Analyzing Video Highlights of Each of MLB's Top 10 Prospects

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As I prepare to unveil my top 50 prospects later this week, I’ve been busily sifting through video—both what’s available on YouTube and my own game footage from the last two seasons—as a means of breaking down various players’ mechanics.

Therefore, today (Monday, Feb. 11) I thought that I’d share some of my thoughts on the game’s top prospects using video as a reference point. I’ve also included some scouting notes on each player’s specific attributes highlighted by the clip.

10. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Via Josh Norris

What to Watch for: Reach/Extension toward the plate; explosive fastball-curveball mix

6'6" right-hander’s fastball sits in the mid-to-high-90s with movement to the arm side; long arm gives him exceptional reach; velocity plays up due to extension; jumps out of his hand; curveball is a second plus pitch with sharp, two-plane break; development of changeup will be crucial toward overall progress; needs to iron out some minor issues with his mechanics and refine his overall command.

9. Xander Bogaerts, SS, Boston Red Sox

Via TewksBaseball

What to Watch for: Raw power; extension after contact

At 6’3”, 175 pounds, Bogaerts is a right-handed hitter with an upright stance; employs a big leg lift load; gets all of his weight to backside and then through the ball; vicious swing results in loud contact to all fields; possesses plus bat with plus raw power to all fields; hit tool has developed better than expected despite aggressive, free-swinging approach; has posted oddly low line-drive rates through minor league career; will have to cut down on strikeouts and chase less breaking balls out of the zone; highly impressive bat and power utility considering age versus level.

8. Jose Fernandez, RHP, Miami Marlins

Via BaseballPackOpenings

What to Watch for: Ability to pound lower half of strike zone with entire arsenal

Fastball is an easy plus pitch that ranges anywhere between 92-97 mph with weight; touched 97-99 mph in 2012 XM Futures Game; pitch explodes out of his hand with late life to his arm side and some downward action; curveball is a second plus pitch in the mid-80s with excellent depth and pace; throws a hard slider with sharp, two-plane break that projects to be at least a third above-average offering; possesses a feel for his changeup beyond his years (yet another above-average to plus pitch); a lot to love in his pitchability; still more of a thrower than a pitcher.

7. Zack Wheeler, RHP, New York Mets

Via BaseballInstinct / BaseballInstinct.com

What to Watch for: Explosive delivery; downhill trajectory; arm speed

Wheeler, a 6’4” right-hander, has a very projectable frame and present strength; potential to be a front-line starter; athletic delivery and lightning-quick arm; creates excellent shoulder angle and trajectory toward plate; results in overall deception; throws each of his pitches with tilt and depth; a rarity in that he’s also adept at stifling running game.

6. Gerrit Cole, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Via Jeff Reese / BullpenBanter.com

What to Watch for: Explosiveness of entire arsenal

Cole's power arsenal is highlighted by a plus-plus fastball that sits in the high-90s; routinely touches triple digits; complements heater with a plus slider in the high-80s; features a devastating wipeout break; completes elite arsenal with an above-average changeup; filthy when around the zone; arm speed; excellent speed differential; talented right-hander is poised for a big season and potentially long career at the front of the Pirates’ starting rotation; size, durability and arsenal suggests true No. 1 starter upside.

5. Taijuan Walker, RHP, Seattle Mariners

Via Metsgeek TV / BullpenBanter.com

What to Watch for: Athleticism; arm action

Walker possesses an ideal frame at 6’4”, 210 pounds; excellent athleticism with little mileage on his arm; easy, fluid mechanics that he repeats well; love his smooth yet explosive arm action; four-pitch mix comprised of two plus offerings (fastball, curveball) that should continue to improve as he logs invaluable experience.

4. Wil Myers, OF, Tampa Bay Rays

Via MLBProspectPortal

What to Watch for: Quick wrists; bat speed; leveraged bat path

At 6’3”, 205 pounds, Myers' upper body is loaded with quick-twitch muscles that allow him to seemingly flick his wrists at the ball without sacrificing hard contact; setup is upright and slightly open; allows him to clear his hips and tap into his awesome pull-side power; excellent bat-to-ball skills; he still has a tendency to drop his back shoulder and get long; will get out on his front foot and cast hands around ball; both are mechanical/timing issues that will be ironed out.

3. Oscar Taveras, OF, St. Louis Cardinals

Via Cantweb14

What to Watch for: Everything. Seriously.

A left-handed hitter, Taveras employs a powerful yet balanced swing; keeps bat head in the zone for an extended period of time without sacrificing pop; began to tap into his power last season against advanced competition; extra-base machine; makes loud contact to all fields; comfortable hitting any pitch in any count; doesn’t walk a ton; strikeouts will always be minimal given his pitch recognition and excellent hand-eye coordination.

 

*WARNING: Video contains background music that is NSFW. Therefore, mute your computer volume now because this is a must-watch video*

2. Dylan Bundy, RHP, Baltimore Orioles

Via Jeff Reese / BullpenBanter.com

What to Watch for: Present physical strength; ability to repeat mechanics

Bundy boasts an advanced four-pitch mix highlighted by a mid-90s two-seam fastball with exceptional run; will also blow hitters away with a four-seamer that easily reaches the high-90s; breaking ball is a hammer and plus pitch, though he’s still developing command of the pitch and will occasionally leave it up in the zone; changeup is his most consistent secondary pitch at the moment with the potential to be another above-average offering; he also has a slider but primary breaking ball is the curve.

1. Jurickson Profar, SS, Texas Rangers

What to Watch for: Plus bat speed; balanced and powerful left-handed swinging

Profar is a switch-hitter who showcases plus bat speed from both sides of the plate; short, compact swing should give him an easy above-average-to-plus hit tool; right-handed swing is more line-drive-oriented; shows exciting raw power and lift from the left side; more of a leverage swing; loftier extension after contact; possesses an advanced knowledge of the strike zone that’s uncommon for players his age.