March 7, 2022 at 8:00 AM
Scouting Report Updates: Freddy Valdez, Jhostynxon Garcia and more from the FCL and DSL
For the last few months, we've been updating the scouting reports of many players in the system. Over the next few weeks, we will highlight these updated reports. Today's update focuses on a group of players who spent last year in the FCL and DSL. These scouting reports are written by Director of Scouting Ian Cundall.
Physical Description: Tall, sturdy frame. Physical for his age and likely to get bigger as he matures.
Hit: Starts crouched and open. Leg lift timing device. Handsy swing that is not very pretty. Swing has significant holes that pitchers can exploit. Lacks feel for hit and is still in the early stages of developing an approach. Average bat control, below-average pitch recognition. Wide range of outcomes and a lot of development remaining, but right now projects for a well below-average hit tool.
Power: Plus raw power. Can impact the baseball, especially to the pull side. How his game power actualizes will depend on how his contact skills develop and how he is able to handle velocity.
Run: Fringe-average speed. Likely to lose speed as he matures given his size.
Field: Corner-only profile. Needs to work on his reads. Not the most instinctual defender. Potential to develop into a fringe-average corner outfielder.
Arm: Average arm. Strength grade varies depending on source.
Career Notes: Signed with the Mets for $1.45 million during the 2018/19 signing period. Acquired as a player-to-be-named-later from the Mets in the Andrew Benintendi trade.
Summation: Wide range of possible outcomes, with future upside tied into how his hit tool develops. Power-over-hit profile right now, but has the potential for his power to be a carrying tool. Needs to improve his contact skills in order to tap into his power potential. Good low minors flier with some upside.
Note: This page will be updated with a complete scouting report after the scouting team has seen the player in person.
Physical Description: Skinny frame. Athletic build with some remaining projection. Needs to add strength.
Mechanics: Low three-quarters arm slot. Does not use a wind-up. Stiff delivery. Slings the ball. Short arm action behind, hides the ball well.
Fastball: 90-93 mph. Tops out at 94 mph. Pitch will show sink. Velocity has improved from the high-80s during the 2020 Fall Instructional League. Throws a lot of strikes and already shows some feel for command. Average-to-better potential.
Slider: 76-81 mph. Slurvy breaking ball. Long, 2-to-8 break. Some are more horizontal, others have more vertical shape. Inconsistent at present, but will flash average potential.
Changeup: 84-85 mph. Some feel for the pitch, but needs work. Flashes the ability to turn it over and bury it down and out of the zone for swinging strikes. Fringe-average potential.
Career Notes: Opening Day starter for the DSL Red Sox 2 in 2019. Participated in Fall Instructional League in 2019 and 2020.
Summation: Shows the early makings of a three-pitch mix, but does not have stand-out stuff. Velocity has improved already. If velo continues to rise and secondary offerings improve, could develop into a very intriguing prospect. Has some deception in his delivery and already shows some feel. Has a way to go developmentally and future potential depends on him maturing physically and his stuff improving.
This page will be updated with a scouting report after the scouting team has seen the player in person.
Physical Description: Thin at present with plenty of remaining projection, especially in his lower half and upper body.
Hit: Starts crouched and utilizes a leg lift timing device. Average bat speed. Still in the early stages of developing an approach and struggles to recognize secondary offerings. Primarily looks to pull the ball. Will take a walk, but also has swing-and-miss in his game.
Power: Above-average raw power. Swing has natural loft. Will need to physically mature in order to tap into his raw power. Power is mostly to the pull side.
Run: Below-average speed. Not a major part of his game.
Field: Strong instincts make up some for lack of foot speed, but probably best suited for a corner outfield spot long-term. Could be passable in center field if he maintains his athleticism.
Arm: Average arm strength.
Career Notes: Played shortstop as an amateur, but moved to the outfield in pro ball. Split time between center and right field in DSL debut while sharing those positions with Juan Chacon. Older brother of Red Sox minor league catcher Johanfran Garcia.
Summation: High-risk prospect with a lot of development remaining. Power over hit at present. Hit tool development is key to him reaching his potential because he does not project as more than an average defender in the outfield.
Note: This page will be updated with a scouting report after the scouting team has seen the player in person.
Scouting Report: Tall, thin frame. Needs to physically mature and add strength. Throws from a three-quarters arm slot with a short arm action. Fastball sits 84-86 mph. Loose on the mound. Projects to potentially add velocity. Solid feel for control for his age. Primary secondary is a curveball at 69-71 mph with good shape and depth. Intriguing long-term prospect. Good feel for his age, but stuff needs to catch up.
Note: This page will be updated with a complete scouting report after the scouting team has seen the player in person.
Scouting Report: Solid pitcher's frame. Filled out for his age with some remaining projection. Needs to add strength. Fastball sits in the high 80s and tops out at 91 mph. Primary secondary pitch is a slider at 76-78 mph. Suffered an injury on August 7 and missed the rest of the 2021 season.
Note: This page will be updated with a complete scouting report after the scouting team has seen the player in person.
Scouting Report: Tall, thin pitcher's frame. Very projectable frame. Stiff delivery. Fastball sits 89-92 mph and tops out at 93 mph. Also throws a slider at 81-83 mph and changeup at 80-83 mph.
This page will be updated with a scouting report after the scouting team has seen the player in person
Scouting Report: Sturdy pitcher's frame with some remaining projection. Fastball sits 87-89 mph with natural cut. Already has three secondary pitches, the best right now being a curveball that flashes average. Will also mix in a slider that is fringy at best and a poor changeup.
Note: This page will be updated with a complete scouting report after the scouting team has seen the player in person.
Photo Credit: Freddy Valdez and Juan Daniel Encarnacion by Bryan Green and Jhostynxon Garcia and Jedixon Paez courtesy of the themselves.
Ian Cundall is Director of Scouting for SoxProspects.com. Follow him on Twitter @IanCundall.