Feature Photo: Raimel Tapia, OF, Rockies
We’ve added 25 videos to our Prospect Video Library in the past week and, as a reminder, the library is fully sortable by clicking the headers to allow you to more easily navigate the 150+ videos currently available.
As part of this week’s uploads, Alec Dopp checks in with looks at some Short-Season A New York-Penn League action, including Mets 2016 first-rounder Justin Dunn (RHP) and the A’s 2015 third-rounder Dakota Chalmers (RHP). James Chipman was on hand to get looks at some recent High A Florida State League and Rookie Gulf Coast League action, including Yankees standouts Jorge Mateo (SS/2B) and newly acquired Gleyber Torres (SS), and Tigers hard-throwing rookie Matt Manning (RHP). Mark Shreve loaded up on Double-A Eastern League action, including Rockies prospects Raimel Tapia (OF, promoted to Triple-A Albuquerque on August 9th) and Rosell Herrera (OF), who are among 15 new videos covering the Hartford Yard Goats.
Justin Dunn, RHP, Mets (Short-Season A Brooklyn, NY-Penn League)
Ht/Wt: 6’2″ / 185 B/T: R/R Age: 20 yrs, 11m
Dunn is just getting his feet wet in the NY-Penn League, mixing short stints in relief to get going, and then making his last four appearances as a starter (capped at three innings of work). He’s allowed just a single earned run and struck out 19 over his first 18 innings of pro ball, with his fastball sitting 91-to-95 mph (T96) in Alec Dopp’s view on August 11th. Additionally, 2080’s Nick J. Faleris chimed-in with notes on Dunn in last week’s Minor Prospect Spotlights.
Dakota Chalmers, RHP, Athletics (Short-Season A Vermont, NY-Penn League)
Ht/Wt: 6’3″ / 175 B/T: R/R Age: 19 yrs, 10m
Chalmers is stretching his legs going into the end of the season. After being lit up for eight hits and eight earned runs vs. Connecticut August 1st, he bounced back by throwing six innings of two-hit, shutout ball against State College on August 6th, which was his longest outing of the season. Chalmers has lasted around 80-to-90 pitches per outing over his last six starts, ramping up from his 60-to-75 pitch limit earlier in the summer. In Dopp’s view on August 11, Chalmers’s fastball worked 90-to-93 mph (T94), his curve 78-to-81 mph, and his changeup 82-to-85 mph.
Jorge Mateo, SS/2B, Yankees (High A Tampa, Florida State League)
Ht/Wt: 6’0″ / 190 B/T: R/R Age: 21 yrs, 1m
Mateo has bumped his average to .265 after a solid 9-for-19 stretch over his last four games. He’s second in the FSL with both 30 stolen bases and nine triples, and has also shown some sneaky pop in the bat, doubling his 2015 total with with eight home runs for Tampa to-date. He’s also paired well opposite newly-acquired shortstop Gleyber Torres as Tampa’s double-play combination, manning second base for this first time in his pro career. Mateo has shown steady hands and footwork through the transition, acclimating himself well to the keystone.
Gleyber Torres, SS, Yankees (High A Tampa, Florida State League)
Ht/Wt: 6’1″ / 175 B/T: R/R Age: 19 yrs, 9m
Coming over to the Yankees as the highest-profile piece of the Aroldis Chapman trade with the Cubs on July 25th, Torres has struggled a bit on paper with Tampa, hitting .233 over his first 73 ABs. He continues to put together strong at-bats, however, showing an advanced feel for the zone, working counts, and maintaining a 100-point delta between his batting average and on-base percentage. Ignore the stat lines for now — Torres can hit and his average will reflect it soon enough.
Matt Manning, RHP, Tigers (Rookie Tigers, Gulf Coast League)
Ht/Wt: 6’6″ / 190 B/T: R/R Age: 18 yrs, 7m
Drafted out of Sheldon High School (Sacramento, CA) this June with the 9th-overall pick, Manning has spun four three-inning, scoreless outings among his first seven starts for the GCL Tigers, including this start on August 10th viewed by James Chipman, where he struck out four and did not allow a walk against the GCL Phillies.
Ramiel Tapia, OF, Rockies (Triple-A Albuquerque, Pacific Coast League)
Ht/Wt: 6’2″ / 160 B/T: L/L Age: 22 yrs, 6m
Tapia looked more relaxed at the plate in this viewing, with less pre-swing noise when compared to early-season looks – which can happen when your confidence jumps from lighting up the Double-A Eastern league to the tune of a .323 average (second in the league) and a league-leading 137 hits for the season. Not even a promotion to Triple-A Albuquerque on August 9th could slow him down, as Tapia has gone 13-for-31 with the ‘Topes thus far, hitting safely in each of his first seven games.
Rosell Herrera, OF, Rockies (Double-A Hartford, Eastern League)
Ht/Wt: 6’3″ / 195 B/T: S/R Age: 23 yrs, 10m
After doubling-up full seasons at High A Modesto in the California League (2014-15) Herrera has put together a solid season for the Yard Goats in his first year at the Double-A level, settling in as their regular left fielder and slashing .291/.371/.382 with a 54:67 BB:K rate across 407 PAs. He’s hit safely in eight of his last 10 games at a .341 clip.
