61.095 Prospect Watch Relievers

[RonCo]

Off Topic

2061 Season Snapshot


The bullpen seems to be where it's all happening for the Krill these days. There's Gilstrom Award candidate Winston Morris and his side-arming lefty buddy Enrique Villarreal up now. Both have been extremely good at times, but had their rookie comeuppances at others. Such is life. Lost in the noise, though, is 25-year-old Masami Kichida (acquired a few years back from Phoenix), another rookie lefty who has been steady Eddie.

There's more where they came from. A lot more. So much more that we'll see if we can limit it to just five.

Let's take a look, shall we?


#1 Brain Capps

Brain Capps (RP)	Age	OVR	STUFF	MOV	BABIP	HRA	CON
Level: AAA	21	45/60	5/5	6/7	6/6	7/8	7/8
Throws: R	*	GB/FB	Velo	Sta	Hold	#Pit	#Pit-6+
Ht: 6'4"	*	56	97	1	1	4	1
Wt: 180
Source: DR57.6

Drafted in the middle of that iconic 2057 class, Capps has been a steady growth guy. Sure, you'd like a little more strikeout power with him, but I'd say his only real limitation is that low Stamina. He struggled with AAA hitters in ways that were a little surprising. He struck out only 4.7/9 at that level. So we'll see what the future brings.

2062 Projection: A trip to the Dev Labs may be in Capps' future. But expect to see him on the atoll next year.


#2 Tony Vasquez

Tony Vasquez (CL)	Age	OVR	STUFF	MOV	BABIP	HRA	CON
Level: A	21	35/60	6/10	5/6	6/6	4/7	4/6
Throws: R	*	GB/FB	Velo	Sta	Hold	#Pit	#Pit-6+
Ht: 6'1"	*	58	100	4	4	2	2
Wt: 185
Source: D57.10

A tenth-round pick in that iconic 2057 class, Vasquez has been a recent bumper, and with an elite 100 MPH fastball/slider combo, and the ability to keep hitters in the park coming to bear, one dreams that if the bump train keeps coming to the station (he's only 21), he could be something really special.

2062 Projection: Vasquez will start in AA next year, but all eyes are on him.


#3 Antonio Salazar

Antonio Salazar (RP)	Age	OVR	STUFF	MOV	BABIP	HRA	CON
Level: AAA	22	50/50	4/4	6/6	6/6	7/7	9/9
Throws: R	*	GB/FB	Velo	Sta	Hold	#Pit	#Pit-6+
Ht: 6'3"	*	60	94	2	6	4	0
Wt: 200
Source: DR59.5

Perhaps Salazar should be #2 simply because he's ready to go. With a nasty sidearm delivery, he is already raw death to righthanded hitters. He's a fifth-rounder out of 2059, and has been on a steady bump/growth path since. At 22, there's still a chance his pitch selectionwhich is a bit unimpressivecould still grow, and build a little more Stuff. That would be cool now, wouldn't it?

2062 Projection: Would have been up this year if we needed him. So expect him to appear alongside Capps on the atoll.


#4 Ernesto Morales

Ernesto Morales (RP)	Age	OVR	STUFF	MOV	BABIP	HRA	CON
Level: A	20	35/50	5/5	5/7	6/6	4/8	3/9
Throws: R	*	GB/FB	Velo	Sta	Hold	#Pit	#Pit-6+
Ht: 6'6"	*	64	98	1	6	2	1
Wt: 180
Source: DR58.5

Consider him Salazar, but better. Maybe there's just something about 5th round picks? Dunno. But Morales came in 2058's process, and after the big v25 adjustment wave passed has been bumping ever since. His solid performance at A-ball (2-2, 8 saves, 2.89) was perhaps even less than some are expecting. The man projects to not walk anywone and be damned hard to take downtown. At 98 MPH, we're dreaming of a 6-7 Stuff bump that wouldonce againbe pretty danged cool. He's 20. Could happen.

2062 Projection: We'll watch how the HRA/Control grows. He may be back to start in A-Ball, but I'd expect him in Kamloops AA soon.


#5 Ray Ayotte

Ray Ayotte (RP)	Age	OVR	STUFF	MOV	BABIP	HRA	CON
Level: A	21	30/50	4/4	5/6	5/5	5/8	5/8
Throws: R	*	GB/FB	Velo	Sta	Hold	#Pit	#Pit-6+
Ht: 6'1"	*	62	95	2	7	2	1
Wt: 165
Source: D57.13

Ayotte is a special pleasure. I remember that when I drafted him in that special 2057,. I just had a weird feeling that he was going to work out. He's fitting the profile of these other guys, with maybe just a little less Stuff. Is that something about our development process here in Bikini? Are we best with finesse guys? Our coaching staff doesn't say that expressly...but who knows.

Regardless, Ayotte has had some difficulty translating ratings bumps to on-field performance, but he's 21 and we've got plenty of time to give him. It's been fun to watch him, though. If he makes it to the atoll, he's going to be a personal fave.

2062 Projection: Maybe another pass through A-Ball/


#? A Few Others

Conrado Guzzetti As a lefty who throws 96 at age 16, perhaps he belongs in the top five. But he's 16.

Jerry Anaya Throwing as a starter now, but projects to a bullpen slot unless the stamina edges up. His profile could pitch as it is, but even a small bump to Stuff and he's in the upper tier.

Andy Pedley 9/5/6/5/5, decent pitches. Let him add a little stamina, and we'll see what he can do.

Javier Fayarde What if SP prospects Steve Truss and Brian Carroll had a kid and made him into a reliever. One small bump for Movementkind, and we're in business.

Eugene Arnold Throws 95, and bumping into big Stuff.

Felipe Valentin All he wants for Christmas is a small Control bump.

[BaseClogger]

You definitely have a type you’re producing consistently.