5/7/13

Draft 13 – Corey Simpson, Mikey Reynolds, Jarrett Arakawa, Jonathan Denny, Phillip Ervin




Corey Simpson, Sweeny HS (TX) - More offense than defense, the 6’-3”, 220-pound Simpson does make for a big target behind the plate and is solid enough defensively to be given a shot to stick behind the plate. Offense is where he shines, though, as he is hitting .578 over 24 games with 11 doubles, 10 home runs, 39 RBI and has drawn 16 walks for a .659 OBP/1.183 SLG. He has tremendous power from the right side and has a good understanding of the strike zone — as many catchers seem to possess. Committed to Houston. - link


Mikey Reynolds, SS (Texas A&M): While he might not have a ton of power, the 5’9″ senior has shown off a strong approach this year. After transferring over from Paradise Valley CC last year, Reynolds posted a .306/.417/.403 line in 58 games with 21 SB (2 caught). Reynolds did struggle a bit in the Northwoods League this past summer however, hitting .246/.362/.339. He’s made some noticeable adjustments this year, hitting .388/.453/.442 (.444 wOBA) in 33 games, with a 14:11 bb to k ratio (and 12 SB). If he can manage to keep it up (and be a capable defender), he should be an interest bat-first middle infielder on Day Two. link


JARRETT ARAKAWA, lhp, University of Hawaii. Following a strong sophomore season at the University of Hawaii, Arakawa earned all-Cape Cod League honors over the summer and appeared poised to become the top pick out of the Aloha State in this draft. But he suffered a torn labrum and missed his entire junior season. The nature and timing of that injury make him a longshot for this draft, but he's a player that organizations will keep tabs on as he attempts to make the arduous recovery.  link


Jon Denney | C | Yukon HS (Yukon, OK) - Height/Weight: 6-foot-2/200 pounds B/T: R/R Draft Day Age: 18y 8m - In a deep draft for high-school catchers, Denney boasts the highest offensive ceiling of the bunch. A strong and solid 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame and compact, powerful swing help Denney to produce legit plus power to all fields, which he taps into both during batting practice and in games. He shows solid balance throughout his swing and is generally quiet in his head and hands. A well below-average runner, Denney’s offensive game relies primarily on brute force, but the swing is controlled enough, and the feel genuine enough, for the hit tool to project to average or better, as well. link


I like Phillip Ervin a lot. Is it crazy to suggest that he’s a little teeny tiny bit like the college version of everybody’s favorite high school hitter, Clint Frazier? Both are praised for, in order, their 1) electric bat speed, 2) well-rounded overall skill sets, 3) above-average arm strength (pre-injury for Frazier), 4) picture perfect pro-ready swings, 5) above-average speed on the base paths, and 6) advanced pitch recognition skills. The main concern for both is that they are maxed-out physically. Additionally, both can hack it in center (Ervin more than Frazier), but profile best defensively in right field (again, assuming Frazier’s bum arm bounces back in time). This is all far too simplistic a comparison and I’m clearly not taking into account the crucially important differences in their hair, but you can kind of see how the two share some things if you keep an open mind, right? link

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