BPKC Hitter of the Day: Meibrys Viloria 2-4, HR, 4 RBI

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Tyler Zuber 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 23p/14k

Lexington Legends 6, Augusta GreenJackets 5

The Lexington bats struggled early against Giants starter Jose Marte, striking out 10 times in his 6.1 innings, but made a late comeback to take down the first place squad for the third time in the four-game series. Lexington’s starter Nolan Watson allowed five runs (3 ER) despite nine strikeouts in his 5.2 innings. Trailing 5-2, Lexington got their offense moving in the bottom of the seventh inning with the help of Augusta’s defense when leadoff man Brewer Hicklen reached on a strikeout-wild pitch in front of Dennicher Carrasco reaching base on a throwing error by the third baseman. A Cristian Perez single to left scored Hicklen before another wild pitch scored Carrasco and a sacrifice fly by Ricky Aracena knotted the game up at five. An inning later, Nick Pratto singled to open the inning, moved to second on another wild pitch before advancing to third on a fly ball to right. Finally, the fourth wild pitch in two innings brought home Pratto for the lead and eventual winning run.

Nick Pratto: 3-4, R, 2b, K
Cristian Perez: 2-3, R, RBI
Tyler Zuber: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 K, 23p/14k

Wilmington Blue Rocks 5, Salem Red Sox 4

Rocks catcher Meibrys Viloria led the way to a win over Salem on Sunday to finish off a road series win. In the fourth inning of a 1-1 game with two on, the young catcher tagged his second home run of the season to quickly put his squad up 4-1. After starter Gerson Garabito gave back two runs the next inning, Viloria added an insurance run in the eighth with a two out single to center to score Kort Peterson. In the bottom of that inning, reliever Josh Mitchell ran into some trouble, allowing an unearned run, but teammate Bryan Brickhouse came in and shut the door getting a groundout in the eighth before scoreless ninth with two strikeouts.

Bryan Brickhouse: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 1-0 GO-FO, 18p/13k
Kort Peterson: 2-4, 2R, 2-2b, RBI
Khalil Lee: 1-4, R, 3 K

Midland RockHounds 5, NW Arkansas Naturals 2

The Naturals struggled to cash in opportunities, going 2 for 8 with runners in scoring position and dropping the game despite outhitting Midland. On the other end, the Naturals pitchers struggled with free passes, walking six, including four from starter Emilio Ogando. The lefty gave up three runs on four hits in just four innings while both relievers Yunior Marte and Pedro Fernandez gave up runs in the loss.

Elier Hernandez: 1-4, CS (4)
Nicky Lopez: 2-4, 2b, 2 RBI
Donnie Dewees: 2-4, R, K

Omaha Storm Chasers 8, Oklahoma City Dodgers 5 – F/12

The Chasers, lacking starters with the promotion of Trevor Oaks, turned to the bullpen on Sunday, using six different pitchers. Omaha struck out 16 hitters during the 12 inning affair. The two teams exchanged single tallies until the ninth inning, sending the game into extras tied at three. After the two teams navigated the free baserunner in the tenth, Omaha got on the board in the eleventh with a two-out single by Parker Morin. A wild pitch/third strike thrown by Luis Vazquez on a potentially game-ending strikeout scored a run for the Dodgers in the bottom half of the inning to even the game. The Chasers put the game away in the twelfth inning, starting the frame with a run-scoring triple by Adalberto Mondesi. That was followed by a single by Frank Schwindel to score Mondesi, and another triple by speedster Terrance Gore tacked on two runs to push the cushion to four, which turned out to be more than enough to earn the win.

Adalberto Mondesi: 2-6, R, 3b, RBI, SB (6)
Richard Lovelady: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 2-2 GO-FO, 39p/27k
Frank Schwindel: 1-5, R, 2 RBI

Sunday Boxscores

Monday – No Minor League Games

Hitter of the Day Leaderboard: Elier Hernandez (5), Seuly Matias (4), Travis Jones (4)
Pitcher of the Day Leaderboard: Dan Tillo (3), Trevor Oaks (3)

HR Roll Call: Alfredo Escalera (7), Joe Dudek (8)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Travis Jones 5-5, 3R, 2-2b, 2 RBI, SB (11)

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Charlie Neuweiler 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 6-6 GO-FO

Royals sign C.J. Eldred
The Royals signed C.J. Eldred, son of Cal Eldred, to a minor league contract this week. The former Iowa Hawkeye underwent Tommy John surgery during the season, after one quality start during his junior year. The pitcher started his career at Indiana before transferring to Iowa, his father’s alma mater, where he had a solid sophomore season putting up a 3.43 ERA in 16 games (14 starts) for a team that reached the Big 10 tournament championship game. The right-handed pitcher has started to throw some already and has an outside shot of being able to pitch some during instructs. Terms were undisclosed.

AZL Royals 5, AZL A’s 4

The Royals built a five-run lead thanks to 10 hits; then hung onto a win. Starter and 2017 draft pick Charlie Neuweiler tossed five scoreless innings, allowing two hits. This was a nice bounce-back start after allowing his most hits in his brief stint in Arizona.

The battery partner for Neuweiler, catcher MJ Melendez, had two of the squad’s 10 hits while scoring twice to help pace the team in the win.

Mervyl Melendez one of the better players at the complex level. Can hit, will receive. Athlete. Competitor. Potential first division type

— Chris Kusiolek (@CaliKusiolek) August 7, 2017

Boxscore Link

MJ Melendez 2-4, 2R
Charlie Neuweiler 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 6-6 GO-FO
Nick Pratto 1-5, 3b

Game 1 – Greeneville Astros 6, Burlington Royals 5
Game 2 – Burlington Royals 3, Greeneville Astros 1

The Royals split a doubleheader with the Astros rookie squad on Tuesday. In game one, reliever Luis Alcantara couldn’t close the door, allowing a two-run home run in the sixth inning after Burlington had claimed the lead on a sac fly by Seuly Matias.

The Royals scored a pair of late inning runs with a bases-loaded walk and a groundout by Cal Jones to plate Michael Gigliotti. Reliever Tyler Zuber continued his stellar work with a strikeout in the final inning to save his fifth game. The former Arkansas State pitcher has now struck out 33 hitters in just 20.1 innings for Burlington.

Boxscore G1
Boxscore G2

Seuly Matias 0-6, R, RBI, BB
Michael Gigliotti 2-7, R, BB
Cal Jones 3-6, R, 2b, 2 RBI, 2 BB

Idaho Falls Chukars 10, Billings Mustangs 7

The Chukars plated quite a few runs early and hung on late for another win over Billings. Things got rolling in the second when outfielder Travis Jones got his big night started with a run-scoring double. That opened a five-run inning that gave Idaho Falls a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The pitching staff did enough while the offense continued to pile on with 10 runs total. Jones scored three and drove in two more as part of his 5 for 5 night that also included a great catch in the outfield.

The best performance for a 2017 draftee definitely belongs to Jones thus far, with the outfielder hitting .426/.486/.591 in his three different stops and 32 games of rookie ball.

Boxscore Link

Travis Jones 5-5, 3R, 2-2b, 2 RBI, SB (11)
Amalani Fukofuka 1-5, SB (27), CS (5)

Asheville Tourists 10, Lexington Legends 7

The Legends jumped out to a 7-1 lead on Asheville with a string of five singles in the fourth inning that followed a two-run home run by Joe Dudek. Starter Ofreidy Gomez couldn’t get away from trouble in the fifth, after allowing a pair of runs in the fourth inning. The righty allowed five runs including a three-run home run that handed Asheville the lead they wouldn’t give up the rest the night.

Boxscore Link

Khalil Lee 3-4, R, RBI
Emmanuel Rivera 2-5, 2 RBI
Gabe Cancel 1-3, 2R, BB

Down East Wood Ducks 11, Wilmington Blue Rocks 3

The Blue Rocks had one more opportunity to score than Down East but couldn’t take advantage of the Rangers affiliate on this night. Wilmington went just 4 for 15 with runners in scoring position while Down East connected on 8 of 14 opportunities to keep the pressure on the Rocks pitching staff.

Starter Cristian Castillo’s struggles continued with five runs allowed in 4.1 innings. The lefty could be tiring down the stretch with an 8.65 ERA in his last five starts. Prior to that run, Castillo had put up a 2.61 ERA in his first 17 starts of the year.

Boxscore Link

Cristian Castillo 4.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 76p/44k, 3-2 GO-FO
Nick Heath 4-5, R, SB (16)
Chris DeVito 2-3, 2 BB

NW Arkansas Naturals 11, Midland RockHounds 5

Outfielder Alfredo Escalera’s three-run home run in the seventh paved the way to a win for the Naturals over Midland. The Naturals plated three more runs in the eighth to tack on, and the bullpen shut things over the last three innings to claim the win.

Boxscore Link

Richard Lovelady 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 38p/27k
Paulo Orlando 2-3, 2R, BB
Samir Duenez 0-4, R, BB
Donnie Dewees 1-3, R, 2b, CS (7)
Nicky Lopez 1-4, R, BB

Game 1 – Memphis Redbirds 3, Omaha Storm Chasers 1
Game 2 – Memphis Redbirds 4, Omaha Storm Chasers 2

Two games were played with each having a similar blueprint for Omaha on Tuesday. In both games of the doubleheader, the Chasers took leads to the latter innings only to give up the advantage and fall. In the first game, the Chasers grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fourth on a Logan Moon double, but four straight Memphis hits in the fifth scored three runs.

The second game had a similar feel for the Chasers. After an error gave Omaha two runs on a sacrifice fly by Frank Schwindel, the Chasers bullpen let the game get away. Usually reliable reliever Eric Stout gave up three runs as his control wavered. He walked the bases loaded before a bases clearing double by Gabriel Lino gave Memphis a 4-2 lead and the eventual win.

Boxscore Link G1
Boxscore Link G2

Eric Stout 1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 38p/16k
Emilio Ogando 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 87p/50k
Frank Schwindel 2-4, RBI, BB
Jorge Soler 1-4, R, 2BB
Raul Mondesi 0-3, 2k

Wednesday Probables
Omaha – Christian Binford 5-8 7.93 ERA
NW Arkansas – Jake Kalish 0-7 3.41 ERA
Wilmington – Colin Rodgers 2-3 3.66 ERA
Lexington – Garrett Davila 7-6 5.59 ERA vs local product Riley Pint
Idaho Falls – Dillon Drabble 0-1 0.93 ERA
Burlington – Dan Tillo 1-0 2.45 ERA

HR Roll Call: Frank Schwindel (12), Donnie Dewees (7), Nick Pratto (2), Max Bartlett (1)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Frank Schwindel 3-5 2R, 2b, HR, RBI

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Tyler Zuber 2.2 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 2 BB 6 K

Colorado Springs Sky Sox 8 Omaha Storm Chasers 4

The Chasers bullpen is extremely limited with injuries, pitchers on limitation and others riding the I-29 bus. When Sam Selman blew their two run lead in the ninth, the Chasers were in trouble the longer the game went. The game went to the 12th where Brian Poldberg was forced to turn to Brayan Pena to pitch for the fourth time this season. The catcher gave up four runs, took the eventual loss and was forced to give way to fellow position player Dean Anna.

Boxscore Link

Sam Selman 2.1 IP 1 H 2 R 2 ER 2 BB 4 K 1 HR 46p/27k
Brian Flynn 1.2 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 3 K 22p/15k
Luke Farrell 6 IP 6 H 2 R 2 ER 3 BB 6 K 105p/67k
Ryan O’Hearn 2-4 R, 3b, BB
Cheslor Cuthbert 1-4 3b, RBI

Springfield Cardinals 8 NW Arkansas Naturals 4

With the score 4-1 and Emilio Ogando facing his first bit of trouble in the sixth inning, rehabbing Randal Grichuk unloaded on a 0-1 pitch to tie the game at 4-4. From there the Naturals would get just one hit the rest of the way and the Cardinals scored two runs on Pedro Fernandez and Andrew Edwards to walk away with a four game series sweep to extend the losing streak to five for NW Arkansas.

Boxscore Link

Emilio Ogando 6 IP 5 H 4 R 4 ER 1 BB 3 K HR 86p/56k
Pedro Fernandez 1.1 IP 2 H 2 R 2 ER 0 BB 1 K 22p/11k
Donnie Dewees 2-5 HR
Samir Duenez 0-5
Nicky Lopez 0-5 RBI
Anderson Miller 0-3 BB

Columbia Fireflies 16 Lexington Legends 2 

Lexington’s starter Jace Vines came into the game with an All-Star appearance and a 2.71 ERA on the season. After four innings, the righty’s ERA ballooned to 3.42 as Columbia knocked around Vines for 10 hits and 10 runs in just three and two-third innings. The Legends lead the South Atlantic League in runs scored at over 5 runs per game, but that hasn’t shown up versus the league’s top pitching team in the Mets Low-A club. Coming into the game, Lexington was averaging under 2.5 runs per game in 15 contest with Columbia and put together just two runs in this blowout.

Boxscore Link

Jace Vines 3.2 IP 10 H 10 R 9 ER 1 BB 0 K
Khalil Lee 1-4 BB, 3 K
Emmanuel Rivera 1-4 BB
Meibrys Viloria 1-4 R, 2b, PB (15)

Johnson City Cardinal 9 Burlington Royals 8

Both teams got out of the gate with big offensive days but the offenses cooled in the middle innings and a run by the Cardinals in the seventh proved the difference maker. Outfielder Reed Rohlman reached base all four times in the game collecting three hits and reaching one other time by getting hit by a pitch.

Boxscore Link

Seuly Matias 1-4 R, 3b, 2 RBI
Jeison Guzman 0-3 R, BB hitting just .140
Cal Jones 1-4 R, 3b, 2 RBI
Tyler Zuber 2.2 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 2 BB 6 K 59p/36k 1-0 GO-FO

AZL Cubs 5 AZL Royals F/10

Newly acquired Marlin Willis made his debut for the Arizona squad pitching one scoreless inning. The Royals built a 3-0 lead and retook the lead in the ninth after the Cubs had evened it up. In the ninth, the Cubs tied it again and then won it in the tenth.

Boxscore Link

Nick Pratto 1-5 HR, 2 RBI
Esteury Ruiz 1-5
Marlin Willis 1 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 0 K 2-0 GO-FO
Charlie Neuweiler 3 IP 2 H 1 R 1 ER 0 BB 6 K HR 1-1 GO-FO

DSL Astros 6 DSL Royals 0

The Royals were shut out while their opportunities with just five hits were few and fleeting.

Boxscore Link

Reynin Reynoso 2-4
Leandro Mendez 2 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 3 K 1-2 GO-FO 17 year old pushed scoreless streak to 18 innings.

HR Roll Call: Angelo Castellano (5), Jonathan McCray (3)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Esteury Ruiz 3-4, 2R, 2-2b, 3b, 2 RBI

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Justin Camp 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 51p/35k, 6-3 GO-FO

AZL Royals 10, AZL Angels 3

Facing a major league pitcher wasn’t a big deal for the Arizona League Royals on Thursday, as the bats got rolling early on the way to an easy win. The Royals key cog in the offense, as usual, was Esteury Ruiz, who connected on three hits, two doubles, and a triple. He also walked once, scored twice, and drove in two other runs. The first double came off Andrew Heaney who was on a rehab start for the Angels.

For the second night in a row the club got good pitching, with Andres Sotillet giving them six innings of one run ball.

Boxscore Link

Esteury Ruiz 3-4, 2R, 2-2b, 3b, 2 RBI, BB hitting .429 through 14 games
Nick Pratto 1-5, RBI
MJ Melendez 1-5, 2b, 3K

Oct 23, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Yordano Ventura (30) reacts as he is relieved in the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game six of the ALCS at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

DSL Royals 4, DSL Braves 3

The Braves gave a gift to the Royals with four errors and a pair of unearned runs to hand them another win. The eventual winning run was scored on a little league home run after Brayant Aponte got an infield single and came around on a throwing error by the pitcher.

Boxscore Link

Brayant Aponte 1-3, R, BB

Burlington Royals 5, Elizabethton Twins 4

The Royals built a lead and then hung on for a win after bringing in Tyler Zuber to close things out. Former first round pick Nolan Watson worked four innings while allowing one run on two hits with five strikeouts. The Royals 29th round draft pick Travis Jones continued his hot hitting, collecting three hits including a pair of doubles while scoring two runs to help pace the offense.

Reliever Collin Snyder struggled to close the ninth, giving up three runs which led the Royals manager to turn to Zuber to close the door. The righty quickly got the job done, getting Brent Rooker to ground out to end the game.

Boxscore Link

Tyler Zuber 0.1 IP, 16 K in 9.2 Innings
Nolan Watson 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 47p/33k, 5-2 GO-FO
Michael Gigliotti 2-3, R, RBI
Seuly Matias 1-2, R, 2b, 2BB
Travis Jones 3-3, 2R, 2-2b

Idaho Falls Chukars 7, Helena Brewers 2

The Chukars got a much needed good start from one of their new pitchers and some help by the opponent’s defense. A five-run sixth was the big inning for Idaho Falls after Cristhian Vasquez and Julio Gonzalez each singled in a pair of runs in the frame. Starter Holden Capps gave up two unearned runs over five innings of four-hit ball with six strikeouts against just one walk.

Boxscore Link

Holden Capps 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 7-0 GO-FO
Vance Vizcaino 0-3, R, BB – 12 game hitting streak snapped

Lexington Legends 6, Delmarva Shorebirds 6 Susp/20

These two teams played 20 innings on Thursday, and it wasn’t enough as they will be forced to continue on Friday after rain forced the game into suspension. Errors by the Lexington defense allowed Delmarva to tie the game in the fifth and ninth innings. From there, the two teams went scoreless for the next 11 innings, with Lexington hitters striking out 28 times in the game.

Boxscore Link

Wilmington Blue Rocks 6, Lynchburg Hillcats 5

Wilmington’s Scott Blewett struggled some, giving up three doubles among his seven hits while allowing four runs in five innings. The righty also walked three hitters against four strikeouts. Five singles in the fourth inning for the Rocks tied the game at four. After Lynchburg took the lead back, the Rocks put together another run of singles in the ninth, connecting on four to walk-off with a win on Nick Heath’s single to score Jose Sanchez.

Boxscore Link

Chase Vallot 2-4, 2b, RBI
Chris DeVito 2-3, 2-2b, RBI
Brandon Downes 1-4, R
Scott Blewett 5 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 91/50 p/k, 3-4 GO-FO
Franco Terrero 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K, 1-3 GO-FO, 35 p/20k

Tulsa Drillers 5, NW Arkansas Naturals 4

A late Naturals rally fell a run short in the ninth. Struggling starter Josh Staumont gave up six hits, two walks, and two runs in 3.2 innings in his return to Double-A.

Boxscore Link

Josh Staumont 3.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 3-2 GO-FO, 72p/38k
Pedro Fernandez 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K – Allowed 2 ER in last 10 app, 16.2 IP w/ 19K
Samir Duenez 2-3, R, BB
Nicky Lopez 1-4, R
Anderson Miller 1-4, RBI

Nashville Sounds 10, Omaha Storm Chasers 1

Kyle Zimmer was throwing with more velocity on Thursday night, but still didn’t see the results the right-hander was looking for. He was peaking at 97 mph while hitting 94-96 mph regularly. This is above the 91-94 mph he has been most of the season. The Nashville lineup didn’t seem to mind the upper velocity though, connecting on three hits and three runs in the ninth to finish off the 10-1 win.

Boxscore Link

Kyle Zimmer 1.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 36p/23k, 2-1 GO-FO
Sam Selman 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, WP, 2 HBP, 39p/25k, 2-3 GO-FO
Ryan O’Hearn 1-3, BB

5th Rd Pick #150 Overall
Charlie Neuweiler RHP
6’1 205 lbs Msgr McClancy Memorial HS
DOB 2/8/99
Slot Value $329,800

The “halo” effect took place with Neuweiler as it often does during the draft when scouts come in to watch one player and get impressed by another enough to decide to draft him. In Charlie’s case, team personnel was in to see teammate Quentin Holmes and came away liking the developing right-hander.

The high schooler presents a low-90s fastball that he can run up to 92-93 mph with decent control at the high school ranks with a spike low-80s curveball that looked plus on some days. The spike curveball is a pitch of controversy, as most times players have difficulty controlling the pitch and manipulating it with regularity and are forced to change it in the pro ranks. This could be the case for Neuweiler. As with any high schooler, the changeup is in its infancy stages and will need to come forward to become a true prospect.

Analysis – The control profile from the limited video I saw didn’t look great and with the curveball possibility needing some tweaks, the Royals development staff could have their hands full in trying to create a prospect.

6th Rd Pick #180 Overall
Tyler Zuber RHP
5’11 190 lbs Arkansas St. Univ.
DOB 6/16/95
Slot Value $251,700

Zuber is a power right-handed pitcher who features two plus pitches according to his coach at Arkansas State. Featuring a fastball that works up to 96 mph next to his power two plane slider from his whip motion that is short and quick. The slider comes from the same tunnel as the fastball making it unrecognizable to hitters and his ability to backfoot hitters or sweep it away makes the combination incredibly difficult to deal with as evidenced in his 80 strikeouts in 52.1 innings and sub-1.00 WHIP this season.

Via Perfect Game – Smaller-framed and a reliever-only, Zuber fits the mold of a quality senior sign who should advance quickly through the lowest levels of the minors. He gets up to 94-95 mph with his fastball at times though he’s more 91-93 mph consistently, and his quick arm helps him spin a decent breaking ball as well. He’s also lauded for being an above average athlete on the mound.

Analysis – The Royals have excelled in the past at finding power armed relief pitchers and this one looks like a possible steal along those same lines.

Brewer Hicklen (VASHA HUNT)

7th Rd Pick #210 Overall
Brewer Hicklen OF
6’2 208 lbs Alabama-Birmingham
DOB 2/09/96
Slot Value $196,900

Every year, the Royals love to take a former football guy it seems in the first few rounds, and that guy this year is Hicklen who went to UAB with the idea of playing both before the program stopped its football program for a couple years. A legit 70 runner, Hicklen ran the 40 in 4.53 seconds as a senior in high school. Able to concentrate on baseball without the football program, he improved his hit tool in college and despite a broken hand the last half of this past year was able to put together a 19-game hitting streak to go along with a 40-game on-base streak while hitting .328/422/.586 for the year.

Baseball America – He’s strong and fast at a listed 6-foot-2, 208 pounds, with 70-grade speed that helps make him a legitimate future plus defender. He has an average arm and above-average raw power. He got more aggressive at the plate this year, resulting in more strikeouts but also a jump from three to eight home runs. Hicklen’s feel for hitting is raw as he needs more reps due to the development time he has missed due to football. He’s a charismatic leader and excellent teammate who plays with intensity. Hicklen would have to be bought out of football, which may be the best argument UAB has to keep him.

Analysis – The Royals have yet to hit on one of these lottery tickets but one would think they will eventually hit their target. A center fielder with developing power and an improved hit tool along with a plus work ethic and good attitude is always a good addition to an organization in the minor league ranks.

8th Rd Pick #240 Overall
Holden Capps LHP
6’2 195 lbs Univ. of Central Oklahoma
DOB 3/24/95
Slot Value $158,900

According to Coach Martin, this left-handed pitcher works 89-93 mph as a starter which could see another tick in velocity as a relief pitcher. Working from a 3/4 arm angle, Capps has the ability to drop his arm angle if needed to create deception against hitters. The two-seamer from the lefty features plenty of downward movement or he can run the four-seam up with more velocity.  A curveball and morphed slider/slurve go along with the fastball for Capps with the ability to manipulate the spin and speed on the pitches. A changeup lags behind the fastball/breaking ball combination currently while the statistics and high walk totals indicate a pitcher that needs to be moved into a one-inning relief role.

Baseball America – Capps transferred from UNC Charlotte to Central Oklahoma for his senior year. He pitches in the upper 80s with his fastball and can touch as high as 92 mph. He’s skinny and has some room to add strength to his frame. His performance for Central Oklahoma was unspectacular; while he struck out 92 batters in 96.1 innings, he also had a 4.39 ERA and walked 40 batters.

Analysis- Capps appears ticketed for a LOOGY relief role that you add to the system at a below slot value in hopes that you can tighten the control profile to turn into a fast moving lefty reliever.

9th Rd Pick #270 Overall
JC Cloney LHP
6’1 226 lbs Univ. of Arizona
DOB 8/03/94
Slot Value $$141,900

Those who are familiar with the College World Series should be familiar with Cloney after his 16 scoreless innings in last year’s tournament. A senior sign, Cloney is a low-velocity lefty who works his fastball in the mid*80s while topping out at 88 mph. The plus command profile baffles hitters along with his crossfire delivery and ability to manipulate the four pitches in his arsenal. The fastball features arm side run as well as an ability to sink the pitch, change speeds and work both sides of the plate.

Next, to the fastball, Cloney likes to use his 2/7 slider that works well with the fastball that he works away with run from righties then comes back with the slider, back footing the opposite side hitters with a good two-plane break in the low 80s. The lefty also can manipulate the slider into a cutter and pair it up with his armside fading changeup. That change, like all his other pitches, is a solid average offering that he throws in the low 80s while featuring some armside fade to it. The sum of all the parts here is greater than any one with Cloney’s knowledge of his stuff and hitters tendencies to take advantage of them despite average tools.

MLB.com – He’s not the type of pitcher who will overpower you with his fastball, but he doesn’t need the velocity of other hurlers to be successful. The left-hander has a fastball that can reach the upper 80s with solid run and sink, working the corners of the plate well. His command and overall feel for pitching are evident with his slider and changeup, too.

Analysis – As a senior sign, one doesn’t expect a whole lot here but maybe his pitching IQ and the mix is so great that you luck into a backend starter. Likely scenario is an inning eating organizational starter.

10th Rd Pick #300 Overall
Jordan Floyd LHP
6’3 255 lbs Kansas State
DOB 2/23/95
Slot Value $133,700

The big bodied lefty works with sink on his low-90s two-seam fastball that tops out at 94 mph that goes along with a swing and miss slider. Despite the two pitches that should work well together, Floyd was able to get hit quite a bit in college, giving up an average of 10 hits per nine throughout his 91 appearance career at Kansas State. The big but still athletic Floyd also features a usable changeup with all of his pitches featuring late life from his 3/4 delivery.

Perfect Game – Floyd may have been the most unique prospect in the Alaska Baseball League. His frame is 6-foot-2 and 250-pounds, yet he is an outstanding athlete who was a high school point guard. He is also a high school draft pick (New York Yankees in 2013, 25th round) who will be back for his senior year of college. Most importantly though, Floyd used his heavy sinking fastball in the 89-91 mph range to utterly dominate the ABL this summer. In this breakout performance, Floyd led the league in both ERA (0.45) and saves (9).

Analysis – Floyd is a big body senior sign who you can count on to give your minor league squad relief innings.