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Physical Description: Small,
undersized frame. Minimal projection even though he is on the
thin side. Could stand to add upper body strength, but frame
cannot support much additional size.
Mechanics:
Throws from a high three-quarters arm slot. Starts on the third
base side of the rubber with hands at his waist. Jerky,
effortful delivery. High leg kick and slight trunk twist. Slight
stab behind before whipping his arm forward. Loose, quick arm.
Head whack. Some deception as he keeps his arm hidden behind his
body. Average extension. Repeats delivery.
Fastball: 92-94 mph. Topped out at 98 mph in the past.
In 2022, has topped out at 95 mph. Pitch shows sink and cut on
occasion when he drops his arm slot. Does a good job keeping the
ball down and generates a lot of weak contact. Above-average
control but below-average command at present. Has shown the
ability at times to command the pitch arm-side, but glove-side
command is more inconsistent. Velocity jumped from 91-93 mph to
94-97 mph at the 2020 Fall Instructional League. Sat around
92-94 mph in 2021 prior to his injury. Velocity tended to fall
off in later innings as a starter. Potential above-average
pitch.
Breaking Ball: 80-83 mph. Whether
it is a slider or curveball depends on who you talk to. Advanced
feel. 11-to-5 break. Elite spin rate, among the highest in the
system. Pitch has tight rotation and depth when he snaps it off.
Has feel and confidence in the offering; willing to throw in any
count to hitters from both sides of the plate. MLB-quality out
pitch. Velocity ticked up at the 2020 Fall Instructional League
to 83-87 mph; used to sit 79-83 mph. At the Alternate Training
Site in 2021, velocity was back down at 79-83 mph, but had
ticked back up into 82-84 mph range when he made his major
league debut. Potential plus-to-better pitch.
Split-Finger Fastball: 88-91 mph. On the firm side and
lacks separation from his fastball. Will show drop on occasion.
Clear third pitch that is still in development. Replaced
changeup in his repertoire. Potential fringe-average pitch. |
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Career Notes: Older international signee at 18
years old, then spent three years in the complex leagues before
breaking out as a starter in 2018 in Lowell. Was a candidate to
be added to the 40-man roster after the 2019 season, but was not
added nor selected in the Rule 5 Draft. Participated in the 2018
and 2020 Fall Instructional League. Had a breakout showing at
the 2020 Fall Instructional League that led to his addition to
the 40-man roster. Began the 2021 season at the Alternate
Training Site. Made MLB debut in April 2021. Suffered a lat
strain in May 2021 and missed about three months. While on the
minor league IL, the Red Sox recalled him in July 2021 in order
to place him on the 60-day IL and open a 40-man roster spot,
giving him about two months of service time while injured or
rehabbing before activating and optioning him in mid-September.
Was a surprise DFA on Opening Day in 2022 after pitching just
one inning in MLB games during spring training, but cleared
waivers and remained in the organization. Stuff was down early
in 2022, which was part of why he cleared waivers, but by the
end of the year had returned. Was a September call-up in 2022
before being designated for assignment in mid-October. Signed a
minor-league deal with the Orioles in December 2022.
Summation:
Potential 11th or 12th pitcher on a major league staff. Ceiling
of a quality middle reliever. Drastically improved velocity at
the 2020 Fall Instructional League changed his projection,
forcing the Red Sox to add him to the 40-man roster and putting
him on the bullpen depth chart. Did not show that velocity after
he got hurt in 2021, but as the 2022 season went on, velocity
ticked back into the low-to-mid-90s. Potential for an
above-average fastball and breaking ball combination with a
jerky, deceptive delivery that could play against major league
hitters. Needs to improve fastball command and improve
consistency with his breaking ball in order to reach his
ceiling.
Links
State of the System: High Minors Pitchers (4.9.20)
Scouting Report Update (4.24.20)
Scouting Report Update (7.29.2020)
Scout Chatter (11.19.20)
Scouting Report Update (3.10.2021)
Scouting Scratch (5.5.2021)
Scouting Report Update (6.29.2021) |
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