1/16/12

Draft 2012 – Josh Elander, Jake Barrett, Hunter Virant, Avery Romero, Robert Refsnyder


Josh Elander — 6’-0”, C, TCU  Elander is an offensive catcher with great plate discipline. He hit .333 with five home runs, 38 RBI and nine stolen bases over 48 games for TCU in 2011. He also added 28 walks, showing his advanced approach at the plate. Just average defensively, Elander is athletic enough to improve enough behind the dish to stay at his position. A strong 2012 could push him to a late-first-round pick. http://www.throughthefencebaseball.com/top-50-draft-prospects-for-2012-50-thru-26/15621/

Jake Barrett / RHP /Arizona State – Barrett’s repertoire is good enough to start, but the delivery screams reliever, as does the command. His size (6-4, 220) gives him the chance to be a durable innings eater, but a beyond maximum delivery makes this very unlikely. Still, there’s a chance he can be next years John Stilson, hopefully without the injury to end the year. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2011/12/top-twelve-college-pitchers/

Hunter Virant hasn't been pitching for all that long, but he's shown the potential and projectability to get scouts very excited about his future. Virant has the chance to have four at least Major League average offerings. While his fastball sits in the 87-88 mph range, he'll touch 90 mph and with his projectable frame, there should be more in the tank. There's the typical lefty sink in to left-handed hitters on his two-seamer. His curve is inconsistent right now -- he'll drop his arm angle to make it too slurvy -- but that will improve with time and experience. He doesn't always command his changeup now, but it should be a solid offering in the future. He'll also cut his fastball for a slider-like look. He throws the fastball for strikes and competes well. And he does it all with a very smooth delivery. Those raw ingredients, along with his ideal pitcher's frame and his handling of the big-spotlight events should have many scouts watching his progress this springhttp://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/

Avery Romero, 2B/SS, Pedro Menendez (St. Augustine, Fla.)  - Generally speaking, scouts believe Romero has to move off shortstop as a pro, likely sliding to third base where his plus arm and sound fundamentals should play well. His hit tool is his calling card at present and more power should develop as he improves his plate skills. Romero, a potential top 50 selection, is also committed to the University of Florida. He hit .458 last year with five homers, 18 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/940/mccullers-jr-is-top-florida-diamond-star

We continue the countdown today at number 28 with Arizona junior outfielder Robert Refsnyder. The Laguna Hills High School alum starred at the school being named First team All-CIF, Pacific Coast League MVP as a senior, and named to the All-PCL First Team as a junior. He currently still holds school records for highest career batting average and highest single season batting average. Refsynder stepped right into the Arizona Wildcats lineup as a freshman in 2010 making 57 appearances including 55 starts while playing defensively at designated hitter, second base, third base, left field and first base. He finished with a .344 average with two homers and 40 RBI while stealing six bases. He was named a 2010 Pac-10 Honorable Mention member for his performance.  http://ht.ly/1grZBu

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