Pos: RHP (Starter) |
DOB: 06/03/1991 |
Ht: 6’0 |
Team: Kansas City Royals |
B/T: R/R |
Wt: 180 |
Fastball: 80 |
Curveball: 60 |
Changeup: 40 |
Control: 50 |
Fastball: Ranges from 93-99 mph, sitting at 98 mph. Has touched as high as 102 mph, sits 98-101 mph in relief appearances. Has explosive (rising) movement with inconsistent arm-side run. Likes to elevate it and try to blow it by hitters. Will leave it over the plate to frequently, and the movement will occasionally straighten out. Works in all directions, likes to try and back door it to his glove side.
Curveball: Ranges from 80-83 mph. Has 12-6 movement that breaks late and has good bite to it. Maintains good arm-speed. Mixes it in as his strikeout pitch, along with his high fastball. A swing and miss pitch, he can throw for called strikes or for chases out of the zone. Frequently generates groundballs from it. Occasionally leaves it up in the zone.
Changeup: Ranges from 82-87 mph. Has weak and inconsistent dropping movement, almost a hump in it. Lacks hard bite or late movement. Struggles with his control and consistency over it. Has a tough time throwing it for strikes. When using it effectively with the fastball he can mess with hitters timing.
Control: Walks more batters than is ideal for a #2-#3 starter, but his wildness is to be expected given his high velocity. Struggles to get ahead in counts, and gets into too many deep counts. Must learn to be more economical with his pitches. Leaves the ball over the plate too often. Lacks a solid third offering. Relies very heavily on his fastball.
Delivery: Clean easy arm action, from a three-quarters arm slot. Low effort delivery, with no strain put on his arm. Doesn’t always finish his follow through in his delivery, as his upper body leans back heavily upon release. Falls off hard to the first base side. Struggles to repeat his delivery.
Physical Description: Undersize pitcher in the Pedro Martinez frame. Has a round rear and high waist, with room to add size and strength throughout his body. Very youthful build that lacks muscle definition throughout. Carries no bad weight, and is in no danger of adding any in the future. Has suffered from some right shoulder tightness as the 2014 season comes to a close.
Summary: Fireballer who is still learning how to pitch. Fits in well as a middle of the rotation starter with a chance to be a strong #2 starter. Will challenge for All-Star positions, and likely make several All-Star teams in the future. Needs to improve his changeup in order to reach that potential. Lots of room to project, worst case scenario he is a back of the bullpen reliever, but the Royals will give him every opportunity to be a starter at the MLB level.