The AFL additionally performs an element in our first two Pipeline Inbox questions this week . . .

Did you see Kumar Rocker throw final evening? Thoughts on the mechanic? They appeared a lot improved.

I watched some video of Rocker's official professional debut on Wednesday, and the Rangers' No. 9 prospect, appeared much more just like the man who excelled for 3 years at Vanderbilt than the one who underwhelmed within the AFL final fall. Working for High-A Hickory, he pumped 41 of 53 pitches for strikes in 5 scoreless innings, permitting simply two baserunners (each singles) whereas placing out eight.

After the Mets drafted him tenth general in July 2021 however declined to signal him when a post-Draft bodily revealed shoulder and elbow points that led to shoulder surgical procedure two months later, Rocker went third general to the Rangers final July. Pitching within the AFL, he missed bats together with his trademark slider however struggled to land his fastball for strikes or keep away from barrels when he did. He operated from a clearly decrease arm slot than up to now, reinforcing well being considerations, and projected as a future reliever who must rely closely on his slider.

On Wednesday, Rocker dealt from the next arm slot, commanded his mid-90s fastball extraordinarily effectively and had wipeout breaking stuff. It's only one begin, after all, however a extremely encouraging one. If he can keep wholesome and regain the shape that made him school baseball's largest star for 3 years, the Rangers can have a frontline starter on their arms.

Forrest Whitley has appeared sharp via two appearances. Has he turned the nook and once more exhibiting his #1 ceiling? -- @knechtwithme18

I've by no means not seen Whitley, the Astros' No. 20 prospect, look terrific on the mound in individual, beginning with the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game at Wrigley Field. I noticed him dominate a number of occasions within the AFL in 2018 and 2019, when the right-hander led the league in strikeouts annually. I bumped into him on the again fields in West Palm Beach, Fla., a few weeks in the past and noticed him run his fastball as much as 98 mph and his cutter as much as 92 in two scoreless innings.

I assumed he'd set up himself within the Astros rotation in 2018 -- and 5 years later, he nonetheless hasn't made his huge league debut. Repeated accidents did not assist, nor did management and command woes, and he posted a 7.09 ERA in Triple-A final yr after getting back from Tommy John surgical procedure. So far this season, he has allowed one run in two Triple-A begins, giving up two hits and three walks whereas fanning 11.

To reply your query, I'll log out on "turned the corner" however cease wanting "again showing his No. 1 starter ceiling." With the caveat that we're coping with an especially small pattern dimension, Whitley is exhibiting extra life on his four-seam fastball and is lacking extra bats with what is usually a nasty changeup, thus far in 2023. Oddly, he has gotten only one swing and miss on 32 slider/cutters and none on 25 two-seamers.

Though Whitley's stroll price is down in an especially small pattern dimension, his strike proportion is definitely down a tick in comparison with a yr in the past (60 % from 61 %). His management and command all the time have paled compared to his potential for 5 plus pitches. He's nonetheless a wild card and at age 25, if he will make a giant league affect, it is extra possible going to be as a reliever than as a starter.

With highschool seasons going now, who're some highschool prospects which are climbing up draft boards? -- @mjfb80

We're within the strategy of increasing and updating MLB Pipeline's Draft Top 100 Prospects listing from December and there will probably be loads of new names. I can consider a minimum of seven gamers unranked on the Top 100 with an opportunity to go within the first two rounds in July. Listing them in alphabetical order:

Antonio Anderson, 3B, Tri-Cities HS (East Point, Ga.)

Alex Clemmey, LHP, Bishop Hendricken HS (Warwick, R.I.)

Wil Libbert, LHP, Blair Oaks HS (Wardsville, Mo.)

Landen Maroudis, RHP, Calvary Christian HS (Clearwater, Fla.)

Ethan McElvain, LHP, Nolensville HS (Tenn.)

Tai Peete, SS/RHP, Trinity Christian HS (Sharpsburg, Ga.)

Ralphy Velazquez, C/1B, Huntington Beach HS (Calif.)

Velazquez has essentially the most helium amongst that group after going 6-for-13 on the National High School Invitational. He has an opportunity to hit for common and energy and whereas there's some query as as to whether he can stay at catcher, he is bettering behind the plate. His bat ought to nonetheless profile at first base if he winds up transferring.

When will you and Jonathan Mayo be popping out together with your guys new mock drafts? -- @czech_brandon

We'll launch our new Draft Top 150 within the final week of April, and the mock drafts will begin coming after that. We alternate making projections, with the second mock normally coming two weeks after the primary, after which weekly after that till the Draft begins on July 9 in Seattle. That needs to be the plan once more this yr, and we'll have a Draft Top 200 in late May and a Draft Top 250 in late June as effectively.

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