9-4-13 – Mack’s Mock Draft v1.0 – 5 – Brewers – C Alex Jackson – Rando Bernardo (CA) HS – We can talk all day about what a great catcher Jackson is, but this a future corner outfielder in the making. He probably will rate out as an average outfielder, but he does have a ++ arm that will work well out there. But, you’re drafting this guy for his bat. Is one of the top projected power hitters of the draft.
1-27-14 – BP - Positional Preview: High School Catchers - Alex Jackson | C/OF | Rancho Bernardo (San Diego, CA) | Commit: Oregon Height/Weight: 6-foot-2/210 pounds B/T: R/R Draft Day Age: 18y 5m Jackson boasts one of the best blends of offensive and defensive upside in the draft class, with a chance to hit for average and power while providing solid defense behind the dish and a strong catch-and-throw game. The Oregon commit routinely impressed in batting practice throughout the summer showcase circuit, with big pull side power generated through a leveraged swing. In-game the load can get a little deep, with the swing length causing some issues with velocity, but the bat-to-ball ability and bat speed give hope that the Oregon commit will figure things out as he continues to log reps against quality arms. Behind the plate Jackson moves well side-to-side with and shows an ability to impact the game with his arm, clocking pops as low as 1.77 for me over the summer and routinely sitting in the 1.85 to 1.95 range with low, level lines on his throws. There’s work to be done, no doubt, but the San Diego prepster has the body and athleticism to grow into a solid receiver and defender. Should a team desire to shift him to a corner to expedite offensive development, he is athletic enough to handle right field and possesses more than enough arm. Jackson was a worthy recipient of the first annual Baseball Prospectus Prospect of the Year Award last August as an impressive athlete with a chance to grow into an impact bat at a premium defensive position. He currently profiles as a solid top half of the first round talent. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=22662
9-4-13 – Mack’s Mock Draft v1.0 – 30 – C Max Pentacost – Kennesaw State – Players earn their summer stripes in different ways and Pentacost earned his at the Cape Cod Games. He dominated offensively and was also named the Perfect Game College Summer Player of the Year. You can’t do better than that.
2-5-14 - Max Pentecost, C, Kennesaw State - If scouts believe Pentecost can stick behind the plate, he has an outside chance to go this high with a strong junior season. His offensive potential alone makes him a first round pick. He picked up MVP honors at the Cape Cod League after hitting .346 over 35 games with six home runs, 29 RBI and five stolen bases. He also drew 16 walks to 22 strikeouts, showing off a solid approach at the plate. The 6’-2”, 195 pound right-hander is a very good athlete who has been clocked at 6.8 in the 60. Over 57 games as a sophomore, he hit .302/.374/.410 with 14 doubles, three home runs and drew 22 walks to 27 strikeouts. More of a line-drive hitter right now, many believe more power is going to come. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-dark-horse-candidates-chicago-cubs-first-pick/41075#UeYBipV5rOuYd7xE.99
B/R – 11-21-13 - Kyle Schwarber, C/1B, Indiana - Possessing arguably the best raw power in the 2014 draft class, Kyle Schwarber is loaded with strength at 6’0”, 235 pounds—and it shows when he hits the ball. Furthermore, because he has a relative flat bat path and keeps the barrel in the zone for an extended period of time, he projects to hit for a decent average at the highest level. Even though he’s currently a catcher, Schwarber is adequate at best defensively, lacking the agility and athleticism needed to be a full-time regular in the majors. So while he’s likely ticketed for a career at first base, his potent bat has the potential to support the position change. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1860341-2014-mlb-mock-draft-early-first-round-projections-for-all-30-teams/page/10
1-27-14 – BP - Positional Preview: High School Catchers - Jakson Reetz | C/OF/RHP | Norris (Firth, NE) | Commit: Nebraska Height/Weight: 6-foot-1/195 pounds B/T: R/R Draft Day Age: 18y 5m Reetz is one of the better athletes in the draft class at the catcher position, and showed good growth in his game between June and October. The Nebraska commit is an instinctual player who has no trouble slowing the game down on both sides of the ball. Throughout the summer and fall Reetz showed a knack for squaring up pitches and effectively working the whole field. Perhaps most impressive was how strong he finished the long summer, with a monster August/September that included a standout performance for the gold medal USA Baseball 18U National Team, a loud Area Code Games, and MVP honors at the Perfect Game All-American Classic. He’ll enter the spring as the top draft prospect in the Cornhusker State. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=22662
11-19-13 - J.J. Schwarz (C) - High School: Palm Beach Gardens - I admit it. I took a look at this guy strictly because of his first initial and last name (J. Schwarz). However, upon further review, this 17-year-old University of Florida signee looks to have quite the potent bat with gap-to-gap power. Early reports from this summer’s East Coast Pro Showcase indicate that he has quite the arm as well–picking off two runners in a game. He was also a key performer on the Gold-medal winning 18-and-under Team USA squad at the World Cup. I am almost certain he will end up playing college ball at Florida instead of signing, but like I said, I just had to check out a guy with the same name as me. Here is a Baseball America video of Schwarz taking batting practice this summer. http://stlcupofjoe.com/2013/11/19/2014-mlb-draft-five-prospects-to-keep-an-eye-on-part-2/
9-29-13 – XMLBScout – 12.)C, Brett Austin, N C State, 6'0 195, S/R, a cannon for an arm and handles the dish as a fielder well, sub 2.0 pop times to 2b and can pick off runners that aren't alert when they least expect it, he's had some adjustments to make as a hitter in the collegiate ranks since leaving HS, but Brett shows some pop to the alleys and makes enough contact to be a 240-250 hitter at the ML level. 8-15 type HR power numbers will come in time, this kid will get there on his glove and arm alone as well as handling pitchers. 1-3 round type projection again in 2014. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/
1-27-14 – BP - Positional Preview: High School Catchers - Bryce Carter | C/OF/1B | Cascia Hall Prep (Tulsa, OK) | Commit: Stanford Height/Weight: 6-foot-1/195 pounds B/T: L/R Draft Day Age: 18y 9m Carter kicked off the summer with an impressive showing for the Vegas Gold squad at PG Nationals, making consistent loud contact including a hard home run over the Metrodome’s right field wall. He continued to show a good feel for the barrel throughout the summer and fall, and in particular at the Area Code Games in August. He brings to the plate a simple load, good leverage, and natural loft, producing easy power both oppo and pull. His well below-average straight-line speed makes first base the likely defensive fallback, but there’s enough to work with for him to get every opportunity to stick as a backstop. He currently profiles as a potential early round target. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=22662
1-27-14 – BP - Positional Preview: High School Catchers - Michael Rivera | C/3B | Venice (Venice, FL) | Commit: Florida Height/Weight: 5-foot-10/180 pounds B/T: R/R Draft Day Age: 18y 6m Rivera is a well-rounded catcher, showing fluid actions behind the plate, a feel for blocking and deadening the ball, and relatively quiet hands. His arm is adequate, playing up some when the transfer is at its cleanest, and the profile appears to be that of a catcher long term, albeit one with limited impact. Offensively it’s not a sexy package, but the Florida commit shows an ability to find the ball with the barrel despite some hitchiness and a swing that’s often too geared to pull. A good spring could push Rivera up draft boards as someone who grades out solid at a premium position but lacks the ceiling of some of his contemporaries. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=22662
2013 East Coast Pro Showcase Top 50 Prospects - 43. Handsome Monica – C, St. Paul’s (LA) HS - Has a serious power bat and showed good pop times at TOS and ECP. http://www.ninebaseball.org/Wordpress/sullys-top-50-ecp-prospects/
5-28-13 - Mark Zagunis, C/OF, Virginia Tech - One of the more athletic catchers you will find, the 6’-1”, 200-pound right-hander stole 17 bases in 22 attempts as a freshman. He also hit .344 with 13 doubles, five home runs, 34 RBI with a slash line of .430/.513/.943 over 49 games, striking out just 25 times. He has started the year out hitting .415 (22-for-53) for the Hokies with five doubles, a home run, 14 RBI and six stolen bases. It remains to be seen if he will stick at catcher or end up in a corner outfield position. His bat and athleticism will find a way into a lineup at the next level. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft/29840#fm24otWuYCEocLQZ.99
No comments:
Post a Comment