MLB Draft Preview: Nevada

Nevada State-by-State List

After graduating Joey Gallo, it would be difficult for there not to be a hangover in draft talent to at least some extent this year. While there isn't quite that level of a dynamic prospect, the void left by Gallo's matriculation to the professional ranks is filled by a pair of highly intriguing pitching prospects. Nevada right handed pitcher Braden Shipley is likely to come off the board higher than Gallo did a year ago (39th overall), and HS right-hander Andrew Church has the type of ceiling to follow in his footsteps as the type of player who quickly out-performs his draft position.

The high school class isn't as strong as it was a year ago, as not only is there not a prospect with a pedigree quite like Gallo, there also doesn't appear to be a pleasant surprise in the mold of Zach Quintana (3rd round/Brewers). There is depth in the high school ranks, as Bishop Gorman High School outfielders Kenny Meimerstorf and Jarrell Latham are both interesting prospects, and Coronado High School features a strong one-two punch on the mound in right handed pitchers Dylan Meyers and Chandler Blanchard. Factor in slick fielding shortstop Garrett Hampson of Reno High School and it's a class with solid depth (in a year when most of the country is a bit more shallow than usual). But as far as impact potential goes, it's a class that will have to be propped up by Andrew Church, a medium framed right-hander, who despite having legit stuff, has had limited opportunities to be seen by crosscheckers this spring.

STRENGTH: High end pitching
WEAKNESS: Division I college talent
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 3

BEST COLLEGE TEAM: University of Nevada
BEST JUNIOR COLLEGE TEAM: College of Southern Nevada
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Bishop Gorman HS, Las Vegas

PROSPECT ON THE RISE: BRADEN SHIPLEY, rhp, University of Nevada. While his success this spring should come as no surprise, given his sophomore campaign a year ago and strong showing in the Alaskan Summer League, Shipley has continued to progress with each year after being lightly recruited out of North Medford (Ore.) High School primarily as a shortstop who could also pitch. With the progress he's made, Shipley has emerged as one of the best pitchers in college baseball and looks to be squarely in the mix for the first round.

WILD CARD: KAYDEN PORTER, 1b/rhp, College of Southern Nevada. The physical and overpowering two-way freshman who had a stellar prep career at Spanish Fork (Utah) High School that was highlighted by being selected to the 2011 Perfect Game All-American Classic has struggled with the transition to college thus far. While he features massive raw power at the plate and a mid- to upper-90s fastball, he hasn't yet translated those tools into on-field success this season at the College of Southern Nevada. There will likely be some interest in drafting him this year anyway, though it remains to be seen if he would be willing to sign as a lower pick, after showing little such interest coming out of high school a year ago.

BEST OUT-OF-STATE PROSPECT, Nevada Connection: Kris Bryant, 3b, University of San Diego
Top 2014 Prospect: Austin Byler, 3b, University of Nevada
Top 2015 Prospect: Joey Armstrong, mif, UNLV

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History: Bryce Harper, c, College of Southern Nevada (2010, Nationals/1st round, 1st pick)
2008 Draft: Niko Vasquez, ss, Durango HS, Las Vegas (Cardinals/3rd round)
2009 Draft: Jeff Malm, 1b, Bishop Gorman HS, Las Vegas (Rays/5th round)
2010 Draft: Bryce Harper, c, College of Southern Nevada (Nationals/1st round, 1st pick)
2011 Draft: Jake Hager, ss, Sierra Vista HS, Las Vegas (Rays/1st round, 29th pick)
2012 Draft: Joey Gallo, 3b, Bishop Gorman HS, Las Vegas (Rangers/1st round, 39th pick)

2012 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed: 2/1
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 1/1
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 7/4

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Evan Van Hoosier, mif, College of Southern Nevada
Best Hitter: Evan Van Hoosier, mif, College of Southern Nevada
Best Power: Brandon Bayardi, of, UNLV
Best Speed: Conor Harber, of/rhp, Western Nevada CC
Best Defender: Garrett Hampson, ss, Reno HS
Best Velocity: Braden Shipley, rhp, University of Nevada
Best Breaking Stuff: Andrew Church, rhp, Basic HS, Las Vegas
Best Command: Braden Shipley, rhp, University of Nevada

TOP PROSPECTS, GROUPS 1 and 2

GROUP 1 (rounds 1-3)

1. BRADEN SHIPLEY, rhp, University of Nevada (Jr.)
Lightly recruited out of high school in Oregon, Shipley began his collegiate career as a two-way player, getting 44 starts at shortstop as a freshman (compared to just two on the mound) before transitioning to pitching full-time last year. He can touch the requisite high velocities for a first round prospect, though he generally settles into the low-90s with an under control delivery and starter's approach to navigating opposing lineups, saving his quality secondaries until the second and third trips through the order. He mixes his fastball with a quality mid-80s changeup and a good high-70s curveball that shows a lot of potential. After a strong campaign last year, which saw him go 9-4 with a 2.20 ERA, Shipley was named WAC pitcher of the year before being ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Alaskan Summer League. So far, Shipley has followed up that strong summer in Alaska with an even stronger junior season at Nevada. His stuff isn't quite as electric as the power arms that are projected for the top five picks, but Shipley's stuff is strong in its own right and his ability to utilize it will likely make him a first round pick.