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Scoobay · 11-04-2011, 10:58 AM

Saw this link on Newberg and reposting here... it's on the front page of TFR...

any thoughts? sounds almost too good to be true. Not sure what his timeline is but isn't this what we hoped for Scheppers?

(apologies if i'm doing this wrong - trying to provide the link and give credit and all)

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http://www.texasfarmreview.com/

Top Ten Relief Prospects in the System (By Ceiling)
1. RHP Matt West: From a lighting fast arm in a ¾ slot, position prospect turned high-ceiling relief prospect Matt West shows two 70-grade pitches and 70-command projection. His fastball will sit in the mid-90s and can tough higher, with great extension giving the pitch explosion and late-life. It’s a well-above-average major league offering, and might even grade higher than 70 on some reports. The slider is another 70-grade beast, as West will actually show it in multiple forms; I’ve seen the pitch destroy with a harsh two-plane break at 79-81 with depth, but he can also shove the pitch into the mid 80s, with more extreme tilt as it enters the zone. Because he shows near-elite secondary command, West can drop the slider for strikes on either side of the plate, to lefties or righties, with an almost preternatural ability to back-foot the pitch and then turn around and elevate it out of the hitting zone. With two late-inning pitches to go along with sharp command, West has the stuff to close at the major league level. With a demeanor suited for high-leverage situations, West has the rare combination of stuff and savvy required for the pressure-packed situations. Baseball is a strange game, and the developmental journey of some prospects can be even stranger. Matt West is a prime example of what can happen when natural ability finally finds the proper avenue for conductivity. You have to credit not only West but also the developmental staff of the Rangers for showing the patience necessary to extract this raw talent. West isn’t a finished product, but based on what I’ve seen he owns the highest relief ceiling in the system. He could be a frontline closer. His stuff is that nasty.

11-04-2011, 10:58 AM	#16
Scoobay Golden Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,752	Saw this link on Newberg and reposting here... it's on the front page of TFR... any thoughts? sounds almost too good to be true. Not sure what his timeline is but isn't this what we hoped for Scheppers? (apologies if i'm doing this wrong - trying to provide the link and give credit and all) ----------------------- http://www.texasfarmreview.com/ Top Ten Relief Prospects in the System (By Ceiling) 1. RHP Matt West: From a lighting fast arm in a ¾ slot, position prospect turned high-ceiling relief prospect Matt West shows two 70-grade pitches and 70-command projection. His fastball will sit in the mid-90s and can tough higher, with great extension giving the pitch explosion and late-life. It’s a well-above-average major league offering, and might even grade higher than 70 on some reports. The slider is another 70-grade beast, as West will actually show it in multiple forms; I’ve seen the pitch destroy with a harsh two-plane break at 79-81 with depth, but he can also shove the pitch into the mid 80s, with more extreme tilt as it enters the zone. Because he shows near-elite secondary command, West can drop the slider for strikes on either side of the plate, to lefties or righties, with an almost preternatural ability to back-foot the pitch and then turn around and elevate it out of the hitting zone. With two late-inning pitches to go along with sharp command, West has the stuff to close at the major league level. With a demeanor suited for high-leverage situations, West has the rare combination of stuff and savvy required for the pressure-packed situations. Baseball is a strange game, and the developmental journey of some prospects can be even stranger. Matt West is a prime example of what can happen when natural ability finally finds the proper avenue for conductivity. You have to credit not only West but also the developmental staff of the Rangers for showing the patience necessary to extract this raw talent. West isn’t a finished product, but based on what I’ve seen he owns the highest relief ceiling in the system. He could be a frontline closer. His stuff is that nasty.