Draft 2012: - Mitchell Traver, Max Fried, LJ Mazzili, Trevor Gott, Corey Oswalt

11-15-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6369  - Mitchell Traver (2012 RHP, Houston Heat)- Big, powerful and imposing. Traver is an intimidating mound presence at 6-foot-7, 235 pounds, and he uses his size and strength to overpower hitters. Traver uses his long frame to release the ball closer to the plate than most pitchers and with a sharp downhill plane, allowing his 90-94 mph fastball to play up several miles an hour. His 80 mph slider is a quality No. 2 pitch and has shown improved command since the summer, though he still tips it by slowing his arm down. But the biggest adjustment Traver has made is going from throwing his fastball toward the heart of the plate at 90-92 this summer, to working in the bottom of the zone at 92-94 in Jupiter. While he still has some things to improve upon, the progress that the PG All-American showed throughout the fall is encouraging for a player with so much upside.

11-22-11: - http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/814/lucas-giolito-leads-loaded-cali-senior-class  - Here’s a look at the Top 10 California high school prospects in the Class of 2012. 2. Max Fried, LHP, Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.) Fried, who inked with UCLA along with his high school teammate Giolito, stands a projectable 6-foot-4 and combines consistent mechanics with above-average velocity that reaches 92 miles per hour. Fried, who will pitch in the same rotation as Giolito in 2012, stands a projectable 6-foot-4 and combines consistent mechanics with athleticism and above-average velocity that reaches 92 miles per hour. His changeup and curveball each figure to be average or better offerings, and when the smoke clears, Fried could hear his name called shortly after Giolito somewhere in the top half of the first round.

11-23-11: - http://ht.ly/1fNsWX - We continue the countdown today at number 60 with UConn junior LJ Mazzilli. He won three letters in high school between Greenwich (CT) High School and Iona Prep while graduating from IMG Pendelton School in Florida. As a freshman in 2010, he appeared in 36 games with 93 at-bats batting .312 with 29 hits and eight walks. He was able to record an on-base percentage of .373 and a slugging percentage of .548 as he helped lead the squad to the 2010 NCAA Tournament. He spent the summer of 2010 in the Cape Cod Baseball League with the Wareham Gatemen hitting .227 with a homer and five RBI in 30 games.

11-24-11: -  http://ht.ly/1fOAUP   - We continue the countdown today at number 59 with Kentucky sophomore RHP Trevor Gott. The Lexington, Kentucky native attended Tates Creek High School where he was a five year letter winner under coach Dom Fucci. As a senior, he posted a 6-0 record and a 1.12 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 47.1 innings. He was named all-state as a junior and senior, earning regional player of the year accolades while being named first-team all-city for three seasons. “Trevor Gott is one of the best high school pitchers I have ever seen,” Fucci said. “He only gave up one earned run all season. You can’t ask for any more than he has given our team.” Trevor decided to continue his baseball career at Kentucky under head coach Gary Henderson. As a freshman in 2011, he made 23 relief appearances going 2-4 including two saves with a 3.62 ERA in 27.1 innings. He struck out 34 batters while walking 16 on the year.

11-24-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/11/23/corey-oswalt-2012-draft-profile  -  Corey Oswalt is one of the top third base projects eligible for the 2012 draft.  He has good tools and a large frame with projection.  Oswalt has been consistently productive on the field.  Oswalt has a spread stance at the plate.  He has very good bat speed and drives the ball consistently.  There is strong power potential in his bat.  Recorded 60 times for Oswalt range from 7.07 to 7.24. Oswalt shows good actions in the field.  He has soft hands and a strong arm.

2012 Draft: - Lex Rutledge, Victor Roache, Trevor Gott, Hunter Virant, Gavin Cecchini

Lex Rutledge:


7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments  - Lex Rutledge, Samford U (Ala), 6’1 185, pitchability and sneaky quick arm, will touch 93-94 on occ with fb, most are 90-91 with very good tailing action away from RHH. Also slurvy type breaking ball that’s solid average when he leads with his elbor from 3/4 arm slot. Command is solid average and he has a killer change up on occasion. Throwing strikes is his key to success. Will be a top 25-30 selection barring any injury.


Victor Roache:


8-2-11: - http://diamondprospects.blogspot.com/  - While most hitters saw their power numbers disappear with the new bats in 2011, Roache showed no ill effects in leading the NCAA with 30 home runs. In fact in just 60 games, the Georgia Southern outfielder hit more home runs than over 200 other teams. Roache is a special hitter and he has carried over his success into the Cape Cod League this summer. Drafted in 2009 by the Tigers in the 25th round, Roache took his raw tools to college to refine his game and he has put himself into consideration for a Top 10 pick. He has improved his discipline at the plate and cut down on the strikeouts to go with the power surge. He has also improved his game defensively in the outfield and could be average in the field down the road. There is not much Roache can do to improve upon his 2011 campaign when he finished as a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award.


Trevor Gott:


8-7-11: - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/08/06/kentuckys-trevor-gott-named-cape-cod-reliever-of-the-year  - After posting a league-leading 13 saves in as many opportunities, Kentucky sophomore right-hander Trevor Gott has been honored as the 2011 Russell Ford Award recipient as the Cape Cod League reliever of the year, it was announced during a pregame presentation on Friday night. Gott paced the talent-rich Cape Cod League with 13 saves – in 13 chances – posting a 1.23 ERA in 18 relief outings for Orleans. The Lexington, Ky., native tossed 22 innings during the summer, fanning 28, allowing only four walks and 14 hits. The 2010 Kentucky High School Gatorade Player of the Year out of Tates Creek, Gott earned the save in the CCBL All-Star Game on July 29, played at the Boston Red Sox’s Fenway Park, with UK teammate Taylor Rogers notching the win as the starting pitcher.


Hunter Virant:


8-7-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/AllAmerican/News.aspx?num=6104  - Virant is currently ranked 10th in the nation overall and the first among all left-handed pitchers from the high school class of 2012. With long and loose arms and legs, it's easy to see the 90-93 mph fastball velocity he showed as the National Showcase in mid-June continue to improve. He shows the ability to add running life to the pitch, as well as a power curveball. His changeup also is an advanced pitch for a player of his age.


Gavin Cecchini


7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments  - Gavin Cecchini, Barbe HS, Lake Charles LA, 6’1 180 R/R, one of best middle IF prospects last couple of years, good bloodlines, runs well, better underway, 4.25 out of box, plus arm strength and good actions to both sides of the glove in the field, short compact stroke with occ gap power, could develop enough power to hit 8-12 HR per year at ML level. 1-3 round type.

2012 Draft: - Gavin Cecchini, Jeffrey Gibbs, Trevor Gott, Chris Beck, Jake Drossner

Gavin Cecchini:


7-21-11: - http://www.mockdraftmania.com/  - 10. Chicago White Sox Gavin Cecchini SS Barbe High School Louisiana Cecchini will commit to Ole Miss if he doesn’t like the salary he is being offered. The White Sox have a higher payroll then any AL Central team so they should take Cecchini. Cecchini could rival the 2 Pac 10 shortstops that are competing for the top pick.


Jeffrey Gibbs:


7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments  – Jeffrey Gibbs, Maine, 6’3 1/2 200, have had the opportunity to see this young man 2 times in last 2 years and he has a very good arm, fb that touches 93 and seems to get people out and he competes, never shows emotion and has command of his pitches. Could be best pitcher to come out of Maine’s program since Billy Swift or Scott Morse.


Trevor Gott:


8-2-11: - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/08/02/cape-cod-baseball-league-all-star-pitchers-trevor-gott-carter-capps-bobby-wahl-ryan-eades-austin-voth/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CollegeBaseballDaily+%28College+Baseball+Daily%29&utm_content=Twitter  - Trevor Gott (Kentucky)- The Wildcats RHP worked a quick ninth inning pounding the strikezone with 1o strikes out of 13 pitches while striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work. Gott was mediocre in the collegiate season as he went 0-2 with a 4.72 ERA in 13.1 innings. He walked five batters and struck out 14 during the season. He has been better this summer in 17 appearances recording 11 saves with an ERA of 1.35. He has struck out 24 batters in his 20 innings pitched.


Chris Beck:


8-3-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/08/02/chris-beck-2012-draft-profile  - When people think of the 2012 draft and Georgia Southern, Victor Roache is the player that immediately comes to mind. Georgia Southern does have another quality draft prospect in Chris Beck. He put up good numbers during the 2011 season and finished strong, being named the Southern Conference Tournament Most Outstanding Player. In the tournament, Beck won both of his starts and recorded 22 strikeouts. He has capitalized upon that success by putting together an All-Star season at the Cape. Beck throws a mid-90′s fastball, from 92-96. He also throws a slider 81-84 and a change 80-83. Playing on the same team as Roache will give Beck plenty of opportunities to impress scouts in the spring.


Jake Drossner:


7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments  - Jake Drossner, Council Rock North HS, Newtown PA, 6’3 190, loose lefty crosses body some during land, fb up to 90, most were upper 80’ and had downer type cb that got hitters out front and looking, was around the plate, has good move to 1b for age, could be 1-3 rounder, on paper is a 4-7 round follow, but could come on next year.