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Draft League Opening Day Scouting Notes

May 25, 2021
Mike Rosenbaum / Tad Slowik
Senior Prospect Analyst / Special Assistant, Scouting Operations

Frederick @ Trenton

Trenton starter RHP Dylan Heid racked up seven strikeouts over four one-hit frames to earn the Opening Day win. Six of Heid’s strikeouts were swinging, and he recorded all of them with his impressive fastball -- a pitch that plays well above its 90-94 mph velocity, and one that he featured prominently in the outing. 

 

Frederick starter RHP Luis Guerrero sat 93-94 (T95.7) over 2.2 innings, striking out five but also walking four. RHP Francois Castillo ran his fastball up to 92.8 mph, and RHP Brock Gilliam topped out a shade north of 92 mph.

Lefty-swinging INF Daryl Myers posted the game’s top exit velocity (105.1 mph) and also hit a 99-mph triple, while 1B Nick Hernandez had a pair of triple-digit exit velocities for Frederick. INF/UTL Jordan Hollins cleared the bases with a 100-mph triple and reached base four times, going 2-for-3 with three RBI and two walks. Florida Gators commit Rene Lastres started behind the plate for Frederick and went 1-for-2 with a 95-mph double to RF. 

 

Williamsport @ State College

SS Isaac Nunez flashed good actions and a good glove. He showed a plus arm with carry. He posted the two highest exit velocities in the game, tallying a pair of singles at 105.4 and 104 mph, respectively. 2B Christian Olivo, 17, looked at home playing against players several years his senior. The Puerto Rican prep made a highlight-reel play in the first inning, laying out full extension to his left before throwing a dart to get the runner at first base.  

C Kenny Piper showed very good catch and throw ability behind the plate for State College. He also can swing it from the right side with some pop, as he showed by connecting on a 374.1-foot triple and a 98.7 mph single. Williamsport backstop Kyle Smith also showed well on both sides of the ball.  

Williamsport RHP Ryan Velazquez recorded five of his six outs via the strikeout. His fastball sat 92-93 mph and touched and touched 95.5 mph with some late movement -- tail and sink from a high-three-quarters delivery -- and he paired it with a 83-84 slider that featured some tightness with sharp late break.

RHP Francisco Mateo has some big arm strength despite being undersized. He was 92-95 mph with late life in his season debut, complementing his heater with a sharp, 82-83 mph slider and a mid-80s change that has some deception and sink.

Spikes starter RHP Andrew Moore didn’t make it out of the second inning, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks, but the 6-foot-5, 210-pounder showed big arm strength from a projectable frame and three potential Major League pitches in a 92-96 fastball, a sharp, late-diving slider in the low-80s, and a changeup that he he sells with good arm speed and clean mechanics. LHP Chris Wall fared better, striking out four over three one-hit innings out of the Spikes’ bullpen. He has long arms and legs and strong durable body, as well as a quick arm from a three-quarters delivery. He sat 91-93 with very good late tail and sink, pairing his fastball with an 81-83 mph changeup that has good arm-speed deception, tail and sink. His 79-81 slider was a bit slurvy but has some sharpness and diving action. RHP Payton Rice bumped 94.6 mph out the ‘pen, striking out one batter in a scoreless appearance.  

 

Mahoning Valley @ West Virginia

Power arms were on full display in Morgantown, W.V. on Opening Night. Six different hurlers bumped at least 94 mph, including four who were 95+.

RHP Trevor Tietz flashed some big stuff, touching 95.9 mph during a scoreless inning. RHP Jacob DeLabio was 94-95 mph with a 2500-plus spin fastball and a 2700-plus spin breaking ball at 83-84 mph. Ultra-projectable, 6-foot-4, 170-pound RHP Kobe Robinson posted the game’s best velocity at 96.2 mph (sitting 92-94) with a nasty low-80s slider as he struck out the side in his lone inning of work. 

 

RHP Trey Nordmann posted a 57.1 whiff rate with a fastball that bumped 95.2 mph. RHP Cole Ayers’ heater was up to 94.5 mph and 2484 rpm, sat 92.3 and recorded three whiffs apiece with his curveball and slider, throwing each pitch eight times. RHP Alec Thomas was up to 94 mph and 2435 rpm. RHP Ga’Von Wray struck out four over two innings. He generated seven whiffs on 22 pitches, reaching 92.3 mph and 2389 rpm with a fastball that headlines a deep arsenal.   

 

As for the hitters, UTL Buck Anderson delivered the day’s lone home run, hitting a two-run shot (88 mph EV, 341 ft.)  to start the scoring in the Scrappers’ Opening Day victory. 1B Jared Belbin had a 101.9 mph lineout and a 99 mph double for Mahoning Valley, the latter traveling nearly 375 feet. 

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