It’s already been established that I love lists. I’m always finding lists online, creating my own, and adding to lists that I’ve had for years.
Well, mlb.com is listing the top 30 prospects for each major league team, along with scouting reports. So, of course, I’ve been checking the lists for former Valley Leaguers.
Two former VBLers have made the Washington Nationals’ list– Jake Johansen (Front Royal 2011) and Taylor Hill (Winchester 2008)!
Johansen is listed first, at #19. His writeup included this information:
Johansen is built like a prototypical Texas right-hander and has the power arm to match. He throws his fastball in the mid-90s as a starter and can crank it up to 99 mph in short stints. His best secondary pitch is his slider, but it needs more development to become a true weapon. Though his command has improved in the Minor Leagues, he remains more of a thrower than a pitcher.
Dating back to his college days, many scouts have felt Johansen was best suited for the bullpen. His fastball is good enough to make him a late-inning option as a reliever.
Hopefully Jake can continue to develop and turn into that late-inning reliever in the big leagues!
The second player listed is Taylor Hill, at #25. Taylor had a great 2014 season, and even made his major league debut. This is what his report looks like:
Hill doesn’t have overwhelming stuff, instead relying on his control and ability to induce weak contact. His fastball sits around 90 mph with good sinking action, and he commands it well to both sides of the plate. He effectively mixes in his changeup, slider and curveball, which he added to his arsenal in 2013. He also fields his position very well.
With a big, durable frame, Hill has the look of an innings-eating, back-of-the-rotation starter. But with Hill nearly ready for a more permanent role in big leagues and the depth of the Nationals rotation entering the 2015 season, he may break through as a reliever.
He sure induced a ton of weak contact in 2014. Maybe Hill and Johansen will be in the Nats’ bullpen together someday!
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