Also at Mack's Mets:
1. Jameson Taillon – (TY-on) - The Woodlands HS, Spring, Texas – already hitting mid-90s with his fastball… nice curve… great size and athleticism… heavy 92-94 FB; also seen at easy 93-95; most recently hit 96-97 - plus 77-84 CB; 75-76 maybe? - underutilized 76 CU with real potential - 83-84 with SF - plus command - 6-7, 230 pounds - popular comps include Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, Josh Beckett, and, wait for it, Roger Clemens…
Blake's Scouting Report: - Taillon has three quality pitches. His fastball sits around 94-96 and coming from his tall frame makes it even quicker with a long and balanced drive to home plate. His hard slider comes in around 81-83 with sharp downwards movement. Although Taillon likes to use hard stuff being the power pitcher he is, there is a quality changeup in his repertoire that drops to 77-79 mph. He has ace of a staff type stuff and I see him playing pro ball in 2011 rather than being a Rice Owl.
Fr. www.espn.com: Jameson Taillon, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound righty from The Woodlands High School in Texas, was 90-94 mph with good life on his fastball and a very sharp, almost spike-like slider at 83-86. He also showed a curveball with depth and a decent changeup. He's got a quick arm and still has projection left in his body.
7-21: Fr. http://baseballdraftreport.com: potential first round pick
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: appeared to be the same guy I saw last year, velocity topped out at 93, command was ok, for a big kid, breaking ball still needs help and has the makeup to get better with more instruction.
8-6: From www.baseballamerica.com: - Taillon's big frame is likely maxed out, but he has established himself as one of the top pitchers in the upcoming draft class. His fastball sits in the 92-93 mph range and Taillon also throws a harder slider at 84-85 and a sharp curveball that registers at 82-83 mph.
8-9: from www.baseballamerica.com: - Taillon, a big, strong righty from The Woodlands (Texas) HS, sat 94-95 in his one inning of work with a filthy breaking ball that was in the mid-80s.
8-11 from www.espn.com: Jameson Taillon from Woodlands HS, TX, was the most dominant pitcher with a fastball going 95-93 and a 84-83 splitter.
8-15: from XMLBScout on www.perfectgame.com: showed a much better CB with downward bite and occasional late tail on his heater. TV scouts had his FB at 96 on a couple pitches.
8-17 from www.baseballamerica.com re: AFLAC games - Righthander Jameson Taillon is a near perfect pitching prospect. Taillon (The Woodlands, Texas, HS) is an ideal prep pitching prospect, appearing to be formed out of a scout's dream. Solidly constructed at 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds, he comfortably draws comparisons to Stephen Strasburg. Taillon easily fires a blistering 93 to 95 mph fastball that peaks at 96. He adds a wicked 82 mph curve, a vicious breaking ball that is already a plus big league pitch. After registering one strikeout in a quick first inning, Taillon breezed through the second frame, striking out the side while barely breaking a sweat. "Nooooo contest," a scout said behind home plate.
8-19: Jeff Sullivan from the AFLAC Games: - This big right hander dominated in the game, striking out four, including striking out the side in the second. He is in a class by himself as far as pitchers go this year. He ran his fastball up to 97, and his breaking ball was also very sharp. In the second, he struck out Reggie Golden and Stetson Allie with the fastball, then got Connor Narron looking on his sharp breaking ball. For me, he is a definite top 5 pick in the draft at this point.
9-5: from Jonathan Mayo’s 8-26 article on www.minors.mlbblogs.com: - He looked like a Top 10 pick, throwing an explosive fastball up to 95 mph and locating it to both sides of the plate. He showed a slider and a curve, the latter of which might be a plus pitch down the line. The FB and slider are plus offerings right now. He even showed a changeup. He's big, strong and showed an ability to throw down and to both sides of the plate.
9-7: From www.perfectgame.com on the AFLAC games: - Jameson Taillon, right now on paper would be in my top 5 for the 1st round if it were held today. He's always had the velocity, except now the cb is a true dominant type pitch, graded it at 70 right now, fb at times will have some inner half movement vs RHH. Good trajectory and is better balanced after he delivers the ball. He's cleaning up that delivery almost daily. Gotta love his work ethic, but remember, he's gonna have to go 6-7 innings a game and sustain it over 35-40 starts in pro ball, as compared to 1 inning stints in all-star tilts. I've now seen 35 innings pitched by Jameson and he's k'od 39 hitters, walked only 7 and allowed just 19 hits, 1 long hr last year.
9-6: From an 8-25 post www.pgtracker.com: - “right now on paper, top 3 picks for 2010 MLB for me would be” - 2.) RHP Jameson Taillon, The Woodlands HS, 6'5 plus, 230, great arm strength, power type arm and 70 cb right now. Control is at least average projects to be 60, plus. Comparable big leaguers, better arm speed and action than Rick Sutcliffe, comparable bodies however and competitiveness.
9-16: From www.baseballamrica.com : - High School Top 25 draft prospects: 1. Jameson Taillon, rhp The Woodlands (Texas) HS
9-24: From: http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: Mock Draft Version 1.0 – 12th pick overall - Jameson Taillon, RHP - The Woodlands HS (TX)
9-27 from: http://web.usabaseball.com: Jameson Taillon struck out 12 and gave up three hits in an overpowering performance and the USA Baseball 18U National Team logged a seven-run inning for a third consecutive day in a 14-0 run-rule shutout Sunday against Panama in the third day of the COPABE "AAA" Pan American Junior Championships at Daniel Canonico Stadium. Taillon led the way on the mound for the Americans with a strong six-inning outing. The right hander struck out five in a row at one juncture and fanned the side in both the second and fourth innings. He allowed only one runner from Panama (1-1) to reach third base and no more than two baserunners in any inning. Taillon issued just two walks.
9-28: From http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: - Mock Draft Version 2 - #9 pick overall - Jameson Taillon, RHP - The Woodlands HS (TX) - The Padres under Grady Fuson and Bill "Chief" Gayton have done a great job in restoring the Padres farm system. As seen these past couple weeks the Padres have some nice young talent and GM Kevin Towers when given the resources is one of the best in the game at putting a team together. With this said I think San Diego should boost that farm even more and taking the hard throwing prep out of Texas. He is committed to Rice so it could be a hard buy but it is worth the risk.
9-29: From: http://www.baseballrumormill.com – Currently considered the #1 high school prospect available in the 2010 draft, Jameson Taillon continued to impress in his COPABE "AAA" Pan American Championships debut for the 18-and-under USA team. Taillon threw six strong innings, yielding just three hits and two walks, while striking out 12 in Team USA's 14-0 drubbing of Panama.
10-4 from www.myworldofbaseball.com: Bryce Harper may be considered a top draft pick by many, but Jameson Taillon made a statement by striking out 16 Cuban hitters in the United States 6-1 win over Cuba in the gold medal for the 18 and unders. Taillon went two outs into the eighth inning, giving up four hits and walking none with his 16 K’s.
10-5 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - 3. Baltimore Orioles – Jameson Taillon, RHP, The Woodlands HS (TX) – (2nd RHP picked in draft) - I had a hard time putting Taillon below Ranaudo, but I still think Ranaudo’s more proven history puts him slightly above Taillon’s rawness. There’s no doubt to me that Taillon is the best pitcher the 2010 prep class has to offer, as he’s raised his stock clearly above A.J. Cole. He’s got great size, great projectability, and great current stuff, so there’s not much to dislike here. His main question mark will be his representation, and he’s got a Rice commitment, too, so when the signability fog begins to clear, we’ll have a better read.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #2 – Jameson Taillon – 1st RHP on list)
10-6 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com: - RHP Jameson Taillon – Picking Harper for the top spot was a piece of cake. Picking Taillon right behind him is almost as easy. A piece of pie, if you will. Taillon’s extensive arsenal of quality pitches (heavy FB, nasty low-80s SL, near-plus high-70s CB, occasional splitters and CUs) and high level of high school competition put him above the rest of this year’s impressive crop of teenage righthanded pitching.
10-13 from www.mymlbdraft.com: 2010 MLB Mock Draft - #3 - (2nd RHP picked_ - Jameson Taillon
10-24 from www.baseballrumormll.com: - top 10 prospects: - 2. Jameson Taillon, RHP (1st RHP on list), The Woodlands HS, TX: Because of his size (6'7", 230 lbs) and where he's from (Texas), Taillon is already hearing Roger Clemens comparisons. Those are certainly premature, but the righty throws a very hard fastball and a good curveball. Taillon was dominant for Team USA during the COPABE "AAA" Pan American Championships.
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: - 2- RHP Jameson Taillon (1st RHP on list)
11-3 from www.mlbresource.com: 3rd Mock draft – 3. Jameson Taillon, RHP - The Woodlands HS (TX) - In my previous mock I had Christian Colon going to Baltimore. This is still a possibility due to Baltimore's love of Cal State Fullerton infielders. However, Taillon will be a nice restock of young pitchers with Matt Hobgood from last year. (2nd RHP on list)
11-9-9 from www.examiner.com: - Top 15 High School Draft Prospects - 2. Jameson Taillon, rhp
The Woodlands (Texas) HS
College Commitment: Rice - Taillon performed well at every showcase venue this summer, as the 6-foot-7, 230-pounder impressed with good command of a mid-90s fastball and a hard, late-breaking curveball. (2nd RHP on list)
11-17 from www.mlbdraft.blogspot.com: - 2. Pittsburgh Pirates- Jameson Taillon, RHP, The Woodlands HS (TX) The Pirates almost always lean on the college side with their first pick. However, Taillon has established himself as the front runner for this pick. Pittsburgh saved money with their first pick last year in Tony Sanchez, but signed some good HS players late. When drafted, Taillon would immediately become the number one pitcher in the system. (1st RHP picked)
11-18 from www.macksmets.blogspot.com: - 4. RHP - Jameson Taillon – my compilation mock has Taillon and Ranaudo neck and neck, but I place him a distant second to the LSU star. Still, he’s the top high school pitcher out there. (2nd RHP on list)
11-20 from www.draftamerica.com: - 2. Pittsburgh -- Jameson Taillon, RHP, The Woodlands HS (TX). Unlike 2009, where PIT felt there wasn't a clear-cut superior talent at 1:4, Taillon is positioning himself to be a "special" enough talent to entice PIT to go over slot (the big question remains, how much over will Taillon require?). (1st RHP on list)
11-23 from www.deepleagues.com: - #6 - Arizona D’Backs Jameson Tallion (P, Woodlands, TX) (3rd RHP on list)
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. 1.Jameson Taillon
12-15 from www.5tooltalk.com: Mock Draft – 1st round: - 3 Orioles Jameson Taillon RHP High School
1-7-9: Morisato's 2010 MLB Mock Draft - Version 1.0 - 4th Overall – The Kansas City Royals
Jameson Taillon (RHP), Texas High School - Arguably the best arm in the draft, Taillon has drawn comparisons to Stephen Strasburg in terms of his stuff. Standing at 6-7, Taillon is blessed with a power pitchers frame and power stuff. He throws in the low 90’s, touching 96. It’s possible he might even gain velocity as he ages. He throws a power curve that is a solid out pitch. He is working on developing a changeup as well. However, he’s not very athletic and his delivery is a bit rough. Overall,Taillon could go anywhere from first to fourth, but this is probably the lowest he goes unless his elbow explodes. Even then, he’d get a huge contract from a big market club to forgo his Rice commitment.
2010 MLB DRAFT MOCK DRAFT- 12/31/09 – www.jjscouting.com - 2. Pittsburgh Pirates- Jameson Taillon, RHP, The Woodlands HS (TX) (1st RHP picked) - The Pirates almost always lean on the college side with their first pick. However, Taillon has established himself as the front runner for this pick. Pittsburgh saved money with their first pick last year in Tony Sanchez, but signed some good HS players late. When drafted, Taillon would immediately become the number one pitcher in the system.
#2 Pittsburgh Pirates: RHSP Jameson Taillon – The Woodlands HS (TX) - There are plenty of different ways to approach a given pick in a mock draft. You can look at a team’s recent drafting history in an attempt to discern notable patterns and trends. You can look at organizational strengths and weaknesses to help partially rule out or narrow down certain positions of interest, e.g. knowing with a high degree of certainty that Houston wasn’t taking a catcher, especially a college catcher, in the first couple of rounds last year. You can also just look at the draft board, check what individual talent is there, and just line up the best player available with whatever team happens to be picking. I try to combine all three components in every mock I do, but I’m slowly coming to realize the last part, the one about staying true to the draft board and slotting players in that way, is probably the surest way to get a mock draft looking like the eventual real deal in June. That’s why Taillon to Pittsburgh makes sense to me. He’s currently the second highest ranked draft-eligible player on the board. If Pittsburgh sees that the same way, they’ll take Taillon without hesitation, Tony Sanchez signability pick be damned. I love the willingness of the Pirates to take high upside fliers late in the draft. I go back and forth too much on these things to really have a meaningful draft philosophy of my own, but, if I had to align myself with a pro club’s approach to drafting, I think there would be a lot of similarities between what I would do and what the Huntington Pirates have done over the past two years. Then again, I’ve never been a Tony Sanchez guy at all, dating back to watching him play extensively over the past three years in person along the parking garage ramp at Boston College. Guess that just goes to show how hard it is to really understand what certain clubs will wind up doing on draft day.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #8 Houston Jameson Taillon RHP The Woodlands HS, Tx. 6'5" 215 R,R
1-15-9 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: 3. Baltimore Orioles – Jameson Taillon, RHP, The Woodlands HS (TX) – Taillon’s the clear-cut best prep arm at this point in time, and if he drops here, I don’t see the Orioles passing him up. To most teams, Taillon would be the best player available after Harper and Colon, with Ranaudo being the other option. I see the Orioles opting for the higher-ceiling arm and picking Taillon. Beware the Rice commitment, though. He could end up as Gerrit Cole version 2010. Previously: #3.
1-30-10: - named to the Louisville Slugger 2010 Pre-Season High School All-America Team
1-28 from: http://web.usabaseball.com: - USA Baseball has announced Jameson Taillon as the recipient of the inaugural USA Baseball International Performance of the Year Award. Taillon led the 2009 USA Baseball 18U National Team to its first ever gold medal in the COPABE Pan American "AAA"/18U Championships on Oct. 3 in Venezuela, defeating intercontinental rival Cuba, 6-1. In the final, Taillon was awarded the win after striking out 16 Cuban batters in 7.2 innings pitched, with no runs allowed and one walk. The 16 strikeouts set a single-game record for a Team USA pitcher in an 18U Pan Am game, breaking the former mark of 15 which was set by Scott Kazmir (vs. Cuba in 2001) and Jeff Manship (vs. Netherlands Antilles in 2003). Taillon was USA Baseball's USOC October Athlete of the Month nominee.
3-21 from: - http://www.federalbaseball.com/2010/3/20/1381983/washington-nationals-saturday?ref=yahoo - • And I know, I know, the Nationals will never draft Jameson Taillon, no team has ever taken a prep school pitcher number one overall and this particular pitcher has even verbally committed to Rice, so it's even more unlikely, but he is the best high school pitcher available, and he has a 99mph fastball according to an MLB.com Video Scouting Report, which also says he has, "...two breaking balls, a curve and a slider, and both are plus offerings and yes, he's got a good changeup, though he doesn't need it much at the high school level." That sounds familiar...
3-25 from: - http://myworldofbaseball.com/wordpress/?m=201003 - If I’m the Nationals, and I’m looking at that first pick, I select Jameson Taillon and not Bryce Harper. Pitching wins championships. If the Nationals don’t select Harper it will be interesting to see if the Pirates do. Or do they contain costs and select another player. That gives the Orioles Harper.
3-24 from http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=2038 - Although he's had a few rough outings recently, No. 1 prospect Jameson Taillon from The Woodlands (Texas) High righted the ship in a hurry last night by firing a no-hitter against Conroe (Texas) High in a 7-0 victory. The 6-foot-7, 230-pound righthander struck out 19 batters and walked only one over seven innings.
4-6 from Jason Churchill/ http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/a-preliminary-top-5-mock-draft/#more - 3) Baltimore Orioles - Jameson Taillon, The Woodlands HS, RHP: The only concern with Taillon is that he might be looking for a signing bonus well above slot demands. The Orioles also have pitching depth in their farm system already and could look to someone like Manny Machado.
4-30 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/30/1451211/casing-the-states-texas-part-four#storyjump - Taillon has been the top prospect in the 2010 high school class since the class entered high school, and he hasn't disappointed this spring. A big, hulking righty standing at an easy 6'6'', Taillon has emerged as an elite prospect, even when compared across draft history. Very rarely do right-handed high school pitchers prove themselves enough to warrant consideration for a top pick, and Taillon has done just that, though he's unlucky enough to be in the same class as Bryce Harper. He has true number one upside on the mound, and that will ultimately get him drafted within the first handful of picks. His fastball, a plus-plus pitch already, sits easily in the 93-96 range, touching 98-99 at times, and he even maintains that velocity through most of the late innings of his outings. He pairs that with a plus to plus-plus curveball that is the top breaking ball in the entire draft class, college pitchers included. He also throws a functional slider and changeup, but his bread and butter is the fastball-curve combo that could get a number of Major League hitters out already. With all this talent, Taillon's biggest question mark is his projected asking price. He's established himself as a generational high school pitcher, and his agents, the Hendricks Brothers, are notorious for getting higher prices for their select draft clients such as Aaron Crow. In addition, he's committed to Rice, a school that usually means high bonus demands from its commits. The overall bonus demands could set records, but he's expected to get it from a top team. Projected Draft Range: #3 Overall-#9 Overall
5-31 from: - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2010/05/mlb-draft-preview-righties.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MetsMerizedOnline-GetMetsmerized-NewYorkMets+%28Mets+Merized+Online%29&utm_content=Twitter - Jameson Taillon: I won’t go into too much detail on Taillon, as there is no way he falls to 7th. He’s an high-school pitcher who is built like an NBA player (6’7’’, 230 lbs. and growing) who happens to be the best pitcher in a weak class. Taillon throws gas with movement, and quality breaking pitches and a changeup that he can get over for strikes. Taillon will almost certainly be a top 3 pick, and a top of the rotation starter.
2. Deck McGuire – Georgia Tech – junior… 6-6, 223, R/R… four quality pitchers… 2008 1st team All-American from Collegiate Baseball… excellent command… 2008: 8-1, 13 starts, four relief appearances
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: power fb when down in the zone, range velo 90-95, mostly 91-92 early, breaking ball easy to read on occasion, projects well if he can keep his delivery balance in synch.
9-16: From www.baseballamrica.com : - College Top 25 draft prospects: 3. Deck McGuire, rhp Georgia Tech
9-28: From http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: - Mock Draft Version 2 - #21 pick overall - Deck McGuire, RHP - Georgia Tech - If the Giants do draft a pitcher you can count on them going onto have success. Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner, Aaron Poreda are all examples and could McGuire be the next? Scouts love McGuire and he has big game experience against quality hitters in the ACC.
10-5 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: 5. Cleveland Indians – Deck McGuire, RHP, Georgia Tech –(3rd RHP picked in draft) - McGuire’s a polarizing figure, but no one doubts his pure size and stuff. Like Ranaudo, some say that McGuire’s prospect package relies too much on size and projectability and not enough on actual pitching ability. However, McGuire’s got an above-average fastball with a pair of breaking pitches and a good changeup, so I don’t see anything that isn’t Major League-caliber in terms of future grades. He’s got to firm up his command, but he’s definitely right up at the top of the pack for the 2010 college pitching class.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #12 - Deck McGuire (7th RHP on list)
10-13 from www.mymlbdraft.com: 2010 MLB Mock Draft - #4 – (3rd RHP picked) - Deck McGuire
10-24 from www.baseballrumormll.com: - top 10 prospects: - 4. Deck McGuire, RHP, Georgia Tech: McGuire was the 2009 ACC Pitcher of the Year and figures to be on everyone's Top Ten lists. While his fastball currently tops out in the low 90s, he throws his slider, changeup and curveball all at an above average level.
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: -26- RHP Derek McGuire (10th RHP on list)
11-3 from www.mlbresource.com: 3rd Mock draft – #10 - Deck McGuire, RHP - Georgia Tech - Scouting Director Eric Kubota is one of the best in the business. He doesn't really have any trends or patterns in his drafts besides that he likes to take players out of college with his top pick. He has loaded the farm system and McGuire would simply add to his stock. (5th RHP on list)
11-17 from www.mlbdraft.blogspot.com: - 15. Texas Rangers- Deck McGuire, RHP, Georgia Tech - McGuire is a guy with an impressive repetoire. He throws all his pitches well, and at 6'6, he is a very intriguing pick. This pick is the compensation pick for not signing Matthew Purke, so the Rangers have to make sure they pick a player that they know is signable. Look for McGuire to have a big spring in the ACC. (8th RHP picked)
11-18 from www.macksmets.blogspot.com: - 20. RHP Deck McGuire – 2009’s ACC Pitcher of the Year should get lots of press and attention this season. (11th RHP on list)
11-20 from www.draftamerica.com: - 5. Cleveland -- Deck McGuire, RHP, Georgia Tech. The last five CLE first round selections have come from the college ranks -- McGuire's stuff compares favorably with last year's number one, Alex White (UNC, RHP). (3rd RHP on list)
11-23 from www.deepleagues.com: - #10 - Oakland A’s Deck MaGuire (P, Georgia Tech) (6th RHP on list)
12-15 from www.5tooltalk.com: Mock Draft – 1st round: - 26 Rockies Deck McGuire RHP NCAA 1-7-9: Morisato's 2010 MLB Mock Draft - Version 1.0 - 9th Overall – The San Diego Padres - Deck McGuire (RHP), Georgia Tech - I’m not sure how the Padres will draft, with the new regime and all. However, I’ll base it off of the typical age old addage: draft the best player available. McGuire emerged as the ace of the Yellow Jackets’ rotation this past year. McGuire has a fastball that clocks in the low 90’s, but has heavy sink. He compliments it with a hard slider that is a plus pitch. McGuire also has a changeup, but while it is a solid pitch, it’s not anywhere near the slider. Still, McGuire has all the physical tools to be a quality pitcher, with only some improvement in his command holding him back from being a solid Number Two/Three in the majors.
2010 MLB DRAFT MOCK DRAFT- 12/31/09 – www.jjscouting.com - 15. Texas Rangers- Deck McGuire, RHP, Georgia Tech - McGuire is a guy with an impressive repetoire. He throws all his pitches well, and at 6'6, he is a very intriguing pick. This pick is the compensation pick for not signing Matthew Purke, so the Rangers have to make sure they pick a player that they know is signable. Look for McGuire to have a big spring in the ACC.
1-7-9 from http://baseballdraftreport.com : - 1.8 Houston Astros: RHSP Deck McGuire – Georgia Tech - Possessing truly one of the great baseball names of the 2010 MLB Draft, Deck McGuire’s scouting profile reads a lot like the man picked two spots ahead of him. His fastball sits 88-91 MPH (peaks at 93) with enough great sink that makes it an above-average pitch despite the less than thrilling velocity. His out pitch is a hard high-70s CB that is in the running for best curve in the college class. His impressive change makes for a fantastic third option, especially when stacked against the typical so-so third pitches you see from amateur prospects at his level. McGuire’s biggest flaws are his off-and-on control and his iffy mechanics, two issues that are very commonly seen in tandem. If a team sees a way to clean up his arm action and help him gain a more consistent release point, he’ll hear his name called in the top fifteen picks on draft day.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #4. Cleveland Deck McGuire RHP Georgia Tech 6'6" 223 R,R
1-15-0 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - 10. Oakland Athletics – Deck McGuire, RHP, Georgia Tech – No matter who I slot here, if it’s a college player, I always get the complaints that the A’s don’t pick “safe” college guys anymore. However, McGuire has way more upside than your typical college righty, and with a great spring, he won’t fall this far. This is no James Simmons pick. I see the A’s pouncing on another high-ceiling college player that falls this year, similar to Grant Green from 2009. Previously: #5.
2-23: - Deck McGuire out performed both Ranaudo and Wimmers, with a 7IP, 5H, 0BB 0ER, 10K performance. Though he gave up more baserunners than Ranaudo and Wimmers, the control he demonstrated with no walks was impressive.
3/7 from: http://mlbbonusbaby.com - Stock Up - Deck McGuire, RHP, Georgia Tech: Even though McGuire didn’t have his best stuff on Friday, and it wasn’t as good as I saw him two weeks ago, he showed something that has been a question mark in his game. He showed tenacity. He worked through his command problems, found his money pitch for the day, and then he efficiently shut down the Rutgers offense. That’s hard to do when you’re having trouble commanding your fastball, but he did it. I know a few scouts were concerned by his lack of zip on his fastball, and it was moving less than when I saw it a couple weeks ago, but his slider was much better than a couple weeks ago, when his curveball seemed like the more reliable pitch. He also threw less changeups, but they were still solid pitches, and he’ll likely incorporate it more against more advanced hitters than the cold-weather Rutgers lineup. All in all, after a tough first inning in which he had to work hard to get out of a jam, he was incredibly efficient, working with what he had for the day and still managing to throw 8 shutout innings, striking out 9 and walking only 1 without his best command.
3-16 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com: - Friday: JR RHP Deck McGuire (Georgia Tech): 9 IP 3 H 1 ER 2 BB 8 K - McGuire ups his gem to start ration to an even 4:4 so far on the season with his complete game on Friday. Anthony Ranaudo left the door open and Deck McGuire has waltzed right through. If he’s not the top college righthanded pitcher on the board, who is? The only competition I see for him right now (and this can all change in a week, mind you) also pitches in the conference; he’ll get his turn further down the page. Meanwhile, Matt Skole continues to hit his way into 2011 first day pick consideration, Tony Plagman begins to make noise as a decent college first base alternative in a very weak year for the position, and Thomas Nichols comes out of nowhere (sort of) to emerge as a legit 2010 draft middle infield draft candidate.
3-21 from: - http://www.federalbaseball.com/2010/3/20/1381983/washington-nationals-saturday?ref=yahoo - My favorite "If Not Harper" candidate, Deck McGuire, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets' 6'6'', 218lb right-handed starter gave up his 1st HR of the year last night in a game played at College Park, Maryland's Shipley Field. McGuire (L, 3-1) suffered only his 4th L in 3 years as a Yellow Jacket in Georgia Tech's 5-2 loss to the Terps, throwing 97 pitches, 66 for strikes in 8.0 IP over which he surrendered 7 hits, 5 R, 2 ER and 3 walks while collecting 5 K's and having his ERA raised to 1.15 after 5 twenty-ten starts and 39.0 IP, in which McGuire's walked 8 and K'd 39.
4-3 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com: - A match up between two of the premiere pitchers in college baseball, Georgia Tech's Deck McGurie and UNC's Matt Harvey, lived up to pre-game expectations. Although both pitchers left with the game tied at 1-1, Georgia Tech ultimately prevailed, 2-1. Here are the pitching lines of the two first-round prospects: McGuire: 7.0IP, 110 pitches, 6H, 3BB, 1ER, 10K - Harvey: 7.0IP, 135 pitches, 3H, 6BB, 2R, 1ER, 11K - Although the WHIP and ERA for the game are the same for both pitchers and strikeouts is almost identical, scouts watching the game felt that McGuire was the sharper pitcher, something supported by his fewer walks and pitches.
4-6 from Jason Churchill/ http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/a-preliminary-top-5-mock-draft/#more – mock draft picks 1-5: - 2) Pittsburgh Pirates - Deck McGuire, Georgia Tech, RHP: Drew Pomeranz from Ole Miss and Anthony Ranaudo from LSU are also possibilities here as the Pirates do not figure to take a high school pitcher such as...
4-15 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/15/deck-mcguire-possible-1-overall-pick-by-the-nationals - Deck McGuire has been gaining more and more attention after going undrafted in 2007 out of high school. In addition to last year’s achievements of winning the ACC Pitcher of the Year and being named to multiple All-American teams, McGuire is now being profiled as a possible alternative for the Nationals in the #1 draft position. Bryce Harper has been slated in that position since the moment he entered Junior College, making him eligible a year early, but Zach Berman of the Washington Post lists McGuire as an alternative. Berman compares McGuire to John Lackey, and gets the opinion of many from University of Virginia, including Brian O’Connor.
4-16 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com - McGuire's command was definitely not on tonight, and his fastball was really all over the place. He never got a handle on it, and concerns are creeping into the scouting community about how good his command really is. I was already hearing whispers, and I'm sad to say that he's confirming them on the mound right now. He could easily turn it around, though, and he has time to do so. He sat 90-92 in the first, followed by mostly 90-93 the rest of the game. He dipped into the 88-91 range in the 6th inning and stayed there in the 7th, his final inning. The highest reading total was 93, and that was when he put some real strength behind it. He's more comfortable in the 90-91 range. I know that's concerning to most of you, and most of the questions I get about McGuire involve his fastball. However, when he does command it, he has enough quality zip, movement, and plane on it that he rarely gets hit hard.
4-20 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/20/1433135/interesting-college-pitchers-for - RHP, Georgia Tech - Standing tall at 6-6, 220 pounds, McGuire doesn't throw as hard as some of the other collegians, hitting 94 on his best days but usually working at 90-92 MPH. His fastball has good movement, and he mixes it with an excellent breaking ball and a strong changeup, giving him three major league pitches. He's very polished, and statistically there is a lot to like with a 2.84 ERA, plus a 68/17 K/BB in 67 innings, with 53 hits allowed. He shouldn't need a lot of minor league time, and represents one of the safest investments in the draft class. He's expected to go somewhere in the Top Ten, perhaps as early as the Indians at fifth overall.
5-10 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com - McGuire has not been terrible recently, but he hasn't been good either and continued that stretch of mediocrity this weekend. His pitching line was ok, 6IP, 7H, BB, 3ER, 6K against Illinois-Chicago. A line that will work in the majors, but not when you're supposed to be a top pitching prospect.
5-16 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft - Georgia Tech right-hander Deck McGuire will by one of the Top 10 picks of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft. That is a given. But if there has been one criticism of McGuire, it is that he has above-average stuff, but has not dominated. I think he stated his case against Miami last night. McGuire threw seven innings last night and gave up only one run on four hits and three walks, striking out nine en route to a 14-3 shellacking of Miami. McGuire improved his record to 6-3, with a 2.91 ERA. He has struck out 99 in 92.2 innings pitched, giving up just 78 hits.
5-27 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/05/27/deck-mcguire-report - PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Big rangy body, sloped shoulders, high hips and thick waist. Body reminds of Aaron Harang, RHP, Reds. STRENGTHS: Fastball 89-94, throws both 2-seam and 4-seam. 2-seam has small run, creates plane with both. 6/6 command on 2-seam, 5/5 command on 4-seam. Slider 82-86, has good arm and hand speed, is late and hard with depth. 6/6 go-to pitch. Shows confidence in slider. Change-up at 82, shows feel with good arm speed, 4/5. WEAKNESSES: Arm action is a little deep and cuts off some in back and out in front. A little shoulder showing. Backside is a little late and causes some inconsistency in getting to preferred release points. Appears to lack some confidence to pitch with his fastball. Fair athlete. SUMMARY: Great landing and front side to throw against. Can create plane and depth to stuff. Mechanics a bit of a concern for longevity. Some will think he’s a front-end rotation guy and a high draft. Some concern that arm action and fair athleticism may cause some health risk. GRADES (Present/Future): Fastball 60/60 Slider 60/60 Change-up 40/50 Command 40/50 Control 40/50 Overall Future Potential: 54
5-31 from: - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2010/05/mlb-draft-preview-righties.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MetsMerizedOnline-GetMetsmerized-NewYorkMets+%28Mets+Merized+Online%29&utm_content=Twitter - Deck McGuire: McGuire does not have a high ceiling, and will likely top out as a #3 starter, but he’s arguably the safest pick, and the quickest to the majors. McGuire has done nothing but win during his three years at Georgia Tech, amassing a 27-6 record. He will give up hits, but he will also record a healthy amount of K’s. He throws a slider, a 90-93 MPH fastball, and a change, with strong command of all three. My judgment is that he could have a long career as a great 4, good 3. His upside is not what you look for as a 7th overall pick, but he’s the safest pick, and could make the team in 2012.
3. Kartsen Whitson – Chipley HS (FL) – 6-4, 195 – commited to Florida - son of Ed Whitson… top knotch sinker/slider… quick arm… 92-94 fastball… late sink down in zone… low-80s slider
7-21: Fr. http://baseballdraftreport.com: - potential first round pick
7-29: from www.baseballfactory.com: - Whitson has an ideal pitcher’s frame and is a strong righty with a loose, live arm. He pounds the strike zone with a 90-95 mph fastball that requires little effort. He also throws a sharp slider at 78-81, making him one of the top pitchers in the 2010 class.
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: another righty with good arm strength, 92 tops, mostly 88-90, breaking ball is a slurvy type that should get better, flies open early with delivery, correctible flaws however, can only get better in next 3-4 years.
8-11 from www.espn.com: Karston Whitson was similarly dominant to Taillon throwing three solid pitches: a 94-91 fastball, 84-79 slider and a 80-79 change up.
8-19: Jeff Sullivan from the AFLAC Games: - Whitson was a personal favorite of mine, the way he handled himself on and off the mound. He has a good work ethic and a great arm to boot. His fastball was around 93-95 during the game, and his slider could be a great out pitch at the upper levels. Whitson struck out Harper with a nice fastball, and forced MVP Tony Wolters to ground into a double play. Look for Whitson to have a huge year and find himself in the middle of the first round.
9-7: From www.perfectgame.com on the AFLAC games: - saw more of the arm hook in back swing and it effects his release points and stamina. Worrisome to me as many pitchers with this type of delivery have arm woes down the road quickly in pro ball.
9-16: From www.baseballamerica.com : - High School Top 25 draft prospects: 3. Karsten Whitson, rhp Chipley (Fla.) HS
9-26 from: http://www.baseballrumormill.com: - While Bryce Harper and Jameson Taillon dominated the reports from the USA Baseball 18-and-under team trials, a number of lesser-known players also had good performances which landed them on the roster. Taillon may throw harder than Karsten Whitson, but one scout felt Whitson's fastball was the best because of its movement. Whitson was still throwing 94, not shabby at all. His slider was also impressive, but Whitson did not demonstrate good command of the pitch.
9-28: From http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: - Mock Draft Version 2 - #22 pick overall - Karsten Whitson, RHP - Chipley HS (FL) - The Marlins are very random when it comes to their first pick and definitely seem to follow the rule of best player available. Right now this is Whitson and he just happens to be a prep in their state. Great arm and great for Florida. The only snag is that he is committed to the Florida Gators right now. Whole lot of Florida love for this kid.
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. In a five-inning outing, Whitson struck out nine while permitting three hits and issuing four walks. He cruised through the final four frames of his stint after escaping a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the first thanks to some heads-up defense by the U.S. (4-0).
10-5 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: 7. New York Mets – Karsten Whitson, RHP, Chipley HS (FL) – (5th RHP picked in draft) - Here is the best name no one’s talking about. People always talk about Taillon and Cole while leaving Whitson’s name out, but I don’t necessarily see it that way. He’s of similar size to Cole, with similar projectability, also has a plus fastball, and possibly has more movement on that pitch. He’s got both a slider and curve, and while neither are plus now, they’ve got great potential, too. That whole package is going to attract droves of scouts, and I see him going the way of Zack Wheeler from the 2009 class.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #7 - Karsten Whitson (4th RHP on list)
10-13 from www.mymlbdraft.com: 2010 MLB Mock Draft - #9 – (5th RHP picked) – Karsten Whitson
10-24 from www.baseballrumormll.com: - top 10 prospects: - 5. Karsten Whitson, RHP (4th RHP on list), Chipley HS, FL: Whitson pitched for Team USA as well and threw well in the COPABE "AAA" Pan American Championships. He doesn't throw as hard as his teammate, Taillon, but has more movement on the pitch.
10-29 from: www.mlbresource.com: - Blake's Scouting Report - There is no questioning the type or arm Whitson has. He has potential front of the rotation type stuff and should be a top pick. Whitson comes with a straight over the top delivery with a little herky jerk type movement in his delivery. He sits at around 92-94 and has touched 96. He has a sharp slider and everything he throws is hard with late bite
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: - 15-RHP Karsten Whitson (8th RHP on list)
11-3 from www.mlbresource.com: 3rd Mock draft – #9 - Karsten Whitson, RHP - Chipley HS (FL) - I definitely think the Padres take a pitcher with this selection. They need to rebuild the farm system and the pitching is currently below average. Whitson would fit in perfect but I could also see the Padres wanting someone more developed and closer to the big leagues. (4th RHP on list)
11-9-9 from www.examiner.com: - Top 15 High School Draft Prospects - 3. Karsten Whitson, rhp
Chipley (Fla.) HS
College Commitment: Florida - Whitson generates easy velocity from a 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame and throws a low-80s slider that should become a plus pitch eventually. (3rd RHP on list)
11-17 from www.mlbdraft.blogspot.com: - 14. Milwaukee Brewers- Karsten Whitson, RHP, Chipley HS(FL) - Whitson is a personal favorite of mine, who doesn't get enough love from the scouts. I feel he is right there with Cole as the number two pitcher in the class. He has a live arm, and a good feel for his slider. Look for Whitson to have a big spring. (7th RHP picked)
11-18 from www.macksmets.blogspot.com: - 6. RHP Karsten Whitson - a lot of people are jumping on the Whitson bandwagon this month, and so am I. (3rd RHP on list)
11-20 from www.draftamerica.com: - 10. Oakland -- Karsten Whitson, RHP, Chipley HS (FL). Oakland is looking for best available talent up-the-middle (C-SS-2B-CF) or on the mound, and Whitson's power stuff make him the top dog left on my current board. (6th RHP on list)
11-23 from www.deepleagues.com: - #16 - Chicago Cubs Karsten Whitson (P, Chipley, FLA) (7th RHP on list)
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - 7.Karsten Whitson
12-14 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - Karsten Whitson (Chipley HS, Florida) - Covey, Cowart, Allie, and Whitson form a pretty logical quartet of high school arms. All four are big fellas (Covey is the shrimp of the group at a round, but athletic 6-2, 200 pounds), with big fastballs (all four have hit at least 95 on the gun at one point or another), and big questions that could define them come draft day. Covey, my current favorite of the four, has the easiest questions (inconsistent mechanics and command, plus a less than idea young pitcher body type) to answer going forward, especially when you consider how far he has come to answer one of those questions (his command has looked sharper every time I’ve seen him) already. Whitson, currently ranked fourth in this little subgroup, has a potential dynamite 1-2 punch with his fastball (sitting 91-93, hitting 95-96) and slider (works best in the mid-80s, but has shown up as a less effective slurvy high-70s CB at times), but I think his mechanics will need something pretty close to a complete overhaul as a professional. Cowart has grown on me just as much as a hitter than as a pitcher lately, but his potential on the mound is still vast. Cowart is as likely as anybody on the list to shoot up to the top of the subgroup and could, I stress could, actually challenge the more established top two if everything breaks right. Everything Cowart throws moves downward, from his sharp high-80s slider to his low-80s split-fingered changeup. Allie has the most electric arm of the foursome, but has been plagued by up and down command and control throughout his career on the high school showcase circuit. He also doesn’t have quite the secondary stuff as some of his contemporaries.
12-15 from www.5tooltalk.com: Mock Draft – 1st round: - 20 Braves Karsten Whitson RHP High School
1-7-9: Morisato's 2010 MLB Mock Draft - Version 1.0 - 10th Overall – The Oakland Athletics
Karsten Whitson (RHP), Florida High School - The second Florida prep arm (and third pitcher from Florida period) in this mock draft, Whitson is another pitcher that should get more press than he gets. He’s got a excellent frame with plenty of projection, and while he doesn’t throw as hard as Taillon or Cole, he’s able to get his fastball up to 94 with plenty of sink. He throws a good slider, and a average curveball. However, Whitson’s issue is that he doesn’t command his stuff well, which will only come from experience. Still, he does an excellent job of keeping the ball in the park, and should be able to develop into a groundball starter in time.
2010 MLB DRAFT MOCK DRAFT- 12/31/09 – www.jjscouting.com - 14. Milwaukee Brewers- Karsten Whitson, RHP, Chipley HS(FL) - Whitson is a personal favorite of mine, who doesn't get enough love from the scouts. I feel he is right there with Cole as the number two pitcher in the class. He has a live arm, and a good feel for his slider. Look for Whitson to have a big spring.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #6 NY Mets Karsten Whitson RHP Chipley HS, Fla. 6'4" 190 R,R 1
1-15-0 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - 9. San Diego Padres – Karsten Whitson, RHP, Chipley HS (FL) – Regime change is always interesting when putting together mock drafts. However, it’s becoming clear that this regime will depart from the previous one when it comes to the draft. Expect more prep arms and more upside, though at the cost of risk. Whitson has an elite arm, and if his asking price is reasonable, he’s also a top ten to fifteen level talent. The top four prep arms in general are excellent compared to most years, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see a situation like this one where they are all picked in the first nine picks. Previously: #7.
1-15-9 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - #18 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: RHSP Karsten Whitson – Chipley HS (FL) - It took seventeen full picks to get here, but we made it. The Angels taking Karsten Whitson is the first pick that I can look at and honestly say I have nothing of value to add with my commentary. Whitson has a definite first round fastball, but closer to tenth round caliber secondary stuff and throwing mechanics. The Angels can afford to gamble on such a player with the first of their nine (again, the numbers may not be accurate) first round picks.
4-6 from Jason Churchill/ http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/a-preliminary-top-5-mock-draft/#more - 4) Kansas City Royals - Karsten Whitson, Chipley HS, RHP: Their recent trend of spending money on the draft likely indicates they're not afraid of selecting a high school pitcher like Whitson who could demand a large signing bonus.
5-31 from: - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2010/05/mlb-draft-preview-righties.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MetsMerizedOnline-GetMetsmerized-NewYorkMets+%28Mets+Merized+Online%29&utm_content=Twitter - Karsten Whitson: Whitson is the next best High School righty. He throws a 93-96 MPH fastball, and a low-80’s slider and change. He will need time to work on his pitches and fill out his frame. Has average command of his pitches. His mechanics have drawn mixed reviews from scouts, with some believing that his delivery needs more work with the follow-through. Could develop anywhere between 2-4, though I think he’ll be a strong 3. He’s only 18, and he’ll spend at least a few years in the minors, so an ETA could be anywhere between 2013 or 2015.
4. Anthony Ranaudo – LSU – 6-7, 231, junior… drafted in 11th round 2007 draft… superb command… fastball 94-96 range… nasty curve which he can locate for strikes… decent changeup… deceptive delivery and great command… very polished… velocity way down in 2009 CWS… had tendinitis as freshman… 2009: 10-3, 2.95, 147K, 109.2 IP, oba: .198… throws from an easy, cross-fire delivery, Randy Johnson like…. Curve 80-84… BA ranks as 15th top sophomore in 2009…
7/07 fr. www.projectprospect.com : Pomeranz and Ranaudo were both selected by the Texas Rangers in the 2007 draft – in back-to-back rounds no less. The 6-foot-7 Ranaudo got the call in the decisive game three of the College World Series and helped propel the Tigers to their sixth national championship. Despite his exceptional size, Ranaudo doesn’t throw particularly hard. I’ve heard reports of his fastball touching mid-90’s, but the couple times I’ve seen him he sat 88-92 mph. Ranaudo does make the most of his height, coming nearly over-the-top and creating a lot of downhill plane on his pitches. His best pitch is his curveball, which should be an out pitch at the major league level; a true 12-to-6 offing that comes out of the same arm slot and flight path of his fastball before sharply falling off the table. The battle between Pomeranz and Ranaudo is extremely close, statistically the two were almost identical; Ranaudo struck out 31.5% of batters while walking 9.9%
7-21: 2010 MLB Mock Draft - 2nd Edition - July 21, 2009 by Scouting The Sports http://scoutingthesports.com/?p=3632 - - 2. Cleveland Indians - Anthony Ranaudo Pitcher LSU - Unlike last year, this years draft doesn’t have that obvious #1 pitcher. Still, Ranaudo is a solid pick. Ranaudo doesn’t have an overpowering fastball (hits about 93mph on the gun), instead relying on a very deceptive delivery and great command of all his pitches. Ranaudo keeps hitters off-balance with a breaking ball that he can locate for strikes. This control, and his strong pitching style, ,which includes the confidence to throw on the inner half of the place, has helped him rank #4 in strikeouts in college baseball last year, while often using his 93 mph fastball to punch guys out. Ranaudo is very, very polished and could be in the majors as quickly as 2011. Cleveland could really use someone that could come up soon.
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: power sinker and hard curveball, also nice cutter and makings of a solid changeup. He still needs confidence in his changeup. Has made huge strides since HS in Jersey. Top 10 on paper right now for 2010!
8-2: from 6-16 article www.sportsillustrated.cnn.com: After pitching just six innings as a freshman, Ranaudo became LSU's ace as a sophomore, emerging as one of the Southeastern Conference's best pitchers. At 6-7, 231 pounds, he has the athleticism to repeat his delivery and pump his fastball into the 92-94 mph range. He pitched as if he had some fatigue in his CWS opener, with his velocity sitting more 89-91 mph. At his best, his curveball also is a power offering, and he's shown a decent feel for a changeup. Ranaudo's competitiveness combined with his stuff puts him at the front of the group of 2010 pitchers.
9-16: From www.baseballamrica.com : - College Top 25 draft prospects: #2. Anthony Ranaudo, rhp Louisiana State
9-24: From: http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: Mock Draft Version 1.0 – 3rd pick overall - Anthony Raunado, RHP – LSU
9-28: From http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: - Mock Draft Version 2 - #2 pick overall - Anthony Raunado, RHP, LSU - Raunado is starting to become the Dustin Ackley of this draft. Always one pick behind the internet sensation. Most boards have Raunado at #2 right now and it is not likely to change very much. Supposedly Pittsburgh did not spend as much this past draft to save money for Dominican SS Miguel Sano which will cost a ton. I understand Pittsburgh's thinking but I also think you need to take advantage of these top picks while you have them
10-5 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: 2. Pittsburgh Pirates – Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, LSU – (1st RHP picked in draft) - A lot of people are basing their judgment of Ranaudo on his College World Series performance, where he was noticeably tired and didn’t have his best stuff. However, it’s hard to find the pure size of Ranaudo, and his stuff is much better than that nationally-televised outing. Don’t look for pure gas or a Strasburg-like bender, but he grades out as above-average in everything with more projectability than your average collegiate. He’s a Boras client, so we’ll see if that affects his status, but for now he’s the best major college prospect.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #6 - Anthony Ranaudo (3rd RHP on list)
10-6 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com: - RHP Anthony Ranaudo - Ranaudo is lower here than even I expected, but the upside of the five names in front of him partially explains his low standing. I also have personal reservations about big guys that don’t throw nearly as hard as expected. There is plenty of tape on him floating around, so I’ll need to take a closer look and break him down in the near future.
10-13 from www.mymlbdraft.com: 2010 MLB Mock Draft - #:2 – (1st RHP picked) - Anthony Ranaudo
10-24 from www.baseballrumormll.com: - top 10 prospects: - 3. Anthony Ranaudo, RHP (2nd RHP on list), LSU: Excluding Harper who's technically a college player, Ranaudo figures to be the first collegiate player drafted. He compliments a mid-90s fastball with a solid curveball and changeup. The only factor which may cause him to slide is signability - Scott Boras is his advisor.
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: - 3- RHP Anthony Ranaudo (2nd RHP on list)
11-3 from www.mlbresource.com: 3rd Mock draft – 2. Anthony Ranaudo, RHP – LSU - There could be a temptation to take Jameson Taillon in this spot but Pittsburgh could be competitive in the next couple years and Ranaudo is closer to the big leagues. (1st RHP on list)
11-17 from www.mlbdraft.blogspot.com: - 4. Kansas City Royals- Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, LSU - Ranaudo comes into the year as the best college pitcher. He is represented by Scott Boras, so that always has an effect on where a player is drafted. When it comes to draft day, the Royals will take the best player available. That is Ranaudo. (2nd RHP picked)
11-18 from www.macksmets.blogspot.com: - 1. RHP Anthony Ranaudo – as many of you know, I’m big on college starters, and the best out there is Ranaudo. (1st RHP on list)
11-20 from www.draftamerica.com: - 4. Kansas City -- Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, LSU. KAN hasn't suffered from sticker shock in recent drafts, and Boras advisee Ranaudo would add another developed arm to a growing stable in the KAN system. (2nd RHP on list)
11-23 from www.deepleagues.com: - #2 - Pittsburgh Pirates Anthony Ranaudo (P, LSU) (1st RHP on list)
12-15 from www.5tooltalk.com: Mock Draft – 1st round: - 2 Pirates Anthony Ranaudo RHP NCAA
1-7-9: Morisato's 2010 MLB Mock Draft - Version 1.0 - 2nd Overall – The Pittsburgh Pirates
Anthony Ranaudo (RHP), LSU - A former Ranger draft pick (11th round, 2007), Ranaudo has been dominant for LSU. He had an impressive sophomore year, going 10-3 with a 2.95 ERA, with 147 K’s in 110 innings. However, some people were down on him because he was gassed in the College World Series. The first thing that catches you about Ranaudo is that he’s an absolutely massive pitcher, standing at 6-7. He doesn’t have one dominant pitch, but he has a good three pitch arsenal that all grades above average. His fastball clocks in the low 90’s, and he has touched 95 in the past. He also throws a curveball and a changeup that both grade as above average. He has a lot of deception in his delivery, as well as good command as well. However, he’s going to get knocked because of his lack of a knock out offering, and his representation isn’t going to do the Pirates any favors (hint: rhymes with Mott Moras). Overall, I think the pirates will tag him because of his closeness to the majors. This is far from a sure thing, as there is a chance Harper will be here, or that one of the other members of the top five could go out of their minds.
2010 MLB DRAFT MOCK DRAFT- 12/31/09 – www.jjscouting.com - 4. Kansas City Royals- Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, LSU - Ranaudo comes into the year as the best college pitcher. He is represented by Scott Boras, so that always has an effect on where a player is drafted. When it comes to draft day, the Royals will take the best player available. That is Ranaudo.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #2 Pittsburgh Anthony Ranaudo RHP LSU 6'7" 231 R,R
1-15-9 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - 4. Kansas City Royals – Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, LSU – Ranaudo’s made a bold move by selecting Scott Boras as his advisor heading into his draft year. Having attached his name to Boras means he needs to have a dominating junior year to sit this high in the draft, where teams know they’ll be extorted for every penny by Boras. Don’t get me wrong, Boras is only doing his job, but the pressure now on Ranaudo to perform to the high expectations is magnified. I think he’ll do just fine, and the Royals will have no qualms about paying him. Previously: #2.
2-23: - Anthony Ranaudo from LSU had a strong outing going 5IP, 6K, 0ER along with just three baserunners. His fastball was clocked at 93-89mph.
2-24 fr. www.baseballamerica.com: - Louisiana State announced Wednesday night that junior righthander Anthony Ranaudo, the nation's top pitching prospect for the 2010 draft, will miss Friday’s scheduled start against William & Mary due to discomfort in his throwing elbow. LSU coach Paul Mainieri said Ranaudo’s ailment is classified as a stress reaction that does not involve ligament damage, and it does not appear to be a long-term condition
3-10 from www.baseballamerica.com: - Louisiana State righthander Anthony Ranaudo—the top-rated college pitcher in the 2010 draft class entering the season—will miss a third start this upcoming weekend due to a stress reaction in his throwing elbow. Ranaudo threw five innings in the season's first weekend but hasn't pitched since then, and took the ball Monday for the first time in two weeks in a side session. LSU coach Paul Mainieri said in a press release Monday that the defending national champions were extending Ranaudo's "recuperative period" by a week after initially believing he could return for an upcoming series against Kansas. Now his earliest return would appear to be the Southeastern Conference opening series against Arkansas
3-21 from: - http://www.federalbaseball.com/2010/3/20/1381983/washington-nationals-saturday?ref=yahoo - • Anthony Ranaudo sat out again this weekend with the same discomfort in his right elbow that's cost him three-straight starts in a year the 6'7'', 230 lb right-hander was expected to be one of the top pitchers taken. ESPN.com's Jason A. Churchill took a look at the Jackson, New Jersey born pitcher in a recent article (FOR INSIDERS ONLY) entitled, "Ranaudo injury puts stock in question", wherein Mr. Churchill writes that one scout told him, "he'd be wary of tabbing a pitcher with such elbow concerns anywhere in the top half of the first round." Could he fall as far as the top pick in the 2nd Round?
4-16 from: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2010/04/15/2010-draft-class-update - LSU Friday night star Anthony Ranaudo missed a good deal of time early in the season, dealing with an elbow injury. Now back in action for the eighth ranked Tigers, Ranaudo has shown solid stuff but has been limited to a strict pitch count. His fastball sat 90-91 mph when I saw him vs. Tennessee (March 27) and touched 93 mph with his trademark downhill plane. Ranaudo’s mechanics are still smooth and, I believe, make him a lower than average injury risk long-term. It is important to note that many other things go into injuries other than just mechanic efficiencies and that a pitcher of ‘below-average’ risk is still likely to visit the DL in his career. I haven’t heard any firm word on what the elbow injury actually was. I imagine that any team interested in Ranaudo will have the 6-foot-7 right hander spend some quality time with team doctors.
4-19 from: - http://www.pnrscouting.com/rankings_2010_midseason_pitcher.html - Junior, Louisiana St. Univ. is back from his elbow injury and throwing relatively deep into games, but he may need to significantly separate himself from the other top college arms in order to regain his place in the Top 5 on this list come late-May -- none of the other top arms have really faultered and potential long-term wear-and-tear concerns with the elbow could loom large in a "toss-up" situation between the LSU ace and the rest of the group. Each player's preseason ranking on this list is in parenthesis, green indicating upward movement, red downward and blue neutral:
4-21 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/21/1435316/interesting-college-pitchers-for - , RHP, Louisiana State University - In January, Ranaudo was expected to be the top college pitcher in the draft class. Alas, he's been limited to just 21 innings so far by a stress reaction in his elbow. In those 21 innings, he's posted a 3.00 ERA with a 20/10 K/BB and 14 hits allowed. When healthy, the 6-7, 230 pounder has a 94-97 MPH fastball, and a strong curveball/changeup combination. He has the stuff to be a number one starter, but the injury issue clouds his status and will have to be monitored closely as we get closer to the draft. He was considered a lock for the first five picks until getting hurt, and he could still go that high if he throws well in May. He could also slip down the draft if teams get concerned about the medical reports, so at this point it is hard to know how to slot him.
5-3 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft/entry/view/64739/stock_watch_aviles_up,_ranaudo_down#page_break - DOWN: Anthony Ranaudo, LSU, RHP - Teams are shying away from Ranaudo because of elbow issues. He pitched two shaky innings against Florida on Friday, allowing four earned runs on six hits. While he didn't walk anyone, he also didn't strike out anyone. Ranaudo is not missing bats the way he did in the past. Head coach Paul Mainieri has stressed that he will not endanger Ranaudo's health and will monitor his innings. Mainieri has a good track record in this area. And Ranaudo has yet to fully let loose.
5-10 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com - Ranaudo wishes he could "struggle" as well as McGuire has. Speculation continues to rise about Ranaudo's health as he was horrible yet again against Vanderbilt. Ranaudo lasted just 2.2IP giving up six earned runs on five hits and four walks with just one strikeout.
5-16 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/05/16/lsu-scouting-updates - “His arm speed and mechanics look good, but he hasn’t been the same. He looks like he’s 100 percent, but he’s not the same dominating guy he was in the Fall. Nobody is sure if he’s not healthy or just not hitting his spots. His fastball velocity is 90-92.”
5-31 from: - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2010/05/mlb-draft-preview-righties.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MetsMerizedOnline-GetMetsmerized-NewYorkMets+%28Mets+Merized+Online%29&utm_content=Twitter - Anthony Ranuado: What a difference a year makes. The guy was top 5 last year after leading LSU to the College World Series Championship. In case you were wondering how a can’t miss prospect is barely mentioned now; after an arm injury over the winter, he fell off a cliff production-wise. Ranuado (also a Boras client) has had a strong SEC tournament, in which he pitched three innings in relief to beat Alabama for the SEC title yesterday. It will not be enough to put him back in the top-20.
5. A.J. Cole – Oveido High School (FL) – 6-5, 190 - overpowering righty… fastball sits in the 94-95 range… tops at 97… one of the best arms coming out of high school… good depth on his curve… very loose and easy arm… curve and command improved in 2009… verbally committed to Miami… 7-21: Fr. http://baseballdraftreport.com: - potential first round pick
7-21: 2010 MLB Mock Draft - 2nd Edition - July 21, 2009 by Scouting The Sports http://scoutingthesports.com/?p=3632 - 5. Arizona Diamondbacks - A.J. Cole Pitcher Oveido High School, Florida - -Cole is an overpowering righty that could challenge Ranaudo as the first pitcher picked come June. Cole has by far the best arm in the draft, currently sitting at about 94-95 mph, while still filling out his lanky body. Once Cole does fill out his frame, he could be scary. Expect his fastball to jump from 2-3 mph, and the added size and strength will make his curveball all the more devastating. As a junior in high school Cole made the AFLAC All American Game Arizona has a young, developed squad, this could be a good pick for Arizona as they have the capabilities to leave him in their system for a few years to develop.
7-29: From: www.baseballfactory.com: - Cole is one of the top pitchers in the 2010 class. He sits comfortably in the low 90s and has touched as high as 96 mph this spring. He combines athleticism, velocity and movement with a decent curveball and developing change to dominate high school hitters. He will play this summer for the Orlando Scorpions – an Under Armour Franchise Team who will be participating in the UA Southeast Tournament
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: topped out at 91, solid arm strength, type of build that will get stronger as he matures, cuts fb some, cb has proper spin, location on his pitches were ok, has upside to improve.
8-6: From www.baseballamerica.com: - Cole is long and lanky and has the projection scouts can dream on. But, even if he doesn't fill out, he already throws 88-91 mph and touches 93 with clean, effortless mechanics. He mixes in a 78 mph knuckle -curve that he throws for strikes.
8-11 from www.espn.com: AJ Cole, a RHP from FL, had a nice 93-90 mph fastball, but did not locate the pitch very well and his breaking ball wasn't fooling hitters as much as it needs to be.
8-19: Jeff Sullivan from the AFLAC Games: - Cole came into the weekend as my second ranked right hander, but struggled a bit on the mound. He was battling an eye problem the whole week but it was still easy to see why he is ranked so high. His fastball ran up to the mid 90’s and his breaking ball is up there with the best off speed pitches in the country. Cole struck out Stefan Sabol in the game, while letting up a double to outfielder Brian Ragira. Cole still fits himself in the middle of the first round.
9-5: from Jonathan Mayo’s 8-26 article on www.minors.mlbblogs.com: - showed plus velocity as well, with questionable secondary stuff.
9-7: From www.perfectgame.com on the AFLAC games: - can anyone say, Kris Benson mold? This young man, if he ever fills out, will be a true gem. Stamina will be watched closely. Can not deny his arm strength and control one bit. Projection, mid-late first rounder on paper right now.
9-16: From www.baseballamerica.com : - High School Top 25 draft prospects: 2. A.J. Cole, rhp Oviedo (Fla.) HS
9-24: From: http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: Mock Draft Version 1.0 – 9th pick overall - A.J. Cole, RHP - Oveido HS (FL)
9-28: From http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: - Mock Draft Version 2 - #7 pick overall - A.J. Cole, RHP - Oveido HS (FL) – I’m Sticking with Cole to the Diamondbacks for two straight drafts. Arms that throw in the upper 90's don't come around very often and Arizona can add another great arm to an already good young farm system. Cole is currently committed to play for the University of Miami as well.
10-5 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: 6. Arizona Diamondbacks – A.J. Cole, RHP, Oviedo HS (FL) – (4th RHP picked in draft) - Cole, who was considered pretty much even with Taillon entering the summer, has had a good summer, but not one that matched Taillon’s. He’s also a really big kid, but with a much more projectable frame that some teams drool over. His fastball is of the plus variety, and his slurve (that’s what I call it) is a plus pitch, too. He’s got true number one potential, so I don’t see him falling too much unless he completely falls apart in the spring. He’s committed to Miami.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #4 – A.J. Cole – (2nd RHP on list)
10-13 from www.mymlbdraft.com: 2010 MLB Mock Draft - #5 – (4th RHP picked) - A.J. Cole
10-17 from www.mlbresurce.com: - Blake's Scouting Report - Most have said Cole's arm slot is around 3/4 but I feel he is straight over the top. He has a little hitch back motion with his arm that can be deceptive and makes it look 3/4 but at his release he is over the top. Cole's fastball sits from 92-95 mph but is pretty straight with little movement. Cole's main off-speed pitch is a over the top breaking ball that has tremendous dive at the end. He doesn't throw it very hard and I think putting more velocity on his breaking ball could help make him even more of a power pitcher. His change-up is average as it is new to his repertoire. In summary Cole has a chance to be a front of the rotation starter. He is lanky and still gaining strength which makes his projectability outstanding. Expect to see Cole taken very early in the draft.
10-24 from www.baseballrumormll.com: - top 10 prospects: - 6. AJ Cole, RHP (5th RHP on list), Oviedo HS, FL: Much like Allie, Cole can throw the ball hard, hitting 96 at the East Coast Showcase and throwing 93 at the AFLAC All-Star game. However, Cole also needs to improve his control and his other pitches are not yet professional quality.
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: - 5-RHP AJ Cole (3rd RHP on list)
11-3 from www.mlbresource.com: 3rd Mock draft – 5. A.J. Cole, RHP - Oviedo HS (FL) - If Christian Colon is here this will be a tough decision. Cole and Taillon are so far the top prep pitchers and with Lonnie Chisenhall as the shortstop of the future I see the Tribe taking Cole. (3rd RHP on list)
11-9-9 from www.examiner.com: - Top 15 High School Draft Prospects - 1. A.J. Cole, rhp
Oviedo (Fla.) HS
College Commitment: Miami - Long and strong at 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, Cole complements his pro build with a heavy fastball and advanced secondary offerings. (1st RHP on list)
11-17 from www.mlbdraft.blogspot.com: - 6. Arizona Diamondbacks- AJ Cole, RHP, Oviedo HS (FL) - Cole might be the most projectable pitcher in the draft. At 6'4, 180 pounds, he still has a lot of room to get stronger. He has two plus pitches and when he fills out they should both improve. He is a top of the line starter. (3rd RHP picked)
11-18 from www.macksmets.blogspot.com: - 12. RHP A. J. Cole – could easily go in the top ten, but in my book, he’s resting at 11. (6th RHP on list)
11-20 from www.draftamerica.com: - 6. Arizona -- AJ Cole, RHP, Oviedo HS (FL). 'Zona loaded up on college and HS talent alike while grabbing five of the first forty-five picks in last year's draft -- Cole would be an ideal addition to a system a little light in impact arms at the lower levels. (4th RHP on list)
11-23 from www.deepleagues.com: - #5 - Cleveland Indians A.J. Cole (RHP, Winter Springs, FL) (2nd RHP on list)
11-28 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - •91-93 FB/94-96 peak; has reportedly been as high as 98 - •potential plus 76-80 KCB - •average 84-88 SF that acts as a change - •78-81 SL that appears to come and go from outing to outing (?) - •projectable frame at 6-5, 190 pounds - •Zach Wheeler and Rick Porcello comps
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - 2.AJ Cole
12-14 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - AJ Cole (Oviedo HS, Florida) - lBoth Taillon and Cole have already had their moment in the sun. AJ Cole is really good now, and he could be really, really good in the future. Jameson Taillon is really, really good now, and he should stay really, really good in the future. I compared Cole’s upside to Justin Verlander and Taillon’s to Josh Johnson. Too positive? Probably seems that way, but remember we’re talking upside here and, again, remember that AJ Cole and Jameson Taillon both have the potential to be very, very good.
12-15 from www.5tooltalk.com: Mock Draft – 1st round: - 8 Astros A.J. Cole RHP High School
1-7-9: Morisato's 2010 MLB Mock Draft - Version 1.0 - 6th Overall – The Arizona Diamondbacks - A.J. Cole (RHP), Florida High School
The second best prep arm behind Taillon, Cole himself has some big time projection on him. He has a loose arm, and his frame is fairly projectable. He throws a fastball in the low 90’s, reaching 95. Cole has hit 98 at times as well. He also throws a biting curveball that rates as a plus pitch as well. Cole has not developed his changeup much, but that’s typical among prep prospects. It shows the potential to become a average pitch, and a usable weapon against lefties. His mechanics don’t show any problems. All in all, he also has ace potential if he’s able to maximize his potential. The Diamondbacks, who lack much starting pitching depth in their system, have the opportunity to nab the second best young pitcher in the draft at this spot.
2010 MLB DRAFT MOCK DRAFT- 12/31/09 – www.jjscouting.com - 6. Arizona Diamondbacks- AJ Cole, RHP, Oviedo HS (FL) - Cole might be the most projectable pitcher in the draft. At 6'4, 180 pounds, he still has a lot of room to get stronger. He has two plus pitches and when he fills out they should both improve. He is a top of the line starter.
1-11-9 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - 1.3 Baltimore Orioles: RHSP AJ Cole – Oviedo HS (FL) - I promise I won’t quote myself all that much going forward, but my positive feelings towards the direction of the Orioles have only gone stronger in the past year. Here’s what I said in last year’s first mock: Matt Weiters, Brian Roberts, Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman, Jake Arrieta, and the fifth pick in the draft. That’s a foundation for something; I don’t know what exactly, but something. We now know who that fifth pick turned out to be (Matt Hobgood) and we can count newly added and/or 2009 breakthrough prospects like Josh Bell, Zach Britton, Brandon Erbe (he’s more of a reemergence than a breakthrough guy, actually), and a decent haul from outside the first round including Mychal Givens, Justin Dalles, Ryan Berry, Jake Cowan, and Mike Ohlman all as part of the core of the next great Orioles team. On top of all that, of course, is the pick that will produce the highest drafted O’s prospect since Ben McDonald (my goal is to mention him as often as possible, apparently) in 1989. Since 2001, Baltimore has averaged roughly the seventh overall pick in the draft, but they’ve never been higher than 4th. Those two number four overall picks were LHSPs Brian Matusz and Adam Loewen. Ole Miss lefthander Drew Pomeranz and Florida Gulf Coast lefty Chris Sale are potential candidates to uphold my worthless trend of Baltimore taking lefthanded pitchers when they get top four draft picks, but I’m thinking they eschew any kind of recent drafting trends and go for broke by picking the top available talent on the board. AJ Cole, come on down.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #5 Kansas City A.J. Cole RHP Oviedo HS, Fla. 6'5" 190 R,R
1-15-0 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - 6. Arizona Diamondbacks – A.J. Cole, RHP, Oviedo HS - FL) – The Diamondbacks haven’t chosen a high school pitcher in the top round (or supplemental round) since Jarrod Parker in 2007, and Cole’s arm is in that same category. Picking this high, Arizona has to hit with this pick, as they don’t have any extra picks to fall back on this year. They need high-ceiling arms in their system, and Cole’s got a special one. I haven’t heard anything about Cole’s signability yet, so this is definitely a constantly changing pick. Previously: #6.
4-17 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/17/1426860/interesting-high-school-pitchers-a - A.J. Cole, RHP, Oviedo HS (Florida) - Well known to scouts for a long time, still has projectability at 6-5, 190 pounds but already hits 91-94 MPH with good movement. Mixes in a good breaking ball but will need to improve changeup in pro ball, not unusual for his age. He throws strikes and basically has no major flaws as high school pitchers go. He has a University of Miami commitment but should be signable if drafted early enough. He's a definite candidate for the Top Ten, and barring a late injury disaster or unusual bonus demands he won't get past 15.
6. Dylan Covey – Maranatha High (CA) – excellent power pitcher… competition was weak… low to mid 90’s fastball, mid-70 curve, low-80 slider…
7-21: Fr. http://baseballdraftreport.com: - potential first round pick
8-17 from www.baseballamerica.com re: AFLAC games - Dylan Covey (Maranatha HS, Pasadena, Calif.) hails from a tiny private school and has big-time stuff. He mixes a 91-94 mph fastball, 83 mph slurve, 81 mph change and 77 mph curve effectively.
9-7: From www.perfectgame.com on the AFLAC games: - 6'4 righty, came to pitch, loosey goosey with some arm side run and sinks it down in the k-zone. Breaking ball has the proper bite and spin now and will only get better. Very projectible. For only 1 inning I saw, he's definitely put down as a MUST SEE early rounder for 2010.
9-16: From www.baseballamerica.com : - High School Top 25 draft prospects: 14. Dylan Covey, rhp Maranatha HS, Pasadena, Calif.
10-5 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: 23. Florida Marlins – Dylan Covey, RHP, Maranatha HS (CA) – (10th RHP picked in draft) - The Marlins have a long history with preps in California, and Covey’s the best pitcher out there in the 2010 class. There’s a pretty clear line between Covey and the top arms like Taillon, Cole, Whitson, and Allie, but don’t be surprised if Covey has a big jump similar to fellow California prep Matt Hobgood had in the 2009 class. He’s got a plus fastball and curveball, but like most preps, he lacks a good current changeup, and he’ll need that to thrive in the pros. He’s a mid- to late-first rounder now, but there’s room for more.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #19 – Dylan Covey (12th RHP on list)
10-13 from www.mymlbdraft.com: 2010 MLB Mock Draft - #28 – (12th RHP picked) – Dylan Covey
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: -23- RHP Dylan Covey (9th RHP on list)
11-9-9 from www.examiner.com: - Top 15 High School Draft Prospects - 15. Dylan Covey, rhp
Maranatha HS, Pasadena, Calif.
College Commitment: San Diego - Covey did not pitch this summer due to injury, but he features a mid-90s fastball and the makings of a plus curveball when healthy. (6th RHP on list)
11-17 from www.mlbdraft.blogspot.com: - 29.Boston Red Sox-Dylan Covey, RHP, Marantha HS(CA) - Covey had a great summer. Some like Covey up with Cole, as the 2-3 behind Taillon. He's in that next level down for me, with Whitson, Smelter, Allie and Bedrosian. The Sox would love to add an arm like this into the lower levels. (12th RHP picked)
11-20 from www.draftamerica.com: - 30. Los Angeles (A) -- Dylan Covey, Maranatha HS (CA). The Angels began restocking the system last year with a plethora of early picks, and Covey would fit nicely as a potential future workhorse with a true power arsenal. (14th RHP on list)
11-23 from www.deepleagues.com: #24 - San Fransisco Giants Dylan Covey (P, Pasadena, CA) (12th RHP on list)
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - 4.Dylan Covey
12-15 from www.5tooltalk.com: Mock Draft – 1st round: - 31 Rays Dylan Covey RHP High School
1-7-9: Morisato's 2010 MLB Mock Draft - Version 1.0 - 23rd Overall – The Florida Marlins
Dylan Covey (RHP), California High School - The Marlins have taken quite a few high school arms in recent years, and this year figures to be no exception. Covey is a prep arm from California that shows solid potential. He throws a fastball in the mid 90’s with good movement. He also has a solid curveball that gives him a second good offering. Like most prep pitchers, he lacks a changeup, which he’ll need to remain a starter. Still, he has the potential to be a solid middle of the rotation guy, with a chance to become a Number Two Starter if everything works out.
2010 MLB DRAFT MOCK DRAFT- 12/31/09 – www.jjscouting.com - 29. Toronto Blue Jays-Dylan Covey, RHP, Marantha HS(CA) - Covey had a great summer. Some like Covey up with Cole and Whitson, as the top of the board behind Taillon. He's in that next level down for me, with Smelter and Allie. The Jays would love to add an arm like this into the lower levels.
1-1-9 update: - -One name that I keep hearing is that of Dylan Covey. When I did my first 2010 mock, Covey was clearly behind the triumvirate of Taillon, Cole, and Whitson, but many scouts I’ve talked to now prefer Covey to Whitson, and Covey offers a little less projection, but a tad more polish than Cole, leading some to wonder if Covey if this year’s Matt Hobgood. I don’t have a big enough handle on it yet, but I get the feeling that Covey could explode with a big spring, and his upside is better than Hobgood’s.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #31 Tampa Bay (Compensation for failure to sign LeVon Washington) Dylan Covey RHP Maranatha HS, Ca. 6'2" 200 R,R
1-15-0 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - 7. New York Mets – Dylan Covey, RHP, Maranatha HS (CA) – As explained in my bits and pieces entry, Covey’s stock has been on the upswing. After missing time this summer with a minor injury, Covey came back strong in the fall, and he’s in the conversation with Taillon and Cole for best prep arm in the 2010 class. The Mets have gone with some prep arms in the past, and their top pick from a year ago was prep lefty Steven Matz. If Covey’s spring is as good as his fall, he’s definitely a top ten pick if signable. Previously: #23.
1-15-9 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - #13 Chicago White Sox: RHSP Dylan Covey – Maranatha HS (CA) - Remember how my angle for the Cincinnati pick was going to be about the way they are suddenly a team getting a ton of positive buzz? I really can’t tell you how many different places have come out and said the Reds are the Central’s second best team heading into 2010, as well as the team best positioned to take over St Louis when the Cardinals realize spending 98% of your payroll (figure may not be exact) on two players. I’m not necessarily disputing either idea, just pointing out that it has been interesting to see so many sources from all across the baseball landscape (from analytical types to scouty types) all hyping up the Reds lately. Well…Covey is a little bit like the Reds. He’s the prospect that has gotten a huge groundswell of support over the past few weeks from just about everybody with a keyboard and an opinion on amateur baseball. Just wait, they said. Watch him pitch, they said. His stock will soar, they said. Good call, internet. Covey could have very easily been swapped with Cowart at the number four spot in this draft. If we accept that all pitching prospects come with major questions, maybe we should work towards finding the prospect with the easiest questions to answer. This isn’t a great strategy in general as I tend to be more of a “focus on what a player can do rather than what he can’t do” kind of fellow, but it does serve a useful purpose when comparing so many similarly talented players like the ones featured in this year’s prep righthanded pitching crop. Covey’s questions include inconsistent in-game mechanics, inconsistent command start to start, and a body type that doesn’t inspire much projection going forward. Mechanics can always be tweaked, his command has looked sharper every time I’ve seen him, and the body isn’t anywhere close to Sir Sidney Ponson levels of bad.
1-30-10: - named to the Louisville Slugger 2010 Pre-Season High School All-America Team
4-17 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/17/1426860/interesting-high-school-pitchers-a - Dylan Covey, RHP, Maranatha HS (California) - Good athlete, not huge at 6-2, 195, but has more than enough arm strength with a 91-94 MPH fastball and a nasty curve. Well-known to scouts on the amateur circuit, like Cole he is relatively polished for his age and has done well against good quality competition. A University of San Diego signee, he's been rated a Top 20 talent for some time, has done nothing to change that this spring, and could get into the Top 10 under the right circumstances. I doubt he would get past the Angels at 18 and could go as high as the Mets at 7.
4-27 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/mlb-draft-notes-high-school-review-419-426/#more - Dylan Covey continues to dominate for Maranatha HS. He recently struck out eleven while giving up just one hit in a complete game shutout. So far Covey has yielded just one earned run over 45.1 IP while striking out 90 against eleven walks.
4-28 from: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2010/04/28/lincolns-2010-draft-board - Several astute members of our forums questioned my leaving Dylan Covey off my first board. They were right. I overlooked Covey. The Marantha High School (CA) righthander has a well-above-average fastball with plus potential, running into the mid-90s in short stints with good movement. Covey throws a power curveball in the low-80s that may be the best in the entire draft. He is exceptionally smooth mechanically and looks the part of a future workhorse. Covey may be a slightly better version of Matt Hobgood, who went fifth overall to the Orioles last year, and could certainly figure in the top 10 this June.
5-1 from: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2010/04/28/lincolns-2010-draft-board - Several astute members of our forums questioned my leaving Dylan Covey off my first board. They were right. I overlooked Covey. The Marantha High School (CA) righthander has a well-above-average fastball with plus potential, running into the mid-90s in short stints with good movement. Covey throws a power curveball in the low-80s that may be the best in the entire draft. He is exceptionally smooth mechanically and looks the part of a future workhorse. Covey may be a slightly better version of Matt Hobgood, who went fifth overall to the Orioles last year, and could certainly figure in the top 10 this June.
5-3 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/05/03/dylan-covey-update/#more-5904 - After two or three consecutive starts in which many scouts expressed concern that Dylan Covey’s stuff and velocity were slipping, Covey’s start Wednesday night drew nearly as many scouts as did his season-opening start in March. Covey responded immediately. His first two fastballs in the first inning hit 93, the next two hit 94. His curveball was 78-82 in the first inning and his change-up was 80-81. For a high draft pick in this situation at this time of the year, the question always comes to down to power more than pitch-ability. Teams want to see exactly what is in the gas tank before they take the ride home.
5-17 from: http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/05/17/dylan-covey-update-3 When you project Covey with more upper body strength and power, as an adult in his late 20s and early 30s, you’re talking about a guy with the potential to have the best breaking ball in the big leagues. That said, I’m willing to bet that there are some scouting directors in the game who are going to make mistakes and deem Covey as too inconsistent or too much of a gamble. Perhaps they saw him on a bad day. They have their jobs and I have mine. If you’re going to take a high school arm, you better be sure. If I’m the area guy, I’m sure. As the great Gene Handley once said, “Sometimes we make this job a lot harder than it really is.”
5-31 from: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=2215 - Covey was dreadful. The senior was rocked for eight runs in five innings in a game won by Campbell Hall 9-3. Covey’s fastball sat at 91-92 and did not peak above that. His four-seamer was up in the zone, straight and hittable all day. In the first inning, Covey threw an inordinate amount of breaking balls and surrendered a walk and three hits, including a home run. Nowhere in evidence was the sharpness seen in Covey’s March slider or curve. His curve Friday registered 75-76 and stayed up in the zone, and Covey’s slider exhibited scant sideways break and was clocked in the 79-81 range.
7. Alex Wimmers – Ohio State – Junior… 6-2, 195, R/R… 2009: 9-2, 3.27, 136-K, 104.2-IP… pitched no-hitter against Michigan
7/07 fr. www.projectprospect.com: Alex Wimmers from The Ohio State University has smooth mechanics and a big curveball that helped dominate big 10 action this spring, with another strong season he should garner lots of first round attention…
9-8: www.pgtracker.com lists as one of the top college player coming out of Ohio.
9-16: From www.baseballamrica.com : - College Top 25 draft prospects: 9. Alex Wimmers, rhp Ohio State
9-28: From http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: - Mock Draft Version 2 - #32 pick overall - Alex Wimmers, RHP - Ohio State - Yankees have stayed on a trend drafting quality arms in the past couple drafts outside of OF Slade Heathcott last year. Wimmers has shown signs of dominance at Ohio State and could boost his status with a big year for the Buckeyes.
10-5 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: 12. Cincinnati Reds – Alex Wimmers, RHP, Ohio State – (6th RHP picked in draft) - Wimmers had a great late summer on the Cape, and I think he’s moved into being the best cold-weather guy in the 2010 class. He’s not a big guy, unlike the pitchers above, but his stuff is quite advanced. I might call his fastball average, maybe a tick above with movement and command, but his curve and change are above-average and improving. The Reds went with Mike Leake in 2009, so they might want to go in a different direction from the polished college pitcher in 2010, but Wimmers is in-state and a true first-round talent, so there’s no reason to believe he can’t go here.
10-13 from www.mymlbdraft.com: 2010 MLB Mock Draft - #15 – (7th RHP picked) – Alex Wimmer
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: - 48- RHP Alex Wimmers (17th RHP on list)
11-14 from www.rivals.yahoo.com: - Alex Wimmers needs to be Alex Wimmers -- This key may sound like common sense or even be strange to some people, but there have been plenty of times in the past when a pitcher expected to throw exceptionally well cratered the next season. Wimmers can't do that if the Buckeyes plan on reaching the College World Series. As a sophomore last season, he had a 9-2 record and compiled a 3.27 ERA in 104 2/3 innings. He also struck out 136 and walked 55 and limited opposing teams to a .211 clip. Wimmers will be a preseason All-American and will have much pressure to succeed. It'll be interesting to see how the talented pitcher handles the spotlight.
11-18 from www.macksmets.blogspot.com: - 28. RHP Alex Wimmers – another big school (Ohio State) weekend starter that many teams just love because of they’ve already survived the pressure of big crowds, tough press, and great competition. (13th RHP on list)
11-20 from www.draftamerica.com: - 21. Minnesota -- Alex Wimmers, RHP, Ohio St. Wimmers has solid command and advanced secondaries, a nice fit for the Twins, who tend to go the college arm route when they aren't grabbing toolsy high school outfielders. (10th RHP on list)
#29 - Boston Red Sox Alex Wimmers (P, Ohio State) (15th RHP on list)
12-15 from www.5tooltalk.com: Mock Draft – 1st round: - 13 White Sox Alex Wimmers RHP NCAA
1-7-9: Morisato's 2010 MLB Mock Draft - Version 1.0 - 7th Overall – The New York Mets
Alex Wimmers (RHP), Ohio State - The Mets are notoriously stingy in the draft, and have more or less stayed around slot. With that in mind, I passed on some of the other higher upside kids, and went for more of a sure thing. Wimmers doesn’t have a large frame, but he is similar to Mike Leake and has excellent command and control over his stuff. He finished in the top five of the NCAA Division One Schools in strikeouts thanks to it. His fastball is average, about the low 90’s, but his off-speed pitches show promise. His curveball is his best pitch, a true wipeout pitch with good movement. His changeup is also an above average pitch, giving him an effective three pitch mix. All in all, Wimmers should be taken high, and won’t cost much more over slot. He’s got low upside, but he also should be a solid back of the rotation guy.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #22 Texas Alex Wimmers RHP Ohio State 6'2" 195 L,R
1-15-0 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - 15. Texas Rangers – Alex Wimmers, RHP, Ohio State – This pick is compensation for Matt Purke not signing in August, so I expect to see the Rangers go a bit conservative, saving money for their #22 overall pick and their two supplemental first-round picks. Wimmers is an excellent candidate for such a pick, and he offers roughly #2 or 3 starter upside. He’s bound to go somewhere in the middle of the round with a good spring, and his signability won’t be an issue. Previously: #12.
1-15-9 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - #16 Chicago Cubs: RHSP Alex Wimmers – Ohio State - I saw Wimmers a lot last year and every time I saw him I had a similar thought – “hey, this guy is better than I thought coming in.” Good fastball, good sinking changeup, and a plus curve make him a good bet as a first rounder. Speaking of good bets, I made my first group of tiers today while at a meeting at work. This was newsworthy for a couple different reasons. First, while paying more attention on sketching out my rankings than I did on what the presenter was telling me about various co-teaching models, I technically got paid to write about baseball. I’m a professional baseball writer! Second, and actually somewhat seriously, there are a lot of talented players at the top of this year’s draft class. The “lock” group for first rounders was bigger than I remember it being last year, as was the “very likely” group. Without spoiling any surprises, Wimmers was just barely on the outside looking in on that “very likely” to go in the first round group. I’d say that’s a pretty strong indication that the first round isn’t as barren as some have claimed.
2-23: - From Ohio State, Alex Wimmers, gave up just one hit and one walk over six innings and struck out nine in his debut. According to Jason Churchill at espn.com, A former AL West scout now working for an agent said "he'd have to fall apart not be a first-round arm, but for me he could be anywhere from 10 to 30."
3-9 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - JR RHP Alex Wimmers (Ohio State) was unimpressive against St. Louis, although it seemed that any prospect performance would pale in comparison to the description of the weather from the box score. The weather was “Blue skies, breezy & beautiful.” That just sounds lovely, doesn’t it? His line: 5 IP 12 H 5 ER 3 BB 8 K
3-15 from http://collegebaseball360.com/2010/03/15/college-baseball-notebook-week-4 - 10…Strikeouts in 8 innings by Ohio State’s Alex Wimmers (4-0) in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Tennessee. - 8…Double digit strikeout performances by Wimmers in his 20 career starts. He also won for the fourth time on the heels of a Buckeye loss.
4-12 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/12/big-ten-players-of-the-week-9 - PITCHER OF THE WEEK - Alex Wimmers, Ohio State - Jr., RHP, Cincinnati, Ohio/Archbishop Moeller - Wimmers tossed a complete game in Ohio State’s 7-1 win over Indiana on Friday, allowing just one run on six hits and no walks. The right-hander also struck out 14 batters, which ties for the most by a Big Ten pitcher this season and is the highest total by a Big Ten pitcher in a conference game this year. The strikeout total was one shy of his career high and marked the ninth time in 23 career starts that he has fanned 10 or more batters. With the victory, Wimmers improved his season record to 7-0, which is the best mark in the Big Ten and among the best in NCAA Division I. The weekly honor is the sixth of his career and his second this season.
4-17 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/2010-draft-misfits-wimmers-sabol-choice/#more - Alex Wimmers, Ohio State, RHP: Wimmers have been extremely impressive so far, striking out 60 batters while only walking 13 in his first 50 innings pitched. He's already being compared with Cincinnati's first round draft pick from 2009, Mike Leake, because of how complete of a pitcher he is already. While everyone seems to agree he's first round player, he could go as high as the Top 10 or as late as the end of the first round.
4-21 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/21/1435424/interesting-college-pitchers-for - RHP, The Ohio State University - The 6-2, 195 pound right-hander out of the Big Ten has great numbers: 1.71 ERA with a 67/15 K/BB in 58 innings, with 49 hits allowed. Backing up the statistical performance is a 90-93 MPH fastball, an above-average curveball, and an excellent changeup. He is very polished and is considered to be similar to Mike Leake from the '09 draft with his ability to change speeds and make hitters look bad. Like Leake, he shouldn't need a lot of minor league polish, though he won't likely go as high in the draft as Leake did. His home-state Reds pick at 12th and could be tempted to grab another polished pitcher. He seems likely to be the second, safe choice for several clubs if their first choice gets snapped up by someone else.
4-28 from: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2010/04/28/lincolns-2010-draft-board - Ohio State’s Alex Wimmers has solidified himself as a potential first round pick with a dazzling spring, striking out 29.4% of batters and walking 7.5%. He also has yet to surrender a home run in 265 batters faced. Wimmers has drawn a few Mike Leake comparisons as an undersized righty without plus velocity but good control. Wimmers isn’t as good as Leake, but is still a good prospect. His fastball works 89-91 MPH with solid sink and excellent command and his curveball has shown plus potential with big break coming from his over-the-top arm slot. Also featuring an above-average changeup, Wimmers has a quality three pitch mix. While his upside may not be more than a good No. 3 starter, he’s pretty likely to reach it.
5-1 from: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2010/04/28/lincolns-2010-draft-board - Ohio State’s Alex Wimmers has solidified himself as a potential first round pick with a dazzling spring, striking out 29.4% of batters and walking 7.5%. He also has yet to surrender a home run in 265 batters faced. Wimmers has drawn a few Mike Leake comparisons as an undersized righty without plus velocity but good control. Wimmers isn’t as good as Leake, but is still a good prospect. His fastball works 89-91 MPH with solid sink and excellent command and his curveball has shown plus potential with big break coming from his over-the-top arm slot. Also featuring an above-average changeup, Wimmers has a quality three pitch mix. While his upside may not be more than a good No. 3 starter, he’s pretty likely to reach it.
5-1 from: - http://www.prospectjunkies.com - Alex Wimmers could go as high as #12 to the Cincinnati Reds but he will likely come off the board in the late 1st or Supplemental round. He struggled in the post-season last year, however he did prove he could handle elite competition with a great showing in the Cape Cod League last summer. A strong conference tournament and Regional start would go along way with me in determining my final pre-draft ranking. Wimmers has the ceiling of a 3 or 4 pitcher on an average MLB team and his advanced feel for his off-speed pitches is a strong indicator for me that he has an above average probability of reaching that ceiling.
5-26 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/05/26/alex-wimmers-update - We spoke with a regional scouting source about Ohio State right-hander Alex Wimmers. “In a look against Minnesota, Wimmers was pitching at what was estimated at about 80 percent because of a nagging hamstring injury. He pitched only two innings in wet and cold weather. Wimmers was 90-92 in this look, which is consistent velocity for him. He touched 93 to the first hitter. His curveball at 78 was good for college baseball, but Wimmers seemed to have trouble finishing the pitch to get the bite he has shown in the past. Wimmers did have the feel for his best weapon, a change-up he trusts and uses against left-handers.”
8. Brett Eibner – Arkansas – 6-4, 200 - not sure if he prospects out as an outfield or a pitcher… fastball hits 95…
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: also plays OF and DH for UA, has power at the dish, upper cut swing, on the bump he can run it up to 96, mostly 91-93 with solid hammer when his delivery is in synch. Great makeup too!
8-2: from 6-16 article www.sportsillustrated.cnn.com: Eibner is a true prospect both as a hitter and as a pitcher. Offensively, he profiles as a center fielder with long, graceful strides and average-to-plus range. His arm would fit in right field, because he has hit 95 mph off the mound. He struggled handling both roles this season as Arkansas went to Omaha, moving into the weekend rotation in the second half. He has an ideal pro body at 6-4 with fast-twitch athleticism and wiry strength.
9-24: From: http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: Mock Draft Version 1.0 – 29th pick overall - Brett Eibner, OF – Arkansas
10-5 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: 28. Los Angeles Dodgers – Brett Eibner, OF/RHP, Arkansas – (5th OF picked in draft) - Eibner’s the best two-way player in the 2010 college class, and I really think he’s a first-round type of guy. He’s got plus power at the plate with solid actions in a corner outfield spot, and he’s also a potential mid-rotation guy on the mound. I like him more as a hitter, so I’ll stick with that for now. The Dodgers picked both Aaron Miller and Blake Smith, the two best two-way college players in the 2009 draft, so why not Eibner?
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: - 29-OF - Brett Eibner (6th OF on list)
11-3 from www.mlbresource.com: 3rd Mock draft – #29 - Brett Eibner, OF/RHP – Arkansas - Boston has loved the Casey Kelly experiment up to this point and might as well take another two-way player in Eibner. Either way Eibner goes he has quality big league potential. (4th OF on list)
11-10 fro www.mlbresource.com: - Blake' Scouting Report - Hard to not high on a guy like Eibner. You are looking at a big strong kid that has a chance to hit 25 to 30 homeruns consistently in the big leagues. Off the mound Eibner has been seen in the mid 90's and his ball is heavy. Overall I want to see Eibner take his bat as far as he can go. Pitching is so unpredictable but a guy that is as big as Eibner and with this much pop will always have a place to play.
11-17 from www.mlbdraft.blogspot.com: - 25.St. Louis Cardinals- Brett Eibner, OF/RHP, Arkansas - Eibner might just be the best two way college player. I'm still 50/50 with him right now. Either way, this season should decide that. (6th OF picked)
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: #39 Brett Eibner OF University of Arkansas 6'4" 210 R,R
4-2 from: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=2050 - Brett Eibner, rhp/of, Arkansas - "I like him as a pitcher. You could certainly take him pretty high as a hitter too. He has a bit of a long swing. He has good power and he's a good athlete out in the field, but his arm doesn't play as well in the field as it does on the mound. But on the mound he does everything real easy. He looks like he's playing catch and it's 92-94 (mph). And for a guy who's playing both ways, you figure he's not getting as much time either way, you think he might be able to take off once he just focuses on one of the two. I know the whole situation with the Astros coming out of high school (he didn't sign as a fourth-round pick) is because he wanted to be a position player, and I haven't really sat down with him yet to figure out if his thinking has changed on that at this point, but I see him as a significantly better prospect as a pitcher than as a position player. His secondary stuff is good. He flashes a plus slider and the changeup is coming along. He didn't throw the changeup the first time I saw him in the game. The first couple outings were just three innings or so and he pretty much cruised on just the fastball and the slider. But he's shown feel for the changeup in the bullpen, and I know he's started to mix it in more as his outings are getting a little bit longer. Again, he's pretty much coming out of center field and doing what he's doing. You think both of those are going to get better as he focuses fully on pitching."
4-19 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/19/1431302/interesting-college-pitchers-for - Brett Eibner, RHP-OF, University of Arkansas - I like guys who are two-way players in college: it speaks well of their athleticism, and that's an underrated attribute in a pitcher. Eibner is 6-4, 210 pounds, and pulls dual status for the Razorbacks, posting a 3.38 ERA with a 42/8 K/BB in 45 innings and 51 hits on the mound, but also hitting .320 with 11 homers as an outfielder. I prefer him on the mound, where I suspect his current 90-95 MPH velocity could pick up into the higher end of that range more consistently with regular work. His breaking ball and changeup need polish, but he already throws strikes. Eibner was part of Houston's disastrous '07 draft class, drafted in the third round but eschewing his hometown team and a slot bonus for college ball. It looks like he made the right decision. Although ticketed for the bottom part of the first round in most mocks, I could see him going earlier than that under the right circumstances. The Astros pick at 19th....
5-10 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft - DOWN: Brett Eibner, RHP/OF, Arkansas - All Brett Eibner did this weekend against Ole Miss was 5-for-11 with a homer, four runs scored and three RBIs. The Hogs swept Ole Miss and gave Ole Miss ace Drew Pomeranz his worst loss of the season. I say the worst loss because despite not having his best stuff, Pomeranz was fighting through, gutting it out. His command of his breaking pitches was down, with curves sailing high and outside. His front side was flying wide open, and yet he was finding ways to get guys out. He took a 3-2 lead into the seventh when Eibner, with two men on, launched a homer over the batter's eye in centerfield, silencing the crowd in Oxford, Miss.
9. Kaleb Cowart – Cook County HS (GA) – fastball in 90-92 range.. played every day shortstop but charts out as a pitcher… needs work
9-7: From www.perfectgame.com on the AFLAC games: - very good arm, also position player who plays all out. Have to see him again next year for sure.
9-16: From www.baseballamerica.com : - High School Top 25 draft prospects: 17. Kaleb Cowart, 3b/rhp Cook HS, Adel, Ga.
9-24: From: http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: Mock Draft Version 1.0 – 20th pick overall - Kaleb Cowart, 3B - Cook County HS (GA)
9-28: From http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: - Mock Draft Version 2 - #23 pick overall - Kaleb Cowart, RHP/3B - Cook County HS (GA) - Cowart is another two-way player and happens to be in Georgia. Atlanta loves local talent and like Justin O'Conner will, Cowart will get a chance to play both sides of the game. He is currently committed to Florida State and their are a lot of Seminole fans hoping he comes there first.
10-27: from www.baseballamerica.com: - Re: The Bo Jackson Five-Tool Championship: - the top three player performances belonged to outfielder Wagner Mateo (Dominican Republic), outfielder Chevez Clarke (Marietta, Ga., HS) and third baseman/righthander Kaleb Cowart (Cook County HS, Adel, Ga.).
10-29 from http://www.baseballrumormill.com: - The 2009 World Wood Bat Association World Championships wrapped up its five day tournament recently in Jupiter, Florida. Chevez Clarke and Kaleb Cowart were two of the standouts from the tool competition. Specifically, Cowart was clocked with a 100-mph reading throwing from right field, clearly dominanting the "arm strength" tool competition. Clarke did not have anything stand out quite as significantly as Cowart, but throughout all five tools submitted arguably the top performance.
*11-3 from www.mlbresource.com: 3rd Mock draft – #28 - Kaleb Cowart, RHP/3B - Cook County (GA) - Cowart is in a close battle with O'Connor and Brett Eibner of Arkansas for the best two way players in the draft. All three I feel go in the first round and if Cowart gets here the Dodgers have to take him. (4th 3B on list)
11-20 from www.draftamerica.com: - 23. Florida -- Kaleb Cowart, RHP/3B, Cook County HS (GA). It isn't clear whether Cowart shows more promise off the mound or at the plate, but both would fit into Florida's profile of big arms and power bats (I like him more off of the mound, right now). (12th RHP on list)
1-11-9 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - 1.4 Kansas City Royals: RHSP Kaleb Cowart – Cook County HS (GA) - The Royals always seem like a wild card at the top of the draft, a team willing to go in whatever direction the available talent dictates. 2010 looks to be a draft top heavy in pitching. Cowart has the greatest likelihood of rising up the draft boards of all the “big name” prep arms this side of the Taillon/Cole duo. The vicious movement he gets on his two offspeed offerings (high-80s slider, low-80s split-fingered change) combined with his plus athleticism make him a solid bet to stave off his prep righty competition and claim a spot in the top ten.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - #29 LA Dodgers Kaleb Cowart SS/RHP Cook County HS, Ga. 6'3" 190 B,R
1-15-0 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - 21. Minnesota Twins – Kaleb Cowart, 3B, Cook County HS (GA) – I literally just changed the position for Cowart as I was writing. That’s how talented this kid is. He could easily be a first-round draft pick at either third or on the mound, reminding some observers of Ethan Martin, another Georgia prep product. The Twins took another talented two-way kid in Aaron Hicks the same year, and with the success they think he’s having, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them dip into the prep pool again this year, barring a Kyle Gibson-like fall of a more talented name that’s affordable to this slot. Previously: NR.
4-17 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/17/1426860/interesting-high-school-pitchers-a - Kaleb Cowart, RHP, Cook County HS (Georgia) - Another live arm from the high school ranks, Cowart is also a prospect as a third baseman, where he has good power and a terrific glove. As a pitcher, he can hit 95 MPH but is usually 3-5 MPH below that, though his velocity should get more consistent if he gives up hitting. His curveball and changeup have promise, but he needs more innings and experience to polish his mound work. Very athletic at 6-3, 190, the Florida State signee is a target for the second half of the first round. He would fit nicely with the Red Sox at 20, the Twins at 21, or the Rangers at 22.
5-20 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft/entry/view/66631/prep_titles_josh_sale_and_kaleb_cowart_#page_break - Cook (Ga.) High School took another step toward the Class AA baseball title yesterday as they defeated Pike County 5-3. Senior Kaleb Cowart hit a two-run homer and a double in the Game 3 win. Game 1 and 2 were played in a doubleheader and the Valdosta Daily Times reported that Cowart went 2-for-6 with a single, double and RBI. More importantly, Cowart struck out 11 for the 8-6 win in Game 2. Cowart gave up two runs on a two-run homer.
10. Matt Harvey – North Carolina – 6-4, 230 - … was 3rd round pick by the Angels out of high school and turned down a $1mil offer. Low-90s fastball that touches 95. Excellent curveball… average changeup… comes from ¾ arm slot… changeup 78-81… breaking ball 76-79… works quickly from stretch… 2009: 7-2, 5.35, 78K, 70.2 IP… BA ranks him as the #1 sophomore of the 2009 season…
7/07 fr. www.projectprospect.com: - A first round talent out of high school in 2007, Harvey slipped to the fourth round due to bonus demands. While his time at North Carolina has been a bit rocky, Harvey still has good stuff and struck out 81 batters in 75 innings last spring. Harvey’s fastball sits in the low 90’s with some sink, and is complimented by a potentially plus breaking ball and changeup. If Harvey can show some improved command this spring, he walked 11.9% of batters last spring, he still has as much upside as any pitcher in this class.
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: put on some weight this year and arm angle dropped a bit, most fb were very straight during CWS, velocity still solid abv ave range 89-94 will touch 95-96 on occasion. Must work with finger pressure and get more movement on his fb for 2010. Solid slide piece when on top. Control is solid as well.
8-2: from 6-16 article www.sportsillustrated.cnn.com: Harvey turned down $1 million from the Angels as a third-round pick out of high school, and the Connecticut product is pitching in his second straight CWS with the Tar Heels. He'll become the undisputed staff ace next year when White and senior Adam Warren (a fourth-round pick of the Yankees this year) move on, using a low-90s fastball that reaches 95 at times and a true hammer curveball that is his best pitch. Harvey can lose control of the strike zone due to a long arm action and some effort in his delivery, so he's not a finished product. But he was the best pitching prospect in the Cape last summer and may be again in 2009.
9-24: From: http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: Mock Draft Version 1.0 – 8th pick overall - 8. Matt Harvey, RHP - North Carolina
9-28: From http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: - Mock Draft Version 2 - #15 pick overall - Matt Harvey, RHP - North Carolina - North Carolina seems to breed first round pitching and out comes another. Harvey has been higher on other boards and even my previous one but a shaky 5.40 ERA last year will need to be improved on. Stats do not tell the whole story as this is a polished righty with a chance to be a quality big league starter.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #18 – Matt Harvey (11th RHP 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: - 8- RHP Matt Harvey (5th RHP on list)
11-3 from www.mlbresource.com: 3rd Mock draft – #16 - Matt Harvey, RHP - North Carolina - Harvey gives the Cubs an experienced big game pitcher that comes from a school known for developing quality pitchers. Harvey could go even higher than this. (8th RHP on list)
11-17 from www.mlbdraft.blogspot.com: - 13. Chicago White Sox- Matt Harvey, RHP, UNC - Harvey was viewed as a top 5 pick, if not the top pick in the draft for quite some time. That was before Harper entered the draft, and before Harvey has a disapointing season at UNC. If Harvey bounces back to form, he could find himself near the top of the draft again. (6th RHP picked)
11-18 from www.macksmets.blogspot.com: - 8. RHP Matt Harvey – a weak draft means lots of right hand pitchers taken early and Harvey will be one of the first ones grabbed. (4th RHP on list)
11-23 from www.deepleagues.com: - #19 - Detroit Tigers Matt Harvey (P, North Carolina) (8th RHP on list)
2010 MLB DRAFT MOCK DRAFT- 12/31/09 – www.jjscouting.com - 13. Chicago White Sox- Matt Harvey, RHP, UNC - Harvey was viewed as a top 5 pick, if not the top pick in the draft for quite some time. That was before Harper entered the draft, and before Harvey has a disapointing season at UNC. If Harvey bounces back to form, he could find himself near the top of the draft again.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #55 NY Mets Matt Harvey RHP University of North Carolina 6'4" 225 R,R
1-15-9 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - #28 Los Angeles Dodgers: RHSP Matt Harvey – North Carolina - After Harvey’s hot start last season, I wrote the following on March 1, 2009:
[W]hat is the likelihood, if it exists at all, that Matt Harvey reaches the same level of hype other elite college pitchers (Strasburg, Price, and Prior, to name a few) had heading into his draft year? Uhh, I’m going to have to go out on a limb here and say that the likelihood isn’t all that good. Controversial answer, I know. It’s probably weird having Matt Harvey in the first round at this point, but, if anything, I actually feel weird about having him this low. A really, really good rule to follow when tracking draft prospects is to remember that once a player shows you a skill, it is his to own. There are obvious exceptions to this, major injuries being the most obvious, but good players just don’t plain forget how to do good things on the field. Elite prospects who don’t sign out of high school tend not to drop too far after three years of college, even if those three years are so-so. The most recent reports on Harvey have been largely positive: 90-93 sitting velocity with fastball, 94-95 peak velocity, plus 77-80 CB, and a solid sinking low-80s change. The biggest problem with Harvey’s game seems to be his bizarre velocity inconsistency with his fastball. One day you’ll see him pitching in the mid-90s, the next he’ll be down to maxing out at 86 (86!), and then he’ll be back up to sitting 88-90, but still not hitting 96 like before…until the next time out when he suddenly has regained those lost 10 MPH on the fastball. What the heck is that? It’s not even a start-to-start phenomenom, either; Harvey has experienced sudden velocities dips and gains in-game as well. I have no idea what to make of Harvey. If the right scouting director sees him on the right day, he’ll go high. If not, he’ll be lumped in with the rest of the college guys who project as relievers hoping to get a spot in the first five rounds. I like the idea of the Dodgers taking Harvey one pick before the Angels, the team that couldn’t get him signed back in 2007. I wonder what Harvey’s career would have looked like so far if he would have signed out of high school. He’s a prime candidate for an Alternate Reality Crystal Ball…
3-10 from XMLBScout/perfectgame.com: - Also in regards to Matt Harvey, his delivery is cleaner than last summer yes and last spring, yes, but still the same kid with a much better breaking ball. He might be best suited as a closer in the big leagues also John Smoltz or Steve Bedrosian, I don't think he has 5 plus inning in him every 4 days and be consistent, but who knows once he's in pro ball. Top 50 guy for sure.
3-16 from http://www.prospectjunkies.com: -
Matt Harvey - RHP - UNC. 5IP 7H 3ER 4BB 3K (W). Line looks closer to the 09 Harvey in a NC win v. Duke.:
3-24 from: http://pnrscouting.com/articles_stockwatch_2010class_10onthrerise_03232010.html - Stock Watch: Ten on the Rise (2010 Draft Class) - Matt Harvey, RHP, Univ. of North Carolina (#56 on PnR Preseason Top 300): After strong reports came out of fall practice in Chapel Hill, PnR was comfortable placing Harvey comfortably in the second round for our preseason rankings -- his pure stuff is special and easily worthy of 1st round consideration if he's performing at his best. Consistency has been the issue throughout Harvey's time at UNC, but if the first month of the 2010 is any indication of things to come he may have finally shaken that monkey off of his back. Harvey has posted a fine line of 5 GS, 32 IP, 20 H, 7 ER, 14 BB and 37 SO while showing potential front-end stuff, including a low- to mid-90s fastball, a potential plus breaking ball and a change-up he has been throwing with increasing success. Harvey can continue to win over supporters the more consistency he shows, and could be a 1st round -- maybe early 1st round -- selection come June.
4-7 from: http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/2010-draft-preview-matt-harvey-rising-kyle-blair-falling/#more - Matt Harvey, UNC, RHP: The North Carolina product has improved his deliver which has resulted in high velocity in his fastball, up to 97 so far this season. Although he continues to struggle with his command, he continues to induce almost 80% of balls put in play on the ground. He seems likely to be a first round draft pick.
4-13 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=4361060202 - Also in regards to Matt Harvey, his delivery is cleaner than last summer yes and last spring, yes, but still the same kid with a much better breaking ball. He might be best suited as a closer in the big leagues also John Smoltz or Steve Bedrosian, I don't think he has 5 plus inning in him every 4 days and be consistent, but who knows once he's in pro ball. Top 50 guy for sure.
4-19 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com - Harvey has bounced back from two awful years in college to reestablish himself as a prospect for this year's draft, with a significant and unexpected increase in velocity this spring and an improved delivery. One major change in Harvey's performance this year is in his ability to get groundballs, as he's getting on top of his fastball and driving many of them down at or below the bottom of the zone.
4-19 from: - http://www.pnrscouting.com/rankings_2010_midseason_pitcher.html - Matt Harvey, Junior, Univ. of North Carolina and Brandon Workman, Junior, Univ. of Texas jumped into the back-end of the Top 10, Harvey all the way from a preseason ranking of #27. Each has struggled some with his command (Harvey to a greater extent than Workman), but have enjoyed a successful first half to the year and project as legit 1st Round talents.
4-20 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/20/1433135/interesting-college-pitchers-for - RHP, University of North Carolina - An unsigned third round pick in the 2007 draft, Harvey has been erratic in college, outstanding at times but hampered by command issues. At his best, the 6-4, 225 pounder features a mid-90s fastball, a nasty curve, and a solid changeup. However, problems with his mechanics were an issue last summer in the Cape Cod League, costing him velocity and control. He's been much better this spring, with a 2.59 ERA and a 60/26 K/BB in 59 innings, with 44 hits allowed, showing a more consistent delivery and better stuff (96-98), though his control still wobbles on occasion. Harvey is a definite wild card on draft day. Depending on his bonus demands and late May performance, he could go anywhere from 15 to 40.
4-24 from: - http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/baseball/news;_ylt=AjpEcNS8dq_g39RRWsAapfgMwLYF?slug=kr-friday042410 - He also was one of the biggest question marks before the season. Harvey, who turned down big-time money out of high school to attend North Carolina, had a fabulous freshman campaign that ended with a 2.79 ERA. But as a sophomore last season, the right-hander certainly left something to be desired with a 5.40 ERA. Numerous meltdowns last season led to a plethora of question marks about Harvey’s ability to be the Tar Heels’ staff ace this spring. Consider those questions answered, though. Harvey is having a sensational campaign for the Tar Heels. And after striking out 15 batters and allowing just three runs on six hits in a complete game performance against Clemson on Friday, his numbers became even more impressive. Harvey has a 2.65 ERA in 68 innings of work. He also has struck out 75 and walked 27 and is limiting opposing teams to a .202 batting average in 10 starts.
4-26 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/26/acc-baseball-weekly-honors - North Carolina’s Matt Harvey received ACC Pitcher of the Week honors. Harvey (5-2) threw his first career complete-game with a six hitter with a career-best 15 strikeouts to lead North Carolina over No. 20 Clemson 5-3 Friday night at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Harvey struck out the side three times, including six punch-outs in a row in the sixth and seventh innings, and now has fanned the side nine different times this season. The junior caught nine Clemson batters looking at a called third strike and fell just four strikeouts shy of the single-game school record of 19. Harvey eclipsed his previous career-high of 13 strikeouts and now has posted four double-digit strikeout games this season. Harvey, a junior from Mystic, Conn., was also named a National Pitcher of the Week by Collegiate Baseball.
4-28 from: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2010/04/28/lincolns-2010-draft-board - Matt Harvey has been known to draftniks for a long time. Heralded as neck-and-neck with Rick Porcello out of high school by some, Harvey has been up-and-down during his time at the University of North Carolina. Fortunately for Harvey, this spring has mostly been up. Control has been a problem at times during his collegiate career but this spring he’s walked 9.8% of the batters, a number that will need to come down as a professional but it’s not a terrible figure. Harvey’s mediocre control is offset by a lot of strikeouts, 28.3% of batters this spring including 15 in his last outing versus a very good Clemson squad. Harvey’s fastball has shown impressive velocity, touching 96-97 MPH late in starts and excellent sink, 69% of his batted ball outs have come on the ground. In high school, Harvey’s main breaking ball was a plus curveball; in college he’s spent more time toying with a slider that flashes plus but is still inconsistent. While he may not go as high as some though he deserved out of high school, Harvey still looks like a solid first round pick.
5-1 from: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2010/04/28/lincolns-2010-draft-board - Matt Harvey has been known to draftniks for a long time. Heralded as neck-and-neck with Rick Porcello out of high school by some, Harvey has been up-and-down during his time at the University of North Carolina. Fortunately for Harvey, this spring has mostly been up. Control has been a problem at times during his collegiate career but this spring he’s walked 9.8% of the batters, a number that will need to come down as a professional but it’s not a terrible figure. Harvey’s mediocre control is offset by a lot of strikeouts, 28.3% of batters this spring including 15 in his last outing versus a very good Clemson squad. Harvey’s fastball has shown impressive velocity, touching 96-97 MPH late in starts and excellent sink, 69% of his batted ball outs have come on the ground. In high school, Harvey’s main breaking ball was a plus curveball; in college he’s spent more time toying with a slider that flashes plus but is still inconsistent. While he may not go as high as some though he deserved out of high school, Harvey still looks like a solid first round pick.
5-17 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft/entry/view/66255/stock_watch_harvey_up,_colon_down#page_break - On the season, Harvey is 6-3 with a 2.72 ERA, striking out 86 in 82 innings pitched. The 30 walks is still a concern, and some scouts believe Harvey might find more success as a power reliever, with velocity that sits easily in the 96-97 mph range. His slider has progressed from a hard curve he used to throw and is considered above average. Those two pitches alone, along with a clean delivery and strong arm have people thinking Harvey could pitch fast if he were drafted as late-inning reliever, eventually moving into a closer's role. At 6-4 and 225 pounds, he fits the bill.
11. Brandon Workman - Texas – 6-5, 220… fastball in the 89-92 range… hard curveball.
7/07 fr. www.projectprospect.com: Brandon Workman of Texas had a good spring and has good upside, but needs to clean up his delivery…
7-23: stats thru 7-15 in Cape Cod League: 1-0, 1.86, 10-K… starting for west division in Cape Cod All-Star game
7-25 fr. www.baseballamerica.com: - Wareham righthander Brandon Workman (Texas) also drew praise from scouts for his strong outing, striking out two in a perfect first for the West. Workman's fastball sat at 94-95, and he struck out Austin Wates (Virginia Tech) on a nasty 75 mph curveball in the dirt.
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: excellent velocity, has reached 97-98, mostly 92-93 and very straight, at times however arm side run in on RHH. Makings of a plus breaking pitch and closer type mentality. Stamina is a question as a starter. Reminds me of Steve Bedrosian formerly of the Braves & Phils.
8-2: from 6-16 article www.sportsillustrated.cnn.com: At 6-5 and 220 pounds, Workman stands above his Longhorns teammates such as Chance Ruffin (son of Bruce) and Cole Green, though those are Texas' top two starters. All three are sophomores. Workman has the best pro body and best fastball, sitting at 89-92 mph and reaching higher. He pitches off the fastball and adds a hard curveball. He'll rocket up lists if he masters something off speed.
9-16: From www.baseballamrica.com : - College Top 25 draft prospects: #16 - Brandon Workman rhp, Texas
9-24: From: http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: Mock Draft Version 1.0 – 10th pick overall - Brandon Workman, RHP – Texas
9-28: From http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: - Mock Draft Version 2 - #10 pick overall - Brandon Workman, RHP – Texas - I suspect the Astros will be pretty disappointed if they don't get Taillon but good thing Texas is a big state and they can just head over to Austin and grab their ace Brandon Workman. Already a third round pick in 2007, Workman has used his three years as a Longhorn to watch good college football and turn into a first rounder.
10-5 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - 15. Texas Rangers – Brandon Workman, RHP, Texas – (8th RHP picked in draft) - This pick is unprotected against future compensation, as this pick itself is compensation for the Rangers not signing Matt Purke from the 2009 draft. Therefore, it really has to be a college player here, and Workman’s probably affordable and solid from a talent perspective. He didn’t have a good summer, but he had an extra long spring at UT, and he still has a good fastball-curveball mix. There could be better talent available here, but it’s doubtful that the Rangers could afford it.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #9 - Brandon Workman (5th RHP on list)
10-6 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com: - RHP Brandon Workman - Workman has been a fascination of mine since the Phillies failed to sign him coming out of high school, so I feel confident in his placement based on his outstanding raw stuff and physical build.
10-13 from www.mymlbdraft.com: 2010 MLB Mock Draft - #18 – (8th RHP picked) – Brandon Workman
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: - 9- RHP Brandon Workman (6th RHP on list)
11-17 from www.mlbdraft.blogspot.com: - 8.Houston Astros- Brandon Workman, RHP, Texas - Armed with a solid fastball and above average curveball, Workman will be on Houston's radar all spring long. A safe pick who should be able to eat up innings. (4th RHP picked)
11-18 from www.macksmets.blogspot.com: - 14. RHP Brandon Workman – had a very successful stint in the AFLAC games and is very signeable. (7th RHP on list)
11-20 from www.draftamerica.com: - 8. Houston -- Brandon Workman, RHP, Univ. of Texas. "Local" selection makes a lot of sense here, and Houston needs a little of everything in their system. (5th RHP on list)
11-23 from www.deepleagues.com: - #8 - Houston Astros Brandon Workman (P, Texas) (4th RHP on list)
12-15 from www.5tooltalk.com: Mock Draft – 1st round: - 22 Rangers Brandon Workman RHP NCAA
1-7-9: Morisato's 2010 MLB Mock Draft - Version 1.0 - 15th Overall – The Texas Rangers (Compensation For Matt Purke) - Brandon Workman (RHP), Texas - Workman has been rated as a high ceiling talent since he drafted by the Phillies in the 3rd round back in 2007. However, Workman instead went to Texas and has been rolling ever since, until he ran out of gas during the Cape Cod season. Workman throws his fastball in the low 90’s, touching 94 with good movement. He throws a spike curveball that is a borderline plus at times. His changeup is coming along, and should be average. His mechanics aren’t great, but he repeats if fairly well. One thing that does stand out is that his command still leaves a lot to be desired, and will ultimately hinder his progress. Overall, he’ll likely be inexpensive, and if his command improves, he could be a solid middle of the rotation workhorse. Because this pick isn’t protected, and with Rangers ownership still in a state of flux, this is where he’ll likely be popped.
2010 MLB DRAFT MOCK DRAFT- 12/31/09 – www.jjscouting.com - 8. Houston Astros- Brandon Workman, RHP, Texas - Armed with a solid fastball and above average curveball, Workman will be on Houston's radar all spring long. A safe pick who should be able to eat up innings.
1-7-9 from http://baseballdraftreport.com : - 1.9 San Diego Padres: RHSP Brandon Workman – Texas - 2010 = Year of the College Curveball. First Blair, then McGuire, now Workman. Workman’s version of the pitch is another plus offering, a 77-78 MPH nasty 12-6 hook. His fastball isn’t too shabby either, comfortably sitting in the low-90s with a pretty consistent peak of 95 MPH and has reached 98 in the past. The only issue I have with Workman are the similarities between how he looked as a high school senior and how he looks today. Coming out of high school he had a high velocity fastball and a curve with plus potential. That’s good. What he didn’t have was a quality third pitch and non-cringe worthy throwing mechanics. There has been some noise about a changeup being worked on, but I haven’t personally seen enough proof of the pitch to give it the Baseball Draft Report stamp of approval. There has also been some reports that Workman has cleaned up his mechanics a little bit since enrolling at Texas. If he has, I’m not seeing it. That’s not to say he hasn’t, I’m literally just saying that I can’t really tell the difference between the video I saw of him as a prep player and the real life version of Workman I saw pitch live last year. I’m neither trained to notice such things nor do I worry too much about mechanics in general (remember my mechanics creed – so long as it is repeatable, I’m happy), but I figured it was worth mentioning. Flaws from high school shouldn’t still exist after two full years in college, right? Could be a red flag, could be nothing.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #15 Texas (Compensation for failure to sign Matthew Purke) Brandon Workman RHP Texas 6'5" 220 R,R
1-15-0 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - 31. Tampa Bay Rays – Brandon Workman, RHP, Texas – I said in the October mock that I think the Rays will go with a college pitcher in this spot, and I continue to say it. This pick is compensation for Washington not signing in August, and they lose this pick if their new pick doesn’t sign, too. Workman’s a signable righty with a good pitch mix that would work well as either a mid-rotation starter or back-end reliever. The Texas pitching staff will be scouted plenty as it is, so whoever picks him will know what they’re getting when the time comes. Previously: #15.
3-9 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - Houston SO RHP Michael Goodnight (7 IP 2 H 0 ER 4 BB 9 K) outdueled Texas ace JR RHP Brandon Workman (8 IP 4 H 1 ER 1 BB 7 K), although Workman’s stuff and command were both reportedly very impressive. As for the game’s winning pitcher, well, it’s been mentioned before, but it really bears repeating: Goodnight would absolutely be the best name ever for a closer. That is, until Willie Wewin finally breaks out and reaches the bigs, of course.
3-17 from: - http://pnrscouting.com/articles_2010_houstoncollegeclassic_day2_03102010.html - Workman ended-up the hard luck loser, in spite of a masterful performance wherein he matched Goodnight inning for inning and then some, posting a final line 8 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 7 SO and 1 ER. The sturdily built righty was primarily 91-93 with his fastball, touching 94 mph a couple of times. His big 12-6 to 11-5 curve was a second strong offering, clocking around 77-78 and showing consistent shape and bite. He also mixed in a change-up with some drop and a slider flashing late bite. Workman throws out of a true 3/4 slot, though his change-up tends to come out higher and his slider a tad lower. He shields the ball well and did a particularly good job today pitching down in the zone and moving in and out against the Houston batters. With an ability to pump-up to mid-90s velocity, a strong build and four workable offerings, Workman is a good candidate to get 1st-round attention come June, perhaps top ten overall if he continues to put forth similar efforts in his remaining starts. He looked every bit the part of a front-end to mid-rotation starter.
3-18 from www.baseballamerica.com: -
Scouting Report - Fastball: Workman throws his fastball in the 90-95 mph range. He throws a two- and four-seamer.
Fastball movement: He has plus movement -- late sink with bore on the two-seamer and riding life on the four-seamer.
Cutter: It's a plus pitch.
Curve: He has an average curve ball and he commands it well.
Changeup: He's got a good feel for his changeup.
Control: He has good command and pitches ahead in the count.
Poise: He's always on an even keel and has a competitive, bulldog mentality.
4-21 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/21/1435424/interesting-college-pitchers-for - RHP, University of Texas - He has intimidating size at 6-5, 220, and his numbers look good on the surface this spring: 2.89 ERA with a 56/12 K/BB in 62 innings, 58 hits allowed. Keep in mind that the team ERA for Texas is 2.41; his performance has not been the most impressive on the Longhorns staff this spring. That said, scouts still love his stuff, and he's made strides with his mechanics and command. Although considered a lock for the first round two months ago, his stock might be dropping slightly as other pitchers become the flavors of the month. Scouts have seen a lot of Workman over the years, and sometimes guys like that can start to slip even if they don't deserve to. He could go anywhere from pick 12 to pick 40.
4-30 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/30/1451211/casing-the-states-texas-part-four#storyjump - Workman came to campus as one of the more well-known freshmen in America in 2008, the result of being a 3rd round pick of the Phillies out of a Texas high school. However, it has taken him some time to mature from a thrower into a pitcher, and it wasn't until last summer that some teams saw him as a legitimate first round option on the Cape. He's helped his case with a solid junior year as the Sunday starter on one of the top two pitching rotations in America. In terms of raw stuff, Workman could be a top 15 pick, but command is the thing that holds him back. His fastball is a plus pitch that sits 91-94, and he can touch 96 at times. He struggles to command it in the upper range of that velocity range, and scouts would prefer him to use a heavier 91-93 pitch down in the zone. His curveball is one of the best breakers in the draft, but it doesn't rate as the best in Texas due to Taillon's plus-plus bender. Workman's is a power curve with plus late break, and that pair of plus pitches makes him a potential #2/3 starter in the long run. He has the frame to start 30+ games every year, and a number of teams envision him eating up innings with a few all-star level season in his prime. His stock is held back a little by not using his changeup much, but with a pair of plus pitches, he hasn't needed it to succeed against a relatively weak conference this year. He should be off the board easily in the first half of the first day of the draft. Projected Draft Range: Mid 1st-Early 2nd Round
5-11 from: - http://pnrscouting.com/scoutingreports_2010_workmanbr.html - Workman has been a steady force in 2010, following a statistically pedestrian summer in the Cape. Through twelve starts this year, Workman has done everything you could ask for, missing bats, limiting walks and homeruns, and going deep into games while maintaining his velocity and effectiveness. As is often the case with advanced college arms, the quality of Workman's pure stuff can sometimes shield an area of concern, which at this point is primarily his command -- an extension of his inability to consistently repeat his mechanics and find the "sweat spot" in his release. His low-90s fastball and power curve may flummox hitters at this level, but he'll need to be more precise with each in order to find the same level of success at the high-Minor and Major League level. Workman will also need to rely less on his curve, which should come naturally once he focuses on working-in his change-up and slider with more regularity. His body control is not elite, and it's unlikely Workman is ever a surgeon on the hill. But if he can improve the repeatability of his motion even moderately, he should be able to find mid-rotation success at the highest levels, with an outside shot at #2 production. He has the build and approach to eat innings at an above-average rate, which will not go unnoticed when teams line him up on their boards come June.
5-31 from: - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2010/05/mlb-draft-preview-righties.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MetsMerizedOnline-GetMetsmerized-NewYorkMets+%28Mets+Merized+Online%29&utm_content=Twitter - Brandon Workman: Workman is a junior out of Texas who has a good repertoire. Workman throws a two and four seamer (reaches mid-90’s), a 12-6 curve, a slider, cutter, and changeup. I won’t go too in depth, as he will certainly not be a top-7 pick, but he does have attributes to be between a 2-4 starter.
12. Jesse Hahn – Virginia Tech
9-16: From www.baseballamrica.com : - College Top 25 draft prospects: - 18. Jesse Hahn, rhp Virginia Tech
10-5 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - 13. Chicago White Sox – Jesse Hahn, RHP, Virginia Tech – (7th RHP picked in draft) - I’ll get a little heat for this, but I really think a team like the White Sox will bite on Hahn’s electric arm early in the first round. He’s got the definition of a plus fastball, just from velocity alone. With a better curveball, Hahn could easily slide into the top ten to a team that thinks he can be a top-tier starter. The only problem is that he’s probably still going to be a reliever eventually in pro ball, despite his big 6′5” frame, and that will knock him completely off some teams’ first-round lists. The arm is too big to ignore, though, and Hahn’s a real first-rounder in my book.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #14 – Jesse Hahn (8th RHP 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: - 31-RHP Jesse Hahn – (11th RHP on list)
11-20 from www.draftamerica.com: - 15. Texas -- Jesse Hahn, RHP, Virginia Tech. TEX needs to sign this compensation pick or lose it, so I could see a power relief arm here, much the way WAS targeted Storen this past year's draft. (8th RHP on list)
11-23 from www.deepleagues.com: #21 - Minnesota Twins Jesse Hahn (P, Virginia Tech) (10th RHP on list)
12-15 from www.5tooltalk.com: Mock Draft – 1st round: - 15 Rangers Jesse Hahn RHP NCAA
1-7-9 from http://baseballdraftreport.com : #7 New York Mets: RHP Jesse Hahn – Virginia Tech - Hahn has a huge heater that has helped him hike up his heretofore humble hold amidst fellow hurlers in the draft hierarchy. The best fastball in the 2010 class has been clocked a steady 96-98 with true plus life. Unfortunately for Hahn, there isn’t a whole lot else in his bag of tricks at this point in his development. To his credit, he does throw a curve and a change that both have average potential down the line. Additionally, he has thrown both a slider and a cutter at intermittent points in the past. Neither pitch caught on, but it’s nice to know that Hahn has experience messing around with them at the very least. If one of those four pitches develops into at least a big league average pitch this spring, Hahn will assure himself a spot in the first round as a reliever. If he shows enough with two of those pitches (at least proving they have the potential to be league average weapons, even if they aren’t quite there by June), he’ll go even higher still. Aroldis Chapman has a slider that is already better than any of Hahn’s secondary stuff and a change has shown a ton of potential, but if you squint really hard you can begin to see some similarities between the two.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #45 Jesse Hahn RHP Virginia Tech 6'5" 185 R,R
3-14 from http://www.hokiesports.com/baseball/recaps/20100313aaa.html - Behind 12 hits another strong pitching performance by Jesse Hahn, the Virginia Tech baseball team turned the tables on Maryland and claimed a 13-4 victory on Saturday evening at English Field after getting shut out on Friday. Hahn worked 7.1 innings on the mound and allowed three unearned runs on two hits and three walks, improving his record to 4-0 and lowering his ERA to 0.64. The two singles he allowed were the only balls that left the infield during his time on the mound, and he tied a career-high set just last week with nine strikeouts. He hit two batters and threw two wild pitches. Reliever Ben Rowen worked the final 1.2 innings for Tech and gave up his first run of the season. His ERA sits at 0.90.
4-19 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/19/1431302/interesting-college-pitchers-for - Jesse Hahn, RHP, Virginia Tech - The 6-5, 190 pound Hahn has performed well statistically this spring, posting a 2.81 ERA with 64/14 K/BB in 58 innings, 50 hits allowed, all above average for context. Another guy who looked great in the Cape Cod League (hitting 97-98 MPH), Hahn got off to a great start this spring but has slumped lately, though he's maintained good component ratios. He has a strong curveball to go with his heater, but needs to refine his changeup to be a starter. He has first class stuff, and barring a May collapse is a good bet to go in the Top 20. Possible targets include the White Sox at 13, the Rangers at 15, and the Cubs at 16, though there is a slight chance he could get into the Top Ten.
4-28 from: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2010/04/28/lincolns-2010-draft-board - The college player making the strongest debut is Virginia Tech right hander Jesse Hahn. Hahn created a lot of buzz after blowing up radar guns in the Cape Cod League, reportedly hitting 99 MPH. This spring, Hahn’s fastball has sat 91-94 MPH with big-time sink and arm-side run. Hahn has shown the ability to add and subtract from his curveball, at times throwing two completely different breakers. When his curveball comes in at 78-80 MPH it has terrific late break and is a true swing-and-miss offering. Hahn will also throw a slow curve, especially early in the count for strikes, which is just average. While his changeup doesn’t get used very often, Hahn maintains his arm speed well and the pitch shows solid upside.
5-1 from: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2010/04/28/lincolns-2010-draft-board - The college player making the strongest debut is Virginia Tech right hander Jesse Hahn. Hahn created a lot of buzz after blowing up radar guns in the Cape Cod League, reportedly hitting 99 MPH. This spring, Hahn’s fastball has sat 91-94 MPH with big-time sink and arm-side run. Hahn has shown the ability to add and subtract from his curveball, at times throwing two completely different breakers. When his curveball comes in at 78-80 MPH it has terrific late break and is a true swing-and-miss offering. Hahn will also throw a slow curve, especially early in the count for strikes, which is just average. While his changeup doesn’t get used very often, Hahn maintains his arm speed well and the pitch shows solid upside. The only problem I had with Hahn coming into the year was the thought some had that he was just a reliever. But after watching a good deal of video, I don’t see any mechanical red flags that would keep him from starting. Hahn has struck out 27.7% of batters he’s faced while showing improved command by walking just 6.1%.
13. Kevin Gausman – Grandview HS, Aurora, Colo. – 6-4, 180… throws a 93-94 fastball… loose and easy arm action… needs to develop secondary pitches…
7-29: from www.baseballfactory.com: - With a long and lean frame, Gausman has good projectability for a prep pitcher. His fastball sits between 89-91 mph and he can get it up to 93. He mixes in a 77 mph breaking ball that he throws for strikes, and everything is around the zone.
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: - nice arm strength, needs more work with delivery, fb was 88-92, topped out at 93, some arm side run and sink when down in zone, slurvy type breaking ball, once he naturally fills out, watch out.
8-10: From www.baseballamerica.com – Area Code Games - Gausman is a highly touted righthander who did not disappoint his opening day start, sitting at 91-92 and touching 93.
8-17 from www.baseballamerica.com re: AFLAC games - Kevin Gausman (Grandview HS, Centennial, Colo.) was an Area Code standout with his tall and highly projectable frame. He showed a 90-95 fastball with terrific natural sink.
9-16: From www.baseballamerica.com : - High School Top 25 draft prospects: 9. Kevin Gausman, rhp Grandview HS, Centennial, Colo.
9-28: From http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: - Mock Draft Version 2 - #25 pick overall - Kevin Gausman, RHP - Grandview Aurora HS (CO) - Teams love drafting local talent if it's available and a great pick. Gausman fits both of these and Colorado will get to add a young pitcher to join forces with recent draft pick Tyler Matzek. You have got to develop young pitching if you are the Rockies and they have. Let the trend continue.
10-5 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: 27. Philadelphia Phillies – Kevin Gausman, RHP, Grandview HS (CO) – (12th RHP picked in draft) - The Phillies signed the marquee 2009 LSU pitching recruit in Brody Colvin, and Gausman’s that guy in the 2010 class. He’s blessed with good size at 6′4”, and he’s ultra-projectable, probably more projectable than anyone in the class. He doesn’t have the plus fastball velocity that the top guys have, but it’s still above-average with good life. He’s got the makings of a good curveball and changeup, so we might have another high-ceiling arm on our hands. The Phillies love these type of projectable arms, and assuming they don’t sign a Type A free agent, Gausman might be on their short list.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #36 – Kevin Gausman (19th RHP on list)
10-13 from www.mymlbdraft.com: 2010 MLB Mock Draft - #26 – (11th RHP picked) – Kevin Gausman
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: - 33- RHP Kevin Gausman (12th RHP on list)
11-3 from www.mlbresource.com: 3rd Mock draft – #13 - Kevin Gausman, RHP - Grandview (CO) - Gausman is a great piece to start building up some pitching in an organization that lacks the depth. Don't be surprised to see Chicago really target pitchers with their first few picks. (7th RHP on list)
11-9-9 from www.examiner.com: - Top 15 High School Draft Prospects - 10. Kevin Gausman, rhp
Grandview HS, Centennial, Colo.
College Commitment: Louisiana State - Gausman sits in the low-90s with his fastball and should add more velocity as he fills out a projectable 6-foot-4, 180-pound frame. (5th RHP on list)
11-17 from www.mlbdraft.blogspot.com: - 26. Colorado Rockies- Kevin Gausman, RHP, Grandview HS(CO) - Gausman is intriguing. He still has a lot of room for him to fill out, as he is 6'4, 180 pounds. He is ultra projectable, and the home state Rockies would love for him to fall to them. (11th RHP picked)
11-18 from www.macksmets.blogspot.com: - 19. RHP Kevin Gausman – another tall (6-4) prep star that many have going straight into the pen when he becomes a pro. (10th RHP on list)
11-20 from www.draftamerica.com: - 22. Texas -- Kevin Gausman, RHP, Grandview HS (CO). After grabbing a slot pick at 1:15, the Rangers could look power arm here, and Kevin Gausman has current stuff with room to project to even more velocity. (11th RHP on list)
11-23 from www.deepleagues.com: #23 - Florida Marlins Kevin Gausman (P, Denver Colo.) (11th RHP on list)
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - 11.Kevin Gausman
1-7-9: Morisato's 2010 MLB Mock Draft - Version 1.0 - 31st Overall – The Tampa Bay Rays (Compensation For LeVon Washington) - Kevin Gausman (RHP), Colorado High School - Gausman has been working the showcase circuit his junior year, and has begun to see his name surface as a potential first rounder. He has a projectable frame at 6-4, and shows an average fastball. Baseball America had him throwing in low 90’s at the Area Code Games, but there may be more if he continues to fill out. He does have good movement on his heater. He also shows the makings of an above average curveball and changeup. All in all, a good swing could solidify Gausman near the top of the first round, in particular if he continues to show his good command and he gains a couple of ticks.
2010 MLB DRAFT MOCK DRAFT- 12/31/09 – www.jjscouting.com - 26. Colorado Rockies- Kevin Gausman,RHP,Grandview HS(CO) - Gausman is intriguing. He still has a lot of room for him to fill out, as he is 6'4, 180 pounds. He is ultra projectable, and the home state Rockies would love for him to fall to them.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #30 LA Angels Kevin Gausman RHP Grandview HS, Co. 6'4" 185 L,R
1-15-0 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - 19. Houston Astros – Kevin Gausman, RHP, Grandview HS (CO) – The Astros under Bobby Heck have become known for their ability to find excellent pitchers with pre-draft workouts, drafting them earlier than expected, then getting them signed and into their system fairly quickly. Having picked a bat in Washington earlier in the round, I expect nothing less than another such find here. Gausman comes from a non-traditional state in Colorado, but his arm is far from lagging behind. He has an LSU scholarship that might be an obstacle, but without strong family ties or state ties, it doesn’t look too bad on the surface. Previously: #27.
1-21 from www.baseballrumormill.com: - One of the top prospects entering the 2010 MLB Draft this June, Kevin Gausman, had another excellent, albeit brief, performance in front of scouts at the second annual Four Corners Scout Day in Las Vegas last weekend. The scouting "day" consists of a wood bat high school showcase that took place January 16th and 17th. High school players were invited from the four corners area of the southwest: Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona as well as the host state, Nevada. Similar to fellow standout Michael Wagner, Gausman is also tall at 6'4" and skinny at 180lb. In his outting at the Scout Day, Gausman threw a 92-91mph fastball, an 88-87mph two-seem fastball, 76mph change up and a 78-77mph slider. Though Gausman's fastball is not that fast by major league standards, his frame projects a better fastball as he develops and his secondary "stuff" is some of the best available.
1-21 from www.baseballamerica: - On Sunday the 17th, Kevin Gausman made a brief cameo as the showcase shifted outdoors to Centennial High School in the hinterlands of Northwestern Las Vegas. Gausman, who hails from Grandview HS in Aurora, Colo., is BA’s 7th ranked national high school prospect. An Aflac game star, Gausman exhibited his low 90s fastball and his customary outstanding secondary stuff: 87-88 two seamer, 76 change and 77-78 slider. An innovator, Gausman showed BA his unusual hybrid changeup grip. “I couldn’t get the hang of a circle change, and I couldn’t get the hang of a split” explained the lanky righthander. Gasman grips his change by placing his middle finger on the outside of the seams split finger style, then ever so slightly curls his index figure on the opposite of the ball. “I then move my thumb underneath the ball into any spot I want, depending on what type of movement I want to put on the pitch.”
4-17 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/17/1426860/interesting-high-school-pitchers-a - Kevin Gausman, RHP, Grandview HS (Colorado) - As a high school pitcher from Colorado, Gausman draws the inevitable comparisons to Roy Halladay. He's smaller than Halladay at 6-4, 185, though he's still projectable and very athletic. He hits 93-95 MPH with movement, has a good breaking ball, and is relatively polished considering his background. A Louisiana State commitment provides some leverage for negotiations. He's expected to be a mid-first-round pick, but if he slips a bit, the home-state Rockies would have to be tempted at 26.
5-4 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft - We've talked about Gausman before, when it was early in the season and Gausman, like a lot of Northern state players, was still getting stretched out. Well, a month and a half into the season and Gausman is hitting his stride. While he's sporting a modest 3-2 record with an equally modest 4.32 ERA, his last two starts have been eye opening. On April 26, Gausman threw a complete-game win with 16 strikeouts, walking none. This past Saturday, Gausman went the distance again, striking out 11 and walking only one. On the season, Gausman has a ridiculous 49 K/5 BB ratio
5-16 from: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=2142 - • Grandview High righthander Kevin Gausman from Centennial, Colo. has slipped a little bit on teams' draft boards because he came out of the gate slowly, sitting more 89-92 mph with his fastball. In his defense, he pitched as much or more than any high schooler this summer, then played basketball all winter and then had to pitch in nasty Colorado weather for most of the year. He was back up to 93-95 in his last outing, but his fastball tends to be flat and teams are also underwhelmed with his curveball and changeup. Gausman's team is in the playoffs and there will likely be a lot of scouting interest in those games, but scheduling could be tricky after Centennial got six inches of snow yesterday.
6-1 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft/entry/view/67667/stock_watch_holt_up,_gausman_down#page_break - Gausman struggled after a good start, then had some more success, then ended the season down. Consistency was his bugaboo, as well as the seven home runs he allowed. On May 21, Gausman suffered probably his worst loss of the season, a 10-9 loss to Regis High School. Gausman gave up nine earned runs on eight hits and five walks, including two homers, over six innings. Gausman likely will still be considered a first-round or sandwich round pick. But his pedestrian 5-3 record and 4.41 ERA might have some teams thinking twice. He did strike out 76 batters and walk just 17 in 52 2/3 innings, so command was not the problem. If a major league team gets him into its system and can refine his pitches and add more movement and sink, Gausman could be deadly. His fastball already sits in the low- to mid-90s with ease. He is committed to LSU, but chances are that, despite his struggles in 2010, Gausman will never set foot in Baton Rouge.
14. Stetson Allie - St. Edward HS, Cleveland – 6-4, 215 - threw 99 in tournament in Metrodome… 90 slider… command only “20”… raw project… a closer’s mentality… used only as closer as a 17-year old…
7-21: Fr. http://baseballdraftreport.com: - potential first round pick
7-29: from www.baseballfactory.com: - Allie has a big-league body already with four tools to match. Aside from his running speed, all of his tools rate out as plus. He has strong quick hands that get the barrel to the ball and result in power to all fields. His hands are soft and sure and his arm is a cannon across the diamond. On the mound, Allie has been up to 96 mph. He has verbally committed to the University of North Carolina
8-6: From www.baseballamerica.com: - With his big thighs, broad shoulders and barrel chest, Allie is built like an ox. Because of his size, his game has a lot of strength. He's strong with the bat, but what stands out the most is his arm, and his future is likely on the mound. His fastball sits in the 94-95 mph range and can touch 97. The North Carolina recruit also has an 89 mph slider and a changeup.
8-9: from www.baseballamerica.com: - Stetson Allie, a third baseman and righthander from St. Edward Prep in Lakewood, Ohio had an impressive BP session and faced Castellanos in the derby finals. He didn’t stand out at the plate in the game and had an error at third, but he did get on the mound where his fastball ranged from 92-97 mph.
8-15: from XMLBScout on www.perfectgame.com: first time seeing him, albeit, TV, he showed pure arm strength and rear back and fire it type of delivery. I'd like to see more of him again, than just 1 IP. In the field he was very rough and he has bat speed as a hitter, but missed pitches by more than just hair. Again, I'd like to see more on him. Reading hype doesn't do justice when you don't see enough of a player that's been built up such as Stetson Allie. I'm sure I'll see more of him this weekend.
8-17 from www.baseballamerica.com re: AFLAC games - Stetson Allie (St. Edward HS, Olmstead Falls, Ohio), a mature-framed righty, comfortably fired a 93-95 mph fastball and added an 85 mph change and sharp 80 mph slider. Allie is a definite candidate to go in the first round in 2010.
8-19: Jeff Sullivan from the AFLAC Games: - Allie has an outstanding arm, and is the hardest thrower in the 2010 class. He usually sits around 96-97 mph, and at this event touched 97 also. He is a big RHP, listed at 6’4, 225 and he showed why is ranked so high in the class. He allowed a walk to Kris Bryant, but struck out Bratsen, then recorded two straight groundouts to end the inning. Definite first round arm at this point!
9-5: from Jonathan Mayo’s 8-26 article on www.minors.mlbblogs.com: - was up to 97 mph, but looked more like a thrower than a pitcher right now;
9-8: www.pgtracker.com: lists as the #1 high school player coming out of Ohio
9-16: From www.baseballamrica.com : - High School Top 25 draft prospects: 5. Stetson Allie, rhp/3b St. Edward HS, Lakewood, Ohio
9-24: From: http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: Mock Draft Version 1.0 – 15th pick overall - Stetson Allie, RHP - St. Edward HS (OH)
9-28: From http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: - Mock Draft Version 2 - #24 pick overall - Stetson Allie, RHP/3B - St. Edward HS (OH) - Allie is the last of the top two-way players but he is the most likely to stay on as a relief pitcher. He was a closer for his HS team and I think the Rangers should draft him and keep him there. This is a power arm that can sit around 95-97 MPH. This is one of the first examples of a pure reliever out of high school but may start a trend in keeping arms fresh. Texas will have to spend a ton to keep him from going to North Carolina.
10-5 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - 16. Chicago Cubs – Stetson Allie, RHP, St. Edwards HS (OH) – (9th HP picked in draft) - Some scouts see Allie as a third base prospect, but his arm is just too good to pass up. Remember how we thought Shelby Miller had the best pure arm a year ago? Allie’s is better. Remember how Madison Younginer got hype because of his closer role and plus fastball? Allie’s better. He already touches 99 with his fastball, has a slider in the upper-80s, and could be the best pure arm from high school in quite awhile. The problem is that he might just be a reliever, as he has a high-effort delivery. The Cubs seem to like these kind of cases, so this seems like a solid fit.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #10 - Stetson Allie (6th RHP on list)
10-13 from www.mymlbdraft.com: 2010 MLB Mock Draft - #14 – (6th RHP picked) – Stetson Allie
10-24 from www.baseballrumormll.com: - top 10 prospects: 9. Stetson Allie, RHP (6th ranked RHP on list), St. Edward HS, OH: Allie continues to play both the field and pitch, but most scouts agree that his professional future is as a pitcher. Despite control issues, he was throwing 97 against some of the top amateur competition at the AFLAC All-Star game - the type of speed that really gets attention.
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: - 7- RHP Stetson Allie – (4th RHP on list)
11-3 from www.mlbresource.com: 3rd Mock draft – #12 - Stetson Allie, RHP - St. Edwards (OH) - Allie has a live arm that could propel him to the big leagues at a very young age. He is a closer in high school and the temptation of taking an Ohio native I think proves to be too much temptation to pass on him. (6th RHP on list)
11-9-9 from www.examiner.com: - Top 15 High School Draft Prospects - 9. Stetson Allie, rhp/3b
St. Edward HS, Lakewood, Ohio
College Commitment: North Carolina - Allie is an exciting two-way prospect with impressive raw power at the plate and a high-90s fastball. (4th RHP on list)
11-17 from www.mlbdraft.blogspot.com: - 9.San Diego Padres- Stetson Allie, RHP, St. Edward HS(OH) - The hardest thrower in the draft, Allie has already flashed up to 99 mph. Usually a safe picking team, the Padres have showed recently that they are not afraid to spend the money to sign the best player available. The only negative about Allie is that due to his high effort delivery, he might just be a reliever. At worst case, Allie should be able to develop into a power closer, but he will be given his shot in the rotation. (5th RHP picked)
11-18 from www.macksmets.blogspot.com: - 15. RHP Stetson Allie – a fastball that hits 99, and a slider at 92, very few high school closers get picked this high… huge ceiling. (8th RHP on list)
11-20 from www.draftamerica.com: - 16. Chicago (N) -- Stetson Allie, RHP, St. Edward HS (OH). I went back and forth between Allie, Ohio St. righty Alex Wimmers and Indiana prepster Justin O'Connor, settling on Allie's plus-plus velocity. (9th RHP on list)
11-23 from www.deepleagues.com: - #9 - San Diego Padres Stetson Allie (P, Olmstead Falls, OH) (5th RHP on list)
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - 6.Stetson Allie
12-15 from www.5tooltalk.com: Mock Draft – 1st round: - 12 Reds Stetson Allie RHP High School
12-25 from www.pgcrosschecker.com: - Stetson Allie, a hard-throwing right-hander from Ohio, is perhaps the top recruit in Carolina’s new class, and perhaps the most intriguing. He’s been clocked at 100 mph, but can be a little wild when he throws as hard as he can. He pitched better in the Aflac All-American game in August when he dialed it back to “only” 97 mph, and he’s also an accomplished corner infielder with a good bat.
“He’s a unique talent, there’s no question about that,” said Fox. “Just his physical appearance. You look at him and think, ‘He’s only 17 or 18 years old.’ He’s really put together.”
Allie fills out a uniform at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds. Fox doesn’t know if Allie will be a starting pitcher, a closer, a third baseman, a first baseman or a combo player for the Tar Heels. And there’s no guarantee Allie will enroll at Carolina, considering he’s ranked as the No.8 player in the graduating class of 2010 by Perfect Game.
1-7-9: Morisato's 2010 MLB Mock Draft - Version 1.0 - 18th Overall - The Los Angeles Angels (Compensation For Chone Figgins) - Stetson Allie (SS/RHP), Ohio High School - A two way prospect, Allie is a legitimate prospect as a shortstop and as a pitcher. As a positional player, Allie has a strong arm, solid range, and a quick swing. He also is able to hit for some pop. However, as he matures, he’ll likely have to move over to third base. As for his potential on the mound, Allie has a quick arm that allows him to throw in the upper 90’s. He couples it with a slider that allows him to have a second solid offering. However, Allie also has a delivery that has a lot of effort, which may result in him having to move to the bullpen in time.
2010 MLB DRAFT MOCK DRAFT- 12/31/09 – www.jjscouting.com - 9. San Diego Padres- Stetson Allie, RHP, St. Edward HS(OH) - The hardest thrower in the draft, Allie has already flashed up to 99 mph. Usually a safe picking team, the Padres have showed recently that they are not afraid to spend the money to sign the best player available (Donovan Tate '09). The only negative about Allie is that due to his high effort delivery, he might just be a reliever. At worst case, Allie should be able to develop into a power closer, but he will be given his shot in the rotation.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #13 Chicago WS Stetson Allie RHP/SS St. Edward HS, Oh. 6'3" 215 R,R
1-15-0 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - 20. Boston Red Sox – Stetson Allie, RHP, St. Edwards HS (OH) – The Red Sox aren’t afraid of prep arms, but the question about Allie is what team will actually view him as a starter, rather than a power reliever. Boston has had success turning previous two-way player Casey Kelly into a top arm, so I don’t doubt their willingness to go after someone like Allie, but once again, only if they believe he has the durability and motion to go six innings with something more than his plus-plus fastball. The arm is special, and his arm strength is number one in this class, but I can’t see him cracking the top fifteen at the moment. Previously: #16.
1-15-9 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - #14 Milwaukee Brewers: RHSP Stetson Allie – St Edward HS (OH) - Back to Gary Brown and Christian Colon for a minute because a couple of comps occurred to me today. How about Brown as Shane Victorino and Christian Colon as a slightly less hacktastic Placido Polanco capable of playing shortstop? Neither comps is perfect, but I think the tools of each player matches up pretty well with their respective big league comparisons. The ghost of Jack Z would be very proud of this Allie pick for Milwaukee. Big, hard throwing, erratic, and a difficult sign. Sounds about right.
2-23 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - Stetson Allie is probably one of the more well-known players in this draft class, and he profiles as a true first-round arm. What makes it interesting is that Allie can put a charge into a ball with his bat, too. On the mound, Allie features a plus-plus fastball that sits in the mid-90s and has touched 99. It’s truly a special pitch, and even though it isn’t known for any amount of movement, it’s still unhittable to the vast majority of hitters he’s ever faced. Combined with a high-80s to low-90s slider, Allie can simply be unhittable at times. He’s had no use for a changeup yet, and there’s no rush for it, either, as he can develop as a closer in a fairly short amount of time. His command is never even going to be average, but his delivery is fluid and easy, and there aren’t a lot of concerns for injury. At the plate he features plus raw power, but he has a much higher bust rate there. He’s a below-average runner and his fielding is currently rated the same. I expect Allie to be taken in the middle of the first round by a team looking for the kind of raw arm that can impact a game in the ninth inning. Starting is likely not in his future. His North Carolina commitment may cost $2 million or more, as he’ll be a draft-eligible sophomore in 2012 if he follows up on his commitment.
4-7 from: http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/2010-draft-preview-matt-harvey-rising-kyle-blair-falling/#more - Stetson Allie, St. Edwards HS, RHP: Although some still contend that Allie's future is as a positional player, he's touched triple digits on the radar as a pitcher and that will be hard to pass up. Even if his velocity dips to 92-95 with improved command, he'll be in the discussion as one of the top prep pitchers taken in the draft.
4-17 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/17/1426860/interesting-high-school-pitchers-a - Stetson Allie, RHP, St. Edward HS, Olmsted Falls, Ohio - Big guy at 6-4, 225 pounds, reportedly touches100 MPH+ at times though more commonly in the 97-99 vicinity. Also has a nasty slider. Main problem is erratic command; he also plays third base, but teams want him on the mound. Despite his terrific arm, he might not make it into the first round due to command issues: he is more thrower than pitcher at this point, although his mechanics aren't bad. Depending on what happens over the next month, I could see him going to a team at the bottom of the first round looking for a high-risk/high-reward type. He seems like someone who could interest the Angels at 30, the Rays at 31, or the Yankees at 32. North Carolina signee.
4-19 from: http://www.baseballrumormill.com - Allie struggled to get comfortable throughout the start and it showed in his pitching line. Although the four runs that he gave up were all unearned, Allie was able to last just four innings, throwing 96 pitchers over that stretch. He allowed five hits and five walks over those four innings, but did manage to strike out six batters. Potentially contributing to Allie's erratic pitching (and certainly not helping the perception that he was uncomfortable) was switching between throwing out of the wind up and the stretch throughout the game, regardless of the situation. "I made a little adjustment in the third and fourth inning, that's why I was throwing from the stretch—I couldn't find it from the windup," he said. "I couldn't find my slider command at all. I felt great, I just couldn't find the strike zone. I'm not going to make excuses, I just couldn't find the strike zone.
5-4 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft - St. Edwards (Ohio) High School's Stetson Allie showed again why his strong right arm is one of the draft's most coveted. He struck out 15 in a complete-game 5-1 victory Saturday over Medina. Allie also showed he has worked on his off-speed stuff.
5-9 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/5/9/1464253/more-seiler-ratings#storyjump – Stetson Allie, RHP/3B, St. Edward HS (OH), 1A1: Biggest pure arm in the draft, sits mid-90s, touches upper-90s without max effort. Command potential is limited to below-average and is currently minus, and some project him solely as reliever. North Carolina commitment could become pricey.
5-31 from: - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2010/05/mlb-draft-preview-righties.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MetsMerizedOnline-GetMetsmerized-NewYorkMets+%28Mets+Merized+Online%29&utm_content=Twitter - Stetson Allie: Another High School righty. Allie throws a good two-seam fastball with lateral movement, a 98 MPH four-seamer, a high-80’s slider and a mid-80’s change. It’s worth mentioning that he can play the field, and has good power as a corner infielder. His future is as a pitcher, though. Allie will be drafted as a starter, he’ll be treated as a starter, he’ll make it as a reliever, and he’ll succeed as a closer. My judgment is that he is better set to be a closer than a starter due to the power of his pitches, and his inability to pitch deep into games. Do you want a hard throwing, 5 inning starter, or a hard-throwing closer? BTW: type “Stetson Allie” into Google, and look at what comes up first on the drop-down menu.
15. Asher Wojciechowski – The Citadel - 6-4, 205, R/R, 2009: 3-3, 4.39, 12 starts, 69.2-IP, 75-K, 34-BB…
July 15: Wojciechowski came in with the bases loaded in the ninth inning, for USA Baseball, against Team Japan, and closed it out, with three strikeouts
11-10 from www.collegebaseballblog.com: - named the 71st top college player
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 175th
3-15 from: http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/03/15/southern-conference-players-of-the-week-march-15th/#more-24421 - The Citadel starting pitcher Asher Wojciechowski has been selected as the league’s Pitcher of the Week for all games from March 8-14. - In Friday’s SoCon opener against Western Carolina, Wojciechowski struck out 14 batters, the second highest of his career and tops in the conference this season, while working eight scoreless innings in the Bulldogs’ 4-0 win. He recorded six straight outs via strikeout in the sixth and seventh innings, and the junior from Sturgis, Mich., threw
3-17 from: - http://web.goldenspikesaward.com/index.html?page=news_archive&article_id=60 - Wojciechowski, a physical 6-foot-4, 235-pound right-hander, dominated the Catamounts on Friday, striking out 14 without issuing a walk over eight scoreless innings. He scattered six hits and took over in the middle innings, recording six straight outs via strikeouts in the sixth and seventh innings. "Asher has pitched some outstanding games for us, but that was one of the best -- if not the best -- he has had," Citadel coach Fred Jordan said. "He was effortless, and he threw four pitches for strikes. From the third inning on until the eighth he really just dominated the game."
3-27 from: - http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - Asher Wojciechowski, RHP, The Citadel - I think I struck a nerve a couple weeks ago when I pointed out Wojciechowski’s outing against Western Carolina lasted 138 pitches. Aside from the fact that this wasn’t too good for his arm that early in the season, the reason he went so deep is because his stuff is downright devastating this year. He has improved his raw stuff to the point that he’s seen as a possible number two or three starter, but since he doesn’t face top competition, he might suffer in terms of draft stock.
4-19 from: - http://www.pnrscouting.com/rankings_2010_midseason_pitcher.html - Junior, The Citadel was off the preseason Top 50 Pitchers but was comfortably in the Top 200 overall and has rocketed up to supplemental-1st Round territory with a very strong spring. Thus far he ranks 2nd among all Div-I pitchers in total strikeouts (74), behind only Drew Pomeranz, Junior, Univ. of Mississippi, and 12th with an 11.89 SO/9 rate. He also ranked #12 on the PnR Team USA Top 15 after racking-up a12.63 SO/9 rate and a team-leading 7.25 SO/BB ratio over 20.2 IP.
4-21 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/21/1435424/interesting-college-pitchers-for - RHP, The Citadel - A fast riser, the 6-4, 205 pounder has a 2.49 ERA with an 86/19 K?BB in 65 innings this spring, with 51 hits allowed, showing excellent component ratios. He has the stuff to go with the numbers: 90-94 MPH fastball, hitting 95-96 at times, along with a good slider. His other pitches need some work, but he throws strikes most of the time and has good mechanics. He'll have to sharpen his secondary stuff to start at higher levels, but he should have the aptitude to do so. I like him at the bottom part of the first round.
5-3 from: http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/05/top-small-school-pitchers/#more – top small school pitchers: - Asher Wojciechowski, The Citadel, RHP - Ranked #28, Wojciechowski seems a more legitimate first round pick. He's improved his command this season and scouts love that he does the little things well such as hold runners on and field his position.
5-10 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com - Even pitching for a small school, Asher could not avoid the big name malaise that's running through college baseball. Wojciechowski equally as bad, giving up six earned runs on seven hits and four walks in five innings pitched while striking out four.
16. Barret Loux – Texas A&M -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 242nd
3-21 from: - http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/articles/DisplayArticle.aspx?article=2218 - While I knew junior RHP Barrett Loux was starting for the Aggies, my hope was that I would get to see hard throwing sophomore RHP John Stilson out of the bullpen. As sometimes happens, things worked out perfectly. Loux pitched the first 5 2/3 innings, striking out 10 Tech hitters (his third straight double figure strikeout game, giving him 48 K’s in only 27 innings) before leaving after throwing 104 pitches. He raised his record to 3-1 on the season with an outstanding 1.29 ERA.
Scouting Reports - Barrett Loux: Loux is a mature 6-5, 230 lb right hander with a very strong lower half but loose and easy athletic actions. He has a full arm circle and shows the ball a bit in back but he comes through clean and quick from a high ¾’s release point that produces a very good downhill angle to the plate. Loux had elbow surgery last summer to clean up some bone spurs but his delivery and arm action aren’t the type that will make scouts worry at all about future injury. He throws a bit cross body on release, which works well for him. Loux’s fastball was up to 94 mph last night and never dropped below 91 the entire game, with his last two fastballs registering 93 mph. It’s pretty straight and didn’t have the heavy sinking action that I’ve heard it has at times but the downhill angle really is a plus for Loux. Early in the game Loux threw some 83 mph sliders and low 80’s change ups and tried hard to establish the change up especially. I’d like to see him throw the change a little less firmly as hitters’ timing wasn’t affected much. About the middle of the game, Loux started getting a rhythm with his 76-78 mph downer curveball and got many of his 10 K’s on this pitch, including striking out the side in the 5th. It’s a solid pro level pitch that he commanded well. I was impressed by Loux’s ability to mix pitches and repeat his delivery. Throwing 93 mph after 100 pitches was certainly another plus. The minus side was the lack of fastball life and the present below average quality of his slider and change up, although they were admittedly his third and fourth best pitches. Based on this outing I can see Loux as a second half of the first round type of pick, with teams in the early comp round getting really excited about his maybe sliding down a bit to their area of the draft.
3-27 from: - http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - Barret Loux, RHP, Texas A&M - Notice the spelling of Barret. B-a-r-r-e-t. Spell it right now, because you’ll need to when he’s in the Major Leagues. Loux was someone I identified as a possible helium candidate entering the spring, as his raw stuff is number two starter caliber, but I worried about his durability, as he’s coming off minor elbow surgery last year. He’s answered some questions this year, and I might be underestimating him, as he could easily be a supplemental first round arm in the mold of Garrett Richards.
4-4 from: http://www.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?topic_id=8080130&content_id=7243405 - Scouting Report - Fastball: Loux threw his fastball in the 91-94 mph range. Fastball movement: He throws it with good plane, and it has some light sink. Curve: It's an average pitch, thrown 75-77 mph. Slider: It's slurvy, and it's his fourth pitch. Changeup: His best pitch -- it's a plus offering. Control: He has plus command of his four-pitch arsenal. Poise: He has outstanding mound presence. Physical Description: Loux is large and lumbering, with long levers, kind of with a Chris Carpenter-type build. Medical Update: Healthy. Strengths: Four pitches, three of which are average to plus, complete with excellent command. Weaknesses: His breaking stuff is fringy and will need some work at the next level. Summary: With his performances this spring, Loux is quickly moving up draft charts. The big right-hander has four pitches he uses, though it's his fastball and plus changeup that really stand out. His breaking stuff needs some tightening, but with his command, mound presence and easy delivery, there's reason to believe he can improve that part of his game as well. Before the season began, most Texas college pitching buzz went to Brandon Workman, but Loux has forced his way to the top of that conversation and likely into the first couple of rounds.
4-20 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/20/1433135/interesting-college-pitchers-for - RHP, Texas A&M University - Loux had elbow surgery to remove bone spurs last year, but looks healthy and effective this spring, with a 2.32 ERA and a 78/19 K/BB in 54 innings, with 36 hits allowed. His K/IP and H/IP ratios are excellent, statistical confirmation of plus stuff including a 92-94 MPH heater, a power curveball, and a good changeup. The main question for the 6-5, 220 pond right-hander is durability, but in terms of performance and stuff he has everything you look for. He looks like a good supplemental round candidate, perhaps attractive to the Blue Jays at 41, the Mariners at 43, or the Cardinals at 46.
4-28 from: - Although some would have you believe that Loux has come out of nowhere to dominate this spring, he's actually been on the radar screen for quite some time. Had it not been for shoulder problems during his senior year, he could have been a first day pick in the 2007 draft. However, he fell to the Tigers in the 24th round, and he's fallen off the radar a little following two average seasons for the Aggies, the second ending prematurely due to bone chips in his elbow. However, being healthy has been the best thing for Loux this spring, as his stuff, command, and durability has all gotten better throughout the season. He pitches off a plus 92-94 mph fastball that gets average movement, but he's really spotting it on the corners this year. He adds in a plus curveball and potential above-average changeup, making him one of the highest-ceiling college pitchers available in the entire draft class. After being held back a little early on in the season, he's also started to be let loose a little, and he's responded well, pitching deeper into games and maintaining his stuff in front of large audiences of scouts. The only drawback in Loux's game is his injury history that involves both his elbow and shoulder, and while he flashes excellent stuff, that history is going to scare off some teams that are afraid that the injuries will pop back up again on a five day rotation in the minors. However, he's an elite arm, and he'll be gone before the start of the third round if he maintains his stuff for the next six weeks. Projected Draft Range: Late 1st Round - Mid 2nd Round
5-17 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/05/17/phillips-66-big-12-baseball-weekly-awards-5 - Texas A&M’s Barret Loux and Nick Tepesch (Missouri) share the Pitcher of the Week accolade for games of May 10-16. . Barret Loux, Texas A&M, RHP, Jr., 6-5, 215, Houston, Texas/Stratford. Loux tossed his first career complete game, a shutout, in Friday’s 7-0 win over Oklahoma State. He held an OSU team, which entered the weekend with a .311 average, to just four hits (.129 average) while allowing one walk and striking out seven. Just one runner reached second base on the night (fifth inning). In addition, Loux got to a three-ball count only six times. It was his fourth straight victory as he improved to 9-2 on the year.
17. Aaron Sanchez – Barstow HS (CA.) –
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - 15.Aaron Sanchez
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 88th
4-22 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/southern-california-high-school-pitching-prospects - Barstow High School, RHP - Lanky and projectable, Sanchez easily delivers a 91-93 mph fastball and sharp 75 curve from a mid three-quarters arm slot. His mechanics are advanced for a high schooler. Sanchez uses his legs well, avoids flying his front shoulder open, and finishes strongly while creating a decent downward plane.
4-27 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/mlb-draft-notes-high-school-review-419-426/#more - Barstow HS's Aaron Sanchez struck out twelve batters in a seven inning effort recently. He now has a whopping 82 strikeouts in 44.2 IP. According to Churchill "Sanchez reaches the 93-94 mph range with his fastball and turns over an improved curveball from a high three-quarter arm slot. His arm strength, projectable 6-3 frame and athleticism could get Sanchez into the first round."
18. Kyle Blair – San Diego - junior… 6-3, 200, R/R… 2009: 3-2, 3.13, 54.2-IP, 62-K… led the team with lowest ERA…
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: ML plus velo, delivery needs work still, cb at times unhittable, health a bit in question and hope any concerns are put to rest this fall.
9-16: From www.baseballamrica.com : - College Top 25 draft prospects: - 21. Kyle Blair, rhp San Diego
9-24: From: http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: Mock Draft Version 1.0 – 26th pick overall - Kyle Blair, RHP - San Diego
10-5 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: 26. Colorado Rockies – Kyle Blair, RHP, San Diego – (11th RHP picked in draft) - If only Blair could up his fastball. That’s the story I keep hearing. His slider is an absolute plus pitch, and with a solid changeup, Blair could be a top prospect with a couple ticks extra on his average fastball. However, it’s not the case, and I see him as more of a late first-rounder at the moment. He’s probably more hyped than your average 2010 draft prospect, but it’s all about current draft position, and I can’t put him higher than this now. A good spring season could bump him up, as could extra ticks on the fastball.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #17 – Kyle Blair (10th RHP on list)
10-13 from www.mymlbdraft.com: 2010 MLB Mock Draft - #24 – (10th RHP picked) – Kyle Blair
11-8 from www.rivals.yahoo.com: - The Toreros return some talented hitters and relievers, but the weekend rotation is the strongest unit with the return of a trio of starters. The returnees include Kyle Blair, Matt Thomson and AJ Griffin. Blair had a 3.13 ERA in 54 2/3 innings last season. He also struck out 62 and walked 18 and held opposing teams to a .225 batting average. Griffin compiled a 3.33 ERA in 81 innings and limited teams to a .250 batting average. Thomson, meanwhile, went 5-5 with a 5.98 ERA in 81 1/3 innings. He held opposing teams to a .258 batting average. There's also a chance the Toreros will look to Darrin Campbell or Sammy Solis as starters, too. At any rate, there's no excuse for this unit not to be one of the nation's best.
11-18 from www.macksmets.blogspot.com: - 16. RHP Kyle Blair – has the best slider in the draft, and will be conversted to a specialist unless he ups the fastball this season. (9th RHP on list)
11-26 from www.collegebaseballblog.com: - named the 55th top college player for the 2010 season.
11-23 from www.deepleagues.com: #31 - Yankees Kyle Blair (P, San Diego State) (17th RHP on list)
12-15 from www.5tooltalk.com: Mock Draft – 1st round: - 23 Marlins Kyle Blair RHP NCAA
1-7-9: Morisato's 2010 MLB Mock Draft - Version 1.0 - 28th Overall – The Los Angeles Dodgers - Kyle Blair (RHP), San Diego - Blair was a top prospect coming out of high school, but he failed to come to terms with the Dodgers in the 2007 draft. He has since had a great career at San Diego, and will likely be the Torero’s Friday Night Starter. Blair has an excellent three pitch arsenal. His slider is a plus offering, and he also has a second solid offering in his changeup. His command and control also are solid as well. However, Blair’s fastball clocks in the 89-92 mph range, and while he commands it well, it’s not enough to make him more than perhaps a back of the rotation guy. Blair also had his sophomore year cut short by a bout of shoulder soreness. If he’s able to pitch without it reoccurring, he’s a back of the rotation guy that’s worth a selection in the back of the first round. If the injury also held back his velocity a bit, and his fastball clocks in the 92-94 mph range this year, then Blair could be something more.
1-7-9 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: 1.6 Arizona Diamondbacks: RHSP Kyle Blair – San Diego My favorite draft-eligible college prospect had to find a way to get himself into the top ten, right? An above-average fastball that sits in the low-90s, a plus mid-70s curve, and a good low-80s change make for a potent mix in my book. Blair was a big recruit coming out of high school who hasn’t disappointed since joining the Toreros. Love the USD staff, by the way. Blair, Sammy Solis (another potential first rounder), and AJ Griffin (my favorite senior sign, by far) make up one heck of a three-headed monster. Or three-armed monster. Six-armed monster? As for Blair, yes, this is a generous placement on the mock, but it’s defensible not only because of that present three pitch mix but also the chance his peak fastball velocity perks up in the spring. If he is topping out at 94-95 once the season starts, watch out.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #24 San Francisco Kyle Blair RHP San Diego 6'3" 200 R,R
4-7 from: http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/2010-draft-preview-matt-harvey-rising-kyle-blair-falling/#more - Kyle Blair, San Diego, RHP: Since being a highly touted prospect as a high school senior three years ago, Blair has not delivered since going to San Diego. A number of stints on the disabled list have curtailed his performance. When he has thrown, he has shown average velocity, below-average command, and an inferior breaking ball compared to what he had in high school
5-11-10 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/05/11/tcbb-players-of-the-week-may-10th/ - The College Baseball Blog continues our tradition of naming National Player and Pitcher of the Week. This week we honor Dusty Robinson of Fresno State as our Player of the Week while San Diego RHP Kyle Blair is our Pitcher of the Week. Kyle Blair was absolutely dazzling in the first game of a three game set against the Portland Pilots. San Diego traveled up to Portland trying to derail the Pilots’ 11-game winning streak, and Kyle Blair did that by coming within one strike of a no-hitter until Kris Kaupilla hit a two-strike double. Throwing 15 strikeouts in a complete game shutout, Blair solidified San Diego’s spot at the top of the West Coast Conference, and with the sweep, all but sealed the postseason bid for the Toreros, as they are now 4 games ahead of Portland with 6 games to play.
19. Chad Bettis – Texas Tech – junior… 6-0, 193, R/R… 2009: 6-1, 3.59… only 58-K in 72.2 IP… starts and relieves… projects out as reliever in the Bigs… 90-94 fast ball and a very good slider
7/13: As of July 13, hasn't allowed a run in six innings for Team USA
9-16: From www.baseballamrica.com : - College Top 25 draft prospects: 14. Chad Bettis, rhp Texas Tech
9-24: From: http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: Mock Draft Version 1.0 – 21st pick overall - Chad Bettis, RHP - Texas Tech
9-28: From http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: - Mock Draft Version 2 - #20 pick overall - Chad Bettis, RHP - Texas Tech - Detroit has made no secret to their draft success. Draft hard throwing right handers. High school or college doesn't matter but they love guys that can dominate with the fastball. Now you never know and Detroit could go in another direction this year but if they want to continue their trend Chad Bettis is a great fit.
10-13 from www.mymlbdraft.com: 2010 MLB Mock Draft - #29 – (13th RHP picked) – Chad Bettis
10-25 from www.mlbresource.com: - Blake's Scouting Report - Bettis to me can be a poster boy for how you want to teach kids to pitch. He has a nice smooth motion and comes right over the top. I personally like Bettis better as a starter because his fastball isn't overpowering and I think he has the kind of stuff to be a quality starter in the big leagues. He still has some strength to gain and once he does it might factor more into the rotation/bullpen conversation. My only concern with Bettis is that his ball is pretty straight. Same reason I had concern last year for Jason Stoffel out of Arizona. Other than this you are looking at a quality arm with big game experience.
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: - 40- RHP Chad Bettis (15th RHP on list)
11-3 from www.mlbresource.com: 3rd Mock draft – #26 - Chad Bettis, RHP - Texas Tech - I debated with this pick quite a bit but I like the arm on Bettis and I think he would be a nice piece to add to the bullpen quickly. Bettis is going to be a big time closer and the Rockies start another great draft class with the Texas Tech right-hander. (10th RHP on list)
11-20 from www.draftamerica.com: - 31. Tampa Bay -- Chad Bettis, RHP, Texas Tech. I was leaning Gyorko here, as a "safe" pick. But Bettis is potentially the best power reliever in the draft, should sign for slot here and could be up to help the big club in fairly short order. (15th RHP on list)
11-23 from www.deepleagues.com: - #27 - Philadelphia Phillies Chad Bettis (P, Texas Tech) (14th RHP on list)
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #32 NY Yankees Chad Bettis RHP Texas 6'0" 193 R,R
1-15-0 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - 26. Colorado Rockies – Chad Bettis, RHP, Texas Tech – After staging a successful draft coup with Tyler Matzek, Tim Wheeler, Rex Brothers, and more a year ago, I expect a bit of a regression in 2010, not because of poor scouting, but lesser draft position. Brothers fit the traditional mold for Rockies’ scouting, and Bettis fits into that mold of a power college arm, too. A bullpen that would feature a healthy Casey Weathers, Brothers, and Bettis could shut down some Major League clubs now. Previously: NR.
2-23: - Chad Bettis from Texas Tech also had a nice line, going 7IP, 6H and induced 14 groundball outs.
3-13 from: http://pnrscouting.com/articles_2010_houstoncollegeclassic_day1_03092010.html - This was my third look of the season at former Tech closer and current Friday starter Chad Bettis (2010), and my first in person since seeing him work out with Team USA this past summer (he didn’t pitch in the two USA games I attended, but I got a short glimpse of him throwing during workouts). He finished the day with a mostly unimpressive line of 6 IP, 11 H, 7 ER, 2 BB and 9 SO. While he wasn’t at his best, several bad break hits really wreaked havoc on his start, extending innings and resulting in at least a few of those ERs. Bettis (pictured) was generally low-90s, working primarily with his two-seam fastball, as usual, occasionally elevating his four-seam and dialing up to 94 mph. His slider was a hard 83 - 85 mph flashing good depth and tilt with hard bite, though it was not as effective as it has been in his two previous starts. Most impressive was his increasingly frequent use of an upper-70s change-up. Each week he seems to get more and more comfortable with the pitch and he flashed good arm speed and solid fade on Friday. It’s still developing, but his willingness to use it is encouraging. While it is obvious that Bettis is most useful to Tech and its thin staff as a starter, the pen still seems like a better ultimate fit as a pro. Either way, he’s still a definite Top 50 arm for me at this point -- probably late-1st to early-2nd round.
3-18 from www.baseballamerica.com : -
Scouting Report - Fastball: Bettis throws his fastball 88-94 mph. When he's in a relief role, he can touch 95.
Fastball movement: There's a little sink to his fastball.
Slider: He throws it up to 84 mph. It has a hard break and works better when thrown not as hard. It's a fringy average pitch.
Changeup He'll flash a pretty good changeup, around 82-83 mph.
Control: He tends to throw strikes, though he gets hit more than he should considering the stuff he has.
Poise: He's very aggressive, goes right after hitters and doesn't seem to get bothered when things go wrong.
4-19 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/19/1431302/interesting-college-pitchers-for - Chad Bettis, RHP, Texas Tech University - A 6-1, 210 pounder, Bettis has a 3.82 ERA with a 72/27 K/BB in 64 innings. He's picked up six saves but has also started six games; in the pros he most likely projects as a closer. Keep in mind that his statistics are quite good for context: Texas Tech plays in a high-offense environment, and the combined team ERA in Tech games is 6.75. Bettis throws 91-95 as a starter but can get up to 97-98 in relief. He has an effective breaking ball but will need a changeup to start at higher levels. I see him as a supplemental or early second round pick, possibly interesting the Blue Jays at 41, the Tigers at 44, or the Cardinals at 46.
4-21 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/21/1433461/casing-the-states-texas-part-one#storyjump - Bettis has been a well-known name in the 2010 college class for some time, and he was an 8th round pick out of high school by the Astros in Houston's disastrous 2007 draft. Bettis has gone back and forth with roles as a starter and reliever over his career, and after a great run as Team USA's closer last summer, he stepped into the starting rotation as the Red Raiders' Friday starter in February. After six up-and-down starts, he moved into the bullpen again, and he's worked as a long relief closer, usually pitching multiple innings in his appearances. A pair of outings last weekend sum up his usage, throwing 31 pitches in a Saturday game, then coming back the next day for a 4 inning save and 64 pitches. That borders on pitcher abuse, and the team that drafts Bettis will have to be careful with his workload early in his career. Bettis' long-term role is in question, as he has the delivery of a starter but the pitch mix of a closer. He works in the 92-94 range with his fastball as a starter, but can bump that up to 95-97 out of the bullpen, and he complements that with a slider that gets above-average grades. He doesn't have a usable changeup, meaning he'd have a longer development curve than most college starters if a team wants him to develop that way. With his move to the bullpen, Bettis lost a little draft stock, but he's still arguably the best reliever available in this class, and he has enough upside to warrant a possible chance as a starter in the minors. Projected Draft Range: Supplemental 1st Round-Late 2nd Round
4-26 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/position-changes-lurk-for-some-draft-prospects/#more - Texas Tech - Current position: starting pitcher. Projected professional position: reliever - Still considered a possibility for the first round, Bettis has not had a dominating year which is causing some teams to consider him as a reliever. However, he's still thrown an above-average sinking fastball that batters often miss, but even when they do connect hit ground balls.
20. Tyrell Jenkins – 6-4, 175
8-9: from Keith Law/ www.espn.com: - Jenkins is just a 6'4" 175 lbs RHP, but was still throwing 92-90 with his fastball and threw a curveball with good movement and a "sharp slider."
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #38 - Tyrell Jenkins (21st RHP on list)
10-6 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com: - RHP Tyrell Jenkins - Keyvius Sampson was my guy from day one last year. This year’s version might be Tyrell Jenkins. Jenkins has a lot of nice things going for him on paper – good velocity, sharp breaking ball (slider), very athletic, and a great amount of projection going forward.
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - 12.Tyrell Jenkins
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 222nd
3-27 from: - http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - Tyrell Jenkins, RHP, Henderson HS (TX) - I hope you’re hearing this name more and more at other draft sites, as this is one of the bigger helium names so far this spring. Jenkins is a tall, lanky, and very athletic pitcher that has simply exploded this spring, which wasn’t necessarily expected. He’s now drawing much more interest, as his raw stuff is better and scouts think he might have what it takes to jump right into pro ball and succeed. He’s still very raw, though, which is why he’s still a second round arm to me.
4-17 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/17/1426860/interesting-high-school-pitchers-a - Tyrell Jenkins, RHP, Henderson HS (Texas) - Excellent athlete with rising stock, has increased his velocity this spring up into the 93-96 MPH range. Also has a promising slider and curveball. Rather raw and has played a lot of basketball and football, which has understandably slowed his development as a baseball player to some extent, though he's made good progress this spring. Listed at 6-4 180, he has a football scholarship to Baylor and could be a difficult sign outside of the first two rounds. I expect him to go in the supplemental round: the Angels at 40, the Tigers at 44, or the Rangers at 45 seem like good fits.
4-22-10 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/22/1435556/casing-the-states-texas-part-two - RHP, Henderson HS, Henderson - Jenkins has quickly become one of my favorite prep pitchers in this class. Featuring plus athleticism that includes a scholarship to play football at Baylor, Jenkins could even be a solid prospect as a hitter. However, when he steps on the mound, scouts start dreaming about what he could become. He features a fastball that already gets plus grades, sitting 91-94, touching 96, and he's learning how to pitch with it. In addition, he throws both a slider and a curveball, and he has a solid feel for both. The curveball is the better future option for his main secondary pitch, and it's a future plus pitch to pair with his plus fastball. The slider gets fringe-average grades, though it could be average with time. He doesn't currently feature much of a changeup, and that might be the biggest hurdle for him to face as he matures. However, he's still extremely projectable, standing at a tall, wiry 6'4'', and he could easily add 25 pounds of muscle with weight training. This entire package makes scouts think he may have true #1 upside if it all comes together. There's more risk in picking Jenkins early than with the elite prep arms, which is why he's a tier down, but he's quickly moving into first round consideration with an excellent spring. Projected Draft Range: Late 1st Round-Late 2nd Round
5-28 from: - http://www.draftamerica.com/mlb-draft.php - One of the top athletes at his position in this draft, Jenkins is a very long player with loose arm action. His fastball was been mostly in the low 90's, but reports have him touching 95 so far this spring. His fastball has nice movement, with a bit of tail in addition to sink, and is one of his stronger pitches. He also has an average to above average running slider, which he throws in the 81-84 MPH range. He also throws a changeup, in the 74-76 MPH range that he has decent feel for, but will need to further develop in the future. As a 3 sport athlete, it's impressive that Jenkins is as polished as he is, given that he hasn't been focusing all of his time on baseball. Still, he's raw on the mound, and would surely benefit from baseball having all of his attention. Like most pitchers his age, he has decent control and command, but it's an area he should focus on improving in. He'll need to add some strength and durability, but his frame suggests that shouldn't be an issue. He could be a difficult one to sign, as he has verbal commitments to Baylor for both baseball and football. He's a player with a high ceiling and loads of upside, and it will be interesting to see if the MLB team that selects him will be able to lure him away from Baylor.
21. Robbie Aviles – Suffern HS (NY)
9-16: From www.baseballamerica.com : - High School Top 25 draft prospects: 22. Robbie Aviles, rhp Suffern (N.Y.) HS
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #47 - Robbie Aviles (24th RHP on list)
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - 14.Robbie Aviles
12-15 from www.5tooltalk.com: Mock Draft – 1st round: - 32 Yankees Robert Aviles RHP High School
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #79 LA Dodgers Robbie Aviles RHP Suffern Hs, Ny. 6'4" 190 R,R
1-30-10: - named to the Louisville Slugger 2010 Pre-Season High School All-America Team
4-26 from: - http://www.maxpreps.com/news/p9NqzU_kEd-lugAcxJTdpg/second-straight-no-hitter-for-new-york-pitcher.htm - Last year Patrick Schuster of New Port Richey set the high school baseball world abuzz with his four consecutive no-hitters. Robbie Aviles, now it's your turn. Aviles, a highly-recruited pitcher at Suffern (Suffern, N.Y.), threw his second straight no-hitter Thursday in a 3-0 victory over North Rockland. Ranked No. 25 on the MaxPreps Top 100 Player Rankings,
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft/entry/view/64739/stock_watch_aviles_up,_ranaudo_down#page_break – UP: Robbie Aviles, Suffern (N.Y.) High School, RHP - In 2010, Aviles did his best Schuster impression by throwing two consecutive no-hitters. Against Nanuet (N.Y.) on April 14, Aviles tossed a perfect game, needing just 68 pitches, striking out 11 in a 5-0 win. A week later, on April 22, he blanked North Rockland (N.Y.) 3-0, striking out 15. Last Wednesday, Aviles failed in his bid for No. 3. He gave up three hits, three walks and his first earned run of the season in a 2-1 eight-inning victory over Clarkstown South (N.Y.). He struck out 12, giving him 46 in 27 innings. According to maxpreps.com, Aviles has allowed just eight hits in his four starts. The other five came in the team's season opener.
22. DeAndre Smelter – Tattnall Square Academy (GA) – 6-3, 215 - already throws fastball in 92-95 range… low-80s split-finger change…
7-29: From www.baseballfactory.com: Smelter is a 6-foot-3, 215-pound righthander with broad shoulders and a thick lower half. He rocks back and fires 89-92 mph fastballs from a lower three-quarters arm slot and touches 93. Smelter hides the ball well and mixes in an 83 mph changeup and an 80-81 mph slider. He’s a good athlete who ran the 60-yard dash in 6.6 seconds.
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: loose arm with pure arm strength, a couple out of zone readings at 97, mostly 90-94, fb true, at times sink and arm side run, leg lift and balance needs work, slider or cut fb was solid 84-87, again he needs some work with mechanics, but very good arm to follow for 2010. Top Georgia guy for me.
8-19: Jeff Sullivan from the AFLAC Games: - To me, the next group of five right handers is relatively close at this point. It will be very interesting to see who separates themselves in the upcoming year as they all have first round arms. Smelter was the most impressive to me, striking out the side in the 8th inning. He made easy work of phenom Bryce Harper, Krey Bratsen, and Austin Wilson. His fastball ran up to 95 and sat in the low to mid 90’s the entire inning. His splitter was also very impressive, and this one could be a great one!
9-5: from Jonathan Mayo’s 8-26 article on www.minors.mlbblogs.com: - was up to 94-95 mph and was aggressive, going right after hitters.
9-7: From www.perfectgame.com on the AFLAC games: - I saw the sleeve in warmups and boy that bothered me, just like it did with Harper this summer. Deandre had better movement on his pitches in the game and a better calm to his delivery. He learns quickly and he wants a shot at pro ball. For a 3 sport talent, heck he would play more if he had the time, LOL, lots of upside left in this young man. Bob Gibson made a comment to me that Deandre could be one of the top ML arms in 3-4 years if he keeps improving as he has done.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #37 - DeAndre Smelter (20th RHP on list)
11-2 from www.thehardballtimes.com: - DeAndre Smelter, RHP, 2010, Macon Ga., Canes
Smelter is an amazing physical presence; his listing of 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds does not do him justice—he looks more like a University of Georgia linebacker than a Georgia high school pitching prospect. So no big surprise that he’s also a bigtime football recruit, which may make him a difficult sign.
Smelter had the best fastball velocity I saw. Nothing came in lower than 91, and he was consistently sitting 93-94, touching 95 twice. I was told he hit 97 in an earlier outing. The fastball isn’t so movement-heavy, though, and while he wasn’t erratic, he was so-so hitting spots. All he has right now to complement it is a low 80s slider. It’s tight, but low movement (in other words, not the loopy version you see often at this level, but there isn’t enough horizontal or vertical break to it). He got the slider over consistently, however.
I’m not so thrilled with Smelter mechanically. He doesn’t strike me as a big injury-risk, because he’s not so jerky or max-effort. He flies open a bit, which he compensates for with adept glove-hand work, but sometimes his hips open early and the arm gets behind. His arm action is a bit long as well, which can contribute to the problems. The concerns here are that the momentum is going to the wrong places at times in his delivery, which can make command a big issue. Also, his arm slot and action had one observer questioning if he’ll ever be able to develop above-average offspeed offerings.
With a body built more for sprints than marathons and not much after a fastball, Smelter may be a guy who winds up in the pen. Right now, his main weapon is his fastball velocity, but A) That’s a damn important weapon, and B) That velocity is near the top of the charts for his class. In an average year, he probably falls between late first and early second rounds. His spring performance and his signability have the potential to push that in either direction.
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: - 10- RHP DeAndre Smelter (7th RHP on list)
11-17 from www.mlbdraft.blogspot.com: - 16. Chicago Cubs- DeAndre Smelter, RHP, Tattnall Square Academy(GA) - Smelter is a great athlete. The Cubs have been known to love athletes. Smelter mixes his pitches very well, while hiding the ball effectively. He still has yet to tap into his full potential as a pitcher, and when he does he could sneak his way even higher into the first round. (9th RHP picked)
11-18 from www.macksmets.blogspot.com: - 11. RHP DeAndre Smelter – was a big hit in the AFLAC games which raises his value above many of the kids sitting at home this summer. (5th RHP on list)
11-20 from www.draftamerica.com: - 14. Milwaukee -- DeAndre Smelter, RHP, Tatnall Square Academy. MIL doesn't shy away from high schoolers, and Smelter's split-finger and solid feel for pitching could put him in the mid-first round. (7th RHP on list)
11-23 from www.deepleagues.com: - #25 - St. Louis Cardinals DeAndre Smelter (P, Macon, Georgia) (13th RHP on list)
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - 9.DeAndre Smelter
12-15 from www.5tooltalk.com: Mock Draft – 1st round: - 7 Mets Deandre Smelter RHP High School
2010 MLB DRAFT MOCK DRAFT- 12/31/09 – www.jjscouting.com - 16. Chicago Cubs- DeAndre Smelter, RHP, Tattnall Square Academy(GA) - Smelter is a great athlete. The Cubs have been known to love athletes. Smelter mixes his pitches very well, while hiding the ball effectively. He still has yet to tap into his full potential as a pitcher, and when he does he could sneak his way even higher into the first round.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #14 Milwaukee DeAndre Smelter RHP Tattnall Square, Ga. 6'3" 215 R,R
5-31 from: - http://www.deepleagues.com/?p=1733 - Scouts are split on Smelter, whose draft position ranges from the upper levels of the first round to not listed. Smelter is an impressive athlete with a fastball ranging from 92-94. He also offers an extremely good splitter. He plays both ways in high school, but his future is as a pitcher. Interestingly, Smelter has received a great deal of coaching from ex-major league Kevin Brown, who returned to Macon after his retirement.
23. Mike Foltynewicz – Minooka HS (IL) – fastball sits at 90-92… mid 70s curve…
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com – mock drafted 172nd
3-24 from: http://pnrscouting.com/articles_stockwatch_2010class_10onthrerise_03232010.html - Stock Watch: Ten on the Rise (2010 Draft Class) - Mike Foltynewicz, RHP, Minooka Community HS (Ill.) (#173 on PnR Preseason Top 300): Folty was one of the more impressive arms I saw down in Jupiter last October, showing low-90s velocity on his fastball with some arm-side life and a pair of impressive secondary offerings. His mid-70s curve is a potential power breaking ball with tight hard bite when he's snapping it well, and his change-up turns nicely and comes with both depth and fade. He also throws a slightly faster, small and tight breaking ball that could be a slider or a cutter, though his curve was much more prevalent. Reports this spring have his velocity creeping up to the 94/95 mph range and a little more consistent shape in his breaking ball -- should this trend continue the 6'5/200 lbs Texas commit could easily move into Top 100 consideration, with his ultimate slotting dependent on the strength of his commitment to the Longhorns.
3-27 from: - http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - Mike Foltynewicz, RHP, Minooka Community HS (IL)- Scouts are starting to drool over the raw stuff that “Folty” is putting up, as he has consistently improved velocity and breaking stuff over the last two years, making him a real draft prospect after being a fringe draft prospect before last summer. He absolutely exploded after Perfect Game’s Indoor Pitching/Catching Showcase in Iowa late last month, and a lot of scouts will be hot on the trail when the weather heats up in Illinois. However, he’s still raw, and I’d like to see him consistently show that plus stuff before he moves up.
4-5 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=1751004502 - RHP Mike Foltynewicz we moved into early round position (#20) after seeing him during the off season. Oddly enough it was at the same exact event that Odorizzi made a giant leap while in high school. It’s really great when you see a talented kid, you’ve been following for a long time, step it up the way he has. They went from being a very good draft prospect to becoming one of the best.
4-17 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/17/1426860/interesting-high-school-pitchers-a - Mike Foltynewicz, RHP, Minooka Community HS (Illinois) - A cold-weather high school arm, Foltynewicz is listed in various sources at 6-4, 190 and 6-5, 200; I'm assuming that the smaller size is from last year and that he's grown this spring. A University of Texas signee, he's another prep with a 90-94 heater topping out at 95. His curve and change are better than most cold-weather kids. Depending on what happens this spring, he could get into the supplemental or early second round, and such a position may be necessary to keep him away from the Longhorns.
4-19 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=4361060202&p=4 - Add Mike Foltynewicz, 6'4 plus and touching 200 lbs soaking wet, room to fill out, ala, Roy Halladay when he was in HS in Colorado. Mike is lean and has a quick arm with a short arm swing, fastball vs Oswego East was 91 consistently with loud pop when down in the zone, hit 97 on a few guns several times. Committment to U of Texas isn't going to scare clubs off after this performance, he was in the zone and has good downward tilt on his pitches and loves being out there. Definite top 50 which would put him in the first round including compensation picks, but my guess is he'll probably go in top 30 picks, last factor would be signability, which I don't see as a problem for a club who will bring him along slowly, but in 3-4 years he could explode, just as Porcello did with the Tigers.
24. Cameron Bedrosian – East Coweta HS (GA.) – son of Steve Bedrosian… low-90’s fastball… big breaking ball… hard power curve is a serious out pitch… also has changeup… reported a real strike thrower…
7-21: Fr. http://baseballdraftreport.com: - I personally loved what I saw on video of Cam Bedrosian
8-3 fr. www.baseballamerica.com: Cameron has a four-pitch arsenal: A running 92-94 mph fastball that touches 96, a sharp 84-86 slider, an 80-82 changeup and a 74-78 curveball. He's also working on a two-seam fastball. "He's probably going to throw a plus-plus fastball down the stretch, and I think his slider has potential to be a lights-out pitch. His changeup has a chance to be a little bit above-average," the AL scout said.
8-17 from www.baseballamerica.com re: AFLAC games - Cameron Bedrosian (East Coweta HS, Senoia, Ga.) is shorter and more compact than his dad. Bedrosian struggled with his command, but still displayed a 92-93 mph fastball, 79 mph change, 75 mph curve and an excellent 88 mph spiltter.
8-19: Jeff Sullivan from the AFLAC Games: - Bedrosian had a busy inning in the first, allowing two runs after allowing a single and walk, but also showed his plus stuff. His curveball is outstanding, and it made Bryce Harper look foolish. He also got power hitter Kris Bryant to strike out on the curve.
9-5: from Jonathan Mayo’s 8-26 article on www.minors.mlbblogs.com: - looked ok, but a little nervous.
9-7: From www.perfectgame.com on the AFLAC games: - 6'+ 195, solid build and know how with some upside still left and potential to grow another inch or two in the next 3-4 years. Nice spin and tilt on the breaking ball and a bulldog mentality. He never lost his cool even with the errant wild pitch. Definite top 25 HS players for 2010.
9-16: From www.baseballamerica.com : - High School Top 25 draft prospects: 21. Cameron Bedrosian, rhp
9-24: From: http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: Mock Draft Version 1.0 – 22nd pick overall Cameron Bedrosian, RHP - East Coweta HS (GA)
9-28: From http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: - Mock Draft Version 2 - #19 pick overall - Cameron Bedrosian, RHP - East Coweta HS (GA) - It is no secret to anyone that I thought the Jack Zduriencik signing to become the GM in Seattle was the best off-season move for the Mariners last year. Zduriencik revived the Brewers organization and is doing the same in Seattle. He continues to stockpile young talent and this prep righty has a high ceiling. He is the son of former major league pitcher and Cy Young Winner Steve Bedrosian so his baseball background is solid.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #16 – Cameron Bedrosian (9th RHP on list)
10-6 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com: - RHP Cameron Bedrosian - Undersized righthander with a hot fastball and an excellent curve with big league bloodlines? If it hasn’t been made before, I’m happy to be the first to throw out the Kyle Drabek/Cameron Bedrosian comparison.
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: -19- RHP Cameron Bedrosian (9th RHP on list)
11-3 from www.mlbresource.com: 3rd Mock draft – #30 - Cameron Bedrosian, RHP - East Coweta (GA) - Bedrosian gives the Angels a nice young arm that will be added to an already loaded farm system. Bedrosian has a nice baseball pedigree with his father being a former big league pitcher but Cameron is here regardless of what his father accomplished. (11th RHP on list)
11-17 from www.mlbdraft.blogspot.com: - 20. Atlanta Braves- Cameron Bedrosian, RHP, East Coweta HS(GA) - The Braves love the local pick, and Bedrosian could be their guy. He has been around the game for a while, as he is the son of Cy Young Award Winner Steve Bedrosian. Bedrosian has a solid fastball, and a breaking ball that made even Bryce Harper look foolish in the AFLAC game. (10th RHP picked)
11-18 from www.macksmets.blogspot.com: - 21. RHP Cameron Bedrosian – everyone loves the pedigree of this prep star… killer fastball. (12th RHP on list)
11-23 from www.deepleagues.com: #20 - Atlanta Braves Cameron Bedrosian (P, Coweta, GA)(9th RHP on list)
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - 3.Cam Bedrosian
2010 MLB DRAFT MOCK DRAFT- 12/31/09 – www.jjscouting.com - 20. Boston Red Sox- Cameron Bedrosian, RHP, East Coweta HS(GA)- The Red Sox acquired this pick with the Braves signing Billy Wagner. Bedrosian has been around the game for a while, as he is the son of Cy Young Award Winner Steve Bedrosian. Bedrosian has a solid fastball, and a breaking ball that made even Bryce Harper look foolish in the AFLAC game.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #42 Cameron Bedrosian RHP East Coweta HS, Ga. 6'0" 195 R,R
1-15-0 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - 32. New York Yankees – Cameron Bedrosian, RHP, East Coweta HS (GA) – The Yankees have typically liked their raw talent guys early in the draft over the past number of years. Bedrosian isn’t an excellent fit into that mold, but the bloodlines carry a lot of weight. He could easily sneak himself into first-round consideration, and with a price tag that’s supposed to be fairly reasonable (despite an LSU commitment), Bedrosian could offer solid upside while leaving budget room beyond this pick. It’s just an early thought before the spring season starts. Previously: NR.
1-15-9 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - #15 Texas Rangers: RHSP Cam Bedrosian – East Coweta HS (GA) - I only quote myself because I know 95% of readers only come to check out the mock drafts anyway: I’ll willingly admit I like Bedrosian more than most talent evaluators do a the moment. One of the reasons I think I like him more than others is simple – short righties don’t scare me. I know I’ve made the Bedrosian/Kyle Drabek comparison before, and I’m happy to mention again in print here. Bedrosian’s 6-0, 195 pound frame doesn’t bother me much at all because it is compact and muscular in all the right places, most notably the legs. His arm action is a thing of beauty with a consistent landing spot and a very smooth, repeatable delivery. Bedrosian’s fastball is a potential plus big league offering, already sitting 90-93 and hitting 95-96, and his curve is on the very short list of the very best high school secondary pitches I’ve had the pleasure of watching. Beyond those two plus/potential plus pitches, Bedrosian can mix in a mid-70s CU and a really exciting high-80s splitter that could grow into a big league strikeout pitch in time. Power stuff (FB, hard CB, SF) combined with at least the occasional appearance of that changeup makes Bedrosian a rare bird among young pitchers. I’m often quick to dismiss bloodlines as a reason for liking one prospect over another, but Bedrosian’s cerebral approach to pitching has pretty clearly been influenced by having a former professional ballplayer as a father.
Drabek had the off the field issues to contend with, but it makes me a little concerned that I have Bedrosian, a wonderful prospect but one with a lesser grade than Drabek at similar points in their development, going higher than Drabek did in his draft year. This one may be a case of letting my own personal take get in the way of making the most accurate mock possible. Oh well, I love this guy. I think he makes some sense for the Rangers here as they continue to build up their young pitching stockpile. In some ways a pick like this is reminiscent of the Michael Main selection in 2007. In other ways, it so totally isn’t. Yeah, think about that one for a while. It’s like a paradox wrapped in poor grammar wrapped by questionable syntax wrapped in a vest.
1-15-9 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - #23 Florida Marlins: RHSP Deandre Smelter – Tattnall County HS (GA) - It would be easy to lose track of a player like Smelter in the midst of so many other similarly talented prep righties, but that would be a mistake. Smelter can do just about everything you want to see out of a young pitching prospect. His fastball sits 89-93 MPH with a peak velocity of 97. I’ve seen that peak a lot lower in some places, but I trust the number. Of course, and this is huge, always remember that high school peak velocities almost always come from one inning relief showcase outings. It goes without saying that the 97 wouldn’t hold up as a starter, but nobody does that anyway. Tangent aside, let’s just settle on the fact that Smelter has a strong enough present fastball that he’s actually been criticized for being too reliant on it at times. When he isn’t just blowing it by hitters, he throws an excellent splitter (82-84 MPH) that could be a big league out pitch in time. To go a step further, I’d go out on the limb and say that Smelter’s splitter has the potential to be one of the signature pitches of this year’s draft class; it reminds me a little bit of the split Kevin Brown used to throw to lefties. His repertoire also features a low-80s changeup and a high-70s slider. The slider is currently the better pitch, but it needs serious tightening up going forward.
He is a legitimate three sport high school star (baseball, football, and basketball), a fact that is readily apparent the first time you see him pitch. It’s clear just from watching him that his overall athleticism is off the charts, but it’s just as clear that his delivery and arm action are all kinds of raw. His herky jerky delivery will almost certainly need some polish as a professional. And, yes, herky jerky is the professional term, thankyouverymuch. Anyway, since I’m not an expert on pitching mechanics in the least, here’s my basic theory on what I personally look for out of a pitcher’s throwing motion, reprinted from the first mock I did last year:
A pet scouting theory on mechanics of mine can be summed up like this: The most direct path to smooth, consistent, and repeatable delivery is through outstanding athleticism. Anecdotally, it seems that plus athletes tend to “figure things out” mechanically more often than other pitchers. It could be an offshoot of the great size debate – again, anecdotally it seems pitchers in the 6-0 to 6-3 range tend to be more athletic than the larger, “classic” pitcher’s frame guys (pitchers 6-4 and up). The scouting bias against short pitchers, righthanders especially, has turned them into a valued underappreciated commodity. It’s more than just that, however; these shorter pitchers, once more anecdotally, seem to have better control of their more athletic bodies, and thus smoother, easier to repeat deliveries. Smooth, easy to repeat deliveries lead not only to cleaner injury records but also increased velocity.
Just a pet theory, nothing more. Honestly, my knowledge of pitching mechanics isn’t really at the level where I should be coming up with any half-baked theories. All I look for (or, more honestly, all I really know how to look for) in a young pitcher is repeatability. Even if the motion looks weird and, in some extreme cases, painful, the question I always come back to is can he repeat it every time? If he can, sign him up. If not, back to the drawing board.
So there you have it. Herky jerky delivery or not, Smelter’s outstanding athleticism gives him a better than average chance at figuring things out as a professional. So says me, anyway.
1-30-10: - named to the Louisville Slugger 2010 Pre-Season High School All-America Team
4-17 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/17/1426860/interesting-high-school-pitchers-a - Cam Bedrosian, RHP, East Coweta HS, Senioa, Georgia - Son of former major leaguer Steve Bedrosian, so he has good bloodlines. Not a big guy at 6-0, 195, but he's fairly athletic and has a live arm, hitting 95 MPH on his best days. Curveball is erratic-but-promising, and he has a decent feel for pitching for his age, not surprising given his background. Would be an attractive target for a number of teams in the supplemental or early second round. Andy Seiler has him going to the Braves at Number 35 in his latest Mock Draft, and that seems like a good bet. Louisiana State commitment but should be signable.
5-16 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com - Cam Bedrosian, East Coweta High School, RHP - Bedrosian works primarily with two pitches, a 92-94 mph fastball that will flash a little better and a tight, two-plane curveball from 76-79 mph that was his go-to pitch in Friday's playoff game. He does throw a mid0s slider and a change up up to 80 mph but rarely uses either pitch, going to the curve in any count and against both left- and right-handed hitters. He's not as advanced as the [Karsten] Whitson-[Dylan] Covey class of prep arms, and doesn't have the projection of [Aaron] Sanchez or [AJ] Cole, but he fits well in the group after the first half-dozen high school right-handers.
25. Peter Tago – Dana Hills HS (CA) - fastball sits at 91-93… needs to beef up… 6-2, 180 - same high school as Tanner Scheppers… smooth arm and very fluid… fastball sits 88-92… mid-to-high curve is a 1-7….
9-5: from Jonathan Mayo’s 8-26 article on www.minors.mlbblogs.com: - Keep an eye on Peter Tago. The boxscore doesn't look pretty, but some scouts liked his arm action. He was up to 94 mph and threw a slider at 82 mph that has the chance to be a good pitch.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #26 – Peter Tago (15th RHP on list)
1-30-10: - named to the Louisville Slugger 2010 Pre-Season High School All-America Team
4-19 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/category/2010-draft - Peter Tago pitches at 94-95 when he’s on, unlocking smooth and explosive mechanics from a loose arm that has allowed him to hit 97. His curveball projects as another weapon, 76-79, with the potential for future power. There’s a slider here, 73-74, with late sweeping action, as well as a change-up he hasn’t thrown very much this spring. Put it all together and this is a potential four-pitch major league right-handed starter with stamina, durability, command and control.
5-5 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/05/05/peter-tago-update - As a minor league pro in the likely not-so-distant future, we’re going to see this guy start to pitch with his change-up and his slider a lot more. Those looks are going to be much cleaner looks than this one, because he’s going to be able to throw everything, and he’ll let loose whatever velocity he holds back in high school baseball. Over time, Tago will need to continue to develop some of the little things you can see him paying attention to right now, things such as pitching from the stretch and perfecting his slide step. In the second inning, Tago averaged 93 and hit 94 four times, including one sequence where he went 93, 94, 94, 93, 92 and 94. His final pitch of the inning was a hard 75 breaking ball. Tago’s true curveball is so sharp that some call it a slider, but Tago himself said he distinguishes between the two pitches and has preferred the curveball recently.
5-30 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com - -I'm not as bullish on Peter Tago as others seem to be, and I'm not sure why. To me, he smacks of an old school projection pick, the type of pitcher that used to bust so often, which led to the revolt against high school arms by a lot of the educated public. He works with a 90-93 mph fastball and a potential plus curve that he spins well, but his command of that curve is below-average, and he lacks a changeup. I don't believe throwing a large number of changeups is necessary to be a good high school prospect, but I'd like to know he at least has somewhat of a feel for it before I project him as anything more than a number three starter, which is my projection for him. I gave him a 1C2 grade, meaning I think he'll go in the top three rounds, has a ceiling as a mid-rotation pitcher, and he has a 20 percent chance of reaching that ceiling. That may seem like a bad grade, but that's fairly normal for the type of pitcher that Tago is.
26. Addison Reed – San Diego State – junior… 2009: 25 appearances, 0.65, 20-Sv… named the 2009 NCBWA Stopper Of The Year…
12-13: from www.collegebaseballblog.com: named the 38th top college player for the 2010 season
12-20: named to 1st team All-American 2010 NCBWA squad
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com – mock drafted 71st
2-11 from Aman Reaka – www.thecollegebaseballblog.com: - 100. Addison Reed – San Diego State, RHP - 3 pitch guy, low 90’s FB, above avg. FB/slider/CH, stud closer
3-13 from http://myworldofbaseball.com/wordpress/?m=201003 - In his opening start against Oklahoma, Reed was not effective, giving up four runs in just four plus innings. And while he struck out six, he also walked four to take the loss. The Aztecs saved Reed to pitch their opener against crosstown rival University of San Diego and Reed was dominant. He threw nine innings, struck out 11 and only gave up two runs on four hits. He won his second straight start against Kentucky, going six innings and giving up two runs. It wasn’t a stellar effort, but it was a victory. On Thursday, Reed won his third game, retiring the first 15 hitters he faced and giving up only one hit in his seven innings of work against UAB. Addison Reed left after the seventh inning with an 8-0 lead, but UAB almost pulled it out falling just short 8-7 in the Aztecs opening round game in their invitational. Reed is now 3-1 with a 2.36 ERA, limiting the opposition to a .167 average and striking out 30 hitters in 26 plus innings.
4-21 from: - http://myworldofbaseball.com/wordpress/?m=201004 - The Aztecs played a crucial three game series against Utah in a Mountainwest Conference tournament. Addison Reed was the pitcher that closed for Stephen Strasburg and other Aztec starters. Last year he pitched in relief, leading the nation with 20 saves and winning a spot on the first team of the Mountain West Conference as a relief pitcher. He was one of the few pitchers in the nation who didn’t have to take a back seat to Strasburg. His ERA was a sterling 0.65. This year Tony Gwynn put Reed in the starting rotation. He was on a role to start the season until a broken pinkie finger put him out of commission for four weeks. Reed did not disappoint upon his return, pitchiing seven innings and striking out 11 in the Aztecs 8-6 win over Utah. He improved his record to 5-1. Reed gave up only four runs, but only two of them earned, both solo homeruns, one in the first and the other in the second inning
4-21 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/21/1435316/interesting-college-pitchers-for - RHP, San Diego State University - The 6-3, 215 pounder is having a fine season for San Diego State, with a 2.68 ERA and a 47/8 K/BB in 40 innings, with 28 hits allowed. He was a closer last year but moved into the rotation this spring and doesn't throw quite as hard now, 90-92 rather than 92-95 as a reliever. However, his secondary pitches (a slider and changeup) have improved with more use, and his control is excellent. He hasn't received quite as much attention as some of the other college guys, but could get into the later part of the first round and certainly the supplemental round.
5-2 from: - http://myworldofbaseball.com/wordpress/?m=201005 - Last year Addison Reed was the pitcher that came in to close the games that Stephen Strasburg started. Strasburg got all the buzz but Reed picked up all the saves, leading the nation with 20. This year it is Reed who is getting all the Aztec victories and if it wasn’t for a broken pinkie finger that forced him to miss four weeks of the season his numbers could be compared against any of those being considered for the top pick in the upcoming major league draft. Reed was dominant again, improving his record to 7-1 with eight shutout innings against New Mexico in their 11-0 win. Reed struck out nine and walked just one in eight innings of work. His season tally so far is 7-1, 1.88 with a 9/68 walk to K ratio in 57 innings. Opponents are only hitting .176 against him.
5-29 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/05/29/addison-reed-report - PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Broad shoulders, strong hips, thighs and torso, long and loose arms. Durable yet limber build. STRENGTHS: Big physical workhorse who creates deception and repeats delivery. Strike thrower with all pitches. Competes and pounds the bottom of the strike zone. Uses both sides of the plate. FB 90-93 and has been 96 as a closer. Probable closer in pro ball. Slider 81-82, has tilt and consistency. Change-up at 82 effective. Above-average command. WEAKNESSES: Struggled in some starts as a starter learning to stretch himself out. Never afraid to pitch with his fastball even without his maximum power. Medical history with knees in college baseball. Had surgery prior to sophomore season and stayed home last season to rehab. Also had pin put in broken pinkie finger. SUMMARY: Mature mound presence who could most fast as a pro closer. Chance to be dominant FB-SL closer. Competitive, repetitive, consistent gamer. OFP higher if a closer, FB can go from 6 to 7 or 8 in short looks. GRADES (Present/Future): Fastball 50/60 Changeup 50/50 Slider 50/50 Command 50/50 Control 50/50 Overall Future Potential: 52
27. Justin Grimm - Georgia… 6-4, 193… drafted in 13 round by Red Sox in 2007… excellent velocity… fastball hits 96… 4-4, 41.5 in 2009.
7/07 from www.projectprospect.com: - Georgia right hander Justin Grimm has a plus fastball, sitting 93-96 mph, but must improve his command and off speed offerings….
7-21: 2010 MLB Mock Draft - 2nd Edition - July 21, 2009 by Scouting The Sports http://scoutingthesports.com/?p=3632 - 9. Cincinnati Reds - Justin Grimm Pitcher Georgia - -At just a hair over 6′4, Grimm has the prototypical body you want in an overpowering pitcher. After struggling in his freshman year, Grimm really turned things around in his sophomore year, working on commanding his 96 mph, while also flashing an improved curveball that kept hitters off balance. This past season, Grimm finally learned to control his fastball. For a college guy, Grimm still has lots of room to grow and, ,even out of school, will need a few years in the system. Look for a team like Cincinnati to draft him that is waiting to leave him in their system for a few years.
8-4: named the Cape Code Pitcher of the Week
9-16: From www.baseballamrica.com : - College Top 25 draft prospects: - 23. Justin Grimm, rhp Georgia
9-24: From: http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: Mock Draft Version 1.0 – 27th pick overall - Justin Grimm, RHP - Georgia
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #29 - Justin Grimm (18th RHP on list)
12-2 from www.collegebaseballblog.com: - named the 49th top college ballplayer for the 2010 season.
12-15 from www.5tooltalk.com: Mock Draft – 1st round: - 14 Brewers Justin Grimm RHP NCAA
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #38 Toronto (failure to sign James Paxton) Justin Grimm RHP University of Georgia 6'4" 170 R,R
3-10 from XMLBScout/perfectgame.com: - Also got glimpse of Florida St & Florida over the weekend and didn't see anyone that I would classify as top 3-4 rounds off those two clubs. I did not get to see Jon Gast. I did get to see Justin Grimm, RHP for U of Georgia vs FSU, he showed plus velocity but very straight hittable fastball 91-93, topped 94-95 a few times, breaking ball was flat, hit lots of bats in his few innings.
4-7 from: http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/2010-draft-preview-matt-harvey-rising-kyle-blair-falling/#more - Justin Grimm, Georgia, RHP: While his fastball still has a lot of life on it, he continues to struggle with command and/or develop secondary pitches. As other college arms continue to improve, he stays status quo, at best.
4-13 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=4361060202 - I did get to see Justin Grimm, RHP for U of Georgia vs FSU, he showed plus velocity but very straight hittable fastball 91-93, topped 94-95 a few times, breaking ball was flat, hit lots of bats in his few innings
4-19 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/19/1431302/interesting-college-pitchers-for - Justin Grimm, RHP, University of Georgia - Grimm's college numbers for the Bulldogs don't look good: he's got a 5.10 ERA with a 45/22 K/BB in 48 innings, with 49 hits allowed. However, that's not bad for the context: the team ERA is 8.67, and the combined ERA in Georgia games is 6.82. His component ratios are actually above average for his environment. Grimm is 6-4, 195 pounds, an ideal build for a right-handed pitcher, not too big and not too small. Clocked as high as 95 MPH in the Cape Cod League, he's been more erratic this spring and has command issues with his breaking stuff, but his raw potential is clear. He is a good candidate for late in the first round or in the supplemental round.
28. Seth Blair – Arizona State – 6-2, 190… posted 1.55 ERA in 2008 Cape Cod league… 2009 at ASU: 7-2, 3.16… fastball 88-92, touches 95… average slider… BA ranks as 41st top sophomore in 2009…
8-2: from 6-16 article www.sportsillustrated.cnn.com: An Illinois native, Blair pitched well in the Cape Cod League last summer, posting a 1.55 ERA to save a difficult freshman season. He carried that confidence over this spring to Arizona State, going 7-2 with a 3.16 ERA as the Sun Devils' No. 3 starter. He has average velocity on his fastball, in the 88-92 mph range, and has touched 95 at times thanks to a quick arm. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder also has a second average-to-plus pitch in his slider.
9-24: From: http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: Mock Draft Version 1.0 – 16th pick overall - Seth Blair, RHP - Arizona State
9-28: From http://mlbresource.blogspot.com: - Mock Draft Version 2 - #12 pick overall - Seth Blair, RHP - Arizona State - Oakland loves college talent as proven by their previous first round selections. Why mess with success as Oakland as one of the best farm systems in the game and scouting director Eric Kubota leads that charge. Blair is a quality right-hander that comes from a winning program and would be a perfect fit for the A's.
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: - 38- RHP Seth Blair (14th RHP on list)
11-3 from www.mlbresource.com: 3rd Mock draft – #24 - Seth Blair, RHP - Arizona State - Blair like Mike Leake from Arizona State last year is a winner. He has that how-to factor. I like Blair a lot and I believe any organization that gets him is getting someone that will win a ton of games in the big leagues. (9th RHP on list)
11-9 from www.mlbresource.com: - Seth Blair, RHP Arizona State - Being touted as this year’s Mike Leake with a plus fastball that simply knows how to win.
11-18 from www.macksmets.blogspot.com: - 31. RHP Seth Blair – (14th RHP on list)
11-23 from www.deepleagues.com: - #30 - LA Angels Seth Blair (P, Arizona State) (16th RHP on list)
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #44 Seth Blair RHP Arizona State University 6'2" 190 R,R
3-4 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com - Threw 98 early in the year, but has since settled in as a 90-94 guy who might flash 95 or 96 once or twice a game. He's a fastball-slider-changeup guy in pro ball who might use the curveball as a "show-me" pitch. He throws from a 3/4 slot and his hand travels a long way from separation to release, with his pitching elbow going just above his shoulder before he pronates it. Cince he's not a big, physical kid, there will probably be teams that view him as a reliever in the long term.
5-28 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/05/28/seth-blair-report - PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Big body, durable frame, thick trunk, large hips and thighs. STRENGTHS: FB 89-94, averages 90-91, pitches with above-average command to both sides with above-average movement. Throws cutter variation. Knuckle-curve 78-81, trick pitch, above-average rotation and bite, deceptive power, doesn’t throw often against metal. Slider 78-81 (79) lacks power but has shape. Change-up 80-82 (80), average movement and command. Averge overall command and control. WEAKNESSES: Did not see put-away pro breaking ball. Uses FB as primary out pitch, likes to sink the baseball. Sometimes overthrows and loses front side. Shows sweeping arm action on CH, tips pitch. SUMMARY: Up-tempo attack artist with fastball. Influenced by Leake. Not afraid to pitch to contact. Should have arm power and aptitude to either bring knuckle-curve in more against wood or work on tightening up slider – not a factor that would make me not want to draft him. CH should become third pro pitch. Broad shoulders and chest, a workhorse warrior. Should be a solid pro. GRADES (Present/Future): Fastball 55/55 Curveball 50/50 Slider 40/50 Change 40/50 Control 50/50 Command 50/50 Overall Future Potential: 54
29. Chance Ruffin – Texas – 6-1, 190
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: solid pitcher, good control, command of off speed stuff is solid, fb velo is 88-90 mostly will touch 92-93 on occasion, doesn't need to overpower hitters with sinking fb, he's effective to be a #4 man in the ML.
12-20 from www.thecollegebaseballblog.com – voyed to the 2010 MCBWA 1st team all-american squad
3-24 from: http://pnrscouting.com/articles_stockwatch_2010class_10onthrerise_03232010.html - Stock Watch: Ten on the Rise (2010 Draft Class) - Chance Ruffin, RHP, Univ. of Texas (Not Ranked on PnR Preseason Top 300): Ruffin was left off of the PnR Preseason Top 300, in large part due to some questions as to why he was being shifted to the pen and how he would handle the transition. Over 13 G and 22 IP, the Texas closer has made those questions appear (to be kind) overly conservative, carving-up the competition to the tune of 28 SO, 5 BB, 9 H and just 1 ER. A lively low-90s fastball, two average or better breaking balls and a solid change-up have combined to keep hitters off balance, and have made Ruffin one of the top relief arms in the nation. He can still get into some trouble up in the zone, and was hit hard a couple of times up there at the Houston College Classic, but it's tough to argue with these results. Further, his presence on the mound has oozed confidence and poise, fitting perfectly into a late-inning role. Barring some sort of collapse over the next couple of months, Ruffin should be one of the first relief arms off the board, and could end-up as high as a supp-1st round selection for a team with an extra pick or two.
4-30 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/30/1451211/casing-the-states-texas-part-four#storyjump - Ruffin came to Texas as a solid depth arm out of Lake Travis High School, and he was expected to be a solid contributor, though his pro prospects weren't great, as he lacked projectable size and a big arm. However, Ruffin was a contributor right out of the gate, and his pro prospects have steadily grown over the last three seasons. After working as a starter for most of his appearances through his first two years, Ruffin lost a starting job to the solid trio of Taylor Jungmann, Cole Green, and Brandon Workman, but scouts became intrigued with his potential in the bullpen as the closer of the best team in the nation. After being considered a depth arm for the pros as a starter, he's now worked himself into first day consideration as a reliever. Working with a 91-94 mph fastball and above-average slider, he has mowed down hitters working multiple innings in relief, showing a resilient arm. Those two pitches make him a late-inning bullpen candidate, though there is disagreement on whether he's a future closer or set-up man. Teams have had plenty of opportunities to see him, but with a good run through the end of the season, Ruffin could continue to climb. Projected Draft Range: Supplemental 1st - Early 3rd Round
5-24 from: - http://www.big12sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=106091&SPID=13131&DB_OEM_ID=10410&ATCLID=204950431 - Chance Ruffin (Texas) earned the Pitcher of the Week accolade for games of May 17-23. - Chance Ruffin, Texas, RHP, Jr., 6-1, 195, Austin, Texas/Lake Travis - Ruffin struck out eight of the 12 batters he faced in 3.2 innings over the weekend, as the Longhorns went 3-0 against Missouri for their sixth Big 12 series sweep of the year. In Friday’s contest, the junior right-handed pitcher fanned six of the seven batters he faced and allowed just one hit in 2.0 innings of work to get his 13th save of the season. The Austin, Texas-native earned the win on Saturday, retiring two of the five batters he faced in 1.2 innings.
30. Dan Klein – U Cal /LA
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 273rd
4-17 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/2010-mlb-draft-preview-moving-up-moving-down - Dan Klein, UCLA, RHP: Klein was not on anyone's radar going into the 2010 season after red-shirting his sophomore year and throwing only 17 innings his freshman year, but the draft eligible sophomore has been splendid as UCLA's closer and is gaining plenty of attention. With a low-90s closer, he's getting comparisons to (Nationals #10 pick in 2010) Drew Storen as a quick-to-the-majors closer.
4-20 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/20/1433135/interesting-college-pitchers-for - RHP, UCLA - Closing for the UCLA Bruins, Klein has a 0.36 ERA with a 35/7 K/BB and just 15 hits allowed in 25 innings, collecting seven saves. The 6-3, 190 pounder features a 92-95 MPH fastball, a hard curve, and a better changeup than most college closers offer. Shoulder injuries hampered his freshman and sophomore seasons, but he seems healthy now, throws strikes, is blowing away college competition, and represents a reasonably safe investment, in the sense of being a guy who could contribute fairly quickly and shouldn't need a huge amount of development time. I don't see him as a first rounder, but he could get into the supplemental round for a team that has multiple picks.
31. Drew Cisco – Wando HS (SC) – 6-1, 185 – verbally committed to Georgia
PGCrossChecker.com has Cisco ranked #1 prospect in SC high school, ad 177th in the nation
7-29: From: www.baseballfactory.com: - Cisco has a simple and smooth delivery, allowing him to pound the strike zone with an effective three-pitch mix. His fastball ranges from 88-92 mph with occasional cut and run, which he uses to set up an above-average curveball and promising changeup
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: arm strength and aggressive on hill, topped at 91-92, top S Carolina prospect next spring.
8-15: from XMLBScout on www.perfectgame.com: seems a bit tired after a very good early summer, good bloodlines and bulldog mentality to aid in moving up the ladder in pro ball.
9-16: From www.baseballamerica.com : - High School Top 25 draft prospects: 19. Drew Cisco, rhp, Wando HS Mount Pleasant, S.C.
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - 10.Drew Cisco
32. Adam Plutko – Glendora HS (CA) – 6-3, 180 –
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: not much improvement over last summer, was upper 80's, fb very true, lacked deception in his delivery, hit many bats, breaking ball was easy to read. Definitely have to follow him in college however, loose arm.
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com – mock drafted 133rd
12-14 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - Drew Cisco (Wando HS, South Carolina) - The potential of Vanegas’s four-pitch mix (FB, CB, CU, SL) is very appealing, as is his superb fastball command and his ability to add and subtract off of the pitch. Smelter is a plus athlete with plus command and a potentially devastating 82-84 mph splitter. Cisco, like Bedrosian a player with outstanding pitching instincts and a strong background of being around the game, is the kind of player that scouts will keep finding a way to ding (fastball is a little too short, secondary stuff isn’t quite top notch quality), but will continue to get results. Or at least that’s what I think will happen this spring. Cisco’s fastball has hit 92 in the past, but sits 88-90 with the pitch. He has a curveball at 74-77 that is already an above-average pitch in addition to a low-80s CU that has above-average potential. Three potentially above-average pitches (fastball grade gets a boost due to impressive movement and pinpoint command) make Cisco one of the most professional baseball ready arms in all of high school baseball.
3-27 from: - http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - Drew Cisco, RHP, Wando HS (SC) - Cisco is simply an excellent pitcher. For being so young, he is probably one of the most polished high school pitchers to come along in awhile. He knows what he’s doing on the mound. The reason he’s not higher is that he simply lacks front-line stuff. A number of teams feel that he’s a number four starter at best, despite his plus pitchability. He could easily slide forward a bit, but I think he’s more in line for a mid-second round selection, similar to David Holmberg a year ago.
4-19 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com - Wando High School, RHP - Unlike Allie, Cisco was in complete command throughout the game and finished with a complete game win. He only needed 109 pitches to finish the game, likely a product of yielding just three hits and two walks while striking out nine batters. Perhaps most impressive was that the St. Edward hitters were only able to get four balls out of the infield all day, although one was a home run. Keep in mind, two of those hitters are major league prospects: Allie (as a hitter as well as a pitcher) and Lavisky.
4-23: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/23/1437780/25-additional-pitching-prospects - RHP, Glendora HS, Upland, California - Overshadowed by other high school pitchers, Plutko throws 88-92 MPH but should get faster as he fills out. He has a good curve but needs to improve his changeup. A UCLA commitment and his relatively rawness compared to other preps could hurt his stock, but if deemed signable he could go late in the second round or in the third.
4-28 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft - Similarly, Cisco is ahead of the curve as well. finished the season 8-0 with 63 strikeouts in just 47.1 innings pitched. And he hit .425 on the season, too. The 6-0, 205-pound righthander is solidly built with a compact delivery, but stands tall at the height of his windup. This allows him to produce good leverage and a decent downward plane despite his modest height. But it's a smooth and easy delivery. He will sit in the 89-91 range with a two seamer that has good sink and pairs that with a quick spinning curve. It's not a true 12-6 spike. And he commands both pitches well. He also shows a changeup that has the makings of a plus pitch if he needed to use it more, which has not been the case
33. Zach Lee – McKinney HS, Texas – 6-3, 190 - committed to play QB for LSU…
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: arm strength and solid control for now, should improve each year with more work needed on breaking ball command and clean up his delivery some. Will be a solid college pitcher for sure, then look out.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #25 – Zach Lee (14th RHP on list)
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #61 Cincinnati Zach Lee RHP McKinney HS, Tx. 6'3" 195 R,R
From PNR Scouting. Zach Lee: - From PNR Scouting: - RHP Lee is a two-way commit to LSU, doubling as one of the top high school pitchers and quarterbacks in the country. On the hill, he shows deception in his motion, coming across his body out of a high-three-quarters arm slot, showing an upper-80s fastball capable of touching the low-90s. He mixes in a promising breaking ball with solid spin and shows some feel for a change-up that flashes fade (though he tends to slow his arm with the pitch). He’s unrefined as a pitcher, and may have his development somewhat slowed as he splits his time between the gridiron and the diamond. If he remains committed to joining the Tigers in the fall, he’ll be an interesting player to follow, and could provide Coach Mainieri with a potential Friday starter if he’s able to continue to improve upon his secondary stuff.
4-29 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/29/1450107/casing-the-states-texas-part-three#storyjump - Zach Lee, RHP, McKinney HS, McKinney - Along with Tyrell Jenkins, mentioned in Part Two of the Texas Casing the States series, Lee has moved up as quickly as anyone in the entire state. A strong, projectable arm, Lee has taken a major step forward with his stuff and command, but it's only made the elephant in the room get bigger. That elephant is a football scholarship to be an LSU quarterback. Scholarships to LSU to play baseball are hard enough to break, but buying out an LSU quarterback might be a challenge not worth attempting. However, Lee has turned enough heads that a team might risk it given his stuff. His fastball is a plus pitch already, sitting 91-94, touching 95. He has above-average command of it, which is a pleasing new development. His breaking ball is a potential plus slider that could use some work, but he has excellent feel for it, and given his step forward in command, he's expected to master that pitch. He has some experience with a changeup, too, which is a plus, though it's rudimentary at the moment. If it weren't for the two-sport commitment, Lee's name would be popping up more for first round consideration, but as it stands, he's more likely to land on campus with anything less than a multimillion dollar bonus. Projected Draft Range: Late 1st Round - 10th Round
34. Jacob Petrika:
5-30 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com - -The rise of Jacob Petricka intrigues me, but he's also a player I'm being more conservative about grading, as he's such a pop-up prospect with only a single definitely above-average pitch. He's also going to be 22 when he's drafted, so I don't believe he's got more coming in the way of secondary stuff. My reports have him sitting 92-94, touching 97, and while he has solid command, his curveball is only on the cusp between solid-average and above-average, meaning pro hitters will sit on that heater until he proves he command the deuce. His changeup is rudimentary, and he has an injury history, having had Tommy John surgery three and a half years ago, so I gave him a 1C3 grade, which was generous due to his fastball velocity. He could settle in as a late-inning reliever if he doesn't develop well as a starter.
35. Ryne Stanek:
4-17 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/2010-mlb-draft-preview-moving-up-moving-down - Ryne Stanek, Blue Valley HS, RHP: Reports that Stanek was hitting 95-96 on his fastball may have been premature, but he's been recorded throwing 90-94 consistently and frequently. Likely a first day pick, his draft stock could still rise with a good portion of the season remaining
36. AJ Vanegas - Redwood Christian HS (CA) –
8-19: Jeff Sullivan from the AFLAC Games: - Vanegas was a pleasant surprise during the weekend. He was in the 91-92 range in the game, touching 93 and he coasted through an easy third inning. He has a good breaking ball, that will improve if he adds a little velocity to it. He struck out two in his inning. He could emerge as a top pitcher in the country and put himself in the upper class of RHP’s with a good year. Personal favorite of mine.
9-16: From www.baseballamerica.com : - High School Top 25 draft prospects: 20. A.J. Vanegas, rhp Redwood Christian HS, San Lorenzo, Calif.
9-29: From: http://www.baseballrumormill.com – AJ Vanegas improved his stock and got the USA rolling in the opening game against Aruba. Vanegas lasted just four innings, but allowed one one run on three hits and five strikeout while Team USA won 13-3.
10-5 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: 30. Los Angeles Angels – A.J. Vanegas, RHP, Redwood Christian HS (CA) – (13th RHP picked in draft) - Vanegas has good pure stuff, and he probably has one of the best breaking balls in the entire class. He didn’t have a great summer, but the talent was always on display, despite some hiccups. The biggest question I have about him is his Stanford commitment, and that could scare a lot of teams away. If he’s signable, he’s probably a late first-round or supplemental-round talent. The Angels wouldn’t mind signing this in-state prospect.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #28 – AJ Vanegas (17th RHP on list)
10-6 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com: - RHP AJ Vanegas - Vanegas may be a quick riser as a professional; prep pitchers that can throw four pitches for consistent strikes tend to move fast.
10-13 from www.mymlbdraft.com: 2010 MLB Mock Draft - #23 – (9th RHP picked) – A.J. Vanegas
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: - 37- RHP AJ Vanegas (13th RHP on list)
11-17 from www.mlbdraft.blogspot.com: - 31. Tampa Bay Rays- AJ Vanegas, RHP, Redwood Christian HS(CA) - Vanegas has some great stuff. A solid fastball, and a power curveball. He is committed to Stanford and that could come into play. If not, his talent is deserving of a late first round pick. (13th RHP picked)
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - 8.AJ Vanegas
1-30-10: - named to the Louisville Slugger 2010 Pre-Season High School All-America Team
1-7-9: Morisato's 2010 MLB Mock Draft - Version 1.0 - 32nd Overall – The New York Yankees - A.J. Vanegas (RHP), California High School - Vanegas is another quality prep arm in this draft, though he belongs in the second tier. He throws in the low 90’s, and has a pair of solid breaking pitches. He throws a solid curveball, and shows some feel for a slider. Vanegas also has a thick build which draws some comparisons to Mark Prior. Ironically, Vanegas’ delivery also reminds others of Prior because it places a lot of stress on his elbow. Vanegas will drop in this draft because of his commitment to Stanford, which is notoriously difficult to sign away players from. Still, look for the Yankees to make him an offer he can’t refuse.
2010 MLB DRAFT MOCK DRAFT- 12/31/09 – www.jjscouting.com - 31. Tampa Bay Rays- AJ Vanegas, RHP, Redwood Christian HS(CA) - Vanegas has some great stuff. A solid fastball, and a power curveball. He is committed to Stanford and that could come into play. If not, his talent is deserving of a late first round pick.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #37 A.J. Vanegas RHP Redwood Christian, Ca. 6'3" 205 R,R
1-15-0 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - 29. Los Angeles Angels – A.J. Vanegas, RHP, Redwood Christian HS (CA) – The first of back-to-back picks, I continue to see this pick making a lot of sense. I was saying the same thing about Tyler Skaggs a year ago, and he ended up in the Angels’ lap in the supplemental first round. Vanegas had an up-and-down summer, though he definitely regained his prospect status with some eye-opening fall performances. He fits well into the Angels’ development program, so this pick makes good sense if the Stanford commitment is less than the typical Stanford commitment. Previously: #30.
3-27 from: - http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - A.J. Vanegas, RHP, Redwood Christian HS (CA) - Vanegas had an up-and-down summer, but I think I oversold him when I put him in the back of my original first round mock and my last mock for the 2010 draft. He has solid stuff and a projectable build, but there’s worry that he won’t be able to maintain plus stuff throughout a full outing. Like Ragira, he also has a Stanford commitment that could be very expensive to buy him away from, and I see him as a solid second round prospect anyway.
37. Sam Dyson – South Carolina
9-16: From www.baseballamrica.com : - College Top 25 draft prospects: 17. Sam Dyson, rhp South Carolina
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: - 42- RHP Sam Dyson (16th RHP on list)
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #78 Tampa Bay (Compensation for failure to sign Kenny Diekroeger) Sam Dyson RHP South Carolina 6'2" 195 R,R
2-25: Jason Churchill of espn.com continues his review of the opening weekend of D1 college baseball play. For more on opening weekend, click here.
• After struggling in 2009 and falling to the 10th round, Sam Dyson from South Carolina started out 2010 on a high note striking out six in 3.2IP with just one walk and no hits. Most importantly was that it only took Dyson 48 pitches to get the eleven outs. Dyson struggled with high pitch counts in 2009.
3-27 from: - http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - Sam Dyson, RHP, South Carolina - I think a bit of a red flag went up when South Carolina chose Blake Cooper over Dyson to be the Friday starter for their team this year, and Dyson has only made that selection look smarter than it did at the beginning of the season. His raw numbers aren’t great, but he’s also been one of the unluckiest pitchers so far, so there’s hope he’ll recover. There’s still the issue of his shoulder and whether it will hold up, making him look more like a second or third rounder.
4-27 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/27/sec-players-of-the-week-10 - PITCHER OF THE WEEK - Dyson hurled a three-hit complete game shutout and earned a victory in seven innings in the 5-0 win vs. Georgia on Sunday, April 25 in game one of a doubleheader. He is only the third SEC pitcher to record a complete game shutout this year and the second this season to do it in SEC play. Dyson finished with 69 strikes out of 96 pitches and allowed just one runner from Georgia to get in scoring position in the seven-inning shutout. All 21 putouts by the Gamecock came from the diamond, as Dyson struck out five batters and recorded 14 ground ball outs.
5-17-10 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/05/17/sec-players-of-the-week-13 - South Carolina Jr. • RHP • Tampa, Fla. • Dyson pitched a six-hit complete game shutout as the Gamecocks defeated nationally ranked Arkansas 5-0 on the road Saturday afternoon to clinch a three-game SEC baseball series at Baum Stadium. With the win, the Gamecocks clinched its first series against Arkansas since 2001 and the first time ever the Gamecocks have won a series on the road at Arkansas. • He limited the Razorbacks, who came in ranked second in the league in hitting and runs scored, to just six hits and walked only two on the afternoon.
38. Kevin Munson:
4-23 from: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/23/1437780/25-additional-pitching-prospects - RHP, James Madison University - Munson's 95-97 MPH heater and nasty slider give him overpowering stuff, though a high-effort delivery and concerns about his durability will likely confine him to relief as a pro. He's done great in that role this spring, with a 0.76 ERA and a 51/17 K/BB in 35 innings for James Madison, allowing only 18 hits with six saves. He is a first-day option for any team looking to add a power arm to their farm system relief corps.
39. David Filak:
5-3 from: http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/05/top-small-school-pitchers/#more – top small school pitchers: - David Filak, SUNY-Oneonta, RHP- Using a low-90s fastball and a "power" curveball, Filak has struck out close to half of the batters he's face: 74 out of 168
40. Kevin Jacob – Georgia Tech -
8-31: From www.baseballamerica: Jacob settled in as Georgia Tech's closer during the second half of last season and the success carried over to summer league play. With an unorthodox, over-the-top delivery, Jacob whips fastballs that sit in the mid-90s and top out at 98 mph. He also has an above-average breaking ball that helped him put up some video-game numbers as the Bucs' closer this summer. Over 24 appearances, the 6-foot-6, 223-pound righthander went 2-1, 0.34 with 12 saves, 45 strikeouts and four walks in 27 innings, an indication that he has made progress toward eliminating the command lapses that have plagued him in the past. He was about as dominating as you can get—opposing hitters batted just .101 against him (9-for-89).
11-20 from www.draftamerica.com: - 29. Boston -- Kevin Jacob, RHP, Georgia Tech. Boston pounces on special arms, and Jacob's mid- to upper-90s fastball combines with a hard breaking ball to form just that. They'll undoubtedly grab their share of high schoolers that drop due to signability, and Jacob makes a ton of sense for them here. (13th RHP on list)
12-15 from www.5tooltalk.com: Mock Draft – 1st round: - 19 Tigers Kevin Jacob RHP NCAA
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #35 Kevin Jacob RHP Georgia Tech 6'5" 230 R,R
3-27 from: - http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - Kevin Jacob, RHP, Georgia Tech - If you’ve been paying attention closely, you’ve noticed that I haven’t put Jacob in any of my mock drafts, even after he pushed his velocity up to the upper-90s last summer in Alaska. That’s for a few reasons, starting with the fact that relievers are very prone to wild swings in draft stock. I knew that much of Jacob’s value would be based on his spring performance. My reason for holding him back now is what I’ve seen in person, including the disappointment in the scouting community. His raw stuff is way down, as he only sits in the low-90s, touching 94, and his command isn’t sharp. With his Boras commitment, he could even be back at Tech next year.
41. Jake Thompson – Long Beach State -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 256th
4-23: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/23/1437780/25-additional-pitching-prospects - RHP, Long Beach State University - Thompson has been one of the brighter spots for the 16-17 Dirtbags, though his 4.76 ERA and 50/16 K/BB with 59 hits in 57 innings are just okay, but he's always had a very good arm, with a 90-96 MPH fastball, solid changeup, and erratic-but-promising breaking stuff. This is another guy who hasn't received as much notice as he perhaps deserves, but looks like a candidate for late in the second round or the third round. He might go a notch higher to a team with multiple picks.
6-1 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/06/01/jake-thompson-report - RHP 6-3, 225 Long Beach State Games Seen: 3, Innings: 20 (Spring 2010) - PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Powerfully built across the chest, shoulders, hips and thighs. Thick and strong quads and calves, durable power build. STRENGTHS: Above-average FB velocity and movement. 4-seam FB 94-96 (94), hard late life up in zone. 2-seam FB 91-93 (92) with tail and plane, excellent command and movement when fresh. Can make FB dive with pitchability and power. Hard SL with slicing 11/7 tilt, 86-88 (88), ML put-away pitch. CH 83-85, more show-me now, average across board, should suffice as fourth pitch. WEAKNESSES: Too many deep counts hurts him too many times. Needs to improve stamina and conditioning to keep delivery intact. Tends to fly open and lose closed wind-up. SUMMARY: Aggressive and durable starter. Plus stuff across the board. Doesn’t back down from a fight. Not afraid to push batters back. Three plus ML weapons. GRADES (Present/Future) Fastball 70/70 Slider 60/60 Change-up 50/50 Control 40/50 Command 40/50 Overall Future Potential: 56
42. Jordan Swagerty:
4-4 from: http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/mlb-draft-notes-dixon-anderson-and-other-updated-scouting-report/#more - Threw for the second night in a row and held 93 mph, important because of questions about whether he could maintain his velocity when working back-to-back. His curveball was still hard at 78-84 but had a little more angle than the last time he threw. He won't be the hardest-throwing closer on the board in June, but he'll be one of the best because of his curveball and his aggressive style.
4-22 from pnrscouting: mock drafted # 169
4-23: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/23/1437780/25-additional-pitching-prospects - RHP, Arizona State University - Arizona State's closer has performed great statistically with a 1.29 ERA, a 28/8 K/BB in 21 innings, 17 hits allowed, and 10 saves. He has good stuff, too, working at 92-95 MPH with a plus breaking ball and good control. He has the attitude scouts want in a reliever, and although he's not a huge guy at 6-1, 180, he has a chance to close at the major league level. He could go in the supplemental round and won't gets past the fourth.
43. Cody Buckel – Royal HS (CA) – 6-0, 170 –
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: smooth righty with deceptive arm strength and delivery, mostly 87-89, knows how to pitch.
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. – 24. Cody Buckel
1-30-10: - named to the Louisville Slugger 2010 Pre-Season High School All-America Team
5-21 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/category/2010-draft - RHP Cody Buckel has enough power to be a pro prospect, but power probably won’t be his strength as he ages. For Buckel, his greatest weapon will be alternating the natural sink and run he gets with his two-seam fastball. When you look at this player down the road, he has the potential to have a fastball that grades out to slightly above-average in velocity and above-average in movement and command. You see bits and pieces of it at this stage of his development, including in this most recent outing, a 1-0 complete game playoff victory.
5-24 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/category/2010-draft - Cody Buckel proved wrong the scouts who told him last year that he was finished growing and was never going to throw any harder than he was then. He’ll find himself drafted in a good round this year. The thing with Buckel is you can anticipate some projection for power, but you have a guy who understands that his greatest weapon will be to work low and let his movement work for him. That translates to a power sinker type in the coming years.
44. Taijuan Walker –
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - 17.Taijuan Walker
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 64th
3-13 from http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=2025#more-2025 - Righthanded pitcher Taijuan Walker of Yucaipa (Calif.) High, one of the best athletes in the 2010 prep draft class, made his first start of the season on the afternoon of March 9. On Tuesday afternoon, the PV ballpark felt more like Candlestick Park. The 50 scouts on hand were blasted by a cold and harsh wind that rattled teeth, nerves and the wooden bleachers. Walker was as chilly as the breeze. Battling control and mechanical problems, he departed in the third inning in a game won by PV, 15-4. Despite his struggles, Walker’s raw stuff was excellent. His fastball ranged from 89-91 mph, peaking at 92. Walker has touched 93-94 in showcase events. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound righty adds a 76 mph curve and an 82 mph slider.
3-27 from: - http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - Taijuan Walker, RHP, Yucaipa HS (CA) - This is due simply to rawness, as I still like what I hear about Walker’s projectability and current stuff. He has come out of the gate a little more slowly than the other elite pitching prospects, and a number of scouts have attributed that slow start to the fact that he’s fresh off a basketball season in which he was an excellent performer, as well. Walker offers some of the best upside in this class, but until he starts reaching some consistency, I have him closer to the second round.
5-31 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/05/31/taijuan-walker-report-updated - RHP 6-4, 190 Yucaipa HS, Yucaipa, CA PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: First thing I noticed was that he looked stronger here, particularly in his upper body. Still high hips, long and lose limbs, young features. STRENGTHS: Plus, plus arm speed. FB 91-95 (92-93), maintained deep into game. Breaking ball 74-75. CH 80-81. CH is his best secondary pitch now, shows early signs of throwing it from the same slot and release point. All around much better than he was in March. CB much better. WEAKNESSES: Inconsistent delivery points, helps him lose command of all three pitches. Doesn’t have complete mastery of a breaking ball yet; tries to throw the harder CB, sometimes chokes it, winds up slurving it. Loses his front side too many times still, flies open. SUMMARY: Better here than he was in March. Most power I’ve seen from him since the Fall. A big arm with a big future – good luck on pro side. GRADES (Present/Future): Fastball: 50/70 Curveball 40/50 Changeup 40/60 Control 40/50 Command 40/50 Overall Future Potential: 56
45. Vincent Velasquz – Garey High (CA) - had early season growth plate injury to his throwing arm, which prevented him from pitching… so, he played outfield, threw left-handed, and made the all-league team… slow runner (7.22)… comfortably sat at 88 before injury…75 curve…
2-15 from www.baseballamerica.com: - Vincent Velasquez has finally found his true calling. Velasquez, a 6-foot-3, 175-pound righthander, attends Garey High School in Pomona, Calif. Previously in his prep career, Velasquez dabbled at shortstop, third base, second base, outfield and has—with varying success—switch-hit. An injury to his right elbow, since healed, even prompted Velasquez to throw lefthanded during part of the 2009 season.
46. Scott Frazier –
2-15 from www.baseballamerica.com: - • RHP Scott Frazier, Upland (Calif.) HS: Lanky and projectable, Frazier has a somewhat awkward delivery but his stuff is competitive. He fires a 90-92 fastball and adds a 76 change and 69 curve.
3-12 from http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/draft-tracker/2010/269639.html - Scott Frazier, rhp, Upland (Calif.) HS - Frazier, who ranked No. 98 on our latest Top 100 (subscriber-only link), had a start to remember on March 9. With about 20 scouts on hand against Silverado High (Victorville, Calif.), Frazier threw a no-hitter while recording 18 strikeouts. According to one source on hand, Frazier was sitting 91-94 with a very good curveball. "It felt really good," Frazier said on the phone after the game. "All my pitches were working great and I was just in sync. Everything was working great. I was throwing all my pitches for strikes and hitting good locations. Everything was pretty much on the money today and I just felt good." Upland made an error in the game and Frazier walked a batter in the last inning. Although his teammates started to getting very quiet late in the game, he was trying not to think about the possibility of a no-hitter. "I didn't think too much about it, I was just going out there trying to focus on throwing strikes and getting out of the inning quick, but around closer to the game it clicked a little bit," he said. "I was just focusing on getting outs." The gem was a first for the 6-foot-6, 205-pound Pepperdine recruit and Upland ended up winning, 17-0.
4-17 from: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/17/1426860/interesting-high-school-pitchers-a - Scott Frazier, RHP, Upland HS (California) - A two-way player in the past, Frazier moved to the mound from the outfield this spring and saw his velocity peak up to 93-94 MPH. The 6-7, 215 pound Pepperdine signee needs to continue work with his secondary stuff and is rather raw, and signability could also be a factor given that he's an excellent student attracted to college. Would be a second round target if his monetary demands are reasonable, likely to a team willing and able to take risks on guys with upside but in need of some polish.
4-27 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/category/2010-draft - Scott Frazier is the classic right-handed build-it-yourself potential major league right-hander. In this recent look, he was coming off an outing in which he threw the ball very well. He came back on short rest and pitched with a sore groin in the rain, so this wasn’t Frazier at his best and is a look that has to be taken with a grain of salt. You do have to give the guy credit for strapping it on and trying to make it work.
5-10 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/05/10/scott-frazier-update-2 - Against his first batter, RHP Frazier went 90, 92, 75 breaking ball, 92 middle in, 93 with some life, 93, 93, 75 breaking ball, 91, and 83 with low sink and late life. I caught one 93 in the second inning but none past the second. The last 92 I saw was in the fourth inning. Overall, Frazier maintained enough velocity to hit 90 four times in the seventh inning, including 90 on his last pitch. He also threw plenty of 87-89s to finish it out. In the future, I think he’ll be best working 91-93 when he’s on top of the ball consistently and lets his movement work for him. He lacks the power at this stage to elevate and get away with it on professional standards. He also has a tendency to not get on top of the fastball and to elevate it, leading to a waist-high 91 fastball hit for a line drive home run. The best change-up was 81, which created some deception and would probably help him more often.
5-20 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/category/2010-draft/ - The scouts who like Scott Frazier will say that he is all upside. The scouts who have questions will ask if he has the arm speed or stamina to become a top guy. To be honest, I’m not sure which way he’ll go. This is the kind of guy who could really get better on the mound in the next three years with corrections and conditioning. He could also be what he is. I don’t know. I’m going to sit back and let the kid tell us what he’s going to be. I have a feeling he’s going to get a lot of chance to tell us.
47. Dixon Anderson – UC-Berkley
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 96th
4-4 from: http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/mlb-draft-notes-dixon-anderson-and-other-updated-scouting-report/#more - In a recent outing against Arizona State, Dixon allowed just two runs over eight innings, with both runs coming in the eighth. Anderson worked at 89-93 with some sinking tail and held that velocity into the eighth inning. His slider flashed above-average, 79-83, sometimes flattening out, but he threw plenty of effective ones down and away to right-handers. His low-80s changeup was fringy and often finished up in the zone. A pitcher who can hold that velocity for 90-100 pitches and has movement on the fastball has to project as a starter, and Anderson also has the potential for an above-average second pitch in the slider.
5-9 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/5/9/1464253/more-seiler-ratings#storyjump - Dixon Anderson, RHP, California, 2C1: Hasn't lived up to the expectations this year, but he's slowly recovering from a bad start. Features excellent stuff and pro body, and is a four pitch pitcher with a potential plus fastball in time. Struggling mightily with command and will need a good amount of time in the minors. Draft-eligible sophomore whose signability might be an issue.
48. Tyler Thornburg – Charleston Southern -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 180th
4-28 from: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2010/04/28/lincolns-2010-draft-board - While Charleston Southern University isn’t a historic hotbed of scouting, that has changed thanks to righthanded pitcher Tyler Thornburg. A two-way star for the Buccaneers – who leads the team in home runs – Thornburg can run his fastball up to 95 MPH and compliments his good heater with a changeup and curveball, each of which rate as above-average offerings. Thornburg is able to generate big-league stuff from his 5-foot-11, 190 pound frame thanks to Lincecum style mechanics, generating good leg drive and coming from a high, over-the-top arm angle. Thornburg is still a bit of sleeper and not seen as a first round pick by most, but wherever he does get selected in June he could yield first-round value.
5-3 from: http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/05/top-small-school-pitchers/#more – top small school pitchers: - Tyler Thornberg, Charleston Southern, RHP - Throws in the low-90s and upwards of 95 along with an above-average change up. His curveball and slider are decent as well. The concern is his size: just 5'11" and just 190 lbs, but he draws comparisons to Tim Lincecum.
49. Jimmy Nelson – Alabama
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 150th
50. Andrew Smith – Roswell HS (GA) – 6-2, 190 – fastball touches 93 consistently… good md-70s curve…
7/29: from www.baseballfactory.com: - Smith is a 6-foot-2, 190 pound righthander. His fastball currently sits in the 91-93 mph range, but there’s room for more and he also mixes in a 74 mph breaking ball. He has a verbal commitment to North Carolina.
8-11 from www.espn.com: While most pitchers tailed off after the third inning, it took Andrew Smith (RHP, Georgia) a few pitches to get into his grove in the first and improved as his outing went along. He displayed a nice 93-92 fastball with a good 76-74 curveball.
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 110th
51. Robby Rowland –
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - 16.Robby Rowland
4-22 from pnrscouting: mock drafted # 181
52. Gabriel Encinas
2-12 from www.mlbprospect.com: - mock drafted 190th
4-22 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/southern-california-high-school-pitching-prospects - St. Paul High School, RHP - He easily delivers a 90-92 fastball and adds a 74-75 curve and 77-78 change. To his credit, Encinas has improved his fitness this season and was able to maintain his velocity deep into the contest. Encinas recently faced off against California hitting prospect Angelo Gumbs and completely shut him down, striking him out twice in three at-bats. In the outing he displayed smooth mechanics and an advanced feel for pitching, doing a laudable job of mixing speeds, locations, altering eye levels and switching pitch sequence patterns from at bat to at bat
53. Nick Pepitone – Tulane; Houston, Texas – 6-6, 230, R/R – Junior – 2009: 2-5, 3.26, 22 games, 9-Sv, 42-K, 38.2-IP
7-13: As of July 13, hasn't allowed a run in five appearances for Team USA
7-16: pitched three innings of scoreless relief with a strikeout against Team Japan
7-20: pitched 2.0, 1-K, save, for Team USA win over Team Canada
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 169th
54. Michael Lorenzen - Fullerton HS (CA) – 6-2, 180 – 6.8 speed… powerful arm… also pitches in the low 90s… needs to develop plate discipline
2-12 from www.mlbprospect.com: - mock drafted 145th
9-16: From www.baseballamerica.com : - High School Top 25 draft prospects: 24. Michael Lorenzen, of/rhp Union HS, Fullerton, Calif.
1-27-10 from www.mlbdraft.blogspot.com: - A quick look at the top 15 outfielders for the 2010 draft. - #11- Michael Lorenzen- Union HS(CA)
2-25 from www.baseballamerica.com: - 2010 Preseason High School All-Americans – third Team -
55. Bobby Wahl – West Springfield HS (VA) – 6-4, 200 – committed to Ole Miss…
7-29: from www.baseballfactory.com: - With a tall, lean and projectable body, Wahl throws in the 90s and has touched 93. He uses his lower half to create a downhill plane and the ball comes out of his hand easily. He throws a three-pitch mix, including a curveball and changeup.
8-1: from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com: topped out at 93, fb down and in had good sink, fb middle of the plate got whacked in his 2nd IP, easy to read breaking ball, control was ok, just hit way too many bats, should improve with better command, college will help him.
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com – mock drafted 89th
56. Luke Jackson –
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - 18.Luke Jackson
2-8: from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 98th
57. Daniel Tillman – Florida Southern Junior… 6-1, 195… 2009: 4-2, 24 appearances, 12 saves, 3.15 ERA
10/23 from www.collegebaseballblog.com – voted 90th top college player
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 94th
4-23: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/23/1437780/25-additional-pitching-prospects - RHP, Florida Southern College - Another college reliever who could advance quickly in pro ball, Tillman has a 90-95 MPH fastball with sharp control and a very good curveball. He's picked up 12 saves with a 3.30 ERA and a 49/17 K/BB in 30 innings with 29 hits allowed. The walks are a bit high, but the K/IP rate is excellent. Tillman is well-known to scouts from the Cape Cod League, and coming from a smaller school (although one with a good baseball tradition) should not hinder his draft stock very much.
58. Tyler Wilson –- Gaffney HS (SC) - 6-2, 190…
PGCrossChecker has Wilson ranked #3 in SC, #158 in nation…
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com – mock drafted 83rd.
59. A.J. Griffin –
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #50 Washington A.J. Griffin RHP San Diego 6'5" 215 R,R
60. Jake Barrett –
11-10: www.draftsite.com: - 38th pick in mock draft – 13th RHP picked
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #56 Arizona Jake Barrett** RHP Arizona State 6'4" 235 R,R
61. Nick Tepesch - Missouri – Junior… 6-5, 225, R/R… 2009: 6-5, 6.27
7/07 fr. www.projectprospect.com: - Missouri’s Nick Tepesch also has good velocity but was hit around a lot last spring…
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #45 - Nick Tepesch (23rd RHP on list)
11-10: www.draftsite.com: - 43rd pick in mock draft – 15th RHP picked
3-17 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - JR RHP Nick Tepesch (Missouri): 1 IP 2 H 1 ER 0 BB 0 K - Tepesch left his Saturday start early after getting nailed in the hip by a line drive in the first inning. As someone with a creaky hip myself
5-12 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft - Tepesch came into the game on a roll; he held Oklahoma State to a run in 7 2/3 innings on April 25. He also is the typical big right-hander who teases scouts with his tools and a major-league ready body (6-5) but is plagued by inconsistency. We've talked about Tepesch before. Against Kansas, he struggled. One AL West scout told me Tepesch was around the plate all night (just one walk), but perhaps caught too much of it. His velocity was down a tick, as is the case with many college pitchers this time of year. Tepesch gave up eight runs on 14 hits and took the loss in a 14-3 Jayhawks pounding.
5-17 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/05/17/phillips-66-big-12-baseball-weekly-awards-5 - Texas A&M’s Barret Loux and Nick Tepesch (Missouri) share the Pitcher of the Week accolade for games of May 10-16. Nick Tepesch, Missouri, RHP, Jr., 6-5, 225, Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs - Tepesch recorded his first career shutout as Missouri defeated Nebraska, 2-0, on Friday in the opener of the three-game series. He was perfect through the first 4.1 innings, retiring the first 13 Nebraska batters before giving up a single in the top of the fifth inning. Tepesch struck out a season-high nine and surrendered just five hits to move to 5-5 on the season. The Blue Springs, Mo. hurler retired the side in order in five innings.
62. Ruddy Acosta –
11-10: www.draftsite.com: - 43rd pick in mock draft – 14th RHP picked
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #65 Tampa Bay Ruddy Acosta RHP Mt. Miguel HS, Ca. 6'6" 190 R,R
5-9 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/5/9/1464253/more-seiler-ratings#storyjump - Ruddy Acosta, RHP, Mount Miguel HS (CA), 4C1: Initially one of the top pitchers in the entire class a couple years ago. Has gone through mechanical re-work, and while he has good upside and projectability, he's quite risky. No commitment and should be signable.
63. Kevin Rhoderick – Oregon State – 6-0, 190, R/R… Junior… did not play in 2008 due to injury… 2009: 3-3, 4.18, 33-K, 23.2-IP
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #71 Texas Kevin Rhoderick RHP Oregon State 6'0" 190 R,R
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 63rd
64. Eric Ricks – Jenkins HS (GA) – 6-4, 195 – 2009: 10-1, gave up only 32 hits in 69.2 IP… ERA: 0.56. Fastball in low 80’s… good curve… 90Ks, 22 BB…
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #72 Florida Eric Ricks RHP Jenkins Co Hs, Ga. 6'4" 195 R,R
65. Sam Lundquist –
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #73 San Francisco Sam Lindquist RHP East Catholic HS, Ct. 6'6" 240 R,R
66. Brian Dupra – Notre Dame junior…
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 74th
67. Casey Mullholland – Pendleton School (FL) –
8-6: From www.baseballamerica.com: - Mullholland is a 6-foot-4, 175-pound righthander with a fastball in the 88-90 mph range, a 77-78 mph changeup and a 68-70 mph breaking ball. He uses his ideal pitcher's frame to work downhill. Mullholland is athletic, running a 7.0 second 60-yard dash and also spending time in the outfield.
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com – mock drafted 143rd
68. John Barbato – Felix Varela HS (FL) – smooth delivery… fastball sits at 89-92… hits corners…
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com – mock drafted 145th
69. Eric Cantrell
2-28 from www.mlbdraft.com: - 84th in mock draft
70. Josh Slaats
2-28 from www.mlbdraft.com: - 98th in mock draft
4-27 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/26/wac-players-of-the-week-9/#more-25694 - Josh Slaats have been named the Verizon Western Athletic Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Week, for April 19-25. Slaats, a junior from San Ramon, Calif. (California HS), pitched a complete-game shutout at Louisiana Tech last week. Slaats struck out four while allowing just five hits and two walks in the seven-inning 10-0 victory that was called due to the WAC’s run rule. The win marks Slaats’ second complete-game shutout of the season. Slaats now holds a 4-2 record on the season with a 1.71 ERA, striking out 56 in 52.2 innings pitched.
5-29 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft - Behind the strong arm of right-hander Josh Slaats and an effective bullpen, Hawaii won its opening game in the Western Athletic Conference tournament on Wednesday, and then defeated New Mexico State 13-7 on Thursday. Slaats, a 6-5, 230-pounder, threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings, gave up seven hits and two walks while striking out six. Slaats usually has a fastball in the 92-93 mph range and is just as proud of a slider that shows a good change of planes. By his own admission, his change-up "needs a little work." But he credits his teammates for his success.
71. T.J. Walz - Kansas; Omaha, Neb. - first Jayhawk to participate on the U.S. National team… 2009: 8-3, 4.70, 88-K, 82.1-IP
7-20: In the 6-3 Team USA loss to Team Germany: gave up 2-HRs in first 4-IP, going down 3-0 - Walz (2-1) pitched three innings for team USA, giving up three runs on six hits and striking out two batters.
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 226th
5-12 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft - Walz, on the other hand, was superb in his seven innings. He allowed three runs on five hits and two walks, and struck out six. It was Walz's seventh quality start of the season. Truth be told, Walz was up and down earlier this year, but entering Friday's game he had won his last three starts, and he took a no-hitter into the ninth inning a week before against Oklahoma State.
72. Eric Pettis
2-28 from www.mlbdraft.com: - 108th in mock draft
73. Jesus Valdez – Hueneme HS (CA) – 6-3, 180 – R/R – fastball sits in 91-93 range… rises… mid-70 curve ver tough on right handers…
7-21: Fr. http://baseballdraftreport.com: - Another big personal favorite of mine is Jesus Valdez, super projectable and already armed with a fastball with sick late life.
10-5 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - top 50 prospects in 2010 draft – #27 – Jesus Valdez (16th RHP on list)
10-6 from: http://baseballdraftreport.com: - RHP Jesus Valdez - Valdez doesn’t have quite the velocity of some pitchers in his class, but the movement he gets on his fastball makes it a legit plus pitch going forward.
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 204th
6-1 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/06/01/jesus-valdez-report 6-3, 185 - Hueneme HS - Games Seen: 4, Innings: 6 (Summer 2009, Spring 2010) - PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Medium height, narrow hips, long and loose limbs, lanky baseball athlete. STRENGTHS: Loose arm, FB 89-92, tops 92-94 in summer looks. SL, 72-74, CH 75. Good baseball athlete, might be better offensively in coming years. WEAKNESSNES: SL 72-74 more slurve than hard, doesn’t separate SL from CH. Lacks out pitch on pro level. SUMMARY: A good arm, but would not be premium power arm for me. Sinker-slider type. Good athlete, should be durable workhorse. Can’t get third base out of my head with him. GRADES (Present/Future): Fastball 50/55 Slider 40/50 Command 40/50 Control 40/50 Overall Future Potential: 51
74. Tyler Shreve – Redlands East Valley HS (CA) – fastball sits 91-93… good breaking ball… bug high school quarterback prospect…
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com = mock drafted 241st
3-4 from www.baseballamerica.com: - East Valley High (Redlands, Calif.) righthander Shreve—who ranks No. 60 on our Top 100—was kicked off his high school baseball team on Feb. 24, according to Jesse B. Gill of The Sun newspaper in San Bernadino, Calif.That's the least of his problems right now, though.After hearing the news that he was kicked off his team, Shreve allegedly wrestled his coach, James Cordes, to the ground and tried to punch him before being pulled away by his father.San Bernadino County Sheriff's deputies acted on a citizen's arrest at Cordes' request, cited Shreve with assault and released him, Gill wrote."He and the coach had an argument," said Arden Wiltshire, spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. "He became upset when he was dismissed from the team."
75. Blake Hasselbrock – UNC-Greensboro
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 103rd
76. Devin Rivera – Chandler-Gilbert JC (AZ) –
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 108th
77. Dallas Gallant – Sam Houston State junior… 2009: 15 appearances, 4-4, 6.52, 69.0-IP, gave up 13-HR… strong summer in Cape Cod League: 2-1, 1.95 in 14 appearances…
11-28 from www.collegebaseballblog.com: - named the 52nd top college player for the 2010 season
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 121st
4-12 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/12/southland-conference-players-of-the-week-7 - Sam Houston State right-handed pitcher Dallas Gallant has been named one of the Southland Co-Pitchers of the Week, the league office announced Monday. Gallant threw a complete-game two-hitter on Saturday to lead Sam Houston to a 7-1 victory over McNeese State less than 24 hours after the Cowboys had run-ruled the Bearkats, 14-1, in the series opener. The junior from Trinity, Texas (Trinity), struck out six against two walks. The victory turned the series around for Sam Houston, which also won 6-3 Sunday for the series win. He gave up only one unearned run in two appearances last week. The win was his first of the season.
4-22-10 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/22/1435556/casing-the-states-texas-part-two - RHP, Sam Houston State - Gallant is a frustrating pitcher to watch at times, as he can dominate in one outing, then be knocked out of the game in the second inning in the next outing. Gallant worked in a variety of roles during his first two years at Sam Houston State, but went on to be an excellent reliever on the Cape last summer. Despite that success in relief, his team needed him to anchor the rotation this year, and after some early success, his control melted down, and he was hit hard. After starting the year as the Friday starter, he found himself in the bullpen for a couple weeks in order to regain his natural power stuff that includes a 92-94 mph fastball in relief, though it's more of an 89-92 mph pitch as a starter. His slider is a second plus pitch, though he lost the feel for it when he was struggling. He's regained that feel in recent weeks, having been reinserted into the rotation as the Saturday starter, and he first start back was a complete game shutout. He's lost a lot of draft stock this year, but there's plenty of time to regain it if his transition back to starting is successful. Projected Draft Range: 4th-8th Round
78. John Simms –
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. – 20. John Simms
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 170th
4-30 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/30/1451211/casing-the-states-texas-part-four#storyjump - RHP Simms has become more well-known as the pitching arch nemesis (the two are good friends in reality) of Jameson Taillon from neighboring The Woodlands High, but he's an excellent prospect in his own right. A projectable right-handed arm, Simms also has some of the best current pitchability in the high school class. However, scouts openly wonder whether they can sign Simms away from a Rice scholarship, as he isn't projected to go quite early enough to warrant a large bonus that he might need to forego the Rice commitment. It's a question to be answered, but Simms has done everything he needs to do to keep his name forefront in scouts' minds. Despite not having a current plus fastball, Simms' projectability and command makes the 89-92 mph pitch play up to be above-average with plus potential. He mixes in a potential plus slider and average changeup, and that combination is all well-commanded and well-mixed. His ceiling might be as a #3 starter, and while that's not the most attractive idea from a prep arm, there's a feeling that Simms' intelligence and command might help him outplay his projected ceiling. Odds are currently on Simms landing on campus this fall, but a team might take an early run at him, hoping to sign him for an over slot bonus. Projected Draft Range: 3rd-8th Round
79. Brent Welbley – Kent State Univ.
2-8 from: www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 120th
80. Patrick Cooper – Bradley
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 123rd
81. Kolby Wood – Michigan
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 128th
82. Trent Rothlin – Mississippi -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 138th
83. Daniel Cropper – UNC-Wilmington -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 140th
84. Tyler Waldron – Oregon St. Univ. -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 104th
85. Nicholas Vander Twig – Oakdale HS (CA.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 151st
86. Brandon Brennan – Capistrano Valley HS ( CA) – 6-4, 205 –
7-29: from www.baseballfactory.com: - Teammates with 2009 first-rounder Tyler Matzek, Brennan is a tremendous athlete with a 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame. He shows a fastball that ranges from 89-93 mph with hard, late run. He also has solid command of his changeup at 75-78 mph and a curveball with 11-5 break. Brennan is also a major college recruit as a quarterback
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - 13.Brandon Brennan
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 152nd
2-15 from www.baseballamerica.com: - RHP Brandan Brennan, Capistrano Valley HS, Mission Viejo: A 2009 teammate of Rockies first-rounder Tyler Matzek, Brennan is a strong physical presence on the hill despite some command problems. He challenges hitters with a heavy 91-92 fastball, experiments with an 80 change, and his 84 slider could develop into his premier offering.
87. Rett Varner – UT-Arlington
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 155th
88. Tyler Green - Brazoswood HS (TX.)
11-2 from www.thehardballtimes.com: - Tyler Green, RHP, 2010, Lake Jackson, Texas, Texas Scout Team Yankees - There were like two more Tyler Green’s (or Tyler Greene’s) at this tournament. Popular baseball name, I guess (don’t forget the Cardinals shortstop). Green threw 88-91 from his tall frame, and the pitch had some great third-base run on it. He’s got some filling out left to do, which means he could add more velocity as well. He showed a slurve that he needs to mold into a slower, straight overhand curve. But the fastball velocity and movement are worth getting excited about.
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 156th
4-22-10 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/22/1435556/casing-the-states-texas-part-two - RHP, Brazoswood HS, Clute - This Green, of no relation to Cole, possesses one of the fastest arms in the draft, and he's an athletic two-way player to boot. A shortstop prospect as well, scouts are generally more interested in his arm on the mound. Though he stands at a relatively short 6'1'', he does still project some for strength, and that would add on to an already plus fastball. He already is throwing 90-93 mph pitches, touching 95, and with any projection for more, he could become a premier power arm as a prospect. He adds in a potentially plus curveball that gets tons of swings and misses, and the fact that he already has an excellent feel for it means that scouts trust he'll able to get a feel for a changeup, which he uses rarely due to his excellent two-pitch mix. The reason Green isn't ranked higher is that his delivery, combined with his body, isn't smooth and his overall mechanics are in question. He might not need an entire mechanical re-work, but some teams feel more comfortable looking at him as a possible reliever rather than a starter. However, when it comes down to it, he's gaining some steam due to his excellent natural stuff, and scouts now have to figure out how precious his TCU scholarship is to him. Projected Draft Range: 3rd-6th Round
89. Tommy Toledo – - Florida
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 184th
90. TJ Pecoraro –
8-9: from Keith Law/ www.espn.com: - The New England team was led by LHP Kevin Ziomek and RHP TJ Pecoraro. Pecoraro also threw about 88 on his fastball, but hasn't established a main off-speed pitch yet.
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 188th
91. Cole Green –- Texas
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 195th
4-18 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/18/big-12-recap-april-17th/#more-25460 - Junior right-hander Cole Green weaved a complete-game, one-hit shutout and Longhorns’ batters pounded out a season-high 18 hits as No. 4 Texas registered a 14-0 rout over the Texas A&M Aggies at Olsen Field on Saturday afternoon. The 14-run win was the Longhorns largest margin of victory since an 18-3 win on May 15, 1939. Green was masterful in pitching his fourth career complete game and second career shutout. He scattered one hit and three walks while striking out four over 9.0 innings. It marked the first time the Horns had blanked the Aggies since a 3-0 win on May 17, 2003.
4-19 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/19/phillips-66-big-12-baseball-weekly-awards-4 - Cole Green (Texas) has been tabbed the Pitcher of the Week for games of April 12-18. - PITCHER OF THE WEEK - Cole Green, Texas, RHP, Jr., 6-0, 210, Coppell, Texas/Coppell - Green allowed just one hit and three walks while striking out four in a complete-game shutout of the Aggies. Individually, it was his fourth career complete game and second shutout overall. The 14-0 victory marked the first time the Longhorns have blanked the Aggies since a 3-0 win on May 17, 2003. Green improved to 8-0 on the season and continues to lead the nation in victories.
4-22-10 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/22/1435556/casing-the-states-texas-part-two - RHP, Texas - Green has been a critical part of the pitching staff at Texas for the last two years, and he's taken another step forward this year as the Longhorns' Saturday starter. Though Green isn't blessed with prototypical starter's size, he's shown this year that he can be relied upon to provide quality innings, even if he doesn't miss as many bats as his more well-known rotation mates Taylor Jungmann and Brandon Workman. Using a 90-92 mph fastball, an above-average curveball, and a fringe-average changeup, he has shut down opposing offenses, pitching to contact and getting outs on both the ground and in the air. He can be a little prone to the long ball, but he generally gets weak contact using more offspeed pitches than is normal for pro pitching. Green has definitely improved his draft stock by pitching deeper into games this year, but he still remains short on big-time stuff and projection, so how he finishes the season will play a big factor in his draft stock. Projected Draft Range: 4th-7th Round
4-28 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/26/phillips-66-big-12-baseball-weekly-honors-2 - Cole Green from Texas have been named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Pitcher of the Week for games of April 19-25. Green pitched his second consecutive nine-inning, complete game shutout. He was the only Big 12 pitcher to post a complete outing last week. The Coppell, Texas-native allowed just four hits (all singles) and two walks while silencing the bats of the second-best offense in the conference. Green is 9-0 on the season while maintaining a 1.82 ERA.
5-4 from: - http://web.goldenspikesaward.com/index.html?page=news_archive&article_id=68 - But over the last three weeks, no pitcher in college baseball has been better than Cole Green. The Longhorns' Saturday starter threw a one-hit shutout two weeks ago at Texas A&M, then allowed just four hits while blanking Oklahoma State last week. This week against Baylor, the junior right-hander carried another shutout into the ninth inning before allowing an unearned run, snapping a streak of 30 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings. He finished with five strikeouts, allowing one walk and six hits over 8 1/3 innings in a brilliant no-decision, as Texas went on to win 2-1 in 14 innings. In 78 innings, Green is 9-0 with 55 strikeouts and 19 walks.
92. Ryan Woolley – UA-Birmingham -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 163rd
93. Ralston Cash – Lakeview Academy HS (GA.) -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 168th
3-22 from: - http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - On Friday, I got the chance to check out Ralston Cash, a senior right-handed pitcher from Lakeview Academy in Gainesville, Georgia, about an hour from downtown Atlanta. I knew a good amount about Cash before I even headed down there, and in the interest of knowing that before I even give you the report, here’s the Draft Notebook writeup I had for him ahead of time: “Ralston Cash is a tall, projectable righty from Cornelia, Georgia, a small town about 75 miles northeast of Atlanta. While he doesn’t feature the plus current stuff that some of the top pitching prospects in this year’s prep class offer, his projectability is up there with almost everyone not named A.J. Cole. Currently, Cash offers three quality pitches that could turn into plus offerings with time and maturity. His fastball is a solid 88-91 mph pitch with average life most of the time, but at the lower end of that range, he can put some serious sink into it. With his downhill plane, he could turn into a power groundball pitcher, every team’s dream. His breaking ball is a curveball that can loosen up and get slurvy sometimes, but at its best it can be a sharp above-average pitch in the 75-78 mph range. He throws a better changeup than most pitchers his age, and it could be another above-average offering. It’s usually in the 81-84 mph range when it’s at its best. Add in the fact that Cash is athletic and features excellent mechanics, and you have yourself a bit of a sleeper. He could go in the 3rd-5th round, but a team could absolutely get a steal there, as Cash has middle of the rotation potential.”
94. Tyler Skulina - verbally committed to Virginia
9-8: www.pgtracker.com lists as one of the top 10 high school players coming out of Ohio.
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com – mock drafted 231st
95. Mike Nesseth – Nebraska
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 236th
3-31 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com - Mike Nesseth, a junior RHP pitcher from the University of Nebraska will miss the remainder of the 2010 season with an elbow injury. A precautionary MRI revealed an injury in his right elbow, and the Nebraska medical staff is working with Nesseth, his family and the Husker coaching staff on evaluating potential options, either in a rehab program or surgery
96. Dan Child – Jesuit HS (CA) – 6-5, 235 - needs more work… 91-94 fastball… slider is top pitch, top at 84…
7-29: from www.baseballfactory.com: - Don’t let the last name fool you. At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Child is all man. He fires fastballs that sit in the 90-92 mph range and touches 93. He also has an 83 mph breaking ball and is committed to Oregon State.
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 221st
97. Matt Price – Virginia Tech
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 193rd
98. Jake Cole – Sehauro HS (AZ.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 223rd
99. Tyler Burgoon – Michigan
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 199th
4-19 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/19/big-ten-players-of-the-week-10 - PITCHER OF THE WEEK - Tyler Burgoon, Michigan, Jr., RHP, Defiance, Ohio/Defiance - Burgoon picked up a win and two saves for the Wolverines last week, combining to throw eight innings without allowing a run. The right-hander struck out 11 and gave up just two walks and three hits over three appearances. The junior picked up his fifth save of the year against Toledo on Tuesday, getting the final two outs. On Wednesday vs. Bowling Green, he earned another save in a two-inning outing in which he struck out four. All six of Burgoon’s saves have come in his last nine outings, and with 15 in his career, he is tied for third on Michigan’s all-time list. Burgoon also grabbed his third win of the season on Sunday, throwing 5.1 scoreless innings against Illinois. With a 3-0 record this season, he is 10-3 in his career over 52 outings. The weekly award is the first of Burgoon’s career and the first for a Michigan pitcher this season.
100. Seth Rosin –- Minnesota
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 200th
2/11 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - JR RHP Seth Rosin (2010) is build like a tank (6-6, 245) with the heavy artillery (sinking fastball at 88-92 MPH, peaking at 94) to go to battle. He’s secondary stuff (inconsistent mid-70s CB and a low-80s CU that needs a ton of work) currently lags behind, but I know of plenty scouts who believe both pitches will develop into at least usable options by the time he hits the high minors. Those scouts see him as a possible back of the rotation starter down the line, but I think his ceiling is closer to that of Boof Bonser. I know Bonser has 60 big league starts to his credit, but they were largely ineffectual innings. Now that he has switched to the bullpen in Boston, I’ve got a hunch that Bonser’s stuff will play up and make him an effective reliever going forward. Rosin’s future could very well play out the same way. Ineffectual fifth starter or dependable middle reliever? You make the call.
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 200th
2/11 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - JR RHP Seth Rosin (2010) is build like a tank (6-6, 245) with the heavy artillery (sinking fastball at 88-92 MPH, peaking at 94) to go to battle. He’s secondary stuff (inconsistent mid-70s CB and a low-80s CU that needs a ton of work) currently lags behind, but I know of plenty scouts who believe both pitches will develop into at least usable options by the time he hits the high minors. Those scouts see him as a possible back of the rotation starter down the line, but I think his ceiling is closer to that of Boof Bonser. I know Bonser has 60 big league starts to his credit, but they were largely ineffectual innings. Now that he has switched to the bullpen in Boston, I’ve got a hunch that Bonser’s stuff will play up and make him an effective reliever going forward. Rosin’s future could very well play out the same way. Ineffectual fifth starter or dependable middle reliever? You make the call.
4-23 from: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/23/1437780/25-additional-pitching-prospects - RHP, University of Minnesota - Rosin may have the best command in the college ranks this year, at least if his stunning 49/2 K/BB ratio in 56 innings is any indication. On the other hand, his 4.15 ERA is just okay by contextual standards, and he's given up 57 hits. He has an average fastball and breaking ball, a big durable-looking body, and obviously throws strikes with ease. His fastball is a bit too short for him to go in the first two rounds, but he could be picked anywhere from the third round and beyond. The Twins have a long-standing interest in local players and picked Rosin out of high school back in 2007. He went in the 28th round then, but will go much higher this year.
4/26 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/26/big-ten-conference-players-of-the-week - BIG TEN BASEBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK - PITCHER OF THE WEEK - Seth Rosin, Minnesota - Jr., RHP, Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View - Rosin takes home his second Pitcher of the Week honor this season after shutting down one of the nation’s top offenses in a 14-0 victory against Indiana on Friday. Rosin did not issue a free pass and gave up just three hits in 7.2 innings, posting a WHIP of 0.39 on the evening. The right-hander held the Hoosier offense, which entered the game hitting .325 and slugging .523, to only three singles while striking out seven. The junior has surrendered just two walks in 64 innings this season and has not issued a free pass since March 19.
5-14 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/05/14/seth-rosin-qa - RHP Seth Rosin is the kind of guy who could stand on the mound with a blindfold on and still find the strikezone. Pair above-average control with a 6-7 frame and a fastball that can bump 95 and you got yourself a pretty good prospect. He’s been steady as the Friday night guy for Minnesota this season, though some talk has him as a closer in the coming years. We’ll see what happens. In the meantime, Rosin can thank his control for controlling his future. Like any player with one talent that jumps out, don’t ask him to know where it came from. Just trust him when he says he’s glad he found it.
101. Jordan Cooper – Wichita State
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 203rd
102. Burch Smith – Howard College (TX.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 208th
4-30 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/30/1451211/casing-the-states-texas-part-four#storyjump - As you can tell by now, junior college pitching is a strength of the Texas class this year. RHP Smith, though, is at the head of the class of all the names already mentioned. Smith came to Howard last year as an under-recruited right-handed pitcher with potential, but little command of a slightly above-average arsenal. However, after an erratic year that concluded with the Indians spending a 49th round pick on him, Smith took a big step forward in the fall, showing improved stuff and command. He now features a 91-93 mph fastball which touches 94-95 a few times in most outings, and he's commanding it to either side of the plate with ease. He's being more economical with his pitch counts as well, which has led scouts to think he really projects as an innings-eating #3 starter with above-average stuff and above-average command. He pitches almost exclusively off his fastball, but his secondaries, a breaking ball and change, are close to being average pitches. Those pitches limit his ultimate ceiling, but he's a very attractive option in the early rounds. He has some time left to prove his worth in the remainder of the season, and it's likely that he pitches his way out of his Oklahoma commitment and is signed quickly this summer. Projected Draft Range: Late 2nd-5th Round
103. Mike Ojala – senior… 2009: 5-0, 2.17, 13 games, 12 starts, 66.1-IP… Had TJS on June 18 and is expected to be back in April. Will come out of the bullpen in 2010.
10-29 from: www.collegebaseballblog.com: - voted 83rd top college player
3-23 from: - http://www.riceowls.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/032310aaa.html - Last June 18, Bramhall operated on Ojala, repaired his UCL, and told Ojala that he could pitch competitively in nine months. Nine months and one day later, Ojala returned to the mound at San Diego, working 1 1/3 perfect innings to cap a comeback that was by definition remarkable. Ojala required 16 pitches to retire the four Toreros he faced last Friday. He doesn't have his pre-surgery velocity on his fastball (which topped out at 88 miles an hour in the week before he was cleared by Bramhall), but Ojala still threw seven fastballs along with eight curveballs and one changeup. The off-speed pitch became a critical component of the repertoire after Ojala returned from his hiatus and helped pitch Rice into the postseason. Ojala solicited input prior to his comeback last year.
5-24-10 from: - http://conferenceusa.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/052310aaa.html - A pair of hurlers that turned in terrific performances on the mound in the final weekend of conference play share this week's Conference USA Pitcher of the Week award, as RHP Mike Ojala of Rice and Todd McInnis of Southern Miss split the honor. Ojala won his C-USA start last week against UAB on Friday night with a career-best strikeout total. He struck out a career-high 12 batters in 7.2 innings on the way to his fourth win of the season. Ojala allowing just two runs on two hits, but none after the first inning. The Kingwood, Tex., held 29 opposing hitters to a composite .080 batting average. He finished the night with three walks in his final regular season appearance at Reckling Park.
104. Thomas Girdwood – Elon
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 210th
105. Alex Schmarzo – St. Mary’s College (CA.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 212th
106. Jeff Sheilds – Chattahoochee Valley CC (AL.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 214th
107. Damien Magnifico – Howard College (TX.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 215th
4-28 from: - Magnifico became a notable name in high school when he raced up draft boards with an excellent senior year. The Mets decided to make him their 2009 5th round draft pick despite rumors of big bonus demands, and they ended up not being able to get a deal done before the August deadline. Entering Howard as the most well-known freshman on their team, he bumped up his velocity even more in the fall, attracting plenty of interest from the scouting community. However, he came down with severe elbow soreness before the start of the spring season, and he's been out all year. At the moment, I can't confirm whether or not he had surgery on the elbow, though I'm told he has. Before the injury, he was pumping in fastballs in the 92-94 range, touching 96-97, and that was up a tick or two from his high school days. He added in a potential above-average curveball, but both of his pitches were considered below-average for command in both the present and future, and many scouts thought of him more as a shutdown reliever than a starter. In addition, his frame is smaller than a prototypical starter's, and the elbow problems only stand to reinforce the issue. It's quite likely that Magnifico ends up back in school next year, but he's still a name to watch. Projected Draft Range: 7th Round - Undrafted
108. Martin Viramontes – Loyola Marymount
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 218th
4-26 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/04/26/martin-viramontes-update - Loyola Marymount right-hander Martin Viramontes has been inconsistent in 2010. After missing the 2009 season because of shoulder injuries, his outing Sunday against San Francisco showed some strengths and exposed other weaknesses. Viramontes was 91-93 in the first four innings, averaging 93 and hitting 94 eight times. He used a slurve breaking ball at 76-78, a pitch that wouldn’t profile as a big league put-away pitch. He occasionally threw a harder slider at 84, usually saving those only for San Francisco left-handed hitter Stephen Yarrow, a pitch that would profile as a big league out pitch if he repeats it more often. He mixed in a change-up at 80-84, with an average of 80. That could be a pitch that might have more ceiling for him in the coming years, certainly more so than the slurve, and would be better against wood.
5-23 from: http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/05/23/martin-viramontes-report - RHP 6-5, 225 LMU - PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Tall, long body type, narrow hips and shoulders. STRENGTHS: FB 91-94, average 93, some smoothness. Potential put-away SL, 78-84, best at 84, two-plane weapon with late bite and above-average movement when working right. Token CH, 89-84 (80). WEAKNESSES: Below-average fastball command and movement, inconsistent slider repetition, command and movement, below-average change-up movement and decption, and struggles to put away hitters. Too many pitches, too many deep counts. Struggles to maintain mechanics, release points and landings when reaching for velocity. Trying to be too much in this look. Velocity fell from 91-94 in four innings to 90-91 in fifth. SUMMARY: Incomplete power arm. Too many pitches at this stage of career. A big arm who needs to command better and throw more consistent major league quality strikes. Shoulder issues in 2009 need to be proven to be in the past. Needs developmental time in the minor leagues; could be ideal closer candidate in coming years. GRADES (Present/Future):Fastball 50/60 Slider 40/55 Change-up 30/40 Control 30/40 Command 30/40 Overall Future Potential: 48
109. Randy McCurry – Oklahoma State
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 225th
110. Nick Karow – Furman
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 178th
111. Thomas Royse – Louisville -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 239th
112. Taylor Morton – Bartlett HS (Tenn.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 229th
113. Kevin Moran – Boston College -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 234th
114. Brett Winger – Olympia HS (FL.) -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 235th
115. Jake Montgomery – Young Harris College -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 240th
116. Bobby Doran – Texas Tech
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 285th
4-21 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/21/1433461/casing-the-states-texas-part-one#storyjump - Doran is yet another big, hulking pitcher on the Texas Tech staff, and as you can tell, pitching is where the strength of Texas Tech's pro prospects this year. Doran is a transfer from Seward County CC in Kansas this year, and he's stepped in to become Tech's most reliable starter on the season. Rather than using a traditional power arsenal, Doran relies on a heavy 90-92 mph fastball that gets a good number of groundball outs, and he complements it with a solid-average curveball and an average vulcan change. He commands all three pitches in the bottom of the zone, and even though he doesn't get a large number of strikeouts, he gets enough to think that he'll miss his share of wooden bats. Hitters generally get a good read on his stuff, though, and he's been very hittable when his command is off. He sometimes gets a little too stubborn about throwing a strike, resulting in hitters that know when a pitch is going to be coming across the heart of the plate. He has low walk numbers as a result of his strike-throwing, but he'll give up his share of extra base hits at the next level. On the whole, though, he's really improved his draft stock with his transfer, and he's a solid bet to go in the top eight rounds. Projected Draft Range: 5th-8th Round
117. Andrew Leary – San Diego State -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 249th
118. Josh Mueller – Eastern Illinois -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 254th
119. Joe Van Meter – Virginia Commonweath -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 257th
120. John Cornley – Wolford College -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 260th
121. Colin Bates – North Carolina – junior… 2009: 4-4, 3.15, 59-K, 53-RBI
12-20: named to 3rd team AA squad – 2010 NCBWA
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: mock drafted 261st
5-24 from: - http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/052410aad.html - North Carolina’s RHP Colin Bates received the ACC Pitcher of the Week honor for the final week of the regular season. Bates, a senior, wrapped up his last home week as a Tar Heel in tremendous fashion. Bates anchored a North Carolina which posted a 3.50 ERA and 28 strikeouts to just 10 walks in four games last week. The Naperville, Ill., native pitched six shutout innings of relief to lead Carolina to a 5-3 come-from-behind win over Virginia Tech on Friday. The victory helped the Tar Heels secure a series sweep. In two appearances last week, Bates notched a 1.23 ERA allowing just one run on three hits while striking out nine.
122. Turner Phelps – James Madison
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 266th
123. Zach Varce – Portland
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 267th
4-20 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=4361060202&p=5 - 6'0 190 RHP. First look and you see an undersized, athletic future bullpen guy. Which may be correct. Here is what I saw a few weeks ago. FB: Sat 90-93, topped at 94 all game in a complete game victory. Last pitch was 91. Great run and feel on his FB. He pitched where he wanted and commanded the strike zone. SL: Decent bite, threw it around 76-77. Acts more like a cutter, and gets lots of ground balls. Split: Threw at 80-82, great feel for this and is a true ground ball pitcher. This kid was very advanced and someone will get a good steal on him in the draft. Read he was up to 95 in northwoods league this past summer.
124. Jacquis De Gruy – Jesuit-Dallas HS (TX.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 269th
125. Tommy Kahnle – Lynn University
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 270th
126. Connor Sadzeck –
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 274th
127. Jared Ray –
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 275th
4-30 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/30/1451211/casing-the-states-texas-part-four#storyjump – RHP Ray was considered a possible top three rounds arm entering the season, as he was expected to anchor a solid Houston pitching rotation. However, a shoulder injury suffered last summer on the Cape ended up needing arthroscopic surgery late in 2009, and he's still recovering. Despite the free fall that has come with the shoulder injury, Ray still offers some intriguing upside if a team wants to take a flier on him, hoping to sign him for a discount and get him ready for 2011. When healthy, Ray offers a pair of potential plus pitches in a 91-94 mph fastball and an inconsistent slider, and he has a solid 6'3'' frame that bodes well for durability in the future. His changeup was less advanced than a typical college starter's before he went down, so that might be a factor in a move to the bullpen, but most teams consider him a starting prospect when healthy. He has #3 starter upside, and he might be an interesting summer follow if he gets healthy. Projected Draft Range: 7th Round - Undrafted
128. Matt Miller –
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 277th
129. Zach Nuding – Weatherford JC (TX)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 278th
130. Mitch Caster – Wichita State -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 279th
131. Tony Dischler – LSU - Eunice
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 280th
132. T J Jann – Westofrd Academy HS (Mass.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 286th
133. Cole Johnson – Notre Dame junior… 2009: 7-3, 4.56
1-4: named to the 2010 Preseason All-Big East First Team as named by a vote of conference coaches
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 287th
134. Tommy Winegardner – Polk CC (FL.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 288th
135. Seth Hester – Southern Mississippi
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 291st
136. Robbie Andrews – Virginia Commonwealth
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 297th
137. Tyler Waldron – Oregon St. Univ. -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 104th
138. Nicholas Vander Twig – Oakdale HS (CA.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 151st
139. Brandon Brennan – Capistrano Valley HS ( CA) – 6-4, 205 –
7-29: from www.baseballfactory.com: - Teammates with 2009 first-rounder Tyler Matzek, Brennan is a tremendous athlete with a 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame. He shows a fastball that ranges from 89-93 mph with hard, late run. He also has solid command of his changeup at 75-78 mph and a curveball with 11-5 break. Brennan is also a major college recruit as a quarterback
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - 13.Brandon Brennan
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 152nd
2-15 from www.baseballamerica.com: - RHP Brandan Brennan, Capistrano Valley HS, Mission Viejo: A 2009 teammate of Rockies first-rounder Tyler Matzek, Brennan is a strong physical presence on the hill despite some command problems. He challenges hitters with a heavy 91-92 fastball, experiments with an 80 change, and his 84 slider could develop into his premier offering.
5-7 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/category/2010-draft/ - In my first look at Capistrano Valley right-hander Brandon Brennan since the Academy workout in February, the promising starter showed a touch more power. In this outing, Brennan was 89-91 in the early innings and began popping a few more 92s in the middle innings. His main weapon will be his two-seam fastball, which shows the first signs of having heavy, late life low in the strike zone. This will depend on factors such as body conditioning and core strength, which will help his balance continue to improve, helping his coordination and balance, in turn helping him get on top and more downhill plane, all of which will make his fastball as effective a weapon as it can possibly be.
140. Rett Varner – UT-Arlington
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 155th
4-30 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/30/1451211/casing-the-states-texas-part-four#storyjump - RHP Varner entered the spring as one of the better collegiate arms available, though he was already 22 when the season started. He started out the spring as the Sunday starter on a team that was better-known for having Michael Choice, and he's since improved to the Saturday role. His natural stuff is solid and has some upside, as he carries a rather thin 6'4'' frame with him to the mound. His fastball is a slightly above-average fastball in the 91-93 range, and he complements it with a solid-average curveball and changeup, and he projects as a #3/4 starter in the long run. The big concern now is durability and questionable results against relatively weak college bats, and he needs to really work on commanding his pitches down in the zone. He gives up too many home runs for the competition he faces, and even though he will always work as a fly ball pitcher, he needs to be more consistent about missing down rather than up. If he firms up his command of his secondaries, he could be a helium prospect, but for now he's an early second day arm with some potential. Projected Draft Range: 4th-7th Round
5-24 from: - http://www.southland.org/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=90077&SPID=10822&temp_site=NO&DB_OEM_ID=18400&ATCLID=204949831 - UT Arlington right hander Rett Varner has been named the Southland Pitcher of the Week. Varner threw his first career complete-game shutout in leading the Mavericks to a 6-0 victory over Texas State. It was the school's sixth shutout of the season, which is the most since 1992. Varner, a junior from Trophy Club, Texas (Northwest), needed only 100 pitches (69 strikes) in his dominating performance as he scattered seven hits without walking a batter and struck out four in his third complete-game of the season. The win was his team-leading seventh of the season. Varner, who never threw three balls to a batter in the game, made it through five innings of work throwing just 51 pitches. He struck out two batters through eight innings and then capped off his outing with a pair of swinging strikeouts to start the ninth. Varner now has 13 consecutive scoreless innings pitched.
141. Nick Karow – Furman
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 178th
142. Kevin Munson – James Madison -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 182nd
143. Tyler Burgoon – Michigan
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 199th
144. Jordan Cooper – Wichita State
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 203rd
145. Taylor Morton – Bartlett HS (Tenn.)
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 229th
146. Kevin Moran – Boston College -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 234th
147. Brett Winger – Olympia HS (FL.) -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 235th
148. Jake Montgomery – Young Harris College -
2-8 from www.pnrscouting.com: - mock drafted 240th
149. Shawn Tolleson
2-12 from www.mlbprospect.com: - mock drafted 136th
150. Taylor Morton
2-12 from www.mlbprospect.com: - mock drafted 194th
151. Daryl Norris
2-12 from www.mlbprospect.com: - mock drafted 195th
152. Cito Culver
2-12 from www.mlbprospect.com: - mock drafted 197th
153. Keenan Kish
2-12 from www.mlbprospect.com: - mock drafted 198th
154. Craig Fritson
2-12 from www.mlbprospect.com: - mock drafted 160th
155. Cole Cook
2-12 from www.mlbprospect.com: - mock drafted 106th
3-11 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com - Pepperdine's Cole Cook had a successful outing recently against the #2 team in the country, LSU. Although Cook took the loss, dropping his record to 0-2 on the season, and yielded three earned runs, he still threw effectively. Cook's line was very respectable 7IP, 7H, 1BB, 3ER and 9K - especially against one of the top teams in the country. Cole has been known to struggle maintaining his velocity late into games, but his last pitch was a 92 mph fastball, not much of a dip from where he threw all day. His fastest pitch was recorded at 94. "Better, I'd say, and maybe that's a matter of how early in the season it was for him," an NL club's area scout said. "He was aggressive," the scout said. "This was a nice test and he didn't back down. I had him in the low-90s for much of the game, and by my count his last fastball there (in the seventh inning) was 92. But the key for him was the split, it was very effective. And he was much better at avoid the middle of the plate, and for the most part kept the ball in the lower half of the zone."
4-19 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/mlb-draft-notes-saturday-review-417/#more - Cole Cook was spectacular for Pepperdine, throwing a complete game shutout against Gonzaga. Over his nine innings, Cook allowed just two earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out six. "His breaking ball is still a work-in progress," said one assistant scouting director, it's a bit of enigma, but it's getting college hitters out."
156. Connor Mason - Home Schooled – Suwanee, GA. – 90-91 fastball… excellent curve… plus command…
2-12 from www.mlbprospect.com: - mock drafted 146th
157. Kole Calhoun
2-28 from www.mlbdraft.com: - 111th in mock draft
158. Greg Peavey:
4-22: From prnscouting: mock drafted # 147
159. Tyler Hanks:
4-20 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/20/1431880/casing-the-states-nevada#storyjump: - RHP, CC of Southern Nevada - Hanks is but a mere piece of the electric pitching staff at CSN this spring. The staff is so electric that Hanks, perhaps the top pro prospect of the bunch, is relegated to a supporting bullpen role that doesn't include the closer's spot. That doesn't seem to bother Hanks, as he's broken out this spring to the tune of a 2-1 record with an 0.86 ERA in 31.1 innings, striking out 30 and walking only 9 as of April 20. He's started three games, but most scouts agree that his long-term role will be in the bullpen, where he absolutely shines. That's due to an elite fastball that gets plus grades, sitting 92-95 while touching 97-98 regularly. He's really started to command that pitch this year, and that's why he's really jumped up boards. His secondary pitch is a solid-average slider that has been as high as 87 mph, but it gets better break in the 84-85 range. He doesn't use it as much as he'll have to in the pros, as he's been able to blow his fastball by hitters with ease this spring. That, and the fact that he's changeup-free, means that Hanks will almost certainly be a relief prospect in the pros, though a very good one. He could easily be one of the top relievers taken in June, and he'll almost certainly bypass an Oklahoma State scholarship. Projected Draft Range: 2nd-4th Round
4-22 from pnrscouting: mock drafted #162
160. Cam Thomas – Abundant Life (SC) – 6-4 - won State Championship in 2009 – 6-4, 190 – 5-0, 1.47, 33K, 19.0 IP – SP2 and 1st string catcher: .449/.542/.939. – throws ¾ with a 2-seamer, 4-seamer, curve, change-up…
7-23: Thomas went to the mound for the Beaufort Ospreys in the ravel team’s playoff game on July 22, against Lancaster, and pitched a 5-hit, complete game, for a 5-1 victory. Thomas gave up zero earned runs, striking out six in the 7-nning game. He also went 1-3, with a single.
1-15: Taked with Coach Steve Exley… Thomas will stay primarily as a catcher and will SP2 as well. “Came is a tremendously talented defensive catcher, with a rocket arm… he also was one of the to hitters and leaders in home runs and runs batted in…”
3-1: From State Champions Abundant Life H.S. (SC) Coach Steve Exley: In the Northside Classic, Cam Thomas was 4-5 with three walks, 1 double, 1 HR and 3RBIs. He also threw out both runners who attempted to steal. On the mound: 5-IP, 2-R, 1-ER, 7-K,
2-28 from www.mlbdraft.com: - 101st in mock draft
161. Randy Fontanez Jr. –
1-4: named to the 2010 Preseason All-Big East First Team as named by a vote of conference coaches: Pitcher of the Year: Randy Fontanez, Jr., RHP, South Florida - P Randy Fontanez, Jr., USF (7-3, 3.09 ERA)
3-31 from: - http://collegebaseball360.com/2010/03/31/cb360-primetime-performers-6-march-30 - Randy Fontanez fired the first 9-inning no-hitter in Division I baseball this season, during his team’s BIG EAST Conference opening 4-0 win over visiting Notre Dame (sparking the Bulls to a series sweep, as they look to challenge Louisville for the conference title). The 6-1, 195-pound righthander racked up a career-high 12 strikeouts, with only two walks, while throwing 80 of his 119 pitches (67%) for strikes. Fontanez did not allow a runner to reach second base until there was one out in the top of the 9th (thanks to the second catchers-interference call of the game). The gem is the third no-hitter in USF history and the first since 1992. Over the course of the nine innings, Fontanez faced 31 batters and allowed only three balls to reach the outfield - as his 27 outs includedthe 12 Ks (at least one every inning; half of them “looking”) along with 10 groundouts, a foulout to first base, a popup to the shortstop and three flyouts (leftfielder Junior Carlin never had to touch the ball in the game). Veteran outfielder Ryan Connolly (3-hole hitter) was the only Notre Dame batter that reached base multiple times and was ND’s only baserunner until the 9th.
4-26 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/26/big-east-players-of-the-week-12/#more-25679 - USF righthanded pitcher Randy Fontanez is the winner of the BIG EAST’s weekly baseball honors for the week-ending April 25. Fontanez was tabbed as BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week after he threw a complete-game shutout to key USF’s 5-0 win against Villanova Friday, helping the Bulls take two of three from the Wildcats. Fontanez faced just three batters over the minimum as he scattered four hits and walked one while striking out five to pick up his third win of the season. He registered his third complete game of the season and his second complete-game shutout of the year.
162. Michael Wagner –
1-21 from www.baseballamerica: - Two hurlers, both Area Code Game alumni, distinguished themselves. Also impressive was Michael Wagner (Centennial HS, Las Vegas), who at 6’4” and 180 pounds is the classic projectable high school righthander. Wagner offers a 90-91 mph fastball with excellent natural sink, an 81 mph curveball and an 80 mph change that has some slight screwball action. In his delivery, Wagner reminds observers of Goose Gossage, with a severely bent back leg and maximum effort delivery. Like Gossage, Wagner appears to throw both himself and the ball at the hitter. Saberhagen offered his opinion on Wagner: “He has good mechanics, and he works both sides of the plate well. He needs to work on the change, since he jerks it when he delivers it. The breaking ball is good, but not as tight as I’ve seen it before.”
4-8 from: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/draft-tracker/2010/269779.html - Mike Wagner, rhp, Centennial HS, Las Vegas - Wagner didn't make Baseball America's preseason high school Top 100 list, but he'd surely has pitched his way into Top 100 territory this spring. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound righthander is a part of San Diego's tremendous crop of recruits for next season. But his stuff has recently taken a step forward with a lot of scouts in attendance, and if he continues pitching like he has this spring, teams are going to do everything they can to make sure he doesn't get there. Wagner won a recent game against Arbor View High, 6-3, in front of 10 scouts. He threw 99 pitches (including 71 strikes) over his six innings of work, striking out seven without issuing a walk. He sat 91-95 mph with his fastball, including hitting 94 an impressive 18 times.
163. Nick Kingham – Sierra Vista HS (NV) – 6-5, 210, R/R… fastball hits 89… sharp breaking curve at 72… also plays 1B with raw power….
1-21 from www.baseballamerica: - Two hurlers, both Area Code Game alumni, distinguished themselves. First was Nick Kingham (Sierra Vista HS, Las Vegas), a physically imposing 6-foot-5, 220-pound righthander. Kingham fired a heavy 90-94 mph fastball, adding a sharp 79 mph slider and an inconsistent but promising 82 mph changeup, which flashed late arm side movement. On hand for the event was Bret Saberhagen, a two-time AL Cy Young Award winner who now works as a consultant for West Coast Sports Management. Saberhagen gave BA his take on Kingham: “He has improved mechanically, but he has to make sure not to overthrow. His change was really nice, and he also has a tight breaking ball. I like the fact that he has lost about 20-30 pounds, has gotten thinner but also has gotten stronger.”
4-20 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/20/1431880/casing-the-states-nevada#storyjump: - RHP, Sierra Vista HS, Las Vegas - The one big thing about Bryce Harper being a huge prospect that hasn't been discussed enough is how much he's brought attention on the scouting scene in the Las Vegas area. Even prep players have received more attention as a result. Kingham is one of those lucky players. Kingham entered the spring as a well-known entity, despite not playing baseball a year ago due to Nevada athletic rules that bar players transferring schools without moving from playing for a year. He hit national events hard over the summer, reestablishing value he had earlier in his career. A tall, projectable arm that has really firmed up his body in the last six months, Kingham has blossomed even more this spring, and more eyes than usual have been on him. He's started sitting comfortably in the 90-92 mph range with more to come, and there's one report of him hitting 95. He projects to easily possess a plus fastball with a free and easy delivery, and that's not the only thing to like about him. He throws an average curveball and an above-average changeup which some scouts have labeled as a potential plus pitch. That three-pitch mix has Kingham rising up boards fast, and he could land as high as early in the second round if things keep progressing, which would lead to him giving up his Oregon scholarship. Projected Draft Range: 2nd-4th Round
164. Martin Viramontes:
4-26 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/04/26/martin-viramontes-update - Loyola Marymount right-hander Martin Viramontes has been inconsistent in 2010. After missing the 2009 season because of shoulder injuries, his outing Sunday against San Francisco showed some strengths and exposed other weaknesses. Viramontes was 91-93 in the first four innings, averaging 93 and hitting 94 eight times. He used a slurve breaking ball at 76-78, a pitch that wouldn’t profile as a big league put-away pitch. He occasionally threw a harder slider at 84, usually saving those only for San Francisco left-handed hitter Stephen Yarrow, a pitch that would profile as a big league out pitch if he repeats it more often. He mixed in a change-up at 80-84, with an average of 80. That could be a pitch that might have more ceiling for him in the coming years, certainly more so than the slurve, and would be better against wood.
5-10 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft - UP: Martin Viramontes, RHP, Loyola Marymount University - Last Sunday, May 2, Viramontes came within one out of a no-hitter, as LMU dominated St. Mary's in a 10-0 win. The 6-5, 225-pounder gave up two singles in the ninth before striking out a pinch hitter to end the game. It was Viramontes' second complete game of the season, striking out 15 batters in the process. It has, however, been a difficult year for Viramontes, who has been entirely too hittable in his 11 starts, with opponents hitting him at a .330 clip, and this was before the May 2 game. Seen at the beginning of the season as a possible first-day draftee, Viramontes has shown the flashes of a major-league workhorse, but might have a tough time breaking into the first-day run. As a draft-eligible sophomore, he could easily return to school and to continue improving his command and developing his secondary pitches.
165. Daniel Renken – Cal-State Fullerton – 6-4, 195… 2009: 11-3, 2.69, 103-K, 123.2-IP…
11-7-9 from www.mlbresource.com: - Daniel Renken, RHP Cal State Fullerton - Renken is 6’4 and sits in the low 90’s. Has a chance to shoot up draft boards with a standout 2010.
11-7: from www.collegebaseballblog.com: - named the 74th top college player
5-27 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/05/27/daniel-renken-update - Daniel Renken showed in his outing at Long Beach how and why he is really good at being what he is. Renken is a tall right-hander with a long wing span and a lean and lanky frame. What he lacks in power he makes up in pitch-ability, which is why he’s had success as a college pitcher leading up to the draft. As a professional, Renken will need to continue refining what he does in order to give himself the best chance for a long career. He lacks premier right-handed velocity and arm speed, which is no secret. He pitched comfortably at 87-88 in this look, sometimes hitting 89 and fewer times bumping 90. He throws a sweeping slider across his body to right-handed hitters, which he alternates with his change-up, which is 77-80. Renken pitched with his fastball and change-up in the early innings, bringing his slider into the game as he got into the order for a third time. He’s a low ball pitcher with natural sink and run, but because he lacks power, he needs precision to survive as a pro. One other adjustment that would concern me going forward is the tendency to hook his wrist on his breaking ball. This speaks to the fact that Renken really lacks a put-away breaking ball entering pro ball.
166. Eric Pettis – UC Irvine – junior… 2009: 5-2, 3.86, 29 appearances, 37-K, 42.0-IP
12-20: named to 1st team AA squad – 2010 NCBWA
167. Ryan Duke – Oklahoma – junor… 2009: 3-1, 3.22, 26 appearances…
12-20: named to 1st team AA squad – 2010 NCBWA
168. Chris Franklin – SE Louisiana – junior… 2009: 5-2, 2.60, in 24 appearances…
12-20: named to 1st team AA squad – 2010 NCBWA
4-26 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/26/southland-baseball-players-of-the-week-10/#more-25681 - Southeastern Louisiana right-hander Chris Franklin has been named the Southland Pitcher of the Week, the league office announced Monday. In his first career start on the mound for Southeastern, Franklin tossed a complete-game four-hitter to lead the Lions to an 11-3 win at rival Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Sunday. A native of Oneonta, Ala., Franklin allowed three hits in the first two innings before allowing two base runners (one hit, one error) the rest of the way. He retired the final 12 batters he faced and is 5-4 on the season with a 2.84 ERA and seven saves.
169. Todd McInnis – Southern Miss. – 2009: 9-4, 3.73, 90-K, 101.1-IP
12-20: named to 3rd team AA squad – 2010 NCBWA
170. Christian Bergman – UC Irvine – 2009: 9-3, 3.50, 66-K, 97.2-IP
12-20: named to 3rd team AA squad – 2010 NCBWA
4-27 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/27/big-west-players-of-the-week-7 - Christian Bergman (Altadena, Calif./St. Francis HS) threw a near perfect game for UC Irvine to claim Big West Pitcher of the Week accolades, using an economical 89 pitches to shut down UC Davis in a 13-0 victory Saturday. Bergman faced the minimum 27 batters in the complete game effort, allowing just a leadoff single in the first inning to Daniel Cepin. Following a caught stealing on Cepin in a stolen base attempt, Bergman retired the next 26 batters he faced in hurling his first complete game shutout.
171. Jimmy Reyes – Elon - 2009: 8-0, 4.78, 101-K, 84.2-IP
172. Dennis Grady – Duke – junior… 5-10, 185, RHP/IF – R/R… played for the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers in the 2009 summer…
7-24 – Fr. www.rivals.yahoo.com: - The skinny: O’Grady didn’t have a particularly impressive spring with the Blue Devils, and finished the season with a 5.76 ERA in 45 1/3 innings. However, he’s having a fabulous summer at the Northwoods. O’Grady has a 5-0 record and a 0.98 ERA in 55 innings for the Lunkers. He also has struck out 44 and walked 11 and opponents are hitting him at a .162 clip. He appears to be ready to take the next step.
173. Case Nixon – Hillcrest HS, Tuscaloosa, Ala. – played 2009 as the primary catcher, but his fastball hits 93… look for full conversion topoitcher in 2010
8-6: From www.baseballamerica.com: - Nixon is an athletic 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.
174. Nick Rumbelow – Bullard HS (TX) – 6-0, 190 – fastball sits at 90-92… one of the nastiest changeups in high school ball…
4-30 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/30/1451211/casing-the-states-texas-part-four#storyjump - RHP Rumbelow has some striking similarities to Chance Ruffin above. The big difference is that Rumbelow is three years behind Ruffin as a high school prospect. A smaller pitcher with a fast arm, Rumbelow doesn't have much projectability, but he uses a pair of solid pitches to dominate high school competition. He starts out his arsenal with a low-90s fastball that has good life, and he spots it pretty well most of the time. Like with most high school pitchers, he can struggle repeating his mechanics at time, which causes him to lose control temporarily in some outings, and that's a main reason why he hasn't taken a step forward in scouting circles this spring. Rumbelow's best secondary pitch is a biting circle changeup that gets excellent late life, though he's struggled mightily to spot it this spring. It's a plus pitch already when it's on, and that's an excellent sign for success in his future. His breaking ball is a fringe-average slider without much projection left, and some scouts see him in the Trevor Hoffman tradition of late-inning relievers that rely on a fastball-changeup arsenal. However, he's committed to LSU, and while he won't start immediately, he's expected to get his chance to start there, and since he hasn't taken a big step forward this spring, a lot of scouts think he'll end up on campus. Projected Draft Range: 8th-25th Round
175. Todd McInnis:
5-3 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/5/3/1455597/casing-the-states-mississippi#storyjump - Todd McInnis, RHP, Southern Miss - McInnis continues to prove doubters wrong as he puts together yet another solid season as the Friday starter for Southern Miss. Surprising 2009 College World Series entrants, the Golden Eagles rode McInnis to success. However, McInnis is not as highly touted in the scouting community as he is in the college baseball arena. A lightly-recruited arm out of high school, McInnis was on his way to an excellent freshman campaign when he went down with a back injury that cost him his season. He redshirted and returned to start for the Golden Eagles the next year. However, he battled forearm stiffness in the back half of the year, which limited his success and durability. Out of that history, scouts questioned his pro prospects, as he has one of the skinniest, smallest frames of major Friday starters in college baseball. They question his durability and many see him as a reliever in pro ball. He went undrafted after a solid redshirt sophomore campaign a year ago, but he's a likely top ten rounds draftee this year. He uses an average fastball sitting 88-91, an average curveball, and an above-average changeup to carve up hitters, and though he has #5 starter or swing man upside, he could be a valuable commodity as a 22 year old with a lot of experience. Projected Draft Range: 6th-10th Round
5-24-10 from: - http://conferenceusa.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/052310aaa.html - A pair of hurlers that turned in terrific performances on the mound in the final weekend of conference play share this week's Conference USA Pitcher of the Week award, as Mike Ojala of Rice and RHP Todd McInnis of Southern Miss split the honor. McInnis finished the regular season by limiting Memphis to three hits and no earned runs to win his sixth game of the season on Saturday and lower his C-USA-leading ERA to 2.91 on the season. The junior left last week's game at Rice after two innings with arm trouble but rebounded by throwing 6.2 innings with three strikeouts and one walk to lead Southern Miss to a second place finish in Conference USA. The victory was the 25th of his career moving him into 10th place on the Conference USA all-time win list. This is the second Pitcher of the Week honor in three weeks for McInnis, the reigning C-USA Pitcher of the Year.
176. Nick Tropeano – Riverhead (NY) -
8-31: From www.baseballamerica: Tropeano came on strong down the stretch as Stony Brook's No. 3 starter this spring and was downright dominant this summer in the ACBL, going 7-3, 1.61 with a 77-14 strikeout-walk ratio in 50 innings to win the league's pitching triple crown. Tropeano's bread and butter is his biting breaking ball, and he uses his changeup effectively as well. He could add velocity to his 87-88 mph fastball as he grows into his 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame. Tropeano earns plaudits for his composed demeanor and focus on the mound.
177. Blake Cooper:
4-20 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/20/sec-players-of-the-week-9 - PITCHER OF THE WEEK - Blake Cooper South Carolina Senior RHP Neeses, S.C. - • Cooper tossed a complete game shutout with a four-hitter in the 5-0 win vs. nationally ranked Ole Miss on Friday, April 16… He is only the second SEC pitcher to record a complete game shutout this year and the first this season to do it in SEC play… Cooper struck out a career-high 10 batters in the victory, his fifth complete game of his career but his first career complete game shutout. • He allowed just four hits and one walk in the victory… The complete game shutout was the first by a Gamecock pitcher since Aaron Rawl on May 13, 2005 in a 2-0 win at Ole Miss.
5-27 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/05/chris-duffy-leads-senior-surprises/#more - Senior Surprises - Blake Cooper, South Carolina, RHP - At 5'10" and a pitcher, Cooper has to be phenomenal to make it to the big leagues. However, Cooper's been very good this season: 10-0 with a 3.01 ERA and 79 strikeouts. According to Churchill, he throws "primarily a fastball in the 88-91 mph range, a curveball and the occasional slider and splitter."
178. Conrad Flynn – Tulane – 6-3, 210, R/R – junior… 2009: 8-3, 3.93, 14 starts, 87.0-IP, only 58-Ks
179. Logan Thomas – Pickens HS (SC) – 6-0, 170…
PGCrossCecker has Thomas ranked 4th in SC and 198th in nation
180. Trevor Bauer - UCLA; North Hollywood, Calif. - sophomore… 6-1, 175, /R – 2009: 20 appearances, 10 starts… 9-3, 2.99, 4-CG, 2-S, 92-K, 27-BB, .225-OBA, 105.1-IP… led staff in wins, ERA, and IP…
181. Sonny Gray - Vanderbilt; Nashville, Tenn. – 5-11, 180, R/R - sophomore – 2009: 5-1, 4.30, 72-K, 58.2-IP
7-23: SP in Team USA 10-2 win against Team Prince George: 7.0-IP, 1-R, 5-K, 3rd win
182. Kevin Brady – Clemson –
From www.baseballamerica.com: - Brady ranked as the No. 3 prospect in the Ripken League last year but made just four appearances as a freshman on Clemson's deep pitching staff this spring. He dazzled back in the Ripken League this summer, going 2-2, 1.53 with 38 strikeouts and five walks in 29 innings. Brady shows an average to plus fastball with some sink that he controls at 90-94 mph from a high three-quarters slot. Brady is deceptively strong and holds his fastball velocity beyond the sixth inning. His other pitches are works in progress: a 71-75 curve with below-average depth and an average 83-85 changeup. Brady is still working on commanding the zone with all three offerings, but he has significant upside.
183. Thomas Lees – Whitewater HS (GA) – 6-0, 175, R/R – 84-88 fastball… excellent movement…
184. Forrest Koumas – Hartsville HS (SC) – 5-10, 175
PG Cross Checker has Koumas ranked 8th in SC and 446 in nation…
185. Ryan Moore – Sheehan HS (CT) – 6-1, 175, R/R – 84-88 fastball… tight spun curve… fuild delivery…
186. Nick Ahmed – Connecticut… junior…
11-9 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - The Huskies feature one of the nation’s most intriguing pair of two-way talents in SO RHP/SS Nick Ahmed (2011) and SO RHP/3B Kevin Vance (2011). Ahmed turned some serious heads in summer league play with a fastball sitting in the low-90s, a low-70s curve with promise, and a presently league average change.
187. Hunter Rice – Boiling Springs HS (SC) – 5-11/190
Also plays third base… PG Cross Checker has him ranked 10th in SC and 489th in nation…
188. Tim Boyce:
5-18 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/05/18/tcbb-players-of-the-week-may-18th - The College Baseball Blog continues our tradition of naming National Player and Pitcher of the Week. This week we honor Virginia RHP Robert Morey and Rhode Island RHP Tim Boyce are our Co-Pitchers of the Week. Tim Boyce of Rhode Island had a stellar Friday afternoon, striking out 10 batters against Richmond on his way to his 2nd straight complete game shutout. Boyce gave up only 2 hits, both singles and one walk, and now has a school record 25-inning scoreless streak.
5-24-10 from: - http://www.atlantic10.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/052410aab.html - Pitcher of the Week - Tim Boyce - Rhode Island - Senior, RHP, 6-2, 205 lbs. - Swansea, Mass./Joseph Case HS - Boyce tossed his third consecutive complete-game shutout on May 20 as Rhode Island downed George Washington, 7-0...extended his scoreless innings streak to 34, the longest in Division I this season...had his no-hitter broken up with two outs in the eighth...scattered three hits on the afternoon while fanning seven...tabbed the A-10 Pitcher of the Week for the third consecutive week.
189. Dace Kime – verbally committed to Louisville
9-8: www.pgtracker.com lists as one of the top 10 high school players coming out of Ohio.
190. Brett Welbley – Kent State -
9-8: www.pgtracker.com lists as one of the top 10 college players coming out of Ohio.
191. Dusty Issacs –
9-8: www.pgtracker.com lists as one of the top 10 high school players coming out of Ohio.
192. Burny Mitchem – Dayton
9-8: www.pgtracker.com lists as one of the top 10 college players coming out of Ohio.
193. Johnny Fasola –
9-8: www.pgtracker.com lists as one of the top 10 high school players coming out of Ohio.
194. Alex Jones – Jacksonville State – 200 lbs…
11-11-9 from www.thebaseballdraftreport.com: - Jacksonville State - SR RHP Alex Jones (2010) and his surgically repaired elbow’s nasty slider. Jones is coming off from Tommy John surgery and, unfortunately, is feeling the impact hard. His fastball that once topped out in the low-90s was only able to get up over 86 this past summer. Thankfully the procedure and subsequent time off had no negative consequences on his plus-plus slider, a pitch that may be the best of its kind in all of college baseball. If Jones can pick up some of that lost velocity, he’ll find himself as another potential mid-round college reliever sleeper. He’s got the pro body (6-6, 190 pounds) and financial advantage (he’d be a senior sign) that many similarly talented pitchers in the mid-rounds seem to lack.
11-25: - injury update: Jones played fall baseball pain free… fastball touching 90-91, and his slider is nasty as ever
195. Kyle Simons – Arizona junior…
11-9 from www.mlbresource.com: - Kyle Simon, RHP Arizona - If you are looking for someone to surprise draft boards in 2010, look no further than the tall right-hander for the Wildcats.
196. Luke Taylor - Woodinville HS – 62.22 SPARQ rating at 2010 Prospect Games in Washington State…
197. Greg Greve – Walsh Jesuit HS (OH) – 6-2, 185, R/R… good command… solid change-up… fastball hits 89…
198. Bradley Wallace – Woodlawn HS (AR) – 6-2, 155, R/R – fastball has hit 90… too lean… breaking ball spins at 70…
199. A.J. Berglund – St. Francis HS (CA) – 6-3, 220, R/R – big and powerful… low 90’s fastball, 84 change, and
200. Robert Morey – Virginia… junior… 2009: 3-0, 3.33, 18 games, nine starts… 84-K in 67.2-IP
10-27 from www.collegebaseballblog.com: - voted 85th top college player
5-17 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/05/17/acc-players-of-the-week-24 - Virginia’s Robert Morey received the Atlantic Coast Conference Pitcher of the Week honors. Morey pitched his second-consecutive complete game, a first at UVa since Andrew Dobies fired back-to-back complete games in 2004. The Virginia Beach, Va., junior was the first opposing pitcher to go the distance vs. North Carolina this season in Saturday’s 5-1 win. Morey held UNC to a season-low three hits. He did not allow a hit until the sixth inning and retired 15 straight batters at one point. He also tied his season high with eight strikeouts as the top-ranked Cavaliers posted their 13th straight victory in their current 14-game winning streak.
5-18 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/05/18/tcbb-players-of-the-week-may-18th - The College Baseball Blog continues our tradition of naming National Player and Pitcher of the Week. This week we honor Virginia RHP Robert Morey and Rhode Island RHP Tim Boyce are our Co-Pitchers of the Week. Robert Morey threw 6 innings of no-hit ball against the North Carolina Tar Heels en route to a 5-1 victory in the second game of a double-dip, giving up 3 hits total in his second straight complete game. Morey finished with 8 strikeouts while retiring 15 batters in a row at one point. Morey is now 8-2 with a 3.30 ERA, while the Cavaliers have won 15 straight contests.
201. Sean Yost – Nebraska – sophomore eligible – 6-7, 200… fb 90-94, tops out 96…
11-15 from www.perfectgame.com: - Some comparisons to Madson with the Phils. Tall and angular, some arm whip with good arm side run when the ball is down in the strike zone, secondary stuff is adequate enough to get hitters out, most concerned about STAMINA!!!! Only 6'7 maybe 200 soaking wet. 210 or 215 would be a huge stretch to say he weighed that much. Will be a tough sign if he gets selected at all as a draft eli second year guy.
202. Eric Stevens –
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - 19.Eric Stevens
203. .Brandon Williams -
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - #21. Brandon Williams
204. Tony Rizzotti –
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - 22.Tony Rizzotti
205. Adam Duke –
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - 23.Adam Duke
5-16 from: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=2142 - • Spanish Fork (Utah) High's Adam Duke was electric earlier in the year, sitting 91-94 mph with a power curveball, but scouts said he was down to 87-89 lately and opinions varied on the reasoning. Some scouts believe he was coasting late in the year, others thought he might be hiding a shoulder injury or perhaps going through a dead arm period. Yesterday, Duke was back up to 90-92 and threw a one-hit shutout against Box Elder High in the opening round of Utah's 5-A state tournament. Duke is committed to Oregon State and his signability and the status of his arm will determine where he goes, but he's a third to fifth-round talent
206. Evan Hudson –
12-10 from www.baseballdraftreport.com: - check out my initial ranking of 2010’s top righthanded high school pitching prospects. - 25.Evan Hudson
207. Jarret Summers – WVU junior… 2009: 7-3, 3.05
1-4: named to the 2010 Preseason All-Big East First Team as named by a vote of conference coaches:
208. Kyle Thompson –
1-23-10 from www,baseballdraftreport.com: - SR RHP Kyle Thompson (2010) is a deep, deep, deep sleeper, not unlike a hungover hibernating bear. How did the bear get so drunk in the first place? I’ll never tell. College relievers with 12.1 innings pitched through three healthy seasons don’t typically warrant more than a quick dismissal of their pro prospects, but any player who learned under the watchful eye of Mark Gubicza is alright by me. I know Thompson has been used only out of the bullpen for the Cardinal, but his stuff (low-90s fastball, above-average change, and usable breaking ball) would play better as a starter. Late round senior signs don’t normally have the upside of a middle reliever, let alone a fifth starter, but that’s what I see in Thompson. It’ll take a good pitching coach to help him unlock the potential of his stuff, but there is enough already there to make him a worthy late round (40+) pickup.
209. Scott Matyas – Minnesota junior –
2/11 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - JR RHP Scott Matyas (2010) has experienced serious success (78 strikeouts in 60.2 college innings) with his 88-91 MPH fastball, good cutter, above-average low-70s curve, and plus command. He’s a good athlete with great size (6-4, 215) that has recovered nicely from high school Tommy John surgery. His mechanics are now a lot cleaner than they were back then, and his durability has gone from a question mark to a strength. He’s a reliever all the way, but a darn good one.
210. Tony Amezcua –
2-15 from www.baseballamerica.com: - • RHP Tony Amezcua, Bellflower HS: Thin, rangy and projectable, Amezcua was virtually unknown before Saturday. He jumped onto everyone’s follow list by exhibiting a fluid motion on his 89-91 fastball, 80 change and 75 curve.
211. Max Friedman –
3-10-10 from http://baseballdraftreport.com: - JR RHP Max Friedman (Wright State) did all he could to slow down Virginia’s offensive attack. His good sinking fastball (88-93 MPH) and good 1-2 secondary punch (good changeup, average slider) kept the Cavaliers’ bats at bay: 5 IP 8 H 3 ER 2 BB 1 K
212. Austin Brice –
3-12 from http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/articles/DisplayArticle.aspx?article=2201 - AUSTIN BRICE, rhp, SR, Northwood HS. An Appalachian State recruit, Brice might be the most projectable prospect in the state this year. His fastball sat easily in the 86-90 mph range and he showed good feel for an 11-to-5 curveball in the mid-70s. What sticks out about Brice is how loose and easy his delivery is, and it is easy to imagine him throwing in the low- to mid-90s down the road. While his upside is excellent, his challenge will be harnessing his raw stuff.
213. Dylan Maples –
3-12 from: http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/articles/DisplayArticle.aspx?article=2201 - DILLON MAPLES, rhp, JR, Pinecrest HS. One of the nation’s elite prospects in the 2011 class, Maples has already verbally committed to North Carolina. His fastball was generally in the 88-92 mph range, but topped out at 94 in the first inning. Maples also features an average to above-average breaking ball in the high 70s.
214. Mario Hollands –
3-13 from: http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/03/13/foleys-friday-thoughts: - There was also two more great pitching lines on Friday evening with Gerrit Cole dominating Texas AM Corpus-Christi and Mario Hollands beating Northern Illinois . Hollands pitched a complete game against Northern Illinois allowing a ninth inning run to break up the shutout. He ended up striking out 16 Huskies to tie Barry Zito’s school record for strikeouts.
215. Caleb Smith – Abundant Life (SC) – 6-0, 180 - 2009: 5-1, 1.08, 60K in 32.2 IP… .490/.581/1.037, 7 HRs, 41 RBIs in 51 at bats – won State Championship in 2009… being recruited by the Univ. of Penn…
12-9: Caleb smith has been named one of South Carolina's ten finalists for the Wendy's High School Heisman Award.
1-1-9 from www.draftsite.com: - mock draft: - #67 Detroit Caleb Smith RHP Abundant Life Academy, Sc. 6'2" 185 R,R
3-1: From Coach Steve Exley: Caleb Smith was 3-6 with 2 RBIs. he went 5IP , 4 runs, 1 earned 6 Ks....against one of the strongest teams in our area...This same team scord 20 runs in Saturdays championship game against Northside.
216. Scott Copeland – senior
3-14 from http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/03/14/quick-thoughts-from-saturday/#more-24380 - Scott Copeland of Southern Mississippi pitched a complete game three hitter over the Missouri State Bears as the Golden Eagles picked up the 6-0 victory. Copeland is now 3-0 with an ERA of 1.80 in 30 innings pitched. If he continues at this level, Southern Miss will be a formidable opponent come time for the NCAA Tourney with Todd McInnis and Scott Copeland leading the rotation.
217. Chase Dempsey –
3-13 from: http://pnrscouting.com/articles_2010_houstoncollegeclassic_day1_03092010.html - Houston’s Chase Dempsay (2010) danced in and out of trouble, scattering four hits and four walks over five innings. His fastball was in the upper-80s, showing good life, and was most effective down in the zone. He also threw a mid-70s change-up with some tumble, getting good deception out of the same slot as his fastball with solid arm speed. Dempsay projects as middle-reliever, lacking a pro-quality third offering, and could find some success if he continues to blend his fastball and change effectively.
218. Brett Bochy –
3-15 from http://collegebaseball360.com/2010/03/15/college-baseball-notebook-week-4 - 0…Hits and runs allowed by Jayhawk closer Brett Bochy in 3 2/3 IP to earn saves in both KU wins. The son of San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy struckout five with two walks.
3-17 from: - www.CollegeBaseball360.com: - Brett Bochy – who has a year of eligibility remaining after this season – saved both of KU’s wins at top-ranked LSU (11-9, 8-4), in front of a raucous and expansive crowd at Alex Box Stadium. The son of San Diego Padres manager Bruce Bochy logged a total of 3.2 shutout innings and retired 11-of-13 batters he faced, with five strikeouts and no hits allowed (2 BB). His season numbers include a 0.87 ERA in 10.1 innings, with 19 Ks, four walks and only two hits allowed.
219. Bobby Doran –
3-17 from: - http://pnrscouting.com/articles_2010_houstoncollegeclassic_day2_03102010.html - Bobby Doran (2010) put together an impressive start in his own right, sitting in the low-90s with a lively fastball, touching 93 several times. His breaking ball was a two-plane 77-78 mph curve with which he showed a good deal of comfort in various counts. A third interesting offering was what looked like a splitter or split-change, which sat 82-83 and touched 84. He worked the pitch well enough down in the zone (though he threw it out of the zone more often than not). Doran’s final line was a strong 7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB and 5 SO, and he handled a talented Rice line-up admirably
220. A J Achter -
3-22 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/03/22/big-ten-baseball-players-of-the-week-2 - PITCHER OF THE WEEK - A.J. Achter, Michigan State - Jr., RHP, Oregon, Ohio/Clay - Achter tossed his first career complete-game shutout on Saturday as Michigan State downed Notre Dame, 13-0, in Game 1 of a three-game sweep over the Fighting Irish. The junior struck out nine batters while scattering seven hits and allowing just three walks. Achter faced the minimum in five of his nine innings, improving his season record to 2-0. The right-hander owns a season ERA of 1.83 and is allowing opposing batters to hit at just a .222 clip. The weekly honor is the first of Achter’s career and the second for a Spartan pitcher this season.
221. Jonathan Gray -
3-31 from http://mlbbonusbaby.com: - RHP Jonathan Gray is a big-bodied right-handed pitcher from Chandler, Oklahoma, a town roughly equal distance from Oklahoma City and Tulsa in the middle of the state. Gray is a late riser up draft boards, and while he doesn’t offer a lot in terms of projection, he offers a durable body with solid current stuff. Using a pro body that profiles to eat innings, he brings an above-average fastball with average to above-average command, and it sits 88-92, touching 94. It plays up due to his command, so while it doesn’t have elite velocity, it is a solid first pitch to his arsenal. He only throws one other pitch consistently, a slider, but that doesn’t seem to be a major issue for most scouts. The slider flashes above-average potential, sitting 78-80, and he can spot it pretty well, too. There’s concern that he struggles with repeating it, and he might be prone to some elbow troubles as the result of some awkward deliveries of the pitch. He throws a variant of a splitter as his neutralizing pitch for lefties, but it’s fairly raw, and it’s likely to get scrapped in favor of a true changeup in the pros. Much of Gray’s value is in his body, and his raw stuff profiles best as a number four starter that eats innings at league average production. His Oklahoma scholarship may get in the way, but he profiles as a solid 6th-8th round prospect that could go a couple rounds higher if a team believes his stuff is a little better
222. Jake Borup:
ASU, RHP - 4-4 from: http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/mlb-draft-notes-dixon-anderson-and-other-updated-scouting-report/#more - Facing off against Dixon, Borup gave up one run over seven innings and punched out 13 of the 26 men he faced. He worked primarily with a fringe-average fastball at 87-91 and an 80-82 mph slider that he throws very often, locating well both in and out of the strike zone. He's built like a starter at 6-foot-5, 203 pounds, but only threw eight innings last spring, so it's not clear what kind of workload he can handle and whether his velocity will increase as he builds up strength to work in a rotation, but figures at least as a two-pitch reliever in pro ball.
223. Hayden Simpson:
4-2 from: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=2050 - Hayden Simpson, rhp, Southern Arkansas - "He's putting together about as good of a college career as you can. I think he's 28-1 or 29-1 in college now. I'm not sure what year he lost a game, I know it wasn't this one. I haven't seen him a second time, but I saw his first start of the year and. . . they left him in a little longer than you'd like to see—I think he threw 115 pitches in his first start—but he was sitting 92-94 and touching 96 for the first couple innings. It fell off a little bit but he can spin a curveball too. He's not a big guy—I would say he's about 5-11, 175—but he's got a good arm and his numbers are backing it up. His delivery gets out of whack every once in a while and he struggles throwing strikes, but he can usually put it back together. His stuff is just overpowering at that level. I think he's striking out 13 or 14 per nine and guys aren't making solid contact off of him at all. I think he's a bullpen guy. That first outing, he fell back down to 90-92 late in the game. He never dipped below 90 on my gun and he reached back a couple times when he saw the finish line. I know his second start of the year, his velocity did fall a little bit—I think he was 88-93, working much more with an average fastball, so I'm interested to see him when I get back in there a second time and see how he's holding up over the course of the year. I heard last year he finished the season as strong as he started it, but it seems this year there's a little bit more variation in the velocity."
224. Kevin Walter: -
Legacy High School, CO, RHP - 4-4 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com - Threw 85-90 in front of a number of scouts in an outing in Goodyear, Ariz., on Friday, but he's intriguing due to his size. He's easily 6-foot-5 and probably 210-220 pounds. He's been more 89-92 in the past and was pitching for the second time in five days, which is unusual for a high school kid. He's committed to Boston College and would be an interesting name for 2013 if he doesn't sign this year, as every once in a while a big, raw kid with a fringe-average fastball like Walter turns into an Anthony Ranaudo
225. Matt Bischoff:
4-5 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/05/big-ten-players-of-the-week-8 - PITCHER OF THE WEEK - Matt Bischoff, Purdue - Sr. RHP, Decatur, Ind./New Haven - Bischoff collects his third career Pitcher of the Week honor and his second of the season, throwing nine innings in Purdue’s Big Ten opener on Friday. The senior allowed just two runs on six hits without walking a batter while striking out 10 as the Boilermakers won, 3-2, in 10 innings. With his performance, he took over sole possession of second place on Purdue’s all-time strikeouts list with 231 in his career. The right-hander fanned the side in the first and tallied at least one strikeout in seven of his nine innings of work.
226. Jonathan Musser
4-6 from: - http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/articles/DisplayArticle.aspx?article=2248 - It will be interesting watching the development of Musser and Keller over the next few years. Both are signed with Nebraska, so there is a strong chance that the comparison will be easy to watch unless pro ball steps in this summer and takes one of them. But while Keller has thus far received more prospect attention for his abilities than the 6-4, 180 lb Musser, the difference between the two right handers is growing less and less. Musser had his second straight strong outing on Saturday and it’s easy to plot a steady improvement curve for him over the last few years. He was 88-90 mph over three smooth innings Saturday with good feel for his change up and less feel for his big breaking curveball, understandable at this point in the spring.
227. Jon Keller –
4-6 from: - http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/articles/DisplayArticle.aspx?article=2248 - RHP - This was Keller’s first outing of the spring and he didn’t pitch at the Pitcher/Catcher Indoor due to a sprained ankle, so a bit of rustiness was understandable. Keller pitched to 11 hitters before reaching his pitch count; he struck out 5 of them and walked the other 6. He threw about 95% fastballs and about 50% strikes and pretty much just reared back and fired. Interestingly, Keller almost never missed in and out, it was always up or down with the fastball. There was no problem with the velocity, as Keller touched 94 mph and was consistently 92 mph, although the pitch was very straight. He threw a couple of 81 mph sliders that he’s been working on back in Cedar Rapids and a couple of mid 80’s sinkers that could have been an effort at a changeup.
228. Perci Garner:
4-7 from: http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/04/2010-draft-preview-matt-harvey-rising-kyle-blair-falling/#more - Perci Garner, Ball State, RHP: A former quarterback for Ball State, Garner switched to baseball full-time in 2009 and the results have been promising. Though he is still very rough around the edges as a pitcher, he's already throwing 91-94 and has the strong, athletic build that one would expect from a former football player.
229. Greg Angelo:
4-12 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/12/patriot-league-for-april-11th/#more-25303 - If there were ever any doubts about Greg Angelo’s recovery from the injury that caused him to miss most of last year they were answered on Sunday, as the senior co-captain tossed a no-hitter to help Lehigh earn a series sweep of its archrival Lafayette. Behind Angelo’s strong performance the Mountain Hawks won game one 2-0 and came from behind in game two to earn a 6-3 win. Lehigh, who has now won six straight games, picks up its first series sweep over the Leopards since 2002. The Brown and White is now 14-16 (6-2) overall, and Lafayette drops to 6-21 (2-6) after the losses.
230. Greg Gonzalez:
4-13 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/13/wac-players-of-the-week-8 - - Fresno State’s Greg Gonzalez have been named the Verizon Western Athletic Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for April 5-11. Gonzalez, a junior from San Bruno, Calif. (Skyline JC), recorded a 7.0 inning complete game no-hit performance last week, helping the Bulldogs to a 1-0 shutout victory at Hawai‘i. Gonzalez became the seventh Bulldog to pitch a no-hitter and the first in 34 years to achieve the feat. The performance marked his first collegiate start as a Bulldog as he faced 22 batters, just one over the minimum of 21. Gonzalez sat down 17 consecutive batters and the only blemish to his near perfect game was a pair of walks. He also registered seven strikeouts on the night.
231. Konner Wade:
4-19 from http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=4361060202&p=4 - Was in AZ the past week. Saw a few HS guys and some college guys. Konner Wade 6'3 185 RHP of Chaparral faced off vs. Taylor Lindsey at Desert Mountain. More or less the two top HS players in the state. Wade sat at 90-91 for most of the game. 89-90 after 4th inning. FB has very good run on it, and he places it where he wants. Coach called a lot of off speed pitches. Clean mechanics and extremely effortless, change has chance to be plus plus. Threw a few in the 80-82 range that were ML ready. Most of time was at 77-79. Slider was inconsistent but has chance to be above average pitch. Overall a lot better than I expected. Scouts seem to like the kid and with about 15 on hand, ML interest is growing for him. I see wade as a 2nd-3rd round guy.
232. Joe Robinson:
4-20 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/20/1431880/casing-the-states-nevada#storyjump: - RHP, CC of Southern Nevada - We're finally at the last CSN pitcher. Robinson profiled as the best pitching prospect on the team entering the season, and despite turning in routinely excellent starts, Roach and Hanks have lapped him. To Robinson's credit, he's continued to go out and do what he does best, which is hit the mitt with a solid pitch mix. If you look at Robinson, he doesn't look like an elite pitching prospect. His frame is pretty well filled out, and even though he has decent size at 6'2'' and 190 pounds, he doesn't strike the average person as a high-ceiling baseball player. He lacks the big projection that scouts look for, but that doesn't mean his stuff is weak. Rather, he works with an above-average fastball that can sit in the 91-94 range on good days, touching 95-96 when needed. He commands that pitch very well, and he complements it with a solid-average slider and changeup. He's always going to have to get by on command, though, as he throws so many strikes that hitters will tend to cheat on his fastball. He profiles as a solid #4 starter in the long run, and even though he has solid draft stock now, he could easily land at Georgia, as he'd immediately step into a starter's role on a team that has struggled to find consistent starting pitching. On the other hand, Georgia's struggles could mean Robinson wants to move on to pro ball, so it's all a matter of personal preference. Projected Draft Range: 4th-8th Round
233. Michael Wagner:
4-20 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/20/1431880/casing-the-states-nevada#storyjump: - RHP, Centennial HS, Las Vegas - Wagner has been sneaking up boards this spring as more scouts have traveled to see him pitch. Previously seen as a potential college arm to follow at San Diego, he's now seen as a true pro prospect for the current draft. Wagner is seen as a prototypical projection arm, and that's thanks to a tall, skinny frame that shows obvious signs of future strength potential. He already pumps in fastballs in the 89-91 range with above-average armside run and sink, and that pitch projects to be plus if he continues to command it like he has. He's already started to show a bit of the potential in his arm this spring, touching as high as 94, though he still works in the lower range for most of his outings. He mixes in a slurvy breaking ball that should qualify as a slider, sitting 79-81, and it gets future above-average grades when he stays on top of it rather than slinging it. He adds in a solid-average changeup with excellent fade, but he doesn't get as much depth on it as scouts would like. There are a few teams that look to be charging hard after Wagner, but the general scouting consensus is that he still needs to add 20-30 pounds of strength in his frame, and a lot of teams don't want to wait three years to see that strength develop at the minor league level. Wagner's definitely moved up boards this spring, but there's still a ways to go. Projected Draft Range: 5th-10th Round
234. Luke Irvine:
4-19 from: http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/19/southland-baseball-players-of-the-week-9 - Luke Irvine, the (Northwestern State) Demons’ right-handed pitcher, has been named the Southland Pitcher of the Week, the league office announced Monday. Irvine threw seven shutout innings while allowing just two hits in a 10-0, eight-inning win over UTSA on Friday. After he gave up a lead-off double to start the game, the junior from Liberty, Mo. (Liberty), did not allow another hit until the sixth inning. Irvine struck out nine and walked just two to improve to 4-2 on the year and lowered his season ERA to 2.05. He leads the conference with 74 strikeouts in 52.2 innings pitched. This is Irvine’s second weekly recognition this season. He was previously honored as the conference pitcher of the week March 15.
4-20 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/20/tcbb-players-of-the-week-2 - The College Baseball Blog continues our weekly Players and Pitchers of the Week honors this week with Luke Irvine from Northwestern State is named the CBB Pitcher of the Week. Irvine threw seven shutout innings while allowing just two hits in a 10-0, eight-inning win over UTSA on Friday. After he gave up a lead-off double to start the game, the junior from Liberty, Mo. (Liberty), did not allow another hit until the sixth inning. Irvine struck out nine and walked just two to improve to 4-2 on the year and lowered his season ERA to 2.05. He leads the conference with 74 strikeouts in 52.2 innings pitched.
235. Kramer Champlin
4-20 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/20/1431880/casing-the-states-nevada#storyjump: - RHP, CC of Western Nevada - Champlin represents the best that Western Nevada has to offer this year, which is a stark contrast to the loaded Southern Nevada class. Originally from the state of Washington, the Rays took a late-round flier on him out of high school in 2008, and he ended up at Western Nevada after not signing. He wasn't the most heralded recruit, but he did offer projectable size in a prototypical starting pitching frame, as he stands at 6'6'', but only weighs roughly 205 pounds. Champlin brings an interesting mix to the table, as he's become more of a pitchability guy since he arrived at college, and he only carries a fringe-average fastball that usually sits 87-89. However, his command gets true plus grades, so his fastball plays above its velocity, making it an average offering. He adds in an above-average breaking ball and average cutter, rounding out a solid arsenal. He profiles as a back of the rotation starter, and an Arizona State commitment might mean that he goes on to ASU to prove himself more. Projected Draft Range: 10th-15th Round
236. David Gutierrez:
4-19 from: http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/19/acc-weekly-baseball-honors-2 - Miami’s David Gutierrez and NC State’s Jake Buchanan share the ACC Pitcher of the Week honor. Making just his second start of the season, Gutierrez tossed seven perfect innings in Miami’s 9-0 win over Florida Gulf Coast last Wednesday. Gutierrez (3-0) kept the first 21 FGCU batters off the bases through seven, inducing six ground-outs, seven strikeouts and eight fly-outs. Working on a pitch count, Gutierrez was then relieved to start the eighth after his pitch total had reached 84. Two relievers finished the game, as Miami posted its first one-hitter since facing Wake Forest on May 12, 2006. Gutierrez’s seven strikeouts in the game was one shy of his career-high. Since moving into the starter’s role, the senior right-hander has yet to allow a run in 11 innings of work.
237. Jacques De Gruy:
RHP, Jesuit HS, Dallas - 4-21 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/21/1433461/casing-the-states-texas-part-one#storyjump - De Gruy has one of the most intriguing backgrounds in the 2010 draft, as he's one of thousands of Hurricane Katrina refugees that fled to Texas in the aftermath of the storm. A former New Orleans resident, he's settled quite well into the Dallas area, though he's committed to a school back in New Orleans in Tulane. De Gruy makes this list simply because there's room for him to grow. A two-way prospect in high school, scouts and the Tulane coaching staff have zeroed in on him purely as a pitcher, as he's really developed in that regard over the last 12 months. He has a fastball that sits 86-88, touching as high as 91, and he pairs it with a potentially plus curveball. He has a long way to go to learn the craft of pitching, and he's very inconsistent with his delivery at this point, leading to a number of curveballs that flatten out and fastballs that stay out over the plate. However, the potential is there for De Gruy to start filling out his projectable frame, and he's a great student that is capable of learning from good coaching. He's more of a name to watch for the 2013 draft, but he's also getting looks this spring. Projected Draft Range: 10th Round – Undrafted
238. Trae Davis:
RHP, Mexia HS, Mexia - 4-21 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/21/1433461/casing-the-states-texas-part-one#storyjump - Davis is one of the most athletic pitchers in the entire country, but he's also pretty raw with his pitchability. A notable football and basketball player, Davis got a late start to the spring, but he's managed to make his presence known with a hot start. The unusual thing is that Davis' start has more to do with his bat than with his arm, though he's still known as a pro pitching prospect. However, with the bat, he's hitting over .700 in around 50 at-bats, and he's complementing that by striking out nearly everyone he faces on the mound. That sort of athleticism and dominance has attracted scouts from far and wide, and he's quietly making his move up draft boards. As a pitcher, Davis has one of the fastest arms, and that's a positive, since he doesn't carry supreme projectability. He's more of a tightly-wound athlete with good wiry strength. He stands at about 6 feet tall, and he's not going to be mistaken for Tyrell Jenkins. Davis' fastball gets excellent life, and he's sitting 91-93 with it, touching 95 at times. There's concern that he doesn't have the durability to sit at that velocity for an entire game against better hitters who make him work, but all signs indicate his arm is strong enough so far. His best secondary pitch is an above-average slider that sits in the low-80s, and he can really make it move. He has experience with a curveball and changeup, as well, so he should be fine with using them more often in the pros. Despite a Baylor commitment, it's looking more and more like Davis could end up in pro ball, as he has good helium. He's not a first day arm yet, but he could be there by June. Projected Draft Range: 5th-12th Round
239. Tommy Collier:
RHP, San Jacinto JC - 4-21 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/21/1433461/casing-the-states-texas-part-one#storyjump - Collier was a fairly well-known prospect in the scouting community coming out of Cypress-Fairbanks High School, enough so that the Brewers took a 29th round flier on him. His teammate Robbie Grossman, however, did sign, and he's listed in the 2008 class above. Collier headed to one of the best, if not the best, junior college programs for development in the country, San Jacinto. He made an immediate impact, becoming the ace of the staff at a young age, though teammate Jake Cowan became a 10th round draft pick. The Blue Jays took a 49th round flier on him, and despite having a Texas commitment, Collier decided to return to San Jac for his sophomore year, where he was expected to be the ace once again. However, after a few early season starts, he went down with an undisclosed injury and then came back to throw a few games out of the bullpen. However, he now hasn't pitched in a month, and most scouts think he's headed to Houston, his new commitment of choice. When healthy, Collier features a heavy sinker that sits 89-91, touching 93, and he pairs it with an above-average slider. That combination gets plenty of ground balls, and he still hasn't allowed an earned run in over 20 combined innings of work this spring. However, unless he gets back on the bump for some innings between now and June, he'll only get another late-round flier. Projected Draft Range: 8th-25th Round
240. Craig Fritsch
4-22-10 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/22/1435556/casing-the-states-texas-part-two - RHP, Baylor- Fritsch returned to Baylor last fall after not signing with the Tigers as an 8th round draft pick. Now a 22 year old junior, Fritsch has done little to improve upon that draft slot, having pitched almost exclusively in long relief rather than starting. However, he has taken a step forward with his command, and his slider, which he lost all control of a year ago, has somewhat returned to form. He's slowly moving up boards currently, and he seems to be improving little-by-little with every appearance. His calling card is a plus fastball that can sit 92-94 in shorter relief, though it sits 90-93, touching 94, when he's used in the longer relief spot this spring. His slider flashed plus on the Cape in the summer of 2008, and even though his feel never really returned for it, it can be an above-average pitch. His changeup hasn't made a lot of progress, which means that his likely position in pro ball is as a short reliever, though he has the quality stuff to succeed in late-inning roles. He's an interesting name to watch for his last few months as a college pitcher, as he could build on recent success. Projected Draft Range: 7th-12th Round
241. Shane Henderson
4-22-10 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/22/1435556/casing-the-states-texas-part-two - RHP, Flower Mound HS, Flower Mound - Henderson is a big, hulking right-handed pitcher that hasn't had the best spring. Contrary to what you would think from seeing him, he's not a power pitcher quite yet. Instead, he works on an 87-90 mph fastball, combined with an average slider and a fringy changeup. However, Henderson's value is all about projection, as his 6'7'' frame is attractive, since some scouts believe they can teach him how to pitch downhill. He has a little more room to fill out, and if he does learn how to pitch with more consistent mechanics and command, he can be a dominant groundball pitcher. One of the things that concerns scouts is his lack of a school commitment, though he'll likely end up at a junior college if his stock continues to fall due to questions about his mechanics and raw stuff. Projected Draft Range: 10th-25th Round
242. Greg Holle
4-22-10 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/22/1435556/casing-the-states-texas-part-two - RHP, TCU - Holle is another huge right-handed pitcher on this list, standing easily at 6'8'' and 225 pounds. He's built more like a basketball player than a baseball player, and he was an excellent basketball player during his high school career. He was also a well-known baseball prospect coming out of a high school in New York, and he would have been a high-round pick if he hadn't been hurt at the beginning of his senior year with a non-pitching arm injury. The Yankees took a late-round flier on him, but he headed to TCU. After experiencing growing success during his first two years in college, he's fallen apart in his junior year, as his velocity is down and he's leaving all his pitches over the fat part of the plate. He started out as the mid-week starter as a result of TCU's pitching depth, but has been demoted farther to become a mop-up reliever, and he's been hit around in all but a single outing this year. He throws too many strikes with an average fastball and fringe-average offspeed stuff, and despite his size, he doesn't get much of any downhill plane on his delivery. He does strike out a fair number of hitters, but he is too prone to the long ball for teams to look at him as anything more than a middle reliever at this point. He's a prime candidate to return to school next year. Projected Draft Range: 10th Round - Undrafted
243. Aaron Kurcz:
4-20 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/20/1431880/casing-the-states-nevada#storyjump: - RHP, CC of Southern Nevada - As well as Tyler Hanks has pitched this spring, he hasn't been able to take the closer's spot from Kurcz. An Air Force transfer, Kurcz flashed plus stuff last year as a freshman for the Falcons, but he never quite put together his command or control, getting hit hard while also striking out his fair share of hitters. Even with a few bumps along the way, he's started to put it together this spring at CSN, as he sits at 2-1 with a 3.22 ERA in 22.1innings, striking out 32 and walking 12 as of April 20. He's proved harder to hit, though that could be due to facing wood bats in an altitude that has been decreased by the thousands when compared to Colorado Springs at Air Force. He's saved 8 games as the reliever of choice on one of the top junior college teams in the country, and that's where he projects to stay in pro ball. Kurcz comes a close second behind Hanks for the Best Fastball category in the state, routinely popping fastballs in the 93-95 range, touching 97. He still struggles to command it, and he doesn't ever project to have anything better than average command in the long run. That doesn't matter in relief as much, as he can uncoil a plus fastball with ease in a deceptively smooth delivery. His breaking ball is a hard curveball that qualifies as a slurve to some, and it's a potentially above-average pitch if he can control it. It's not quite there, but the potential is. Kurcz is easily one of the most improved pitchers in the country this year, and he likely won't reach Oral Roberts, where he has a scholarship to play as a junior. Projected Draft Range: 4th-8th Round
244. Nick Fleece, RHP, Texas A&M
4-21 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/21/1433461/casing-the-states-texas-part-one#storyjump - Fleece began the year as the Sunday starter for the Aggies, but that was short-lived. He made four starts early on, then was replaced and moved to the bullpen. His first three starts were solid, but he wasn't showing the kind of stuff the Aggies wanted, and he also wasn't showing much stamina, as he'd start to lose steam at about 60 pitches. He's made a single midweek start since, going only a pair of innings in a last-minute decision, and it's clear that the Aggies plan to leave him in the bullpen, the same place he'll likely land in pro ball. Curiously, Fleece didn't even begin his career as a pitcher at A&M, instead coming in as an outfielder and not pitching at all his freshman year. He moved into a vital bullpen role during his sophomore year, and he slowly lost playing time as a position player to the point that he hasn't had a single at-bat this year. On the mound, Fleece can ramp it up to the mid-90s out of the bullpen, and his delivery can become maximum effort. He pairs it with a fringe-average breaking ball, and though he controls his entire arsenal, his command is below-average and doesn't project for more. He's very hittable, leaving pitches out over the plate consistently, and scouts just hope that some tinkering could turn him into a late-inning bullpen threat. For now, he's a solid arm to watch. Projected Draft Range: 8th-15th Round
245. Austin Wood:
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/23/1437780/25-additional-pitching-prospects - , RHP, St. Petersburg Junior College - More and more teams are paying attention to the junior college ranks, and one of the best arms there this year is Wood, who has a low-to-mid-90s fastball and a workable slider and changeup. He has good size at 6-4, 220, but has problems with erratic command. He is relatively raw and will need development time, but has enough upside to go as high as the late second round.
246. Michael Goodnight
3-9 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - Houston SO RHP Michael Goodnight (7 IP 2 H 0 ER 4 BB 9 K) outdueled Texas ace JR RHP Brandon Workman (8 IP 4 H 1 ER 1 BB 7 K), although Workman’s stuff and command were both reportedly very impressive. As for the game’s winning pitcher, well, it’s been mentioned before, but it really bears repeating: Goodnight would absolutely be the best name ever for a closer. That is, until Willie Wewin finally breaks out and reaches the bigs, of course.
3-17 from: - http://pnrscouting.com/articles_2010_houstoncollegeclassic_day2_03102010.html - Michael Goodnight (2010) spun a gem against a bewildered Longhorns offense, finishing with a line of 7 IP, 2 H, 4 BB, 9 SO and 0 R, combining with Ty Stuckey (2010) and closer Matt Creel (2010-Soph.) for the shutout. Entering Saturday's action, most projected Goodnight in the pen due to an inability to maintain velocity and stuff late into games. He was at his best on Saturday, however, with all four offerings (three of which could serve as workable pitches at the next level). His fastball was low-90s, dropping some as the game progressed, but still breaking 90 in the sixth. He also commanded it well to the quadrants and used it effectively as a set-up for his change and slider. His off-speed looked like a circle change, sitting low-80s and coming with good fade and drop. Goodnight threw a couple different breaking balls, with an 80-82 slider being the more effective of the two. His curve is a very soft 67-70 mph with rolling action that likely will not play against advanced hitters (though he doesn’t need the pitch with his slider and his change each capable of preventing hitters from sitting on a particular plane). Saturday may have been a perfect storm of events, wherein Goodnight on one of his better days met a struggling Texas offense on a down afternoon, but if he continues to show advanced pitchability throughout the remainder of the spring, he could creep into early Day 2 consideration. As a pro, though he likely still fits best in the pen, he figures to start until he gives his drafting organization reason to shift him to relief.
4-22-10 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/22/1435556/casing-the-states-texas-part-two - RHP, Houston - Goodnight is draft-eligible as a true sophomore this year, and he'll turn 21 the day after the draft wraps up its final day. As a result of his lack of college experience, Goodnight isn't as strong in the polish category as some of his fellow college pitchers, but he offers intriguing upside compared to most in the class. Using a strong, durable 6'4'', 225 pound frame, Goodnight offers four solid pitches, though he hasn't been able to harness them effectively enough over entire outings. He started out the year as the Friday starter for Houston, and even though he's remained exclusively in the rotation all spring, he's been moved around between Saturday and Sunday starts multiple times. That lack of consistent work may be contributing to his erratic starts, and his natural stuff comes out in the numbers, despite other component numbers that show a need for better command. He's struck out 57 in 52.2 innings so far, and he's allowing less than a hit an inning, but he's also walked 32 and allowed 18 extra-base hits, as he often misses up in the zone. However, with a fastball that sits 89-92, an above-average slider and changeup, and a usable curveball, he's going to be given plenty of chances as a starter in pro ball, though there are the usual questions about his signability as a sophomore-eligible. Projected Draft Range: 3rd-7th Round
247. Kenny McDowall:
4-20 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/20/1431880/casing-the-states-nevada#storyjump: - RHP, CC of Southern Nevada - McDowell is yet another player that has received positive exposure as a result of being teammates with Bryce Harper. A little-known sophomore entering the season, he's bloomed into one of the better junior college swing men in the country. He had his fair share of success exclusively as a reliever in 2009, showing solid command and some promise, but most thought he'd turn out to be more of a solid college pitcher than a true pro prospect. It turns out that he has a little more in the tank than was expected, and there's still some room for improvement. McDowall stands at 6'3'', but only 185 pounds, and one of the main reasons he wasn't highly-recruited out of high school is that he didn't have much strength to speak of. He slipped through the cracks nationally and only landed at CSN due to the hometown ties. On the mound, he features a solid-average 90-92 mph fastball that gets excellent sink, and it moves more than any other fastball on the staff. He commands it passably well, but he's lost his feel for it at times due to the movement it gets. It will sometimes drift out over the plate or dive below the strike zone often enough for hitters to lay off, resulting in his fair share of walks allowed. He complements his fastball with a fringe-average breaking ball and changeup combination that doesn't project well for him in pro ball, though he changes speeds enough to keep hitters off-balance. He doesn't have the big potential of his fellow pitchers, but he offers plenty of value as a swing man. He has a scholarship to Hawaii, and he'd start immediately there, so if he isn't happy with the offer he receives, he stands a chance to build on his stock next year. Projected Draft Range: 7th-12th Round
248. Mark Blackmar:
RHP, Carroll HS, Corpus Christi - 4-21 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/21/1433461/casing-the-states-texas-part-one#storyjump - Blackmar is actually a solid two-way prospect, but it's looking more and more like he's going to have a better career as a pitcher. What's interesting is that both of Blackmar's parents have made a career out of golfing, his father being Phil Blackmar, a winner of a few PGA events over the course of his career. This Blackmar is fairly new to pitching, having started just last year, but he's come a long way in a short time. He uses a fastball that now sits 87-89, bumping 91-92, and he's getting stronger and more refined with each outing. He has one of the best cutters in the entire prep class, and he pairs that with a fringe-average curveball and changeup. He already has a pretty mature body for strength, so the fact that he's fairly advanced with his pitching is a big strength. He profiles as a solid back-end starter, and even though he's without a major college scholarship so far, he will likely be a late sign for a bigger program. For now, he has a junior college commitment, and he's likely to head to college to continue to learn how to pitch. Projected Draft Range: 10th-20th Round
249. Blake Barnes:
RHP, Howard JC - 4-21 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/21/1433461/casing-the-states-texas-part-one#storyjump - Barnes was a part of the special 2009 Howard squad that went 63-1 and won a national championship. One of only a handful of returnees, he was looking to build on a solid freshman campaign, though he went undrafted due to a desire to return to school for another run at the national championship. However, Barnes went down early in the year with tendinitis, and he just returned to action last week. Before the injury, his velocity was slightly down from the low-90s he's used to throwing, and his command was below-average, making him incredibly hittable, though his control was still solid. His pitches were simply catching too much of the plate. In his return, he seemed to come back to form, throwing 7 strong innings, striking out 11 and allowing only an unearned run. His stuff profiles as a back-end starter, as he adds in a solid-average breaking ball that profiles well for pro ball. He's signed on to play for Oklahoma State next year, and the odds went up that he'll land there when he passed time with the injury. However, he's a solid junior college option for a team looking for signable arms in the late single-digit rounds. Projected Draft Range: 7th-12th Round
250. Chad Nading:
4-20 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/20/1431880/casing-the-states-nevada#storyjump: - RHP, UNLV - This placement is more out of courtesy and ceiling than out of true results. Nading is a former Oregon State Beaver, having redshirted there as a freshman in 2007. He transferred out to Skagit Valley CC in Washington for his redshirt freshman year, then on to UNLV for a sophomore campaign that saw him eligible for the draft. A rare Alaska native in baseball, Nading collapsed upon his entrance to UNLV, flashing excellent stuff, but not knowing where it was going at any time. The Rangers took a late-round flier on him in the 2009 draft, but no real attempt was made to sign him. Now a 22 year old junior, Nading has failed to make progress once again this year. Despite having plus natural stuff that includes a plus 91-93 mph fastball and plus changeup, he has never gotten a feel for the strike zone. Having started the year as a mid-week starter, Nading continues to find rare work, getting four starts mixed in with two mop-up relief appearances, the six appearances only totaling 17.2 innings in all through April 19. He continues to be unable to find the strike zone, and the natural stuff he features always lands where hitters aren't even tempted to swing. He has been consistently roughed up, but a few pro teams may see his stuff as worth taking in the middle rounds as a potential middle reliever. Nading's raw stuff is always worth mentioning, but time is running out on him showing some control. Projected Draft Range: 10th-25th Round
251. Brett Bruening:
RHP, Texas Tech - 4-21 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/21/1433461/casing-the-states-texas-part-one#storyjump - Bruening is a newcomer to Texas Tech this year, having transferred in from Grayson County CC for his junior year. A big, hulking arm, Bruening has found the transition to Division I ball to be pretty difficult, as he's worked primarily in a swing role for the Red Raiders. The best way to describe Bruening is wild. He can hit 97 on the radar gun, but when he starts, he can't throw strikes when he throws any harder than 90-92. His curveball can be wicked when he finds his release point, but it's more common that it dives out of the strike zone well before it reaches the plate. However, the raw stuff is undeniable, and he has shown real flashes of dominance, and some scouts feel he's getting closer to figuring it out. He was a 35th round pick of the Yankees a year ago, and he could easily go in the single digits this year if scouts are sure he'll sign for below the cap in those rounds. He does have an injury history, having had Tommy John surgery in high school, but he seems to be durable now, and he's a few years removed from the operation. Projected Draft Range: 7th-12th Round
252. Andrelton Simmons:
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/23/1437780/25-additional-pitching-prospects - RHP, Western Oklahoma State Junior College - A terrific athlete with a lively 93-95 MPH fastball, Simmons is raw and needs refinement with his secondary pitches and command, but has tremendous upside. He is also an effective hitter, but scouts like him on the mound. From the Netherlands Antilles, Simmons could go as early as the second round under the right circumstances, and has at least a chance of sneaking into the supplemental round.
253. Zach Cates:
RHP, Northeast Texas CC - 4-21 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/21/1433461/casing-the-states-texas-part-one#storyjump - Cates is easily the best prospect on NTCC this spring, as he's matured quickly into a solid pitching prospect. Cates was a lightly-recruited catcher coming out of high school, and he spent the vast majority of his time as a catcher at NTCC during his freshman year. He threw 7 innings of relief, and those 7 innings established his real prospect value as a pitcher entering the fall. After a solid fall, Cates entered the rotation during the spring, and he hasn't looked back. Using a solidly built, yet athletic body, Cates offers solid upside for a player that doesn't have much pitching experience. He uses a low-90s fastball that projects, and even though his command is erratic, he's athletic enough that he should be able to repeat his delivery with pro instruction. He works with a projected solid-average breaking ball and a fringe-average changeup. He also threw a combined seven-inning no-hitter just a couple weeks ago. Cates isn't committed to a four-year school and should be signable as a potential #4 starter. Projected Draft Range: 8th-12th Round
254. Nate Woods:
4-27 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=4361060202&p=5 - Former Iowa-wee-jun making noise in the stands in RHP/DH, Nate Woods, former Cedar Rapidian, Xavier HS, listed at 6'6 230, is in the NCAA tops for HR's, RBI's, also K's on the bump, at Belmont U in Tennessee. I plan to witness his arsenal during their tourney if I can. Saw a film on him on the bump, he was 88-90 consistently with life and topped out at 93 on a few pitches, long loose arm and lands on stiff front side but correctible flaw, also slurve was solid out pitch, good bat speed, loft in his swing/uppercut, room still to fill out.
4-26 from: - http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/articles/DisplayArticle.aspx?article=2249 - Woods, now a junior at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., has developed into one of the top sluggers in the country this season with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs. He ranks second in the country in both categories, according to the latest NCAA statistics for Division I players. A.J. Kirby-Jones of Tennessee Tech leads all D-I players with 14 homers, and Jake Overstreet of South Alabama leads the country with 51 RBIs. That means Woods, 21, is just a two-run homer away from the top.
255. Mike McGee:
4-27 from: - http://web.goldenspikesaward.com/index.html?page=news_archive&article_id=67 - That combination of traits has made McGee a perfect fit at the back of Florida State's bullpen. In 17 innings over 11 appearances, McGee is 3-0 with a 0.53 ERA, seven saves and a 20-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio. And, of course, he starts every game in left field and bats in the No. 3 hole in the lineup. After a slow start with the bat, the junior has come on strong lately and is now hitting .327/.457/.585 with nine homers and 41 RBIs. He went 3-for-3 with two home runs in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Hurricanes.
256. Kendall Lewis:
4-27 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/27/ncbwa-national-players-of-the-week-6/#more-25736 - The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) released the Pro-Line Athletic National Player of the Week awards for the period ending April 25, today. Eastern Michigan sophomore right-handed pitcher Kendall Lewis was named National Pitcher of the Week. Lewis had a record setting performance in the Eagles’ 1-0 victory over Western Michigan, April 24, as he went 11 innings, giving up just three hits and one walk, while striking out a career-high 10 batters in the shutout win. The Huntsville, Ohio native’s 11-inning outing is the longest by any pitcher in the nation this season.
257. Zach Nuding:
4-29 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/29/1450107/casing-the-states-texas-part-three#storyjump - Zach Nuding, RHP, Weatherford JC - Nuding is one of the few non-Howard or San Jacinto junior college prospects in the state of Texas. A big-bodied right-hander, Nuding came to Weatherford's fairly new baseball program from Haltom High School in Texas, and after having a successful freshman campaign in relief, the Pirates used a late-round draft on him. He decided to return to school, and he's blossomed so far this year mostly as a starter. He features some of the best natural stuff in the junior college ranks, but also some of the worst command, though it's a reasonable tradeoff if you believe in his potential. He starts out with a low-90s fastball that sits 90-93 when starting, though he's touched 96 in relief in the past. He complements it with a potential above-average slider and a split-finger fastball that gets mixed reviews. He struggles to command each of them, especially the two secondaries. However, he only started pitching late in his high school career, so there's reason to think that he'll continue to unlock his pure talent with more repetitions. He has a body that might profile for a little too much weight in the future, and he'll have to work hard on keeping in shape, but most scouts see him as a potential number four starter with above-average stuff, but below-average command. Projected Draft Range: 7th-12th Round
258. Steven Maxwell:
4-29 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/29/1450107/casing-the-states-texas-part-three#storyjump - Steven Maxwell, RHP, TCU - All eyes were on Maxwell's freshman teammate Matt Purke when TCU opened their season, but it was Maxwell that got the season-opening start. Though Maxwell has since been pushed back to the Sunday spot of the rotation, he's actually had the best season between the trio of Purke, himself, and 2011 prospect Kyle Winkler. However, injury history and lack of projection will ultimately keep Maxwell from becoming a prime draft prospect. Originally from The Woodlands High School, now famous for 2010 draft prospect Jameson Taillon, Maxwell entered TCU without much fanfare, though he logged a solid freshman campaign out of the bullpen. However, disaster struck during his sophomore campaign, when he was off to an excellent start in the rotation. He blew out his elbow, requiring Tommy John surgery, and he ended up redshirting. He returned to TCU the following year, but never recovered his feel for pitching and went undrafted as a redshirt sophomore. His 2010 campaign has shown the return of his stuff, which is back of the rotation material. He usually works 88-91 with his fastball, touching 93 when needed. He complements it with an average curveball and fringe-average changeup, though he's new enough to his changeup that he could improve upon it. As a 22 year old junior, Maxwell should be an easy sign in the top ten rounds. Projected Draft Range: 7th-12th Round
259. Clay Schrader:
4-30 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/4/30/1451211/casing-the-states-texas-part-four#storyjump - RHP Schrader has been a fast riser on boards this spring, and like Ruffin, he has really seen his stock rise since a move to the bullpen this year. Schrader started his career at UT San Antonio, where he worked mainly as a starter with mostly positive results. However, his stuff was fringy, and most scouts thought he'd be an organizational arm when eligible for the 2011 draft. Instead, Schrader transferred out of UTSA to San Jac last fall, and he's moved into the bullpen as the closer for the top junior college team in the country. Since that move, his stuff and draft stock have risen quickly, and he's a darkhorse for a first day selection. He now consistently works in the 92-94 mph range with a plus slider and average curveball, and he could even stand to drop the curve in favor of a plus two-pitch mix in the late innings. What's working against Schrader is a smaller body that leaks projectability, and he struggles to get downhill plane on his fastball as a result of his smaller stature. He's not small enough that he would be classified as a diminutive righty, but it is what holds him back in terms of pro prospects. Schrader has signed with Oklahoma, and that might be a small factor in his signability, but most scouts expect he'll be one of the earliest junior college relievers taken in June. Projected Draft Range: 3rd-7th Round
260. David Goforth:
5-3 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/5/3/1455597/casing-the-states-mississippi#storyjump – David Goforth, RHP, Ole Miss - Goforth has had a nightmare season for the Rebels, and he's starting to slip from top ten round consideration. Known primarily for a plus to plus-plus fastball, Goforth has had trouble developing any other pitches to complement it. Coming into the year, Goforth was exclusively a bullpen arm, both last year as a redshirt freshman for the Rebels and on the Cape last summer. He continued that tradition early in the year, but when the team struggled to fine a Sunday starter, he moved into that role, where he continues to be as of yesterday. However, his success as a starter has been minimal. He's a small guy with durability and effort issues, so it doesn't make much sense to project him as a starter anyway. When in the bullpen, he can consistently pump mid-90s fastballs, sitting 94-96, touching 98, and he adds in a fringe-average slider to change looks. His changeup is practically non-existent, but most scouts don't care too much, since he's a reliever in the future anyway. His status as a draft-eligible sophomore clouds his signability, and with his diminishing success, he stands a real chance of falling out of the second day altogether. Projected Draft Range: 5th-20th Round
261. Tommy Kahnle
5-3 from: http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/05/top-small-school-pitchers/#more – top small school pitchers: - Tommy Kahnle, Lynn University, RHP - Throws the ball real hard: hit 97 this spring and 99 on the Cape this summer. As with most young, hard throwers, control remains a big concern for Kahnle. Has drawn comparisons to David Aardsma and may be better suited as a reliever, professionally.
262. Matteo D’Angelo:
5-3 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/05/03/big-south-players-of-the-week-9 - Winthrop’s Matteo D’Angelo (Bologna, Italy) has been named The Crons Brand Pitcher of the Week for games played April 26-May 2, it was announced today by the League office. D’Angelo picked up his first career complete game shutout in the nightcap of Saturday’s doubleheader against Presbyterian College. He gave up just three hits in the contest with only one walk and six strikeouts. D’Angelo did not allow a base runner past second base until the top of the ninth inning with two outs. He gave up his first hit in the second frame and did not allow another hit until the ninth, when PC picked up its other two hits on the evening. D’Angelo retired 20 consecutive batters during the stretch and had six-straight 1-2-3 innings.
263. Joe DiRocco:
5-4 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/05/03/big-east-baseball-honors-2/#more-25979 - Seton Hall righthanded pitcher Joe DiRocco and Louisville first baseman Andrew Clark are the winners of the BIG EAST’s weekly baseball honors for the week-ending May 2. DiRocco earned the victory in a 3-1 win at USF on April 30. The junior pitched eight innings and allowed only one run, which came in the first inning. The righthander struck out seven and threw four 1-2-3 innings while never facing more than five batters in one inning all game. This is DiRocco’s first Pitcher of the Week honor and the first weekly recognition for Seton Hall this season
264. Aaron Barrett:
5-3 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/5/3/1455597/casing-the-states-mississippi#storyjump - Aaron Barrett, RHP, Ole Miss - Barrett has had a very long career in draft prospect circles, having already been a draftee three times. He was a 44th round draft pick out of high school back when the draft and follow system was in place, but the Dodgers chose not to sign after a year at Wabash Valley CC in Illinois. He went undrafted after his freshman year there, but was a 20th rounder in 2008 to the Twins. He didn't sign and headed to Ole Miss, where he practically imploded as a junior, becoming a 27th round pick of the Rangers at the end of the year. He had a solid summer, but the Rangers chose not to offer him a deal worth signing, and he returned for his senior year. He's been nothing but great since. He has used his above-average natural stuff to become an excellent complement to team ace Drew Pomeranz. He features a 90-93 mph fastball, above-average slider and an average changeup to deal with advanced SEC hitters. He's done nothing but boost his draft stock all year, and there's a good chance he's the first true senior arm taken in the draft, since James Paxton is no longer in school. Projected Draft Range: 3rd-6th Round
5-12 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com - Aaron Barrett has been a bit of an enigma, as entering the year he hadn’t been able to live up to the hype of his stuff since transferring in to Ole Miss from a junior college in Illinois. Barrett is originally from Evansville, Indiana, and he was drafted in the forty-fourth round by the Dodgers out of high school there at Evansville Central High School, which also yielded Andy Benes to the baseball world. He followed that up with a pair of solid seasons at Wabash Valley, and the Twins took him in the twentieth round of the 2008 draft. After failing to sign and transferring to Ole Miss, things essentially fell apart. He lost all command, and he struggled through an awful season. The Rangers took a flier on him in the twenty-seventh round last year, but didn’t put forth enough to sign him. After seeing his stuff deteriorate in his junior year, Barrett took his game to the Coastal Plain League, where he flashed some of his better stuff of the year. He continued that trend this year as a senior at Ole Miss, as he’s become a dominating sidekick to likely first round pick Drew Pomeranz. Barrett features a fastball that’s usually anywhere from 90-93, and his slider is a solid-average to above-average complement to it. He’s also mixed in a changeup that has flashed above-average, but he needs to really work on commanding all his pitches. He’s worked in a curve before, but it’s more of a show-me pitch, and it’s not Major League quality. He has improved in almost every facet of his game this year, and it looks like he’ll be one of the first senior arms off the board in the third to sixth round range.
265. Justin LaTempa:
5-4 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/05/04/tcbb-players-of-the-week-3 - The College Baseball Blog continues our tradition of naming National Player and Pitcher of the Week. This week we honor Andrew Clark of Louisville as our Player of the Week while Oregon RHP Justin LaTempa is our Pitcher of the Week. LaTempa completely shut down Washington State on Saturday night with a complete game one-hit shutout effort while striking out 10. He had a no-hitter broken up in the eighth inning when Matt Argyroppilos led off the inning with a double. He is the first Duck to throw a shutout since baseball was reinstated. LaTempa is 4-2 with a 2.64 ERA and 50 K’s in 58 IP, while walking only 13 batters. You may check out the full start by clicking here.
266. Jake Buchanan:
5-4 from: - http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/articles/DisplayArticle.aspx?article=2295 - On a night when the scouting buzz entering the game was all about Georgia Tech righthander Deck McGuire, North Caroliona State’s Jake Buchanan stole the show in a 6-5 Wolfpack victory. Buchanan, a 6-foot, 220-pound junior righthander, was outstanding Friday night, pitching possibly his best game of the 2010 season. He worked 7 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and only one walk, while striking out 13 Yellow Jacket hitters. While Buchanan allowed five runs, two of which were unearned, he handled everyone in the Georgia Tech lineup except junior third baseman Thomas Nichols, who took him deep twice. A well-known prospect among area scouts, Buchanan has been a fixture in the Wolfpack rotation since his freshman year, but he actually enjoyed his greatest success a year ago in the Cape Cod League. After going 2-6, 6.54 as an N.C. State sophomore, he went 3-1, 0.84 for Cotuit and led the Cape League in ERA.
267. Jeff Ames:
5-9 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/5/9/1464253/more-seiler-ratings#storyjump - Jeff Ames, RHP, Lower Columbia JC (WA), 2C1: Junior college freshman that was originally an Oregon State commit, but headed to Lower Columbia to be able to start right away. Was once a solid high school prospect, but battled shoulder injuries and is fully healthy for the first time in nearly 3 years. Above-average fastball, above-average slider, average changeup, fights with command.
268. Jason Adams:
5-9 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/5/9/1464253/more-seiler-ratings#storyjump - Jason Adam, RHP, Blue Valley Northwest HS (KS), 1C3: Solidly-built prospect has body similar to 2009 first-rounder Matt Hobgood. Has seen velocity jump this spring, and has command of three average or better pitches, including plus fastball, above-average curve, and average changeup.
269. Jeremy Cole:
5-10 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/05/10/wac-players-of-the-week-11/#more-26193 - Nevada’s RHP Jeremy Cole have been named the Verizon Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week, for May 3-9. Cole, a junior from Rocklin, Calif. (Sierra JC), pitched a complete game shutout as Nevada defeated San Jose State 5-0 in the second game of a double-header sweep on Saturday. The performance marked his third consecutive complete game pitched. Cole allowed just three singles, struck out three and did not walk a batter. In five of his seven innings pitched, Cole retired the side. He faced just three batters over the minimum.
270. Cody Allen:
5-9 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/5/9/1464253/more-seiler-ratings#storyjump - Cody Allen, RHP, St. Petersburg JC (FL), 3C1: Former Central Florida prospect, missed 2009 due to injury, transferred into St. Petersburg as 21 year old sophomore. Maxed out physically, but flashes good stuff with low-90s fastball, average curveball and changeup. Might profile best as setup reliever.
271. Kyle Richter:
5-11 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/05/11/kyle-richter-update - Here, Richter was 88-91, commanding best with movement at 88-89, and bumping to 90-91 with some life. He had more power in September when I saw him in an Angel Elite inning pitch at 88-92 with one bump to 93. His change-up was 72-74 in that look and remains his best secondary weapon. Here, it was 75-77 (75) with some deception, movement and command. Richter does a good job of hiding the pitch, not tipping it, and throwing it from the same arm slot as his fastball.
272. Jarryd Summers:
5-11 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=4361060202&p=6 - RHP, Jarryd Summers, W Virginia, 6'4 1/2 210, loosey goosey, 88-89 mostly, some 90-92 on occasion, sinker type fb with run in on RHH, breaking ball slurvy, but effective, not a power pitcher but can be a good set up, middle guy, spot starter with pro instruction and more physical maturation, could end up in the bigs in 3-4 years too. Has another year of eligibility. One of top pitchers in the conference so I'm told. He looked like a 8-12 rounder type, but wouldn't be surprised if he's taken earlier because he loves baseball and will sign for fair offer.
273. Willy Kesler:
5-12-10 from: - http://collegebaseball360.com/2010/05/11/cb360-primetime-performers-12-may-11 - New Mexico senior righthander Willy Kesler (Thornton, Colo.) has been named the national Primetime Pitcher of the Week. Kesler rose to the challenge during game-2 of the Mountain West Conference showdown series versus a potent TCU squad that was 12th in the CB360 Composite National Rankings (UNM was #32). The 6-foot, 215-pound righthander went the distance in the near-shutout win (3-2), outdueling TCU sophomore RHP Kyle Winkler (who entered the game with a 7-0 record).
274. Tyler Hanks
5-14 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft - One CSN sophomore who will be eligible for the 2010 draft is right-handed reliever Tyler Hanks. The 6-2, 195-pounder has compiled a 3-2 record with a 1.52 ERA in 13 appearances and five starts, striking out 43 in 41.1 innings pitched. The swingman has proved valuable for Tim Chambers' squad and the NL West scout thought Hanks could be a late-first day draft pick. Hanks has plus velocity ranging in the 93-96 mph area and an above-average slider with excellent bite around 82-83 mph. He probably will be a late-inning reliever in the big leagues.
275. Stephen Pryor:
5-16 from: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=2142 - • Tennessee Tech closer Stephen Pryor has emerged as one of the hardest throwers in the draft and was expected to go in the sixth-to-10th round range, but he may have jumped up draft boards by hitting several 98s on radar guns in a matchup against Middle Tennessee State and probable first-rounder Bryce Brentz. Pryor gave up a home run but struck out two and showed off his power stuff and sturdy 6-foot-4, 235-pound frame in front of an assortment of scouting directors, assistant general managers and even some GMs who were in to evaluate Brentz. While Pryor is just 3-3, 5.04, he's also struck out 57 in 30 innings, including Jacksonville State prospect Todd Cunningham during one extended outing when he recorded all nine of his outs via strikeout.
276. Daniel Renken:
5-17 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/05/17/big-west-players-of-the-week-8 - The Big West Baseball Co-Pitchers of the Week are Cal State Fullerton junior RH Daniel Renken and UC Irvine freshman RH Evan Brock. Daniel Renken, Cal State Fullerton - 6-4 • Junior • RHP Cypress, Calif./Orange Lutheran HS - Cal State Fullerton’s Renken Tosses Shutout, UC Irvine’s Brock Collects Win And Save. Solid mound performances from both Cal State Fullerton junior Daniel Renken (Cypress, Calif./Orange Lutheran HS) and UC Irvine freshman Evan Brock (Chino Hills, Calif./Ayala HS) earned the duo Big West Baseball Co-Pitcher of the Week honors. Renken threw his second career complete game shutout on Saturday against Long Beach State, winning his seventh straight start. He won his ninth game after allowing eight hits and striking out six in a 102-pitch performance. He did not walk a batter. Renken lowered his ERA from 4.49 to 3.96 with the effort.
277. James Wise:
5-17 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/05/17/pac-10-players-of-the-week-5 - WASHINGTON STATE junior right-handed pitcher James Wise has been named the Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week for May 10-16. Making his second start in Conference play this season, Wise led the Cougars to a 4-2 upset victory over then-No. 25 Stanford on Saturday afternoon. The junior right-hander logged eight-shutout innings and recorded a personal-best, eight strikeouts. Wise, of Boise, Idaho, allowed four hits, one walk and allowed only two Cardinal base runners to get past first base. With the win, Washington State defeated a nationally-ranked opponent for the 10th time this season. On the season, Wise is 2-1 with a 4.20 ERA in 11 appearances. He has tallied 29 strikeouts in 40.2 innings of work for the Cougars.
278. Anthony Meo:
5-17 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/05/17/big-south-players-of-the-week-11 - Coastal Carolina hurler Anthony Meo (Cranston, R.I.) has been named The Crons Brand Pitcher of the Week for games played May 10-16, it was announced today by the League office. Meo earned his Big South-leading 11th win of the season in Coastal Carolina’s 5-2 victory at Liberty last Friday night to open a key Conference series featuring the League’s top two squads. Meo went 7.1 innings and allowed just five hits and two runs (both in the eighth inning) to snap the Flames’ 15-game Conference win streak. He struck out four, walked just one batter and induced 14 fly ball outs. He permitted just one runner to reach second base in his first seven innings, which included a 25-minute lightning delay while pitching in the third inning.
279. Tyler Minto:
5-17 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/05/17/southland-baseball-players-of-the-week-12 - Nicholls right-handed pitcher Tyler Minto has been named the Southland Pitcher of the Week. Minto recorded the fourth complete game of his career and his second of the season in leading the Colonels to a 6-2 victory over the Bobcats to clinch the first series victory over Texas State since 2002. The senior from Mobile, Ala. (Baker), allowed nine hits, struck out five and walked just one while limiting the Bobcats to just two runs. Minto retired 15 of the first 18 batters he faced and retired eight consecutive from the third through the fifth innings. He leads Nicholls with a .348 ERA to go with a 5-3 record.
280. Jarred Hippen:
5-24 from: - http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/052410aaa.html - CO-PITCHERS OF THE WEEK - Jarred Hippen, Iowa - So., RHP, Rock Falls, Ill./Rock Falls - Hippen becomes the first Hawkeye in over two years to earn Pitcher of the Week honors, leading Iowa to a 7-2 win over Purdue in the teams’ series opener on Saturday. The sophomore allowed just two runs on five hits and a walk in a complete-game win, tying his career best with nine strikeouts. The win marked Hippen’s fifth overall this season, and the effort was his fourth complete game of the conference slate.
281. Matt Suschak:
5-25 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft - Right-hander Matt Suschak has been drawing scouts because of his "plus" arm strength. Last Thursday, he dueled Ball State fireballer Perci Garner (more on him this week). And while Suschak got the win, both pitchers were touched up. Suschak gave up six earned runs on eight hits and a walk in seven innings, striking out four. Garner gave up four runs on nine hits and two walks. For the season, Suschak is 4-1 with a 4.12 ERA in 54 innings. He's averaging about a strikeout per inning and limiting opposing batters to a .205 average.
282. Seth Rosin:
5-26 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/05/26/seth-rosin-update - Speaking with a regional scouting source about Minnesota Friday night starter Seth Rosin, the 6-foot-7 right-hander continues to pitch his way toward the draft with a growing reputation as a big guy with a big arm. In this look, Rosin was 95 several times in the first three innings. He pitched into the seventh inning and his velocity maintained enough for him to pitch comfortably at 93-95. His overall fastball command remains above-average and paired with his size, plane, firm front, gives him a very solid foundation from which to start a pro career. His best secondary pitch in this look was a change-up at 79-80. Rosin is improving the pitch as the season progresses and it’s certainly more advanced than when I saw him on the Cape. The pitch has deception from release point, but also has dive to it, which gives him a workable second pitch with which to enter pro ball. His curveball, probably his least developed pitch at this stage, got a few strikeouts.
283. Forrest Koumas:
5-27 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/05/27/forrest-koumas-video - Forrest Koumas finished his high school career with a flourish, leading Lugoff-Elgin (South Carolina) to a 3A state title. In this game, Koumas struck out 13 and his game-winning home run was his 18th of the season. He helped his Demons finish 24-4. I haven’t seen Koumas since this look last summer. Before he went home and helped himself with a solid two-way year, the thing I noticed about Koumas was the big arm. He was only listed at 5-11 in the summer, but was pretty comfortably pitching around 90-93. His secondary pitch in the summer looks was a slider at 83-84. I remember one play where he covered home plate and threw out a guy at second trying to advance. That was the real eye-opener for be in terms of pure arm strength and it showed him to be a very good baseball athlete. His college commitment is to South Carolina, where I’m sure he would go both ways. We’ll wait and see what happens with the draft
284. Alan Oaks:
5-28 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/5/28/1491102/for-your-consideration-college#storyjump - RHP, Michigan: Remember him from 2007? No? He was the one who hit the pinch-hit, walk-off HR off David Price to win the 2007 Nashville Regional over Vanderbilt. His repertoire includes a low-90's fastball, low-90's slider, and a high-70's change-up. Has confidence in all three pitches at any count in any at bat.
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