(*) CALL-UPS: April 20-26, 2021
Apr 26 2021
William Contreras (C, ATL)
The players covered in this column are only those who still have rookie status as determined by MLB, and who have not already been written up earlier in 2021. Find previous Call-up profiles on the News tab of the player's PlayerLink page.
Contributing writers: Jeremy Deloney, Nick Richards, Matthew St-Germain, Andy Smith and Tanner Smith
April 26, 2021
William Contreras (C, ATL)
Contreras’ stint in the major leagues will be a short one this time, as he was called up as the 27th man for the Braves for their doubleheader on April 25. Contreras was at the short end of a spring training competition with Alex Jackson (C, ATL) for the backup catcher spot, but may be the catcher of the future for the Braves. Contreras is a very good athlete with the tools to be an above average starting catcher in the future. He possesses above average raw power and potential for an average hit tool, but currently sells out too much for power and has issues with good velocity and laying off breaking balls out of the zone. Contreras has made strides in recent years defensively, but still has work to do to be an average defender at the major league level. Contreras is currently third on the catching depth chart for the Braves, but has potential to climb if either Braves MLB catcher gets injured or if Jackson does not make enough contact to stick at the major league level.
STATS: Contreras Baseball-Reference Page
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 7 on ATL Org Report
CURRENT ROLE: Third string C
POTENTIAL: Starting C
RATING: 8E
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Zac Lowther (LHP, BAL)
Lowther fits the crafty lefty mold, as he lacks plus stuff or high velocity, but has a good idea of how to pitch. Like a lot of pitchers of his profile, he has dominated minor league hitters at the lower levels, most recently posting a 2.55 ERA in 2019 at AA across 148 IP. He sits around 89-92 on his fastball that he delivers from a high three-quarters slot. Lowther gets good extension on the fastball, allowing the pitch to play above its velocity, and he also gets sink and run on his fastball that allows him to suppress hard contact with it. He complements his fastball primarily with an average changeup that shows decent fade and plays off his fastball well. He also throws a curveball with decent 12-6 movement that does not tunnel as well as his two core offerings, reducing its effectiveness. Lowther will start his major league career as a long man out of the bullpen but could be in line for some starts later in the season for an Orioles team with an unsettled rotation.
STATS: Lowther Baseball-Reference page
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 15 on BAL Org Report
CURRENT ROLE: Long reliever
POTENTIAL: No. 4 Starter
RATING: 7D
Jason Vosler (INF, SFG)
Vosler is a 28-year-old corner infielder with a history of hitting for power in the minor leagues with good walk numbers, but with corresponding high strikeout totals. He is a left-handed hitter with an uphill swing that generates good carry to all fields, especially on pitches down in the zone, but leads to swings and misses. He is a below average infielder at the corners with limited mobility, limiting his viability as a true utility man. Vosler’s playing time is likely to be sporadic, barring an injury, and mostly in a pinch-hitting role, limiting his fantasy utility.
STATS: Vosler Baseball-Reference Page
CURRENT ROLE: Backup corner INF
POTENTIAL: Backup corner INF
RATING: 5D
April 25, 2021
Luis Patiño (RHP, TAM)
The Rays will promote the 21-year-old from the alternate site and he will be a tandem starter for the game on Sunday, April 25. Patino was a high-profile acquisition from the Padres in December 2020 after a season in which he appeared in 11 games covering 17 innings (he struck out 21 batters). He has among the best pure and electric arms in all of baseball regardless of level. He uses an extraordinarily athletic delivery and arm action to deliver mid-to-high 90s fastballs to the plate. It features natural rise, which makes him difficult to square up. He can blow that by hitters or use a variety of secondary offerings to punch them out. His mid-80s slider can be lethal when on while he mixes in an occasional curveball and high 80s change-up that flashes plus. With this kind of electric stuff, he has significant strikeout potential regardless of role. There are some concerns about his size (6’1” 192 pounds) as well as his inconsistent command and control. Because he often overthrows, his mechanics can get out of whack and he can miss the strike zone badly. Patino could be an impact pitcher as either a No. 2 starter or back-end reliever, possibly a closer. This is a guy to keep an eye on. Patino has a career 2.35 ERA, 3.1 BB/9 and 10.7 K/9 in the minors.
STATS: Patino Baseball-Reference page
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 4 on TAM Org Report; No. 43 on HQ100
CURRENT ROLE: Tandem starter/long reliever
POTENTIAL: No. 2 starter/closer
RATING: 9D
Phil Bickford (RHP, MIL)
The Brewers summoned the 25-year-old reliever to the majors after placing LHP Brett Anderson on the injured list. Despite being a first-round pick in 2015, Bickford has flown under the radar. He served a 50-game suspension for a drug of abuse in 2017 and then broke his hand after being hit by a batted ball. He returned in 2018 and was moved to the bullpen to take advantage of his pure arm strength. This is a true power pitcher with everything thrown with above average velocity. Bickford establishes the plate with a 93-97 mph four-seamer while also leaning on a heavy 90-93 mph sinker. As a reliever, his strikeout rate has increased because he can focus on his solid fastball/slider combo. His mechanics and release point can be inconsistent, which leaves his command a bit to be desired. Bickford has the ingredients and tenacity to be a dependable late-innings reliever, but he needs to shore up his command. He appeared in one game with the Brewers in 2020 and has a career 2.98 ERA, 3.5 BB/9 and 11.0 K/9 in the minors.
STATS: Bickford Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Setup reliever
RATING: 7C
Corey Ray (OF, MIL)
The 26-year-old has been promoted to the big leagues for the first time in his pro career and he will likely serve as a depth outfielder until a few players gain full health. Few prospects possess the natural tools that Ray owns in his impressive tool box. His challenges have revolved around his inability to make contact and well below average hit tool. The left-handed hitter was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2016 draft and put together a monstrous MVP season in Double-A in 2018 (27 HR, 37 SB). Prior to that season and after that season, he hasn’t shown much. In fact, while in Triple-A in 2018, Ray hit .188/.260/.329. Two tools stand out—his plus speed and plus power. He is also a solid-average defender in CF with a strong arm. Ray lacks pitch recognition and can look helpless at the plate. When he runs into a pitch, he can hit it hard and drive it a long way. When he doesn’t, his contact rate suffers as a result. His erratic swing mechanics have been exploited at the upper levels and he can be easy to pitch to. There are quite a few present deficiencies in his game, but the Brewers hope that his natural talent breaks through and he learns how to read spin and put all of his tools together. He has a career batting line of .236/.312/.408 in the minors.
STATS: Ray Baseball-Reference page
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 8 on MIL Org Report
CURRENT ROLE: Reserve outfielder
POTENTIAL: Starting CF
RATING: 8D
Garrett Cleavinger (LHP, LA)
The Dodgers made a few roster moves and one of them involved recalling the 27-year-old from the alternate site. Cleavinger was acquired from the Phillies in December 2020 after he appeared in one game with Philadelphia that season. He originally was a third-round selection of the Orioles in the 2015 draft. The career reliever offers a few solid pitches in his fastball and curveball and has particularly used his breaking ball to post impressive strikeout rates in the minors. Cleavinger has a sturdy, strong build that allows him to have durability. With a smooth, repeatable delivery with excellent extension, his fastball looks quicker than the 90-95 mph it hits on the gun. He keeps it low in the zone and rarely allows HR. His best pitch is his hard curveball, which serves as his main swing-and-miss weapon. Issuing walks has been Cleavinger’s main bugaboo and he won’t achieve sustained success without firming up his command. He likely won’t last long with this stint in the majors, but the potential is for him to find a lasting role in the majors with his ability to retire lefties. Cleavinger has a career 4.08 ERA, 5.3 BB/9 and 12.0 K/9.
STATS: Cleavinger Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Long reliever
POTENTIAL: Setup reliever
RATING: 7D
April 24, 2021
Kent Emanuel (LHP, HOU)
After ending his 80-game suspension for PED use, the 28-year-old finds himself in the Astros bullpen for the first time in his pro career. Drafted in the third round in 2013, Emanuel has mostly been a reliever since 2018. He has a strong pitcher’s frame at 6’4”, 225 pounds, though he isn’t a fireballer. In fact, he is primarily a sinkerballer who can locate the sinker low in the strike zone. He rarely walks hitters and is able to induce weak groundballs. He uses three other pitches—a slow, loopy curveball; average slider and fringy change-up. His arm action and natural sink allow him to deceive hitters to give him a slight advantage from the get-go. While not a strikeout artist, he is able to mix his pitches enough to get the occasional whiff. Location and command are paramount as he can be subject to a high oppBA if he doesn’t hit his spots. Emanuel could provide length in the middle innings due to his fresh arm and crafty nature. He owns a career 4.77 ERA, 2.3 BB/9 and 7.1 K/9.
STATS: Emanuel Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Middle reliever
RATING: 7E
Nick Gordon (INF, MIN)
The Twins have been beset by COVID-19 and other ailments and have now summoned the 25-year-old from the alternate site. Gordon was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2014 draft and is in the majors for the first time. He hasn’t developed as much as the Twins hoped, but there are some usable skills in his tool box. The left-handed hitter posted solid numbers while in Triple-A in 2019. He is a decent hitter who focuses on line drives to the middle of the field. He has made a concerted effort to shorten his stroke and make more consistent, hard contact. Gordon lacks strength for power, though some scouts believe there is raw pop in his bat. Speed is one of his better tools and he will need to be on base in order to use it. While plate discipline isn’t a significant strength, he can exhibit patience to find a pitch to drive. Defensively, Gordon is proficient at both middle infield spots and 2B may be the best spot for him. He can be a bit careless with his glove, but he has good lateral quickness and sufficient arm strength. For his career, he is a .276/.329/.385 hitter with a high of 9 HR in 2017 and 25 SB in 2015.
STATS: Gordon Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Reserve infielder
POTENTIAL: Reserve infielder
RATING: 6B
Louis Head (RHP, TAM)
After placing Diego Castillo on the COVID-19 list due to vaccine side effects, the Rays turned to Head to fill the void for the short-term. The 31-year-old has never appeared in the majors and is far from a prospect. He was an 18th-round pick by the Indians in 2012 and spent a number of years in that organization before pitching in the Dodgers system in 2019. With 410 career innings pitched in the minors (mostly as a reliever), he offers little upside. However, he is a testament to perseverance and hard work. Head’s pitch mix is rather ordinary—90-94 mph sinking fastball, average slider and OK cutter. His fastball command is a little short, potentially due to the effort and inconsistency in his delivery and arm slot. He will provide length in the bullpen for now. Head has a career 3.67 ERA, 3.3 BB/9 and 9.4 K/9.
STATS: Head Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Long reliever
POTENTIAL: Long reliever
RATING: 5D
Ryan Hendrix (RHP, CIN)
The 26-year-old has been recalled to the majors for his big league debut. The Reds are in desperate need of an effective reliever and Hendrix could fill that need. He has as strong of an arm as any in the system and he can pump his fastball into the 94-98 mph range. With a maximum effort delivery, his command and control can be a bit erratic. However, with his one-two combo of fastball and curveball, he can provide electricity in short stints. Hendrix’s breaking ball can flash double-plus and is often a high strikeout offering. He has dabbled in using a change-up, but sticks mostly to his other two pitches. Hendrix missed time in 2019 due to an elbow strain, but that hasn’t caused concern for his future value. The fifth-round pick in 2016 has always been a reliever from college to the pros and the hope is he gets off to a hot start and becomes a reliable piece of the Reds bullpen in the short and long-terms. Hendrix owns a career 2.55 ERA, 4.0 BB/9 and 12.2 K/9.
STATS: Hendrix Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Setup reliever
RATING: 7D
Aaron Northcraft (RHP, SD)
The 30-year-old was once considered a decent prospect when he was in the Braves organization from 2009 thru 2014—he was a 10th-round pick in 2009. After pitching two years in the Padres organization, elbow problems forced him out of baseball from 2017 thru 2018. He returned to pitching in 2019 with the Mariners. Now back with the Padres, Northcraft has made it to the majors. He lacks flash and a plus pitch, but he is all about command and control. With precise location, he spots his 88-92 mph fastball impeccably within the strike zone and mixes in an average curveball and change-up. Mostly a starter early in his career, Northcraft started pitching out of the bullpen in 2019. He has increased his strikeout rate in shorter stints. He offers good size—6’4”, 220 pounds—which gives him leverage with his delivery and induces a high number of groundballs. He’ll likely serve as depth for the short-term. Northcraft owns a career 3.87 ERA, 3.5 BB/9 and 7.7 K/9.
STATS: Northcraft Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Long reliever
POTENTIAL: Middle reliever
RATING: 5C
DJ Peters (OF, LA)
The Dodgers recalled the 25-year-old slugger after placing Zach McKinstry on the injured list. Peters is a large and strong outfielder who brings tremendous power to the plate. Despite his size—6’6”, 225 pounds—he is a sound athlete who runs fairly well. Peters can also range CF effectively with among the strongest arms in the organization. His profile is pretty standard for a slugger—he crushes balls to all fields … and he strikes out a ton. Peters has slugged at least 23 HR in each of the last three years in the minors (high of 29 in 2018), but he has also whiffed at least 168 times each season. As he’s climbed the minor league ladder, his BA has also taken a fall. He will see a lot of pitches, which allows him to draw walks. The concern with Peters is his limited hit tool. He can be pull-conscious and he swings very hard, leaving him susceptible to breaking balls. There is a lot to like here, though there may not be an ideal opportunity going forward. Peters has a career line of .269/.363/.501 in the minors since he was selected in the fourth round of the 2016 draft.
STATS: Peters Baseball-Reference page
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 7 on LA Org Report
CURRENT ROLE: Reserve outfielder
POTENTIAL: Starting CF/RF
RATING: 8E
April 23, 2021
Gregory Santos (RHP, SF)
A pitcher with a ton of upside, Santos features a sinking FB that can reach the high-90s along with a swing-and-miss, hard SL. The 21-year-old product of the Dominican Republic has dealt with some minor injuries in the past, but there does not appear to be any long-term worries at the moment. The only thing that may be keeping him from his ceiling as a dominant starter is the development of a CU. If that doesn't happen, then late-inning bullpen work could be his eventual destination. Having not appeared any higher than Single-A, it's doubtful that Santos makes a huge splash in 2021. His stats in the minors aren't particularly overwhelming, but scouts (and the BBHQ Minor League Analyst) all agree that the raw skills are there for future impact—so if your league is of the keeper variety and you have extra reserve spots to spare, he's a flier to keep in mind.
STATS: Santos Baseball-Reference page.
CURRENT ROLE: Long reliever
POTENTIAL: No. 2 Starter
RATING: 8E
José Devers (SS, MIA)
The brother of Boston's Rafael, this younger Devers lacks the pop of his older sibling. What he does possess is a solid hit tool that could translate into a strong BA, and the ability is there for him to be a contributor in the SB category. However, if the latter doesn't happen then he may ultimately slide into a utility role in the big leagues. His slash line over three minor leagues seasons is .278/.339/.348, and that comes with one HR in 706 ABs. A plus defender who hits from the left side, monitor his progress to see if he's able to refine his running skills as his body continues to develop. He is Miami's No. 15 prospect (linked below).
STATS: Devers Baseball-Reference page
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 15 on MIA Org Report
CURRENT ROLE: Backup INF
POTENTIAL: Starting SS
RATING: 7D
April 22, 2021
Miguel Yajure (RHP, PIT)
Yajure is one of the many interesting IFA arms the Yankees have signed and developed over the past six years. 6'1" and 220 pounds, Yajure has a Tommy John surgery already under the hood and entered the Pirates system as part of the 2020 trade for Jameson Taillon (RHP, NYY). The 22-year-old has progressed on the back of solid feel for pitching rather than standout stuff. As he's come back from his 2017 surgery, Yajure's velocity has crept up to the mid-90s and is sitting 93 more regularly now. The young Venezuelan now operates with five distinct pitches (FB, CB, CU, CT, and SL), all of them hanging around solid-average to above-average. There's still more seasoning to be done to get him humming in a starting role, and it seems that Yajure has had difficulty transitioning in and out of the bullpen. Still, there's plus command projection in the profile, and should he find any more heat and/or pushes a secondary into solid plus, he would easily eclipse his No. 4 starter projection. It might be a bumpy ride, but there's a lot of long-term variables to bet on here. Yajure is up to start the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader and likely continues to work at the alt site afterwards.
STATS: Yajure Baseball-Reference page
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 15 on NYY Org Report
CURRENT ROLE: Starting pitcher
POTENTIAL: No. 4 starter
RATING: 8D
Zack Short (SS, DET)
A defensive standout at multiple positions, Short came over into the Tigers organization via the Cameron Maybin (OF, FA) trade. 5'10" and 180 pounds, the majority of the 25-year-old's value comes at the defensive end. Solid-average to above-average speed, arm, and fielding tools allow him to proficiently handle anything on the dirt, giving him a major league utility floor. Unfortunately, the ceiling isn't that much higher, as a weak hit tool holds back the profile. Short can sneak into some pop, but it's mainly pull side and he hasn't consistently gotten to it. He can take a walk and steal a base, but spelling regulars is his most likely avenue to playing time.
STATS: Short Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Utility infielder
POTENTIAL: Utility player
RATING: 7A
Rodolfo Castro (2B, PIT)
Castro's profile is a volatile one. On one hand, he has impressive power and enough defensive versatility to play full time at 2B and backup on the left side of the infield. On the other, he still has a very raw approach and a continued inability to recognize spin as evidenced by his poor showing at instructs and the alt site. 6'0" and 205 pounds, Castro is still only 21 years old despite debuting back in 2016 and has consistently been younger than most players at every level he's played. Now on the 40-man, Pittsburgh has reason to use him despite the rawness of the bat. Castro is trending in the right direction defensively, giving him some kind of major league floor. Whether or not he can manifest a modest approach will dictate how long he can last with near full time reps.
STATS: Castro Baseball-Reference page
OTHER COVERAGE: Eyes Have It (September 2018)
CURRENT ROLE: Backup IF
POTENTIAL: Starting MIF
RATING: 7D
Art Warren (RHP, CIN)
This is Warren's third write up here and his profile remains similar to his last from this past August. There's still a lot to like despite his rough showing this spring. Warren's fastball/slider combo is good enough for solid swing-and-miss outcomes. He's been excellent at keeping the ball on the ground and in the park, and his skills have been trending in the right direction for multiple seasons now. Warren's fastball is still at least a plus offering, working 97-98 and touching 100. He's still got a solid frame but has had trouble staying healthy over the years. Warren has the stuff to be at least a setup reliever, he just needs the consistent major league reps, as he's done well in his brief major league exposure. All the 28-year-old needs now is opportunity.
STATS: Warren Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Setup reliever
RATING: 7D
Derek Hill (CF, DET)
Detroit's first-round selection from 2014, Hill was the top defensive CF in the draft class. The hopes that he would develop pop in time have all but evaporated at this point. 6'2" and 190 pounds, the 25-year-old still has the defensive chops that should allow him some fourth OF looks in the majors. However, the bat has not progressed in any material way, and Hill languished in Single-A ball for five years. Attempts to change launch angle didn't result in much power improvement, but a significant rise in K% (28.5% in '18, 27.9% in '19). The speed is still plus, so there's some potential to carve out a defensive replacement/pinch runner role, but as far as Hill's future in the Detroit organization, this is his projection. His poor showing during his brief cup last year hasn't helped. A change of scenery candidate but likely just depth long-term.
STATS: Hill Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: 4th OF
POTENTIAL: 4th OF
RATING: 6C
Humberto Castellanos (RHP, ARI)
Castellanos received a thorough review for his debut last season (see his News section). He's still a stocky, 5'11", 222-pound middle reliever who most likely works as a depth arm on the back of his solid control profile. Nothing in here is really swing-and-miss, but he's around the zone and keeps the ball down, which should get him reps in a major league bullpen, primarily as a mop up guy who can give you a few reliable innings. Still only 22, but just not a lot of projection left to suggest anything beyond low leverage.
STATS: Castellanos Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Middle reliever
RATING: 6D
April 21, 2021
Travis Blankenhorn (2B, MIN)
Blankenhorn received a thorough writeup late last season and not much has changed in the profile. After a breakout in 2019 where he flashed more power, the 6'2", 235-pound Blankenhorn got a cup late last year. There's some good qualities in here in a solid utility guy, one who could sneak into some second-division starting should the tools transfer. He would need to bump the hit tool to get there, but there's some sneaky, late-developing qualities here to bet the over on at least some kind of major league role. Blankenhorn is up as number of Twins players have been sidelined after a COVID exposure in the clubhouse and likely returns to the alternative site once the squad returns to health.
6-2, 235, 24, 2015 (3, MIN) STATS: Blankenhorn Baseball-Reference page
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 14 MIN Org Prospect
CURRENT ROLE: In the mix for starts at 2B/3B/LF
POTENTIAL: Starting 2B
RATING: 7B
Steven Fuentes (RHP, WAS)
A $35K sign out of Panama way back in 2013 as a 16-year-old, Fuentes has moved methodologically through the Nationals system, and has the makings of a solid-if-unspectacular, back-end arm or setup reliever. 6'2" and 241 pounds, the 23-year-old worked primarily as a reliever or piggy-back arm throughout his first five seasons, but after a breakout season in 2018 across two Single-A levels, Washington opted to try Fuentes in the rotation in 2019 for Double-A Harrisburg where he held his own, until a 50-game suspension for testing positive for a banned stimulant. He's got two-above average pitches in his low-90s, sinking fastball (53.6% GB% in '19), and change. Fuentes' average slider will need to bump to really stick in the rotation, but he has enough stuff to look like a valuable major league arm in whatever role he settles in. He's up now in middle relief and gives the Nationals the option to pitch multiple innings.
STATS: Fuentes Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: No. 5 starter/setup reliever
RATING: 7C
Bailey Falter (LHP, PHI)
A lean 6'4" and 175 pounds, Falter showed up to instructional league having added on good weight and in better shape. There's two usable pitches in the profile in his 94-mph fastball with excellent extension and deception and a plus changeup that he'll throw in either count to both righties and lefties. Falter is still rather young at 23 years old and has seen some projection in his tools (he sat more 90 mph in 2019), so there's a chance there's more in the tank. As he has been around the zone and kept the walks to a minimum, there's intriguing upside in the profile should his tools translate.
STATS: Falter Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Setup reliever
RATING: 7C
Ramón Rosso (RHP, PHI)
Rosso is a pop-up guy who has had fluctuations in velocity but finally touched the high-90s since last year. 6'4" and 240, he's a big guy who backs up his running fastball with an above-average slider and received a good breakdown last year here. Rosso struggled in his major league debut in 2020, but there's enough intrigue in that velocity gain that the Phillies will give the 24-year-old time to iron out his control issues. There's some leveraged upside in the profile, but he'll likely remain in low leverage until he can get everything under better control.
STATS: Rosso Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Setup reliever
RATING: 7D
April 20, 2021
Nick Maton (SS, PHI)
As Ronald Torreyes lands on the COVID-19 injured list, 24-year-old Nick Maton was called up to make his major league debut batting eighth and playing SS. A 6'2", 178-pound middle infielder, Maton has primarily played SS but also has covered 2B and even a little 3B. Maton reached Double-A in 2019 where he had some trouble adjusting to the level after earlier that year doing well in High-A Clearwater. He had a nice spring with eight hits in 28 ABs along with three walks and seven strikeouts. He also hit a home run and four doubles. He doesn't yet show much game power, but he hits the ball in the air, so if his power and barrel abilities develop, he could have more HR potential instead of the doubles he hits now. He has some speed, though he gets caught at a high rate so he may not get the green light to do much. Defensively he is good at both middle infield spots with a plus arm. Maton doesn't show strong tools, but he works hard and has good baseball instincts. It all adds up as a sum being greater than the parts situation, but until that power turns into game power, or his speed turns into a higher successful steal percentage, he may be viewed as a utility bat off the bench. He'll have to play his way into starting on a regular basis. He gets his first chance now.
STATS: Maton Baseball-Reference page
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 12 on PHI Org Report
CURRENT ROLE: Starting SS
POTENTIAL: Starting IF/utility bat
RATING: 7C
Damon Jones (LHP, PHI)
Helping to fill in for the missing arms in the Phillies pen is 26-year-old Damon Jones. The 6'5", 233-pound lefty will make his major league debut when he faces his first batter. This spring Jones faced 16 batters, struck out three of them but walked four. In his three seasons in the minors, Jones has always shown the ability to strike guys out. It was his walk rate that hurt his WHIP. Notice how his walk rate has increased as he climbed levels: A-ball: 8.2%, High-A: 10.4%, Double-A: 11.1%, Triple-A: 16%. When he learns how to command his FB, his strikeout ability will lead to better results. He has a mid-90s FB that is his best pitch. His SL and CU are less impressive, though the slider made improvements in 2019 and gave him the beginnings of an out pitch. Now he can be a weapon out of the bullpen. If his curve also develops, he could reach a ceiling as a swingman type of starter. For now he will help the team in the short run, but given his experience at Double-A and Triple-A already, and his age, now may be the time for the Phillies to see what Jones has.
STATS: Jones Baseball-Reference page
OTHER COVERAGE: No. 14 on PHI Org Report
CURRENT ROLE: Long reliever
POTENTIAL: No. 5 starter/swingman
RATING: 7C
Christopher Sánchez (LHP, PHI)
Another arm called up to fill in for the missing Phillies was 24-year-old Christopher Sánchez. A 6'1", 165-pound lefty spent 2020 at the Phillies' alternate site after his trade from Tampa, but otherwise spent no time at Double-A and just an inning or so at Triple-A. This spring he faced 10 batters, and he struck out two of them while walking three. He has two good pitches in his mid-90s FB with double-plus arm-side movement, and his mid-80s SL with nice break. He has a curve and slider, but neither are the same quality. Although he has started games in the minors, he's viewed as a potential major league bullpen arm unless a third pitch becomes viable or his command becomes sharper. He can get the strikeouts, and his FB can gain velocity in the pen. That's enough to give him some middle reliever potential, though this time might be just a brief injury-replacement stay.
STATS: Sánchez Baseball-Reference page
CURRENT ROLE: Long reliever
POTENTIAL: Spot starter/middle reliever
RATING: 7C
PLAYER POTENTIAL RATING
Scale of (1-10) representing a player’s upside potential
10 - Hall of Fame-type player
9 - Elite player
8 - Solid regular
7 - Average regular
6 - Platoon player
5 - Major League reserve player
4 - Top minor league player
3 - Average minor league player
2 - Minor league reserve player
1 - Minor league roster filler
PROBABILITY RATING
Scale of (A-E) representing the player’s realistic chances of achieving their potential
A - 90% probability of reaching potential
B - 70% probability of reaching potential
C - 50% probability of reaching potential
D - 30% probability of reaching potential
E - 10% probability of reaching potential
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