TOP NL UTR PITCHING PERFORMANCE RHP Bo Takahashi (HiA Visalia – Arizona) 21 year old 5.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K
- Here’s the young Mr. Takahashi gracing his name on these pages for another season. His 5th within the Diamondbacks organization since his debut in the AZL in 2014. Each year after, I have given him the “One to Watch” consideration, but only to refrain “Lets wait one more season”. He repeats at Visalia in 2018 after getting a quick bump-up from LoA Kane County last season. The only knock from the righty being a OTW this season was he became hittable (107) during his 109 innings at HiA. Plus, I really thought an aggressive push to Double-A may occur. I do see this kid being a very strong #3 type in the next couple years. Since that 2014 debut, he has consistently faced older competition, all the while, holding solid peripherals. In 332.2 innings, Takahashi has posted 7.4 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 rates, all near his season averages across 5 levels. Last nights performance set a new career in strikeouts.
- Perez touches double digit K’s for the first time in his four seasons within the Astros system. The 2015 UTR Organizational All-Star was my Astros “One to Watch” for the 2017 season. He debut at #16 on Baseball America’s list of Top 30 Houston prospects in 2016 and has jumped to #7 in 2018. The righty is a hard thrower (mid 90’s), and has flirted around 100 mph. So it still uncertain whether the Club will eventually make the move too the bullpen. His control last night could be a promising argument otherwise.
HiA Mentions – Starters RHP Edgar Arredondo (HiA Down East – Texas) 21 years old 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, Win 1-0 LHP Scott Moss (HiA Daytona – Cincinnati) 23 years old 5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K, Win 1-0
- 4th round pick in 2016 was my Reds #1 UTR Organizational All-Star from last season.
- Alvarado has been a UTR Organizational All-Star for the Orioles over the last 3 seasons (2015, 2016, 2017) and was my 2016 “One to Watch”. All of this places the “Legit UTR” and “Solid Stash”. To back-up that claim, how about a 0.6 HR/9 and 4.25 K/BB ratios over 7 seasons (532 IP). He regressed last season in 26 appearances with Frederick, so another stint there would be good, but could be brief.
- Sopko was just off my scope in after the 2015 season, but slid into the #4 UTR-OAS slot the following year.
National League – Relief LHP Kyle Dohy (LoA Lakewood – Philadelphia) 21 years old 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, Save (1) American League – Relief RHP Kaleb Fontenot (HiA Down East- Texas) 24 years old 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Under The Radar Minors 