Daily Prospect Notes 5/9

Daily notes on prospects from lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen. Read previous installments here.

Jordan Humphreys, RHP, New York (NL) (Profile)
Level: Low-A   Age: 20   Org Rank: NR   Top 100: NR
Line: 7 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 ER, 9 K

Notes
Chris Mitchell’s KATOH thought highly of Humphreys among the ‘sleeper‘ prospects (basically anyone that wasn’t a 40 FV or better on our organizational audits), ranking second among sleeper right-handed pitchers. Humphreys, an 18th rounder in 2015, has struck out 49 in 38.2 IP and walked just 6 hitters by locating his above average changeup and running fastball in the 88-92 range. His curveball (which missed some bats yesterday) is fringey but it’s thrown for strikes, a South Atlantic League delicacy. The stuff profiles at the back of a rotation. Humphreys is a physically mature 6-foot-2, 225 pounds so there’s not much body-based projection on the fastball, but some scouts think the arm action is promising in that regard.

Rogelio Armenteros, RHP, Houston (Profile)
Level: Double-A   Age: 22   Org Rank: NR Top 100: NR
Line: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 0 ER, 7 K

Notes
Armenteros has a bevy of fringe-to-average pitches that play up due to the natural deception in his extreme overhand delivery. His fastball sits 89-93 and is complimented by a changeup, mid-70s 12-6 curveball and tilting low-80s slider. Armenteros is a big guy (listed 6-foot-1, 215) but he’s very athletic and he throws plenty of strikes (though it’s more control than command right now). Scouts are intrigued at the idea of a Armenteros’ combination of repertoire depth and deception moving to the bullpen, but part of his appeal is grounded in his ability to work efficiently. He has better stuff than some of the 6th starter/swingman types in the big leagues and could max out as a true #4/5 starter.

Micker Adolfo, OF, Chicago (AL) (Profile)
Level: Low-A   Age: 20   Org Rank: HM   Top 100: NR
Line: 3-for-5, 3B
Notes
After spending parts of three seasons in the AZL due to injuries and strikeout issues, Adolfo is back in full season ball at Low-A Kannapolis and hitting .310/.375/.437 after hitting .219 in 65 games there last year. Adolfo is striking out at a 23% clip this season which is down from 32% last year but the scouting reports regarding Adolfo’s expansive, noisy approach are the same. He has prodigious physical tools but still requires significant polish on the offensive side.

Vince Fernandez, OF, Colorado (Profile)
Level: Low-A   Age: 21   Org Rank: NR   Top 100: NR
Line: 3-for-4, 2B, HR
Notes
A 10th round pick out of UC Riverside last year, Fernandez has above average, all-fields raw power. He also has a corner-only (and some scouts have said 1B-only) defensive profile so there’s lots of pressure on the bat, but he’s hitting .336 at Low-A Asheville and is 10-for-10 on stolen base attempts. The Cal League will likely be kind to Fernandez’s skillset if/when he’s promoted. Fernandez seems likely to at least get the opportunity to sink or swim at Double-A at some point during the next two seasons, which is pretty impressive considering that, less than a year ago, he was a 10th rounder.

Yanio Perez, 1B/OF, Texas (Profile)
Level: Low-A   Age: 21   Org Rank: 20   Top 100: NR
Line: 3-for-4, 2B, HR
Notes
Perez has hit in 14 of his last 15 games and is up to .349/.429/.604 at Low-A Hickory. Billed as a 3B as an amateur, Perez’s body has matured quickly and he now has 1B and corner outfield projection and has spent most of his time at those spots already this season. He’s a bit old for the Sally League and few of the corner bats at Texas’ Hi-A affiliate in Kinston are hitting well right now.

Carson Kelly, C, St. Louis (Profile)
Level: Triple-A   Age: 22   Org Rank: 4   Top 100: 81
Line: 3-for-5, 2 2B
Notes
Kelly is hitting .321/.411/.590 for Memphis and plays great defense at a premium position. Yadier Molina is hitting .255 in the big leagues.

Victor Caratini, 1B/C, Chicago (NL) (Profile)
Level: Triple-A   Age: 23   Org Rank: 14   Top 100: NR
Line: 4-for-5, 2B, HR
Notes
A passable receiver with average raw arm strength, Caratini’s defensive shortcomings lie with his ball blocking and immobility. But he’s an excellent hitter from both sides of the plate (but especially from the right side) and projects for an above average bat without the game power to profile at first base. Scouts consider Caratini a species of player more commonly found in the American League, one who can DH, play some first base and occasionally put on his catcher’s gear. He could make for an interesting trade chip in July.

Tony Santillan, RHP, Cincinnati (Profile)
Level: Low-A   Age: 20   Org Rank: 21   Top 100: NR
Line: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 ER, 10 K
Notes
A glimpse of what Santillan is capable of when he’s throwing strikes with his mid-90s fastball and angry slider. He has struggled this season but was dominant on Monday. Below are the swings and misses he induced.

***

Trade Note: The Cubs traded OF Matt Szczur (who was one of the most entertaining college football players I’ve ever seen) to San Diego in exchange for RHP Justin Hancock. Hancock made just two starts in 2016 due to a shoulder injury and has been converted to a relief role where his fastball/slider combination projects to the middle innings if he can stay healthy.





Eric Longenhagen is from Catasauqua, PA and currently lives in Tempe, AZ. He spent four years working for the Phillies Triple-A affiliate, two with Baseball Info Solutions and two contributing to prospect coverage at ESPN.com. Previous work can also be found at Sports On Earth, CrashburnAlley and Prospect Insider.

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Astromets
6 years ago

Posted all 9 of Humphreys strikeout sequences here if interested (plus more from that game): http://www.astrometsmind.com/2017/05/humphreys-and-dash-combine-to-crush.html

Astromets
6 years ago
Reply to  Astromets

A few more Humphreys stats: 17% Swinging strike rate; 31% Whiff/Swing rate, .450 OPS allowed