MM's Top 25- #6 RHSP Gabriel Ynoa

#6 RHSP Gabriel Ynoa (LR: #11)
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 6′ 2″ Weight: 158 lb
Age: 21
Acquired: 2009 International Signing, Dominican Republic

2013: (A) 15-4, 2.72 ERA, 1.1 BB/9, 7.0 K/9, 1.025 WHIP
2012: (SS-A) 5-2, 2.23 ERA, 1.2 BB/9, 7.5 K/9, 0.926 WHIP
2011: (R) 2-3, 3.21 ERA, 0.6 BB/9, 4.3 K/9, 1.089 WHIP

I'll admit that I may be over-ranking Ynoa here but the facts don't lie. This kid has been extremely impressive over the past 2 seasons both dominating the NY-Penn League and the South Atlantic League with relative ease. Scouts have found substantial similarity between him and Rafael Montero. Both have impeccable control and while neither has a true plus pitch, they both have 3 pitches that have the potential to be MLB above average quality.

Where Ynoa is different starts and ends with his arm slot. He throws from a slightly lower than normal 3/4 arm slot which gives his 92-93 MPH fastball good natural movement which is surprising given he is still able to command it well. He also possesses an advanced change-up which again, thanks to the 3/4 arm slot, has excellent 2-plane movement both down and away from right handers. So far that two pitch combo has just been too much to handle for both lower level hitters and even older guys (.234 BAA)

Ynoa has a third pitch as well with his low 80's slider, but the low arm slot makes it tough to stay on top of the pitch which is limiting it to a one-plane, horizontal moving pitch only. He's been working on a curveball to replace it but so far the spiral on it is just not tight enough and his has more of a loopy movement on it. But at just 21 years of age, Ynoa has plenty of time to refine his breaking pitch into a MLB quality one.

Ynoa still has a ton of room in his frame to fill out and add more velocity, so additional projectability is still here. If he can crank the fastball up to the mid 90's with that advanced change-up of his he'll be a sure bet to crack an MLB rotation if he can develop at least an average breaking pitch. Look for him to start in the PSL but make a detour to Binghamton about half way through the season.

Anticipated Assignment: (A+) Port St. Lucie starting rotation.
Ceiling: #4/#5 MLB starter
Floor: AAA pitching king