Prospect Insider has learned that the Mariners may have come to agreement with James Paxton, via Alex Meyer on Twitter. Meyer, a junior, is a first-round talent in this year's draft class. We would have placed Paxton No. 9 on the handbook, but that is based very much on Paxton regaining his form within a year or so, and that's a guess at this point. http://prospectinsider.com/view/paxton-signs
Ryan Carpenter - Gonzaga traveled to College Station to take on Texas A&M for the weekend, creating arguably the best pitching matchup of the weekend between lefty Ryan Carpenter and righty John Stilson. Carpenter is a pitcher I had heard quite a bit of, but had limited exposure to. I was really impressed first and foremost with his smooth delivery and overall mechanics. He repeated his release point better than any other pitcher I have seen so far this year, and commanded his fastball fairly well. There is still some inconsistency to his control and secondary stuff, but it’s hard not to be impressed with his size, delivery and fastball velocity. http://www.5tooltalk.com/2011-notes-2-26-11.html
Who exactly was on the mound when TCU played Cal State Fullerton in the series opener? It looked more like a right-handed Matt Purke than anyone else. TCU veteran right-handed pitcher Kyle Winkler was sensational in a 4-1 victory over the Titans, allowing just a run on six hits in seven innings. Winkler was throwing 92-94 with his fastball throughout the game. The veteran again is rising to the occasion this spring. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5298
Roberto Suppa, rhp - "He's going to be a draft kid. He's a big, strong, horse of a kid. He's signed with Cornell, so he'll probably be a tough sign. But he'll be 88-91 (mph) with real good, heavy sink and he's a big, strong-armed kid. So he's going to throw 90 plus consistently and he's certainly got a pro body at 6-foot-5 and over 200 pounds. He's certainly an interesting kid." - http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=3119
Danny Keller, RHP, Newbury Park (Calif.) HS - Skinny: Keller was not as sharp Saturday as he was at an area All-Star Game in November, but he still rates as a top prospect. He tosses a 90-91-mph fastball and adds a promising 74 curve. Keller's arm action was a bit awkward Saturday. Committed to: Cal State Northridge http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/highschool/02/21/top.prospects.mlb.showcase/index.html#ixzz1FAb22OhT
Mack’s Mets – the premier site for information on the New York Mets talent pipeline and dialogue on Mets prospects, Mets news, and Mets opinions.
2/28/11
2/27/11
Dustin Houle, Sonny Gray, Mark Appel, Francisco Lindor, Matt Grimes, Daniel Palka, Matt Crouse
Dustin Houle, 3b - "He's very interesting. He's probably going to be a catcher someday because I don't know if he'll make it as a third baseman, but he can hit and has some size and strength and a good arm. I probably like him better behind the plate in the pro world, if I had to make that choice. If he can catch for you, he profiles a whole lot better than as a third baseman."
No. 3 Vanderbilt over No. 8 Stanford, 2-1. Vandy Jr. RHP Sonny Gray (6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K) won a pitcher's duel against So. RHP Mark Appel (6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER), as Anthony Gomez delivered a tie-breaking RBI single in the sixth, and three Vanderbilt relievers combined to throw three innings of two-hit, shutout ball to seal the win.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4131
Francisco Lindor, SS, Montverde Academy (Fla.) - Lindor, a switch hitter, drew dozens of scouts in his first week of play -- partially because there weren't a whole lot of other options that early in the season -- and promptly homered in his first at-bat, a shot estimated at more than 400 feet to right-center field as a left-handed batter. He's flashed the leather on several occasions, showing smooth actions at shortstop and plenty of arm. "He dazzled, certainly," said one talent evaluator of an American League club. "He's a really, really good athlete, a lot of quickness and a quick bat." Lindor, a Florida State commit, added a 3-for-3 outing earlier this week and continues to make what one scout called "ridiculous" plays with the glove. http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog?name=mlb_draft&id=6158757&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fmlb%2fblog%3fname%3dmlb_draft%26id%3d6158757
• Georgia Tech over Georgia Southern, 7-4. Heralded Fr. RHP Matt Grimes (5.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 ER) earned the win in his first start, and fellow freshman Daniel Palka (3-for-4, HR, 4 RBI) powered the offense. - http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4128
Mississippi didn’t get a high quality start from left-handed pitcher Matt Crouse against Wright State last weekend, but the talented veteran changed his luck against Houston on Friday. Crouse struck out eight and allowed just two run on six hits in seven innings as the Rebels captured a 4-2 win over red-hot Houston. Crouse bouncing back in that fashion is huge for the Rebels. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5298
No. 3 Vanderbilt over No. 8 Stanford, 2-1. Vandy Jr. RHP Sonny Gray (6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K) won a pitcher's duel against So. RHP Mark Appel (6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER), as Anthony Gomez delivered a tie-breaking RBI single in the sixth, and three Vanderbilt relievers combined to throw three innings of two-hit, shutout ball to seal the win.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4131
Francisco Lindor, SS, Montverde Academy (Fla.) - Lindor, a switch hitter, drew dozens of scouts in his first week of play -- partially because there weren't a whole lot of other options that early in the season -- and promptly homered in his first at-bat, a shot estimated at more than 400 feet to right-center field as a left-handed batter. He's flashed the leather on several occasions, showing smooth actions at shortstop and plenty of arm. "He dazzled, certainly," said one talent evaluator of an American League club. "He's a really, really good athlete, a lot of quickness and a quick bat." Lindor, a Florida State commit, added a 3-for-3 outing earlier this week and continues to make what one scout called "ridiculous" plays with the glove. http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog?name=mlb_draft&id=6158757&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fmlb%2fblog%3fname%3dmlb_draft%26id%3d6158757
• Georgia Tech over Georgia Southern, 7-4. Heralded Fr. RHP Matt Grimes (5.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 ER) earned the win in his first start, and fellow freshman Daniel Palka (3-for-4, HR, 4 RBI) powered the offense. - http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=4128
Mississippi didn’t get a high quality start from left-handed pitcher Matt Crouse against Wright State last weekend, but the talented veteran changed his luck against Houston on Friday. Crouse struck out eight and allowed just two run on six hits in seven innings as the Rebels captured a 4-2 win over red-hot Houston. Crouse bouncing back in that fashion is huge for the Rebels. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5298
2/26/11
Scott Snodgrass, Adam Conley, Walker Moore, Colin O'Connell, Xavier Macklin, Danny Hultzen
Another southpaw, Scott Snodgrass, is also one to watch. He came in relief and picked up the victory in the opening game of the series, going 3 1/3 innings, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out five. - http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110221&content_id=16694012&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb&tcid=tw_article_16694012
Washington State JR LHP Adam Conley opened some eyes by peaking at 95-96 MPH on Friday. My earliest notes on him have him sitting 86-88 with a peak between 90-92. Amazing what some time working with a great college staff can do for a kid. Credit should also be given to Conley (by all accounts a really hard worker), as well as the natural maturation that comes with growing into a sturdy 6-3, 185 pound frame (up 15 pounds from his freshman year). http://baseballdraftreport.com/
•Cal-State Fullerton got back to .500 on Monday by defeating nearby rival Long Beach State 4-3. Senior utility player Walker Moore led the offense by getting a key pinch hit RBI double on his way to a 2-2 night driving in two runs. The Titans pitching staff was led by Colin O’Connell who went 7.0 innings giving up five hits, and allowing just one run in the sixth inning. He struck out six while not giving up a walk. http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/02/22/foleys-quick-hits-for-feb-21st
RF, Xavier Macklin, a sturdy built, 6'0 190 right fielder, Right/Right with legit alley power to LF. X runs 4.3 straight away which is solid average to 1b and he has an average arm for RF. X has carry on his throws and he tracks the ball well enough to the gap. X hit a bomb to the RF alley that carried over the way day 1 and the second day hit the ball hard 4 times with two hits, one was a one hopper to the LF alley wall off a 88 mph fb. X stays in there on the breaking ball but will get out front a bit with his front side and his hands stay back. X is a potential 20 HR guy with 20 plus SBs in the making. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
By now, Danny Hultzen is a known commodity on Friday nights. For two years, the left-hander has anchored Virginia's weekend rotation, going a combined 20-1 with a 2.51 ERA as a freshman and sophomore. He's a fierce competitor with excellent command and very good stuff, so it was hardly surprising that his 2011 season got off to a sterling start Friday against Alabama-Birmingham. In 6 2/3 innings, Hultzen struck out 10 and allowed just one run, three hits and a walk. http://web.goldenspikesaward.com/index.html?page=news_archive&article_id=79
Washington State JR LHP Adam Conley opened some eyes by peaking at 95-96 MPH on Friday. My earliest notes on him have him sitting 86-88 with a peak between 90-92. Amazing what some time working with a great college staff can do for a kid. Credit should also be given to Conley (by all accounts a really hard worker), as well as the natural maturation that comes with growing into a sturdy 6-3, 185 pound frame (up 15 pounds from his freshman year). http://baseballdraftreport.com/
•Cal-State Fullerton got back to .500 on Monday by defeating nearby rival Long Beach State 4-3. Senior utility player Walker Moore led the offense by getting a key pinch hit RBI double on his way to a 2-2 night driving in two runs. The Titans pitching staff was led by Colin O’Connell who went 7.0 innings giving up five hits, and allowing just one run in the sixth inning. He struck out six while not giving up a walk. http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/02/22/foleys-quick-hits-for-feb-21st
RF, Xavier Macklin, a sturdy built, 6'0 190 right fielder, Right/Right with legit alley power to LF. X runs 4.3 straight away which is solid average to 1b and he has an average arm for RF. X has carry on his throws and he tracks the ball well enough to the gap. X hit a bomb to the RF alley that carried over the way day 1 and the second day hit the ball hard 4 times with two hits, one was a one hopper to the LF alley wall off a 88 mph fb. X stays in there on the breaking ball but will get out front a bit with his front side and his hands stay back. X is a potential 20 HR guy with 20 plus SBs in the making. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
By now, Danny Hultzen is a known commodity on Friday nights. For two years, the left-hander has anchored Virginia's weekend rotation, going a combined 20-1 with a 2.51 ERA as a freshman and sophomore. He's a fierce competitor with excellent command and very good stuff, so it was hardly surprising that his 2011 season got off to a sterling start Friday against Alabama-Birmingham. In 6 2/3 innings, Hultzen struck out 10 and allowed just one run, three hits and a walk. http://web.goldenspikesaward.com/index.html?page=news_archive&article_id=79
2/25/11
Andrew Letourneau, Zack Powers, Chris Reed, John Stilson, Marquis Riley
•Cal-State Bakersfield continued the University of San Francisco’s early season struggles by defeating them 6-2. Junior centerfielder Andrew Letourneau led the charge at the plate going 3-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. This season, the Dons have scored a total of three runs over their first four games. They will welcome UC-Davis to campus on Friday and Sunday while playing in Davis on Saturday as they look to get their first win of the season.
http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/02/22/foleys-quick-hits-for-feb-21st
Zack Powers - Powers is another member of the Gators impressive freshman class that includes Whitson, Crawford, Daniel Gibson and Keenan Kish. I know I said I was focusing on the 2011 and 2012 draft eligibles, but Powers really caught my eye, and I believe he will be a much bigger part of this team in the years to come. He has a great approach at the plate in which he seems to be going up the middle and the other way, and smacked some balls hard. He has good size with sloped shoulders with good present day strength -
http://www.5tooltalk.com/2011-notes-2-20-11.html
Some of that may have had to do with Stanford's pitching staff, of course, which gave up seven earned runs over 26 innings for an opening-weekend 2.77 ERA. Chris Reed took the one loss for Stanford, but scouts really liked what they saw from the 6-foot-4 lefty, who sat at 94 mph all night and showed a plus changeup.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110221&content_id=16694012&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb&tcid=tw_article_16694012
Texas A&M JR RHP John Stilson was only omitted from the previous entry because he slipped my mind, but, really, the guy belongs in the top college arm discussion with the likes of Cole, Purke, Jungmann, et al. Perhaps it is for the best that the least well known major college pitcher gets his own space, so we can fully appreciate his sustained run of dominance. Stilson’s 2010 season (14 K/9) was the stuff of legend, and his transition to starting on Friday nights (6 IP 3 H 0 ER 1 BB 9 K) has started with a bang. My favorite part of his Friday line: 18 outs recorded, 9 via strikeout, 9 via groundball, 0 fly balls. He’s a starter all the way for me, despite the sentiment that he is too much of a two-pitch thrower to get through the lineup multiple times. I’ve heard too many positive things about both his changeup and his slider to believe differently.
http://baseballdraftreport.com/
iF Marquis Riley from near by Hillsborough NC where he attended Orange HS. Marquis is slightly over 5'9 and weighs a solid 190 with a smooth lefty swing that is flat and drives the ball where it's pitched. He's not a burner out of the box, but he is solid average as a runner with a playable arm for either the corner or second and he has enough tracking ability to play the Outfield if needed there. Marquis lined up a few mid to upper 80's fb from the Camels pitchers to all fields. In BP he has 8-10 type HR power. He loves the game and he comes to play and while he may not go in the first two rounds of the MLB Draft, he's definitely someone who will get some strong looks by area crosscheckers and scouting directors along the way
http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/02/22/foleys-quick-hits-for-feb-21st
Zack Powers - Powers is another member of the Gators impressive freshman class that includes Whitson, Crawford, Daniel Gibson and Keenan Kish. I know I said I was focusing on the 2011 and 2012 draft eligibles, but Powers really caught my eye, and I believe he will be a much bigger part of this team in the years to come. He has a great approach at the plate in which he seems to be going up the middle and the other way, and smacked some balls hard. He has good size with sloped shoulders with good present day strength -
http://www.5tooltalk.com/2011-notes-2-20-11.html
Some of that may have had to do with Stanford's pitching staff, of course, which gave up seven earned runs over 26 innings for an opening-weekend 2.77 ERA. Chris Reed took the one loss for Stanford, but scouts really liked what they saw from the 6-foot-4 lefty, who sat at 94 mph all night and showed a plus changeup.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110221&content_id=16694012&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb&tcid=tw_article_16694012
Texas A&M JR RHP John Stilson was only omitted from the previous entry because he slipped my mind, but, really, the guy belongs in the top college arm discussion with the likes of Cole, Purke, Jungmann, et al. Perhaps it is for the best that the least well known major college pitcher gets his own space, so we can fully appreciate his sustained run of dominance. Stilson’s 2010 season (14 K/9) was the stuff of legend, and his transition to starting on Friday nights (6 IP 3 H 0 ER 1 BB 9 K) has started with a bang. My favorite part of his Friday line: 18 outs recorded, 9 via strikeout, 9 via groundball, 0 fly balls. He’s a starter all the way for me, despite the sentiment that he is too much of a two-pitch thrower to get through the lineup multiple times. I’ve heard too many positive things about both his changeup and his slider to believe differently.
http://baseballdraftreport.com/
iF Marquis Riley from near by Hillsborough NC where he attended Orange HS. Marquis is slightly over 5'9 and weighs a solid 190 with a smooth lefty swing that is flat and drives the ball where it's pitched. He's not a burner out of the box, but he is solid average as a runner with a playable arm for either the corner or second and he has enough tracking ability to play the Outfield if needed there. Marquis lined up a few mid to upper 80's fb from the Camels pitchers to all fields. In BP he has 8-10 type HR power. He loves the game and he comes to play and while he may not go in the first two rounds of the MLB Draft, he's definitely someone who will get some strong looks by area crosscheckers and scouting directors along the way
http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
2/24/11
Michael Rocha, John Stilson, Austin Maddox, Grayson Garvin, Gerrit Cole
Another interesting draft prospect and college senior, Oklahoma SR RHP Michael Rocha, put on a show this Friday: 7 IP 1 H 0 ER 1 BB 7 K. Rocha doesn’t have near the velocity of Dupra at his best, but thrives on his funky breaking stuff, good command, and high pitching IQ. Rocha’s one-hit performance was matched by Alabama JR LHP Adam Morgan, who put up the following line: 5.1 IP 1 H 0 ER 1 BB 6 K. Unlike the power fastball lefties mentioned above, Morgan instead follows in the footsteps of the more typical, pitchability style of crafty college lefties. The lack of a big fastball stings a little less when you have a plus curve, a pitch that I think ranks in the top ten of its type amongst 2011 college draft prospects. http://baseballdraftreport.com/
There was some concern entering the season on whether Texas A&M right-handed pitcher John Stilson could make a smooth transition from closer to starter. Well, Stilson took at least a step forward Friday by striking out nine and allowing a run on three hits in six innings in a 3-1 victory over LeMoyne. It’ll be interesting to see how Stilson, one of the nation’s top junior prospects, progresses from here. - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5266
(Austin) Maddox is an impressive athlete, now playing first base this year. I think he’s at first and Tucker is in right because Maddox doesn’t run the greatest. He does have a very strong arm that would profile well in right field, as it did at third base last year and behind the plate during his prep days. His power potential is incredibly obvious, with good bat speed and an effortless load and swing path in which he generates torque from the bottom up. He didn’t have a hit in this game, but he put an easy swing on an outside fastball that traveled to the warning track in right field for a sacrifice fly. Comparisons to another former prep catcher and Gator, Matt LaPorta, are going to be connected to this young man for the next year-plus. - http://www.5tooltalk.com/2011-notes-2-20-11.html
•Vanderbilt had a solid weekend going a perfect 4-0 with three victories over San Diego and a single win over San Diego State. Grayson Garvin had the best start of the weekend for the Commodores carrying a perfect game into the seventh inning on Sunday against San Diego. He ended up giving up a hit off his glove in the seventh before losing his shutout bid in the ninth. The 2010 Cape Cod Baseball League Pitcher of the Year ended up pitching a total of 8.1 innings giving up five hits and three runs (two earned) before being lifted. - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/02/21/foleys-quick-hits-for-feb-20th
UCLA's Gerrit Cole, whom many consider to be the best pure college arm in the Draft, didn't waste any time in showing why. He tossed a four-hit, complete-game shutout against San Francisco, allowing just four hits and a walk while striking out 11 over 104 pitches. UCLA has quite the 1-2 punch. Cole dominated on Friday. It was Trevor Bauer's turn on Saturday. He beat San Francisco, 4-1, allowing just one unearned run on two hits over 7 2/3 innings. He did yield four walks, but also struck out 10. - http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110221&content_id=16694012&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb&tcid=tw_article_16694012
There was some concern entering the season on whether Texas A&M right-handed pitcher John Stilson could make a smooth transition from closer to starter. Well, Stilson took at least a step forward Friday by striking out nine and allowing a run on three hits in six innings in a 3-1 victory over LeMoyne. It’ll be interesting to see how Stilson, one of the nation’s top junior prospects, progresses from here. - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5266
(Austin) Maddox is an impressive athlete, now playing first base this year. I think he’s at first and Tucker is in right because Maddox doesn’t run the greatest. He does have a very strong arm that would profile well in right field, as it did at third base last year and behind the plate during his prep days. His power potential is incredibly obvious, with good bat speed and an effortless load and swing path in which he generates torque from the bottom up. He didn’t have a hit in this game, but he put an easy swing on an outside fastball that traveled to the warning track in right field for a sacrifice fly. Comparisons to another former prep catcher and Gator, Matt LaPorta, are going to be connected to this young man for the next year-plus. - http://www.5tooltalk.com/2011-notes-2-20-11.html
•Vanderbilt had a solid weekend going a perfect 4-0 with three victories over San Diego and a single win over San Diego State. Grayson Garvin had the best start of the weekend for the Commodores carrying a perfect game into the seventh inning on Sunday against San Diego. He ended up giving up a hit off his glove in the seventh before losing his shutout bid in the ninth. The 2010 Cape Cod Baseball League Pitcher of the Year ended up pitching a total of 8.1 innings giving up five hits and three runs (two earned) before being lifted. - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/02/21/foleys-quick-hits-for-feb-20th
UCLA's Gerrit Cole, whom many consider to be the best pure college arm in the Draft, didn't waste any time in showing why. He tossed a four-hit, complete-game shutout against San Francisco, allowing just four hits and a walk while striking out 11 over 104 pitches. UCLA has quite the 1-2 punch. Cole dominated on Friday. It was Trevor Bauer's turn on Saturday. He beat San Francisco, 4-1, allowing just one unearned run on two hits over 7 2/3 innings. He did yield four walks, but also struck out 10. - http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110221&content_id=16694012&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb&tcid=tw_article_16694012
2/23/11
Alex Meyer, Cory Hahn, Kevin Gausman, Pratt Maynard, Johnny Pants
•Kentucky and Georgia both ended up starting the season with identical 0-3 records. Kentucky ended up blowing a great starting pitching performance from Alex Meyer who went seven innings giving up three hits, three walks and two runs as he struck out 13 batters. Meyer topped out at 100 according to sources at the game while sitting around 97 all game - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/02/21/foleys-quick-hits-for-feb-20th
Multiple sources have confirmed to College Baseball Daily that Cory Hahn suffered a C-5 fracture of his spinal cord. For comparison’s sake, former Boston University hockey player Travis Roy suffered a fracture between his C-4 and C-5 vertebrae. The doctors will not know the status of Hahn’s spinal cord until after the swelling goes down from the surgery he underwent on Sunday night. He is expected to spend the next five-ten days in the ICU. - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/02/20/arizona-states-cory-hahn-hospitalized
•Highly regarded freshman Kevin Gausman had his college debut on Saturday afternoon for the LSU Tigers against Wake Forest. He had a rough first two innings giving up a run in each inning but settled down as he finished giving up two runs in 5.2 innings while striking out six batters. - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/02/20/foleys-quick-hits-for-feb-19th
It was an impressive opening day for N.C. State and first baseman Pratt Maynard. Maynard led the Wolfpack as they stormed past in-state foe Elon 17-5. Maynard finished the contest 3-for-4 with a double, three runs and five RBIs. The Wolfpack couldn’t have asked for a better start to an important season. - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5266
(Alex) Panteliodis doesn’t fall into the camp of those that looked as though they hit the weight room hard, as he’s a little soft through the mid-section, but is far from what you would label a ‘hefty lefty.’ He too elevates his fastball, and gets a lot of the strike zone. He gave up double-digit home runs a year ago, and gave up another in his one inning of work. He doesn’t throw particularly hard, but he commands the strike zone well. He also repeats his delivery and overall mechanics pretty well, and isn’t afraid to challenge hitters with his fastball. - http://www.5tooltalk.com/2011-notes-2-20-11.html
Multiple sources have confirmed to College Baseball Daily that Cory Hahn suffered a C-5 fracture of his spinal cord. For comparison’s sake, former Boston University hockey player Travis Roy suffered a fracture between his C-4 and C-5 vertebrae. The doctors will not know the status of Hahn’s spinal cord until after the swelling goes down from the surgery he underwent on Sunday night. He is expected to spend the next five-ten days in the ICU. - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/02/20/arizona-states-cory-hahn-hospitalized
•Highly regarded freshman Kevin Gausman had his college debut on Saturday afternoon for the LSU Tigers against Wake Forest. He had a rough first two innings giving up a run in each inning but settled down as he finished giving up two runs in 5.2 innings while striking out six batters. - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/02/20/foleys-quick-hits-for-feb-19th
It was an impressive opening day for N.C. State and first baseman Pratt Maynard. Maynard led the Wolfpack as they stormed past in-state foe Elon 17-5. Maynard finished the contest 3-for-4 with a double, three runs and five RBIs. The Wolfpack couldn’t have asked for a better start to an important season. - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5266
(Alex) Panteliodis doesn’t fall into the camp of those that looked as though they hit the weight room hard, as he’s a little soft through the mid-section, but is far from what you would label a ‘hefty lefty.’ He too elevates his fastball, and gets a lot of the strike zone. He gave up double-digit home runs a year ago, and gave up another in his one inning of work. He doesn’t throw particularly hard, but he commands the strike zone well. He also repeats his delivery and overall mechanics pretty well, and isn’t afraid to challenge hitters with his fastball. - http://www.5tooltalk.com/2011-notes-2-20-11.html
2/22/11
Stephen Hefler, David Herbek, Jake Lowery, Matt Tenaglia , Jackie Bradley Jr, David Carroll, Anthony DeSclafani
The Colonels wasted a one-hit gem from senior right-handed pitcher Stephen Hefler on Sunday in a 3-1 loss to Pepperdine. Hefler surrendered one unearned run on one hit in six innings while striking out five and walking one. The Colonels’ offense did not score a run until the top of the eighth inning, but the EKU bullpen immediately gave back the lead with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Hefler’s performance was the only positive for a pitching staff that surrendered nine runs in each of the first two games of the series. - http://blugrassbaseball.com/
•What is going on at James Madison? They swept a doubleheader today from Bucknell by scores of 9-2 and 26-15 after defeating the Bison on Friday 37-7. The Dukes have now hit 20 homers as a team led by David Herbek who has five already with eight RBI. Catcher Jake Lowery has four homers and Matt Tenaglia has three. It should be interesting to see if they can continue at even half this rate. - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/02/20/foleys-quick-hits-for-feb-19th
Not that this needs to be said, but South Carolina outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. is an absolute stud and a pleasure to watch. He had an incredible opening day for the Gamecocks, going 4-for-4 with two doubles, a home run, three runs and three RBIs as the ‘Cocks beat Santa Clara 12-5. Folks in Columbia, S.C., would say that’s just Jackie being Jackie. We’d have to agree. - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5266
Maryland split a twinbill with Texas Saturday and will go for the series split Sunday. Avoiding a sweep at a program like Texas is important for second year coach Erik Bakich as he build his program. The Terps won 10-1 behind 6'8" righty David Carroll's six solid innings. Carroll may be the next feared starter for Maryland this season. - http://sebaseball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1191005
Anthony DeSclafani - DeSclafani is the best looking athlete of the pitchers I will cover here (freshman Jonathan Crawford also pitched in this game, but I was trying to focus on the 2011 and 2012 draft-eligibles). He has a tall, well proportioned athletic build, and is another of the Florida players that looks as though he spent a lot of time fine-tuning his physique. He had the tendency to elevate his fastball, which didn’t have much, if any, movement on it, but there was some deception out of his hand thanks to some herk and jerk to his delivery. He threw both a slider and a slow curve, with the slider having more potential, but both needing more bit and consistency. - http://www.5tooltalk.com/2011-notes-2-20-11.html
•What is going on at James Madison? They swept a doubleheader today from Bucknell by scores of 9-2 and 26-15 after defeating the Bison on Friday 37-7. The Dukes have now hit 20 homers as a team led by David Herbek who has five already with eight RBI. Catcher Jake Lowery has four homers and Matt Tenaglia has three. It should be interesting to see if they can continue at even half this rate. - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/02/20/foleys-quick-hits-for-feb-19th
Not that this needs to be said, but South Carolina outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. is an absolute stud and a pleasure to watch. He had an incredible opening day for the Gamecocks, going 4-for-4 with two doubles, a home run, three runs and three RBIs as the ‘Cocks beat Santa Clara 12-5. Folks in Columbia, S.C., would say that’s just Jackie being Jackie. We’d have to agree. - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5266
Maryland split a twinbill with Texas Saturday and will go for the series split Sunday. Avoiding a sweep at a program like Texas is important for second year coach Erik Bakich as he build his program. The Terps won 10-1 behind 6'8" righty David Carroll's six solid innings. Carroll may be the next feared starter for Maryland this season. - http://sebaseball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1191005
Anthony DeSclafani - DeSclafani is the best looking athlete of the pitchers I will cover here (freshman Jonathan Crawford also pitched in this game, but I was trying to focus on the 2011 and 2012 draft-eligibles). He has a tall, well proportioned athletic build, and is another of the Florida players that looks as though he spent a lot of time fine-tuning his physique. He had the tendency to elevate his fastball, which didn’t have much, if any, movement on it, but there was some deception out of his hand thanks to some herk and jerk to his delivery. He threw both a slider and a slow curve, with the slider having more potential, but both needing more bit and consistency. - http://www.5tooltalk.com/2011-notes-2-20-11.html
2/21/11
Justin Amlung, Tony Zych, Ryan Wright, Andrew Murray, Taylor Jungmann , Bradley Muskogee, Anthony Rendon
University of Louisville redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Justin Amlung was nearly unhittable in leading the Cards to a 2-0 win over Ohio State in game two of the Big East/Big Ten Challenge. Amlung allowed just four hits in seven and two-third shutout innings while striking out four and walking one to earn the win. Junior right-handed pitcher Tony Zych allowed the potential tying run to reach base in the ninth but finished the game without allowing a run to record his second save in two games. Junior second baseman Ryan Wright and sophomore third baseman Cade Stallings tallied the two RBI for UofL in the game - http://blugrassbaseball.com/
Andrew Murray , C , Westfield, Westfield, NJ - Short quick powerful swing that almost seems urgent. He swings extraordinarily powerfully. He could have plus power and hit for a high average if all goes well. Acceptable behind the plate. - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/
Player spotlight: Taylor Jungmann - Jungmann has the physicality of a durable front-end starter to go along with good power in all three of his offerings. He has a long frame but does not maximize his extension, leaving some effort and recoil. The Texas ace displays excellent arm speed, which generates velocity and some life on his fastball, as well as excellent spin on both his breaking ball and his change. His fastball is a consistent low-90s offering, regularly climbing to 94/95 mph, and he moves it around to all quadrants. Jungmann’s low-80s power breaker has a slurvy shape but comes with tight spin and gets incredibly late bite to go along with good depth. It’s one of the better breaking balls around and he knows how to hit his spots with it. His third offering is a change-up that he turns over to get fade. In fact, he throws with such good arm speed that the fade produced by the heavy spin ends-up generating fringe-breaking ball depth to the arm side (Jungmann acknowledges this heavy action with his hand signal for the pitch during warm-ups, which features the standard palm-down glove indicating a change-up, followed by a rolling over of the glove to the arm side). He had this “screw change” on display at last year’s College Classic at Minute Maid Park, but can also throw a more traditional circle change. Jungmann has the size and stuff to project, even with some effort in his motion -- a member of the top tier of an elite crop of college arms, he is well positioned to compete for the top spot on draft boards this spring. - http://diamondscapescouting.com/rankings_2011_preseason_top300_pt3.html
RHP Archie Bradley Muskogee HS, Oklahoma 6'3 205 - power arm righty with above ave ML CB that's a knuckle curve, with sharp downer action and control is good of it. FB velo varies, will touch 95 on occ, pitches at 88-91 consistently, should increase as he gets football out of his system. Is a top notich HS QB and early commit to OU, but also loves this game and will be highly scouted early next spring. Comps to Brad Penny, but Brad's more max effort, this kid tends to get better as the game goes along and does it easy. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
Anthony Rendon's 631 is the second highest single season score of anyone in my database, trailing only Rickie Weeks' 2003 junior year at Southern when he hit. .500/.619/.987 (1606 OPS) with a 20.4% BB rate and just 7.5% Ks. Nearly half of Weeks' hits went for extra bases, he posted a .660 park-adjusted wOBA. He also was a perfect 27-for-27 stealing bases. Weeks put up a 697 score that year - which is over three standard deviations above the median. Rickie Weeks was really, really good in college. - http://projectprospect.com/article/2011/02/18/rendon-2011-ncaa-season-preview
Andrew Murray , C , Westfield, Westfield, NJ - Short quick powerful swing that almost seems urgent. He swings extraordinarily powerfully. He could have plus power and hit for a high average if all goes well. Acceptable behind the plate. - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/
Player spotlight: Taylor Jungmann - Jungmann has the physicality of a durable front-end starter to go along with good power in all three of his offerings. He has a long frame but does not maximize his extension, leaving some effort and recoil. The Texas ace displays excellent arm speed, which generates velocity and some life on his fastball, as well as excellent spin on both his breaking ball and his change. His fastball is a consistent low-90s offering, regularly climbing to 94/95 mph, and he moves it around to all quadrants. Jungmann’s low-80s power breaker has a slurvy shape but comes with tight spin and gets incredibly late bite to go along with good depth. It’s one of the better breaking balls around and he knows how to hit his spots with it. His third offering is a change-up that he turns over to get fade. In fact, he throws with such good arm speed that the fade produced by the heavy spin ends-up generating fringe-breaking ball depth to the arm side (Jungmann acknowledges this heavy action with his hand signal for the pitch during warm-ups, which features the standard palm-down glove indicating a change-up, followed by a rolling over of the glove to the arm side). He had this “screw change” on display at last year’s College Classic at Minute Maid Park, but can also throw a more traditional circle change. Jungmann has the size and stuff to project, even with some effort in his motion -- a member of the top tier of an elite crop of college arms, he is well positioned to compete for the top spot on draft boards this spring. - http://diamondscapescouting.com/rankings_2011_preseason_top300_pt3.html
RHP Archie Bradley Muskogee HS, Oklahoma 6'3 205 - power arm righty with above ave ML CB that's a knuckle curve, with sharp downer action and control is good of it. FB velo varies, will touch 95 on occ, pitches at 88-91 consistently, should increase as he gets football out of his system. Is a top notich HS QB and early commit to OU, but also loves this game and will be highly scouted early next spring. Comps to Brad Penny, but Brad's more max effort, this kid tends to get better as the game goes along and does it easy. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
Anthony Rendon's 631 is the second highest single season score of anyone in my database, trailing only Rickie Weeks' 2003 junior year at Southern when he hit. .500/.619/.987 (1606 OPS) with a 20.4% BB rate and just 7.5% Ks. Nearly half of Weeks' hits went for extra bases, he posted a .660 park-adjusted wOBA. He also was a perfect 27-for-27 stealing bases. Weeks put up a 697 score that year - which is over three standard deviations above the median. Rickie Weeks was really, really good in college. - http://projectprospect.com/article/2011/02/18/rendon-2011-ncaa-season-preview
2/20/11
Mack Draft: - Taylor Featherstone, Justin Hageman, Gerrit Cole, Jeremy Baltz, Ryan Wright
Player spotlight: Taylor Featherston - Even hitting in a pitcher-friendly park at TCU for his home games,Taylor Featherston was able to produce a slash line of .338/.418/.560 -- with the folks at collegesplits.com normalizing for park factor and strength of schedule to produce a weighted line of .380/.454/.630 and a wOBA of .465. Towards the end of the spring in 2010 and particularly during Trials week for the USA Collegiate National Team last summer, Featherston struggled to get his lead foot down in time, throwing off his trigger some and exasperating his troubles with quality breaking balls. He also can get caught expanding the strikezone when behind in the count, and could generally do a better job keeping his bat on a flatter plane to keep it in the zone a little longer. All-in-all, though, he has an interesting offensive profile with a chance to hit for some average and with power to the gaps. Defensively he can run into issues with his hands when he rushes, but his footwork is solid. With pro instruction and reps, he has a chance to develop into an average Major League shortstop, but could also provide a nice glove on the other side of the bag. The draft class is light on collegiate shortstops, so a strong spring could put him in play as early as the sandwich round. - http://diamondscapescouting.com/rankings_2011_preseason_top300_pt2.html
Starting pitcher — Justin Hageman — Western Kentucky University - WKU head coach Chris Finwood says freshman right-handed pitcher Justin Hageman, the 2010 32nd round pick of the Royals, has as much talent as any pitcher he saw on a Friday night during his time in the Southeastern Conference, but it remains to be seen what Hageman’s role will be with the Hilltoppers. He figures to begin the season as a midweek starting pitcher, but will move to the weekend rotation if he proves himself in that role. - http://blugrassbaseball.com/
RHP Gerrit Cole UCLA 6'3 1/2 220 - power armed rhp with solid above ave fb that will reach 97-98 on occ, pitches at 92-94 consistently with run and sink on his fb, best when down in zone using the L on a hitter, hard slider 81-85 breaks properly sometimes too big, must stay within himself and not rush which can cause him to get his elbow down in position from his 3/4 arm slot. Could be in the ML quickly either as a closer or as a 2-3 man in the rotation. Still some roughness to iron out, but plenty of upside left in the tank with pro instruction. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
Jeremy Baltz – St. John’s - Baltz had, arguably, the best overall year by a true freshman since the original bat restrictions went into place more than a decade ago. The Red Storm slugger took his team triple crown, batting .396 with 24 home runs and 85 RBIs in 2010. He also had 16 doubles and a triple for a 1.250 OPS to earn not only Freshman All-American but also National Freshman of the Year honors. His 24 HR tied for 7th in the nation, while his 85 RBIs tied for 6th. Baltz hit safely in all but 10 of his team’s 63 games in 2010. His regular season exclamation point was a 4-for-5, four home run & seven RBI performance against Louisville on May 18. After helping fourth seeded St. John’s win the Big East Tournament, it speaks volumes that Baltz was named the Charlottesville NCAA Regional MVP despite the fact that his team lost to Virginia in the Regional final. His two HR and four RBIs against the Cavs on June 6 forced a winner take all game won by UVA the next day. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/02/07/top-college-baseball-outfielders-to-watch-in-20116
Player of the year: Ryan Wright — University of Louisville - The preseason player of the year award is essentially a two-way race between UofL junior infielder Ryan Wright, and WKU senior catcher Matt Rice, but the award goes to Wright in a tight race. BluGrass Baseball recently ranked Wright the No. 1 collegiate player in the state, and the second baseman has already been named a preseason All-American by Louisville Slugger, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and Baseball America. The Indiana native batted .366 with 16 home runs, 80 RBI and 61 runs scored in 2010. He recently earned the nickname, “RBI Mongrel” from his head coach Dan McDonnell for compiling 146 RBI in two seasons at UofL. - http://blugrassbaseball.com
Starting pitcher — Justin Hageman — Western Kentucky University - WKU head coach Chris Finwood says freshman right-handed pitcher Justin Hageman, the 2010 32nd round pick of the Royals, has as much talent as any pitcher he saw on a Friday night during his time in the Southeastern Conference, but it remains to be seen what Hageman’s role will be with the Hilltoppers. He figures to begin the season as a midweek starting pitcher, but will move to the weekend rotation if he proves himself in that role. - http://blugrassbaseball.com/
RHP Gerrit Cole UCLA 6'3 1/2 220 - power armed rhp with solid above ave fb that will reach 97-98 on occ, pitches at 92-94 consistently with run and sink on his fb, best when down in zone using the L on a hitter, hard slider 81-85 breaks properly sometimes too big, must stay within himself and not rush which can cause him to get his elbow down in position from his 3/4 arm slot. Could be in the ML quickly either as a closer or as a 2-3 man in the rotation. Still some roughness to iron out, but plenty of upside left in the tank with pro instruction. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
Jeremy Baltz – St. John’s - Baltz had, arguably, the best overall year by a true freshman since the original bat restrictions went into place more than a decade ago. The Red Storm slugger took his team triple crown, batting .396 with 24 home runs and 85 RBIs in 2010. He also had 16 doubles and a triple for a 1.250 OPS to earn not only Freshman All-American but also National Freshman of the Year honors. His 24 HR tied for 7th in the nation, while his 85 RBIs tied for 6th. Baltz hit safely in all but 10 of his team’s 63 games in 2010. His regular season exclamation point was a 4-for-5, four home run & seven RBI performance against Louisville on May 18. After helping fourth seeded St. John’s win the Big East Tournament, it speaks volumes that Baltz was named the Charlottesville NCAA Regional MVP despite the fact that his team lost to Virginia in the Regional final. His two HR and four RBIs against the Cavs on June 6 forced a winner take all game won by UVA the next day. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/02/07/top-college-baseball-outfielders-to-watch-in-20116
Player of the year: Ryan Wright — University of Louisville - The preseason player of the year award is essentially a two-way race between UofL junior infielder Ryan Wright, and WKU senior catcher Matt Rice, but the award goes to Wright in a tight race. BluGrass Baseball recently ranked Wright the No. 1 collegiate player in the state, and the second baseman has already been named a preseason All-American by Louisville Slugger, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and Baseball America. The Indiana native batted .366 with 16 home runs, 80 RBI and 61 runs scored in 2010. He recently earned the nickname, “RBI Mongrel” from his head coach Dan McDonnell for compiling 146 RBI in two seasons at UofL. - http://blugrassbaseball.com
2/19/11
Mack Draft: - Alex Bregman, Kyle Smith, Paul Ritzheimer , Bubba Starling, Tyler Pill
Entering 2010, the name Alex Bregman elicited few superlatives outside of the New Mexico baseball scene. Great kid, hard worker, excellent 16U player in his home state. One year later, the soon to be 17-year-old is now widely considered one of the top 18U prospects in the country. He is firmly on the radar of college and professional scouts, and his name is now commonly mentioned in the same sentence as big leaguers Ben Sheets, Justin Smoak, Stephen Strasburg and Ryan Zimmerman. - http://web.usabaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110215&content_id=16637728&vkey=news_usab&gid
Player spotlight: Kyle Smith - Smith has a chance to move quickly up draft boards this spring, already owning a low-90s fastball and a 12-to-6 curve that flashes above-average with projection. He throws with some effort, but generally succeeds at dealing to both sides of the plate with purpose. His change-up is under-development, but the Under Armour All-American already throws the pitch with solid arm speed and will occasionally turn over a nice offering with fade and a 8-11 mph velo delta. At 6-foot-1, 170-pounds, the Florida commit has some room to add strength, even if his frame doesn’t project to big physicality.- http://diamondscapescouting.com/rankings_2011_preseason_top300_pt1.html
Outfield — Paul Ritzheimer — Murray State University - Ritzheimer batted .405 with three home runs and 20 RBI as a freshman at Kaskaskia College in 2010, and he should push for playing time in the Murray State outfield this season. Honorable Mention — UK freshman infielder and outfielder Dallen Reber probably has the most power on the UK roster and will likely push for playing time in right field for the Cats. - http://blugrassbaseball.com
OF/RHP Derek "Bubba" Starling, Gardner-Edgerton HS, Kansas 6'4 1/2 200 R/R - put himself on the map this summer with an excellent showcase and is one of top HS QB's in nation, verbal to Nebraska. Shows above arm arm strength and has pitched with very crude mechanics but gets the job done on the hill. Runs very well especially straight away, ran sub 6.6, 60, timed at 4.5 in 40 consistently which is good for a HS QB. Still rough around the edges, but raw strength, has yet to physically mature, shows plus power and ability to steal bases with his speed. Definitely someone who's made a name for himself this summer. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
Tyler Pill – Cal State Fullerton - Pill has thrived as a two-way player in his two seasons in Fullerton. He and teammate (and fellow two-way player) Noe Ramirez were named Co-Big West Freshmen of the Year in 2009. Pill earned Freshman All-American accolades after going 11-3 with 102 IP while batting .269 to help the Titans reach the College World Series. He was limited to nine starts on the mound in 2010 due to a tired arm, but he still finished 4-4 with a 3.36 ERA. Meanwhile, his offensive game took-off, batting .354 with seven home runs, 42 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Pill also hit an amazing .524 (11-for-21) in the five games he hit for him self as the starting pitcher. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/02/07/top-college-baseball-outfielders-to-watch-in-20116/
Player spotlight: Kyle Smith - Smith has a chance to move quickly up draft boards this spring, already owning a low-90s fastball and a 12-to-6 curve that flashes above-average with projection. He throws with some effort, but generally succeeds at dealing to both sides of the plate with purpose. His change-up is under-development, but the Under Armour All-American already throws the pitch with solid arm speed and will occasionally turn over a nice offering with fade and a 8-11 mph velo delta. At 6-foot-1, 170-pounds, the Florida commit has some room to add strength, even if his frame doesn’t project to big physicality.- http://diamondscapescouting.com/rankings_2011_preseason_top300_pt1.html
Outfield — Paul Ritzheimer — Murray State University - Ritzheimer batted .405 with three home runs and 20 RBI as a freshman at Kaskaskia College in 2010, and he should push for playing time in the Murray State outfield this season. Honorable Mention — UK freshman infielder and outfielder Dallen Reber probably has the most power on the UK roster and will likely push for playing time in right field for the Cats. - http://blugrassbaseball.com
OF/RHP Derek "Bubba" Starling, Gardner-Edgerton HS, Kansas 6'4 1/2 200 R/R - put himself on the map this summer with an excellent showcase and is one of top HS QB's in nation, verbal to Nebraska. Shows above arm arm strength and has pitched with very crude mechanics but gets the job done on the hill. Runs very well especially straight away, ran sub 6.6, 60, timed at 4.5 in 40 consistently which is good for a HS QB. Still rough around the edges, but raw strength, has yet to physically mature, shows plus power and ability to steal bases with his speed. Definitely someone who's made a name for himself this summer. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
Tyler Pill – Cal State Fullerton - Pill has thrived as a two-way player in his two seasons in Fullerton. He and teammate (and fellow two-way player) Noe Ramirez were named Co-Big West Freshmen of the Year in 2009. Pill earned Freshman All-American accolades after going 11-3 with 102 IP while batting .269 to help the Titans reach the College World Series. He was limited to nine starts on the mound in 2010 due to a tired arm, but he still finished 4-4 with a 3.36 ERA. Meanwhile, his offensive game took-off, batting .354 with seven home runs, 42 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Pill also hit an amazing .524 (11-for-21) in the five games he hit for him self as the starting pitcher. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/02/07/top-college-baseball-outfielders-to-watch-in-20116/
2/18/11
Mack Draft: - George Springer, Jeremy Rathjen, Lucas Witt , Ryan Carpenter , Preston Tucker
Justin Blood’s hunch on outfielder George Springer couldn’t have been better. A few seasons ago, and well before Connecticut became the national name it is today, Huskies head coach Jim Penders sent Blood, his recruiting coordinator, on the road to take a look at several in-state prospects. Springer was on Blood’s to-do list. After watching Springer man the outfield for his prep school, Avon Old Farms School in Avon, Conn., Blood reported back to Penders and described the outfielder as dynamic, and also described how the ball seemed to have a different sound off the bat. Blood’s scouting report piqued Penders’ interest. And soon after, Penders packed up the car with his son Hank on a quest to get his own glimpse of this dynamic outfielder. - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5245
Player spotlight: Jeremy Rathjen - Rathjen can flash some leather up-the-middle, utilizing a long athletic frame to cover the gaps. Additionally, he has more than enough arm strength to shift over to right field. Offensively, he has a minimalist load and could benefit some from adding a tad more length -- giving him a better opportunity to max out on barrel acceleration. He handles the barrel well, but can be exposed on the inner half with good velocity. Projectable and athletic, Rathjen could grow into 50 or 55 power if he can build a little more leverage into his swing, with a chance to profile as a regular right fielder at the Major League level. - http://diamondscapescouting.com/rankings_2011_preseason_top300_pt1.html
Outfield — Lucas Witt — University of Kentucky - In an interview with College Baseball Daily, UK head coach Gary Henderson singled Witt out as a the freshmen outfielder who was making the best case to start in right field. Witt may not be the full-time starter to begin the season, but he figures to see plenty of playing time in 2010. - http://blugrassbaseball.com/
LHP Ryan Carpenter Gonzaga 6'4 1/2 215 - quality lefty who's gotten better each time out since HS days in Arizona. Will show occ 94 mph fb, pitches at 89-91 with sink down in zone, opportunity is he gets pitches up and over the plate too much, cb is 2/6 with some sharpness but more of a back door type which means he needs to stop rushing delivery so much so he can lead with elbow more to get downward depth in on RHH. Control is good for his size and has little effort in delivery so he could add mph as he fully fills out. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
Preston Tucker – Florida - Tucker shared SEC Freshman of the Year honors with LSU pitcher Matty Ott in 2009, but he earned Freshman All-American honors and became the first Florida Player to be named the NCBWA National Freshman Hitter of the Year. He batted .364 with 15 home runs and 85 RBIs that season. His overall run production dropped in 2010, but Tucker still hit .331 with 11 HR, 17 doubles, 49 RBIs, and 50 runs to help the Gators reach the College World Series. He earned second team All-SEC accolades and was also named to the SEC’s All-Defensive Team. Tucker spent last summer with Orleans in the Cape Cod League. The 6’0 junior played a good deal at first base last year, but he’s expected to play mostly in right field in 2011. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/02/07/top-college-baseball-outfielders-to-watch-in-20116
Player spotlight: Jeremy Rathjen - Rathjen can flash some leather up-the-middle, utilizing a long athletic frame to cover the gaps. Additionally, he has more than enough arm strength to shift over to right field. Offensively, he has a minimalist load and could benefit some from adding a tad more length -- giving him a better opportunity to max out on barrel acceleration. He handles the barrel well, but can be exposed on the inner half with good velocity. Projectable and athletic, Rathjen could grow into 50 or 55 power if he can build a little more leverage into his swing, with a chance to profile as a regular right fielder at the Major League level. - http://diamondscapescouting.com/rankings_2011_preseason_top300_pt1.html
Outfield — Lucas Witt — University of Kentucky - In an interview with College Baseball Daily, UK head coach Gary Henderson singled Witt out as a the freshmen outfielder who was making the best case to start in right field. Witt may not be the full-time starter to begin the season, but he figures to see plenty of playing time in 2010. - http://blugrassbaseball.com/
LHP Ryan Carpenter Gonzaga 6'4 1/2 215 - quality lefty who's gotten better each time out since HS days in Arizona. Will show occ 94 mph fb, pitches at 89-91 with sink down in zone, opportunity is he gets pitches up and over the plate too much, cb is 2/6 with some sharpness but more of a back door type which means he needs to stop rushing delivery so much so he can lead with elbow more to get downward depth in on RHH. Control is good for his size and has little effort in delivery so he could add mph as he fully fills out. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
Preston Tucker – Florida - Tucker shared SEC Freshman of the Year honors with LSU pitcher Matty Ott in 2009, but he earned Freshman All-American honors and became the first Florida Player to be named the NCBWA National Freshman Hitter of the Year. He batted .364 with 15 home runs and 85 RBIs that season. His overall run production dropped in 2010, but Tucker still hit .331 with 11 HR, 17 doubles, 49 RBIs, and 50 runs to help the Gators reach the College World Series. He earned second team All-SEC accolades and was also named to the SEC’s All-Defensive Team. Tucker spent last summer with Orleans in the Cape Cod League. The 6’0 junior played a good deal at first base last year, but he’s expected to play mostly in right field in 2011. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/02/07/top-college-baseball-outfielders-to-watch-in-20116
2/17/11
Mack Draft: - Mike McGee, Alex Meyer, Jeff Schaus, Jacob Felts, Alex Chittenden
Mike McGee:- Sr. – RHP – Florida State - McGee is another talented two-way player. He earned All-American honors last year after batting .328 with team-highs of 17 home runs and 73 RBIS, while also finishing among the nation’s leaders with 13 saves. McGee was 4-1 with a 2.96 ERA in 20 appearances in his first full season as FSU’s closer. He held opposing batters to a .160 average with 33 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings. The Port St. Lucie, FL native is on our list of top outfielders to watch this season as well. McGee was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 37th round in 2007 and was picked in the 41st round by the Arizona Diamondbacks last year. He opted to return for his senior season, in part because most pro scouts see him as a pitcher, while he would like to remain an everyday player. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/02/14/top-11-college-baseball-relievers-to-watch-in-2011
RHP Alex Meyer Kentucky 6'9 225 - Classic arm strength up to 98 mph, most are 92-93 but very straight with FB, has had so so college career after being talked about going in first rounder in HS. Needs to put it all together this season and sign the dotted line and work with pro instructors to iron out his hitches and glitches. CB has downward action from 12/6 and can over power hitters on occ, but lack of command has hurt him overall. Potential is there to be as good if not better than Jeff Niemann of the Rays. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
Jeff Schaus – Clemson - Schaus was consistent in his first two years at Clemson. He sported a .317 average with 16 home runs and 81 RBIs over his first two seasons with the Tigers in 2008 & 2009. The bulk of his RBI total came when he drove-in 51 runs in an All-ACC sophomore campaign. His batting average stayed steady in 2010, but his run production jumped. Schaus batted .320 last year with 15 HR, 14 doubles and a team-leading 87 RBIs to help Clemson reach the College World Series. He had a .542 slugging percentage and was the only Tiger to start all 70 of his team’s games. The 6’1 son of parents who both played college basketball at Canisius has started 193 games in his first three years at Clemson. He’s back for his senior year after being drafted in the 27th round last year by the Cleveland Indians. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/02/07/top-college-baseball-outfielders-to-watch-in-20116
Jacob Felts (Texas)- is a 6’1 195 pound catcher out of Orangefield, Texas where he attended Orangefield High School. He participated in the 2009 Under Armour All-American Game and was named First-Team All Texas 4A by the Texas Sports Writers Association as a junior. He is expected to start the season behind the dish for the Longhorns in the upcoming year. - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/02/14/2011-cbd-season-preview-freshmen-to-watch
Shortstop — Alex Chittenden — University of Louisville - On Monday UofL head coach Dan McDonnell announced Chittenden would start at shortstop for the Cards. Chittenden batted .588 with eight home runs and 19 stolen bases as a senior in high school. - http://blugrassbaseball.com/
RHP Alex Meyer Kentucky 6'9 225 - Classic arm strength up to 98 mph, most are 92-93 but very straight with FB, has had so so college career after being talked about going in first rounder in HS. Needs to put it all together this season and sign the dotted line and work with pro instructors to iron out his hitches and glitches. CB has downward action from 12/6 and can over power hitters on occ, but lack of command has hurt him overall. Potential is there to be as good if not better than Jeff Niemann of the Rays. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
Jeff Schaus – Clemson - Schaus was consistent in his first two years at Clemson. He sported a .317 average with 16 home runs and 81 RBIs over his first two seasons with the Tigers in 2008 & 2009. The bulk of his RBI total came when he drove-in 51 runs in an All-ACC sophomore campaign. His batting average stayed steady in 2010, but his run production jumped. Schaus batted .320 last year with 15 HR, 14 doubles and a team-leading 87 RBIs to help Clemson reach the College World Series. He had a .542 slugging percentage and was the only Tiger to start all 70 of his team’s games. The 6’1 son of parents who both played college basketball at Canisius has started 193 games in his first three years at Clemson. He’s back for his senior year after being drafted in the 27th round last year by the Cleveland Indians. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/02/07/top-college-baseball-outfielders-to-watch-in-20116
Jacob Felts (Texas)- is a 6’1 195 pound catcher out of Orangefield, Texas where he attended Orangefield High School. He participated in the 2009 Under Armour All-American Game and was named First-Team All Texas 4A by the Texas Sports Writers Association as a junior. He is expected to start the season behind the dish for the Longhorns in the upcoming year. - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/02/14/2011-cbd-season-preview-freshmen-to-watch
Shortstop — Alex Chittenden — University of Louisville - On Monday UofL head coach Dan McDonnell announced Chittenden would start at shortstop for the Cards. Chittenden batted .588 with eight home runs and 19 stolen bases as a senior in high school. - http://blugrassbaseball.com/
Mack Draft: - Shane Rowland, Thomas McCarthy, Collin Cargill, Andrew Gagnon, Dusty Robinson
Shane Rowland (Miami)- is a 5’10 180 pound catcher from Tampa, Florida where he graduated from Tampa Catholic. As a senior, he batted .391 with two homers and 30 RBI. He was named to the second team All-State and All-Hillsborough County First Teams. He is expected to start behind the plate this season for the Hurricanes taking over from All-American Yasmani Grandal.- http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/02/14/2011-cbd-season-preview-freshmen-to-watch
Third base — Thomas McCarthy — University of Kentucky - McCarthy comes to UK after batting over .400 for two seasons in junior-college baseball. UK head coach Gary Henderson doesn’t predict that for his third baseman this season, but Henderson said “he’s going to be able to get a hit.” Honorable mention: EKU freshman infielder Bryan Soloman, who head coach Jason Stein called “a complete third baseman,” is projected to start for the Colonels. - http://blugrassbaseball.com/
Collin Cargill: - Sr. – RHP – Southern Mississippi - Cargill emerged as Southern Mississippi’s closer in 2009 en-route to the team’s run to the College World Series. He totaled 13 saves that year, including both of the Golden Eagles’ upset Super Regional wins over Florida to advance to Omaha. The Hatiesburg, MS native was 4-3 with a 3.55 ERA that season. He followed that by going 4-2 with nine saves and a 1.75 ERA in 27 appearances last season to earn first team All-Conference USA honors. Cargill’s 22 saves over the last two seasons have him ranked third on the USM career saves list. He redshirted in 2007 and is back this year for his fifth year of eligibility. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/02/14/top-11-college-baseball-relievers-to-watch-in-2011
RHP Andrew Gagnon Long Beach State 6'2 1/2 195 - quality arm who was quietly heard of going into summer ball and has type of stuff to be solid ML starter, fb ranges 88-94, mostly 89-91 with live sink when down and hard slider 80-83 with proper bite, control and command will be assets to help him move quickly in a pro system. Best pitcher to come out of this program since Jared Weaver. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
Dusty Robinson – Fresno State - Robinson was named a Freshman All-American in 2009 when he batted .319 with 15 home runs, 12 doubles, 52 runs, and 45 RBIs, while making 52 starts in the outfield for the defending national champions. He turned-in another top notch season last year, batting .308 with 16 HR, 11 doubles, and 60 RBIs to earn All-WAC honors for a second straight year. Robinson also sported a .588 slugging percentage and started all 63 Bulldog games in the outfield. His production was overshadowed a bit by the emergence of teammate Jordan Ribera and his 27 home runs in ’10, but Robinson brings 31 career HR and 105 RBIs back with him for his junior season. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/02/07/top-college-baseball-outfielders-to-watch-in-20116
Third base — Thomas McCarthy — University of Kentucky - McCarthy comes to UK after batting over .400 for two seasons in junior-college baseball. UK head coach Gary Henderson doesn’t predict that for his third baseman this season, but Henderson said “he’s going to be able to get a hit.” Honorable mention: EKU freshman infielder Bryan Soloman, who head coach Jason Stein called “a complete third baseman,” is projected to start for the Colonels. - http://blugrassbaseball.com/
Collin Cargill: - Sr. – RHP – Southern Mississippi - Cargill emerged as Southern Mississippi’s closer in 2009 en-route to the team’s run to the College World Series. He totaled 13 saves that year, including both of the Golden Eagles’ upset Super Regional wins over Florida to advance to Omaha. The Hatiesburg, MS native was 4-3 with a 3.55 ERA that season. He followed that by going 4-2 with nine saves and a 1.75 ERA in 27 appearances last season to earn first team All-Conference USA honors. Cargill’s 22 saves over the last two seasons have him ranked third on the USM career saves list. He redshirted in 2007 and is back this year for his fifth year of eligibility. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/02/14/top-11-college-baseball-relievers-to-watch-in-2011
RHP Andrew Gagnon Long Beach State 6'2 1/2 195 - quality arm who was quietly heard of going into summer ball and has type of stuff to be solid ML starter, fb ranges 88-94, mostly 89-91 with live sink when down and hard slider 80-83 with proper bite, control and command will be assets to help him move quickly in a pro system. Best pitcher to come out of this program since Jared Weaver. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
Dusty Robinson – Fresno State - Robinson was named a Freshman All-American in 2009 when he batted .319 with 15 home runs, 12 doubles, 52 runs, and 45 RBIs, while making 52 starts in the outfield for the defending national champions. He turned-in another top notch season last year, batting .308 with 16 HR, 11 doubles, and 60 RBIs to earn All-WAC honors for a second straight year. Robinson also sported a .588 slugging percentage and started all 63 Bulldog games in the outfield. His production was overshadowed a bit by the emergence of teammate Jordan Ribera and his 27 home runs in ’10, but Robinson brings 31 career HR and 105 RBIs back with him for his junior season. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/02/07/top-college-baseball-outfielders-to-watch-in-20116
Mack Draft: - Matt Reida, Ryan Duke, Scott Frazier, Brian Goodwin, Jason Coats
Second Base — Matt Reida — University of Kentucky - Henderson hasn’t officially named a starter at second base for the Cats, but all signs point to Reida as the likely winner of that position battle. Reida may struggle with the bat early on, but as a plus defender he figures to get plenty of playing time at the position. Honorable mention: Murray St. junior-college transfer Travis Isaak batted .420 with eight home runs and 19 doubles as a sophomore at Lincoln Trail Community College. - http://blugrassbaseball.com/
Ryan Duke:- Sr. – RHP – Oklahoma - Duke worked as a starter in his freshman season in 2008, but after two years and 28 saves as OU’s closer over the last two years he is tied for the program saves record. He became Oklahoma’s first All-American pitcher since 2000 when he led the Big 12 with 16 saves in 2009. The Corpus Christi, TX native had 43 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings that season, while holding opponents scoreless in 20 of 26 outings. Duke was 3-2 with 12 saves and a 3.75 ERA for the Sooner’s College World Series team last year. He earned his 12th save in Omaha in OU’s opening round 4-3 win over eventual national champion South Carolina.- http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/02/14/top-11-college-baseball-relievers-to-watch-in-2011
Scott Frazier (Pepperdine)- is a 6’7 220 pound righthanded pitcher out of Upland California where he attended Upland High School winning three letters as a pitcher/outfielder. As a senior on the mound, he went 6-2 with four complete games, 1.16 earned-run average, and striking out 87 batters through 54.0 innings. His best performance of the year was a 19 strikeout no-hit effort against Silverado on March 9th. He was also an accomplished hitter batting .403 with six home runs and drew 25 walks as he was named the Inland Valley Player of the Year. The Philadelphia Phillies selected him in the fifth round but were unable to come to an agreement with him. In 2010 fall action, he was impressive striking out seven batters in 10.2 innings while accumulating a 2.53 ERA. - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/02/14/2011-cbd-season-preview-freshmen-to-watch
OF, Brian Goodwin, Miami-Dade CC, 5'11 1/2 185 L/L, smooth, rangy OF with plus speed, excellent eye and hand coordination, deceptive strength, line drive alley type swing, can go the other way well, 8-15 type HR power, will steal 20 plus bases and play solid "D". Ran into academic and rules violations with UNC, thus transfering at the new semester at MDCC. 40/45 arm strength, enough for CF for sure, may end up moving to LF in time. Not a great instinctive fielder, but gets the job done! http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
Jason Coats – TCU - Coats was one of his team’s top all-around players on TCU’s College World Series team last year, and some of his best play came in the postseason. Coats batted a team-best .361 with 13 home runs, 23 doubles, four triples, 68 runs, and 69 RBIs while starting 66 of TCU’s 68 games in left field. His 69 RBIs were also a team-high. Coats’ bat got hot when the stakes were high at the end of the season as well. He hit .433 (13-for-30) in a seven-game hitting streak that started with the Mountain West Conference Tournament opener and ended after the Horned Frogs’ game one Super Regional win over Texas. He also had a three homer game earlier in the season against Houston. The Plano, TX native has a .343 career batting average heading into his junior season. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/02/07/top-college-baseball-outfielders-to-watch-in-20116
Ryan Duke:- Sr. – RHP – Oklahoma - Duke worked as a starter in his freshman season in 2008, but after two years and 28 saves as OU’s closer over the last two years he is tied for the program saves record. He became Oklahoma’s first All-American pitcher since 2000 when he led the Big 12 with 16 saves in 2009. The Corpus Christi, TX native had 43 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings that season, while holding opponents scoreless in 20 of 26 outings. Duke was 3-2 with 12 saves and a 3.75 ERA for the Sooner’s College World Series team last year. He earned his 12th save in Omaha in OU’s opening round 4-3 win over eventual national champion South Carolina.- http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/02/14/top-11-college-baseball-relievers-to-watch-in-2011
Scott Frazier (Pepperdine)- is a 6’7 220 pound righthanded pitcher out of Upland California where he attended Upland High School winning three letters as a pitcher/outfielder. As a senior on the mound, he went 6-2 with four complete games, 1.16 earned-run average, and striking out 87 batters through 54.0 innings. His best performance of the year was a 19 strikeout no-hit effort against Silverado on March 9th. He was also an accomplished hitter batting .403 with six home runs and drew 25 walks as he was named the Inland Valley Player of the Year. The Philadelphia Phillies selected him in the fifth round but were unable to come to an agreement with him. In 2010 fall action, he was impressive striking out seven batters in 10.2 innings while accumulating a 2.53 ERA. - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/02/14/2011-cbd-season-preview-freshmen-to-watch
OF, Brian Goodwin, Miami-Dade CC, 5'11 1/2 185 L/L, smooth, rangy OF with plus speed, excellent eye and hand coordination, deceptive strength, line drive alley type swing, can go the other way well, 8-15 type HR power, will steal 20 plus bases and play solid "D". Ran into academic and rules violations with UNC, thus transfering at the new semester at MDCC. 40/45 arm strength, enough for CF for sure, may end up moving to LF in time. Not a great instinctive fielder, but gets the job done! http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
Jason Coats – TCU - Coats was one of his team’s top all-around players on TCU’s College World Series team last year, and some of his best play came in the postseason. Coats batted a team-best .361 with 13 home runs, 23 doubles, four triples, 68 runs, and 69 RBIs while starting 66 of TCU’s 68 games in left field. His 69 RBIs were also a team-high. Coats’ bat got hot when the stakes were high at the end of the season as well. He hit .433 (13-for-30) in a seven-game hitting streak that started with the Mountain West Conference Tournament opener and ended after the Horned Frogs’ game one Super Regional win over Texas. He also had a three homer game earlier in the season against Houston. The Plano, TX native has a .343 career batting average heading into his junior season. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/02/07/top-college-baseball-outfielders-to-watch-in-20116
2/16/11
Mack Draft: - Kyle McGrath, John Stilson, Tim Kiene, Nick Ramirez, Johnny Ruettiger
Starting pitcher — Kyle McGrath — Eastern Kentucky University – Freshman left-handed pitcher Kyle McGrath figures to begin the season as a midweek starting pitcher for the Colonels, but you have to figure he will be given every shot to carve out a more substantial role with the team considering the Colonels’ poor pitching performance in 2010. McGrath was all-state at Butler High School – http://blugrassbaseball.com/
#24 – RHP John Stilson Texas A&M 6’3 200 R/R – had a very quiet summer, but in the spring was lights out and showed promise to be talked about going in this round projection. Will show low to mid 90′s fb, up to 96 on occ, hard slider and above ave control, command is good as well and makings of third pitch. Will be watched closely for progression and competitiveness next spring. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
Tim Kiene (Maryland)- is a 6’4 240 pound left-handed hitting first baseman out of South Windsor, Connecticut where he attended Avon Old Farms. He had an outstanding career at the school winning hree Colonial League championships and a New England regional championship. He was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 2010 MLB Draft but decided to take on the challenge of playing in the competitive ACC for the next three seasons. – http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/02/14/2011-cbd-season-preview-freshmen-to-watch
Nick Ramirez:- Jr. – RHP – Cal State Fullerton – Ramirez is not only a top-notch closer, but also one of the top two-way players in the country. He also made our list of top first basemen to watch this season after batting .346 with 16 home runs and a team-leading 75 RBIs last year. As Fullerton’s closer, he had 11 saves with a 3.50 ERA in 2011. He made 26 relief appearances and one start, with 38 strikeouts and just eight walks in 43 1/3 innings. His overall efforts earned All-American recognition. Ramirez was 3-1 with seven saves and a 2.61 ERA to earn Freshman All-American honors in 2009. He joined teammate Noe Ramirez and Titan head coach Dave Serrano on the USA Collegiate National Team last summer. – http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/02/14/top-11-college-baseball-relievers-to-watch-in-2011
Johnny Ruettiger – Arizona State – Reuttiger has emerged from the novelty of being “Rudy” Ruettiger’s nephew to being one of the top college baseball outfielders in the country. He hit .360, while making just 29 starts in his freshman season in 2009, but most of those starts came down the stretch and into the College World Series. Ruettiger then batted .351 with four home runs, seven doubles, seven triples, 49 runs, 35 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases in 2010. He sported a solid .452 on-base percentage that was helped by 30 BB, compared to just 26 strikeouts in 191 at-bats. The Joliet, IL native, whose father, John Ruettiger, once wrestled for Nebraska, also committed no errors while making 54 starts in another CWS appearance. Ruettiger’s stock rose even higher after leading the Cape Cod League with a .369 average over the summer. He stole 11 bases and struckout just nine times in 111 at-bats for Hyannis.- http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/02/07/top-college-baseball-outfielders-to-watch-in-20116/
#24 – RHP John Stilson Texas A&M 6’3 200 R/R – had a very quiet summer, but in the spring was lights out and showed promise to be talked about going in this round projection. Will show low to mid 90′s fb, up to 96 on occ, hard slider and above ave control, command is good as well and makings of third pitch. Will be watched closely for progression and competitiveness next spring. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
Tim Kiene (Maryland)- is a 6’4 240 pound left-handed hitting first baseman out of South Windsor, Connecticut where he attended Avon Old Farms. He had an outstanding career at the school winning hree Colonial League championships and a New England regional championship. He was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 2010 MLB Draft but decided to take on the challenge of playing in the competitive ACC for the next three seasons. – http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/02/14/2011-cbd-season-preview-freshmen-to-watch
Nick Ramirez:- Jr. – RHP – Cal State Fullerton – Ramirez is not only a top-notch closer, but also one of the top two-way players in the country. He also made our list of top first basemen to watch this season after batting .346 with 16 home runs and a team-leading 75 RBIs last year. As Fullerton’s closer, he had 11 saves with a 3.50 ERA in 2011. He made 26 relief appearances and one start, with 38 strikeouts and just eight walks in 43 1/3 innings. His overall efforts earned All-American recognition. Ramirez was 3-1 with seven saves and a 2.61 ERA to earn Freshman All-American honors in 2009. He joined teammate Noe Ramirez and Titan head coach Dave Serrano on the USA Collegiate National Team last summer. – http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/02/14/top-11-college-baseball-relievers-to-watch-in-2011
Johnny Ruettiger – Arizona State – Reuttiger has emerged from the novelty of being “Rudy” Ruettiger’s nephew to being one of the top college baseball outfielders in the country. He hit .360, while making just 29 starts in his freshman season in 2009, but most of those starts came down the stretch and into the College World Series. Ruettiger then batted .351 with four home runs, seven doubles, seven triples, 49 runs, 35 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases in 2010. He sported a solid .452 on-base percentage that was helped by 30 BB, compared to just 26 strikeouts in 191 at-bats. The Joliet, IL native, whose father, John Ruettiger, once wrestled for Nebraska, also committed no errors while making 54 starts in another CWS appearance. Ruettiger’s stock rose even higher after leading the Cape Cod League with a .369 average over the summer. He stole 11 bases and struckout just nine times in 111 at-bats for Hyannis.- http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/02/07/top-college-baseball-outfielders-to-watch-in-20116/
2/3/11
BDR - Top 30 College 3Bmen
2.Southern Mississippi JR 3B BA Vollmuth
3.Vanderbilt JR 3B Jason Esposito
4.Georgia Tech JR 3B Matt Skole
5.Miami JR 3B Harold Martinez
30.East Carolina JR 3B Corey Thompson
whole list
2/2/11
Deep Leagues: - 2011 MLB Player Values: Third Base
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| Photo by Mack Ade |
1. David Wright—NYM $31 .300, 30, 100, 100, 20
2. Evan Longoria—TB $30 .295, 30, 110, 100, 10
3. Alex Rodriguez—NYY $30 .280, 35, 110, 90, 10
4. Kevin Youkilis—BOS $28 .290, 25, 90, 100, 5
5. Ryan Zimmerman—WAS $27 .280, 25, 90, 90, 5
30. Wes Helms—FLA $2 .240, 5, 30, 20, 0
For the entire list: - http://www.deepleagues.com/?p=2582
Mack Draft: - Porter Clayton, Nolan Belcher , Justin Amlung , Taylor Jungmann , and Kevin Tokarski
South Carolina junior LHP Nolan Belcher will miss the entire 2011 season as he will soon have surgery on his left arm for a torn Ulnar Collateral Ligament which is commonly referred to as Tommy John surgery. Belcher made eleven appearances (six starts) while going 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA last season for the defending national champions. He had a solid summer with the Orleans Firebirds in the Cape Cod Baseball League in seven appearances (one start) with a 1-0 record and a 1.93 ERA. He was outstanding as he struck out 15 batters in 9.1 innings of work. - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/01/31/nolan-belcher-out-for-the-season
RHP Justin Amlung — University of Louisville - UofL redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Justin Amlung boasts the lowest 2010 ERA of any returning qualifying Kentucky collegiate pitchers. Amlung was 5-2 with a 4.27 ERA and 55 strikeouts to go with 11 walks in 65 and one-third innings pitched. The St. X alum started 10 games for the Cards last season, beginning the year as a midweek starter before finishing the season in the weekend rotation. Amlung surrendered just three home runs in 65 and one-third innings in 2010 - http://blugrassbaseball.com/
#6 - RHP Taylor Jungmann Texas 6'6 200 - tall righty with above ave quality stuff. FB sits in the 88-92 zone but have seen him up to 96-97 before a few pitches when he rares back and fires his fb. FB down in zone with good sink and run in on RHH, must keep pitches down, fb flattens out up and out of zone. CB is true 11/6 down type with away break vs RHH and also solid straight change that has varying release points all pitches from upper 3/4 slot. Command is solid ave as is control. Has yet to fully fill out his frame which makes projecting this kid into a top flight starter in ML. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
Kevin Tokarski – Illinois State - Tokarski’s 2009 season ended too soon, but he had a 2010 campaign that he probably didn’t want to to ever end. He played in just four games in 2009 after breaking his wrist, but bounced-back big time last year to set six Illinois State single-season offensive records. Tokarski was named the Missouri Valley Conference Joe Carter Player of the Year after batting .412 with 84 hits, 70 runs, 25 doubles, 33 stolen bases, and 53 walks. His .412 average wasn’t a school record, but it was good for 36th in the nation, while his .538 on-base percentage ranked 7th nationally. The Redbird leadoff man also has the ISU career stolen base record with 66. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/01/25/top-11-college-baseball-2b-to-watch-in-2011
2/1/11
Mack Draft: - Peter O'Brien, Keith Landers, Jake Tanis , Anthony Rendon, and Dan Paolini
Louisville redshirt sophomore LHP Keith Landers will be out until the second half of the season after undergoing his second surgery in the fall of 2010 after feeling discomfort in his throwing arm. He missed the entire 2010 season after undergoing surgery on the pitching arm in the fall of 2009. Keith made three appearances as a freshman in 2009 totaling 9.1 innings while going 1-0 with a 3.86 after being an 18th round selection by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2008 MLB Draft. - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/01/30/louisvilles-keith-landers-out-to-midseason
Jake Tanis is a good defender coming off a sophomore season so impressive (354/417/668) that the Rockies scooped him up in the 2010 draft. He’s been able to translate solid tools into excellent production thus far; a big junior year could get him up into top fifteen round territory. - http://baseballdraftreport.com/
#5 - 3B Anthony Rendon Rice 5'10 1/2 185 R/R - solid hitter with 20-25 type HR power, glove side range and good hands, agile on his feet and solid throwing arm which is plus. Slight hitch in long swing that starts his trigger, will tend to overswing on slow stuff away and out of zone, but get a fb up in the middle of the plate to him and he'll hurt you. A cripple shoot type hitter who generate enough stats to be 3 man in lineup or 5 man to help drive in runs. Ankle surgery on the mend which will be watched closely over the next few months and eventually he'll have 100% running speed back which is ok, he's not a burner, but that's not his game. Producing runs is. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
Dan Paolini – Siena - Now a junior, Paolini has blasted 37 home runs in his first two seasons at Siena. He was named a Freshman All-American and Metro Atlantic Conference Rookie of the Year in 2009 after batting .430 with 11 home runs. His average came down, but his home runs went off the charts last year when he hit .368 with 26 HR and 64 RBIs. His 26 long balls set a new MAAC single-season record and tied for the second-most in Division I baseball in 2010. Paolini’s .816 slugging percentage (6th in the NCAA) helped him to a whopping 1.255 OPS. The 6’0 slugger, who participated in the inaugural TD Ameritrade Home Run Derby last summer, was also stellar in the field. He committed just four errors and finished with a .985 fielding percentage. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/01/25/top-11-college-baseball-2b-to-watch-in-2011
Jaypers: - Top 125 Prospects List
1. Bryce Harper (Nationals)
2. Mike Trout (Angels)
3. Domonic Brown (Phillies)
4. Julio Teheran (Braves)
5. Jeremy Hellickson (Rays)
44. Wilmer Flores (Mets)
74. Cesar Puello (Mets)
89. Matt Harvey (Mets)
the rest of the list
Deep Leagues: - 2011 MLB Player Values: Outfielders
(BA, HR, RBI, R, SB)
1. Carl Crawford—BOS $34 .300, 15, 70, 100, 40
2. Ryan Braun—MIL $33 .310, 35, 110, 100, 5
3. Josh Hamilton—TEX $31 .320, 30, 100, 90, 5
4. Carlos Gonzalez—COL $31 .310, 30, 100, 100, 20
5. Matt Holliday—STL $30 .300, 30, 100, 90, 10
22. Jason Bay—NYM $20 .260, 25, 80, 70, 15
53. Carlos Beltran—NYM $15 .260, 15, 60, 70, 5
54. Angel Pagan—NYM $15 .260, 10, 50, 70, 25
90. Jay Gibbons—LAD $3 .240, 10, 40, 30, 0
the entire list
1. Carl Crawford—BOS $34 .300, 15, 70, 100, 40
2. Ryan Braun—MIL $33 .310, 35, 110, 100, 5
3. Josh Hamilton—TEX $31 .320, 30, 100, 90, 5
4. Carlos Gonzalez—COL $31 .310, 30, 100, 100, 20
5. Matt Holliday—STL $30 .300, 30, 100, 90, 10
22. Jason Bay—NYM $20 .260, 25, 80, 70, 15
53. Carlos Beltran—NYM $15 .260, 15, 60, 70, 5
54. Angel Pagan—NYM $15 .260, 10, 50, 70, 25
90. Jay Gibbons—LAD $3 .240, 10, 40, 30, 0
the entire list
Mack Draft: - Chad Wright, Derek Self , Ashley Graeter , Austin Wood , and Tommy La Stella
Junior right-handed pitcher Derek Self was 7-0 with a 4.52 ERA in 27 games, including eight starts, for UofL in 2010. The Cave City native struck out 50 batters and walked 11 in 61 and two-third innings. Self moved between the weekend starting rotation and a midweek starting role in 2010, but he did start the Cards’ NCAA tournament opening win over St. Louis. He is among the candidates for a weekend starting role in 2011 but will serve as a valuable weapon either as a starter or reliever - http://blugrassbaseball.com/
Ashley Graeter has the chance to shoot way up in the rankings once the season gets started. He’s transferring from Pearl River CC to Southern Mississippi to form one heck of a formidable left side of the infield in Hattiesburg. I liked him more as a pitcher than a position player last year at this time, but solid defensive tools, a plus arm, and intriguing offensive upside make him a legit position player in his own right. - http://baseballdraftreport.com/
#4 - RHP Austin Wood U.S.C. 6'4 220 - power arm who went unsigned in 2010 after transfering to St Pete JC from Florida St. Will run fb up there to 98 mph most are 93-94 with occ run when in on RHH and sink when down, hard slider gets too big at times with break easy to read out of hand, other times very dominant, just needs to get it all together and stay within himself, ala Bobby Jenks/Jeff Farnsworth types. Some max effort and will get pitches up, but gets away with it due to velocity. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
Tommy La Stella – Coastal Carolina - The Closter, NJ native played sparingly in 2008 in his only season at St. John’s, but he was a vital member of the Chanticleers in his first season in Conway, SC in 2010. La Stella led the Chants with his .378 batting average, while posting 14 home runs, 66 RBIs, 63 runs, and 14 doubles. His 1.072 OPS was the second-best among Coastal Carolina batters who combined to hit 111 home runs last season. La Stella also struckout just 15 times with 32 walks in 246 at-bats last season (once every 16.4 ABs), to make him the 29th toughest batter to strikeout in Division I baseball. On top of that, he committed just five errors all season. His .977 fielding percentage is the best by a second baseman in Coastal school history. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/01/25/top-11-college-baseball-2b-to-watch-in-2011
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