Peter Lambert Refines Three-Pitch Mix

Best Player: 1B/3B Ryan McMahon

McMahon a combined .355/.403/.583 with 20 home runs at Double-A Hartford (49 games) and Triple-A Albuquerque (70) and finished the season with the Rockies. After scuffling at Hartford in 2016, the 22-year-old became much more adept at understanding his swing, according to farm director Zach Wilson.

“He’s understanding he could let his swing play for him naturally, and he didn’t to have to overswing to make things happen for him.”

The lefthanded-hitting McMahon was able to find a more level swing after adding loft to it in 2016 in a quest for more home runs caused his swing to get somewhat loopy and uphill. A natural third baseman, he learned to play first base last year, which some scouts think is his best position, and second base this year, where he is passable but very good around the bag.

Best Pitcher: RHP Peter Lambert

Lambert went 9-8, 4.17 in 26 starts at high Class A Lancaster, where 23 of the 66 earned runs he allowed came in three starts. He finished fourth in the California League in ERA and innings (142.1) and third in WHIP (1.24).

Considering his youth, Lambert is “one of the more advanced pitchability guys that we’ve had in our system,” according to Wilson. Lambert made big strides this season with his curveball, which has become a solid-average pitch, as is his changeup, which has fading action and will get better with continued innings and use against righthanded batters.

Wilson said Lambert, who sits at 92 mph with his fastball, “has a chance to have three plus pitches as he moves along, with an increase in velocity as he matures physically.”

Keep An Eye On: OF Sam Hilliard

Wilson said Lancaster outfielder Hilliard “has a chance to be a five-tool player.” He mostly played right field this season, where he has a solid-average arm and makes routine plays. Late in the season he was introduced to first base.

Hilliard, 23, has plus bat speed from the left side, plus raw power and is a plus runner despite being 6-foot-5. He hit .300/.360/.487 with 21 homers and finished second in the California League with 92 RBIs and third in runs (95), hits (161) and stolen bases (37).

“Right now, he has a more pull-oriented swing,” Wilson said, “but he’s learning how to use the left side of the field, and I think his power will come even further along as he really understands how to do that with consistency.”