D1 Game Notes – Chadd Krist, Brian Johnson, Joey Gallo, Kyle Zimmer, Mack’s Top 57 in Draft

 • Every MLB team looks for a catcher that can not only hit but throw runners out at second base. That being said, Texas had their way with Cal catcher Chadd Krist on Friday night. Krist gave up five stolen bases in just the first two innings. 

• Brian Johnson has been the top-rated college LHP in this class for most of the past year. He has the build and athleticism that teams want, and the potential on the mound to still get a lot better as a pro. Johnson’s fastball is solid for a left-handed pitcher, above-average probably, but it’s his secondary stuff (and the feel that he has for it) that makes him a good possibility to go in the first round. By most accounts, his slider is his most valuable pitch right now in terms of generating grounders and missing bats, though Johnson’s change-up is quickly improving as well. Further improvement with the latter will cement his status as a first-round pick. There are a number of other college pitchers ranks that throw two pitches well. Johnson’s ability to throw a fastball, change, and slider for strikes will put him above many of the other college arms, even if his ceiling might not be as high. What’s most especially interesting about him is that he could be a legitimate first-base prospect for a number of teams as well with a nice lefty power stroke. - link

• Joey Gallo is a physically strong, 6’5”, 205-pound, CI/RHP from Bishop Gorman HS (Nev.), a storied program that’s currently ranked as the second-best high school program in the country. One of the elite bats in the 2012 draft class, Gallo possesses power to all fields with exceptional pull-side power. However, it’s not just the left-handed hitter’s bat that intrigues scouts—Gallo also has potential on the mound. With a low-90s arm across the diamond, scouts will continue to debate whether Gallo is more projectable as a position player or pitcher. Given his monster frame, he has impressive athleticism and exhibits natural defensive actions at third base. However, he isn’t an elite defender and will probably never grade higher than a 55 at the hot corner. - link

 • Kyle Zimmer, RHP, San Francisco - Zimmer, a 6’-4”, 220-pound right-hander has been mentioned as the possible number-one overall pick recently, and some scouts have said that he is way better than Stanford’s Mark Appel, widely regarded as the most polished pitcher in the draft. The upside with Zimmer, who is relatively new to pitching, may be too enticing to pass on for teams picking at the top of the draft. His fastball has been clocked at 99 mph and routinely sits in the 93-96 mph range, even late in games. He also owns a hammer-curve that sits around 85 mph and his change-up is a straight and deceptive pitch that sits around 85 mph. His slider is also an above-average offering. - link

 • As of today, I have 18 ballplayers that are placed into a “AAA” category. In my book, these will be the first 18 players picked in the June draft. In no particular order:

 Kevin Gausman, Max Fried, Kenny Diekroeger, Deven Morreno, Trey Williams, Byron Buxton, Mike Zunino, Kyle Zimmer, Carlos Correa, Victor Roache, Stryker Trahan, Mark Appel, David Dahl, Michael Wacha, Coutney Hawkins, Lucas Giolito, Walker Weickel, Lance McCullers Jr.

 • I also have 39 “AA” players that represent the second tier of prospects in the draft. They are also in no particular order: 

Austin Maddox, Hunter Virant, Christian Walker, Steve Nyiszto, Gavin Cecchini, Joey Gallo, Kyle Carter, Peter O'Brien, Mitchell Traver, Matt Smoral , Jesmuel Valentin, Matt Reynolds, Albert Amora, Josh Elander, Marcus Stroman, Brett Mooneyham, Javier Valentin Diaz, Rio Ruiz (IR), Nick Williams, Tom Murphy, Matt Price, Brian Johnson, Nolan Fontana, Richie Shaffer, Tyler Naquin, Alex Bregman, Taylore Cherry, Andrew Heaney, Addison Russell, Stehen Piscotty, James Ramsey, Chris Beck, Preston Tucker, Duane Underwood, Travis Jankowski, Jake Cosart, Kayden Porter, Michael Roth, Brady Rodgers