12-2-11: - http://mlbdraftcountdown.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/2012-mlb-mock-draft-updated-top-15-with-final-mlb-standings - 12) New York Mets: Matt Smoral, LHP, Solon HS (OH) The Mets took a giant step forward in the way that they draft when they selected talented but raw outfielder Brandon Nimmo from East HS in Wyoming. For years, they had been content to simply take the most polished college pitcher, and that approach has netted them Brad Holt, Eddie Kunz, Kevin Mulvey and, most recently, Matt Harvey. With a new GM on board and a new drafting philosophy installed, the Mets are prepared to take the next step, one in which they go after a high-ceiling pitching prospect. Lefty Matt Smoral would be just that. As one of the top pitchers from the high school crop and arguably the top left-hander, Smoral would be a welcomed addition to the Mets organization, one that is particularly lacking in high-ceiling starting pitching depth. Smoral is committed to UNC, where the Mets just so happened to find their most recent first-round pitcher, Harvey.
http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2011/12/top-twelve-high-school-position-players/#more-602 2. Trey Williams /3B / Valencia HS (CA): Williams has a lot of things going for him that scouts crave — strength, plate awareness, and lineage (he’s the son of Eddie Williams, a former big-leaguer for ten-plus years). Like Buxton, he generates plenty of bat speed, but because he’s developed physically the power is easier to project. He’s also a well above-average third-basemen at this point, though his foot speed could cause a switch to first down the road. A solid 2012 campaign could put Williams in the top ten of the draft, assuming he doesn’t honor his commitment to Pepperdine.
C.J. Saylor is easily the best defensive catching prospect in this high school class. At the plate, Saylor is pretty good. He has a short line drive swing with some gap power, and he is adept at making contact, although that comes at the cost of some plate discipline. He doesn’t project as more than a 10 home run hitter going forward, but he hits enough line drives to be a .300 hitter in the big leagues. Defensively, Saylor is as good defensively as any high school catcher I’ve seen. Saylor is so smooth behind the plate that he glides effortlessly through the motions, whether to block balls in the dirt or get the ball out of his hands to throw out an attempted basestealer. He also has an incredible arm for a catcher as he was able to 90 MPH off the mound. Saylor is in another class defensively compared to these other high school catching prospects. http://rayscoloredglasses.com/2011/12/21/taking-an-early-look-at-the-catchers-in-the-2012-mlb-draft-part-1
9-1-11: - http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com - DeSean Thomas, Canterbury HS, St Pete FL, 6'2 220, R/R, another athletic kid who can really run in the open and shows solid power to LF alley when he squares up, seemed to make adjustments, can hit the fb and has some trouble with off-speed but should adapt with more exposure and coaching. Shows near ave ML arm strength, but ran 4.25 from Right side and athletic with great body to intrigue. Also one of top WR recruits for football. Best shot is in the oF, has played 1b, 3b, also pitches, will touch 86-87 with fb, all arm during delivery.
10-11-11: - http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/455/prep-arms-the-difference-in-class-of-2012 - Walter Weickel, RHP -- Olympia (Orlando, Fla.) The Orlando product is one of the better athletes in the class, posting times in the 6.6 range in the 60-yard run, in addition to his potential for a top-of-the-rotation arsenal. Weickel pitches at 89-92 mph, but has threatened the mid-90s and with downhill plane. He also employs a below-average change (78-81 mph) and a curveball of varied speeds (69-75 mph) that shows some depth. He offers terrific arm speed which bodes well for the changeup. The University of Miami has received a verbal commitment from Weickel, but he appears to be well on his way to becoming a first-round pick, and a strong spring could land in the top half.
10-16-11: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/2011/10/perez-will-head-to-central-arizona-early - Righthander Ryan Burr from Highlands Ranch (Colo.) High had an outing to forget on Thursday when he was sitting 85-88 mph. His second trip to the mound was better velocity-wise at 90-91, but he was all over the place. Innings at this event are three outs or six batters, whichever comes first. Burr's two-inning outing on Saturday went like this: walk, walk, walk, strikeout, hit batter, strikeout / strikeout, hit batter, walk, walk, single, walk. Burr's delivery was out of sync today. A stab and wrist wrap in the back of his delivery and the fact that he was landing on his heel made it difficult for him to throw consistent strikes. Burr will be in Jupiter next week for the World Wood Bat Association World Championships and then will be taking the winter off for some much-needed rest.
College Baseball Daily has learned that Texas starting second baseman Jordan Etier was arrested on Saturday night for marijuana possession and resisting arrest according to a report from KXAN.com. Etier appeared in 66 games last season hitting .237 with two homers and 27 RBI in 2011 helping to lead the team to the College World Series. Jordan did not appear in the Longhorns scrimmage on Sunday against the Houston Cougars and the school has not made a statement at this time about any discipline he might face. Texas head coach Augie Garrido was arrested back in 2009 for drunk driving and was suspended for the first games of the season. We should see how the school deals with this news over the coming weeks. - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/10/16/texas-2b-jordan-etier-arrested-on-saturday
Player: C.J. Saylor - Position: C - School: South Hills HS (CA) - Date of Birth: 10/14/1993 - Height/Weight: 5’10/180 - Bats/Throws: R/R - Class Of: 2012 - Committed To: San Diego State - Scouting Report: CJ Saylor is among the catching prospects who is a sure bet to remain behind the plate moving forward. Saylor has a compact swing with good bat speed. He is a line drive hitter who should hit for a high average going forward. Saylor has good catch and throw skills behind the plate. He moves well and does an excellent job blocking balls in the dirt. Recorded pop times for Saylor range from 1.75 to 2.01. - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/10/14/c-j-saylor-2012-draft-profile
Sean Hagen:
7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments - Sean Hagan, St John’s, 6’6 220, a biggin’ with plus arm strength, fb up to 93, most are 90-91 with some late arm side run, hard cb lacks command from 3/4 slot, crosses and fights himself some in delivery. FB movement is his plus with that velocity and could be early rounder or 8-12 rounder. Needs good fall & spring.
C.J. Saylor:
8-12-11: - http://www.prospectwire.com/pw/article.php?id=290 - C C.J. Saylor (5'10" 180, R/R, West Covina, CA) is an excellent receiver, blocks balls in the dirt extremely well, and looks to have a chance to hit for some average, with a compact, strong stroke. He isn't sexy or that big strong monster behind the plate with the wow arm and big raw power but his skills and talents at his position, they play very well.
Walker Weickel:
8-12-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/AllAmerican/News.aspx?num=6123 – Right-hander Walker Weickel tossed the second inning for the East, throwing what was described by David Rawnsley as a "typical easy Weickel inning." He was 89-91 with a big, slow 71 curve.
Lance McCullers:
8-14-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/AllAmerican/News.aspx?num=6123 - Lance McCullers, a flame-throwing right-handed pitcher, consistent offensive threat from the left side of the plate and a slick fielding, strong-armed infielder, has been named the recipient of the 2011 Jackie Robinson Award as the nation’s top high school prospect in the class of 2012. McCullers, who will enter his senior year at Jesuit High School in Tampa, Fla., this fall, received the award Saturday night at the Perfect Game All-American Classic presented by Rawlings Awards Banquet held at the San Diego Hall of Champions.
Blake Hickman:
7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments - Blake Hickman, Simeon HS, Chicago IL, 6’4 1/2 200, R/R, strong ML arm, pop times at best were 1.97 real time, has quick bat with occ power, body to fill out in time, potential ML backup catcher, would like to see him convert to the hill to utilize his arm strength, will go as far as bat takes him.
