4/21/14

Draft 14 – Michael Cederoth, Kyle Schwarber, Chris Ellis, Cobi Johnson, Matt Imhof



2-26-14 - During his sophomore season last year, Michael Cederoth made 15 appearances — all starts, going 3-9 with a 4.25 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 95.1 innings. He held opponents to a .213 batting average. but walked 48 batters. “It’s almost better for us to just put him in the closer’s role where he can go an inning and you have a chance to use him all three days.” Cederoth has three relief appearances since the switch. Against Loyola Marymount last Tuesday, he walked the first batter, got a double play and then recorded a strikeout. http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2014/02/25/san-diego-state-closer-michael-cederoth-reliever/

3-25-14 – 3.  Kyle Schwarber, Indiana, Height: 6'0", Weight: 230 DOB: 3/5/1993 L/R - Lefty bat, Schwarber is going to get a lot of hype, maybe more than Pentecost.  He might have a better power profile than Max, maybe among the leaders in the class.  But he may not stick at C, he isn't a premium athlete, so you're looking at a move most likely to 1B, and then the bat really has to play.  Still, dingerz attract attention.  Quick!  When does Seattle pick again? There aren't nearly the same number of hyped HS catchers this year.  HS catchers tend to be hyped and then fade at draft-time.  A lot go to school.  I think this was one factor for John Riley - he had to compete not only with classmates but the new HS guys 3 years later, to try and get into the top 200.  The Giants offered the cashish to get in that area, and its a done deal.  Not everybody is going in the top 15, there is too much competition.  For whatever reason, the catchers get weeded out a bit more fiercely. This year there is a lack of hyped HS guys. 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  

2-11-14 – PG/Florida HS Dream Team – Best Command: Cobi Johnson, Sr. James W. Mitchell - Johnson’s father, Dane, is a pitching coordinator for the Toronto Blue Jays, and he has passed his knowledge on to his son, Cobi. The younger Johnson has a knack for getting and staying ahead of hitters, and fills up the strike zone with all of his pitches. He shows plus control of his fastball in the lower half of the zone, which he is able to execute thanks to using his 6-foot-4 frame to generate sharp downhill plane. He also has a strong feel for his plus hammer curveball, which he throws in any count. http://perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9372


2-21-14 – Project Insider -  Perhaps the best pitching matchup of the weekend is in L.A. where Cal Poly lefty Matt Imhof and UCLA ace James Kaprielian (class of 2015) face off at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Imhof is considered a Day 1 possibility but more likely an early Day 2 prospect — which is to say round 2 or so. He fanned 14 last Friday versus Kansas State. http://prospectinsider.com/draft-prospect-watch-hoffman-vs-fisher   

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