Draft 13 – Garrett Williams, Aaron Judge, Josh Hart, Jonathan Gray, Kohl Stewart

Garrett Williams, LHP, Cavalry Baptist HS - In 2007, Williams led his Lubbock team to the consolation game of the Little League World Series where he hit his pitch limit with one out to go in the game. Up to that point, he had tossed 5.2 no-hit innings, striking out 14 batters. Flash forward six years and the 6’-3” southpaw is still dominating opposing hitters. In his last start, he struck out 15 over seven shutout innings and now has 89 K/26 BB over 41.2 innings, allowing just 13 hits. A great athlete and hitter, he features a low-90s fastball with late life and a plus curveball. A polished pitcher who also starred for U18 Team USA baseball, he would be a great selection if he was still available at pick 41. Committed to Oklahoma State. link

Is Aaron Judge still there for Detroit at #21? If so, is he a worthy choice at that point? - Jim Callis: Judge might be. It’s a tough call. If you dream on him, he could be a lot better than the No. 21 pick. But the game power is inconsistent (better this year) and he strikes out a lot. So there’s a good deal of risk too. I think it could go either way–I wouldn’t take him before No. 21 (and wouldn’t argue vociferously if he went No. 21), but someone might dream on him and pop him in the teens. link

Josh Hart, OF, Parkview HS (GA) - The 6’-1” left-hander has been hitting everything in sight lately. Over his last seven games, he has gone 14-for-23 (.609) with five extra-base hits, 11 RBI and has drawn five walks for a .700 OBP/1.087 SLG. On the season, he is now hitting .453 over 28 games with 13 extra-base hits, 23 RBI, 19 stolen bases and has drawn 11 walks for a .547 OBP/.733 SLG. The toolsy outfielder has been a four-year starter for one of the top programs in the country. link

Jonathan Gray might be the only other prospect who has matched Appel, at least in terms of week-by-week performance. He had a no-decision against West Virginia on Friday, so his record stayed put at 8-1. His ERA is 1.20. In 89 2/3 innings, the right-hander has 104 strikeouts against just 16 walks, holding hitters to a .166 batting average. - link

Nick J. Faleris ‏@NickJFaleris

Kohl Stewart (rhp, St. Pius X (Houston, TX)) shoved it today: 7 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 14 SO. 114 pitches; 65% strikes; 65% 1st P strikes

Draft 13 – Josh Hart, Ryan Boldt, Corey Ray, Kohl Stewart, Doinic Smith

Draft 13 – Josh Hart, Ryan Boldt, Corey Ray, Kohl Stewart, Doinic Smith

Josh Hart, OF, Parkview HS (GA) - Like many players on this list, Hart is a speedy outfielder with a nice stroke from the left side. A great athlete, he has been clocked at 6.49 in the 60. He has some of the best bat speed in the 2013 MLB draft which allows him to catch up to any pitch and drive it to all fields. Over 26 games this season, he is hitting .450 with five triples, three home runs, 20 RBI and has stolen 19 bases. He has drawn nine walks for a .536 OBP/.738 SLG playing for one of the top programs in the country. At 6’-2” and 190 pounds, he should hit for more power as he matures but may end up at a corner outfield spot if he fills out. Should be available at 41. Committed to Georgia Tech. draft

 With the recent injury to Ryan Boldt, due you think the Astros could pick him up in the second round, or might he even drop to the third round? Thanks = Jim Callis: Don’t think the knee is a major concern. There are some scouts who question how much power Boldt will really have, so he could be there at the top of round two.

Corey Ray, OF, Simeon HS (IL) - As the weather is warming up in Chicago, so is Ray, a 5’-11” left-hander with a lot of upside as he can play all three outfield positions and has excellent bat speed. Over his last four games, he has gone 6-for-13 with a double, three triples and has stolen six bases. He now has a .370/.517/.717 line over 16 games with 10 extra base hits, 11 stolen bases and 13 walks. Ray is a quick-twitch athlete with above-average speed and a strong arm. Committed to Louisville. draft

Kohl Stewart is the top high school pitcher in this year's MLB draft. He has plus fastball velocity, a potentially plus-plus slider and solid changeup. At 6'3", 190 pounds, Stewart does offer some projection. 

But a player of Stewart's age already showing that kind of velocity and potential with the off-speed stuff doesn't need to add much to be an elite talent. His delivery is a bit stiff, as he uses a lot of arm, loses his release point and doesn't incorporate his lower half enough, which will need to be corrected in pro ball. draft

Dan Kirby‏ @DanMKirby

Serra HS (CA) OF Dominic Smith drew 2 BB today. Has now reached base in 15 of his last 18 PAs w/ 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 7 BB, 3 HBP.

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 – Cody Thomas, Kohl Stewart, Kyle Serrano, Ivan Wilson, Ryan Boldt

Cody Thomas, OF, Heritage HS (TX) - Let me preface this one by saying the Cubs would most likely have to make a pretty sweet offer to the 6’-5”, 220-pound left-handed hitter with tremendous raw power. He has a commitment to play quarterback at Oklahoma and, with his size, rocket arm and athletic abilities, could be a great one. He passed for 4,221 yards and 46 touchdowns over 12 games his senior year and was also the team’s punter. On the diamond, he shows a lot of upside as he also has a good approach at the plate to go along with the massive power potential. Over 32 games this season for powerhouse Heritage, he has hit .485 with 12 doubles, 13 home runs, 45 RBI and has drawn 20 walks for a .579 OBP/1.061 SLG. He also has added 12 stolen bases, showing good speed for his size. link

Can you compare Kohl Stewart's current and potential to any HS pitchers from past few drafts? = Jim Callis: Talked to a scout who said he may be better than fellow Texan Jameson Taillon, who threw harder but couldn’t match the depth of Stewart’s repertoire. The same scout said on the Texas spectrum, he’d put Stewart behind Josh Beckett and ahead of Shelby Miller.

Kyle Serrano, RHP, Farragut HS (TN) - On Saturday, the 6’-1” right-hander allowed three hits over seven shutout innings, striking out 12 to two walks. Over his last seven games, he has a 0.49 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 68 K/10 BB over 37 innings. He features a mid-90s fastball to go along with a plus curveball and is very polished on the mound. Committed to Tennessee. link

Unlike Kohl Stewart, there is no doubt that Ivan Wilson is going to end up playing baseball. An athletic 6'3", 220-pound wide receiver in high school, he doesn't project to play the position in college. Wilson brings that athleticism, solid speed, arm strength, bat speed and above-average power to this draft. He has a chance to stick in center field if his speed stays at the level it is at right now, though that seems unlikely since he isn't exactly a burner right now. link

Jim Callis - ‏@jimcallisBA

OF Ryan Boldt, possible 1st-rder, had arthroscopic surgery to repair small meniscus tear in rt knee. Not expected to play before 

2013 Draft-Notes - Kohl Stewart, Dominic Miroglio, Sean Hagen, Stuff

Kohl Stewart, who is committed to Texas A&M as a football quarterback and a pitcher, sat at 88-92 and bumped 93. He showed a very hard true slider with tilt in the 84-86 range, but he said he had better feel Sunday for his 80-82 mph changeup, which he used to get lefthanded hitters out in front. It was the second-to-last outing of the year for Stewart, who headed back to Houston for football two-a-days the rest of this week, then will return to make a final baseball appearance of the summer at the Perfect Game All-American Classic in San Diego in a week. Then he'll focus all his energy on football BA

The first game of the 2012 Area Code Games couldn’t have gone much better for catcher Dominic Miroglio at the plate and behind the dish. The Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) rising senior paced his Oakland A’s team to a 6-1 win over the Kansas City Royals as he lined a double which cleared the bases in the fourth inning. On defense, the 6-foot, 180-pounder nailed a runner straying off second to close the fourth inning. http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/2194/schutt-impact-player-of-the-day-august-5

Sean Hagan – Falmouth Commodores – LHP -  Southpaw Commodore Sean Hagan (St. Johns) helped Falmouth to maintain their prime spot as second place in the Western Division with an incredible outing that earned him Coca Cola’s Pitcher of the Week.  Hagan shined in last Sunday’s game versus Brewster, where he threw a shutout to carry the Commodores to a 6-0 victory. He only allowed one hit and struck out nine batters during the nine innings he tossed. He is currently 4-0 and holds a sparkling 3.52 ERA. CCB

Aaron Fitt -    LSU recruit LHP Tyler Allen 87-89, good feel for big, looping 73-74 curve… LHP Ian Clarkin, USD recruit, 88-91… LHP Brandon Gilson 87-89 with 78-80 slurve… Casey Meisner 90-91, 75-76 curve

Kendall Rogers - LaSalle LHP Shawn O'Neill had an outstanding summer up at the Valley League. Struck out 69 in 64 1/3, with 1.40 ERA… LBSU suffers a bad blow, as weekend starter, RHP Matt Anderson, decided to sign a Free Agency deal with #Mariners over wknd.

David Rawnsley‏ -  1B Nick Longhi, after crushing 1B at 106 mph exit speed, lofts F8 in air for 6.77 sec. Serious hang time = Serious bat speed… RHP Braden Shipley up to 97 at the Alaska League this summer… LHP Trey Ball mostly 91 mph, T92 w/good CB… RHP Logan Shore 89-92 with big sharp SL.

Prep Baseball Report‏ -  Colby Fitch (Hickman HS, MO) earns MVP of Midwest Future Games after hitting 3 HRs in 3 games. The LHH also drove in 6 runs vs. top pitchers… IL: Ted Snidanko, an OF from Lockport HS, commits to Purdue.

Josh Orenstein‏ -  Ventura HS RHP Phil Bickford throwing a sinker 88-92 mph with low spin 1750-2000 rpm and a lot of side-to-side movement