Follow the Prospects: Reynaldo Lopez, RHP

[Slateman]

What? Oh, you mean traded? I don't see any moves happening, sadly, but either way, I think the Nats (& the scouting community) are really high on him.

No, promoted.

[BrandonK]

No, promoted.

P-Nats? He's with Harrisburg though? IDK what he meant by "be a Nat."

[Slateman]

P-Nats? He's with Harrisburg though? IDK what he meant by "be a Nat."

Oh, I thought he was in high A ball

[Matugi]

If you want a bat you're gonna have to give up Lopez to get it

[Truconfidence]

Another 7IP 13K perfomance.

[Slateman]

If you want a bat you're gonna have to give up Lopez to get it

If he is pitching like this, in Double A or triple A, by the trade deadline, the Nationals should be able to leverage Lopez and minor parts for a rather substantial bat without giving up Giolito or Turner.

[Matugi]

If he is pitching like this, in Double A or triple A, by the trade deadline, the Nationals should be able to leverage Lopez and minor parts for a rather substantial bat without giving up Giolito or Turner.

Yes, that's what I'm saying.  Lopez is the most expendable of all our prospects, while Giolito and Robles are the least.  Any trade for a bat at the deadline will center around Lopez and possibly Fedde or Goodwin

[Smithian]

Even if you take Giolito off the board, between Fedde, Voth, and Lopez the Nationals have some guys they can move. You don't have to have elite prospects to make a move. Brad Peacock, AJ Cole, Tom Milone, and Robbie Ray have turned into good trade pieces for the Nats.

I am happy with the pitching in our system. Wish the hitting was up to par.

[Slateman]

Yes, that's what I'm saying.  Lopez is the most expendable of all our prospects, while Giolito and Robles are the least.  Any trade for a bat at the deadline will center around Lopez and possibly Fedde or Goodwin

I disagree. Lopez could be extremely valuable. The way he's developed, he's looking like Syndergaard. At worst, he's Betances. I'm not willing to give up Lopez without a really, really good and long term piece. We're going to want a Lopez when Gonzalez and Scherzer start their expensive decline. Particularly if you want to compete in a post 2018 NL East.

[Truconfidence]

I disagree. Lopez could be extremely valuable. The way he's developed, he's looking like Syndergaard. At worst, he's Betances. I'm not willing to give up Lopez without a really, really good and long term piece. We're going to want a Lopez when Gonzalez and Scherzer start their expensive decline. Particularly if you want to compete in a post 2018 NL East.

If Gio keeps it up he might not be here next year.

[Slateman]

I'm not saying he's untouchable, but I want more than Ryan Braun or Carlos Gonzalez in a trade involving Lopez. To me, you give up middling prospects for guys with big deals, as taking on the deal is the big win in the trade (like with Papelbon). The last thing I want to do is repeat what the Blue Jays did with Dickey or the Padres with Kemp.

If we're trading Lopez in a package, with his stock up this high, I'd expect to be getting back a Christian Yelich, Gregory Polanco, George Springer, or Nomar Mazara type player

[BrandonK]

I'm not saying he's untouchable, but I want more than Ryan Braun or Carlos Gonzalez in a trade involving Lopez. To me, you give up middling prospects for guys with big deals, as taking on the deal is the big win in the trade (like with Papelbon). The last thing I want to do is repeat what the Blue Jays did with Dickey or the Padres with Kemp.

If we're trading Lopez in a package, with his stock up this high, I'd expect to be getting back a Christian Yelich, Gregory Polanco, George Springer, or Nomar Mazara type player

This. Lopez has taken a step forward this season, fixing almost everything that scouts were worried about. The BA midseason update should be pretty telling.

[Slateman]

This. Lopez has taken a step forward this season, fixing almost everything that scouts were worried about. The BA midseason update should be pretty telling.

This. Still needs to work on the change, but even it is better and more consistent then it was at the end of last season.

Pitcher A in Double A: 54.0 IP 11.50 K/9  2.00 BB/9  1.33 HR/9 3.00 ERA 3.36 FIP
Pitcher B at Double A: 56.2 IP  11.12 K/9 3.34 BB/9  1.11 HR/9 3.97 ERA 3.65 FIP

A is Syndergaard. B is Lopez.   

[Natsinpwc]

This. Still needs to work on the change, but even it is better and more consistent then it was at the end of last season.

Pitcher A in Double A: 54.0 IP 11.50 K/9  2.00 BB/9  1.33 HR/9 3.00 ERA 3.36 FIP
Pitcher B at Double A: 56.2 IP  11.12 K/9 3.34 BB/9  1.11 HR/9 3.97 ERA 3.65 FIP

A is Syndergaard. B is Lopez.   

How do you know he needs to work on his change?  Have you been in touch with the scouts?  You didn't even know he was in Harrisburg.

[BrandonK]

How do you know he needs to work on his change?  Have you been in touch with the scouts?  You didn't even know he was in Harrisburg.

Haven't seen any recent scouting reports, but that was the big knock. You can see he has some command issues with the FB and curve (albeit after 12 Ks ) in this video. Can't find anything beside a blurb about his pitching performance. http://www.milb.com/r/video?content_id=792189783&topic_id=&sid=milb&tcid=vpp_copy_792189783&v=3

[varoadking]

How do you know he needs to work on his change?  Have you been in touch with the scouts?  You didn't even know he was in Harrisburg.

He forms an opinion and uses select advanced metrics to justify his opinion.  Geography is optional...

[Natsinpwc]

Haven't seen any recent scouting reports, but that was the big knock. You can see he has some command issues with the FB and curve (albeit after 12 Ks ) in this video. Can't find anything beside a blurb about his pitching performance. http://www.milb.com/r/video?content_id=792189783&topic_id=&sid=milb&tcid=vpp_copy_792189783&v=3

Probably tired by that point.
Most likely an optical illusion but that fastball "hops" just like I saw in Potomac last year.

[Natsinpwc]

He forms an opinion and uses select advanced metrics to justify his opinion.  Geography is optional...

The Slate Method.

[BrandonK]

Probably tired by that point.
Most likely an optical illusion but that fastball "hops" just like I saw in Potomac last year.

Yup. You can see his arm dropping a bit (he's usually at a higher 3/4 slot). I wish these cameras were better... That one fell down hahaha

[Slateman]

How do you know he needs to work on his change?  Have you been in touch with the scouts?  You didn't even know he was in Harrisburg.

I've seen him pitch. Its a show me change. Which isn't terrible, but he needs to work on control.

[BrandonK]

That curve missed it's spot, but damn, it had some serious movement. Easy to get excited about this guy!

[Natsinpwc]

I've seen him pitch. Its a show me change. Which isn't terrible, but he needs to work on control.

I will have to wait for an actual scouting report.

[BrandonK]

I will have to wait for an actual scouting report.

I know you're just bashing on Slate, but most scouting reports say similar things (flat CH, no drop, no command, similar release point though).

[Natsinpwc]

I know you're just bashing on Slate, but most scouting reports say similar things (flat CH, no drop, no command, similar release point though).

Just poking him.

 

[Mattionals]

I'm going to agree with Slate here. His ceiling is Syndergaard and his floor is Betances. This guy isn't getting moved by Mikey Rizzo unless the Nats get a cheap, good, controllable player in return. I've always said Fedde is the guy who gets moved, and I'm sticking to that. I forsee a rotation in 2018 consisting of Giolito, Strasburg, Lopez, Scherzer, and Ross. The arms aren't going to be the issue, it's all in the bats.