On Thursday afternoon the Miami Marlins traded right-hander David Phelps to the Seattle Mariners for four prospects: outfielder Brayan Hernandez, and right-handed pitchers Pablo Lopez, Brandon Miller, and Lukas Schiraldi.
Here’s a quick take on these four prospects.
Brayan Hernandez, OF: Hernandez ranked ninth on the pre-season 2017 Seattle Mariners Top 20 prospects list with the following comment:
9) Brayan Hernandez, OF, Grade B-/C+: Age 19, switch-hitter from Venezuela signed for $1,850,000 in 2014; hit .281/.327/.433 with 21 steals, 17 walks, 59 strikeouts in 263 at-bats between Dominican Summer League and Arizona Rookie League; best tool is 60-grade speed, has some raw power too but needs to improve plate discipline; you can dream on him being a 20-steal, 15-homer guy if he can make further gains with the strike zone. ETA 2021.
Hernandez was playing for the Everett Aquasox of the Northwest League before the trade, hitting .252/.306/.408 with four steals, seven walks, and 26 strikeouts in 103 at-bats. He has the highest ceiling of any player in the trade but is also the furthest away from the majors and the most work to do developing his skills.
Pablo Lopez, RHP: A right-hander from Venezuela, Lopez was signed by the Mariners in 2012. He currently has an unattractive 5.04 ERA in 100 innings for Modesto in the High-A California League, however he has a strong 89/13 K/BB ratio and has pitched much better recently, with a 2.75 ERA in his last six starts.
Lopez is 21 years old, listed at 6-3, 200 pounds. He doesn’t throw especially hard with a fastball around 90 but he changes speed well with his curveball and change-up and throws strikes. He has the upside of a number four starter and has sleeper potential.
Brandon Miller, RHP: Miller was drafted in the sixth round in 2016 from Millersville University of Pennsylvania. He has been reasonably effective this year for Clinton in the Low-A Midwest League, posting a 3.65 ERA in 101 innings with a 94/23 K/BB.
Miller is 22 years old, listed at 6-4, 210 pounds. Like Lopez Miller doesn’t have a blistering fastball but can hit 90-93; several reports mention that the fastball plays up due to an impressive spin rate. He also has a plus slider and throws strikes. Like Lopez, Miller could be a fourth starter with further development of his change-up.
Lukas Schiraldi, RHP: The son of former major league pitcher Calvin Schiraldi, Lukas was drafted in the 15th round in 2014 from the University of Texas. Pitching for Modesto this year he has a 4.58 ERA in 37 innings with a 63/27 K/BB and 29 hits allowed.
Age 23, Schiraldi is listed at 6-6, 210. He’s another guy with a low-90s fastball, in his case a power sinker, and a hard slider. The K/IP and low hit rate aren’t lying about his stuff, but poor control has prevented consistent success. He could be a very good reliever if he ever fixes the command troubles.
Loading comments...