Devon Rodriguez, Branden Kline, Richie Shaffer, Mark Appel, Lance McCullers

Devon Rodriguez:


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/6  - 1B Devon Rodriguez might get a call late on draft day. He has posted .288 and .289 averages over the past two years and only has a combined eight home runs, but he does have some raw power in his bat, and his defense is slightly above-average. He made only four errors this season in 532 chances.


Branden Kline:


7-9-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6002  - Branden Kline, RHP, Virginia - Like Fontana, Kline was in Omaha for the College World Series, where he enjoyed a late inning showdown between Matt Price and the eventual CWS champion South Carolina Gamecocks in one of the most memorable CWS games ever played. With a tall, projectable frame and long, strong limbs, Kline sits in the low-90s with his fastball while also throwing a nasty low-80s slider. That combination led to 18 saves for the Cavaliers last spring, and may put him a position to serve as a weekend starter next year.


Richie Shaffer:


7-19-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com/  - Richie Shaffer  - 2012  - ranked 38th
Clemson University - FR – .323/.415/.525 – 18 BB/36 K – 158 AB - SO – .315/.438/.577 – 44 BB/53 K – 222 AB •“recovered from broken hamate to show true plus power” •“good present defender with the chance to be excellent” •“strong arm”


Mark Appel:


7-21-11: - http://www.draftsite.com/article/College-Names-To-Know/92  - Strengths – Appel possesses great height for a pitcher, with a frame that has room to fill out, offering plenty of projection down the road. He has a low effort delivery and an extremely quick arm, along with easy arm action that produces 97 MPH heat. His pitches have very good movement; can run his fastball in on righties with terrific arm side run. He has a slider that could partner with his fastball for another out pitch; he also has a change-up. He pitches well out of the windup.


Lance McCullers:


7-21-11: - http://www.mockdraftmania.com/  - 1. Houston Astros Lance McCullers Jr. P Tampa Jesuit High School Florida I said back in March that the Astros would finish in last place instead of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Looks like I was right on that call while the rest of the country is shocked by the Pirates being in contention this season. To be honest, I’m not that surprised by the Pirates this season. I said back in March that the Pirates would win 70 games and have the division lead at some point in the MLB season. Every other MLB expert, sports personality, or Pirates fan never in their right mind would have picked the Pirates to win 70 games let alone be in contention for first place this late in the season.