Resly Linares

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #30 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Signed for $275,000, Linares made an outstanding initial impression by dominating the Dominican Summer League in 2015 in his pro debut, going 0-3, 1.11 with 59 strikeouts and only 44 baserunners allowed in 48.2 innings. After a hiccup in 2016, he’s been effective in each of the past two seasons as well. He’s demonstrated an ability to pitch as he’s getting outs through location and deception more than stuff at this point.
  
  Scouting Report: The hope is that Linares will fill out his 6-foot-2 frame and added weight and strength will give him an above-average fastball. It hasn’t happened yet and right now, Linares lacks an above-average pitch, much less a plus offering. But he can get outs right now with a 90-92 mph average fastball and a fringe-average slurvy breaking ball that slides back and forth from slider to curveball. He does manipulate the break on it and it’s maddening for lefties. His changeup is a below-average pitch, but he does continue to use it and try to develop it. Linares’ effectiveness right now revolves around moving his fastball around the zone with advanced command and control for his age. But if he adds 3-4 mph more, which is possible if he adds weight, everything will play up. Linares delivery is clean and he has a fast arm.
  
  The Future: Linares knows how to pitch, but he’s still all about projection. If he gets stronger, he could be a solid No. 4 starter, but he has a ways to go to get there. He’s ready for high Class A Charlotte.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #24 prospect in 2018
  Linares joins Austin Franklin as the top young Rays pitchers on the verge of taking their prospect status to another level. After the Rays uncharacteristically had him skip the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2016, shortly after signing with Tampa Bay for $275,000 out of the Dominican Republic, Linares excelled in the short-season New York-Penn League last year, limiting hitters to a league-low .171 average. Linares has a lightning-quick arm with clean mechanics and a repeatable delivery. Featuring an athletic build with plenty of room to add strength to his wiry frame, he possesses solid command of his 89-91 mph fastball and tight curveball that features a hard, late break. His changeup is promising, but he needs to soften the pitch by increasing the depth. Only 20, Linares is learning how to focus on every pitch while discovering how to break down hitters. Those traits should improve as he matures mentally and physically, which makes his potential so intriguing. Linares is projected to graduate to the full-season ranks in 2018 at low Class A Bowling Green.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #30 prospect in 2017
  Signed for $275,000, Linares established himself as a prospect to watch with an excellent professional debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2015. He skipped past the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and advanced to Rookie-level Princeton after extended spring training in 2016. Linares had mixed results in the Appalachian League but showed flashes, and his lithe frame offers significant projection. He has a wide-shouldered frame and a loose, fast arm that accelerates well. Linares pitches mostly at 89-92 mph and touches 94, but he projects to add velocity as he matures physically. His best offspeed pitch is his curveball, which shows tight rotation and hard 1-to-7 break. Linares's changeup is in its nascent stages and will be a developmental point of emphasis going forward. He is a promising athlete with a repeatable delivery, though his skin-and-bones body holds him back from being a truly elite prospect. Linares is a candidate to advance to a full-season league in 2017, though he could have another stop short-season ball to gain strength and reps.