Jim Thome Traded for Prospects Kyle Simon and Gabriel Lino
The Philadelphia Phillies today traded veteran slugger Jim Thome to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for pitching prospect Kyle Simon and catching prospect Gabriel Lino. Here is a look at the two youngsters.
Kyle Simon, RHP: Simon was a key cog in the University of Arizona pitching rotation, beginning as a freshman in 2009. As a junior in '11, he went 11-3, 2.72 with an 86/11 K/BB in 129 innings, prompting the Orioles to select him in the fourth round of the June draft. In 14 starts for High-A Frederick this spring, Simon is 2-8 with a 3.96 ERA, a 49/21 K/BB ratio, and 86 hits allowed in 73 innings. He also has a 2.55 GO/AO ratio.
Born August 18th, 1990, Simon is big at 6-5, 225, but his fastball has just average velocity at 87-92 MPH. The heater has sink to it and he gets more than his share of grounders. His control is generally solid, but he isn't a strikeout artist. His low-angle delivery can make him tough on right-handed hitters, but his slider, cutter, and changeup all need some sharpening for him to succeed against left-handed hitters consistently. Given his ability to throw strikes and eat innings. Simon could develop into a back-of-the-rotation starter, or he could find a spot in relief.
Gabriel Lino, C: The Orioles signed Lino out of Venezuela in 2009. Born May 17, 1993, he is a right-handed hitting catcher with a strong throwing arm and considerable power potential. He is also quite raw, hitting .218/.232/.340 in 206 at-bats for Low-A Delmarva, with 16 walks and 64 strikeouts. Lima has good size and strength at 6-3, 195, but he lacks feel for the strike zone. He has thrown out 27% of runners this year, but has also given up 14 passed balls and 12 errors in 51 defensive games. As with his hitting, he has good physical defensive tools, but is still learning how to play baseball.
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