Draft 2012: - Kenny Diekroeger, Tony Renda, Logan Vick, Tommy Coyle

12-2-11: - http://mlbdraftcountdown.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/2012-mlb-mock-draft-updated-top-15-with-final-mlb-standings - 8) Pittsburgh Pirates: Kenny Diekroeger, SS, Stanford  The Pirates farm system is loaded, no doubt, but the one thing they truly lack is a superstar shortstop prospect. Chase d’Arnaud is all fine and dandy, but he’s no Kenny Diekroeger. If Diekroeger can have a bounce-back season, he could jump up draft boards as we near closer to draft day, and with an impressive squad behind him, he’ll likely be playing well into June, giving teams an even better look. Once upon a time, scouts had doubts about his ability to stick at shortstop, but he looked strong there last year, even as he continued to struggle at the plate. He’s a big-bodied guy, but he’s also one of the most impressive athletes in this draft class, so don’t count him out. After all, this is the same guy who bested all of the numbers put up by Mike Trout at a scouting combine at the Area Code Games prior to the 2009 draft.

12-18-11: - Cal second baseman Tony Renda is a leader on and off the field.  He puts in the work to improve his game and is currently ranked number 36 on Baseball America’s Top 100 NCAA Prospects List. Renda led Cal in batting average in his first two college seasons.  He shows good bat speed and has a good swing.  Renda has gap power and should get plenty of doubles at the next level.  He also has good speed and recorded a 6.7 60 while in high school. http://mlbdraftguide.com/1

12-21-11: - http://ht.ly/1giGk6 -   We continue the countdown today at number 36 with Baylor junior Logan Vick. He went to Tivy High School in Kerrville, Texas for head coach Steve Rippee. As a freshman, he made 60 starts in left field batting leadoff in 58 games. He finished the season with a .329 (75-for-228) with 17 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, 27 RBI and 59 runs scored. He also drew a school-record 59 walks while stealing 11 bases in 15 attempts. He was named a first-team Freshman All-American by Baseball America and Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball, Second-team All-Big 12, and Waco Tribune Herald’s Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year.

12-21-11: - Tommy Coyle is an athletic second baseman who has shown solid improvement since arriving at North Carolina.  He is the brother of 2010 Red Sox draft pick Sean Coyle. Coyle has shown strong on base ability at North Carolina.  He brings a patient approach to the plate and has a nice line drive swing.  Coyle also has the ability to steal a base.  He had a recorded 60 time of 6.69 while in high school. Second base has been Coyle’s primary position at North Carolina.  He looks smooth in the field and has a good glove.  His arm is solid enough to make shortstop a possibility - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/12/18/tommy-coyle-2012-draft-profile

Draft 2012: - Cory Jensen, Logan Vick, Lance McCullers, Kyle Twomey, Tucker Linder

8-31-11: http://www.collegesummerbaseball.net/2011/08/top-15-position-players-in-cal-ripken.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter  - Top 15 Position Players in the Cal Ripken League - 5. Cory Jensen 2B Baltimore--Florida Southern - Cory was the offensive spark for the Baltimore Redbirds this summer. He hit .339 in 124 at-bats this summer. He scored 27 runs, hit 11 doubles and stole 15 bases for the Redbirds. He was also named to the All-League Team.


7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments  - Logan Vick, Baylor, 5’11 185, L/R, scrappy player who gives 100%, has fair arm strength and solid base running speed, makes enough contact to be 4th type OF at ML level with occ 5-8 type HR power frequency. 8-12 round type.


9-1-11: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2011/08/31/2012-mlb-draft-top-prospects  - Lance McCullers Jr., RHP, Tampa Jesuit HS, FL - McCullers' arm action has some length thanks to a huge degree of scapular loading present in the pick-up phase of his delivery. It is a little atypical, think Daniel Hudson except from a 3/4 arm angle, but not necessarily a bad thing. He appears to have pretty good timing, strong hip rotation, and keeps his front side closed pretty well. He throws with some effort, which again isn't always a bad thing. There will be some who want to knock McCullers' mechanics but, unless we see something different in the future, we won't be among them.


9-2-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/09/02/kyle-twomey-2012-draft-profile  - Kyle Twomey is one of the more interesting lefthanders eligible for the 2012 draft. At 6’3/165, he has a great deal of projection. Twomey has a nice easy delivery with a 3/4 arm slot and good arm speed. Twomey’s fastball has good sink and can touch 91. More velocity should come as he matures. His curve has good break and his change has the potential to be a true plus pitch. Twomey is a polished pitcher and knows what he is doing on the mound. He pounds the strikezone with three quality pitches. His development in the spring will be watched closely.


7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments  - Tucker Linder, Tallmadge HS, Ohio 6’5 220, has some pop to fb, up to 91, most are 88-89 with some life down in zone, most fb were up in limited action, only saw breaking ball in the k-zone once out of 20 pitches, has chance to develop once in college.