2015 Draft Profile - SS/2B - Alex Bregman - LSU

5-20-14  -  Alex Bregman, SS, LSU - I have been enamored with Bregman for years and would love to see him wearing a Cubs uniform someday. Aside from his talents, he is an extremely high-character kid with great instincts for the game, and he is a leader in every sense of the word. He is an alumni of Team USA Baseball and always seems to come through in the clutch. As a freshman, he hit .369/.417/.546 over 67 games with 18 doubles, seven triples, six home runs and stole 16 bases. He drew 24 walks to just 25 strikeouts, showing an advanced approach at the plate. This year, he is hitting .292/.374/.420 with 12 doubles, five home runs, 11 stolen bases and has drawn 24 walks to just 19 strikeouts through 55 games. He has all the tools to stick at shortstop, but even if he moves over to second base, his offensive potential and intangibles are what have him in talks for 1.1. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2015-mlb-draft-25-players/42946#KfGGhgC2ZcQbdBfh.99

As a slight, high school freshman, Bregman drilled a ball well out of Albuquerque’s Isotopes Park—the Triple-A home of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ top farm team—during the 2009 high school state championship game. It was a thunderclap of a statement from Bregman that while young, he could play with the big boys.... so after a season in which Bregman hit .369 while leading the Tigers in hits (104, second in the country), triples (seven), doubles (18) and steals (16 of 17) while adding six homers and 52 RBIs, it was no surprise that Bregman earned Baseball America’s Freshman of the Year award. http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/college-freshman-of-the-year-alex-bregman/ 

Draft 15 – Alex Bregman, Daz Cameron, Kyle Molnar, David Hearne, Kyle Funkhouser

7-17-13 –  Alex Bregman, 2B, LSU: Bregman is a polished hitter who saw time at 2B and played the position well.  He's a good athlete who runs pretty well but it's all about the bat with Bregman.  He has a nice approach at the plate.  He's quick and short to the ball, showing  good bat speed.  Bregman squared the ball up consistently in both games and looks like he should have average power despite his smallish size (5'11", 185 lbs). http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2013/07/looking-ahead-to-the-2014-and-2015-mlb-draft-notes-from-the-collegiate-national-team-games/

 

9-3-13 - Daz Cameron has people excited for the 2015 Draft already. I’m probably his biggest fan already and that’s really for 2 reasons. Georgia talent seems to have a soft spot in my heart and the kid can flat out rake. The question is will it be enough to be considered the best over names like Clint Frazier and Austin Meadows or 1 year earlier Byron Buxton who’s pretty much the consensus #1 prospect in baseball. http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2013/09/02/daz-cameron-will-he-be-the-best-out-of-georgia/

 

Todd Gold ‏@TGold_PG  - 2015 RHP/OF Kyle Molnar (Aliso Viejo, CA) topped at 92 & added promising SL

 

9-9-13 – Top 10 Far West League Prospects - 2. David Hearne, rhp, Redding (So., Notre Dame) - Hearne made nine starts and 21 appearances for the Irish in the spring, going 1-2, 4.70 with 36 strikeouts and 14 walks in 44 innings as a true freshman. He’s a 6-foot-4, 195-pounder who stood out for his advanced feel of the strike zone, posting a 33-5 strikeout-walk ratio in 29 innings. Hearne’s fastball ranges from 89-93 mph with decent life, and he pairs it with a hard 76-78 mph curveball. He wasn’t a big name coming out of Providence Catholic (Ill.) High, but he has turned into a very good prospect with first-day draft potential in 2015, according to one scout. http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/far-west-league-top-10-prospects/

9-10-13 – Top Arms in 2013 Cape Cod League - Kyle Funkhouser 6-3/205, Chatham Anglers 13 IP, 21 K, 4.15 ERA: FB 91-95 CB 79-81 SL 82-83 CH 86-87 -  He has “wow” stuff, and the 1.6 K/9 should speak for itself. Kyle can attack hitters anyway he wants. With his four pitch mix, I am shocked that he wasn’t in a starting rotation this summer. Louisville should give him a chance to work into games, and see how he develops. I think he is strong enough and has the raw stuff to succeed as a starter. http://bullpenbanter.com/2013-all-cape-team-pitchers/

Draft 15 – Alex Bregman, Michael Hickman, Will Neely, Bryan Scheker, Cody Morris

7-21-13 - Cuba’s Norge Ruiz dominated his first time through the order, striking out five of the first nine batters faced. The second time through the order got off to a strong start for Team USA as Trea Turner (NC State) opened the fourth with a base hit to left center. LSU’s Alex Bregman followed with a base knock to give Team USA a pair of base runners. With one out and runners on the corners, Michael Conforto (Oregon State) broke the scoreless tie with a sacrifice fly to left. http://ht.ly/2yvWIz

 

6-12-13 - Todd Gold ‏@TGold_PG  - 2015 C/1B Michael Hickman (Katy, TX) just crushed a HR to RCF on a rope that left the Metrodome in a hurry. PGJrNational

 

Jheremy Brown ‏@JBrownPG  - 2015 RHP Will Neely (Knoxville, TN) working 88-90 with a lot of 90's. Fast, whippy arm from a L 3/4 with tight slider and feel for change

 

7-14-13 - A few top players we are tracking at the PW Finals in Port St. Lucie, FL thus far that are 2014 grads or YOUNGER.  Still plenty more to come! - (2) Bryan Scheker (2015, OF) All American Prospects - Physical, projectable build. Strong quick hands with above average power. http://prospectwire.com/pw/article.php?id=440

 

7-21-13 - John Whittle ‏@johnmwhittle  - Big, big news for Gamecocks baseball. Class of 2015 RHP Cody Morris (@TheMorrisCode25) committed. Had offers from a who’s who of schools.

Draft Notes 5-26-12 – Sam Selman, Alex Bregman, Richard Stock, Judah Akers

 Sam Selman

Starting pitcher Sam Selman continued the Commodores’ Houdini act of escaping trouble at the SEC Tournament… The Commodores (32-25) extended their season-high winning streak to eight games and ended a seven-game skid against the Gators (41-17) dating to the 2011 regular season. Selman stranded nine runners — five in scoring position — over six innings of shutout work while throwing 120 pitches. He struck out the last batter in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to squander Florida opportunities each time. He struck out Gators’ No. 9 hitter Josh Tobias three times. Selman (9-3) improved to 9-0 in his past 10 outings (eight starts), a remarkable stretch that has seen the left-hander post a miniscule 1.03 ERA.

 Alex Bregman

Alex Bregman: C, Albequerque Academy, 5'11", 185, R/R A tireless worker, Bregman was being heavily scouted before breaking his finger fielding a ground ball early in the 2012 season. Bregman, an LSU signee, played both shortstop and catcher for his high school, though profiles long term behind the dish. He has played mainly infield throughout his career with both Team USA and in school, but many predict that his athleticism and quick release will allow him to stick behind the plate. His bat will play at either position, though positional scarcity at shortstop and catcher make him even more valuable there. A good runner, Bregman ran a 6.82 60 yard dash at Perfect Game and his speed and athleticism show in the field, no matter his position. At the plate, he shows surprising power for a guy his size and squares the ball up consistently. A solid all-around player, even without a defensive home, Bregman presents an interesting profile for Major League teams. The broken finger certainly came at an unfortunate time and makes him a bit of a wild card come draft day, but there may be a few teams still willing to take the risk on Bregman early thanks to his power bat and athleticism.

            Mack projection – Bregman was a 4-5^th round pick as a catcher, but has been projected as high as a 3^rd rounder as a second baseman. Then, he went down with a relatively minor ijury. I’d say he’s back in the 4^th round range.

Richard Stock

Nebraska JR C Richard Stock: plus arm; plus raw power; good athlete; has gone from USC to LA Pierce JC to Nebraska; value comes as catcher, so if he is forced to play predominantly first base then he’s in trouble; notes from Stock’s prep days: “has elicited Fred McGriff comps with his setup and swing; in a class of ridiculously hard throwers, Stock’s arm is on the short list of the strongest; gets sloppy behind plate due to overreliance on his pure arm strength; sloth-level speed; unfairly graded down because of struggles of his older brother, Robert”; 6-2, 185 pounds

Mack projection – A definite third day choice. 

 Judah Akers

JUDAH AKERS -  Belmont … 1B … Jr.  Cookeville, TN … 5-hole … bats: R  Singled and scored to force extra inning in bottom of 9th and then stroked game-winning single in the 15th (despite facing a desperation 5-infielder aliggnment), ending 4-3 marathon game in Atlantic Sun Tournament vs. dangerous 6-seed and host team Stetson (which owns the top RPI of any A-Sun team) … showed his hitting prowess by going with first pitch in bottom of the 9th, sending opposite-field single into right field and ultimately scoring with 2-outs for 3-3 game … added another late-game hit in 13th (2-out single) and then won game in the 15th, with single up the middle to score Drew Turner … second on team with .326 batting avg. (33 RBI, 16 doubles, 3 HR).

Draft 2012: - Kevin Gausman, Nick Williams, Alex Bregman, Tony Bucciferro

12-2-11: - http://mlbdraftcountdown.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/2012-mlb-mock-draft-updated-top-15-with-final-mlb-standings - 13) Chicago White Sox: Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU  The White Sox have some of the worst starting pitching depth in baseball, arguably the worst. As such, it wouldn’t be a total surprise to see them go after a premium arm in the upcoming 2012 draft. LSU right-hander Kevin Gausman has the potential to be a top 10 pick in 2012, thanks not only to his velocity and developing secondary pitches, but also to his very prototypical pitcher’s body. At 6’4″ and 185 pounds, he still has plenty of room to add some more weight (increasing his durability and stamina). Another season of pitching in college baseball’s toughest conference should give him all the seasoning he needs to make the jump to pro ball.

http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2011/12/top-twelve-high-school-position-players/#more-602 3. Nick Williams / OF / Galveston Ball HS (LA): The word “raw” gets thrown out there for a lot of high-school athletes, but at this point it’d be harder to find a more raw player than Williams. The left-handed hitting outfielder has outstanding speed and arm-strength, with raw power and a short, compact swing, but that hasn’t necessarily shown up in games. If you’re looking for a high risk, high reward talent, Nick Williams is your man.

Alex Bregman is a player who Baseball America called “scrappy” and who has been praised for his leadership and intangibles. Sounds like a Rays player already! Bregman also happens to be a very good prospect. Bregman has a swift, fluid swing that he uses to spray line drives all over the field. But one he’s ahead in the count or in situations when his team needs a home run, Bregman often uses a longer stroke that he uses to hit for good power, especially for a player his size. That stroke especially comes into play because Bregman has a good eye and is very good at working the count.With his beautiful swing and great plate discipline, it’s hard to imagine him not being a .300 hitter with a .370 OBP in the big leagues, and he seems like a 15-20 homer threat as well. Bregman was a shortstop most of his high school career before recently being converted to catcher. One of the reasons he was converted was that he’s pretty slow, averaging a 6.9 in the 60 (think a tick under 4.6 in the 40). He does have good reflexes, leading scouts to believe that he could survive defensively at second base as a pro, but there’s no chance he’ll be a shortstop. As a catcher, Bregman has good motions, but his arm is average at best. Bregman seems like he has the tools to be a solid defensive catcher, but he’ll never throw out too many attempted basestealers. http://rayscoloredglasses.com/2011/12/21/taking-an-early-look-at-the-catchers-in-the-2012-mlb-draft-part-1

 We continue the countdown today at number 34 with Michigan State senior RHP Tony Bucciferro. The Joliet, Illinois native attended Minooka Community High School. His high school career saw him go 21-1 with an ERA of 1.50 in two years on the varsity squad. As a freshman in 2009, he went a respectable 5-2 with a 3.55 ERA in 71.0 innings of work. He struck out a team-high 61 while walking just 12 while being named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team. In his sophomore season in 2010, he became the Spartans number 3 starter going 7-5 with a 5.08 ERA while having a team high two shutouts. Tony was second on the team and 10th in the conference with 88.2 innings pitched, which also ranked 10th most in an MSU single-season.  http://ht.ly/1gl4u9

Draft 2012: - Matt Smoral, Alex Bregman, Lance McCullers Jr,, Eric Anderson, Carlos Correa

10-11-11: - http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/455/prep-arms-the-difference-in-class-of-2012  - Matt Smoral, LHP -- Solon (Solon, Ohio) Smoral may be the pitching prospect with the most room to climb up the charts thanks to his 6-foot-8, 230-pound frame and low-90s fastball. Scouts believe there is more in the tank in terms of velocity and he also uses a fringe-average slider and is becoming more comfortable with his changeup. Smoral, a North Carolina commit, isn't likely to see Chapel Hill since left-handers with plus heaters and projectable bodies don't last long in the draft. Smoral could land in the top 10.

10-16-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/10/16/alex-bregman-2012-draft-profile  - Alex Bregman has been on the 2012 draft radar for quite a while.  In 2010, Bregman became the first youth player ever named the USA Baseball Player of the Year.  Past recipients of the award include Stephen Strasburg, Ryan Zimmerman, and Ben Sheets.  He followed up his strong showing in 2010, by participating in the Perfect Game All-American Classic and being named to the USA Baseball 18U National Team in 2011. Bregman is an extremely advanced hitter for his age.  He has a good approach and shows good plate discipline.  He is relaxed at the plate and has an easy line drive swing.  Bregman has plus bat speed.  He squares up the ball well.  He has surprising power and hits to all fields.  60 times for Bregman range from 6.8 to 7.0.

10-18-11: - http://www.rantsports.com/blog/2011/10/18/2012-mlb-mock-draft-update-heading-into-the-world-series  - 4. Baltimore Orioles Lance McCullers Jr. Pitcher Tampa Jesuit High School Florida The Orioles need to add another pitching prospect.  Their rotation has no identity.  Lance McCullers Jr. could develop into a #1 pitcher. When most 2012 MLB Mock Drafts started Lance McCullers Jr. was the clear cut #1 overall pick.  This changed because McCuller’s lacked the size.  McCuller’s has pinpoint accuracy on his pitches along with deadly velocity for a starter.  Lance McCullers Jr. still looks like a stone cold lock to get drafted in the top 5 even if he took himself out of contention for that top pick.

10-20-11: - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/10/20/top-100-countdown-85-eric-anderson-missouri  - We continue the countdown today at number 85 with Missouri junior righthanded pitcher Eric Anderson. The Highlands Ranch, Colorado native attended Mountain Vista High School where he was a perfect 10-0 with an ERA of 1.71 and 89 strikeouts as a senior. In his high school career, he went 15-1 with an era of 2.80 while striking out 122 batters. As a freshman in 2010, he made 10 appearances (nine starts) while going 1-4 with a 5.74 ERA in 42.1 innings. He struck out 31 batters while walking 16 before having his season cut short due to an injury. Anderson’s sophomore season saw him go 3-0 with a 4.93 ERA in eleven appearances (nine starts). He walked 16 batters and struck out 26 on the year. He made two appearances with the USA Collegiate National Team in the summer of 2011. He went a perfect 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA. He struck out 7 batters while walking two. He also made two starts with the Falmouth Commodores giving up two runs in 12 innings.

10-21-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6343  - Rodriguez is encouraged by the number of top-notch Puerto Rican pitching prospects that are here this weekend, including right-handers Edwin Diaz on Team Mizuno Puerto Rico and Jose Orlando Berrios on the Florida Legends Scout Team.  Middle infielders Carlos Correa (PRBAHS) and Jesmuel Valentin Diaz (PRBAHS) and catchers Tomas Nido (Cardinal Scout Team/FTB Mizuno) and Wilfredo Rodriguez (PRBAHS) are the top-ranked position players. Correa stands a rung ahead of the rest. A student at PRBAHS, the primary shortstop is ranked the nation’s No. 7 overall prospect and No. 1 at his position. He has entertained collegiate offers from Miami, Florida State, Liberty and Vanderbilt, among others, but is yet to verbally commit. It seems certain he will be a first round draft pick. Outfielder Reymond Fuentes was the last player selected in the first round of the draft to come straight out of a Puerto Rico high school when he was taken 28th overall by the Red Sox in 2009.

Draft 2012: - Travis Jankowski, Byron Buxton, Alex Bregman, Kevin Connolly, Walker Weickel

7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments  - Travis Jankowski, Stony Brook, 6’3 195 R/R, kind of player that grows on you, makes solid contact and runs very well, 6’5, 60 guy with plus arm strength, and raw strength to add more HR power once in pro ball. Sleeper to go in top 3 rounds in 2012.

8-15-11: - http://www.draftsite.com/article/High-School-Names-to-Know/94  - Byron Buxton – OF HT-6’3’’ WT-175 Appling County (GA) The 2012 class is showing itself to be slightly deeper than assumed and this is another sleeper in this class. Byron Buxton’s name has been shooting up boards towards the end of the summer. His breakout event was the East Coast Professional Showcase this year. He showed he could be a true five tool talent – he can also pitch and has hit 94 MPH, showcasing his strong arm. An outstanding athlete, his East Coast Showcase performance has made some scouts call Buxton a version of Justin Upton with more useable speed. That is high praise and makes Buxton a top name to watch.

8-24-11: - diamondscapescouting.  - Alex Bregman (mif, Albuquerque Acad., Albuquerque, N.M.) put together one of the more impressive at bats of the two-game series, working Ryne Stanek (rhp, Univ. of Arkansas) to a full count before squaring a lively fastball for a hard single. Bregman's at bat highlighted the utility of matching these top high school bats against college arms -- evaluators can get a look at how these prep talents approach more advanced arms.

8-28-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6178  - It’s not often that a young prospect’s first experience with a Perfect Game event comes on what is arguably PG’s biggest stage. Guess it’s safe to say top outfield prospect Kevin Connolly doesn’t think small. Connolly, a 6-1, 185-pound senior at Omaha Creighton Prep, was at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium – home of the Class A Midwest League Cedar Rapids Kernels – Saturday to participate in the 13th annual Perfect Game Midwest Top Prospect Showcase. The PG Midwest Underclass is being held in conjunction with the Midwest Top Saturday and Sunday. A right-handed hitter, Connolly is Perfect Game’s No. 1-ranked prospect in the state of Nebraska and the 285th nationally. He received a favorable scouting report and a 9.5 rating (out of a possible 10) at the National, and was hoping to ratchet his rating up to a perfect 10 this weekend. He took part in the outfield throw workout Saturday morning, and took BP and played in a game Saturday afternoon.

7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments  - Walker Weickel, Olympia HS, Orlando Fl, 6’6 195, top 15 candidate for 2012 MLB Draft, up to 93 this spring, not real overpowering but is deceptive and is unhittable when breaking ball is on, comes at you slightly cross his body from H 3/4 slow, can fill out to 220 in time.

Draft 2012: - Steven Ewing, Darrell Miller, Duane Underwood, Victor Roache, Alex Bregman

Steven Ewing:


7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments  - Steven Ewing, Miami, 6’2 225, must watch weight and fights across his body from H 3/4 slot, fb up to 91, most are upper 80’s with life and changes speeds off fb and cb well, command is key, throws lots of pitches and nibbles but gets K on occ, groundball guy mostly.


Darrell Miller:


8-12-11: - http://www.prospectwire.com/pw/article.php?id=290  - I also liked Darrell Miller (6'2" 200, R/R, Yorba Linda, CA) mostly because he is a tremendous receiver, with strong, soft hands that just seemed to eat up the pitch and stop it in it's tracks. He sits really well behind the plate and presents a great target too. His actions are quiet and small. Offensively I think he will struggle more than Saylor but he has a little power and he generally has a pretty short swing with some strength in it.


Duane Underwood:


8-12-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/AllAmerican/News.aspx?num=6123  – Duane Underwood continues to establish himself as one of the top rising right-handers in the 2012 class. He throws incredibly easy, touching 95 in the scrimmage while sitting at 93-94 with a 76 mph curveball and a low-80s changeup.


Victor Roache:


8-14-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/08/10/the-good-the-disappointing-from-the-cape  - Victor Roache, OF/1B, Georgia Southern- Roache had an great sophomore season at Georgia Southern, with a .326/.438/.778 with 30 home runs. He was named to muliple All-American teams, including Baseball America and Louisville Slugger. I was very interested to see how Roache would handle the competition at the Cape. If this summer was a test, Roache passed, easily. He looked like a possible triple crown winner for a while and finished with a .316/.467/.537 line, leading the Cape with a 1.004 OPS. After being named the CCBL’s Outstanding Pro Prospect, Roache’s place near the top of the first round appears secure.


Alex Bregman:


7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments  - Alex Bregman, Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque NM, 5’11 180, R/R, gamer with fair arm strength, best tools are quick bat, bat speed & strength and ability to square up ball with the bat, occ power to LF alley, 4.38 runner from RH side, could move to 2b or LF. Competitor!