Top LHP in 2009 Baseball Draft

1. Tyler Matzek - Capistrano Valley HS (California) senior… 6-3, 185… L/L… 18 years old… threw no-hiiter March 20… fastball in 89-92 range… has hit 94… fastball drops to 86-89 in the stretch… mid-70s curve… nice slider averages 82… and change… throws ¾ arm angle… most consider him the top lefty in the draft… 2009: threw no-hitter March 20.

2. Matt Purke - Klein (Texas) HS… 6-3, 170, L/L… 89-92 mph fastball, tops off at 95… curve break at 78… slider in the 90 range… 2-7 74-77 changeup… 18 years old… needs some meat on his bones… In October 2008, Baseball America had Purke as the 5th overall pick in the draft… BA ranks him as the 3rd top high school prospect this year… considered by some as the 2nd top arm in the draft… March ’09: fastball now topping at 97. Slender frame… throws from a low ¾ delivery… high character kid…

3. Mike Minor - Vanderbilt junior… 6-4, 210… has allowed only five extra-base hits in 32 innings through March 2009… previously drafted in 2006 (13th round) by Tampa Bay… 200: 103.0 IP, 8.8 K/9, 2.4 BB/9… has pitched in low 90s, topping out at 94… change-up, curve, and slider… numbers through 4-7-09: 2-3, 3.55, 43K, 12BB, 46.0 IP… pressing. Velocity down… has allowed only 7 exra-baed hits in 46 innings thru 4-7… From John Sickles: Was getting attention pre-season as a top lefty in the draft, but has likely fallen behind Brouthers. Minor is 4-4, 3.93 with a 79/24 K/BB in 73 innings, 74 hits allowed, very good numbers within the Vanderbilt context, though not exceptional. Listed at 6-4, 195, he has an 88-92 MPH fastball, a curve, slider, and changeup, and seems like a safe pick that could be the second choice for a lot of teams in the second half of the round.

4. Brooks Raley – (up from 11th) - Texas A&M… 6-3, 185, L/L, sophomore… 2008: 2nd team freshman All-American selection… 7-2, 4.76 in 18 games… moving up the charts… as of 4/23: Over 62 1/3 IP, he's allowed only 40 hits (.189 opponents' batting average) and 16 walks while striking out 65. Also an outfielder, he's leading the team with a .354 average and 21 steals… 8 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K on 4/25… From John Sickles: Raley is having a statistically dominant season, going 7-1, 1.96 with an 84/19 K/BB in 78 innings, 51 hits allowed. He's also playing great as an outfielder, hitting .318/.443/.459 with 33 walks and 21 steals in 157 at-bats, demonstrating athleticism though scouts prefer him on the mound. His fastball is average at 87-89 MPH, but his curveball, slider, and changeup are all solid, and his control is very good. His athleticism and command should help him stay healthy. His lack of a plus fastball, as well as his sophomore status and resultant leverage, make it very unclear where he will fall on draft day… 5/6: 1.96 RRA in 78 IP… 5/6: Baseball Draft Report has him as 3rd LHP drafted…

5. Rex Brothers – Lipscomp – 6-1, 205… – been skyrocking up mock drafts… fastball 93-94 range, touching 96… slider at 86-88… 15 scouting directors in stands for April 3rd game vs. Kennesaw State/prospect Kyle Heckathorn… 12Ks… thru 4/23: 4-4, 2.37, 94K, 29BB, 65.0 IP… 4/30: 4-5, 3.01, only 51 hits in 68.2 IP, 101Ks, 35 BB… From John Sickles: Brouthers is moving rapidly up draft lists. He has 3.01 ERA with a 101/35 K/BB in 69 innings this spring, 51 hits allowed, demonstrating an exceptional K/P ratio. He's dominating with excellent stuff, hitting 94-96 MPH with the heater and using a nasty slider. His changeup needs work and his command is still sloppy, but his ceiling is very impressive and he could be the first college lefty drafted…. 5/17: Second only to Strasburg with 120 strikeouts this year


6. Andrew Oliver - (down from #5) - Oklahoma State… 6-3, 212… L/L… 28.9%K; however. 6.67 ERA through March 2009 this season… a native of Vermilion, Ohio… sophomore season: 7-2 in 15 games… 2.20, 96K/98.1 IP… 2008: earned 1st team All-Big 12… 2nd team All-American by Rivals,com… 2-20 ERA… pitched for Team USA… In October 2008, Baseball America had him as the 11th overall pick in the draft… as of 4/6/09: has allowed 13 doubles and five home runs, resulting in a 5.91 ERA… not afraid ti come inside to right handed hitters… fastball touches 95… velocity maintained in late innings… must work on secondary pitches… 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 10 K on 4.25… From John Sickles: Rated as the top college lefty by some sources pre-season, due to his combination of above average stuff with sharp command, Oliver has had a disappointing spring, going 5-4, 4.96 with a 75/28 K/BB in 62 innings, 62 hits allowed. His K/IP and H/IP marks are actually not bad, but he's lacked consistency. His stock is down, but as long as there are no health concerns, someone could still take a shot on him late in the first round. Some theorize that Oliver has been knocked a bit off-kilter emotionally by the circumstances regarding the NCAA lawsuit, and will perform better once in pro ball… end of season: 5-6, 4.83, 14 starts, 90K, 78.1 IP…


7. Tyler Skaggs - (down from #5) - Santa Monica (Calif.) HS… 6-5, 190… many project as high as Matzek… high 80s fastball… 12-6 curve in the 60s… projectable frame… coachable… good mound poise…


8. Chris Rusin - Kentucky… senior… 6-2, 190… L/L… 2009 Wallace Preseason Watch List… 2008 First-Team All-SEC (coaches)… drafted in the 23rd round of the 2008 draft by the Athletics… very little support in2008, but still turned a 6-3, 3.33 ERA…. Good fastball and excellent command of breaking ball

9. James Paxton - (down from 6th) - Kentucky… dominated SEC… 37.9% K 4.8% BB… born in Canada… 6-4, 210… 97 mph fastball, slurve, changeup… 4-0, 3.30, 47K/6BB/30.0 IP through March 2009… Through 3-25-09, Paxton is 4-0, 3.30 with 47 strikeouts and six walks in 30 innings. On March 20, he out-dueled Vanderbilt lefthander Mike Minor, striking out 10 in 6.2 innings… roughed up lately, but still touching 97 mph… From John Sickles: Paxton has an unattractive 5.40 ERA, but this is around average for his context, and his other numbers are sharp: 97/17 K/BB in 65 innings, 68 hits allowed, giving him K/IP, K/BB, and H/IP marks that are all very strong for the context in which he's pitching. His biggest weakness is a high home run rate, with 10 dingers given up. Paxton is 6-4, 215 and has been clocked as high as 95 MPH. He's from Canada and is a bit raw compared to some other college pitchers, but has a very high ceiling. He could go anywhere in the first or second round… for season: 5-2, 5.30, 109K, 20BB, 73.0IP…


10. Tyler Lyons – (up from 15th) - Oklahoma State… 6-2, 207… S/L… 2nd team all-Big 12… 12 wins in 2008… 7-1, 2.99 in conference… on Team USA… excellent curve… fastball command


11. Beau Wright - (down from 6th) - Los Alamitos HS; Los Alamitos, CA. 6′2, 205… 89-92 fastball… big curve… fastball in the low 90s… big breaking ball… does not have third pitch developed…

12. Ian Krol – (down from 7th) – Nequea Valley HS (Ill.)… 6-1, 180… high 80s sinker… good curve… suspended for season so off he goes..

13. Daniel Bibona – (down from 8th) - UC Irvine…5-11, 165… mid-80s fastball… flawless control… compared to Tom Glavine… thru 5/6: 2.13 ERA…

14. Chad James (up from #41) - Bishop Verot HS, Fort Myers, Fla. Strong, pro body indicates his 88-90 mph fastball has room to grow… moving up the charts… now mid-90s…

15. Garrett Hughes - La Costa Canyon H.S,… 6-7, 235… Names to Underarmour all-American team… 2008 high school season: 6-1, 77K66.0 IP, no hitter…

16. Neal Davis - Virginia… 6-6, 210… L/L… junior… relief pitcher… 2008: 1.58… averaged 9.7 Ks per 9IP… ALL-ACC team…

17. Justin Marks – (up from 28th) - Louisville… junior… 6-3/195… L/L… 2009 Brooks Wallace Watch List… 2009 Preseason BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year… 2007 PING! Baseball All-American… 2007 BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week (4/30)… 2007 Rivals National Freshman of the Week (4/30)… 2008: named first team All-BIG EAST and second team All-America by PING...invited to compete at the 2008 USA Baseball National Team camp… Posted a 9-2 record with a 2.37 ERA in 91.0 innings, limiting opponents to a .220 average.

18. Steven Rodriquez - Gulliver Prep (FL)… 6-2, 210… named to underarmour All-American team… “Paco”… #7 LHP in the state of Florida according to Prospectswire.com... member of the 2007 U-16 USA National Team …

19. Kraig Sitton - Oregon State… 6-5, 190, L/L, draft eligible sophomore… was 1-3, 4.41 this summer for Spokane/WCCBL… 2008: 22 G, 2-0, 3.91, 23 Ks

20. Matt Way - Washington State… 6-2, 182, L/L, senior… 2008: 18 appearances, 5 starts… 4.01 ERA…

21. Nick Kirk - Northern Iowa… 6-1/200… B/T… senior… 2008: 10 G, 9 starts… 3.84, 4-7… threw no-hitter on March 28 vs. Evansville

23. Matt Packer – (down from 18th) - Virginia… 6-0, 200… R/L… junior… led the NCAA with the lowest ERA, 1.14… 25 appearances, with 4 starts… opposing teams only hit .202

24. Dallas Keuchel - Arkansas… 6-3, 200, Junior, L/L… named allstar this summer in Cape Cod League… 2008: 4-3, 4.58, 74.2 IP, 61 K

25. Nick Hernandez - Tennessee… junior… 6-4/200… L/L… 2008: 14 G, 13 starts… 82.2 IP, K:BB 7.0…

26. David Holmberg - Port Charlotte HS… 6-4, 215… #31 in the state of Florida according to Prospectswire.com… #51 on Baseball America's list of Top 100 High School Prospects… led the state last season with 114 strikeouts and was 6-1 with a 0.70 ERA… over the last four games of the season, struck out 58 in 29 innings with a personal-best of 16 against Southeast

27. Miers Quigley - Alabama… was drafted in the 36th round of the 2008 draft by the Twins… 2008: 5-4, 5.58 ERA in 16 games (12 starts). 3-year college record: 10-15, 5.03.

28. Robbie Erlin – (unlisted) - Scotts Valley HS (CA)… 5-11, 160… R/L… tossed no-hitter week 5/4… FB touches 91… solid curve 70-73… good command… reminds one of Billy Wagner… one of best deliveries for a high schooler… projected out of the pen

29. Travis Smink - Virginia Military… 2008: 6-1, 1.88, 1.059 WHIP, 1.4 BB/9, 7/1 K/9, in 62.1 IP… all-league first team pick

30. Patrick Schuster – Mitchell H.S. (FL) – threw 3rd consecutive no-hitter on April 12… 8-0, 0.66 through 4/15… committed to Florida. This is getting a little ridiculous.. he threw his 4th consecutive no-hitter on 4/20…

31. Joe Serafin - Vermont… named to the 2009 Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Award Preseason Watch List ... picked up a save in a 4-3 win over Team USA in June of 2007 striking out five and walking one in three innings ...

32. Jordan John - Calallen HS… 6-3, 195, R/L… signed with Oklahoma… 85-87 fastball… 76 change-up…

33. Jeff Dennis - Binghamton… 6-6, 215, senior… 2008: 4-5, 3.97 in 14 starts… 62K/81.2IP… .203 OBA…

34. Brendan Lafferty - UCLA… 6-5, 215, R/L… played the summer for Mankato in the Northwoods League… went 4-1, 3.93… 2008: 33 relief appearances… 4-3, 3-74, 56K/67.1 IP.

35. Riley Boening - Texas… 6-3, 210… redshirted sophomore in 2008: academic all-Big12… 13 games, 10 starts, 3-1, 6.34

36. Wes Musick - Houston…. 6-0, 190, L/L, junior…

37. Tyler Kehrer - Eastern Illinois - through 3/09: 2-1, 4.99, 37K/31.0 IP… fastball in 90-93 range… slider and change-up…

38. Sam Selman - St. Andrew’s Episcopal HS (TX)… 6-3, 160… R/L… FB: 88-89, hit 92… breaker: 70… signed with Vanderbilt…

39. Austin Woods – Texas, senior… 6-2, 190, L/L… academic All-Big 12… 2008: 27 G, 14 starts, 7-3, 4.43, 42K, 85.1 IP

40. Josh Spence – (down from 27th) - Arizona State – junior… as of 4/6/09: 6-0, 1.17, 72-16 K/BB in 54 IP… velocity not as high as scouts like… fastball maxes out at 86… Tom Glavine type… through 4/23: 8-0, 1.56, 89K, 69 IP… was drafted in 25th round of the 2008 draft by Arizona… thru 5/6: 2.23 in 75.1IP… 5/11: out for the rest of the season with a tendon strain in his pitching arm.

41. Ian Thomas – VCU – named CAA pitcher of the month 4/20:

42. Brian Johnson – Cocoa Beach HS (FL)…6-4, 220 L/L

43. Brian Morgado – Tennessee – 6-3, 205, L/L

44. Paul Applebee – (unlisted) – UC Riverside

45. Mike Belfore – (unlisted) – Boston College…

46. Kent Emmanuel – (unlisted) – Woodstock HS…

47. Jordan Cooper – (unlisted) – Farragut HS…

48. Buddy Baumann – (unlisted) – Missouri State…

49. Donnie Joseph – (unlisted) – Houston…

50. Lance Hoge – (unlisted) – Kansas State…

51. John Pokomy – (unlisted) – Kent State…