Draft 2012 – Tyler Horan, Troy Conyers, Matt Smoral, Jordan Ebert, Mitchell Traver

http://www.collegesummerbaseball.net/2012/01/top-30-position-players-in-necbl.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter   2.  Tyler Horan  OF   Danbury Westerners---Virginia Tech   Tyler was among the league-leaders with a hefty .341 batting average. He scored 26 runs, led the league with 35 rbi's and was the home run champ with 11. He also led the league with a .651 slugging percentage this summer.  PG ranked him as the 6th best prospect in the league while BA has him ranked at #10 this summer. On December 9th, I named him one of my 2011 Top Performers.

Troy Conyers is a big, well built lefthander with the look of a future workhorse.  He has been on the national stage for a while now, having played for the 2010 16 U National Team and the 2011 18U National Team. Conyers throws a high 80′s fastball with sink.  He should be able to add some more velocity in the future.  His change is a plus pitch and also throws a quality curveball.  Conyers has a low 3/4 release and his delivery creates some deception. Conyers will be one of the more interesting pitchers to watch leading up to the draft.  http://mlbdraftguide.com/

Matt Smoral is a monster. He's huge. Not only does he stand 6'8", he's got a big frame as well. Broad shoulders, long limbs, just a physically large human being. As you can probably imagine, that extra-large frame comes with some pretty hefty projection, as he has plenty of room to fill out and add on to his body. I think the projection card is often overplayed with young pitchers, particularly in regards to their peak velocities, but Smoral is just the sort of player the term was invented for. http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2012/1/11/2699212/2012-draft-preview-ein-starting-off-sinisterly

 Having spent the 2011 summer season playing with the powerhouse East Cobb Braves 17u squad, Jordan Ebert now feels like he’s ready to confront any challenges playing at the next level may present. And it doesn’t matter if that next level is playing for Auburn in the Southeastern Conference or playing  professionally –that depends on how the 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft plays out in June. Ebert was at Terry Park Jan. 7-8 for the 2012 Perfect Game World Showcase, eager to show the overflow gathering of professional scouts in attendance that he deserves their consideration come draft day. He wanted to show them that he is rejuvenated, feeling good, far from burned-out and perhaps in the best shape he’s been in for months. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6457  

http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/1009/mitchell-traver-highlights-2012-texas-class 1. Mitchell Traver, RHP, Houston Christian (Houston) Traver has hit 95 mph on the radar gun and pitches at 92-93 with a curveball and developing changeup. His size -- 6-foot-7, 250 pounds -- may concern some clubs, but he's far from soft and the velocity is easy. His arm action is another concern, and his control and command need significant improvement, but the upside outweighs those worries and Traver projects as a first-round pick. He's also considered a potential tough sign, however, as he's committed to TCU. Traver fanned 61 batters in 42.1 innings last season and posted an ERA of 2.31.

Draft 2012 – Richie Shaffer, Andrew Heaney, Walker Weickel, Jordan Ebert, Adrian Marin

Richie Shaffer — 6’-4”, 3B/1B, Clemson - Shaffer is a big-time power hitter who won the home run derby at the Cap Cod League this year by hitting six home runs in a one round contest — two of them landing on Lansdowne street. Over 36 games in the league, he hit .263 with six home runs, 11 doubles and 22 RBI. His lack of range at third will most likely keep him at first, but his strong arm could play as a corner outfielder. His long swing leads to a lot of strikeouts but his power potential will make him a high draft pick come June. http://www.throughthefencebaseball.com/top-50-draft-prospects-for-2012-50-thru-26/15621/

Andrew Heaney / LHP / Oklahoma State – Heaney hasn’t been as good as advertised  when he was one of the top prep pitchers in 2009, but he’s still a pitcher that bares paying attention to this coming spring. His arm action is easy and fluid, sitting in the low 90′s with some arm-side run. The breaking ball has a chance to become an out pitch — when he stays on top of it — with an above-average change-up. He hasn’t shown the ability to miss bats at the collegiate level, yet, but like Hansen, Heaney is a name that isn’t getting enough attention at this point. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2011/12/top-twelve-college-pitchers/

Walker Weickel is a tall and athletic right-hander who might not have the best pure stuff among the prep class in 2012, but his combination of stuff and pitchability should put him high on many Draft boards. The Florida high schooler has a fastball that tops out at 94 mph and sits in the 90-91 mph range on most days. It has above-average cut and sink. He throws his 12-to-6 curve for strikes to both sides of the plate. He's got a better changeup than many pitchers at his stage of development, with good deception. Weickel's curve currently lacks the velocity it will need at the next level and his delivery will appear stiff at times, but the strengths easily outweigh the weaknesses. It's for that reason he has the chance to be the second Florida prep pitcher to go off the board, following Lance McCullers. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/

Player:  Jordan Ebert   Position:  2B/OF   School:  Baldwin County (AL)   Date of Birth:  7/7/1993   Height/Weight:  6’1/180   Bats/Throws:  R/R   Class Of:  2012   Committed To:  Auburn  Scouting Report:  Jordan Ebert is one of the top high school players in Alabama.   Ebert is a line drive hitter who makes consistent contact.  He has above average bat speed and there is some pop in his bat.  60 times for Ebert range from 6.78 to 6.85.  He is a good baserunner and is aggressive on the basepaths.  Ebert’s bat rates ahead of his glove, but he profiles well to second base.  He moves well in the field and has a good arm.  http://mlbdraftguide.com

Adrian Marin, SS, Gulliver Prep (Pinecrest, Fla.)  - Marin is a plus runner with some quick-twitch actions that suggest he's got more pop in his bat than his 170-pound frame would otherwise suggest. He’s drawn comparisons to former first-round pick and Florida product Nick Franklin along the way. Marin has a good shot to stick at shortstop and if a club believes he will mature physically and hit enough, he could be a top 50 pick. If he doesn’t like his draft position, he's got a full ride to Miami waiting for him. http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/940/mccullers-jr-is-top-florida-diamond-star

Draft 2012 – Richie Shaffer, Andrew Heaney, Walker Weickel, Jordan Ebert, Adrian Marin

Richie Shaffer — 6’-4”, 3B/1B, Clemson - Shaffer is a big-time power hitter who won the home run derby at the Cap Cod League this year by hitting six home runs in a one round contest — two of them landing on Lansdowne street. Over 36 games in the league, he hit .263 with six home runs, 11 doubles and 22 RBI. His lack of range at third will most likely keep him at first, but his strong arm could play as a corner outfielder. His long swing leads to a lot of strikeouts but his power potential will make him a high draft pick come June. http://www.throughthefencebaseball.com/top-50-draft-prospects-for-2012-50-thru-26/15621/

Andrew Heaney / LHP / Oklahoma State – Heaney hasn’t been as good as advertised  when he was one of the top prep pitchers in 2009, but he’s still a pitcher that bares paying attention to this coming spring. His arm action is easy and fluid, sitting in the low 90′s with some arm-side run. The breaking ball has a chance to become an out pitch — when he stays on top of it — with an above-average change-up. He hasn’t shown the ability to miss bats at the collegiate level, yet, but like Hansen, Heaney is a name that isn’t getting enough attention at this point. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2011/12/top-twelve-college-pitchers/

Walker Weickel is a tall and athletic right-hander who might not have the best pure stuff among the prep class in 2012, but his combination of stuff and pitchability should put him high on many Draft boards. The Florida high schooler has a fastball that tops out at 94 mph and sits in the 90-91 mph range on most days. It has above-average cut and sink. He throws his 12-to-6 curve for strikes to both sides of the plate. He's got a better changeup than many pitchers at his stage of development, with good deception. Weickel's curve currently lacks the velocity it will need at the next level and his delivery will appear stiff at times, but the strengths easily outweigh the weaknesses. It's for that reason he has the chance to be the second Florida prep pitcher to go off the board, following Lance McCullers. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/

Player:  Jordan Ebert   Position:  2B/OF   School:  Baldwin County (AL)   Date of Birth:  7/7/1993   Height/Weight:  6’1/180   Bats/Throws:  R/R   Class Of:  2012   Committed To:  Auburn  Scouting Report:  Jordan Ebert is one of the top high school players in Alabama.   Ebert is a line drive hitter who makes consistent contact.  He has above average bat speed and there is some pop in his bat.  60 times for Ebert range from 6.78 to 6.85.  He is a good baserunner and is aggressive on the basepaths.  Ebert’s bat rates ahead of his glove, but he profiles well to second base.  He moves well in the field and has a good arm.  http://mlbdraftguide.com

Adrian Marin, SS, Gulliver Prep (Pinecrest, Fla.)  - Marin is a plus runner with some quick-twitch actions that suggest he's got more pop in his bat than his 170-pound frame would otherwise suggest. He’s drawn comparisons to former first-round pick and Florida product Nick Franklin along the way. Marin has a good shot to stick at shortstop and if a club believes he will mature physically and hit enough, he could be a top 50 pick. If he doesn’t like his draft position, he's got a full ride to Miami waiting for him. http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/940/mccullers-jr-is-top-florida-diamond-star