While number crunching is our comfort zone, we're not opposed to scouting. And we want to learn more about it. I'm on my second "scouting" trip in Arizona right now. By the end of the week, I will have spent time at 11 of the 14 minor league camps in Arizona. But I never planned to just stand around watching -- I'm still learning what to look for.
With you (our loyal Project Prospect readers) in mind, I've attempted to capture my trip in digital media. Below are clips of four of our Top 50 prospects from this week. We will be posting more video in later this week, as well as using our video for future analysis -- embedding it in articles as we see fit. Please visit our minor league forum to discuss these videos. Enjoy!
Tim Alderson
Observations
I was more impressed with Hosmer's bat than Moustakas'. Syncing our videos of them up together -- I'll eventually get editing software to make this easier -- I see more bat speed coming from Hosmer. And while Hosmer swings on an upward plane that should send a lot of balls out of the park, Moustakas' swing is more level and should generate more contact.
One of the most impressive things I witnessed when I watched the Giants play yesterday was the sound of Buster Posey's bat slicing through the air. I heard a loud "whooosh" a few times while I was watching Conor Gillaspie bat yesterday. It turned out to be Posey taking practice hacks in the on-deck circle. I listened for the same sound when other Giants were in front of me, but none of them came close to replicating it -- Angel Villalona included.
Note the little kick in Tim Alderson's delivery. To me, it's kind of his transition from looking like a tall-and-fall guy to dropping and driving. On top of creating deception, and I think he gets a lot of power with it -- forces him to really swing his hips. He told me that it's something he's always done.
We'll be doing a lot more with video this season. And we'd love to hear your comments or feedback (adamf@projectprospect.com).
Find more Project Prospect videos at ProspectTube.com and YouTube.com.