Top Twelve: High-School Pitchers

Top Twelve: High-School Pitchers

1. Lucas Giolito / RHP / Harvard Westlake HS (CA) — There isn’t much to dislike about Giolito at this point. The fastball sits 92-94 with late movement, the curve is hard with plenty of bite, and the change-up with the movement of a splitter. He repeats his delivery well, and the command is well above-average for his age. Giolito is a lock for the top ten — barring outrageous bonus demands — and if Appel doesn’t miss bats this year, this could be your No.1 draft selection.

2. Max Fried / LHP / Harvard Westlake HS (CA) — No, it’s not a typo, the two best prep pitchers to start the year will be in the same rotation (Fried transferred from Montclair Prep after they cancelled all of their sports programs last summer). The left-hander’s fastball goes anywhere from 89-95, sitting in the 91-93 range, and has heavy sink, along with a solid curveball and a change-up that is developing into above-average. What separates Fried though, is his outstanding command and off the charts poise.

3. Walker Weickel / RHP / Olympia HS (FL) — This is a fairly ambitious ranking for Weickel, but the two times I saw him over the summer, I came away impressed. He isn’t the hardest thrower in the class — sitting 89-91 with the ability to get up to 94 — but he commands it well and has good arm-side run. The breaking-ball is too slow, but he throws it for strike and there’s deception. Add that to his size and athleticism, and I see a first-round talent.

http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2012/01/top-twelve-high-school-pitchers/#more-641




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