2042.02 - The Long Beach Independent - FPL Pitching Has Potential
Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2020 6:35 pm
TOP PITCHING PROSPECTS SHOWCASED
Gary Tintstaap reporting from the Florida Prospect League
November 22, 2042
West Palm Beach, Florida
It’s the offseason again, and that means it’s time for the Florida Prospect League, where the teams of the BBA send their most promising young talent for some extra development in the Florida sunshine.
This year’s collection of Surfers is the best in perhaps a decade or more, at least on the pitching side. Starting pitching prospects Mathieu Valette, Ernesto Delgado, and the recently acquired Jorge Alfaro headline the rotation, while reliever Luis Manuel Rodriguez is the highlight of a bullpen that includes a number of intriguing names.
Alfaro, acquired from the Calgary Pioneers has been sent to the FPL with clear instructions to work on his changeup. Currently it’s rated at 5/9 by BBA scouts, and the Surfers are hoping to avoid the dreaded “trouble with the chage” curse that afflicts many a young would-be-starter. He otherwise appears ready for the big leagues, and with the exception of his just average control, looks very much like the type of pitcher we’re used to seeing under the Lane regime
Helping Alfaro with his changeup, while he puts some polish on his own stuff will be another righty, Ernesto Delgado. His changeup is off the charts, rated as 11/11 by scouts, and he recently added a forkball to his repertoire. He’s another pitcher that fits the Long Beach mold, throwing a lot of ground balls and limiting home runs.
To round out the rotation hopefuls, we have Mathieu Valette. He’s yet another righty, and though he comes from the same draft class as Delgado, his development is lagging behind just a bit. Nevertheless, scouts think that his secondary and tertiary pitches are just fine. He’ll be looking to work on his fastball, which he throws in the high 90s but struggles with location from time to time.
Speaking of 2038 draftees, the headliner in the bullpen is Luis Manuel Rodriguez. He’s 20 years old, and throws a fastball and a curveball. He’s got potentials of 10/9/5 and if he reaches those, he could be one of the top relievers in the league. Unlike most Surfers relievers, he doesn’t have extreme lefty/righty splits, so we're expecting big things from this youngster.
Gary Tintstaap reporting from the Florida Prospect League
November 22, 2042
West Palm Beach, Florida
It’s the offseason again, and that means it’s time for the Florida Prospect League, where the teams of the BBA send their most promising young talent for some extra development in the Florida sunshine.
This year’s collection of Surfers is the best in perhaps a decade or more, at least on the pitching side. Starting pitching prospects Mathieu Valette, Ernesto Delgado, and the recently acquired Jorge Alfaro headline the rotation, while reliever Luis Manuel Rodriguez is the highlight of a bullpen that includes a number of intriguing names.
Alfaro, acquired from the Calgary Pioneers has been sent to the FPL with clear instructions to work on his changeup. Currently it’s rated at 5/9 by BBA scouts, and the Surfers are hoping to avoid the dreaded “trouble with the chage” curse that afflicts many a young would-be-starter. He otherwise appears ready for the big leagues, and with the exception of his just average control, looks very much like the type of pitcher we’re used to seeing under the Lane regime
Helping Alfaro with his changeup, while he puts some polish on his own stuff will be another righty, Ernesto Delgado. His changeup is off the charts, rated as 11/11 by scouts, and he recently added a forkball to his repertoire. He’s another pitcher that fits the Long Beach mold, throwing a lot of ground balls and limiting home runs.
To round out the rotation hopefuls, we have Mathieu Valette. He’s yet another righty, and though he comes from the same draft class as Delgado, his development is lagging behind just a bit. Nevertheless, scouts think that his secondary and tertiary pitches are just fine. He’ll be looking to work on his fastball, which he throws in the high 90s but struggles with location from time to time.
Speaking of 2038 draftees, the headliner in the bullpen is Luis Manuel Rodriguez. He’s 20 years old, and throws a fastball and a curveball. He’s got potentials of 10/9/5 and if he reaches those, he could be one of the top relievers in the league. Unlike most Surfers relievers, he doesn’t have extreme lefty/righty splits, so we're expecting big things from this youngster.