Quote:
Originally Posted by DeepSouth
I didn't include Manaea as a possibility after I looked at his line. He's only pitched more that five innings one time and that was his last outing. I guess they could be limiting his innings because he's still building up strength after hip surgery. And, his ERA is over 4.80.
What do you know about NWA's Juan Carlos Antonio Sulbaran? He's 5 -5 with a 3.02 ERA.
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It's hard to just stat-watch with minor league players, especially at levels like Low-A.
Manaea has had consistently excellent scouting reports and is throwing the ball really well (velo, movement, deception). He also is missing an absolute ton of bats. They've been limiting his innings and pitch counts pretty closely (75 pitches earlier in the year, with a 30-pitch limit in an inning) and he's had bad luck with the bullpen and his inherited runners.
A+ is usually the level where the Royals take away the pitcher's most advanced secondary pitch to have them focus on developing other pitches (for Zimmer last year, his curve, for Manaea his slider, for Almonte his changeup, etc).
I place more stock in what we hear about guys at A+ than what their stat line is.
JC Sulbaran has an OK ERA at NWA, which shouldn't be pooh-poohed away, but he also is outpitching his peripherals (not missing many bats - just 62 K in 80 2/3 IP and a high WHIP). I don't think he's a REAL prospect, but he might end up as a bullpen arm (where his stuff would play up to an acceptable level).