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Alex Reyes

Born: 08/29/1994 (Age: 20)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 4" Weight: 220
Mechanics
Good body control, athletic, gathers well at top of delivery; electric arm, plus arm speed; clean mechanics, some shortness on takeaway; good extension towards plate; high 3/4 release point; repeats delivery well when he stays under control and doesn't overthrow; some effort in delivery when he overthrows, but not every time.

Evaluator Jeff Moore
Report Date 05/05/2015
Affiliate Palm Beach Cardinals (High A, Cardinals)
Dates Seen 05/04/2015
OFP 70
MLB ETA 2017
Video No
Pitch Type Future Grade Sitting Velocity Peak Velocity Report
Fastball 70 96-98 99 Explosive fastball, elite velocity, plus-plus potential; straight, slight arm-side run but not enough to generate ground balls; strong downward plane; below-avearge present command stemming form tendency to overthrow; pitch operates best 1-2 mph below peak velocity when it can be commanded better; showed ability to command pitch when under control.
Curveball 70 78-81 82 Already a present above-average major league offering; potential to be better with improved consistency in mechanics and better fastball command; true 12-6 break with depth, controlled well vertically, showed ability to throw it for strikes or bury it down in or below the strike zone for an out pitch; can improve horizontal command to each side of plate; comfortable throwing to hitters of either handedness; will throw at any point in the count.

Showed a tendency to use pitch as a crutch when he could not command fastball, began to lean on pitch to get ahead in counts.
Changeup 45 87-88   Below-average present offering but has a chance to be close to major league average; doesn't offer much movement but shows some slight arm-side fade; tendency to get too firm; showed ability to throw for strikes; average present control but below-average present command; deception on pitch comes from elite arm speed more than movement on pitch.
Overall

Reyes is an elite talent, possessing the potential for two 70 pitches and the frame to handle the rigors of being a starting pitcher. That gives him an extremely high ceiling, but his lack of fastball command makes the gap between present and future ability still quite large. The curveball is currently far ahead of the fastball in terms of in-game utility, and he leans on the pitch when he struggles to throw the fastball for strikes. His mechanics aren't the issue, as he has the ability to repeat his delivery when he remains under control. His biggest present issue is a strong tendency to overthrow. Simply put, Reyes likes throwing hard and adds effort to his delivery in order to do so. That effort is unnecessary, as he generates plenty of velocity without it, and it throws off his mechanics and release point. This tendency is not nearly as evident when he throws his curveball.

The command of his fastball will ultimately determine what kind of starter he can become, or whether or not he can remain one at all. If he can't, he should have no trouble becoming a dominant two-pitch late-inning reliever. If he can gain even average fastball command, he will be able to remain in a big league rotation and if enough progress is made, he could lead one. Even without the development of a third pitch, two plus offerings should be enough to remain a starter. The fastball command will have to improve, however, in order for him to avoid a fate as a reliever.

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