Draft 2012: Nathan Kirby, Brian Johnson, Mac Williamson, Kayden Porter, Deven Marrero

Nathan Kirby, James River (Midlothian, Va.)   Kirby’s fastball--breaking ball combination is first-round worthy. And despite the lack of size at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, the southpaw sits in the 88-91 mph range with his heater. The development of a legitimate changeup could be the difference on draft day. Kirby has committed to Virginia. http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/1086/max-fried-leads-class-of-2012-left-handers  

UT Brian Johnson School: Florida  Cl.: Junior, Ht.: 6-3, Wt.: 235  Hometown.: Cocoa Beach, Fla.  High school: Cocoa Beach  Johnson surely is expected to have an elite 2012 campaign. A talented prospect, Johnson is very talented as both a hitter and pitcher. In 2011, he batted .307 with 11 doubles, five home runs and 29 RBIs. On the mound, he had a 3.62 ERA in 79 2/3 innings.   http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6498    

I can’t wait to see if Wake Forest OF Mac Williamson (Round 46) can put it all together in his redshirt junior season. He’s a legit five-tool prospect who has made great strides in his approach to hitting since arriving at Wake Forest. From a pure tools standpoint, I’m not sure there are five better outfielders in all of college baseball. The biggest strike against him for me is the fact he’ll almost be 22 years old by the time next June’s draft rolls around. Williamson, a potential catching conversion candidate at the pro level, has serious power upside and a plus arm, but his swing at everything approach could prevent him from ever getting the chance to put his crazy raw tools to use. He could very well be viewed as a potential late inning relief prospect because of the reported mid-90s heat to go along with a solid sinker/slider mix   http://baseballdraftreport.com/

Kayden Porter is the top 2012 draft prospect from the state of Utah.  The big righthander has power in his arm and his bat.  He has a strong build and looks like a future workhorse on the mound. Porter has an easy delivery with a high 3/4 arm slot.  He has a heavy mid-90′s fastball that gets up to 97.  His curve shows good potential and his change is a solid third offering. While many see Porter’s future on the mound, his bat is not to be overlooked.  In terms of raw power, he sits near the top of the list for 2012. http://mlbdraftguide.com/

Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State - Overall, he is an above average defensive shortstop with the potential to have an above average bat for the position as well. Historically, he is a lock to be a major leaguer and with the skills he possesses, he should be a very good one. He is a safe pick and could go as early as the 1st overall pick or slide to the lower half of the top 10 but it would take a very poor season to see him slide more than that. http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/2/9/2785340/2012-baseball-draft-college-prospects-1-5

Draft 2012: David Dahl, Gavin Cecchini, Mitchell Traver, Deven Marrero, Kyle Twomey

David Dahl, Oak Mountain (Birmingham, Ala.), Outfield, 6-2, L/R, Auburn The 2012 draft is strong on high school outfielders and Dahl is one of the best when it comes to defense. He has good speed with a strong arm. He batted .316 for Team USA 18U this fall at the Pan-American Games. He only had three extra-base hits in the tournament and had just two home runs in his junior year at Oak Mountain. More of a contact hitter, Dahl rarely strikes out. He is expected to go anywhere between 15-25. http://www.maxpreps.com/news/-8V2A0MeEeGkPgAmVebEWg/maxpreps-top-10-mlb-draft-prospects.htm

Gavin Cecchini — 6’-1”, SS, Barbe HS (LA) An incredibly gifted athlete, Cecchini hit .402 with six home runs, 43 RBI and stole 53 bases as a junior for Barbe last season. Was the MVP of the Under Armour All-American game and is a regular on every major summer team. His swing has few moving parts and his balance allows him to make consistent contact. Has gap power and the potential to be a major run producer to go along with elite speed. Has the arm, range and footwork to maintain the position but could move to second or third because of his bat. Brother Garin was a fourth-round draft pick by the Red Sox in 2010. Led U18 Team USA with a .469 average at the Pan Am Championships, adding 10 RBIs and eight stolen bases while playing a flawless second base. Extremely high understanding of the game. Cecchini is the 12th member of the gold winning U18 Team USA to make the list, showing just how impressive the assembled cast was. http://www.throughthefencebaseball.com/top-50-draft-prospects-for-2012-25-thru-1/15694/  

Mitchell Traver, Houston Christian (Houston)  Traver, a TCU commit, offers size (6-foot-7, 250 pounds), easy velocity in the 91-95 mph range and the occasional above-average curveball that has some promise. His arm action isn't clean and he'll need to throw more strikes, but he could land late in the first round if he answers a few questions. http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/1051/top-10-class-of-2012-right-handed-pitchers

SS Deven Marrero School: Arizona State  Cl.: Junior, Ht.: 6-1, Wt.: 194  Hometown.: Davie, Fla.  High school: American Heritage  Marrero solidified himself as a top prospect as a sophomore last season and could be the top pick in this summer’s MLB draft. Marrero is an excellent defender and has a fantastic arm. Additionally, he has a ton of upside at the plate. Hit .315 with two home runs and 20 RBIs last season. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6498  

Kyle Twomey is one of the more interesting lefthanders eligible for the 2012 draft.  At 6’4/165, he has a great deal of projection.  Twomey has a nice easy delivery with a 3/4 arm slot and good arm speed.  Twomey has a four pitch repertoire; two seam fastball, circle change, slider, and curve.  His fastball has good sink, is comfortably 89-91 and can touch 92.  More velocity should come as he matures.  His change has the potential to be a true plus pitch.  His curve has good break and shows plus potential. Twomey is a polished pitcher and knows what he is doing on the mound.  He pounds the strikezone with three quality pitches.  His development in the spring will be watched closely. http://mlbdraftguide.com/

Draft 2012: Deven Marrero, Taylore Cherry, Joey Gallo, Bryan De la Rosa

We continue the countdown today at number 3 with Arizona State junior shortstop Deven Marrero. The Davie, Florida native attended American Heritage High School where he was a two time captain. He was also named All-State and All-County in 2008, when American Heritage won both the Florida State title and the National title. He ended up being drafted in the 17th round (509th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds during the 2009 MLB Draft. He decided to turn down the Reds offer to head to Tempe, Arizona to play for the Arizona State Sun Devils http://ht.ly/1gYOjz

Taylore Cherry, Vandalia-Butler (Vandalia, Ohio)  This 6-foot-9, 260-pound beast sits 92-94 mph with a four-seam heater that shows sink, setting up a changeup that has caught above-average to plus grades. He throws strikes and holds his delivery together. Cherry is committed to North Carolina. http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/1051/top-10-class-of-2012-right-handed-pitchers

Joey Gallo — 6’-5”, 1B/RHP, Bishop Gorman HS (OK) - Gallo is a two-way star who could legitimately be taken in the first round as a hitter or a pitcher. As a junior for powerhouse Bishop Gorman, he hit .471 with a 1.756 OPS and 25 home runs over 121 at bats. He hits from the left side, and at 6’-5”, 210 lbs, what team doesn’t want that hitting in the middle of their lineup? He does have a big swing that could lead to a lot of strikeouts, but the power potential is what scouts love. On the mound he throws right handed. His fastball can hit 94 mph with ease and still room for more velocity once he commits full time. His curveball looks to be a possible plus pitch at the next level and his change-up will be at least average. Whichever route he chooses, he is a lock for the first round. http://www.throughthefencebaseball.com/top-50-draft-prospects-for-2012-25-thru-1/15694/

Bryan De la Rosa is among the many talented 2012 draft prospects from Puerto Rico.  He is a short catcher with a compact build and good physical strength. De La Rosa can be somewhat inconsistent at the plate.  When he is going good, he has a short stroke and sprays line drives.  He can get into trouble overswinging at times.  He has good bat speed.  Reports on his power are mixed, but he should hit quite a few doubles at the next level.  His 60 time is 7.18.De La Rosa stands out defensively.  He moves well behind the plate and has a strong accurate arm.  He recorded an event record 1.71 pop time at the Perfect Game World Showcase. http://mlbdraftguide.com/

Draft 2012 – Rock Rucker, Spencer Edwards, Deven Marrero, Tanner Rahier

Rock Rucker — 6’-5”, LHP, Redan HS (GA) - He is 6’-5”, left handed, his fastball hits 95 mph and he is just starting to commit full time to the mound. Because of that, Rucker’s ceiling is very high, and with a strong senior season on the mound, could find himself in the upper half of the draft. Long and lean, there is still room for added velocity and his curveball projects to a plus pitch. One to keep an eye on this year. http://www.throughthefencebaseball.com/top-50-draft-prospects-for-2012-25-thru-1/15694/  

http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/1009/mitchell-traver-highlights-2012-texas-class   8. Spencer Edwards, SS/OF, Rockwall (Texas)   Edwards, who's headed to Austin to play for the Longhorns if he passes on pro ball, possesses oodles of athleticism, which allow him to play shortstop in high school. He may fit better as an outfielder, and is a two-sport star, also serving as a star defensive back and wide receiver in football. He's run 60-yard dashes in under 6.7 seconds and 40-yarders in the 4.4 range. His swing and overall plate skills are a bit raw, but if he focuses on baseball, he could be an everyday player in time.

Deven Marrero / Arizona State / SS : Marrero is a premium defensive shortstop who ranges well to both sides. He has a strong-arm that remains accurate even while throwing on the move. Marrero isn’t much more than an average runner straight ahead but you wouldn’t know it from watching him play shortstop. His hands and reactions are excellent and that helps him overcome his less than spectacular foot speed. At the plate Marrero has plus bat speed and a good-looking swing, but a somewhat aggressive approach, a habit of drifting towards the pitcher and a big leg kick will result in plenty of strikeouts as a pro. The Sun Devil won’t have a lot of over the fence power either but his game is hard contact and he should not be confused with a slap hitter. Marrero has some questions to answer about his offensive profile but I’m still comfortable projecting him as an above average hitter for a shortstop. Even with the question marks the qualities of being a shortstop who can hit some will have him off the board early in July. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2012/01/scouting-the-cape/#more-720  

Tanner Rahier has an incredible work ethic and exhibits outstanding range, quick feet and powerful arm. At the plate, he drives the ball with authority and projects for power. He has also been known to pitch in relief showing a 93 mph fast ball. He is committed to the University of San Diego

Draft 2012 – Brian Johnson, James Ramsey, Andy Hunter, Deven Marrero, Nolan Fontana

 Brian Johnson — 6’-4”, LHP, Florida  Johnson is the best left handed college pitcher in the draft. Has a low-90s fastball with sink, an above average change-up and his slider projects to a plus pitch at the next level. At 6’-3” and 225 lbs, he has great mound presence and teams usually eat up left handed college pitchers come draft day. Also a tremendous hitter and could be drafted high as an outfielder. In 12 at bats for Collegiate Team USA, he smashed three home runs, drove in five runs and walked three times. He also picked up a win, giving up one run over four innings, striking out four, while walking none. http://www.throughthefencebaseball.com/top-50-draft-prospects-for-2012-25-thru-1/15694/

James Ramsey / Florida State / OF – Ramsey had a strong college season for the Seminoles in 2011 and built on that with an impressive performance on the Cape. He was drafted in the 22nd round by the Twins following his Junior season but decided to return to school as a Senior this year. There is some skepticism over how Ramsey’s game will play in pro ball. He often drops his back-end and takes an aggressive uppercut swing. While this leads to some long home runs (his six home runs tied him for second in the Cape) it also leads to more than a few strikeouts. The tools and athleticism are solid across the board and Ramsey is a max effort guy who plays the game the right way. He was named Cape League All Star Game MVP after hitting a looooong home run over the bullpens in right field. I also saw Ramsey in March, and while I still have questions about his bat I saw improvements in his ability to shorten up his swing and make adjustments. After a very good Cape campaign Ramsey is poised to be one of the more interesting Senior draftees. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2012/01/scouting-the-cape/#more-720

Andy Hunter  RHP  Green Bay Bullfrogs—Gonzaga -  Andy went 5-2 and was fourth in the league with a 1.97 era this season. He pitched 59.1 innings and appeared in 17 games for the Bullfrogs. He allowed 42 hits, walked just 11 and was among the league leaders with a .195 BAA. PG ranked him as the 25th best prospect in the league this summer. In late November, I named him one of my top performers. http://www.collegesummerbaseball.net/2012/01/top-35-pitchers-in-northwoods-league_20.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Deven Marrero — 6’-1”, SS, Arizona State Marrero excels on both sides of the field and could be the first shortstop taken in the draft. Was a 17th-round pick by the Reds in 2009 but chose to attend Arizona State. Hit .397 with six home runs, 42 RBIs and 11 stolen bases as a freshman, earning first-team, freshman All-American by collegiate baseball while setting an Arizona State freshman record for batting average. Won Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year honors as a sophomore as his defense caught up to his offense. Shows a great approach at the plate, as he has only struck out 54 times in 96 games at ASU. Has the ideal size (6’-1”, 190), range and footwork to be a gold-glove caliber shortstop down the road. Brother Chris was a first-round pick in 2009 and made his major-league debut for the Nationals this year. Led Collegiate Team USA with 19 hits, 14 RBI, five doubles and six stolen bases over 14 games during the summer. http://www.throughthefencebaseball.com/top-50-draft-prospects-for-2012-25-thru-1/15694/

A lefthanded hitter, Nolan Fontana excels at small ball, leading the SEC with 52 walks last year and drawing a total of 105 the past two seasons, while striking out just 59 times in his career. He also led the conference in sacrifice flies last season with nine and topped the Gators in total sacrifices (20).  He doesn't have blazing speed, but he is a smart, aggressive baserunner who led Florida with five triples as a sophomore.  In two years and 472 at-bats, Fontana is a .288/.426/.426 hitter with 27 doubles, seven triples, eight homers, 113 runs and 72 RBIs. Fontana said he gained five pounds of muscle over the summer, and O'Sullivan expects a bit more pop out of his shortstop this year. http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/college/season-preview/2012/2612858.html

Draft 2012: - Lucas Giolito, Vincent Jackson, Chris Beck, Deven Marrero

12-2-11: - http://mlbdraftcountdown.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/2012-mlb-mock-draft-updated-top-15-with-final-mlb-standings - 6) Chicago Cubs: Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (CA) It was refreshing to see the Cubs stop trying to outsmart everyone in the 2011 draft. Instead of pulling a “Hayden Simpson,” the club simply went with the best available hitter, Javier Baez, a player of such great talent that will hopefully rid the organization of the taste of failure that was Josh Vitters. And while the Cubs picked up one of the top players in the draft, they did nothing to combat the lack of quality starting pitching in their farm system. Their top pitching prospect, Trey McNutt, had a terrible campaign in 2011, and there were few, if any, pitchers who had breakout seasons for Chicago. They did add a few arms in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft, but they currently lack a true elite talent on the mound. Lucas Giolito is just that. He’s been on team’s radar since the beginning of his junior season, during which he showed not only improved velocity (he’s up to 93-97 mph), but also greatly improved command of all of his pitches. If Theo Epstein could start off his first draft as the head honcho in Chicago with Giolito, you would have to call it a success.

12-15-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/12/12/vincent-jackson-2012-draft-profile - Vincent Jackson is one of the top prospects from the state of Georgia.  He has a tall, athletic build with plenty of projection. Jackon does not have the prettiest swing, but he gets good results with it.  He could incorporate his lower half better.  He has quick hands and good bat speed.  Jackson has good power potential.  His 60 time is 6.77. Reports are positive on Jackson’s defense, both in the outfield and at first base.  He has the speed to play in the outfield.  He also has a solid, accurate arm. Jackson also shows potential on the mound, but his future at the next level will be as a position player.

12-15-11: - http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/28/article/60482 - Former Jefferson High pitching standout Chris Beck had the opportunity to play professionally after he graduated from in 2009, but decided to prolong the move by accepting a scholarship to play for Georgia Southern University. With a strong build and high potential coming out of high school, Beck was drafted in the 35th round (1,055 overall pick) by the Cleveland Indians. After two seasons at Georgia Southern, the 6-3, 220 pound right-hander was listed as the No. 8 prospect in the nation by MLB.com recently. Talk about the difference a couple of years can make. The list includes the top 50 draft-eligible high school and college players for the 2012 MLB draft. Beck is one of five pitchers to make the top 10 and one of just three college pitchers, coming in behind No. 6 Kevin Gausman from LSU and No. 1 Mark Appel from Stanford.

12-15-11: - http://www.minorleaguerundown.com/2011/12/12/2012-draft-top-3-college-shortstopssecond-baseman - Deven Marrero (Arizona State): The 17th round pick of the 2009 draft is much more than the best college shortstop prospect. He’s arguably one of the top overall players available this June. His work ethic seems to play up his tools a bit, not to say that plenty of natural talent isn’t there. Even though it looks as if he’ll have more inherent value with his glove than his bat, don’t sleep on Marrero’s offensive potential. His offensive tools will never be huge, but he’s a smart hitter who can walk a fair amount, make quality contact, and steal a base.

Draft 2012: - Deven Marrero, Chris Beck, Dominick Ruscitti, Adam Brett Walker, Max Muncy

12-2-11: - http://mlbdraftcountdown.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/2012-mlb-mock-draft-updated-top-15-with-final-mlb-standings - 3) Seattle Mariners: Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State  The Mariners have somehow gotten worse every season since Jack Zduriencik took over as GM in October of 2008, and honestly, the future doesn’t appear to be too bright. Yes, they still have one of the top pitchers in baseball in Felix Hernandez and they have an burgeoning ace in Michael Pineda, but their offense has taken dramatic steps backward. Ichiro is half the player he used to be, and aside from Dustin Ackley, their lineup has very little excitement. It should be noted that 10 players who played in more than 50 games hit under the .250 mark. Justin Smoak (.234), Brendan Ryan (.248), Chone Figgins (.188) and Franklin Gutierrez (.224) all looked especially terrible at the plate. Defensively, the Mariners weren’t much better, posting a middle-of-the-pack fielding percentage. The M’s could kill two birds with one stone with the selection of Deven Marrero, a solid all-around player capable of hitting .300 at the big-league level while providing Gold Glove caliber defense. Marrero is hands down the top shortstop available regardless of draft class (high school or college). The Mariners flirted with the idea of taking Francisco Lindor last year, and in Marrero, they would be getting a more seasoned version.

12-9-11: - http://clickthepaper2.com/2011/12/09/former-dragon-is-no-8-mlb-prospect-for-2012-draft  - former Jefferson High pitching standout Chris Beck had the opportunity to play professionally after he graduated from JHS in 2009, but decided to prolong the move by accepting a scholarship to play for Georgia Southern University. With a strong build and high potential coming out of high school, Beck was drafted in the 35th round (1,055 overall pick) of Major League Baseball’s First Year Players Draft by the Cleveland Indians. After two seasons with GSU, the 6-3, 220 pound right-hander was listed as the No. 8 prospect in the nation, according to MLB.com last week.

12-9-11: - http://www.collegesummerbaseball.net/2011/12/top-20-pitchers-in-perfect-game.html  -    Dominick Ruscitti   RHP   Newark Pilots---Kutztown -  Dominick is a 6-2/230 right-hander from Washingtonville, NY. He was simply the best pitcher in the league this summer, and the league agrees with me as he was named the Pitcher of the Year in the PGCBL.  He led the league with 6 wins and led the league with a 1.82 era in 59.1 innings pitched. He completed two games, made eight starts and held the opposition to just 42 hits allowed this summer. He walked 15 batters and he fanned 49 this summer. Dominick also held opponents to a .196 batting average this summer. Perfect Game ranked him as the 30th best prospect in the league. 

12-12-11: - http://ht.ly/1g8auL  - We continue the countdown today at number 44 with Jacksonville junior outfielder Adam Brett Walker. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin native attended Milwaukee Lutheran High School where he was a three year starter. His senior season saw him named all-state, all-area and all-conference. His junior season saw him earn multiple awards also being named all-state, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel All-Area and first team all-conference after batting a school-record .569 (33-58) with eight home runs and a 1.121 slugging percentage. Walker’s freshman season saw him become an everyday player with 51 appearances, including 49 starts (38 as the designated hitter, eight in right field, three at first base). He finished the season with the fourth highest batting average on the Dolphins squad at .313 with a team highs in homers (16) and RBI (58). He was named first team Freshman All-America by Louisville Slugger and NCBWA while picking up second team All-Atlantic Sun and All-Freshman Atlantic Sun.

12-13-11: - http://ht.ly/1g9nnf     - We continue the countdown today at number 43 with Baylor junior first baseman Max Muncy. The Keller, Texas native attended Keller High School where he was a three year letterwinner for Rob Stramp. In his three year high school career, he hit 22 homers and 46 doubles while being named a two-time All-District 5-5A selection, 2009 Under Armour All-American, 2009 Class 5A all-state selection, and 2008 First-Pitch Classic all-tournament member. As a freshman in 2010, he saw action in 59 games with a .300 batting average with a team high in homers (11) and RBI (53) with 47 runs scored and 13 doubles. He was named a 2010 Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball and a Fort Worth Regional All-Tournament team member. He spent the 2010 summer in the Cape Cod Baseball League with the Wareham Gatemen. He played in 44 games hitting three homers and driving in 25 runs while having a batting average of .243.

Draft 2012: - Deven Marrero, Jared Price, Steve Nyisztor, Toney Dimartino, Ty Blach

9-27-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6271 -   DEVEN MARRERO, ss, Cotuit Kettleers (Arizona State/JR in 2012) -  SCOUTING PROFILE: Marrero is a superior prospect in all phases of his game, and a leading candidate to be the first player drafted in 2012. The one area where he truly stands out is on defense, and he is in a league of his own as a college shortstop. Scouts say he is ready-made to play defensively in the big leagues, and have little reservation in extolling him as a future Gold-Glover. Marrero has exceptional rhythm in the field, no matter what the play or where a throw originates. He has a knack for instinctively reading ground balls and getting his glove into the right position, regardless of the hop, and is also adept at shifting his feet to make a throw from any angle. His arm is both strong and extremely accurate, and he excels at making plays from the hole. If anything, he can make shortstop look a little too easy, at times, and will lose focus occasionally and overcharge some balls, which accounted for most of the nine errors he committed in the 12 games he played this summer for Cotuit. While his ability to play shortstop has never been questioned, the 6-foot-1, 170-pound Marrero continues to open eyes with his bat. He hit .326-0-5 in his brief time on the Cape, which he did in two instalments sandwiched around his tenure as the starting shortstop for USA Baseball’s college national team, where he hit .322-0-14, and led that squad in hits, doubles, RBIs and stolen bases. In contrast to his summer showing at the plate, Marrero hit .315-2-20 with the new BBCOR bats during his sophomore year at Arizona State, and scouts may have already come to the conclusion that he is one of those players who is a better hitter with wood. He has excellent hitter’s hands, and the bat speed to turn around a high-velocity fastball. His best attribute as a hitter, though, is his ability to drive balls sharply to the opposite field. He also has sound strike-zone management. The area where Marrero showed his greatest improvement this summer came in his base running. He has average speed but emerged as an above-average base stealer because of his superior instincts. Marrero was one of the top prospects in the Cape Cod League a year ago, when he hit .306-1-17, and his reputation as the league’s best talent carried over to this summer, to a degree, as his time in the league was too limited for scouts to get an extended look at him to be convinced he was the league’s No. 1 prospect. Not only did Marrero take three weeks out to join Team USA, but he missed the final week of the Cape season when he was hit by a pitch and suffered a badly bruised left hand. 

7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments - Jared Price, Twin Valley HS, Mohnton, PA 6’2 185, loose and quick, some rerap and coil in back/short like Roger Clemens, fb jumps out of hand when he fully extends out front, fb up to 92, mostly 90 with arm side run and hard breaking ball that is still developing, showed fair command and control, aggressive, could be top 4-7 round in 2012.

9-8-11: - http://www.gacksports.com/65590/2012-mlb-mock-draft-update - 30. Boston Red Sox Steve Nyisztor 2nd Baseman Rutgers Nyisztor appeared in all 56 games and started all, but one game at 2nd base.  Nyisztor posted a .410 batting average along with 4 home runs, 51 RBI’s, 11 stolen bases, and 17 doubles.  Nyisztor is a project, but has the tools to be a 5 tool player if his home run ability improves.

9-21-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6253 – what are your thoughts on high school 1b Tony Dimartino hes top 100 in your guys rankings any idea what round hell most likely go in? – DiMartino is a very strong right handed hitting first baseman from California with a ride to Arizona State. He's actually #328 right now. As a 6-0/6-1 right handed hitting first baseman, he has very little draft profile and I would expect him to be a college standout, much in the same way that Christian Walker (see previous post) has been.

9-1-11: - http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com - Ty Blach, Creighton, 6'1 200, nice lefty with fb up to 91, 92 on occ, most are 88-89, some arm side run and good change up, cb a bit sloppy at times, needs more consistency with cb and command to be effective and move up in draft status. 8-12 guy on paper with potential to go 4-7 rounds, keys will be overall command and if fb ticks up in velo any. Comparisons to former Jay, Brad Kucera former high rounder of the Brewers in the late 80's for coach Hendry.

Draft 2012: - Zeke DeVoss, Deven Marrero, Kyle Hansen, B J Zimmerman, Byron Buxton

7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments  - Zeke DeVoss, Miami, 5’9 1/2 170, L/L, gets on base, makes solid contact, 270 type hitter with fair power at best, good instincts and jumps in CF, enough arm to stick there, will goes as far as bat takes him. 4-7 round type guy at best for me.

9-8-11: - http://www.gacksports.com/65590/2012-mlb-mock-draft-update - 4. Seattle Mariners Deven Marrero Short Stop Arizona State You can make the case that Deven Marrero, Michael Wacha, or Nick Williams is worthy of being the #4 overall pick. Seattle usually takes college players over high school players. That leaves Devin Marrero and Michael Wacha by process of elimination. The Mariners are 17th in team ERA so you got to go with Marrero here.

http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/090811aaa.html   - Pitcher Kyle Hansen and outfielder Jeremy Baltz have both been named Top-30 prospects in the Cape Cod Baseball League, as announced by Baseball America. Hansen, who played with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, checked in at No. 22, while Baltz was listed as the No. 27 prospect after his season with the Falmouth Commodores. A Cape Cod All-League selection and a starter in the All-Star game at Fenway Park, Baltz (.321) was one of 15 players in the league that batted above .300 for the season. The outfielder had a league-best 13 doubles, and ranked third in RBI (23), fifth in on-base percentage (.434), tied for fifth in hits (45), seventh in slugging percentage (.457) and tied for eighth in runs scored (21). The outfielder also batted .393 (11-for-28) with two doubles and three RBI in seven playoff games as Falmouth, which finished fourth in the Western Division in the regular season, surged in the postseason and reached the Cape Cod Baseball League championship series. The Harwich Mariners, however, swept the Commodores in the best-of-three title series.

9-12-11: - http://www.collegesummerbaseball.net/2011/09/top-20-position-players-in-florida.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter  - In the six-team Florida Collegiate Summer League this summer, the Sanford River Rats downed the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs to earn them the title of FCSL Champions. Individually, there were at least 25 position players that turned in great seasons. Unfortunately, I had to narrow the list down to the top 20. - 2. B.J. Zimmerman 1B Winter Park—Tampa - Zimmerman, a big first baseman from the University of Tampa hit .355 in 110 at-bats this summer. A former Washington Nationals draft pick, B.J, led the league with 30 runs batted in and he also scored 20 for the Dawgs. He walked 21 times, stole 3 bases and smacked one double in the All-Star Game. He also hit .333, with 2 doubles in the playoffs. Perfect Game ranked him as the 18th best prospect in the league.

9-14-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/09/12/byron-buxton-draft-profile  - Byron Buxton is the consensus top prospect from the state of Georgia. He shot up drafts boards over the summer and is now mentioned as a possible top 5 overall selection in the 2012 draft. Buxton is a two way prospect, pitching and playing the outfield. He shows promise as a hitter and pitcher, but his bat will be his ticket at the next level. He is a top athlete and plays quarterback for Appling County in the fall. His long frame will allow him to add strength as he matures. Buxton has quick hands and an easy swing. A pull hitter, he makes consistent solid contact. He has plus speed, clocked from 3.89 to 4.12 from the right side and at 3.18 on a steal. Buxton is solid in the field, aided greatly by his plus speed. With his speed and strong accurate arm, he should remain in centerfield longterm.

Draft 2012: - Sean Godfrey, Darrell Mathews, Deven Marrero, Mark Appel, Addison Russell

8-31-11: http://www.collegesummerbaseball.net/2011/08/top-15-position-players-in-cal-ripken.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter   - Top 15 Position Players in the Cal Ripken League - 9. Sean Godfrey OF Southern Maryland--Ball State - Sean hit .357 in 143 at-bats this season. He scored 28 runs, hit 9 doubles and stole 20 bases for Southern Maryland. He also hit .385 in the LCS. He was named to play in the All-Star Game and he was selected to the All-League Team.

7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments  - Darrell Mathews, Cal, 5’9 165, L/L, scrappy player with solid speed, occ base stealing threat, slap type hitter who plays CF well, adequate arm strength and range, question will be strength and bat strength, 13-20 round type guy.

9-1-11: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2011/08/31/2012-mlb-draft-top-prospects  - Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State - Marrero projects to hit for average in the pros. He's posted strong contact numbers for the Sun Devils (13.4% strikeout rate to date with ASU). Like many college players adjusting to the new bats, he struggled offensively last year, hitting just .319/.354/.444 after posting a .397/.442/.628 line as a true freshman. Marrero also doesn't walk much -- just 6.5% over the past two years.

9-8-11: - http://www.gacksports.com/65590/2012-mlb-mock-draft-update  - 1. Houston Astros Mark Appel Pitcher Stanford At this point Mark Appel looks like a clear cut #1 overall pick to go first overall in the 2012 MLB Draft. Appel is no stone cold lock to go #1 overall by any means necessary, but Appel has to be the frontrunner to be the first pick in the 2012 MLB Draft just like Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck is the frontrunner to be the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft at this point in the draft process even though nothing has been finalized yet.

7- 9-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments - Addison Russell, Pace HS, Pace FL, 6’ 185 R/R, strong physical specimen, a bit stiff with bat and actions as a fielder, gets rid of ball quickly, good range in field, at plate has hand strength but doesn’t get full extension as a hitter to utilize that strength, have to see him again, ran ave 4.3 from box.

Tony Renda, Tom Murphy, Deven Marrero, Jake Barrett, Marcus Stroman

Tony Renda:


6-20-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series#/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series/page/6  - Cal’s top draft prospect for 2012 is 2B Tony Renda, the 2011 Pac-10 Player of the Year. Renda had a sensational season for the Bears, taking on the role of team leader, despite having sophomore status. He paced the squad with a .335 average, 85 hits, 112 total bases and nine steals. He also scored 37 runs and drove in 42. He was also an integral part of one of the best defensive units in the Pac-10. Renda made nine errors, good for a .967 fielding percentage. Renda isn’t likely to be a first-round guy, but he should most certainly improve upon his standing from the 2009 draft, when he was selected by the Dodgers in the 42nd round. Renda spurned their offer to head to Cal, where he made an immediate impact as a freshman, winning Pac-10 First-Team honors after hitting .373 with 21 doubles, four triples, three HR and 37 RBI. He also swiped 13 bases.


Tom Murphy:


7-9-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6002  - Tom Murphy, C, Buffalo - A natural leader, Murphy is a good fit behind the plate at a position that is always in demand at every level of the game. Putting up big numbers in two years while hailing from a non-traditional baseball powerhouse, he had the opportunity to showcase his skills among the best college players in the nation, and made the most of that opportunity, albeit in limited duty.


Deven Marrero:


7-21-11: -  http://www.draftsite.com/article/College-Names-To-Know/92 Strengths    – Right away you notice his athletic stance at the plate, with his weight evenly distributed. He has a solid set up at the plate, with his hands at shoulder height allowing him to have a short path to the ball. There are not a lot of moving parts to his swing. He has solid hip rotation and a quiet foot plant; He gets his front side firm and gets tall on his back foot. He stands close to the plate, giving him excellent plate coverage. Marrero has very solid bat speed and shows a very good eye. He has a good high finish at the plate and can take pitches the other way, using a solid inside out swing on inside pitches. He should hit for a good average. In the field he is a plus defender, he won Pac-10 defensive player of the year. He is very smooth, with great range and plus actions. He also has a plus throwing arm.


Jake Barrett:


7-21-11: - http://www.mockdraftmania.com/  - 9. Minnesota Twins Jake Barrett P Arizona State Jake Barrett is the best player available. Barrett could go anywhere between picks 4 and 10. Barrett has the size to be a starting pitcher at 6 foot 3 225 pounds. There are some off the field concerns with Barrett’s character. Barrett posted a winning record, but had a bad ERA. The mechanics and pitching control are two areas he needs to work on. Barrett recorded 72 strike outs in 76 innings during the 2011 season. Barrett has a 4 seamer that is 94 miles per hour along with a 90 mile per hour 2 seamer. Barrett also has the curveball and splitter that could develop into complimentary pitches.


Marcus Stroman:


Duke rising junior RHP/infielder Marcus Stroman spent this summer as a member of the USA Collegiate National Team. He appeared in seven games totaling 8.1 innings of innings without giving up a single hit while walking one batter. This is the second straight summer that Stroman has impressed as in 2010, he played with the Orleans Firebirds in the Cape Cod League. He didn’t give up a run then either in 15 appearances (one start) in 25.0 innings pitched. He allowed 10 hits while striking out 32 batters. GoDuke.com recently caught up with Marcus to discuss his summer experience this year. - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/07/20/dukes-marcus-stroman-continues-to-impress/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CollegeBaseballDaily+%28College+Baseball+Daily%29  

Mike Zunino, Deven Marrero, Christian Walker, Michael Wacha, Mark Appel

Mike Zunino:


6-20-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series#/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series/page/3  - C Mike Zunino, the reigning SEC Hitter of the Year, should also get some love after a season that saw him pace the Gators with a .376 average and 18 home runs. He finished second on the squad with 66 RBI. Behind the plate, he was excellent, making only two errors, good for a fielding percentage of .996. He was so good in fact that he forced freshman sensation Austin Maddox off of the position. Zunino was a former 30th-round pick back in 2009.


Deven Marrero:


7-9-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6002  - Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State - The 2008 National Showcase is well represented among this group, which includes Marrero, who continues to add strength, and subsequent power potential, to his lean, athletic frame. He has put up big numbers at the plate with a knack for the big hit, for both Arizona State and Team USA, since his freshman year. It was no surprise that when faced with a tie-breaker in the 10th inning of the first game played in Omaha, in which runners were placed at first and second, that Marrero was the choice of Manager Tim Jamieson to lead off the inning. Marrero is currently considered to be among the prospects most likely to be selected among the top 10 overall picks in next year's draft.


Christian Walker:


7-19-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com/  - Christian Walker
2012 - ranked 27th  - University of South Carolina - FR – .327/.384/.518 – 18 BB/18 K – 226 AB SO – .361/.442/.556 – 32 BB/26 K – 241 AB •“plus hit tool with enough strength and loft to hit 20+ homers at next level” •“currently a shaky defender, but upside to be average”


Michael Wacha:


7-21-11: - http://www.draftsite.com/article/College-Names-To-Know/92  - Strengths – Another arm with great size and, like Appel, has room to grow into his frame. He is a good athlete for a pitcher. He has good mechanics, which he repeats well. He has a balanced delivery, solid arm speed, and his arm action is loose, producing mid to high 90’s heat. He also has a plus change with good sink, along with a curve ball. He uses his frame for leverage, throwing from a good downhill plane. He turns his back slightly in his delivery which causes him to throw across his body from time to time. However, he makes it work for him, adding deception and hiding the ball well from the hitters.


Mark Appel:


7-21-11: - http://www.mockdraftmania.com/   - 3. Kansas City Royals Mark Appel P Stanford The Kansas City Royals are in the bottom 5 in only one category. That category is team ERA. The Royals have the lowest payroll in MLB and usually lean towards the best player available. Mark Appel is a 6 foot 5 190 pound pitcher who pitches for the Stanford Cardinal. Last year Mark Appel was the top starter in the schools rotation. Appel only surrendered 2 home runs all season. Appel struck out 86 batters and went 6-7 while posting a 3.02 ERA after posting a 5.92 ERA as a freshman. The fact that his ERA was lowered by 2 runs is very impressive. Appel pitched a minimum of 6 innings in all 15 of his starts so consistency is a non issue with Appel. Appel pitched over 100 innings pitching 104.1 innings as a sophomore.

2012 Draft: - Brian Johnson, Nolan Fontana, Mike Zunino, Deven Marrero, Connor Harrell

Brian Johnson:


6-20-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series#/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series/page/3  - The Gators are loaded with talent, and next year will be no different. Yes, they’ll lose Preston Tucker and Alex Panteliodis, but their star-studded roster will be led by their top draft prospect for 2012, LHP Brian Johnson. Johnson had a great season, posting a 3.66 ERA and a 70:15 K:BB ratio in 15 starts before an errant Mike Zunino throw plunked him in the head and sidelined him with a concussion (see above). He has yet to make an appearance in the NCAA tournament but is scheduled to return sometime during the CWS. Johnson has been excellent at keeping his low 90s fastball down but in the zone during his time with the Gators. He has shown a great curveball that got better as the 2011 season wore on.



Nolan Fontana:


7-9-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6002  - Nolan Fontana, SS, Florida - It was just over a week since Fontana's last appearance at TD Ameritrade Park playing in the championship series at the College World Series. His defensive prowess was on display at the 2008 National Showcase, as he continues to make playing the middle infield look easy. With a patient approach and a line drive swing, Fontana served as the catalyst atop the lineup for both the Gators and Team USA.


Mike Zunino:


7-15-11: -  http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/07/12/mike-zunino-2012-draft-profile  - Mike Zunino plays catcher at a Major League level and is a likely first round choice in the 2012 draft. Zunino has a solid, disciplined approach at the plate. He has a quick bat and solid pull power. Many point to holes in Zunino’s swing and he is likely to have a high strikeout rate at the next level. His willingness to take a walk should help offset the strikeouts. Zunino truely shines defensively. He moves well and does a good job of blocking balls in the dirt. Zunino’s arm is strong and accurate. He has good hands. Zunino’s father, Greg, is a scout for the Reds which is one of the reasons he is such a good student of the game. Zunino received catching gear for Christmas when he was 6 years old and plays like he has been behind the plate since that day.


Deven Marrero:


7-15-11 from: - http://bullpenbanter.com/  Arizona State Sophomore SS Deven Marrero is projected to be a very early pick in the 2012 MLB Draft and it is easy to see why. The ball makes a different sound coming off his bat and he has some excellent pop for a middle infielder. I do see some strikeouts in his future... but they aren't a huge concern when you're getting this kind of overall offensive package. While the foot speed isn't top notch, I have little reservations about projecting him as a pro SS with his jumps and movements. He also possesses a very strong arm. Marrero is a high energy player who was a pleasure to watch play.


Connor Harrell:


6-20-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series#/articles/740905-omaha-eye-openers-2012-mlb-draft-prospects-at-the-2011-college-world-series/page/5  - Of the players who will become draft-eligible next year, OF Connor Harrell leads the way. An incredible athlete that has a ton of raw power, Harrell got he chance to play regularly in 2011 and responded well, hitting seven home runs in 60 games. He struck out a good amount (43 in 185 ABs) but also showed great instincts on the basepaths, swiping seven bases in the same number of tries. Harrell made headlines last year with his 10th-inning suicide squeeze bunt that drove in the game-winning run in Vandy’s regional victory over Louisville. With Joe Loftus and Aaron Westlake moving on, the Commodores will have to find a way to get Harrell’s bat into the lineup.

2012 Draft: - Deven Marrero, Jake Barrett, Kevin Gausman, RC Orlan, Tyler Naquin, Mark Appel

Deven Marrero:
6-14-11: - http://thegoldensombrero.com/wordpress/archives/4095  - Marrero profiles as an above-average defender at short with a plus arm and a plus glove. He has outstanding instincts for the position and should have no problem staying there as a professional. At the plate, he fails to generate tremendous bat speed in large part due to a lack of lower body action. He hits against a pretty quiet front, though, and keeps his hands inside well enough to be a 50 to 55 hit tool player. He will never hit many bombs in the pros, but he runs well enough to at least have an isolated power.


Jake Barrett:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110608&content_id=20222396&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb&partnerId=rss_mlb  Jake Barrett, RHP, Arizona State: He and Brady Rogers may form the best college rotation in the game in 2012, ASU's version of Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer.


Kevin Gausman:


6-11-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/722354-2012-mlb-mock-draft-early-predictions-for-next-years-top-10-picks#/articles/722354-2012-mlb-mock-draft-early-predictions-for-next-years-top-10-picks/page/8  - The scouting report on Gausman has changed a bit since his sixth-round drafting last year.It still features the mid-90s fastball, solid command and great mound presence, but what he's added since spurning the Dodgers offer for college ball is development of his breaking ball and the refinement of his changeup. His command of both pitches allowed him to blossom into LSU's most impressive pitcher in 2011. The right-hander made a team-high 14 starts, winning five. He posted a respectable 3.51 ERA and held a 86:23 K:BB ratio in a team-leading 89.2 innings. Batters only hit .215 off of him and he served up only five home runs all season. His finest performance came in an early season outing against Tennessee. He tossed a complete-game shutout, scattering four hits and striking out seven. He walked none. Gausman should be a top ten pick in 2012, thanks not only to his velocity and developing secondary pitches, but also to his very prototypical pitcher's body. At 6'4" and 185 pounds, he still has plenty of room to add some more weight (increasing his durability and stamina). Another season of pitching in college baseball's toughest conference should give him all the seasoning he needs to make the jump to pro ball.


RC Orlan:


6-14-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com/  - SO LHP RC Orlan (2012)
12.56 K/9 – 5.65 BB/9 – 3.54 FIP – 14.1 IP Sometimes good college pitchers are just that. Other times they become good pro pitchers. On rare occasions, they become great pro pitchers. It may be easy to lump Orlan into that first category, but I think he ultimately could fall into the middle grouping. His raw stuff doesn’t jump out at you — upper-80s FB (92 peak), above-average mid-80s cutter, a pair of usable breaking balls — and his slight frame doesn’t scream big leaguer, but his total package is greater than the sum of his individual parts.


Tyler Naquin:


6-15-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5887  - OF Tyler Naquin, Texas A&M -- Naquin certainly doesn't have the same type of power as other guys on this list, but he's easily the most consistent hitter of the bunch. The versatile outfielder is hitting .390 with 23 doubles, seven triples, two home runs and 44 RBIs. He also has recorded 101 singles and has a .556 slugging percentage with a .460 OBP. Naquin has struck out 33 times and walked on 29 occasions this season.


Mark Appel:


6-14-11: - Scouting Report: - Mark Appel is generally considered the top college pitcher returning for 2012 and a likely top 5 selection in the 2012 draft. He is a power pitcher with a big frame. Appel has good arm speed and an easy delivery. Appel’s fastball is generally 93-95 and has been as high as 98. His top secondary pitch is a swing and miss slider. He also throws a change with good movement and a cutter. http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/06/14/mark-appel-2012-draft-profile  

Karten Whitson, Tommy Coyle, Branden Kline, Deven Marrero, Nick Williams

Karsten Whitson:


6-13-11: - http://www.gatorzone.com/story.php?id=20899  - Florida right-hander Karsten Whitson (Chipley, Fla.) was chosen as a first-team Freshman All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) on Monday. Chosen to the SEC’s All-Freshman Team and as a Freshman All-American by Louisville Slugger, Whitson has been a fixture in the Gators’ weekend rotation and is 8-0 with a 2.45 earned run average. He leads the club with 83 strikeouts in 88.0 innings and has limited opponents to a .235 batting average. In his NCAA Tourney debut on June 3, Whitson did not permit any runs or walks as Florida overpowered Manhattan, 17-3. He worked 6.1 innings last Saturday in the second game of the NCAA Gainesville Super Regional against Mississippi State but was not involved in the decision after giving up two runs and four hits over 6.1 innings.






Tommy Coyle:


6-14-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - SO 2B Tommy Coyle (2012)
.337/.429/.451 – 37 BB/21 K – 19/25 SB – 255 AB Coyle played his high school ball about fifteen minutes from where I grew up, so I was lucky enough to catch him a couple of times during his senior season. He’s got above-average speed and athleticism, a really solid line drive swing, and an outstanding batting eye. It is still really early in the process, but I think we’re looking at a player with the ceiling of a big league regular with the possibility of a utility future a realistic backup option. I’m looking forward to seeing where he stacks up against the rest of the 2012 college middle infield crop, but I have a feeling he’ll be up there.










Branden Kline:


6-13-11: - http://www.virginiasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=88827&SPID=10613&DB_OEM_ID=17800&ATCLID=205159611 In the decisive game of the Charlottesville Super Regional, No. 1 national seed Virginia scored two runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to rally for a 3-2 win over UC Irvine Monday at Davenport Field. Sophomore Branden Kline got the win for Virginia, improving to 4-1. He pitched the final 1.2 innings, allowing one unearned run on one hit. Cavalier starter Will Roberts went the first 7.1 innings, allowing one run on five hits.






Deven Marrero:


http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110608&content_id=20222396&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb&partnerId=rss_mlb Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State: Part of an impressive crop of 2012 Draft talent at ASU, Marrero is a legitimate shortstop with great defensive actions and a playable bat for the next level.






Nick Williams:


6-11-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/722354-2012-mlb-mock-draft-early-predictions-for-next-years-top-10-picks#/articles/722354-2012-mlb-mock-draft-early-predictions-for-next-years-top-10-picks/page/6 - (Nick) Williams exploded onto the 2012 draft scene as a high school junior last summer at the Perfect Game World Wood Baseball Association National Championship Tournament. He went 12-for-26 with six home runs and 12 RBIs over eight games, including one 4-for-4 performance in which each of his hits came in the form of a homer. He also racked up seven RBIs in that contest. It wasn't too long after that that colleges starting knocking on his door. Scouts have already started to compare him to Ken Griffey Jr., with some likening his powerful swing to Darryl Strawberry's. After his sophomore year, all the talk about Williams was that while he had a lot of raw power, he was helpless against good breaking-balls. He worked very hard on that throughout the season and responded with his performance at the WWBA championship: All four of his home runs came on breaking balls. At 6'3" and 195 pounds, Williams has a very athletic-looking frame and has been described by Perfect Game as an "excellent athlete." He also shined at the Area Code Games and was a regular among the HR derby circuit last summer. He should be a competitor at more than a few showcases this summer, giving him greater exposure to the rest of the country.