10-11-10 – Top 10 2012 Prospects from Jim Callis/Baseball America - 1. Kenny Diekroeger, ss, Stanford
SS Kenny Diekroeger, Stanford: An unsigned 2009 second-rounder, Diekroeger has the whole package to emerge as an elite pick in the 2012 draft. He has excellent bat speed along with a polished plate approach; he also has smooth actions in the field to go with a smart, savvy approach and excellent instincts. Though his range is adequate by shortstop standards, Diekroeger’s quickness in the field makes him better suited for third base, and he could become a natural at that position as his raw power evolves. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5506
Ranked #4 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation - http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
2-21-11: - http://bullpenbanter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=387:college-baseball-weekend1&catid=18:articles&Itemid=11 Player: Kenny Diekroeger College: Stanford University Position: Short Stop Bats/Throws: R/R - Patient approach at the plate and worked the count well in order to get a pitch he could drive Hit several line drives up the middle Flew out a couple times near the warning track (left and center) Showed the ability to range to both his left and right A bit too much arc on his only throw from deep in the hole (only time his arm was tested)
4-25-11: - http://bullpenbanter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=411:college-baseball-weekend-10-observations&catid=18:articles&Itemid=11 - Ugly, ugly swing at first Cole breaking ball
Rough game defensively, dropped easy popup in 8th and didn't range well (Game 1)
Did a good job charging soft ground ball and making accurate off-balance throw to first (Game 2)
Comment: I've seen 7 or 8 Stanford games this year and Diekroeger has yet to wow me. Early in the year he showed a knack for hitting line drives, but he has swung and missed a lot in recent looks. I've seen him range well to both sides and I've also seen balls that looked like they should have been fielded end up in the outfield. His actions are sloppy at times and his arm is just OK. The limitations of watching via webcast keeps me from making any definitive statements on that side of the ball. He's mentioned often as a top 5 pick for 2012 and I'm still waiting to see that player. At this point, I would take Mark Appel without hesitation over Kenny Diekroeger. I will see many Stanford games between now and June of 2012; I hope he shows me what he's got soon.
6-10-11 from http://www.draftsite.com/mlb/mock-draft/2012 - 2 Houston Kenny Diekroeger SS Stanford 6' 2" 200
6-12-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/722354-2012-mlb-mock-draft-early-predictions-for-next-years-top-10-picks#/articles/722354-2012-mlb-mock-draft-early-predictions-for-next-years-top-10-picks/page/3 - Back in 2008, at the annual Area Code Games showcase, Mike Trout put up some ridiculous numbers in the miniature combine. The only player to post better numbers than him was high-schooler Kenny Diekroeger, who ended up as a second-round pick for the Rays that next year. Diekroeger, however, had a very strong commitment to Stanford and ended up on campus later that year. Two years later, he's starting to emerge as a strong candidate to go in the Top 10 of the 2012 draft. Since then, Diekroeger has refined his actions at shortstop. Now, many feel like he could continue at the position as a pro, despite his big size (6'2", 200 lbs). He has continued to shine in all facets of the game: at the plate, on defense and on the basepaths. He struggled to hit for power with the new bats, hitting only two home runs this season (after hitting five last year). His average also dipped to a career-low of .292, just one season after becoming the first Stanford freshman to lead the team in hitting (.342) since 1997. That season he also became the first freshman to lead the team in RBIs—ever. After his stellar freshman campaign, he headed off to the New England Collegiate League, where he won league batting honors and finished second to teammate Mark Appel as the top prospect in the league. He was noted for his athletic ability by scouts and coaches alike. If he can continue to improve on defense, and have a bounce-back year at the plate, there's no doubt that Diekroeger will go in the Top Ten.
2) Deven Marrero
6-11-10: -
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110608&content_id=20222396&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb&partnerId=rss_mlb Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State: Part of an impressive crop of 2012 Draft talent at ASU, Marrero is a legitimate shortstop with great defensive actions and a playable bat for the next level.
10-11-10 – Top 10 2012 Prospects from Jim Callis/Baseball America - 6. Deven Marrero, ss, Arizona State
Ranked #7 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation - http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
6-14-11: - http://bullpenbanter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=392:college-baseball-weekend-04-observations&catid=18:articles&Itemid=11 - Player: Deven Marrero College: Arizona State University Position: Short Stop Bats/Throws: R/R Height/Weight: 6'1" / 172 lbs. Average height with some room to add muscle Not an overly physical presence but manages to generate good bat speed; extends arms well
Looks for something inside to pull, took everything not in that area with less than 2 strikes; expanded with 2 strikes Ripped a low breaking ball down the 3B line for a double in second game Fooled by an inside curve ball
6-10-11 from http://www.draftsite.com/mlb/mock-draft/2012 - 6 Washington Devin Marrero SS Arizona State 6' 1" 172
6-11-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/722354-2012-mlb-mock-draft-early-predictions-for-next-years-top-10-picks#/articles/722354-2012-mlb-mock-draft-early-predictions-for-next-years-top-10-picks/page/7 - Having two teammates (Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer) drafted in the Top Three this past draft is a pretty rare feat. The 2012 draft might feature two such duos selected in the Top Five, with (Devin) Marrero ranking as the top defensive shortstop in this class. Marrero famously played on the same high school squad that won a national championship a few years ago behind the bat of Eric Hosmer. Now, he's a draft prospect in his own right. And he's actually been one before. Marrero was drafted by the Reds in the 17th-round back in 2009, but his commitment to ASU was too strong for him to leave. Two-an-a-half seasons later, he's on the verge of being talked about as one of the top college prospects for the 2012 draft. Marrero had an amazing freshman campaign last year, finishing on a tear, hitting .397 with 12 doubles, three triples, six homers and 42 RBIs. He also scored 31 runs and stole 11 bases. And for a freshman, he sure didn't strike out a lot (only 24 K's in 156 at-bats). This season he regressed a bit, most likely because of the new college bats, but he still had a solid year. He hit .319 in 51 games, rapped 14 doubles and three triples and drove in 20 runs, while scoring 30 of his own. The power all but disappeared (only two HRs in 207 ABs) and he didn't steal as many bases (10-for-15) as expected. Still, Marrero continued to provide solid defense at the most challenging position and projects to be a slightly above-average hitter as a pro. He likely won't hit for too much power, but he should be a doubles machine and a threat to hit five to 10 triples each year. Think of Marrero as a more polished version of this year's first-round pick, Francisco Lindor
6-14-11: - http://thegoldensombrero.com/wordpress/archives/4095 - Marrero profiles as an above-average defender at short with a plus arm and a plus glove. He has outstanding instincts for the position and should have no problem staying there as a professional. At the plate, he fails to generate tremendous bat speed in large part due to a lack of lower body action. He hits against a pretty quiet front, though, and keeps his hands inside well enough to be a 50 to 55 hit tool player. He will never hit many bombs in the pros, but he runs well enough to at least have an isolated power.
3) Steve Nyisztor
Ranked #9 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation
http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
6-10-11 from http://www.draftsite.com/mlb/mock-draft/2012 - 11 NY Mets Steve Nyisztor SS Rutgers 6' 3" 185
4) Addison Russell
6-11-10: -
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110608&content_id=20222396&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb&partnerId=rss_mlb Addison Russell, SS, Pace HS, Fla.: Russell is very strong and athletic. He's an excellent right-handed hitter who makes consistent, hard contact with power. He's got a plus arm as well.
Ranked #11 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
6-24-10: - http://sullydraft.blogspot.com/2010/06/sneak-peak-2012-high-school-top-ten.html - After watching the Junior National Showcase at Tropicana Field. Here is my top ten list for the class of 2012. - 2. Addison Russell- SS, Pace HS (FL)
6-10-11 from http://www.draftsite.com/mlb/mock-draft/2012 - 9 Chicago WS Addison Russell SS Pace High School (FL) 6' 1" 195
5) Stephen Perez
2-28-11: - http://bullpenbanter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=388:college-baseball-weekend-02-observations&catid=18:articles&Itemid=11 - Player: Stephen Perez College: University of Miami Position: Short Stop Bats/Throws: S/R Height/Weight: 5'11" / 184 lbs. Put an emphasis on taking the first few pitches of an at bat (especially batting left handed) Turned on pitch well, hit to right-center warning track; easy triple Went other way with another pitch to double into left center gap
Very smooth actions at short stop Fielded short hop; dropped during transition and hurried throw was in the dirt; 2 errors on the play Misplayed another routine ground ball trying to hurry the feed to second base in order to turn two Showed excellent range deep in the hole; fielded ball with a slide and made a strong throw to first in the same motion. WOW. MLB-quality short stop play Impressive arm strength
Looked a bit less comfortable at the plate batting right handed.
Ranked #25 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation
http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
6-10-11 from http://www.draftsite.com/mlb/mock-draft/2012 - 27 Cleveland Steve Perez SS Miami 5' 11" 185
6-29-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250695/the-all-reese-team#storyjump - SS: Stephen Perez, Sophomore from the University of Miami - I only had the opportunity to see him once this year, and he really make an impression on me defensively. It was a poor day by his standards as he committed a couple of errors on routine ground balls; yet, he showed silky smooth actions throughout the game. In one instance he ranged far into the hole, fielded the ball on a slider and made a strong throw to first in the same motion. It was MLB caliber and the best defensive play that I saw all season. The bat, especially when batting right handed, is a work in progress, but there is some wizardry in that glove. Honorable Mention: Nolan Fontana, Sophomore from the University of Florida
6) Gavin Cecchini
Ranked #31 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation
http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
6-10-11 from http://www.draftsite.com/mlb/mock-draft/2012 - 24 NY Yankees Gavin Cecchini SS United States 6' 1" 180
7) Tanner Rahler
Ranked #43 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
8) C.J. Hinojosa
Ranked #48 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
9) Corey Seager
Ranked #50 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation
http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
10) Corey Oswalt
Ranked #58 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation
http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
11) Nolan Fontana
6-10-11: - http://www.gatorzone.com/story.php?id=20869 Florida sophomore Nolan Fontana (Winter Garden, Fla.) was named as a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award on Friday by the College Baseball Hall of Fame. The list features 10 of the nation’s finest Division I shortstops.
Fontana has started 63 games this season for the top-ranked Gators (48-16), is hitting .309 and boasts team highs in walks (45), sacrifice flies (eight) and triples (five). He has scored 52 runs, totaled 44 RBI, poked 12 doubles and stolen six bases in 10 attempts. Fontana was a second-team All-SEC recipient and a member of the league’s All-Defensive Team for the second-straight year.
Ranked #60 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation
http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
6-20-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series#/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series/page/3 - There’s athletic 3B Nolan Fontana, the team’s first-ever Rawlings Gold Glove winner. Fontana was one of the Gators' most consistent hitters during this past season, despite finishing sixth on the team with a .301 average. He rapped 12 doubles, legged out five triples and slugged five home runs. He also drove in 47 runs, good for third on the squad. He also played sterling defense again, making only 10 errors in 66 games.
6-28-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - Fontana plays the same kind of defense Mooney plays, but provides much more upside at the plate. Actually, that first part last sentence is a lie; Fontana plays really good defense, much like Mooney does, but goes about it in a totally different way. Mooney can seemingly make any play up the middle, but is far more erratic in his ability to do so. Fontana, on the other hand, won’t wow you with tremendous physical gifts in the field, but the guy just makes every darn play imaginable. My notes on him describe that pretty well: “really, really good defender without elite defense tools or athleticism.” I’m not sure Fontana has a clear plus physical tool — maybe the hit tool, but even that’s probably a stretch — but the sum of his parts far exceed the whole package here. I know I run the risk of overusing this already nebulous phrase, but, much like fellow sophomore Mike Zunino, Fontana already plays the game like a big league ballplayer.
12) Zach Green
Ranked #75 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation
http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
13) Darnell Sweeney
Ranked #106 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation - http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
14) Carlos Correa
Ranked #107 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation - http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
15) Zach Quintana
Ranked #109 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation - http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
16) Anthony Valentin
Ranked #119 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation - http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
17) Reed Gragnani
Ranked #140 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation - http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
18) Bobby Zarubin
Ranked #149 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation –
http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
19) Anthony Gomez
Ranked #156 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation - http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
6-17-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com SO SS Anthony Gomez (2012)
.350/.366/.408 – 8 BB/12 K – 7/9 SB – 260 AB - What Gomez lacks in tools, he makes up for in his ability to make a crazy amount of contact. The contact is nice, but the unimpressive tool set keeps him from being much more than a marginal pro prospect. To wit, his defense up the middle isn’t yet good enough to have anybody believing his glove will carry him, and his foot speed is average at best.
6-20-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series#/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series/page/5 - SS Anthony Gomez fought off Jason Esposito and clinched his spot as the team’s starting shortstop for next year with a very strong season at the plate. He finished fifth on the squad with a .343 average and fourth with 45 RBI. He doesn’t have much power in his bat (two career HR), and he rarely walks (eight BB in 62 games), but he also doesn’t strikeout too often, racking up only 13 K's all season. On defense, Gomez struggled, committing 19 errors, despite the fact that he was throwing to one of the best defensive first baseman in the SEC. Even so, with his strong arm and good range, he should be one of the first college shortstops off the board.
20) Orlando Berrios
Ranked #158 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation - http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
21) Andre Real
Ranked #164 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation - http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
22) Matt Gonzalez
Ranked #179 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation - http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
23) Garrett Cannizaro
Ranked #184 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation - http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
24) Trey Williams
10-11-10 – Top 10 2012 Prospects from Jim Callis/Baseball America - 7. Trey Williams, ss, Valencia HS, Santa Clarita, Calif.
25) Avery Romero
Ranked #185 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation - http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
26) Tim Lopes
Ranked #186 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation - http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
27) Jarred Greene
Ranked #191 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation - http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
28) Kurt Schluter
Ranked #194 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation - http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
29) Kyle Overstreet
Ranked #197 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation - http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
30) Chris Taylor
6-13-11: - http://www.virginiasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=88827&SPID=10613&DB_OEM_ID=17800&ATCLID=205159611 In the decisive game of the Charlottesville Super Regional, No. 1 national seed Virginia scored two runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to rally for a 3-2 win over UC Irvine Monday at Davenport Field. Sophomore Chris Taylor's two-RBI single completed the rally as the Cavaliers advance to the College World Series for the second time in the past three seasons. Taylor was one of four Cavaliers with two hits on the day, along with John Hicks, Kenny Swab and David Coleman.
6-20-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - Virginia SO SS Chris Taylor
.320/.397/.426 – 25 BB/39 K – 10/14 SB – 256 - As an unheralded – though still heralded enough to land at UVA — high school recruit, Chris Taylor has had to work his way up the depth chart over time. He now finds himself firmly entrenched as the Cavaliers starting shortstop and leadoff hitter. His athleticism, defensive versatility, and plus arm are what really set him apart from the field at this point in his development.
6-20-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series#/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series/page/ INF Chris Taylor hasn't gotten the opportunity to play too much, but he showed his clutch nature in the Cavs' super-regional finale against UC-Irvine. He was also a Virginia State Player of the Year during his senior year of high school.
31) Steve Bruno
6-23-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - Virginia SO SS Stephen Bruno
.240/.269/.320 – 0 BB/7 K – 0/1 SB – 25 AB - I wrote about Bruno a bit back in the day… FR SS Stephen Bruno (2012) was one of the rarest of the rare coming out of high school – a prep player actually expected to stay at shortstop as a pro. We always hear about how pretty much every worthwhile big leaguer was the star shortstop/pitcher of his high school team, but it never registered how often these players were forced to move off the position after signing that first pro deal. I mean, Jim Thome was a shortstop in high school* because, let’s be honest, that’s just where you put the best athlete at that level. I remember watching Billy Rowell play shortstop in high school. He positioned himself about 3 steps out on the outfield grass, basically admitting to all in attendance he had no range and instead relying exclusively on his rocket arm to gun people down at first. Rowell wasn’t a pro prospect as a shortstop, but he played shortstop on his high school team because, quite simply, if he didn’t, then who would? Bruno was a top ten round talent in 2009 who fell to the Yankees in the 26th round due to a very strong commitment to Virginia. He’ll stick at shortstop throughout his career due to his plus range, slightly above-average speed, and Speedy Gonzalez quick hands. He has flashed present power, launching a couple of 450 bombs his senior year of school, but lacks the overall strength to do it on a consistent basis. That last point may not seem like a huge deal for a middle infield prospect, but it does speak to the general concerns about Bruno’s future. Some players are projects based on the development of their tools, an area that Bruno grades out fairly well across the board (in addition to the aforementioned defensive skills, he has a 55 arm), but other players are projects based on their physical development. That’s where Bruno is at right now. He has worked his tail off to improve in each of the five tools (most notably speed and arm strength), but it’ll be the way is body fills out (keeping in mind he is 5-9, 165) that will make him into either a first round caliber guy or not. It really is a shame that an injured hamstring has held back Bruno in 2011 because, when healthy, he can really, really play. He should get his chance next season, though it remains to be seen if he’ll get the opportunity to unseat the incumbent Chris Taylor or have to put his strong arm and good athleticism to use elsewhere on the diamond. As good as Taylor has been at short for the Cavaliers, I think Bruno’s defensive upside is even higher.
6-20-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series#/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series/page/2 - INF Stephen Bruno saw very little time this year after a breakout freshman season that saw him hit .388 in 36 games. A native of New Jersey, Bruno is a baseball rat, who can do a little of everything on the field. He is somewhat limited by his size (5'9", 165), but he was already drafted once by New York back in the 26th round of the '09 draft.
32) Sam Lind
6-17-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com SO SS Sam Lind (2012)
.239/.315/.391 – 3 BB/10 K – 46 AB - Lind has bounced from Missouri to Central Arizona to Vanderbilt. Alright, that’s a lie. He was draft eligible this past year, but didn’t hear his name called on the conference call. A second year in one place should do the middle infield with a strong arm and above-average hit tool some good. He was a personal favorite of mine heading into the year (15th on my preseason college shortstop list), so the pressure will really be on if he wants to get back into my good graces. That is what these guys are playing for, right? My approval? Not the fame, money, girls, and love of the game, but the respect of some nobody on the internet that they’ll never meet? Alright, good, just making sure.
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