Rising Stars Game Writeup

With the Rising Stars game nationally televised, below is my breakdown of what I saw:

RHP Jarred Cosart (Astros) - More of the same from Cosart, hard FB that doesn't generate swings and misses and he deteriorates into a thrower.  His CB was 78-82 that breaks early and doesn't elicit swings and misses and his CH was 85 and was a bit firm.

RHP Kyle Gibson (Twins) - My first look at Gibson and he wasn't as good as I heard he was in the beginning of the AFL.  His sinker was 92-95 w/ gd angle and generates a lot of groundballs, but he still doesn't have an avg secondary pitch for me, as his CH at 83-85 doesn't have a lot of life and his SL at 86-87 was cutlike and stayed on 1 plane.

RHP Chase Anderson (Diamondbacks) - Anderson was significantly better then the last time I saw him and he actually had the look of a # 4 starter for me.  His FB was up to 90-94 with gd life while his CH was an above avg to plus pitch at 81-82.  His CB was 76-78 and looked like it could have been more then an early count strike pitch.  Didn't even need to throw his cutter to get outs on this day.  He probably did the most of anyone to stand out.

LHP James Paxton (Mariners) - Better CB on this day and paired it with an above avg CH at 84.  He was up to 98 with his fastball and profiles as a # 3 starter, though I am not sure how healthy he will be.

RHP Michael Brady (Marlins) - Brady worked his sinker at 89-91 and paired it with a short SL at 79-80 and a firm CH at 86. 

LHP Daniel Huchingson (Mets) - Lacks the breaking ball to be a lefty out of the pen despite the boring action his 2-seamer features at 88-92.  The offspeed pitches will need to continue to develop.

RHP Aaron Barrett (Nationals) - Same things as before, as he worked 91-92 with his sinker and 83-85 with his plus SL.

RHP Tony Zych (Cubs) - For whatever reason, Zych chose to showcase his CB, which didn't do much for me, in addition to his FB at 95-97 with life.  His SL will need to continue to develop while his SF at 87 had some dive.

RHP Michael Tonkin (Twins) - SL wasn't as good on this day, which resulted in him getting knocked around.  Velo was 94-95, so he still profiles as a solid middle relief piece.

LHP C.J. Riefenhauser (Rays) - Short, stocky with a thick lower half, he worked 90-93 with ride and deception.  His CB was 76-79 w/ mdm dwnr and was an avg pitch, although he elevated it on this day.  Has a shot as a lefty reliever with this being my first look at him.

LHP Mike Belfiore (Orioles) - Same guy, 90-91 w/ a SL at 80.

RHP Victor Black (Pirates) - Same guy, power arm no strikes.  Worked 95-96 w/ a power CB at 84.

RHP James Simmons (Athletics) - Velocity was up from the previous games I saw him at 92-93, but he still has zero feel for spinning a breaking ball and that will hurt him.

LHP Grant Dayton (Marlins) - First look at the lefty whom I believe will have arm trouble based on his action.  He was 92-94 and paired it with a SL at 83-86 with sweep.

No one really jumped out offensively on this day besides possibly Brian Goodwin, but I have been all over him as a stud, so wasn't a surprise to see him swing it like that on this day.