In
the weeks leading up to the draft, Perfect Game will be providing a
detailed overview of each state in the U.S., including the District
of Columbia, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico. These overviews will
list the state's strengths, weaknesses and the players with the best
tools, as well as providing scouting reports on all Group 1 and 2
players as ranked in Perfect Game's state-by-state scouting lists.
Rhode Island State-by-State List
2011 Rhode Island Overview
Rhode
Island Overview:
Slim
Pickings Again in Rhode Island College, Prep Ranks
Rhode
Island hasn’t produced a draft pick any higher than the 22nd round the last two years, and little is expected to change this year
as there isn’t an obvious draftable talent at either the college or
high-school levels.
University
of Rhode Island record-setting shortstop Mike LeBel might have been a
solid senior pick in a draft that suddenly has a placed a premium on
college seniors with new draft rules in place, but he hurt his
(non-throwing) shoulder in mid-March, underwent shoulder surgery and
was lost for the season. Bryant righthander Peter Kelich had a big
junior season in leading his team to a Northeast Conference
regular-season title, while also earning conference
pitcher-of-the-year honors for himself by going 8-3, 1.81, but he
simply doesn't throw very hard. Almost by default, that leaves Bryant
outfielder Kevin Brown as the top talent in the Rhode Island college
ranks.
At
the high school level, Bishop Hendricken High outfielder Tom Pannone
and right handed pitcher Justin Patrick of Cumberland are
acknowledged as the top prep talents in the state. Pannone has
superior hitting skills and he genuinely drew his share of attention
from scouts, and Patrick has promise given his size and
projectability, but neither is expected to be drafted high enough to
be bought out of scholarships to Miami and South Florida
respectively.
The
most-noteworthy development that will impact Rhode Island from a
draft standpoint will probably be the selection of University of
South Carolina outfielder Evan Marzilli, possibly as early as the
third round. He is a product of a Rhode Island high school. A year
ago, essentially the same scenario unfolded as another South Carolina
college player with Rhode Island connections, Coastal Carolina
righthander Anthony Meo, was drafted in the second round.
Rhode
Island in a nutshell:
STRENGTH:
Bryant University talent.
WEAKNESS:
Depth of talent.
OVERALL
RATING
(1-to-5 scale): 1.
BEST
COLLEGE TEAM:
Bryant.
BEST
JUNIOR-COLLEGE TEAM:
CC of Rhode Island.
BEST
HIGH SCHOOL TEAM:
North Providence HS.
BEST
OUT-OF-STATE PROSPECT, Rhode Island Connection:
Evan Marzilli, of, University of South Carolina (Attended high school
in Cranston).
Top
2013 Prospect:
Jeff Roy, of, University of Rhode Island.
Top
2014
Prospect:
Kevin McAvoy, rhp, Bryant University.
HIGHEST
DRAFT PICKS
Draft
History:
Bill Almon, ss, Brown University (1974, Padres/1st round, 1st pick).
2006
Draft: Steve
Holmes, rhp, University of Rhode Island (Mets/5th round).
2007
Draft: Devin
Thomas, c, Brown University (Tigers/7th round).
2008
Draft: Ryan
Westmoreland, of, Portsmouth HS (Red Sox/5th round).
2009
Draft: Eric
Smith, rhp, University of Rhode Island (Diamondbacks/2nd round).
2010
Draft:
Jeff Vigurs, c, Bryant University (Cubs/22nd round).
2011
Draft: Matt
Colantonio, c, Brown University (Padres/22nd round).
2011
DRAFT OVERVIEW
College
Players Drafted/Signed:
1/1.
Junior
College Players Drafted/Signed:
0/0.
High
School Players Drafted/Signed:
1/1.
TOP
PROSPECTS, GROUPS ONE and TWO
None
PROSPECT TO WATCH
KEVIN
BROWN, of Bryant University (Jr.)
Brown
made a solid contribution to Bryant winning the Northeast Conference
regular-season title this spring, just as he was a central figure for
Keene as it won a New England Collegiate League championship last
summer. He hit .325-8-29 with a league-best 33 runs scored for Keene,
and hit .281-9-35 this spring for Bryant, leading the Bulldogs in
homers and RBIs. The lefthanded-hitting Brown is more ball player
than prospect, but his value is enhanced because of his ability to
hit in and adapt to any of the top four spots in the batting order.
His ability to both hit and hit with power, display solid strike-zone
disciple and run the 60 in 6.9 seconds makes him a valuable offensive
player.