Draft 13 – Phillip Ervin, Dustin Driver, Kohl Stewart, J.B. Woodman, Clint Frazier

I like Phillip Ervin a lot. Is it crazy to suggest that he’s a little teeny tiny bit like the college version of everybody’s favorite high school hitter, Clint Frazier? Both are praised for, in order, their 1) electric bat speed, 2) well-rounded overall skill sets, 3) above-average arm strength (pre-injury for Frazier), 4) picture perfect pro-ready swings, 5) above-average speed on the base paths, and 6) advanced pitch recognition skills. The main concern for both is that they are maxed-out physically. Additionally, both can hack it in center (Ervin more than Frazier), but profile best defensively in right field (again, assuming Frazier’s bum arm bounces back in time). This is all far too simplistic a comparison and I’m clearly not taking into account the crucially important differences in their hair, but you can kind of see how the two share some things if you keep an open mind, right? link

Dustin Driver, RHP, Wenatchee HS (WA) - One of the better power arms among prep players in the 2013 MLB draft, the 6’-2”, 200-pound right-hander may still be available when the Cubs pick at 41. If he is available, he has frontline stuff headlined by a low/mid-90s fastball that maintains velocity deep into games with good sink. He also adds an above-average change-up and a developing curveball. His delivery is clean and easy and he is very aggressive on the mound, attacking hitters inside and out. Committed to UCLA. link

If 1-3 are Appel, Gray, Manaea, what do the Twins do? Can't take Bryant since he'd be sent to high A where Sano is playing third. I'm not sure they'd want to take another OF but I don't know if the 4th best pitcher is a better option. - Jim Callis: Don’t think Manaea goes No. 3 right now. But if that did happen, I might take Kohl Stewart at No. 4.

J.B. Woodman, OF, Edgewater HS (FL) - A two-sport star, the 6’-2” left-hander’s future may be brighter on the diamond as he has shown an advanced bat with pop this season. Over 26 games, he is hitting .571 with nine doubles, three home runs, 29 RBI and has stolen 19 bases. He has also drawn 18 walks to just six strikeouts for a .660 OBP/.831 SLG. With his strong arm — he has been clocked at 91 mph from the outfield — along with his speed (6.6/60), he should be able to remain at centerfield. He projects as a leadoff-type hitter. Committed to Ole Miss. link

Why Clint Frazier should be the top pick: "He is a dangerous hitter every time he walks into the box. He has that potential, that swing, that strength, that loft, that aggressive approach to change the game with one swing of the bat. He can hit balls out of Yellowstone Park. It's advanced high school power. Between the two, he's the closest of being a sure pick to hit you 30 home runs. With his arm, he could stay in center field, but I'd like him in right field. Runners won't take the extra base on him." - link

Draft 13 – Aaron Judge, Corey Simpson, Clint Frazier, Collin Moran

Aaron Judge, OF, Fresno State - Over his last 17 games, the 6’-7” right-hander has gone 28-for-66 (.424) with seven doubles, a triple, four home runs and has stolen five bases. He has also drawn 10 walks for a .500 OBP/.742 SLG. He is now hitting .347/.434/.597 over 37 games. His long swing leads to a lot of strikeouts but the power potential is scary with his size.  link

Dan Kirby  @DanMKirby 

Sweeny HS (TX) 6'-3" 220 lb C- Corey Simpson over 24 G: .578 w/ 11 2B, 10 HR, 16 BB/5 K, .659 OBP/1.183 SLG. Possible #Cubs target

The Player: Clint Frazier (OF, Loganville High School) – Hit .424 with 24 home runs, 55 runs scored, 58 RBI, 14 steals and 31 walks as a junior in 2012. Broke Brandon Moss’ single season school record for RBI and home runs and also set the school mark for runs scored. Already owns the career home run mark at Loganville and has almost doubled Moss’ previous school best. As of April 8th, Frazier was hitting .561 with 11 home runs so far this season. - link

Collin Moran - Contact/Approach - You won't see too many "grip and rip" hitters at North Carolina, and Moran is no exception. He has plus pitch recognition and a line drive swing that should allow him to hit for a high average as a professional. Power - Moran's power was a major question mark coming into the year, but he's turned it on this season. If he had to move to first, his power production would probably be below-average, but at the hot corner he should get enough extra-base hits. link

Draft 13 – Jonah Wesely, Kris Bryant, Casey Shane, Brett Morales, Clint Frazier

Jonah Wesely, LHP, Tracy HS (CA) - On April 18, the 6’-2” southpaw tossed a no-hitter, striking out 18 over seven innings. He had struck out 11 to no walks over five shutout innings in his previous start and is hitting his stride as the season goes on. Overall, he now has 80 K/16 BB over 44 innings, allowing 23 hits. He features a low/mid-90s fastball with late life and one of the best curveballs in the 2013 MLB draft. A high baseball IQ and great mound presence make him one of the better prep arms available. Committed to UCLA. link

Dan Kirby ‏@DanMKirby

San Diego 3B Kris Bryant has 5 HR and 10 BB over his last 6 games, mostly from the leadoff spot. Leads nation with 20 HR

Centennial HS (TX) 6'-4" RHP Casey Shane had 7 K over 3 shutout IP on Saturday. Now has 67 K/6 BB (18.7 K/9), 17 H over 32.1 IP

King HS (FL) RHP Brett Morales' last start: 6 IP, 0 ER, 1H, 13 K/1 BB. Now has 0.62 ERA, 83 K/18 BB, 27 H over 58 IP.

Clint Frazier 2-for-4 w/ SB. Now hitting .520 over 25 games w/ 3 2B, 3 3B, 13 HR, 37 RBI, 16 SB, .611 OBP/1.143 SLG

Draft 13 – Eric Dorsch, Austin Meadows, Clint Frazier, Dominic Smith, Logan Koch

Hey Keith, Mark Appell still 1-1 for you? do any of the prep bats have a chance of moving into that slot in your mind?

Klaw (Keith Law) – Still 1-1, yes, but with the caveat that the gap between him and Manaea/Stanek is small.


Kendall Rogers‏ – @KendallRogersPG –

Keep an eye on Kent State R-So RHP Eric Dorsch. Stricklin compared him to Jeff Nelson a bit. Big frame, up to 93-94 this fall. Stricklin said Dorsch had the best fall of any pitcher.



Scouts compare Austin Meadows, a five-tool phenom, to Josh Hamilton. As a junior this past season, Meadows put up the following numbers: .390 AVG, 4 HR, 28 RBI, 19 SB. Austin was a member of the USA 16U team, hitting a superb .537 AVG, 1 HR, 28 RBI, 6 SB, over 8 games. In the NFL, scouts time 40-yd dashes; in baseball, scouts time 60-yd dashes. The average 60-yd dash time for MLB players is 6.6; Meadows is at 6.31. – http://www.sportsagentblog.com/2013/01/01/is-austin-meadows-the-next-josh-hamilton/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IWantToBeASportsAgent+%28SportsAgentBlog.com+-+Sports+Agent+News%29

(Mack – baring some major injury, Meadows will be the first outfielder chosen in the draft, regardless of how well others like Stanford’s Austin Wilson or Loganville HS (GA) Clint Frazer plays. He’s a rare talent that comes around once a draft and, the only reason he won’t be picked first overall is the fact that this draft is pitcher thin and Houston, Colorado, and Chicago (Cubs) will be tempted to scoop up the likes of Stanford’s Mark Appel, Arkansas’ Ryne Stanek and Indiana State’s Sean Manaea.)



I continue my series of talking with some of the games finest players going into the preparation portion of their pre-season. I threw out the following question: What are you doing specifically at this point in the pre-season to get ready for what probably will be the most important baseball year in your young life?”


Loganville High School (GA) OF Clint Frazier, projected by some to be the first outfielder chosen in the draft this June was very focused with his response: “Beating the competition – I’m not satisfied with anything that I’ve done, so anything & everything I do this spring will be based off everyone else in the country & what I can do to beat them in what I put my mind towards this upcoming season.”

Observation: No one benefited from the summer leagues more than Frazier. An outstanding arm from centerfield that was clocked at 98. Has some of the most powerful hands in baseball and still has room to grow when it comes to using his lower body in his swing. I easily have him as one of the top five overall picks, though I do have Austin Meadows as the first outfielder chosen in the draft.


Serra HS (CA) 1B Dominic Smith has quietly pushed himself into the position as the projected 1st first baseman to be drafted come June and he told me about his logical approach to training: “Well for me, I’ve just continued to work hard every day like I’ve been doing since I started playing this game. This is an important time in our young careers, but a lot of top guys forget this is the same game we’ve been playing since we were kids. So they press and try too hard, or try to do too much instead of play their game like they’ve done in the past when the spotlight wasn’t on them. I’m personally going to continue my workouts with my high school and extra personal workouts to get me faster and stronger and ultimately in the best shape I can be in to compete against older guys in the system. I know it will take a lot of hard work and it’s a grind. If it was easy everyone would do it, but I’m up for the challenge. I’m going to take it one day at a time and remind myself it’s a child’s game and is supposed to be fun. So I’m just preparing myself for a long year!”

Observation: Outstanding power hitting lefty who also sits at 91-92, so you decide what position you want to draft him at. Had himself quite the summer which has helped propel him up the mocks. I have him in the supplemental first round.



Lastly for this posting, South Mechlenburg HS (NC) catcher, Logan Koch, told me: “Mack, in the winter months I work on my throwing by focusing on arm strength. In the offseason I throw a little less but do more long toss. During the season I work a lot on accuracy too. I think this is the most overlooked skill. I also do a lot of hand-eye drills like “short hop” to keep my glove sharp. Even though I’m a catcher I also field a lot of ground balls indoors. It’s great for quickness, footwork and conditioning all in one. During the offseason I work with a trainer to improve my core strength and gain power. My conditioning work is focused on technique so I don’t injure myself while trying to gain strength. I like the ropes and other training tools. I don’t just lift free weights. I also work on my mental preparation that way I’m ready for the opportunities that come my way. I surround myself with people who have a positive attitude. There’s no place for negative thoughts in baseball.”

Observation: Koch is very projectable and has plenty of room to grow stronger. Outstanding defensive skills and started to show some pop last season. Signed with Sooth Caroline; however, will be tempted to sign with a team that will probably draft him on the first day of the draft.

2013 Draft-Notes - Clint Frazier, Ian Clarkin, Lucas Giolito, Clint Frazier, Joe Donino

Clint Frazier  OF  Loganville (Ga.) HS  Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 190. B/T: R/R. Frazier possesses that rare power and speed combination. He is a plus runner with plus arm strength and the competitive nature scouts like to see. He has good raw power and can profile anywhere in the batting order as well as at all three outfield positions. He is verbally committed to Georgia. 


 

Player:  Ian Clarkin   Position:  LHP   School:  James Madison (CA)   Date of Birth:  2/14/1995   Height/Weight:  6’2/190   Bats/Throws:  L/L   2013 Class:  Senior   Committed To:  San Diego  Scouting Report:… http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2012/08/23/2013-mlb-draft-profile-ian-clarkin-2/  

Nationals first-round pick Lucas Giolito will undergo Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery, a diagnosis confirmed Wednesday when he received a second opinion from physician Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles. Yocum, the same doctor who operated on both Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann, will perform the surgery Aug. 31.  The Nationals drafted Giolito with the 16th overall pick and signed him at the deadline to a $2.925 million signing bonus. The Nationals chose Giolito, 18, with the expectation that he may need Tommy John surgery. He spent his senior high school season in Southern California rehabbing from a strained elbow ligament. wash post  

Player:  Clint Frazier   Position:  OF   School:  Loganville (GA)   Date of Birth:  9/6/1994   Height/Weight:  6’0/190   Bats/Throws:  R/R   2013 Class:  Senior   Committed To:  Georgia  Scouting Report:  Clint Frazier finishes the 2012 summer as, perhaps, the hottest name among players eligible for the 2013 MLB -Draft.  A legitimate 5 tool talent, he is a sure first rounder and likely a top 10 selection – more… BLF  

RHP Joe Donino, Columbia -- Donino put together a very solid summer at the Cal Ripken League. He made eight appearances (seven starts) and had a 4.15 ERA in 47 2/3 innings of work. He also struck out 50 and walked 34. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=7564

 

Prep Baseball Report‏ -  PA: Mitchell Machi (North Allegheny), impresses with all around skills at the Pennsylvania Top Prospect Classic… IN: Luke Hunter 2013 RHP from Norwell HS has committed to Taylor University. Hunter is a 6'2 190lb pitcher. He worked 79-83 this spring…

Kendall Rogers‏@KendallRogersPG -  More news: #OleMiss freshman, INF Chase Nyman (ranked 126 nationally) left Oxford. Headed to Chipola JC:

 

2013 Draft-Notes - Austin Meadows, Jonathan Denney, Clint Frazier, Chris Okey, Sean Manaea

 Austin Meadows OF Grayson HS Georgia- 5 tool talent who plays in a baseball rich environment. 6’3 athletic OF who swings LH. Great baseball body who projects as a mid order bat with speed. pinetar

 

Jonathan Denney  C/IF  Yukon (Okla.) HS  Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 205. B/T: R/R.  Denney is a physical young catcher with outstanding defensive skills. He receives well and has a quick and efficient release on his throws. At the plate, he has serious raw power in a righthanded stroke with lift that should lead to solid power. 

Loganville High School senior Clint Frazier knows how much respect he will draw from the opposition when the 2013 prep baseball season rolls around. Frazier, a power-hitter who helped lead the Red Devils to the Class AAAA state title last spring, is rated the No. 1 prospect in the nation by virtually every publication. walton tribune 

Eustis senior catcher Chris Okey was named Tuesday as one of 20 players on the USA Baseball 18-and-under national team. It is the second year in a row he has made the 18-and-under national team after playing one year on the 16-and-under national team.

 

The list of past Outstanding Pro Prospect award winners for the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League, the top college summer wood bat league, is distinguished.  Robin Ventura, Mark Teixeira, Chuck Knoblauch, and Matt Wieters lead the way for the hitters, while Billy Wagner, Aaron Crow, Kip Wells, and Andrew Miller headline the pitchers (full list here, as well as analysis from the very amusing Carson Cistulli).  Out of the 19 hitters and 19 pitchers given the OPP, 27–14 hitters and 13 pitchers–reached the major leagues, a high percentage indeed.  This year, the winner of the Cape Cod League OPP was a rangy left-hander named Sean Manaea. SOS

Lucas Giolito will undergo Tommy John surgery next week

Prep Baseball Report‏ - Mitchell Machi (2014) very impressive sitting at 84-85 topping out at 86 mph.