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4/26/10

DRAFT: - Chad Nading, Rob Rasmussen, Brett Bruening, Andrelton Simmons... and Dallas Gallant

Chad Nading:

4-20 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/20/1431880/casing-the-states-nevada#storyjump : - RHP, UNLV - This placement is more out of courtesy and ceiling than out of true results. Nading is a former Oregon State Beaver, having redshirted there as a freshman in 2007. He transferred out to Skagit Valley CC in Washington for his redshirt freshman year, then on to UNLV for a sophomore campaign that saw him eligible for the draft. A rare Alaska native in baseball, Nading collapsed upon his entrance to UNLV, flashing excellent stuff, but not knowing where it was going at any time. The Rangers took a late-round flier on him in the 2009 draft, but no real attempt was made to sign him. Now a 22 year old junior, Nading has failed to make progress once again this year. Despite having plus natural stuff that includes a plus 91-93 mph fastball and plus changeup, he has never gotten a feel for the strike zone. Having started the year as a mid-week starter, Nading continues to find rare work, getting four starts mixed in with two mop-up relief appearances, the six appearances only totaling 17.2 innings in all through April 19. He continues to be unable to find the strike zone, and the natural stuff he features always lands where hitters aren't even tempted to swing. He has been consistently roughed up, but a few pro teams may see his stuff as worth taking in the middle rounds as a potential middle reliever. Nading's raw stuff is always worth mentioning, but time is running out on him showing some control. Projected Draft Range: 10th-25th Round

Rob Rasmussen:

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/23/1437780/25-additional-pitching-prospects  - LHP, UCLA - Not a big guy at 5-10, but gets people out with a 90-94 MPH heater, a plus curve, and a decent changeup. He's 6-0, 2.52 with a 69/21 K/BB in 50 innings with 37 hits allowed for the 27-6 Bruins. His lack of size will keep him out of the first round, but he could go in the supplemental round or in the second to anyone looking for a live-armed lefty who could advance rapidly.





Brett Bruening:

RHP, Texas Tech - 4-21 from: - link  - Bruening is a newcomer to Texas Tech this year, having transferred in from Grayson County CC for his junior year. A big, hulking arm, Bruening has found the transition to Division I ball to be pretty difficult, as he's worked primarily in a swing role for the Red Raiders. The best way to describe Bruening is wild. He can hit 97 on the radar gun, but when he starts, he can't throw strikes when he throws any harder than 90-92. His curveball can be wicked when he finds his release point, but it's more common that it dives out of the strike zone well before it reaches the plate. However, the raw stuff is undeniable, and he has shown real flashes of dominance, and some scouts feel he's getting closer to figuring it out. He was a 35th round pick of the Yankees a year ago, and he could easily go in the single digits this year if scouts are sure he'll sign for below the cap in those rounds. He does have an injury history, having had Tommy John surgery in high school, but he seems to be durable now, and he's a few years removed from the operation. Projected Draft Range: 7th-12th Round

Andrelton Simmons:

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/23/1437780/25-additional-pitching-prospects  - RHP, Western Oklahoma State Junior College - A terrific athlete with a lively 93-95 MPH fastball, Simmons is raw and needs refinement with his secondary pitches and command, but has tremendous upside. He is also an effective hitter, but scouts like him on the mound. From the Netherlands Antilles, Simmons could go as early as the second round under the right circumstances, and has at least a chance of sneaking into the supplemental round.

Dallas Gallant

4-22-10 from: - link  - RHP, Sam Houston State - Gallant is a frustrating pitcher to watch at times, as he can dominate in one outing, then be knocked out of the game in the second inning in the next outing. Gallant worked in a variety of roles during his first two years at Sam Houston State, but went on to be an excellent reliever on the Cape last summer. Despite that success in relief, his team needed him to anchor the rotation this year, and after some early success, his control melted down, and he was hit hard. After starting the year as the Friday starter, he found himself in the bullpen for a couple weeks in order to regain his natural power stuff that includes a 92-94 mph fastball in relief, though it's more of an 89-92 mph pitch as a starter. His slider is a second plus pitch, though he lost the feel for it when he was struggling. He's regained that feel in recent weeks, having been reinserted into the rotation as the Saturday starter, and he first start back was a complete game shutout. He's lost a lot of draft stock this year, but there's plenty of time to regain it if his transition back to starting is successful. Projected Draft Range: 4th-8th Round

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