Draft 13 – Adam Plutko, Brian Navarreto, Kris Bryant, Mark Appel, Akeem Bostick

Adam Plutko, RHP, UCLA - Over his last three starts, the 6’-3” right-hander has tossed 21 scoreless innings, allowing just eight hits. He has also struck out 22 to eight walks over that span. Over 10 starts, he now has a 2.34 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 53 K/18 BB over 65.1 innings. He features an 88-92 mph fastball, a low-80s change that looks plus at times and an upper-70s curveball with nice tailing action.  link

Brian Navarreto, Arlington Country Day HS (FL) - Playing for the same high school as Cubs top prospect Javier Baez, the 6’-4”, 220-pound Navarreto also shares the same fiery personality. A very good defensive catcher, Navarreto has a lot of offensive potential due to his size. He has a very strong, accurate arm with a quick release and has great footwork behind the plate due to his above-average athleticism — he has been clocked at 6.88 in the 60. He hit .512 as a junior with 16 doubles and 12 home runs, showing raw power from the right side. Not as polished as Okey or Martinez, he may have the higher ceiling of the two, but there may be some make up concerns as he recently punched a player in the face during a bench-clearing brawl. Committed to Jacksonville. link

With each retelling, the tale of Kris Bryant’s mammoth home run becomes more Ruthian and Bunyanesque. The ball either cleared the 80-foot light tower in left field at the University of San Diego’s Fowler Park, or was at least even with them before sailing deep into the drizzly, foggy night, probably landing on the football practice field down the hill. Whether it went 500 or 600 feet depends, again, on who was speaking. link

Mark Appel (RHP, Stanford University) - Information: 6’5″, 215 pounds, turns 22 in July, previously selected 1st round (8th overall) by Pirates in 2012 and 15th round by Tigers in 2009. 2013 Stats: 7-3, 1.49 ERA, 10.6 K/9, 1.6 BB/9, and 4 CG in 10 starts and 78.2 IP = Scouting Overview: Appel took a huge risk last summer, declining $3.8MM from the Pittsburgh Pirates after they selected him 8th overall to return to Stanford for his senior season. Appel had been a favorite to go first overall to the Astros last year, but they had instead decided on shortstop Carlos Correa, sending Appel into free-fall thanks to his bonus demands. Bud Selig finally called his name when the Pirates’ selection came around, but Appel refused to accept anything less than the $4.8MM Correa received and he could not agree to terms with Pittsburgh link

Akeem Bostick has plenty of options when it comes to the next step in his athletic career.  The West Florence pitcher draws a large number of Major League scouts every time he takes the hill for the Knights.  With the MLB Amateur Draft coming up this June, Bostick has all the bases covered when it comes to options.  Bostick is expected to be a high selection in the draft link