Arizona Fall League Thread

[markedman5]

From Eric Longenhagen ESPN

 

Josh Hader, LHP, Brewers -- It's not your typical starter's delivery but Hader's stuff, and the way he uses it, make him a viable rotation option in my eyes. His fastball sits in the mid to upper 90s and is absolutely unhittable if he locates it. The slider is regularly a 50 or 55 and plays up against lefties because of Hader's unique arm slot and action. He's shown the ability to throw it for strikes and locate it toward the back foot of right-handed hitters. The changeup is behind but Hader at least maintains his fastball arm speed when he throws it, which will keep hitters off balance enough to generate weak contact if not swings and misses. If Hader can maintain his stuff deep into games, improve his changeup and locate his fastball to his glove side more consistently, he's a top-of-the-rotation starter. The more likely outcome is that his rate stats are indicative of a No. 2 starter, while stamina and inefficiency limit his innings and therefore his value to something resembling a No. 3.

[Mass Haas]

Slo-mo

 

[brewmann04]

think the Brewers family will be happy him slotting as a 2 or 3. what slot did they project for Houser?

[nate82]

Jim Callis AFL top 20 prospect ranking.

 

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/158015830?partnerId=ed-9887097-852027623

[JohnBriggs12]

I would be will to trade Peralta as he is getting closer to being paid prior to us competing again.

 

Nelson is our best pitcher on this staff and we have 5 more years of control of him...2 more at league min prior to arbitration.

 

As long as Suter isn't in rotation I'd be happy. I would easily take Houser over him since Houser at least has a little upside.

 

Nelson - Jungmann - Lopez - Hader- Davies/Houser

 

Peralta's injury riddled and erratic 2015 limits his value right now. He might need a return to his 2014 form to maximize the return. They badly need to consider just eating the remainder of Garza's deal though particularly if all the name listed above are healthy.

[Mass Haas]

MLB Pipeline's 2015 All-Arizona Fall League Team

Lineup of year's most impressive Fall Leaguers highlighted by Yankees' Sanchez, Rangers' Profar

By Mike Rosenbaum / MLB.com

 

SP: Josh Hader, LHP (Brewers' No. 14 prospect)

Hader paced the league with a stellar 0.56 ERA while tallying 19 strikeouts in 16 innings. He also posted a 0.94 WHIP and held opposing hitters to a .154 average while pitching seven games (two starts) for Surprise. The 21-year-old lefty was consistently 95-98 mph with his heater, with his crossfire delivery -- from the first-base side of the rubber -- creating a ton of natural deception. Hader, whom Milwaukee acquired at the Trade Deadline as part of the Carlos Gomez deal, also showed a vastly improved slider that he could both throw for a strike and then bury in the dirt (especially on the back foot of right-handed hitters) when ahead in the count.

 

Yadiel Rivera, Brett Phillips, Damien Magnifico get mentions...

[Mass Haas]

How Brett Phillips went from the AFL to Taiwan with Team USA -- (full article here, Phillips quotes below):

 

***

 

"A couple days before I went out to the [Arizona] Fall League, I get a call from Paul Seiler, the CEO of USA Baseball," No. 2 Brewers prospect Brett Phillips echoed.

 

USA Baseball, the governing body of national teams from youth to the professional level, quickly assembled a roster for this first edition of the Premier 12 shortly after the close of the Minor League season. The tournament's first round and quarterfinals took place at four ballparks in Taiwan before shifting to Japan for the semifinals and medal round, and on Saturday in Tokyo, that diverse team of young prospects, Minor League veterans and free agents brought home the competition's silver medal.

 

The run to Japan was the culmination of a frenzied stretch that began in late summer.

 

"I love to compete, man," Team USA manager Randolph said from Tianmu Stadium as a boisterous contingent of fans filed in for his team's group match against Korea. "I love working with young kids. I love to represent the USA, and so to me, it was a quick 'Yes.' Then it was all about trying to put the team together. I got excited, made sure I cleared some things in my schedule with the family and all that kind of stuff. I was just pumped up from the get-go."

 

Randolph and USA Baseball assembled their club, which included top prospects like May, Phillips and No. 18 D-backs prospect Jake Barrett, last month. The team convened in Arizona, where it worked out for the first time on Oct. 29 and played a series of exhibition games against the Canadian national team.

 

"When we got down there, I was able to look them in the eye, talk to them and get the chance to feel what they were all about, get to know them a little bit. I was very pleasantly surprised," Randolph said. "They're very competitive. I think everyone here wants to be here, and that's really a big part of why we're doing this, because it's about pride. It's playing baseball because you love the game, but really, ultimately, it's about wanting to represent and have pride in your country. There was no doubt from Day 1 that the commitment was there. I saw the guys, the way they worked at it."

 

A large number of players on the American side had to quickly work back into game shape after a month or more off following the close of the Minor League season. A handful of players like Phillips were still in late-season form after taking part in the Arizona Fall League.

 

"I was going to the Fall League, so I had my mind set and eyes set on the Fall League and performing there," Phillips told MiLB.com's Show Before the Show podcast. "[seiler] called and said the Milwaukee Brewers were OK with this opportunity for me to come over here to Taiwan and be in the Premier 12 tournament and it was up to me if I wanted to join. I was 100 percent in."

[trwi7]

BA Top 10 Prospects of the Arizona Fall League

 

6. Josh Hader, lhp, Surprise (Brewers)

 

No AFL player boosted his prospect stock more this fall than Hader. Acquired by Milwaukee from Houston in July as part of a four-player package for big league outfielder Carlos Gomez and pitcher Mike Fiers, Hader was earlier viewed as a likely candidate to move to the bullpen largely because of his slender body and low-three-quarters delivery. Hader turned out to be one of the more consistently dominant pitchers this fall, posting a league-best 0.56 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 16 innings. The fastball, delivered with a crossfire motion that adds deception, sat in the mid-90s and touched 98. He has a good feel for a slider that flashes plus and he mixes in a deceptive changeup. Scouts in the AFL were giving Hader at least an even chance to stay in the rotation, with shutdown reliever being a possible fallback option.

 

Houser makes other players of note category

 

Adrian Houser, rhp, Surprise/Brewers

 

Just missing the top 10 was another Surprise Saguaro pitcher obtained by Milwaukee in the Carlos Gomez deal. Houser impressed with a sinking fastball up to 97 mph as part of his quality, three-pitch arsenal. He’s a physical 6-foot-4, 230-pound bruiser suited for burning innings.

 

Videos of both in the link. Hader looks so much like Bumgarner delivery wise. Houser looks a little like Jimmy Nelson to me.

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO: Jonathan Mayo discussing Brewers' AFL players

[Mass Haas]

Three impressive Josh Hader photos here.

[Mass Haas]

Josh Hader and the Durability of Impressions

by Michael Schwarz, BPMilwaukee

[Mass Haas]

More on Josh Hader

[Mass Haas]

Via "Clubhouse Corner",a Damien Magnifico story/interview

[Mass Haas]

Jeff Levering's Minor Details -- More AFL Honors for Yadiel Rivera, Josh Hader

[Mass Haas]

Via 2080baseball -- AFL Team Review: Surprise Saguaros (Hader and Houser in particular)

[Mass Haas]

Via 2080baseball -- AFL Team Review: A Thorough Josh Hader scouting report

[CheezWizHed]

Via 2080baseball -- AFL Team Review: A Thorough Josh Hader scouting report

 

Interesting clarity on why scouts have his ceiling at mid-rotation.

 

Hader's raw ability is among the best of any left-handed minor league pitcher, with two plus pitches and a fearless attitude on the mound. There are questions about his ability to be a starter in the big leagues because of his arm slot, the effort in his delivery, and his slender frame, but it's not because of his repertoire. The effort in his delivery is noticeable, but it doesn't affect his velocity in extended outings and while his command is only average, his stuff is potent enough to be effective at that level. Plus-plus fastball velocity raises his ceiling regardless of role, and his 1-7 curveball with sharp break is dominant against lefties and effective against righties. The change-up is clearly a third pitch, but it's a usable pitch that should end up being a major league average offering. That combination of pitches makes for a solid starting pitcher. He has most of the physical indicators of a bullpen arm, but he makes them work as a starter and he should be developed as such until he proves he is otherwise incapable of handling the responsibility. If a shift to the bullpen becomes necessary, he'll be a potent high-leverage arm, but until then, he still profiles as a mid-rotation starter who should miss bats.

[Jenkins5]

Good write up.

 

I'll never understand the assessment of too much effort in delivery to be a starter or due to arm slot they can not be starter. Same with this player is only 5'10-6 foot tall, they can only be a bullpen arm. Like that the writer notes he could be a high leverage RP if he has to be but no reason he shouldn't be able to start. Sale, Madbum, and many others have unique arm slots or deliveries....doesn't mean anything. If it is consistent and sustained for 6+ IPs a game...doesn't matter. If they can command it, sustain it, and are productive with it.....no need to be thrown in pen. Injuries can happen at any time so you don't say you throw like this you can't start cause you may get hurt. Only time you do that is when you have a Hellwig or Rogers whose arms no longer hold up.....except Brewers refused those options for both.

[CheezWizHed]

Injuries can happen at any time so you don't say you throw like this you can't start cause you may get hurt.

 

I don't think "can't" is the right word for what scouts are talking about when you have a short or "high effort" type pitcher. I think they are simply pointing out a red flag than can reduce the odds. There are always people that beat the odds, but most don't (which is why they are odds).