Eyewitness Accounts: September 8, 2016

Drafted in the second round in 2015 and acquired from Houston in the Ken Giles trade, Eshelman is an advanced control right-hander with four fringe-to-average pitches. The fastball sits average, lacking plane but staying off barrels with subtle cut and run. The change is his best secondary offering, flashing average with slight fade and drop, while the benders both project as below-average offerings. He has feel for both pitches, though neither displays a ton of sharpness or ceiling. The standout tool is control, which borders on elite; he shows a preternatural ability to throw strikes, and his short arm action and high release point add deception. He may surface as a fifth-starter option, though he's likely best suited in a long-relief role.

FB Command: 40/50
Secondaries Command: 50/50

Abreu has a big arsenal with a wipeout curve and a change that also projects to plus. His inconsistent mechanics will keep him from becoming a true front-line starter, and the deficiency introduces a fair amount of risk to the profile. But it's a relatively straight path to his projection as a mid-rotation anchor who can pitch above that on days he reigns in his fastball command.

The Padres' first-rounder this summer, Lauer has the size and strength to be a big-league starter, and presents as a polished, low-risk left-hander. He lacks a true out pitch, but demonstrates feel and confidence with his pitches. The fastball has a nice combination of velocity, movement, and command, and it projects to a plus offering. The change shows average potential; he demonstrates feel for the it, and it plays with quality velocity separation. His slider showed improvement from my two looks at him with Kent State in the spring, and shows the makings of an above-average pitch. He did not utilize a curve in this look, though it had previously looked fringy but serviceable as a fourth pitch. He projects as a reliable starter who will slot comfortably into the middle of a rotation, and can he can do so relatively quickly. A late 2017 debut would not out of the question if he hits the ground running next spring.

Newcomb's strengths and weaknesses are obvious from the beginning of a look. He has the strength and body to log 200 innings, and he consistently sits 92-94, touching 97 from an easy motion. Add the fact he's a left-hander, and the ceiling is high. But Newcomb struggles with control and command, and it's enough to side-track entire outings. A stiff lead side and rotational delivery can cause his delivery to fall out of sync at times, leading to missed spots, especially within the zone. An advantage for Newcomb is his low-mileage arm and relative inexperience with pro instruction; he requires extra patience despite his age. The potential outcome is that of a front-line starter, but there is significant variance here, as command inconsistencies are just as likely to limit him to a mid-rotation starter or a little less.