Greg Deichmann, Jacob Gatewood, Jakson Reetz, Jace Fry, Jordan Brink

5-11-14 - Greg Deichmann, SS, Brother Martin HS (LA) - At 6’-2” and 190 pounds, the left-handed hitter has big time power potential. A very good athlete, he has the actions to stick at shortstop but a move to second base or third is likely and the bat will play well. His excellent bat speed allows him to wait on his pitch and drive it to all fields and he shows a patient approach at the plate because of that ability. Through 33 games, he is hitting .391/.562/.977 with nine doubles, three triples, 12 home runs and has stolen 16 bases. A kid who could hear his name on day one and he is committed to LSU. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-high-school-players-rise-final-edition/42853#cZ17mE5vsjiSvU18.99

3-16-14 – Cubs Den – Jacob Gatewood can match Jackson in terms of power but there is a little bit more risk to his stock.  He is a SS now but will play 3B as he fills out.  He has tremendous power and the skills to be a good defender.  I don't see Gatewood as a Cubs type pick because of the added risk involved, but he could go as high as #3 to the White Sox. http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2014/03/mlb-draft-update-arms-ahead-of-bats-early-on-but-questions-remain-at-the-top/

Nathan Rode ‏@NathanRode  - C Jakson Reetz (NE) opened his season with a bang. 3-4, 2 HR, 3B, 5 RBIs. HS stats mean little, but expect video game numbers from him.

3-19-14 – TTF – Jace Fry, LHP, Oregon State (NR) - Another Beaver to make the list, Fry has been ridiculous of late. Over his last two starts, he has allowed three hits over 18 shutout innings, including a no-hitter against NIU on March 8. For the season, he now has a 1.56 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 25 K/6 BB over 40.1 innings. At 6’-0” and 200 pounds, the southpaw isn’t a power arm but knows how to use his stuff. His fastball sits in the 89-93 mph range with late movement, and he will use his slider to both sides of the plate. He adds a change-up and adds/subtracts to keep hitters off balance. He has great command of his stuff, as well. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-10-college-players-rise-week-5/41905#JeRjl1lAwHFUPJlv.99

3-20-14 – Jordan Brink, RHP, Fresno State - The 6’-1”, 190 pound right-hander wowed scouts this past fall when he was touching 97 mph with his fastball. He also showed a plus, mid-80s slider and a change-up that is rapidly developing. He was a position player his freshman season and used in relief his sophomore year, so the arm is fresh. He has a fast arm, which is great for projection despite his size. Through five starts, he has a 2.12 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 26 K/14 BB over 34 innings, holding opponents to a .168 batting average. Still new to starting, the command shouldn’t be an issue. The Cubs have shown in recent drafts to like college, power arms with projection left and Brink is exactly that. http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2014/03/mlb-draft-a-look-at-5-college-arms-for-the-2nd-round/

Alex Destino, Derek Hill, Chase Vallot, Tyler Kolek, Aaron Nola, Greg Deichmann

5-11-14  -  Alex Destino, LHP, OF, North Buncombe HS (NC) - Maybe the best two-way player this year, Destino has done it all for the Blackhawks. On the mound, he has 94 K/31 BB over 58.1 innings, allowing 11 runs on 29 hits. At the plate, he is hitting .560/.623/1.179 over 24 games with 13 doubles, 13 home runs and just four strikeouts. At 6’-3” and 220 pounds, the left-hander has equal upside as both a pitcher and hitter. He is also a very good athlete which bodes well for projection. His fastball can touch 93 mph and he adds a mid-70s slider and low-80s change-up. With full-time focus on pitching, he should add velocity and he has great arm speed. Committed to South Carolina. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-high-school-players-rise-final-edition/42853#cZ17mE5vsjiSvU18.99

5-18-14  -  Derek Hill  -  One of my favorite players coming into the season, Hill has been rocketing up draft boards all spring and some have him going in the top 25 picks. The 6’-0”, 185 pound right-hander has plus speed (6.33/60), a strong, accurate arm, and is an extremely gifted route runner who should be an elite defender at the next level. Offensively, he has an advanced approach at the plate and his bat speed allows him to spray the ball to all fields. He doesn’t have much home run power, but his speed should make him a headache on the base paths. Through 25 games, he is hitting .500/.585/.774 with nine doubles, seven triples and 18 stolen bases. Committed to Oregon.
 http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-five-high-school-players/42931#BrqM3BlCZROcRBlE.99
3-26-14 – TTF – 10 high school players on the rise — third edition – Chase Vallot, C/OF, St. Thomas More HS (LA) - I don’t think anyone in the country is mashing the ball quite like Vallot is this season. Over 18 games, he is hitting .583/.672/1.270 (1.943 OPS) with 10 doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 36 RBI. He has also drawn 17 walks and I’m not really sure why he wouldn’t get a free pass every time going forward. One of the youngest players in the draft, the 6’-0”, 205-pound right-hander generates a ton of raw power due to his bat speed and strong wrists. His strong arm, size and footwork could allow him to stick at a premium position but some believe a move to a corner outfield position is likely where the power would play well. Another player I got to see at Wrigley, he hit a couple bombs out of the park with ease and showed a polished approach at the plate during the game. Committed to Mississippi State. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-10-high-school-players-rise-third-edition/42098#CmrUPUJfBWKiV2MO.99

3-18-14 - This past summer, Baseball America dubbed Tyler Kolek the next great big-bodied, right-handed pitching prospect from Texas – following the footsteps of guys like Roger Clemens, Kerry Wood and Josh Beckett – and the Shepherd High senior is certainly living up to that billing on the mound this season. Three weeks into the Texas prep baseball season, Kolek has yet to allow a hit, according to MaxPreps. The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder has recorded 35 strikeouts against just one walk over 15 innings in his first three appearances for the Pirates. He's earned two of Shepherd's four wins in the team's first 13 games. http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/highschool-prep-rally/top-rated-pitching-prospect-tyler-kolek-has-yet-to-allow-a-hit-as-a-high-school-senior-170058989.html;_ylt=A0SO8zAMdihTKVQAt25XNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTB0cDAxNDRiBHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2dxMQR2dGlkA1ZJUDI5M18x

3-16-14 – Cubs Den – Aaron Nola is 4-0 with a 0.27 ERA this season in 33.2 innings.  He has walked just 4 batters and struck out 48.  But the question with Nola isn't his skill or even his stuff, which is plenty good enough to be at least a mid-rotation guy.  It's more about a low arm angle that scouts believe will make him susceptible to more advanced LH hitters. http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2014/03/mlb-draft-update-arms-ahead-of-bats-early-on-but-questions-remain-at-the-top/

 3-17-14 – TTF – 10 High School Players On The Rise – Greg Deichmann, SS/3B, Brother Martin HS (LA) - Left-handed hitting power shortstops are a nice commodity, and the 6’-2”, 190 pound Deichmann has a chance to stick at short due to his strong arm, speed and instincts in the field. He has excellent bat speed and can put on displays in the cage during batting practice. Even if he ends up at third, the power and arm will play well. Over 12 games, he is hitting .429/.565/1.086 with three doubles, a triple, six home runs and 10 stolen bases, showing off his speed (6.62/60) and athleticism. Committed to LSU. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-10-high-school-players-rise-second-edition/41810#OfV5L7GbWgi2Xqtf.99

Draft 14 – Sean Blewett, JD Davis, Jon Littell, Greg Deichmann

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 27. Atlanta Braves — Sean Blewett, RHP, Baker HS (NY) - The 6’-6” right-hander was extremely impressive during the fall, hitting 97 mph and showing a sound delivery at the perfect Game WWBW in Jupiter, Florida. His curveball is still developing but he shows a good feel for it and it could be a plus pitch. With his size and arm strength, his upside is sky high and a strong senior season could propel him higher. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99

12-9-13 – Pine Tar Press  -  44- 1B/RHP JD Davis Fullerton 4/27/93- He is one of two potential Fullerton players who will be looked at on the mound and in the batters box. Unlike, Matt Chapman though Davis has thrown more to this point showing an easy 92-94 fastball and a solid slide piece. But, he is rated high as a hitter because of his highly sought after RH power. He is not a swing and miss power hitter either as he gets the most out of each AB. (OUt of first round- Mariners selection) http://pinetarpress.com/early-look-2014-mlb-draft/

12-10-13 – TTF – Top 50 HS Players - 44. Jon Littell, OF, Stillwater HS (OK) - There is a ton of power in the draft class and Littell is right at the top of the list. At 6′-4″ and 200 pounds, he ha a balanced swing that allows him to drive the ball to all fields with ease. he has excellent bat speed and a sound approach at the plate, as well. he has decent speed (6.82/60) and a good enough arm (92 mph from OF) to hold down a corner outfield spot at the next level. Committed to Oklahoma State. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-top-50/40532#zz88YJZTOG8iEa1Z.99

11-21-13 – BA Top 100 High School Players - 89 Greg Deichmann 2B/SS L/R 6-1 187 Brothers Martin, Metairie, La. Louisiana State http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-high-school-top-100-with-commitments/

Draft 14 – Touki Toussaint, Sean Newcomb, Greg Deichmann, Grant Holmes,Drew Lugbauer

10-29-13 – Jim Callis – Top 10 World Wood Bat Association World Championship (WWBA) Jupiter, Fla - 3. Touki Toussaint, RHP, Atlanta Blue Jays (Coral Springs, Fla., Christian High/uncommitted) -  Possesses electric fastball/curveball combination, but still learning how to harness his pitches. http://ht.ly/qi5No


10-15-13 – Baseball America - 19. Sean Newcomb, lhp, Hartford: Breakout Cape Cod League performer has a durable 6-foot-5, 240-pound frame, and he flashes a four-pitch mix with mid-90s heat. http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-draft-top-50-october-2013-carlos-rodon/


10-28-13 – Jim Callis - Marcucci Elite had a lineup laden with prospects, headlined by shortstop Gregory Deichmann (Brother Martin High, New Orleans). A 6-foot-2, 185-pounder, he had the lone hit against Burkholder, pulling a double inside the first-base bag in the fifth. Deichmann has a quick left-handed bat and solid speed, and he may have the arm and range to stay at shortstop. The Louisiana State recruit made a nice play on a grounder up the middle in the top of the third. http://ht.ly/qeYJz


10-25-13  - PG Showcase – The tournament’s first pool play time slot also put power arms on display with Grant Holmes (Conway, S.C. HS) and Alex Verdugo (Sahuaro HS, Tucson) throwing on opposite sides of the Marlins complex. Holmes, a strong-bodied righthander playing with the Evoshield Canes, worked between 91-93, peaking at 96 with two strikes on a hitter once, with excellent late life. He created lots of weak contact off the hands of righthanded hitters, and showed he could spot to both corners of the plate. He also spun a hard, late-breaking 80-81 curveball from his three-quarter slot. http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/toussaint-wows-evaluators-at-jupiter/


9-11-13 - Sully’s 2014 Top 100 MLB HS Draft Prospects – 38. Drew Lugbauer – C, Arlington (NY) HS http://www.ninebaseball.org/Wordpress/sullys-2014-top-100-mlb-hs-draft-prospects/

Draft 14 – David Peterson, Alex Lange , Carlos Rodon, Forest Griffin, Greg Deichmann

8-29-13 - Player:  David Peterson   Primary Position:  LHP  Secondary Position(s):  1B  Height/Weight:  6’6/220  Bats/Throws:  L/L  Home Town:  Denve. CO  School:  Regis Jesuit  Class of:  2014  Committed To:  Oregon  Scouting Notes:  2013 Tournament of Stars Notes from Don Olsen  - David is a long, lean, loose projectable arm with present arm speed in a Tyler Skaggs type mold.  He hides the ball well in a nice ¾ slot, angle is tough to pick up with his long arms and lateral two way plane.  David shows a bit of big man mechanics that could use minor ironing, but good arm action.  Fastball has a lot of life on it, 89-90 mph, with a bit more left in the tank.  Curve has a slurve type feel, 76-77 mph, and can be tough on LHH to square up.  He flashes a straight or split change that has a little depth and is projectable offering. Frame and ability are highly enticing; with a good chance for three pitch mix. http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2013/08/28/2014-mlb-draft-profile-david-peterson/

 

8-31-13 - Nathan Rode ‏@NathanRode  31 Aug  - RHP Alex Lange strikes out the side in the 1st. 89-92, touched 93. Arm-side life. Low-80s SL is working again.

 

8-27-13 - 1. Carlos Rodon, LHP, North Carolina State (Draft eligible: 2014)  -  The exceptional 6-foot-3, 234-pound, junior left-handed pitcher has had quite a whirlwind past few months. Rodon entered his sophomore campaign with the Wolfpack with high hopes in the spring, but it took him a while to get going, as evidenced by some early command issues. Rodon only got better as the spring progressed, pitching exceptionally well down the stretch and in the College World Series with a fastball anywhere from 93-97 in Omaha.   Well, Rodon only continued his impressive ways this summer while pitching for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team. Rodon didn’t allow a run in four starts and 17 innings of work, while also striking out 21 and walking four. From a prospect standpoint, Rodon is the clear-cut favorite to be the top pick in the 2014 MLB draft. In addition to having a durable frame, Rodon possesses a hard-nosed, come at you type of attitude, along with elite stuff. He pitched off his fastball quite a bit this summer, a pitch that has some late, exploding life on it at times. Rodon also utilized an 85-87 slider with two-plane break, while that pitch also was up to 89 at times. Last but not least, Rodon used a low-80s changeup, a pitch that many would like him to use more in the latter innings come spring. Overall, Rodon’s near impeccable fastball command reminded some close to USA Baseball to former Vanderbilt start left-handed pitcher David Price, while he showed much more confidence in his slider as the summer progressed.   Rodon’s freshman campaign in 2012 convinced many of us that he was clearly the top prospect in the 2014 MLB draft college class. Then, we had a second thought when he started slow out of the gate for the Wolfpack in the spring. But now, after such a dominance performance with Team USA, the gritty and durable lefty is right back where he started his collegiate career. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=8927

 

8-14-13 – Through The Fence – Top 50 Prospects – 50. Foster Griffin, LHP, The First Academy (FL) - At 6’-5” and 190 pounds, the southpaw has a lot of projection and already has a great feel for pitching. His fastball can touch 92 mph and he adds a mid-70s change-up with nice fade. He has a loose and lanky frame, which bodes well for added velocity and mechanics. His size alone makes him an intriguing prospect. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-top-50-prospects/36463#mwWwsFxSUZy7YC5V.99

2013 East Coast Pro Showcase Top 50 Prospects    - 44. Greg Deichmann – INF, Brother Martin (LA) HS - Didn’t have a great week, but still has the tools and the big time power bat. http://www.ninebaseball.org/Wordpress/sullys-top-50-ecp-prospects/

Draft 14 – Jacob Gatewood, Tyler Schimpf, Touki Toussaint, Jonah Patten, Greg Deichmann

 

8-14-13 – Through The Fence – Top 50 Prospects – 4. Jacob Gatewood, SS, Clovis HS (CA) - Gatewood is quickly becoming the most drooled over prep prospect in the 2014 MLB draft. At 6’-5” and 190 pounds, the right-hander shows big-time power potential and excellent bat speed. He won the Junior Home Run Derby at Citi Field, slugging 13 home runs — three of them reaching the third deck. He also has a canon arm and has been clocked in the low/mid 90s. A shortstop now, his size and power could move him to third where all of his tools would play well. He could go first overall with his upside. Committed to USC. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-top-50-prospects/36463#mwWwsFxSUZy7YC5V.99

 

8-10-13 - New Balance Area Code games - Tyler Schimpf (CA) is an interesting arm for the A's, sitting 88-90 with his fastball. He had a curve at 74 MPH that had good shape and a change at 77 MPH. He struggled with command but he had a big, long body and the right-hander should tack on more velocity as he develops. http://prospectinsider.com/view/2013-area-codes:-day-4-notes/

 

2013 East Coast Pro Showcase Top 50 Prospects    - 6. Touki Toussaint – RHP, Coral Springs Christian Academy (FL) - Sat 92-93, touched 94 and featured his outstanding curveball. Will battle Holmes all year for the best FB/CB mix. http://www.ninebaseball.org/Wordpress/sullys-top-50-ecp-prospects/

 

7-24-13  -  Jonah Patten, rhp, Norwell, Ossian, Ind./Indiana Bulls - Patten has a lean, well-proportioned and athletic build at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds that offers room to fill out. His delivery is athletic, featuring a long stride and good extension out front. The Arkansas commit has a quick arm and has a tick below three-quarter arm slot. Patten can sit 90-91 mph in shorter stints and pitches comfortably in the 88-89 range over more innings. He has a feel for pitching and can mix multiple secondary offerings, a high-70s slider, mid-70s curveball with 11-5 tilt and low-80s changeup. http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/tyler-koleks-heavy-fastball-among-tournament-of-stars-standouts/

 

7-25-13 – Top 30 High School Prospects For 2014 Draft - 26. Greg Deichmann, SS, Brother Martin HS (LA) - 6'2/180, L/R, Draft Day Age: 19.02, LSU commit, Full Report - Quick Take: Deichmann has shown impressive and middling performances already this summer. He puts on a nice BP display with lefty power that projects for average to go with above average speed and a glove that likely settles at third base long-term. He's hit a couple homers in heavily-scouted games already this summer but also has struck out a lot and is one of the older players in the class. http://sbb.scout.com/2/1310090.html