Notes from the Field: Draft Notes, April 5

Steve Givarz
Logan Allen, LHP, University HS
Seen in a 6 IP start on 3/28; also saw at ECP last summer. Lean, developed body; lacks remaining projection. Pitches from a full windup with a clean, smooth arm action; above-average arm speed; three-quarters slot; has crossfire in delivery with little effort; pitches with a quick pace. FB 90-91 (T93); held velo through game; popped a 92 in the sixth; has good, explosive life that hitters struggle to square up; good control with developing command to both sides. CB 76-78; 1/7 shape with quality depth and action; can finish to both sides in dirt; consistent throughout game; potential plus offering. CH 80; can turn it over but lacks feel and arm speed at this stage; wasn't part of arsenal on this night; project to average given how often he went to it as well as potential for development. Smaller player but has quality stuff; worried somewhat about size and durability; see as a middle of the rotation starter with a backup in the bullpen as a late-relief option.

Jordan Spicer, RHP, Polk State College (JUCO)
Seen in a 5 IP start on 3/29. Lean, projectable frame; could add 10-15 lbs. to body without sacrificing flexibility. Pitches from a full windup; high arm action with a long arm path; elbow gets above shoulder; also turns hand over in delivery; signs of potential injury down the road; above-average arm speed; three-quarters slot. FB 90-92 (T93); has some two-seam life but is mild; loose with command. CB 75-78; 11/5 shape; would start at-bats with pitch and to steal a strike; moderate depth; inconsistent feel at times; action was good though; potential average offering. SL 81-83; didn't have feel early but showed up later; harder action with tilt; lacked depth; preferred finishing option against both RHH and LHH. No CH thrown in game; not sure if it is part of overall arsenal. 1.62-1.67; 1.22 SS. More than likely coaches fault but did not use his FB often enough in this outing; seemed to lack confidence and would go to BB early in counts. Given lack of CH and arm action I believe he is a reliever at the next level.

Quincy Nieporte, 1B/DH, Florida State University
Seen in 2 games from 3/14-3/15; both DH. Big body; holds weight well; lacks remaining physical projection. More of a strength based swing than pure bat speed but does have quickness in hands to help catch up to velocity and recognize spin; swing still has length to it. Gets front foot down early which could cause some timing issues with better off-speed down the road. Primarily pull-side hitter; approach is to hunt fastballs and will defend when necessary. Average raw power; has strength to hit home runs at an average rate; will play to full utility. Not a runner; 4.55 H-1B. Below-average arm; only saw in I/O; lacks strength behind it. Lacks range and quick feet in the field to be a solid defender; more a fringe-average defender. Slugger profile who lacks a true defensive home.

Ryan Karstetter, INF, State College of Florida-Manatee (JUCO)
Have seen throughout season. Extra-large frame with a developed body; lacks remaining projection; spent freshman year at University of Virginia. Slightly stiff with his hands; average bat speed but struggled with spin; more of a fastball approach; struggles on the inner half due to long levers; looks for balls on the outer half to extend arms and pull. Plus raw power; balls have considerable loft and carry; not a muscled swing but stiff wrists. Below-average runner; 4.42 is best time on record; won't be a runner. Average arm strength; throws have moderate line and carry; balls can sail high limiting accuracy. Struggles with first step at 3B as well as lateral range; works with backhand fine but struggled with balls to his left; might be more of a 1B or COF in pro ball. Played mostly OF at UVA. See as a bench bat or UTIL option.

Greg Goldstein
Kevin Smith, SS, University of Maryland
Mature frame, still leaves room to grow; bigger body for a college shortstop; broad shoulders; above-average bat speed and mild leverage on his swing path allows for above-average home run power for the position (six home runs in 24 games this season); has a slight hitch while loading for a swing; has a little bit of a toe tap; maintains balance throughout his swing; no noise; consistent in his mechanics; there is room to improve on his barrel control, can go opposite field, but is more of a pull hitter; bat does wrap around his head, contributing to his longer swing and high strikeout rate this season (23 K in 86 AB); quite mobile for a shortstop at his size; has the ability to make the spectacular play; has steady hands and a smooth transition into throwing motion; strong arm; average speed

Smith has a larger frame for the shortstop, but has the mobility, glove skills and arm to stick at the position defensively. His offensive potential lies in his power as he possesses more of an uppercut swing. Has struggled with strikeouts this season for the same reasons for his above-average power profile. I’m not confident that he will be a first-round pick considering his hit tool has not fared as well as some had thought coming into the season. But there is power potential there, and with a few adjustments to his swing, Smith may be able to reach his fairly high potential for the position.