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 – Akeem Bostick, Jacob Heyward, Jonathan Gray, Matt Williams, Jonah Wesely

Akeem Bostick, RHP, West Florence HS (SC) - The 6’-5” right-hander has turned a lot of heads this season with an easy delivery and a fastball that has touched 95 mph. He also adds solid secondary stuff and has great body control despite his size. Over 56 innings this season, he has 96 K/25 BB and has allowed just 23 hits. He has had six double-digit strikeout games with a career-high 13 over seven shutout innings on March 5. His command is a little inconsistent but with his size, and more left in the tank as far as velocity goes, he has a lot of upside. Should be available at 77. LINK

Dan Kirby ‏@DanMKirby

Jacob Heyward and Daz Cameron on the same team is unfair to any pitcher. Heyward has 3 BB and 3-R HR, Daz is 4-for-5 w/ 2B, BB, 2 RBI.

There was a time when it looked like Mark Appel would have no competition as the top player, college or high school, available. He was in the mix for that spot last year before falling to Pittsburgh with the No. 8 pick, then was unable to come to terms with them on a deal that allowed him to return to Stanford for his senior season. Along comes Jonathan Gray, who was in the mid-first round mix when the season started, showing a fastball that has jumped an entire grade to plus-plus, plus slider and an average changeup. Now the debate for the No. 1 pick has gotten much louder. LINK

John Whittle‏ @johnmwhittle -

2013 uncommitted INF Matt Williams played 120 games in high school over five years. Had a career BA of .411, 102 RBIs, 66 BB, 17 Ks. Wow.

 Mack Ade ‏@JohnMackinAde

Jonah Wesely JONAH!!!! you gettin' ready, son?

Jonah Wesely ‏@JonahWesely- @JohnMackinAde so excited!

Draft 13 – Adam Plutko, Brian Navarreto, Kris Bryant, Mark Appel, Akeem Bostick

Adam Plutko, RHP, UCLA - Over his last three starts, the 6’-3” right-hander has tossed 21 scoreless innings, allowing just eight hits. He has also struck out 22 to eight walks over that span. Over 10 starts, he now has a 2.34 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 53 K/18 BB over 65.1 innings. He features an 88-92 mph fastball, a low-80s change that looks plus at times and an upper-70s curveball with nice tailing action.  link

Brian Navarreto, Arlington Country Day HS (FL) - Playing for the same high school as Cubs top prospect Javier Baez, the 6’-4”, 220-pound Navarreto also shares the same fiery personality. A very good defensive catcher, Navarreto has a lot of offensive potential due to his size. He has a very strong, accurate arm with a quick release and has great footwork behind the plate due to his above-average athleticism — he has been clocked at 6.88 in the 60. He hit .512 as a junior with 16 doubles and 12 home runs, showing raw power from the right side. Not as polished as Okey or Martinez, he may have the higher ceiling of the two, but there may be some make up concerns as he recently punched a player in the face during a bench-clearing brawl. Committed to Jacksonville. link

With each retelling, the tale of Kris Bryant’s mammoth home run becomes more Ruthian and Bunyanesque. The ball either cleared the 80-foot light tower in left field at the University of San Diego’s Fowler Park, or was at least even with them before sailing deep into the drizzly, foggy night, probably landing on the football practice field down the hill. Whether it went 500 or 600 feet depends, again, on who was speaking. link

Mark Appel (RHP, Stanford University) - Information: 6’5″, 215 pounds, turns 22 in July, previously selected 1st round (8th overall) by Pirates in 2012 and 15th round by Tigers in 2009. 2013 Stats: 7-3, 1.49 ERA, 10.6 K/9, 1.6 BB/9, and 4 CG in 10 starts and 78.2 IP = Scouting Overview: Appel took a huge risk last summer, declining $3.8MM from the Pittsburgh Pirates after they selected him 8th overall to return to Stanford for his senior season. Appel had been a favorite to go first overall to the Astros last year, but they had instead decided on shortstop Carlos Correa, sending Appel into free-fall thanks to his bonus demands. Bud Selig finally called his name when the Pirates’ selection came around, but Appel refused to accept anything less than the $4.8MM Correa received and he could not agree to terms with Pittsburgh link

Akeem Bostick has plenty of options when it comes to the next step in his athletic career.  The West Florence pitcher draws a large number of Major League scouts every time he takes the hill for the Knights.  With the MLB Amateur Draft coming up this June, Bostick has all the bases covered when it comes to options.  Bostick is expected to be a high selection in the draft link

Draft 13 – Rob Kaminsky, Akeem Bostick, Bobby Wahl, Mark Appel, Adam Plutko

Rob Kaminsky, St. Joseph HS (NJ) - Kaminsky hasn’t had a lot of opportunities this season to show off what he can do — such is the life of a baseball player in the northeast. He has, however, made the best of his three starts, including tossing a no-hitter on April 2, the seventh of his career. He now has 38 strikeouts and has allowed just five hits over 19 innings. He features a low/mid-90s fastball and a plus curveball that some have called the best they have ever seen at the prep level. He also adds an upper-70s change-up that has plus potential. He has a lot of deception in his delivery, which is a testament to his seven no-hitters.  link

Akeem Bostick is a 6’5 185lb RHP from South Carolina. He plays for West Florence as not only a baseball player but as a top WR as well. Here’s a rather unique fun fact he’s also committed to 2 schools Georgia Southern the former home of recent 2012 Draftee Victor Roache of the Brewers and Spartenburg Methodist College which would be a Junior College. Why more prospects don’t do this is beyond me personally and I’m sure there’s a very logical reason to do it and not to do it but for me to have every single door available come draft day is a great idea. He can go to school for 1 year or get a degree from Southern as well as play football and baseball. It’s a great negotiation tactic come draft day and all business aside it really does offer you the chance to take any avenue you feel is best which is always what I’d recommend. link

Kendall Rogers ‏@KendallRogersPG

RHP Bobby Wahl w/ a great outing, striking out eight, allowing 3 H in a CG shutout road win over Tennessee

RHP Mark Appel struck out six, walked two and allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits in 6 2/3 IP in a 4-3 win over Arizona

UCLA RHP Adam Plutko struck out eight and tossed seven shutout innings on the road in a 1-0 win over Oregon. Pretty impressive outing.