Yesterday our in-house scout, IJR, got his first look at a couple of pitching prospects: Sandy Alcantara and Jonathan Dziedzic. The game was in the AAA Pacific Coast League, as the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals) hosted the New Orleans Baby Cakes (Marlins). Here are IJR’s notes from the game:

Dziedzic is a solidly built 6’1″ lefty with a smooth delivery that knows how to pitch. He bewitched, bothered and bewildered the Babycakes through five innings before getting chased in the 6th. He threw his fastball at targets, occasionally cutting it; while also changing the speed and shape of his breaking ball at will. The change up was also legit, though (understandably) more effective throwing it arm side to right-handers. The only mistakes through 5 were a couple breaking balls he got around rather than on top of, resulting in a solo shot in the 3rd and a rope single down the right field line that the hitter promptly ran into an out at second base.

He’s spent the last three years in AAA and his K rate peaked at 7.5 per 9 in 2017. There’s very slim margin of error with a sub 90 MPH fastball. His stat line will not be indicative of how well he threw tonight, a victim of seeing eye singles just out of reach of a few gloves.

In contrast, Sandy Alcantara is a 6’4″, wiry right hander with a mid 90s fastball and struggles with his mechanics. There are times he rushed his delivery, missing locations. He also occasionally slowed down his arm while throwing his breaking ball, which seems to be more of a slurvy curve ball. He gave up an opposite field double in the 1st, distracted by the runner and wild pitched him to third. After giving up pulled single to left, he was bailed out by a double play.

After that he settled down, only walking one through 5 innings. But his stat line is also a bit misleading, as he gave up his share of hard hit outs, more than one might expect for a guy with his stuff.