Clayton
Black

After recently reclassifying to the 2020 class the right-hander turned in a note worth performance. Black has always shown premium power/velocity and is slowly but surely becoming more refined. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound prospect sat 87-89 mph with the fastball with substantially more pitchability than we’ve seen in past outing. It is also worth noting he showed the most raw power of even prospect in attendance during BP.

Body Type:  6-foot-5, 250-pound physical frame.
Swing Mechanics:  Simple and smooth load into his lower half.
Hit:  Level bat path that produces a ton of bat speed.
Power:  Big time pop to the pull side.  Produces back spin to the pull side, as well. The loudest BP we saw on the day. 
Offensive Projection:  Middle of the lineup guy.

6-foot-5, 258-pound. Right-handed pitcher with a big frame. Uses a slow tempo delivery with a big leg lift. Tall and fall type lower half, working in line. Whippy low-¾ arm action. Black filled the zone with both of his offerings on this day. Fastball jumps out of the hand at 85-88 MPH with regular sink and run. Worked off the fastball with an 11/5 breaking ball that has some sharpness to it.

On the mound the right-hander works with a slower paced tempo. Arm action is long and has some whip to his arm. Fastball has some run to it at 81-85 mph. Showed better control of his breaking ball than we have seen from him in the past. The breaker has a 10/4 shape with some sharpness to it at 67-69 mph.  A switch hitter at the plate. From the left sides he uses a short stride for timing while taking his hands back to launch. Path is slightly downhill with some force behind the barrel. Worked predominantly to his pull side. From the right side he has a similar look to him mechanically. Looked much more comfortable from the right side. Swing with more intent and showed much more pop. A middle of the lineup guy with impressive strength.

Exit Velocity: R101 L96

A talented right-handed pitching prospect in the 2019 class with a 6-foot-5 frame. An intimidating presence on the mound with a live arm. Tempo is smooth and delivery requires some effort. Works through a high-¾ sitting 81-84 mph. Spins a tight 67-68 mph breaking ball on a 10/4 plane. Has pretty good feel for the pitch, using it as his put away offering. Struggled with command in his first inning of work but was dominant when he was in the zone in the second inning.

An intimidating presence on the mound at 6-foot-5, 258-pounds. Black has really improved on the mound since the last time we saw him. The right-hander works through a near over the top slot. Showed obvious arm speed and the ball came out of his hand well. Arm action still has room to get cleaner but has gotten much cleaner since the last time we saw him.  Delivery requires some effort. His slinging arm action puts substantial run on his 82-85 mph fastball. Tends to slow his arm a bit on his secondary stuff that he showed solid feel for. Changeup has similar action to his fastball while sitting, 68-72 mph. Spins a tight, 11/5 shaped breaking ball at 66-69 mph. Defensively, he projects as a corner infield type. Tendency to field the ball deep and play from his heels. Needs to get out in front and create momentum towards his target. Top velocity of 81 mph on his throws. At the plate he showed signs of power potential from both sides of the plate. Has a similar look mechanically, and swings with intent from both sides of the plate. Would like to see him control his movements but the natural tools are there. Looks more advanced from the right side at this stage.

Home to First: 4.71
Infield Velocity: 81
Exit Velocity: R88, L83

6-foot-3, 240-pound big body build. On the mound he shows good direction to the plate. Lands slightly closed at foot strike. Throws with a long back arm action into a high ¾ arm slot. Fastball sat 78-82 mph, topping at 83 mph. Curveball sat 64-68 mph with gradual 11/5 break. At the plate he has advanced strength and batspeed for his age with fluidity to his load. Needs to work on controlling his weight during his stride as he tends to get out of control. When he finds the barrel it goes. Registered an exit velocity of 88 mph and ran a 5.36 from home to first. Has some rawness to him at third base but found a way to make plays during the game. Would like to see him play lower.

1/31/16
6-foot-3, 240-pound athletic build. On the mound he shows some rhythm in his delivery. Shows good direction to the plate, but falls off towards first base after delivering the pitch. Shows regular effort in his delivery. Short back arm action into a high ¾ slot with average arm speed. Threw mostly fastballs at 76-79 mph. Curveball came in at 62-65 mph. A switch hitting prospect that has pop from both sides as he showed with an exit velocity of 92 from the right side and 85 from the left. Has a similar approach from both sides with the ability to create a ton of forward energy through a rhythmic load and aggressive stride. Would say he is more advanced from the right side as of now but the left isn’t far behind. Ran a 5.10 from home to first.

6-foot-3, 240- pound strong, thick build. At the plate he starts tall and uses multiple movements to create rhythm and timing. Does an excellent job of creating forward energy and transferring his weight into the ball. Upon occasion he got onto his front side to early which caused him to lose some pop but when he was on time he punished the ball. Registered a very impressive 87 mph exit velocity off the tee. In the infield he showed soft hands at first base but will need to improve footwork. Throwing from a high 3/4 slot he showed 76 mph arm strength across the diamond. On the mound he went with a slow tempo delivery and remained tall as he got to his balance point. Had good direction towards home plate and displayed and threw from a high 3/4 slot with well above average arm speed for his age. Once he learns to use his lower half expect his fastball velocity of 79-80 to improve. He also flashed a 64-65 mph curveball with sharp break at an 11/5 tilt. 

6-foot-1, 215-pound solid build. Behind the plate he stands up as he receives the ball. Gets his feet in line. Long transfer with a long arm swing and pop time ranging between 2.3-2.5 with 73 mph arm strength down to second. Best tool is his bat. Spread out stance with a good load and a long finish with some power to his pull side. Impressive 85 mph top exit velocity for his age and ran 5.26 down the line. On the mound the big right-hander does a good job staying on line, but needs to use his lower half more as he gets older. From a long, high-3/4 slot his fastball sits 74-77 mph with down angle. Spins a decent breaking ball at 60-64 mph with 11/5 tilt.