The Arizona Fall League has been underway for a few weeks now, enough games to allow for scouts to take a good look at the players taking part.
We checked in with a few scouts from other organizations and asked for their input on the Red Sox prospects playing for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the AFL.
INF Nick Yorke
Scottsdale Scorpions stats: 16 G: .328/.434/.492; 1 HR, 15 RBI.
Scouts' comments: "Above-average hit tool ... Shows a combination of extra-base and out-of-the-park power ... Fits the No. 2 hole (perfectly) ... Has a natural feel to hit ... Lack of pure range and arm strength will preclude him from playing short ... Can probably play second or third ... Bat will carry enough to supply the necessary offense ... Struggles with pitches inside zone, yet shows solid-average to plus plate discipline ... Will need to make adjustments going into the offseason to get back to where he was successful ... Was missing average fastball during the season, but has since made adjustment ... Hard line-drive contact ability throughout the whole ballpark ... Will chase out of the zone down in the count occasionally, but overall has a solid approach at this point in development ... Projects as a solid, everyday prospect.''
1B Niko Kavadas
Scottsdale Scorpions stats: 11 G: .241/.463/.310; 0 HR; 1 RBI
Scouts' Comments: "Slightly-below average hitter with above-average impact ability ... Could be a (mistake) power guy at first base ... Fringe major league prospect ... Good pitch recognition, with aggressive swings in the zone, but some exploitable holes ... Empty swings with elevated velocity ... can be easily jammed with hard stuff inside and mixing speeds ... Bat has to carry him ... Don't see sufficient power or hitting ability, but see enough as an up-and-down guy ... Best shot probable back-of-the-roster, depth player ... Below average arm and limited reactive range ... Playable at first base ... Will catch what he gets to, but very very limited range.''
C/OF Stephen Scott
Scottsdale Scorpions stats: 12 G: .340/.404/.660; 4 HR, 13 RBI
Scouts' comments: "Chance to hit and supply some power ... Defense is a work in progress ... Grinder-type makeup ... may pop up as a backup guy ... don't sell him short with the drive and work ethic he has ... nothing comes easy, but he's willing to work through the ups and downs as a position-change guy ... Bat would be a bonus if the defense came together enough to (serve as a backup catcher) ... Hard-nosed kid, with a prototypical catcher's body - strong, thick, bulked-up, but agile ... Professional approach with plus game intellect and instincts ... Think: poor man's Stephen Vogt ... Type of player that may need the challenges of improved competition in a positive manner ... blue-collar, major league call-up depth ... Arm is fringy-average, but with a quick release to compensate ... will have to improve footwork consistency ... Playable receiver, learning the nuances of framing, shifting and blocking ... All tools playable, and makeup could make him a pop-up backup.''
INF/OF Wilyer Abreu
Scottsdale Scorpions stats: 14 G: .200/.281/.244; 0 HR, 10 RBI
Scouts' comments: "Signs of power ... live-drive gap contac ... can lift the ball for occasional plus power ... looks to have enough feel to hit if carried at an offensive position ... sneaky set of offensive skills ... has quality plate approach that stands out and a still-developing package with some late-blooming signs to provide enough value at an offensive position ... Not a core-of-the-order hitter, but could fit in lower third or No. 2 ... Average speed, average base stealer ... slightly above-average baserunner ... arm is a little above-average ... throws carry well ... puts enough balls in play to get on base and make things happen ... Not seen as true difference-maker, but more of a complementary player ... Good feel at the plate.''
RHP Thaddeus Ward
Scottsdale Scorpions stats: 2 G: 7.2 IP; 1-1, 4.70 ERA; 9 K, 6 BB.
Scouts' comments: "(Limited action due to lat strain) ... Fastball is 94-95 mph, but can touch 96-97 mph when needed ... Still room for mild increase in velocity in the future ... fastball command has improved ... curveball quality below-average with solid command ... slider is the better breaking pitch, rated as above-average at 84-86 mph ... Slider serves as put-away pitch ... can command changeup, but pitch itself is slightly below-average ... Future role: No. 4 starter.''
RHP Jacob Webb
Scottsdale Scorpions: 8 IP: 0-1, 2.25; 9 K, 4 K
Scouts comments: "Above-average velocity, with fastball at 95-97 mph ... Movement on fastball is solid-average ... Fastball command can be off, but still usable ... Power arm with velo getting up to 98 mph at times ... Well-above average extension and deception ... Silder is fringy pitch velo-wise (82-83 mpg), but has flashes of average life, which can result in chase out of zone ... Not much of a changeup, making him a two-pitch guy ... should develop enough strike-throwing in the future to project to consider as a depth reliever ... Very deceptive and big, strong durable kid who could be innings-eater.''
RHP Ryan Zeferjahn
Scottsdale Scorpions stats: 6 G: 10 IP; 0-1, 6.30 ERA; 9 K, 5 BB.
Scouts Comments: "Fastball is 94-96 mph, with solid movement ... Four-seam has, at times, below-average run ... prefer the four-seam life at the top of the zone ... Curveball command can come-and-go, but can bite when on ... Release point inconsistent on curveball, due to inconsistent mechanics of lower half ... gets in-between on breaking stuff, with shape of curve and slider too similar ... Has more comfort with slider, but perhaps should prioritize curveball ... Changeup is a work in progress ... Projected role: low-leverage reliever, but could grow into multi middle-innings eater ... Not much projection left except for consistency.''
RHP Aaron Perry
Scottsdale Scorpions stats: 7 G: 6.1 IP; 0-0, 1705 ERA; 2 K, 9 BB.
Scouts comments: Insufficient looks from scouts.