- Thread starter
- #1
brianga26
Active member
So being a prospector and an avid minor league fan I make a yearly trip to Arizona to watch baseball. We try to do at least two games a day to watch the up and coming starts of tomorrow. Below is my take on the players, some are elite prospects (Russell, Buxton and Judge) while others are up and coming sleepers (Greg Bird)
So I went to the AFL last week and did some scouting and graphing (come on! I have a hobby too).
Greg Bird: is the real deal. If he can stay healthy, he will be a Mattingly type player. Hits bat speed and the way he keeps his hands quiet as they go through the zone is impressive. He has had some health issues in the past (back) but I think overall he is set for a huge year next year.
Josh Bell. What is not to like about this kid. He has a fast bat that seems to stay in the zone forever. If he can keep the weight off, he will be an elite player for the Pirates.
Byron Buxton: As for the true ELITE guys, Buxton impressed me (prior to getting hurt, I was at that game) with his speed and arm. He scored on a pass ball from 2nd base. He seemed to glide around the paths. (oh for those of you wondering, his autograph SUCKS now).
Trea Turner: The speed award goes to Trea Turner. He doesn't have the best "raw" speed like a Billy Hamilton, but his instincts on the bases are impressive. He also has a good arm. I think he will stick at SS.
Bubba Starling: The most "HOLY ****" what an arm was by far Bubba Starling. He was 10 ft from the warning track and threw it to the back stop on the fly. Incredible. Others I saw and liked were Edward Salcedo of the Braves. He doesn't have much of a clue when hitting, (Jobu doesn't seem to help him hit the curve ball) but seems to have a cannon on his shoulder.
Archie Bradley: I sat and talked to Dave Stewart for a little while about Archie Bradley. He said that he felt the arm issue was behind him. His pitch speed was up from earlier in the year and he was able to locate better.
Addison Russell: Hi bat impressed the hell out of me. Solid contact and great power. His last AB in the AFL was a deep home run in Mesa.
Francisco Lindor: Although not a really big guy he impressed me with his range at shortstop. He has great lateral movement and can pick the ball deep in the hole.
The "old scouts love big bodies" awards go to Dan Vogelbach, a very rotund guy (giving Gilmore a run for his money) and a real ******. Not much of a personality (Gilmore is a lot nicer!). He actually stole a base at one of the games I was at (Vogelbach not Gilmore).. SCARY.
In terms of character, Brandon Nimmo might be one of the most engaging players I have met. He also is one of the hardest workers. While watching pre-game he was out on the field stretching and running a good 20 mins before anyone else. His desire to be an elite player is there. He reminds me of a young David Wright.
And finally Aaron Judge and Steven Moya. Both guys are very tall. Both are 6'7. Judge has a great bat that he gets through the zone. His power in BP is off the charts. If he can translate his BP power into games, Watch out! As for Moya, he is still a little raw. But If he can get his arms through the zone and avoid the inside pitch, he is going to be a monster player.
Anyway, that is my "brief" scouting report. Ask about any player and I saw them play, I will give you my feedback.
So I went to the AFL last week and did some scouting and graphing (come on! I have a hobby too).
Greg Bird: is the real deal. If he can stay healthy, he will be a Mattingly type player. Hits bat speed and the way he keeps his hands quiet as they go through the zone is impressive. He has had some health issues in the past (back) but I think overall he is set for a huge year next year.
Josh Bell. What is not to like about this kid. He has a fast bat that seems to stay in the zone forever. If he can keep the weight off, he will be an elite player for the Pirates.
Byron Buxton: As for the true ELITE guys, Buxton impressed me (prior to getting hurt, I was at that game) with his speed and arm. He scored on a pass ball from 2nd base. He seemed to glide around the paths. (oh for those of you wondering, his autograph SUCKS now).
Trea Turner: The speed award goes to Trea Turner. He doesn't have the best "raw" speed like a Billy Hamilton, but his instincts on the bases are impressive. He also has a good arm. I think he will stick at SS.
Bubba Starling: The most "HOLY ****" what an arm was by far Bubba Starling. He was 10 ft from the warning track and threw it to the back stop on the fly. Incredible. Others I saw and liked were Edward Salcedo of the Braves. He doesn't have much of a clue when hitting, (Jobu doesn't seem to help him hit the curve ball) but seems to have a cannon on his shoulder.
Archie Bradley: I sat and talked to Dave Stewart for a little while about Archie Bradley. He said that he felt the arm issue was behind him. His pitch speed was up from earlier in the year and he was able to locate better.
Addison Russell: Hi bat impressed the hell out of me. Solid contact and great power. His last AB in the AFL was a deep home run in Mesa.
Francisco Lindor: Although not a really big guy he impressed me with his range at shortstop. He has great lateral movement and can pick the ball deep in the hole.
The "old scouts love big bodies" awards go to Dan Vogelbach, a very rotund guy (giving Gilmore a run for his money) and a real ******. Not much of a personality (Gilmore is a lot nicer!). He actually stole a base at one of the games I was at (Vogelbach not Gilmore).. SCARY.
In terms of character, Brandon Nimmo might be one of the most engaging players I have met. He also is one of the hardest workers. While watching pre-game he was out on the field stretching and running a good 20 mins before anyone else. His desire to be an elite player is there. He reminds me of a young David Wright.
And finally Aaron Judge and Steven Moya. Both guys are very tall. Both are 6'7. Judge has a great bat that he gets through the zone. His power in BP is off the charts. If he can translate his BP power into games, Watch out! As for Moya, he is still a little raw. But If he can get his arms through the zone and avoid the inside pitch, he is going to be a monster player.
Anyway, that is my "brief" scouting report. Ask about any player and I saw them play, I will give you my feedback.
