2009 Draft - Top SS and 3B

SS:

1. Jiovanni Mier – (up from #2) - Bonita H.S. (FL) senior… 6-2, 175… R/R… solid defense… 18 years old … free swinger who should develop into someone with some pop… excellent attitude… committed to Southern Cal… BA ranked him as the 13th H.S. prospect… 2007: .479, 3 HRs, 30 RBI and 15 stolen bases… projects out as super-pro… From Lincoln Hamilton’s Top 30 draftees… #20 (only SS on list) Draft's best SS plus defender, great range and arm, above-average hitter, good bat speed age: 18.7… May 25th ProjectProspect’s mock draft: . 24) Los Angeles Angels - Jiovanni Mier, SS Bonita HS (CA) A smooth defender with plus range and a strong arm, Mier has the tools to be a good defensive shortstop as well as the bat speed and swing plane to hit for a solid average. The Angels greatly favor high school talent in the draft and aren't afraid of taking someone who falls due to signability.

2. Grant Green – (up from 3rd) - USC junior… 6-3, 180… .254 IsoP '08, started year as top prospect… hits with power… 14th round draft pick in 2006 by San Diego… 2008: 205 Abs, .390/.438/.644… 5-tools… earned All Conference and All American honors in 2008… named all-star in Cape Cod League… hits for average… 5-tool potential… through 4-7-9: 110 Abs, .375/.455/.552 with 11 walks and 22 strikeouts… being advised by Scott Boras…. As of 4/23: .372/.439/.577, 13 SB... a definite first rounder… strikeout rate high… thru 4/25: 8.6% walk ratio, 17.3% K ratio… Hasn't progressed from last year; stock is slipping… May 25th ProjectProspect’s mock draft: . 19) St. Louis Cardinals - Grant Green, SS USC As likely as the Marlins are to pick prep, the Cardinals are about as likely to select a college player with this pick. Green entered the year as a potential top three pick, after he was compared to Evan Longoria and Troy Tulowitzki. Only problem is that those two players are nothing alike, making for a nonsensical comparison that carried too much weight. A sluggish junior year has depressed his draft stock. He still could go much higher, to a team that still believes in what they saw out of Green in the Cape Cod League last summer, but as of now he's more likely to go in the middle of the first round. Green's low walk rate could be a deterrent to Sig Mejdal and the Cardinals' brain trust, but there are so few players with a realistic chance of playing shortstop in this draft that Green could be appealing.


3. Deven Marrero – American Heritage HS; Davie, FL. 6′0, 160, Bats R, Throws R… younger brother of Nats Chris Marrero… from realsportsbloggers: American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) shortstop Deven Marrero went 2-for-3 on Tuesday and is hitting .405/.472/.747 with seven home runs but a substandard 10-13 BB/K ratio in 23 games. Marrero is generally considered the second-best prep shortstop behind Jiovanni Mier of Bonita HS in LaVerne, Calif…. The latest of the Marrero clan (brother Chris and…well Chris, are in the Nationals and White Sox systems, respectively). Despite this pedigree, he’s completely different from his brothers. He’s regarded to be a solid defensive shortstop, but he’s not as big as either of his brothers. He has some solid power potential, but it’s hampered a bit by average bat speed. He should become a decent, but not great, stolen base threat. However, he is showing an improved approach at the plate (it’s still not great, but better than he was hitting last year). I think he’ll probably be the second high school shortstop taken, though the issue with him is that the Mariners will have to buy him off of the Hurricanes, to whom he’s commited to.

4. Chris Owings – Gilbert HS (SC) – 5-11, 170… R/R… good swing… above-average speed… small frame… for season: .400, 22 SB… 5/23 from BA: A South Carolina signee and the best prep hitter in the Palmetto State, Owings elicits a mixed reaction from scouts and college recruiters. For some, he evokes Gordon Beckham, the former Georgia All-American and No. 8 overall pick in 2008. Those who like Owings see strength in his forearms and some real juice in his bat, to go with average other tools across the board with a plus run tool. Others see tools but less feel for the game than Beckham displayed, and disagree with the rosy projections on Owings' power. In a year with few position players moving up boards, Owings has a chance to move into the second round, if not a bit higher.


5. D.J. LeMahieu - LSU… streaky, but solid… questionable defense… 2008: .337, 56 R, 44 RBI… played Cape Cod league last summer: .290, 1 HR, 13 RBI… questionable range… through 4/23: .349/.439/.500…

6. Nick Franklin – (up from #9) - Lake Brantley HS… 6-1, 170… 2008: .433 with six home runs, 12 doubles and 38 runs scored… 2008 playoffs: .594, 3 HRs, 12 RBI in 32 at bats… can also pitch and play the outfield… very strong arm… verbally committed to Auburn… getting late first-round attention

7. Robbie Shields - (down from 2nd) - Florida Southern… 6-0, 200, R/R… junior… 2008: led team in hits, .348, 9 HR, 36 RBIs… injured wrist in Cape Cod League this past summer… ability to hit high for average… great bat speed… limited defensively.

8. Joey Bergman – College of Charleston – 5/18: hitting .463 and has 22 doubles, 15 homers and 55 RBIs

9. Bryant Hernandez – Oklahoma… as of 4/7, top hitting SS in nation: .433/.472/.669… named Big 12 player of the week 4/27: .353 BA for season so far… thru 5/6: .369/9HRs.

10. Shaver Hansen – Baylor… junior… Phillips 66 POW 4-6-9: 3 HRs in same game vs. Baylor… thru 5/6: .330/15 HRs/48 RBIs…

11. Ryan Goins – Dallas Baptist… named starter on 2008 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Midwest All-Region Team… 2008: .318, 12 doubles, 2 HRs in 38 games… 2009 through 3-30: .375, 7 Hrs, 21 RBIs…signed with Waterloo Bucks in the Northwoods league… thru 5/6: .378/19HR/62 RBIs…

12. Cooper Moseley - Success Unlimited Academy (AL)… 5-11, 165 L-R… committed to Georgia… ranked as the No. 1 player in Alabama by Perfect Game in 2009

13. Stephen Perez – Gulliver Prep (FL)… senior… 5-11, 170, S/R… some ability to hit with power… below-average speed… solid arm… great instincts…

14. Drew Lee – Morehead State… thru 5/6: .456/17HRs/59RBIs…

15. Ben Orloff – UC Irvine… thru 5/6: .353… .973 fielding %...

16. Jedd Gyorko – West Virginia… thru 5/6: .395/6HRs/41RBIs

17. Reed Gragnani - Mills Godwin HS… 5-11, 180. S/R… verbal commit to Virginia… also plays second base…

18. Ryan Jackson - Miami junior… questionable bat, but excellent defense, in fact, considered one of the top defensive shortstops in the draft… 6-3, 185… R/R… has a plus arm for shortstop… good speed… through 4/23: just .260/.368/.390… falling on polls… projects out as a 30-35 runner… 4.6 down the line…

19. Chase Childers - Georgia State… senior… named CAA baseball player of the week on 4-6-09… as of 4-6-09:, 12-23, .522, 11 RBIs


20. Juan Martinez - Oral Roberts – senior . 4/13: named the Pro-Line Athelite of the Week: went 13-22 in 5 games for a weekly BA of .591.

21. Alfie Wheeler – High Point – senior… named Big South player of the week April 20… went 10-21 for the week prior, .476/.560/.619.

22. David Renfroe - South Panola HS (Miss.) – 6-3, 200, R/R… natural hitter… quick hands… uses the whole field… loft power is average… average runner… 4.3 down the line… excellent base runner, not base stealer… throws 93 as pitcher… terrific instincts… reminds some of David Wright.

23. Josh Prince – Tulane – through April: .363/.481/.534, 30SB-35A


24. Billy Hamilton – Taylorsville HS, Miss… raw tools… through April: .504, 4 HR, 14 doubles, 20 steals

25. Gary Helmick – Towson – senior… 4/27: player of the week: .425 BA on year…

26. Brandon Wilkoff – Illinois – junior – 5/4: named Big-10 hitter of the week: .692 for week… .923 slugging

27. Wes Satzinger – Andover Senior HS –

28. Mike Rooney – (unlisted) – UNC Wilmington – junior… 5/18: won CAA player of the week…





3B:

1. Matt Davidson - Yucaipa (Calif.) HS -6-2, 225… hits for average… Aflac All-America (won HR derby)… David Wright type ceiling… homered in first game in 2009… 18 years old… Yucaipa HS, Yucaipa, CA. 6′3, 210, Bats R, Throws R… verbally committed to Southern Cal… one of the best power hitters in this year's high school class… very good pull power… covers the plate well… speed is average… strong arm… could move to 1B soon… from realsportsbloggers, who picked Matt 23rd overall: This one was a tough one, and with the Nationals are back on the board, and they will have their choice between the top college lefty or the beginnings of the top of the prep class. With Strasburg already in the fold, the Nationals might choose one of the prep bats in an effort to keep some money free to sign some other guys in the lower rounds. That doesn’t mean they won’t get a top talent. Matt Davidson is the top prep bat in this draft. He is a big kid that might not remain at the hot corner, but his bat is good. His best tool is his bat, his power potential in particular, which is among the highest among the prep bats in this drat class. In addition, he also makes decent contact and has shown the beginnings of some plate discipline. There have been some reports that he has improved his defense to the point where he’s tolerable, and could be acceptable in time. So, Davidson is my pick here…for now anyway. The Astros haven’t been known to make the best draft picks when their turn comes up… 5/16: has 17 doubles and eight home runs in 110 plate appearances… 5/23 from BA: From Lincoln Hamilton’s Top 30 draftees… #12 (1st third baseman on list) Maybe best pure HS hitter, beautiful stroke, should hit for AVG and power, defensive ?' age: 18.1… May 25th ProjectProspect’s mock draft: . 27) Seattle Mariners - Matt Davidson, 3B Yucaipa HS (CA) Davidson may be the best high school pure hitter in the country. Maintaining great balance and good bat speed, Davidson has the natural strength and swing to hit for power, as well as a high average. Davidson has moved slightly down draft boards as teams tend to shy away from all-bat prospects with questionable gloves. Davidson is a rather poor runner and is questionable to stay at third base long-term. Even if he shifts to first, his bat should carry him. I assume Jack Z. will try and build the Mariners in a similar fashion as he helped the Brewers grow, Davidson is the type of big power, high probability bat that the Brewers managed successfully.


2. Bobby Borchering – Bishop Verot HS (FL)… – switch hitter… hits for power from both sides… 6'4" 190 lbs… look for conversion to OF… hit .429, with 5 HRs, through March 2009… 18 years old… Bishop Verot HS; Alva, FL Specs: 6′4, 190, Bats B, Throws R… projected to move to 1B… verbally committed to Florida… ranked No. 8 in the state of Florida according to Prospectswire.com, No. 1 3B… ranked No. 12 on Baseball America's list of Top 100 High School Prospects… ranked No. 16 on PG CrossChecker.com list of Top High School Prospects… 2008: batted .463 with 30 RBI, 15 doubles and six homers last season, with a .866 slugging percentage and a .577 on-base percentage… 2007: hit .427 as a sophomore with 33 RBI and five homers… 2009: 8 homers in first 55 Abs… through 4/23: 12 home runs over first 82 plate appearances… 5/16: 13 home runs over 107 plate appearances… 5/23: From Lincoln Hamilton’s Top 30 draftees… #27 (2nd third baseman on list) Advanced switch hitter w/ power from both sides, 6'4" 190 lbs may outgrow 3B age:18.5


3. Kyle Seager - North Carolina… junior… 6-1/187… also plays 3B… L/R… second team All-America in 2008… .381 (45-118) with 32 RBI in 29 ACC games… considered a pure hitter… pro arm… 2009 thru 4-1-09: .376, 1HR, 11 doubles, 20 RBIs in 28 G, .523 slug%, .461 OBP, 6-6 SB… good overall hitting ability though only limited power… 5/18: hitting .376 with 43 RBIs, 22 doubles…

4. Chris Dominguez - (up from #5) - Louisville… junior… 6-4, 240… R/R… 2009 Sporting News Preseason Player Of The Year… 2008: .365/13 doubles/21HR/75RBI. Drafted in the 5th round by the Colorado Rockies in 2008… massive… crushes the ball… too many Ks… A+ power… MLB arm… through 4/23: .340/.450/.613, 10 HRs… has refined his swing, walk rate much higher this season… defense still an issue… 5/18: hitting .362 with 19 homers… for the second year in a row, he was named Big East Player of the Year…

5. Anthony Rendon – Rice… thru 5/6: .374… 5/18: hitting .378 with 16 homers and 55 RBIs. He's also an excellent fielder…

6. Troy Channing – St. Mary’s CA… thru 5/6: .377/19 HRs… 5/18: hitting .379 with 20 homers and 75 RBIs…

7. Jayce Boyd - J.M. Tate Senior HS (FL)… 6-3, 170, R/R… very talented defensively… named the top prospect at the 2008 Under Armour Showcase… projects out as possible 1Bman…

8. Nick Cuckovich - Lambrick Park Secondary… 6-2, 190… RH… compact swing… excellent defensive player, especially arm speed… 7.07 in the 60…

9. Joey Rendon – College of Charleston… thru 5/6: .457/14 HRs/49 RBIs

10. Richard Shaffer - senior, Providence Sr. H.S. (NC)… 6-3, 190 R/R… heavy duty bat… projects out as a 30+ HR threat… not the best third baseman and could project out as a 1B….

11. Stuart Tapley - FSU… 5-10, 204… R/R… First team Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball and Rivals.com… 2008: .383/.472 OBP…

12. Tony Thompson – (up from 15th) – Kansas… thru 5/6: .363/15 HRs… 5/18: hitting .362 with 20 doubles, 17 homers and 71 RBIs…

13. Dan DiBartolomeo – (up from #17) – West Virginia… thru 5/6: .417… 5/18: hitting .428 with 18 doubles and 46 RBIs…

14. Brent Greer – (up from 18th) – Western Carolina… thru 5/6: .414… 5/18: hitting .406 with 18 doubles, eight homers and 45 RBIs…

15. Tom Mendonca – (up from 19th) – Fresno State – as of 4-7, best hitting 3B in nation: .327/.437/.700… 5/18: named WAC Player of the Year…


16. Jake Smith –(up from #20) - Alabama… thru 5/6: .357/16 HRs… 5/18: hitting .352 with 14 doubles, 17 homers and 48 RBIs…

17. Rawley Bishop – (up from #20) – Middle Tennessee State… thru 5/6: .389/9 HRs… 5/18: hitting .386 with 10 homers and 42 RBIs…

18. Mike Spina - Cincinnati… senior… 6-0, 219, R/R… drafted by the Twins in the 45th round of the 2008 draft… 2008: 21 HRs, 79 RBIs

19. Kevin Mahoney - Canisius… senior… 6-0, 195, L/R… all-time school leader in runs scored, hits, doubles, RBIs, and total bases… named 2008 Rawlings Coastal Plains Offensive Player of the Year: .324/47R/13 HR46 RBI/.593 SLG

20. Jacob Lamb - Bishop Blanchet HS… 6-3, 190 senior… slow 7.28 in 60… above-average arm…

21. Derek Spencer – Bowling Green – junior – named MAC player of the week 4/27… hitting for season as of 4/27: .384

22. Brian Besl – Ohio… senior… 5/11: named MAC player of the week: .583 OBP…