Rafael Devers trade: What do opposing scouts think of new Red Sox additions?
The Red Sox' decision to trade Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants for four players caught just everybody off-guard in the industry.
We spoke to scouts across the game who offered their take on the players the Red Sox are acquiring:
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LHP Kyle Harrison: 'Throws four-seam fastball (94-97 mph) more than 60 percent of the time, helping to set-up slider, which he throws 85-89 mph...Lack of a third pitch against righthanded bats, with a lot of motion to repeat in his delivery, gets his pitch count up quickly due to inability to work ahead and pitch with execution...Has deceptive delivery that he has not yet harnessed...Lapses at times holding runners and basically finding a timed, repeatable delivery, working more like a reliever than a starting pitcher.'
RHP Jordan Hicks: 'Hicks is a big-time thrower who has to rely on chase out of the zone....Two-seam fastball is used much more than the riding four-seamer (97-101 mph)...Slider has a three-quarter sweep and cutter is 86-02 mph...Changeup is rarely used, as he lacks feel and repeat of his delivery...Repeat mistakes, injury prone...Tendency to be injury prone....Bottom line: he doesn't work ahead much and lacks feel and imagination to keep hitters off balance...Typically below 60 percent in strike-throwing with all his pitches.'
OF James Tibbs III: 'Left fielder...near fully-developed body, bat ahead of glove...Should be left in LF, or perhaps a future move to first base...Compact, quick bat, high leg kick load, handles velocity from the belt and lower....Solid concept of the strike zone....Bat reminds some of Michael Conforto, with less arm and outfield instincts...Average speed, with a 4.29 time to first base...can be a fast-mover through the system and could be at Triple A by the All-Star break...potential everyday outfielder with 25+ homer bat.'
RHP Jose Bello: 'Six-foot-one, 178 pounds...a lean, projectable athlete...quality four-seam fastball that currently sits 93-96 mph, projected higher within two years...Also throws hard cutter at 90-92 mph along with conventional slider with hard sweep and ability to get hitters to chase at 86-88 mph...Has a changeup that he doesn't use much, but needs to throw more since everything else is hard from a three-quarter arm slot...Has quick long-arm action with extension...Currently more a thrower than a pitcher, effective vs. RHH with intent to attack strike zone with hit-and-miss results...More of a bullpen project with upside at 20 years old...Ideal candidate for a split-finger pitch to aid against lefthanded hitters.'
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