Draft 13 – Ian Clarkin, Casey Meisner, Connor Jones, Thomas Windle, Braden Shipley

The best curveball in this year's class, Ian Clarkin works in the low 90s with a fastball that shows late life. He also throws a changeup that has the potential to become a plus pitch. Athletic with plenty of deception in his delivery, Clarkin has racked up 105 strikeouts over 58 2/3 innings this season. He owns a 7-2 record with a 1.07 ERA and a .159 batting average against. His big-game ability was on display last summer, when he starred for a Team USA squad that won the 18U world championship. Clarkin is committed to USD, but his top-of-the-rotation potential will likely land him in the top half of the first round.

Casey Meisner, RHP, Cy-Woods HS (TX) - At 6’-7” and 190 pounds, there is obviously a lot of room for projection. Meisner can hit 91 mph with his fastball and, despite his size, has good control of his body on the mound with a nice, easy delivery. He features an average, mid-70s curveball and developing change-up but needs to be more consistent with his command of both. He tossed a five-inning no-hitter in his season debut, striking out 13 to two walks, and for the season, he has 85 K/12 BB over 53 innings, allowing 32 hits. He is raw in areas, but the upside is high for a third-fourth round pick in the 2013 MLB draft. Committed to Texas Tech. LINK

I had the luxury of seeing Connor Jones during the Under-Armour All-American Game in Chicago last August, and he also took part in the World Wood Bat Championships in Florida, so this report is a mix of what I saw last year and his performance in that event. Jones gets by with basically one pitch right now: An average fastball that plays up because of his arm action and natural movement. He comes from a three-quarters slot and you can see the pitch really move, especially to his arm side, generating soft contact.  LINK

Thomas Windle, Minnesota - Windle was a guy some watched early because there seemed like there would be some potential for a breakthrough into first round territory.  That didn't happen and Windle is back in the range where scouts thought he'd be after his sophomore season.  He's an athletic pitcher who projects to have good command and to go with his advanced feel for pitching.  The stuff is solid but not special.  He has a good 88-92 mph fastball that has reached as high as 94.   There isn't a whole lot of movement but Windle's 6'4 frame that allows hm to throw that pitch from a good downward plane. LINK

Braden Shipley | RHP, Nevada - Gifted pitchers tend to arrive in the majors a bit more quickly than the hitters.  2012 first-rounders like Kevin Gausman and Michael Wacha are already on the cusp of breaking through in the bigs, and both could be making impacts in fantasy ball this year.  Braden Shipley is one of the few 2013 draft prospects who could find himself on the mixed league radar a year from now.  A University of Nevada product, Shipley displays a rare combination among pitching prospects:  supreme athleticism and plenty of polish to go with it.  His fastball is a plus offering, siting low- to mid-90s, touching elite velocity on occasion.  His changeup, though, is the pitch that stands out — probably the best change in the draft class, and he throws it with confidence and great deception.  Reports on his breaking stuff are mixed, but most scouts are optimistic that his hard curve will blossom into a third plus weapon.  At 6-3, 190, Shipley’s frame projects well as a starter.  A mid-rotation gig seems the most likely destination for him, but there’s front-end potential here if development goes well.  Expect Shipley to be drafted within the first 15 picks. LINK

Draft 13 – Riley Unroe, Dominic Smith, Clinton Hollon, Ryan Eades, Braden Shipley

Riley Unroe, SS, Desert Ridge HS (AZ) - With the defensive abilities to stick at shortstop, including plus speed (6.4/60) and a strong arm (91 mph), the 6’-1” switch-hitter is seeing his stock soar. His bat, however, remains his best tool. Over 31 games for one of the best programs in the country, he is hitting .565 with 14 doubles, five triples, 10 home runs and has driven in 59 runs. He has drawn 17 walks to just four strikeouts for a .642 OBP/1.152 SLG. He has also added 25 stolen bases. His father, Tim Unroe, spent five years in the majors with three different teams. Riley is an impressive talent who could be available at 77. Committed to USC. LINK

Dominic Smith, OF, Serra HS (CA) - The owner of one of the prettiest swings in the draft, Smith is a 6’-1” left-hander with an advanced approach at the plate. Over his last four games, he has gone 5-for-7 with a double, triple, three home runs and seven RBI. He has also drawn five walks and has been hit by a pitch three times, meaning he has reached base 15 of his last 17 plate appearances. On the season, he is now hitting .490/.614/1.059 over 20 games with five doubles, six home runs, 27 RBI and has drawn 14 walks to just five strikeouts. Aside from his hitting abilities, he also has a canon arm and can touch 94 mph on the mound. Committed to USC. LINK

Dan Kirby ‏@DanMKirby

Woodford County HS (KY) RHP Clinton Hollon: 7 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 13 K/3 BB. Has allowed just 19 H over 54 IP w/ 80 K/14 BB

           The rise of right-handed starting pitcher Ryan Eades might just be the difference for LSU as the NCAA postseason draws nearer. Eades has always had the potential to be a dominant weekend starting pitcher. He showed glimpses of greatness last season. But he also showed glimpses of a pitcher who had much work to do in terms of refining his stuff becoming more consistent. Even with those two things holding him back last season, he still managed to tally a respectable 3.83 ERA in 94 innings of work, along with 63 strikeouts and 28 walks. LINK

Perhaps I am overstating just how much Braden Shipley has moved, because he was already one of the top college pitchers on the board, but it is also a testament to how high I am on him. Shipley has added a half-grade to his fastball, which now sits in the 92-95 mph range, and his command of the pitch has gotten much better. He can spot it where he wants and it explodes out of his hand. He complements that with a changeup that is above-average right now and has the potential to be plus if he can consistently command it. Shipley also throws a hard slider that projects as an above-average pitch. LINK

Draft 13 – Nick Buckner, Ian Clarkin, Jacob Heyward, Clinton Hollon, Braden Shipley

Nick Buckner, OF, North Shore HS (TX) - A toolsy outfielder with good power from the left side, the 6’-1”, 200-pound Buckner is a great athlete who has been clocked at 6.7 in the 60. He has a very strong arm and has struck out 50 batters over 29 innings as a starter for North Shore. At the plate, he is hitting .347 over 25 games with eight home runs, 10 stolen bases and has drawn 22 walks for a .510 OBP/.787 SLG. He has a solid approach at the plate although his swing can lead to a lot of swing-and-miss. Good speed, defense and power from the left side make him a very intriguing prospect and he could be available at 77. Committed to Houston. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2013-mlb-draft-25-high-upside-targets-for-chicago-cubs/32522/#MvYdf3hwz57dhWIe.99  

 

Ian Clarkin, LHP, Madison HS (CA) - One of the best southpaws in the draft, the 6’-2” Clarkin tossed seven shutout innings on Friday, striking out 10 to two walks. Over his last three starts, he has 35 K/5 BB over 19 innings and, for the season, now has 97 K/19 BB over 51.2 innings, allowing just 26 hits. He features a plus curveball and a low-90s fastball with a lot of deception in his delivery. Committed to San Diego. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2013-mlb-draft-15-players/32713/#Flyk8TXiMYT8Hlfw.99

 

Dan Kirby ‏ @DanMKirby  - Jacob Heyward has been destroying the ball lately for Eagles Landing HS. Last 15: .450 w/ 6 2B, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 9 BB, 6 HBP, 5 SB

 

Prep Baseball Report ‏@prepbaseball  - KY: Pitching matchup of the night,Micah Miniard allows 0 hits with 6 K's and Clinton Hollon 1 hit with 12 K's in Woodford 1-0 win over Boyle

 

In three decades at Nevada, Gary Powers has coached 24 future big leaguers, including six pitchers. Four of those players became second-round picks, but he had never coached a first-rounder -- until now. Nevada junior right-hander Braden Shipley is a first-round lock, with a real chance to be drafted inside the top 10 overall picks. http://web.usabaseball.com/article.jsp?ymd=20130507&content_id=46842832&vkey=news_gsa

Draft 13 – Carlos Salazar, K.J. Franklin, Austin Meadows, Braden Shipley, Tyler Danish

Carlos Salazar, RHP, Kerman HS (CA) - Salazar has been climbing draft boards all spring, and there is a great chance he won’t be available when the Cubs pick at 41. His fastball has touched 97 mph and sits in the 91-93 range with late life and movement. He also features a solid, low-80s change-up while his breaking stuff is still developing. At 6’-3” and 210 pounds, he has the frame to add more velocity. Over 55 innings this season, he has yet to allow an earned run and has struck out 104 to 21 walks, allowing just 15 hits. He has worked hard on his control over the past year, cutting his BB/9 ratio down from 6.4 to 3.4 this year. Committed to Fresno State. link

K.J. Franklin, 3B, Gahr HS (CA) - Over his last five games, the 6’-2”, 220-pound right-hander has gone 10 for-16 (.625) with four doubles, two home runs and has driven in 14 runs. On the season, he is now hitting .459 over 23 games with seven doubles, eight home runs, 32 RBI and has drawn 11 walks for a .544 OBP/.878 SLG. With his size and tremendous power, he could go high in the 2o13 MLB draft, especially if teams believe he can stick at the hot corner. Committed to Arizona State. link

Why Austin Meadows should be the top pick: "He's going to be 17 at the Draft. You've got a really young hitter. He's a pure hitter. He's one of those kids who can fall out of bed and hit. There's a lot of upside, a lot of ceiling. He has good baseball instincts, he runs the bases well. In the outfield, he's got good anticipation, his routes are advanced for a high school kid. Of the five tools, you'll have to wait for the power to come. I think it will. When that body matures, and he gets stronger, that's when the power will show up. He's too good of a hitter. He might hit .280-.300 with 20-plus home runs. That's a pretty good player. It's hard to get that, especially out of a high school kid, in the Draft." - link

Player:  Braden Shipley  Position:  RHP  School:  Nevada    Height/Weight:  6’3/190  Bats/Throws:  R/R  2013 Class:  College Junior  Scouting Report: High 3/4 arm slot  Hides the ball well Projects 3 above average to plus pitches Mid 90′s fastball has touched 98 Change is a plus pitch with good arm speed Hard curveball flashes and should be an above average pitch Good athleticism  link

Dan Kirby ‏ @DanMKirby

Durant HS (FL) Tyler Danish had 13 Ks over 7 shutout IP. Now has allowed 0 ER over 83 IP w/ 28 H, 140 K/12 BB.

2013 Draft-Notes - Hunter Green, Chris Kohler, Braden Shipley, Brendan Hendriks, Rhett Wiseman

Hunter Green LHP Warren East HS, Bowling Green, Ky. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 160. B/T: L/L.  Green is a long, lean lefty with outstanding arm speed. He throws his fastball in the 88-92 mph range and complements it with a big curveball that has depth as well as a deceptive changeup. He has good feel for his off-speed stuff and has the look of a young pitcher who will continue to add velocity as he matures.

Chris Kohler  LHP  Los Osos HS, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 195. B/T: L/L. Kohler is a long, loose lefthander with a great feel for his stuff. He comfortably throws his fastball in the upper 80s and can slide into the low 90s on occasion. His curveball works as his out pitch and he also uses his changeup off of his fastball. He throws all of his offerings for strikes in any count.

 

Braden Shipley, rhp, Anchorage (Jr., Nevada): A former second-team all-Western Athletic Conference shortstop who pitched just 10 innings as a freshman, Shipley emerged as the Wolf Pack's Friday starter and won WAC pitcher of the year this spring, ranking first in ERA (2.20), second in innings (98), and third in strikeouts (80). Deployed as a closer to limit his innings, Shipley dominated in 13 summer innings, striking out 22 and walking two. Shipley has a lean, angular and athletic 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame that offers some projection. He throws from a high three-quarters slot and gets good downhill plane. Scouts love his mid-90s fastball that touches 97 mph.

INF Brendan Hendriks, San Francisco -- After putting together a respectable spring with a .311 batting average, Hendriks continued his impressive ways this spring for the Dons. He batted .400 with 17 doubles, two triples, six homers and 40 RBIs. He also had a 26:17 SO:BB ratio. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=7564

Rhett Wiseman, of, Brockton (Fr., Vanderbilt): Ranked No. 136 in the BA 500 heading into the 2012 draft, Wiseman slipped to the 25th round by the Cubs due to signability, and he elected to stick with his commitment to Vanderbilt. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Massachusetts native impressed league coaches with his athleticism and ability to cover both gaps. Although there are some holes in Wiseman's lefthanded swing, evidenced by a .224/.313/.344 line this summer, league managers observed that the ball exploded off his bat, and most were convinced that he would hit for average and power as he developed and gained more experience. The 18-year-old also swiped 13 bases and was praised for an advanced approach at the plate and outstanding work ethic.

Prep Baseball Report‏ @prepbaseball -  PA: Class of 2015 LHP Zach Wielgus (William Penn Charter) shines on the mound at Eastern PA Top Prospect Showcase