Draft 14 – Derek Fisher, Aaron Nola, Jeff Hoffman, Dillon Overton, Denz'l Chapman

6-10-13 - Derek Fisher, OF Virginia - Fisher was one of my favorite players in the 2011 draft class.  He is a good athlete with a line drive swing with good bat speed.  There is good power projection in his bat.  His approach has improved over the last year at Virginia. link

6-11-13 - 5. Aaron Nola, RHP, Louisiana State: What's a Draft class without a top LSU arm? Nola was LSU's Friday starter this year, going 12-0 with a 1.68 ERA, striking out nearly a batter per inning while holding hitters to a .187 BAA. LINK

6-13-13  -  10. Seattle Mariners — Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina - The 6’-4”, 190 pound right-hander is a workhorse who could have a Jonathan Gray-like rise next season with continued development on his curveball and change-up, both of which are solid offering right now. His fastball is a plus pitch already and touches 97 mph. Over 15 starts this season, he had a 3.20 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 84 K/39 BB over 109.2 innings. His 7.3 innings-per-start show the kind of stamina he has and he maintains velocity deep in games. LINK

Oklahoma head coach Sonny Galloway announced he was becoming head coach at Auburn. Junior prospect SP Dillon Overton had some choice tweets for his ex-coach as it seems both (63rd overall pick by Oakland) are leaving:

“All the crap I went through this year/season... But my team helped me through it. Good luck with the new coach boys. Thanks for being two faced the entire time I knew you. Lied to our whole team and never had any of our backs. The program made me better...which is something you couldn't do. I hope all the talking behind my back to my teammates comes back to you in some way. You really disappointed me and all my teammates. Good luck at Auburn.”

6-17-13 - Denz'l Chapman is accustomed to the spotlight. He remembers a moment in Las Vegas, competing for a team from his hometown of Gardena, Calif., against players from all over the country, with the game on the line.  In a youth bowling tournament.  "That's a family thing, we love to (go bowling)," said Chapman, who learned the game from his father. "I think I went out there with something like a 200 average."  Chapman's team didn't win that day -- "We came in like third or fourth" he says -- but it might be just as well. LINK

Draft 13 – Tyler Danish, Jon Denney, Dillon Overton, Jonathan Gray, A.J. Puk

Tyler Danish, RHP, Durant HS (FL) - The historic season continues for the 6’-1” right-hander as he tossed another shutout on May 7, striking out 14 to three walks. He now has gone 83 innings without allowing an earned run with 141 K/15 BB and just 28 hits allowed. His fastball has been clocked at 95 mph this season with late life and movement and his offspeed stuff is already above-average. He also stars at the plate, hitting .392 on the season with seven home runs, 24 RBI and a .515 OBP/.696 SLG. Committed to Florida. link

This has been a great season for prep catchers. Jon Denney is going to be a top-10 pick, Reese McGuire could go in the top-20, and now Sweaney is making his mark with a strong senior season. A tremendous athlete, Jake Sweaney plays football and baseball. His future lies in the latter, as he projects to stay behind the plate with a 6'2", 175-pound frame that he will fill out a bit as he gets older. link

Dillon Overton, Oklahoma - It's hard to believe now but Overton was the more heralded pitching recruit at Oklahoma over Jonathan Gray.  Overton, in fact, was still higher rated by most when the season began.  A forearm strain has caused him to drop.  Despite the smallest build of those we've talked about so far, Overton has the best fastball. When healthy, he works in the low 90s and is able to touch 95.  Moreover he also have the potential for 3 above average to plus pitches.  His slider is a swing and miss offering when right and his change up has good fade and gives him a legit out pitch vs. RH hitters. link

Jonathan Gray | RHP, Oklahoma - At 6-4, 235, Jonathan Gray throws hard — really hard.  He’s comfortable sitting in the upper-90s, and he cranks it up to the triple digits with ease.  The heater is an easy plus-plus pitch, and it only serves to amplify the effectiveness of the slider and the change — both solid offerings with plus potential.  Altogether, the repertoire is a wonderful whiff generator (112/19 K/BB in 94 IP this season).  Provided his command stays sharp as he ventures into pro ball, Gray’s pure stuff could have success in the upper levels right away.  A Class-A assignment to begin the year seems more likely, and probably more prudent, but I expect to see him reach Double-A by year’s end.  I also expect him to be off the board before pick 3.  Cubs and Astros fans should be excited at the prospect of landing this one.  link

WILD CARD: A.J. Puk, lhp/1b, Washington HS, Cedar Rapids: Puk has a whole deck of wild cards when it comes to his draft status, starting with his dual talents as a pitcher and hitter, as well as his strong desire to continue hitting. He is a very good student with a scholarship to one of the most prominent baseball schools in the country in Florida.  link

Draft 13 – Carlos Salazar, Trey Ball, Jonah Wesely, Ryne Stanek, Dillon Overton

 

Dan Kirby‏ @DanMKirby

Kerman HS (CA) RHP Carlos Salazar: 7 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 11 K/2 BB. Now has 0.19 ERA, 91 K/18 BB over 48.2 IP (16.9 K/9

In his last start, 6'-5" LHP Trey Ball had 11 K/0 BB, 0 ER, 2 H over 7 IP, hitting 93 mph

Tracy HS (CA) LHP Jonah Wesely's last 3: 18 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 43 K/6 BB (21.5 K/9), includes an 18 K no-no

Ryne Stanek, RHP, Arkansas - Through his first five starts, the 6’-4” right-hander had a 3.75 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 20 K/13 BB over 21.2 innings. His stock was plummeting as people questioned his control and ability to go late in games as his 4.2 IP/per start was concerning for someone considered a frontline starter. Over his last five starts, he has clearly quieted critics and has placed himself back in talks for the top 5-10 picks in the 2013 MLB draft. Over that span, he has a 0.54 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 32 K/8 BB over 33.2 innings. link

ChasingOmaha.com‏  @ChasingOmaha6h

News out of Norman that Dillon Overton, potential first round pick, has an inflamed elbow, out for 2-4 weeks.