Foster Griffin, Chase Vallot,, Jacob Gatewood, Tyler Beede, Sean Reid-Foley

5-12-14  -  Foster Griffin, LHP, The First Academy (FL) - Foster is a 6’-5” southpaw with a three-pitch mix who can dial his fastball up to 95 mph. He adds a change-up and slider, both projecting to above-average offerings. He is polished on the mound and has good command of his stuff. Over 60 innings, he has 102 K/21 BB, allowing 13 runs on 32 hits. He should go in the top-40 picks. Committed to Ole Miss. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-high-school-players-rise-final-edition/42853#cZ17mE5vsjiSvU18.99

5-18-14 - Chase Vallot - C - Vallot finished his season hitting .550/.656/1.107 with 14 doubles, 13 home runs and 62 RBI over 36 games, leading his team to a state championship. With some of the best raw power in his class, he puts on shows in the batting cages and has won his share of home run derbys. The power also shows up in games, however, as you can see from the stat line. The 6’-0”, 205 pound right-hander has a plus arm, but scouts are split on his ability to remain behind the plate. Either way, his bat is his calling card and he is a tireless worker. He should be gone on day one and he is committed to Mississippi State.
t http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-five-high-school-players/42931#BrqM3BlCZROcRBlE.99

3-14-14 – Prospect Insider - Clovis High (CA) Shortstop Jacob Gatewood made headlines last week after launching a home run that was measured to have traveled just under 500 feet. Gatewood has long been known for that prestigious power, but his hit tool is still a pretty big question mark for him. He will have to improve his pitch-recognition skills if he wants to utilize that power. Scouts will be watching him closely this spring, and Gatewood will have two opportunities to showcase his skills this weekend, as his team will play on both Friday and Saturday. http://prospectinsider.com/category/2014-mlb-draft

3-16-14 – Cubs Den – Some feel that perhaps Tyler Beede has passed up Rodon as the best pitcher this season.  As we expected, he has improved his command this season and has gone 4-1 with a 0.84 ERA.  In 32.1 innings he has struck out 40 batters, but perhaps more importantly, has walked just 6. Beede was recently locked up in an excellent pitcher's matchup with LSU's Aaron Nola, who statistically has been the best player in this draft.  Beede went 7.1 IP without giving up an earned run (one unearned), walking just one and striking out 7.  Nola matched and perhaps even surpassed that performance with 12Ks and just 2 walks in 6.2 innings.  Both pitchers got a no decision. http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2014/03/mlb-draft-update-arms-ahead-of-bats-early-on-but-questions-remain-at-the-top/

3-17-14 – TTF – 10 High School Players On The Rise – Sean Reid-Foley, RHP, Sandalwood HS (FL) - Another start, another gem for Reid-Foley. The 6’-4” right-hander struck out 13 over six innings on March 14, allowing two runs on just one hit in a tough loss. He now has 50 K/5 BB over 22 innings, allowing just two runs on three hits. He features a four-pitch mix headlined by a fastball that touches 94 mph and a hammer, upper-70s curve that is one of the best in his class. His slider shows plus potential and his change-up is developing nicely. A ton of upside due to his size, easy delivery and four pitches. Committed to Florida State. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-10-high-school-players-rise-second-edition/41810#OfV5L7GbWgi2Xqtf.99

Draft 14 – Sam Travis, Foster Griffin, Jeren Kendall, Jake Jarvis

1-20-14 – PG Preseason College All-Americans - First Base - Sam Travis, Indiana - 2013 Stats: .316 AVG, 22 2B, 2 3B, 10 HR, 57 RBI, 39 BB, 33 SO - Travis didn’t receive as much fanfare as Schwarber last season. One reason for that is that he hit several points lower than Schwarber, but still managed to smack 10 homers and knock in 57 runs while nursing a broken hamate bone for much of the season. Travis, ranked No. 41 in our college prospects list, has big-time raw power and packs a punch in his 6-foot, 210-pound, frame. Entering the season 100-percent healthy and ready to go, look for Travis to tally very good offensive numbers this season. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9294

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 58. Washington Nationals — Foster Griffin, LHP, The First Academy (FL) - At 6’-5” and 190 pounds, the southpaw has a lot of projection and already has a great feel for pitching. His fastball can touch 92 mph and he adds a mid-70s change-up with nice fade. He has a loose and lanky frame, which bodes well for added velocity and mechanics. His size alone makes him an intriguing prospect. Committed to Mississippi. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99

12-9-13 – Pine Tar Press  -  50-OF Jeren Kendall Hoiman HS (Vanderbilt Commit)- A late bloomer to pro scouts with tremendous upside, Kendall comes from a non-traditional baseball state but has all of the tools to slip into the first round. He is blessed with plus speed and has a very strong arm. He projects as a CF with his speed and his left-handed bat should make him intriguing as a future leadoff guy in the big leagues. (Out of first round- Cubs selection) http://pinetarpress.com/early-look-2014-mlb-draft/

11-21-13 – BA Top 100 High School Players - 67 Jake Jarvis 3B/RHP R/R 5-10 180 Klein Collins HS, Spring, Texas Texas A&M http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-high-school-top-100-with-commitments/

Draft 14 – Bradley Zimmer, Carlos Rodon, Foster Griffin, Michael Cederoth, Erick Fedde

8-14-13 – Through The Fence – Top 50 Prospects – 30. Bradley Zimmer, OF, San Francisco - The younger brother of Royals prospect Kyle Zimmer, Bradley is a 6’-5”, 205-pound, left-handed hitter who has tremendous speed for his size. He also has a great arm and instincts in the field. Over 58 games as a sophomore, he hit .320/.437/.512 with 12 doubles, seven home runs and stole 19 bases. He also shows a great approach at the plate as he drew 29 walks to 31 strikeouts and was hit by a pitch a whopping 16 times, proving he’ll do whatever it takes to get on base. He showed off his wheels for The Collegiate National Team, swiping 11 of 12 bases over 21 games while also hitting an even .300. An exciting player who could shoot up draft boards with another impressive junior season. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-top-50-prospects/36463#mwWwsFxSUZy7YC5V.99

8-30-13 – Top 5 MLB Draft Prospects - #1. Carlos Rodon, LHP (NC State): You may possibly have prepared a plight for Rodon going 1:1 this year. His junk, K rate, refinement, and mechanics all point to him being a durable 1 or 2 starter. Rodon, a 6-foot-3, 234-pound sophomore, maintains an 18-2 record and a 2.39 ERA as a N.C. State pitcher. His 9-2 record displays the potential of certain Major League aptitude. Trusting on a mix of mid-90s fastballs, power sliders, cutters, curveballs and changeups, Rodon is so prevailing that he could be the No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft. http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2013/08/30/top-5-mlb-draft-prospects/

8-15-13 - Under Armour All-Star Game – Foster Griffin, LHP:  Another 6'5" pitcher, Griffin is still gangly with room to grow but the height also gives him some natural plane,  He doesn't throw all that hard now 88-92, but there's obviously some projection left in that 195 lbs. build and could easily develop well above average velo for a southpaw.  He also has glove side run on his FB.  In addition, Griffin throws a curve and an advanced change for his age. http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2013/08/2014-mlb-draft-ua-game-roster-and-preview-plus-more-tickets-and-meet-up-information/

9-4-13 – Mack’s Mock Draft v1.0 – 17 –  RHP Michael Cederoth – San Diego State – 6-6 power pitcher that has fell down the list due to all the press this season by the high schooler. Still, he is routinely clocked at 100 with a mid-80’s slider to boot. 109 K/48 BB over 95.1 innings this past season.  He does need to work on his control but don’t be surprised if he doesn’t go higher next June.

7-10-13 - Erick Fedde is a rising Junior from UNLV who plays for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox. I have seen his past two starts on July 3 and July 9. On July 3, he threw 7.0 innings, allowed 5 earned runs, 8 hits, walked 1 and had 5 strikeouts. On July 9, he pitched 4 innings, allowed 1 earned on 2 hits, 4 walks, and 3 strikeouts. Summation: In both starts, Fedde showed a good arm, and really showed an ability to spin the baseball. What’s most promising for his future is that his changeup showed some potential for enough development to warrant consideration as a starter. In all probability, however, Fedde will wind up as a reliever, albeit one with a strong chance of a late-inning role. http://bullpenbanter.com/erick-fedde-is-a-dude-to-watch/

Draft 14 – Devon Fisher, Touki Toussaint, Braxton Davidson, Tyler Kolek, Foster Griffin

 

8-20-13  -  LOS ANGELES - The Blue team used a pair of home runs and a five-run first inning to beat the Red team, 10-2, in Game 3 of the 2013 USA Baseball 18U National Team Trials at Dodger Stadium on Monday evening – C   Devon Fisher (Portsmouth, Va.) wasted no time getting acquainted to playing in a major league stadium.  following up RBI hits from Jakson Reetz (Hickman, Neb.) and Scott Hurst (Glendora, Calif.), Fisher launched a two-run home run into the left field seats to give the Blue team a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first. The catcher followed up the home run with a triple to right center in the bottom of the fourth, finishing the night 2-for-3 with a walk. http://web.usabaseball.com/article.jsp?ymd=20130820&content_id=57577990&vkey=news_usab

 

8-16-13 - 11th All-American Classic -  Player Spotlight: Pitcher - Touki Toussaint | RHP | Coral Springs Christian (Coral Springs, FL) - Height/Weight: 6-foot-2/190 pounds  B/T: R/R  Draft Day Age: 17 years, 11 months  Commitment: N/A  The high-waisted righty struggled to command his offerings in game, but continues to flash some of the best, and most projectable, stuff in the draft class. Toussaint is a scout’s player, with athleticism, physical projection, loud stuff, and natural arm speed – all of which were on display throughout the weekend’s events. There are arms in this class producing more velocity, and bodies offering more projection, but you would be hard pressed to find a combination of present profile and projected upside to match Toussaint’s. Scouting Notes: Electric raw stuff; three-quarters slot; easy and lighting-fast arm; throws the ball downhill better than any pitcher at the event; lost his release early but showed the ability to make quick adjustments; fastball worked 92-94; touched 95; appears much faster; ball really jumps; impossible to touch when he spots it down; command was off in this showing; slow to the plate (1.65 seconds) with runners on; showed slide-step and held velocity; curve was poor early and then started to flash its promise; 72-75 mph with lots of bite; showed a cut-change offering in the mid-80s; more deliberate than curveball; arm speed and present fastball make me think a really, really good changeup is going to develop out of this arm; could end up as complete starter package; very inconsistent but power arm with very high upside. –Jason Parks  Summer Stock: The BP Prospect Team was huddled behind home plate last October for Touki’s big coming out party in Jupiter—a three-inning outing for the Atlanta Blue Jays against defending champs Marucci Elite in which Toussaint fanned nine and showed a plus curve and lively low- to mid-90s fastball, all as a 16-year-old. He finished the tournament with 18 strikeouts over six innings, standing out as one of the top arms at the event.   This summer, Toussaint’s carrying characteristic has been inconsistent command, though the “now” stuff and projection continue to impress evaluators at each step on the circuit. He’s generally been 89-93, touching 94/95 mph, while showing a hard curve that will flash plus, and a low-80s true change. This June he started mixing in a cut-change that runs from the mid- to upper-80s with cutter action, and the pitch has made regular appearances throughout his various outings. It hasn’t been a dominant summer, but for a player who has flashed front-end potential since the age of 16, Toussaint is doing what he needs to on the field to remain in consideration for early first round selection next June. –Nick J. Faleris  http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=21537

 

8-13-13 - The Perfect Game All-American Classic in San Diego - *There aren’t a ton of left-handed bats in this year’s class, but Braxton Davidson (T.C. Roberson High School, N.C.) stood out with easy power and a smooth stroke from the left side. The issue was defensively, as he struggled making throws and I don’t see the athleticism to play right field. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2013/08/thoughts-on-perfect-game-all-american-classic/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

8-14-13 – Through The Fence – Top 50 Prospects – 6. Tyler Kolek, RHP, Shepherd HS (TX) - Just days after I put out my first mock, the 6’-6” right-hander hit 100 mph at the Area Code tryouts. He then sat in the mid-90s at the Perfect Game Nationals with a good feel for a slider that has plus potential. Then, at the Perfect Game All-American Classic, he hit 99 mph, setting a record for the event. His size suggests even more velocity could be coming, and he has great body control considering his frame. He has been timed at 4.8 in the 40, showing great athleticism. Texas is known for producing big, hard-throwing right-handers, but Kolek definitely fits the mold. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-top-50-prospects/36463#mwWwsFxSUZy7YC5V.99

 

2013 East Coast Pro Showcase Top 50 Prospects    - 18. Foster Griffin – LHP, The First Academy (FL) - Big, projectable LHP who is already sitting 91-92 http://www.ninebaseball.org/Wordpress/sullys-top-50-ecp-prospects/