Jesse Winker — 6’-3”, OF, Olympia HS (CA) - Winker is a left-handed hitter with excellent bat speed and an impressive approach at the plate. Hit .509 with seven home runs as a junior. At 6’-3” and 200 lbs, he has raw power to all fields and gets good reads on pitches. Was named most outstanding pitcher at the Pan Am Championships, going 2-0 with 10.1 scoreless innings for gold-medal-winning Team USA. His bat, however, is what scouts are in love with, and with another strong senior season, could be a first-round draft pick. http://www.throughthefencebaseball.com/top-50-draft-prospects-for-2012-50-thru-26/15621/
Ryne Stanek / RHP /Arkansas – A third-round pick by Seattle, Stanek sits in the 91-93 range, and dominated high-school hitters in the Prospect Classic. His slider can be a bit short, and the arm slot probably makes him a reliever, but he missed bats as a freshman last year and is the second best draft-eligible sophomore hurler behind Gausman. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2011/12/top-twelve-college-pitchers/
The Red Sox knew Brandon Kline would be a tough sign, as many Virginia commits are. Now, three years later, Boston and the other 29 teams will have the chance to draft one of the better college closers in the country. With a projectable Brandon Morrow-like frame, Kline has a very live arm with clean action that delivers fastballs regularly in the low-90s, and there might be more velocity in the future. He throws a hard curve and is willing to throw it at all times. He commands both pitches well and has the mentality that works in the back end of a bullpen. While he closes in college, he may not fit that role ideally at the next level, though increased velocity might help in that regard. Even if he doesn't rack up saves, he could be a very quick to the big leagues setup man. . http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/
Synopsis of Summer Season - Mitch Rowan proved that a DIII college player can succeed in the Northwoods League. He was eighth in the league with a .333 batting average in 225 at-bats this summer. He was also among the league leaders with 75 hits and 41 runs scored this summer. He also drove in 21 this summer. Mitch is not a power hitter (0 home runs), but he did hit 19 doubles for the Stingers. He also walked 32 times and stole 22 bases for Willmar. For his play this summer, I named him my 13th best prospect in the league http://www.collegesummerbaseball.net/2011/12/2011-top-performer-mitch-rowan.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Hayden Hurst, RHP, Bolles (Jacksonville, Fla.) - Hurst had plenty of competition for the No. 10 spot, mainly from All Saints’ (Winter Haven, Fla.) right-hander Carson Fulmer. Hurst wins out due to the vast concerns that Fulmer's delivery will relegate him to relief work down the line. Hurst has touched 94 mph in the past and is projectable at 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds. There's life and sink to the heater and he also offers a developing curveball. Hurst is committed to Florida State, but he has a chance to go early enough on Day 2 to warrant signing a pro contract. http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/940/mccullers-jr-is-top-florida-diamond-star
10-28-11: - http://orioles-nation.com/2011/10/26/wwba-2012-highlights - Hayden Hurst (Jacksonville FL; Bolles HS) – Power right handed pitcher with solid foundation that should improve lower half strength and a tick or two on the fastball. Strong drive to the plate with borderline arm action and some quick action of the elbow. He sets in nicely and it might be more of a concern for command than any pressure on the arm down the road. It tends to look jerky, but I think the amount of effort is minimum and does a solid job allowing his core/legs do most of the work in the delivery. He throws in the low 90s and will touch 93 right now. Throws a heavy fastball diet at this stage, but works it around and will pound down in the strike zone.
11-15-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6369 - Carlos Correa (2012 SS, PRBAHS)- The top ranked shortstop in the class had an impressive showing in Jupiter, hitting .400/.571/.900 with a Home Run, four Runs and seven RBIs in five games. The emerging power and improved plate approach are very encouraging signs for Correa, whose scouting notes from the 2011 World Showcase in January included "future plus hitter with adjustments/maturity, too spread/long right now...projects for power...raw with upside, good bat speed, approach needs work." Fast forward ten months and the latest set of notes include praise such as "sound hitting approach...power approach at plate...impact type bat...power to all fields." Correa's strong lean build at 6-foot-4, 185 pounds projects for significant increase in strength and muscle mass. There is a concern that the additional weight will diminish his range at shortstop, and though quick and athletic, Correa is not a premium burner (6.83 60-yard dash at 2011 National Showcase). Correa typically plays an extra step deep at short to increase his lateral range, something his plus arm allows him to pull off at 185 pounds. An eventual move to third base wouldn't be a huge blow to Correa's long term value. His arm strength will play anywhere, his soft hands and quick reflexes are well suited for the hot corner and he has the offensive tools to produce enough for a corner position. However his bat would make him a rare commodity if he is able to stick at shortstop. Regardless of his future defensive home, Correa looks to have a bright future on the left side of the infield.
11-19-11: - http://ht.ly/1fJsU6 - We continue the countdown today at number 63 with San Francisco RHP Kyle Zimmer. The La Jolla, California native attended La Jolla High School where he played four years of baseball. As a senior he led team with a .410 batting average, .492 on base percentage, and .701 slugging percentage on his way to team MVP honors. His freshman season saw him struggle making five appearances and pitching a total of 5.1 innings. He spent the summer of 2010 with the Alexandria Aces in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League. Zimmer finished the summer with a 1.37 ERA in 46 innings of work. Zimmer had a breakout season in 2011 with the Dons going 6-4 with a 3.73 ERA in over 94 innings of work in 20 appearances (16 starts). His best performance came against St. Mary’s when he struck out 14. He was named to the 2011 NCAA Los Angeles Regional Team and a First Team All-West Coast Conference selection.
