SOUTH ATLANTIC LEAGUE NOTES: PHILLIES, ROCKIES, RANGERS

Feature Photo: Alec Bohm, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies

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We just released our updated Top 125 Prospects entering 2019. Click here to view our user-friendly table, sortable by team, age, position, grade, MLB ETA, and more.

Our new 2019 pro-side video, scouting report, and spotlight libraries are now live! Check out the links below–and you can always refer to our 2018 libraries for even more player info:

Pro Video Library (2019, 2018)

Pro Scouting Report Library (2019, 2018)

Pro Spotlight Library (2019, 2018)

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FEATURED SPOTLIGHT

Luis J. Garcia, SS, Philadelphia Phillies (Lakewood BlueClaws)

Ht/Wt: 5’11” / 170 lbs.             B/T: S / R                Age (as of April 1, 2019): 18y, 6m
Video #1 | Video #2

Garcia was one of the top J2 prospects on the market in the 2017-2018 International Signing Period, coming to terms with Philadelphia for a robust $2.5M bonus. The Phillies skipped him over the DSL entirely, holding Garcia back in Extended Spring Training before making his pro debut in the GCL last summer. After dominating Rookie-level competition in 2018 (.369/.433/.488 as a 17-year-old), Philadelphia challenged Garcia with an assignment straight to full-season ball to begin this year. Like many teenagers in the South Atlantic League, he’s struggling through his first April against much older competition. That said, Garcia showed all the tools that caught my eye last fall during Instructional League, and he seems more than capable of figuring it with continued reps at the level.

At 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, Garcia’s shorter frame is extremely athletic and twitchy. His actions on both sides of the ball are coordinated, showing great core flexibility and body control. The switch-hitter makes a ton of contact because of quick wrists and a very compact swing. Garcia is slightly more advanced from the left-hand side with better batspeed and hip torque, though he’s plenty good as a righty and projects to hit for average from both sides of the plate. His pitch ID and ability to control the strike zone are very polished for a teenage hitter, as evidenced by a solid eight-percent walk rate versus just 11-percent strikeouts in his 2018 professional debut. Garcia is a “hit over power” type—and likely always will be—but despite limited present raw power and lift in his swing, the batspeed is here to grow into more ability to drive the baseball as he gets older. The ball jumps off his barrel during BP with projectable carry to both gaps.

Defensively, he’s a no-doubt shortstop with the body type, range, and playmaking to remain at the position. He has soft hands and an incredibly quick transfer that still can rear back and fire bullets across the infield with plus strength and carry. A plus runner who projects to hold his speed even with strength gains, Garcia puts pressure on the defense up the line and will be a stolen base threat as he climbs the ladder.

Garcia will only be 18-years-old for the entirety of the season. His athleticism, youth, and well-rounded toolset combine to form a dynamic prospect who we (somewhat aggressively) placed on our Top 125 going into this season, checking in at #117.  The ceiling is at least that of an above-average regular with a plus hit tool and defense at shortstop. He will be an all-star if there are any gains in the power department.

FEATURED SCOUTING REPORTS

Alec Bohm, 3B/1B, Philadelphia Phillies (Lakewood BlueClaws) 

Ht/Wt: 6’4” / 225 lbs.             B/T: R / R                Age (as of April 1, 2019): 22y, 7m
Video #1 | Video #2 | Scouting Report

#3 overall pick in last year’s draft has torched South Atlantic League competition to begin 2019. Ceiling of middle-of-the-lineup power producer; offensive upside makes him a top prospect no matter if he winds up at 3B or 1B.
*Editor’s Note: Bohm has since been promoted to High-A Clearwater*

Hans Crouse, RHP, Texas Rangers (Hickory Crawdads)

Ht/Wt: 6’4” / 180 lbs.             B/T: R / R                Age (as of April 1, 2019): 20y, 6m
Video | Scouting Report

Beginning 2019 strong with five excellent starts in the South Atlantic League. Quirky righty with lots of natural deception, mid-90s heater, and two potential above-average secondaries. Ceiling of power #3 starter, perhaps even more than that.

Ryan Rolison, LHP, Colorado Rockies (Asheville Tourists)

Ht/Wt: 6’2” / 195 lbs.             B/T: L / L                Age (as of April 1, 2019): 21y, 8m
Video | Scouting Report

22nd overall pick in last year’s draft dominated the South Atlantic League like an SEC Friday night arm should. Lack of dominant velocity limits the ceiling to a mid-rotation starter, but excellent control/command and advanced off-speed stuff give a very high floor.
*Editor’s Note: Rolison has since been promoted to High-A Lancaster*

Jonathan Ornelas, INF, Texas Rangers (Hickory Crawdads)

Ht/Wt: 6’1” / 178 lbs.             B/T: R / R                Age (as of April 1, 2019): 18y, 10m
Video #1 | Video #2 | Video #3 | Scouting Report

Breakout prospect in 2019 with extremely advanced hitting ability; third-rounder last year from the prep ranks has done nothing but mash since turning pro.Ceiling of offensive-minded everyday infielder, chance to be more than that if better-than-average power develops. 

Francisco Morales, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies (Lakewood BlueClaws)

Ht/Wt: 6’4” / 185 lbs.             B/T: R / R                Age (as of April 1, 2019): 19y, 5m
Video | Scouting Report

Physical RHP with durable frame, chance for above-average FB/SL mix with four usable pitches. Has shown flashes of dominance (24 K, 16 IP) while also taking some lumps as a teenager getting his first taste of full-season competition. Requires projection, but has the ingredients of a workhorse mid-rotation starter. 

Grant Lavigne, 1B, Colorado Rockies (Asheville Tourists)

Ht/Wt: 6’4” / 220 lbs.             B/T: L / R                Age (as of April 1, 2019): 19y, 7m
Video | Scouting Report

Rare prep hitter from the Northeast with the polish to handle a full-season assignment the year after being drafted. Advanced approach and power potential give the ceiling of an everyday 1B, though bat-must-carry profile adds risk.

OTHERS OF NOTE