TOP NL UTR PITCHING PERFORMANCE LHP Wennington Romero (LoA Dayton – Cincinnati) 19 years old 6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 9 K, Win 1-0
- Romero dominated as a 17 year old in the DSL in 2015. Cincinnati staff saw enough after one season and brought the left-hander state-side to the Arizona League. He made 11 appearances (8 starts) with the AZL Reds and then a late season start at Billings (Pioneer League). He proved that the DSL season wasn’t a fluke by going 3-3 with a 1.99 ERA. He showed outstanding control striking out 47 and allowing only 9 walks over 49.2 innings, in addition to a 60% groundball rate. Romero throws a low’s 90s fastball and a “go-to” plus curveball. Both offerings have stifled left (.228) & right (.231) handed batters. Physical projection could be limited with concern of his 5′ 11″- 175 lb. frame. Improvement of his change-up could raise his ceiling.
- Braves prospect ranked #24 by Baseball America
- 2015 UTR-OAS
- 2016 UTR-OAS *Legit UTR*
- #11 Rockies prospect and 2016 UTR-OAS
TOP AL UTR PITCHING PERFORMANCE RHP Dane Dunning (LoA Kannapolis – Chicago White Sox) 22 years old 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K, 1.50 ERA
- Oh the Washington Nationals / Chicago White Sox trade….it continues to haunt me. I had stashed Reynaldo Lopez in an N.L. -only keeper league two years ago and I was primed to capitalize on my coup in 2017. Adam Eaton was needed by the Nats to shore-up their outfield and the White Sox exploited that by reeling in Lucas Giolito, Lopez, and Nats 2016 1st round pick, Dane Dunning. Good Luck in the American League Mr. Lopez. The Southsiders actually had Dunning on their board last June, but the Nationals scooped him prior to the White Sox’s pick. The right-hander spent all but one GCL start with short-season Auburn (7 starts) last season, posting good numbers. Dunning flashed advanced control of a low 90s fastball and a solid-average change-up; his best secondary pitch. He also flashed success from the bullpen while with the Florida Gators, so could he best suited working from the pen? Looking ahead at the possible make-up of the Chicago rotation in the next 2-3 years, Dunning might be squeezed into that role.
- Orioles #2 ranked prospect has never pitched past the 3rd inning in his pro career. He made 9 starts at Short-Season Aberdeen in 2016 (27 IP) posting a 3.00 ERA with 25 strikeouts.
- #6 prospect for the Athletics
- Red Sox’s #20 ranked prospect
Under The Radar Minors 