Stephen Tarpley made the right choice.
Stephen Tarpley is a 6’2 190 lb LHP from Scottsdale Community College. You might remember him being the guy who transferred out of USC. I don’t mind that decision a whole bunch I think I’ve stated quite a few times that I’m all for whatever the kid feels is best for his development. In this particular case Tarpley I’m assuming wanted to be a bit closer to home as well as come out a year earlier. Judging by his stuff recently he certainly won’t be regretting his decision anytime soon. As I said in my recent post about Brady Corless if that particular kid feels for any sort of reason that the JUCO route provides him the best opportunity to develop as a person and ballplayer I have absolutely no reserves in them doing that. I’ve come to realize that in this game the player really needs to be as comfortable as possible while also remaining as confident as possible. So if this is the route that does that for them then I am certainly not going to complain with that.
As far as his Pure Stuff is concerned he throws a 90-92 FB that gets down into the 88-91 Range as the game goes on. What was most impressive about the FB was just how much movement he happens to get on the pitch. It has a whole bunch of arm side run.It also has touched in the range of 95-96 before. His Curveball is a easy plus for me with big break and late for that matter. He seems to rely on his FB heavily until he finds himself in a bit of trouble at which point he breaks out the monster that is his breaking ball. The changeup also looked quite good coming in at 80-83 MPH and sharing the same break as his fastball with a little sink and heavy arm side run.
His delivery is quick simple and clean. No glaring issues on that side in fact I’d say it’s pretty much good to go moving forward. He raises his leg during the windup up to his chest and throws from a High 3/4 Arm Slot. All in all with Tarpley I was very impressed with his arsenal as a whole and the advanced feel he has for his secondaries. His command also showed through that while he does still need to refine his game on that front a little bit (Who Doesn’t Really?) he does have pretty good pitchability at this point. I personally feel like he’s got a little bit left in the tank on the fastball front. I could easily see him sitting mid-90s in the future because of all the projection I see left he’s got a good amount of room left on him to add some weight as well as just develop more strength as he gets a bit older. If you were to tell me 2 years from now that he was sitting 93-95 touching 97-98 I’d honestly have no reservations so with that being said I deffinately feel the potential on Tarpley is through the roof.
I think as long as he continues to find success at the JUCO level and the pure stuff stays on track with what I witnessed then he should have a pretty good shot at going in the 1st 3 rounds. As is usually the case guys like Tarpley and Brady Corless and Trey Williams, Teddy Stankz or at least I think it’s the case that they get overlooked a little bit because of the JUCO factor. But don’t let that fool you the names I just mentioned are extremely talented players and Tarpley could be the very best of them. Whoever gets this kid I think is going to have a great package to work with and I think he is going to really pop up on the map for everyone in the near future.
If you’d like to get a glimpse of Tarpley in action for the SCC the always great and incredibly awesome Steve Fiorindo has come through yet again with some Videos:
Any thoughts/scouting report on Missouri commit
LH Jacob Brentz (Parkway South HS, MO)?
I can tell you he’s deffinately impressed alot of people in recent memory. I know the fastball is very good especially when he’s able to get that hard sinking motion on it.
The important thing to remember more so then the consistent plus velocity or nice change and curve is that he’s a relatively unexperienced SP and there’s some who liked him as a hitter. So you have to keep in mind anything impressive he’s done in recent memory is just that much more impressive. I’ve heard he’s been up as high as 95-96.
Deffinately a name to keep an eye on. I think he could be a top guy in short time he just needs a bit more development time.
Brentz is been shooting the ranks in my eyes. I love his stuff and has a good shot at being an earily 2nd rounder. He is one of my personal favorite LHP behind Wesley.
It’s weird because just like some of the C particularly guys like Chuckie Robinson and Tres Barrera you have Brentz and Wesely who are very talented SP but because they happen to land in a great grouping of HS LHP and in the other case HS C they get a bit overshadowed.
In Brentz and Weselys case there location being Missouri and New Jersey really doesn’t do them any favors on that end.
But with the LHP you have the big 3 in Kaminsky Clarkin Gonsalves and then C you’ve got McGuire Denney and Martinez who got for the most part all the attention. It’s easy to just overlook the others being so focused on those at the moment bigger names.
Wesley is in Northern California.
Good Lord talk about a brain block haha. I was thinking of the big 3 specifically Kaminsky writing that haha.
My bad I’m usually the one who makes sure i proof read to avoid that. I’m allowed one bonehead moment though it’s not like I do it every post so can I get a pass? haha
What I meant for Wesely was being the other LHP in Cali after Clarkin and Gonsalves obviously does him no favors.
Also I agree Brentz for some has skyrocketed up lists. I’d say he’s at that sandwich round to 2nd round level as of this moment.
Don’t let that fool you though I do think he has a world of potential with that kind’ve velocity from the left side.
BLF’s new rankings will be up tonight. Brentz is included, fairly high.
I’d have to think so. I’m excited myself to see this ranking.
I saw Tarpley pitch at USC – very impressive, especially his breaking ball. I think he’s a great sleeper and some team will be very happy with him in the 4th-6th rounds, maybe higher if he gets hype.