AJ
Kraus

Body Type: 6-foot-4 220-pound tall frame with long legs and arms.
Mechanical/Delivery Notes: Tight over the top arm action that is slightly late getting up. Good scap load. Foot lands slightly open. Very mobile lower half.
Fastball: 80-83mph. High spin rate about 2300rpm’s with high 90% spin efficiency.
Curveball: 69-72 mph. 12/6 movement with a sharp bite. Above average. Best pitch.
Changeup: 75-76mph. With good arm side drop to it, could indicate more velocity left in fastball. Almost enough to keep hitters off balance.
Pitchability: Lives low in the zone. Locates well on the corners some of the time.
Additional Comments: Induced fair share of swing and misses while on the mound. 

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound pitching prospect has an ideal pitchers body. He maximizes his bodies potential and has a long, loose arm as well. Kraus’ FB is firm and shows signs of late life at 81-82 mph. He has good feel for his breaking ball that showed 12/6 break to it at 69-74 mph. His 3rd offering was a 72-73 mph CH that showed signs of cutting action. If Miller can get his changeup to develop arm-side drop, then he will have feel for all 3 of his pitches making his tough to hit.

A two-way prospect. Frame is athletic and physical at 6-foot-4, 205-pounds. Ball comes out well with little effort. Delivery is repeatable and arm is compact. Fastball will work downhill sitting 79-81 mph. Spins an 11/5 shaped breaking ball at 66-67 mph. Breaker is a solid offering showing sharp action with obvious confidence in it. Also offers a changeup that has some cut to it at 69-72 mph. In the infield he cuts down distance off the bat, using direct footwork. Actions are fluid and he moves well laterally. Ball skills are average to slightly above average for class. Possess the frame and arm for the third base spot. A physical bat from the right side. Controls weight well during stride, shifting on time into contact. Path has natural loft to it, allowing him to lift the ball without sacrificing natural tools. A middle of the lineup candidate who should grow into some loft power to his pull side.

Home to First: 4.87
Infield Velocity: 77
Exit Velocity: 88

A definite arm to follow in the 2020 class. The right-hander has a live arm and the ball comes out of his hand well. Has some funkiness to his arm action while working through a high-¾ slot. Throws a heavy fastball at 78-80 mph. Breaking ball is sharp with decent depth at 68-69 mph. The pitch works on a near 12/6 plane and shows signs of swing and miss. A two-way prospect that starts in a wider setup at the plate. Hands move back during his stride forward. An aggressive swinger that has impressive natural tools. Ball jumps off his bat, showing gap to gap pop in batting practice. Has power to come when cleans up his lower half. Brings above average athleticism to the third base position. Moves well laterally and has above average gloves skills. Glove skills stay on the move.

Home To First: 4.68
Infield Velocity: 78
Exit Velocity: 89

A young prospect with a projectable 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame. On the mound the right-hander uses long back arm action while working through a near over the top slot. Lands in line to home plate at foot strike. Fastball was anywhere from 73-76 mph. Had a tendency to miss high to his arm side. Pitch was heavy when down in the zone. Changeup showed signs of being a solid pitch at 64-66 mph. Look to him to improve feel and gain velocity as he matures. A right-handed hitter that starts balanced. Uses very little gather prior to his stride forward. Hands move back to launch creating solid separation between lower and upper half. Path is downhill. Ball comes off his bat well. Much more pop left in there once he gets more out of his loading sequence. Does a nice job of playing low in the infield. Funnels the ball to the middle of his body as he gains ground to first. Glove skills are adequate and actions are smooth.

Infield Velocity: 72
Exit Velocity: 82