2012 MLB Draft Scouting Reports Vol. 3

I’m back again with the third part in my draft series. I hope to get several more of these in before next week.

Without delay, here we go…

R.J. Alvarez, RHP, Florida Atlantic

Alvarez is a compact, power-armed right hander, who depending on the organization that drafts him, could be a starter or a reliever. As a reliever, he could move fast, and as a starter, it would depend on the development of the change. He does fit in with the Tigers budget, in the sense that they might have to select a few college reliever types to stay within their boundaries.

Alvarez has the potential for two plus pitches. The 6’1″ 200lb righty sits in the mid 90’s with his fastball, and has shown the ability to do so in multiple innings stints. While Alvarez doesn’t have the perfect delivery, and there is a little effort, he has done a good job of throwing strikes. His breaking ball is also considered a potential plus offering, showing good depth, and late break. He also has a good speed differential, getting 12mph separation consistently between the fastball and hard curve. The change is a work in progress, though some believe he has good potential there as well.

Martin Agosta, RHP, St. Mary’s College

Agosta is similar to Alvarez in the sense that people are a little mixed in where he fits at this point. The team that drafts him is likely to try and develop him as a starter, but he could profile as a late inning reliever as well. Agosta at 6’2″ and 180lbs is pretty physically mature already. His repertoire lags a little behind however.

There is arm strength here. Agosta sits in the low 90’s as a starter, and has flashed mid 90’s from time to time, though he doesn’t command near as well when he throws harder. He also throws a cutter in the 80’s, that’s been a good pitch for him. He also throws a slider as well currently, that still needs some work. His change is a long ways off, and he doesn’t show a ton of feel for it at this point. Still, the arm strength is there, and he does it easy, so he should be an early round pick.

Brett Phillips, OF, Seminole HS, Florida

Phillips to me is reminiscent of a guy that I profiled last season in Charlie Tilson, who went around the area where the Tigers are picking in the 2nd round this year. Phillips is an athletic high school outfielder that profiles nicely to CF. One difference is that Phillips is know for tremendous arm strength, so he should be a plus thrower from center. He runs at an above average clip, using his speed to track down baseballs. He is still somewhat raw in terms of baseball abilities, but there is enough there to dream on, especially defensively when looking at Phillips.

Offensively, he shows a short path to the baseball, and a willingness to utilize the whole baseball field. His biggest concern is going to be his lack of power, though some think he might be able to generate a little eventually given his swing and athleticism. He is committed to North Carolina State.

Dan Langfield, RHP, Memphis

Langfield is a somewhat stocky right hander with a power repertoire that the Tigers like. At 6’2 and 205lbs, he doesn’t have any projection on him left really, but he doesn’t necessarily need it. Langfield sits in the low 90’s with his fastball, but has touched the mid 90’s regularly. His ball has more movement when he dials it back a little bit, and shows a good ability to get in under the hands of right handed hitters. He couples his power fastball with a power curve that also generates swings and misses as well. So far, Langfield doesn’t have much of a change to speak of, and the development of a usable change will determine if he can start.

Langfield also walks his fair share of batters as well. From what I have seen, he has an over the top delivery that he seems to repeat rather well, so his natural movement might not be helping him throw strikes. Another relief candidate if things don’t go well as a starter to begin with.

Jesse Winker, OF, Olympia HS, Florida

Winker is a left-handed hitting outfielder, who looks like he is going to end up in a corner spot someday, probably LF. Winker isn’t the best of athletes, showing average speed presently that may become a tick below later. At 6’3″ 200lb’s, one can dream on his bat being one that works in a corner, though there is some question if that will happen, as he hasn’t shown the power people expected this spring.

Winker shows quality bat control in the batters box. After watching video, he looks like he is balanced nicely at the dish, and has a swing with some loft to it, looking like he should be able to drive the ball to all parts of the field. Winker looks like a guy that could hit for average, and I believe he will hit for above average power.