Taking a different approach to this week’s article, as the previous “Around the Minors” have been statistical heavy and included hitters and pitchers. I’ve had a chance to view more players and have some scouting/observation notes on pitchers during the 2016 season. Additionally, the Aberdeen Ironbirds (Short Season A) kicked off this past week, so we can hopefully get a glimpse of some recent draft picks.
(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)
Lucas Long – RHP, Frederick Keys (A+)
Long sat 89-90 mph with his fastball most of the outing (6/19) with a 80-82 mph changeup and a 77-79 mph curveball. His curveball has a 12-6 type frame, but doesn’t show consistent break throughout the game. His changeup doesn’t fade and the command is below average.
He has a compact delivery with a minor arm stab in his delivery. Overall, he works the ball to both sides of the plate, while keeping the ball low. However, although he keeps his pitches low, all three of his pitches are fringy with lack of movement, allowing opposing hitters to square the ball up.
T.J. McFarland – LHP, Norfolk Tides (AAA)
McFarland is no stranger to Orioles fans, but was optioned to Norfolk for the third time this season. He made his fourth start for the Tides this season, lasing 5 innings, striking out 1 and giving up 2 home runs. McFarland’s fastball sat between 91-93 mph and he allowed both home runs on the fastball. The lefty also featured a slider in the 80-82 mph range and a changeup between 83-85 mph.
Tanner Scott – LHP, Frederick Keys
We’ve covered Scott a lot here at BSL, mainly because he has the chance to be a shutdown reliever at the big league level. However, control issues have really plagued the pitcher in 2016. In his most recent outing (6/18/16) – Scott was sitting 96-98 mph with his fastball while hitting 100 mph once during the outing. He also flashed his above average slider 84-86 mph with a 88 mph changeup.
Scott is still able to throw in the high-90s with minimal effort. April and May were not good for Scott, as he walked a total of 26 hitters in 24.1 IP. However, in June, Scott has seen an increase in strikeouts with a decrease in walks – a 23/9 K:BB ratio. Despite the command problems, Scott’s electric fastball keeps hitters from putting solid swings together.
Ryan Meisinger – RHP, Delmarva Shorebirds (A)
Meisinger has a large frame who and his fastball sits between 91-92 mph and tops out at 93 mph. He has a stab in his delivery and releases the ball around his ear, causing deception against low-A hitters. In addition to his fastball, the big righty featured a slider in the 82-84 mph range, but typically used the pitch when he was ahead in the count. The pitch shows some late diving action, but typically is down in the dirt, as he can’t throw it for a called strike.
Ofelky Peralta – RHP, Delmarva Shorebirds
Signed out of the Dominican Republic, the 19-year-old starter has a 3.56 ERA in 13 starts this season. During his outing on 6/14/2016, Peralta flashed a fastball that hit 97 mph, but sat between 93-95 mph during his 4+ innings. He threw a handful of changeups during the outing, but the pitches were flat and up in the zone (84-86 mph). He threw one curveball (73 mph) but the pitch was telegraphed and was a hanging pitch.
Peralta has a premium fastball that he can work to both sides of the plate, but is still lacking consistency with secondary pitches. He can get away with throwing a 95-97 mph fastball in the lower levels, but will need to develop both his curve and change to stick in the rotation. However, despite lacking off-speed pitches, he’s still 19, which is very young for the South Atlantic League.
Reggie Yinger has spent the parts of five seasons as a Player Development Coordinator for the Baltimore Orioles. He has extensive experience in computer programming and baseball.