Feature Photo: Pete O’Brien, OF, Diamondbacks
Friday, March 11
Mychal Givens, RHP, Baltimore Orioles: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 2 K
Steven Moya, OF, Detroit Tigers: 2-3, R, HR
A.J. Reed, 1B, Houston Astros: 1-3, R, 2B
Colin Moran, 3B, Houston Astros: 2-2, 2 2B
Blake Snell, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
Sam Travis, 1B, Boston Red Sox: 1-1, HR
Jose Peraza, SS, Cincinnati Reds: 3-4, 2 R HR
Robert Stephenson, RHP, Cincinnati Reds: 3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Dan Vogelbach, 1B, Chicago Cubs: 1-3, HR
Austin Barnes, C, Los Angeles Dodgers: 2-3, R, HR
Joey Gallo, 3B, Texas Rangers: 2-3, HR, 2 R
It’s looking more and more likely that Mychal Givens ends up figuring into the Orioles’ bullpen this year. Givens has a solid fastball/slider combo that misses bats, which profiles him well as a high-leverage reliever. Steven Moya had such a good weekend he made our list twice (see March 13 notes). A.J. Reed figures to get major league at-bats this year; his offensive skillset is mature and he’s ready for the big leagues. Colin Moran has solid contact skills but his lack of over-the-fence power and limited mobility dents his profile. Blake Snell keeps impressing during this spring. The Rays typically like slow-cooking their pitchers, but Snell climbed three levels in 2015 and will make a strong case for earning MLB innings in 2016. Sam Travis continues to flat-out hit. Jose Peraza had an impressive day at the plate. Home runs don’t figure to be an important part of his profile, but he does have elite speed. The zero walks is the most encouraging thing about Robert Stephenson’s line. Dan Vogelbach has a lot of raw power and he can barrel the ball up well, he’ll have to do so to get to the majors because he has no position defensively. Austin Barnes has produced well over a five-year minor league career but his talents seem redundant on the Dodgers. Joey Gallo did this, which is a pretty good visualization of what his bat profiles like: tons of raw power wrapped up in a swing that will produce strikeouts.
Saturday March 12
Nick Williams, OF, Philadelphia Phillies: 1-1, HR
Brandon Drury, INF, Arizona Diamondbacks: 2-3, 1 R, 2 2B
Pete O’Brien, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks: 3-5, 2B
Socrates Brito, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks: 1-4, HR
Trevor Story, SS, Colorado Rockies: 2-4, R, HR
Orlando Arcia, SS, Milwaukee Brewers: 2-3, 2 R, HR
Chad Pinder, 2B, Oakland Athletics: 1-2, R, HR
Willson Contreras, C, Chicago Cubs: 3-3, R, 2 2B
Jose Peraza, SS, Cincinnati Reds: 3-3, R
Cody Reed, LHP, Cincinnati Reds: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 K
Nick Williams’ hit tool usually gets the headlines, but his sweet stroke from the left side produces impressive in-game power as well. The Diamondbacks had a big game featuring three prospects who are close to the Majors. Brandon Drury’s positional utility and solid bat will earn him time in 2016. Pete O’Brien had a good day, but he ha an even better one Sunday (see March 13 below). Socrates Brito has an interesting mix of tools with speed and some interesting pop. He could figure into a major role with the Diamondbacks in 2016. Trevor Story is following up a strong rebound in 2015 with a strong spring. Story has some power, but how much contact he makes is the ultimate question. Orlando Arcia can flat-out rake and he’s solid with the glove. Chad Pinder doesn’t have a lot of sizzle in his profile but he displays a broad base of average skills with a plus arm. Willson Contreras needs more work behind the plate to harness his athleticism, but at the plate he shows explosive bat speed which makes for an exciting profile. Jose Peraza had another solid day at the plate. Cody Reed moved quickly through High A/Double-A in 2015 thanks to an impressive fastball/slider combo. He has continued his refinement this spring, and will be a fast mover through the Reds’ system this year according to manager Bryan Price, perhaps making his major league debut this year.
Sunday March 13
Jandel Gustave, RHP, Houston Astros: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Hunter Harvey, RHP, Baltimore Orioles: 0.1 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 0 K
Steven Moya, OF, Detroit Tigers: 2-3, HR
Elias Diaz, C, Pittsburgh Pirates: 2-4, HR
Pete O’Brien, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks: 2-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI
Jeimer Candelario, 3B, Chicago Cubs: 3-4, HR
Spring training stats come with a bevy of caveats, but it’s worth noting that Jandel Gustave hasn’t given up an earned run yet this year. It was a rough day for Hunter Harvey. He’s still working on coming back from an elbow injury after being shut down in July ’15, so there will be some up-and-down performances. Steven Moya can hit bombs, but there’s a lot of swing and miss in the profile. He’s known for his glove but it’s good to see Elias Diaz have a solid day at the plate. Pete O’Brien went off this weekend. O’Brien has real power and seems to have found a permanent home in the outfield. Jeimer Candelario has had an up-and-down career so far but he appears to be on the bounce back. Candelario has good plate discipline and makes hard contact, although it’s still an open question whether he can play third base.
