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

Michael Hermosillo, OF, Los Angeles AL (Profile)
Level: Triple-A   Age: 22   Org Rank: 14  Top 100: NR
Line: 3-for-4, 2 HR, BB

Notes
Hermosillo, a 28th rounder in 2013, was a two-sport high schooler committed to play football at Illinois, but he was coaxed into pro ball by a $100,000 signing bonus. He opened up his stance a bit last year and hit fairly well during an injury-shortened regular season before heading to the Arizona Fall League, where his physical tools measured up nicely compared to some of baseball’s better prospects.

This year, Hermosillo’s in-box footwork has again been tweaked, and he’s deploying a slower, more committed leg kick. Hitters who have deployed a leg kick like this in recent years have noted that it not only unlocks more pull-side power but also improves their timing. This is what seems to have happened for Hermosillo, who’s now more consistent and comfortable in the batter’s box than he was last season. He’s patient, athletic, and might do enough offensive damage to project in more than just a bench outfield role if these changes have truly unlocked previously dormant physical ability.

Daniel Pinero, INF, Detroit (Profile)
Level: Low-A  Age: 23   Org Rank: NR  Top 100: NR
Line: 3-for-3, 2B, 2 BB

Notes
Pinero is an interesting case study in scouting college shortstops. A smooth, advanced defender who grabbed hold of Virginia’s shortstop gig as an underclassman, Pinero had the requisite actions and athleticism for shortstop and was surprisingly flexible for a 6-foot-5 guy, but scouts were always skeptical about his first-step quickness and range. He has seen more and more time at first and third base in deference to 20-year-old SS Anthony Pereira, and Pinero doesn’t have the power to profile at either spot.

As a shortstop he’d be an interesting prospect, having recorded a 12% career walk rate and 15% strikeout rate, the latter figure especially surprising in light of Pinero’s size. As more of a corner infielder, his .397 slugging percentage –in particular as a 23-year old in Low-A — is damning. He serves as a reminder that, generally, the position of shortstop has an upper bound of allowable physicality.

Jeremy Arocho, INF, Los Angeles NL (Profile)
Level: Rookie-level   Age: 18   Org Rank: NR   Top 100: NR
Line: 5-for-5

Notes
Arocho was committed to Maryland as an underclassman. He had academic issues late in high school, though, and altered his commitment to a junior college in Florida before being selected in the 27th round of this year’s draft and signing with the Dodgers. He has a strong, mature build, good defensive hands, and above-average bat speed from both sides of the plate but lacks the arm strength for shortstop and will require significant polish on the offensive side. He’s raw but has interesting physical traits for such a late-round pick.

Hunter Greene, RHP, Cincinnati (Profile)
Level: Short-Season  Age: 18   Org Rank: 1   Top 100: 23
Line: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 K

Notes
Greene’s fastball was 97-100 yesterday in his pro pitching debut. One inning, fifteen pitches, a quick-footed pickoff move, and a looking strikeout against Brewers prospect KJ Harrison.

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Notes from the backfield
Padres RHP Michell Miliano has had a mixed summer after looking quite promising last fall. His fastball remains in the 88-91 mph range and his curveball feel is still advanced for his age. (Miliano is still just 17.) That said, he looks stiffer and more deliberate on the mound than he did during my initial looks. His command is well below average right now.