ORGANIZATION REPORTS
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Cubs outfielder Nelson Velazquez found a way to get to more power and decrease his strikeout rate, then he elevated his game with an MVP turn in the Arizona Fall League.
National League
● An 18-year-old Joe Elbis impressed the D-backs with his pitchability and overall maturity
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● Jack Suwinski’s value is on the rise, portending good things for the future of the Pirates
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● The Nationals viewed Donovan Casey as central to their blockbuster trade with the Dodgers
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ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
One day last summer, righthander Joe Elbis hopped in an Uber, bought a ticket and watched a game at Chase Field. He wanted an up-close look at how each team’s starting pitcher went about his day.
“He paid for it himself. I think it was the most expensive ticket in the house behind home plate,” said Cesar Geronimo Jr., the D-backs’ vice president of Latin American scouting. “He’s really into baseball and really into his career.”
For many in the organization, the anecdote is proof of the sort of dedication and maturity the 19-year-old Elbis has to his craft. He signed out of Venezuela in 2019.
Pitching the entire year at age 18, Elbis logged a 3.52 ERA in 53.2 innings between the Arizona Complex League and Low-A Visalia. He struck out 59 and walked seven.
His four-pitch mix isn’t overpowering. His fastball sits in the 91-92 mph range and touches 94. Neither is his frame. He is listed at 6-foot-1, 170 pounds.
Instead, what makes Elbis interesting is his ability to not just throw strikes but pitch effectively to all quadrants of the zone.
“In Rookie ball, you see a lot of young kids with great arms, but they don’t have the command. Or they can command it and their stuff is below-average,” ACL D-backs pitching coach Gabriel Hernandez said.
“You have to help them develop the things they don’t do well. Elbis came in and checked a lot of those boxes already.”
Hernandez ranks Elbis’ changeup as his best secondary offering, a pitch he uses to get swings and misses and induce weak contact. Elbis’ curveball, which he changed to a spike grip, is another solid pitch, with his slider more of a work in progress.
Geronimo said the D-backs were drawn to Elbis in part by his quick arm and how easily the ball came out of his hand.
Now, the club believes Elbis’ makeup will ensure he gets the most out of his ability.
—NICK PIECORO
ATLANTA BRAVES
Atlanta added four players to the 40-man roster at the Nov. 19 reserve roster deadline, shielding them from the Rule 5 draft.
Outfielder was the highest profile addition, along with hard-throwing righthander . Joining them were righties and , both of whom could make their MLB debuts in 2022.
