5/11/12

Draft Notes 5-11-12 – Nathan Kirby, Martin Acosta, Baseball Prospect Nation Top 35, ESPN HS The Starting Nine



I’m told that James River (VA) H.S. LHP, Nathan Kirby passed on both the medical and physical programs you must go through if you want to be drafted (hey kids… think you’re going to be drafted? Got news for you… if no one asks you to piss in a cup, guess what?). Technically, that makes him ineligible for the draft. I had him going around 150 but I guess that’s moot now. See you in three years, Nate.

PG on Kirby:  Nathan Kirby is a 2012 LHP with a 6-2 185 lb. frame from Midlothian, VA who attends James River HS. Lean athletic build, room to get stronger, good projection. Fast paced delivery with some effort, long loose extended arm action, extended 3/4's release, very fast arm coming through, falls off on release affecting command. 88-91 mph fastball, sat at 91 mph early, big running life on fastball, gets on hitters quickly. Outstanding hard spin and bite on curveball, big hard break at times, slider velocity but knucklecurve grip, can be nasty when everything is right. Rare change up. Movement on fastball and size of curveball are hard to command. Very difficult to hit when in the zone. High level arm. Good student, verbal commitment to Virginia.



Arkansas RHP Ryne Stanek out this weekend with a sore back.



Martin Agosta, RHP, St. Mary’s - Class: Junior -  Hometown: Sacramento, California   Height/Weight: 6-1/178 - Agosta burst onto the scene in 2011, becoming the first pitcher from St. Mary’s College since 1987 to finish the season with an ERA under 3.00 in 80 or more innings of work. He further boosted his helium with a strong showing in the Cal Ripken League last summer, going 4-0 with a 0.99 ERA in 27 innings. The CRL was responsible for churning out Glynn Davis, an undrafted free-agent who was signed by the Orioles and has gone on to become one of the most intriguing prospects. - http://mlbdraftcountdown.wordpress.com/2012/05/10/martin-agosta-rhp-st-marys/



Monmouth’s  Pat Light breaks Ryan Buch's single-season school record for strikeouts (97)



Baseball Prospect Nation ranked their top 35 prospects. It’s not a mock: 

1.       Byron Buxton (OF) – Appling County HS (GA) – Scouting Report (03.19.12)

 Buxton is cementing himself as the top player in the draft. He combines athleticism, power, speed and hitting ability to project as a top notch player in the field and at the plate. He is earning more and more praise from scouts as the choice to go 1-1 based on talent alone.



2.       Kevin Gausman (RHP) – Louisiana State University – Scouting Report (04.06.12)

 He has begun to shed the “raw” tag that had saddled him for the early part of spring. Of late, Gausman has looked like the lone college pitcher in this year’s class with the potential to develop into a true frontline starter. Has the frame and raw stuff to both move quickly and be an All-Star caliber pick.



3.       Mike Zunino (C) – University of Florida – Scouting Report (03.23.12)

 Zunino is the best player on one of college baseball’s best teams. He combines excellent leadership and makeup with the potential to hit for average and power while more than carrying the defensive load behind the plate. He is everything Major League organizations look for in a catching prospect and he could go as high as the top pick in the draft.



4.       Mark Appel (RHP) – Stanford University – Scouting Report (03.12.12)

 Appel entered the year as the consensus top prospect in this year’s class. His less than stellar performance has caused his stock to stick and there are a growing number of scouts that wonder if his performance will ever match his tremendous raw stuff. If it does, he has frontline potential, but he comes with considerable risk for a college prospect.



5.       Kyle Zimmer (RHP) – University of San Francisco – Scouting Report (04.02.12)

 Of all the players with helium this spring, Zimmer may have done more for his draft stock than any prospect. Flashing two plus pitches and a feel for his craft, scouts started to believe he could develop into a number two starter. A recent hamstring injury has calmed some of the hype, but he still fits in the first few picks of this draft.  -  http://baseballprospectnation.com/2012/05/09/2012-mlb-draft-top-35-prospects-05-09-12/

ESPN HS The Starting Nine — May 10th Edition  

1. Byron Buxton, Appling County (Baxley, Ga.)

OF/RHP, Senior

Previous spot: No. 1

What he’s done: Buxton, No. 2 in the ESPN 100 and is No. 1 in Keith Law's Top 100 for the 2012 draft, continues to rake at the dish, hitting .545 with a .649 on-base percentage, 51 runs scored, 15 doubles, three triples, two homers and 22 RBIs. He’s fanned only three times in 88 at-bats and is 31-of-32 in stolen base attempts (he was thrown out trying to steal third. His pitching has been just as vital to the success of Appling County (27-1). Buxton is 6-0 with a 1.66 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 46.1 innings. 

2. Lance McCullers Jr., Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.)

RHP/SS

Previous spot: No. 2

What he’s done: McCullers gave up his first earned run of the season in POWERADE FAB 50 No. 2 Jesuit’s 9-2 win over Robinson (Tampa, Fla.) in the Class 5A, District 11 championship. He followed by fanning 13 in a win over Bayshore (Bradenton, Fla.) in the regional quarterfinals. McCullers is 12-0 with a 0.11 ERA and 120 strikeouts in 65.1 innings. He’s hitting .277 with two homers and 20 RBIs. 

3. Wyatt Mathisen, Calallen (Corpus Christi, Texas)

C/SS/RHP, Senior

Previous Spot: No. 3

What he’s done: Mathisen continues to be a star at both the plate and on the mound for the FAB 50 No. 4 Wildcats. He’s hitting .453 with three homers and 38 RBIs and is 10-0 on the bump with 85 strikeouts in 65 innings. In a 5-0 win over Hidalgo (Texas) in the Class 4A bi-district round of the state playoffs, Mathisen went the distance and was 2-for-3 with a homer and two RBIs.

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