Feature Photo: Bobby Bradley, 1B, Indians
We’ve added 26 videos to our Prospect Video Library in the past week. Dave DeFreitas recently finished a trip through the High A Carolina League, and caught views of Red Sox prospects Michael Kopech (RHP) and Rafael Devers (3B) from the Salem Red Sox, as well as 2014 first-rounder Erick Fedde (RHP, Nationals), who was throwing for the Potomac Nationals on July 30 before being bumped up to Double-A Harrisburg on Sunday. Dave also got a look at top Indians prospect and High A Lynchburg Hellcat first baseman Bobby Bradley, whose name was brought up aplenty as the Tribe looked to strengthen their big league roster prior to the non-waiver trade deadline August 1, but who ultimately was not moved.
Alec Dopp caught a glimpse of Austin Meadows (OF, Pirates) rehabbing down at the Short-Season A West Virginia Black Bears. Mark Shreve added video of J.P. Feyereisen (RHP, Double-A Trenton), who was traded by the Indians, along with Ben Heller (RHP), Clint Frazier (CF), and Justus Sheffield (LHP), in exchange for Yankees reliever Andrew Miller (LHP) on July 31. And Nick J. Faleris caught some fresh video of 18-year old Padres prospect Anderson Espinoza (RHP, Class A Fort Wayne) from his last start on July 25 against the Beloit Snappers.
Erick Fedde, RHP, Nationals (Double-A Harrisburg, Eastern League)
Fedde threw 6.2 IP in this July 30 start at High A Carolina, his last before being bumped to Double-A Harrisburg. He allowed an unearned run, walking one and striking out 9 while throwing 107 pitches, 68 for strikes. Over 17 starts and 91.2 IP for Potomac in 2016, he sported a 2.84 ERA with 19 walks, 95 Ks, and a 1.13 WHIP. Dave DeFreitas filed this report on Fedde following this viewing.
Michael Kopech, RHP, Red Sox (High A Salem, Carolina League)
While he did not touch the widely-reported 105 mph on the gun in this viewing, Kopech did sit 95-99 mph (T100) with his heater during his start on July 28 vs. the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, though he struggled with his control, walking five and striking out five over 4.1 innings. Dave DeFreitas filed his report on Kopech after seeing him on the 28th.
Rafael Devers, 3B, Red Sox (High A Salem, Carolina League)
One of the top prospects in the Red Sox’ farm system, Devers is currently riding a 10-game hitting streak for Salem, including a 6-for 11, 6 R, 5 RBI tear over his last two games.
Bobby Bradley, 1B, Indians (High A Lynchburg, Carolina League)
Bradley, the Indians’ 2014 third-rounder, has cooled off a bit since the trade deadline passed. He’s hitting just .159 over his last 10 games, and has struck out nine times over his last 15 at-bats, but he’s still sporting an .824 OPS thanks to 21 doubles, a league-leading 22 home runs, and 84 RBIs (second in the league) this year for the Hellcats. Dave Defreitas filed this report on Bradley after seeing him over three games in late July.
Austin Meadows, CF, Pirates (Triple-A Indianapolis, International League)
Meadows found himself on rehab assignment after being DL’d with a right hamstring strain on July 5. After a five-game stint at Short-Season A West Virginia, he returned to the Triple-A Indianapolis lineup on August 6th.
Anderson Espinoza, RHP, Padres (Class A Fort Wayne, Midwest League)
The precocious righty was primarily fastball/changeup in his start against Beloit, with both pitches loud and projectable. He made sure to drop in a couple of legit plus curveballs as well, rounding out some of the best raw stuff you’ll see in all of the minor leagues. At just 18 years of age, Espinoza is one of the most exciting arms in the game, and one of the few true potential aces working his way towards the big leagues.
J.P. Feyereisen, RHP, Yankees (Double-A Trenton, Eastern League)
Feyereisen showcased a mid-90s fastball and 83-to-85 mph slider in his first appearance for the Trenton Thunder on August 3, going 1.2 innings in relief of starter Ronald Herrera. He’s expected to fill the late-inning relief role for Trenton as they get ready for the playoffs sporting the second-best record in the Eastern League. While with Akron, he appeared in 33 games and threw 40.1 IP, allowing 30 hits, 22 walks, 59 strikeouts, a 2.43 ERA, and a .205 BAA.
