IBC

25. Damiano Palmegiani, 2B/3B/1B

Drafted: 14th Round, 2021 from Southern Nevada (TOR)
Age 23.9 Height 6′ 0″ Weight 195 Bat / Thr R / R FV 35+

Tool Grades (Present/Future)
Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw
35/40 50/55 45/55 40/40 35/40 45

When the Blue Jays selected Palmegiani in the 14th round in 2021, it was their second attempt at drafting him. The Venezuela-born, Canada-raised infielder had previously been selected in the 35th round in 2018, but instead played Division-I and junior college baseball in the US. When he did make his professional debut in 2021, he wasted no time displaying his offensive prowess, slashing .333/.458/.538 in 17 games on the complex. He’s steadily climbed the ranks of the system since then, splitting his 2022 more or less evenly between Low- and High-A, then spending the bulk of 2023 at Double-A before finishing out the season with a strong 20-game Triple-A stint. He’s consistently posted a wRC+ well above league average at every minor league stop, with his hard-hitting power an obvious stand-out trait, bolstered by savvy swing decisions and a patient approach that allows him to be selective at the plate and wait for pitches he knows he can crush. Palmegiani’s thump is largely of the pull variety and is most effective against fastballs, with 16 of his 23 home runs in 2023 (the most in the system from anyone not named Orelvis) coming on heaters, most of which were belt high, while the offspeed and breaking balls he sent out were mostly hang ‘em, bang ‘em mistakes from the pitchers. Defensively, he had spent most of his time at third base, but has never been a particularly comfortable fit there, and since reaching Triple-A, he has seemed to be more firmly planted at first base. His ability to punish pitchers for mistakes and pulverize fastballs to his pull side are good things to be sure, especially when he’s demonstrated patience, but doing so off of a greater variety of offerings will likely be necessary for him to carry his obscene offensive numbers up to the big league level.


CC AFCmember
9 hours ago

Damiano Palmegiani is an elite paisan name. New favorite jays prospect confirmed.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/toronto-blu ... prospects/

Luarbert Arias, RHP, Marlins

Arias had an excellent season in 2023 splitting time between the Marlins High-A and Double-A affiliates. Over 39 appearances spanning 58.2 innings Arias walked just 6.5% of batters he faced while striking out 33.8% of opposing hitters. He mixes four pitches, but Arias’ primary offerings are his four-seam fastball sitting 93-94 mph with ride and armside run and a low-80s slider with cut. He commands each of these pitches well and generates whiffs in and out of the zone. With excellent command, good stuff and high minors success Arias is a potential Rule 5 pick.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... view-2023/

Note: Arias was not selected in the 2023 Rule 5 draft so he remains, in real life, with the Marlins. However ...

Luarbert Arias (MIA): Arias was picked up by the Marlins in the MILB Rule 5 draft from the Padres after the 2021 season, and he always has been a pitcher who could miss bats. In Low A Lake Elsinore in 2021, he struck out 42.3% of the batters his faced, but walked 14.4%. The command has gradually improved with the Marlins and 2023 has shown a breakout for the 22 year-old. Splitting time in A+ and AA, Arias has struck out 78 and walked 15 in 58.2 innings, good enough for a 33.7% K rate and a 6.4% BB rate. He pairs this with a 1.84 ERA. He will need to do better in preventing the home run, which has been a struggle for him, but this could be an under-the-radar reliever for the Marlins and another example of their prowess in developing arms.

https://ryanferronbaseball.medium.com/s ... 3412738982

1. Jacob Melton, OF

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 208 | B-T: L-L

Age: null
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: After one season at Linn-Benton (Ore.) JC, Melton transferred to Oregon State prior to the 2020 season. He appeared in just seven games before the Covid-19 pandemic canceled the season. Melton worked his way into the starting lineup in 2021, hitting .404/.466/.697 in 32 games. An April shoulder injury ended his season, and Melton went undrafted in 2021 despite being eligible. He returned to Oregon State in 2022 and hit .360/.424/.671 with 17 home runs in 63 games on his way to first-team All-America honors and the Pacific-12 Conference player of the year award. The Astros drafted Melton 64th overall in 2022 and signed him for an under-slot bonus of $1 million. He finished his pro debut with 19 games at Low-A Fayetteville. He began 2023 with High-A Asheville and hit .244/.338/.454 with 18 home runs and 41 stolen bases. He reached Double-A Corpus Christi in late August, hitting five home runs over 13 games. Melton’s production varied from month to month. He produced a strong May, July and September and down months in April, June and August. He also had stark home-road splits, surely taking advantage of the friendly confines of Asheville’s McCormick Field.

Scouting Report: Melton is an athletic outfielder with a highly unusual swing and an enticing power-speed combination. At the plate, he sets up open before a big leg kick closes his front side. His swing is rhythmic despite the moving parts, though a slight coil with a late hitch introduces concerns about timing issues versus good major league pitching. He can be beaten with high fastballs and has coverage issues on the outer half of the plate. Melton has fringe-average bat-to-ball skills, but his approach balances aggression and patience well. He rarely misses hittable pitches. Melton’s raw power is above-average to plus, and he’s gotten to it consistently over the last few seasons. His underlying exit velocity numbers are above the MLB average, with a 106.4 mph 90th percentile exit velocity. Melton hit 23 home runs in 2023 and shows the ability to hit his best-struck drives in the air to his pull side with consistency. He is an above-average to plus straight-line runner who finds another gear when underway. His speed is an asset in the field and a dangerous weapon when on base. He stole 46 bases in 53 attempts in 2023. Melton is an average defender in center field and could develop into an above-average corner outfielder. His arm is average and capable of making the needed throws. Melton is a well-rounded, tooled-up player with an unusual swing.

The Future: Melton has the tools to develop into an average everyday outfielder capable of above-average offensive seasons. His power-speed combination makes him among the most exciting players in the Astros system.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2 ... =preseason

Jordan Leasure has never touched 100 mph with his high octane fastball, so that target is in the back of his mind for the 2024 season after topping out at 99.8 mph during his career.

But the No. 18 White Sox prospect, per MLB Pipeline, who was acquired from the Dodgers with Nick Nastrini and Trayce Thompson in exchange for Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly, has become a more complete pitcher since joining the South Siders. He focused on his fastball and slider in Los Angeles but has worked a curve into his repertoire.

“Even with the Dodgers, I was searching for a third pitch to have, and they never went to the curve,” Leasure told me during an Arizona Fall League interview. “I was looking more for a change or a splitter and never could quite get it.

“The White Sox said, ‘This will make a lot of sense for you.’ I just bought in and started working as hard as I could to make it a good pitch. It feels pretty good, so it’s going to be a good third option for me, especially in the big leagues where you can’t go against a lot of hitters with only two pitches and have success.”

Leasure, 25, had a chance to work on the curve during his time with Glendale in Arizona. He wasn’t worried as much about numbers during that time, although he finished with a 1.08 ERA and 13 strikeouts against two walks and two hits in 8 1/3 innings.

With general manager Chris Getz and manager Pedro Grifol talking about open competition in Spring Training, Leasure could quickly work his way into high-leverage pitching for the White Sox. Having that powerful fastball makes a difference, but getting sharper with the curve also will help his cause.

“I got it down really good in [Triple-A] Charlotte,” Leasure said. “I started throwing it a little bit there. The first week I got to the AFL, I threw it a bunch in the games. From that moment, I was like, ‘Hey, it feels really good.’ It’s feeling great ever since then.

“Honestly, [it] just opens up a lot more to the left-handed hitters. It’s something that lefties have had more damage against me in the Minors. Having that third option to go to against them has opened that chance to have success against them.”

Since coming to Chicago, Leasure is pleased with his on-field opportunities. He likes what the White Sox are building and getting to play with fellow top young players in Glendale.

“Everyone here has been super welcoming and kind,” Leasure said. “Great getting to know these guys. What they are building right now, it seems like it’s going to be something special. I’m excited to be part of it.”

https://www.mlb.com/news/jordan-leasure ... -curveball

C: Dominic Keegan (TB No. 9)

A/A+: .287/.386/.466, 106 G, 13 HR, 65 RBI, 60 R, 59 BB, 2 SB

The 2022 fourth-rounder made his impact felt in a number of ways while putting his first full pro season in the books. Keegan’s background as a first baseman and left fielder provides the mobility and overall athleticism rare for backstops. While he is still learning how to produce defensively, the Vanderbilt product shows great promise in the position. “He’s a very quiet leader,” Rays director of Minor League operations George Pappas said of the catcher. “It’s an upward arrow.”

RP: Keyshawn Askew

A+/AA: 9-6, 3.99 ERA, 97 IP, 130 K, 46 BB, .206 BAA, 1.23 WHIP

Askew only started nine of his 35 appearances this season but made his way onto the South Atlantic League All-Star roster at the end of a season as a starter. In those outings, the southpaw held hitters to a .230 average. The Clemson product was moved to the bullpen full time in June and really started to excel, notching five saves and a pair of holds.

https://www.mlb.com/news/tampa-bay-rays ... e-coverage

Rockies: 34 homers
Hunter Goodman, 1B/C (No. 12)

After Goodman hit 36 homers in 2022, mostly at the lower levels of the Minors, we wanted to see if his power would continue to show up as he moved up the ladder. He answered with a resounding yes by finishing one off the Minor League lead in 2023 en route to making his big league debut. He’s also driven in 217 runs over his last two Minor League seasons.

https://www.mlb.com/news/one-standout-p ... e-coverage

Hunter Goodman is currently penciled in to recieve nearly everyday at-bats, but it’s always difficult to have faith in Rockies lineup decisions. He would shoot up these rankings if we were confident he will play regularly. He showed big power in the minors, backed by a FB% over 40%, and that’s always exciting to see play at Coors Field.

https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/first-bas ... -rankings/

Dayan Frias, 3B

Preseason rank: 19
BA Grade: 45. Risk: High.

TRACK RECORD: Frias was not a high-profile signing in 2018 when the Guardians inked him to an $80,000 bonus out of Colombia. The pandemic slowed his emergence and he didn’t make his U.S. debut until 2021 in the Arizona Complex League. Since then, however, Frias has significantly raised his profile. He had a big 2023, first playing for Colombia at the World Baseball Classic and then turning in an impressive season with High-A Lake County.

SCOUTING REPORT: A switch-hitter, Frias has a smooth swing from both sides of the plate and has long shown an impressive feel for the barrel. After getting overly aggressive at the plate in 2022, he worked to reign that in and in 2023 cut his strikeout rate from 24.9% to 20.9% while maintaining his walk rate. He’s gained strength since signing and now shows average power potential, especially as a righthanded hitter. Frias has standout defensive tools and was voted best defender in the Midwest League by opposing managers. His infield actions, above-average arm strength and hands give him plus defensive ability at the hot corner.

THE FUTURE: Frias was not added to the 40-man roster in November and went unpicked in the Rule 5 draft. Both of those developments are mostly attributable to the fact he has yet to reach the upper levels. That will change in 2024, when he should progress to Double-A Akron.

Scouting Grades
Hitting: 45. Power: 50. Run: 45. Fielding: 60. Arm: 55.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... ring-2024/

17. Dayan Frias, IF (High-A Lake County)

Yes, yes, we know, another switch-hitting infielder with some defensive flex. Like Martinez, Frias’ best fit is third base, but his hands and actions are good enough you can stick him in the middle infield once a week or so without too many pangs of regret. He’s started to tap into a bit of power from the left side this year, where he looks to create a bit more hand/hip separation and lift, as opposed to his right handed swing which is a bit more slashy and line-drive oriented. Frias isn’t overeager for home runs, very willing to hit the ball where it’s pitched, but his bat path has a bit of a loop to it that leaves him a tad vulnerable on the outer half. The swing can also break down a bit versus spin, and there isn’t a ton of offensive upside overall—although arguably more than Martinez. When comparing two likely bench infielders, for now we will pref the one closer to the majors.

https://www.baseballprospectus.com/pros ... prospects/

17. 3B Dayan Frias:

Dayan Frias is one of my favorite prospects in the system. It was always unlikely, but I am very glad that he wasn’t taken by another organization in the rule 5 draft. After playing a bunch of SS/2B in his first couple seasons, Frias switched to 3B full time in 2023, and he was really good at it.

Frias had been on some Guardians’ fans radar the past couple years because of how well he has performed in the Colombian Winter League, and he even started for Colombia in the World Baseball Classic. We have just been waiting for him to put it together for a full season, and in 2023, he finally did. He slashed .260/.356/.426 with a 120 WRC+, good for 4th best in the entire farm system. What really got my attention is that after hitting 10 combined Home Runs in his first three seasons, he hit 11 in only 397 plate appearances last season. If Frias performs similarly in AA next season, he could easily jump up into the top 10 prospects for the Guardians.

https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2023/ ... ects-16-20

Terrell Tatum, OF

Tatum was taken by the White Sox in the 16th round of the 2021 draft on the strength of a combination of tools and athleticism, but didn’t have a full season’s workload until 2023, when he split the year between High-A and Double-A. He’s shown flashes of his upside, which includes above-average defense in center field and plus speed that plays both on the bases and in the outfield. The North Carolina State alum is a fringy hitter with fringe-average power and could fit as a fourth outfielder, but with a bit more seasoning in 2024 could raise his ceiling a tick.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... n-in-2024/

Phillies wrote: ↑Fri Jan 12, 2024 12:52 pm

Padres wrote: ↑Fri Jan 12, 2024 11:55 am Padres created Nolan 22-Perry

That's my sons name! lol

Crazy I didn't know about him

Nolan Perry, RHP

The Blue Jays farm system is stocked with relievers who have big fastballs and are close to the majors. But outside of Ricky Tiedemann, Brandon Barriera and a few prospects, the Blue Jays are short in terms of legitimate starting pitching prospects. Enter Nolan Perry, a projectable righthander with excellent feel for his breaking ball and in-game production that’s yet to match his ability. Perry mixes a four-seam fastball at 92-94 mph with around 17-18 inches of induced vertical break and 11 inches of run, with a slider at 82-84 mph with moderate sweep, a low-80s curveball with two-plane depth and a changeup. He has a projectable frame with a starter’s pitch mix.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... n-in-2024/

You kinda have to trade him to me now lol

Phillies wrote: ↑Fri Jan 12, 2024 1:52 pm You kinda have to trade him to me now lol

Trade value at an all-time high. Make him pay, Jim!

88. Jacob Melton, Houston Astros, OF

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 208 | B-T: L-L

Age: null
Melton won the Pac-12 player of the year award in 2022, culminating a climb that started three years earlier at Linn-Benton JC. Melton is an explosive player with the ability to handle center field and enough power to drive his mishits out of the yard. He is a well-rounded player with on-base skills and power.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

https://www.baseballamerica.com/ranking ... prospects/

Nick Nastrini, RHP, White Sox

Nastrini was part of the package the White Sox landed at the 2023 trade deadline in exchange for righthanders Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly. The UCLA product struggled in college but saw his stock jump once he joined the Dodgers’ vaunted pitching program. All three of his pitches project as above average or better, and his fastball borders on double-plus. If he improves his control, he could fit as a nasty piece of a rotation. If not, he should be a weapon out of the bullpen.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... 4-top-100/

Starting Pitcher: Isaac Coffey

Unranked before the 2023 season, the sidearming Coffey brewed up a surprising All-Star campaign. The 2022 10th-round pick out of Oral Roberts drew an assignment to High-A Greenville where he racked up the strikeouts, punching out 83 batters in 60 1/3 innings. Particularly impressive was a three-start stretch in late May to early June in which he went 18 scoreless innings, striking out 30 hapless South Atlantic League batters against just one walk. With a 2.83 ERA in mid-June, he earned a promotion to Double-A Portland, where he appeared in 12 games, posting a 3.92 ERA ERA. He was named a South Atlantic League All-Star for his efforts and finished the year with 155 strikeouts, good for second in the organization.

http://news.soxprospects.com/2023/10/20 ... chers.html

After a 2023 season that began with Team Canada at the World Baseball Classic and ended with an Arizona Fall League championship, Damiano Palmegiani is positioned for big things in 2024.

The 23-year-old third baseman is very much on the Blue Jays’ radar after hitting 23 home runs with 33 doubles and 73 walks in 128 games, mostly at Double-A New Hampshire before a 20-game stint at Triple-A Buffalo.

Palmegiani is expected to begin this season back at Buffalo, but with power, discipline and a sound approach at the plate, he has a chance to factor in Toronto in 2024.

“This is all stuff you dream about in your head on how it’s going to go and what you want to happen and how you want to do in these situations,” Palmegiani said.

“Being able to put myself in these positions and perform through them and enjoy the moment at the same time, I think I’m just proud of how all these steps have come one after the other.”

Born in Venezuela and raised in Surrey, B.C., Palmegiani was drafted in the 14th round in 2021 out of the College of Southern Nevada, a juco program.

Palmegiani opened eyes in 2022 when he mashed 24 homers between Low-A Dunedin and High-A Vancouver. A year later, his swing and his approach played at more advanced levels, resulting in a .255/.365/.478 slash line.

Blue Jays farm director Joe Sclafani described Palmegiani as coming “from that same Davis Schneider mold,” saying his success at the plate is the product of a methodically thought-out plan in the batter’s box.

“He just really dominates the zone, makes good decisions, swings at the right pitches. He’s got a ton of juice,” Sclafani said. “He’s set himself up nicely for next year.”

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... 23-season/

10. Dominic Keegan, C

Born: 2000-08-01
B: Right, T: Right
H: 6′ 0″, W: 210 lbs.

History: Drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 draft, Vanderbilt University; signed for $397,500.
Previous Rank: NR
Major League ETA: 2025

The Report: A first baseman during most of his time at Vanderbilt, Keegan spurned the Yankees after they selected him in the 19th round, choosing instead to return to school in an attempt to up his draft status. The gamble worked and after another solid season in the SEC where he excelled offensively and saw some action behind the plate, was selected by the Rays in the fourth round. The ability to stick behind the dish is key to Keegan’s profile. He saw just sporadic time at the position in college, but Tampa has committed to the idea, giving him a near full-time catching assignment during the 2023 season. Keegan’s athleticism and strong arm give him the foundation and while still raw, there was progress made over the course of the season, especially in terms of game calling. Offensively, there is no one tool that stands out, but he doesn’t chase and makes plenty of hard, line-drive contact with his quick right-handed stroke. For an advanced college bat out of the most competitive conference, he’s been treated rather conservatively in his minor-league assignments and the performance has been what you would expect against younger competition. This type of offensive projection from a corner defender wouldn’t be enough to warrant a spot in an organizational top 10, but with the major-league offensive bar as low as it is for catchers, Keegan’s chance to stick behind the plate gives a bit more upside to the profile.

OFP: 50 / Bat-first, second-division catcher
Variance: Very High. The offensive performance has come in the low minors as an advanced college bat, but it is not a given that Keegan sticks behind the plate. —Nathan Graham

Jesse Roche’s Fantasy Rundown:

Top-500 Dynasty Prospects: 371
Potential Earnings: $0-5
Fantasy Overview: Keegan has some legit power that he often parlayed into average in a hit-over-power approach in Single-A. His approach shifted in High-A to get to more power at the expense of average. If he can stick at catcher, either will work for fantasy purposes, but his most likely outcome is a .250/15+ backstop.
Reckless Fantasy Comp: Sean Murphy without the glove

https://www.baseballprospectus.com/pros ... prospects/

Top MLB Prospect: Keiner Delgado, FCL Yankees (NYY)

Delgado got on base for the FCL Yankees early and often, and then immediately became a nuisance for the opposing team as he usually found his way back to home plate. The 19-year-old from Venezuela ranked No. 1 in the circuit in runs scored (54) and stolen bases (36), and second in total hits (58). Delgado posted a .293/.414/.485 slash line with eight home runs, 31 RBIs and 36 walks over 49 games.

https://www.milb.com/news/rookie-level- ... s-for-2023

22. Keiner Delgado, SS/2B

Ht: 5'7" | Wt: 145 | B-T: S-R

Age: null
BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Delgado was signed out of Venezuela in 2021 and opened his career with a standout season in the Dominican Summer League. He finished the year with more walks (58) than strikeouts (28). His walks and OBP (.504) were the second-best on the circuit. He moved stateside in 2023 and fit right in on a spectacularly talented Florida Complex League team. His hits (58) and total bases (96) were second in the league.

Scouting Report: Scouts universally tabbed Delgado with two words: Baseball player. The infielder rarely misses or chases and has a knack for manipulating the barrel, but there wasn’t a whole lot of impact paired with his contact. The Yankees worked hard to add some strength to his frame through plenty of time in the weight room, but his average and 90th percentile exit velocities were still well below-average. He bounced between both middle-infield spots and scouts believe he fits best at second base because of an average arm and just fair range. He has soft hands and strong instincts that pair well with speed that can get to plus underway. Scouts ooze about Delgado’s instinct and makeup.

The Future: Delgado gets the most out of his tools and will have no problem reaching his ceiling as a quality backup who earns ample playing time.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50

https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2 ... =preseason

22. Keiner Delgado, 2B

Signed: International Signing Period, 2021 from Venezuela (NYY)
Age 19.5 Height 5′ 7″ Weight 155 Bat / Thr S / R FV 40
Tool Grades (Present/Future)
Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw
25/55 30/40 20/35 55/55 40/55 50

Delgado is a versatile, undersized, switch-hitting infield prospect with a fantastic rookie ball performance track record, as he’s slashed .301/.459/.495 across the DSL and complex levels as a pro. The game moves much slower for him than for most of the players around him. He isn’t as toolsy as some of his surface stats (like his stolen bases) might suggest; instead, he is much more polished and skilled than the typical rookie-baller. He is similar to a scaled down version of Brayan Rocchio at the same stage, wielding bat control and baseball feel beyond his years. Delgado has mostly played second base and shortstop while striking out a paltry 12% of the time. The recipe for his contact success is one part bat control, one part Delgado’s short levers (which help enable a pull-heavy style), and one part sentient approach, as he cuts his big leg kick with two strikes. He’s put together well for such a small athlete, and I think he’ll eventually be strong enough to compete at the big league level, but he probably won’t be strong enough to be an impact player. There are other athletes who are a cleaner fit at shortstop tracking along with him (Hans Montero, Roderick Arias), so it might be tough for Delgado to get reps there. He has a puncher’s chance to become a César Hernández-type of everyday second baseman, but a modest utility outcome is more likely.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/new-york-ya ... ects-2024/

11. Richard Fitts, RHP

Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R

Age: null
BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: Fitts was taken out of Auburn in the sixth round of the 2021 draft by the Yankees when his stock dropped after a late-season injury affected his stuff. He was hit hard in his pro debut at Low-A before dominating at High-A for five starts. The righthander spent his entire 2023 season at Double-A Somerset, where his 163 strikeouts were third in the system and 10th in the minor leagues. The Red Sox acquired him from the Yankees as the centerpiece of the Alex Verdugo trade in December 2023.

Scouting Report: Fitts works primarily with two pitches: a four-seam fastball with ride that sits around 94 mph with which he attacks the zone and a sweeper around 84 mph. He threw the two pitches a combined 85% of the time in 2023. The Yankees tweaked the slider early in the season, and moved it away from a bullet shape. He also mixed in a changeup and cutter, each in the high 80s, but the Yankees wanted Fitts to focus most of his energy on finding a consistent slider shape. His changeup was unimpressive and will require development if he’s to emerge as a starter.

The Future: If Fitts can find a reliable third pitch, he might fit toward the back of a rotation. If not, his fastball/slider combination could make him a useful reliever. He’ll likely open 2024 in the Triple-A Worcester rotation.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Cutter: 45 | Control: 55

https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2 ... =preseason

The moment that he joined the Red Sox, Richard Fitts occupied an unusual place in franchise history.

The 24-year-old righthander joined a short list of players in recent decades to be traded from the Yankees to their longtime rivals. That fact wasn’t lost on Fitts, the Yankees’ sixth-round pick in 2021 out of Auburn.

“I could barely fall asleep the night that I got traded,” Fitts said. “I took a step back and was like, ‘Man, there’s only been (a few) trades between the Yankees and the Red Sox.’ It’s a cool list to be on.

“But ultimately, it means absolutely nothing if I can’t produce and have an impact here in Boston.”

The Red Sox acquired Fitts as one of three prospects in the deal that sent Alex Verdugo to New York. He has a chance to emerge as a back-end starter option or middle reliever.

Fitts had a chance to be a Day One draft pick out of college, but injuries and diminished stuff left him on the board at pick No. 183.

His stuff has bounced back in pro ball. Last season he logged a 3.48 ERA with a 26% strikeout rate and 7% walk rate for Double-A Somerset. He leans heavily on a low-to-mid-90s four-seam fastball with ride and complements it with a still-developing slider and changeup.

“He’s really good strike-thrower,” Red Sox farm director Brian Abraham said. “More swing-and-miss in the zone is something we’re going to work on—working with his secondaries.

“I think there’s some stuff that (Red Sox coaches) are going to work with him to get better at.”

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... ment-plan/

Fitts is open to adapting in conjunction with his new organization.

“One thing that I love about this new staff is just being able to keep the things that have made me really good, but also—I’m not a big leaguer yet,” Fitts said. “If I go out there right now (in MLB) and face the best hitters in baseball, I don’t know how successful I’m gonna be.

“But they’re putting me in the best possible situation for me to be the best pitcher (possible).”

3B DAMIANO PALMEGIANI

Toronto’s fringe infield depth group is dense and cluttered, which can be a good thing. Add Palmegiani to Orelvis Martinez, Addison Barger, Leo Jimenez, Otto Lopez, Ernie Clement, Spencer Horwitz and others. This isn’t about who the top prospect is or who will be starting in the big leagues 10 years from now. It’s about which player has a specific skill set to fit this exact roster right here, right now.

What Palmegiani offers is positional fit at third base, power potential and the ability to crush left-handed pitching. At some point in 2024, there will be seats open for all three of those things.

Palmegiani is a development success story for this organization -- not unlike Davis Schneider -- and he reached Triple-A for the final 20 games of his 2023 season. Palmegiani has been a work in progress at third base defensively, but recent reports are growing more favorable and he has some experience at first base to go along with it. Add in the power numbers, with 23 home runs last season and strong exit velocities, and you’re looking at a bat with big league potential.

Most encouraging, though, is his success against lefties. Palmegiani posted an .842 OPS against lefties a year ago with an improved approach, making him a potential platoon fit down the road. He won’t be the favorite to win third-base reps in camp by any means, but like Schneider showed a year ago, there comes a point where production catapults you past players with higher prospect status.

https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/franc ... g-training

26. Nolan Perry, RHP

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R

Age: null
BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: As a senior at Carlsbad High in New Mexico, Perry won a state title as a two-way standout serving the role of ace pitcher and starting shortstop. Ranked as the top player in the state, he slipped under the draft radar and the Blue Jays selected him in the 12th round in 2022. They signed him for $200,000. Perry debuted in the Florida Complex League in 2023.

Scouting Report: Perry is a projectable young righthander with a feel for spin. He mixes four pitches: a four-seam fastball, slider, curveball and changeup. His four-seam fastball sits 92-93 mph and touches 95 with heavy bore. Perry’s slider is his most-used secondary. It sits 81-83 mph with cut. He uses his curveball at a similar rate to his slider, Perry’s curveball sits 79-81 mph with two-plane break and heavier sweep than his slider. Perry is still developing feel for his changeup, and it was infrequently thrown in 2023. Perry shows fringe-average command of his secondaries.

The Future: Perry is a young projectable pitcher with starter traits and an opportunity to develop into a back-of-the-rotation starter.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 30 | Control: 45

https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2 ... =preseason

5. Nick Nastrini, SIRP

Drafted: 4th Round, 2021 from UCLA (LAD)
Age 23.9 Height 6′ 3″ Weight 215 Bat / Thr R / R FV 45+

Tool Grades (Present/Future)
Fastball Slider Curveball Changeup Command Sits/Tops
60/60 50/60 55/60 40/50 30/40 93-96 / 98

Nastrini’s stock fell a bit during his final season at UCLA due to a pretty severe case of the yips that moved him out of the Bruins’ rotation. He looked nasty in a college summer league prior to the draft and buoyed his prospects. The Dodgers further harnessed his stuff — at best he was 94-97 with two plus breaking balls, and Nastrini put up impressive strikeout numbers at High- and Double-A in 2022. He was evaluated just outside the Top 100 prospects list that year, kept off by his poor control. When Nastrini returned to Double-A in 2023, at this time still with the Dodgers, his strikeout fell by nearly 10 percentage points, and he did nothing to allay concerns about his command. Positioned as a Pick to Click, his performance plateaued. Even while his numbers sagged, his swinging strike rate was still among the best in the minor leagues, and sure enough his overall numbers improved again after he was traded to the White Sox as part of the deal that sent Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly to the Dodgers.

Nastrini’s fastball alone will enable him to miss bats thanks to consistent mid-90s velocity and a healthy dose of vertical break. His robust arsenal of secondaries play well off one another. He’ll call upon his heater to miss bats, confounding hitters on both sides of the plate with its rise and cut. Then he’ll further frustrate his opponents with two distinct breaking balls – a slider and a curveball with drastically different shapes and velocities – or his changeup, which mirrors his slider in a way that makes it very effective against lefties. His entire arsenal is more vertical than horizontal, with all three secondaries featuring varying degrees of drop that allow them to complement one another.

But his command is still the sticking point, as the offerings he tosses out of the zone are usually big misses rather than strategically placed attempts to get chase swings. If he can hone that command, he could comfortably slot in towards the middle of a starting rotation, but if he can’t, he’ll still be impactful as a single-inning, late-game reliever. The White Sox have the luxury of letting Nastrini try to start for as long as possible during the early stages of their rebuild. Things might be bumpy early on, but over time a guy whose stuff is this good will find a way to be an impact pitcher of some stripe.

8. Jonathan Cannon, SP

Drafted: 3rd Round, 2022 from Georgia (CHW)
Age 23.5 Height 6′ 6″ Weight 213 Bat / Thr R / R FV 45

Tool Grades (Present/Future)
Fastball Slider Curveball Changeup Cutter Command Sits/Tops
50/50 55/55 50/50 40/40 55/55 45/55 92-96 / 97

Cannon was a high-profile 2021 draft prospect who missed a big chunk of that season with mononucleosis and, after a prolonged period of minimal activity to fight it off, wasn’t quite himself when he initially returned. His velo fell, as did his draft stock, and Cannon went back to school to rebound. It worked. He had a very efficient 2022 season in terms of strike-throwing and ended up becoming Chicago’s third rounder, signing for just shy of a million bucks.

Cannon spent 2023 split between High- and Double-A and continued to throw a ton of strikes with heavy, sink-oriented stuff. He mixes four- and two-seamers at mostly 94-95 mph, and can climb the ladder when he wants. Aside from his rarely used changeup, all of Cannon’s secondary pitches have glove-side movement. His mix is super tough on righties, but he needs to sharpen his backfoot breaking ball consistency to have a platoon-neutralizing weapon. Even at his size, Cannon’s delivery is consistent and repeatable. He’s remade his body almost entirely since early in college and looks more lean and athletic than ever before. He likely won’t have monstrous bat-missing ability. but Cannon is a high-floored no. 4/5 starter prospect thanks to his repertoire depth and command. He doesn’t have to be put on the 40-man until after the 2025 season, but he’ll likely be ready to debut from a skill standpoint before that.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/chicago-whi ... prospects/

9. Cristian Mena, SP

Signed: July 2nd Period, 2019 from Dominican Republic (CHW)
Age 21.1 Height 6′ 2″ Weight 170 Bat / Thr R / R FV 45

Tool Grades (Present/Future)
Fastball Slider Curveball Changeup Command Sits/Tops
40/45 45/55 55/60 40/55 45/60 90-94 / 95

Mena was signed in 2019 out of the Dominican Republic and his pro debut was delayed due to the pandemic, yet when he took a minor league mound for the first time in 2021, he was still just 18 years old. In 2023, at age 20, he was the youngest pitcher in baseball to reach Triple-A, but most of his season was spent at Double-A Birmingham, where he posted one of the lowest swinging strike rates in the minors. Despite the miniscule swinging strike rate, his overall K% was around league average, though at roughly 11%, his walk rate was uncomfortably high. To the eye Mena has better command than that, but he usually has to leave the strike zone to miss bats, in particular with his much-touted curveball. He and the White Sox have seemingly built his repertoire around his talent for spinning the ball. He has added a slider to his mix as a professional, and when it’s working, its shape is tighter and more horizontal than the curveball, at times looking more like a cutter. His breaking ball velocities sometimes blur together. That said, he places both pitches with enough precision to miss bats aplenty, despite their similarities. Mena’s changeup is most effective when it can play off of the slider (the two pitches look similar out of hand and then diverge in completely opposite directions), but its shape doesn’t feature much by way of horizontal movement, and he throws it so hard (in the high 80s) that it sometimes blurs with his low-90s fastball.

We’re still betting big on Mena’s long-term strike-throwing efficiency and changeup quality because his delivery is so beautiful, effortless, and consistent. If we end up over-projecting, it will be because Mena has to nibble with his ineffective fastball. It has below average velocity and movement, and has been frighteningly hittable against upper-level batters; between Double- and Triple-A, batters slashed .318/.420/.573 against his heater in 2023. He’s still so young and very athletic, and Mena’s 2023 134-inning workload is superlative for a pitcher his age. If his fastball can add a couple ticks (his arm slot should help his heater have more carry than it does) and improve its playability, then we’re talking about a mid-rotation starter and top 100 prospect. If not, then Mena has more of a backend starter profile.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/chicago-whi ... prospects/

10. Ryan Burrowes, SS

Signed: International Signing Period, 2022 from Panama (CHW)
Age 19.4 Height 6′ 2″ Weight 170 Bat / Thr R / R FV 40+

Tool Grades (Present/Future)
Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw
20/35 35/50 20/45 55/60 40/50 55

Burrowes signed with the White Sox out of Panama for less than $100,000 and has quickly become one of their system’s more exciting youngsters despite some data-oriented flaws that cropped up in 2023. Broad shoulders tapering down to a high, narrow waist give Burrowes the look of a Division-I cornerback, and allow for fairly exciting power projection for a likely long-term shortstop. Burrowes can move the barrel around the zone fairly well, but he is often late to the ideal point of contact, and he doesn’t seem to recognize spin well. His 6.7% walk rate on the complex last year would ordinarily be a bright red flag, but his underlying chase data, while still not great, isn’t quite as terrifying. Burrowes’ defensive projection gives him a good shot to be a utility guy, and if he can add strength to his frame (and the in-game power that should hopefully come with it), he can have a flawed hit tool and still be a second division regular.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/chicago-whi ... prospects/

19. Damiano Palmegiani, CI (Triple-A Buffalo)

A JuCo slugger that the Jays popped on Day Three of the 2021 draft, Palmegiani had a fairly unremarkable 2022 season, but made the jump to Double-A with some aplomb in 2023, and was even better after his late-season promotion to Buffalo. He’s a Three True Outcomes disciple, but the power is pretty real and he’s able to generate big exits and optimal loft from a fairly compact swing. The problem is that swing features a late hand load, and below-average bat speed and barrel control, so Palmegiani’s offensive profile relies a lot on his picking the right pitches and doing damage in the zone. He’s pretty good at the former, not chasing all that much while conversely pulling the trigger on more than enough strikes, but there’s a bit more swing-and-miss in the zone against better velocity than you’d prefer to see, and he’s only going to see more heat in the majors. It’s a fine needle to thread, especially since he’s likely to play far more first base than third. Palmegiani battles at the hot corner, and moves reasonably well to his left, but he’s a bit stiff in the field without the flexibility or actions to play an every day third base. So we are left with a right/right first baseman who really has to mash. So far, mostly good on that front, but there is not insignificant risk his bat struggles more against major-league stuff. —Jeffrey Paternostro

https://www.baseballprospectus.com/pros ... prospects/

[Damiano Palmegiani’s] power bat has garnered him more attention as he’s risen through the system. On defence, the 24-year-old has primarily split his time playing first and third base. While there are question marks about his defence, he looked comfortable playing third base in 17 of his 22 games in the AFL. Palmegiani should get a look at third this spring and if he continues slugging like he has over the last year, he could earn himself an opportunity to test his bat in the majors.

https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/mining-the-news-1-29-24/

12. Jordan Leasure, SIRP

Drafted: 14th Round, 2021 from University of Tampa (LAD)
Age 25.4 Height 6′ 3″ Weight 215 Bat / Thr R / R FV 40+

Tool Grades (Present/Future)
Fastball Curveball Cutter Command Sits/Tops
70/70 45/50 55/55 30/35 96-98 / 100

Leasure has had a significant velo spike across the last couple of seasons, and leapt from the 94-96 mph range to 96-98 between 2022 and 2023 before the Dodgers traded him to the Sox as part of the Lance Lynn/Joe Kelly trade. Chicago sent him straight to Triple-A after they acquired him and, though Leasure had a high ERA there, he actually showed some developmental progress with regards to his curveball usage, which ticked up at Charlotte and then again in the Arizona Fall League.

Make no mistake, Leasure’s best pitch is his fastball, which also added a few grades worth of movement in 2023. Leasure’s violent, vertical-slotted delivery generates big carry on his heater, giving it in-zone bat-missing ability. His fastball execution, both with regard to throwing strikes and the quality of them, is well below average, but the pitch is nasty enough for him to get away with that. His most-used secondary is currently a hard, upper-80s slider/cutter that has variable shape because of Leasure’s mechanical inconsistency. It’s a nasty, late-breaking pitch that will be an effective second weapon if he can spot it more consistently as he gets comfortable with his relatively new arm strength. I’m not sure the curveball will be able to usurp it even though it theoretically should tunnel better with his fastball. It’s a 12-to-6 offering in the low-80s and looked about average in the AFL.

A fastball like this should enable him to be more than just a generic middle reliever, but there’s not quite enough secondary stuff to project Leasure as a setup man or closer on a contender. He stands a chance to work higher-leverage innings for the Sox in the coming season.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/chicago-whi ... prospects/