Scouting Report: Matt Addis

The AIA Fire's Matt Addis -- Freshman out of
Sinclair CC -- has the velocity and the pitch
selection. Can he put the complete package
together?

Matt Addis came up to the Alaska League with the 2010 AIA Fire after a successful freshman campaign in the NJCAA with Sinclair. In the ABL he looked a little bit overmatched, at least statistically, but watching him pitch you can see beyond the stat line and note that he's got some good tools to work with. It was easy to see some of Addis' strengths right away, and today I'd like to go over them, as well as some of the areas where he may want to brush up his game. Here's the card:

RHP Matt Addis
Height: 6'2" - Weight: 185 lb
2010 Level: Junior College FR
School: Sinclair CC
Draft eligibility: 2011 (JuCo So.)
Scouting Video (Coming Soon)
2010 Profile
Posts regarding Matt Addis

Description: Matt Addis looks a little bit on the tall/lean side, and may bulk up some, though he looks like he has some considerable strength in his lower body. He takes his time on the mound. Addis throws mostly over-the-top and occasionally drops down to the 3/4 neighborhood. He delivers with a big leg kick that has a bit of a "hitch" in it.

Strengths: Addis has good, pro-caliber velocity on his four-seam fastball, settling in the upper 80's and flirting with 90. He also works with a two-seam fastball that shows very good late break in on right-handed hitters (and fades away against lefties). His off-speed pitches look deceptive and can drop down into the 75-mph neighborhood for a good change. He has a good feel for his secondary pitches and is not afraid to use them for the strikeout. The finish on his delivery looks balanced and he lands smoothly.

Weaknesses: Addis has a couple of areas that could be polished up. First of all, he needs to work on control of his fastballs. He throws the four-seamer hard but sometimes loses his feel for the zone when he dials it up. I'm also concerned that he could be telegraphing his pitches by dropping into that 3/4 delivery on specific pitches. He may be using that arm slot to generate some of the great break he displays but it could be a big tip-off to advanced hitters.

Assessment: Matt Addis could be a good candidate for the title "raw". He seems like he has good natural ability (specifically, a strong arm) and an assortment of solid components. The question is whether or not he can combine all the good things he brings to the table and make them work in a harmonious way. Can he learn to hit his spots while still maintaining a decent velocity? Can he learn to throw his other pitches as effectively without exposing them via particular arm slots? These types of things will make the difference as to whether or not Addis is pro material. 90 MPH is a power arm in junior college but average in the pros; if he wants to be a career player he'll have to learn some finesse. As it stands right now, though, I think he is a good candidate to move up to a four-year program and go from there. After that, the amount of interest he garners as a draft prospect will depend on whether or not he shows signs of bringing it all together.

Note: This scouting report represents my opinions based on my experiences and perceptions. I am not a professionally employed or trained baseball scout. If you would like to express your opinion, please use the comment form below.