Luis Oviedo

When a pitcher is a few years away from the majors, but already displays all the traits we look for in future frontline starters, all we can do is cross our fingers and hope for good health. Such is the case with Oviedo, a 6-foot-4 righty with the potential for four plus pitches and solid command. His 7.14 ERA in rookie ball may have thrown some off the scent, but key skills were there (28.1 K%, 50.4 GB%) and his 3.70 xFIP foreshadowed a breakout. He was 170 pounds when he signed out of Venezuela in 2015, but has added at least 20 pounds. His fastball is now a mid-90s weapon and his three offspeed pitches are trending up. As a teenager with electric stuff whose body is not done growing, command/control is still a work in progress, but the 5.3 BB% he recorded in the New York-Penn League is an encouraging indicator. He got a taste of Low-A last season, and should return there, but may force his way to High-A shortly after he turns 20 on May 15.