Jackie Bradley:
7-16-11: - http://www.draftsite.com/article/Quick-MLB-Draft-Hits/90 - South Carolina outfielder Jackie Bradley is considering heading back to school for his senior season. Bradley was drafted by the Boston Red Sox 40th overall in the 2011 MLB Draft after a sub-par junior campaign. Heading into the 2011 season Bradley was ranked at or near the top of most publications for college position players. He could run, hit, defend, and even had serviceable power for an up-the-middle skill player. However, this year the train came off the tracks and he only hit around .240. With the implementation of a new bat throughout college baseball, that allowed scouts to get a better feel for his hitting at the next level, thus causing his stock to fall.
Justin Jones:
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 - After Renda, the next top guy is floppy-haired LHP Justin Jones. Jones will be searching for his 10th victory of the season in the CWS, and if he gets it, he would have posted back-to-back 10-win campaigns. As a freshman, Jones made an immediate impact, going 10-6 with a 4.22 ERA in 18 games (15 starts). He tossed two complete games and joined Renda on the Freshman All-American Team. This season, Jones stepped up his game, posting a 2.93 ERA, tossing three complete-games, and finishing first on the team with 119.2 innings. He also led the Bears with four pickoffs.
Kevin Gausman:
7-9-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6002 - Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU - One of the most projectable pitchers available in the 2010 draft class, Gausman went unsigned as the Dodgers' sixth-round pick honoring his commitment to LSU. With a relatively unexperienced Tigers staff, he was asked to step in immediately during his freshman year to contribute as a weekend starter, and performed admirably. He has flirted with triple digits since topping out at 94 at both the 2009 National Showcase and the Aflac All-American Classic the same summer, and continues to have one of the highest upsides of any player eligible for next year's draft as a draft-eligible sophomore.
Hoby Milner:
7-15-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/07/13/hoby-milner-2012-draft-profile - Hoby Milner is a thin lefty who, at 6’2/160, still has plenty of projection. His father Brian player in the Blue Jays organization for 5 years. Milner’s fastball comes in from 89-91, with reports as high as 93. His curve is a good offering and comes in at 78-80. His change is also a quality pitch. Milner has a 3/4 arm slot and a high leg kick.
Mike Yastrzemski:
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 - Speedy OF Mike Yastrzemski will likely be a day-one pick and should be a major catalyst for Vandy next year. He had a breakout season this year, hitting an even .300 with 42 RBI and 22 steals. He also showed an incredible eye at the plate, notching seven more walks (43) than strikeouts (36). He should easily eclipse all of those numbers next year as he continues to grow and mature. And yes, he is related to Carl Yastrzemski. Mike is his nephew.
Kayden Porter:
6-23-11: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/high-school/2011/06/fulmer-shows-big-arm-at-tos-day-one - Spanish Fork (Utah) High righthander Kayden Porter came in to close the game but surrendered three runs before being removed. His fastball was 89-92, but he also struggled to locate. His curveball looked good at 79-81 mph with sharp break.
Richie Shaffer :
6-20-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com/ - Clemson SO 1B Richie Shaffer
.333/.459/.613 – 47 BB/50 K – 222 AB - It was incredibly difficult to leave Shaffer off the big boy list, but tough decisions sometimes come with the job. If we were to smartly ignore the artificial restraints that such a list presents, however, we could focus less on the list itself and more on Shaffer the good defender with plus to plus-plus raw power and a plus throwing arm capable of hitting the low-90s from the mound. We could also talk about his outstanding sophomore year – who couldn’t love a sophomore who slugged over .600 while going up against the likes of Virginia, North Carolina, Miami and Florida State? – as well as his above-average defense, solid athleticism, pro frame speedy recovery from a broken hamate bone.
Michael Yastrzemski :
6-17-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com/ SO OF Michael Yastrzemski (2012)
.311/.445/.388 – 44 BB/35 K – 23/26 SB – 206 AB - After already typing Michael Yastrzemski’s last name out incorrectly more than a few times, I can appreciate the first brilliant person who called his more famous grandfather “Yaz.” The younger Yaz is another five-tool talent, though more of a speed/defense/leadoff hitter type than his more powerful outfield wingman Connor Harrell. I swear it isn’t because of the similarly impressive lineage (or at least not only because), but I think of Michael Yastrzemski as a similar ballplayer as Orioles eighth round pick Johnny Ruettiger.
Victor Roache:
6-21-11: - http://v2.capecodbaseball.org/news/week/index.html?article_id=1210 - Cotuit’s Victor Roache (Georgia Southern) has slugged his way to being named this summer’s first Player of the Week. Roache filled up the stat sheet this week, batting .421 while hitting two home runs and driving in seven. Roache’s week was punctuated by a 2-2 performance against Bourne, where he walked twice, homered, and drove in three. Roache is a sophomore at Georgia Southern. His summer totals to date are impressive, batting .379 with four doubles and nine runs batted in, to go along with the two homers that he hit this week. The right fielder/designated hitter is as disciplined as hitters come; he has more walks (nine) than strikeouts (six) this season.
Reed Gragnani:
6-23-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com/ - Virginia SO OF Reed Gragnani
.293/.410/.361 – 19 BB/13 K – 1/3 SB – 133 AB - A little bit of Gragnani appreciation written by me (though with too much information lifted from here…I feel bad about that, so sorry Mr. Kolenich…I’ve gotten better at attributing sources since then) prior to his freshman year… FR SS Reed Gragnani (2012) is yet another talented young prospect expected to see significant time in a loaded Virginia infield. His game right now revolves largely around his well above-average speed, excellent athleticism, and impressive range up the middle, but he is no slouch with the bat either. Early comps include Brian Roberts (if he develops as is) and Ryan Zimmerman (if he bulks up and gains power). Gragnani’s brother, Robbie, grew four inches during his college tenure at Virginia Commonwealth, so that Ryan Zimmerman developmental path isn’t totally out of the question. That’s not to say that the only thing standing in the way between Gragnani and future big league All-Star status is a couple of inches and some muscle, but he’s a good player with high round talent all the same. I still believe in Gragnani as a middle infielder, but also think he has the tools to play a mean center field if given the chance. I also still believe in his bat. While it is true that his power hasn’t come on like many (myself included) had hoped, he still has the chance to hit for a high average and gap power at the next level.
