Draft 13 – Nick Ciuffo, Caleb McClanahan, Colin Moran, Jonathan Gray

Nick Ciuffo, Lexington HS (SC) - Ciuffo is a strong offensive prospect, with solid pop and bat speed to go along with a good catcher’s build (6-1, 200). Ciuffo projects to hit for solid average as he makes really good contact and has strong plate discipline. In terms of receiving skills and arm strength, Ciuffo is one of the strongest catching prospects in this draft, but needs to refine those skills for better consistency. With proper development, Ciuffo should become an everyday starter with plus offensive ability and decent defensive tools. LINK

RHP Caleb McClanahan – Central Arkansas - Like Graveman, Caleb McClanahan is no stranger to Mississippi State, but he is also looking for a better outcome the second time around. He gave up two runs on three hits in 4.1 innings in the Bears lone loss to the Bulldogs. But if he pitches like he has multiple times this year, Mississippi State could find itself fighting through the loser’s bracket.  LINK

Jim Callis‏ @jimcallisBA -

Go get Gray & Manaea for $9.2 mil. @Biggio4HOF: Better deal for #astros... 1.1 Colin Moran 2.1 Manaea or 1.1 Gray 2.1 slot player ? #mlbdraft

There is a great chance that with the first overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft, the Houston Astros will be selecting one of three players; Mark Appel, Kris Bryant, or Jonathan Gray.  Others, such as Colin Moran and Kohl Stewart also remain possibilities.  General consensus has Gray tabbed as Houston’s pick and he has a great case as the best prospect in the 2013 class. LINK

Draft 13 – J.P. Crawford, Corey Ray, Denton Keys, Kevin Franklin, Colin Moran

J.P. Crawford, SS, - Arguably the best overall shortstop in the 2013 MLB draft, the 6’-2” left-hander has been showing off his great offensive upside as an on-base machine with a great approach at the plate and excellent bat speed. Over his last 12 games, he is hitting .571 with six extra-base hits, eight stolen bases and has drawn nine walks without a strikeout for a .667 OBP/.829 SLG. His strong arm, speed and instincts will allow him to remain at a premium position. Committed to USC. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2013-mlb-draft-ten-high-school-players-on-the-rise/32935#ukjIhwu7UDCzZKTx.99

Dan Kirby ‏@DanMKirby  - Over his last 11 games, Corey Ray has gone 16-for-33 (.485) w/ 4 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 12 SB, 12 BB, .630 OBP/1.030 SLG.

Denton Keys, LHP, Rye HS (CO) - The ridiculous season of Denton Keys continued on Saturday as the 6’-3” southpaw struck out 12 more over five innings in an 11-1 win over Yuma HS. He did give up an earned run — his first of the year — and now has a 0.21 ERA, 0.44 WHIP and 109 K/9 BB over 43 innings for a 22.8 K/9 ratio. His team has outscored its opponents 237-22 over 19 games, so, apparently, everyone who can play baseball in Colorado plays for Rye high school. Nevertheless, the kid has talent, including a fastball in the 89-92 mph range. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2013-mlb-draft-9/33241#WdxR2YIG1GzGdJCZ.99

Kevin Franklin, Gahr (Cerritos, Calif.) - A third baseman in high school, Franklin would eventually move to the outfield, according to some scouting reports. He has enough power to land somewhere in the top 10 rounds. He batted .462 with 33 RBI, 10 doubles and eight home runs for Gahr this year. http://www.maxpreps.com/news/z2-sul7VukOjgmdQ7ZXW0g/mlb-draft--top-10-corner-infielders.htm

Collin Moran, the 2011 ACC Freshman of the Year, is the seventh UNC student-athlete to be named ACC Player of the Year. The Rye, N.Y., native leads in the nation in RBIs with 83 and ranks third among ACC batters with a .376 average.  Moran boasts a .504 on-base percentage and is a major reason UNC owns a 47-8 overall record and claimed the top seed for this week’s ACC Baseball Championship at Durham (N.C.) Bulls Athletic Park. http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/052013aaa.html

Draft 13 – Alex Gonzalez, Jeremy Martinez, Phil Bickford, Colin Moran, Derik Beauprez

Alex Gonzalez, RHP, Oral Roberts - In his last two starts, the 6’-3” right-hander has tossed 15 innings, allowing two runs on 11 hits, striking out 17 to three walks. He now has a 2.15 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 82 K/17 BB over 75.1 innings, holding opponents to a .222 batting average. He features a low-90s fastball and has excellent command of his pitches.  link

Jeremy Martinez, Mater Dei HS (CA) - Like Okey, Martinez is a polished player who also is a two-time gold medal winner for U18 Team USA. Very good defensively, the 5’-11”, 200-pound right-hander also performs well with the bat. While the power hasn’t shown up yet, he has a very good approach at the plate and squares up well, making consistent contact to all fields. Over 21 games this season, he is hitting .386 and has drawn 12 walks to just four strikeouts for a .513 OBP. He should be available at 41, and his high make up fit’s the organization’s philosophy. Committed to Southern California. -  link

Dan Kirby  ‏@DanMKirby

Oaks Christian HS (CA) 6'-4" RHP Phil Bickford's last 3 starts: 21 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 39 K/5 BB. Includes a no-no. Has hit 97 mph

UNC 3B Colin Moran 2-for-4 w/ HR, 4 RBI. Now hitting .434 over last 33 G w/ 7 2B, 11 HR, 62 RBI, 25 BB, .541 OBP/.783 SLG


Derik Beauprez, RHP, Cherry Creek HS (CO) - Like Bostick, the 6’-5” Beauprez can hit the mid-90s with his fastball and has a lot of projection due to his size and live, loose arm. He also features solid secondary stuff including a tight curveball. He hasn’t pitched a lot this year, so he is still raw in some areas, but he has a fresh arm and a high ceiling. He is also an excellent hitter and could be drafted as a power-hitting corner outfielder, as well. Should be available at 77. Committed to Miami. link

2013 Draft-Notes - Dustin Driver, Colin Moran , Nick Palewicz, Tyler Brunnemann

Dustin Driver RHP  Wenatchee (Wash.) HS  Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 210. B/T: R/R. Driver is one of the true power arm prospects in the 2013 class. His fastball sits in the low 90s for the entire game with more still in the tank. His delivery is deceptive and gets on hitters quickly. He also throws a changeup and developing breaking ball. He is verbally committed to UCLA. 

Colin Moran 3B North Carolina- The best hitter in college who comes from strong big league bloodlines as the nephew of former UNC star B.J Surhoff. A fiery player who is ultra competitive. Coach Mike Fox told the newsobserver (NC) “we said from the very beginning. It’s the best trait and then it is his worst trait….there’s an edge there and I think all really competitive athletes have. There’s that edge, and when they’re right to that edge, it makes them really, really good. But when you cross over the edge, you know, sometimes bad things happen.” This bad thing was a tantrum he pulled after a 3-1 loss to NC State where he punched a door and broke his hand costing him 21 games. (His team went 13-8 without him) He should stick at 3B and provide the potential #3 bat in the order with the ability to get on base a lot. http://pinetarpress.com/top-11-2013-draft-august-15th-2012/  

RHP Nick Palewicz, Washington -- Palewicz had just an OK spring for the Huskies, but showed some serious strides this summer. He made nine appearances and had a 2.92 ERA in 37 innings of work. He also struck out 36 and walked six, while teams hit him at a .248 clip. PG  

Player: Tyler Brunnemann   Position:  RHP   School:  Hardin-Simmons   Date of Birth:   Height/Weight:  6’2/225   Bats/Throws:   2013 Class:  Senior   Previously Drafted: Scouting Report:  Righthander Tyler Brunnemann, from Hardin-Simmons, opened eyes with an excellent summer in the Coastal Plain League.  More… http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2012/08/22/2013-mlb-draft-profile-tyler-brunnemann/

 

Prep Baseball Report‏ - Congrats to Colton Bradley, SS, Gull Lake, 2013 on committing to Central Michigan University… IN: Kyle Bartleman from Culver HS recentlly committed to Columbia University. Bartleman is a do it all type play. He excels at multiple... IN: Cory Malcolm from Elkhart Central recently gave his verbal to Coach Norwood at UALR. Malcolm is a top 20 player in the state and was...

Conor Glassey -  Tried to go to the bathroom here at Burlington Royals game but couldn’t get in because the players were being drug tested.

2013 Draft - Ian Clarkin , Marcus Doi, Tyler Horan, Michael Prichard, Colin Moran

San Diego commit Ian Clarkin (San Diego) went three scoreless innings for the Brewers, striking out five and allowing just one hit. His 88-91 fastball bumped 92, and his 80 mph changeup had good arm speed and fade. He used that pitch effectively against righties, and gave lefties trouble with his big-breaking 73 mph curveball. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Clarkin said he left his fastball up more than he liked, but he was able to pitch inside against righties well  BA

Sunday's big standout for the Reds was Honolulu outfielder Marcus Doi, a Hawaii recruit. The 6-foot, 185-pound Doi showed a quick, compact stroke and excellent speed on the bases. He ripped a single to left field on an 88 mph fastball in the fourth, then went the other way for an RBI triple that one-hopped the right-field wall in the fifth.- BA

Tyler Horan – Wareham Gatemen – 3B -  With Cape League players competing for the All-Time Cape Cod Baseball League wood bat homerun record, power hitter Tyler Horan (Virginia Tech) blew the competition away with some key runs that earned him this prestigious honor and Coca Cola’s Player of the Week.   Horan’s most impressive performance came from last Saturday’s game versus Chatham, leading Wareham’s explosive offense by cracking two home runs, including a three-run homer on a 2-1 pitch, and tallying six RBI. The Gateman All-Star notched his league-leading 16th homer Sunday night against Falmouth, in the process tying for the All-Time Homerun record with ‘88 Whitecap Dave Staton and ‘79 Kettleer Tim Teufel CCB

Player:  Michael Pritchard -  Position:  OF   School:  Nebraska   Date of Birth:   11/10/1991   Height/Weight:  6’0/177  Bats/Throws:  L/L   2013 Class:  Junior  Previously Drafted: = click for scouting report - http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2012/08/07/2013-mlb-draft-profile-michael-pritchard/

Colin Moran for the Bourne Braves played the role of the thorn in the Harbor Hawks side as he went two for four with two doubles. His two-bagger in the bottom of the first allowed two runs to score and gave the Braves a quick advantage. Moran would then finish the Braves scoring the way he started it with a smash to center field which allowed Holy Cross’s Mike Ahmed to score. This would be the fourth and final run of the evening for the home team. http://harborhawks.org/2012/08/braves-tomahawk-hyannis-playoff-chances-with-4-2-victory/

2013 Draft-Notes – Austin Wilson, Cavan Biggio, Colin Moran, Kevin Goldstein

Austin Wilson, OF, Harwich (Stanford) - Put together a great batting practice and also destroyed an Aaron Kubitza fastball oppo into the woods at Harwich. There’s a lot of swing and miss here and the approach is raw. As BB’s Pete Wardell put it to me - “he gives away AB’s.” He certainly does that. Soft approach really needs work. Monster tools... but he’s going to be a difficult guy to place in a soft college position player class. Pretty remarkable the contrast in styles of play, bodies and attitudes between teammates Ervin and Wilson.  BB

Infielder Cavan Biggio (St. Thomas High, Houston) has been a consistent performer in the last two weeks of Team USA events. He's made solid contact throughout, but put an exclamation point on his time in North Carolina in the fifth inning of the final Prospect Classic contest. With the Stripes down 4-1, Biggio stepped up with the bases loaded and no outs. Righthander Kevin Davis (Miller High, Brewton, Ala.) was on the hill throwing in the low 90s, but having trouble throwing strikes.  BA

The White Sox have agreed to terms with Johan Cruz, a shortstop from the Dominican Republic. Cruz, 16, is 6-foot-1, 175 pounds and has stood out in the field with good hands, footwork and arm strength. He's a righthanded hitter from Puerto Plata who trained with Victor Baez. - BA2

LHP Carlos Rodon is BA's Freshman of the Year

Bourne 3B Colin Moran exploded for 7 RBI and 10 total bases in a 11-6 win over Wareham. His two HR came in the league's toughest HR park.

Kevin Goldstein –

Q - News on an updated 50 is coming soon. RT @bigmetsfan123: How many prospects do the Mets have in your top 50

A - News on an updated 50 is coming soon.

Q – Have you ever considered answering all these questions drunk?

A – Considered?