If there's one common theme to take note of when teams are deciding who to protect on their 40-man rosters, it's that the list of names usually contains high-upside pitchers with good arms. This year was no different. Each team made their best effort to leave none of their top arms exposed.
Some of the names added seemed like foregone conclusions -- many top prospects unquestionably required protection for the Rule 5 draft. Others, however, may not be household names. The addition of the lesser known or lower-level players can speak volumes about just how highly an organization regards certain obscure talents.
Luis Lebron, RHP, Baltimore Orioles: It has taken Lebron a long time to find his way in professional baseball, as he toiled for the better part of the last last three seasons prior in the lower levels of the minors. This year was an entirely different story, however. Wildness had plagued him throughout his pro career, with his walk totals routinely the number of innings pitched, but after catching an early glimpse of Lebron in spring training in 2009, it was clear to me that he had turned things around. He sat around 92-94 mph with the fastball, reaching as high as 95. That velocity only got better as the summer months approached, and he hit 97 mph routinely. Along with the fastball, the hard-throwing right-hander has the makings of a plus slider at 82-85 mph.
With two dynamic, swing-and-miss pitches and much-improved command, Lebron has himself squarely on scouts' radar screens. The Orioles were wise in protecting this 24-year-old not only because of the risk of losing such a good arm but because he may not be far off from helping their big-league bullpen. He has the presence, raw stuff and easy velocity to be a dangerous weapon in the late innings.
Juan Jaime, RHP. Washington Nationals: Jaime might be the most fascinating named added to a 40-man roster of all. Even with no experience above low Single-A, the Nationals felt Jaime's stuff might have been enticing enough for a team to snatch him in the Rule 5. Given what I saw out of Jaime, it's close to impossible to imagine him sticking on a 25-man roster right now, but his arsenal is intriguing. A thick-bodied right-hander, Jaime uses his lower half and drives towards the plate very well. The stuff is clearly there, but consistency is a major issue for him. He had outings in 2009 where he was 94-98 mph with the fastball and others where his velocity was in the 90-93 range.
At this point, his secondary pitches are a work in progress, with his best offering a slow curveball at 70-73 mph. The 22-year-old also flashed a changeup at 80-83 and what appeared to be a cutter. Control was at times a major issue. He looked uncomfortable with his mechanics and had to let off the velocity to pick up some command. He doesn't look to have the full arsenal or feel for pitching to start, but if Washington can harness that sometimes upper-90s fastball he has the look of a potential closer.
Alex Burnett, RHP, Minnesota Twins: Another strong right arm, Burnett performed everywhere the Twins sent him in 2009, including the Arizona Fall League. Burnett likes to pitch aggressively with the fastball, and he has a good one. He's not a flame-thrower but he lives around 91-93 mph, touching 94. His velocity also had the tendency to improve in multi-inning appearances. He likes to go to his changeup at 80-82 and also mixes an occasional cutter at 84-87 mph. Burnett also likes to change eye levels, going up with the fastball and down with the changeup.
Prior to 2009, he spent the vast majority of his career as a starter and the results were solid, but to say his stuff reacted well to the switch to the bullpen is an understatement. Look for him to pitch in Triple-A in 2010.
Roque Mercedes, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks: For most of the early part of his career, Mercedes spent a lot of time starting and a lot of time putting up mediocre numbers. All that changed in 2009. Something clearly clicked into place as Mercedes transitioned into a downright dominant reliever. You might remember him as one of the prospects sent to Arizona in the Felipe Lopez deal. Let's just say the Diamondbacks did pretty well for themselves.
Mercedes fastball ranges from 91-95 mph, reaching 96 and settling in around 92-93. But, the velocity is not what took him to the next level as a prospect. The credit for that goes to Mercedes' plus slider, which grades out as a 7 pitch on the 2-8 scouting scale. It's a true slider at 84-86 mph with superb late bite. He's learned to locate it to both left- and right-handed hitters, making him equally difficult from both sides. This is the type of pitch that will induce swings and misses at any level. Mercedes would have almost certainly been snatched up in the Rule 5 if not protected.
Daniel Cortes, RHP, Seattle Mariners: There are only a handful of starting pitchers in the minors that can match Cortes' stuff. Somehow he hasn't broken out into star prospect status, mostly because of makeup issues and what appears to be a lack of feel for pitching. This might also be a familiar name, as he was the centerpiece of a trade that sent Yuniesky Betancourt to Kansas City. It was clear that the Royals had their concerns about Cortes' makeup, but the Mariners were more than happy to take him.
At first glance, in terms of frame, raw stuff and easy velocity, Cortes, pictured above as a Royal, looks like an elite prospect. The 6-foot-6 right-hander throws his fastball with ease at 93-96 mph with hopping late life. He's also the owner of an inconsistent but potentially plus slider at 78-84 mph. The changeup is behind his first two pitches. The 22-year-old is extremely enigmatic, as he goes from dominant to barely being able to find the strike zone at times. He's also quite often the victim of his high-strung emotions on the mound. The Mariners would like to develop him as a starter, but from my impression, he may not have a starter's mentality. It would be fascinating to see how his already dynamic stuff translates to a bullpen role. Despite all his issues, someone would have taken Cortes in a heartbeat in the Rule 5 draft.
Frankie Piliere spent the last three seasons working as a scout, most recently in the professional scouting department for the Texas Rangers in 2009. He now serves as the National Baseball Analyst here at FanHouse.
