Carson Whisenhunt and Jose Cruz combined to strike out 11 over 7 innings for the Eugene Emeralds in high-A, and have been promoted to AA Richmond.
Whisenhunt has a killer changeup, supposedly the best in the 2022 class and is being promoted after just six high-A starts. Supposedly his changeup is major league level already. He needs to develop his other pitches.
In 2022, Cruz struck out 86 batters in 52 1/3rd innings, and made the California League all star team. The Giants added him to the 40 man to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He throws mid-90s and has a low three-quarter delivery which leads to a -4.38 VAA (Vertical Approach Angle, sort of the opposite of the launch angle...basically explains the "sneaky fast" phenom). Most VAA fastball angles are between -4 and -7, Cruz's is considered very flat and very difficult to hit. Current downside is he needs better control on his slider.
Whisenhunt has a killer changeup, supposedly the best in the 2022 class and is being promoted after just six high-A starts. Supposedly his changeup is major league level already. He needs to develop his other pitches.
In 2022, Cruz struck out 86 batters in 52 1/3rd innings, and made the California League all star team. The Giants added him to the 40 man to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He throws mid-90s and has a low three-quarter delivery which leads to a -4.38 VAA (Vertical Approach Angle, sort of the opposite of the launch angle...basically explains the "sneaky fast" phenom). Most VAA fastball angles are between -4 and -7, Cruz's is considered very flat and very difficult to hit. Current downside is he needs better control on his slider.
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