2009 Draft - Top RHPs

RHP:
1. Steven Strasburg - San Diego State… 6-5, 220… 56.9 K% 5.4 BB%, 100 mph fasball, but slider may be best pitch... really a slurve… 80-82… changeup: 80-82… 74 Ks in 34 IP through March 2009… 2008: 97.1 IP 12.3 K/9 1.5 8.3 K/BB… In his first start at the Olympics, Strasburg one-hit Netherlands over seven innings-- striking out five of the first six batters he faced… everyone has him being picked number one in the draft… through 4-1-09: 5-0, 42.1 IP, 24H. 8ER. 8BB. 88K, .161BA, 1.70ERA

2. Alex White - 2.7/1 K:BB… some mechanical concerns… hit on early this season… 20 years old… was drafted in 14th round by the Dodgers in 2007… fastball in 93-96 range… slider and spitter… 2.83 ERA in 15 games, 13-3, 113 Ks last year for Tarheels… 6-3, 200… some say he hasn’t developed since his high school days, but does have a pro-like fastball… currently projects out as a middle reliever in the Bigs.

3. Aaron Crow - Unsigned 9th overall pick in 2008… projected as SP2… 6-3, 195, R/R… 2008 NCBWA All America… 2008: 3.57 ERA in 117.2 IP… Friday night starter… led team with 90Ks… some question his mechanics… mid-90s fastball… excellent hard slider…

4. Kyle Gibson - Missouri - 2nd in country through March 2009 with 54 Ks… junior… 6’6” 195… 2008: 86.2 IP, 10.0 K/9, 2.4 BB/9… 2007 Baseball America Cape Cod League Top Prospect… Baseball America projects him as the 9th overall pick in the draft… fastball: 91-92, tops at 93… above-average sinker… changeup 80-82… command and poise… definitely a first round pick.

5. Zach Wheeler – 6-4, 180… 95 mph fastball, sinker, curve, good mechanics… turning 19… East Paulding HS, Dallas, Ga…. went 8-3 for East Paulding High School in 2008 with a 1.31 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 64 1/3 innings.

6. Shelby Miller - 94 mph fastball, sinker, two breakers… touched 97 this spring… 18 years old… Brownwood (Texas) HS… solid command of off-speed pitches… mid-70’s breaking ball…

7. Tanner Scheppers - top '08 prospect before injury… 95 mph fastball, slider… 40.1% K… 12.8% BB… indy pitcher for St. Paul Saints…

8. Jacob Turner – 94 mph fastball… good curve and change… 6-4, 205… turning 18… Westminster Christian Academy, St. Louis… Pitched for Westminster Christian Academy, opponents, 5-2, 1.45, 92K/43 1 IP… Baseball America projects Turner as the 12th pick overall…

9. Tim Clubb - Missouri State… Junior… R/R… 6-2, 190… 2008 MVC Pitcher of the Year… 2008: 11-0, 2.52 ERA, 82K, 103.2 IP… known for his command… fastball only hits high 80s…

10. Bryan Berglund - Royal HS… 6-4, 185… committed to Loyola Marymount… excellent slider, 80-82, sharp break…

11. Alex Wilson - Junior… 6-1, 205, R/R… 91-95 mph fastball… sits at 94… slider 82-85… 80-81 curve… had TJS and redshirted the 2008 season… 38.8% K 6.4% BB … Texas A&M… 49:8 strikeout-to-walk ratio … 2006 freshman All-American… 6-1, 205

12. Ryan Berry - Rice… 6’1”, 195… 91 mph fastball, 82 mph pro curveball, 84 mph slider… 4-0, 1.96, 31K/37.0 IP through March 2009… also led nation through March with three complete games… and two shutouts… MVP of Houston College Classic… 2007: 11-3, 3.01, 125 K…

13. Andrew Carraway - Virginia… 2008: as starter: 4-3, 4.06, 87Ks… career: 13-3, 3.44, 34BB, 172 K, 162.2 IP… named all-star last summer in Cape Cod League… 3.47 grade point average…

14. Jerry Sullivan - Oral Roberts… junior… 6-4, 200, R/R… 2008: 9-2 record with a 3.88 ERA in 18 appearances and 15 starts

15. Brooks Pounder - Temecula Valley HS… 5-11, 150… R/R…

16. Kendal Volz - Baylor… 6-5, 225, R/R junior… Baseball America ranked him the 6th MLB draft prospect… pitched for the USA baseball national team this summer…

17. Mike Leake - Arizona State junior… 6-0,1 80, R/R… – pitched most innings in country through March, 40.0… 1.35 ERA… 32.4% K 4.7%... sophomore season: 16 G, 11-3, 3.49, 121.1 IP, 104K, 20BB… 88-94 fastball, sits at 91… hard slider 79-82… 73-76 curve… plus, plus command… a 70 on the scouting scale… as of 4/6/09: 7-1, 1.29, 62-13 K/BB, 56 IP.

18. Scott Bittle - (up from #22) Mississippi… 6-2, 195… drafted by Yankees in 2nd round of the 2008 draft… Named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List honoring the nation’s top player ... 2008: 27 appearances… .145 OBA, 1.78 ERA, 130K/70.2 IP… 2009 so far: named SEC pitcher of the week 4/6 by the College Baseball Blog… 2 wins in 2 starts… 13K vs. Kentucky.. 0 BB.

19. Trevor Cahill - In October 2008, Baseball America had him as the 4th overall pick in the draft…

20. Luke Demko - Rhode Island… senior… 6-6, 290, R/R… So far in 2009: Tallied seven strikeouts in 2.1 innings of relief to earn his first win of the season against NC State on Feb. 20... Earned his first save of the season pitching one inning in a 3-0 victory over No. 8 Miami (Fla.)... Pitched two scoreless innings against Fairfield to earn his second save of the season on March 5…

21. Eric Pettis - UC Irvine…6-2, 200… 2008: 15 saves… 28 relief appearances… 1.76 ERA, 4-2, 46K/41.0 IP… one of the five semifinalists for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year award.






22. Brad Boxberger - USC… 6-2, 200… R/R… closer turned starter… averages 95 fastball plus cutter and good slider… 25.5% K 12.7% BB… has 25 walks through 32 innings through March this year… played in Cape Cod League in 2007: 1-0, 1.24…

23. Matt Vaughn - Clemson… senior… 6-3, 215, R/R… 2008: 1-2, 3.15, 11 saves… 3-year career: 5-3, 3.98, 12 saves, 59 appearances

24. Kendal Volz - Baylor… junior… 6-5, 225, R/R… fastball 88-92, tops at 97… slider 79-82… changeup 81-84… very good command… had 0.00 ERA and went 8-for-8 in save opportunities for college team... Baseball America has him as the 13th pick overall in the draft…

25. Keyvius Sampson - Forest HS; Ocala, FL. 6′1, 180… fastball in 90-92 range… has hit 95… excellent mechanics…

26. Kyle Bellamy - Miami… junior… 6-5, 220… 2nd team Rivals All-American… many consider the top relief pitcher in draft… over 2 years: 53 G, 90K/72.2 IP, 1.24 K/IP… 2008: 1.86

27. Tim Boyce - Rhode Island… 6-2, 183, R/R… RS Junior… So far in 2009: Stuck out seven batters in four innings against NC State on Feb. 20... Tallied seven K's with just four hits to earn his first win of the season against Duquesne on Feb. 28… 2008: 0.89 ERA, 5 saves.

28. Louis Coleman - LSU… 6-4, 190, S/R, senior… was drafted in the 14th round by the Redskins in the 2008 draft… was also drafted in the 28th round of the 2006 draft by the Braves… will be primary reliever in 2009…

29. Bobby Gagg - Coastal Carolina… 6-0, 215, R/R… 2008: 6-3, 3.28 in 14 starts, 54Ks/85IP

30. Todd Roth - Penn… freshman… 6-2/195, R/R… 2008: 14 games, 11 starts, 4-5, 2.32

31. Chad Thompson - El Toro HS; Trabuco Canyon, CA Specs: 6′8, 215,… has hit 94… good downward plane… clean delivery…

32. Nick Gaudi - Pepperdine… 6-4, 202, R/R, senior… summer 2008: BA ranked #10 Northwood League prospect… 1.35, 31/3 K/BB, 13 saves… 2008: named to the Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List… 15 saves, 29 appearances, 2.68

33. Justin Sarratt - (up from 35th) - Clemson… junior… 5-9, 170… excellent control… All-ACC academic team… 2008: 2-2, 4.34 in 27 appearances… 4-6-9: named ACC POW: beat #1 ranked Georgia… retired 17 batters in a row.


34. Chris Jenkins - Westfield HS; Westfield, NJ 6′7, 225, Bats R, Throws R… has hit 95, averages 91… 2008: 94K/50.0 IP, 1.60… thows from downhill plane… basically one pitch pitcher at this stage…

35. Aj Griffin - San Diego… junior… 6-5, 215, R/R… 2008: 29 appearances, 1.96 in 48.0 IP… 14 saves Louisville Slugger 3rd team A/A.

36. Christian Bergman - UC Irvine… 3/28/2009: 8.0IP, 0ER vs. #10 UC Irvine

37. Jake Morgan - Mississippi… sophomore… R/R, 6-1, 230… 2008: 19 appearances, 41.1 IP, 38K, 14BB, 3.70

38. Daniel Tuttle - Senior, Randleman HS; Randleman, NC. 6′2, 185… in 90-92 range… has hit 93… good curve… has a plus-slider… slight mechanics problem… only medium size… low ¾ delivery…

39. Justin Robichaux - Louisiana-Lafayette… junior… R/R, 6-2, 205… honor roll… 2008: 9 saves… 21 appearances, 19H, 31.1 IP

40. Matt Graham - Oak Ridge HS; Spring, TX. 6′4, 215… very raw… mid-90 fastball … right now, he’s a one pitch pitcher… very slow worker… rated as one of the top 5 prep pitchers this year… basically a thrower that needs to be taught how to pitch… a project.

41. Matt Hobgood - Norco HS; Norco, CA. 6′4, 245… 91-95 range, sinker, 4-seamer…

42. Nate Garcia - Santa Clara… Junior… 6-0, 210,,, plays outfield also… 200*; 14 appearances, 13 starts… 86.1 IP, 75 K, 3.65 ERA

43. Chris Fetter - Michigan… Senior… 6-8, 230 R/R… All-America candidate… 2008: career 13-5 in Big-10… carrer 161 Ks… 16 games in 2008, 14 starts – 10 wins, 2.47, .209 OBA

44. Madison Younginer - Mauldin HS; Simpsonville, SC. 6′3, 190… 91-94 fastball… 75 mph curve… over past 2 years: 6-1-1… verbally committed to Clemson…

45. Garrett Gould - 6-3, 190… Maize H.S. (Kansas)… member of underallamerica team… 12-6 curve…







46. Scott Griggs - San Ramon Valley H.S. (CA.)… low-90’s fastball that has hit 95…

47. Jason Stoffel - Arizona – many consider nation’s top reliever in draft… was named Pitcher of the Week in Pac-10 for Mar. 9 – 15…

48. Sam Dyson - South Carolina… draft-eligible sophomore… 98 mph fastball…

49. Drew Storen - Sophomore… Stanford… 6-2, 175… switch-hitter… fastball in 89-95 range… fast curve averages 80-81… good college reliever with slight command problems…

50. Clayton Ehlert - Texas A&M… Junior… 6-1/195/R/R… 2008: 16 games, 11 starts, 6-2, 3.41, 4.8 L/BB… 48 K, 10 BB, 69 IP

51. Ryan Buch - Monmouth… Junior… 6-3, 195, R/R… 2007 Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year… very good curveball… 2nd straight season named to Brooks Wallace Watch List

52. Colby Holmes - Conway HS (SC)… 5-11/190/R/R… fastball has hit 94… arm action excellent… curve in high 70s… change 78… committed to South Carolina… projects as closer… rated by Baseball America as No. 9 best high school prospect at 2009 Under Armour Preseason All-America Tournament… rated No. 4 best high school player in the state of South Carolina by Diamond Prospects… rated No. 7 best high school player in the state of South Carolina by PG Crosschecker… played on 2008 17-U Diamond Devils summer team that won the 17-U World Wood Bat Association National Championships as well as the Continental Amateur Baseball Association 18-U Wood Bat World Series

53. Scott Swinson - Maryland… Junior… 6-1, 185, R/R… weekend ace… plus fastball, excellent change-up, breaking ball… 2008: 13 stars, 5 wins, no-hitter, 71Ks

54. Mike Ojala - Rice… Junior… 6-3, 195… good breaking ball… 2008: 5-0 in 12 starts… 10.6K/9… 3.2 K/BB

55. Blake Smith - California… Junior… 6-2, 220… on Wallace Watch List… pitched this summer for USA National team… 2008: 3-0, 3.80, 36Ks, 21.1 IP… great hitter

56. Andrew Robinson - Georgia Tech… Junior… 6-1, 182, R/R… live fastball, good slider, changup… long relief pitcher… 2008: 33 appearances, 0.86 K/IP, 4-2.
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57. Steven Mazur - Norte Dame… Junior… 5-11, 195, R/R… sharp slider… sTrike thrower… mid-80’s… summer 09: 5-0, 3 saves, 0.99 in 24 appearances…

58. Brandon McClurg - Lipscomb… Senior… 5-11, 175, R/R… 200* 6-5, 2.70, 69 Ks 76.0 IP

59. Mike Nesseth - Nebraska… Sophomore… 6-5, 220, R/R… 2008 #2 prospect in Northwoods League… BA #63 prospect for 2009 college draft… 2008: 4-1, 4 saves, 3.58

60. Colin Bates - North Carolina… RS sophomore… 6-1, 170, R/R… 2008: 27 games… 2.78, 55.0 IP, 57Ks, 2.9:1 K/BB

61. Mike Nihsen - Creighton… Junior… 6-3, 200, R/R… 2008: 2.30 ERA, 14 starts… 70.1 IP, .231 OBA, all-star Northwoods League.

62. Nick McCully - Coastal Carolina… 5-11, 195 Freshman… named Big South Preseason Player of the Year… 2008: 10-3, 3.63, 24 appearances, 89.1 IP, 72K

63. Casey Upperman - Notre Dame Prep HS (AZ)… 6-0, 175, R/R… average size makes him project as RP… fastball in high 80s… has hit 91… quality change…

64. Bo O’dell - FSU… senior… 6-3, 210, R/R… 2008: 3.60, 21 appearances… went 5-1 as starter…

65. Mark Grbavac - Oregon State… Senior… 6-0, 185, R/R… summer: 11 appearances in Northwoods League, 1-1, 4.50… 2008: 22 appearances, 4-1, 3.61