Prospect Stock Watch: Flaherty, Paulino, Austin

Today at the Prospect Stock Watch we take a look at two pitchers with very different approaches (and profiles) on the mound and a former top prospect that fell from grace only to suddenly become relevant again.

Jack Flaherty | RHP | Cardinals
ETA: 2018
Value: Steady

The Cardinals organization tends to make noise with hard-throwing pitchers like Alex Reyes, Junior Fernandez and Sandy Alcantara so Flaherty often gets overlooked. The right-hander, though, has a chance to have four average or better offerings and, perhaps, three plus offerings when all is said and done. Right now, the 34th overall pick of the 2014 draft has average velocity on his heater but his 6-4, 2015 pound frame suggests there could be more miles to come. His changeup already flashes plus and the slider is on its way. His control is respectable but I’d like to see him command the ball down in the zone more to generate a higher rate of ground-ball outs. Flaherty, 20, has a solid chance to develop into a No. 4 starter but further improvements on his pitches could push him even higher.

David Paulino | RHP | Astros
ETA: 2017
Value: Rising

Paulino, 22, towers over hitters from the mound. Standing 6-7, the right-hander has two overpowering pitchers with his 93-97 mph heater and power curveball. If the changeup doesn’t develop any further he could be a dominating late-game reliever. If it does come around a little more then he has a chance to be a No. 2/3 starter. With 65 innings pitched this year, Paulino is already approaching a career high in innings (67.1 in 2015) despite turning pro in 2011. Injuries (including Tommy John) have slowed him and he also served an organization-induced suspension this year so there are concerns over his durability and, perhaps, makeup. You never want to close off to an idea of a talented pitcher turning into a starter but my feeling is that he’ll find success in the Majors as a high-leverage reliever.

Tyler Austin | OF/1B | Yankees
ETA: 2016
Value: Rising

Unless you’re living under a rock you know that the Yankees are riding a youth wave. That means a number of prospects are receiving opportunities to play everyday, including Luis Severino, Rob Refsnyder and Gary Sanchez. The impending release of Alex Rodriguez will open up another roster spot and that could go to the resurgent Austin. Formerly a top prospect, he fell from grace due to injuries that hindered his effectiveness at the plate. Playing both first base and the outfield, he opened the 2016 season in double-A but played well enough to earn a promotion to triple-A. There, things have really clicked and he has a 1.054 OPS in 54 games. Austin will likely never be a big home run hitter in the Majors but he could hit a ton of extra base hits and get on base at better-than-average rate.