Draft 13 – Cody Bellinger, Phil Bickford, Ryan Tellez, Jordan Sheffield, Akeem Bostick

Cody Bellinger, OF/1B, Hamilton HS (AZ) - The son of former major leaguer Clay Bellinger, the 6’-4” Cody is a left-hander who stars at the plate, as well as the mound. His hitting is what scouts love, however, as the athletic outfielder shows good speed (6.82/60), arm strength (90 mph from outfield) and the potential for big-time power as he matures. Over his last 15 games, he is hitting .511 with six extra-base hits, 11 stolen bases and has drawn nine walks for a .600 OBP/.711 SLG. Committed to Oregon. LINK

Phil Bickford, RHP, Oaks Christian HS (CA) - On Friday, the 6’-4” flame thrower picked up the win in relief tossing four shutout innings, striking out five to no walks in a 1-0 win over San Marino HS. If you throw out his second start of the season, in which he allowed four runs over six innings, he has a 0.41 ERA, 0.55 WHIP and 110 K/9 BB over 65.1 innings, allowing just 27 hits. His fastball is plus and can touch 96 mph. His secondary offerings are solid, but with his size, there is so much projection left. He should be gone on day one of the 2013 MLB draft and could go as high as pick 12-15. LINK

 

Ryan Tellez, Elk Grove (Elk Grove, Calif.) - Considered one of the top power hitters in California, Tellez is batting .456 with 38 RBI, 14 doubles and seven home runs for the playoff bound Thundering Herd. At 6-foot-5, 225-pounds, Tellez has a powerful frame with a smooth swing. Likely to go somewhere in the first five rounds. LINK

Jordan Sheffield, P, Vanderbilt 98% - Sheffield had Tommy John surgery and isn't likely to command a high pick. With slotting, overplaying late isn't as strong of an option but could still happen. I expect to see him pitching for Vandy.

Randy Hart ‏@pumpjock3y - 2013 HSSR 4A Baseball Player of Yr Akeem Bostick West Florence (SC) HS

Draft 13 – Saturday Last Minute Draft Dirt

Houston wrestles with pick -

If the Astros select Mark Appel and them give him a lowball offer of around 4 million knowing that if he declines he would have to play a year of independent ball and on top of that the Astros will probably have the first to picks so the highest Appel would then go would be third. The third pick of course carries a lower slot allotment. http://mlbreports.com/2013/05/29/houdraftday/

East Tennessee State University, Mercer University and the Virginia Military Institute have been extended invitations to join the Southern Conference beginning July 1, 2014, SoCon Commissioner John Iamarino announced from the league’s spring meetings Thursday. http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2013/05/30/socon-adds-etsu-mercer-and-vmi/

Jordan Sams‏@astrosjordan - @DanMKirby Not even the Astros know who they're taking yet, so Jonathan Gray still great possibility. He'd sign for under as well… Last Collin Moran thought: if he moves to 1B, there's really no difference between him and DJ Peterson.

LSU SP Cody Glenn WILL NOT be on the active roster for the NCAA Regional this weekend. Was to be the Game 3 starter.

Perhaps the one player making it the most difficult to figure out the first round is Sean Manaea. Once thought to be a potential No. 1 pick, the big, hard-throwing lefty struggled for much of this season, a hip flexor the biggest issue. Given his health issues, he has a big question mark around his name right now, making figuring out a mock draft really tough. You’ll see I put him 19th (Cardinals), but that’s not based on any solid information. I just felt someone would roll the dice on Manaea and St. Louis hasn’t shied away from taking college pitching that slides to them later in the round. - http://minors.mlblogs.com/2013/05/31/the-draft-wild-card-that-is-sean-manaea/

LSU shortstop Alex Bregman and left fielder Raph Rhymes came out of Friday's NCAA Regional game against Jackson State after a violent collision between the two in the top of the fourth inning. The duo were giving chase on a fly ball hit to shallow left field when they collided. http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2013/05/lsus_alex_bregman_raph_rhymes.html

FLASH - OF - Matt den Dekker

Center-field prospect Matt den Dekker, who had highlight-reel grabs throughout spring training, still has a ways to go in his comeback from a fractured right wrist.

Terry Collins said den Dekker's wrist suffered disuse atrophy while in a cast for a prolonged period. Den Dekker currently is in Port St. Lucie, Fla., swinging with only his left hand. The hope is den Dekker can try taking regular swings beginning next week.

http://metsblog.com/metsblog/matt-den-dekker-not-close-to-returning/

Baseball America - Mock

1. HOUSTON ASTROS: Houston’s list still includes five players, with Georgia high school outfielder Clint Frazier believed to be a distant fifth behind the four college prospects discussed above. Despite all the Moran talk, I still think it comes down to Gray and Appel, a Houston native whom the Astros considered at No. 1 a year ago. The industry perception is that it will be easier to strike a deal with Gray, and that could be the tiebreaker if the club is split between Gray’s upside and Appel’s polish. If the Astros take a bat, it would be Bryant over Moran.
PROJECTED PICK: Jonathan Gray (Mock draft 1.0/2.0: Mark Appel/Gray).
2. CHICAGO CUBS: Chicago will consider the top four college prospects. While the Cubs won’t draft for need, they lack pitching and the decision will come down to Gray and Appel here as well. I don’t believe Chicago has resolved which pitcher it would select if it has its choice of both.
PROJECTED PICK: Mark Appel (Mock draft 1.0/2.0: Jonathan Gray/Appel).
3. COLORADO ROCKIES: This might be the easiest decision in the draft, taking whichever of the three best prospects (Gray, Appel and Bryant) remains after the first two teams have selected. If the Rockies deviate from that, Moran could be their guy.
PROJECTED PICK: Kris Bryant (Mock draft 1.0/2.0: Bryant/Bryant).
4. MINNESOTA TWINS: If Minnesota can’t get one of the big three, it will take Texas high school righthander Kohl Stewart. If Stewart’s price tag scares the Twins—he’s a Texas A&M quarterback recruit, though I can’t see him turning down top-10-pick money—they could go in the other direction and save cash for later by taking a discount with Washington prep catcher Reese McGuire. Indiana high school lefty Trey Ball and Moran are two more fallback plans.
PROJECTED PICK: Kohl Stewart (Mock draft 1.0/2.0: Stewart/Stewart).
5. CLEVELAND INDIANS: Cleveland will take one of the top four college prospects, with the most likely outcome being Moran. If all four went in the first four selections, the next college guy for Cleveland would be Nevada righthander Braden Shipley. They also could consider Georgia high school outfielders Frazier and Austin Meadows and Ball.
PROJECTED PICK: Colin Moran (Mock draft 1.0/2.0: Braden Shipley/Moran).
6. MIAMI MARLINS: Miami has been linked to Shipley for a while. He still appears to be the Marlins’ target, ahead of Meadows, Missisippi State outfielder Hunter Renfroe and maybe Moran if he were still on the board.
PROJECTED PICK: Braden Shipley (Mock draft 1.0/2.0: Reese McGuire/Shipley).
7. BOSTON RED SOX: If Minnesota doesn’t take Stewart, Boston will pounce on him. If he’s not available, the Red Sox likely will choose between the Georgia prep outfielders, and they’re split internally on which way to go. They also could look at Ball or college righthanders Shipley, Ryne Stanek (Arkansas) and maybe even Alex Gonzalez (Oral Roberts).
PROJECTED PICK: Austin Meadows (Mock draft 1.0/2.0: Clint Frazier/Frazier).
8. KANSAS CITY ROYALS: It will be an upset it Kansas City doesn’t pick a pitcher. Assuming Stewart and Shipley are gone, the Royals would choose between Ball, California high school righthander Phil Bickford and Gonzalez. They don’t appear to be on Stanek, a suburban Kansas City high school product who’s stock is on the rise again after his strong start at the Southeastern Conference tournament.
PROJECTED PICK: Trey Ball (Mock draft 1.0/2.0: Ryne Stanek/Ball).
9. PITTSBURGH PIRATES (compensation pick for failure to sign 2013 first-rounder Mark Appel): Pittsburgh has been associated with McGuire and New Mexico corner infielder D.J. Peterson for weeks. The Pirates pick again at 14 and have a better chance sneaking Peterson through five more selections, so they’ll take McGuire here.
PROJECTED PICK: Reese McGuire (Mock draft 1.0/2.0: Colin Moran/McGuire).
10. TORONTO BLUE JAYS: Toronto is looking for a high-ceiling talent to fall here. Getting Stewart of Frazier is the Jays’ primary hope, with Meadows, Ball and California prep shortstop J.P. Crawford the other possibilities.
PROJECTED PICK: Clint Frazier (Mock draft 1.0/2.0: Trey Ball/Austin Meadows).
11. NEW YORK METS: Some sources think Peterson is a lock for New York if he gets here, and the club would love a chance at Meadows. The Mets also are tied to other bats such as Mississippi State outfielder Hunter Renfroe and California prep first baseman Dom Smith. Even with all that, I think they could go for a college arm, especially if Stanek makes a strong closing argument in his NCAA regional start on Saturday.

PROJECTED PICK: Ryne Stanek (Mock draft 1.0/2.0: D.J. Peterson/Stanek).

the rest...  http://ht.ly/lB6bI

Mets Draft Target - LHP - Kent Emanuel

The 2013 draft does not offer up too many elite left-handed pitchers. 

The top college arm (Sean Manaea) went dead arm last week and the next three ptential first round picks (Trey Ball, Ian Clarkin, Robert Kaminsky) all are high school kids with 4-5 years of projection.

This would leave the Mets to either go down to a second rounder for their first pick, or go bat and hope one of the college guys are still around at #48.

A perfect example would be the University of North Carolina's Kent Emanuel. 


Emanuel stepped into North Carolina's pitching staff and took a key role as a freshman, going 9-1, 2.33 in 16 starts with an 89/23 K/BB in 104 innings, allowing 96 hits. He was even better as a sophomore in 2012, going 8-4, 1.96 with a 100/23 K/BB in 110 innings, allowing 91 hits. Both seasons were excellent statistically, and the scouting reports are coming around to match the numbers. Listed at 6-4, 190 coming out of high school, Emanuel has filled out and added strength without losing flexibility, now listed at 6-4, 225 heading into the spring of 2013. The improved strength has shown up on the field, with his fastball reportedly kicking up into the low-90s. His changeup is very good and compliments the fastball well. The biggest past complaint about Emanuel has been about his breaking ball, but that is now tighter and more effective than it was in high school.  http://www.minorleagueball.com/2013/2/14/3978084/2013-mlb-draft-kent-emanuel-lhp-university-of-north-carolina 

Player:  Kent Emanuel
Position:  LHP
School:  North Carolina
Date of Birth:  6/4/1992
Height/Weight:  6’4/225
Bats/Throws:  L/L
2013 Class:  College Junior
Previously Drafted:  2010, 19th Rd, Pirates

Scouting Report:

• High leg kick
• High 3/4 arm slot
• Upper 80′s fastball, touches 91
• Slow curve can be an above average pitch
• Change with good arm speed and movement
• Change shows plus potential
• Also throws a slider
• Above average command  -  http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2013/02/28/2013-mlb-draft-profile-kent-emanuel/

Mack - I like Emanuel, but not at #11 or even #48. I would wait and see if I could steal him with my third pick. May not work, but worth a shot.

New Hamshire 8 - Bimghamton 7

Early Lead Burns Away in 8-7 Loss

MANCHESTER, NH – The Binghamton Mets failed to hold an early five-run lead and fell to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, 8-7, in the series opener on a hot Friday night at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. B-Mets starter Logan Verrett was tagged for eight runs on eleven hits, including a go-ahead grand slam by Adam Loewen, in his second loss of the year.

With the temperature sitting in the low 90’s, the Binghamton offense unleashed a vicious attack against New Hampshire starter Deck McGuire in the second. Cory Vaughn started the rally with a single up the middle and Darrell Ceciliani continued to set the table by lacing a double down the right field line.

Blake Forsythe started the run-producing hit parade and put the B-Mets on the board with an infield single to first. Richard Lucas tacked on by ripping a two-run double down the left field line and Wilfredo Tovar joined the party with a run-scoring two-bagger to left. Josh Rodriguez capped the rally, and extended his hitting streak to 17 games, with an RBI double to left-center.

Verrett deftly handled the Fisher Cats through three scoreless innings, but faltered in the fourth. The home team plated a pair of runs on four hits and a hit batsman. Clint Robinson got New Hampshire on the board with an RBI single and Sean Ochinko delivered a two-out RBI double.

The Fisher Cats tagged Verrett with more two-out offense in the fifth. After retiring the first two batters on four pitches, the righty surrendered a double to Brian Van Kirk and was taken deep to right by Ryan Schimpf, cutting Binghamton’s lead to one. Both hits came on 0-2 counts.

New Hampshire delivered the knockout blow in the sixth. The Fisher Cats loaded the bases with two singles and a walk. After working the count full, Adam Loewen lifted a grand slam over the left field wall, giving the Fisher Cats an 8-5 lead.

The blast ended Verrett’s (6-2) night. The righty allowed a career-high eight runs on ten hits, including two homers in his first loss in his last five starts. He walked one and struck out three.

The home run also made a winner of McGuire (3-5). The right-hander settled down after his rough second and posted four hitless innings, retiring 12 of the last 15 B-Mets batters he faced.

Tyson Brummett took over in the seventh and sailed through his first two innings of relief. Binghamton’s offense finally awoke in the ninth after six hitless innings. After a leadoff single, Forsythe blasted an RBI double to left and scored on a pair of groundouts to cut New Hampshire’s lead to one. Brummett battled back to retire Danny Muno to end the game and earn his second save.

Ryan Fraser made his season debut with the B-Mets and posted two scoreless innings of relief. Jack Leathersich struck out the side in a perfect eighth.

The B-Mets (31-24) continue their three-game set against the Fisher Cats (28-28) Saturday night at 7:05 PM. RHP Rafael Montero gets the nod for Binghamton against RHP Ryan Tepera. The Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show begins at 6:50 PM on Newsradio 1290 WNBF.

POSTGAME NOTES: Binghamton scored the first run for the first time in five games…Loewen’s homer was the third grand slam allowed by the B-Mets this season (Michael Almanzar, Portland Sea Dogs, May 24 & Matt Spring, Portland, May 18)…the last nine outs recorded by Leathersich spanning three appearances have been strikeouts

Savannah 6 - Kannapolis 2

The Kannapolis Intimidators came up empty-handed against three Savannah Sand Gnats relievers in a 6-2 loss on Friday in front of 3,643 fans at CMC-NorthEast Stadium. Kannapolis (19-33) managed just three base runners over the final five innings.

Gnats reliever Julian Hilario (4-2) tossed 3.0 scoreless frames for the win, allowing three hits. Beck Wheeler and Brett Mitchell each logged one inning of work for Savannah in relief of starter Jake Kuebler, who gave up two runs in 4.0 innings in a no decision.

Kannapolis starter Euclides Leyer opened by retiring the first eight batters he faced before issuing a two-out walk then giving up a two-run home run to Maika De La Cruz for a 2-0 Gnats lead in the third inning.

Savannah added another run in the fourth inning when Kevin Plawecki singled, advanced to second base on a wild pitch before scoring on Jeff Reynolds's base hit.

Kannapolis pulled within a run in the bottom of the fourth. Jason Coats started the rally with a one-out base hit. Josh Richmond and Brent Tanner followed with RBI-doubles, cutting the Gnats lead to 3-2 through four innings.

The Sand Gnats countered with a two-run rally of their own the following frame. Yucary De La Cruz, Maika De La Cruz, Brandon Nimmo and Jayce Boyd strung together four hits, as Nimmo and Boyd came through with run-scoring singles, to put Savannah up 5-2.

Leyer (2-6) took the loss, allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hits over 6 2/3 innings. Intimidators reliever Stew Brase worked 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.  

Kannapolis center fielder Josh Richmond went 2-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored.

Tonight's game was followed by a fireworks show presented by Cabarrus Health Alliance.

The Intimidators and Sand Gnats continue this series on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. The Intimidators are giving away youth jerseys to the first 1,000 kids (14 & under) presented by CMC-NorthEast. For ticket information, please call the F&M Bank Box Office at (704) 932-3267 or visit intimidatorsbaseball.com.

Mack Ade - Morning Report - 6-1-13

We’ve talked so many times about the depth of starting pitching in the Mets system. This has never been more evident now that some of these guys are coming off the DL. In fact, there simply are too many good pitchers both in St. Lucie and Binghamton.

The B-Mets now have six legitimate starters on their staff: Rafael Montero, Logan Verrett, Cory Mazzoni, Jake deGrom, Erik Goeddel, and Mark Cohoon.

Think that’s crowded? Well, Lucy has seven: Noah Syndergaard, Domingo Tapia, Rainy Lara, Luis Mateo, Matt Bowman, Angel Cuan, and Alex Panteleodis.

We know that Zack Wheeler will join Jon Niese and Matt Harvey soon in the Mets rotation and we assume that Montero will quickly follow.

Then what?

If the fifth starter is Tapia, what does the team do with the rest of these guys? And, we didn’t even include Hansel Robles and Michael Fulmer who are on the DL?

Shall we go further? Marcos Camarena, Gabriel Ynoa, Luis Cessa, Steven Matz, Tyler Pill, Logan Taylor…

 

And what if we come out of the draft with the likes of Ryne Stanek, Austin Kubitza, and Karsten Whitsen?

 

Do you see where I’m going here. Is there a pattern being branded.

There’s only one way to dominate this game and that’s through quality starting pitching and, if you happen to have too much of it, well, you can just about get anything you need to build a great dynasty. Most of these guys need another 12-18 months to mature, but the Mets should be able to hold the fort down in 2014 with Harvey, Wheeler, Niese, Montero, and Gee.

Past that is all gravy.

Case in point… take the Dillon Gee outing vs. the Yankees. The Mets had four hits, but won by two runs. How? Simple… quality starting pitching.

Dillon Gee ‏@DillonGee35 - Thank you all for the support! Just happy to contribute to a WIN!! 

Keeping an eye on:

                AAA – 2B – Wilmer Flores – Flores continues his spiraling up this week (last 10 games: .372) and now has a seasonal stat line of: .292/.335/.470/.805. He also leads the league with 20 doubles. The last thing this guy led a league in was errors on shortstop. Now, he’s playing a position where the team has an all-star playing. All this and still only 21-years old. Is he a future Mets second baseman? Frankly, I’m pretty high on Daniel Murphy right now, who not only continues to prove he’s one of the better hitters in baseball, but he’s also one of the members of a solid nucleus of clubhouse leaders. No, Flores is back to trade bait again, but he has such a negative reputation as a busted prospect with most of the scouts out there. He and Jefry Marte were touted so early as the future Mets infield, which came a few years after Hector Pellot and Juan Lagares were touted as the future Mets infield. Baseball takes these 16-year old Latin kids and turns them into baseball legends before they have even learned to field a ball hit straight at them. The good news is the group of PCL scouts who had never seen him before have been quite impressed with how Wilmer has handled himself at this level. He’s still very young for a AAA player and, having only seven infield errors is baby numbers for a guy like Flores. Projection: Nothing has changed here over the years… trade bait to an American League team looking for a gap hitting DH.

                Ironically put online today:

Wilmer Flores, 2b, Mets: If you focus on what Flores can’t do, you’ll have a pretty lengthy list. The 21-year-old can’t run. Because of his slow feet, he’s struggled to find a permanent position, which is why second base is his latest landing spot (after stints at shortstop and third base in the past). And while his power plays as a middle infielder, it may not be enough if he ends up at first base. But focusing on what he can do, the man can square up a baseball. Flores hit .406/.406/.625 this week for Triple-A Las Vegas, with another reminder that he could be a .300 hitter in the big leagues—if he can find a position.  http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/prospect-hot-sheet-may-31-wil-myers-heats-up/

Mets Minor League Report – May 31

Savannah (32-22) trims Kannapolis (19-33) 6-2.

Julian Hilario, (W, 4-2) blanked the Intimidators, allowing only 3 H, 0 BB, 2 K, in 3.0 innings in relief of Jake Kuebler, who started the game for the Sand Gnats.

Beck Wheeler and Bret Mitchell each pitched a perfect inning with 2 K’s to finish off the game.

Maikis De La Cruz: 3-5, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R.

Yucary De La Cruz: 2-3, 2B, BB, 3 R, SB.

St Lucie (29-22) @ Charlotte (23-28) postponed (rain).

Binghamton (31-24) edged by New Hampshire (28-28) 8-7.

B-Mets’ starter Logan Verrett (L, 6-2) was bombed for 8 R on 11 H, (2 HR) BB, with 3 K.

K-Man Jack Leathersich pitched a perfect inning in relief, striking out all 3 batters he faced. The K-Man has made great strides in improving his command of late. In his last 10 games, 12.1 IP, he has not allowed a run, has a WHIP of 0.65, and given only 3 BB while striking out 27.

Darrell Ceciliani: 2-4, 2B, 2 R.

Blake Forsythe: 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R.

At the time of this writing, Las Vegas (26-26) leads Reno (21-34) 2-0 after 3 ½ innings.

D.J. Mitchell, in 4.0 IP: 0 R, 4 H, 4 BB. Better get those walks under control, D.J.

Collin Cowgill: 2-2, HR, RBI, R, SB.