1st Round - 8th Pick Overall - Houston Astros - OF/2B Delino DeShields Jr.

17. Delino DeShields – Woodward Academy HS (GA.)


2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 207th

4-15 from: http://www.neworleans.com/sports/lsu/372782-report-delino-deshields-jr-plans-to-sign-with-lsu.html - Paul Mainieri's LSU baseball program has reeled in a big fish - or, to be exact, the son of a big fish - in the recruiting wars. According to Rivals, Delino Deshields, Jr. has stated that he plans to sign with the Tigers and play for them if he doesn't like the signing bonus offered by whatever team selects him in the MLB Draft this June. Similar to his father who played 13 years in the big leagues for 5 teams, the 5-foot-9, 183-pound center fielder has speed to burn as a leadoff hitter. He has also displayed plenty of pop in his bat while playing prep ball for Woodward Academy in Georgia

5-16 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com - Delino DeShields Jr., Woodward Academy, OF - DeShields is built like a running back and committed to LSU to fill that role, and if he were taller than his listed 5-foot-8, he'd likely be a consensus first-round pick. He has an incredibly simple, quiet swing, very short to the ball, with power from his upper-body strength; he has the swing path to hit for some power but his finish is restricted and he may not get to it when swinging wood. He's one of the fastest runners in this draft, on part with Cal State Fullerton's Gary Brown, and should be a plus defender in center with an average arm. If he indicates that he's signable, he'll go in the first or, at worst, the sandwich rounds.

5-16 from: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=2142 - DeShields is the obvious big name with his bloodlines, and he was BA's top-ranked 12-year-old in our final Baseball for the Ages in 2005 (subscriber-only link). Others on that all-star 12-year-old roster include probable 2010 first-rounders A.J. Cole and one Bryce Harper. Kudos to Allan Simpson for sniffing those guys out. DeShields had a hitless game Wednesday night in front of a lot of scouting heat, including at least three scouting directors. He's a candidate to go in the first round, though the area-scout consensus seems to be that he's more of a supplemental-to-second-round talent.

5-28 from: - http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b4kdh - Norcross HS (Ga.): The son of the former big leaguer of the same name, DeShields has an intriguing combination of bloodlines and outstanding tools in his own right. He's got a great bat and his plus speed is a game-changer. He should be a good center fielder in the future, though he could probably handle second base -- his father's position -- if needed. DeShields has come on strong and has been mentioned in connection with certain teams that have multiple picks in the first round.