TOP NL UTR PITCHING PERFORMANCE RHP Chris Vallimont (LoA Clinton – Miami) 22 year old 5 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
- Oh how the Marlins need help, especially on the mound. It might be 2-3 years away, but Chris Vallimont is on the way. Drafted (5th Rd-2018) from a small D-II school just up the road (Mercyhurst College) from me, Vallimont is already tormenting me for not choosing him as the Marlins “One to Watch” for 2019. The towering 6′ 5″ 220 lb righty threw 64% of his pitches for strikes in a one-hitter over 5 innings last night. Expectations were high after the 2018 draft when the then 21-year old made his pro debut at short-season Batavia. Over his three collegiate seasons, Vallimont registered a 21-5 record with a 2.59 ERA, but more impressively, a 14.4 K/9 rate with his 268 K’s over 166.2 innings. There was no signs of a carryover with the MuckDogs, but his 80 inning workload prior to the draft may have taken its toll. Vallimont should generate swings-and-misses in 2019 with his wicked slider and 96 mph fastball. Keep a close watch on this big right-hander.
- Yankees fans have been patiently waiting for their top draft pick from 2017. Schmidt underwent TJ surgery just prior to the draft and made his debut last season with 8 appearances between the GLC and short-season NY-Penn League. The 6′ 1″ 200 lb right-hander went pitch for pitch yesterday against Detroit’s top prospect Casey Mize, who gets a mention below. The Yankees #12 ranked prospect could be a fast mover this season with his 4-pitch arsenal that highlights his mid-90’s fastball, which peaks at 97 mph.
HiA Mentions – Starters RHP Casey Mize (HiA Lakeland – Detroit) 22 years old 5 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
- Tigers #1 prospect according to Baseball America
National League – Relief LHP Victor Gonzalez (HiA Rancho Cucamonga – Los Angeles Dodgers) 23 years old 3 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K American League – Relief RHP Alex Phillips (HiA Fort Myers – Minnesota) 24 years old 2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
- Getting to possibly see a full season after coming over from the Frontier League (Independent) and only making 2 appearances with the Miracles in 2018.
Under The Radar Minors 