(Evaluation based on 6/13 start against AA Frisco | Pitch and Role Grades Below)

Body: Tall with solid build. Fairly mature physically — could see adding a little strength to upper 1/2 but very limited remaining projection. 

Athleticism: Fair athlete with some twitch but fringe body control.  

Delivery: Quality arm speed with a short, online arm action that creates deception. Release point variation, generally high 3/4 but often drops it lower, particularly on off-speed offerings.  Average extension down the mound with some loss of balance to his glove side on finish. Some effort, though this varies pitch-to-pitch. 

FB: Worked at 92-96, held velocity throughout his 3 inning outing, his first AA appearance of the year as he works back from injury. Shape varies dependent on release point, but at best shows quality carry through the zone — hit hard when he drops his slot. Bet on increased consistency allowing it to play above average. 

CH: Advanced feel for the pitch at 82-85. Overall movement quality can vary but frequently features above average fade, and at best shows plus 2-plane action that will create consistent swing and miss. Combination of feel and ability to flash create confidence in future plus value projection. 

CB: Thrown at 79-82 with tight, 2-plane break. Slot variation affects pitch-to-pitch movement profile, showing more drop at higher release point and greater sweep when he drops it down. Generally good feel and conservatively projecting it to average. 

SL: Worked at 85-88, not deployed often in this outing but has the makings of an above-average pitch with combination of quality velocity and solid cutting action. Shape varies — potentially throwing both a cutter and slider, but in the same velo-band and infrequent usage makes it hard to differentiate. 

Command: Showed fringe control in this outing, generally around the zone but limited touch. Variation to delivery and fringe body control create some developmental risk. That said, aggressively projecting average future command based on his simple arm stroke and potential for improvement as he progresses on his return from injury and develops more consistency to his delivery. 

Summary: Presently profiles as an innings-eating, back-end starter on a ML club. Quality depth of secondaries with a FB that will play and an out pitch in his CH. Relatively advanced look given that he recently turned 23 and is just making his return from an injury that held him out for nearly 3 months. Upside driven by advanced hand feel that could allow his secondaries to exceed their present projection as he continues to polish their shapes. Some risk to profile if his FB plays down in longer stints or if he’s unable to develop the command consistency to stick in the rotation. That said, hard to see him not carving out a role somewhere on a ML staff, and has the potential to make a meaningful impact.

FB 50/55 | CH 45/60 | CB 40/50 | SL 40/55 | CMD 35/50 

Overall: Role 5