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8/22/09

Updated: - Top LHP in 2010 MLB Draft




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. http://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.

7-21: 2010 MLB Mock Draft - 2nd Edition - July 21, 2009 by Scouting The Sports http://scoutingthesports.com/?p=3632 - 10. New York Mets - Josh Osich Pitcher Oregon State - -Big league scouts are already drooling over Osich, and for good reason. His fastball sits at around 97 mph, and his curve is devastating. His changeup could be special if he continues to work on it. Oh, and one other thing. Osich is left-handed. As a lefty specialist, Osich could be dominant right now in the majors.


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. http://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.

7-20: pitched 6.0, 2-ER, 6-K, win, for Team USA win over Team Canada

7-29: From http://web.usabaseball.com/index.jsp - USA starter Drew Pomeranz (Ole Miss) took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Team USA beat Germany, 8-1, in the championship game at the 2009 Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline World Baseball Challenge at Prince George Citizen Field.

8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/ - powerful build fb jumps with life out of his hand, mostly 91-93 early, off the table hammer gets hitters off balance and shows solid control. Could be one of top 5 on paper right now for 2010.




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.

8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/: projects well, has been drafted in the past 18th round out of HS, fb mostly 88-90, occasionally runs it up there to 92-93, mostly effective when he gets ahead in the count as do most pitchers. CB command and off speed are ok, still upside to improve, physically mature right now.


4. James Paxton - (new) - 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… From Lincoln Hamilton’s Top 30 draftees… #11 (#3 LHP on list) - 6-foot-4 lefty with plus, plus velocity , dominating SEC (34.0% K 5.9% BB), long arm action… age: 20.5… May 25th ProjectProspect’s mock draft: 11) Colorado Rockies - James Paxton, LHP University of Kentucky The Rockies have gone surprisingly college-heavy in recent years, not taking a high school player last year until the 14th round. Even post-humidor, Coors Field is a tough place to pitch and the Rockies need pitchers who can get outs on their own. Paxton keeps the ball out of play, by striking everyone out. He could go much higher, but shouldn't last past Colorado with this pick.. 5-28 John Sickles: James Paxton, Kentucky: STRENGTHS: 92-96 MPH fastball, sharp curveball, good control, high strikeout rates in college ball, big and strong, from Canada so he has a fresher arm than most college guys. WEAKNESSES: Why does he have an ERA over 5.00? Vulnerable to home runs this year; needs a better changeup; Canadian background also means he needs more polish. Paxton is something of an enigma, but University of Kentucky pitchers actually have a pretty good track record, and despite the high ERA his K/BB and K/IP ratios are outstanding.

8-20: from http://www.rivals.yahoo.com/: There’s no question Paxton always had the talent to be an excellent pitcher when he stepped on Kentucky’s campus. But his stock rose after having an impressive spring and compiling a great strikeout-to-walk ratio. With his stock at a high entering the draft, the Blue Jays chose the left-hander in the supplemental first round. Paxton may put together an even more impressive senior campaign, but there’s a very good chance he doesn’t get drafted as high next summer. He had the leverage the past two months, but didn’t get the deal he was looking for. UK is glad to have Paxton back, but time will tell if it was the best decision.

5. Tyler Lyons – (new) - 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… Fr. http://www.okstate.com/ : 2008: Established himself as one of the Big 12's top starting pitchers ... earned second-team All-Big 12 honors ... ranked second in the Big 12 and tied for fourth nationally with 12 wins ... 12 victories tied for the eighth most in a single season in OSU history ... led the Big 12 with 108.2 innings pitched and tied for the league lead with four complete games ... was 7-1 with a 2.99 ERA in nine Big 12 starts ... all four of his complete games came in conference play ... earned a win in his first-career start with a five-inning effort against Gonzaga (2/23) ... did not suffer a loss in his final 11 starts ... won four consecutive starts from March 22-April 12 ... struck out a career-high 10 against Baylor (3/15) ... earned back-to-back complete game wins against Missouri (4/5) and Nebraska (4/12) ... tossed a complete game against Oklahoma (5/17) in which he did not allow an earned run and struck out nine ... named the Big 12 Pitcher of the Week on May 20 following his performance against the Sooners ... earned NCAA Stillwater Regional All-Tournament Team honors after pitching OSU to an opening-round win over Western Kentucky (5/30) ... worked 8.2 innings against WKU and allowed just three runs while recording six strikeouts ... was a first-team Academic All-Big 12 pick and a second-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District choice ... pitched for Team USA during the summer and was 2-0 with 17 strikeouts in 14 innings ... made 11 appearances for Team USA and did not allow an earned run ... part of Team USA club that led the United States to a 24-0 record and a gold medal at the FISU World Championships. Fr: http://www.withthefirstpick.com/: Strengths: Tyler Lyons is a polished college pitcher with four solid pitches. He throws his sinker at 90 mph and it maxes out at 92. His curve, slider and changeup are also good pitches. His arsenal plays up because of his excellent command & control. In 108 2/3 innings in 2008, Lyons struck out 92 and walked only 19. Weaknesses: Lyons has no obvious flaws, but he doesn't have any big strengths, either. His stuff is average and he profiles as a mid-rotation starter as opposed to a future ace like Stephen Strasburg or even Andrew Oliver. The Future: Andrew Oliver (#50) and Lyons are one of the best pitching tandems on paper in college baseball. While Oliver hasn't met expectations, Lyons has lived up to the hype. While Oliver has played his way out of the first round, Lyons could be taken as late as the supplemental round or the late first round.

8-20: from http://www.rivals.yahoo.com/: Lyons dazzled observers two seasons ago with an excellent sophomore campaign. He put together another good season as a junior, but certainly was better the previous season. Perhaps being a left-hander, Lyons believes he will increase his stock by returning for another season. That may very well be the case. But given the fact the Yankees drafted him in the top ten rounds, it still was surprising that Lyons didn’t follow the lead of Andy Oliver and Tyler Blandford and sign a pro contract. Lyons could increase his stock by having an impressive senior campaign. His stock also could dip with an unimpressive final campaign.


6. Josh Spence – (new) - 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.

8-20: from http://www.rivals.yahoo.com/: After starring at Central Arizona two seasons ago, Spence arrived at Arizona State as a virtual unknown to those following Division I baseball. That didn’t last long. The talented left-handed pitcher mystified opposing hitters and almost earned All-American honors with a strong campaign. Spence isn’t the hardest thrower in college baseball, but few can equal his overall arsenal. Surprisingly, the Angels drafted Spence in the third round, but he chose to return to ASU for his senior campaign. Spence wasn’t expected to return to college, but the Devils will take it.



7. 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. http://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.

8. 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

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

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

11. 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

12. 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

7-20: pitched 1.o in relief, 1-K, 0-R, for Team USA win over Team Canada


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

8-20: from http://www.rivals.yahoo.com/: Where he was drafted was a huge surprise. Much like Arizona State’s Josh Spence, Bibona won’t break too many windows with his fastball. But there’s no question he has some of the nation’s better off-speed stuff. The Cardinals waited to the 16th round to select Bibona and likely didn’t offer him much of a financial contract. But even with that knowledge, it’s still surprising to me the talented left-handed pitcher decided to return for his senior campaign. As with many returnees, Bibona has little to prove next spring.


14. 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…

7-23: stats thru 7-15 in Cape Cod League: 2-0, 0.96, 26-K… starting in Cape Cod All-Star game

15. Kevin Ziomek – (up from 16th) - Amherst HS (MA) – 89-91 fastball… 77-slider… pro curveball…

8-9: from Keith Law/ http://www.espn.com/: - The New England team was led by LHP Kevin Ziomek and RHP TJ Pecoraro. Ziomek hit 88 on his fastball and showed a good curveball.

8-10: From
http://www.baseballamerica.com/ – Area Code Games - Ziomek is a projectable lefthanded pitcher whose fastball sits in the high 80s and can touch 91 mph. He adds two types of curveballs: a slower, sweeping 69 version, and a harder 77 slurve.



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

8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/: topped out at 90, crude mechanics, some bite to hard slide piece, command is ok, will benefit from further instruction and could be one of the top lefties to follow in HS in 2010.

17. Cayle Shambaugh – (up from 18th) - Jay HS (OK) – 6-0, 185 –

7-29: From http://www.baseballfactory.com/: - On the mound, abilities are at a pro level. Fastball is straight but locates down in the zone to both sides of the plate. Breaking ball displays an 11/5 shape, tight spin and late sharp action. Change up is above average displaying a plus feel for with sinking action.

8-6: From http://www.baseballamerica.com/: - With a lean but strong, 6-foot and 185-pound frame, Shambaugh has good arm strength, topping out at 92 mph. He locates his pitches well and also throws a tight, late breaking ball and has a good feel for a changeup. While Shambaugh is likely only pitching at the event, he's also a good defensive outfielder with a powerful bat.


18. 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

7-17: 5.0-IP, 8-K, 6-BB, 0-R for Bourne in the Cape Cod League


19. 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…

20. 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…

21. Chris Sale – Florida Gulf Coast – 6-6, 190 -

8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/: very good arm, lively fb, will reach 95 on occasion, more effective down and away on RHH and in on LHH, sharp slide piece which will be very effective vs LHH in pro ball. Has been said to have added 10 mph to his fb since HS and 30 lbs which probably has put him into the most projectible to be an early 1st rounder for 2010, however, again, very early. Also pitching in the Cape this summer. 60 OFP, upside that can only get better in time! Chuck Finley anyone?



22. Logan Ehlers – Nebraska City HS (Neb) – 6-1, 190 –

8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/: have watched him 3 times now and has already committed to U of Neb for 2010-2011. Smooth lefty with arm strength, fb down will run and sink and solid hammer, had some trouble with location and he's not faced this type of competition as compared to Class B baseball in HS, he's on the map with Scouts though. Great makeup!

23. Kyle Ryan – Auburndale HS (FL) – 6-2, 175 -

8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/: lefty with arm strength and downward bite on breaking pitch, true cb that sweeps at times, room to fill out, upper 80's on velocity. X-body some in delivery from 3/4 as well. Definite watch through college on him.

24. Evan Grills – (new) - Simclair CC (Ont.) –

8-6: From http://www.baseballamerica.com/: - As a member of the Canadian Junior National Team, Grills has been playing against advanced competition since he was 14 years old. Grills pitches at 88-91 mph with an above-average curveball and a deceptive changeup. He's very composed with great pitchability and knows how to win.

25. Evan Rutckyj – (new) – St. Joseph’s HS (Ont.) –

8-6: From http://www.baseballamerica.com/: - Rutckyj (pronounced ROOT-skee) doesn't have a lot of baseball experience, but offers a lot of physicality and projection. The 6-foot-5 lefthander recently gave up hockey to focus on baseball and he's already touching 90 mph.

26. Blake Monar – (new) - Indiana – 6-1, 195, sophomore – L/L - fastball sits 88-91, 4 good pitches… 5-3, 4.64 as freshman…

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