Spencer Howard (RHP, PHI)
In one of the more anticipated call-ups of the young campaign, the 24-year-old was summoned to the big leagues to make his major league debut with a start on August 9 against the Braves in the second game of a doubleheader. Howard has all the requisite pitches to become a top-notch starter in the majors. He missed two months in 2019 due to a shoulder strain, but returned healthy and there are no lingering issues. He cemented his place on top prospect lists as he continued his domination in the Arizona Fall League. Howard operates with four pitches that grade as average or plus. His fastball sits between 94-97 and touches higher on occasion. He uses both a slider and curveball and both can serve as out pitches. His best secondary is a change-up that dives late and can generate strikeouts and weak contact. His fastball is electric when on and has increased in effectiveness as his command of it has improved. Of the two breaking balls, the slider may be the better one as it shows deep, two-plane break. Howard’s control has improved considerably the last two years. With enhanced command and control along with a dominant pitch mix, he has the potential to be a stud for years to come. He owns a career 3.28 ERA, 3.2 Ctl and 12.0 Dom since his selection in the 2nd round of the 2017 draft from Cal Poly.
2019 STATS: Reading (AA) – 6 gs, 1-0 2.35 ERA, 30.2 IP, 2.6 Ctl, 4.2 Cmd, 11.2 Dom, 2 HR, .180 oppBA
TEAM
Clearwater (A+) – 7 gs, 2-1 1.29 ERA, 35 IP, 1.3 Ctl, 9.6 Cmd, 12.3 Dom, 1 HR, .162 oppBA
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 1 on Philadelphia’s Organization Report.
CURRENT ROLE: Starter
POTENTIAL: #2 starter
RATING: 9C

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John Curtiss (RHP, TAM)
Upon his selection in the 6th round of the 2014 draft, the Twins had high hopes for the collegiate reliever. With a strong arm and a tough angle to the plate, there were visions of quality late innings relief in his future. Unfortunately, injuries and the lack of command have hindered Curtiss’s development, though he has appeared in the majors in each of the past three seasons. In 18 games with the Twins and Angels, he has a 6.75 ERA and 9.4 Dom spanning 17.1 innings. He was traded from the Twins to the Angels in January 2019 and was later signed by the Phillies after his release from Los Angeles. Curtiss was released again and signed with Tampa Bay in February 2020. He continues to throw heat and generate strikeouts. His fastball sits between 92-96 mph and touches 98. It comes from a high angle to the plate which makes it difficult for hitters to pick up. Curtiss has an above average slider at times, though it has lost some of its bite over the last two seasons. Throwing strikes has been his biggest bugaboo, particularly since 2018. Curtiss still owns an exciting arm and some potential, but he needs to command his fastball/slider combo for him to have a chance at sustained success. He has a career 3.51 ERA, 3.8 Ctl and 11.1 Dom in the minors.
2019 STATS: Salt Lake (AAA) – 13 g, 2-0 5.91 ERA, 1 sv, 21.1 IP, 5.5 Ctl, 2.3 Cmd, 12.2 Dom, 4 HR, .247 oppBA
Lehigh Valley (AAA) – 9 g, 0-1 10.95 ERA, 12.1 IP, 6.6 Ctl, 1.7 Cmd, 10.9 Dom, 5 HR, .351 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Setup reliever
RATING: 7E

Brandon Waddell (LHP, PIT)
The Pirates promoted the 26-year-old to the majors for the first time and he’ll serve as a long reliever. Waddell had a challenging season in 2019 in Triple-A. He began the season in Indianapolis, but pitched his way to a demotion. After he seemed to right the ship with seven quality starts in Double-A, he returned to the bullpen in Triple-A and continued to get lit up. Despite the lackluster stat line, Waddell has some usable skills that could eventually result in a swingman type of role. He was a 5th round pick in the 2015 draft out of Virginia and he has a long, athletic frame. With a repeatable delivery that can produce a sinking 88-92 mph fastball, he can induce weak contact when hitting his spots. He’ll never be a flamethrower who blows the ball by hitters, but he can succeed with precision and sequencing. Waddell has a slider that he can use in any count and he has the arm strength to reach 95 when something extra is warranted. His change-up has been steady, though fairly average at best. Waddell has a career 4.12 ERA, 3.8 Ctl and 8.0 Dom in the minors.
2019 STATS: Indianapolis (AAA) – 29 g, 7 gs, 3-7 8.70 ERA, 61 IP, 5.9 Ctl, 1.7 Cmd, 10.2 Dom, 11 HR, .302 oppBA
Altoona (AA) – 7 g, 7 gs, 3-1 2.23 ERA, 36.1 IP, 2.2 Ctl, 4.7 Cmd, 10.4 Dom, 0 HR, .216 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Long reliever
POTENTIAL: #5 starter
RATING: 7D
 

August 9, 2020

Nick Mears (RHP, PIT)
Are you ready for a made-for-the-movies story? Pitcher Nick Mears tore the UCL in his right elbow when he was a senior in high school but pitched the entire season anyway. He underwent TJ surgery following his team's last game, and then spent his first year at Sacramento City College rehabbing, not pitching. At the onset of his sophomore year his FB was clocked at 92 mph, but two days before the beginning of practice he fractured his collarbone in a dirt bike accident. No pitching that year, either. His junior year went well, and his improving FB checked in at 95 mph. Just before his senior year of college, however, his grandfather -- who had been a big personal influence and supporter of him playing baseball -- died unexpectedly. Dealing with considerable emotional turmoil, Mears sat out his senior season of college ball. Despite only pitching one of his four years at Sacramento City College, though, he displayed good arm speed and athleticism when he was on the mound. He would eventually start playing some independent ball, and thanks to some scouting connections the Pirates signed him as a free agent in August of 2018. In early May of 2019, after working out all winter and gaining 30 pounds, his FB hit 99 mph in Single-A ball. Since then he has paired the pitch well with a slider/slurve offering. He ultimately split 2019 between three different clubs, ending the year with four appearances at Double-A. And now, exactly two years after being undrafted due to only pitched one year after high school, Mears finds himself in the major leagues. Covering 46.2 career IP he holds a terrific 13.3 Dom, 3.5 Ctl, 3.28 ERA, and 1.05 Whip. Amazingly (considering his backstory), the signs are there for bullpen (and maybe even closer?) success: a FB that approaches triple digits, and Ctl that, while a bit too high, isn't outlandish. All he needs is more experience, and with it could eventually come quite the Cinderella story.  Expect some bumps as he faces hitters at the higher levels, but if anyone has earned a long leash and time to adjust to his surroundings, it's Mears.
2019 STATS: Altoona (AA): 4 g, 0 gs, 0-0, 1.80 ERA, 5 IP, 3.6 Ctl, 3.5 Cmd, 12.6 Dom, 0 HR, .211 oppBA
Bradenton (A): 23 g, 0 gs, 4-2, 3.60 ERA, 5 Sv, 30 IP, 2.7 Ctl, 4.8 Cmd, 12.9 Dom, 3 HR, .202 oppBA
Greensboro (A): 7 g, 0 gs, 1-1, 3.09 ERA, 11.2 IP, 5.4 Ctl, 2.7 Cmd, 14.7 Dom, 2 HR, .128 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Setup reliever
RATING: 7E

Keegan Akin (LHP, BAL)
The solidly-built lefty was a second round collegiate pick in 2016 and has made a steady ascent through the minors, moving up a level each season. His two best pitches are a low 90s FB and a CU that is a borderline "plus" offering, with his third choice being a SL that still needs work to be a reliable weapon. His main weakness at Triple-A in 2019 was walking too many batters, and that has been the undoing of many a young hurler. Until he can get his Ctl trimmed down (it's 4.1 for his career) he will be too risky a play for fantasy owners. His handedness and solid FB/CU combo, however, speak to his eventual upside. Don't expect positive dividends in 2020.
2019 STATS: Norfolk (AAA): 25 g, 24 gs, 6-7, 4.73 ERA, 112.1 IP, 4.9 Ctl, 2.1 Cmd, 10.5 Dom, 10 HR, .252 oppBA
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 15 on Baltimore's Organization Report
CURRENT ROLE: Spot starter
POTENTIAL: #4 starter
RATING: 7C

Zack Burdi (RHP, CHW)
Burdi is a former first round draft pick who had TJ Surgery in 2017 and subsequently missed almost all of 2018. Last season (2019) showed a good deal of rust, and under ideal situations he would get to spend a lot more time on the farm to work on continuing to regain his feel for pitching. Covid has changed a lot of teams' plans, though, so now Burdi finds himself in the majors -- despite likely not being ready for big league hitters. His pre-surgery raw skills have yet to return, as the FB that used to flirt with triple digits was hovering in the low-to-mid 90s at the end of 2019. While his offspeed pitches show promise, unless he can regain both the control of, and missing mph from, his FB, hitters will be able to easily pick and choose what to swing at. Now, having said all of that, if he DOES regain his pre-injury skills then he could eventually elevate to a job near the back of a bullpen. But that's a ways off.
2019 STATS: Birmingham (AA): 17 g, 0 gs, 0-3, 6.41 ERA, 3 Sv, 19.2 IP, 5.9 Ctl, 1.9 Cmd, 11.0 Dom, 5 HR, .289 oppBA
Kannapolis (A): 3 g, 0 gs, 1-1, 9.00 ERA, 3 IP, 3.0 Ctl, 6.0 Cmd, 18.0 Dom, 0 HR, .308 oppBA
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 15 on Chicago's Organization Report
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Setup reliever
RATING: 7E

Drew Anderson (RHP, CHW)
Anderson has earned himself a handful of IP in the majors over the past three seasons, but due to the brevity of each tenure he still retains his rookie status. A long-time member of the Phillies organization, he was finally let go in the winter of 2019 and then picked up by the White Sox on a minor league deal. Anderson has primarily been a SP during his career, but there's not much to like for him at the big league level in that role. He has an above-average FB and CB, and has been working on a cutter -- but none of his pitches can be considered "plus". Given his middle-of-the-road skillset and results (career 7.7 Dom, 3.1 Ctl, and 3.52 ERA -- and now at the age of 26) he is most likely ticketed for long relief and the occasional spot start whenever his team needs some schedule-induced flexibility. Fantasy-wise, there's not much to see here.
2019 STATS: Philadelphia (NL): 2 g, 0 gs, 0-0, 7.50 ERA, 6 IP, 9.0 Ctl, 1.0 Cmd, 9.0 Dom, 1 HR, .250 oppBA
Lehigh Valley (AAA): 11 g, 11 gs, 0-6, 5.77 ERA, 48.1 IP, 5.0 Ctl, 1.5 Cmd, 7.5 Dom, 9 HR, .257 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever and possible spot starter
POTENTIAL: Swingman
RATING: 6C

Albert Abreu (RHP, NYY)
Abreu's initial 2020 call-up is to serve as the team's 29th man for a doubleheader, so the length of his stay is obviously in question. He is the organization's No. 14 prospect but has never pitched above Double-A, so it's very unlikely that he will end up playing a significant role for the team this season -- especially considering that he's battled injuries in each of the two previous seasons, meaning the club will also likely limit his workload. Abreu currently works with three pitches, and two of them -- a high 90s FB and a 12-6 CB -- have the potential to be plus offerings. Considering that his third pitch (CU) has yet to consistently shine, along with the aforementioned injury issues, then a future in the bullpen could eventually materialize. 2020 will basically be a lost year for many prospects, so the Yankees will likely give Abreu one more shot in a starting rotation in 2021 before making a possible move-to-the-bullpen decision.
2019 STATS: Trenton (AA): 23 g, 20 gs, 5-8, 4.28 ERA, 96.2 IP, 4.9 Ctl, 1.7 Cmd, 8.5 Dom, 9 HR, .276 oppBA
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 14 on New York's Organization Report
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: #4 Starter
RATING: 8D

Chance Adams (RHP, KC)
The 26 year old Adams has pitched briefly in the majors in each of the previous two seasons, but he is still barely holding onto his rookie eligibility. Previously with the Yankees organization, he was dealt to the Royals in a minor trade in December of 2019. Adams works with a low/mid 90s FB and two above-average offspeed pitches in a CB and SL. His career numbers over 507.2 IP include a 3.24 ERA, 9.2 Dom, and 3.6 Ctl. A bit too many walks, but if he ultimately doesn't stick as a starter then he could definitely be of use out of the bullpen. Another issue over his career has been the long ball, so there are areas that need some tweaking, for sure. It is to Adams' advantage that he is now with Kansas City, as he'll likely be afforded more opportunities to shine with them as opposed to if he had stayed with the "buy now, win now" Yankees. (And that isn't a slight to either organization, of course -- it's just reality.) While he may carve out a decent career in time, he doesn't look to be a impact fantasy contributor.
2019 STATS: New York (AL): 13 g, 0 gs, 1-1, 8.53 ERA, 25.1 IP, 3.9 Ctl, 2.1 Cmd, 8.2 Dom, 7 HR, .351 oppBA
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA): 18 g, 15 gs, 4-4, 4.63 ERA, 1 Sv, 81.2 IP, 4.2 Ctl, 2.1 Cmd, 8.8 Dom, 11 HR, .242 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever and possible spot starter
POTENTIAL: #5 starter or middle reliever
RATING: 6B

Joel Kuhnel (RHP, CIN)
Kuhnel is a large man with a large fastball. Standing nearly 6-5 and 280, he's been able to dial up his four-seam FB to 100 mph in the past. He also features a two-seamer that has some sinking action and offsets those two pitches with a low-90s SL and occasionally a CU, as well. He has setup potential simply due to his pitching arsenal, but with so little time in the upper levels he will first need to prove that he can handle advanced hitters. His walk rate really spiked after reaching Triple-A in 2019, so that will be the first area needing correction. His career stats include an 8.2 Dom, 1.8 Ctl, and 1.234 Whip.
2019 STATS: Cincinnati (NL): 11 g, 0 gs, 1-0, 4.66 ERA, 9.2 IP, 4.7 Ctl, 1.8 Cmd, 8.4 Dom, 1 HR, .216 oppBA
Louisville (AAA): 16 g, 0 gs, 2-1, 2.00 ERA, 4 Sv, 18 IP, 4.0 Ctl, 2.5 Cmd, 10.0 Dom, 1 HR, .200 oppBA
Chattanooga (AA): 25 g, 0 gs, 3-2, 2.27 ERA, 10 Sv, 35.2 IP, 2.0 Ctl, 3.8 Cmd, 7.6 Dom, 5 HR, .202 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Setup reliever
RATING: 7D

Ben Heller (RHP, NYY)
Heller missed all of 2018 following TJ Surgery but came on strong once he returned to action last season, as he posted sparkling results at both Triple-A and during a brief callup to the Yankees. Definitely old for a prospect at age 29, Heller was a 22nd round pick by the Indians way back in 2013. He was part of the Yankees' return for Andrew Miller in 2017. His pitches include a 98 mph FB and a very effective mid-80s SL. He struggled a bit with his command before his elbow surgery, so that will certainly be of concern moving forward... but if he's able to finally turn the corner and reign in the walks, then he could prove to be a real asset in the majors -- and a source of strikeouts for your fantasy team.
2019 STATS: New York (AL): 6 g, 0 gs, 0-0, 1.23 ERA, 7.1 IP, 3.7 Ctl, 3.0 Cmd, 11.1 Dom, 1 HR, .250 oppBA
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA): 9 g, 4 gs, 0-0, 0.82 ERA, 11 IP, 2.5 Ctl, 4.3 Cmd, 10.6 Dom, 0 HR, .143 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Setup reliever
RATING: 7D

 

August 8, 2020

Humberto Mejía (RHP, MIA)
The 23-year-old native of Panama gets the call in 2020 despite never having pitched above Single-A. He started out in rookie ball way back in 2015 and obviously hasn't progressed very rapidly, though he did miss all of 2017 due to injury. He has a big frame at 6-4 and 235, though his FB is only average and tops out around 94 mph. His best pitch is an upper-70s CB that has lots of depth and has generally overmatched right-handed hitters at the lower levels, and several scouting reports state that it could be effective all the way up to the majors. His third pitch, a CU, is still a bit of a work in progress. The first thing that jumps out when looking at his career numbers is his control. Over 277.1 IP he has an excellent 2.0 Ctl, a 4.3 Cmd, an 8.7 Dom, an ERA of 2.40, and a Whip of 1.01. All of that looks nice -- and again, the control is extremely strong. Unfortunately, the step up from Single-A to the majors is a huge one, and it may not be fair to expect extended positive results from Mejía when thrust into that type of scenario.  He looks to have the potential to be a rotation piece down the line but isn't recommended in the short-term -- especially when facing teams with veteran-laden lineups.
2019 STATS: Jupiter (A): 5 g, 4 gs, 0-1, 2.28 ERA, 23.2 IP, 1.9 Ctl, 4.2 Cmd, 8.0 Dom, 2 HR, .176 oppBA
Clinton (A): 13 g, 10 gs, 5-1, 2.03 ERA, 66.2 IP, 2.6 Ctl, 3.6 Cmd, 9.2 Dom, 4 HR, .176 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Spot starter
POTENTIAL: #4 Starter
RATING: 7C

Ryan Castellani (RHP, COL)
Castellani was a second round pick by the Rockies way back in 2014, and after a slow and steady rise through the minors he will finally be making his major league debut in 2020. The results haven't always been great, as for his career he holds a 3.2 Ctl, 7.3 Dom, and 4.80 ERA. Still, he checks in as Colorado's No. 10 prospect (linked below). He has four useful pitches that includes a low-90s FB, a CU that shows promise, and a SL and CB that are works in progress. All in all, his profile doesn't look great considering he'll be pitching in Colorado, and as such his fantasy outlook is marginal.
2019 STATS: Albuquerque (AAA): 10 g, 10 gs, 2-5, 8.31 ERA, 43.1 IP, 6.2 Ctl, 1.6 Cmd, 9.8 Dom, 14 HR, .293 oppBA
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 10 on Colorado's Organization Report
CURRENT ROLE: Spot starter
POTENTIAL: #4 Starter
RATING: 7C

 

August 7, 2020

José De León (RHP, CIN)
De León was a top prospect with the Dodgers back in 2016/2017 before undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing all of 2018. He put up some decent stats with the Rays organization in 2019 during his first season back. His Dom shined at while at Triple-A and then during a brief cup of coffee with Tampa, but he gave up too many walks overall -- something that is often the case for pitchers when returning from elbow surgery. His FB once sat in the mid/upper 90s, but it has yet to regain that same velocity. He also features a solid CU and an average SL. He's now with the Reds, so what does the future hold for De León? Our advice: keep your eye on the radar gun. If he can recover those missing 5+ mph on his FB as his arm continues to regain its feel for pitching, then good things could follow. Until/unless that happens, though, he will work in middle relief and doesn't offer much fantasy upside.
2019 STATS: Tampa Bay (AL): 3 g, 0 gs, 1-0, 2.25 ERA, 4 IP, 6.8 Ctl, 2.3 Cmd, 15.8 Dom, 2 HR, .188 oppBA
Durham (AAA): 17 g, 13 gs, 2-1, 3.51 ERA, 51.1 IP, 4.7 Ctl, 2.7 Cmd, 12.8 Dom, 4 HR, .219 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: #5 Starter/swingman
RATING: 6B

 

August 6, 2020

Génesis Cabrera (LHP, STL)
Big-time arm-speed guy reaches the majors without a clearly defined future. 6’2” and 180 pounds, the wiry Dominican has operated as a starter in his time in the minors, coming over from the Rays in the Tommy Pham (OF, SD) deal. Cabrera’s fastball is plus plus, touching 99 in the pen and sitting 95 as a starter. It gets on hitters in a hurry due to deception and violence in the 23-year-old’s delivery. There’s an above-average breaking ball in here and a firm change-up that plays to average due to the delta off the fastball, and it’s an effective pitch against right-handers. Cabrera’s issue is control and he has a history of really uncorking them when he’s off. The wildness has improved up the ladder, but it’s still way too heavy for him to last in the rotation, and why many scouts peg him as bullpen bound. Indeed, that’s where St. Louis put him upon his debut last season, but they still view him as a rotation piece where he’d be a low mid-rotation guy with a lot of risk and poor ratios. In the bullpen, his wildness isn’t as big of an issue and gives him true closer upside based on that 70-grade fastball. St. Louis’ staff is in big time flux so it’s unclear where Cabrera ends up, but he’s an option to pitch in any role for the Cardinals right now.
2019 STATS: St. Louis (NL) — 13 g, 0-2, 4.87 ERA, 20.1 IP, 1 Sv, 4.9 Ctl, 8.4 Dom, 1.7 Cmd, 2 HR, .274 oppBA, 1.67 WHIP
Memphis (AAA) — 20 g, 5-6, 5.91 ERA, 99.0 IP, 3.5 Ctl, 9.6 Dom, 2.7 Cmd, 20 HR, .276 oppBA, 1.48 WHIP
OTHER COVERAGE: 2020 Cardinals No. 8 Prospect
CURRENT ROLE: Spot starter/Multi-inning reliever/Setup reliever/Closer
POTENTIAL: Closer
RATING: 8D

Roel Ramírez (RHP, STL)
Originally drafted and developed as a starter by Tampa Bay, who selected him in the 8th round in 2013, the Cardinals put him in the bullpen following acquiring him in the Tommy Pham (OF, SD) trade and has seen his stock rise. A sturdy 6’0” and 235 pounds, Ramirez’s fastball has natural cut and grades as plus. His command of the pitch is still spotty, and he’ll need to improve here to reach upside, but he’s come along way quickly since his move. There’s also a slider and splitter in here, both hovering around average-to-above-average, and he knows how to mix and match them from his starting days. The 25-year-old Ramirez has the kind of stuff to work in leverage, and he also can give them multiple innings, with the organization having him pitch more than 1 inning in 21 of his 38 relief appearances last season. With multiple players down after COVID-19 hit the clubhouse, Ramirez could see game action right away and could pitch his way into remaining if he continues to bring above-average stuff.
6-0, 235, 25, 2013 (8, TB) 2019 STATS: Memphis (AAA) — 2 g, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 3.0 IP, 3.0 Ctl, 15.0 Dom, 5.0 Cmd, 0 HR, .000 oppBA, 0.33 WHIP
Springfield (AA) — 41 g, 5-3, 4.98 ERA, 72.1 IP, 3.6 Ctl, 10.0 Dom, 2.8 Cmd, 6 HR, .276 oppBA, 1.45 WHIP
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Setup reliever/Multi-inning reliever
RATING: 7D

Max Schrock (2B, STL)
All of the 5’9”, 185-pound Schrock’s value is wholly predicated on reaching average utility with the stick, as anything south of that and there’s no carrying tool to buoy a major league profile. Defensively, the 25-year-old is average at the keystone, fielding the position well but with a light arm that says the 3B experiment last year probably isn’t a long term solution, nor does the bat really project well there. Schrock has excellent plate discipline and contact skills, but there’s basically no power and very little usable speed. Further, and what has complicated the profile, is that Schrock has struggled at the Triple-A level. Yes, he does have an overall .300 BA & .354 OBP throughout his minor league career, but he’s been substandard for Triple-A Memphis: a .260/.324/.350 slash line over 682 AB and two seasons now. Yes, there’s contact ability, but Schrock hasn’t been hittin’ ‘em where they ain’t now for two years, and things don’t portend to get less effective in terms of the defense and pitching he’ll face in the majors. Were the defensive ability better, you could see some burn as a backup giving more time for him to figure it out, but as he’s merely fringe-average, if the bat stays light like this, he’s not even a backup. There’s a chance he’s a fix away from returning to a .300/.350 batter, at which point there’s real starter utility in the package, but that light is growing dimmer by the day. Schrock is a taxi guy who is up so long as their other options remain on COVID protocol.
2019 STATS: Memphis (AAA) — 265 AB, .275/.366/.381, 20 2b, 1 3b, 2 HR, 0.76 EYE, 12 SB
CURRENT ROLE: Backup 2B
POTENTIAL: Starting 2B
RATING: 7D

Zach McKinstry (2B, LA)
Swing change alert. This 33rd round selection in 2016 (who did get a $100K bonus so it was partly a commitment slide) hit all of 11 HR in his first two professional seasons. Now 6’0” and 180 pounds, McKinstry tacked on a bunch of good weight, adjusted his grip and swing path, and had a breakout season across two levels, ending with 24 doubles, 6 triples, 19 HR and a .300/.366/.516 slash. The 25-year-old played every position sans 1B and C for Double-A Tulsa and did the same for Triple-A Oklahoma City excluding RF. With a 50-grade hit tool, McKinstry has positioned himself as a guy who could stick around a long time as a utility player. His speed is marginal, but he has the requisite range and arm to man multiple positions and a stick that makes him not an offensive liability as a sub. You’d like to see slightly better defensive proficiency out of a super utility guy, but McKinstry is a hard worker who has moved fast, and has the kind of set that eeks its way into a 2nd-division starting role, but that’s not who the Dodgers are. With rosters shrinking, it’s unlikely he stays up long, but this is a profile that should be able to hang around as a plug in for more than a minute.
2019 STATS: Oklahoma City (AAA) — 89 AB, .382/.421/.753, 8 2b, 2 3b, 7 HR, 0.33 EYE
Tulsa (AA) — 341 AB, .279/.352/.455, 16 2b, 4 3b, 12 HR, 0.50 EYE, 8 SB
CURRENT ROLE: Utility fielder
POTENTIAL: Utility fielder
RATING: 6B

Daniel Castano (LHP, MIA)
A proverbial throw-in piece in the Marcell Ozuna (OF, ATL) trade with St. Louis, Castano has figured out the formula a pitcher needs to make the majors with a sub-90 mph fastball. 6’3” and 231 pounds, Castano uses 70-grade command of a bunch of fringe-average-to-solid-average stuff to keep hitters off balance. He has a high-80s fastball with natural sink, a looping curve, and his change-up is his best pitch with two-plane break and arm-side run. Further, the 25-year-old lives almost exclusively low in the zone, so the contact made against him rarely leaves the park, let alone the infield. Castano can put his pitches where he wants them and it makes the whole profile play up despite below-average velocity. The problem remains that major league hitters tend to figure this profile out after seeing it a few times, and there’s no more tricks after that, so in order to project in the rotation, he will need to find a whole other gear on his fastball, or the ceiling here is realistically a mop-up, multi-inning lefty reliever. Castano still bears watching in the event of a grade bump and added velocity—stranger things have happened and he’s still only 25—as the profile would really tick up with his plus plus command. Miami is having a lot of issues, so it’s not out of the realm that he could see a spot start, but it’s likely he only gets time in low leverage having no experience above Double-A.
2019 STATS: Jacksonville (AA) — 18 g, 7-2, 3.35 ERA, 86.0 IP, 1.7 Ctl, 7.6 Dom, 4.6 Cmd, 2 HR, oppBA, 1.14 WHIP
Jupiter (A+) — 12 g, 0-2, 3.82 ERA, 33.0 IP, 1.9 Ctl, 8.5 Dom, 4.4 Cmd, 2 HR, oppBA, 1.21 WHIP
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever/Spot starter
POTENTIAL: #5 starter/Swingman
RATING: 6B

Scott Blewett (RHP, KC)
The 56th overall selection in the 2014 draft, the Royals had visions of a No. 2 starter in the majors. The 6’6”, 245-pound, native New Yorker was touching 94 with his fastball out Baker High School and was showing a solid breaker before the Royals gave him $1.8 million, in the hopes he’d eventually develop a dependable change-up and command. Seven years on and the dependable off-speed pitch and overall command has remained elusive and tumbled the 24-year-old’s stock to that of an innings-eating reliever who isn’t projecting towards leverage. Blewett has tinkered with his delivery to try and take better advantage of his length, and he showed some promise in the AFL in 2018, but has just not been able to find that magic during the regular season. His line last year at Triple-A Omaha was fairly brutal: 8.52 ERA, 6.2 Dom, 1.2 Cmd, .333 oppBA, and 24 HR over 81.1 IP. Absent finding that AFL magic again, the profile looks fairly empty and one that needs a lot more stewing than 80 miserable innings at the Triple-A level. Blewett is still young, and there’s still time, but without a dependable third pitch, nor a premium 1-2 combo that he land, it’s hard to see where he plays.
2019 STATS: Omaha (AAA) — 18 g, 5-8, 8.52 ERA, 81.1 IP, 5.1 Ctl, 6.2 Dom, 1.2 Cmd, 24 HR, .333 oppBA, 1.98 WHIP
Northwest Arkansas (AA) — 5 g, 1-3, 3.55 ERA, 25.1 IP, 2.8 Ctl, 12.1 Dom, 4.3 Cmd, 2 HR, .221 oppBA, 1.15 WHIP
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Long reliever/Spot starter
RATING: 6C

 

August 5, 2020

Luis Patiño (RHP, SD)
Patiño is proof of why paying attention to off-season instructs can yield huge dividends. 6’1” and 192 pounds, the 20-year-old engendered little fanfare as a newly converted shortstop throwing mid-80s as a 2017 J2 international free agent who signed for $130K. He was more advanced than anticipated in his debut in the Dominican Republic and moved stateside after just four appearances. Patiño ended the 2017 season for the AZL Padres with a 2.48 ERA, 9.7 Dom, and .213 oppBA over 40.0 IP. Despite this, there was scant coverage on the athletic, yet slightly-undersized hurler. However, Patiño wowed at instructs prior to the 2018 season, showing a lightning quick arm and some added good weight. His fastball velocity moved into the low-to-mid 90s with exceptional life, alongside both of his breaking balls looking considerably improved. Ever since that point, Patiño has wowed, highlighted by his 1.2 perfect innings in the 2019 Futures game in which he struck out Ronaldo Hernández (C, TB), Royce Lewis (SS, MIN), and Jo Adell (OF, LAA) while hitting 99 on the radar. The fastball now ticks to nearly plus-plus, an offering that has devastating cut without velocity loss that sits mid-90s. Patiño’s slider was the breaking ball San Diego had him focus on, and it’s now also a plus offering coming in high-80s with plus tilt and bite. Both pitches are true swing-and-miss offerings, and while the change-up lags, it’s already an average offering that he could get to above-average in time, while the curveball is still there but no longer a featured pitch. Patiño’s delivery is repeatable and athletic, and he imparts a high leg lift like his opposite-armed counterpart MacKenzie Gore (LHP, SD), though without maintaining the full leg extension. Due to the natural cutting action of his fastball, Patiño is difficult to square up, and has given up only 7 HR in 234.0 professional IP. This is a near ace-level pitcher who can hold velocity deep into games, and if the change-up doesn't take another step, has easy closer upside. There’s still refinement on the fastball command here alongside the change, and his control is still in a manageable zone but tickling near problematic, but it’s difficult to find a scout who isn’t bullish that the young Colombian will iron these wrinkles out. Patiño has been announced in the bullpen, and without any action above the Double-A level, it might be prudent to ease him into action, but he very quickly could slide into a starting role. Big, big buy.
2019 STATS: Amarillo (AA) — 2 g, 0-0, 1.17 ERA, 7.2 IP, 4.7 Ctl, 11.7 Dom, 2.5 Cmd, 0 HR, .258 oppBA, 1.57 WHIP
Lake Elsinore (A+) — 18 g, 6-8, 2.69 ERA, 87.0 IP, 3.5 Ctl, 11.7 Dom, 3.3 Cmd, 4 HR, .192 oppBA, 1.09 WHIP
OTHER COVERAGE: 2020 BHQ100 No. 34 Overall Prospect, 2020 Padres No. 3 Prospect
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever/Starting pitcher
POTENTIAL: #2 starter/Closer
RATING: 9D

Monte Harrison (CF, MIA)
Harrison's skillset is one heavily coveted by the Marlins—a tremendous amount of tools sans the hit, which the organization clearly believes they can teach (though with spotty recent results). Six-foot-three and 225 pounds, Harrison is one of the most athletic players in all of baseball, and was a standout Division 1 wide receiver recruit that the Brewers signed away from his commitment to Nebraska with a $1.8 million bonus in 2014. Part of a massive package that netted Milwaukee Christian Yelich (OF, MIL) in 2018, Harrison has 60+ grades on his raw power, speed, glove, and arm tools, buoying what is a well-below-average hit tool. There are a glut of these kind of OF in Miami’s system, which recently have had a fairly massive flameout rate. Put simply, Miami has not been able to manifest any significant movement on these highly tooled, yet highly flawed players. Harrison's case, though, does contain some positives. He was asked to work on plate discipline last year, and while a 30% K% may not seem impressive, it was a marked improvement from his 37% the year before. The pronounced leg kick is reduced and makeup reports indicate that Harrison will put in the work to continue to improve, though it's clear that he’ll always struggle with some swing-and-miss. Further, Harrison has All-Star level defensive tools, and his arm grades a solid 70. His ability to play all three outfield spots says he’ll get plenty of burn, but there’s some risk he struggles like the player he’s very much like and was traded alongside, Lewis Brinson (OF, MIA). If Harrison ever figures it out with the stick, he’s a monster, but until then consider him a highly volatile stock. With Miami getting nailed by COVID-19, Harrison immediately has a starting role and should see plenty of playing time.
2019 STATS: New Orleans (AAA) — 215 AB, .274/.357/.451, 7 2b, 2 3b, 9 HR, 0.34 EYE, 20 SB
OTHER COVERAGE: 2020 BHQ100 No. 99 Overall Prospect, 2020 Marlins No. 7 Prospect
CURRENT ROLE: Starting CF
POTENTIAL: Starting CF
RATING: 8D

James Kaprielian (RHP, OAK)
Kaprielian was a first-round sign in 2015 by the Yankees, taken sixteenth overall and ahead of current standouts like Walker Buehler (RHP, LA) and Mike Soroka (RHP, ATL). There were significant questions about his fastball at signing, and here five years later, those concerns remain. Sx-foot-three and 225 pounds, the 26-year-old has had a bevy of ailments that have kept him out for a significant amount of time: flexor-tendon strain wiped out all of 2016, UCL strain during spring training the following year requiring Tommy John, and then recurring bouts of shoulder soreness in both 2018 and 2019 during rehab causing shutdowns. It’s been a long road back, including being packaged in a trade for Sonny Gray (RHP, CIN) and as a result, Kaprielian’s fastball currently works as a below average pitch, sitting 92 and relatively straight. It was higher pre-surgery, and as velocity takes a bit to come back, there’s a chance it could return. The slider and change-up are his primary secondaries, both average-to-above-average pitches that Kaprielian was hesitant to go to upon return. It’s unlikely at this point that he gets back any frontline luster he had, instead having to work as a finesse guy who lives in and around the zone. He’s up as a replacement for Jordan Weems (RHP, OAK) and likely works in lower leverage, with the ability to provide multiple innings. He still has a mid-rotation projection, but the risk is very high due to his propensity for injury. Ultimately, he may fit better in a relief role.
2019 STATS: Las Vegas (AAA) — 1 g, 0-0, 2.25 ERA, 4.0 IP, 0.0 Ctl, 13.5 Dom, NULL Cmd, 0 HR, .333 oppBA, 1.50 WHIP
Midland (AA) — 7 g, 2-1, 1.63 ERA, 27.2 IP, 2.6 Ctl, 8.5 Dom, 3.3 Cmd, 2 HR, .186 oppBA, 0.94 WHIP
Stockton (A+) — 11 g, 2-2, 4.46 ERA, 36.1 IP, 2.0 Ctl, 10.7 Dom, 5.4 Cmd, 6 HR, .250 oppBA, 1.18 WHIP
OTHER COVERAGE: 2020 Athletics No. 14 Prospect
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever/Long reliever/Spot starter
POTENTIAL: #3 starter
RATING: 8D

Joey Gerber (RHP, SEA)
Gerber has reliever written all over him. He’s got a jerky, max-effort delivery and hides the ball until late, causing difficulty for hitters in picking up what he’s throwing. Six-foot-four and 215 pounds, Gerber’s fastball gets plus-plus grades with heavy spin and ideal axis. The pitch sits around 96 mph, but the delivery makes it all the more difficult to handle. Gerber backs that up with a plus slider that he’s learning how to land in the zone better instead of exclusively being a chase pitch, giving him solid leveraged upside in the pen. At issue is the 23-year-old’s command, as he has trouble repeating his delivery and landing in line on a consistent basis. The stuff is so good that he can get away with fringe-average command, and he did improve his control rate from 4.2 at high Single-A Modesto to a 2.8 rate at Double-A Arkansas last year. How well he improves will dictate his usage, and if he can push his control grade, there could be closer potential.
2019 STATS: Arkansas (AA) — 19 g, 1-2, 1.59 ERA, 22.2 IP, 2.8 Ctl, 11.9 Dom, 4.3 Cmd, 2 HR, .247 oppBA, 1.24 WHIP
Modesto (A+) — 25 g, 0-2, 3.46 ERA, 26.0 IP, 8 Sv, 4.2 Ctl, 13.5 Dom, 3.3 Cmd, 0 HR, .185 oppBA, 1.12 WHIP
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Setup reliever
RATING: 7D

Huascar Ynoa (RHP, ATL)
Ynoa is at a crossroads in his career as he’s reached the highest level. The 6’2”, 220-pound Dominican has the repertoire and tools to operate in a starting role, but lacks the results that indicate he’ll work there in the bigs. His fastball sits mid-90s and can hit 99 in relief and grades as a plus pitch. There’s also a slurvey breaking ball that can flash plus but more sits as an average pitch, as well as a lesser used change-up that also garners average grades. Despite swing-and-miss stuff, the 22-year-old has been far too hittable, leading to high ERA and oppBA rates all the way up. He further gave up 14 HR for Triple-A Gwinnett last year and regularly hits 4.0+ in control rates, leading many scouts to think Ynoa is destined for the pen. There he would not require pinpoint control and could let loose to work as a power fastball/slider guy. There’s ample leverage here in the profile, but it’s likely he needs more Triple-A seasoning as he was absolutely lit up in his major league debut. Ynoa will likely be eased into action in low leverage.
2019 STATS: Atlanta (NL) — 2 g, 0-0, 18.00 ERA, 3.0 IP, 3.0 Ctl, 9,0 Dom, 3.0 Cmd, 1 HR, .400 oppBA, 2.33 WHIP
Gwinnett (AAA) — 17 g, 3-5, 5.33 ERA, 72.2 IP, 4.2 Ctl, 9.8 Dom, 2.3 Cmd, 14 HR, .275 oppBA, 1.57 WHIP
Mississippi (AA) — 6 g, 1-2, 5.27 ERA, 13.2 IP, 1 Sv, 3.3 Ctl, 9.9 Dm, 3.0 Cmd, 2 HR, .298 oppBA, 1.61 WHIP

Florida (A+) — 3 g, 0-1, 3.27 ERA, 11.0 IP, 4.9 Ctl, 13.1 IP, 2.7 Cmd, 0 HR, .233 oppBA, 1.46 WHIP
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Setup reliever
RATING: 7D

Brian O’Grady (1B/OF, TAM)
A $10K, money-saving, senior sign in the 8th in 2014 by the Reds, O’Grady has persevered and outplayed his tools to breakout last season for Triple-A Louisville and earn his major league debut. O’Grady, at 6’2” and 215 pounds, has three above-average tools in his raw power, speed, and arm, giving him the ability to cover all three OF spots. The hit tool is rough, though he pushed it last season to the tune of a career-best .280/.359/.550 line, alongside 30 doubles and 28 HR. Those numbers were certainly aided by the new ball, but O’Grady clearly pushed things in the right direction. The speed is also not only limited to defensive utility, but on the base paths, as the 28-year-old swiped 20 bags last season and could slip into a few in a backup role, which is where his skillset projects. Grady is up as outfield depth while Manuel Margot (OF, TAM) is away from the team following the passing of his father, and will likely head back to the training site upon Margot’s return.
2019 STATS: Cincinnati (NL) — 42 AB, .190/.292/.429, 2 2b, 1 3b, 2 HR, 0.24 EYE
Louisville (AAA) — 429 AB, .280/.359/.550, 30 2b, 1 3b, 28 HR, 0.38 EYE, 20 SB
CURRENT ROLE: Backup OF
POTENTIAL: Backup OF/1B
RATING: 6C

Brady Lail (RHP, CHW)
Lail’s Call-up piece from 2019 (found under his News section in PlayerLink) covers the 26-year-old’s history and repertoire. Improved fastball command and velocity moved Lail from organizational depth to a potential major league bullpen piece last year, though he ultimately stumbled again. It was a tale of two separate realities last season, as he dominated at Double-A Trenton over 31.0 IP but then was pounded at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre over 15.2 IP, his fifth season pitching at that level, before his uneventful single appearance for the Yankees. Lail elected for free agency after being designated for assignment and signed a minor league contract with the White Sox this offseason. There’s still the potential for low-leverage work here, but he’ll have to figure out a way to be less hittable at the highest level with average stuff, otherwise he’s organizational depth.
2019 STATS: New York (AL) — 1 g, 0-0, 10.13 ERA, 2.2 IP, 3.4 Ctl, 6.8 Dom, 2.0 Cmd, 1 HR, .222 oppBA, 1.13 WHIP
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA) — 11 g, 1-1, 7.47 ERA, 15.2 IP, 1.7 Ctl, 9.8 Dom, 5.7 Cmd, 3 HR, .297 oppBA, 1.40 WHIP
Trenton (AA) — 14 g, 3-1, 1.74 ERA, 31.0 IP, 1 Sv, 3.5 Ctl, 13.6 Dom, 3.9 Cmd, 1 HR, .167 oppBA, 0.97 WHIP
Tampa (A+) — 1 g, 0-0, 6.75 ERA, 2.2 IP, 0.0 Ctl, 10.1 Dom, NULL Cmd, 1 HR, .357 oppBA, 1.88 WHIP
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Middle reliever
RATING: 6C

 

August 4, 2020

Jo Adell (OF, LAA)
He's just 21 years old, but many feel Jo Adell is the best minor league prospect not named Wander Franco. Standing 6'3" and weighing 215-pounds, Adell has great baseball tools. A former 1st-round pick out of high school back in 2017, Adell has been moving up levels quickly. Pick a skill, and Adell has it. You want power, he's got power, though more game power should be on the way. You want speed, he'll give you that too. How about a plus glove in the outfield, and yes, Adell has that covered too. Want a decent batting average with all of the above, and Adell says that's also covered, as long as the strikeouts don't get excessive in the short run. 9B prospects don't appear every day, so for however long Adell gets to play this time, let's enjoy it and look forward to the day when he gets to regularly share the outfield with Trout. In 2019 he went up three levels to Triple-A, showing good skills other than his power in Triple-A, but it came after a terrific run in Double-A. So while he might take a while to adjust to major league pitching, scouts agree that he will do just that and become an elite player in time. Now we get to see that journey begin.
2019 STATS: Salt Lake (AAA) – 121 AB, .264/.321/.355, 11 2B, 0 HR, 0.23 Eye, 1 SB
Mobile (AA) – 159 AB, .308/.390/.553, 15 2B, 8 HR, 0.46 Eye, 6 SB
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 2 on the BHQ Top 100; No. 1 on Angels Organizational Report
CURRENT ROLE: Starting OF
POTENTIAL: Starting OF
RATING: 9B

Jorge Guzman (RHP, MIA)
Joining a Miami Marlins team looking for healthy players is 24-year-old Jorge Guzman who will help in the bullpen. A starter in the minors, right now in Miami it's all hands on deck, so he could be used in a variety of ways. The 6'1", 246-pound right-hander has been taking it a level per year while moving from the Astros organization to the Yankees and then to the Marlins' system. Guzman had a terrific 2017 in short-season A-ball Staten Island with an 11.9 Dom and 2.4 Ctl. Since then the strikeout rate has backed up and the walk rate has risen. Guzman leads with his FB, an upper-90s offering with late action. It's a plus pitch that he has used to get strikeouts. His next-best pitch is what is now a slider in the upper-80s with two-plane break. His change-up is behind the others. However, since his results as a starter have regressed in recent years, a career in the pen is more likely. Then his FB could possibly reach triple digits and he could be a force in the back of the pen. Whatever his future, his current role is wherever a healthy body is needed.
2019 STATS: Jacksonville (AAA) – 5g, 1gs, 0-1, 7.36 ERA, 11.0 IP, 4.1 Ctl, 7.4 Dom, 1.8 Cmd, 4 HR, .317 oppBA, 1.636 WHIP
Lehigh Valley (AAA) – 19g, 19gs, 5-7, 4.40 ERA, 94.0 IP, 3.4 Ctl, 7.9 Dom, 2.4 Cmd, 16 HR, .232 oppBA, 1.234 WHIP
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 11 on Marlins Organizational Report
CURRENT ROLE: Bullpen depth
POTENTIAL: Closer
RATING: 8D

Eddy Alvarez (SS, MIA)
While Miguel Rojas recovers from COVID-19, the Marlins have called up Eddy Alvarez to help out at shortstop. Signed by the White Sox after his silver-medal winning short track Olympic performance in the 2014 Winter Games, he was traded to the Marlins organization before the 2019 season. The 30-year-old rookie stands just 5'9" and weighs 185 pounds, but his athletic bona fides are obvious. With a career OPS just under .800, he has actually done fairly well on the baseball diamond. He really jumped forward in production with his new organization, and put up a great batting line and career high power, albeit in the offense-fueled Pacific Coast League. He has barely double-digit power, but he has stolen as many as 53 bases in a season, and should easily be able to get 15 or 20 if called upon in a full season. He has covered shortshop and 2B, but also some games at 3B, so he has versatility in that area. He's not a top prospect, and he's old for a rookie, but he has produced, we know he's athletic, and now he gets his first chance to play in the majors.
2019 STATS: New Orleans (AAA) – 235 AB, .323/.407/.570, 18 2B, 12 HR, 0.57 Eye, 12 SB
CURRENT ROLE: Starting SS
POTENTIAL: Starting SS
RATING: 7C

Mark Mathias (2B, MIL)
Needing some infield depth, the Brewers called up 26-year-old Mark Mathias to serve as a utility infielder. The 6'0", 200-pound Mathias primarily plays 2B and 3B, but he can cover SS and 1B as well, making him a good utility bat for the bench. Coming over from Cleveland for whom he spent parts of three seasons at Double-A before finally moving to Columbus in 2019, he put up a decent .269/.355/.442 line there, which is higher than his career batting line. He has some pop in his bat, and he can steal a base here and there, so if he got full-time play he is capable of a 12/15 type of season. He has a decent batting eye too, so he can help the team with the stick to some degree when called upon. Mostly he will be called upon to provide good defensive backup help.
2019 STATS: Columbus (MLB) – 412 AB, .269/.355/.442, 31 2B, 12 HR, 0.56 Eye, 13 SB
CURRENT ROLE: Utility INF
POTENTIAL: Utility INF
RATING: 6C

Enyel De Los Santos (RHP, PHI)
Filling in the roster spot for Reggie McClain, 24-year-old Enyel De Los Santo may not be up for long. But he's been with the Phillies for seven games in 2018 and five more games in 2019, so he should be back soon enough if he does go down. A 6'3", 235-pound right-handed starter in the minors, he is likely to wind up in the bullpen long term for the Phillies, where he could be a solid middle reliever. That would let him rely on his FB/CU combo, the only two pitches he has that are average. A two-pitch starter can work in the minors, and he's done a decent job doing that, but in the majors it won't lead to long-term success. A career 8.1 Dom in the minors (and 7.2 so far in the majors) means he won't be a strikeout guy, more of a pitch to contact reliever. Then it will be up the defense to determine how successful he becomes.
2019 STATS: Philadelphia (MLB) – 5g, 1gs, 0-1, 7.36 ERA, 11.0 IP, 4.1 Ctl, 7.4 Dom, 1.8 Cmd, 4 HR, .317 oppBA, 1.636 WHIP
Lehigh Valley (AAA) – 19g, 19gs, 5-7, 4.40 ERA, 94.0 IP, 3.4 Ctl, 7.9 Dom, 2.4 Cmd, 16 HR, .232 oppBA, 1.234 WHIP
CURRENT ROLE: Bullpen depth
POTENTIAL: Middle reliever
RATING: 7A

Ali Sánchez (C, NYM)
In need of a #3 catcher, the Mets called up 23-year-old Ali Sánchez to fill the role for now. Standing 6'1" and weighing 200 pounds, the right-hand hitting catcher has been slowly climbing minor league levels for six years, and reached Triple-A in 2019 for 21 games. Putting up modest numbers in his career, he is only expected to be a reserve catcher at best. He is known for his defense, his best skill overall, with a very good arm and good receiving skills. As a backup catcher, that's what you want most of all. His next best skill is his contact rate, with a career Batting Eye of 0.50 that has led to a career .259 BA. Forget power or speed with Sánchez, that's just not his game. As a backup catcher, he can draw a walk or get a single, while handling the pitchers just fine. That's all he needs. Now he gets to make his major league debut when he first hits the field.
2019 STATS: Syracuse (AAA) – 56 AB, .179/.277/.250, 4 2B, 0 HR, 0.45 Eye, 0 SB
Binghamton (AA) – 270 AB, .278/.337/.674, 13 2B, 1 HR, 0.44 Eye, 1 SB
CURRENT ROLE: 3rd catcher
POTENTIAL: Reserve C
RATING: 6C

 

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PLAYER POTENTIAL RATING
Scale of (1-10) representing a player’s upside potential

10 - Hall of Fame-type player
9 - Elite player
8 - Solid regular
7 - Average regular
6 - Platoon player
5 - Major League reserve player
4 - Top minor league player
3 - Average minor league player
2 - Minor league reserve player
1 - Minor league roster filler
 

PROBABILITY RATING
Scale of (A-E) representing the player’s realistic chances of achieving their potential

A - 90% probability of reaching potential
B - 70% probability of reaching potential
C - 50% probability of reaching potential
D - 30% probability of reaching potential
E - 10% probability of reaching potential
 

 

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