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Josh Sborz

Born: 12/17/1993 (Age: 22)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 3" Weight: 215
Mechanics
Excellent frame, broad shoulders, athletic, moves well off the mound, strong legs, physically maxed; narrow setup, oriented to third base, noisy upper half, bobs hands initiating short rock, glove hand flares out early after the break, abrupt, quick movements; deep arm action, mild stab, some inconsistency in arm swing, closed front shoulder, uphill to high three-quarter slot; clean drive, gets downhill consistently, moderate stride, foot strike can get stiff, clean finish, mild recoil; 1.32-1.43, below-average time to home, aggressive first move
Evaluator Wilson Karaman
Report Date 06/26/2016
Affiliate Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (High A, Dodgers)
Dates Seen 6/26/16
OFP 50
MLB ETA 2017
Video Yes
Pitch Type Future Grade Sitting Velocity Peak Velocity Report
FB 60 91-94 95 Explosive pitch, solid plane, late life, works north-south, boring action, runs it in on righties, will cut it in same velo band, hard cut to stay off left-handed barrels; tough pitch to square, generated in-zone swing-and-miss in hitting counts; 40 present command, potential to play higher with an extra tick of velocity in short bursts
SL 55 84-85 87 Hard, vertical action, late bite with quality tilt when he snaps it off, inconsistent shape, will roll it; plays off fastball plane, tough pick-up, swing-and-miss pitch
CB 45 79-80 80 Third pitch, some hump, used it to steal a handful of strikes, some depth, round shape
Overall

Signed to a slightly below-slot deal as the 74th overall pick in 2015, Sborz worked as a closer in college before converting back to starting full-time this spring. The fastball and slider both flash plus, with the former projected to play there, while the latter likely settles in a half-step behind. The curve showed some utility, but was used sparingly in this outing, and he threw a couple changeups that showed some tumble but limited feel or command.

The delivery lacks consistent rhythm and cadence, as he's quick through his early checkpoints and I'm not sure the fine command ever quite gets there. The control is solid, and he's athletic enough to project improvement with some confidence. His arsenal plays well against both lefties and righties for a couple trips through the order, but he didn't show much depth beyond his top two.

There's fast-track and high-leverage potential here with the stuff ticking up in the bullpen, though the athleticism and deception leave open a path to a fourth-starter profile if he can refine the command and polish up a third pitch.

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