Draft 2012: Daniel Robertson, Lucas Giolito, Joey Gallo, Tony Kemp

6. Daniel Robertson, 3B, Upland (Calif.)  Robertson doesn't look the part of a traditional, prototypical third baseman. The 6-foot, 180-pounder appears to try and compensate for the lack of natural power, which creates poor swing mechanics and an approach that needs refined. Scouts expect a more advanced plan this season and saw glimpses over the summer showcase circuit. One area scout opined that Robertson is "the new age third baseman if he can show he can hit first, hit for power second." He's signed on to play at UCLA and projects as a Day 2 selection. http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/1108/joey-gallo-is-nation%e2%80%99s-top-corner-infielder

2. Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard Westlake School, Studio City, CA - Recent drafts have featured hard-throwing righthanders the size of tight ends, such as Stephen Strasburg, Jameson Taillon and Gerrit Cole. The 6-foot-6, 242-pound Giolito is next in that line. He fires a blistering 93-94 mph fastball which touches 97 and adds a vicious hard slider at 83-84. An enthusiastic fan of Cole, last year's No. 1 overall pick, Giolito is working to develop a change, a curve and a two seam fastball. He profiles comfortably as a staff ace or shutdown closer. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/highschool/02/13/baseball.top.10.prospects/index.html#ixzz1mJYi8Rky   

2. Joey Gallo, 1B, Bishop Gorman HS, Las Vegas - Many different people associate Gallo as a third basemen but I believe he’s more likely a first basemen due to his huge stature and size (6’5, 220lbs+) at already the tender age of 17. He’s very similar, in my mind at least, to that of Travis Harrison last year. A guy who a lot of guys liked but never could quite figure out whether he was an elite first basemen or would stick long term at third base. The end summation was Harrison dropping into sandwich rounds and getting scooped up by Minnesota.  I tend to think that Gallo will drop but then again, he could end up being this years version of Christian Yelich. He’s also been clocked as high as 94 coming off the mound so there is even the slight chance that a team might go with him as a pitcher. Either case he’s not a top-10 pick to me and certainly not someone in the top-5. http://sodomojo.com/2012/02/13/more-mlb-draft-talk-and-a-quick-little-top-5/  

Vanderbilt outfielder Tony Kemp gets out of the batter’s box pretty quickly. He thinks outside the box, too. This offseason the preseason All-American and former Centennial standout even tried yoga. “I got made fun of, but that’s OK,” said Kemp, laughing. “I think it just really helps with your balance. You’ve got a lot of guys, like (former Titans running back) Eddie George, he used to take yoga classes. I did yoga a few times so I could stretch more, I guess you could say that.”  http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120214/SPORTS0602/302140033/Vandy-outfielder-hungry-more

Draft 2012: - Mike Lubanski, Daniel Robertson, Stephen Piscotty, Stryker Trahan, Rio Ruiz

Mike Lubanski:


7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments  - Mike Lubanski, Wake Forest, 5’11 185 R/R, limited playing time as a soph, has shown capable release and throwing arm strength, along with ability to run and has pop in his bat. Playing time needed to increase value.


Daniel Robertson:


8-12-11: - http://www.prospectwire.com/pw/article.php?id=290   - I think in time 3rd baseman Daniel Robertson (6'0" 185, R/R, Upland, CA) will develop into a pro 3rd baseman but that likely will happen during his college years. Robertson has the tools to be a plus defender and he has enough talent with the bat to suggest he can hit for some average and some power, enough to project him as an everyday 3rd baseman at the pro level. He just tends to lack consistency.


Stephen Piscotty:


8-14-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/08/10/the-good-the-disappointing-from-the-cape  - Stephen Piscotty, 3B, Stanford- Already looked at as a top hitter, Piscotty went to the Cape and just kept hitting. His .349/.429/.509 line was one of the best in the league and he was named to the All-Star Team. Scouts came away impressed with his approach at the plate.


Stryker Trahan:


8-15-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/8/14/2362719/2011-under-armour-all-america-game-top-10-prospects  - 2011 Under Armour All America Game Top 10 Prospects - 1. Stryker Trahan 2012 C 6'1 218 Scott, LA Acadiana - Trahan has power near the top of the scale. He is a catcher with 5 potential above average tools. That is about as good as it gets.


Rio Ruiz:


7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments  - Rio Ruiz, Bishop Amat HS, Covina CA, 6’2 195 L/R, smooth hitter with alley power, sound hitting approach and discipline, ML arm strength and good actions with glove to his left, runs well once underway, not a burner, but may steal a base on occasion, could be a 1-3 rounder in 2012.