Ervis Manzanillo

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #16 prospect in 2012
  Manzanillo didn't start playing baseball until he was 16 and signed about a year and a half later out of Venezuela. He reached low Class A in his third pro season, and while his statistics weren't loud, he might have better pure stuff than Lakewood teammate Jesse Biddle, who ranks No. 2 on this list. Manzanillo is still rough around the edges and searching for consistency. Thin-framed and athletic, he needs to add strength but has a live, loose arm. His fastball sits at 90-93 mph and touches 95 with late life, though he struggles with command and overthrows at times. He shows feel for two secondary pitches, a slurvy curveball and changeup. Both are fringy offerings now but could be plus pitches, and their development will determine Manzanillo's future. He has some tilt in his delivery and needs to get downhill more to achieve better plane on his pitches. He throws slightly across his body and his arm action is a little long in the back. Scouts say Manzanillo compares favorably to Antonio Bastardo. He should advance to high Class A and pitch alongside Biddle again in 2012.