Draft 13 – Jacob Heyward, Nick Ciuffo, Dustin Driver, Spencer Turnbull, Brian Ragira

Jacob Heyward, OF, Eagle’s Landing Academy (GA) - The brother of Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward, Jacob is a 6’-2” right-hander with a lot of upside. He has been clocked at 6.83 in the 60 and his arm at 86 mph from the outfield. He shows a good approach at the plate and his raw power is still developing. Over his last 14 games, he is hitting .421 with six doubles, four home runs, 22 RBI and has drawn seven walks for a .577 OBP/.947 SLG. He has 11 stolen bases on the season and has been hit by a pitch a whopping 10 times over 26 games. Committed to Miami. LINK

Nick Ciuffo, C, Lexington HS (SC) -The 6’-1” left-handed hitter may be the best defensive catcher in the 2013 MLB draft and he has a chance to go in the top 20 picks as he has been showing great offensive potential this season. He had a 25-game hitting streak earlier in the year and, over 33 games, is hitting .453/.541/.705 with seven doubles, five home runs, 33 RBI and has drawn 21 walks to just six strikeouts. He also fits the mold as a clubhouse leader and is one of the more competitive players you will see. LINK

 

Dustin Driver, P, UCLA 50% - Driver doesn't have the front of the rotation stuff to be drafted in the top half of the first round but he could prove that he is a solid mid rotation starter and make that happen after three years at UCLA. LINK

   

Kendall Rogers‏ @KendallRogersPG - Alabama RHP Spencer Turnbull left some balls up early, he's 91-94, tops out at 95. Also a 73-74 CB, avg dpth, 80-81 CH, 82-83 SL

Brian Ragira could have gone pro back in 2010, as he was drafted in the 30th round by the Texas Rangers. Obviously, he chose not to sign. That decision should pay off this year, as Ragira's career at Stanford—while not astounding—has served to establish him as a solid first base prospect with a solid bat. He hit .329 in 2011 and 2012, and is once again in that neck of the woods this year at .327. LINK

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

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.