- The Reds believe they got first round talent from a 3rd round pick (2017) in Jacob Heatherly. The 6′ 1″ 215 lb left-hander was one of the best high school southpaws in the 2017 draft. Thus far, Heatherly hasn’t produced the results of that, a top round pick. In 87 career innings, the Alabama native has posted a 5.19 ERA and 90 strikeouts, but the frightening stat would the 65 walks (6.7 BB/9 rate). This could be a scary season for the 20 year-old in his first full season with Dayton, facing hitters almost 2.5 years older than the 20 year-old. Reports say that Heatherly flashes three plus pitches, with a fastball that touches 95 mph.
TOP AL UTR PITCHING PERFORMANCE
LHP Tarik Skubal (HiA Lakeland – Detroit) 22 years old 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K, 1.13 ERA, Win 1-1- So, the Reds have this projectable talent that hasn’t quite evolved in the early stages within the rookie leagues, but is thrown into the LoA fray to start 2019. The Tigers on the other hand, have a 9th round draft pick (2018) that has only seen 22.1 innings between short-season and LoA from his pro debut season, and is already at HiA Lakeland. Skubal makes his 2nd UTR mention, and marked a career-high with 10 strikeouts last night. The 6′ 3″ 215 lb lefty could quickly become the top southpaw in the Tigers system. Skubal’s fastball rates as a 70-grade offering that reaches 97 mph, and backs it up with a nasty breaking ball.
LoA Mentions – Starters RHP Tim Brennan (LoA Hickory – Texas) 22 years old 6 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 0.82 ERA, Win 1-0 RHP Angel Acevedo (LoA Fort Wayne – San Diego) 20 years old 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 1.38 ERA, Loss 0-1 RHP Ofelky Peralta (LoA Delmarva – Baltimore) 22 years old 6 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 11 K, 1.69 ERA RHP Jack Perkins (LoA Lakewood – Baltimore) 21 years old 4 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 2.53 ERA RHP Chase Cohen (LoA Beloit – Oakland) 21 years old 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 1.17 ERA, Win 2-1 RHP Shawn Dubin (LoA Beloit – Oakland) 23 years old 6 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 0.75 ERA, Win 1-0
HiA Mentions – Starters RHP Randy Dobnak (HiA Fort Myers – Minnesota) 24 years old 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 0.00 ERA, Win 1-0 RHP Aaron Shortridge (HiA Bradenton – Pittsburgh) 22 years old 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 0.53 ERA, Win 2-0 RHP Bryan Abreu (HiA Bradenton – Pittsburgh) 21 years old 4.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 10 K, 2.79 ERA RHP Jason Bahr (HiA Bradenton – Pittsburgh) 24 years old 7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, 0.82 ERA, 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, 1.29 ERA, Hold American League – Relief RHP Scott Engler (LoA Hickory – Texas) 22 years old 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 0.00 ERA, Save
Under The Radar Minors 