TOP NL UTR PITCHING PERFORMANCE RHP Erick Julio (LoA Asheville – Colorado) 20 years old 7 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, Win Season Stats: 2-2, 3.80 ERA, 21.1 IP, 27 H, 9 ER, 4 BB, 16 K in 4 starts
- Julio was one of the most sought after International pitching prospects in 2013. Colorado was able to sign the 17 year-old during the 2013 signing period and he began his career with the DSL Rockies in 2014. Ranked as the 13th best International prospect, Julio’s stuff was already described as projectable with a sinking fastball and biting curve. He missed all of 2015 with a shoulder injury, but returned the following season, splitting time in the DSL and state-side at Boise. The right-hander showed very good control in the Northwest League with a 1.6 per nine inning walk rate. Julio doesn’t display the power arm that will rack-up the strikeouts, but that should come in due time as his stuff improves.
TOP AL UTR PITCHING PERFORMANCE LHP Darwinzon Hernandez (LoA Greenville – Boston) 20 years old 5 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K Season Stats: 1-1, 3.38 ERA, 18.2 IP, 12 H, 7 ER, 8 BB, 25 K in 4 starts
- Hernandez came over after two seasons in the Dominican Summer League and garnered attention with a fastball touching into the upper 90’s with late life. Signed by Boston back in 2013, the 20-year old lefty made his U.S. debut last season in the New-York Penn League with the Lowell Spinners. His fastball chewed-up NYPL hitters to the tune of a 10.8 K/9 rate. Unfortunately the young pitcher didn’t flash enough control, as he also threw-up a 6.7 BB/9 rate, which was woefully tops in the NYPL. Scouts saw more good than bad from the 6’2″ 185 lb. Hernandez, as he slid into the Red Sox Top 30 according to Baseball America. With his fastball and secondaries, that need much improvement, Hernandez’ ceiling could be from the bullpen as a set-up type.
- 15th round pick in 2015 makes his first start of 2017. He went 7-2 with a 2.91 ERA in 12 appearances (9 starts) at Appy League Princeton. He also held opposing bats to a .216 average in 58.2 innings with 44 strikeouts.
- After getting toasted on Opening Day by giving up 7 ER in 4 innings, Newsome has settled-in. The right-hander has only allowed onel earned run over each of his last three starts (17 IP) while also striking out 17 and only yielding one walk.
- This will be the last season for tracking Ladwig, as he turns 25 years-old at the end of the year which drops him from my radar, according to our criteria. The 11th round pick from 2014 and UTR Organizational All-Star in 2015 & 2016 is experiencing a modest uptick in his K% (23%). Ludwig has displayed exceptional control over 3 season (1.2 BB9) but needs to miss more bats to move through the system.
Under The Radar Minors 