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Physical Description:
Undersized for a pitcher, but a plus athlete. On the skinny side
at present with room to add strength. Has struggled to stay
healthy during his pro career and small frame could be a
contributing factor to that, leading to move to bullpen.
Mechanics: Throws from a high three quarters
arm slot. Starts on the third base side of the rubber.
Repeatable delivery. Glove sets tucked on left side of chest and
meets right hand just above the belt as he pivots into delivery.
Short arm action in back, hides the ball well. Quick arm. Stays
on line to the plate. Medium leg kick.
Fastball:
Sits 92-95 mph when loose. Topped out at 96 mph as a starter,
but reportedly has hit 98 mph in the bullpen and is now sitting
in the mid-90s. Occasional arm-side run when down in the zone.
Doesn't have great life. Needs to improve command and control
down in the zone. Could add a tick or two to velocity with
physical maturity. Potential plus offering, but plays below that
due to lack of life and inconsistent movement.
Cutter/Slider: 88-91 mph with varying shape. Looks like
a true cutter at higher velocities with short, horizontal break.
At lower velocities, shows longer break and more tilt. Potential
plus, swing-and-miss offering. Used to throw a true slider, but
transitioned the pitch to a cutter in 2017-2018.
Curveball: 80-82 mph with tight rotation and
two-plane break. Seems to throw two variations, one at 75-76 mph
designed to steal a strike and another at 79-82 mph. Power
breaking ball has shown more potential of the two. Tight
rotation and hard, 12-to-6 break. Future potential average
offering with bat-missing ability when sequenced correctly.
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Changeup: 85-89 mph with late dive away from
left-handed hitters. Locates well down in the zone and shows
some feel. Has used sparingly as cutter has developed.
Career Notes: Recruited by
Butler and NC State for basketball. Both 2016 and 2017 seasons
ended early due to stress fractures on the tip of his pitching
elbow. Upon return in late April 2018, eased back in with
three-inning starts until organization decided to move him into
a full-time relief role, where stuff has played up.
Summation: Lean, undersized frame profiles best
as a reliever. Injury history led to transition into that role
in 2018. Potential for two plus pitches in his fastball and
cutter, with two additional pitches in his curveball and
changeup to keep hitters off-balance. Has room for added
strength and could add a little more velocity, although fastball
has already played up in shorter stints. Prior to injuries, had
a chance to start with a four-pitch mix, but bullpen role will
give him a greater chance to stay on the field. Overall
consistency of arsenal, fastball command, and control will be
keys going forward.
Links
The Write-Up: Allen, Lakins, Cuevas... (10.5.15)
2015 Top 40 Season in Review
Notes from the Field: Day One (3.17.16)
Scouting Scratch: Travis Lakins (6.6.17)
Scouting Scratch
(6.19.18) |
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