Post by grinandbarrett on Mar 17, 2014 21:50:15 GMT -5
Hi – I just spent 2.5 days at spring training at Fort Myers. I lurk on the site daily, but since had some random observations from Fenway South I thought I’d share. First the disclaimers: I watch a lot of baseball but don’t have a scout’s trained eye by any stretch. These are talented kids and all of them can look good in small samples. I‘ve seen pro debuts at short season A and thought a player was going to shoot up the ranks based on one good outing. Lesson learned. Anyway here’s my untrained observations, for what’s it’s worth. I’ll upload some pictures as well.
Devers – a BP on Friday was impressive. The swing looked quick, compact and efficient - yet powerful. It’s easy to see the reason for excitement. There was an intra-squad game on Sunday morning. Justin Haley was throwing for the other team (by the way Haley can bring it). Everyone was having trouble catching up with Haley’s fastball, with the only solid contact a line drive single by Devers. His play at third base looks like it needs work. I can’t explain why technically, but in comparison to other more advanced guys playing the position, he was not as smooth. However, his arm looked strong enough from what I could tell. He did play third base in the A game against Tampa on Saturday. Bottom line – the bat is cool to watch.
Cecchini – His drill work at third looked pretty good to me. Stayed down well and was very consistent in his quickness getting the ball into the transfer position. I’ve heard some of the evaluations that he might not grade out as smooth in his play as others. I’m far from able to make that kind of call, but I thought his footwork was pretty good. He had four ABs again Baltimore in the AAA game. The second and third ABs were singles both up the middle; the first on the ground and second on a line drive. In the 4th AB he swung at the first pitch! He flied out, and came back to the dugout making that hand motion reminding himself to swing through the pitch. Anyway thought it was interesting after hearing him in an Alex Speier interview saying he’d swing at a first pitch if it looked good.
There were two guys I was largely unaware of, but enjoyed watching . First was Nick Moore, the switch hitting first baseman. He showed good BP power from both sides of the plate. In the A game against Tampa he worked a deep count fouled off several pitches and then took one out over the left field fence while batting left handed. He also looked good defensively at first. The second was Mauricio Dubon. At first glance his build looked too slight but he really showed good line drive contact both in BP and game action. In the A game vs Tampa he drove a hard hit ball to the fence in right and legged out a triple….. I just liked the way he played all around.
A few other quick thoughts:
- Buttery threw a live BP against GCL type guys. Had a little trouble locating but when he was in the zone they had difficulty making solid contact. The only one to make good contact was Longhi with a LD to right, single depth.
- Haley’s fast ball really pops as noted earlier
- Sergio Gomez looked good in the A+ game against Tampa. Had a live fastball and good command. Got a K on a change up that even my untrained eye could admire…..batter was well out in front after trying to time the fastball.
- Stankiewicz also threw three innings in the A+ game. Had some hard hit balls against him early but most were at’em balls and he avoided damage. He might have been in the zone too often. Once he settled in I thought he looked solid.
- Dwight Evans was talking with Brentz during outfield drills on technique. Evans also spent time talking with Swihart and Cecchini during a BP session. It didn’t take much observational skill to see the excitement around Swihart’s bat is justified.
- Noe Ramirez was impressive in the AAA game. The ball seems to hide for a bit in his delivery.
- Liked watching Vinicio play, but he really is slight of frame – really hoping he fills out.
- David Sopilka was off the grid for me, but the catcher had a couple real good BPs. He had good lift and surprising power driving many to the fence and couple over. I know the limited stats so far don’t show a power tool, and maybe it hasn’t or doesn’t translate to game speed….but it was fun to watch.
In any event spring training is a great experience and if anyone is considering the trip – I say go for it.
Read more: forum.soxprospects.com/post/68235/thread
Devers single at Sunday Scrimmage
Devers – a BP on Friday was impressive. The swing looked quick, compact and efficient - yet powerful. It’s easy to see the reason for excitement. There was an intra-squad game on Sunday morning. Justin Haley was throwing for the other team (by the way Haley can bring it). Everyone was having trouble catching up with Haley’s fastball, with the only solid contact a line drive single by Devers. His play at third base looks like it needs work. I can’t explain why technically, but in comparison to other more advanced guys playing the position, he was not as smooth. However, his arm looked strong enough from what I could tell. He did play third base in the A game against Tampa on Saturday. Bottom line – the bat is cool to watch.
Cecchini – His drill work at third looked pretty good to me. Stayed down well and was very consistent in his quickness getting the ball into the transfer position. I’ve heard some of the evaluations that he might not grade out as smooth in his play as others. I’m far from able to make that kind of call, but I thought his footwork was pretty good. He had four ABs again Baltimore in the AAA game. The second and third ABs were singles both up the middle; the first on the ground and second on a line drive. In the 4th AB he swung at the first pitch! He flied out, and came back to the dugout making that hand motion reminding himself to swing through the pitch. Anyway thought it was interesting after hearing him in an Alex Speier interview saying he’d swing at a first pitch if it looked good.
There were two guys I was largely unaware of, but enjoyed watching . First was Nick Moore, the switch hitting first baseman. He showed good BP power from both sides of the plate. In the A game against Tampa he worked a deep count fouled off several pitches and then took one out over the left field fence while batting left handed. He also looked good defensively at first. The second was Mauricio Dubon. At first glance his build looked too slight but he really showed good line drive contact both in BP and game action. In the A game vs Tampa he drove a hard hit ball to the fence in right and legged out a triple….. I just liked the way he played all around.
A few other quick thoughts:
- Buttery threw a live BP against GCL type guys. Had a little trouble locating but when he was in the zone they had difficulty making solid contact. The only one to make good contact was Longhi with a LD to right, single depth.
- Haley’s fast ball really pops as noted earlier
- Sergio Gomez looked good in the A+ game against Tampa. Had a live fastball and good command. Got a K on a change up that even my untrained eye could admire…..batter was well out in front after trying to time the fastball.
- Stankiewicz also threw three innings in the A+ game. Had some hard hit balls against him early but most were at’em balls and he avoided damage. He might have been in the zone too often. Once he settled in I thought he looked solid.
- Dwight Evans was talking with Brentz during outfield drills on technique. Evans also spent time talking with Swihart and Cecchini during a BP session. It didn’t take much observational skill to see the excitement around Swihart’s bat is justified.
- Noe Ramirez was impressive in the AAA game. The ball seems to hide for a bit in his delivery.
- Liked watching Vinicio play, but he really is slight of frame – really hoping he fills out.
- David Sopilka was off the grid for me, but the catcher had a couple real good BPs. He had good lift and surprising power driving many to the fence and couple over. I know the limited stats so far don’t show a power tool, and maybe it hasn’t or doesn’t translate to game speed….but it was fun to watch.
In any event spring training is a great experience and if anyone is considering the trip – I say go for it.
Read more: forum.soxprospects.com/post/68235/thread
Devers single at Sunday Scrimmage
