Frankie Piliere is at it again, with another exciting scouting report on a Yankee pitching prospect. Frankie’s definitely a must-follow for any serious prospect follower. Piliere, who spoke glowingly about the improvements made by Andrew Brackman in a recent report, and now, after seeing Banuelos pitching for Tampa, has similarly effusive praise. Once again, you should read the entire report to get the full story. It’s exciting to hear such a positive scouting report provide an explanation for the improvement Banuelos has shown this season, in particular, his ridiculous strikeout rate.
He’s still 5’10″ and may never look the part of a frontline starter (apologies to Tim Lincecum and Pedro Martinez), but the repertoire he has been showing this season (touching as high as 97 with the fastball, plus curve at times, plus change) as a lefty with good command definitely bode well for Manny’s future. This report should go a long way toward debunking the narrative on the internet that Banuelos is a soft-tosser getting by on guile and pitchability.
Piliere was also at Dellin Betances’s start yesterday, and was once again impressed. He had this to say (via twitter) about the towering righty:
This is prime Josh Beckett type stuff from Betances, wow. The ability to get 2 strikes with the CH and finish letter high at 96 is special.
Hopefully, Frankie will be kind enough to give us a detailed report on Betances as he has for Banuelos and Betances.
In other prospect news, Mike Ashmore is reporting that Austin Romine and Corban Joseph will play in the Arizona Fall League. This will be a great opportunity for Joseph to put his name on the radar as a legitimate hitting prospect, and for Romine to get some additional catching experience and regain his confidence in a hitter-friendly league. Ashmore writes that George Kontos, Ryan Pope, and Brandon Laird may also be Arizona-bound in the fall, but they are not confirmed yet.
The Yankees also had this skinny little left handed guy who stood 5 10 and weighed 160 lb — named Ron Guidry. He didn’t do so badly either. dutchsailor(Quote)
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Surprised about Romine. Given it’s his first full season with catching duties and the way he’s worn down over the past few months I’d thought they’d give him some rest. Tripp(Quote)
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 9:47 am
I thought the same thing. Kinda odd that they want to extend the year of a guy who wore down. Moshe Mandel(Quote)
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Damian Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 11:53 am
Perhaps it’s punishment for all the complaining he did in the Ashmore article? Damian(Quote)
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T.O. Chris H Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Maybe they plan on using him less at catcher and more at first base or whatever and just focus on his bat and not necessarily being behind the plate. T.O. Chris H(Quote)
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Ask and you shall receive.
The report on Betances.
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/08/20/full-scouting-report-dellin-betances/ T.O. Chris H(Quote)
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