Draft 13 – Clinton Hollon, Marco Gonzales, Cody Reed, Alex Gonzalez, Carlos Salazar

Clinton Hollon, RHP, Woodford County HS (KY) - On May 7, the 6’-1” right-hander needed just 87 pitches to toss a seven inning no-hitter. He struck out 11 to one walk and now has a 0.96 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 68 K/11 BB over 47 innings, allowing just 18 hits. He features a low/mid-90s fastball and both his curveball and change-up are already considered above-average pitches. Committed to Kentucky. LINK

Marco Gonzales is one of the most interesting pitchers in this draft. His stock is incredibly high, to the point where he will likely end up going in the first round, but he does it in a way that usually gives evaluators some pause. Working with a fringe-average fastball from the left side, usually in the 86-89 mph range, Gonzales is not going to blow opposing hitters away. But he has such a good off-speed repertoire, with a plus changeup, above-average curveball, as well as a cutter, above-average command of everything and a great feel for pitching that the Gonzaga ace can get away with less velocity on his heater. LINK

Cody Reed, NW Mississippi - Reed is the sleeper in the group.  He's come out of nowhere as a guy who was on the small side and had a mid 80s fastball in high school.  He ended up going to a community college in Mississippi.  Since those days, Reed has grown to a filled out 6'5"and is perhaps the most intriguing non-prep lefty and may rival Overton as the guy with the best upside. He's a guy we talked about before as a fast riser on the strength of a fastball that can reach the mid 90s.  Reed has also increased the velo on his slider into the low 80s.  He has a smooth, athletic delivery from the left side and throws with pretty good command considering his experience level.

LINK

Player:  Alex Gonzalez  Position:  RHP  School:  Oral Roberts Date of Birth:  1/15/1992  Height/Weight:  6’3/200  Bats/Throws:  R/R  2013 Class:  College Junior Previously Drafted:  2010, 11th Rd, Orioles  Scouting Report: Clean, simple delivery Repeats delivery well 3/4 arm slot Does a good job pitching downhill Low 90′s fastball, hits 94, with good sink and run Slider with late break is an above average pitch Improving changeup Carries his stuff into late innings LINK

Dan Kirby ‏@DanMKirby

Kerman HS (CA) RHP Carlos Salazar gave up first ER of season: 6 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 11 K/4 BB. Has 147 K/26 BB over 74 IP w/ 1 ER, 22 H

Draft 13 – Alex Gonzalez, Jeremy Martinez, Phil Bickford, Colin Moran, Derik Beauprez

Alex Gonzalez, RHP, Oral Roberts - In his last two starts, the 6’-3” right-hander has tossed 15 innings, allowing two runs on 11 hits, striking out 17 to three walks. He now has a 2.15 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 82 K/17 BB over 75.1 innings, holding opponents to a .222 batting average. He features a low-90s fastball and has excellent command of his pitches.  link

Jeremy Martinez, Mater Dei HS (CA) - Like Okey, Martinez is a polished player who also is a two-time gold medal winner for U18 Team USA. Very good defensively, the 5’-11”, 200-pound right-hander also performs well with the bat. While the power hasn’t shown up yet, he has a very good approach at the plate and squares up well, making consistent contact to all fields. Over 21 games this season, he is hitting .386 and has drawn 12 walks to just four strikeouts for a .513 OBP. He should be available at 41, and his high make up fit’s the organization’s philosophy. Committed to Southern California. -  link

Dan Kirby  ‏@DanMKirby

Oaks Christian HS (CA) 6'-4" RHP Phil Bickford's last 3 starts: 21 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 39 K/5 BB. Includes a no-no. Has hit 97 mph

UNC 3B Colin Moran 2-for-4 w/ HR, 4 RBI. Now hitting .434 over last 33 G w/ 7 2B, 11 HR, 62 RBI, 25 BB, .541 OBP/.783 SLG


Derik Beauprez, RHP, Cherry Creek HS (CO) - Like Bostick, the 6’-5” Beauprez can hit the mid-90s with his fastball and has a lot of projection due to his size and live, loose arm. He also features solid secondary stuff including a tight curveball. He hasn’t pitched a lot this year, so he is still raw in some areas, but he has a fresh arm and a high ceiling. He is also an excellent hitter and could be drafted as a power-hitting corner outfielder, as well. Should be available at 77. Committed to Miami. link

Reading Into Everything

HEADLINES ARE AWESOME

They are. We read them and can glean from them all sorts of useful information. HOWEVER... we sometimes read a little too far into them. I decided to take a look at some of these Met related news items and the inferences that people make.

Jose Reyes Visits Miami - Now, I won't say that Jose WON'T end up signing with the Miami Marlins and it isn't IMPOSSIBLE that the Marlins would simply blow him away with an offer to the point where he'd stop looking. What I will say is there is LITTLE chance Reyes signs before teams start bidding in earnest. At least wait until the Tigers and Brewers have made their pitches.

Ramon Hernandez Signs With Rockies - This move leads me to believe that the Rockies are planning to move their prospect Wilin Rosario. Rosario is one of the names you'd have to believe the Mets would ask for in a deal for David Wright. HOWEVER, this in no way means that David Wright will be traded OR that Rosario will be traded. It simply means the Rockies are now better equipped to move him.

The Padres Trying (Unsuccessfully) To Move O-Hud - Orlando Hudson was once on every Met fan's wishlist. FRANKLY, it was more about Met fans wanting Castillo OUT. Because the Padres cannot move O-Hud they may be forced to move Jason Bartlett instead. Now... should Reyes sign elsewhere you can bet that the Mets will AT LEAST inquire into Jason's availability. HOWEVER, I don't know that the Padres are "Desperate" to trade EITHER player.

Mets Are Willing To give Reyes 5 Years and $80 Million - First of all, I'm fairly certain that the Marlins already offered over that. Secondly $16 Mil per year isn't the going rate for a player of Jose's caliber. So... this means the Mets are going to offer something low and say, "We tried." We've seen them do that before. What this ACTUALLY means is... NOTHING. Yes, the Mets WOULD pay Reyes $80 Mil over 5 years... so would a lot of teams. Right now I think the question is if a team will go over $100 Mil and offer 6 years.

Marlins Sign Heath Bell - The ONLY thing this means is that Leo Nunez no longer has fantasy value. Gee... shucks. Bell is a good closer and the Marlins are on the verge of being a very good team. Does this make them MORE likely to sign Reyes? NO! Does it make them less? NO! Actually this is one of the few times where a signing MIGHT mean something to the Mets. Leo Nunez who has changed his name to Oviedo will now likely be non-tendered. So... cross one expensive closer off the FA list and add a cheap one.

The Giants Are In Talks With Alex Gonzalez - There are some who saw Alex Gonzalez as a backup plan to Reyes signing elsewhere. HONESTLY... who are these people. Reyes might be miles ahead of Ruben Tejada but, take it from a guy who is not a Tejada fan, Alex Gonzalez is not. The Mets would be absurdly stupid to not pay for Reyes and then pay for Alex.

What's the Point?

Don't get too hung up on what you read in in the paper, online or what you hear on the radio. Unless Sandy Alderson says, "Well now we cannot sign Reyes.", Another team signs Reyes or Reyes retires... he still COULD be coming back to New York. Try not to read into these surrounding moves too much.