Scouting Notes: Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Texas Rangers Prospects
Introduction:
Recently, I had the opportunity to watch A-ball matchups featuring prospects from the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Texas Rangers. In this article, I will provide scouting notes on several prospects, including Aidan Miller, Justin Crawford, and Termarr Johnson.
Aidan Miller Impresses:
Aidan Miller, the Phillies’ 2023 first-round pick, has been turning heads despite missing most of his senior season due to a broken hamate bone. Initially projected to go higher in the draft, Miller fell to the Phillies at No. 27. Since his promotion from Low-A Clearwater to High-A Jersey Shore, Miller has been showcasing his skills.
In the Florida State League, Miller posted an impressive .275/.401/.483 batting line with a 21 percent strikeout rate. His exit velocity reached as high as 108.1 mph, comparable to major leaguer Spencer Steer. At just 20 years old, Miller has shown great potential at the plate. However, he still needs to work on consistency and staying on plane with the pitches.
Furthermore, Miller’s defensive abilities have been a pleasant surprise. Despite initial projections of him ending up at third base, he has excelled at shortstop. With prospects like Bryan Rincon and Starlyn Caba also excelling at shortstop in the Phillies’ system, the team has a surplus of talent at that position.
Justin Crawford and Other Jersey Shore Prospects:
Justin Crawford, another prospect from Jersey Shore, had an unremarkable performance in the game I watched. Although he showcased his speed during an attempted bunt for a hit, his overall at-bats and contact quality were lacking.
Left-handed pitcher Samuel Aldegheri showed promise despite the home plate umpire’s questionable calls during his outing. Aldegheri demonstrated solid control and a mix of pitches, including a slider and curveball with good depth. His changeup is currently his weakest pitch, but with improvements, he has the potential to become a back-end starter.
Jaydenn Estanista, a right-handed reliever from the Phillies’ system, has struggled with command and control due to his over-the-top arm slot. While he possesses a fast arm and two above-average pitches, he needs to work on throwing more strikes to become a reliable reliever.
Jersey Shore also boasts several intriguing long-term prospects in catcher Luis Caicuto, shortstop/second baseman Erick Brito, and outfielder Emaarion Boyd. Each player brings unique strengths and areas for improvement.
Termarr Johnson’s Struggles Continue:
Termarr Johnson, the Pirates’ 2022 first-round pick, has yet to live up to expectations at the plate. Despite his team’s offensive success in the game I watched, Johnson had a tough day, going 1 for 5 with an infield single. He struggled to make solid contact against pitches in the zone, indicating a need for improvement.
Delmarva Matchup:
In a Low-A matchup between Down East (Rangers) and Delmarva (Orioles), two top prospects caught my attention. Echedry Vargas, an infielder for Down East, showcased a good eye at the plate but struggled with sliders and lacked the expected bat speed.
Leandro Arias, an infield prospect for the Orioles, displayed a powerful swing with fast hands. However, he occasionally struggled with timing and met the ball too far out in front. Nonetheless, when he connected with the ball out in front, he produced impressive line drives.
Thomas Sosa, an outfielder for Delmarva, stood out with his size and aggressive approach at the plate. Despite his high strikeout rate this season, I only witnessed one swing-and-miss from him. He also displayed better-than-expected running ability.
On the pitching side, Jose Gonzalez from Down East showed good command but lacks the necessary stuff to be considered a top prospect. Riley Cooper, a former LSU reliever for Delmarva, exhibited potential as a fastball/changeup reliever but needs to manage his weight to avoid injury.
Conclusion:
Overall, the scouting experience provided valuable insights into the performances and potential of several prospects from the Phillies, Orioles, Pirates, and Rangers organizations. While some players impressed with their skills and improvements, others struggled to meet expectations. These observations highlight the ongoing development and challenges faced by young players as they strive to reach the major leagues.