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Bernie Pleskoff has been a professional scout for the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners.
 | Enny Romero has an "electric" arm. His main pitch is a sinking fastball that hits 97 mph without much effort. Romero does a good job of changing speeds, altering his velocity from 92 or 93 mph upwards. If his fastball is working well and if he's throwing strikes, his secondary pitches are all the more meaningful -- they include an 82 mph hard slider (or slurve) and an 86-mph changeup.
More»Romero demonstrating improvement, versatility |
 | Hunter Harvey has the repertoire, the mechanics, the mound presence and the command to become a highly qualified Major League starting pitcher. He throws strikes and takes charge on the mound. Harvey has the ability to repeat his simple, uncomplicated delivery and not waste energy with extraneous movement. He uses his size to his advantage, as he comes over the top and gets late life on all his pitches. Even at the young age of 19, Harvey has the ability to keep the ball down in the strike zone.
More»Right-hander Harvey projects as power pitcher |
 | There is a great deal to like about Cincinnati Reds outfield prospect Jesse Winker. To begin, he has a completely uncomplicated, sweet stroke at the plate. And it's that natural swing that has led him to become No. 3 on the Reds' Top 20 Prospects list. Winker can hit.
More»Reds prospect Jesse Winker possesses a sweet swing |
 | Think Mo Vaughn, the big first baseman who got his start with the Boston Red Sox. Or Dave Parker, for baseball fans that remember back to his days in Pittsburgh and several other big league cities. Or, for a more modern comparison, consider current Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz. Minnesota Twins prospect first baseman/designated hitter Kennys Vargas reminds me of each of them. He is compared most often to Big Papi, a former Twins player and slugger he admires greatly.
More»Twins prospect Vargas powerful from both sides |
 | Left-handed-hitting Rangers prospect Joey Gallo wowed at the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game with his power, and the third baseman is probably in a dead heat for prospect power dominance with his boyhood friend, Cubs third-base prospect Kris Bryant.
More»Pleskoff believes Gallo will contribute power |
 | Good trades benefit both teams. A trade should not be judged on a "winner" or "loser" basis. If a trade benefits the clubs involved, it's a good deal. That's my impression of the transaction that sent veteran third baseman Chase Headley from the Padres to the Yankees for prospect Rafael De Paula and infielder Yangervis Solarte. Everybody wins: the clubs and the players.
More» Rafael De Paula, RHP, Yankees |
 | Players have gotten bigger and stronger. Pitchers are throwing faster and faster. But even the best pitchers can't keep power-hitting sluggers from taking their pitches out of the park. That was the case in the 2014 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game on Sunday.
More» Gallo on winning Futures Game MVP |
 | Texas Rangers prospect Joey Gallo stood out among an impressive group of power hitters during batting practice before the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game on Sunday at Target Field in Minneapolis.
More»Javier Baez on his experience at the Futures Game |
 | I remember watching the competition week after week as if it happened yesterday. But 54 years have passed since announcer Mark Scott hosted the original Home Run Derby, a home run-hitting competition filmed in black and white and shown on television beginning in April 1960.
More»Guillen, Kruk preview Home Run Derby |
 | Marlins No. 8 prospect J.T. Realmuto has the defensive and offensive game to be a catcher in the MLB, Bernie Pleskoff says. Realmuto is fast with a big arm and can handle the responsibilities of catching in the big leagues.
More»Pleskoff discusses J.T. Realmuto |
 | Indians' reliever Kyle Crockett has proven that he has what it takes to compete at the big league level. He went to University of Virginia, where he flourished, and quickly made his way through Cleveland's farm system. Now, he's helping the MLB club.
More»Pleskoff discusses Kyle Crockett |
 | Ketel Marte is a name to remember. The switch-hitting middle infielder currently plays in the Mariners' organization, having signed as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic in 2010. This season, Marte became a Double-A Southern League All-Star.
More»Bernie Pleskoff gives thoughts on Marte |
 | Tampa Bay Rays second-base prospect Ryan Brett is the type of high-energy, maximum-effort player who gets the very most from his 5-foot-9, 180-pound frame. He goes full speed all the time and doesn't get cheated at the plate. Brett is the type of player who consistently gets his uniform dirty.
More» Ryan Brett, 2B, Rays |
 | Almost exactly two years after being selected by the Braves, Shae Simmons is already pitching in the big leagues. Generally, we hear about first- or second-round Draft picks ascending to the big leagues relatively quickly -- but not a 22nd-round selection.
More»Bernie Pleskoff gives thoughts on Simmons |
 | Marlins pitching prospect Justin Nicolino is a very crafty left-handed starter with a chance to be a solid contributor on the team's starting rotation. He is continuing his development at Double-A Jacksonville in the Southern League.
More»Command a strong spot for Justin Nicolino |
 | Former college pitcher and current first baseman Nick Ramirez has impressed with raw power and an middle-of-the-order potential at plate for Double-A Huntsville.
More»Pleskoff thinks Ramirez has serious power potential |
 | San Diego Padres first baseman Tommy Medica is 6-foot-3, 205 pounds. After parts of five seasons in the Padres' Minor League organization, the right-handed hitter is now playing first base and outfield for San Diego.
More»Bernie Pleskoff gives thoughts on Medica |
 | When the Reds' prized first baseman Joey Votto went on the disabled list earlier this season with a left quadriceps strain, one of the replacement options available to manager Bryan Price was the big, strong left-handed-hitting Donald Lutz -- especially against right-handed pitching.
More»Bernie Pleskoff discusses Donald Lutz |
 | It certainly didn't take long for Chicago Cubs prospect Kris Bryant to leave his calling card on the doorstep of his new Triple-A Iowa club. Bryant hit a home run in his first game since being promoted from Double-A Tennessee.
More»Cubs prospect Bryant having strong season in Minors |
 | At 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, Matt Shoemaker knows how to pitch. Quite simply, he goes right after hitters. Shoemaker isn't overpowering and he doesn't have a fancy delivery, but he isn't afraid to pitch inside and attack hitters with great movement on the ball.
More»Bernie Pleskoff discusses the rise of Shoemaker |
