Top OFers in the 2009 MLB Draft

1. Dustin Ackey - UNC junior… 6-1, 184… L/R… pure hitter with developing power… .477 wOBA high average, and walk hitter with speed. Through 4-1-09: .421 with eight homers and 23 RBIs in 28 games... .729 Slug% .530 OBP… TJS over the summer… excellent base-runner… now limited to playing 1B instead of outfield… probably the best hitting in the country… as freshman: .402/.448/.591… led nation with 119 hits… as sophomore: .417/.503/.597… was hitting .415/.586/.707 in Cape Cod League before quitting for TJS… has superstar potential… 2009: as of 4/7: matched career high with 10 HR… also: .411/.520/.734… has enough athleticism to play the outfield, perhaps even center field… through 4/23: 395/.505/.716… many consider the best overall hitter in the country. Thru 4/25: .310 IsoP… thru 5/7: .395, 15 HRs, 47 RBIs… from BP: 5/12: It wasn't a good week for the Tar Heels, as one of the top teams in the country dropped two of three to sub-.500 North Carolina State. Scouts got what they wanted, however, as Ackley spent the entire series in center field after playing the majority of the year at first base due to some arm troubles. The difference in the draft between a guy who can hit and play center field and the same guy playing first base and possibly a little bit of center is massive, and now that Ackley is proving he can handle center field, his draft stock is sitting firmly in the first five picks. As for the hitting, we know he can do that; after two hits on Friday, a triple and two walks on Saturday, and a double and a home run on Sunday, his batting line is a very healthy .401/.510/.746. 5/12: played center field for 18 straight innings, effectively answering the questions about his ability to make the necessary throws and thus pushing his draft value… named ACC player of the year, as first baseman…

2. Donavan Tate - Cartersville HS, Georgia… 5-tool talent – may not sign due to commitment to UNC… 6-3, 200… 5-tools… runs 6.34 in 60-yard dash… 80 speed, 70+ arm, 60+ defense…in October 2008, Baseball America projected him as the seventh overall pick in the draft… committed to UNC. Football star as well…

3. Jason Kipnis - ASU junior… 6-0, 180… L/R… 18.9% BB .380 IsoP… 4th round pick '08… thru 4-1-09: .469, 9 HR, 39 RBI, .561 OBP, .919 slug%, 11-13 SB… polished.. limited power… strong for his size… through 4-7: .429/.536/.829… through 4-19: .383/.491/.780, 14 HR, 14SB… leads team in walks. Through 4/23: .403/.506/.763… 11 HRs, 15 SB, 29 BB, 16K/139AB… thru 5/6: .376/12HRs/58RBIs…

4. Kentrail Davis – (up from 5th) - strong & athletic… production down in '09… in October 2008, Davis was ranked as the projected 15th overall pick in the draft… 2009: as of April: stats way down in 2009 from last year… very well built… gap-to-gap power… great command of strike zone… threat to steal… below average throwing arm. As of 4/23: .297/.428/.525… strikeout rate high… a rival coach who saw him recently said Davis looked to be pressing…

5. Jared Mitchell – (up from 6th) - LSU sophomore… 6-0, 192, L/L… 5-tools… .316 IsoP, 29.3% BB, however, only K 18.3%, ++ speed… was drafted in the 13th round of the 2006 draft by the Twins… 2008: .297 (52-175), 10 doubles, 6 HRs, 29 RBIs, 44 R, 16 SB… thru 4/25: .310/.470/.595, 33 BB, but struck out 26.5% of at bats… may return to school to play football…

6. Tim Wheeler - Sacramento State junior… 6-4, 205… .718 SLG and 7 stolen bases through March 2009… plus speed and above average presence on the bases… limited power… through April 25: .383/.491/.780, 12 HRs and 14 stolen bases in 16 attempts… 5/16: Showing power/speed combo with .786 SLG and 15 stolen bases

7. Jake Marisnick - (up from #8) - Poly HS… 6-4, 200… toolsy… plus power and speed… turning 18… 2007: .495, 5 HR, 22 RBIs… verbally committed to Oregon… runs 6.7 60-yard dash; has 35.8-inch vertical leap… pure athlete…

8. A.J. Pollack – (Up from 14th) - Notre Dame… junior… 6-1, 200, R/R… great approach to plate… gap-to-gap line-drive hitter… above-average runner… a little flat footed… strength is hitting ability… also, has above average speed. Considered one of the top hitters in the draft… as of 4/23: 352/441/.528 with 15 steals in 19 attempts, 21 walks, 15 strikeouts in 142 at-bats…

9. Brett Nommensen - Eastern Illinois senior… 5-10, 190… as of 4-2-09, Nommensen leads the nation in OBP with .643… also: .518/.643/1.024, 10 HRs, 21 RBI, 5 SB in 24 G… 2008: .402… led the team in batting average, hits, multi-hit games, runs scored, doubles, slugging percentage, walks, on-base-percentage, stolen bases and outfield assists… 4-6-9: named Ohio Valley POW… hit .739 for the week… 2nd pow this year… as of 4/8: 17th rank nationally with 11 HRs… as of 4-7-09: .516/.642/1.022… April 21: out with a wrist injury

10. Aaron Miller, OF Baylor University –From BA: The two-way player is getting more attention as an outfielder, and in a recent series against Missouri, he went 4-for-12 with a homer, a double and three RBIs. He also pitched eight innings of relief in an extra-inning victory. For the season, Miller has hit .350 with 11 homers and 43 RBIs in 46 games

11. Ronnie Mitchell - Carroll HS (TX)… 6-0, 180, L/L… plus bat speed… power to all fields… projects out as RFer…

12. Slade Heathcott - Texas HS senior… 6-1, 196… L/L… power to all fields… big arm, pitched at 96mph… ACL reconstruction surgery last November…

13. Brett Jackson – (up from 16th) - California… junior, 6-2, 210… L/L… 2008: .307 4 home runs and 40 RBI… 53 stolen bases last season… through April 2009: Second in Pac-10 with 13 doubles… dubbed monster athlete with speed, power and CF skills… through 4/18: .331/.401/.586… team leading 44Ks in 157 Abs… as of 4/23: .331/.401/.586… needs to develop plate discipline… from BA: In a series against Oregon, Cal's leadoff hitter and center fielder went 4-for-16 with a triple, a double and an RBI. For the season, he's hit .326 with a .416 OBP, .568 SLG and 11 stolen bases in 14 attempts in 46 games

14. Mike Trout – (up from #31) - Millville HS (NJ) – from BA 5/8: - Every Draft class has a share of exciting toolsy high school outfielders and this one is no exception. Trout has been rising up Draft boards as the weather in the Northeast has improved and he showed his skill set recently in a game against Ocean City High School

15. Bryce Brentz – (unlisted) – Middle Tenn. State – thru 5/6: .457/21HR/58RBI…

16. Jabari Blash (unlisted) - Miami-Dade (Fla.) JC… 5/17: “Looking for a raw, five-tool talent? Jabari Blash is your man.” … had 10 homers in his first 99 at-bats.. 70 arm… 6-foot-5, 210 pounds… missed the 2008 season as an academic casualty at Alcorn State…

17. Brian Goodwin - 6-1, 185 high schooler hitting .500 with 8 SB through March 2009… well known for his excellence defense… very good speed… considered to have an above average arm… some pop… most of his power goes to the gaps… 6.5 speed… fast out of the box…

18. Randal Grichuk - Lamar HS (TX)… 6-1, 195, R/R… strong right fielder… pop in bat… 60-timr 6.9, 4.4 down line…

19. Kyle Colligan - Texas A&M… senior, 6-2, 210… R/R… 2008: first-team All-Big 12 selection in the outfield ... 67 R, 14 HR, .542 slug%, .421 OBP… hit two homers and driving in eight week of 4/20…

20. Tyler Holt – (previously unlisted) – Florida State… thru 5/6: .400/5HRs...

21. Matt den Dekker - Florida… High School All-American… 20-20 SB… 29W/24K… was named to the 2009 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Pro-Line Athletic Preseason All-America Team .. 2008: .333, 55R, 48 RBI, 8 HR, 20-20 SB…

22. Reggie Williams - Brooks-Debartolo HS (FL)… toosy… through April 2009: .576 with 41 stolen bases over first 12 games.

23. Matthew Moynihan – - Cathedral Catholic HS; San Diego, CA. 6′2, 205, Bats L, Throws, R… ability to hit… 6.6 60-time and 4.1 down the line… above average throw.

24. Tyler Townsend – (unlisted) – Florida International… thru 5/6: .431/18HR/63RBI…

25. Kent Matthes – (up from 53rd) – Alabama… one of best hitting seniors… solid…
through 4-7: .394/.481/.982… through 4/23: .394/.481/.976, 20 HRs, 9-10 SB… thru 5/6: .368/23HRs/69RBIs

26. Chase Leavitt - Arkansas… junior, 5-11, 185… R/L… right fielder… named to Rivals.com Preseason All-SEC team ... Played summer ball with the Harwich Mariners in the Cape Cod League… 2008: .366… led team in average (.366), runs scored (60), hit by pitch (13), on-base percentage (.505) and sacrifice hits (6).

27. Jarrett Parker – (unlisted) = Virginia… thru 5/6: .383/13HR…

28. Evert Williams – (up from 33rd) – McCallum HS… a little undersized, but has explosive tools and some polish to his bat

29. Reymond Fuentes - Fernando Callego HS… a future leadoff hitter with good running ability.

30. Kyle Conley - Washington… junior… 6-4, 209, R/R… 2008: named to all-Pac10 team… drafted by the Dodgers in the 16th round… .746 slug%, 19 HRs… 57RBI… Named Pac-10 POW 4-14: hit 11-16, .688

31. Pat Irvine (unlisted) – Elon… thru 5/6: .397/15HR/48RBI…

32. Kyle Jensen - St. Mary’s… Jensen was named to the 2009 Brooks Wallace pre-season watch list… 2008: .421, with 13 HRs… named an ABCA/Rawlings All-American, and a Rivals.com Second Team All-American.

33. Jacob Marisnick - Riverside Poly HS; Riverside, CA. 6′4, 200, Bats R, Throws R… 6-4, 200… strong… center fielder… excellent bat speed… pro-body… 6.8 60-time… 4.3 down the line… average throw from center… ability to drive the ball to all fields.

34. Mike McGee – (unlisted) – Florida State… thru 5/6: .376/15HR/61RBI…

35. Luke Murton – (unlisted) – Georgia Tech… thru 5/6: .394/15HR/48RBI…

36. Ryan Hamme – (unlisted) – Campbell… thru 5/6: .454/42RBIs/.550 OBP…


37. Ruben Sierra, Jr. - San Juan Educational School… 6-2, 174… blazing 6.38 speed… big arm… 93 mph from outfield… good bat speed…

38. Drew Heid - Gonzaga… junior… 5-9, 170, L/R… 2007: played at Walla Walla C.C…. .362, 68 hits, 53 R, 4 HRs.

39. Jacob Morris – Coppell HS; Coppell, TX. 6′3, 195… switch-hitter… can play multiple positions… known for defensive skills… top speed… average arm…

40. Aaron Senne –- Missouri… junior… L/L… 6-2, 210… 200*: All-Big 12 conference 1st-team… .347, 67 RBI, 13 HRs…

41. Nate Lape - Marshall senior… 6-5, 215, R/R… 2008: .388… .610 slugging… drafted in 20th round of 2008 draft by the Rockies… earned baseballnews.com Louisville Slugger's National Player of the Week honors

42. Everett Williams – McCallum HS (TX)… senior… 5-10, 195, L/R… strike out rate too high… gap hitter… plus runner… arm strength below average…

43. Andrew Aplin - Suisun City CA)…. 6-0, 190… L/L… plays hard and swings above average… slow… 6.8 60-time and 4.35 down line… can really hit.

44. Luke Yoder - Cal Poly… 6-0, 205… R/R… playing left field on 2009… 2008: .350, 8 HR, 33 RBIs, primarily as DH… drafted in 33rd round by Twins in 2008.

45. Marc Krauss - Ohio… junior… 6-3, 225, L/R… ranked 27th prospect in league by BA… hit .333 in Cape Cod league this summer… 2008: .332 in 57 games. Also plays 3B and 1B. Through 4-6-09: .429, 13 HRs.

46. Ross Babineauz - Delaware State… through 4-6-9, leading Division ! in batting average: .535 in 86 Abs.

47. Nathan Hines - Middle Tennessee State… 5-10, 171… junior… 2008: 57 G, .344, 11 HRs, 50 RBIs… center fielder.I

48. Cohl Walla - Lake Travis HS… 6-2, 170… 2007/08: .378, 4 HRs, 27 RBIs…

49. Blake Dean - LSU… 6-0, 193, L/L… 2008 Baseball America First-Team All-American… named one of Baseball America's Top 300 High School Players of 2006. 2008: .353, 20 HRs, 73 RBIs

50. Todd Glaesmann - Midway HS… 6-4, 200… 6.83 in 60… 90 mph arm… excellent arm… 2008: .471, 11Hr, 53R, 61RBI… committed to Texas A&M.

51. Allen Bolden - Lipscomb… L/R, 5-11, 200… 2008: 64R, 38BB, 82H

52. Rob Lyerly - NC-Charlotte… junior… 6-1, 200… L/R… 2008: First Team All-Atlantic 10, Most Outstanding Player of 2008 Conference Tournament… led the Atlantic 10 in slugging (.705), doubles (26), RBI (76) and sacrifice flies (9).

53. Neil Medchill – Oklahoma State… junior… L/R… 6-4, 220… was drafted by the Mets in the 33rd round of the 2008 draft… .349, .628 slugging.

54. Jordan Henry - University of Mississippi… junior… 6-1, 170, L/R… fringe-average hitter… good instincts.. average arm… has skills defensively to play CF… projects as 4th OFer at best

55. Chris Lewis - Western Michigan… junior… S/R… 6-0, 190… named to ESPN Academic All-District team… 2008: 50 G .390, .488 OBP, 71 H, 49 RBI

56. Sonny Meade - The Citadel… senior… 6-5, 230, R/R… named to Southern Conference All-Tournament team… 2007: .379, 86 H

57. Kyrell Hudson –– Evergreen HS (Wash) – 6-2, 185, R/R… average power… plus, plus running speed… good fielder in center… runs 60 in 6.4… home to first in 4.3… excellent speed and defense, poor hitting… 5/17: BA “ As a definite project, scouts question whether he has the desire to make himself better and worry that he'd be overwhelmed by the grind of a minor league season.”

58. Mitch Haniger - Archbishop Mitty HS… 6-2, 185

59. Anthony Hutting – Tesoro HS (CA.) – 2009 season: .479, 21G, 8 doubles, 3 triples, 4 HR, 26 RBIs, 71 ABs

60. Myrio Richard - Prarie View A&M… The MVP of the 2008 SWAC Season… MVP of the Texas Collegiate League this summer… 2008: .370, 10HR, 51 RBIs

61. John Fellhauer - Cal State Fullerton… 2008: named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team… .390, .488 OBP, 71H, 49 RBIs, struck out only 8 times in 182 Abs…

62. William Henderson - RS Central HS (NC)… 5-11, 170, R/R… signed with UNC Greensboro… excellent pitcher but projected as an outfielder… 6.64 in 60… a pure athlete… excellent bat speed… average arm…

63. Ali Knowles - Christ School (NC)… 5-10, 170, S/R… as talented a pitcher as an outfielder… ran 7.12 in 60, down the line in 4.4… toolsy… average arm…

64. Trayce Thompson – Santa Margarita HS (CA.) – 2009: .339, 7 HRs, 18 RBIs in 22 games

65. Steve Detwiler - Fresco State University… junior… 6-1, 220…

66. Darrell Ceciliani - – Columbia Basin CC (Wash)… 6-1, 185 L/L… first 32 games at wood bat NWAACC play: .390, 2 HR, 26 RBIs, 4Ks, 82 AB

67. Eric Decker – Minnesota - 6-3, 215… thru April: .315/.363/.395

68. Dane Hamilton - New Mexico senior… 6-2, 195… plays infield also… through April6, 2009: .404, 15 doubles, 6 triples.

69. Drew Allain – Tulane senior… named POW in Conference USA on 4-13… batted .625 (10-16) that week.

70. Jeff Roland – Georgia Tech senior… named ACC player of the week on April 20: .500/.539/.792 week prior…

71. Scott Kreiger – George Mason – senior… named CAA baseball player of the week 4/20: .692for week…

72. Angelo Songco – Loyola Marymount – consistent power… won home run derby in Cape Cod League… through April: .373/.500/.715, 12 HRs

73. Max Walla – Albuquerque Academy (NM) – 5-11, 195, L/L – through April 25: .551, 7 HRs, 7 doubles, 27 walks, 29 RBIs

74. Kyle Colligan – Texas A&M – senior… 4/27: named Big 12 Hitter of the Week: slugged .923 over 4 games…

75. Nate Shaver – New Mexico State… junior… 4/27: named WAC player of the week: batted .529 for week

76. Ryan Lockwood – Univ S. Florida – 5-10, 175, L/R

77. Todd Cunningham – Jacksonville State… 6-0, 200, R/R

78. Josh Leemhuis – St. John’s College Prep… 5-11, 185, R/R

79. A.J. Casario – Maryland – 6-2, 190, L/R

80. Isael Fuentes – Ladi HS P.R. – 6-2, 185, R/R

81. Matt Mansilla – College of Charleston – senior… 5/4: named Southern Conference player of the week:

82. Daniel Cooke – (unlisted) – Gardner-Webb… senior… 5/11: named Big South player of the week: batted .462 for week… first known NCAA Div 1 player to have 200+ hits in baseball, and 200 tackles in football…

83. Chris Hermann – (unlisted) – Miami – junior… 5/18: named ACC player of the week…