1) 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.
7-8-11: - http://diamondprospects.blogspot.com - The 2011 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year, Deven Marrero is a plus-plus defender at shortstop. He has great range and smooth actions while utilizing his plus throwing arm to make tough plays look easy. He has a solid approach at the plate and quick hands that allow him to make consistent hard contact. He has the potential to hit for above-average power for a shortstop and profiles as a prototypical No. 2 hitter. However Marrero has just average speed on the basepaths and could slow down even more if he continues to fill out. Marrero didn't regress as much as Kenny Diekroeger in his sophomore year but he could jump into consideration for the top pick with a better year in 2012.
7-9-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6002 - Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State - The 2008 National Showcase is well represented among this group, which includes Marrero, who continues to add strength, and subsequent power potential, to his lean, athletic frame. He has put up big numbers at the plate with a knack for the big hit, for both Arizona State and Team USA, since his freshman year. It was no surprise that when faced with a tie-breaker in the 10th inning of the first game played in Omaha, in which runners were placed at first and second, that Marrero was the choice of Manager Tim Jamieson to lead off the inning. Marrero is currently considered to be among the prospects most likely to be selected among the top 10 overall picks in next year's draft.
7-15-11 from: - http://bullpenbanter.com Arizona State Sophomore SS Deven Marrero is projected to be a very early pick in the 2012 MLB Draft and it is easy to see why. The ball makes a different sound coming off his bat and he has some excellent pop for a middle infielder. I do see some strikeouts in his future... but they aren't a huge concern when you're getting this kind of overall offensive package. While the foot speed isn't top notch, I have little reservations about projecting him as a pro SS with his jumps and movements. He also possesses a very strong arm. Marrero is a high energy player who was a pleasure to watch play.
7-21-11: - http://www.mockdraftmania.com - 7. Los Angeles Dodgers Deven Marraro SS Arizona State Marraro batted .315, drove in 20 RBI’s, and stole 10 bases. Marraro only hit 2 home runs last season. Marraro has all the tools to develop into a 5 tool player if he improves his ability to hit home runs. There is no debating that Deven Marraro is a huge upgrade over Rafael Furcal who is batting .167 in 29 games this season.
7-31-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/07/28/deven-marrero-2012-draft-profile/ - Deven Marrero is on most top 10 lists for the 2012 draft and has even been mentioned as a possibility for the first overall selection. Marrero is a plus defender and should stick at shortstop professionally. He shows good instincts in the field. He has soft hands and a plus arm. Marrero lacks top bat speed, but does make solid contact. He has quick hands and a smooth line drive swing. There is a little bit of pop in his bat and some expect him to develop more power, but he profiles much more as a doubles hitter than a home run hitter at the next level. He is also likely to strikeout at a fair rate. Marrero is most often ranked as a top 10 selection in 2012, but I see the 15-20 range as more likely.
9-1-11: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2011/08/31/2012-mlb-draft-top-prospects - Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State - Marrero projects to hit for average in the pros. He's posted strong contact numbers for the Sun Devils (13.4% strikeout rate to date with ASU). Like many college players adjusting to the new bats, he struggled offensively last year, hitting just .319/.354/.444 after posting a .397/.442/.628 line as a true freshman. Marrero also doesn't walk much -- just 6.5% over the past two years.
9-27-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6271 - DEVEN MARRERO, ss, Cotuit Kettleers (Arizona State/JR in 2012) - SCOUTING PROFILE: Marrero is a superior prospect in all phases of his game, and a leading candidate to be the first player drafted in 2012. The one area where he truly stands out is on defense, and he is in a league of his own as a college shortstop. Scouts say he is ready-made to play defensively in the big leagues, and have little reservation in extolling him as a future Gold-Glover. Marrero has exceptional rhythm in the field, no matter what the play or where a throw originates. He has a knack for instinctively reading ground balls and getting his glove into the right position, regardless of the hop, and is also adept at shifting his feet to make a throw from any angle. His arm is both strong and extremely accurate, and he excels at making plays from the hole. If anything, he can make shortstop look a little too easy, at times, and will lose focus occasionally and overcharge some balls, which accounted for most of the nine errors he committed in the 12 games he played this summer for Cotuit. While his ability to play shortstop has never been questioned, the 6-foot-1, 170-pound Marrero continues to open eyes with his bat. He hit .326-0-5 in his brief time on the Cape, which he did in two instalments sandwiched around his tenure as the starting shortstop for USA Baseball’s college national team, where he hit .322-0-14, and led that squad in hits, doubles, RBIs and stolen bases. In contrast to his summer showing at the plate, Marrero hit .315-2-20 with the new BBCOR bats during his sophomore year at Arizona State, and scouts may have already come to the conclusion that he is one of those players who is a better hitter with wood. He has excellent hitter’s hands, and the bat speed to turn around a high-velocity fastball. His best attribute as a hitter, though, is his ability to drive balls sharply to the opposite field. He also has sound strike-zone management. The area where Marrero showed his greatest improvement this summer came in his base running. He has average speed but emerged as an above-average base stealer because of his superior instincts. Marrero was one of the top prospects in the Cape Cod League a year ago, when he hit .306-1-17, and his reputation as the league’s best talent carried over to this summer, to a degree, as his time in the league was too limited for scouts to get an extended look at him to be convinced he was the league’s No. 1 prospect. Not only did Marrero take three weeks out to join Team USA, but he missed the final week of the Cape season when he was hit by a pitch and suffered a badly bruised left hand.
2) Gavin Cecchini
Ranked #31 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation
6-10-11 from http://www.draftsite.com/mlb/mock-draft/2012 - 24 NY Yankees Gavin Cecchini SS United States 6' 1" 180
7-7-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/07/07/gavin-cecchini-2012-draft-profile - Gavin Cecchini comes from a baseball family and it shows on the field. His father Glenn is the coach at Barbe and played in college, while his brother Garin was chosen in the fourth round of the 2010 draft by the Red Sox. Gavin’s mother is also a good athlete and played basketball in college. Cecchini is an athletic shortstop and good all around player. He has a nice, simple swing with good bat speed. He barrels the ball regularly and shows flashes of power. Cecchini has good range and a solid arm at short. He runs a 6.6 60.
7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments - Gavin Cecchni, Barbe HS, Lake Charles LA, 6’1 180 R/R, one of best middle IF prospects last couple of years, good bloodlines, runs well, better underway, 4.25 out of box, plus arm strength and good actions to both sides of the glove in the field, short compact stroke with occ gap power, could develop enough power to hit 8-12 HR per year at ML level. 1-3 round type.
7-21-11: - http://www.mockdraftmania.com - 10. Chicago White Sox Gavin Cecchini SS Barbe High School Louisiana Cecchini will commit to Ole Miss if he doesn’t like the salary he is being offered. The White Sox have a higher payroll then any AL Central team so they should take Cecchini. Cecchini could rival the 2 Pac 10 shortstops that are competing for the top pick.
8-15-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/8/14/2362719/2011-under-armour-all-america-game-top-10-prospects - 2011 Under Armour All America Game Top 10 Prospects - 5. Gavin Cecchini 2012 SS 6'2 182 Lake Charles, LA Barbe - Gavin isn’t as good of a hitter as his brother, but he has a nice line drive stroke that should produce good average. He also can handle the middle infield better than Garin. He looks like he could stick at short. He has a good arm and good range with a very high baseball IQ.
3) Kenny Diekroeger
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.
7-8-11: - http://diamondprospects.blogspot.com - One of the top high school prospects in the 2009 draft Kenny Diekroeger stands out for his elite athleticism. He has plus speed and range at shortstop and has improved greatly at the position since his high school days. He should be able to remain there in the future as his slightly above-average arm is helped greatly by his superb athletic ability. Diekroeger has quick hands that allow him to have great bat speed. He projects to hit for solid power along with plus average. However he struggled at the plate this year for Stanford, which could partially be due to the new bats. If Diekroeger can return to his freshman year form at the plate and continue his excellent work in the field, he could be selected within the Top 5 picks in the 2012 draft. If his struggles remain, though, his stock could drop to the back end of the 1st round.
7-21-11: - http://www.mockdraftmania.com - 5. San Diego Padres Kenny Diekroeger SS Stanford The Padres need a shortstop. Diekroger had a breakout freshman campaign, but fell of the map as a sophomore with a batting average that fell from .342 to .292. Scouts said he would have to move to outfield straight out of high school. Diekroger has mastered his craft at shortstop and should remain a shortstop in the MLB despite his 6 foot 2 200 pound size. Kenny Diekroeger has the ability to be a complete shortstop prospect with the baseball IQ and high character that former Stanford baseball prospect Sam Fuld had coming out of college. I don’t see any reason why the Padres should not draft Kenny Diekrogger if he slips to #5 overall.
8-9-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/08/07/kenny-diekroeger-2012-draft-profile - Kenny Diekroeger is one of the top shortstops available for the 2012 draft. Likely to be drafted in the first round, possibly in the top 10, Diekroeger is a top athlete. At the 2008 Area Code Games, he put up the top SPARQ rating, finishing 1 spot ahead of Mike Trout. Diekroeger regressed a bit at the plate in 2011, but that was due to the new bats more than anything else. He has plus bat speed and a nice swing. Diekroeger also has good speed on the bases. Kenny played third during his freshman season before sliding over to his natural shortstop spot in 2011. He has improved defensively since arriving at Stanford. He has good range and an above average arm. While some view Diekroeger as a future outfielder, his athleticism and coninued improvement should allow him to remain at short.
9-1-11: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2011/08/31/2012-mlb-draft-top-prospects - Kenny Diekroeger, SS, Stanford - Stanford shortstop Kenny Diekroeger can be a frustrating player to evaluate. The good is that he has a compact and hand-oriented swing that's very short to the ball. He has a smooth trigger and has the hand strength required to make a hands dominant swing work. However, Diekroeger doesn't get anywhere near the bat speed he could out of his swing, nor does he maintain optimum angles through the zone. Diekroeger has similar hand rhythm actions to Jason Bay, but also has a pull side dominant plane like Bay. Diekroeger's hand rhythm helps pull his front shoulder back to an angle that usually is conducive to hammering the pitch away, but he doesn't maintain that plane when he launches. His strong hands should allow him to still be quick inside yet still cover away with the angle of hip-shoulder separation he achieves, but due to a heavy rolling top hand, Diekroger pulls his barrel off the pitch away and consistently into a pull dominant plane.
9-29-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/9/28/2455532/all-questions-answered-thread#comments - Kenny Diekroeger - I saw quite a bit of him this year. He started the year showing a nice line drive inducing swing but that eventually devolved into a much less impressive offensive player. Defensively, he showed decent enough range, but his actions were pretty rough and I wasn’t impressed with his arm. I don’t see him sticking at SS, and I’m not sure if 3B is viable given his arm strength.
4) 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
10-21-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6343 - Rodriguez is encouraged by the number of top-notch Puerto Rican pitching prospects that are here this weekend, including right-handers Edwin Diaz on Team Mizuno Puerto Rico and Jose Orlando Berrios on the Florida Legends Scout Team. Middle infielders Carlos Correa (PRBAHS) and Jesmuel Valentin Diaz (PRBAHS) and catchers Tomas Nido (Cardinal Scout Team/FTB Mizuno) and Wilfredo Rodriguez (PRBAHS) are the top-ranked position players. Correa stands a rung ahead of the rest. A student at PRBAHS, the primary shortstop is ranked the nation’s No. 7 overall prospect and No. 1 at his position. He has entertained collegiate offers from Miami, Florida State, Liberty and Vanderbilt, among others, but is yet to verbally commit. It seems certain he will be a first round draft pick. Outfielder Reymond Fuentes was the last player selected in the first round of the draft to come straight out of a Puerto Rico high school when he was taken 28th overall by the Red Sox in 2009.
10-28-11: - http://orioles-nation.com/2011/10/26/wwba-2012-highlights - Carlos Correa (Santa Isabel PR) – From a tools standpoint, he is a top ten talent. He still continues to have the heavy pull load and ends in a position rather elongated through the zone. He displays the bat speed to allow for these late action approaches, but will have to compact to stay effective. He is sound defensively and will make all the plays, but he looks bottom heavy in the future and might have to move to third base. He shows the traits for an impressive stick and professional instruction could make for a kid with dual type threat bat. He made himself a jumper on my big board with his clutch hitting display this weekend.
5) 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
7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments - Addison Russell, Pace HS, Pace FL, 6’ 185 R/R, strong physical specimen, a bit stiff with bat and actions as a fielder, gets rid of ball quickly, good range in field, at plate has hand strength but doesn’t get full extension as a hitter to utilize that strength, have to see him again, ran ave 4.3 from box.
9-22-11: - http://www.pnj.com/article/20110922/SPORTS10/109220318/Addison-Russell-making-stops-Team-USA - The 6-1, 193-pound shortstop — who has verbally committed to play baseball at Auburn — already has developed relationships with most of the players, having spent pretty much the entire summer competing with and against them for the prestigious Team USA spots. "It was a grueling process," (Addison) Russell said. "They invited 144 draft-eligible kids to compete in a tournament. From there, they made cuts down to 40 players. Those 40 players got to stay for another week and we competed for another week to get down to 28 players. "They invited those 28 guys back a week ago, but because some of them were in football, we only had 21 kids come back. So we had 21 to get down to the final 20. The Saturday night was hectic. All they told us was to go back to our room and wait for a phone call. They called my room around 10:35 p.m. and told me to come down to their room. They told me 'Well, you're a good guy and we appreciate you coming down here, but I want to congratulate you for making the team.' I was so excited and relieved at the same time."
10-30-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/10/30/addison-russell-2012-draft-profile - Player: Addison Russel Position: SS/3B School: Pace HS (FL) Date of Birth: 1/23/1994 Height/Weight: 6’1/210 Bats/Throws: R/R Class Of: 2012 Committed To: Auburn Scouting Report: Addison Russell has been on the radar for 2012 for quite a while. He participated in the Under Armour All-American Game in 2010 and the Perfect Game All-American Classic in 2011. Russel is one of those players who makes the game look easy. Russel has a patient approach at the plate. He squares up consistently and the ball really jumps off his bat. Russel’s bat speed is above average. He has a line drive swing with good power potential. Russel has a recorded 60 time of 6.75. In the field, Russell has a strong arm and good range. Some see him remaining at short, but many see a move to third base in his future.
6) Jesmuel Valentin Diaz
10-30-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/10/30/jesmuel-valentin-2012-draft-profile - Player: Jesmuel Valentin Position: SS School: Puerto Rico Baseball Academy Date of Birth: 5/12/1994 Height/Weight: 5’10/180 Bats/Throws: S/R Class Of: 2012 Committed To: LSU Scouting Report: Jesmuel Valentin is the son of long time Major Leaguer, Jose Valentin. He rose quickly up draft rankings after a stellar performance at the Under Armour All-American Game. Valentin is a legitimate switch hitter, though he looks a bit better righthanded. A line drive hitter with some pop, he has a short stroke with some lift. He has recorded 60 times of 6.68 to 6.88. Valentin should have no problem sticking at shortstop in the future. He has good range, sure hands, and a strong arm. Valentin has quick feet and looks good on the double play. Valentin is a tough player who hustles on the field. With his pedigree and tools, he figures to go high in the 2012 MLB draft.
7) 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
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.
7-9-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6002 - Nolan Fontana, SS, Florida - It was just over a week since Fontana's last appearance at TD Ameritrade Park playing in the championship series at the College World Series. His defensive prowess was on display at the 2008 National Showcase, as he continues to make playing the middle infield look easy. With a patient approach and a line drive swing, Fontana served as the catalyst atop the lineup for both the Gators and Team USA.
7-15-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/07/16/nolan-fontana-2012-draft-profile - Nolan Fontana, a 2 time member of USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team, is one of the top defensive shortstops in college. Fontana was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team in both his freshman and sophomore years. He has great hands and a good arm at short. He also shows solid range for the position. Fontana has a good eye at the plate and takes alot of pitches. He is a good situational hitter with a bit of pop in his bat.
8) Steve Nyisztor
Ranked #9 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation
6-10-11 from http://www.draftsite.com/mlb/mock-draft/2012 - 11 NY Mets Steve Nyisztor SS Rutgers 6' 3" 185
7-21-11: - http://www.mockdraftmania.com - 13. Cincinnati Reds Steve Nyisztor 2B Rutgers Nyisztor appeared in all 56 games and started all, but one game at 2nd base. Nyisztor posted a .410 batting average along with 4 home runs, 51 RBI’s, 11 stolen bases, and 17 doubles. Nyisztor is a project, but has the tools to be a 5 tool player if his home run ability improves.
9) Corey Seager
Ranked #50 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation
7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments - Corey Seager, NW Cabarrus HS, Kannapolis NC, 6’3 195, L/R, smooth hitter, goes with pitch, squares up pitches well and has surprising power, uses all fields when hitting, runs better underway, runs easy, throws easy and has solid fielding mechanics, can play SS at pro level, long run position would be corner. Potential 1st rounder in 2012.
10) 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
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
8-14-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/08/10/the-good-the-disappointing-from-the-cape - Stephen Perez, SS, Miami- Perez has the tools and has been mentioned as a possible pick towards the end of the first round in 2012, but his numbers haven’t lived up to his tools to this point. At the Cape, he put up a line of .233/.376/.300 with 44 strikeouts in 120 at bats. The walks are great, but the strikeouts and .233 average are discouraging.
10-17-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1 - Stephen Perez, SS, Miami - A shortstop with good tools, who is willing to take a walk and can steal some bases, Perez has a lot going for him. There is some hot dog in him, but Perez is absolutely capable of making the highlight reel play. Strikeouts are the problem for Perez. In two seasons with the Hurricanes, he has a batting average of .258 with 122 strikeouts. The contact issues for Perez were magnified this year at the Cape when he hit .233 with 44 strikeouts in 120 at bats. This would be less of a concern if Perez was a power hitter, but he failed to go deep in 175 at bats last season.
11) 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.
9-26-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/9/24/2446224/sullys-2012-mlb-draft-top-70-prospects#comments - I liked what I've seen of (Chris) Taylor. Saw him for UVA against BC in the spring and then again on the Cape. I’m not all that confident in the bat, but he has a nice broad skillset… no real major flaws in his game and a nice body for a (big) middle infielder (or possibly 3B). Could still add more strength and I think he’ll hit for more pop than he is now, too. I thought “major leaguer” when I saw him, but probably not an impact guy. A lot could change with how he does this spring but I think 2nd to 3rd round makes sense.
12) Tanner Rahier
Ranked #43 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft
10-30-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/10/29/tanner-rahier-2012-draft-profile - Tanner Rahier is a prep shortstop from California who has worked extrememly hard to achieve his position among the top ranked players in the country (check out the mydesert.com link to see how he trains). After playing for Palm Desert High’s team as a freshman in 2009, he has opted to participate in a spring wood bat league the last 2 years. Rahier has a short compact swing and generates plus bat speed. He squares up with authority and projects good power. Recorded 60 times for Rahier are 6.62 and 6.63. Rahier has good footwork and plus range at shortstop. He has a good arm for the position. He is solid on the double play and shows soft hands. Even among baseball players shooting to make it to the next level, Rahier’s drive stands out. It is easy to see good things for him in the future.
13) 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
7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments - C J Hinojosa, Klein Collins HS, Spring TX, 5’11 175 S/R, smooth fielder with very good actions and solid ML arm strength with quick release, turns dp well, soft hands, ranges glove hand well, showed short compact swing squaring up ball with occ alley power from both sides of plate, competes and plays hard. Definite 4-7 type to watch in 2012
8-4-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/AllAmerican/News.aspx?num=6098 - One of those top prospects is C.J. Hinojosa, a highly ranked (No. 13 nationally) infielder who attends Klein Collins High School in Spring, Texas. Hinojosa eagerly anticipates playing in the game alongside the very best of his peers, but he also is looking forward to enjoying every aspect of an event that welcomes the players in on Aug. 11 and concludes on Aug. 14. Hinojosa, who is on the West Team roster, is particularly interested in the happenings of Friday, Aug. 12. The day starts with a team breakfast, rolls into a practice session and scrimmage at the University of San Diego, followed by a break for lunch
8-15-11: - http://www.draftsite.com/article/High-School-Names-to-Know/94 - CJ Hinajosa –SS HT -5’11 WT- 180 Klein Collins (TX) -Hinajosa doesn’t get a lot of pub but this summer he has squared the ball up at every showcase he has gone to. He has shown off a solid all-around package of tools and athleticism. He probably moves off of shortstop, maybe over to second but he is an interesting name to follow.
8-30-11: - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/08/30/cj-hinojosa-set-to-attend-texas-for-2012-season - Several Internet sites have been reporting that CJ Hinojosa will skip his final year at Klein Collins to attend Texas for the 2011-2012 school year. CJ confirmed that the news on Twitter saying: Hahah it’s crazy what people talk about… Excited to be a HORN! I knew word got out fast.. But not that fast.. Lol #Hook’Em! Hinojosa also continued and spoke to critics of his saying that he turned down a high amount of money saying: money isn’t the reason I made my decisions though, made the decision cause I plan on being successful after baseball! #life
10-16-11: - http://www.dailytexanonline.com/blog/keeping-score/2011/10/17/texas-baseball-team-adds-prep-star-cj-hinojosa - One of the top 2012 MLB Draft prospects has become the newest addition to Augie Garrido’s arsenal.Shortstop C.J. Hinojosa, has completed an aid agreement with the Longhorns and will enroll at Texas once he graduates from Klein Collins High School in December. Hinojosa, considered by many to be one of the best fielding shortstops in the 2012 draft class, was good enough offensively to post a .405 batting average, steal 12 bases, and notch 27 extra-base hits in 32 games, 16 of them homeruns.
14) Zach Green
Ranked #75 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation
15) 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
16) 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
17) 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
18) 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
19) Bobby Zarubin
Ranked #149 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation –
20) 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.
21) 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
22) 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
23) 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
24) 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
25) Trey Williams
10-11-10 – Top 10 2012 Prospects from Jim Callis/Baseball America - 7. Trey Williams, ss, Valencia HS, Santa Clarita, Calif.
26) 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
9-18-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/09/18/avery-romero-2012-draft-profile - Player: Avery Romero
Position: SS/2B
School: Pedro Menendez HS, FL
Date of Birth: 5/11/1993
Height/Weight: 6’0/195
Bats/Throws: R/R
Class Of: 2012
Committed To: Florida
Scouting Report: - Avery Romero is one of the top prep prospects from talent rich Florida. Romero has a smooth balanced swing that produces power to all fields. He has good bat speed and makes consistent hard contact. Pitch recognition is another strength for Romero. Romero shows good actions in the infield. He has soft hands to go along with a strong accurate arm. Some see a move to third base in the future due to Romero lacking ideal quickness for a middle infield spot. Romero is a competitive player with a very strong work ethic. He looks to be a high round selection in the 2012 draft
27) 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
28) 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
29) 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
30) 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
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.
33) Tanner Elsbernd:
7-6-11: - http://www.prospectwire.com/pw/article.php?id=268 - Tanner Elsbernd, MIF, 2013, Tallahassee, FL - Southeast Bluesox (North FL Team) - The talented Elsbernd is a young player in a senior-oriented high school loaded with upperclassmen. His playing time has been limited behind seniors, but the defensive standout from Chiles High School has a projectable 6'0/165 pound frame that will give him a little more thump offensively with strength and game reps. He's still got more growing to do, and it will be interesting to see if that will eventually take him to 3B. Although Elsbernd lacks big time tools, he is a fundamentally sound gamer that is invaluable come crunch time.
34) Travis Chavez:
6-30-11: - http://www.prospectwire.com/pw/article.php?id=268 - Travis Chavez, INF, 2013, Tucson, AZ - 520 Elite (West Team) - The wiry 5'11/155 pound Chavez had an outstanding tournament at the 2011 West Coast Finals finishing in the top 10 in hitting, top 15 in 60 yard time and chipped in 4 innings of 2 hit baseball on the mound. What Chavez lacks in arm strength he makes up with on the offensive end with a knack for making things happen at the plate.
35) MT Minacci:
6-30-11: - http://www.prospectwire.com/pw/article.php?id=268 - MT Minacci, SS/RHP, 2013, Tallahassee, FL - Orlando Scorpions (North FL Team) - Minacci is a legitimate 2-way guy with the ability to play SS and pitch. At short, he shows above average hands, a strong arm, and is a 7.0 type runner. Offensively, he's a good contact guy with gap to gap pop. On the mound, Minacci lives in the 84-87mph range. Minacci is a late-bloomer type who has a chance to blow up over the next 8 months.
36) Max Dutto:
7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments - Max Dutto, San Ramon Valley HS, Danville CA 5’11 180, L/R, a hitter with enough arm strength, runs ok, not a burner but knows how to run bases, reminds me of a left handed version of Ron Cey, former Dodger, will go as far as his bat takes him and if he can find a position.
37) Mikey White:
7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#commentsMikey White, Spain Park HS, Hoover AL, 6’1 185, R/R, plays both 2b & SS, could play 3b if needed, puts the bat on the ball, solid ave runner, 4.3 runner out of box, shows the type of arm to improve with maturity, definitely must see again.
38) Christopher Rivera:
8-12-11: - http://www.prospectwire.com/pw/article.php?id=290 - Oh, a note about one of my favorite position players, 2013 shortstop Christopher Rivera. He was here playing with a bad leg, a quad issue I believe and it has really limited what he can do on the field. In fairness, he probably shouldn't be out there performing but he obviously likes to play and he is one of the very best players in the region, regardless of age, so people want to see him.
39) Jesmuel Valentin:
8-15-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/8/14/2362719/2011-under-armour-all-america-game-top-10-prospects - 2011 Under Armour All America Game Top 10 Prospects - 2. Jesmuel Valentin 2012 SS 5'10 175 Manati, PR Puerto Rico Baseball Academy - The son of Jose Valentin, his glove looks like it's big league caliber in the middle infield. He has a good balanced swing that looks like it could develop some pop as well.
40) Thomas Sickling:
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.- 3. Thomas Sicking INF Leesburg—UTPA - Thomas is 6-1/170 pounds and hails from Ellenton, FL. He was 2nd in the league with a .396 batting average. He scored 23 runs, drove in 12 and hit 4 doubles for the Lightning. The speedy infielder also stole 10 bases this summer. During late June, Thomas had a 9-game hitting streak in which he scored 10 runs for Leesburg.
41) AJ Simcox:
11-2-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/11/01/aj-simcox-2012-draft-profile - Player: AJ Simcox Position: SS School: Farragut HS (TN) Date of Birth: 6/22/1995 Height/Weight: 6’3/165 Bats/Throws: R/R Class Of: 2012 Committed To: Tennessee Scouting Report: AJ Simcox is a rangy 6’3/165 shortstop with projection. Simcox has a good approach at the plate. He hits to all fields and has gap power. His recorded 60 time is 6.92. Reviews on Simcox’s defense are all positive. He has good range and soft hands. Simcox also shows a plus arm at short.
42) Matt Duffy:
11-2-11: - http://www.collegesummerbaseball.net/2011/11/top-35-position-players-in-cape-cod.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitte r - Top 35 Position Players in the Cape Cod League 5. Matt Duffy SS/2B Orleans Firebirds---Long Beach State Matt (6-/175) placed third in the league with a .346 batting average. He was the best SS in the league this summer. He scored 16 runs, drove in 16 and stole 7 bases this summer. Perfect Game ranked him as the 80th best prospect in the league.
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44) Joe Sciafani:
10-3-11: - http://ht.ly/1eXiUB - (Joe) Sclafani made an immediate impact into the Dartmouth Big Green lineup as a freshman as he appeared in 44 games hitting .339 with two homers and 35 RBI. At the midseason point of the season, he was moved up to the leadoff role for the Big Green. He ended up hitting .350 at the top of the order with 46 runs and 28 RBIs leading the squad to a 25-7 record when he led off. He was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Year and named First Team All-Ivy League at shortstop. Joe played the summer of 2009 in the NYCBL with the Amstredam Mohawks. Things didn’t go exactly as played with him struggling at the plate hitting .212 with two homers and 18 RBI in 35 games. He did walk 20 times while striking out on only eight times in 99 at bats.
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