Jason Steiner, in his debut post for Prospects Live, runs through several notable Triple-A prospects for the Durham Bulls.
Live Looks: Cape Cod League Part 1
Draft Day Scenarios - Cincinnati Reds
As part of a new series accompanying the launch of the Prospects Live Mock Draft Machine, I’ll be highlighting draft day scenarios for a number of teams. What better way to use or new tool then put it to work before July 9th rolls around. To see where to start, I took to Twitter to see what team(s) the readers wanted to see me dive into.
The readers spoke and it felt apropos that the first team I saw mentioned was the much-discussed Cincinnati Reds. Thanks to a strong, young core of players like Jonathan India, Matt McLain, Spencer Steer, Hunter Greene, and of course Elly De La Cruz; it appears the buzz around the Redlegs is only intensifying. If you sensed a theme in the names I mentioned regarding the core of the team, you were right. The middle of the infield looks to be crowded for a long, long time. Cruz, India, McLain, Steer, Arroyo, Collier, and Marte are all names who should take the majority of playing time in the middle of the diamond for the foreseeable future.
Could those influence draft day decisions this coming July? We know teams don’t typically draft for Major League positional needs, but in a draft with strong frontline college pitching and stout prep outfielders; you have to wonder if the Cincy decision-makers sense a window creaking open and look to seize the opportunity. No matter what avenue they choose, the picks at hand offer plenty of intrigue.
Let’s set the scene on what the Reds have in this draft, specifically the first five rounds:
Picks:
7th overall ($6,275,200)
38th overall ($2,255,100)
43rd overall ($1,998,200)
74th overall ($975,100)
105th overall ($640,300)
141st overall ($451,100)
Overall, the Reds have the sixth-highest available bonus pool in the league, totaling $13,785,200. So what would likely scenarios be?
Scenario #1
In this simulation, things end up working out on the chalky side. The top five players on the Prospects Live Draft Board get selected in succession to each other, while the Oakland Athletics serve as a bit of a wildcard. Being in a situation where it looks as if they are a few years from playing competitive baseball, they aim for a high-upside, middle-of-the-diamond player in Arjun Nimmala. This allows the Reds to have their choice of the litter in regard to players like Dollander, Lowder, Teel, Meyer, Gonzalez, and Wilson.
As you can see, acting as the decision maker here, I chose Kyle Teel and paid him the full slot value. Teel is one of the premier college bats in this class, a pure athlete who gets high marks behind the plate. Some even say he plays catcher like a shortstop, which points towards a profile that stays behind the dish. Beyond that, you’re simply buying a high-level bat. A .418/.484/.673 slash line should tell you all you need to know.
Later in the draft, we are able to catch one of the prep shortstops as Adrian Santana finds his way down to pick No. 38. Feels as if with the amount of high-level prep SS in this class that one is bound to slip just a touch. We’re able to reign in Santana Jr. at just over slot value.
With our third selection, we are able to snag a potential frontline starter in Brandon Sproat. The stuff certainly suggests frontline, however, tweaks to the overall profile are needed. The organizational pitching infrastructure in place offers us to trust that the staff can make adjustments with Sproat and turn this into a great pick. The same can be said for Nick Maldonado who we snagged at pick No. 105 after selecting an extra high-upside prep middle infielder in Trent Caraway at 73 because you can never have enough of those. Jake Cunningham rounds out our five picks to offer just a touch of slot relief, but it’s certainly no throwaway. Cunningham possesses tools that are off the charts, putting it all together will be the test. If it clicks, we’re talking big leaguer.
Scenario #2
In this simulation, we catch a falling Max Clark. This is certainly not an outlandish happening. There's a real chance with the chaos of the MLB Draft that one of Jenkins or Clark finds their way to pick No. 7. For as long as this draft class has been talked about, Clark has been tabbed as one of, if not the best talent in the whole class. It’s an otherworldly high school stat line that includes a batting average in the .600s. Clark is more than a basher, it’s tools across the board. Speed, defense, plate discipline - Clark does it all well. Getting this type of upside at a position of need, at this type of value feels like a no-brainer for the Reds. We do have to pay a touch over-slot to make it happen but Clark feels worth it.
We find a similar profile with Colton Ledbetter at Pick No. 38. However, Ledbetter comes from the college ranks and may not have the sky-high ceiling of Clark - the profile is semi-reminiscent. Tanner Witt at pick No. 43 follows a similar path to that of Sproat and Maldonado from Scenario 1. Witt lacks the typical track record thanks to missing a large portion of 2023 due to injury but it’s a bet on the traits and pitching development infrastructure.
Wolters is a prep arm who has a major helium attached to his name right now. Up to 98 MPH, the big-bodied righty is gaining serious steam. If we’re lucky enough to see Wolters fall this far, we likely have to pay up to keep him from honoring his commitment to Arizona. We make it happen and go over-slot for Wolters but bring it back down to earth with the succeeding picks in Carson Roccaforte and Marcus Brown. A couple of guys who have seen major success at high-level college programs. Roccaforte falls in line with the Ledbetter profile and Brown is reminiscent of Trey Faltine, a fellow shortstop and Reds’ selection from 2022.
Conclusion
With the excitement level rising at the major league level, the opportunity within the 2023 Draft should offer just as much excitement for Cincinnati fans. Largely because this draft class is abnormally stout in its’ top fifty prospects. Just so happens the Reds hold three picks in the top 43. It’s an advantageous situation for a team looking to supplement an already young core. Flexibility is paramount in the chaos-filled MLB Draft. Reds’ brass will have plenty of that.
Who do you think the Reds should target at No. 7?
Top 100 Prospects - June Update ($)
Live Looks: Kentucky @ Tennessee 05/12
This Week in Baseball Cards - 6/12 - 6/18
Live Looks #6: May and SEC Tournament Play Notes
As the spring turned to summer, top prospects stopped by to wrap up their regular and/or postseasons. From Chase Dollander to Paul Skenes, Dylan Crews to Kyle Teel, and some million dollar arms in Hoover, I went on the road to fill out the rest of my notebook and put a stamp on my 2023 coverage. Enjoy!
Double-A Live Look: Roughriders @ Travelers
2023 Bowman - 1st Trimester Report Cards
2023 Topps Series 2: Product Preview
ACC Tournament Live Looks: Pool A
The ACC Tournament has come and gone, and while we are in the midst of the always fun regional play in the NCAA Tournament, it’s time for Tyler and Harris to share their thoughts on an eventful week in Durham.
The rain did hamper the final two days of the tournament for us, so all of these blurbs will be from games during pool play. We’ll start with Pool A, which featured Wake Forest, Notre Dame, and Pittsburgh. Wake Forest will dominate this piece, mainly because they’re the most talented team in the ACC, but Notre Dame and Pittsburgh will get some recognition, especially in the honorable mentions. Pools B, C, and D will follow in the coming days.
RHP Rhett Lowder, wake forest (No. 12 on Top 400, 164 DIGS+)
Line: 7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K (105 Pitches)
The two-time ACC Pitcher of the Year continues to prove again and again why he’s a first-rounder in this cycle.
The start got off to a bit of a rough beginning, as Lowder allowed three doubles in the first two innings of his outing. He hung a change-up to Sky Duff in the first, which was followed by Noah Martinez jumping on an inside fastball. The third double would come off a middle-middle fastball to Justin Acal, but after that, Lowder would not allow another baserunner past second base. He did open the fourth with two walks and hit a batter in the sixth, but outside of those mistakes, Lowder mowed down the Pitt lineup.
He’s very much still the same arm that he’s been all year, even with a ton of innings on the arm. He topped out at 96 MPH in the first inning and would hold 92-95 MPH throughout the whole outing, still touching 94 MPH in the seventh. He had two fastball variants, a four-seam and a two-seam, though he primarily used the two-seam to generate groundballs. The slider is much improved from 2022, now sitting comfortably in the mid-80s with impressive spin and consistent two-plane break, becoming his primary strikeout pitch. The change-up still has the patented abrupt fade in the mid-to-upper 80s, comfortably pitching inside to righties with it. At this point, it’s not otherworldly to say that he has two plus off-speed pitches. In all likelihood, Lowder has cemented himself as the second-best collegiate arm in this class, only behind LSU’s Paul Skenes. He’ll be a hot commodity in the back half of the top ten.
1b nick kurtz, wake forest (No. 9 on 2024 Top 100, 173 bags+)
Line: 3-7, 2 HR, 3 BB, 0 K
We’ve talked about Kurtz in the past and how potent of a bat he is, and guess what, that’s not changed one bit in 2023.
The mountain of a human being that he is, Kurtz possesses some of the best juice in the entire country. He showed that off with two absolute rockets against Notre Dame, one a 117 MPH line drive to his pull-side and another that hit the berm in right-center field later on in the game. It comes very easy for Kurtz, with excellent bat speed from the left side, as well as an ability to hit for average, too. Not to forget, Kurtz has a very good approach at the plate and racks up walks aplenty. He’s relatively patient but knows when to attack. It’s pretty darn fun to watch and we still have another year to go.
While he is limited to first base, that doesn’t mean his defense is something to be ignored. It’s pretty similar to Evan White back in 2017, who was highly regarded for his defense. Kurtz has the athleticism to move well at the position and almost everyone that I’ve spoken to has said it’s some of the best first base defense they’ve ever seen. Fairly high praise, if you ask me. He backs that talk up in-game, saving errant pickoff throws and snagging everything thrown his way. He’s got a .997 fielding percentage for a reason.
What you’re looking at here is likely the best first base prospect since Andrew Vaughn, and honestly, he might be better than what Vaughn was. Of course, time will be the ultimate test as the bat must perform at that position, but given Kurtz’s entire profile, you’d be hard-pressed to bet against him excelling in the minor leagues.
3b brock Wilken, wake forest (No. 26 on top 400, 176 bags+)
Line: 4-7, 2 HR, 2 BB, 0 K
Wilken reached base 10 times through three ACC Tournament games – including two homers to add to his ACC-leading mark – but more notably, he avoided striking out throughout the week.
The six-foot-four right-hander stands with his shoulders slightly slouched and his legs straight to start, bending his knees as he gets into his load and finishing with a fairly simple uppercut swing. Wilken has spent so much of the season being overly passive, putting himself in unfavorable situations. While there isn’t a quick fix, it was encouraging to see him jump on first and second pitches on Thursday against Pitt– both of which went for extra bases. If he can jump on good pitches early while still maintaining his extremely low chase rate, he’ll be really dangerous at any level given his staggering exit velocities and ability to leave the yard at any moment.
Defensively, Wilken will never be an asset at the hot corner. The effort is typically there and he has decent hands and a strong arm, but his range is subpar and could warrant a move across the diamond. He is far from a plus runner, but he does run hard and displays the ability to take the occasional extra base. In a class that is fairly deep with college bats, Wilken stands out in the second tier and should wind up being a first rounder.
of tommy hawke, wake forest (No. 243 on top 400, 149 bags+)
Line: 4-9, 1 2B, 1 BB, 2 K
Hawke might be on the smaller side of the spectrum for a ballplayer, but he makes up for it with his play on the diamond.
He’s a sparkplug in that Wake Forest lineup, manning the top of the order with patience and solid contact rates. It’s more of a slasher mentality at the dish, spraying the ball to all fields. There’s a bit of power in his profile, but it’s nothing more than below average at best, and that’s okay. He’s never going to be a power hitter and that’s something people can live with. He can be a threat on the basepaths with quality speed, which also allows him to have solid range in center field with some impressive defense, as well. In all likelihood, Hawke can man center field until a better defender up the ranks forces him off the position, where he’d likely profile best in left field.
He’s a polarizing prospect and one that should hear his name called relatively early next month. He fits perfectly in the middle part of Day 2 at this point, and maybe there’s a chance he can go in the top five rounds when all is said and done. He is also a draft-eligible sophomore, so that’s something to consider in his profile, but nonetheless, Hawke is a gamer and has the quality tools to succeed.
of pierce bennett, wake forest (no. 361 on top 400, 127 bags+)
Line: 4-9, 1 BB, 0 K
Often the forgotten man in Wake Forest’s potent lineup, Bennett was a reliable contributor to the Demon Deacons’ pool play success– as he has been all season. The six-foot-one right-hander has a slightly open stance, employing a significant leg kick and a pretty big stride toward the pitcher. His swing is compact and geared for a gap-to-gap approach.
Bennett makes a ton of contact – he’s especially adept against offspeed – and though he sometimes gets out ahead of breaking balls, he does a good job of staying balanced and fouling them off. He doesn’t do as much damage as expected, with middling exit velocities and average over-the-fence power. Additionally, he rarely ever walks and adds little value on the bases.
Bennett moved to the outfield after spending most of his redshirt sophomore season at second base but has not stood out as a great defender in right. He is not the most fluid runner, and his routes are subpar. Plus, his fringy arm strength means second base and left field are his best options. His upside is limited due to his age, quiet toolset, and profile as a utility guy, but Bennett’s bat may be enticing enough for a late Day 2 draft selection.
RHP Seth Keener, wake forest (no. 104 on top 400, 139 digs+)
Line: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 5 K (85 Pitches)
Flip-flopping between the rotation and the bullpen this season, Keener made a name for himself as part of Wake Forest’s dominant pitching staff. He drew the start against Notre Dame in the final game of pool play after spending most of the season in the bullpen.
At six-foot-two, Keener has just an average build and unexceptional athleticism, but he explodes off the mound with a powerful delivery, making hitters’ lives difficult with good extension out of a low-three quarters arm slot. Keener has an appealing three-pitch mix, headlined by two offspeeds. His best offering is a low-80s slider with plenty of spin and good two-plane movement that generates a ton of chases. He also flashes a plus changeup, which sits in the upper-80s and disappears away from lefties. His fastball comes with solid mid-90s velocity, but it’s fairly flat and isn’t much of an out pitch. With solid command of all three offerings and significantly improved control of the zone, Keener is an intriguing draft day option for some teams willing to give him a chance as a starter.
1B noah Martinez, pitt (130 bags+)
Line: 2-7, 1 HR, 2 BB, 0 K
There’s admittedly not a ton of draft talent on Pittsburgh’s roster, but if there’s anyone to keep an eye on as a senior sign or an undrafted free agent, it’s Martinez.
A Central Connecticut State transfer, he’s a big bopper that profiles best as a first base at the next level, if he’s given the chance. He doesn’t chase a ton, though there’s a clear issue with off-speed pitches in his profile. With that said, he loves the fastball and will do damage when it’s left in the zone. Most of his power will play to his pull side, though there’s some love to the opposite field gap, too. At first base, he only made one error all year and had a .998 fielding percentage, so there’s enough there defensively. While he’s well on the older side, as he turns 24 in August, he can help a team save money if they’re aggressive early in the draft, profiling as a senior sign on Day 3.
Honorable Mentions: Zack Prajzner, Notre Dame; Justin Johnson, Wake Forest; Bennett Lee, Wake Forest; Dylan Simmons, Pitt; Sky Duff, Pitt
The Complete DSL/CPX Preview (Teaser)
Live Looks: Inland Empire 66ers @ Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 5/30
Deep Drives: Charlotte Bats and MTSU Arms
Deep Drives is back after a well-deserved break!
We’re playing a little bit of catch-up after a quick turnaround to the ACC Tournament, but I managed to take a quick trip down to Charlotte to get a look at some mid-major draft talent. Charlotte has an intriguing pair of bats, as well as a Friday night arm that is a lock to be a Day 2 selection in July, while Middle Tennessee State has a duo on the mound that could both go in the top five rounds. We’ll keep this one shorter than most, mainly because we’ve got plenty of ACC Tournament content on the way!
RHP Wyatt Hudepohl, Charlotte
Line: 7 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 10 K (100 Pitches)
A former Kentucky bullpen piece, Hudepohl sought an extended role in the transfer portal, landing in a place that’s been known for pitching development the past few years under coach Robert Woodard. Well, I’d say it’s been a beneficial relationship for both sides thus far, as Hudepohl has cemented himself as one of the best mid-major arms in this class.
What stood out pretty quickly was the level of pitchability that Hudepohl possesses. He came out of the gate very strong with two perfect innings, pitching backwards off his curveball and change-up constantly. However, once the rain began to fall harder, his command began to slip away in the third inning and he wound up giving up a home run on a hanging curve. After that? He wouldn’t allow another hit until the seventh inning. The fastball does have some carrying life, though the velocity isn’t quite there, routinely sitting in the 90-93 MPH range throughout the start. While there isn’t much separation velocity-wise to the change-up, there’s deception in Hudepohl’s delivery that makes it tough for hitters to pick up. It’s pretty firm in the high-80s, but he’s able to keep the pitch down in the zone. The curveball is his best pitch, throwing it hard in the low-to-mid 80s with serious intent and downward bite, racking up plenty of empty swings throughout Middle Tennessee’s order.
If I had to be a guessing man, Hudepohl’s future is likely in relief, which would allow his stuff to excel, though there are enough starting traits here to trot him out in a rotation at the next level. He’s able to hold his velocity rather well, though the frame suggests that there is not much projection remaining as he’s already quite bulky. That said, there are not too many warts in his delivery, as there’s not a ton of effort on the bump with an over-the-top slot. He’ll find himself a home somewhere on Day 2 and whichever team takes him will get a solid mold of clay to work with.
OF Cam Fisher, Charlotte
Line: 3-7, 1 HR, 2 BB, 0 K
I don’t know about you, but I don’t think there’s a hotter bat in the country than Cam Fisher, a former Ole Miss product that’s become a mainstay in Charlotte’s outfield.
The first thing that stands out to you when seeing Fisher is his physicality. He’s listed at 6’2”, 210 pounds, and has plenty of muscle in that frame. His stance is rather upright, similar to what Brock Wilken employs, which does make me wonder how well he’ll handle better off-speed pitches at the next level. But if there’s one thing you can’t underestimate in his profile, it’s his plus power. There’s a ton of bat speed and he generates a ton of power from the ground thanks to his bulky lower half, and he showed just that in the nightcap on Thursday. He got a fastball middle-middle and proceeded to unleash violence on the baseball, hammering it over the scoreboard in RCF and hitting the farthest ball that ballpark has seen. It would land 478 feet away and left the bat at 112 MPH, and it also gave Charlotte the lead for good. It’s a sweet swing, see it for yourself:
He’s turned in a solid defensive year in the outfield, as well. He’s not the greatest runner and his route-running could use some work, but he projects to be in left field, maybe right field if there are stark improvements. This is a profile that can ultimately crack the top 100 when all is said and done, though. It’s an offensive threat with serious power, as well as a seriously good eye, though the aforementioned contact issues are prevalent. He’s a big reason why Charlotte won the conference tournament and as a result, he’ll get to play the Tennessee Volunteers in Clemson, a team that Fisher grew up with in Knoxville.
OF Jake Cunningham, Charlotte
Line: 1-6, 3 BB, 4 K
A three-year star at Charlotte, Cunningham excelled in a breakout 2022 campaign. While his 2023 numbers aren’t as great as they were last year, there’s a ton to like about his profile.
For starters, he’s one of the youngest college prospects in this class, as he won’t turn 21 until a week before the draft. He’s a tall, lanky athlete with room to add muscle to his frame at 6’4”, 205 pounds, though he moves rather well for a guy his size. At the plate, he did struggle in the two games I managed to see, only tallying one hit before hitting a home run in the final game of the series. He’s got a solid eye, but it felt as if he was being passive at times, allowing Middle Tennessee pitchers to attack deeper into counts. He also does have some trouble with breaking balls, though I do think a team can work out that kink. While his speed hasn’t shown on the basepaths like last year, he’s still an excellent runner, consistently having plus or better run times out of the box. His speed will allow him to stay in center field long term, where he’s got solid range and defense already. The power potential is intriguing, given the projectability of his frame and the already present juice, which plays mostly to his pull side, but he has shown an ability to go the other way with his power.
If anything, Cunningham feels like a guy who can go in the top 150 picks in July. The mix of projection, offensive potential, and center field defense will give teams solid clay to work with as he continues to develop. If a team believes they can shore up the discipline and improve contact, he may move through the minors relatively quickly.
RHP Eriq swan, Middle Tennessee State
Line: 4 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 6 BB, 4 K (83 Pitches)
It’s pretty tough to come across an effortless delivery, but when you’re able to throw triple digits without breaking a sweat, scouts take notice. Eriq Swan is that prospect.
I overheard a scout during his start say, “That’s a 7 body with a 7 fastball.” I could not have said it better myself. Swan is built like a string bean, showcasing classic projection and easy motions on the bump. If there’s any sort of complaint to be made about his delivery, it’s mainly because he doesn’t utilize his lower half much, but even then, it’s loud stuff coming out of his hand. The fastball got up to 101 MPH, consistently sitting in the 97-100 MPH range throughout his start with plenty of life, though command and strike-throwing are a concern. His slider is his best secondary, showcasing sharp bite and sweep in the 82-85 MPH range that he can backfoot to lefties when he’s on. There’s a change-up in the low-90s that’s relatively firm, but he sells it well with solid arm speed. He did lose feel of the pitch at times, however. He’d end up walking six total batters, including three in a lengthy first inning. It feels like his arm plays catch up with his shoulder during his arm swing, which creates his inconsistent command.
If there’s a team who believes that they can fix the inconsistencies in his delivery and command, Swan projects as a fast-moving reliever with the capability to close in some capacity down the line. It’s a mix of loud stuff and projectability that scouts love, and I do believe Swan fits somewhere in the top five rounds in July. It’s a work in progress, but the right organizational fit will do wonders for him.
RHP Jaden Hamm, Middle Tennessee State
Line: 3.1 IP, 7 H, 8 ER, 2 BB, 6 K (86 Pitches)
Yes, that final line is not great. That’ll be the first thing that catches your eye in this segment. However, despite the lackluster start, Hamm is a very solid pitcher from a draft standpoint and there are some intriguing qualities to build on for scouts.
The delivery is unique and unorthodox, as he holds a big hip hinge down the mound and has solid arm speed from an over-the-top slot with some deception. He started off rather well, working around a single in the first with a couple of strikeouts, though as the outing went on, his command and stuff began to back up and Charlotte took advantage as a result. The fastball got up to 95 MPH early, routinely sitting 91-94 MPH with carrying life at the top of the zone and some cut. His signature pitch is his curveball, a potential hammer of a breaking ball in the high-70s/low-80s featuring a ton of depth. It’s similar to what Justin Campbell had with Oklahoma State in terms of a FB/CB combination with close to 35 inches of vertical separation, which is rather insane. He rounded out his arsenal with a decent change-up, though he did not have the greatest feel for the pitch during his outing.
Much like Swan, there’s stuff to iron out here, but I’d imagine someone like the Dodgers or Rays would love to have him in their development program. He’ll stick as a starter presently, though should the change-up not progress moving forward, I can see a pretty explosive FB/CB pairing playing very well in the bullpen. He should be someone who gives in either rounds four or five.
This Week in Baseball Cards - 5/29 - 6/4
Live Looks: Tacoma Rainiers at Albuquerque Isotopes, 5/20 Doubleheader
Seattle’s Triple-A affiliate stopped in the land of enchantment to squeeze in some baseball, when rain permitted. The plus side of that is I got to catch a doubleheader after May 19th’s game was postponed. While most of the Mariners’ top prospect talent is in Double-A Arkansas, a pair of tooled up outfielders head the Rainiers’ lineup in Cade Marlowe & Zach DeLoach.
On the Isotopes side, they’ve got a couple bats worthy of attention in Nolan Jones & Aaron Schunk and a bullpen featuring several high-octane arms, of which Riley Pint and Tommy Doyle were on display.
Cade Marlowe, CF/RF | 1-7, 2 K
Game 1 was one of those that passed Marlowe by at the dish. Dinelson Lamet and Phillips Valdez attacked the zone, got ahead early, and then didn’t leave the door open for Marlowe to attack in all three of his PAs. He sandwiched a weak groundout with two strikeouts—both swinging with one on a Lamet slider in and the other a Valdez sinker that ran away from Marlowe. Overall, Marlow logged three whiffs on 11 pitches seen.
Cade Marlowe lines out (96.3 mph EV)
Defensively, Marlowe made a pretty routine but rangy play on a 1st inning flyball to retire Yonathan Daza but was unable to make a tougher play on a would-be Nolan Jones triple in the 4th. The speed and range is quality, and Marlowe will undoubtedly be able to man center field at the next level but the expectation should be that he’s a fringe-average center field and potentially above-average to plus corner outfielder.
Game 2 saw a more involved Marlowe. He put four balls in play with three of them registering over 94 MPH off the bat. Ironically, his one hit came in much softer than that. Marlowe also only whiffed once in game 2, however he showed a reluctance to secondary pitches after struggling to read them and get quality swings off in game 1.
Speaking of Marlowe’s lone hit on the day, it came on an infield single where he bursted for a roughly 4.15 time up the line, an easily plus time. Physically, Marlowe’s size is impressive. His frame isn’t overly large but it is about maximized, meaning he’ll likely hold his speed into his late-20s. The complete picture is an intriguing blend of power, speed, and subsequent defensive upside. There should be legitimate skepticism on how much he’ll hit, though because, he doesn’t seem very comfortable handling breaking balls.
Zach DeLoach, RF/CF | 3-7, 2B, 3 k
DeLoach turned in a productive pair of games, getting on base in both, including a double in game 2, though the three strikeouts are a blemish on the record. The key highlight of the doubleheader for DeLoach was an excellent ranging catch in center field in game 2 on a fading line drive that looked like a hit off the bat.
With the stick, DeLoach impacted the ball multiple times with two of his hits coming off the bat at over 96 MPH and a lineout at 100 MPH. Ironically, like Marlowe’s lone hit, DeLoach’s double was hit pretty softly. The consistency in creating hard contact is promising. DeLoach also shows he can use his lower half well, getting deep into his legs and efficiently transferring weight throughout his swing. Not only should this help keep his swing operation in sync, but it allows him to generate quality contact and leverage.
Zach DeLoach pulls a double off former Orioles & Nationals starter Josh Rogers
DeLoach was a bit swing happy, trying at 15 of the 30 pitches he saw, and there is a fair amount of movement in his upper body load that may create some whiff issues. DeLoach was completely out of his timing when he saw breaking balls and managed for all four of his whiffs to come against sliders, despite only seeing six of them. This almost sounds like a rehash of the Marlowe report; DeLoach brings surefire power and speed with decent center field ability, but the handling of breaking balls may hamper him significantly as he looks to make the jump to the big leagues.
Nolan Jones, 1B | 1-2, 3B, BB
Jones only played the first game but made a clear impact. In his first PA, Jones drew a 5-pitch walk, flashing the plate discipline that has always boosted Jones’s prospect stock. Jones maintained a particularly tight zone all game, taking all but two of the 13 pitches he saw, lacing a triple in the 4th and lining out at 96.1 the inning before. On his triple, Jones ended up at 3rd in right about 12 seconds, including a slow start out of the box where he may have thought he was flying out and a put-on-the-brakes trot into third when it was clear he was standing up. His strides are long, and he’s a quality athlete. As of now, it’s comfortable average speed, and I’d be inclined to say it’s above-average.
For a player with long levers, the 6’4” Jones has a very controlled and simple swing. He has a very subtle knee bend in his stance with his hands chin height which allows them to remain quiet with a direct path to drive through his swing. There will always be some swing and miss because of Jones’ size, the might with which he swings, and the fact that his bat-to-ball skills are not exactly a strength of his game, but most of his strikeouts come from working counts deep. He figures to run a roughly average strikeout rate in the big leagues to match the prodigious power.
Jones looks extremely comfortable at the plate, perhaps as comfortable and confident as ever. He has dominated the Pacific Coast League, leading the league in OPS, and frankly, I’m not sure why I was able to see him over the weekend as he should be starting everyday in the Rockies lineup. Jones has primarily played right field and third base, with plenty of innings at first base and some in left field.
Aaron Schunk, 3B | 2-6, 2 2B, K
Schunk has re-emerged after a somewhat difficult return to Minor League Baseball following 2020’s absence. While the Pacific Coast League is a helper of hitters, Schunk has always possessed legitimate power and enough pure hitting ability to flash it.
Schunk was hyper-aggressive in both games, not taking any chances by waiting at the dish. He was rewarded with two doubles in game 1 at 106.5 and 108.1 MPH off the bat, respectively. The approach and lack of plus bat-to-ball skills may lead to extended slumps, but if Schunk continues to consistently mix in extra-base hits, he’ll get by as a lightning rod utility player.
At third, Schunk’s internal clock and arm strength are great assets, especially his arm which used to have him close out games in the SEC. Schunk’s nimble feet will also allow him to be a force defensively, whether at third base or second base, where he has logged extended time in recent years.
With Brendan Rodgers sidelined this year, Schunk’s resurgence gives him a chance at cracking the Rockies’ MLB roster and pick up some playing time at second base.
Riley Pint, RP | 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 ER, 14 pitches (5 strikes)
As long as Pint plays, he’s worth giving attention to. The former 4th overall pick has tremendous arm talent and typically brings the best stuff in any game he enters.
Unfortunately, Pint’s body doesn’t seem linked up throughout his delivery. His plant foot lands pretty wide, opening up his hips just as his arm swing begins, leaving his arm to do an awful lot of the work, disfavoring any sort of precision.
Riley Pint pitches to Zach DeLoach who slaps a single
It’s still easy mid-90s velocity, touching up to 98 MPH with an upper-80s slider but, when his offerings are mostly in non-competitive places, their effectiveness is diminished. Pint got to crack the big league roster for a quick MLB debut, but the current mechanical flaws cast serious doubt on a future MLB role.
Tommy Doyle, RP | 1.0 IP, 12 pitches (7 strikes)
Back in 2020, Doyle made his MLB debut for the Rockies. Since then, he’s pitched just 20 innings, including his work Saturday. Not a lot of detail is required here other than noting Doyle is back on the map. He appears fully healthy and back to mixing his mid-90s fastball and high-80s slider. The arm action is extremely deceptive and the location of his pitches was effective.
Watch out for Doyle to catch back on with the big league club, at some point.
Introducing the Mock Draft Machine
An Ode to Short Prints
LIVE LOOKS: CAMPBELL AT NORTH CAROLINA, 5/2
When Campbell came to Chapel Hill for a mid-week showdown early in May, a handful of draft-eligible players made their mark. For the Camels, it was an offensive display from their shortstop and a strong relief appearance, while a pair of Carolina infielders made an impact on the defensive end.
3B Mac Horvath, North Carolina
It was an evening to forget at the plate for Horvath, but he was busy in the field– back at third base after a stretch of games in right field.
Horvath has excellent instincts and a quick first step at the hot corner, reading the ball well off the bat. He gets low on every pitch, staying balanced and swallowing up ground balls with soft, steady hands. He has a smooth transfer and gets the ball out quickly-- he nearly started a triple play in the seventh inning. With plus arm strength and what is typically very good accuracy, Horvath has the ability to throw on the run and from all different angles.
He made a mental error in the ninth inning – hesitating charging in on a bunt pop-up and double-clutching before throwing – but made up for it with a snag and a rocket home to prevent a run.
Horvath isn’t the fluid runner that teammate Vance Honeycutt is, but he has fantastic instincts on the bases – – and has been among the ACC’s stolen base leaders all season.
With a potent bat, strong baserunning prowess, and the ability to successfully handle multiple corner positions, Horvath has a chance at hearing his name called on Day 1.
2B Jackson Van De Brake, North Carolina
Van De Brake has arguably been Carolina’s most consistent hitter this season, but it was his glove that stood out against Campbell. He provided a pair of highlight-reel catches, including a full-extension grab ranging back into right field.
Van De Brake offers sound defensive actions with decisive instincts and solid range, although he can be a little stiff going up the middle. He’s shown some leaping ability and tracks the ball well in the air. His arm strength is solid-but-unspectacular, and while he is capable of handling either spot on the left side, second base is his most likely full-time home. Despite being homerless since April 2, Van De Brake is a bat-first prospect who should be drafted on Day 2 come July. The strong showing in the field against Campbell is a bonus.
SS Bryce Arnold, Campbell
Arnold was an exit velo machine against Carolina, with a hard-hit lineout to third base in the first inning before later collecting two extra-base hits– including his then-Big South-leading 15th home run.
Arnold has a smaller frame and average build, with solid strength and athleticism. His compact swing comes with a fairly big load and a small leg kick, and it lends itself to lots of fly balls.
The junior infielder boasts solid plate discipline and contact skills, and his power has shown up this year – specifically to the pull side – after he managed just 11 homers over his first two seasons. He has become a more patient hitter, providing himself with the opportunity to do more damage on pitches in the zone. Arnold took over as Campbell’s shortstop this year, and he’s shown solid range, good hands, and an ability to throw on the run. Still, his size and lack of elite speed may push him back over to second base, where he primarily played in his injury-shortened sophomore season.
RHP Ty Cummings, Campbell
Cummings was dominant against Carolina in relief, allowing just one ball to leave in infield over 2.2 hitless innings. He has a fairly large, projectable frame, with a lean build and very long levers. He boasts electric arm speed out of a near-sidearm slot, repeating his delivery well.
Cummings offers a two-pitch mix, including a mid-90s fastball with good run and sink, and a slider that sits in the mid-80s and darts away from righties at its best. His command could use some work – he has a tendency to yank his fastball glove-side trying to land it backdoor to righties, and his slider backs up pretty often – but his control of the strike zone has improved throughout his time at Campbell, and he yields ground balls at nearly a 60 percent clip. Cummings is likely a full-time reliever at the next level given his limited repertoire and fringy command, and should be a Day 2 pick.
