MLB 2010 Draft Update: Top LHP

LHP:

1. Josh Osich - Oregon State – 6-3, 195, L/L, junior - fastball sits at 97… devastating curve… 2009: 0-0, 2.05, in 17 appearances, 1 start… 26.1-IP, 34-K… Baseball America ranked him as the 25th top sophomore in 2009…

7/07 fr. www.projectprospect.com : Osich is a power lefty who was used primarily out of the bullpen last season but will look to transition to starting in 2010. Coming from an over-the-top arm slot, Osich has a fastball that sits 94-96 mph with late life. His curveball shows great break and is pretty much unhittable when it’s on. Osich’s changeup is thrown with good arm speed and has solid fading action, but wasn’t used much last spring in relief. Osich has the best pure stuff of any college pitcher in this class, but also the shortest track record. He could go No. 2 overall, or fall out of the first round depending on how he fares this spring. For now, I’ll take my chances with a guy of his talent.


2. Drew Pomeranz - Mississippi – ace of Ole Miss staff in 2009… 8-4, 3.40, 16 starts… struck out 124, walked 37 in 95.1 IP… was drafted by Rangers in the 12th round of the 2007 draft… BA ranked as 11th top sophomore in 2009…

7/07 fr. www.projectprospect.com :Pomeranz is a 6-foot-5 lefty with smooth mechanics, a fastball that sits 92-93 mph and touches slightly higher, a devastating curveball and good command. Last season, the Rebels’ ace struck out 31.2% of batters he faced last year while walking 9.3%. When I saw him earlier this spring he didn’t use his changeup much, but showed some feel for it. If his change can develop into a solid third offering, Pomeranz could have a long career as a No. 2 starter

7/13: Pomerance threw a wild pitch against Team Japan, which was followed by six runs, and the first loss of the year for Team USA.


3. Sammy Solis – San Diego – 6-5, 228, L/L, junior… BA ranked as #5 sophomore in 2009… 2009: 1-1, 4.50 in only 2 starts.


4. Chris Hernandez – Miami – 6-1, 195, L/L, Junior – named to 2009 NCBWA Preseason First Team All-American… 2008: 11-0, 2.72… BA ranked as 13th top sophomore in 2009…

7/07 fr. www.projectprospect.com: There’s lots of depth in this years college class, and you could make the case for a dozen other players finding a spot on this list. I decided to go with Hernandez because he has a long track record of success he was the National Freshman of the Year in 2008 and followed that up with a very solid 2009 campaign in which he struck out 24.7% of hitters while walking 8.2%. Hernandez has solid, but not overpowering stuff. His fastball sits in the high-80’s with good sink, he features a solid changeup and very good curve. He doesn’t have the sexiest upside, but his combination of command, multiple breaking pitches and good knowledge of how to pitch make Hernandez a good bet to have a solid big league career.

5. Scott Alexander – Pepperdine –6-2, 200, L/L, Junior… BA ranked #20 sophomore in 2009… 2009: 4-5, 4.11, in 16 games, 10 starts… 60-K in 65.2-IP

6. Cam Booser - Fife HS – named player of the year in his league… voted one of top 10 high school prospects in State…

7. Scotty Burris - Univ. of Portland – 6-1, 185, L/L, junior… 2009: 5-4, 4.70, 13-starts, 69.0-IP, 31-K

8. Drew Vettleson - Central Kitsap HS – 6-1, 190, B/B… ambidextrous… named to all-Kitsap County first team… 2009: named 2008-2009 Gatorade Washington Baseball Player of the Year… 4-2, 1.60, 45-K, 38.0-IP… 2-no hitters… batted: .415, 5-HR, 20-RBI, 13-R

9. Cody Wheeler - Coastal Carolina – 5-11, 160, L/L, Junior… 2008: 6-0, 5.62… 2009: 10-1, 3.83, 15-starts, 91.2-IP, 98-K

July 14: Started for Team USA’s win against Team Japan and gave up four runs in 3.2-IP, 1-ER, 5-K

10. Jesse Biddle – Germantown Friends HS (PA) – 6-6, 220 – 91-fastball… very loose arm…

11. Kevin Ziomek – Amherst HS (MA) – 89-91 fastball… 77-slider… pro curveball…


12. Bryan Morgado – Tennessee – 6-3, 203, L/L, Junior - BA ranked him as the 26th top 2009 sophomore… 2009: 4-2, 6.36, in 20 games, 5 start… 75-Ks in 52.1 IP

13. Rob Rasmussen – UCLA – 5-11, 160, L/L, junior - BA ranks him as the 43rd top 2009 sophomore… 2009: 19 appearances, 6-starts, 4-2, 6.75… 51-K in 44.2-IP… 4th on the team in strikeouts…

14. Tanner Robles – Oregon State – 6-4, 200, L/L, Junior… BA ranks him as the 44th top 2009 sophomore… 2009: 1-3, 4.75, in 9 games, eight starts…

15. John Gast – Florida State –6-2, 216, L/L, Junior - BA ranks him as the 4th top 2009 sophomore… 2009: 5-3, 5.12, in 28 games, 3 starts…