Quick Look: Iglesias, Heston and Bradley

I will continue to implement player grading on the scouting scales of 20-80. I will use Kiley McDaniels scale he discussed in this article.

Grade Hitter Starting Pitcher Relief Pitcher WAR
80 Top 1-2 #1 Starter —- 7
75 Top 2-3 #1 —- 6
70 Top 5 #1/2 —- 5
65 All-Star #2/3 —- 4
60 Plus #3 High Closer 3
55 Above Avg #3/4 Mid Closer 2.5
50 Avg Regular #4 Low CL/High SU 2
45 Platoon/Util #5 Low Setup 1.5
40 Bench Swing/Spot SP Middle RP 1
35 Emergency Call-Up Emergency Call-Up Emergency Call-Up 0
30 *Organizational *Organizational *Organizational -1

I will give a value for where I think the pitcher could currently fit in on the average team (CV=current value) and where they could end up (FV=future value). I am sure I will disagree with some grades from others, but I am only looking at one game.

Note: If I say a pitch moves 11-5, it is from the pitcher’s perspective.

 

Chris Heston (CV: 55, FV: 60)

4/13 vs Rockies

Game Thoughts
• Man I expected less. The 27-year-old righty was not ranked here at FanGraphs, but in the 2015 Baseball America Handbook says he is “… without any pitch that grades out as even average.” The biggest key from the BA book is the mention of his 86-89 mph fastball in 2013 (45 grade) and 2015 (40 grade). Also it mentions his change and curve. Not much is the same now.
• His sinking fastball is at 89-92 with some release side run and sink. This pitch will generate a ton of groundballs and could get a decent number of swings and misses.
• Now things get a little messier. Take a look at this image.

While Pitchf/x picks out three pitches, there are actually four.
• I will start with the pitch called a change in the plot. It is a change which is a fairly straight with the extra sink from being a slower pitch. It is acceptable.
• Next there was a pitch between 75 and 80 mph and labeled a ‘curve’. This pitch is again acceptable with some glove side break. Probably a slider.
• Finally, threw a curve which is labeled a ‘curve’, is between 73-76 mph, and breaks down more than the slider. It is a nice pitch when he could command it. It took him a couple of innings to get a feel for it. He is able to throw it for strikes.
• The slider and curve are currently getting over 20% swing-and-miss in a small sample.
• He could get BABIP’ed to death at times with his groundball nature (61% so far). Also, the groundball nature helped him in this game with two double plays.
• One issue which I saw was a velocity decline over the course of the game.

Final thoughts: I like him as long as he can keep his fastball velocity up. Also, he could see improvement if he can control his breaking pitches all the time. I would not be surprised to see him on some breakout list at the end of the season. I would keep an eye on his velocity and per pitch metrics as he makes more starts.

 

Raisel Iglesias (CV 55, FV 65)

4/12/15 vs Cardinals

• The 25-year-old righty has only three pitches, fastball, slider curve, but he throws some from a lower arm slots for different and effective results
• Fastball (high arm slot) – It was 92 to 94 mph with late movement which will lead to a good groundball rate.
• Fastball (low arm slot) – It was 92 to 93 mph with some release side break. It will eat up right handed hitters. He struck out the last batter in the 1st and 2nd innings on the pitch.
• Curve/Slider (high arm slot) – It was at 80-82 mph with some 12-6 movement. There is some disagreement between the broadcast, Pitchf/x and BIS on what the pitch is exactly, but it is a good pitch. He was able to use it as a chase pitch or throw it for strikes
• Curve/slider (low are slot) – From the lower arm slot, the pitch looks more like a slider than a curve.
• Change (only saw from high slot) – The 86 mph pitch breaks low and to the release side. He will need this pitch to keep left handed hitters off balance.
• Here is a look at some of his pitches, including the lower arm slot


• He looked to have plus control and was able to spot his pitches. He doesn’t just throw.
• I wonder if he will have endurance issues since he hasn’t throw a ton recently. His velocity really began to tail off around pitch 70.

Final thoughts: There is quite a bit to love with him. My biggest issue right now is if he has the endurance to go 100 pitches.

 

Archie Bradley (CV: 55/FV: 60)

4/17/15 vs Giants

• He only threw two pitches, a fastball and acurve. Pitchf/x also points out a change, but I didn’t for sure see one.
• His fastball was a 91-93 mph with sink and release side break. It will generate a ton of groundballs.
• He also threw a 78-81 mph curve with 12-6 motion. He could throw it for strikes or as a swing-and-miss pitch.
• That was it. There may have been one change, but the broadcast was focusing on attempted stolen base. Reports have him throwing the change, a slider and cutter. He will need a third pitch or his highest possible upside is Tyson Ross.
• He nibbles out of the zone especially with lefties. He has had a 4+ BB/9 while going through the minors, so he will need to work on throwing more strikes if he want to continue to develop.

Final thoughts: The 22-year-old righty left me a little disappointed. He could be a top reliever right now with just the two pitches, but that is it. Maybe a #3 starter. Hopefully he can throw a 3rd pitch to help out his cause.





Jeff, one of the authors of the fantasy baseball guide,The Process, writes for RotoGraphs, The Hardball Times, Rotowire, Baseball America, and BaseballHQ. He has been nominated for two SABR Analytics Research Award for Contemporary Analysis and won it in 2013 in tandem with Bill Petti. He has won four FSWA Awards including on for his Mining the News series. He's won Tout Wars three times, LABR twice, and got his first NFBC Main Event win in 2021. Follow him on Twitter @jeffwzimmerman.

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Kristopher
8 years ago

BB/9 instead of K/9

Good read, I’m not sure I’m on board with your scouting scale for a couple of these pitchers.