11-22-11: - http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/814/lucas-giolito-leads-loaded-cali-senior-class - Here’s a look at the Top 10 California high school prospects in the Class of 2012. 8. Shane Watson, RHP, Lakewood (Lakewood, Calif.) Watson's arsenal includes a fastball in the 88 to 92 mph range, showing sink and arm side ride, and his frame (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) may produce more velocity down the line. But it may have to come from improved mechanics, primarily better balance and use of his lower half. Watson is committed to USC and should be considered early on Day 1 of the draft.
11-30-11: - http://www.collegesummerbaseball.net/2011/11/top-20-position-players-in-california.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter - Jeff McVaney OF Santa Barbara Foresters---Texas State - Jeff is 6-2/210 pounds and hails from Houston, TX. He was simply outstanding this summer and was named the 2011 Cal League MVP. He led the league with a .412 batting average, .632 slugging percentage and with a .491 on base percentage. Jeff was second in the league with 38 runs scored and he also drove in 21 this season. Jeff hit 12 doubles, led the league with 6 doubles and hit 2 home runs for Santa Barbara. Jeff also stole 15 bases this season. Perfect Game ranked him as the 21st best prospect in the league.
12-1-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/12/01/keon-barnum-2012-draft-profile - Often referred to as soft spoken, King first baseman Keon Barnum lets his talent speak for him on the field. He is among the top prospects from the talent rich state of Florida. Barnum carries one of the most powerful bats among 2012 draft-eligible players. He has top bat speed and has shown a willingness to go the other way. Barnum is also a patient hitter, taking 26 walks in 81 plate appearances during his junior season. His recorded 60 time is 7.01. Barnum looks good at first base. He also has a plus arm. I generally avoid comps, but the Fred McGriff comp pops up everywhere for Barnum. The potential in his bat should carry him into the first round.
11-22-11: - http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/814/lucas-giolito-leads-loaded-cali-senior-class - Here’s a look at the Top 10 California high school prospects in the Class of 2012. 9. Felipe Perez, RHP, Fairmont Prep (Anaheim, Calif.) This 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-hander pitches at 88 to 91 mph but has touched 93 and throws two breaking balls — a 72 to 75 mph curveball and a 77 to 79 mph slider. His arm works well from a high, three-quarter slot and he's performed well in showcase events, something scouts remember throughout the spring.
Janzen Witte:
7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments - Janzen Witte, TCU, 6’1 195, R/R, quick bat with occ HR power, throws well, good glove to left and runs well once underway. Comes to play!
Shane Watson:
8-12-11: - http://www.prospectwire.com/pw/article.php?id=290 - RHP Shane Watson (6'4" 200, Bellflower, CA) also looked good, though is a tick below some of the other Brewers' pitching prospects. He could certainly come on though and emerge as a top five round type guy in the spring. He has a great frame, a good clean arm action and a patient delivery. His stuff looked to be in that 87-90 mph range, maybe a touch of 91 and he showed feel of the curveball.
Stephen Perez:
8-14-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/08/10/the-good-the-disappointing-from-the-cape - Stephen Perez, SS, Miami- Perez has the tools and has been mentioned as a possible pick towards the end of the first round in 2012, but his numbers haven’t lived up to his tools to this point. At the Cape, he put up a line of .233/.376/.300 with 44 strikeouts in 120 at bats. The walks are great, but the strikeouts and .233 average are discouraging.
Byron Buxton:
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 - 6. Byron Buxton 2012 OF/RHP 6'2 170 Baxley, GA Appling County - Buxton is an impressive athlete. He is fast, has a great arm and can really hit. He could have 20-25 home run power. I'm not sure he can stay in CF. I haven't seen him enough to know, but if he can, he will be a very high pick.
Cody Poteet:
7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments - Cody Poteet, Christian HS, Bonita Cal, 6’1 175, quick arm from 3/4 slot, touched 92, most were 89-90 with life in vs RHH, sink when down, cb was easy to read and very hittable, control was good, seemed to find bats however. Keep an eye on him.
R C Orlan:
7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments - R C Orlan, UNC-Chapel Hill, 5’11 190, hard thrower with pin straight fb, some tail way vs RHH up and away, also downer type cb that still in development stage, fb up to 91, most are 88-91, and he’s around the zone. Not very tall, best suited for relief.
Max Fried:
8-7-11: - Command is what sets Fried apart as well, armed with a nasty fastball-curveball one-two punch that gives him a similar power profile to Virant. Fried's fastball velocity was a tick below Virant's at 88-92 at the National, but Fried showed more consistent diving movement on his heavy fastball, with a similar overall combination of size, stuff and control. Ranked 27th overall in the 2012 class, Fried also is a good all-around athlete, with above average speed and a smooth left-handed swing that could give him some value as a two-way player at the collegiate level.
Shane Watson:
8-8-11: - Per Twitter - Shane Watson (rhp, Lakewood HS, Calif.) also solid, showing 90-1 FB, topped 92. Flashed plus two-plane CB @ 77-78. #MLBDraft #AreaCodeGames
Lucas Giolito:
8-8-11: - http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog?name=mlb_draft&id=6843405&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fmlb%2fblog%3fname%3dmlb_draft%26id%3d6843405 - The best high school pitcher in this draft class is Luc Giolito of Harvard-Westlake HS. The right-hander is committed to UCLA but would likely be the first prep arm off the board if the draft was held right now with his combination of stuff and size. The 6-foot-6, 230-pounder's fastball was up to 96 mph on Sunday, sitting at 93, and he showed a solid changeup at 83-84 as well as two speeds on his breaking ball. The velocity is easy to him and his delivery is built for starting; his command isn't there and he needs more consistency on each of his secondary pitches. But I don't think there's a better overall package among prep arms in the 2012 class yet.
James Callahan:
7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments - Jamie Callahan, Dillon HS, SC, 6’3 190, loose arm that touches 92 on occ, most fb were 90 with middle in life vs RHH and downward tilt to cb that needs a bit more polish. Threw strikes and delivery is workable.
