1. Bryce Harper –
From Rob Nyer, in 2008, as a 15-yr. old: Harper has a power bat and a plus throwing arm that "already grades out to 70 on the 20 to 80 scouting scale," according to Dave Perkin of Baseball America. During infield prior to the game, Harper, in full gear, rifled the ball out of a crouch to second and third base with precision. Upon seeing him in action, I marked down "+ + arm" next to his name in my program. Although the rap on him is that he's not all that fast, I thought he ran very well from home to third on that triple, especially considering his age, size, and power. The kid is nothing if not impressive.
As a 16-year old, Harper hit .626 in 2009, with 14 home runs and 55 RBIs in 115 at-bats for the Wildcats this season. He hit 22 doubles, nine triples and stole 36 bases. He only struck out five times. He also scored nine times on wild pitches… from 2nd base.
5/09: played a three-game travel schedule… hit 11-12, with 10 HRs and one double
7/07 fr. www.projectprospect.com :Just a few weeks ago the 2010 draft looked solid but lacked a true star. Enter Bryce Harper. Harper told the Las Vegas Review Journal that he planned on getting his GED and has already enrolled at the College of Southern Nevada, a junior college with a strong baseball program. The Sports Illustrated cover boy will be the most hyped teenage sports star since LeBron James. With 80 raw power, a plus-plus arm, above-average speed and good defensive ability at the most difficult position on the diamond, the only thing holding Harper back might be the pressure living up to the hype.
Fr. www.espn.com: Harper's best asset as a hitter is his strength; not muscle or bulk but hand and wrist strength, so that when he makes contact the ball takes off with uncanny power for someone his age. He launches balls in batting practice out to right and right-center and can drive the ball easily to the left-center wall. He's still wiry but has plenty of room to fill out and eventually make his listed weight -- a heavy 205 pounds -- a reality. He loads with his hands well behind his back shoulder, so he nearly bars out his front arm, adding some length to the swing. But he strides into the ball and rotates his hips well with his swing and has good hand-eye coordination, so the result is a lot of contact and the big raw power for which he's become known. He's an above-average runner now and should settle in as at least average even if he fills out completely.
7-21: 2010 MLB Mock Draft - 2nd Edition - July 21, 2009 by Scouting The Sports - http://scoutingthesports.com/?p=3632 - 1. Washington Nationals - Bryce Harper: -Last year the Nationals got maybe the best prospect ever drafted in the Major Leagues in Stephen Strasburg. After again having the worst record in the MLB, they will be able to pick number one and will select one of the more touted hitting prospects of all time. Labeled “Baseball’s Chosen One” on the June 8 cover of Sports Illustrated, Harper, a 6-3 catcher who can also pitch in the 90s, hit .626 with 14 home runs and 55 RBI in only 115 at-bats this season for Las Vegas High School. Harper is also very good defensively, and very athletic stealing 36 bases last season. This guy is a once in a lifetime catcher that the Nationals will not be able to pass up.
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: had the purest swing in the whole tourney with best power potential as well, reminds me of Joe Maurer with the Twins, Joe is more athletic however, Bryce displayed ML plus arm strength and know how behind the dish. If he truly is going to get his HS GED as publicized, he could be taken in the top 10 selections in 2010, or he could be #1 in 2011. Only thing that bothered me was the arm sleeve he wore around his elbow. Also pitched 1 inning and k'0d all three hitters, 93 fb tops. Right now he grades out great, 50 hitter, 60 power (to all fields), 40 runner now, 65 arm, 60 field.
8-17 from www.baseballamerica.com re: AFLAC games - Bryce Harper (Las Vegas HS), the 16-year-old catching phenom, was the marquee attraction at the Aflac game, and while he showed his premium defensive tools, his offensive performance was underwhelming. He grounded out twice and struck out three times, rifling his batting helmet into the dugout after his third whiff. Over the past several weeks, scouts have been whispering that Harper was off of his game. Those suspicions were validated in San Diego. He could not catch up to a decent fastball and was badly fooled by every curve, flailing and missing badly. Harper's swing, sound previously, has gone backwards. He is far too long on the back end, he is lunging and diving at pitches, and his timing is drastically inconsistent.
8-19: Jeff Sullivan from the AFLAC Games: - Although he had a disappointing game at the plate, Harper still showed why he is the number one talent in high school, and possibly, the number one talent in the 2010 draft. He went 0-5 with three strikeouts in the game, including getting completely fooled by Cameron Bedrosian, on a nasty breaking ball. During the week he showcased his power in batting practice and it is truly amazing what he can do with the bat. Harper also showed off his power arm from behind the dish, and even if he struggled in the game, he is still the number one prospect from the game.
9-5: from Jonathan Mayo’s 8-26 article on www.minors.mlbblogs.com: - The "big" name, the phenom who was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, the presumptive No. 1 pick for next year. A word of caution: A lot can happen between now and then. Not saying he's not good, just don't crown the guy just yet. At the AFLAC game, he showed bat speed and plus arm strength. There were some concerns with his approach at the plate, where he seems more focused on hitting long home runs and didn't make adjustments. His release on his throws was a little longer than it's been in the past. He still showed plenty of tools, but he didn't make in-game adjustments
9-7: From www.perfectgame.com on the AFLAC games: - had a bad day at the dish, which was bound to happen sooner or later. He rifled off some great throws and played solid defense. Don't be fooled by his lunging and missing other pitches he should of crushed, but he saw a different pitcher each at bat. For as much ink as this young man has had and with his tools he's still in the top 5 players on paper going in the 1st round, barring a total meltdown in 2010.
9-16: From www.baseballamerica.com : - College Top 25 draft prospects: #1: Bryce Harper, c CC of Southern Nevada
9-24: From: http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: Mock Draft Version 1 – #1 Bryce Harper, C, College of Southern Nevada
9/27 from: http://web.usabaseball.com: Bryce Harper and Manny Machado each drove in two runs in a seven-run third inning to lead the USA Baseball 18U National Team to a 14-0 run-rule shutout against Argentina Saturday in Day 2 of the COPABE "AAA" Pan American Championships at Daniel Canonico Stadium.
9-28: From http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: - Mock Draft Version 2 - Bryce Harper, C, College of Southern Nevada - Harper is as of right now the undisputed #1 pick. He is a five tool player and believe it or not is getting more attention than Stephen Strasburg. My only concern for Harper is expectations. If Harper is a solid major leaguer is that enough for Washington fans? I fully expect Harper to be an All-Star caliber player for many years but this is a ton of pressure on a kid that hasn't played at a higher level than high school.
9-30: From: http://web.usabaseball.com: - Karsten Whitson, Connor Mason and Kevin Gausman combined on a three-hitter, and an opportunistic offense took advantage of five errors as the USA Baseball 18U National Team remained unbeaten with a 19-0 run-rule shutout of Colombia Monday on Day 4 of the COPABE "AAA" Pan American Junior Championships at Daniel Canonico Stadium. Garin Cecchini made it a 3-0 game with an RBI double. The team then added four more runs in the second on Tony Wolters' two-run double and a two-run home run by Bryce Harper, a towering blast to right field. Team USA erupted for five runs in the fifth on two hits and two Columbia errors, with Brian Ragira's two-run double the big hit in the at bat. Wolters ended up with three RBIs. Harper, Cecchini, Ragira and Kavin Keyes had two apiece. Keyes also had three hits. Harper, Cecchini and Manny Machado each scored three runs.
10-1 from: www.baseballrumormill.com: - The COPABE "AAA" Pan American Championships began this past weekend and the 18-and-under squad from Team USA got off to a very hot 3-0 start with wins over Aruba, Argentia and Panama. Three stars stood out offensively for Team USA: Bryce Harper: The well publicized SI coverboy lived up to the hype in Game 2 against Argentina. Team USA crushed Argentina 14-0 and Harper had two doubles and two RBI.
10-5 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: #1: Washington Nationals – Bryce Harper, C, CC of Southern Nevada – Harper’s not the best thing to ever happen to baseball, but he’s the frontrunner for this spot at the current moment. A big spring against more advanced competition will lock this spot up for him. He’s got some competition, but there’s no clear top talent behind him, so if the class is this muddy eight months from now, Harper’s going to go #1. (only catcher in first round)
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft - C Bryce Harper (1st catcher on list)
10-6 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com: - C Bryce Harper - The Harper backlash has already begun in some corners of the internet, but I’m going to be oh so bold and stick with him as the top draft prospect heading into 2010.
10-13 from www.mymlbdraft.com: 2010 MLB Mock Draft - # 1 C Bryce Harper
10-19 from www.mlbresource.com: - Blake's Scouting Report - Bryce Harper has all the tools. He hits, hits for power, runs great, great arm, and plays outstanding defense. The only downfall which was hard to find is that Harper has struggled a bit against good pitching. It will be interesting to see his numbers this year at CSUN. Harper is also 93-95 off the mound but I doubt he ends up ever pitching. The 6'3 sweet swinging lefty has a chance to be a perennial All-Star and will immediately be a #1 prospect in whichever organization he joins.
10-24 from www.baseballrumormll.com: - top 10 prospects: - 1. Bryce Harper, C, College of Southern Nevada: The SI coverboy left high school after only his sophomore year so that he could enroll at a junior college and be eligible for the 2010 draft, instead of the 2011 draft. Harper brings all of the tools that teams want to see out of a draft prospect. He can hit for average and power, runs well, throws well and has great baseball acumen. The only question is whether he'll be a catcher as a professional.
10-24 from Jim Callis: Could Nationals go with Taillon or Ranaudo over Harper? - - Sure they could. I'll do a column on this at some point, but I don't think it's far-fetched to conceive of Bryce Harper falling out of the first round. It's going to be almost impossible to live up to the hype, and if he falls short and is looking for big money--is Strasburg's contract a starting point--he may scare off clubs, who know he can re-enter the 2011 and 2012 drafts and still have lots of leverage. It's also possible that after spending $15.1 million on Strasburg, the Nationals don't want to spend huge money on another No. 1 overall pick.
11-2 from www.perfectgame.com: - Future Scout Sully said: Here is my list of the Top 50 in the class. I have seen almost every one of these players. Went out to AFLAC for the week, saw team usa play, and went to many cape games: - 1- C Bryce Harper (1st catcher on list)
11-3 from www.mlbresource.com: 3rd Mock draft – 1. Bryce Harper, C - College of Southern Nevada - Nothing changes here. Harper is hands down the consensus to go #1 and unless the Nationals decide they can't financially, he is going in this spot. (1st catcher on list)
11-17 from www.mlbdraft.blogspot.com: - 1. Washington Nationals- Bryce Harper, C, CC of Southern Nevada - Although it is nearly impossible for Harper to live up to ALL the hype surrounding him, he is still the clear number one talent in the draft. Unless something catastrophic happens between now and June, Harper will be the first player taken in the draft. (1st catcher picked)
11-18 from www.macksmets.blogspot.com: - 5. C – Bryce Harper - I haven’t totally signed off on this kid yet. I live in a small town and watch kids kill bad pitching all the time. Harper won’t prove anything to me playing in the dinky league he’s scheduled to play in this year either. Good player against shity competition, but not worth Strassburg money… yet. (1st C on list)
11-20 from www.draftamerica.com: - 1. Washington -- Bryce Harper, C, Southern Nevada CC. Even with a "down" end of the summer, Harper is still the top talent in the draft. (only C on list)
11-23 from www.deepleagues.com: - #1 - Washington Nationals Bryce Harper (C, College of the Nevadas) (1st C on list)
12-15 from www.5tooltalk.com: Mock Draft – 1st round: - 1 Nationals Bryce Harper C NJCAA
1-7-9: Morisato's 2010 MLB Mock Draft - Version 1.0 - 1st Overall – The Washington Nationals - Bryce Harper (C), College Of Southern Nevada
Harper is the defacto top prospect here, and for the moment, will slot at the top of the draft. Harper is regarded to be the best young prep hitting prospect since Justin Upton back in 2005. He's been followed by prospect hounds every since he was around 14. Harper is not actually supposed to be eligible for this draft, but instead went to get his GED and enrolled in a junior college on the advice of his parents and his representative, making him eligible for next year. Anyhow, Harper is a massive kid that is regarded to be a future Gold Glover, has excellent power (he has hit the longest home run in Tropicana Field History) and has a quick, smooth swing that projects for solid contact. Overall, scouts feel he could have a Joe Mauer like impact in the majors, though that may be a bit optimistic in my opinion. However, it should be noted that unlike last year’s Number One overall, Harper isn’t a consensus number one. It’s very possible that if he struggles or if his price tag gets far too ridiculous, the Nationals could pass.
2010 MLB DRAFT MOCK DRAFT- 12/31/09 – www.jjscouting.com - 1. Washington Nationals- Bryce Harper, C, CC of Southern Nevada - Although it is nearly impossible for Harper to live up to ALL the hype surrounding him, he is still the clear number one talent in the draft. Unless something catastrophic happens between now and June, Harper will be the first player taken in the draft.
1-11-9 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - 1.1 Washington Nationals: C Bryce Harper – College of Southern Nevada - Steven Strasburg is going first overall in this draft. Book it. One man by his lonesome may not be able to turn a baseball team’s on-field fortunes around, but it only takes one superstar to revive public interest in a moribund franchise. If nothing else, Strasburg has the kind of arm that makes every fifth day a must-see event. He’s got the oft-cited, but impossible to quantify “it”…wait, whoops. This was the intro to my first mock of 2009. Luckily it still works with a couple of easy tweaks. Let’s try it out… Bryce Harper is going first overall in this draft. Book it. Two men may not be able to turn a baseball team’s on-field fortunes around, but it only takes one superstar position player and one superstar starting pitcher to revive interest in a moribund franchise. Harper has such a head start on gaining the national media’s attention that he’ll be sure to draw fans ranging from obsessively devoted to insouciantly (ooo…all that SAT vocab studying from five years ago paid off!) indifferent to the ballpark, for curiosity’s sake if nothing else. Heck, I’d go. I realize I may be 100% crazy with this theory, but here goes nothing. The signing of Ivan Rodriguez is a strong data point indicating the Nationals already have made up their mind about the number one pick. Clearly the timeline doesn’t quite work out just right (nearly impossible Rodriguez is still be on the team by the time Harper joins), but it is possible somebody in the Washington front office thinks it would be swell if Harper could spend time with Rodriguez in his first spring training as a professional in 2011. Maybe I’m just trying too hard to wrap my head around the incomprehensible… Special power, special arm, above-average contact skills, above-average potential as a receiver, and average running speed. That’s Bryce Harper.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - #1 - Washington Bryce Harper C Las Vegas HS, Nv. 6'3" 205 L,R
1-15-0 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - 1. Washington Nationals – Bryce Harper, C, CC of Southern Nevada – I’ve seen a couple of inferences that Harper has somehow fallen off from the number one slot, most recently here by BP’s Kevin Goldstein. I just don’t see it happening. Harper’s got the best tools for stardom by a landslide in this class, and the money shouldn’t be an issue too big to overcome. He’s going to mash as a 17 year-old JUCO player this spring, and the doubters will be silenced. Previously: #1.
3-12 from: - From: coachdave2@cox.net - I have seen Bryce play....and we have actually faced him many times. To be honest with you, I have seen many players a lot better than him in HS ball. Don't get me wrong, he has a truckload of talent, but I believe Boras is milking him to the draft. I have not seen the others on the list but I think he is not as good as they picture him. He has a great arm and above average speed but the numbers he put up are not the clear indicator as the pitching in our division was not the best and he got the benefit of a very small strike zone. I put a shift on him during the regular season and he tried to bunt unsuccessfully. He is a question mark with lots to prove. I personally do not believe that he should be the top pick in the draft and more of a 5-8 pick. What he has going for him is his age.....with lots of time to develop and he plays in a very good program...CSN...walking distance from my house and a field we use for many of our games.
3-24 from http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100322&content_id=8867302&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb - Truth be told, he has been. Harper has hit .420 with eight homers, 27 RBIs, an .864 slugging percentage and a .514 on-base percentage in 27 games. He leads or is tied for the team lead in nine offensive categories. He is doing, as one scout put it, exactly what was expected of him. Living up to that kind of hype might sound extraordinary, but to Harper, off the field has been a bigger challenge than on
4-6 from Jason Churchill/ http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/a-preliminary-top-5-mock-draft/#more – mock draft picks 1-5: - 1) Washington Nationals - Bryce Harper, College of Southern Nevada, C: At 17, Harper's talents are too good to pass up as he continues to crush the pitching in the Scenic West Athletic Conference, with a wood bat, to boot.
4-14 from: - http://web.goldenspikesaward.com/index.html?page=news_archive&article_id=65 - But, after going 5-for-13 with three home runs in Southern Nevada's four-game sweep of JC of Southern Idaho this weekend, Harper is hitting .422/.516/.891 with 15 home runs and 42 RBIs in 128 at-bats. He has already breezed past the single-season school record for home runs [12, by Joe Wagner, with metal bats in 2001]. He has 54 hits -- 29 of them for extra bases.
4-16 from: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2010/04/15/2010-draft-class-update - Any discussion of the 2010 MLB draft begins with Bryce Harper. Harper is currently hitting .422/.516/.891 with 15 jacks in 155 plate appearances. Harper’s swing mechanics lead some to wonder about his ability to hit for a high average. The 17-year-old has struck out in 16.1% of his trips to the plate, while walking exactly as often. Considering that he's at least two years younger than virtually all his competitors and that he’s playing in a wooden bat league, Harper’s production is extremely impressive. There are also questions about his ultimate defensive home. Harper has spent the majority of his time catching for the College of Southern Nevada but has also seen action at third base, right field and even patrolled center field. Sometimes knocked for his size, Harper has shown terrific athleticism, swiping 12 bases in 14 attempts, and he can kill a yak from 200 yards away with mind bullets. Some have theorized that Harper, a Scott Boras advisee, could slide on Draft Day due to signability. But why would a kid get his GED and attend Junior College in order to be eligible for the draft a year early, if he didn’t intend on signing? The Nationals were able to come to an agreement with Strasburg last year. Harper may not get as much as Strasburg given the extra developmental time needed and the historic risk of young catchers. Mike Rizzo always seems to take the best player available. As things stand right now, I would be very surprised if Harper doesn’t end up in our nation’s capital.
4-26 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - This should not be underrated. It’s impossible to find any talent evaluator who isn’t blown away by Harper’s ability on the field, but it’s equally difficult to find one who doesn’t genuinely dislike the kid. One scout called him among the worst amateur players he’s ever seen from a makeup standpoint, with top-of-the-scale arrogance, a disturbingly large sense of entitlement, and on-field behavior that includes taunting opponents. “He’s just a bad, bad guy,” said one front-office official. “He’s basically the anti-Joe Mauer.” How this plays into the negotiation or future evaluation is yet to be determined, as history has shown us that the bigger talent a player is, the more makeup issues teams will deal with. Bench players can’t afford to be problems, but plenty of teams happily put up with difficult superstars.
5-14 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com – top 30 college catchers: - 1. Community College of Southern Nevada FR C Bryce Harper - .417/.509/.917. With wood. At 17 years old. Even BB/K ratio. 42 extra base hits. No discernable platoon split. I’m only now starting to come around to the idea that moving him off of catcher may give him the best chance to unlock all of the professional potential he has with the bat, but, man, I really do love his defensive tools behind the plate. That’s honestly my biggest question with him right now – will he wind up a great hitting catcher or a really great hitting right fielder? With that as the biggest question about his future, there’s no wonder he’s atop this particular list. Bryce Harper is good.
5-24 from: - http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b4fLk - Bryce Harper, who the Nationals are thought to be targeting with their No. 1 pick this June, hit for the cycle on Friday in the semifinals of the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) World Series. On Saturday he outdid himself, finishing 6-for-6 with 10 RBI and four home runs as the College of Southern Nevada advanced to the NJCAA World Series final. Harper, a 17-year-old catcher, continues to amaze at the plate and is one of the most intriguing position players to ever enter the MLB draft.
5-25 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/5/25/1486642/top-5-by-position-catchers#storyjump - Do I even need to write anything about Bryce Harper? It seems I do. Harper offers two of the most coveted "tools" in all of the draft class. He can hit for power better than anyone and his arm strength is as good as or better than anyone in this class, as well. Those two tools alone make him worthy of the top overall selection in the draft. However, he’s an average runner and above-average hitter for average, making him an all-around threat in every aspect of his game. The lone question in his game now is where his long-term defensive position lies. He’s improving steadily as a catcher, but as with the great Joe Mauer, there are going to be questions about moving him off the position simply to lengthen the effectiveness of his career. He could easily play right field well, and he has experience at third base, but it’s obvious that his overall value is boosted by his position behind the plate. He’s expected to go first overall to the Nationals, but don’t expect to see him signing a contract until the signing deadline near midnight on August 16.
2. Yasmani Grandal – Miami – taken in the 27th round of the 2007 draft by Boston… excellent power and plate discipline… strong arm… needs work on his skills…
7/07 fr. www.projectpropsect.com: One of the top unsigned prospects for the 2007 Draft Grandal might be 2010’s Josh Phegly - a good hitter, with big time power but questionable defensive ability behind the dish despite a strong arm. Grandal lead the Hurricane’s in home runs with 16 this spring while sporting a .299/.410/.599 line with 33 walks and 37 strikeouts in 239 plate appearances. If Grandal can stay at catcher defensively, his strong bat could make him a star.
7-09: Fr. Keith Law/ www.espn.com : Grandal sports an above average arm, but really gets scouts attention with his ability to hit effectively from both sides of the plate.
7-20: homered in the first inning for Team USA win over Team Canada
7-21: 2010 MLB Mock Draft - 2nd Edition - July 21, 2009 by Scouting The Sports http://scoutingthesports.com/?p=3632 - 6. Oakland Athletics - Yasmani Grandal Catcher Miami - -Grandal was actually taken in the 27th round by the Red Sox in ‘07, but chose to go to college instead. It was certainly a good decision to return to Miami because he has developed his power and plate discipline. Grandal can certainly hit, and there are no questions about his ability at the plate. But it’s his work behind the plate that is lagging because while Grandal has a strong arm, he really needs to work on his game calling skills and work with pitchers. Oakland loves picking college kids, so this is no surprise here. If Grandal refines himself behind the plate, he could move even higher in this draft, especially with the nature of catching in baseball.
7-20: In the 6-3 Team USA loss to Team Germany: hit solo home run
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: has filled out since HS days and shows more power in his stroke, technique to throw to 2b has improved, still a bit erratic however. One of the top 3 college catchers in the game and a high demand could make him an early rounder easily next spring. Consistency is biggest concern overall in his skill set performance, tools are there, just put it all together! Jorge Posado anyone?
9-24: From: http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: Mock Draft Version 1 – #5 pick overall - Yasmani Grandal, C - University of Miami
9-28: From http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: - Mock Draft Version 2 - #27 pick overall - Yasmani Grandal, C - University of Miami (FL) - Grandal and Micah Gibbs will fight for the position of top college catcher behind Bryce Harper and all three are solid. He is solid on defense and popped 16 HR last year for the Hurricanes. I could see Grandal going a little lower but for now he is a first rounder.
11-2 from www.perfectgame.com: - Future Scout Sully said: Here is my list of the Top 50 in the class. I have seen almost every one of these players. Went out to AFLAC for the week, saw team usa play, and went to many cape games: - 28-C Yasmani Grandal (2nd catcher on list)
11-3 from www.mlbresource.com: 3rd Mock draft – #17 - Yasmani Grandal, C - University of Miami, Florida - Something tells me that the Rays would really like to add another catcher along with Luke Bailey from last year's draft. Catchers are so unpredictable and I think Grandal provides an older and more mature backstop. (2nd catcher on list)
11-18 from www.macksmets.blogspot.com: - 18. C Yasmani Grandal – someone has to be the 2nd catching prospect in the “Year Of Harper”, but Grandal can make his own headlines, thank you. (2nd C on list)
11-23 from www.deepleagues.com: - #26 - Colorado Rockies Yasmani Grandal (C, Univ. of Miami) (2nd C on list)
12-11 from www.collegebaseballblog.com: named the 39th top college player to play in the 2010 season
1-1-9 update: - -Guys with sinking draft stock currently include Kris Bryant, Yasmani Grandal, Drew Pomeranz, and Kevin Keyes. Keyes was never in the class of the other names here, but with his weight balloon and shift to first base, he’s lost a lot of scouting value.
1-7-9: Morisato's 2010 MLB Mock Draft - Version 1.0 - 17th Overall – The Tampa Bay Rays - Yasmani Grandal (C), Miami - One of the bigger, but not elite, catching talents from the 2009, Grandal fell after a inconsistent senior season. He was taken in the later rounds by the Red Sox, but failed to come to terms with them. Grandal sought a seven figure bonus to skip college. With solid defense behind the bag, the ability to hit for power and above average plate discipline, Grandal will get his money and more in the top half of the first round. The Rays lack any sort of long term solution at catcher, and Grandal could rise quickly.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - #43 - Yasmani Grandal C Miami 6'2" 210 R,R
2-25 from: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/baseball: - Yasmani Grandal Miami-FL - Grandal did what was expected of him in Week 1, hitting .429 with two RBIs.
3-16 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com : - Friday: JR C Yasmani Grandal (Miami): 2-4, 2B - Sunday: JR C Yasmani Grandal (Miami): 4-4, HR, 2B, 3 RBI, 3 R - Grandal’s impressive weekend aside, something just doesn’t sit right with the combination of “Yasmani Grandal” and “first round” in my head. I know I shouldn’t put as much stock in little instinctual hunches like that, but I just can’t help myself sometimes. Or maybe I just like hiding behind the illusion of an unexplained hunch when I don’t really feel like explaining the rock solid logic behind the conclusion. Either way.
4-12 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/12/acc-players-of-the-week-21 - Miami catcher Yasmani Grandal has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Player of the Week. The Hurricanes’ Grandal recorded arguably the most productive week of his collegiate career, going 11-for-20 with four home runs, 10 RBI and seven runs scored in five games. Grandal homered in both mid-week games against Florida Atlantic – hitting a two-run blast at FAU on Tuesday and a three-run shot against the Owls at home on Wednesday – before hitting a pair of two-run homers against No. 25 Virginia Tech on Saturday. The Miami junior opened the weekend against the Hokies by recording a hit in each of his first six at-bats, going 4-for-4 with a pair of runs scored on Friday before opening the game Saturday with the homers in his first two at-bats. Grandal recorded multiple hits in four of UM’s five games on the week, added three walks to his 11 hits and reached safely on 14-of-23 plate appearances on the week.
4-19 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com - Grandal is a switch-hitter, but his left-handed swing is superior to his right-handed swing, something that has shown up in his splits this year. From the left side, he doesn't stride in BP and his front side is very rigid, but he did step forward in games and had a more consistent weight transfer. He has good hip rotation and excellent follow-through, with a swing path that should produce above-average power. From the right side, he lacks the same bat speed and his swing is more linear, with a weak finish where he turns his wrists over and flattens the swing out. Behind the plate, Grandal has always been solid, and his arm remains plus and accurate, with a quick release. He's a well below-average runner, but he moves his feet well behind the plate. He's the top college catcher in the country, can absolutely stay behind the plate, and hits well enough to be an above-average player in the majors.
4-28 from: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2010/04/28/lincolns-2010-draft-board - Miami catcher Yasmani Grandal has vaulted himself into the top 20. Grandal has been extremely productive, hitting .432/.548/.764 while walking in 19.1% of his trips to the plate and striking out just 12.8% of the time. Those numbers stack up with anyone in the country, especially when they come from a switch-hitting catcher with good defensive tools. Grandal’s arm strength is solidly above-average and there are little, if any, doubts about his ability to be at least average defensively behind the plate. A rumor has floated around that Grandal could be headed to Kansas City with the fourth pick in the draft. Grandal is certainly a better prospect than Tony Sanchez, last year’s top college catcher who went to the Pirates in a pre-draft deal.
4-17 from: http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog?name=mlb_draft&id=5105074&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fmlb%2fblog%3fname%3dmlb_draft%26id%3d5105074 - Miami catcher Yasmani Grandal was one of the best players from the 2007 draft to fail to sign that year, falling because of a high price tag and concerns about his ability to hit. A tremendous junior year at Miami is going to make that decision look prudent, as he's in line for a seven-figure bonus and could continue moving up the board with the lack of college bats in this year's talent pool.
4-29 from: - http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/college-catcher-defense - We're a little more than a month away from this year's draft, and the chatter is already mounting regarding just how high Miami's Yasmani Grandal will climb up draft boards. Let's take a look at a few other top contenders. Grandal. +0.5 in 2008, +2 in 2009 and +0.5 so far this season. He has only gunned down better than 40 percent of base-stealers once, but for his entire career, opponents have avoided running on him. Last year, his pitch blocking was solid, but for the most part, there's nothing in his record that stands out as particularly positive.
5-1 from: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2010/04/28/lincolns-2010-draft-board - Miami catcher Yasmani Grandal has vaulted himself into the top 20. Grandal has been extremely productive, hitting .432/.548/.764 while walking in 19.1% of his trips to the plate and striking out just 12.8% of the time. Those numbers stack up with anyone in the country, especially when they come from a switch-hitting catcher with good defensive tools. Grandal’s arm strength is solidly above-average and there are little, if any, doubts about his ability to be at least average defensively behind the plate. A rumor has floated around that Grandal could be headed to Kansas City with the fourth pick in the draft. Grandal is certainly a better prospect than Tony Sanchez, last year’s top college catcher who went to the Pirates in a pre-draft deal
5-14 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com – top 30 college catchers: - 2. Miami JR C Yasmani Grandal - From my notes on Grandal: “big lefty power, but with from right side.” If anybody can explain what the heck I was trying to say there, I’d love to know. The part that’s easy to decipher is the “big lefty power” part; the data from College Splits via Jonathan Mayo backs that scouting idea up with empirical evidence: “The left-handed hitting backstop has feasted off of righties to the tune of .485/.592/.897. Southpaws have been a little more challenging: .328/.488/.508.” Can you use a semicolon and a colon in the same sentence? Darned if I know, but I just did. You know who might know? Yasmani Grandal. Why? Well, the guy is on such a roll in 2010 that there’s no reason to put anything past him at this point. Plus lefty power, hit tool with league average potential, above-average throwing arm, and defense that won’t hurt you (the accomplished salsa dancer has shown off some really fancy footwork behind the dish this year) combine to give you a prospect with four potential big league average minimum tools. Sure, there are some things that need to be cleaned up (swing can get long, inconsistent release point on throws to second, etc.) once he gets going in pro ball, but Grandal very clearly has what it takes to be an above-average big league starting catcher from a tools/production standpoint.
5-21 from: - http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/beyond-bryce - To rank draft-eligible catchers, I used all that information (offense, defense and baserunning) for each of the last three seasons, with more recent seasons weighted more heavily. The familiar names land near the top, but not always in the order you'd expect. And a stats-only approach unveils some sleepers for draft day. 1. Yasmani Grandal – Miami - Grandal not only has a cool name, he's far and away the leader of the pack. His OPS is over 1.300, making him the clear leader on offense for the second year running. His defense is solid if not spectacular. He's no Harper, or even Matt Wieters, but he's a very, very good prospect in a year with a middling college crop. The rumor mill has him going as early as the top five, and he deserves to be there.
5-22 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft - Miami catcher Yasmani Grandal went 1-for-5 with a strikeout against No. 1-ranked Virginia in Coral Gables Thursday. It was a rare cooling for Grandal, who has been as hot as any hitter in college baseball over the last six weeks. Grandal, perhaps the best catcher in the draft--in college or preps--not named Harper already has plus catch-and-throw skills and calls a good game. His arm is above average, and the 6-2, 210-pounder has a more slender body than most catchers, leading scouts to believe that as Grandal ages, he won't put on prohibitive weight that will limit his quickness. Pop times continue to be decent and he has quick feet
5-24 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/05/24/miamis-grandal-virginias-hultzen-lead-2010-all-acc-baseball-team - Miami junior catcher Yasmani Grandal has been named the 2010 Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Player of the Year. Miami’s Grandal leads the ACC in batting with a .428 average, along with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs. In conference games only, Grandal is hitting an even more torrid .463 with an .833 slugging percentage. Thirty-five of his 80 hits have gone for extra bases. Recently named a semifinalist for the Johnny Bench Award that goes to the nation’s top catcher, Grandal was the catalyst as the Hurricanes posted a 38-15 overall record and remained ranked among the nation’s top 15 teams throughout the regular season.
5-25 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/5/25/1486642/top-5-by-position-catchers#storyjump - Yasmani Grandal has been a big name on the prospect scene for quite some time, and he would have been an early pick out of high school in 2007 had it not been for a strong commitment to Miami. After two years of flashing big potential, but not fully realizing it, he has broken out in a big way this spring, cementing his status as the best four year college catcher in this draft class. A switch-hitter, Grandal’s much better from the left side, and he flashes plus raw power and good hitting tools, and even though he’s a well below-average runner, he’s a decent baserunner and won’t clog the bases as a pro. Before his big breakout season this spring, Grandal was considered a defense-first catcher. He flashes a plus arm, good catching skills, and even though he’s fairly big behind the plate, he looks like a natural leader and handles a pitching staff well. He shouldn’t have to go through a major adjustment behind the plate as a pro, and there’s speculation that he could be ready to suit up for a Major League team after just one full year in the minor leagues, which is reminiscent of how quickly 2008 first round pick Buster Posey was deemed ready for the Majors. Grandal could go as early as fourth overall to the Royals, and he shouldn’t last past the Reds with the twelfth pick.
3. Justin O’Connor – Cowan HS (IN) – also plays SS and hits well… fastball touches 99…
8-19: Jeff Sullivan from the AFLAC Games: - O’Conner had a rough game, going 0-2 with 2 strikeouts, but I was able to see him all week and he is a great player with some pop in his bat. He had some great BP sessions and is able to generate a lot of power with his 6’1,190 pound frame. He has smooth actions in the middle infield and has a solid arm. He also threw an inning in the game, reaching the low 90’s. He is a great two-way talent, who to me is better as a position player.
9-16: From www.baseballamerica.com : - High School Top 25 draft prospects: 18. Justin O'Conner, ss/rhp Cowan HS, Muncie, Ind.
9-28: From http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: - Mock Draft Version 2 - #11 pick overall - Justin O'Conner, RHP/INF - Cowan HS (IN) - O'Conner is considered by many to be the top two-way player in the draft with Stetson Allie and Kaleb Cowart right behind. From what I have heard his future is on the mound but when you hit .580 with 19 HR in high school he will at least get a chance to prove he can hit. Plus most of Cincinnati's top prospects are at AAA or just called up to the big leagues so it will be nice to restock with a solid prep player.
10-5 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: 32. New York Yankees – Justin O’Conner, SS, Cowan HS (IN) – (5th SS picked in draft) - The Yankees are building a solid core of young hitting in their system, and they’re only lacking an eventual replacement for Derek Jeter. Enter Justin O’Conner. O’Conner’s got all the tools to be a plus shortstop with both the glove and the bat, and it’s only his geographic location that’s hampered him as a prospect. He’s got one of the best infield arms in the entire class, and there’s not much thought that he’ll ever have to move positions. He hits well, too, and he could easily surpass both Machado and Cabrera in this class of shortstops. This would be a great pick for the Yankees, who should be brainstorming about who should replace Jeter in the near-future.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #49 – Justin O’Connor – 6th SS on list
10-6 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com: - SS/RHP Justin O’Conner - I think Justin O’Conner could wind up as this year’s Casey Kelly, a ridiculously talented two-way player picked late in the first round by a team willing to pony up the big bucks for his services. In the end, however, I think O’Conner will deviate from the Kelly plan by proving himself to be a better hitter than pitcher.
10-8 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com – Justin O’Conner, Cowan HS (IN) - There aren’t a lot of Indiana prep prospects that go straight to the pros, especially this high up, but O’Conner’s the exception. Unlike Machado and Cabrera, there aren’t a lot of questions around O’Conner’s ability to stay at shortstop long-term, and he should be a solid hitter, too. Projected draft position: Late-first to late-second round.
11-2 from www.perfectgame.com: - Future Scout Sully said: Here is my list of the Top 50 in the class. I have seen almost every one of these players. Went out to AFLAC for the week, saw team usa play, and went to many cape games: - 44- SS Justin O'Conner (6th SS on list)
11-3 from www.mlbresource.com: 3rd Mock draft – #19 - Justin O'Connor, SS/RHP - Cowan (IN) - Detroit loves young power arms and could either have a power arm on the mound or as a shortstop that can flat out hit. O'Connor could definitely shoot up the draft board but right now I have him with Detroit. (2nd SS on list)
11-9-9 from www.examiner.com: - Top 15 High School Draft Prospects - 7. Justin O’Conner, ss/rhp
Cowan HS, Muncie, Ind.
College Commitment: Arkansas - O’Conner has athleticism and strength, premium defensive tools and above-average power potential. (2nd SS on list)
11-18 from www.macksmets.blogspot.com: - 17. SS Justin O’Connor – O’Connor’s stock has risen the past few months, especially since his fatball was clocked at 99. Not bad for a shortstop. (3rd SS on list)
11-20 from www.draftamerica.com: - 26. Colorado -- Justin O'Connor, SS/RHP, Cowan HS (IN). Ideally, Gausman would have been hanging around for me to neatly slot in here, but Texas jumped the gun. O'Connor shows good instincts at short and a strong arm to go along with a compact swing and potentially plus hit tool.
11-22 from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: - Justin O’Connor will be a surprise in the first round at the catching position. I saw him at area code and it was some of the best stuff in the country with his hands, arm strength, and athletic ability. Not many people know that he plays here, yet.
11-23 from www.deepleagues.com: - #28 - LA Dodgers - Justin O’Connor (P, Muncie Indiana) (3rd C on list)
1-1-9 update: - Justin O’Conner has indeed been working on a possible full-time transition from shortstop to catcher, and a successful transition would vault O’Conner’s stock into the mid first-round range. He’s got the tools for it, but so do other big prep catching busts, so nothing’s certain yet.
1-3 from www.perfectgame.com: - Top 2010 HS MIFs. Based on summer performance (PG Natl SC,TOS,Area Code, East Pro SC, Under Armour & AFLAC) and lots of discussions. Justin O'Connor 6'1- Aflac All American. Plus arm strength(also top p prospect 92-94) Avg plus speed (6.72 60 PG Natl SC) 4.35 to first.Pop in bat at times.Won HR derby at PG Natl. Didnt hit well at Area Code or Aflac during games but did well in bp. Possibly working out at C which is very intriguing. High Potential.
1-7-9: Morisato's 2010 MLB Mock Draft - Version 1.0 - 13th Overall – The Chicago White Sox - Justin O’Conner (SS), Indiana High School - A early personal favorite of mine, O’Connor is an excellent prep shortstop that should be ranked up high with Machado and Cabrera as a top prospect. O’Connor has excellent range and a strong arm to remain at short (he can also touch 96 as a pitcher). He also shows a good swing and shows the ability to make contact. O’Conner has also shown the ability to hit for power, as he hit 19 home runs in his junior year. All in all, he’s the best two way player in the class. He’s a logical fit here for the White Sox.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - #34 - Justin O'Connor RHP/SS Cowan HS, In. 6'1" 190 R,R
1-15-0 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - 30. Los Angeles Angels – Justin O’Conner, SS, Cowan HS (IN) – Until the catching experiment is deemed successful this spring, O’Conner is still a prep shortstop, and a good one at that. With all the tools to be plus at the position (and catching), along with an excellent hit tool, O’Conner has stirred up some conversations as a back-third first-round candidate. He’s a little less refined than the premier prep names in the top part of the round, but if O’Conner’s catching experiment does go well, he could easily leapfrog Sabol. Previously: #32.
4-11 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=1751004502 - Justin O'Conner, C/SS, saw him play last week. In game 1.70-1.78 pop times, never below 1.84 in between innings. 93-95 on mound, big power at the plate. There is a change to swing path and it is much shorter and better than last fall/summer. The catching experiment is going extremely well.
4-25 from XMLBScout: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=4361060202&p=5 –
SS-C-RHP, Justin O'Connor, Cowan HS, 6'1 190, R/R, this guy is chisled out, room to fill out, 70 arm, might be an 80, did not get pitched too, but in BP showed some pop in his bat, a bit long of a swing, workable, strongest asset is tool and love for the game. Also pitched, was 92-96 striking out 4 hitters, one reached on PB. Slider was nasty in warmups. Lots of interest from clubs at the E. Han**** HS game, this kid's got the arm and moves around ok behind the dish, though he's still learning, you can mark this guy as the next Buster Posey and if I were a ML club, I would not let this kid go to college and take 3-4 to develop him, because you might have something here quickly, the way he's learned in a short season behind the plate. As a pitcher, no doubt he's got the arm strength and snap for the slider and competes, short man-closer mentality, stamina for 7? I don't know because I only saw an inning, last year I saw 3 innings and he ran out of gas after 50 pitches losing 4 mph quickly, but he also played several innings at SS. Another late 1st rounder/sandwich guy in the first, depending on signability, sign this kid!!
5-3 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft - I talked to one AL West scout who's seen Cowan (Ind.) high schooler Justin O'Conner several times and said he felt that the 6-1, 190-pound swingman has his best shot at maximizing his tools as a catcher. "No, he's not really a catcher," the scout said. "But back there he's still put up 1.7, 1.8 pop times. Because he got quick enough feet to play the middle infield, that's helped him behind the plate." Indeed, with an arm rated a 70 on the scouting 20-80 scale, O'Conner's got the cannon for it. But as we discussed earlier His bat plays well anywhere, however.
5-12 from: - http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago-cubs-wrigley-bound/2010/05/cubs-draft-preview--hitters.html - Justin O'Conner--IND (H.S.)-- 6'1 190 - This is a prospect who is tough to figure in terms of future position. Currently a SS with plus-plus arm strength who hits the mid 90s off the mound, but his range is limited, leading most to think he's a better fit at 3B. Those aren't the only two positions that are possible for this kid. He's also being projected as a catcher by some scouts. His bat is outstanding, featuring plus raw power and a short stroke that stays inside the ball. He's a good strong athlete who could play almost anywhere but after seeing his throwing from the C postion he's extremely raw in that aspect.
5-25 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/5/25/1486642/top-5-by-position-catchers#storyjump - Justin O’Conner isn’t in the same boat as either Harper or Grandal, as he’s very new to catching, having just picked it up within the last year. A natural shortstop, O’Conner was already having to face a potential position shift when scouts started wondering if he had the natural range to play in the middle of the infield, instead looking at him as a third baseman. However, he surprised a good number of people with the shift behind the plate, and even though he’s been a part-time player there this spring, he’s flashed all the tools to be a plus defender and hitter. At the plate, he’s blessed with plus natural power and is a solid hitter with a solid approach. He’s not going to win batting titles, but 20 or more home runs a year in his prime isn’t out of the question from a demanding defensive position. His arm is easily his best overall tool, though, and he was also considered a pitching prospect entering the spring. He’s obviously new to the nuances of catching, so he’s raw in most regards, but there’s plenty to like about his actions, which are nimble compared to some heavier backstops. Though he’s by no means a sure thing to catch in the long run, he’s expected to go in the back third of the first round as a signable bat with both offensive and defensive upside.
4. Micah Gibbs – - LSU – 6-0, 220, S/R -
7/07 fr. www.projectprospect.com: - Tennessee’s backstop Blake Forsythe and LSU’s catcher Micah Gibbs are potential first round picks. Both guys need to improve their contact abilities next spring but have good upside.
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: solid receiver, at least 50 arm strength w/good release, has legit power, frequency and contact ability still in question, was a bit stiff at CWS, however, the talent and skills package is there, he'll have to put it all together in 2010.
9-24: From: http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: Mock Draft Version 1 – #24 pick overall - Micah Gibbs, C – LSU
9-28: From http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: - Mock Draft Version 2 - #16 pick overall - Micah Gibbs, C – LSU - Scouting Director R.J. Harrison has proven to be one of the best in all of baseball through the building of one of the best farm systems. The Rays have a ton of pitching and a ton of young athletic players and to me bringing Gibbs in is another quality chip in the bag. Dioner Navarro has been good but I am not sure how much longer he will be in Tampa. The catching position seems to be one need and this good be a good pick for the Rays.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft - 48th - C Micah Gibbs (4th catcher on list)
11-2 from www.perfectgame.com: - Future Scout Sully said: Here is my list of the Top 50 in the class. I have seen almost every one of these players. Went out to AFLAC for the week, saw team usa play, and went to many cape games: - 46-C Micah Gibbs (4th catcher on list)
11-18 from www.macksmets.blogspot.com: - 32. C Micah Gibbs – (4th C on list)
12-15 from www.5tooltalk.com: Mock Draft – 1st round: - 9 Padres Micah Gibbs C NCAA
12-22 fr. http://baseballdraftreport.com: - JR C Micah Gibbs (2010) is currently a potential late first round pick who, even with a subpar junior season, still ought to hear his name called in the first three rounds of the 2010 Draft. Offensively he is more solid than spectacular, though his plate discipline (career 69/76 BB/K ratio) is a skill worth getting somewhat excited about. Scouts have long pegged him as a player with big raw power, especially from the left side, but in two years at LSU he hasn’t been able to show off that batting practice thunder in game situations. Gibbs’ leadership is praised far and wide and his defense is beyond reproach, so expect Gibbs to get a ton of ink as one the chosen players MLB decides to “talk up” with positive press heading into the June draft.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - # 23 - Florida Micah Gibbs C LSU 5'11" 214 B,R
2-25 from: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/baseball: - Micah Gibbs LSU - Gibbs is off to a nice start in the power department with two homers in four games.
4-29 from: - http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/college-catcher-defense - We're a little more than a month away from this year's draft, and the chatter is already mounting regarding just how high Miami's Yasmani Grandal will climb up draft boards. Let's take a look at a few other top contenders. Micah Gibbs - LSU. +3 in '08, +6 in '09 (8th best in D-1) and +0.5 this season. The numbers suggest that Gibbs is an absolute monster at keeping the ball around the plate. Nearly one-third of his defensive value last year came from pitch-blocking, ranking him best in college baseball in that department. He hasn't been nearly as successful stopping the running game this year, explaining his lower numbers.
5-14 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com – top 30 college catchers: - 4. Louisiana State JR C Micah Gibbs - Not much has really changed from Gibbs’ preseason outlook to now. Only the emergence of his in-game power qualifies, and even that’s a stretch when you consider said emergence was predicted by many heading into the year. Gibbs’ defensive skills make him a solid bet to reach the big leagues in some capacity. His power/speed combination makes him a pretty good bet to reach the big leagues ready to start and put up league average or better numbers for the position. In other words, Gibbs is a relatively safe player with a high floor worth betting on having some semblance of a successful big league career.
5-16 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/05/16/lsu-scouting-updates - “Great defender. Offensive approach has greatly improved. Professional hitter. Hands are quiet, foot down, doesn’t look like he’s guessed wrong once this year. Shows power to all fields from both sides. The way he sets up it doesn’t look like he can get to the inside pitch, but he can from both sides. There’s not a whole lot of movement with him. His hands really fly through the zone. Fluid swing.”
5-21 from: - http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/beyond-bryce - To rank draft-eligible catchers, I used all that information (offense, defense and baserunning) for each of the last three seasons, with more recent seasons weighted more heavily. The familiar names land near the top, but not always in the order you'd expect. And a stats-only approach unveils some sleepers for draft day. 5. Micah Gibbs – LSU - Gibbs started the season higher on draft boards, but like his LSU squad in general, he hasn't quite lived up to the hype. His defense numbers have sagged this year after an impressive four runs above average last season, and his bat hasn't been enough to lift him into elite territory. If the scouts were right about him all along, he may turn out to be a pleasant surprise.
5-25 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/5/25/1486642/top-5-by-position-catchers#storyjump - Micah Gibbs has gained plenty of notoriety for being the starting catcher on one of college baseball’s best teams for the last three years. That run has included a College World Series championship last June. Though the Tigers have really slowed down over the last two months, Gibbs has continued to have a career year with the bat. The least physically talented of this group, Gibbs lacks anything that really stands out as a plus tool. His bat is roughly average with fringe-average power, and while that’s close to league-average for a catcher, that’s less than some expect from an elite draft prospect.
Defense is where Gibbs really excels, but even then he lacks the raw physical tools of a standout defender. His arm is roughly average, and while his footwork is above-average, he struggles to consistently throw out runners, which is also a function of a pitching staff that hasn’t helped him much this spring. He handles pitchers very well, though, and his receiving skills are his best asset for a Major League club to watch. He’s going to benefit from being a switch-hitting catcher having a career year at the right time, and he should be a supplemental first round or second round pick.
5. Stefan Sabol – Aliso Niquel HS (CA) – 6-0, 200 – 6.75 in 60-yd… pop time: 1.88… needs work on catching balls, not throwing…
8-9: from Keith Law/ www.espn.com: - Figuring to be a first round pick in 2010, Stefan Sabol continued to impress at the games. He displayed plenty of tools at the games: running and throwing well, while demonstrating a solid swing that can go to all parts of the field. The only question is where to put him in the field. He's currently a catcher, but most teams will probably want to put his athleticism in the outfield.
8-10: From www.baseballamerica.com – Area Code Games - The highest overall score in 2009 was posted by Stefan Sabol, a catcher/outfielder from Aliso Niguel High School in Aliso Viejo, Calif. Sabol, whose cousin is Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, recorded a stratospheric 80.87 overall score. Sabol trampolined to a remarkable 36.2 inch vertical leap, and shocked everyone present—himself included—by racing off to one of the fastest 60 times in Area Code history—6.28. The score is shocking because Sabol typically runs in the 6.5- to 6.7-second range.
8-19: Jeff Sullivan from the AFLAC Games: - Sabol is an outstanding athlete who is a blast to see play. He is athletic enough to play almost anywhere on the diamond, but if he is able to stick at catcher, it will greatly improve his draft stock. He has blazing speed and is a very exciting player. Sabol went hitless in the game, but he is a fantastic athlete who has committed to play for Oregon.
9-16: From www.baseballamerica.com : - High School Top 25 draft prospects: 15. Stefan Sabol, c/of Aliso Niquel HS, Aliso Viejo, Calif.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft - C/OF Stefan Sabol (2nd catcher on list)
10-13 from www.mymlbdraft.com: 2010 MLB Mock Draft - #32 – (2nd C picked) - Stefan Sabol
11-2 from www.perfectgame.com: - Future Scout Sully said: Here is my list of the Top 50 in the class. I have seen almost every one of these players. Went out to AFLAC for the week, saw team usa play, and went to many cape games: - 30- C Stefan Sabol – (3rd catcher on list)
11-9-9 from www.examiner.com: - Top 15 High School Draft Prospects - 14. Stefan Sabol, c/of
Aliso Niquel HS, Aliso Viejo, Calif.
College Commitment: Oregon - A cousin of Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, Sabol is perhaps the best athlete in the class and has five-tool potential as an outfielder. (1st C on list)
11-9-9 from www.mlbresource.com: - Glimpse at Top 2011 - Stefan Sabol, C/OF Oregon - Sabol is going to create a lot of interest at the top of the 2010 draft with his five-tool play highlighted by power mixed with 6.5 speed. Plays for a premier Southern California high school.
11-17 from www.mlbdraft.blogspot.com: - 30.Los Angeles Angels- Stefan Sabol, C, Aliso Niguel HS(CA) - Sabol has a lot riding on this season. A lot of questions about him staying behind the plate. Sabol is a blazer though, and he has the ability to hit to all fields.
11-18 from www.macksmets.blogspot.com: - 23. C Steven Sabol – Sabol is a 5-tooler prep kid who will be converted to the outfield as soon as he turns pro… a speedster… (3rd C on list)
2010 MLB DRAFT MOCK DRAFT- 12/31/09 – www.jjscouting.com - 30. Los Angeles Angels- Stefan Sabol, C, Aliso Niguel HS(CA) - Sabol has a lot riding on this season. A lot of questions about him staying behind the plate. Sabol is a blazer though, and he has the ability to hit to all fields.
1-1-9 update: - -O’Conner’s catching stock may be going up, but less scouts are sure of Stefan Sabol’s future behind the plate. There’s a good possibility that teams won’t even be looking at Sabol as a catcher anymore, as there’s a strong possibility he’ll be an outfielder in the long-run. O’Conner’s transition will greatly impact Sabol’s future, since a successful transition for O’Conner would likely tank Sabol’s stock, as he’d no longer be in consideration for the top prep catching spot.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - #41 - Stefan Sabol C Aliso Niguel HS, Ca. 6'2" 205 R,R
1-15-0 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - 23. Florida Marlins – Stefan Sabol, C, Aliso Niguel HS (CA) – Calling Sabol a catcher is generous, though there’s a good chance that a team like the Marlins might pick Sabol this high even as an outfielder. He’s got all the tools to be an excellent pro ballplayer, and his price tag isn’t expected to top his slotting number, at least if picked in the first round. That’s the Marlins’ type of player. He’d fit well into their development program, though California prep catching product Kyle Skipworth hasn’t worked well there. For now, the Marlins’ and their heavily-scouted California base mix well with Sabol. Previously: NR.
1-15-9 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - #22 Texas Rangers: Stefan Sabol – Aliso Niguel HS (CA) - Still not sure what position Sabol will eventually call home, but he’ll be a good one wherever he winds up. Actually, that first part is a lie. I do that a lot, apparently. Anyway, it’s not a total lie, but more of a nod to the scouting world consensus that seems to go back and forth on Sabol’s most likely eventual position. So allow me to amend that sloppy opening sentence by changing it up to say while many aren’t sure what position Sabol will play as a professional, I, however would bet a good chunk of change he sticks behind the plate for a good long while. His speed and athleticism (Sabol possesses arguably the best body of any amateur, college guys included) have already earned him Jason Kendall comps, but a comp like that ignores his significantly higher ultimate upside in the power department. The very same speed and athleticism are the reasons why I think so many want to prematurely move him out from behind the dish. True, he is athletic enough to play a variety of different positions, but, like Bryce Harper, his value is highest staying right where he is until he proves he can’t handle catching. He has a true plus arm that will play anywhere, above-average speed that could serve him well in the outfield (you know, just in case), and average to above-average big league power potential.
4-8 from: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/draft-tracker/2010/269779.html - Three Down - Stefan Sabol, c, Aliso Niguel HS, Aliso Viejo, Calif. - Scouts have had questions about whether or not Sabol can stick behind the plate. Those questions have intensified this spring and the consensus seems to be that he'll have to move to an easier position as a pro—most likely a corner outfield position. If that's the case, teams will be drafting Sabol based mostly on his bat, and the bat has to be more of a sure thing if he's limited to a corner spot than it would have to be if he could continue to catch. He could still catch at the college level, and one scout predicted he'll wind up fulfilling his Oregon commitment. "He's really struggled defensively, especially with his receiving," an American League area scout said. "I think he's headed to college because right now, you'd have to send him out as a left fielder, and he's just not hitting like an elite bat right now."
4-17 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/2010-draft-misfits-wimmers-sabol-choice/#more - Stefan Sabol, Aliso Niquel High School, C: His hitting statistics are off the charts already: 400/500/950 with eight homers and just eight strikeouts vs. eleven walks. Despite the stats, scouts are not believing his performance. "I like him, but I think the hype was a little much," said one area scout. "There's a lot to like, but the performance is a bit inflated -- not the best league down here."
4-21 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/04/21/stefan-sabol-update/#more-5579 - Offensively, Sabol’s surest tools are his hands. Projecting him with wood, it’s hard to imagine beating him on the inner-half, so what he’ll have to do in the coming years is prove he can drive the ball with authority to all fields. With that should come modest power, which would create a very desirable player at the catching position. Defensively, it’s fair to characterize him as a work in progress as far as the pro levels are concerned. The first thing you would notice are the athletic actions. For me, this is why he reminds me of Biggio. Sabol has very quick actions behind the plate, actions that make him a flashy player behind the plate. His hands are softer than they were in the summer, but Sabol still stabs at too many balls, doesn’t consistently use his body to block pitches in the dirt, and drops to one knee too many times. His arm strength is there for the pro levels. The best throw I had him at was 1.9, though he’s hit 1.8 often. He will almost certainly benefit from pro instruction at the position, especially in his throwing, which is too often hurried. Sabol needs to better set his feet so his accuracy improves in the coming years. He should be an average or slightly above-average major league runner, which would make him an exceptional runner at the position. It should be noted that Biggio wasn’t much better than an average runner who excelled by running hard 90s until his ankles were wrapped like mummies.
4-26 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/04/26/stefan-sabol-qa - When I first saw C Stefan Sabol, he reminded me of Craig Biggio. Here’s why. I thought Sabol had very similar athletic actions behind the plate, but was very inexperienced defensively. I thought his hands worked for him right-handed, and I saw modest power, which would be a major bonus if he stays behind the plate. Baseball Beginnings caught up with Sabol for this Q&A, where he talked about some of these topics.
5-1 from: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/30/1452824/interesting-high-school-hitters#storyjump - Stefan Sabol, C-OF, Aliso Niguel High School, Laguna Niguel, California The 6-2, 205 pound Sabol has very good speed and should hit for power as well; the main question for him is defense. Currently a catcher, his speed goes to waste behind the plate in the eyes of some scouts, who see him as a future center fielder. Others believe that his combination of quickness, agility, and arm strength are rare attributes for a catcher. He needs help with the finer points of backstop work, but if he stays behind the plate he can polish up his receiving skills with more experience. His draft position is up in the air at the moment, and there's at least some chance he could end up at the University of Oregon if he falls too far.
5-25 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/category/2010-draft - Here’s one more look at Stefan Sabol before the draft. This is a short clip, but this is a good thumbnail description of what kind of player this is and will be in the future. Athletically, he belongs on the field. This has always been one of the things I’ve liked most about him. If he stays behind the plate in the coming years, he’ll need to continue refining his defense. I keep coming back to the Biggio compairson. I look at his combination of offensive and athletic ability, the fact that he can run enough to help, the fact that his arm is strong enough to make the off-balanced double play throw, the fact that I bet he could go to his left and plug the hole, and I imagine second base. I think there will be better defensive catchers in front of him. Now, maybe I’m wrong. If he becomes a better defender behind the plate in the coming years, I’ll say, OK, tip my hat. But if he hits he plays, and if he plays, you maximize his athletic value. Where that will be? Call me in a few years and we’ll find out. Either way, he’s a solid high school draft. Good luck on the minor league side because I have a feeling we’ll see you there first.
6. Kellin Deglan – Langley HS (B.C.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 253rd
5-25 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/5/25/1486642/top-5-by-position-catchers#storyjump - Kellin Deglan isn’t new to scouts, but he’s new to the top level of draft prospecting. A solid top ten round backstop entering the spring, he exploded with excellent performances while traveling with a team to Arizona this spring to play against pro players in extended spring training. A natural defender, his weakest areas are really with the bat, where he’s fairly new to being considered a top-level hitter. In a way, he’s most like traditional high school catcher picks, in that his defense and pop times are much more impressive than his bat, though his bat is quite good on its own. As a left-handed hitting catcher with a sweet gap-to-gap swing, he gets plenty of comparisons to Joe Mauer, though he doesn’t have the natural strength or size that Mauer had. However, he’s more advanced defensively than anyone in the prep catching class this spring, showing plus defensive tools with an above-average arm, plus footwork, and a nice and easy approach to handling pitchers and receiving. He’ll have plenty to work on when he reaches the pro level, but if his tear against pro pitchers in April shows anything, it’s that he’s ready to take on competition older than his age. He should go in the top fifty picks, but it’s all a matter of which team is willing to spend the highest pick possible for a signable catcher.
7. Roberto Pena –
8. Cameron Rupp – Texas – 6-3, 220, R/R- also plays 1B… junior… 2009: 63-G, .292, 11-HR, 46-RBI, threw out runners: .318… struggled with passed balls…
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: solid power straight away and at least an ave ML hitter, 260-270 type with 15-20 type HR at the least. Solid arm strength, tends to rush throws thus causing accuracy problems to 2b. Has improved since HS days.
11-14: from www.collegebaseballblog.com: - named the 67th top college player
2-5: from www.collegebaseball360.com: Baseball America Pre-Season All American team: - Third Team - C Cameron Rupp, Texas
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 105th
2-25 from: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/baseball: - Cameron Rupp Texas - Rupp is off to a hot start, leading the Longhorns with an impressive .462 batting average.
3-13 from: http://pnrscouting.com/articles_2010_houstoncollegeclassic_day1_03092010.html - Catcher Cameron Rupp (2010) looked solid handling Jungmann, showing good hands and moving well side-to-side on a few balls in the dirt. He also displayed good footwork and a quick transfer, popping 2.09 and 2.16 to second between innings. At the plate, he knocked in the first run for Texas on a hard-hit single up the middle. Loy showed incredibly soft hands at short, in addition to a strong and accurate arm, and also knocked-in the game winning run on a double to the left-center gap in the 8th inning.
3-19 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/03/20/big-12-recap-for-03192010/#more-24585 - A three-run walk-off home run by Cameron Rupp in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the No. 2 Texas Longhorns a 6-5 victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers to open Big 12 play at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday evening… Trailing 5-3, Jordan Weymouth’s pinch-hit two-out double in the bottom of the ninth inning kept the Longhorns alive in the game. Keyes then drew a walk, and was replaced by pinch runner Kyle Lusson. Cameron Rupp followed by taking the first pitch he saw, from Nebraska reliever Kurt Giller, deep down the rightfield line for a three-run walk-off home run to give the Longhorns the dramatic 6-5 win.
4-7 from: http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/2010-draft-preview-matt-harvey-rising-kyle-blair-falling/#more - Cameron Rupp, Texas, C: Not a great defensive ticket, Rupp's meal ticket is his power and he's struggled with that this season too. He has only four home runs on the season so far and is having trouble hitting breaking balls.
4-26 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/26/phillips-66-big-12-baseball-weekly-honors-2 - C Cameron Rupp from Texas was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Player Pitcher of the Week for games of April 19-25. Rupp recorded three doubles, three home runs and 13 RBI while compiling a 1.286 slugging percentage to lead Texas to a 4-0 week. In the Longhorns’ three-game sweep of Oklahoma State, he went 3-for-3 with one double, two home runs and seven RBI in his three first-inning plate appearances. Rupp connected on two-out, three run home runs in the initial inning of the first two games to give UT a lead. The junior catcher posted two doubles, two home runs, four runs and 11 RBI to help Texas register the Big 12’s only sweep of the weekend. He also hit a two-run home run in the third inning to put the Longhorns on the board first in a mid-week victory over UT-Arlington. Rupp went 2-for-4 with one double, one home run, two runs and two RBI against the Roadrunners. Behind the plate, the junior called pitches for a staff that allowed just six runs (five earned) over 36.0 innings for a 1.25 ERA on the week.
4-28 from: - http://collegebaseball360.com/2010/04/27/cb360-primetime-performers-10-april-27 - Texas junior catcher Cameron Rupp (Plano, Texas) and Florida freshman lefthander/DH Brian Johnson (Cocoa Beach, Fla.) headline the nation’s players who turned in noteworthy performances during the past week, as the college baseball regular season entered its final month. Rupp has been named the national Primetime Player of the Week and Johnson is the Primetime Pitcher of the Week, while 17 others (listed below, with headshots and info. capsule) join them in comprising the Primetime Performer Weekly Honor Roll, as selected by CollegeBaseball360.com.
4-29 from: - http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/college-catcher-defense - We're a little more than a month away from this year's draft, and the chatter is already mounting regarding just how high Miami's Yasmani Grandal will climb up draft boards. Let's take a look at a few other top contenders. Cameron Rupp - Texas. -1 in 2008, +1.5 in 2009 and +1 so far this year. He threw out only 9 of 52 base-stealers his freshman year, but since then, he appears to have developed a fearsome reputation. He hovers around a 40 percent kill rate, but perhaps opponents are carefully picking their spots. They attempt fewer steals against him than against almost any other catcher in college baseball.
4-30 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/30/1451211/casing-the-states-texas-part-four#storyjump - Rupp has been a three year starter at Texas, which is impressive considering the catching depth they always seem to have. He's held onto that spot due to his defensive prowess most of the time, but he offers some of the best offensive upside of the catchers available in this class. His biggest asset offensively is plus power potential, though he loses a little batting average when swinging for the fences. He's learned to stay back a little more over time as a Longhorn, and it has helped him that Texas' home ballpark is one of the more pitching-friendly ballparks in the country traditionally. His power does translate well to wood, as he does square up the ball pretty well, but he will strike out quite often, mainly due to taking a large number of pitches. He's not necessarily fitted with the best batting eye, but he likes to wait for a pitch to drive, which can result in lost at-bats due to being passive. He's a well below-average runner, though, so he gains no value by being a singles hitter. Defensively, he has a plus arm, but his footwork will be a thing to work on in the minors. He should throw out plenty of runners when he's paired with pro pitchers and coaches, and most scouts think he could be an above-average defender. He hasn't had the best season offensively, but he's handled a very talented pitching staff quite well. He's a solid first day catching prospect. Projected Draft Range: 2nd-4th Round
5-11 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - 8. Texas JR C Cameron Rupp - Now we’re finally getting to some college catching prospects with legit plus tools. In Rupp’s case, it’s plus raw power and a plus throwing arm. The raw power is hard to argue with, though there is some concern it’s more of a pure physical strength power rather than quick wrists and a classic swing kind of power. Rupp’s arm strength has been called above-average in some places, but, for me, his arm becomes a plus tool when you combine that above-average throwing power with his incredibly precise throwing accuracy. Arm and power, check. As for the other three tools, well, that’s more of a mixed bag. His running speed is well below-average and his long swing has enough holes against breaking pitches to keep him from ever having anything more than a league average bat. His defense, however, gives him a third above-average tool, especially his surprisingly nimble lateral movement behind the plate.
5-21 from: - http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/beyond-bryce - To rank draft-eligible catchers, I used all that information (offense, defense and baserunning) for each of the last three seasons, with more recent seasons weighted more heavily. The familiar names land near the top, but not always in the order you'd expect. And a stats-only approach unveils some sleepers for draft day. 4. Cameron Rupp – Texas - On the strength of a big season at the plate last year, Rupp gets more attention than either Stanley or Holaday. He's demonstrated his ability behind the plate, but a weaker offensive season as a junior makes me wonder what kind of potential he really has. A 23 percent strikeout rate this year counts heavily against him.
9. Rob Brantly – UC Riverside – 6-3, 195, sophomore… 2009: .316, 4-HR, 23-RBI, .454 slugging percentage, .344 OBP… summer in Northwoods League: led league with .346 BA… 6-HR, 34-RBI in 49 games… .516 slugging %... 21-BB…
9-16: From www.baseballamrica.com : - College Top 25 draft prospects: 25. Rob Brantly, c UC Riverside
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft - 31. C Rob Brantly (3rd catcher on list)
10-6 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com: - C Rob Brantly - Brantly is another draft-eligible sophomore with tremendous upside; in a pretty good year for college catching, he’s the top four-year college backstop on my board.
11-7-9 from www.mlbresource.com: - Rob Brantly, C UC Riverside - Outstanding defensive catcher with a strong arm and a bat that is gap-to-gap and high average potential.
11-11: from www.collegbaseballblog.com: - named the 68th top college baseball player
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 92nd
5-11 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - 6. UC Riverside SO C Rob Brantly - Originally my favorite four-year college in the 2010 class, Brantly’s sophomore season hasn’t really done too much to hurt his stock, but has nonetheless seen his spot in the rankings slip as other college guys have simply done more.
10. Mike Kvasnicka – Minnesota junior – OF/C –
from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - possesses one of the longest swings of any major prospect in the 2010 draft. This is a good thing when he makes contact (I’ve heard both the thwack! of the bat in the Northwoods League and the ping! at Minnesota, both very impressive), but a very bad thing when up against pitchers with effective offspeed stuff. Kvasnicka has struck out 103 times in 438 college at bats. Any regular reader knows that I’m firmly entrenched in the strikeouts are no worse than any other kind of out camp, but that only really applies to big leaguers. There is something to be said for high-K rates being an indicator of poor contact abilities for minor leaguers and amateurs. If I was told I’d be drafting the current iteration of Kvasnicka, then I’m not sure I’d be too happy selecting a hitter who I won’t think will make enough contact to be a regular. Luckily, nobody is drafting the February version of any potential draft pick. Any team drafting Kvasnicka isn’t getting the Kvasnicka of February, 2010; they’ll get the player he will be someday down the line. Given the fact that Kvasnicka is a plus athlete with a well-rounded toolset (good speed, decent arm, plus raw power), there should be plenty of teams interested to see if he can figure it all out professionally, long swing and strikeouts be damned. His draft stock (already pretty solid – round 4-7 is my current guess) gets a bump if teams buy into his defensive abilities behind the plate.
4-5 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/05/big-ten-players-of-the-week-8 - PLAYERS OF THE WEEK - Michael Kvasnicka, Minnesota - Jr., OF, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North - Kvasnicka takes home his first career weekly honor after leading Minnesota to a series win on the road against Purdue. The outfielder hit .583 against the Boilermakers, reaching base at a .643 clip and slugging 1.000 for an OPS of 1.643. Kvasnicka scored three runs in the series and drove in seven, recording two doubles. The junior had multiple hits in all three games of the set, including a 3-for-4 performance on Friday. In the series finale on Sunday, he hit the go-ahead double with his team trailing 5-4 in the ninth, driving in two runs to put the Gophers up for good. Kvasnicka ranks among the Big Ten’s leaders with a .613 slugging percentage on the year and is second in the conference with 11 doubles.
4-22 from pnrscouting: mock drafted # 105
5-3 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/5/3/1456083/interesting-college-hitters-part - Mike Kvasnicka, C-OF, University of Minnesota 6-3 210 R - Although he's splitting time between catching and outfield this year, at the pro level he'll likely get a full shot behind the plate, given his arm strength and mobility. He'll need some polish of course, but the upside is worth it. At 6-3, 210, Kvasnicka has the strength and size to hit for plenty of power. His numbers this year are quite good: .348/.460/.591 with 35 walks and just 15 strikeouts in 164 at-bats. His OPS is about +33 percent in context, very solid, but the very strong BB/K ratio stands out. He could go as early as the second round depending on how teams evaluate his defense.
5-24 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft - One of the big reasons for Minnesota's success is catcher/outfielder Michael Kvasnicka. Against Ohio State, Kvasnicka went 3-for-13 with five runs scored over the weekend. We've written about him earlier in the season and a couple of Midwest area scouts I talked to liked what they saw out of the switch-hitting junior. As an outfielder, Kvasnicka was amid the pack and stood to be a late-first day draft pick. He has a good quick and simple stroke, can hit for power with more projected, has great plate discipline and defensively, owns a good enough arm for rightfield. But his tools still came up just a tad short in the outfield.
11. Jake Hernandez – Los Osos HS (CA.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 220th
4-21 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/04/21/jake-hernandez-update-2/#more-5584 - Teams that prize defensive catchers will prize Jake Hernandez, whose recent string of at-bats helped show that he has enough in his hands to make contributions on the other side of the ball. He was hit by a pitch and walked in this look, but also singled to left field, getting his hands inside a ball and fighting it off to right field. It doesn’t have to be an all-worldly scouting moment to look at a guy and see the basic building blocks, but Hernandez shows enough in his hands to allow for enough offensive projection to play every day. This will be less of a concern if a club that prizes defensive catchers selects him.
5-13 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/05/13/jake-hernandez-report - PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Broad shoulders, wide hips, average height. Great build for position, strong hands and forearms. Has more room for physical projection, should add more strength through chest and core, durable frame to catch. STRENGTHS: Above-average defensive catcher. Soft hands, low target, catches the low ball. Blocks balls, sets feet to throw, quick release. Strong, accurate arm, consistent 1.8-1.9 throws, quick athletic actions behind the plate, soft hands, quiet targets. Average bat speed, best when using whole field. WEAKNESSES: Below-average raw power and foot speed. Sometimes lost swing this spring, pulled off looking to pull. Saw better at-bats later, going SA. Won’t be offensive-oriented at advanced levels but should put ball in play enough. SUMMARY: Profiles as everyday catcher for me based on defense and arm. Should be adequate enough offensively to play every day and not be a back-up type in coming years. Intelligent player, shows baseball IQ, baseball-rat type, reminds me of Jeff Mathis. Good luck in coming years. GRADES (Present/Future):- Hit 20/40 - Power 20/40 - Run 40/40 - Arm 70/70 - Field 50/70 - Overall Future Potential: 52
12. Tyler Austin – Heritahe HS (GA.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 41st
13. Blake Forsythe – Tennessee -
7/07 from www.projectprospect.com: - Tennessee’s backstop Blake Forsythe and LSU’s catcher Micah Gibbs are potential first round picks. Both guys need to improve their contact abilities next spring but have good upside. Forsythe has more power while Gibbs has more defensive value…
7-09: Fr. Keith Law/ www.espn.com : Law critizes Forsythe by saying "he's Adam Dunn at the plate -- it takes an act of Congress to get the bat off his shoulder."
9-24: From: http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: Mock Draft Version 1 – #28 pick overall - Blake Forsythe, C – Tennessee
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - #49 - Blake Forsythe C Tennessee 6'2" 220 R,R
1-31: Named to the 2010 Ping!Baseball All American Teams: - CATCHER - Second Team - Blake Forsythe, Tennessee
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 125th
2-25 from: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/baseball: - Blake Forsythe Tennessee - Forsythe only hit .333 the first weekend but knocked in six runs for the Vols.
3-26 from: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/draft-tracker/2010/269724.html - Blake Forsythe, c, Tennessee - After hitting a robust .347/.486/.663 last year, Forsythe is off to as slow of a start as anybody this year. The younger brother of Padres prospect Logan Forsythe, he has a somewhat similar profile to his brother with the added bonus of playing catcher. However, the younger Forsythe, like the 11-10 Volunteers, is off to a disappointing start, hitting .215/.395/.385 over his first 65 at-bats. "Right now he's really messed up at the plate," a National League area scout said. "He's trying to be a big power guy and he has that in there; you watch BP and he's launching balls all over the place—wood bat, aluminum bat, it doesn't matter. But, when he's had most of his success, it's been more of an up-the-middle approach and he'll run into a ball here and there and he's gotten away from that. He's trying to pull everything and he's out of sync at the plate. It's not really the type of season he'd be hoping for."
5-10 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com – top 30 college catchers - 10. Tennessee JR C Blake Forsythe - As one of my favorite players in the country heading in the year, Forsythe, no doubt already feeling the heat as a key bat on a top SEC school expected to compete in 2010, had the added pressure of keeping this faceless internet stranger happy with a big season at and behind the plate. He’s responded with a season reminiscent of Jose Iglesias’s 2009 – good, but certainly not top five round worthy like many had hoped. Like Iglesias, it may be in his best interest to return for a senior season to rehabilitate his slipping draft stock. As it stands, his stock isn’t completely down the tubes; legit power potential and super plate discipline will get a guy chances, down year or not. I also think he’s a better athlete and runner than he often gets credit for, but those skills aren’t going to be what gets him paid. If he hits like expected, he’s a big leaguer.
5-21 from: - http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/beyond-bryce - To rank draft-eligible catchers, I used all that information (offense, defense and baserunning) for each of the last three seasons, with more recent seasons weighted more heavily. The familiar names land near the top, but not always in the order you'd expect. And a stats-only approach unveils some sleepers for draft day. 6. Blake Forsythe – Tennessee - These last three spots are separated by decimal points, so Forsythe, the least-hyped of the trio, may turn out to be the best deal on draft day. He has also been better than Rupp and Gibbs if you limit the analysis to 2009 and 2010, as his freshman year was below average.
14. Will Swanner – La Costa Canyon HS (CA.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 132nd
15. Matt Roberts – Graham HS (NC)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 164th
3-12 from http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/articles/DisplayArticle.aspx?article=2201 - MATT ROBERTS, c, SR, Graham HS. Roberts is on the short list of the best defensive catchers in the country. While he struggled some at the plate on Saturday, he showed the elite defensive skills that should make him one of the most-sought prospects in the draft, though he has a scholarship offer from North Carolina as leverage.
3-16 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=4361060202&p=2 - Catcher, Matt Roberts, put on a show for a couple handfuls of scouts on Monday at Orange HS, in Hillsborough NC. I witnessed two solid HRs by Matt to left and deep left center in the 6th and 7th innings, just as I was about to leave as the pitching was not very good on the day, many walks, wild pitches and passed balls by the Orange HS catcher. Graham HS has a solid club with #92 pre-season rated, Matt Roberts, stealing the show and living up to his billing as one of the top HS catchers in the nation for 2010 MLB Draft. He's signed to attend UNC-CH and he's a good student. Arm strength he displayed in warmups was solid average with 2.0 and slightly below pop times to 2b, he's a sturdy, 6' and 185/195, R/R, runs decent for a catcher, 4.55 on a turn on a hard hit foul ball down the line before walking in the first inning.
On the day I graded Matt out as a 30/50 hitter, 40/50 power & frequency, 45/40 runner, 50 arm w/quick release, 50 glove & range, similarities to Brad Ausmus who's played a lifetime in the bigs with several clubs, most notably with the Astros. This young man is a definite top 3 rounder for 2010 based on what I've seen this early season and it's not officially spring just yet. Since last summer he's improved on upper body strength and slightly on arm strength, one scout clocked him at 84 to 2b and I consider 80 as being solid ML average on pure velocity out of the hand to 2b for a catcher, Bill Clark formerly of the Reds used that measure for years and is someone I feel is a true "baseball scout" in the definition of what a scout is/does!!!
16. Jacob Felts – Orangefield HS (TX) – 6-0, 195 –
7-29: from www.baseballfactory.com: - Felts is a very solid defender who flashes a 1.8-second pop time. He hits with some authority too, with a line drive approach to all fields.
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 51st
4-21 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/21/1433461/casing-the-states-texas-part-one#storyjump - In a year where the prep catching class is fairly weak, Felts has a chance to really move up boards if he's deemed signable. A defense-first catcher, Felts is no slouch at the plate, using a solid-average hit tool to spray balls to the gaps, showing a catcher's uncanny ability to put the bat on the ball in almost any situation. He flashes fringe-average raw power, and he should be able to run into 12-15 home runs a year in his prime if he continues to develop. He's a below-average runner, but then again, very few catchers aren't. It's behind the plate where he excels. Combining a above-average to plus arm with plus footwork, he routinely records plus pop times, and he looks like a potential shutdown defender. He's a mature player, and he handles a pitching staff well, so most scouts believe he will make an excellent catcher at the next level. However, Felts has a strong commitment to Texas, and unless he gets the feeling that he won't get enough playing time there, he might scare some scouts away. He's a solid player, though, and a team might pop him as high as the fourth round if he's signable. Projected Draft Range: 4th-8th Round
17. Cody Stanley – UNC Wilmington junior L/R…
7-23: stats thru 7-15 in Cape Cod League: .276, 1-HR, 5-RBI… starting in Cape Cod All-Star game
-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 109th
3-23 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=4361060202&p=2 - Also add Catcher, Cody Stanley, UNC-Wilmington, 5'11 195, R/R, solid hitter with short power stroke to left center and left line, 1.88 pop time on one attempt throwout at 2b on a cold and windy day 2 weeks back. Among college receivers I've seen this spring, he's the most fluid and total package. He also had a solid summer last year with wood which will help him come tourney time. Club also has a reliever with low 90's fb, Stephen Harrold who someone will give a chance to and tall RHP, Seth Frankoff, 6'4 210, 89-90 fb, topps out at 91-92 with sink when on top of his fb, tends to overthrow some causing eratic command/control. Slide piece is still a work in progress but good enough to advance levels. Key will be a solid 3rd pitch he can locate anytime in the count and he appears to have the ability to do that.
4-29 from: - http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/college-catcher-defense - We're a little more than a month away from this year's draft, and the chatter is already mounting regarding just how high Miami's Yasmani Grandal will climb up draft boards. Let's take a look at a few other top contenders. - Cody Stanley - North Carolina. +1.5 in both '09 and '10. Nothing very noteworthy in his record. He consistently limits opponents to about a 65 percent success rate in stolen base attempts, and he does everything else a bit better than average.
5-11 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - 7. UNC Wilmington JR C Cody Stanley - Stanley gets the edge over Rupp due to better athleticism, but, really, the two are similar prospects in many respects. Both have plus power potential, both have plus throwing arms (Stanley’s isn’t as strong, but better footwork and a quicker release helps narrow the gap), and both profile as solid big league defenders behind the plate. Pretty similar, right? So what exactly gives Stanley the advantage as a prospect? Well, we’ve already covered Stanley’s superior athleticism, but the UNC Wilmington catcher also bests his Texas counterpart in baserunning (Stanley has great instincts and is an average runner for a catcher) and track record with a wood bat (Stanley killed it on the Cape this past summer). Stanley over Rupp by a hair; the proof is in the parentheses.
5-21 from: - http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/beyond-bryce - To rank draft-eligible catchers, I used all that information (offense, defense and baserunning) for each of the last three seasons, with more recent seasons weighted more heavily. The familiar names land near the top, but not always in the order you'd expect. And a stats-only approach unveils some sleepers for draft day. 2. Cody Stanley - UNC Wilmington - Next to Grandal, Stanley is the best all-around backstop. His baserunning numbers are the best of this group (including 12 steals in 14 tries this year)—obviously not the most important thing in evaluating a college catcher, but they may suggest he'll age more gracefully than others. He's a bit small (listed at 5-foot-10 or 5-foot-11), but his demonstrated skill puts him clearly in the top three here.
18. Jesse Wierzbicki:
5-10 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com – top 30 college catchers - 14. North Carolina JR C Jesse Wierzbicki - Wierzbicki’s tools grade out as solid across the board, especially if you’re like me and willing to grade a catcher’s running speed on a curve. I tend to think of backup catchers falling into one of three general archetypes. The first group of backups are the sluggers (big raw power, capable of popping an extra base hit or two in that one start a week), the second are the defensive aces (nothing mesmerizes big league coaching staffs more than a catching with a plus arm), and the third are the players that do everything pretty well, but nothing great. Wierzbicki falls squarely in with that last category of player. He’s known for having power to the gaps, a consistent line drive generating swing, and a solid arm. He’s also a tireless worker who knows his own athletic limitations, two of those tricky intangible qualities that either mean a lot to a team or nothing at all.
19. Rafael Neda – New Mexico – junior… 2009: 55-G, .415 (32nd in nation), 7-HR, 49-RBI, .504 OBP…
11-18: www.collegebaseballblog.com: - named the 63rd top college baseball player for the upcoming season
12-25: www.thecollegebaseballblog.com: named to the 2010 NCBWA Division 1 second team All-Americans
1-31: Named to the 2010 Ping!Baseball All American Teams: - CATCHER - First Team: Rafael Neda, New Mexico
2-25 from: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/baseball: - Rafael Neda New Mexico - Neda is off to another nice start for the Lobos and is hitting .333.
5-7 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - 2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Catching - 28. New Mexico JR C Rafael Neda - Neda’s strong statistical profile syncs up well with the increasingly positive scouting reports thrown his way this spring. He came into the year with a solid defensive reputation and above-average power to the gaps, but now has some scouts thinking he could grow into a decent regular with double digit homerun totals.
20. Chris Schaeffer:
3-15 from http://baseballdraftreport.com – Saturday: JR C Chris Schaeffer (North Carolina State): 3-4, 2 HR, HBP, 4 RBI, R in doubleheader - Chris Schaeffer has been a revelation in the early going for the Wolfpack, hitting a robust .462/.588/.795 (8 BB/1 K) through 39 at bats. Combine that production with personal 2011 favorite Pratt Maynard (.389/.522/.593) and you’ve got yourself one heck of a catching tandem.
5-10 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com – top 30 college catchers - 15. North Carolina State JR C Chris Schaeffer - Good defensively? Check. Above-average power production? Check. Mature approach at the plate? Check. There really aren’t a lot of obvious chinks in Schaeffer’s prospect armor, especially when stacked up against his draft-eligible college catching competition. Biggest knock on Schaeffer that I’ve heard revolves around his swing. His experience with wood in the past hasn’t inspired a great deal of confidence that his power is more than an aluminum bat mirage. Even if we adjust for a loss of power, Schaeffer’s other aforementioned skills make him an attractive mid-round candidate as a developmental backup catcher type.
21. Mitch Karraker Univ. of Oregon – 6-1, 175, junior… 2009: 51-G, 34-starts, 2.16, second on the team with 18-RBIs, .979 fielding percentage, 31 –assists, caught 14-32 (.696) base runners
22. Alex Ramsay – Severna Park (MD) - 6-0, 185 –
7-29: From: www.baseballfactory.com: - One of the top catchers in the 2010 class, Ramsay is an excellent athlete who runs the 60-yard dash in 7.0 seconds. He shows good actions behind the plate with quick feet, a strong arm and good blocking and receiving skills. He’s a good hitter with quick hands and above-average bat speed.
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 290th
23. Eric Arce – Lakeland HS (FL.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 189th
24. Myles Hamblin – Mississippi
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 118th
25. Case Nixon – Hillcrest HS (AL) – 6-1, 181 – verbally committed to Alabama…
7-29: From: www.baseballfactory.com: Nixon is athletic at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds. On the mound, his fastball is in the 91-92 mph range and the arm strength is also evident behind the plate, where he posts sub-2.0 pop times. Nixon is committed to Alabama.
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com – mock drafted 161st
26. Brandon Stephens – Lassiter HS (GA.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 194th
27. Alex Lavisky - St. Edward HS (OH) – 6-1, 205 -
7-29: From: www.baseballfactory.com: - Lavisky is a strong and agile backstop with solid catch-andthrow ability. At the plate, he employs an open stance and has quick wrists that allow him to catch up to velocity well
9-8: www.pgtracker.com lists as one of the top 10 high school players coming out of Ohio.
2-25 from www.baseballamerica.com: - 2010 Preseason High School All-Americans - FIRST TEAM - C Alex Lavisky, St. Edward HS, Lakewood, Ohio Sr. .481 - Georgia Tech
28. Brian Holaday –
2-25 from: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/baseball: - Bryan Holaday TCU - Holaday hit over .400 the first series of the year against Sam Houston State.
3-10-10 from http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/baseball/news?slug=kr-powerrankings031010&prov=yhoo&type=lgns - Power Rankings – Behind the plate, TCU veteran Bryan Holaday continues to do an amazing job both behind the plate and at the plate and climbed to the top spot this week. Ohio State’s Dan Burkhart only dropped a couple of spots, while UC Irvine’s Francis Larson and Western Kentucky’s Matt Rice dropped out of the rankings. The new entrants include Wichita State’s Cody Lassley and Georgia Tech’s Cole Leonida.
4-22-10 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/22/1435556/casing-the-states-texas-part-two - C, TCU - Holaday has made himself into one of the top senior catchers in this draft. A former junior college catcher at North Central Texas JC, Holaday transferred in to TCU for his sophomore campaign, and he's gone undrafted three times leading up to the 2010 draft, once out of high school, once after his freshman year in junior college, and then again after his junior year at TCU. However, Holaday has improved greatly year-to-year, and he's one of the top defensive catchers in the draft. At the plate, he relies more on gap-to-gap coverage, and he's a fringe-average hitter with below-average power. He doesn't walk much or work the count, but he barrels the ball well. He's a below-average runner, but his mobility is one of his strong suits behind the plate. He works the entire package as a catcher, featuring above-average pop times as the result of solid footwork and an above-average arm. On the whole, Holaday projects best as a defense-first backup catcher, and he's improved his bat enough to be a real Major League prospect. Projected Draft Range: 8th-15th Round
5-10 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com – top 30 college catchers - 12. TCU SR C Bryan Holaday - Off the charts leadership, plus raw strength, excellent gap power, elite defender, and a plus arm. That description immediately makes me think of the guy ranked number four on this list. Quick conclusion: Bryan Holaday is about 90% of the player Micah Gibbs is with only about 9% of the hype. Of course, their respective placement on the list makes me guilty of overlooking Holaday as well. He’s a relatively safe investment in the mid-rounds for a team in need of a high floor backup with the upside of a solid second division starting player.
5-21 from: - http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/beyond-bryce - To rank draft-eligible catchers, I used all that information (offense, defense and baserunning) for each of the last three seasons, with more recent seasons weighted more heavily. The familiar names land near the top, but not always in the order you'd expect. And a stats-only approach unveils some sleepers for draft day. 3. Bryan Holaday - Texas Christian - Another smallish guy who has gotten it done on the field. According to my numbers, he's been the best defensive catcher in Division One over the last three years, and he's combined that with solid offense each year. He's only a tick behind Stanley overall, meaning that when some team gets around to taking him in the eighth round or so, it may get a steal.
29. Tommy Medica
1-31: Named to the 2010 Ping!Baseball All American Teams: - CATCHER - Third Team: Tommy Medica, Santa Clara
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 237th
3-24 from: http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/articles/DisplayArticle.aspx?article=2225: - Tommy Medica may not be catching anymore these days, playing predominantly in right field for Santa Clara, but he continues to rake. He is hitting .408/.481/.620 through his first 16 games, showing good power and his usual polished and patient approach. He doesn’t project to hit for much power at the next level, so if his catching days are behind him, he may have to maximize his versatility to make up for his lack of pop.
5-10 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com – top 30 college catchers - 13. Santa Clara SR C Tommy Medica - He’s healthy this year and producing at about the level expected of his tools. The outfield experiment hasn’t gone quite as well as it has in the past, but the positional versatility still helps his stock. Teams that were in on him last year before the injury should probably be after him in the mid-rounds once again in 2010.
30. Tyler Ross – Barron Collier HS (FL.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 238th
31. Jake Rodriquez – Elk Grove HS (CA.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 243rd
32. Will Allen – Buchholz HS (FL.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 250th
2-25 from: http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - Will Allen Position: C - Will Allen is a catcher from Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Florida, where he was 2009 first-rounder LeVon Washington’s teammate for three years. Allen relies on a game that is built on power on both sides of the ball. His arm is his best tool on the defensive side of the ball, and it’s above-average, pretty much the minimum requirement to be a solid pro catcher. He’s had to work hard on his transfer skills, and he still turns in average pop times around 2.00, despite having an above-average arm. He’s big for the position, and he’ll always have to work to stay behind the plate. His secondary position is first base, which would put enormous pressure on the offensive side of his game. At the plate he’s a switch-hitter with above-average raw power, though he struggles to tap into it against more advanced pitching. He profiles as an offense-first catcher either way, and his advancement will depend almost completely on his bat. Despite being from the Gators’ back yard, Allen committed to Ole Miss, as his chances of catching are much better there, as the Rebels are expected to have a catching opening after 2010. Allen should be signable in the first five rounds, but I see him going anywhere from round seven to twelve on talent.
2-28 from: http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - Will Allen Position: C School: Buchholz HS
State: FL Height: 6’3’’ Weight: 215 Bats: B Throws: R Birth Date: 3/25/92
Seiler Rating: XXX Commitment: Ole Miss
Will Allen is a catcher from Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Florida, where he was 2009 first-rounder LeVon Washington’s teammate for three years. Allen relies on a game that is built on power on both sides of the ball. His arm is his best tool on the defensive side of the ball, and it’s above-average, pretty much the minimum requirement to be a solid pro catcher. He’s had to work hard on his transfer skills, and he still turns in average pop times around 2.00, despite having an above-average arm. He’s big for the position, and he’ll always have to work to stay behind the plate. His secondary position is first base, which would put enormous pressure on the offensive side of his game. At the plate he’s a switch-hitter with above-average raw power, though he struggles to tap into it against more advanced pitching. He profiles as an offense-first catcher either way, and his advancement will depend almost completely on his bat. Despite being from the Gators’ back yard, Allen committed to Ole Miss, as his chances of catching are much better there, as the Rebels are expected to have a catching opening after 2010. Allen should be signable in the first five rounds, but I see him going anywhere from round seven to twelve on talent.
33. Tommy Ferguson – West Forsyth HS (GA.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 268th
34. Jake DePew – Granite City HS (IL.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 271st
4-5 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=1751004502 - Depew is ranked 153 best high school prospect in the country by PG. That makes him one of the top 10 or 12 catchers in the nation according to PG rankings. Some of the other catchers ranked ahead of him are actually projected to play a different position at the next level. That said, personally, we have seen him a lot and I believe Depew could easily be ranked even higher on our list and maybe he will be next time we update. We are aware that there are several scouts that really like him a lot.
35. Jeff Kammer – Lafayette HS (Mo.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted
36. Shane Rowland –
9-7: From www.perfectgame.com on the AFLAC games: - I saw some blinking going on this summer and he did it again, except I didn't see it 100% until I saw the video playback of the game today on a couple of pitches. Good young receiver that some compare to Greg Zaun.
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 187th
37. Matt Szczur:
5-11 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - 5. Villanova SO C Matt Szczur - Szczur’s scouting credentials include the following: really impressive hit tool, good speed (not just good for a catcher, either), plus arm, plus athleticism, rapidly emerging power, championship pedigree, worthwhile positional versatility (3B and corner OF collegiate experience, above-average at all three spots), and, as a long-time two-sport star conditioned to split his training two ways since junior high, vast untapped potential on the diamond. I won’t profess to know Szczur’s ultimate upside as a ballplayer, but I have a hard time watching him play and seeing anything but a young man on the cusp of a long big league career. These rankings have been more or less surprise free to this point, but Szczur’s high placement is something I’m willing to roll the dice on.
38. Dan Burkhart – Ohio State –
9-8: www.pgtracker.com lists as one of the top 10 college players coming out of Ohio.
1-31: Named to the 2010 Ping!Baseball All American Teams: - CATCHER - Second Team: Dan Burkhart, Ohio State
2-25 from: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/baseball: - Dan Burkhart Ohio State - Burkhart had a fantastic first weekend that ended with a .500 batting average.
5-7 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - 2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Catching - 26. Ohio State JR C Dan Burkhart - Despite being a legitimate pro prospect in his own right, his biggest claim to fame may be convincing best friend and potential first rounder Alex Wimmers to join him for three years in Columbus. Burkhart is yet another good defensive catcher with a good batting eye and a questionable power ceiling. His scouting reports and his numbers come very close to Kevan Smith’s, but Burkhart’s higher probability of contributing gives him the edge over Smith’s higher upside. Burkhart also receives high marks for being one of the few catchers in the college game trusted to call his own pitches.
39. Curt Casali:
5-10 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com – top 30 college catchers - 9. Vanderbilt JR C Curt Casali - Casali has an almost perfect big league body, incredible athleticism for a catcher, and great physical strength. That’s all well and good (and I don’t say that derisively, it really is both well and good), but can he play baseball? Well, he’s an above-average defender who has caught a wide array of pitchers while at Vanderbilt, and his throwing arm has made a slow, but steady recovery from Tommy John surgery. His bat has some serious juice (near-plus power may be the tool that comes most naturally to him) and his patient approach makes him a legit candidate to play every day professionally.
40. Jose Iglesias:
5-10 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com – top 30 college catchers - 11. Coastal Carolina SR C Jose Iglesias - Iglesias started 2009 with as much helium as any college catcher in the country. I remembered talking to a scout really early in the season about Iglesias. He told me that from a body/tools/projection standpoint, Iglesias was as good a bet as any college catcher in the country, Tony Sanchez included. His junior season (.306/.381/.570) was a letdown for many, but only because of the tremendous expectations placed on his head during the winter. His numbers in 2010 are better across the board, and his skills, especially his batting eye and power potential, remain strong. As much as any catcher on the list so far, Iglesias has what it takes to be a big league starter behind the plate.
41. Kawika Emsley-Pai
5-7 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - 2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Catching - 16. Lewis-Clark State JR C Kawika Emsley-Pai - Emsley-Pai’s injury history, most notably a stress fracture of his L5 veterbra that occurred in high school, could keep some teams away, but as a switch-hitter with patience and really good defensive tools he should get plenty of looks this June. Recent back tightness is a bit of a red flag, but, again, if his medicals check out then the former Longhorn will finally get his chance in pro ball.
42. Xorge Carrillo:
5-7 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - 2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Catching - 17. Arizona State JR C Xorge Carrillo - Carrillo’s placement this high is largely speculative, but, hey, isn’t that really what a list like this is all about? Carrillo has missed almost all of the season with a bum forearm, but when healthy showed off impressive power to all fields and much improved athleticism behind the plate. That last reason is why I’m comfortable keeping the twice drafted Carrillo this high on the list despite the injury. The improvements in his body and subsequent uptick in footwork behind the plate indicate a dedication to getting better that makes me think his injury is just a minor blip on his path towards getting drafted a third time.
43. Brett Nicholas:
5-7 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - 2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Catching - 18. Missouri JR C Brett Nicholas - Similar to Swab in that both are junior college transfers with solid hit tools capable of playing a variety of positions, but Nicholas’ greater power potential and more intriguing secondary position (Nicholas is at least passable on the hot corner) gives him the advantage.
44. Kenny Swab:
5-7 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - 2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Catching - 19. Virginia JR C Kenny Swab - Not a bad preseason prediction on a fairly unheralded junior college transfer, right? In the at bats Swab’s earned this year, he’s impressed. Good power, good patience, good defender, good arm, and good positional versatility. He’s not a star by any means, but he’s a good player. That sounds pretty good to me.
45. Cole Leonida:
5-7 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - 2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Catching - 20. Georgia Tech JR C Cole Leonida - As one of the spring’s fastest rising prospects, Cole Leonida does a lot of little things very well. His defense around the plate is a strength, and his power potential is second only to Tyler Bullock’s here on the latter half of the top thirty. Leonida’s impressive throwing arm, while at least big league average in strength and above-average in accuracy, could really stand to benefit from some mechanical adjustments to help with his release point. With good coaching that big league average arm could easily become consistently above-average. As a hitter he’ll probably never hit at or near .300 professionally, but his raw power could translate into double digit homeruns if given enough playing time.
46. Matt Rice – Western Kentucky – junior
12-25 from www.thecollegebaseballblog.com: - named to the 2010 NCBWA Division 1 first team All-American team
1-31: Named to the 2010 Ping!Baseball All American Teams: - CATCHER - Third Team: Matt Rice, Western Kentucky
2-25 from: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/baseball: - Matt Rice Western Kentucky - Rice had a fantastic first weekend, finishing the Kent State series with a .462 average.
5-7 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - 2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Catching - 21. Western Kentucky JR C Matt Rice - Average hit tool, slightly above-average power, solid defender = mid-round pick with big league backup upside.
47. Tyler Bullock:
5-7 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - 2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Catching - 22. Southern Illinois SR C Tyler Bullock - Bullock possesses the best present power of any player in the bottom half of the top thirty, no real shock when you consider his classic big bopper (6-4, 275) build. He’s a lesser version of one of my 2009 favorites, Purdue’s Dan Black, another large man with prodigious power potential. Like Black, Bullock’s defense is passable and his arm strength is above-average.
48. Austin Goolsby:
5-7 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - 2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Catching - 23. Embry-Riddle SR C Austin Goolsby - Besides having a fun name to say, Austin Goolsby is an intriguing NAIA catching prospect with elite defensive potential, good pro size, and power to the gaps. His skills as an economist, however, are at this point unknown.
49. Kevin David:
5-7 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - 2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Catching - 24. Oklahoma State JR C Kevin David - On paper, David is a top ten college catching prospect, but his results through three years at Oklahoma State have been more good than great. There’s not much to quibble with when it comes to his excellent athleticism, strong throwing arm, and above-average glove, but all of that untapped potential needs to turn into production before long. His relatively low placement on the list — it’s possible he goes somewhere between round 5-10 — is more about the players ahead of him than anything else; if that’s a cop-out, so be it.
50. Diego Seastrunk –
2-25 from: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/baseball: - Diego Seastrunk Arizona - The Owls are off to a horrible start, but Seastrunk is off to a nice start at the plate.
5-7 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - 2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Catching - 25. Rice SR C Diego Seastrunk - I haven’t seen or heard this comp elsewhere, so take it for what it’s worth (not much), but Seastrunk’s scouting profile and video remind me of a lesser version of Ryan Doumit. That’s high praise. Seastrunk is the kind of player who’s overall package exceeds the sum of his parts. Of course, it’s not exactly like his parts are all that shabby. I love, love, love the way Seastrunk has transitioned to the role of full-time catcher this spring. Seastrunk’s combination of an above-average arm, gap power, and plus makeup (he’s a tireless worker and a great team player) has me believing his tools will play as a professional. He isn’t a natural behind the plate, but the instincts I’ve seen from him in going down to get balls in the dirt lead me to believe he’ll be an above-average defender before long. I eventually can see Seastrunk filling a supersub role (not unlike Doumit before he broke out).
51. Jeremy Malo – Texas Tech – Junior – 5-10, 194, R/R… good power… 2009: .313/.453/.618 in 144 at bats… 11-HRs, 35-RBIs, 11-E
5-7 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - 2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Catching - 27. Texas Tech JR C Jeremy Mayo - Reminds me a lot of Jeff Arnold in that both players are above-average runners with solid gloves, but Mayo’s edge in power makes him the better prospect.
52. Kevan Smith:
5-7 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - 2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Catching - 30. Pittsburgh JR C Kevan Smith -The former Panthers quarterback is a plus athlete with a strong arm who is still understandably raw in some phases of the game. He was a highly regarded prospect coming out of high school who was at one point seen as a potential top five round pick, but was downgraded because of his strong commitment to the gridiron. There’s already some speculation that he’ll stick around for his senior year to further showcase his skills.
53. Mike Nelillo –
1-31: Named to the 2010 Ping!Baseball All American Teams: - CATCHER - Third Team: Mike Melillo, Elon
54. Geoff Klein –
1-31: Named to the 2010 Ping!Baseball All American Teams: - CATCHER - Third Team: Geoff Klein, Santa Clara
55. Zane Evans – Roswell HS (GA) – 6-3, 210, R/R – raw power… also RHP with 88mph fastball… excellent arm strength--- verbally committed to Auburn….
56. Samuel Peterson – DeRidder HS (LA) – 6-0, 185, R/R – excellent catch and throw skills… handles bat well…
57. Arman Valenzuela – Northview HS (CA) – 6-1, 175, R/R – athletically built… all around defensive skills… verbally committed to Loyola Marymount…
58. Mike Murray – Wake Forest – senior L/R…
7-23: stats thru 7-15 in Cape Cod League: .385, 0-HR, 3-RBI… starting in Cape Cod All-Star game
59. Ladson Montgomery -
11-2 from www.thehardballtimes.com: - Ladson Montgomery, C, 2010, Jacksonville, Fla., Orlando Scorpions - The most impressive live-game pop time I got from a catcher at 1.93. That’s near the top of the charts for a high school catcher to begin with, but consider this: It was Montgomery’s fourth or fifth game behind the dish in the last 65 hours. (Being a catching prospect at some of these showcases is just unreal). But Montgomery isn’t all catch and throw. He’s got a legit left-handed bat, with moderate loft and a smooth plane. He’s a small guy, standing just 5-foot-9 (which can actually be a good thing for catchers), so he’ll probably be more of a doubles guy instead of over-the-fence power. But he has monster legs for someone his age and really gets his lower half and trunk into his swing.
60. Kellin Deglan – Langley HS (BC) – 6-2, 180 –
7-29: from www.baseballfactory.com: - Deglan is a big, strong catcher who is 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds. The combination of his arm strength and power from the left side make him an intriguing prospect and he has blossomed lately, hitting in the middle of the Canadian Junior National Team’s lineup.
4-27 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft - Meanwhile, this year's top Canadian player, British Columbia prep catcher Kellin Deglan (pictured), has been slowly creeping up draft boards. One NL West scout said comparisons to Joe Mauer and Matt Wieters are inevitable because of Deglan's size (6-2, 200). Deglan has the physical attributes to develop into a major league backstop in the mold of Giants prospect Buster Posey.
61. Edmond Sparks – LSU junior…
12-22 fr. http://baseballdraftreport.com: - JR C Edmond Sparks (2010) has a plus arm and is solid behind the plate, but right now his bat still lags behind his defense. His track record in junior college shows a player slowly beginning to tap into his gap power potential, but he still needs to show something on the big college baseball stage. He didn’t get nearly as many at bats in 2009 at Chipola as he did in 2008 (not sure why), but he figures to get some actual time as Gibbs’ backup in 2010.
62. Erick Fernandez – Georgetown junior… 2009: .349, 5-HR, 28-RBI
1-4: named to the 2010 Preseason All-Big East First Team as named by a vote of conference coaches:
63. Jeff Arnold – Louisville senior… 2009: .246, 3-HR
1-4: named to the 2010 Preseason All-Big East First Team as named by a vote of conference coaches:
5-7 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - 2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Catching - 29. Louisville SR C Jeff Arnold - Arnold is good enough defensively to stick behind the plate, but his above-average speed could tempt a pro team into moving him off the position into a super-sub role. He’s always had a keen batting eye and a solid hit tool, but the lack of power should limit him to backup work going forward.
64. Bobby Dombrowski – Monmouth
4-26 from: - https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/1283ab612a05aa76 - Powered by a pair of two-run home runs by senior catcher Bobby Dombrowski and eight strong innings from starter Nick Meyers, the Monmouth University baseball team defeated Long Island University 9-2 in Northeast Conference action on Friday afternoon. Dombrowski, who had seven RBI in a game earlier this season, paced the Hawks with his 3-for-4 day with two home runs and four RBI, while Meyers (4-1) tossed a season-high tying 8.0 innings, allowing two runs on four hits with three strikeouts to earn the win.
5-24 from: - 4.htm?SPSID=62237&SPID=6803&DB_OEM_ID=14300 - Powered by three home runs, including a pair from senior Bobby Dombrowski, the Monmouth University baseball team earned an 8-5 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson in Northeast Conference action on Friday afternoon. The victory also clinches the Hawks' fourth straight NEC Tournament appearance, and 14th overall in program history. Dombrowski, the game's designated hitter, connected on a three-run homer in the first inning, and a solo shot in the sixth, while Nick Pulsonetti laced a three-run shot of his own in the seventh, to help Monmouth improve to 21-23 overall and 14-15 in league play.
65. Victor Gomez – C/1B Marshall University – will be starting catcher in 2010… freshman All-American and 2nd team in 2nd year… 2009: 18-HR, 62-RBI, .332/.367/.659/1.026
66. Zack Jones –
1-23-10 from www,baseballdraftreport.com: - JR C Zach Jones (2010) is a bit of an enigma – a potential above-average defender behind the plate who doubles as an outstanding athlete and fantastic baserunner. I like guys who break the mold, and players who can legitimately catch AND steal double digit bases are a rarity. I also like guys who can hit, something Jones hasn’t proven he can do. His defense may be enough to get him drafted, but it won’t be until very late…and it may not be until his senior year.
67. Kyle Knudson – Minnesota senior
2/11 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - SR C Kyle Knudson (2010) is a good athlete with a strong arm. He also has some pop and a big league ready frame, but the total tools package still comes up short. He’s not a real prospect at this point, but could get himself a professional job filling out a rookie ball roster if a team is in need of a reliable backstop. Catchers are always in demand, you know.
5-17 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/05/17/big-ten-players-of-the-week-13 - Minnesota Sr., C, Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove Knudson earns Big Ten Player of the Week honors after leading Minnesota to a series sweep over Penn State, propelling the Golden Gophers into sole possession of first place in the Big Ten standings. The catcher batted .615, reached base at a .643 clip and slugged at a 1.308 average, combining for an OPS of 1.951. Knudson’s best game came on Sunday as he went 5-for-5 on his Senior Day, driving in three runs and scoring two with a home run and a triple. The Maple Grove, Minn., native totaled five runs scored and six RBI for the weekend, also knocking four extra-base hits, including a pair of long balls. The weekly accolade is the first of Knudson’s career and the second for a Minnesota hitter this season.
68. Francis Larson –
2-25 from: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/baseball: - Francis Larson UC Irvine - Larson is off to a fantastic start this season, hitting over .400 through three games.
69. Matt Mattone – 6-1, 195 – converted infielder - was selected Louisville Slugger 1st team all american catcher and has signed with St Pete JC. – has popped 1.72 pre-game, 1.9 in game
70. Spencer Navin:
4-6 from: - http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/articles/DisplayArticle.aspx?article=2248 - C Spencer Navin - Navin has signed with SEC Vanderbilt and there is no question in my mind that he has the defensive skills and tools to do very well at that Top 20 school. He was quick and fundamentally sound behind the plate on Saturday and showed excellent arm strength. Navin has the strength and bat speed to hit at that level and was very comfortable in the box against Shipers and Keller. He’s going to have to make some swing adjustments to shorten his swing and that will go a long way in determining how quickly he will earn his playing time. Vanderbilt has two outstanding veteran catchers right now in senior Andrew Giobbi and junior Curt Casali, but with Giobbi graduating and Casali being a highly regarded prospect, they could be very well need Navin right away next spring. In RHPs Sonny Gray and Jack Armstrong, Vanderbilt has two 2011 draft-eligible pitchers who are potential first-round picks, a challenge for any young catcher to handle.
71. Cory Brownsten:
4-12 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/12/big-east-players-of-the-week-11 - Pittsburgh senior catcher Cory Brownsten was named BIG EAST Player of the Week after a dominant week at and behind the plate. Brownsten hit .562 (9-for-16) with one triple, one double, seven RBI and five runs scored in four games for the Panthers last week. In the BIG EAST series win over No. 9/7 Louisville, the senior hit .583 (7-for-12), including a 3-for-4 clip with three RBI in the finale on April 11. The catcher was also flawless on the field, boasting a 1.000 fielding percentage over the four-game week. In his second season at Pittsburgh, this marks Brownsten’s first BIG EAST Player of the Week honor.
72. Josh Lyon:
4-19 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/19/big-ten-players-of-the-week-10 - Big Ten Players of the Week - Josh Lyon, Indiana, Jr., DH, Indianapolis, Ind./Heritage Christian - Lyon becomes the third different Hoosier this season to be named Big Ten Player of the Week, leading Indiana to a series victory against Iowa. The junior hit .700 and slugged 1.400 in the series, also scoring five runs and driving in three. In Sunday’s series finale, Lyon had a career day, going 4-for-4 with three doubles, three runs scored and an RBI. The junior also went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a mid-week game against Valparaiso on Tuesday. With a home run in the series-opener against Iowa on Friday, Lyon recorded homers in three consecutive games, upping his total to seven, which is tied for fourth in the Big Ten. The designated hitter leads the conference with a 1.000 slugging percentage during Big Ten games and is second with a .577 average. The weekly accolade is the first of Lyon’s career.
73. Aaron Jones:
4-21 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/04/21/stefan-sabol-update/#more-5579 - San Clemente catcher Aaron Jones has helped himself this spring with very solid performances. This was my first look at him since the workout at the Compton Academy. Jones hits out of a wide stance that may or may not need to be closed up in the coming years. He hits against a very firm front side, plants that foot, lets his hips work for him, and generates lift in his swing. He finishes with a two-handed upper-cut. I foresee power potential for this player in the coming years, though I would not expect him to become a high average hitter in the higher pro levels. This means I can see him as an average major league hitter, which is more than enough.
74. Ben Heath:
4/26 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/26/big-ten-conference-players-of-the-week - BIG TEN BASEBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK - Ben Heath, Penn State - Jr., C, Huntersville, N.C./North Mecklenburg - Heath becomes the first Nittany Lion to be named Player of the Week in over three years, leading his team to a series win over Big Ten-leading Ohio State. The catcher hit .500, slugged 1.143, combining for an OPS of 1.643 in the three-game set. Heath hit three home runs, upping his season total to 15, as his squad recorded its first ever road series victory in Columbus. The junior also scored six runs and drove in seven in the set, including a performance on Saturday in which he went 4-for-6 with four runs and four RBI. Heath now ranks among the Big Ten’s leaders with 47 RBI and 38 runs scored this season.
75. Eddie Rodriquez:
5-17 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/05/17/pac-10-players-of-the-week-5 -OREGON senior catcher Eddie Rodriguez has been named the Pac-10 Baseball Player of the Week. Rodriguez, of Warden, Wash., led the No. 22 Ducks to a 4-0 record last week, including an upset of No. 19 San Diego and a weekend sweep of East Tennessee State. The senior catcher was remarkable at the plate going 12-for-18 for a .667 batting average. In four games, Rodriguez produced nine runs, scored five runs, hit two home runs, two doubles and capped off his weekend hitting for the cycle with a career-high four hits and personal-best five RBI in the 17-7 victory over ETSU on Sunday afternoon. He became the first Oregon player to hit for the cycle since reinstatement of the Ducks’ baseball program. Oregon’s 17 runs scored and 19 hits were the most by any team in the two- year history of PK Park. In Tuesday’s 13-4 upset over San Diego, Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with a home run, double and two RBI.
76. Marcus Nidiffer:
5-17-10 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/05/17/sec-players-of-the-week-13 - Kentucky Sr. • C • Bristol, Tenn. • Nidiffer batted .500 (11-for-22) during the five-game week, with six runs, a double, two homers and 11 RBI, adding two walks, getting hit by one pitch and striking out just once, leading UK to its first series sweep over LSU in 19 years. • Nidiffer’s biggest swing of his five-year career came with UK trailing by two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning and the bases loaded on Sunday, looking for the series sweep of the Tigers … In the last at bat of his home career, Nidiffer hit a grand slam on a 3-2 pitch from LSU All-American closer Matty Ott.
77. Steve Domeucs:
5-17 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/05/17/acc-players-of-the-week-24 - Virginia Tech catcher Steve Domecus has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Co-Players of the Week. Domecus had at least three hits and one double in each of Virginia Tech’s three games this past weekend, helping the Hokies to a series win over Duke. On May 15 – the day the 16th-ranked Hokies clinched a spot in the ACC Championship field – Domecus went 4-for-6 with three runs scored, three RBIs, two doubles and a stolen base. Overall, the Novato, Calif., senior went 10-for-16 (.625) with five doubles, six runs scored and seven RBIs. He registered a slugging percentage of .938 and an on-base percentage of .625.
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