2013 Draft-Notes – Sam Donko, Daniel Palka, Trey Masek, Carson Kelly, Stuff

Sam Donko, RHP, Youngstown Ursuline HS, Class of 2013 - 6-foot-1, 230-pound right-handed pitching prospect. Big, solid build with strong lower half. Shows short arm action through a high ¾ arm slot. Delivery requires some effort. Control should improve as he cleans up some balance issues. Fastball fluctuates between 84-88 mph, sitting at 86 mph most of the time. Shows good command of several off-speed pitches. Curveball sits 70-72 mph with late 11/5 break. Also uses a sharp slider that sits 71-72 mph. Changeup sits between 76-79 mph. It is thrown near fastball arm speed and shows some sink.  - http://www.prepbaseballreport.com/news/OH/Player-Analysis-from-Ohio-Top-Prospect-Showcase-on-717-8621950347#.UBVav60DlGI.twitter

Jake Ring, a LHH OF from Grant HS, commits to Missouri.

Aaron Fitt –

        Elon RHP David Whitehead is an emerging prospect: 89-92, bumped 93, flashed solid 3/4 breaking ball. Escaped bases-loaded jam with 4-6-3 DP

        Very impressed w/TxTech's Trey Masek, a 6-foot RHP whp hides ball well. Needed just 8 pitches to get 3 grounders in 4th. 93-94 w/ 80-81 SL

        Lanky ECU RHP Jeff Hoffman showed biggest velo so far in B5: 94-95, big 11-to-5 curve at 78, change at 81 with arm-side life. Remember him.     

        Razorbacks fireballer Colby Suggs works 8-pitch, 1-2-3 8th, ending with K of Andrew Knapp on 94 heat. Suggs pounded 94 with 82-83 hammer CV

        CCBL all-star game MVPs: Daniel Palka (3-for-4) for the West, Alex Blandino (2-for-3, game-tying run in 9th) for the East. GT Stanford

Prep Baseball Report‏ -  IN: RHP Mark Giesler commits to Dayton. Giesler is a 2013 from Jasper Indiana.

Carson Kelly‏ - I just registered for fall term to start my e-degree in Economics at Oregon State.  I am a Duck.

Draft 2012: Carson Kelly, Carlos Correa, Mark Appel, Sammy Ayala

4. Carson Kelly, 3B, Westview (Portland, Ore.)  Kelly is a prospect at the plate and on the mound, sitting in the upper 80s and topping out at 92 mph with the fastball. The majority of area scouts appear to prefer him as a bat, where his swing is easy, consistent and should produce natural power. He can handle third base and could end up a candidate for left or right field if necessary. He's known to carry himself as a leader and brings plus makeup to the table. He'll head to the University of Oregon if the price isn't right on the professional front, but he could go in the top 100. http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/1108/joey-gallo-is-nation%e2%80%99s-top-corner-infielder  

1. Carlos Correa, SS, Bats Right/Throws Right, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy - Correa dazzled scouts at summer and fall showcases in 2011. He is a slick defender with smooth fielding actions and a powerful arm. He shows signs of becoming a unique hitter. During an October showcase, Correa, using a wood bat, drilled an opposite field home run directly down the right field line which, to quote a long ago Joe Garagiola description, "didn't get up, didn't get down...it just got out." http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/highschool/02/13/baseball.top.10.prospects/index.html#ixzz1mJYi8Rky 

1. Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford - I get everyone is all about velocity and that he gets out. But how he gets outs is mildly worrisome. He doesn’t miss enough bats for his “supposed” stuff that I’ve seen a few people make comparisons to both Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander. I don’t buy it. You can look at a lot of guys that have been drafted over the last few years and while it’s easy to pull for the guys that have statistical backing the thing is guys that don’t have that backing burn out more often than the ones with it. I’ll watch him with a special eye but at this point I’m not a fan of his. http://sodomojo.com/2012/02/13/more-mlb-draft-talk-and-a-quick-little-top-5/  

Sammy Ayala impressed scouts last June at a showcase event at San Diego State, but many scouts had to wait until this weekend to get another look at him. Ayala is not a darling of showcases or scout ball because he played defensive end for La Jolla Country Day's football team.

Ayala, a UC Santa Barbara recruit, burst back onto the baseball prospect landscape in a big way at Saturday's Southern California Invitational at the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy. In his first at-bat, the lefthanded-hitting Ayala ripped a hard line drive to center field against lefthander Max Fried—a potential first-round pick. The ball got by the center fielder and reached the wall, allowing Ayala to motor around the bases for an inside-the-park home run. http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/2012/02/southern-california-prep-talent-shines-in-compton/

Draft 2012 – . Rio Ruiz , Nick Williams, Carson Kelly, Matt Bowman

29. Rio Ruiz 6’-1”, 3B, Bishop Amat HS (CA)  Ruiz has been on the radar for years, and for good reason. Defensively, his soft hands, range and strong accurate arm make him one of the best at third base.  At the plate, his plus bat speed from the left side allows him to make consistent contact to all fields. Hit .455 with 19 extra base hits in 101 at bats as a junior. Not going to steal many bases but his defense and ability to be a run producing hitter will make him a high draft pick in 2012. http://www.throughthefencebaseball.com/top-50-draft-prospects-for-2012-50-thru-26/15621/

http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/1009/mitchell-traver-highlights-2012-texas-class   3. Billy “Nick” Williams, OF, Ball (Galveston, Texas)  Williams is what one scout calls a "ridiculously gifted kid," possessing plus speed -- he's been time in the 6.4s in the 60-yard dash -- and has hit 90 mph off the mound. His athleticism and power lefty swing come from a 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame that may profile in center field, a la the likes of Ken Griffey Jr., Bernie Williams and a young Andruw Jones. Williams has shown big power on pitches middle-in, and an improving ability to hit the ball hard to the opposite field. He's destined for the top 50 and could hit his way into the first round if he's not set on heading to Austin to play for the Longhorns.

45. Pirates (Ryan Doumit) — Carson Kelly, 6’-2”, 3B/RHP, Westview HS (OR) With Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon, the Pirates are building a great rotation through the draft. They add some more depth in Kelly, an athlete who excels both on the mound and at the plate. He hit .473 with 14 home runs as a junior and is a line-drive hitter with power to all fields. Has very good bat speed and a solid approach at the plate. His strong arm and athleticism should allow him to stick at third base, if he chooses. As a pitcher, his curve, sinker and 93 mph fastball are all quality pitches with the ability to get better with more time and focus on the mound. Was outstanding at the Pan Am Championships for Team USA, going 2-0 1.29 ERA and 12 K/1 BB over 14 innings. http://www.throughthefencebaseball.com/2012-mlb-mock-draft-3-0-now-with-supplemental-picks/16253/

Matt was the best pitcher in the Cal Ripken League this past summer, and he was integral in the Big Train winning the league championship this summer.  Matt was tied for first in wins with 5 and he led the league with a 0.82 era in 55 innings of work for Bethesda. He allowed just 31 hits, walked an incredibly low 6 batters and was third in the league with 46 strikeouts. He also held the opposition to a .161 batting average. He was named to the Cal Ripken League All-Star Game, and I ranked him as the best pitcher in the league this summer. View my list here.  BA ranked him as the 8th best prospect in the league, while PG ranked him as the 4th best in the league. Lastly, at the conclusion of the season, the Cal Ripken League named him the Most Outstanding Pitcher. http://www.collegesummerbaseball.net/2012/01/2011-top-performer-matt-bowman.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+collegesummerbaseball%2FJiiy+%28Summer+Ball%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Draft 2012 – Carson Kelly, Branden Kline, Chris Beck, Corey Seager, Josh Elander

Carson Kelly — 6’-2”, 3B/RHP, Westview HS (OR) - Kelly, the top prep player in Oregon, is an athlete who excels both on the mound and at the plate. He hit .473 with 14 home runs as a junior and is a line-drive hitter with power to all fields. Has very good bat speed and a solid approach at the plate. His strong arm and athleticism should allow him to stick at third base, if he chooses. As a pitcher, his curve, sinker and 93 mph fastball are all quality pitches with the ability to get better with more time and focus on the mound. Was outstanding at the Pan Am Championships for Team USA, going 2-0 1.29 ERA and 12 K/1 BB over 14 innings. http://www.throughthefencebaseball.com/top-50-draft-prospects-for-2012-50-thru-26/15621/

Branden Kline / RHP / Virginia – A plus fastball and breaking ball, Kline would be the first reliever off the board if not for Stroman. He won’t dominate hitters, but a solid set up man with the potential for more if he can add a tick or two on his heater. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2011/12/top-twelve-college-pitchers/

Chris Beck is a strong right-hander who may not be the first college arm to come off Draft boards, but a strong junior season could have him in the top of the first-round discussion. The Georgia native has the chance to have three pitches that will be Major League average or better. He can run his fastball up to 94 mph, sitting comfortably at 92-93 mph, and he maintains his velocity deep into starts. When he stays on top of his slider, it's a sharp breaking ball with late tilt. His changeup is above-average with late sink and a lot of deception. He can throw all three pitches for strikes and has a very good feel for pitching. For a guy with his size and stuff -- think a Kyle Davies type with more power -- he doesn't always throw like a power arm. His fastball will flatten out at times and his slider isn't always crisp, but if he would pitch off of his fastball more, he could be even better, a frontline starter with three weapons to choose from. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/

http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2011/12/top-twelve-high-school-position-players/#more-602  10. Corey Seager / 2B / NW Carrabus HS (NC): This is another aggressive ranking, but just watch the kid take batting practice and you’ll understand why I’m high on the South Carolina commit. The ball jumps off his bat to all parts of the field, and his bat speed is as good as any infielder in the class. He might have to move to third-base, but there’s plenty of arm strength to play the hot corner.

Josh Elander is a good catching prospect, but he the potential to be a high-riser in the months before the 2012 MLB Draft if he can show more flashes of the ability scouts have seen in him. Elander has shown good bat speed with an ability to spray line drives all over the field, but he has been primarily a singles hitter thus far in his career. Scouts have seen the power potential in Elander, but maybe his swing is too short for him to display it in games. He does have pretty good plate discipline, but he strikes out too much, especially for a player who’s a singles hitter at this point. He is fast for a catcher, able to run a 6.78 in the 60 (4.5 in the 40), and he was a perfect 9 for 9 in stolen bases in 2011. If Elander can ever bring his power out, he’ll be a good offensive prospect. Right now, he’s a decent hitting prospect at best. Defensively, Elander has a very strong arm and he is smooth behind the plate. He has the makings of a good defensive catcher.  http://rayscoloredglasses.com/2011/12/21/taking-an-early-look-at-the-catchers-in-the-2012-mlb-draft-part-1

Draft 2012: - Duane Underwood, Freddy Avis, Carson Kelly, Connor Harrell, Max Fried

11-15-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6369  - Duane Underwood (2012 RHP, East Cobb Baseball)- The live armed righty made the leap to high level prospect status this summer when he ran his fastball up to 97 mph during the 17u WWBA National Championship. He cemented his lofty reputation by touching 98 at East Coast Pro and 96 at the PG All-American Game. Given the ball on possibly the biggest stage in amateur baseball, Underwood started the Opening Night matchup between East Cobb and Palm Beach PAL in Roger Dean Stadium. Underwood did not disappoint, limiting PAL's talented lineup to one (unearned) run on four hits, while striking out nine without issuing a walk in 4 1/3 innings. Underwood topped out at 95 with his fastball in the victory, using his secondary stuff sparingly. Underwood flashed a quality curveball at 75 with sharp biting action, but had little need to mix his pitches much given how dominant his fastball is, even against good competition.

11-22-11: - http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/814/lucas-giolito-leads-loaded-cali-senior-class  - Here’s a look at the Top 10 California high school prospects in the Class of 2012. 3. Freddy Avis, RHP, Menlo School (Atherton, Calif.)  Despite lacking the physical frame of some of his in-state rivals at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, Avis has good arm speed and a fluid delivery, producing easy velocity in the 90 to 93 mph range and also holstering a curveball. He's believed to be a strong commit to Stanford, but is also likely to be considered in Round 1.

11-24-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1  - The top 2012 prospect from Oregon in the 2012 class, Carson Kelly has high upside at the plate and on the mound.  He is an athletic player who has who has been a member of the 18U National Team in 2010 and 2011. Kelly has a line drive swing with power to all fields.  He has above average bat speed.  His recorded 60 time is 7.12. Kelly should be at least average defensively at third.  He has good quickness and a plus arm. On the mound, Kelly has an easy delivery with a high 3/4 release.  He throws a fastball from 88-92.  He has a change with sink that shows good potential.  Kelly’s 74-77 curve is also a quality pitch. While Kelly has the ability to pitch at the next level, most see his future at third base due to his offensive potential.

11-26-11: - http://ht.ly/1fPzwd  - We continue the countdown today at number 58 with Vanderbilt junior Connor Harrell. The Houston, Texas native spent his high school career at Kinkaid High School where he was a four year letterwinner in baseball while picking up two in football. He was named a three-time first-team all-conference and first-team All-South zone selection. He decided to continue his baseball career at Vanderbilt under head coach Tim Corbin. He ended up appearing in 58 games .300 with 15 doubles, 3 home runs and 39 RBI as a freshman. He played the summer of 2010 in the NECBL with the Newport Gulls. Harrell hit .265 with three homers and 10 RBI in 31 games. Harrell ended up sliding back a little as a sophomore with a .289 batting average with nine homers and 36 RBI. He spent the summer in the Cape Cod Baseball League with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox. He ended up hitting .244 with two RBI in 20 games totaling 45 at bats

11-26-11: - Tweet: - eric sondheimer - Just saw lefty Max Fried throw a 95 mph fastball in his first winter outing. Pretty impressive. Could be top 10 pick in June

Draft 2012: - Matt Smoral, Stryker Trahan, Carson Kelly, Daniel Garner, Max Fried

10-28-11: - http://orioles-nation.com/2011/10/26/wwba-2012-highlights - Matt Smoral (Solon OH) – Left handed pitcher that will run it to 94 mph and easily stay in the low 90s late into innings.  The slider shows solid bite and when on it has a crisp spin and could be difficult for lefties to hit when he learns to pound it inside to them.  His change up is a little better than “show me” stage, but needs some refinements.  Displays some late life sinking action on two seam fastball.  Loose and low effort for a 6’8” frame pitcher that is less mechanical driven and maintains decent balance.  Nice boring plane, even if the slot is closer to ¾ delivery. He still places his foot to third – mid rubber – and someone his size should try to work off the first base side to ride the arm angle and plane.

11-4-11: - http://www.throughthefencebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-2012-free-agent-and-draft-pick-possibilities/13157/#  -  C Stryker Trahan, 6’-2″, 220 lbs, Arcadiana HS (LA) — Catchers seem to be all the rage these days, and Trahan is an offensive machine. He hit .600 at last week’s Area Code Games, leading everyone in that category. His short, quick swing generates a ton of power, and he hits left-handed, a rarity for a catcher. At 6’-2”, 220 lbs, he has the perfect build to hold down the position and shows great instincts and a feel behind the plate.

11-11-11: - http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/739/carson-kelly-is-one-of-the-northwests-best  - Carson Kelly was so impressive this year that he was one of the few selected to participate for Team USA, the Under-Armour All-American Game – where he was also selected to participate in the home-run derby prior to the game -- and the Area Code Games. “We saw a lot of him this summer” an AL-scout said. “Each time we saw him we were impressed with the bat speed and swing mechanics, and the ball just seems to jump off the barrel. We think he can be a plus-fielder at third base as well, he’s certainly got the arm and lateral quickness to play there”  It’s not just with the bat or in the field that Kelly has excited scouts, either. “He’s a pretty exciting two-way player” an NL-Cross-checker told ESPNHS. “We’ve had him at 88-92, with a 74-77 mph curveball, pitches inside well and he gets people out.”

11-10-11: - http://highschoolsports.al.com/news/article/-8503693760714170960/sparkmans-daniel-garner-signs-baseball-scholarship-with-mississippi-state - Sparkman catcher Daniel Garner signed a baseball scholarship with Mississippi State at the high school Friday. Garner, who is entering his third season as the varsity catcher this spring, was named to The Times Elite team last season after batting .357 with 45 RBIs and posting a team-high 15 doubles, seven home runs and 29 walks. He played in the North-South All-Star Game over the summer and was a Perfect Game Underclass All-American and played in the Area Code Baseball Games in Long Beach and in Florida the East Coast Pro Showcase and Perfect Game National Showcase.

11-10-11: - http://diamondprospects.blogspot.com - Max Fried impressed scouts with his combination of stuff and pitchability at the Perfect Game All-American Classic and is now considered the best prep lefty in the 2012 draft. A fantastic athlete, Fried's best pitch is his dynamic curveball that high school hitters have no shot at hitting. He throws it in the mid-70's with a sharp break on it that drops off the table. Couple that with a plus fastball that Fried can run up to 94 and he has the potential to be a top-of-the-rotation starter. Opponents of Harvard-Westlake High School are going to be in trouble this year as they will be facing arguably the best righty and lefty prep pitchers in the nation in Lucas Giolito and now Fried after he transferred from Montclair Prep. Both are committed to UCLA and they both will probably never pitch for the Bruins as they should be locks for the first round.

Draft 2012: - Courtney Hawkins, Andrew Stumph, Josh Elander, Carson Kelly, Ronnie Freeman

9-1-11: - http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com - Courtney Hawkins from Corp Christi Carrol HS, Texas, 6'2 220, R/R, I've seen many times as a Dh and RHP, he's more of an athlete that is best suited to play the OF or potentially 1B in pro ball. Athletic build with strong shoulders and straight away speed, tends to lunge as a hitter which is not easily corrected, when he does square up the ball at the plate he has power and runs well once underway and shows near ML ave arm strength from the OF. He's a 2012, just a follow for me now or late 13-20 round type guy. Very rough around the edges.

10-10-11: - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/10/10/top-100-countdown-94-andrew-stumph-texas-state  - We continue the countdown today at number 94 in Texas State junior Andrew Stumph. The 6’0 210 pound catcher out of Katy, Texas had an outstanding prep career at Katy High School. He picked up four letters under Tom McPherson. He was named All-Greater Houston Co-Newcomer of the Year as a freshman in 2006 as he set a school record with 51 RBIs. He also earned three-time all-state honors and all-American honorable mention in 2008 and 2009 while being named 2009 district MVP. As a freshman in 2010, he played in 54 games, starting 46 of those contests mostly at catcher. He finished the season with a .277 batting average (51-for-184), five home runs, five doubles, two triples, 36 RBIs and 24 runs scored. He spent the summer of 2010 with the Texas Tomcats in the Texas Collegiate League. He appeared in 25 games with a .200 batting average while driving in three runs.

10-8-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/10/09/josh-elander-2012-draft-profile - When Mike Zunino backed out of playing with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team this summer, Josh Elander was called upon to take his place.  Elander is a solid batting prospect.  He has shown good plate discipline since arriving at TCU.  While he has hit only 7 home runs in his two college seasons, there is power potential in his bat.  Elander runs well for a catcher, stealing 20 bases in 28 attempts at TCU and running a 6.78 60 in high school. Elander has, at least, average tools defensively.  His recorded pop times in high school were from 1.90-1.96. Overall, Elander is an athletic catcher with good offensive potential.  Projections have his draft position from late first round to the third round.  His showing behind the plate this year will, in large part, determine where he is drafted in June.

10-16-11: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/2011/10/perez-will-head-to-central-arizona-early - Righthander Carson Kelly from Westview High in Portland was 88-91 mph in his first inning on the mound Saturday afternoon, topping out at 92. He mixed in a sharp 75-78 mph curveball and flashed a 79 mph changeup. Despite the impressive repertoire, he got squared up a few times by the Bayside Yankees from New York.

10-15-11: - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/10/15/top-100-countdown-89-ronnie-freeman-kennesaw-state  - We continue the countdown today at number 89 with Kennesaw State junior catcher Ronnie Freeman. The Lawrenceville, Georgia native attended Brookwood High School where he was a four year letter winner. He helped the team win the region championship in 07 and to a national ranking of 3rd in 2008. Freeman stepped right into the starting lineup for the Owls appearing in 54 games including 52 starts. He led the team in hitting with a .365 batting average while hitting nine homers and 47 RBI. Ronnie continued his strong collegiate career last season leading the Owls in hitting for a second time. He finished the year with a .392 batting average while hitting ten homers and driving in 51 runs. He spent the summer of 2011 in the NECBL with the Holyoke Blue Sox playing in 45 games between the regular season and postseason. He finished the summer with a .349 batting average, six homers, and 27 RBI. Baseball America rated him as the second best prospect in the NECBL after the season was over. Freeman also served as an altenate on the 2011 USA Collegiate National Team playing in six games hitting .500 in ten at-bats.