RADIO
PROSPECT: Brian Van Belle, SP, Boston Red Sox
ANALYSIS: The Boston Red Sox signed Van Belle as an undrafted free agent out of Miami after the 2020 shortened draft. Known for a dynamic changeup, Van Belle was undrafted due to a low-90s fastball and a below-average curve as his other offerings at draft time.
Van Belle has worked to develop his pitches, gaining shape on his fastball and improving the command and control on his 12-6 curve, allowing him to pound the strike zone with an easily repeatable delivery. However, after finishing out 2022 in Double-A and posting a 5.31 combined ERA over 137 1/3 innings, most assumed Van Belle would be a filler arm in the minors.
This season, the fastball and curve have continued to be located well, but Van Belle has done well adding a second grip to his change that offers two different looks and has led to a ton of poor contact. Van Belle's easy delivery has allowed him to be one of the top innings guys in the minors this year and he's posted a 1.50 ERA over three starts so far in June, posting a 16/5 K/BB rate.
VERDICT: Van Belle is likely going to be more valuable in real life than in fantasy as a backend starter that chews up innings. While he's working himself into plans for 2023 in Boston, his ultimate fantasy value will likely be low as he's going to have a low strikeout rate and lacks overwhelming stuff. Watch for now, but be ready to pounce at backend starter value if he's called up.
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