Aaron
Smith

01.28.17
Intriguing young player that does a lot at a high level.  Stands 6-foot-1, 175 pounds.  Athletic build.  Right handed hitter works from a balanced, athletic stance, loading to a vertical bat and using a short stride to produce better than average bat speed.  Fluid rhythm works with a level path, staying gap-to-gap.  Power potential in the future as the young frame fills out.  Good feel for his hands and the barrel.  Exit velocity topped at 81.  Behind the dish, exchanges high, using a short arm path to the high-3/4 slot.  Produced accuracy and carry on throws ranging 1.99-2.24.  Easy receiver that presents a good target for pitchers and uses his hands with ease to receive.  From the outfield, the arm works with a longer arm swing, with a small stab at the back.   Well above average accuracy on throws that measured 81mph out of the hand. On the bump, works to an over-the-top slot with a long arm stroke.  Good balance position leads to some effort as the body closes down the line and the arm can be late through the release point.  Fastball sat 76-79, at times missing to the arm side, but showing feel for the strike zone.  The breaking ball ranged 61-62 with gradual downward action.  Change-up worked 64-66 with decent hand speed.  Feel and command of off speed should improve with time

11.19.16

Fundamentally sound in several phases, flashed Pop Times between 2.00-2.31.  From the crouch worked with a short arm swing and short feet to produce a quick exchange and release.  Arm showed some carry, touching 72 from the crouch and 77 from the outfield.  Offensively, the right handed hitter is slightly open in an athletic stance to start.  Loads back with an aggressive stride forward.  Better than average bat speed, creating whip, works for extension with some uphill leverage.  Fluid rhythm produced gap-to-gap rounds of BP.  Occasionally long, barrel awareness should continue to improve with time and strength.  Exit velocity topped at 84mph.  Sixty measured at 7.86.  Young athlete with a maturing frame.  Stands 5-foot-11, 165 pounds with strength beginning to develop and show.  Fastball worked to 76, ranging 74-76 from a high-3/4 slot with a long, loose arm action.  Average arm speed and regular effort allowed for a solid mechanical base that is repeated.  Head remains consistent throughout the motion, and all three pitches, allowing for a feel for command and deception.  Change-up is ahead of breaking ball right now, sitting 64-65.  The arm slows some, and the pitch has a tendency to cut, while filling up the zone.  The curveball ranged 59-61 with 11/5 gradual action.  The arm slowed creating some inconsistency in location.