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Physical Description: Ideal
pitcher's frame. No remaining projection. Mature, filled-out
frame.
Mechanics: Mid-to-low
three-quarters arm slot. Drop and drive. Opens early with front
side. Arm sweeps behind as it comes down and up. Steps toward
right-handed hitter’s batter’s box and can get across his body.
Quick arm. High-effort delivery.
Fastball:
93-95 mph when healthy. Hard cut in on right-handers with sink.
Below-average command and control. Sat 88-91 mph in brief 2018
Spring Training look, which squared with reported 2017 velocity.
Reportedly has hit as high as 100 mph and sat in the high 90s
during college, but hasn't reached that velocity as a pro.
Potential plus pitch at velocity shown since late-2018.
Slider: 83-86 mph when healthy. Has advanced
feel for pitch. Shows tilt and bite. Can throw for strikes in
the zone and get hitters to chase out of the zone at its best.
Below-average control at present. Potential plus pitch with
refined command and control. Sat just 77-78 mph in 2018 Spring
Training.
Changeup: 84-85 mph. At its
best will show drop and run. Velocity has increased from 78-80
mph in 2019. Clear third pitch. Below-average potential.
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Career Notes: Impressed scouts
during a strong showing in the Cape Cod League in 2016, but
biceps tendinitis limited him during his junior year at Seton
Hall. Missed significant time in 2018 with back issues and a
shoulder impingement, which may have led to significantly
decreased velocity in spring training that year, but dominated
during brief return late in the season. Initially skipped High-A
to start 2019 in Double-A Portland after tremendous spring
training, but struggled badly at the level and was demoted to
Salem in May. Rebuilt his mechanics after demotion. Participated
in the Fall Instructional League in 2018 and 2019.
Summation: Maddening inconsistency and injury
issues make him difficult to project, with a wide range of
outcomes. Possible that could continue into his major league
career given the volatility of many relievers. At his best,
flashes two plus pitches in a dominant-looking power
fastball-slider combination, which would easily play in a major
league bullpen, perhaps even in the back end. However, has never
maintained that profile for very long, and his shaky,
inconsistent control and inability to stay healthy raise
significant questions about his ability to reach his ceiling,
making it difficult to project him as more than an up-and-down
reliever.
Links
Notes from the Field (5.2.2018)
Scouting Scratch (10.18.2018)
Scouting Report Update (4.14.2020) |
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