4/27/14

Draft 14 – Luis Ortiz, Jackson Reetz, Chris Ellis, Mike Papi, Brandon Downes



2-3-14 – MaxPreps - Top 10 MLB Draft Prospects in high school - 10. Luis Ortiz, Sanger (Calif.) When it comes to postseason awards, Ortiz did not win many last spring, earning honorable mention all-area by the Fresno Bee. However he made his presence felt during the summer. The 6-3, 210-pound pitcher was the tournament MVP for Team USA 18U at the World Cup and helped the United States win the gold medal. He also pitched well in the Breakthrough Series, pitching two no-hit innings with four strikeouts. The scouts like his fastball, that reaches 93-95 mph, and his slider, which is in the 80-83 range. Look for Ortiz to go late in the first round. http://www.maxpreps.com/news/B41AzcsA90iOL5xwFL8T7Q/top-10-major-league-baseball-draft-high-school-prospects.htm

3-25-14 – 10.  Jackson Reetz, Nebraska HS  Height 6'1 Weight 195 DOB: 1/3/1996 R/R - - Reetz might fade but he might pick up some hype.  Played well for Team USA, always a big plus in my book.  A good runner, there are doubts (like most HS kids) if he can stick behind the plate.  Good hitter, with plenty of bulk to power up.  Interesting guy, and for whatever reason Oklahoma has all the B-ball hype over Nebraska, nice to see a kid from NE get some love. http://www.yougottalikethesekids.com/2014/03/ten-catchers-in-2014-mlb-draft.html

2-27-14 – TTF - 10 college players on the rise - Chris Ellis, RHP, Ole Miss (65) - A breakout candidate by several draft experts, the 6’-5”, 210 pound right-hander didn’t come in with much of a track record. As a sophomore, he posted a 5.57 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 16 K/11 BB over 21 innings. The stuff, however, has always been there, even if the results haven’t. He features a low/mid-90s fastball that he commands better in the low-90s. His change-up is much improved and he adds a solid curveball to round out a classic three-pitch mix. His size, stuff and command have him in talks for the first round and, this year, the results have been there. He tossed a five-hit shutout against Georgia State on Friday striking out four to no walks. He has now started the season with 15 shutout innings as he has become more of a pitcher then thrower. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-10-college-players-rise-2/41299#ldBBF8hRKzmaiy5H.99

3-5-14 – TTF - 10 college players on the rise — week 3  - Mike Papi, OF, Virginia (54) - You don’t see too many 6’-3”, 230 pound first basemen batting leadoff. Over his last four games at the top of the order, Papi has flourished in that spot. He has gone 5-for-9 with a home run, three RBI and has drawn seven walks to no strikeouts. For the season, he is now hitting .405/.560/.622 with two doubles, two home runs and he has drawn 12 walks to just three strikeouts. He put his name on the map after hitting .381/.517/.619 over 176 at-bats as a sophomore with 45 walks to just 25 strikeouts. Arguably one of the better hitters in the 2014 MLB draft, there will be a lot of pressure put on his bat if he is relegated to first base. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-week-3/41478#ilZqhEaASo2Kkjik.99


3-4-14 - Brandon Downes (CF) - The star of Friday’s game -– he ripped two homers off of Jeff Hoffman – is another guy to watch out for in the early rounds come June. The right-handed hitting Downes showed playable bat speed and impressed with his ability to drop and pull the bat head down and in and still spank velocity. Despite simple, toe-tapping footwork, Downes looks like he’s going to swing and miss some because of some hand-eye and head movement issues, something we saw more of on Saturday. He’s an average runner –- 4.27 from the right side – who plays a pretty good center field. If a club thinks he can stick –- I’m cautiously optimistic about it, though I don’t think he’s elite there or anything – then he’ll be an early draft pick. He has a fringe-average regular ceiling for me, likely a fourth outfielder type. http://prospectinsider.com/scouting-derek-fisher-uva-prospects

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