Mack's Mets: 2012 Draft: - Top 17 First Basemen in Draft

11/4/11

2012 Draft: - Top 17 First Basemen in Draft

1) Christian Walker

3-7-11: - http://bullpenbanter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=390:college-baseball-weekend-03-observations&catid=18:articles&Itemid=11 - Player: Christian Walker College: University of South Carolina Position: First Base Bats/Throws: R/R

Height/Weight: 6'0" / 220 lbs. Short path to the ball Good piece of hitting, going the other way with 2 strikes Turns on inside fastball that caught too much of the plate, HR to left field

Ranked #188 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation - http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft

5-22-11: - http://www.wrdw.com/sports/headlines/USCs_Walker_named_to__122423709.html - South Carolina sophomore first baseman Christian Walker has been selected to the 22-man roster for the 2011 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, it was announced on Sunday evening. It is the 11th time in school history for a player to be selected to the collegiate team and it is the second straight season a Gamecock has been on the team as Jackie Bradley Jr. played for the Red, White & Blue last year. Walker is in the midst of a strong sophomore campaign as he leads the Gamecocks with a .358 batting average (78-for-218) as well as a team-high nine HR and 57 RBI. His .573 slugging percentage also tops the squad. Walker is one of two Gamecocks this year to start all 56 games. His 57 RBI are second highest in the SEC. He is also third in the league in hits (78), fourth in runs scored (53), fifth in slugging percentage, home runs and total bases (125) and ninth in batting average. In addition, Walker hit .316 (37-for-117) in 30 SEC games and had eight doubles, a pair of homers and 24 RBI vs. conference teams.

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/9 - The South Carolina 2012 draft class kicks off with 1B/3B Christian Walker. After a stellar freshman campaign that saw him earn Freshman First-Team honors from Baseball America, Walker took up the offensive burden left when Jackie Bradley Jr. started the season terribly and then was lost with an injury for most of the season. Walker had an incredible offensive year, leading the Gamecocks with a .359 average, 60 runs, 18 doubles, ten home runs, 60 RBI and a .560 slugging percentage. In addition to his light-tower power, he is also an incredible athlete. In addition to third base, he also played first and catcher in high-school. He was clocked in the low 80s off the mound at a few Perfect Game showcases and he has good enough range to handle either first or third as a pro.

6-28-11: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/college/postseason/college-world-series/2011/2612014.html - The Hero: Christian Walker was not in the starting lineup South Carolina coach Ray Tanner turned in about an hour before game time because of a broken hamate bone in his left wrist, which was diagnosed Monday morning. But he got treatment from South Carolina doctors before the game, hit three home runs in batting practice and found his way into the final starting lineup. He proceeded to go 2-for-5 with a double, a single and the game-winning run in the 11^th

7-19-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - Christian Walker | 2012 | ranked 27th | University of South Carolina - FR – .327/.384/.518 – 18 BB/18 K – 226 AB SO – .361/.442/.556 – 32 BB/26 K – 241 AB •“plus hit tool with enough strength and loft to hit 20+ homers at next level” •“currently a shaky defender, but upside to be average”

2) Richie Shaffer:

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: Richie Shaffer College: Clemson University Position: First Base Bats/Throws: R/R Height/Weight: 6'3" / 205 lbs. Lifts leg slightly; quiet swing, extends arms well Took pitches on outer half; was a bit too passive on those pitches; looked for something inside he could drive Turned and crushed an inside fastball over the fence; announcer said it was into a strong headlong wind Great job of stretching for an off target throw (high and to the left of first base) while holding the bag

Ranked #57 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://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.

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”

11-2-11: - http://www.collegesummerbaseball.net/2011/11/top-35-position-players-in-cape-cod.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter - Top 35 Position Players in the Cape Cod League 18. Richie Shaffer 1B Chatham---Clemson Richie (6-3/210) hit .263, smacked 6 home runs and drove in 21 this summer. He also hit 11 doubles for the Anglers. Richie was ranked as the 11th best prospect in the league by Baseball America, and Perfect Game ranked him as the 13th best prospect.

3) Keon Barnum

Ranked #46 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft

7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments - Keon Barnum, King HS, Tampa FL, 6’4 220, L/L, strong lefty swing with power to RF, arm strength and runs well once underway, 4.3 on grounders, has made some improvements to pitch selection as hitter, still developing. One of better Florida Kids to watch in 2012.

10-1-11: - http://www.tampabay.com/hometeam/blog/king-1b-keon-barnum-commits-miami/1100 - / King first baseman Keon Barnum, one of the Tampa Bay area's top senior baseball players, has verbally committed to the University of Miami. Barnum, who is also one of the area's top Class of 2012 MLB Draft prospects, committed to the 'Canes Thursday night after returning from a trip to Coral Gables last weekend.

4) William Carbona:

5) Max Muncy

Ranked #49 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft

4-4-11: - http://bullpenbanter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=408:college-baseball-weekend-08-observations&catid=18:articles&Itemid=11 - Player: Max Muncy

College: Baylor University Position: First Baseman Bats/Throws: L/R Height/Weight: 6'0" / 195 lbs Thick and well built; large shoulders; thick thighs Controlled short path to the ball, uses lower half well Patient approach, occasionally to his detriment; called out on strikes by taking back-to-back borderline curve balls on outside corner Turned on pitch well to hit Jungmann fastball up over plate out to right-center field Misplayed ground ball early in game, did a good job blocking it with body, but hands looked a bit suspect throughout the night Had trouble adjusting to Milner's breaking balls, but did manage to double over right fielder's head off a LHR's breaking ball All balls in play were pulled in these two games

7-19-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - Max Muncy | 2012 | ranked 69th | Baylor University - FR – .300/.374/.500 – 24 BB/48 K – 230 AB - SO – .322/.428/.511 – 37 BB/36 K – 227 AB •“far from the prototypical slugging first base prospect” •“good athlete, good defender, average runner” •“line drive machine who specializes in squaring up and making consistent solid contact” •“development of power will make or break him…bat currently profiles as much better at his high school position [catcher]“

6) Jayce Boyd

4-3-11: - Jayce Boyd - I also caught a mid-week game between Florida State and Jacksonville that allowed me to watch a pair of potential 2012 first-round picks in FSU’s Jayce Boyd and Jacksonville’s Adam Brett Walker. I caught Boyd several times last year, and he looks pretty much the same this year. He has a great approach at the plate with a level, line-drive swing. He reminds me a little of a young Edgar Martinez, prior to Martinez bulking up, with long, wiry strong limbs. Most of his power is gap-to-gap, but there is some good extension and bat speed to his swing that will lead to his fair share of homers. He would serve himself well if he could continue to play third base or even a corner outfield spot. He drilled a hanging curveball to left-centerfield in this contest for a double, something he seems to do every time I watch him play. He is somewhat of a ‘tweener since he doesn’t have the ideal power potential for first and may not have the lateral movement necessary for third. http://www.5tooltalk.com/2011-notes-2-26-11.html

Ranked #30 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft

6-13-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5880 Player of the game: OF Jayce Boyd, Florida State – The Seminoles needed solid offensive production to stay alive on Sunday and got just that from Boyd and others. Boyd had a huge day at the plate, going a perfect 4-for-4 with a double, home run, five runs scored and three RBIs. It’s also worth noting shortstop Justin Gonzalez finished the contest with two hits and six RBIs, while Stuart Tapley slammed a pair of home runs and finished the afternoon with five RBIs.

6-23-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - Florida State SO 1B Jayce Boyd | .339/.423/.519 – 36 BB/30 K – 233 AB - Despite the change in bats, Boyd put up a nearly identical stat line in 2011 (2010 numbers: .341/.413/.528 – 28 BB/36 K – 214 AB) with the biggest exception being his improved plate discipline. The most difficult players to project – for me, anyway – are the prospects who are destined for bat-first positions (i.e. first base and corner outfield) because the margin for error is so slight. Boyd has a bat I believe in. Watching him hit reminds you of the difference between a good power hitter and a good hitter who hits for power. Boyd is squarely in the latter category; his plus raw power and outstanding collegiate production are byproducts of his special hit tool. I’d caution against thinking that his likely inability to stick at third base at the next level equates to below-average athleticism and negative defensive value. Yeah, it’s true that he may be too stiff to man the hot corner professionally, but his solid athleticism, soft hands, and great baseball instincts make him a plus defender at first base.

7-19-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - Jayce Boyd | 2012 | ranked 25th | Florida State University - FR – .326/.394/.507 – 27 BB/38 K – 227 AB… SO – .335/.415/.515 – 34 BB/32 K – 233 AB - •“plus raw power, maybe a touch less” •“potential award winner with glove at first base” •“such a naturally gifted hitter that he could probably do it with his eyes closed”

7) Adam Brett Walker

6-15-11: - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/06/15/ncbwa-college-baseball-all-american-teams - NCBWA Division I All-America Team - SECOND TEAM - 1B *Adam Brett Walker, Jacksonville, So. .411 61 241 65 99 23-2-13 75 34 63 14/14

6-24-11: - http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110624/SPORTS/110629919/-1/rss43 - When Adam Brett Walker stands up to the plate, extending his 6-foot-5, 225-pound frame to full size in his Hyannis Harbor Hawks uniform, you can just imagine the pitcher taking an extra breath and the third baseman unconsciously taking a step back before the pitch. The ardent followers among them know the right-handed swinging Walker was a Golden Spikes Award and a Dick Howser Award semifinalist, has been named to numerous second team All-American squads and was the Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year. Early as it may be, there is speculation he could move into the first round of next year's draft. All this after the Jacksonville University sophomore from Milwaukee hit .411 with 23 doubles, 13 homers, 75 RBIs, 99 hits, 165 total bases and a .685 slugging percentage this spring. The hits, RBIs and total bases are school records

8) Matt Conway

6-20-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - Wake Forest SO 1B Matt Conway |.272/.361/.451 – 27 BB/31 K – 195 AB - Conway has the size (6-7, 250 pounds), plus raw power, and solid approach to hitting that help make him Wake Forest’s best prospect since Allan Dykstra in 2008. He also dabbles on the mound for the Demon Deacons; that’s both a terrifying thought for an opposing batter (not sure I’d be feeling 6-7, 250 pound lefty heat coming at me…) and a feat worth noting to highlight Conway’s better than you’d think athleticism and arm strength.

9) Devon Rodriguez:

10) Mike Hoard:

6-30-11: - http://www.prospectwire.com/pw/article.php?id=268 - Michael Hoard, 1B, 2013, Tucson, AZ - 520 Elite (West Team) - The 6'0/180 pound Hoard looks bigger and plays bigger than his listed size. Hoard is a classic RBI producer and middle of the order bat. Hoard went 6 for 10 at the 2011 PW West Coast Finals, 4 of those 6 hits were extra base hits. Hoard hit 2 bombs and 2 doubles in just 10 at bats, as the sweet swinging lefty should draw heavy D1 interest of colleges looking for a true power guy.

11) Adam Barry:

8-31-11: http://www.collegesummerbaseball.net/2011/08/top-15-position-players-in-cal-ripken.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter - Top 15 Position Players in the Cal Ripken League - 1. Adam Barry 1b/3b Bethesda--Cal State Northridge - Barry, a former football player from Wyoming was the leagues MVP this season. He hit an amazing .414 in 162 at-bats for the Bethesda. He had 67 hits and drove in 43, both of which were league records. He led the league with 38 runs scored, 14 doubles, and with an OPS of 1.037 this summer. He was also named to the Perfect Game All-American List and to the Cal Ripken All-League Team.

12) Bill Gerstenslager:

8-31-11: http://www.collegesummerbaseball.net/2011/08/top-15-position-players-in-cal-ripken.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter - Top 15 Position Players in the Cal Ripken League - 4. Bill Gerstenslager 1B/P Silver Spring-Takoma—Mercyhurst - Bill turned in a very solid season for the T-Bolts. He hit .374 in 139 at-bats. He smacked 5 home runs, drove in 27 and scored 26 runs. He was named to both the All-Star Team and the All-League team.

13) Barrett Barnes

Ranked #59 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft

14) John Wooten

Ranked #132 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation - http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft

15) Cole Miller

Ranked #136 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft

16) B J Zimmerman:

9-12-11: - http://www.collegesummerbaseball.net/2011/09/top-20-position-players-in-florida.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter - In the six-team Florida Collegiate Summer League this summer, the Sanford River Rats downed the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs to earn them the title of FCSL Champions. Individually, there were at least 25 position players that turned in great seasons. Unfortunately, I had to narrow the list down to the top 20. - 2. B.J. Zimmerman 1B Winter Park—Tampa - Zimmerman, a big first baseman from the University of Tampa hit .355 in 110 at-bats this summer. A former Washington Nationals draft pick, B.J, led the league with 30 runs batted in and he also scored 20 for the Dawgs. He walked 21 times, stole 3 bases and smacked one double in the All-Star Game. He also hit .333, with 2 doubles in the playoffs. Perfect Game ranked him as the 18th best prospect in the league.

17) Rudy Flores

Ranked #143 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation - http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft

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11/4/11

2012 Draft: - Top 17 First Basemen in Draft

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