Friday, January 13, 2017

Dr B's 2017 Giants Top 50 Prospects: #41 Raffi Vizcaino

Raffi Vizcaino, RHP.  DOB:  12/2/1995.  6'1", 195 lbs.  International FA.

2015 DSL:  8-0, 2.50, 72 IP, 2.00 BB/9, 9.13 K/9.
2016 SS:  0-4, 4.60, 47 IP, 4.40 BB/9, 8.23 K/9.
2016 A:  1-1, 3.27, 11 IP, 0.82 BB/9, 9.00 K/9.

Raffi Vizcaino is another reason to not despair over the state of pitching in the Giants farm system.  An international signee out of the Dominican Republic, it took him 3 years to get out of the DSL, but after missing most of the 2014 season, he put together a solid line in 2015.  The Giants gave him an aggressive placement in Salem-Keizer where his pitching lines were not much to write home about.  It was not until a late season promotion to Augusta that he started to get some buzz.  In his first start against the Rome Braves, he went 7 IP allowing 2 ER with 0 BB's and 8 K's.  He also sat in the mid-90's with his FB and that's what got him some national ink.

Viz is solidly built with a big lower half.  Physically he looks a lot like Johnny Cueto with similar mannerisms on the mound.  In one extended video, he shows the FB and an effective slider, both with a steep downward plane out of an over-the-top delivery.  The changeup looks like more of a work in progress.

I would expect an assignment to Augusta's starting rotation for 2017 although his future may be in the bullpen.

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