WXVU Sports

Jennifer Stewart | Getty Matt Linder -Physical Description: Average SP size. Thick lower half, compact build. Limited physical projectability -Mechanical Notes: Starts from extreme 3rd base side. Mid-high leg kick. Short stride - Could engage lower half more.  Smooth delivery.  Full arm circle.  High ¾ slot. -MLB ETA: 2020 -Present Role (FV): 30 -Ceiling (FV): 55 -Role Description: Mid-Rotation Starter -Risk: Extreme Overall Fastball Value -Present: 50 -Future: 60 -Comments: Projects to be a plus pitch as he matures and learns to command it better. Good velocity and sink produces both ground balls and swings and misses Fastball velocity -Present: 60 -Future: 65 -Range: 94-98 mph -Comments: Quick arm action and clean mechanics allow him to generate plus velo Fastball Movement -Present: 50 -Future: 55 -Comments: Plus sinking action when stays on top. Flattened out when overthrown Fastball Command -Present: 40 -Future: 45 -Commen...

Pinstriped Prospects Matt Linder -Physical Description: slender build, lanky, slight room for projection -Mechanical Notes: Short arm action. Hides the ball well. Gets good drive and extension down the mound. Steps slightly across body -MLB ETA: 2019 -Present Role (FV): 30 -Ceiling (FV): 40 -Role Description: Situational reliever -Risk: Moderate Overall Fastball Value -Present: 40 -Future: 45 -Comments: Main pitch, aggressively attacks hitters with FB. Plays up due to quick arm action and deception. Fastball velo -Present: 40 -Future: 45 -Range: 92-93 mph Fastball Movement -Present: 40 -Future: 40 -Comments: Fastball is generally straight. Occasionally shows fringe 2-seam action Fastball Command -Present: 45 -Future: 50 -Comments: Aggressive strike thrower.  Control over command at this point.  Able to get the ball inside to righties. Slider -Present: 45 -Future: 50 -Range: 81-82 mph -Comments: Only off-speed pitch. Shows a ...

Rob Carr | Getty Matt Linder -Physical Description: Athletic frame, slight room for projection, wiry strong -Swing Mechanics: Crouched, slightly open set-up. Short stride. Small load, limited weight transfer. Quiet pre-pitch. -MLB ETA: 2020 -Present Role (FV): 40 -Ceiling (FV): 50 -Role Description: 2nd division regular -Risk: High Hit -Present: 40 -Future: 50 -Comments: Good hands and plus feel for the barrel. Plus strike zone awareness - balanced takes on tough pitches. Switch hitter, but I only saw from left side Game power -Present: 35 -Future: 45 -Comments: Level swing limits current power.  Could reach average power with continued tweaks to swing path and approach to increase loft – highest flyball rate of his career in 2018. Power should improve as he gets further removed from hamate injury. Raw power -Present: 45 -Future: 50 -Comments: Good size provides potential for average raw power.  Predominantly an arm swing.  P...

Jays Journal Matt Linder -Physical Description:  Athletic build, V-shaped torso, muscular, minimal room for physical projection -Swing Mechanics: Quiet load and weight transfer despite a lot of pre-pitch hand movement.  Short stride. Low hand set up. Whippy upper cut -MLB ETA: 2020 -Present Role (FV): 30 -Ceiling (FV): 50 -Role Description: 2nd division regular -Risk: Extreme Hit -Present: 30 -Future: 40 -Comments: Pull approach, holes in swing especially up in the zone due to upper cut. Patient approach, Plus plate discipline.  Creates good lift.  Handles inside pitches well due to plus bat speed. Game power -Present: 50 -Future: 55 -Comments: The combination of quick hands and an upper cut swing produces plus power, especially to the pull side.  He is able to tap into his power during games due to mature approach at the plate Raw power -Present: 55 -Future: 60 -Comments: Does not possess prototypical 60 grade raw power...

Robert Pimpsner | Pinstriped Prospects Matt Linder Contreras was considered the top pitching prospect in the Dominican Republic during the 2016-17 signing period and signed with the Yankees for $300,000 as a 16-year-old.  Across Short Season A ball and Low-A, Contreras threw 63.1 innings with a 2.42 ERA and a K/BB ratio of 60/21.  I saw him pitch three times this season for the Staten Island Yankees. The 19-year old does not have prototypical pitcher size, listed at 6’0” and 175 lbs.  However, his lack of size does not limit his stuff.  Contreras’ fastball sits between 93-to-95 mph, while touching 97.  The pitch has late life that really gets on the hitter due to his quick arm and smooth delivery.  He couples his plus fastball with an excellent curveball that ranges 77-to-81 mph.  His feel for the pitch is very advanced for someone his age.  Contreras has the ability to throw his hook for a strike and bury it in the dirt as a...

Zach Bland | Charleston RiverDogs Matt Linder Originally signed out of Venezuela by the Astros as an 18-year-old in 2014, Abreu was acquired by the Yankees in 2016 in exchange for Brian McCann.  The young righty spent most of an injury-plagued 2018 season in Advanced-A before being promoted to Double-A Trenton for his final start of the year.  Excluding his four rehab starts in Rookie Ball, Abreu threw 67.2 innings with a 3.88 ERA and a K/BB ratio of 69/30.  I saw his final start of the season in Trenton. The 23-year-old’s compact build and thick lower half leaves minimal room for projection.  Abreu has a quick arm, smooth delivery and short stride toward home plate.  The righty’s plus arm speed helps generate his mid-to-upper 90s fastball velocity.  His heater displayed plus sink, but flattened out when overthrown.  Abreu’s best off-speed pitch is his curveball (82-to-83 mph), which exhibits sharp 11-5 break.  He showed the ab...