Derrick
Shields

Physical: Strong/athletic 5-foot-10, 170lb frame with natural feel for his body. 7.43 runner in the 60-yard dash. 

Offensively: RHH - Balanced, slightly open stance with the backside bent to start; high hands sinking to a launch position at the shoulder coupled with a smooth lift and replace stride to a wide attack. Utilized a flat barrel path upon entry into the hitting zone, with lift on pitches in most quadrants of the plate (78% fly ball rate via Trackman). Mostly pull-side approach with good connection found in the swing; posted a 317 foot peak batted ball distance and 87 mph bat-exit velocity with attributes that carried positively over into game action. Top of the order, two-hole type that can handle the bat. 

Defensively: The primary third baseman flashed smooth, easy actions at the hot corner with a quick first step and low posture overall. Handled lateral movements well while holding pace through the exchange, the chest remained downhill on each rep delivering from an accurate, high ¾ slot with carry to the target (83 mph arm). 

Pitching: RHP - Started from the middle/left side of the rubber with a short side rocker into a medium leg lift with pace in the delivery; high level mover looking natural in space on the bump, pounding the zone with repeatability through a loose high ¾ slot. FB ranged 81-82 mph with good run in on RHH mixing a sharp, consistent 75-77 mph SL up to 16 inches of horizontal movement across the plate for strikeouts. Held direction well, creating deception while later adding a 73-75 mph CH with lesser spin traits.

Physical: Strong and athletic 5-foot-10, 180-pound frame with feel for the actions in all phases. 7.52 runner in the 60-yard dash. 

Offensively: RHH - Wide open, slightly bent stance with the hands starting high at the shoulder. Utilized a leg hang stride with minor weight shift in order to initiate the bat head through a flat, sometimes negative path into the hitting zone. Recorded mainly ground balls (67% ground ball rate) through the middle of the field with consistency on the exit speeds (87 mph max / 83 mph average). Interesting rotational acceleration numbers (15.2 G’s) which will play admirably towards a higher power ceiling down the line if he can straighten out the launch angle. 

Defensively: The third baseman flashed advanced actions at the hot corner with a quick first step and perfect timing on the drive towards first base at the fielding window as soon as the ball touched his glove. Usable 83 mph arm strength and ability to handle all the plays he needed to make.

Pitching: RHP - Started from a slight offset position on the left side of the mound; slow deliberate pace on the rubber with a medium leg lift giving way to good separation and arm action out in front from a high ¾ slot. FB ranged from 80-82 mph with impressive induced vertical break (21.2 inches) appearing to ride at times across the plate. Mixed a sharp 69 mph downer CB with occasional two plane action and countered with a shorter breaking 73 mph SL. A high spin 74 mph CH could use some work though it showed increased fade to the arm side (15 inches).

Physical: 5-foot-9, 165 pounds; lean, athletic frame. 7.81 runner in the 60.
Offensively: RHH. Upright stance with his weight and hands are back; takes his leg back and has a medium stride. above average effort with efficient, flat bat path; 9 degree bat angle into the zone via Blast Motion. Shields is able to produce 13.3 G’s of force with an on-plane efficiency of 80%.  Hard line drives; average Trackman exit velocity of 79 MPH; peak exit velo was 85 MPH.
Defensively: Sets up low and wide; straightens up a bit to move laterally, deliberate footwork. fields the ball inside his arm foot, gets rid of the ball quickly; medium arm swing with a 3/4 arm slot.  INF - 79 MPH. 
Pitching: Sets up offset and takes a modified side step with his hands starting at his chest and coming down to the belt before taking a small stride to home plate. Long take back around his body, 3/4 arm slot. FB: T 80 MPH, 75-80 MPH. stays mostly true with some late life. CB: 62-71 MPH. 11-5 shape.  CH: 70 MPH with fade.

Demonstrated feel for a lean and athletic 5-foot-9, 160-pound frame with room to add size and strength as he matures. The primary right-handed pitcher sat 79-81 mph out of a repeatable, easy high ¾ arm-slot with command down in the zone. Featured a 65-66 mph curveball with 11/5 shape and occasional depth. Mixed in feel for a 68-71 mph changeup with small arm-side run thrown with adequate sell. The right-handed hitter begins with a balanced, even stance utilizing a leg-lift to initiate his swing. Generated some length in the swing through a flat barrel path into the hitting zone allowing for a line drive approach and occasional pull-side lift when contacting out in front. Recorded an 80 mph bat-exit velocity during batting practice while hitting into a stiff front side and ran a 7.86 60-yard dash. The infielder showcased adequate footwork arriving to the spot on time and playing through the ball with a low center of gravity. Soft hands played out in front working plus minus and smooth transfers created accurate 76 mph arm-strength across the diamond out of a high ¾ arm-slot.

5-foot-8, 145-pound right-handed hitter starts from a narrow, square stance and utilizes a short, lift-and-replace stride to begin his swing. Initiates hands from a high hands load and showed a line drive approach. Registered a bat exit velocity of 80 mph and ran a 7.89 60-yard dash. Displayed developing defensive skills with accurate 75 mph arm strength across the diamond. The righty stood out with solid command of a four pitch mix on the mound. Fastball sat 76-78 out of a high 3/4 arm slot with a fluid, loose arm action. Curveball at 62-65 showed 11/5 rotation while slider at 65-67 had shorter, later break. Changeup is a quality offering at 68-70 with late, arm-side fade.

Shields is a young player with promising across the board skill set. Offensively, initiates swing from neutral with moderate leg kick and stride staying neutral. Weight shift is adequate. Hands work well to baseball with solid barrel feel present. Leverage is created through weight transfer into firm front side. A bat exit velocity of 70 mph was recorded.

Defensively, works bottom up with solid footwork. Hands are soft in fielding ball out front and funneling. Transfer is clean and throwing motion is short. Projects as solid infield defender.

On the mound working out of mid to high 3/4 arm slot there is balance, rhythm and repeatability.  Hip coil is limited. Solid separation is achieved and delivery is low effort. Shields would benefit from driving more aggressively over front side. FB sat 68-70 mph with little movement. CB at 55-56 flashed late break and moderate depth. CH at 62-63 mph was thrown with good sell and arm side movement. Secondary offerings were commanded.