Bernie on the Scene: 5 Player Profiles

ON DECK

Major League Baseball remains in the on deck circle. The decision makers in MLB may look carefully at:

• an increase in reported COVID-19 cases
• the reports that Japanese players have tested positively for the virus
• the increase in reported cases of the virus in major league cities
• the potential for an even greater number of reported cases in the future

And ...

Cancel the season.

I am thinking MLB may not even mention financial differences with the players as the reason the season will be canceled. They will lean totally on the potential hazards and health issues related to the virus as the reason baseball will not be played in 2020. 

Right now, as I write this, my sources have told me there are several owners ready, willing and able to cancel the season. Many people I trust tell me there will not be a 2020 baseball season. But-they are as in the dark as all the rest of us.

If the 2020 baseball season is canceled, the owners can turn their entire attention to their agenda of reshaping Minor League Baseball into their own vision. They can turn to greater power and control of Minor League Baseball with sufficient time to perform surgery on existing leagues, clubs and administrative structures.

STARTING LINEUP

Daulton Varsho-C/OF/3B-Diamondbacks-BL-5-10, 190, Age 23

Unfortunately, Dauton Varsho plays a position that seems to be a strength of the Diamondbacks. Remember, Carson Kelly was a major component of the team's trade with the Cardinals for Paul Goldschmidt in December 2018. Kelly is still only 25. And he can hit. His 18 homers in 365 plate appearances were greatly appreciated. 

Keep in mind though, Varsho has several factors in his favor. He hits well enough and is versatile enough to play the outfield or even a corner infield position. That may be how his future unfolds. Even though I think the Dbacks see him as a catcher first, he could become a versatile, left-handed hitting Swiss army knife.

The Diamondbacks selected Varsho in the 2nd (supplemental) round of the 2017 draft out of the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.  He was the No, 68 overall selection that year, and he was paid an $881,000 signing bonus.

Varsho hit .335 in three years of college ball. 

It is his hitting tool that is most attractive about Varsho. He makes outstanding contact using a very strong lower-half to form the base and focal point for his hitting mechanics. Varsho is patient and selective at the plate. As a catcher, he knows the strike zone well and is willing to accept a walk. 

Varsho has nice loft in his swing, but the home run has not been his calling card so far in his professional career. Rather, he's just a solid hitter with some distinct pull-side tendencies. He spent the 2019 season at Double-A Jackson, where he hit 18 homers in 452 plate appearances. He walked 42 times while striking out only 63 times last year.

Varsho has very good speed for a catcher. He is much more athletic and agile than most catchers in the game. He may be counted upon to steal a few bases and take an extra base when the opportunity presents. He stole 21 bases in 26 attempts last year.

I saw plenty of Varsho in the 2018 Arizona Fall League. He was impressive as a controlled hitter with a plan at the plate. There are catchers with stronger throwing arms than Varsho, but as a hitter, he's a top quality catching prospect. GRADE: 55

Brendan Rodgers-2B/SS-Rockies-BR-6-0, 180, Age 23

Brendan Rodgers was a first-round pick and the No. 3 overall player taken in the 2015 draft. He was selected out of Lake Mary High School in Florida.

Rodgers has spent parts of five seasons in the Rockies development program. He got a taste of major league life last season, when he played in 37 games and hit .224.

Rodgers' development has been slowed due to shoulder surgery. 

A solid line-drive type hitter, Rodgers will be assisted with the friendly hitting environment of Coors Field. I never turn my back on a Rockies regular. And eventually, Rodgers will win a regular role with Colorado. They have $5.5M invested in him, and for the Rockies, that's a fortune. He will play. And he'll play soon.

Aggressive at the plate, Rodgers makes good contact. He's the type of guy that can increase his home run count year over year as he gains confidence and gets used to big league pitching. But don't expect the next Trevor Story.

Rodgers doesn't have much speed. In fact, his running ability is his most deficient tool. Other than that, he rates well across the board in hitting and power as well as defense. It does seem his role will be as the team's second baseman.

Rodgers is the type of player that wouldn't interest me if he didn't play for the Rockies. I don't think he has any one great major league tool. I do think he's an above average hitter, but l have concerns about how much progress he can make against high quality pitching. GRADE: 55

Alex Verdugo-OF-Red Sox-BL-6-0, 212, Age 24

The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Alex Verdugo out of Sahuaro High School in Tucson, Arizona in the 2014 draft. Verdugo was a 2nd round pick (No. 62 overall) and he signed for $914,600.

The team traded him, along with Jeter Downs and Connor Wong to the Red Sox for Mookie Betts, David Price and cash in February this year.

Verdugo's forecast for the coming season was tamped down a bit when it became known he was suffering from a stress fracture in his back. Now healthy again, it seems Verdugo is in the Red Sox plans if the season begins.

Given the price the Red Sox paid for Verdugo, provided his back doesn't bark, he is likely a great bet to get plenty of playing time for Boston.

While Verdugo is the type of hitter that can use the entire field, it remains to be seen how the cozy Green Monster can assist him, as he bats left-handed. But I think fantasy owners can count on him to put up solid numbers.

Verdugo has exceeded his rookie status, as he played 158 games for the Dodgers. His profile is intriguing. He hit 14 homers last year in 377 plate appearances. Extrapolating that to a full season may mean Verdugo can become a 25 home run guy. That's why I'm writing this. We haven't seen him in a hitter-friendly park and we haven't seen him in the American League.

Verdugo's two best and most advance tools are his strong arm from the outfield and his hit tool. But as I stated, I think his home run power will improve. He recognizes pitches well and can drive pitches in his wheelhouse. Verdugo has an advanced hitting approach with very solid mechanics.

Verdugo should be able to get on base with a very selective approach at the plate. He makes good contact, and he doesn't get himself out easily, either. He'll accept a base on balls. He has enough speed to offer some stolen bases as well. I think he'll run more in Boston as the team tries to generate runs with only a fairly average offense, at best. GRADE: 55

Dane Dunning-RHP-White Sox-6-4, 200, Age 25

In 2015, Dane Dunning was a Washington Nationals 1st round pick out of Clay High School in Green Cove Springs, Florida. He signed for $2M.

In one of the most lopsided trades in my memory, the Nationals traded Dunning and pitchers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez to the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Adam Eaton. Those three pitchers are all major league quality starters. Eaton? Meh!

Dunning is waiting for his turn to shine on the big stage. It will likely not arrive until some point in 2021, if then. The White Sox have plenty of pitching in front of him, including Giolito, Lopez, Michael Kopech, Dylan Cease and even Dallas Keuchel. Gio Gonzalez is likely a short-term hold, yielding a spot to a pitcher like Dunning in the future.

Dunning underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2019 and he missed all of 2019. With the problems getting this season started, Dunning is a guy that needs to show he is healthy and capable of performing once his rehab is considered complete. I think the club will move him along slowly.

Dunning is a guy that knows how to pitch. He has very good mechanics, repeats his delivery well and has good control for a young pitcher. 

He throws a fastball that can hit 97 miles per hour, but he changes speed on that pitch well while getting great late sink on the ball. As a result, Dunning is a master at generating a good number of ground balls.

Dunning throws quality curveballs, sliders and changeups that all rank above average. Those secondary pitches may be used less often after the surgery. However, he will ease them back into his arsenal. GRADE: 50

Christian Arroyo-3B/2B/SS-Indians-BR-6-1, 220, Age 25

I have been watching Christian Arroyo develop since he was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 1st round of the 2013 draft. He was chosen out of Hernando High School in Brooksville, Florida. He was taken at No. 24 and he received a signing bonus of $1,866,500.

Arroyo is a guy with good baseball instincts. He knows his own abilities and he won't go to the plate hunting home runs. He just doesn't have the firepower to win an everyday job on a club that is fairly deep at third base. Ultimately, if the Indians do not like what they see of Cesar Hernandez at second, Arroyo could win a permanent job.

If heathy, and if given a chance, Arroyo can hit. That's why I think he will be the Indians utility infielder in the coming season (whenever that may be.)

Arroyo has been traded twice since being drafted. In 2017 the Giants sent him to Tampa Bay along with pitchers Matt Krook and Stephen Woods and outfielder Denard Span for Evan Longoria and cash.

In 2019, Tampa traded Arroyo and pitcher Hunter Wood to Cleveland for OF Ruben Cardenas and international bonus money.

I first saw Arroyo in the 2015 Arizona Fall League. He hit .308 with three homers and three doubles. At the time, he was rather weak on defense at third base, but he could hit. He could barrel balls and take pitches to all fields.

That hasn't changed. Arroyo makes very good contact and provides a solid at-bat. He knows how to work for his pitch at the plate. He doesn't walk enough, but his hit tool is good enough to drive the ball and not wait around.

Arroyo has a good arm and can play anywhere in the infield, even at shortstop if needed.

However, he isn't fast and his range fits better at third or second. GRADE: 50

Thank you for following me on twitter @BerniePleskoff and for reading my baseball articles at forbes.com.