Draft 13 – Tyler Danish, Jon Denney, Dillon Overton, Jonathan Gray, A.J. Puk

Tyler Danish, RHP, Durant HS (FL) - The historic season continues for the 6’-1” right-hander as he tossed another shutout on May 7, striking out 14 to three walks. He now has gone 83 innings without allowing an earned run with 141 K/15 BB and just 28 hits allowed. His fastball has been clocked at 95 mph this season with late life and movement and his offspeed stuff is already above-average. He also stars at the plate, hitting .392 on the season with seven home runs, 24 RBI and a .515 OBP/.696 SLG. Committed to Florida. link

This has been a great season for prep catchers. Jon Denney is going to be a top-10 pick, Reese McGuire could go in the top-20, and now Sweaney is making his mark with a strong senior season. A tremendous athlete, Jake Sweaney plays football and baseball. His future lies in the latter, as he projects to stay behind the plate with a 6'2", 175-pound frame that he will fill out a bit as he gets older. link

Dillon Overton, Oklahoma - It's hard to believe now but Overton was the more heralded pitching recruit at Oklahoma over Jonathan Gray.  Overton, in fact, was still higher rated by most when the season began.  A forearm strain has caused him to drop.  Despite the smallest build of those we've talked about so far, Overton has the best fastball. When healthy, he works in the low 90s and is able to touch 95.  Moreover he also have the potential for 3 above average to plus pitches.  His slider is a swing and miss offering when right and his change up has good fade and gives him a legit out pitch vs. RH hitters. link

Jonathan Gray | RHP, Oklahoma - At 6-4, 235, Jonathan Gray throws hard — really hard.  He’s comfortable sitting in the upper-90s, and he cranks it up to the triple digits with ease.  The heater is an easy plus-plus pitch, and it only serves to amplify the effectiveness of the slider and the change — both solid offerings with plus potential.  Altogether, the repertoire is a wonderful whiff generator (112/19 K/BB in 94 IP this season).  Provided his command stays sharp as he ventures into pro ball, Gray’s pure stuff could have success in the upper levels right away.  A Class-A assignment to begin the year seems more likely, and probably more prudent, but I expect to see him reach Double-A by year’s end.  I also expect him to be off the board before pick 3.  Cubs and Astros fans should be excited at the prospect of landing this one.  link

WILD CARD: A.J. Puk, lhp/1b, Washington HS, Cedar Rapids: Puk has a whole deck of wild cards when it comes to his draft status, starting with his dual talents as a pitcher and hitter, as well as his strong desire to continue hitting. He is a very good student with a scholarship to one of the most prominent baseball schools in the country in Florida.  link

Draft 13 – Carlos Salazar, K.J. Franklin, Austin Meadows, Braden Shipley, Tyler Danish

Carlos Salazar, RHP, Kerman HS (CA) - Salazar has been climbing draft boards all spring, and there is a great chance he won’t be available when the Cubs pick at 41. His fastball has touched 97 mph and sits in the 91-93 range with late life and movement. He also features a solid, low-80s change-up while his breaking stuff is still developing. At 6’-3” and 210 pounds, he has the frame to add more velocity. Over 55 innings this season, he has yet to allow an earned run and has struck out 104 to 21 walks, allowing just 15 hits. He has worked hard on his control over the past year, cutting his BB/9 ratio down from 6.4 to 3.4 this year. Committed to Fresno State. link

K.J. Franklin, 3B, Gahr HS (CA) - Over his last five games, the 6’-2”, 220-pound right-hander has gone 10 for-16 (.625) with four doubles, two home runs and has driven in 14 runs. On the season, he is now hitting .459 over 23 games with seven doubles, eight home runs, 32 RBI and has drawn 11 walks for a .544 OBP/.878 SLG. With his size and tremendous power, he could go high in the 2o13 MLB draft, especially if teams believe he can stick at the hot corner. Committed to Arizona State. link

Why Austin Meadows should be the top pick: "He's going to be 17 at the Draft. You've got a really young hitter. He's a pure hitter. He's one of those kids who can fall out of bed and hit. There's a lot of upside, a lot of ceiling. He has good baseball instincts, he runs the bases well. In the outfield, he's got good anticipation, his routes are advanced for a high school kid. Of the five tools, you'll have to wait for the power to come. I think it will. When that body matures, and he gets stronger, that's when the power will show up. He's too good of a hitter. He might hit .280-.300 with 20-plus home runs. That's a pretty good player. It's hard to get that, especially out of a high school kid, in the Draft." - link

Player:  Braden Shipley  Position:  RHP  School:  Nevada    Height/Weight:  6’3/190  Bats/Throws:  R/R  2013 Class:  College Junior  Scouting Report: High 3/4 arm slot  Hides the ball well Projects 3 above average to plus pitches Mid 90′s fastball has touched 98 Change is a plus pitch with good arm speed Hard curveball flashes and should be an above average pitch Good athleticism  link

Dan Kirby ‏ @DanMKirby

Durant HS (FL) Tyler Danish had 13 Ks over 7 shutout IP. Now has allowed 0 ER over 83 IP w/ 28 H, 140 K/12 BB.

Draft 13 – Matthew Thaiss, Bryan Radziewski, Byron Buxton, Tyler Danish, Casey Shane

Matthew Thaiss, Jackson Memorial HS (NJ) - A left-handed hitter, the 6’-1”, 190-pound Thaiss has some power behind his swing, and he also has a good approach at the plate. Over 28 games as a junior, he hit seven home runs and drew 23 walks for a .481 OBP. He makes consistent contact and should develop even more power as he develops. Defensively, he has a strong, accurate arm with a quick release (1.87-1.91 pop times). He took on catching full time as a junior and threw out 11 base runners on throws that were barely four feet off the ground. He is a good athlete and a leader on the field. Committed to Virginia. link

Bryan Radziewski, LHP (Miami): Of all college lefties available, the Hurricane has quietly been one of the best. Radziewski may not be one of the most physically imposing starters (at 5’9″-10″, 195 lbs.), he has been outstanding through 56 innings. The left-hander has struck out 73 while allowing 16 walks and 28 hits, leading to a 0.95 ERA (2.70 FIP). He missed most of last year after having to go under the knife, which was a shame after a strong freshman year debut (92 K, 37 bb, 87 h in 91 IP). It’s funny how he is not spoken about as much in draft circles, aside from those that follow the college game closely. While I can’t say how well Radziewski’s stuff will translate to the minors, his ability to miss bats will certainly help him a lot. link

Dan Kirby‏  @DanMKirby

Byron Buxton goes 2-for-4 w HR, 2 RBI. Now hitting .388 over 24 G w/ 5 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 21 BB, 10 SB, .510/.694

Durant HS (FL) Tyler Danish 7 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 12 K/0 BB in a huge win. Has allowed zero ER over 76 IP w/ 127 K/12 BB, 26 H

Centennial HS (TX) RHP Casey Shane had 13 Ks over 7 IP in 3-1 win over Aledo HS. Now has 90 K/8 BB over 46.1 IP (17.5 K/9)