Quick Looks: Roark, Bonilla and Wheeler

Lisalverto Bonilla

Why I watched: An 3.05 ERA with the Rangers in ‘14

Game(s) Watched: 9/24/14 vs Astros

Game Thoughts

• Wore a dirty hat.

• The 24-year-old righty pitches worked top down with not much side to side break.

• His fastball was between 91-94 mph which he kept down. At times it had some sink and glove side break.

• He threw a 81 mph 12/6 sweep curve with some late break.

• His change was at 85-86 mph which was straight and sometimes it dropped. It was very inconsistent. The first three of them he threw were in the dirt.

• He started the game with no control (15% BB% on the season), but settled down as the game went on.

• He or his pitches weren’t ready for the majors, but because of the all the Ranger injuries he was forced into MLB service. He needs more minor league coaching.

Final thoughts: He wasn’t ready to pitch in the majors, but his pitches were decent when he controlled them. Don’t let this call up determine any future take on him. He isn’t going to touted, but he could turn into a usable starter if he can get the walks under control.

 

Zack Wheeler

Why I watched: Top prospect I have been down on because of walk issues.

Game(s) Watched: 9/25/14 vs Nationals

Game Thoughts

• During 1st inning Lucas Giolito was in the broadcast booth to talk baseball.

• He threw a four-seam 95-98 mph straight fastball which sometimes broke to the glove side.

• His change was straight and at 89-92 mph. He kept the pitch low in the zone.

• His slider was between 89-91 mph. It acts exactly like his change but with some late sharp drop. At times it is really tough to tell the difference between the two pitches.

• His curve was between 80-81 mph and was a loopy pitch with 12/6 break.

• All the pitches seemed good and are all rated above average in SwStr% and GB% except his change which is worthless statistically (16% Zone%, 7% SwStr%).

• He nibbles around the plate. He gets into tons of deep counts and has led to a 10% BB% rate in his first couple of seasons.

Final thoughts: I wonder if a less is more with Wheeler. Drop the change and become a fastball/slider/curve guy like Kershaw. Get those three pitches down cold. Also, he needs to trust the pitches and just throw them for strikes.

 

Tanner Roark

Why I watched: His ERA has been three quarters of a run less than his FIP in his first two seasons

Game(s) Watched: 9/23 vs the Mets

Game Thoughts

• The 28-year-old righty’s four-seam fastball was straight and at 88-92 mph.

• His two-seamer was between 87-92 mph with some release side break.

• His slider was at 83-84 mph with 1/7 motion with some nice sharp late break.

• He threw one curve and it was at 77 mph and went into the dirt in front of the plate..

• Nothing stood out, which is why he may have flown under the prospect radar. Average pitches lead to average results which is useful in the majors.
I saw nothing to explain is low BABIP which is leading to an ERA less than his ERA estimators.

Final thoughts: He flew under the radar by being average and there is some usefulness to that. He reminds of his teammate, Doug Fister. Both won’t walk or strikeout a bunch of batters, throw a bunch of innings and keep their team in the game. If Doug Fister is draftable in your league, so is Roark.