The following report was submitted by Grant Jones, a member of BP’s prospect team, after a few recent scouting trips to the see the South Bend Cubs. Original video of most prospects is included. We hope you enjoy.
Eloy Jimenez (video) – Jimenez has been the most impressive player in the Midwest League, hands down. When he wasn’t in the lineup this Saturday and Sunday at Kane County there were multiple scouts that were disappointed, not because they haven’t seen him before, but because of the sheer power he has, and how much fun he is to watch. Earlier in the year Jimenez really looked the part of a swing and miss player that was trying to work on his approach, as he was toiling away at a lot of pitches down and away while getting worked in on the hands as well. In what seemed like an instant, Jimenez went from that player, to all of a sudden having a much-improved approach. Everything has clicked for him, which isn’t to say he has mastered his approach, but the significant strides are impressive.
Jimenez is a huge human being at 6’ 4”, and is still a great athlete which will allow him to be a decent outfielder that you can stick in left and not be worried. He will occasionally open up his front side early, which will cause some swing and miss or weak contact, but overall will usually time pitches fairly well with a leg lift to continue into the rest of the swing as he transfers his weight. When he keeps his swing more compact, he is able to square up on the ball and command it with authority, but he has also shown that with his plus bat speed he can hit pitches that he didn’t get all of pretty far as well due to the amount of leverage he creates with the bat. Many have talked about the hit tool being fringe, but I am more inclined to say that it can be an average tool at the major league level, especially if he continues the trajectory he is on with respect to his approach.
Eddy Julio Martinez (video) – Martinez has started off the year slow after a break from the game after defecting from Cuba. In April, he was adjusting to the culture, getting back into baseball, and also battling the elements in the frigid Midwest League. The struggles then continued into May, and June, and with every viewing it became more and more apparent that he was not comfortable in the box, possibly due to the adjustment period. Even through those struggles Martinez still showed his tools off, especially his bat speed and plus arm strength.
Over the past month Martinez has looked like a different player. Recently, at Fort Wayne he was visibly more comfortable, taking better swings, and a much-improved approach compared to early in the season. When he was pressing, his swing would elongate at times, and would chase pitches; now he has been quieter with a smooth lower half. His plus-plus bat speed combined with his ability to sit on hanging breaking balls and leverage his swing for line drives has played a big factor for his approach lately, but he will still revert back to swinging low away occasionally, something I saw a few times this weekend at Kane County. His leg lift is a key part of his timing, but will occasionally lift too high and that will throw off his timing, but when he starts well he usually ends well. The last swing in the video link is a good example of using a slight leg lift to time the rest of his swing well. The most promising change has been the fact he looks reinvigorated after the spring, which probably has a lot to do with off the field factors of becoming more comfortable in the States. Overall, the Martinez of late has been a positive viewing after a few months of adjustments and adapting to the change in culture that could lead to a big second half.
Carson Sands – Sands was one pitcher I looked forward to seeing this year and finally saw him this past Sunday, coming from the left side his fastball sits 89-90 mph with hard arm-side run as well as some dive. It projects as an average to above-average pitch, and gets complemented well by his changeup that sat in the 80-82 range, showing fade and occasional tumble. The curveball is Sands’ issues right now, as it was a loopy 11/5 that he had a hard time getting tight and left up a few times when it didn’t break. He did throw one that flashed average, garnering a swing and miss to a righty as it dove in on his feet. His delivery is fairly easy and repeats well, coming from a three-quarters arm slot with a quick arm. He profiles well as a lefty out of the pen in the future, unless he can improve the fastball.
Adbert Alzolay – Alzolay is a thin-framed, fastball-reliant righty that comes from a three-quarters slot with a free and easy arm with occasional whack that will bring him offline as he finishes. His fastball sat 90-93, topped 95, and ran away from him with arm side run, but showed the propensity to work it inside on lefties. His curveball was inconsistent with loop at times but when it was tight he could spin it well with 11/5 movement at 76-77 mph. The change up showed nice armside fade, using it to keep pace in at bats and wasn’t afraid to throw it first pitch. The problem with his changeup is how much he slows down his arm, tipping the pitch to hitters.
Donnie Dewees (video) – Dewees is a plus runner that will provide value on the base paths, shows average range, an advanced hit tool, and a waek arm. The hit tool is a byproduct of his short and compact swing, though it is pull heavy. The arm will hold him back, as it is a long throwing motion and makes weak throws.
PJ Higgins (video) - Higgins has shown the propensity to be a smart runner on the base paths, a testament to his on-field awareness. His swing is usually a little pull heavy, but shows a good feel for hitting.
Andrew Monastario (video) – Monastario is an interesting case, as he is a projectable SS with tools oozing out of him. Right now he is still learning the game, evident this weekend when with two outs and a runner on second he fielded a ball and started to turn to throw to third. In the box he has a toe tap, and nice bat speed, but will be free swinging at times when he opens up his swing as opposed to being more compact. He shows a good feel for hitting, and it will be fun to watch his development.
Tyler Alamo – Splitting time with Higgins at catcher, Alamo will need to improve behind the plate to advance his career. His arm is an asset, but behind the plate he is a work in progress. He has a compact swing, but has been bad at identifying pitches in my viewings.
Tommy Nance (video) – Nance is old for the league at 25, and will need to move fast. His fastball sat 93-95 with hard run and sink on it, an 11/5 curveball in the low 80s, and showed two hard sliders at 87. He has a high leg lift, effort in his delivery, and whack that takes him offline at the end.
James Norwood (video) – Norwood comes from a low-three quarters slot with a high leg lift, with crossfire and effort in his delivery. His fastball will run arm side at 92-94, and has a slider with nice tilt at 86-87 that he kept down well.
Gleyfer Eregua (video) – Eregua has an aggressive and messy delivery with a low three-quarters slot, with a 89-90 mph fastball that runs arm side, a slider at 78 with tilt, and change up at 81-84 with fade and occasional tumble.
Bryant Flete (video) – Flete is a quick small-bodied infielder with an open stance and quick hands. He had some surprising pop this weekend pulling a homerun, mostly due to the quick hands.
Lead photo courtesy Gary A. Vazquez—USA Today Sports.