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Showing posts with label Walker Weickel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Walker Weickel. Show all posts
2/11/12
Draft 2012: Brett Lilek, James Ramsey, Stephen Sauter, Walker Weickel
Brett
Lilek, Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights, Ill.) Lilek offers a loose armed delivery that
helps him get to the low-90s with his fastball. At times he looks the part of a
first-rounder, teasing scouts in the process. The Arizona State commit also
employs a curveball and change, both of which should eventually benefit from
the top-end arm speed. But there are some concerns with the rest of the
delivery, specifically his right leg, which lands a bit violently. http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/1086/max-fried-leads-class-of-2012-left-handers
OF James
Ramsey School: Florida State Cl.: Senior, Ht.: 6-0, Wt.: 190 Hometown.: Alpharetta, Ga. High school: Wesleyan Ramsey blossomed into an elite hitter last
season and almost ended up signing professional after an impressive summer at
the Cape Cod League, ranking No. 48 in terms of prospects in the league. In
2011, Ramsey batted 364 with 18 doubles, 10 home runs and 67 RBIs. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6498
Stephen
Sauter is a switch hitting catcher from California. He has a projectable body with room to fill
out and add strength. Sauter is a legitimate switch hitter with an easy swing
from both sides of the plate. He squares
up well and projects good power. Sauter has good skills behind the plate. His pop times range from 1.81 to 2.02 with an
accurate arm. http://mlbdraftguide.com/
Walker
Weickel, RHP, Olympia, FL
When looking at a high school pitcher, I tend to expect them to lose 2
MPH unless they are thin and look like strengthening will add velocity. Weickel
fits this by throwing 96 on occasion. Even if he only touches 96 and often
throws 2-4 MPH less than that so that he is more under control, you are still
talking about a plus fastball. At
6'6", 205 LBS, he is a huge kid. He is very athletic and repeats his
delivery well. He has long legs and arms and uses his height well in his
delivery. He also uses his limbs to cause some deception in his delivery. His
breaking ball can get a little loopy and he will have to tighten that up for it
to be as effective as it can be but it flashes plus potential. His change is in
the same ballpark as his breaking ball. It's inconsistent but shows flashes of
a plus pitch. While Weickel isn't likely
to be an Ace, he is more likely to be a #2 or #3 starter depending on how well
his secondary pitches develop, he is likely to be a major league caliber
pitcher with 3 average or better pitches. He also has a small chance at gaining
a few MPH's on his fastball with professional strength training and coaching.
That is one reason he is as high as he is. He will likely be taken in the top
15 picks. If he doesn't sign, he is also committed to go to Miami. http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/2/6/2773435/2012-baseball-draft-high-school-prospects-1-5
2/5/12
Draft 2012: Mike Zunino, Mitchel Traver, Walker Weickel, Pierce Johnson, Tom Murphy
Mike Zunino — 6’-2”, C,
Florida - Zunino hit .371 with 19 home
runs, 67 RBIs and a .442 OBP as he was named the SEC Player of the Year in
2011. He has a patient approach at the plate and generates a ton of pull power.
As great as he is offensively, defense is where he shines. With good hands, a
strong and accurate arm and tremendous footwork, he fields his position like a
major-league veteran. Will be a high pick and a fast riser to the big leagues.
http://www.throughthefencebaseball.com/top-50-draft-prospects-for-2012-25-thru-1/15694/
Mitchell Traver,
Houston Christian (Houston) Traver, a
TCU commit, offers size (6-foot-7, 250 pounds), easy velocity in the 91-95 mph
range and the occasional above-average curveball that has some promise. His arm
action isn't clean and he'll need to throw more strikes, but he could land late
in the first round if he answers a few questions. http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/1051/top-10-class-of-2012-right-handed-pitchers
Walker Weickel,
Olympia (Orlando, Fla.), Pitcher, 6-6, R/R, Miami Like the duo from
Harvard-Westlake, Weickel is part of a tandem of players from the same team
that could go in the first round. Teammate Jess Winker, an outfielder, is also
targeted as a potential first-round pick. Weickel could go somewhere in the
late teens thanks to a fastball that is in the low 90s with a high of 94. He
has three pitches, using a curve and a changeup to go along with the fastball. http://www.maxpreps.com/news/-8V2A0MeEeGkPgAmVebEWg/maxpreps-top-10-mlb-draft-prospects.htm
As far as 2012 pitching prospects go, JR RHP Pierce Johnson’s velocity jump and four-pitch mix
(including a nasty CB) should get him early round consideration while SO RHP
Nick Petree’s two greatest strengths (FB movement and overall command) figure
to improve even more another year removed from Tommy John. http://baseballdraftreport.com/
Tom Murphy opened eyes with
a strong 2011 season that earned him the Mid-America Conference Player of the
Year Award and continued impressing over the summer with an All-Star summer in
the New England Collegiate Baseball League. Murphy has a short compact swing
with plus raw power. He also shows good
speed for a catcher, recording a 60 time of 6.75 over the summer. His defense
is not gold glove quality, but Murphy is solid behind the plate. He has a slightly above average arm and he
has consistent 1.9 pop times. In addition to his skills on the field, Murphy is
known for good work ethic and makeup.
He is likely to be chosen in the 2nd or 3rd round of the 2012 MLB Draft.
http://mlbdraftguide.com/
Draft 2012: Max Fried, Walker Weickel, Christian Walker, Mike Zunino
Max Fried,
Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.), Pitcher, 6-4, L/L, UCLA The top
high school lefthander in the draft, Fried's top pitch is his curveball,
however he can also reach 94 on his fastball. He was 7-3 with 100 strikeouts in
69.2 innings pitched at Montclair Prep. Several mock drafts have Fried as the
second high school pitcher chosen and the fourth pitcher overall. Expect Fried
to go among the Top 10 selections. http://www.maxpreps.com/news/-8V2A0MeEeGkPgAmVebEWg/maxpreps-top-10-mlb-draft-prospects.htm
Walker Weickel —
6’-6”, RHP, Olympia HS (FL) With his
long frame and pitching over the top, Weickel’s delivery is downhill and
deceptive. His fastball hits 94 mph and should generate more velocity as he
matures. With both his low-70s curveball and low-80s change-up projecting as
plus pitches, he is one of the top arms in the draft. Another standout
performer at the Pan Am Championships, he went 2-0 0.66 ERA with 12 K/2 BB over
13.1 innings for gold medal winning Team USA. Could find his way in the top-10
with another strong senior season. http://www.throughthefencebaseball.com/top-50-draft-prospects-for-2012-25-thru-1/15694/
1B Christian Walker School:
South Carolina Cl.: Junior, Ht.: 6-0,
Wt.: 220 Hometown.: Limerick, Pa. High
school: Kennedy-Kenrick Walker’s stock
as a prospect continues to rise, but his status as a college baseball player
has been excellent for the past couple of seasons. Walker is a solid defender
at first base and has a consistent bat. In 2011, Walker hit .358 with 10 home
runs and 62 RBIs. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6498
We continue the countdown today at number 2 with
Florida junior catcher Mike Zunino. The 6’2 220
pound backstop from Cape Coral, Florida attended Mariner High School playing
under Steve Larsen. As a senior, he hit .464 with 43 hits, 37 RBI, 12 home runs
and nine doubles while leading the team to the district title. He was selected
by Oakland Athletics in the 30th round but decided to attend Florida. Zunino’s
freshman season saw him play in 52 games (51 behind the plate) while hitting
.267 with 41 RBI, 31 runs, nine homers and seven doubles. He was selected to Baseball
America’s Freshman All-American Team and was a member of the SEC’s All-Freshman
Team http://ht.ly/1h12Zz
Draft 2012 - Matt Price, Nick Travieso, Victor Roache, Walker Weickel, Cohl Walla
RP Matt Price School: South Carolina Cl.: Junior, Ht.: 6-2, Wt.: 215 Hometown.: Sumter, S.C. High school: Sumter The Gamecocks are slated to start Price to
begin the 2012 campaign, but the hard-throwing right-hander could evolve back
to the bullpen should things not work out with a new closer. Price has a fastball
in the mid 90s and was great last season, collecting 20 saves with a 1.83 ERA
in 59 innings. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6498
9. Nick
Travieso, Archbishop McCarthy (Lakewood Ranches, Fla.) Built like a prototypical MLB starting
pitcher, Travieso has touched 95 mph with his fastball and impressed over the
summer with a strong assortment of pitches. There is some effort in his
delivery, but the Miami commit shows a good feel for pitching and a willingness
to throw his changeup. http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/1051/top-10-class-of-2012-right-handed-pitchers
14. Victor Roache — 6’-1”, OF/1B, Georgia Southern Roache led the nation in home runs last year
with 30. One of the best power hitters in the draft, he can hit the ball out to
all fields with his superb bat speed. Not going to steal many bases, but the
bat is what scouts and GM’s will fall in love with. Has a strong enough arm and
footwork to hold down a corner outfield position. His approach at the plate is
getting better and more refined every year, so he should be a good average
hitter to go along with all of the home runs he is going to hit. Hit .316 with
six home runs and 28 RBIs over 42 games at the Cape Cod League, leading the
league with a 1.004 OPS as well. He struck out 44 times, but also had 30 walks,
showing improvement at the plate. http://www.throughthefencebaseball.com/top-50-draft-prospects-for-2012-25-thru-1/15694/
3. Walker Weickel, Olympia (Orlando, Fla.) Weickel, like Giolito, is a projectable arm
at 6-foot-6. He creates good plane on the fastball, which sits in the low-90s,
and has a curveball with good depth. He's committed to Miami but figures to
warrant a first-round look. http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/1051/top-10-class-of-2012-right-handed-pitchers
Texas junior outfielder Cohl Walla suffered a torn ACL today at practice according to CBD sources close to the situation. Walla appeared in 50 games last season while starting 37 games and hitting .229 in 144 at bats. He will likely be replaced by freshmen Collin Shaw or Taylor Stell while Orange Coast College transfer Matt Moynihan could also see action. http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2012/02/03/texas-of-cohl-walla-out-for-the-season/
Texas junior outfielder Cohl Walla suffered a torn ACL today at practice according to CBD sources close to the situation. Walla appeared in 50 games last season while starting 37 games and hitting .229 in 144 at bats. He will likely be replaced by freshmen Collin Shaw or Taylor Stell while Orange Coast College transfer Matt Moynihan could also see action. http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2012/02/03/texas-of-cohl-walla-out-for-the-season/
1/15/12
Draft 2012 – Cody Poteet, Walker Weickel, Barrett Barnes, Daniel Alrich, James Ramsey
Cody Poteet — 6’-1”, RHP,
Christian HS (CA) Poteet is seen as
undersized by some scouts, but his arm strength leaves little concern. He can
crank his fastball up to 96
mph , and his hard mid-70s curve is one of the best in
the country. His change-up is still developing but is very deceptive at times
and projects to an above-average offering. He has an easy delivery and is very
aggressive on the mound, attacking hitters with superb command. He keeps the
ball down, showing good signs of a
ground-ball pitcher. Has been a member of Team USA since he was 14.
http://www.throughthefencebaseball.com/top-50-draft-prospects-for-2012-50-thru-26/15621/
Walker Weickel,
RHP, Olympia (Orlando, Fla.) - At
6-foot-6, Weickel is a projectable arm who has shown a consistent low-90s
fastball with good downhill plane. He's displayed depth with a slow curveball
and a change that lacks sink but brings deception due to his arm speed.
Weickel, a Miami commit, has first-round abilities and shouldn't stay on the
board long come June. http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/940/mccullers-jr-is-top-florida-diamond-star
We continue the countdown today at number 19 with
Texas Tech junior outfielder Barrett Barnes. He
is a 2009 graduate of Class 5A Fort Bend High School in Austin, Texas where
earned varsity letters in baseball and was coached by Randy Ursery and Kenneth
Sharp. He was named First-Team All-District for his senior season. Barnes made
an immediate impact in the Red Raiders lineup starting all 57 games last
season. He ended up leading the team with a .341 batting average while hitting
14 homers and driving in 53 runs. He also chipped in with 12 stolen bases in 15
attempts. He was named the Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year and a member
of the All-Big 12 Second Team. He was also named to multiple Freshman
All-American teams including Baseball America First Team, Louisville Slugger,
and Pro-Line Athletic/NCBWA. http://ht.ly/1gDyfS
We continue the countdown today at number 18 with
redshirt sophomore outfielder Daniel Aldrich from
the College of Charleston. He went to Wando High School in Mt. Pleasant, South
Carolina where he player for coach Jeff Blankenship. As a senior, he hit.461
with 43 RBI while leading the state with 13 homers. He was a two-time All-State
selection. In 2010, he participated in
six games with one start hitting .167 and two RBI before shutting it down. He
received a medical redshirt for the season. http://ht.ly/1gEQYg In 2011, he returned for his redshirt
freshman season where he tore up the Southern Conference hitting .347 with 22
homers and 77 RBI. He picked up several national awards including being named
NCBWA Freshman Player of the Year, Collegiate Baseball National Freshman of the
Year, SoCon Freshman of the Year while being selected as Louisville Slugger
All-American, NCBWA All-American and ABCA/Rawlings All-American.
After batting .364/.444/.593 as a junior in 2011, James Ramsey was selected by the Twins in the 22nd
round of the draft. Ramsey then had an
All-Star season at the Cape. Ramsey makes consistent contact despite a swing
that is a bit long. Ramsey led the ACC
in total bases in 2011. Other than his
bat, Ramsey’s tools are average. He
profiles as a leftfielder at the next level. Ramsey does possess all of the
intangibles. He is an very hard worker
and goes all out on the field. Ramsey is
also a great student. If Ramsey turns in another good season as a senior, his
draft stock should rise, but it is limited due to his lack of outstanding
tools. http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2012/01/10/james-ramsey-2012-draft-profile/
1/13/12
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
11/29/11
Draft 2012: - Mathew Smoral, Nate Theunissen, Walker Weickel, DJ Davis
11-15-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6369 - Matthew Smoral (2012 LHP, Midland Redskins/Royals Scout Team)- Smoral is a rare talent in that he is a 6-foot-8 LHP who works comfortably in the 90-94 mph range. More importantly, he generates that impressive velocity with a low effort delivery that he repeats well for his size. Smoral did a good job of getting ahead with a first pitch strike in Jupiter and located his quality slider (up to 84 mph) very well, throwing it for a strike 82.4% of the time. Smoral did struggle with locating his fastball later in the count, leading to six walks in five innings. When he missed, he generally missed low, as the sink on his fastball tended to pull the ball out of the bottom of the zone. His legitimate swing and miss stuff allowed him make up for the walks by piling up eight strikeouts, thanks to a gaudy 39.1% swing and miss rate, good for fifth best in the entire tournament. Smoral has pitched effectively at several high level events this year and is one of the top left handed prep pitchers in the impressive crop of 2012 grads.
11-15-11: - http://www.collegesummerbaseball.net/2011/11/top-50-position-players-in-northwoods.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter - Nate Theunissen 1B/OF Madison Mallards---Central Michigan Nate turned in a great summer this season. He hit .325 in 169 at-bats for the Mallards. He scored 26 runs, drove in 31, and was among the league leaders with 9 long balls this summer. He also walked 20 times for Madison. Nate went 2 for 4, with a home run in the All-Star Game, and he was ranked as the 68th best prospect in the league by Perfect Game.
11-15-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6369 - Walker Weickel (2012 RHP, Orlando Scorpions)- The tall athletic hurler possesses a legitimate big league fastball, living in the bottom corners of the strike zone at 90-94 mph with heavy sink. At 6-foot-6 Weickel is athletic enough to repeat his deceptive delivery well for a tall pitcher and the result is a consistent pounding of the bottom of the strike zone. The question about Weickel's ultimate upside lies in his secondary stuff, as his 74 mph curveball showed good depth and a lot of break. But to catch up with his fastball he will need to increase the sharpness of the break and command it better. Currently his curve is only an out pitch when he is able to spot it to the bottom corners for called strikes or entice hitters to chase. He's shown the ability to do both at times, but not yet on a consistent basis. The changeup has shown improvement and is a good complement to the fastball but his command of it is still a work in progress. Weickel sets up hitters as well as anyone in the country, but to reach his potential he will need to develop his ability to put away high level hitters to become more than a innings eating ground ball pitcher at the next level.
11-15-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=6369 - DJ Davis (2012 OF, Royals Baseball Club)- Davis is a premium athlete who hails from the small town of Wiggins, MS (population: 3900) and could very easily have slipped through the cracks. That changed when he posted the best 60-yard dash time (6.38) at East Coast Pro and then batted second in a loaded Royals Baseball Club lineup that drew huge crowds for each of their six games in Jupiter. The strong compact left handed hitter posted a line of .375/.500/.562 and went 5-for-5 on stolen base attempts. Though a bit raw at the plate, as would be expected of a player with little experience at the higher levels of amateur baseball, Davis showed good raw hitting tools. With quick hands and strength at contact, Davis drove the ball with authority to both fields. Though he did show a bit of a stronger ground ball tendency to the pull side as a result of rolling over on high level breaking balls. As his skills at the plate progress towards the level of his raw tools Davis should make significant strides towards being a high level table setter with occasional home run power. That potential with the bat combined with his plus plus speed make him an exciting prospect.
11/2/11
Draft 2012: - Jason Goldstein, Walker Weickel, Mitchell Traver, Rob Corsi, Lucas Giolito
10-21-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/10/19/jason-goldstein-2012-draft-profile -Player: Jason Goldstein Position: C School: Highland Park HS (IL) Date of Birth: 3/9/1994 Height/Weight: 6’0/190 Bats/Throws: R/R Class Of: 2012 Committed To: Illinois Scouting Report: Jason Goldstein is one of the top prep catchers eligible for the 2012 MLB draft. He has a mature, durable body that should hold up well behind the plate. A steady player, Goldstein has good present skills. Goldstein has a good approach at the plate. Among all players at the 2011 Area Code Games, Goldstein had the 10th highest average, at .363. He has quick hands and good bat speed. He has a line drive swing with some power. Goldstein’s recorded time in the 60 is 7.54. Goldstein looks good behind the plate. He gets rid of the ball quickly and his throws are accurate. Goldstein’s pop times range from 1.80 to 1.88.
10-23-11: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/2011/10/smoral-stands-out-among-big-arms - • Righthander Walker Weickel from Olympia High in Orlando was his dominant self today for the Orlando Scorpions. Weickel pitched four innings, giving up one hit (a home run to catcher Austin Rei from Campolinado High in Moraga, Calif.) with eight strikeouts and three walks. His fastball sat in the 90-92 mph range, topping out at 94. He threw his fastball to both sides of the plate, mixed in a sharp 72-74 mph, 12-6 curveball and an 80-82 mph changeup. When Weickel stays on top of his fastball, he gets steep plane on the pitch, using his 6-foot-6 height to his advantage. But the pitch also has a tendency to flatten out a bit and become hittable.
10-24-11: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/2011/10/marucci-elite-and-rising-prospects-impress-in-jupiter - FIVE 2012 PLAYERS WHO IMPROVED THEIR STATUS - Mitchell Traver, rhp, Houston Christian HS Physical righthander sat 92-94 with good life, threw a solid changeup with sink and a plus, power breaking ball.
10-25-11: - http://www.collegesummerbaseball.net/2011/10/top-20-pitchers-in-atlantic-collegiate.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter - Top 20 Pitchers in the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League - 1. Rob Corsi LHP Jersey Pilots---Rutgers - Rob is a 6-0/180 pound lefty from Oceanport, NJ. He had a tremendous summer and was rewarded by being named the leagues Most Valuable Pitcher. He went 5-2 and sported a 1.54 era in 46.2 innings of work for the Pilots. He allowed just 37 hits, walked 16 and led the league with 56 strikeouts. He was fourth in the league in ERA and was tied for first with his five wins. Perfect Game ranked Rob as the 25th best prospect in the league
10-25-11: - http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/637/giolito-compares-well-to-past-prep-prospects - Lucas Giolito stands out in many ways. He's 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, and is also the top prep pitcher in the draft class of 2012. There's a chance he's the No. 1 overall pick next June, and is certain to be taken off the board in the top 10. I've seen him up to 97 mph with his fastball, which sets up an above-average power curveball and a changeup drenched in promise. ESPN Insider's Keith Law wrote from the Area Code Games in August that Giolito's velocity "is easy to him and his delivery is built for starting; his command isn't there and he needs more consistency on each of his secondary pitches. But I don't think there's a better overall package among prep arms in the 2012 class yet." The industry agrees. One scouting supervisor called Giolito "a contender for a top-10 spot in any draft. He's very, very good, and he's only going to get better. There is a lot to like."
10/10/11
Draft 2012: - Jesse Winkler, Walker Weickel, Peter Cantwell, Hunter Virant, Max Fried
9-1-11: - http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com - Jesse Winker, Olympia HS, Orlando FL, 6'2 200 L/L, good approach to game as hitter and fielder, shows plus arm strength from RF, fair runner, 6.95, 60, has power in his bat, tends to be tentative in pitch selection, but when he squares up his has power to RF and LF alleys, needs to be more aggressive in his hitting approach.
10-1-11: - http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/10/01/walker-weickel-2012-draft-profile - Prep righthander Walker Weickel is one of the top arms eligible for the 2012 draft. He is big, athletic, and projectable. Weickel has a high 3/4 to over the top delivery. He does an excellent job of pitching downhill. His delivery creates some deception. Weickel throws a low 90′s fastball that has hit 94. Some additional velocity should come as he matures. He has a low 70′s curve that is a potential plus pitch but is still somewhat inconsistent. His low 80′s change also shows flashes of plus potential. Weickel is almost assured of being selected in the first round and could land among the top 10 selections
10-4-11: - http://ht.ly/1eYnA5 - We continue the countdown today with Stony Brook senior catcher Patrick Cantwell. The senior has had an outstanding career with the Seawolves which has seen him win multiple conference awards. He played three years of varsity baseball at West Islip HS and was a three-time captain. As a senior, he hit .477 with 31 runs, eight triples, two home runs and 33 RBIs. Cantwell continued with his strong college career as a junior when he became the everyday catcher. He started 54 games with a .308 batting average with 14 doubles and 46 runs scored from the leadoff spot. He played the summer of 2011 in the Cape Cod Baseball League with the Bourne Braves. He hit .279 with 18 runs scored and nine RBI in 35 games including the postseason. He was named a CCBL All-Star where he went 0-2.
10-6-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/10/5/2466822/2012-mlb-mock-draft#comments - Virant is extremely athletic. He’s only a year into concentrating on pitching and crosses his body on delivery at times. I’m guessing that’s what people mean by “project”. He does have a really good feel for pitching in the looks I’ve seen. His CB is not yet at the same level as Fried (who throws two versions) but Virant might have the better Changeup. Fried throws a bit harder. Virant just pitched out in Cali (following the USA 18u Trials) a week ago. Sat 86-88 touching 90. He needs to shut down. He was sick coming into the Area Codes, showed up late and pitched just OK. PGAA was pretty much a mess. Now he’s getting ready for a trip to Colombia with the 18u’s. Looks like he’s lost a lot of weight since the start of the summer which speaks to the drop in velo. Somebody needs to step in and advise him to take a rest and recover.
10-10-11: - (Max) Fried is a specimen to watch for sure. As far as his 60 time, I’m not sold on that, he ran a 6.95 in Cary in June at TOS, Virant ran a 7.2, and both had fb that topped 92 on the stalker pro. One of the better specimens in Cary was RHP, 2012, Keiran Lovegrove of Mission Viejo, 6’4 180, ran 6.65 and topped 93 on stalker pro, great body projection much like Mike Mussina was Muss was in HS in Pa. I agree on the top 2 lefty talk for HS, there aren’t as many good HS lefties in 2012 as their were when Purke & Matzek were graduating. But it’s early!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL Fried for me threw 1 inning, so just a pocket follow, Virant threw 3 innings, very crude but there is something there, not first round based on what I saw though. I saw Kyle Lobstein from Arizona a few years back, and to be fair, Kyle was better at this stage than the two Fried & Virant at the same stage going into their SR years. Just my opinion however - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/10/5/2466822/2012-mlb-mock-draft#comments
8/29/11
Draft 2012: - Travis Jankowski, Byron Buxton, Alex Bregman, Kevin Connolly, Walker Weickel
8/15/11
Draft 2012: - Sean Hagen, C.J. Saylor, Walker Weickel, Lance McCullers, Blake Hickman
Sean Hagen:
7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments - Sean Hagan, St John’s, 6’6 220, a biggin’ with plus arm strength, fb up to 93, most are 90-91 with some late arm side run, hard cb lacks command from 3/4 slot, crosses and fights himself some in delivery. FB movement is his plus with that velocity and could be early rounder or 8-12 rounder. Needs good fall & spring.
C.J. Saylor:
8-12-11: - http://www.prospectwire.com/pw/article.php?id=290 - C C.J. Saylor (5'10" 180, R/R, West Covina, CA) is an excellent receiver, blocks balls in the dirt extremely well, and looks to have a chance to hit for some average, with a compact, strong stroke. He isn't sexy or that big strong monster behind the plate with the wow arm and big raw power but his skills and talents at his position, they play very well.
Walker Weickel:
8-12-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/AllAmerican/News.aspx?num=6123 – Right-hander Walker Weickel tossed the second inning for the East, throwing what was described by David Rawnsley as a "typical easy Weickel inning." He was 89-91 with a big, slow 71 curve.
Lance McCullers:
8-14-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/AllAmerican/News.aspx?num=6123 - Lance McCullers, a flame-throwing right-handed pitcher, consistent offensive threat from the left side of the plate and a slick fielding, strong-armed infielder, has been named the recipient of the 2011 Jackie Robinson Award as the nation’s top high school prospect in the class of 2012. McCullers, who will enter his senior year at Jesuit High School in Tampa, Fla., this fall, received the award Saturday night at the Perfect Game All-American Classic presented by Rawlings Awards Banquet held at the San Diego Hall of Champions.
Blake Hickman:
7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments - Blake Hickman, Simeon HS, Chicago IL, 6’4 1/2 200, R/R, strong ML arm, pop times at best were 1.97 real time, has quick bat with occ power, body to fill out in time, potential ML backup catcher, would like to see him convert to the hill to utilize his arm strength, will go as far as bat takes him.
6/21/11
2012 Draft: - Spencer Kieboom, Sam Selman, Walker Weickel, Lance McCullers, Kent Emanuel
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| Photo by Mark Crammer |
6-20-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com/ - Clemson SO C Spencer Kieboom
.300/.382/.382 – 23 BB/12 K – 170 AB - There is a lot to like about Spencer Kieboom. First, he’s got a good approach at the plate. Next up, there is his even better defense behind the plate. Finally, and best of all, there is his name, Spencer Kieboom. The first two may be more important with respect to his future in baseball, but I’d say that last quality alone is more than enough to get him on every early 2012 watch list.
Sam Selman
6-17-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com/ SO LHP Sam Selman (2012) - There are way too many teams and players for me to keep track of everybody and everything quite the way I’d like to. The case of Sam Selman exemplifies the limits of my coverage. In doing research for this very piece, I checked out Selman’s 2011 stats, excited to see what kind of numbers a player with a potential plus fastball (mid-90s peak), plus slider, and promising changeup (per my notes) put up. Selman threw a whopping 6.1 innings last year. Based on the reports I had on him from his high school/early Vanderbilt days, some major injury must have popped up for Selman in 2011 to limit his innings that drastically, I thought. Not so fast, my friend. Selman’s lack of work can be traced to an overcrowded (in the best possible way) Vanderbilt pitching staff and a somewhat disappointingly slow transition to the college game, most notably from a strength standpoint. His string bean 6-3, 170 pound physique has not yet proven to be reliable enough to handle any kind of real innings workload and his control has kept him from being able to effectively utilize his array of promising pitches.
Walker Weickel:
6-19-11: - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5909 - Walker Weickel followed Fulmer, and was arguably the most impressive pitcher so far during the National Showcase. He has a tall, strong and still projectable frame. He threw 92-93 consistently touching 94, and threw two very effective secondary offerings in his mid-70s curveball and low-80s changeup. The speed differential and his ability to throw all of his pitches for strikes gives Weickel a near flawless repertoire.
Lance McCullers:
6-19-11: - Twitter - @PGPatrickEbert - 2012 #mlbdraft prospect Lance McCullers throws 97, 97 and 98 with his 1st 3 pitches here at the PG National, also throws nasty 86 curveball
Kent Emanuel:
6-20-11: - http://sebaseball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1233364 - With their season on the line, North Carolina turned to a freshman. Kent Emanuel got the ball against one of the most storied programs in college athletics. Nine innings later, he collected a complete game, four-hit shutout and kept his Tar Heels alive with a 3-0 victory. The southpaw allowed four hits, all singles, and was never seriously challenged by the Longhorns. Through it all, Emanuel kept a calm presence on a stage that is anything but. -
1/13/11
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
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