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.
