2011 DRAFT: - Austin Hedges, Tyler Beede, Jacob Anderson, Robert Stephenson... and Deven Marreno

Austin Hedges



8-19-10 from: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=4935 - Similar to Bryce Harper from a year ago, Hedges’ arm strength alone was impressive enough to be mentioned in this column. He fired a seed to second to throw out Javier Baez stealing in the first inning, and overall showed like he belonged behind the dish. I also was impressed with his approach at the plate, as he used a quick, compact stroke to put a charge in a 94 mph Dillon Maples fastball in the third inning that was hit into the gap in left-center for a double. He also showed pretty good wheels for a catcher.


Tyler Beede:


8-27 from: - http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com - RHP Tyler Beede Lawrence Academy HS, Auburn Mass 6'3 1/2 200 - quality righty with good arm speed and easy delivery doesn't fight himself too much, not real deceptive or overpowering just yet. Will run fb up to 93-94, most are 89-90, has life in on RHH and down in zone, cb is true will be plus pitch in time with repeat in delivery. Lots of upside. New England will be busy next spring!!


Jacob Anderson:


8-12-10 from: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/high-school/events/under-armour-preseason-all-america-tournament/2010/2610524.html - 1B/OF - Chino (Calif.) HS Anderson is a tall, lean athlete who can play first base and either corner outfield spot. He generates bat speed that leads to pull-side power and is a sub-7.0 runner with above-average arm strength. His wiry build and quick bat make him one of the top righthanded bats in the 2011 class.


Robert Stephenson:


8-18-10 from: - http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/the-2010-aflac-all-american-baseball-classic - Right-hander Robert Stephenson (Martinez, Calif.) started for the West and worked two scoreless innings, needing only 20 pitches to retire the six batters he faced. The scoreboard had Stephenson's fastball at 89-94 mph. He walked one (erased by the aforementioned throw by Hedges), struck out two, and allowed just one ball to leave the infield.


8-19-10 from: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=4935  - Stephenson was right behind Bradley among the players that caught my eye the most, and like Bradley he got to show his stuff over two innings of work, the only two pitchers that did so. It looked as though he threw both a four-seam (clocked in the 93-95 range) and an upper-80s two-seamer with impressive diving action. His breaking ball was also a plus pitch, a hard curveball with a little slurve-type bite to it when thrown a little harder. He has good size with lean, tapered proportions, and overall looks to be a good athlete with a clean, repeatable delivery. He looked about as sharp as they come in his two innings of work.


Deven Marreno:


8-21-10 from: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2010/08/21/2010-cape-cod-wrapup - The defensive burden placed on shortstops puts them in high demand. Shortstops who can handle themselves with the glove and stick are always at a premium. Enter Arizona State shortstop Deven Marrero. Marrero actually lead the Sun Devils in hitting last spring, posting a .397/.442/.628 line as a freshman. Playing for Cotuit in the Cape, Marrero hit .306/.385/.378. An above-average runner with solid range, smooth hands and a plus arm, Marrero has more than enough defensive ability to hold down shortstop long-term. His quick, simple swing should lead to consistently high batting averages with just enough patience to post quality on-base percentages. While there isn’t much in the way of power projection with Marrero, it’s hard to imagine a quality shortstop with his track record lasting too long on draft day.