9/4/10

2011 DRAFT: - Top 22 First Basemen In Draft (new rankings)

1. Preston Tucker – Florida sophomore – graduated Plant H.S., Tampa… 2009: 62-G, .364, 15-HR, 85-RBI, only 22-K


12-25-9 from http://www.collegebaseballblog.com/ : - named the 27th top 2010 college baseball player


6-14-10 from: - http://prospectinsider.com/360mock.php  - 2011 Mock Draft – 14 Colorado Preston Tucker, 1B -- Florida


6-15-10 from: - http://www.deepleagues.com/?p=1830  – 2011 Mock Draft - 17. New York Mets Preston Tucker 1B, Univ. of Florida


7-1 from: - http://sullydraft.blogspot.com/  – 2011 Mock Draft – 48. Preston Tucker- 1B, Florida


7-1 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft#ixzz0sRZR7cpy  - Florida first baseman Preston Tucker has a funky stance and swing, but he makes consistent contact. He hit .331 with 11 homers and 49 RBI this season, but his 17 doubles portends of more power to come.


7-3 from: - http://milbprospects.blogspot.com/2010/07/early-version-of-top-50-prospects-for.html  - Top 50 - 35 Preston Tucker , 1B , Florida


7-26 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=3221081702&p=4  - Here are some names of draft eligibles for 2011 who have not been mentioned much and are definitely on the radar for 2011 MLB scouting depts. – First Base - Preston Tucker, Florida, 6'0 215, lefty power, does a good job at fielding position.


8-21-10 from: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2010/08/21/2010-cape-cod-wrapup  - Perhaps the most disappointed Cape performance belonged to University of Florida first baseman Preston Tucker. After drilling opposing pitchers to the tune of .331/.436/.551 for the Gators, Tucker could only muster an .113/.165/.150 triple slash score in the Cape. Some of that line is surely bad luck, .130 BABIP, but there isn’t much good to take away from Tucker’s summer performance. The good news is that Tucker is much more the dominate slugger he showed during the college season than the pitcher-forced-to-hit he produced like in the Cape. Tucker has the patience and power potential to be a middle-of-the-order big league threat and, with a good spring, should still garner first-round consideration.



2. William Flamion:



7-3 from: - http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/07/03/early-follow-list-for-2011-mlb-draft  - from Fanhouse.com MLB Draft guru Frankie Piliere – William Flamion 1B Central Catholic HS (Calif.) - Two-way player, profiles much better as position player. Quick hands, good extension and plus power potential from left side.


7-25: - http://www.fanhouse.com/ : - Fanhouse Top 70 Prospects - 58. William Flamion, 1B, Central Catholic HS (Calif.)


3. Ricky Oropesa:


6-12-10 from: - http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/wait-til-next-year-2011-draft-preview  - The best first baseman in the class is USC’s Ricky Oropesa (.353/.434/.711), one of the first highly touted recruits to live up to the hype during Chad Kreuter’s tenure as coach. He’s got massive power


6-14-10 from: - http://prospectinsider.com/360mock.php  - 2011 Mock Draft – 22 Los Angeles-A Ricky Oropesa, 1B/3B -- USC


6-18 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/6/17/1523259/summer-league-roundup-week-1  - Arguably the best bat on the Cape right now is fellow Pac 10 player Ricky Oropesa from USC. He's gone 4-for-14 so far, hitting a double and homer in the process, but he's not controlling the strike zone enough right now, though 3 games is way too small of a sample to draw conclusions. He's an interesting bat to follow when you include his pop, so be on the lookout.


6-21-10 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/06/21/cape-cod-baseball-league-players-of-the-week-2  - Chatham first baseman Rick Oropesa (USC) has been named 2010’s first Coca Cola Player of the Week. Over his first week of Cape League games, Oropesa batted a strong .304, but it was his power numbers earned him this week’s honor. The Trojan’s two home runs leave him tied for the most over the past week, while his seven runs batted in stand alone atop the leader board. A .609 slugging percentage, good for fourth in the league, coupled with a .429 on-base percentage make Oropesa a force at the plate. The sophomore USC product’s success should not be a shock. This past season for the Trojans, Oropesa led the team in all three triple crown categories: batting average (.353), home runs (20) and runs batted in (67). He was named All-America Second Team and received All Pac-10 honors last year after being named Freshman All-America the season before. Oropesa was drafted in the 24th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft by the Boston Red Sox upon graduation from high school, before deciding to attend USC.


6-25 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/06/25/ricky-oropesa-showing-skills-in-the-cape-cod-league  - 1B Ricky Oropesa carried the offense for the Pac-10 Cellar Dwellars, the USC Trojans, leading in Batting Average, Homeruns, RBI, Doubles, OBP, SLG, Walks, and Steals. Oropesa is going to be able to focus on different parts of his game now that he isn’t carrying an inept offense like the one he leads at Dedeaux Field, as he is playing in the Cape Cod League for the Chatham Anglers. He will have a chance to be a first round pick next season if he stays healthy, and he is already off to a great start with the wood bat, hitting .289 with 2 Home Runs.


6-29 from: - Andy Seiler Mock Draft - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/6/28/1541924/andys-first-2011-top-50#storyjump  - 31. Ricky Oropesa, 3B, USC


7-1 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/6/30/1544396/pats-first-2011-top-50#storyjump  – Pat Hickey Mock Draft – 41. Ricky Oropesa, 1B, Southern California


7-3 from: - http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/07/03/early-follow-list-for-2011-mlb-draft  - from Fanhouse.com MLB Draft guru Frankie Piliere – Ricky Oropesa 1B USC - Pure power bat w/ big lift and carry from the left side. Lacking in other tools but power will play big at next level.


7-3 from: - http://milbprospects.blogspot.com/2010/07/early-version-of-top-50-prospects-for.html  - Top 50 - 24 Ricky Oropesa , 3B , Southern California


7-25: - http://www.fanhouse.com/ : - Fanhouse Top 70 Prospects - 17. Ricky Oropesa, 3B/1B, USC


4. Nick Ramirez:


4-27 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/27/big-west-players-of-the-week-7  - Cal State Fullerton sophomore Nick Ramirez (Anaheim, Calif./Katella HS) garnered Big West Baseball Field Player of the Week honors after hitting .643 to help his team to a 4-0 record. The first baseman hit safely in all four games and now owns a hitting streak of 16 straight. He scored six runs and had five RBI as the Titans defeated Pepperdine in a midweek non-conference game and swept Cal Poly in a Big West series. Ramirez belted four doubles among his nine hits for the week, including a pair of RBI doubles in CSF’s 12-5 win over the Waves Tuesday. He went 4-for-5 with three RBI in that game.


6-13 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=3221081702  - 1b, Nick Ramirez, CS-Fullerton, 6'2 220, lefty pop, not a good runner, but not embarassing, throws well and plays the bag like he knows what he's doing. Pena anyone? Also can close games.


7-3 from: - http://milbprospects.blogspot.com/2010/07/early-version-of-top-50-prospects-for.html  - Top 50 - 50 Nick Ramirez , 1B , Cal State Fullerton


7-23-10 from: - http://pnrscouting.com/articles_teamusacollegiate_finalroster_07212010.html  - USA CNT Roster Breakdown, Spring Stat Links and Trials Notes: - Nick Ramirez - LHRP/1B So. Calif. St. Univ. – Fullerton - Trials Notes: Nick Ramirez, one of two Fullerton "Ramirezes" on the staff, is also one of two listed utility players on the final roster (FSU's Sean Gilmartin also appears as both a position player and a pitcher). Ramirez served as Fullerton's closer in the Spring and is likely to serve primarily in late-inning relief this Summer, as well. Through Trials, his fastball was 89-90 mph, hitting a couple 91s, and he commanded it pretty well to the quadrants. His bread-and-butter was a swing-and-miss change-up that he threw with good deception and lots of fade and drop. His breaker was a fringy curve that showed a different look but was little more than a "show me" offering. He can get long to home (1.57-1.70 seconds) but showcases a decent pick-off move and does an adequate job of preventing good jumps from baserunners. He's a thick with a softish build and throws out of a 3/4 to low-3/4 slot. While his arm action looks fairly easy, his timing can occasionally lag, forcing his arm to catch-up to his body after plant and at the start of his core rotation.


7-23-10 from: - http://pnrscouting.com/articles_teamusacollegiate_finalroster_07212010.html  - USA CNT Roster Breakdown, Spring Stat Links and Trials Notes: - Nick Ramirez - 1B/LHP So. Calif. St. Univ. – Fullerton - Trials Notes: Ramirez, the only "true" first baseman on the CNT roster, is a big body with softish build and solid raw strength that should improve as he matures and firms-up. He shows average mobility at first for his size and his hands play. While the overall defensive package is fringy right now, he could be an average defender down the line. Ramirez shows solid pull-side power with 60/65 raw pop that isn't quite playing yet with wood, but should come in time. His smooth lefty swing comes with good extension through contact and an ability to keep the bat in the hit zone. He shows solid barrel control and an ability to adjust to off-speed stuff and dump it the other way. While he works well middle-in, he could stand to more consistently let the ball travel deeper on the outer-half.


7-25: - http://www.fanhouse.com/ : - Fanhouse Top 70 Prospects - 70. Nick Ramirez, LHP/1B, Cal State Fullerton



5. Chase Davidson:


6-15-10 from: - http://www.deepleagues.com/?p=1830  – 2011 Mock Draft - 30. New York Yankees Chase Davidson 1B, Georgia



6. Aaron Westlake – Vanderbilt – C/1B… 2009: .377 best in SEC), 10-HR, 57-RBI, .440m OBP… summer ball: .312, 2-HR, 24-RBI…


12-6-9 from http://www.collegebaseballblog.com/ : named the 46th top college play to play the 2010 season…


7-26 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=3221081702&p=4  - Here are some names of draft eligibles for 2011 who have not been mentioned much and are definitely on the radar for 2011 MLB scouting depts. – First Base - Aaron Westlake, Vanderbilt, 6'3 240, L/R, power plus and hits with authority when he doesn't overswing, can play other positions and has pure arm strength.


8-27 from: - http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/  - 1B-OF Aaron Westlake Vanderbilt 6'3 240 L/R - Commodore program will be watched closer than a foxy model on a runway! Plus power with short compact swing from left side, also quality arm strength, solid enough fielder to be competent at 1b ala Mark Texeira, runs just ok, not a clogger however, will tend to reach for slow stuff out of zone, discipline however has improved and had a decent summer, but really needs to work with zone awareness and discipline as a hitter more this fall and next spring.



7. Grant Dozar – LSU



12-23-9 fr. http://baseballdraftreport.com/  - SO INF Grant Dozar (2011) impressed those who saw him practice with the team last season, but didn’t get enough at bats in 2009 to make any conclusions about what kind of player he’ll be on the college level. As of now, he is expected to see time at both first and third. If he can earn some playing time behind the plate, as some have speculated he might, the added versatility would give this under the radar prospect a chance to get a little recognition.



8. Cameron Coombs


1-21-10 from http://www.baseballamerica/ : - From the class of 2011, some of the top players were . . . Cameron Coombs, 1b, Durango HS, Las Vegas: Only 16, Coombs is already 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds. Coombs does not run well (7.50), so his future will be limited to pitching or first base. He shows potential at both spots. On the mound, he delivers an 86 to 88 mph fastball and 67-68 curve, despite a funky delivery. At bat, Coombs shows provocative power, despite his unusual stand up stance and swing in which his legs are nearly straight throughout.


9. Joey Terdoslavich:


4-20 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com/  - Long Beach State SO 1B Joey Terdoslavich - Terdoslavich was once a pretty exciting prospect, but his transfer to Long Beach has taken his name out of the big-time college spotlight. His power remains, but the 2010 drop in plate discipline is worrying. In his favor, however, is the positional versatility so many of these first base prospects will need if they want big league bench jobs someday.



10. Dan Vogelbach:


6-27 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=3221081702&p=2   - Day two at TOS - 1b, Dan Vogelbach, 6'1 240, L/R, one kid that stood out as a solid hitter in every respect was this young man. He may not have the prettiest builds of any of the players, neither did John Kruk, but this kid can hit and he's got thunder in his bat if you put in up in the middle of the plate. Fields position but speed he definitely lacks, runs like Babe Ruth films though, LOL. From Bishop Verot HS, Fla.


7-13-10: - MaxPreps Junior All-American Baseball Team - Dan Vogelbach, Bishop Verot (Fort Myers, Fla.), First Base - Named the Player of the Year by the Fort Myers News Preps, Vogelbach batted .551 with nine home runs, 41 runs scored and 39 RBI. He also had 11 doubles and four triples.


7-13-10 from: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=4892  - The Diamond Devils 17U Blue won the largest age group tournament in baseball history Monday afternoon at the East Cobb Complex in Marietta, Georgia, defeating FTB Mizuno 2-1 in the championship game of the World Wood Bat Association 17U National Championship. 1B/DH Dan Vogelbach (Bishop Verot HS, North Fort Myers, FL) was an offensive force all week for Mizuno, going 13-23 at the plate with 3 home runs, 11 runs scored and 9 Rbi’s. He hit a home run in the semifinals, quarterfinals and Round of 16 while going 6-7 with 8 Rbi’s in those 3 must win games.



11. Travis Shaw:


6-28 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/06/28/cape-cod-baseball-league-players-of-the-week-june-28th  - Travis Shaw, Bourne 1B/DH - Bourne slugger Travis Shaw (Kent State) has secured this week’s Coca-Cola Player of the Week award after putting together a stretch of four games that any Cape Leaguer will be hard-pressed to match this season. Shaw hit .714, with a .775 on-base percentage, slugging two home runs and knocking in seven runs. He batted .330 in his sophomore season at Kent State, with 15 home runs. Shaw was taken in the 32nd round of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft out of high school by the Red Sox, but elected to attend Kent State.


12. Craig Shirley:


7-13-10: - MaxPreps Junior All-American Baseball Team - Craig Shirley, Northview (Dothan, Ala.), First Base - The area player of the year by the Dothan Eagle, Shirley was also an all-state selection in Alabama after batting .477 with 18 home runs, 72 RBI, 15 doubles and 48 runs scored.


13. Taylor Ard:


7-18 from: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=3870  - On first baseman Taylor Ard (.260/.317/.370, 1 HR, 9 RBI in 73 AB), who is transferring from a junior college to Washington State: "Physical kid, has a fairly advanced approach to hitting, and put an aluminum bat in his hands next spring he'll be lethal. He's athletic around the bag, he came out here and really held himself well. Advanced appraoch to hitting, can hit to all fields, and he's got raw power.



14. Jack Marder:


7-19 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/7/17/1574115/all-questions-answered#comments  - Promising player with a future as a possible utility player in the pros. Not a lot of power, but could hit for some average and he runs pretty well. Won’t be a first baseman in the future, as he was just playing there out of necessity. He’s not playing summer ball to rehab an injury. I think he profiles best at second base, but he could hold down shortstop in a pinch. Second base is probably his most likely future pro position, though. Since he’s going to be an eligible sophomore without summer ball experience, his draft position will be heavily reliant on his signability and his performance next spring. Typically players with his tools go in the 4th-6th round range, but if he comes out swinging a better bat next spring, anything could happen.


15. Cody Asche:


7-21 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=3221081702&p=4  - 1b-OF, Cody Asche, Nebraska, Jr, 6'1 215, L/R, lefty sock with lift, 60 power, runs better on the way, 4.4 from left side, enough arm and glove to be contributor at the next level, he's really going to need to hit consistently and I feel he's at least a 280 type hitter which is abv ML ave. Some similarities to Derek Dietrich who was at GT this spring.


16. Harold Riggins:


7-21 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=3221081702&p=4  - 1b, Harold Riggins, NC State, 6'2 240, R/R, have seen this young man many times locally, has really trimmed down and toned up, has plus raw power and has made steady adjustments as a hitter, still swings and misses a lot but not as much as before, competent around the bag, some similarities to former ML player Ken Harvey who was a flash in the pan for Nebraska years ago - Harold continues to improve which is a key to his future. 250 type hitter 15-30 type HR pwr frequency potential. Runs well for a big man, arm is adequate. Will be a Jr.


17. David Chester:


7-22-10 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=3221081702&p=4  - I did get to see David Chester this spring play for Pitt, and I was surprised he was not drafted as a draft eligible soph. He's imposing to say the least size wise and has a lot of strength, he was a bit stiff in his actions and upper body and is loosening up some this summer. He's 6'4 plus and a touch over 235, he was 250 listed, playing for Gastonia this summer and he's already 21. Fielding wise he's competent at the 1b spot. He has 25 plus HR power type ability, will hit at least for average, 260 plus and he's not a clogger running wise but don't expect him to steal bases. He's on the map for sure for 2011 but again a lil bit in awe this behemoth was not selected in 2010 MLB as a draft eligible, birthdate of 3/31/89.


18. Troy Channing


7-25 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/7/24/1585669/all-questions-answered#comments  - Plus raw power, but not a lot else. He’s a fringe-average hitter who’s going to swing and miss a good number of times, and his time on the Cape has shown us that he’s not exactly polished against quality pitching with a wood bat. He’s a long-term first baseman, so his bat needs to work for teams to spend an early pick on him.


19. George Carter:


7-26 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=3221081702&p=4  - Here are some names of draft eligibles for 2011 who have not been mentioned much and are definitely on the radar for 2011 MLB scouting depts. – First Base - George Carter, N. Guilford HS, NC, 6'3 200, another hitter with good power, also pitches, likes playing 1b more, still learning strike zone as hitter, getting better each yr.


20. Eric Johnson:


7-26 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=3221081702&p=4  - Here are some names of draft eligibles for 2011 who have not been mentioned much and are definitely on the radar for 2011 MLB scouting depts. – First Base - Eric Johnson, UC-Davis, 6'5 210, good hitter but hasn't shown the power potential that we know is there, does put the barrel on the ball and can field position.


21. Greg Bird


8-12-10 from: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/high-school/events/under-armour-preseason-all-america-tournament/2010/2610524.html   - C/1B - Grandview HS, Aurora, Colo. Bird is a big, strong catching prospect who can really swing the bat. He has good strike-zone judgment and raw power. He led Colorado's 5-A ranks in home runs the past two seasons, including one in his first game last spring at Coors Field.


22. 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.

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