12-2-11: - http://mlbdraftcountdown.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/2012-mlb-mock-draft-updated-top-15-with-final-mlb-standings - 8) Pittsburgh Pirates: Kenny Diekroeger, SS, Stanford The Pirates farm system is loaded, no doubt, but the one thing they truly lack is a superstar shortstop prospect. Chase d’Arnaud is all fine and dandy, but he’s no Kenny Diekroeger. If Diekroeger can have a bounce-back season, he could jump up draft boards as we near closer to draft day, and with an impressive squad behind him, he’ll likely be playing well into June, giving teams an even better look. Once upon a time, scouts had doubts about his ability to stick at shortstop, but he looked strong there last year, even as he continued to struggle at the plate. He’s a big-bodied guy, but he’s also one of the most impressive athletes in this draft class, so don’t count him out. After all, this is the same guy who bested all of the numbers put up by Mike Trout at a scouting combine at the Area Code Games prior to the 2009 draft.
12-18-11: - Cal second baseman Tony Renda is a leader on and off the field. He puts in the work to improve his game and is currently ranked number 36 on Baseball America’s Top 100 NCAA Prospects List. Renda led Cal in batting average in his first two college seasons. He shows good bat speed and has a good swing. Renda has gap power and should get plenty of doubles at the next level. He also has good speed and recorded a 6.7 60 while in high school. http://mlbdraftguide.com/1
12-21-11: - http://ht.ly/1giGk6 - We continue the countdown today at number 36 with Baylor junior Logan Vick. He went to Tivy High School in Kerrville, Texas for head coach Steve Rippee. As a freshman, he made 60 starts in left field batting leadoff in 58 games. He finished the season with a .329 (75-for-228) with 17 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, 27 RBI and 59 runs scored. He also drew a school-record 59 walks while stealing 11 bases in 15 attempts. He was named a first-team Freshman All-American by Baseball America and Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball, Second-team All-Big 12, and Waco Tribune Herald’s Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year.
12-21-11: - Tommy Coyle is an athletic second baseman who has shown solid improvement since arriving at North Carolina. He is the brother of 2010 Red Sox draft pick Sean Coyle. Coyle has shown strong on base ability at North Carolina. He brings a patient approach to the plate and has a nice line drive swing. Coyle also has the ability to steal a base. He had a recorded 60 time of 6.69 while in high school. Second base has been Coyle’s primary position at North Carolina. He looks smooth in the field and has a good glove. His arm is solid enough to make shortstop a possibility - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/12/18/tommy-coyle-2012-draft-profile
Tony Renda:
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 - Cal’s top draft prospect for 2012 is 2B Tony Renda, the 2011 Pac-10 Player of the Year. Renda had a sensational season for the Bears, taking on the role of team leader, despite having sophomore status. He paced the squad with a .335 average, 85 hits, 112 total bases and nine steals. He also scored 37 runs and drove in 42. He was also an integral part of one of the best defensive units in the Pac-10. Renda made nine errors, good for a .967 fielding percentage. Renda isn’t likely to be a first-round guy, but he should most certainly improve upon his standing from the 2009 draft, when he was selected by the Dodgers in the 42nd round. Renda spurned their offer to head to Cal, where he made an immediate impact as a freshman, winning Pac-10 First-Team honors after hitting .373 with 21 doubles, four triples, three HR and 37 RBI. He also swiped 13 bases.
Tom Murphy:
7-9-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6002 - Tom Murphy, C, Buffalo - A natural leader, Murphy is a good fit behind the plate at a position that is always in demand at every level of the game. Putting up big numbers in two years while hailing from a non-traditional baseball powerhouse, he had the opportunity to showcase his skills among the best college players in the nation, and made the most of that opportunity, albeit in limited duty.
Deven Marrero:
7-21-11: - http://www.draftsite.com/article/College-Names-To-Know/92 Strengths – Right away you notice his athletic stance at the plate, with his weight evenly distributed. He has a solid set up at the plate, with his hands at shoulder height allowing him to have a short path to the ball. There are not a lot of moving parts to his swing. He has solid hip rotation and a quiet foot plant; He gets his front side firm and gets tall on his back foot. He stands close to the plate, giving him excellent plate coverage. Marrero has very solid bat speed and shows a very good eye. He has a good high finish at the plate and can take pitches the other way, using a solid inside out swing on inside pitches. He should hit for a good average. In the field he is a plus defender, he won Pac-10 defensive player of the year. He is very smooth, with great range and plus actions. He also has a plus throwing arm.
Jake Barrett:
7-21-11: - http://www.mockdraftmania.com/ - 9. Minnesota Twins Jake Barrett P Arizona State Jake Barrett is the best player available. Barrett could go anywhere between picks 4 and 10. Barrett has the size to be a starting pitcher at 6 foot 3 225 pounds. There are some off the field concerns with Barrett’s character. Barrett posted a winning record, but had a bad ERA. The mechanics and pitching control are two areas he needs to work on. Barrett recorded 72 strike outs in 76 innings during the 2011 season. Barrett has a 4 seamer that is 94 miles per hour along with a 90 mile per hour 2 seamer. Barrett also has the curveball and splitter that could develop into complimentary pitches.
Marcus Stroman:
Duke rising junior RHP/infielder Marcus Stroman spent this summer as a member of the USA Collegiate National Team. He appeared in seven games totaling 8.1 innings of innings without giving up a single hit while walking one batter. This is the second straight summer that Stroman has impressed as in 2010, he played with the Orleans Firebirds in the Cape Cod League. He didn’t give up a run then either in 15 appearances (one start) in 25.0 innings pitched. He allowed 10 hits while striking out 32 batters. GoDuke.com recently caught up with Marcus to discuss his summer experience this year. - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/07/20/dukes-marcus-stroman-continues-to-impress/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CollegeBaseballDaily+%28College+Baseball+Daily%29
