- My selection for the Brewers “One to Watch” in 2019 got off to a great 2019 by setting a career-high with 8 K’s over six innings yesterday. Of the seven draft picks out of Coral Springs HS (Fla.), only Lewis Brinson has made his way to the MLB. But my system says that Lazar is on his way, though a few years away. Taken in the 11th round in 2017, Lazar has already displayed exceptional command, though his control has taken the wheel thus far. The 19 year-old is beginning this third season of pro ball, and has only allowed 17 walks in 87.2 innings. The 6′ 3″ 185 lb right-hander works with a low 90’s fastball, a spinning 11 to 5 curveball, and a tight slider with a modest sweeping action.
TOP AL UTR PITCHING PERFORMANCE
RHP Jean Carlos Mejia (HiA Lynchburg – Cleveland) 22 years old 5 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K- 15 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 27 K……..that’s the current stat line of the three Top UTR pitchers selected in the first 3 posts of 2019. Jean Carlos Mejia went perfect last night against Myrtle Beach (Cubs), but did not receive any run support over his 5 innings of precision, as the Hillcats took the loss (2-1). The 2013 free agent signee out the Dominican Republic was added to the Indians 40-man roster this past November, in a protection move from the Rule 5 draft. The Cleveland front office believe they have an ace in the making with the 6′ 4″ 240 lb righty, who posted a 4.76 K/BB ratio in 2018. Mejia spent most of last season at Lake County where he went 4-8 with a 3.13 ERA in 17 appearance, making 15 starts. He struck out 97 and walked 20 in 92 innings in his first full season with the Captains, before getting a start a Lynchburg to closeout 2018. The 22 year-old even missed 6 weeks last season with a sore right elbow. There still is alot of projection left for Mejia, and that’s scary for a young arm who’s fastball (91-95) rates a 60 on the 20-80 scouting scale and his secondaries all rate above-average at this point. Juan Hillman barely nudged Mejia (10.5) for the final 2018 UTR-OAS roster slot.
LoA Mentions – Starters RHP Cole Sands (LoA Cedar Rapids – Minnesota) 21 years old 5 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K LHP Michael Plassmeyer (LoA Bowling Green – Tampa Bay) 22 years old 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, Loss 0-1
HiA Mentions – Starters RHP Austin Hutchison (HiA Modesto – Seattle) 23 years old 5 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K RHP Jackson Tetreault (HiA Potomac – Washington) 22 years old 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, Win 1-0
National League – Relief RHP Steven Fuentes (HiA Potomac – Washington) 22 years old 2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, Save American League – Relief RHP Devin Conn (LoA Quad Cities – Houston) 22 years old 2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
Under The Radar Minors 