I depart to Everett and return with reports on the High A affiliates of the Mariners, Rockies, and Diamondbacks.
I unfortunately missed notable Rockies prospects like Chase Dollander, Sean Sullivan, and Cole Carrigg. That being said, there were new and interesting players to grab a look at for all three teams.
Kyle Karros, 3B — Spokane (Rockies)
Karros looks like a ballplayer, with a large, athletic frame. The third baseman was impressive in this look, flashing agility and strong instincts on the dirt.
At the plate, Karros does a great job of hitting it where it’s pitched, with a primarily up-the-middle approach. The feel for contact is strong, and he was able to show off some power with a pair of home runs, neither of them cheap.
Karros was the biggest surprise of this look in Everett. He has big-league tools and is a legit prospect who’s got the look of someone who could potentially lock down a future everyday role.
Lazaro Montes, OF — Everett (Mariners)
Montes is an imposing human being. A large lefty bat with high hands, a large leg kick, and monstrous bat speed, Montes is below-average in a corner outfield spot, and a shift to first base may be inevitable. Though lauded for his power, it’s hasn’t shown up much in games since moving up to High-A.
Montes has struggled as he’s been pounded with fastballs up and in. He’s tried to adjust and cheat inside, but it’s left him out front of secondaries. The swing-and-miss has been prevalent.
Montes doesn’t quite look comfortable in Everett, but he was recently promoted and is still 19. He’ll have to hit, but the bat speed promises a potential major-league slugger, and his production and pedigree speak for itself.
Michael Morales, RHP — Everett
Morales showcases a clean delivery and a good feel for the strike zone. He’s athletic, and there could be more velocity on the way.
Morales will throw the kitchen sink. The fastball sits 90-94 mph, and he’s grabbed 95 mph. His best secondary is a low-80s changeup with late darting life to the arm side and good tunnel. There’s a low-80s sweeper and a slow curve in the mid-70s. He’ll also throw an occasional slider/cutter in the mid-80s.
Morales has yet to establish the fastball’s presence in either start, and his confidence in the pitch might not be there yet. That being said, he can effectively and consistently navigate through lineups and mix up his arsenal. He looks like a future back-end starter with the potential for more if the stuff ticks up. He was just recently promoted to Double-A Arkansas.
Michael Arroyo, 2B — Everett
Arroyo falls under the radar in a very flashy, very young Mariners system flush with hitters, but he shouldn’t. A 19-year-old in High A, Arroyo has had his struggles but hasn’t been swamped so far.
The hit tool and ability to fight in counts flashes. Arroyo crowds the plate a little, so fastballs up and in have been a struggle.
Defensively, Arroyo has a below-average arm, but he’s a strong athlete and runner who makes every play you expect out of a second baseman otherwise.
Tommy Troy — SS, Hillsboro (Diamondbacks)
Recently coming off the injured list, Troy was solid in this look. The results may not pop off the page, he made consistent contact and worked gap-to-gap efficiently, and the contact was often loud.
A plus runner and good athlete, Troy wasn’t challenged much at shortstop, but he made all the plays he was supposed to. The defensive skillset would work well at second or third base if a transition is necessary.
Gino Groover — 3B, Hillsboro
Just coming off the IL alongside Troy, Groover’s a bat whose game is centered around contact. He was aggressive and consistently put the ball in play, though it didn’t result in ideal contact and hits.
Even though the power wasn’t quite there, it was a brief look, he’s a big guy, and coming off a broken wrist, which can hamper power for a while. Groover played third base, but a shift to a corner is feasible.
Alfred Morillo — RHP, Hillsboro
Morillo is a relief prospect who sat mid-90s with his fastball in this look alongside a mid-80s gyro slider. Already grabbing 97 mph with some life, the stuff plays in a big-league bullpen.
Morillo struck out the side in his first outing, but he struggled in his second appearances where the strike-throwing deteriorated.
Roman Angelo — RHP, Hillsboro
Angelo was a starter for Hillsboro who went seven innings despite below-average control.
His stuff jumped off the page, with a fastball up to 97 mph, often in the mod-90s, though the velocity fluctuated. His ability to throw strikes with it was inconsistent, but he got it in the zone enough to overwhelm hitters with pure velocity.
Angelo flashed a horizontal mid-80s changeup and sweeping cutter, though the command of both offerings was below average. The changeup projects as the better offering of the two.
Angelo’s already 24 years old, and his profile is likely set for the bullpen with the big velocity and some effort in his operation. He profiles as a potential seventh-inning type in the big leagues but will need to find more strikes to get there.
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