Gianluca
Dalatri

A North Carolina recruit, Dalatri made three appearances on the big stage in the last month, pitching at the East Coast Professional Showcase, Area Code Games and Met Classic. At all three, he pounded the strike zone. In Tampa, he threw 36 pitches (26 strikes) in two innings, allowing two hits and striking out five. He sat 88-91 there with a 73-74 curveball. He walked just one in three innings at Long Beach, striking out five again. He also allowed a hit. His fastball was 88-91 again, but his curveball was softer at 69-73. Finally, at the Met Classic, Dalatri threw better than 80 percent of his pitches for strikes while sitting 87-89. His curveball was 71-73, but he also flashed a slider at 75-76. His delivery is easy and he stands at an imposing 6-foot-6, 245 pounds. His size is best appreciated close up, when you can see that he is muscular and put together well.

2/15/19: Physically mature, strong bodied righty at 6-foot-4, 250 pounds. Worked slow while repeating a polished delivery and releasing from a high three-quarters slot with excellent extension out front. Sat in the upper-80s with his fastball, touching 90 on occasion. Lower spin rate in the upper-1900s. Changeup was his best pitch. Above average offering at 77-81 mph and low spin rate in the mid-1400s. Pitched with it to get out of a base loaded, one out jam. Kept a longer breaking slurve at 76-80 mph down in the zone. Overall, on this look, he picked more than he challenged with his stuff. (Seifert)

10/7/18: Stands at 6-foot-6, 256 pounds. Tall, muscular frame built for innings. Pitches with a slow tempo. Delivery is methodical, easy with a medium leg lift and slightly closed landing. The arm comes through a high-3/4 slot. The fastball is relatively true and sat 89-92 mph, touching 93 once, and he pounds the strike zone with it. Didn’t exhibit as much command of his offspeed stuff, but did flash the ability to spin curveball as a chase pitch. The curveball ranged from 74-77 and varied in shape. It goes between 11/5 and 10/4 shape, but shows sharp bite and depth at times. Average pitch, potential for above average. Threw one slider with lateral break at 79 and showed feel for a fading changeup at 86. Made two mistakes with a fastball over the plate and hanging curveball, allowing back-to-back home runs. 2 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 3 K (Rode)