· Clemson
got some great news when 2013 eligible draft prospect, Austin Meadows, an outfielder from
Grayson High School in Georgia, picked the Tigers over South Carolina, Georgia,
and Vanderbilt. Perfect game ranks Meadows as the #2 prospect nationally (fat
chance he goes to college).
· Talked to
OF-LHP, 6-5 Rock
Rucker, senior at Redan H.S. (GA).
From Baseball Factory: Rocker is a top prospect and a solid two-way
player. Feet are quick and athletic as he takes proper routes / angles in tracking
down balls in the OF. He moves well laterally, displaying plus range. Actions
are loose and easy with the baseball exploding out of his hand. Throws display
life, carry, and on line carry into his target. Offensively is continues to
shine as he displays outstanding hitting abilities and power. Hands are quick,
generating plus bat speed with leverage in his swing. Power is a plus with
baseball exploding off his bat. On the mound, fastball shows late life and arm
side run. Ball gets on the hitter in a hurry. Breaking ball displays 1/7 shape
with tight spin and late / sharp action. Split finger shows downward action.
Looks like he plans on continuing pitching:
“My goals for this Season are to hit for average
and also hit for power. Now that I have tweaked my mechanics on the mound I
will take over the Ace position at my school, Redan. When all is said and done
I want to lead my team to the state playoffs and beyond and hopefully win a
state championship before June comes around.”
· Div II
#16 UNC-Pembroke beat Chowan, 13-3, behind the 4-4, 5-RBI, 3-R day by senior Eitan Maoz.
Alex Pierce went: 6.0-IP, 3-ER, 4-K and notched his first career
win
·
Albuquerque Academy (NM) IF Alex Bregman checked in with his thoughts
on the season:
“My goals this season are to lead my team back to Isotopes
Park again for the state championship. I want to teach the younger guys on my
team as much as I possibly can before I leave. Lastly, I just want to play
every inning, every out, and every pitch as hard as I can.”
Bregman is a shortstop, but is currently rated the top second baseman in the draft. We’ll keep an eye on him all-season.
· You know
how much I like C Peter O’Brien. I was looking for a confirmation
from the Dean of Draft, Keith Law:
Keithlaw
@keithlaw Reply - Trahan. I'm not an O'Brien fan "@MackAde: @keithlaw - #2
C in draft... O'Brien, Trahan, or Maddox ?"… so much for that J
·
A.J. Simcox checked in about his
preparation for the season:
“My goals this pre-season are first and for most,
get the team in the state of mind we need to be in to compete at a high level.
Also, to take the young guys under my wings and show them how to take care of
business on and off the field. Gotta take care of the body and get your sleep.
I don't set individual goals, just team goals. And that goal is for us to come
out, compete and play hard every game. If we do that, our hard work in the
offseason will take control.”
Simcox is finishing up his high school career for Farragut H.S. (TN) and is committed to Tennessee. It was Georgia and South Carolina, but they never really had much of a chance. AJ’s father, Larry Simcox, was once an assistant coach for the Vols. AJ led his team in 2011 to the AAA state championship, after hitting .470 and leading the state in hits (70).
C
Mike Zunino (Florida)
1B
Christian Walker (South Carolina)
2B
Devon Travis (Florida State)
3B
Colin Moran (UNC)
SS
Deven Marrero (Arizona State)
OF
Tyler Naquin (Texas A&M)
OF
Victor Roache (Georgia Southern)
OF
Daniel Aldrich (College of Charleston)
DH
Preston Tucker (Florida)
UT
Brian Johnson (Florida)
SP
Michael Roth (South Carolina)
SP
Marcus Stroman (Duke)
SP
Mark Appel (Stanford)
SP
Hudson Randall (Florida)
SP
Tyler Ray (Troy)
RP
Nick Wittgren (Purdue)
RP
John Neely (Texas Tech)
RP
Corey Knebel (Texas)
Frankly,
this is a weak year for college players. I’m surprised that Stroman was named
as a starter since he has been sued most of college career so far as a
reliever. The other thing I found interesting that Peter O’Brien was named the 2nd team catcher. I totally agree.
·
Speed Checks:
o
RHP Nick Stroud - 6-4,
195, Mt. Zion H.S. (IL) - 89-92 FB
o
RHP Shane Watson –
91-93
o
RHP Hagerty HS (FL) 6-5 Zach Eflin - 90-95, 76-79 CB, 83-84 CH
o
RHP Lucas Giolito - 94-95, 78 CB
o
RHP Chase DeJong – 89-91,
76-78 slider, 82 change
o
LHP Tim Conyers -
mid-70s changeup, 87 FB
o
LHP Max Fried - 91-94,
77 hammer
o
RHP Jonathan Harris –
Hazelwood Central H.S. (MO.) 6-4, 160 – 88-89
o
(2013) RHP Pulaski Acadamy (AR) 6-3 Lawson Vassar hit 88
o
RHP Justin Garza – 94, 78-80
slider
o
LHP Troy Conyers –
86-88
o
(2013) LHP Minnehaha
Academy (MN) John
Pryor hit 87
o
LHP Hunter Virant 87-89 FB, 77-78 changeup.
o
RHP Cody Poteet –90-92,
78 change
o
(2014) RHP Lee’s Summit (MO) Alex Lange 85-87.
89
o
RHP Kieran Lovegrove -
92-93, hit 94, 83-85 slider
o
RHP Adm H.S. (IA) 6-5 Alec Rash -
91-93, sharp slider
o
Christian Brothers College Prep (MO):
o
(2013) RHP Robert Plohr -
84-88, 74 CB, 78 CH
o
(2013) RHP Dan Hermann -
86-89, 76 CB, 77 CH
o
University of St. Louis Pirates:
o
(2013) RHP Robert Plohr sat 87
o
(2013) RHP Adam Jelovic topped
at 87
o
(2013) Dan Herrmann topped
89
·
Talked to Andrew Suarez, one of 2011’s big time high school
pitchers (Columbus H.S. FL.). He’s part of a tremendous 2012 University of
Miami team that includes C Peter O’Brien, RHP E.J. Encinosa, and RHP Eric Whaley. Andrew seems to have his head on straight:
“My individual goals for this season are to stay
healthy, be a weekend starter by the end of the year, do whatever it takes to
contribute to the team. The only team goal I have is to make it to Omaha. With
the team we have this year, we have a really high chance to make it. Our
pitching is super deep and is going to take us far, our defense and hitting are
just as good.”
Duke IF/OF Chris Marconcini, who led team in doubles,
triples, HRs, RBIs, runs, SLG as a freshman, will miss 2012 with torn ACL
2 comments:
I love these updates, Mack. Keep 'em coming.
1.) Love that Fried is hitting low-mid 90s this early in the season. If he's available, do you take him over Trahan, McCullers, Trey Williams? (I do but you know my thoughts on Max)
2.) Why isn't Gausman on the pre-season all-star list?
3.) Was Bregman ever a catcher? I thought I remember seeing that somewhere. If so, any chance he's a C at the next level?
Thanks Mack, love reading these.
1. McCullers will be drafted as a relief pitcher and probably doesn't rate a first round pick anymore. I'm sticking to my guns on getting Trahan, because I do not believe Fried will be left. That being said, I'd take him in a NY second.
2. Yes he is.
3. Yes, Bregman was, and many feel he wil be drafted as a catcher.
Post a Comment