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6/24/11

Kayden Porter, Richie Shaffer, Mike Yastrzemski, Victor Roache, Reed Gragnani

Kayden Porter:



6-23-11: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/high-school/2011/06/fulmer-shows-big-arm-at-tos-day-one  - Spanish Fork (Utah) High righthander Kayden Porter came in to close the game but surrendered three runs before being removed. His fastball was 89-92, but he also struggled to locate. His curveball looked good at 79-81 mph with sharp break.



Richie Shaffer :


6-20-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com/   - Clemson SO 1B Richie Shaffer
.333/.459/.613 – 47 BB/50 K – 222 AB - It was incredibly difficult to leave Shaffer off the big boy list, but tough decisions sometimes come with the job. If we were to smartly ignore the artificial restraints that such a list presents, however, we could focus less on the list itself and more on Shaffer the good defender with plus to plus-plus raw power and a plus throwing arm capable of hitting the low-90s from the mound. We could also talk about his outstanding sophomore year – who couldn’t love a sophomore who slugged over .600 while going up against the likes of Virginia, North Carolina, Miami and Florida State? – as well as his above-average defense, solid athleticism, pro frame speedy recovery from a broken hamate bone.


Michael Yastrzemski :



6-17-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com/  SO OF Michael Yastrzemski (2012)
.311/.445/.388 – 44 BB/35 K – 23/26 SB – 206 AB - After already typing Michael Yastrzemski’s last name out incorrectly more than a few times, I can appreciate the first brilliant person who called his more famous grandfather “Yaz.” The younger Yaz is another five-tool talent, though more of a speed/defense/leadoff hitter type than his more powerful outfield wingman Connor Harrell. I swear it isn’t because of the similarly impressive lineage (or at least not only because), but I think of Michael Yastrzemski as a similar ballplayer as Orioles eighth round pick Johnny Ruettiger.



Victor Roache:

6-21-11: - http://v2.capecodbaseball.org/news/week/index.html?article_id=1210  - Cotuit’s Victor Roache (Georgia Southern) has slugged his way to being named this summer’s first Player of the Week. Roache filled up the stat sheet this week, batting .421 while hitting two home runs and driving in seven. Roache’s week was punctuated by a 2-2 performance against Bourne, where he walked twice, homered, and drove in three. Roache is a sophomore at Georgia Southern. His summer totals to date are impressive, batting .379 with four doubles and nine runs batted in, to go along with the two homers that he hit this week. The right fielder/designated hitter is as disciplined as hitters come; he has more walks (nine) than strikeouts (six) this season.


Reed Gragnani:


6-23-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com/  - Virginia SO OF Reed Gragnani
.293/.410/.361 – 19 BB/13 K – 1/3 SB – 133 AB - A little bit of Gragnani appreciation written by me (though with too much information lifted from here…I feel bad about that, so sorry Mr. Kolenich…I’ve gotten better at attributing sources since then) prior to his freshman year… FR SS Reed Gragnani (2012) is yet another talented young prospect expected to see significant time in a loaded Virginia infield. His game right now revolves largely around his well above-average speed, excellent athleticism, and impressive range up the middle, but he is no slouch with the bat either. Early comps include Brian Roberts (if he develops as is) and Ryan Zimmerman (if he bulks up and gains power). Gragnani’s brother, Robbie, grew four inches during his college tenure at Virginia Commonwealth, so that Ryan Zimmerman developmental path isn’t totally out of the question. That’s not to say that the only thing standing in the way between Gragnani and future big league All-Star status is a couple of inches and some muscle, but he’s a good player with high round talent all the same. I still believe in Gragnani as a middle infielder, but also think he has the tools to play a mean center field if given the chance. I also still believe in his bat. While it is true that his power hasn’t come on like many (myself included) had hoped, he still has the chance to hit for a high average and gap power at the next level.

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