This article is part of our Bernie on the Scene series.
This week I will share Part 2 of 3 scouting reports on players taken in the MLB Rule 5 Draft.
I have decided to add a third group of players next week. Some of the players I have profiled might have fantasy relevance, as they have to be kept on a big league roster for a full season. In today's MLB economic climate, using a space on a roster for a young, controllable player makes sense for some clubs. In this time in our MLB history, teams will be happy to capture lightning in a bottle.
Mac Sceroler, Orioles from Reds
Right-handed Pitcher
Pick: 5
Mac Sceroler was drafted by the Phillies in 2016, but he failed to sign. Instead, he went to Southeastern Louisiana University and was drafted by the Reds in the fifth round of the 2017 draft.
Sceroler has three years of minor-league experience as a starter with the Reds, throwing 239 innings.
The Orioles may have had interest in Sceroler based upon recommendations from his uncle, former Orioles pitcher Ben McDonald.
Sceroler will be 26 next season. At 6-foot-3, 200, he has a solid frame as a starting pitcher. He has a full, four-pitch repertoire with a fastball at 91-94 mph. Overall, scouts don't see much in him beyond being a back-of-the-rotation marginal starter. The Orioles may keep him on the club due to their need for pitching.
Conclusions: If the Reds didn't keep him, I don't see much hope that he will suddenly
This week I will share Part 2 of 3 scouting reports on players taken in the MLB Rule 5 Draft.
I have decided to add a third group of players next week. Some of the players I have profiled might have fantasy relevance, as they have to be kept on a big league roster for a full season. In today's MLB economic climate, using a space on a roster for a young, controllable player makes sense for some clubs. In this time in our MLB history, teams will be happy to capture lightning in a bottle.
Mac Sceroler, Orioles from Reds
Right-handed Pitcher
Pick: 5
Mac Sceroler was drafted by the Phillies in 2016, but he failed to sign. Instead, he went to Southeastern Louisiana University and was drafted by the Reds in the fifth round of the 2017 draft.
Sceroler has three years of minor-league experience as a starter with the Reds, throwing 239 innings.
The Orioles may have had interest in Sceroler based upon recommendations from his uncle, former Orioles pitcher Ben McDonald.
Sceroler will be 26 next season. At 6-foot-3, 200, he has a solid frame as a starting pitcher. He has a full, four-pitch repertoire with a fastball at 91-94 mph. Overall, scouts don't see much in him beyond being a back-of-the-rotation marginal starter. The Orioles may keep him on the club due to their need for pitching.
Conclusions: If the Reds didn't keep him, I don't see much hope that he will suddenly change course and be a dramatic starting pitcher. His strikeout rate of 9.8 is hopeful, but he isn't overpowering and may not be anything more than a journeyman stop-gap starter.
Zach Pop, Diamondbacks from Orioles
Right-handed pitcher
Pick: 6
A big guy at 6-4, 220, Zach Pop was drafted by the Blue Jays in 2104 but did not sign. He then was selected by the Dodgers in the seventh round of the 2017 draft out of the University of Kentucky.
Pop had a rather curious route to the Diamondbacks. He was drafted by the Dodgers, but traded to the Orioles in the deal that sent Manny Machado to the Dodgers. Now he goes from the Orioles to the Diamondbacks.
Pop had Tommy John surgery in May 2020. That clearly has something to do with why he wasn't protected by the Orioles. He pitched only 32 innings for Baltimore, so the Orioles didn't have much recent information to calculate their decision to keep him on their 40-man roster or expose him to the draft. They exposed him, and the Dbacks bought him for $100,000.
Before his surgery, Pop threw his fastball at 96-98 mph. He used a solid slider as a one-two combination.
Pop has shown good numbers in his past, and the Dbacks hope they can get service from him after his rehabilitation concludes.
Conclusions: There is always risk with pitchers who have had recent Tommy John surgery and haven't proven their arm strength and health. But from what I have seen on video of Pop, he has a chance to be an acceptable starting pitcher. The Dbacks may have stolen one from the Orioles.
Will Vest, Mariners from Tigers
Right-handed pitcher
Pick: 12
Will Vest is only 6-0 , 180, not very big for today's pitchers.
He was taken by the Tigers in the 12th round of the 2017 draft out of Stephen F. Austin University where he threw one season. He made 31 relief appearances and didn't start.
I saw Vest when he pitched for Mesa in the 2019 Arizona Fall League, the last time scouts were able to really see him pitch. He was far from memorable, throwing 11.1 relief innings, yielding 15 hits in 9 games. He finished with a 8.74 ERA and .89 WHIP.
During his fall exposure, Vest struck out 7.9 hitters per nine innings, compared to walking 4.8. That speaks volumes. Vest threw his his fastball up in the zone and 94 mph. Apparently, he has improved his velocity and now is closer to 95-97, as observed in the Tigers Instructional League. It is that velocity that may have been attractive for the Mariners bullpen.
Conclusions: When I saw him, Vest was brutal out of the pen. Apparently, his Instructional League velocity increase has motivated the pitching starved Mariners. But he isn't for me.
Paul Campbell, Marlins from Rays
Left-handed pitcher
Pick: 17
Lefty Paul Campbell was a 21st-round draft pick of the Rays out of Clemson University in 2017.
Campbell pitched three seasons for Clemson, throwing 39 innings in 30 games with three starts. He yielded 53 hits in those 39 innings, walking 20. But he threw with his left hand. That matters in scouting collegiate pitchers.
Campbell will be 26 next season and should be much more established than his current record shows. However, it's likely the Marlins see potential as a left-handed reliever.
Campbell is known to be a lefty with tremendous spin on his 91-94 mph fastball. In today's game, the greater the spin (see Trevor Bauer) the greater the excitement about the pitcher.
Campbell has good control, but he has known to be hittable in his minor league career.
Conclusions: The Rays are loaded with pitching, and they probably feel there are better options for them on their 40-man roster. I wouldn't argue with the Rays development staff.
Heading Home
I wanted to save some space in my article today to write about a very, very disturbing trend we are seeing in baseball.
By the time you read this, Christmas will be right around the corner. The offseason is in full steam.
In the recent past, major free agents signed with their new teams in January or as late as February. I get that.
But this year, the number of average baseball players seeking new contracts is staggering. The numbers of free agents goes on for pages. It's alarming.
This week, I'll look at catcher — a critical component for a solid baseball team.
These catchers remain unsigned:
Austin Romine - I think the guy can hit; he can also handle a pitching staff
Sandy Leon - he's a superb defensive backup catcher
Tony Wolters - converted from the infield, but he's been solid
Wilson Ramos - clearly an offensive upgrade for some club needing an offensive backup
Tyler Flowers - very credible and capable
Jason Castro - certainly an upgrade for some club
Curt Casali - experienced and capable
Yadier Molina - where are the Cardinals. PAY THIS MAN
Kurt Suzuki - A seasoned veteran behind the plate
They aren't great, but they can still help a club.
And more are on the list. Maybe each is washed up? Maybe each of those guys can't compete with young, controllable catchers. I might add INEXPERIENCED catchers.
My point is that teams will now be trying to pay as little as possible for the backup catcher and backup utility infielders. Backup every-things aren't getting paid.
A player has worked his entire career to get a late-career payday. But that's how things USED to be. Not anymore. Stand in line and wait your turn. Maybe your turn will come. Maybe not.
J.T. Realmuto will get his.
James McCann got a payday far greater than he deserved from the Mets with a four-year deal. I applaud him. He's an outstanding, underrated catcher. The White Sox should have paid him. He wanted to return. And it wouldn't have had to have been a four-year deal. But the Mets have the new guy in town with money to spend. And spending he is.
What's your point, Bernie?
My point is MLB will go out of their way to suppress salaries. Instead of $100M payrolls, we'll see $50M payrolls.
I know — you may not feel sorry for the players. But I do. They work for an industry that looks at extremes. If MLB owners have a chance — an excuse, if you will — to cut payroll and slash operating costs, they will. And they are.
Just like ruining Minor League Baseball, it's all about money. Greed.
Players are the PRODUCT. Not the owners. Not the Commissioner. MLB management is shooting its product in the foot.
By the time the season is supposed to start, will owners be aiming for the head? Could be.
• To my readers: I wish you all the very best of health and joy at this time of Christmas and Hanukkah. We have hope on the way with a new vaccine and plenty of reason to celebrate our riches.
I am thankful for each of you as my loyal readers and friends. Be well. Stay safe. Hug your family. And even your friends.
Follow me on Twitter @BerniePleskoff.
Read my stories like his one at forbes.com.
