| 202. |
Dean Weaver |
RHP |
Jr. |
R-R |
6-4 |
207 |
Georgia |
Douglasville, Ga. |
Never drafted |
5/17/1988 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE: Weaver struggled as a freshman at Georgia in his role as a mid-week starter (1-3, 8-04) and was jettisoned to the bullpen as a sophomore. He flourished there, working mainly as a set-up man for standout closer Josh Fields, going 6-1, 4.24 with a save in 31 appearances. With Fields gone to the Seattle Mariners as a first-round pick in last year's draft, Weaver inherited the closer role this spring and had a solid season by saving 10 games and going 4-2, 3.60 with 11 walks and 32 strikeouts in 40 innings. Though his stuff is nowhere near as dominant as Fields', Weaver attacked hitters with a sneaky-fast, 88-92 mph fastball. He got outs more on deception than raw stuff as he hides the ball well in his over-the-top arm slot. Weaver's secondary pitches (curve and changeup) are just fair, and don't project to plus offerings. His short-stride, fall-off-the-mound delivery didn't work for Weaver as a starter, but seems to give him enough funk to disrupt hitters' timing when he's used in shorter relief stints. Most scouts don't see Weaver as a potential big-league closer, but believe he can become a credible set-up man.--ANUP SINHA |
| |
| 203. |
Brian Moran |
LHP |
Jr. |
L-L |
6-4 |
190 |
North Carolina |
Rye, N.Y. |
Never drafted |
9/30/1988 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE: Moran got a chance to pitch initially at North Carolina, more as a favor to his uncle, B.J. Surhoff, one of the greatest players to ever wear a Tar Heels uniform and the No. 1 pick in the 1985 draft. He pitched sparingly as a freshman, working in only eight innings. But it soon became apparent that Moran's funky, deceptive delivery was effective from the left side, and he ended being a valuable set-up man/situational reliever for the Tar Heels, and his workload increased significantly as a sophomore and junior. He made 40 appearances in 2008 and struck out 72 in just 49 innings while going 1-2, 2.76. He played even more of a pivotal role this season for a North Carolina team making its fourth consective trip to the College World Series by sharing the closer's role with sophomore righthander Colin Bates. While Bates had more saves, 6-4, Moran became the most effective pitcher on the entire UNC staff this spring, going 7-1, 1.95 with just eight walks and 88 strikeouts in 65 innings. He also posted a staff-best .184 opponent batting average. Moran competes extremely well on the mound and does an excellent job of locating his fastball, but the pitch generally sits in the 86-88 mph range, though was as high as 91 this spring. His lack of a quality off-speed pitch further compromises his prospect status. Still, a statistics-based organization may look at Moran's gaudy numbers and overdraft him in a round not befitting his inferior stuff.--ALLAN SIMPSON |
| |
| 204. |
Miles Mikolas |
RHP |
Jr. |
R-R |
6-5 |
215 |
Nova Southeastern |
Jupiter, Fla. |
Never drafted |
8/23/1988 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE: Mikolas has risen from near-obscurity to become a solid pitching prospect for this year's draft, though a late-season incident has thrown his status into question. Undrafted in 2006 out of nearby Jupiter High, Mikolas showed promise with a big freshman season at Division II Nova Southeastern, going 5-2, 3.51 while eventually earning the Friday-night starter slot. But his sophomore year set him back as he went 3-4, 6.18. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Mikolas was still throwing in the 88-92 mph range but unable to put away hitters with just a fastball and a 12-to-6 curveball. He worked hard to develop a changeup over the summer, and it was a difference-maker as Mikolas went 7-2, 2.06 with just eight walks and 80 strikeouts in his first 83 innings this spring. Scouts soon took note of his tall, athletic frame, clean arm action and easy delivery, and his ability to pound the strike zone with three quality pitches. His fastball showed heavy life with a good downward plane, and peaked at 93. Mikolas showed more and more pitchability every time out, but in late April everything came crashing down as he was suspended by the school for a reported substance-abuse violation. The suspension made him ineligible to complete his junior season. The transgression is likely to hurt his draft status, but teams remained interested and continued to work him out before the draft, and it's still possible he could go in the first 10 rounds.--ANUP SINHA / ALLAN SIMPSON |
| |
| 205. |
Trent Stevenson |
RHP/SS |
Sr. |
L-R |
6-6 |
180 |
Brophy Prep |
Scottsdale, Ariz. |
Arizona |
6/1/1990 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Scouts going to Arizona this spring will have two top pitching prospects to watch in Stevenson and fellow righthander Jake Barrett, but you couldn't find two more opposite pitching profiles. Stevenson first appeared at a Perfect Game event as a freshman in 2005; at that point, he was a 5-foot-10, 125-pound middle infielder with minimal tools. He has grown into a highly-projectable 6-foot-6 righthanded pitcher who, while still almost painfully thin, shows easy athleticism and very loose actions. He lacks physical strength at present, and should get stronger as he fills out. He has a power pitcher's arm action with clean, tension-free extension out front, and his fastball velocity and life are both solid-average. Stevenson was clocked at 89-91 mph at the Area Code Games in early August and was seen up to 93-94 mph during the fall. He also throws an upper-70s slurve-type breaking ball, and has a very good feel for a changeup, but his off-speed stuff needs to be more finely tuned. He has a good approach to pitching and has shown the ability to pitch to spots. Stevenson is very similar to former Arizona high-school righthander Brett Jacobson, who later pitched at Vanderbilt, except his delivery and arm action appear more repeatable and effortless at the same age.--DAVID RAWNSLEY |
| UPDATE (5/15): Stevenson made little headway as a prospect this spring, winning seven times for Brophy Prep but posting a 3.59 ERA. The resignation seemed to set in that he was destined for college—and that could become reality if he slides beyond the first 6-7 rounds. Stevenson came out throwing his fastball at 88-92 mph, topping at 94 and had another burst of above-average velocity towards the end, but he rarely showed his power stuff consistently. His fastball was often up in the zone and his breaking ball was generally below average.—ALLAN SIMPSON |
| |
| 206. |
Aaron Wirsch |
LHP/1B |
Sr. |
R-L |
`6-6 |
200 |
El Toro |
Trabuco Canyon, Calif. |
San Diego |
11/151990 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE: Wirsch was somewhat lost in the shuffle initially on a strong El Toro High team that featured righthander Chad Thompson and shortstop Nolan Arenado, two players with established track records who projected to be early-round picks in this year's draft. Though a highly-athletic and promising lefthander in his own right, Wirsch's pitching career was put on hold last year after he underwent elbow surgery to remove bone spurs. He was a clear No. 2 to Thompson in the El Toro rotation as the 2009 season unfolded, and Thompson went 4-0, 0.27 with five walks and 45 strikeouts in his first 26 innings to firmly establish himself as the staff ace. But Thompson was lost for the balance of the 2009 season with an injured elbow after just four starts, and subsequently underwent Tommy John surgery. That put the onus on Wirsch to lead the El Toro staff, and he responded brilliantly by going 11-0, 1.54 with 25 walks and 89 strikeouts in 77 innings. Wirsch enjoyed his suceess despite just marginal stuff. His fastball was frequently in the 85-87 mph range, though his 74-mph curve and 77-mph changeup were acceptable secondary offerings. Some scouts are banking on him filling out his slight frame to add more strength, and in turn improve the velocity on his fastball. Until that happens, there are some scouts who have more interest in Wirsch as a power-hitting first baseman-especially after he led the county with 12 homers this spring and generally put on an impressive show in BP sessions. But his power stroke also was unusually long and included a prounounced uppercut; and he has the additional stigma of being a righthanded hitter and lefthanded thrower-a taboo combination in baseball circles.--ALLAN SIMPSON |
| |
| 207. |
Nick Liles |
2B/3B |
Jr. |
R-R |
6-2 |
175 |
Western Carolina |
Laurinburg, N.C. |
Giants '06 (29) |
7/23/1987 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE: Liles did nothing but hit in three seasons at Western Carolina, but identifying a set position remained an issue again this spring. He spent the first 35 games of the season at second base, before being abruptly moved to center field. A year earlier, he made the same mid-season transfer, switching from third base to second. He just never found a comfort level at either position. Through it all, he continued to hit. He batted .367-9-49 as a junior, scored a team-high 66 runs and also stole 24 bases in 30 attempts. Liles’ ability to hit and run earned him significant attention last summer, when he led the Cape Cod League in hitting in the early going before tailing off to finish at .294. His 14 stolen bases ranked among the league leaders. Liles is a bit undersized, but he has gap power and his speed plays in all phases of his game. At the very least, he profiles as a utility player, but it’s possible he may have found a home in center field.—JEFF SIMPSON |
| |
| 208. |
Robbie Hefflinger |
RHP/1B |
Fr. |
R-R |
6-5 |
250 |
Georgia Perimeter |
Gainesville, Ga. |
Never drafted |
1/3/1990 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE: Though it ultimately fell one step short in its bid to reach the Junior College World Series, Georgia Perimeter experienced a significant turnaround season in 2009, finishing a surprising first in the Georgia juco ranks (Region 17). No one was more responsible for the Jaguars success than Hefflinger, an unheralded 6-foot-5, 250-pound freshman who was mainly a catcher and defensive end/tight end in high school. Hefflinger initially began attracting attention at GPC for his work as a closer, particularly when his fastball climbed to 93-94 mph and he augmented it with a hard slider. As he became more successful, he was soon moved to a starting role and while his velocity was a more common 89-91 mph he was extremely effective, tossing a no-hitter while assembling a 7-0, 2.68 record with 19 walks and 60 strikeouts in 57 innings. He season line included three saves. Hefflinger also swung the bat for the Jaguars, playing mostly first base while seeing occasional duty in right field and behind the plate when not pitching, but it was clear that scouts were interested only in his power arm. But all that changed in a pivotal, showdown series with perennial Georgia juco power Young Harris late in the regular season, when scouts got an up-close look at Hefflinger's massive power potential. Not only did he win a game in a three-game sweep of YHC, but Hefflinger drilled four homers and two more balls high off the outfield wall that fell for doubles. No longer did teams look at him primarily as a pitcher, but there was a distinct possibility that he would be selected in this year's draft as a big, physical, power-hitting first baseman, though there are a lot of swing-and-misses that accompany the power. On the season, Hefflinger hit .324-11-43.--ALLAN SIMPSON |
| |
| 209. |
Josh Fellhauer |
OF |
Jr. |
L-L |
5-11 |
175 |
Cal State Fullerton |
Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. |
Never drafted |
3/24/1988 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): The obvious knock on Fellhauer as a prospect is his size. None of his tools really stand out, either, but few players in this draft get more out of their natural ability than Fellhauer. Every tool he has plays higher than scouts will grade them. After hitting .335-7-40 as a sophomore for Cal State Fullerton and topping the Titans in hits (90) and total bases (138), Fellhauer was the steadiest outfielder for Team USA last summer as it went 24-0 and accomplished the first undefeated run in program history. He hit .299 with 15 RBIs (both second on the team) in 87 at-bats while seeing duty in all three outfield positions, but mostly in center and right field. At 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, Fellhauer is undersized for right field at the next level, his lack of raw speed compromises his range and ability to play center and his modest power potential makes him ill-suited for any corner position. He profiles more as a fourth outfielder or a dangerous lefthanded bat off the bench, though he has a hitch in his swing that could be exposed with wood against some of the superior fastballs he'll face in the future. But it would be a mistake to sell Fellhauer short. He has superior instincts for the game, has speed and arm strength that are more than adequate, and it's entirely possible that he'll put up such impressive offensive numbers this spring as a junior at Cal State Fullerton that teams will simply not be in position to overlook him.--ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): Fellhauer easily topped the Titans with a .388 average this spring (entering the final weekend of the regular season), but he may not have done enough to enhance his draft value as he homered just five times and stole 16 bases. West-coast scouts say he profiles along the lines of Arizona State outfielder Jason Kipnis, but Kipnis put up superior overall offensive numbers as a junior than Fellhauer did, and elevated himself into second-round consideration. Fellhauer is solid in all areas of his game, and all his tools grade average or a tick above. His best tool continues to be his bat, and yet he probably showed more improvement in that part of his game in 2009. He was more consistent and showed a more mature approach. If he can convince scouts he’s capable of hitting 10 homers and stealing 20 bases a season as a big leaguer, he should be a solid selection in the fourth round.—AS |
| |
| 210. |
Jamie Johnson |
OF |
Jr. |
L-R |
5-8 |
185 |
Oklahoma |
Calhoun, La. |
Rockies '06 (50) |
4/26/1987 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Playing for the same Bourne team in the Cape Cod League last summer that featured Mississippi outfielder Jordan Henry, Johnson did not fare well in a direct comparison between the two players. Both are cut from somewhat the same mold as they have smaller, slighter statures and their success depends mostly from their ability to utilize their speed atop the batting order, on the bases and in center field. While Henry played within his limitations and excelled in his role with the Braves, hitting .335-0-16 with a team-best 42 runs and 12 stolen bases, Johnson struggled most of the summer. He hit just .250-2-16 and swiped just three bags. Johnson is very strong for his size but all too often tried to hit for power, which isn't key to his game-especially with wood. It was readily apparent from his Cape experience that he'll need to use his feet a lot more to maximize his offensive potential. Johnson runs the 60 in 6.6 seconds, and his defensive skills and arm strength will easily play at the pro level. He was more of a catalyst atop the batting order during the 2008 season at Oklahoma, hitting .346-5-27 with 20 steals, but it will be interesting to see what adjustments he makes in his approach this season in adapting more of a little-ball style in his game.--ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): Despite his smaller stature, Johnson showed some big tools this spring that were magnified by his excellent makeup and determination. His speed, his one plus tool, played well on both offense and defense. He batted .353-13-44, and led the Sooners in runs (76), walks (41) and stolen bases (16) from his spot at the top of the batting order. He was an ideal leadoff hitter. Johnson has strength in his little package, and displayed good bat speed and gap power. Typical of Johnson’s gritty approach, he badly cut the tip of his finger while taking the plastic wrap off a bat, but refused to come out of the lineup and never missed a game—even as he had to have the finger literally re-attached through a minor surgical procedure. The injury hampered his swing, however, and he went on a prolonged slump that may have cost him as much as 50 points on his overall batting average. As an overachiever with tools, Johnson is a good bet to be at least a solid major-league role player.—DAVID RAWNSLEY |
| |
| 211. |
Erik Stavert |
RHP |
Jr. |
R-R |
6-1 |
175 |
Oregon |
Livermore, Calif. |
D'backs '08 (42) |
11/20/1987 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE: The reborn Ducks program tapped extensively into the California junior-college market to give their pitching staff a jump start, and appeared to score a significant coup when they landed what appeared to be four of the best juco arms in the state-righthanders Justin LaTempa (Diamondbacks, 22nd round), Erik Stavert (D'backs, 43rd round) and Zack Thornton (Giants, 43rd round), and lefthander Bennett Whitmore (Red Sox, 44th round), all 2008 draft picks. But LaTempa (one inning) succumbed to shoulder surgery, Thornton (0-1, 6.17) was ineffective and rarely pitched after failing to rebound from tendonitis in an already surgically-repaired shoulder, and Whitmore (1-6, 6.17) was ineffective. The lean and rangy Stavert carried the ball for the quartet, though, becoming the only pitcher on the Oregon staff to win more than two games this season. He went 5-6, 3.04 as the Ducks' primary starter, striking out 82 in 95 innings. He pounded the strike zone with a quick, deceptive delivery and a fastball that was a steady 89-92 mph, topping at 94. He augmented it with a late-sweeping slider and a circle-change, and showed all indications of possibly becoming the state's best draft in June until his second-to-last outing of the season, when he hooked up with Arizona State righthander Mike Leake in a heavily-scouted game in Arizona. Stavert picked an inopportune time to pitch his poorest game of the season. He didn't get out of the third inning, walking four and allowing seven hits, and his inability to throw strikes and show little sense of pitchability, all while losing his poise, may have undone a lot of the positive energy that he built up in an otherwise solid season.--ALLAN SIMPSON |
| |
| 212. |
Buddy Baumann |
LHP |
Jr. |
L-L |
5-10 |
175 |
Missouri State |
Rogersville, Mo. |
Never drafted |
12/9/1987 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Baumann pitched in the shadows of teammate Tim Clubb in 2008-both as a sophomore at Missouri State (6-4, 4.66 vs. 11-0, 2.52 for Clubb) and for Brewster of the Cape Cod League (4-1, 2.35 vs. 4-1, 1.41 for Clubb). He was also scheduled to be the No. 2 man behind Clubb in the Missouri State rotation this season, though Baumann has always been the superior prospect in the eyes of scouts. Baumann is not physically imposing in his 5-foot-10 frame, but he is lefthanded and has a loose, quick arm-and his fastball is capable of reaching 91 mph, though is more commonly in the 87-89 range. He is mechanically sound and has solid command of three pitches. In addition to his fastball, he also throws an effective 79-82 mph cutter and 78-79 mph change. He struggled with command issues a year ago at Missouri State as he walked 41 and gave up 77 hits in 75 innings. It stemmed mainly from a somewhat funky delivery, but Brewster pitching coach Robbie McClellan quickly got him straightened out during the summer and Baumann went on to walk only 17 and allow just 40 hits in 54 innings. He was rewarded by being selected to pitch in the Cape Cod League all-star game, and ended up being the winning pitcher after retiring the Western Division in order in the eighth inning. Though he is not overpowering, Baumann gets the most of his ability. He gets good drive in his lower half. He comes from a deceptive three-quarters angle, and will occasionally drop down to a sidearm slot when ahead in the count, adding a mile or two in velocity but sacrificing control in the process. Above all, he excels at keeping hitters off balance by mixing speeds and locations, and by working quickly. He underwent minor surgery on the labrum in his pitching shoulder late in November, but was as good as new by the start of the 2009 season. It was quickly evident that he had not only far surpassed Clubb as a prospect, but elevated his own game to a higher level.--ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): Baumann excelled this spring, posting an 11-1, 3.23 record while striking out 101 in 86 innings. His seamless comeback from shoulder surgery in November impressed scouts, who remarked that Baumann’s arm action and extension out front is even looser and more fluid since the surgery since labrum surgery normally tightens a pitcher’s arm stroke. Baumann’s stuff and approach were consistent with what he’s shown in the past: an upper-80s fastball that will touch 91 mph when he needs it, a low-80s slider that will get good tilt on most occasions and a fading changeup. Where the real improvement came was Baumann showing more command and pitchability than before, and his patience in working the corners and keeping the ball low instead of giving in to his aggressive nature and trying to blow the ball past hitters.—DAVID RAWNSLEY |
| |
| 213. |
Ian Krol |
LHP |
Sr. |
L-L |
6-1 |
180 |
Neuqua Valley |
Naperville, Ill. |
Arizona |
5/9/1991 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Krol positioned himself as the top prep pitching prospect in the Upper Midwest for this year's draft by going 9-1, 0.98 with 111 K's in 57 innings as a junior. He also hit .479-4-25 as an outfielder when not pitching. Krol is an athletic lefthander with a finesse approach to pitching but also some power stuff that should only continue to improve with experience. He worked mainly in the mid-80s at Perfect Game/World Wood Bat Association events in 2006 and 2007, but blossomed during the last year to a point where he regularly pitched at 89-90 mph and topped at 92. The factor that stood out most of all, though, was Krol's pitching knowledge, particularly his ability to hide the ball and mix up his pitches. He throws from a leg-lift delivery that has some effort and head jerk at release, but that doesn't seem to affect his command and consistency a bit. Krol has two quality off-speed pitches in addition to his fastball, and all three pitches look identical coming out of his hand. He pitches to spots with all of them. His mid-70s curveball is a strikeout pitch as it has a hard, late bite that overmatches hitters. His changeup has nice deception and arm speed at 80 mph. Krol pitches with a very confident mound presence.--DAVID RAWNSLEY |
| UPDATE (5/15): Krol’s prospects for the 2009 draft took a significant hit when he was thrown off the Neuqua Valley High team prior to the season for multiple violations of the school’s alcohol policy. His only options this spring to be seen were to pitch on a scout-assembled weekend team in a Wisconsin spring league and attend the Perfect Game Pre-Draft Showcase, where his fastball sat at 89 mph for two innings and his curve showed good sharpness. Krol’s velocity dipped to 85-87 mph in other outings, according to scouts, but he occasionally flashed his dominant stuff and thoroughly dominated the weaker competition he faced in Wisconsin. In his first 10 innings, he did not allow a hit, walked one and struck out 22. Krol still has the apparent ability to be a top-10 round draft pick, probably even top-5, but there may be too many unanswered questions for too many teams to venture a corresponding pick on, plus he has a strong commitment to the University of Arizona.—DR |
| |
| 214. |
Braxton Lane |
OF |
Sr. |
B-R |
5-10 |
190 |
Sandy Creek |
Tyrone, Ga. |
Oregon (FB) |
12/30/1990 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Lane is one of t he fastest players in the 2009 draft class. He ran a 6.26-second 60 at Perfect Game's National Showcase last June and has showcased his 4.4-second speed in the 40 in front of football coaches. Lane signed a football ride with the University of Oregon as a wide receiver, despite sitting out his senior year of football to concentrate on baseball. His father, Carl, was a running back at Oregon State and his uncle, MacArthur, was a long-time NFL running back, primarily with the Green Bay Packers. On the baseball field, Lane is a switch-hitter with obvious game-changing speed. He has a rotational-contact approach at the plate, but enough strength to drive balls into the gaps for extra-base hits, usually triples. He profiles as a lead-off/left-field type of player in the Rickey Henderson/Vince Coleman mold, and is an extremely aggressive base runner who will often bunt for hits and steal every base possible. If he should end up at Oregon, Lane plans on playing both football and baseball.--DAVID RAWNSLEY |
| UPDATE (5/15): Though Lane is a little undersized and has limited physical upside in his mature frame, scouts are intrigued by his significant speed dimension on the bases and ability to get good jumps on balls in center field. His power doesn’t play to the same level, but he creates bat speed through the strength in his compact body and there is lift in his swing. On raw ability, he projects as a possible 4th-7th round pick, if he’s not intent on fulfilling his football commitment to Oregon. The switch-hitting Lane comes from a baseball program at Sandy Creek High that has churned out elite minor-league prospects like Dominic Brown (OF, Phillies) and Brent Brewer (SS, Brewers), as well as the Detroit Lions’ Calvin Johnson, who chose football over baseball and has become a star NFL wide receiver.—ANUP SINHA |
| |
| 215. |
Jordan Henry |
OF |
Jr. |
L-R |
6-1 |
170 |
Mississippi |
Vicksburg, Miss. |
Never drafted |
6/13/1988 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): With his 6.5-second speed and ability to spray the ball to all fields, Henry is a prototypical leadoff hitter and the catalyst that makes any offense click, whether at Mississippi at the college level or the Cape Cod League in summer ball. He hit .335-0-16 for Bourne and topped the Cape with 42 runs scored. He also finished second in the league with 60 hits and third with 12 stolen bases. Henry excels at all phases of small ball, from bunting, to slapping the ball to all fields, to running the bases with exceptional instincts. He has excellent acceleration out of the box, and can reach first base from the left side on a bunt in a quick 3.75 seconds. His pitch recognition, especially his ability to stay back on breaking balls, is another obvious strength. He has a very short swing with excellent bat control, and has mastered putting the ball on the ground to make maximum use of his speed, his best tool. Henry's speed is also evident in his ability to track balls in center field, especially those hit directly over his head. He gets excellent reads off the bat and routinely takes direct routes to balls. By center-field standards, his arm is considered just average. If anything, Henry needs to get stronger, to pull balls more often. He has homered just once in each of his first two seasons at Ole Miss. In 2007, when Henry was the top freshman in the Southeastern Conference, he hit .376 (second to his older brother Justin, who batted .381), scored 60 runs and stole 12 bases in 13 attempts. A year later, his average slumped to .292 and he scored just 44 times, but he rebounded during the summer to post the sixth-best average on the Cape. More than almost any player in the college game, Henry knows his strengths and limitations, and what his role on the team is. As a result, he may be a little closer to the big leagues than almost any position player in the 2009 draft.--ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): Henry played his same familiar, steady, dependable role this spring for Ole Miss, in all phases of his game. As the Rebels entered NCAA tournament play, he was hitting .356-0-28, had scored a team-high 67 runs and stolen 34 bases in 40 attempts. He had improved his walk-strikeout ratio to 52-20 and on-base percentage to .487, and his ability to make more consistent contact and reach base more economically were his most visible areas of improvement from 2008. While he continued to do all the little things extremely well, scouts expressed concern whether he is strong enough to stand up to the everyday rigors of pro ball. The larger question, though, is whether Henry will end up becoming more like Jason Tyner or Jacoby Ellsbury—both former first-rounders with very similar skill sets, whose true talent became evident only at the major-league level. Henry’s ability to handle a wood bat will ultimately answer that issue.—AS |
| |
| 216. |
Matt Helm |
3B |
Sr. |
R-R |
6-2 |
190 |
Hamilton |
Chandler, Ariz. |
Arizona |
9/1/1990 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Helm is a powerful righthanded-hitting third baseman with a set of strong, well-balanced tools. His power, in particular, stands out, but his instincts for the game are also a significant asset. Helm has a short, quick, compact stroke at the plate with good leverage and extension, and the ball jumps off his bat. His strong, line-drive swing enables him to drive balls hard to the gaps. He's an unusually-polished hitter for a high-school player as he stays inside the ball well and has a plan at the plate. His athleticism is also apparent in the field as he has very good defensive quickness and big-league arm strength. His actions at third base are playable, he makes all the routine plays and his throws have good on-line carry. He displays the kind of quickness that could make him a versatile player defensively at the next level, whether it's at third or even first base or the outfield. Helm does everything well, though he lacks ideal first-step quickness and won't be a base-stealer with his 6.97-second speed in the 60 or 4.25 time down the line. But he runs better underway. If there is a concern about Helm, it's that he is injury-prone. His high-school career was impacted by a torn meniscus in his right knee in 2004 and surgery to clean out a staph infection a year later. More recently, he suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee in January that caused him to miss the start of the 2009 season.--DAVID RAWNSLEY / ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): Helm ended up missing a significant chuck of the 2009 season with his pre-season injury, and was used mainly as a DH (and pitcher) when he did play. He then sprained an ankle in the first round of the Arizona high-school playoffs, so scouts got only a very limited look at him this spring. Hamilton High, the defending state 5-A Division I champion, still made a spirited run at another state title without the benefit of their best player, before losing in the state final. If a team isn’t confident in its evaluation of Helm because of his limited time on the field this spring, he could be an ideal summer follow to evaluate when healthy this summer, before making a possible run at him before the Aug. 15 signing deadline. Helm has committed to Arizona, and could prove to be too expensive now with his string of injuries likely pushing him to a lower round than where his talent initially warranted.—AS |
| |
| 217. |
Brandon Martinez |
RHP |
Sr. |
R-R |
6-4 |
150 |
Fowler |
Fowler, Calif. |
Fresno CC |
8/15/1990 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE: Martinez has the physical talent to be drafted inside the first 10 rounds and a team might very well draft him there, especially as he is considered highly signable. He is already a young father and has limited college options. Martinez’ quick, loose, three-quarters arm action is extremely smooth. He pitches at 90-91 mph and will bump up his fastball to 94 mph occasionally to go along with a promising curveball that has a big break and quality depth. He also has an 80-81 mph change, but rarely uses it. On the flip side, Martinez is almost painfully thin and frail, and his command and pitching instincts are still very much at the early stages of development. He went an acceptable 5-3, 1.24 with 27 walks and 88 strikeouts in 45 innings this spring, but he pitched at a small school against questionable competition.—DAVID RAWNSLEY / ALLAN SIMPSON |
| |
| 218. |
Josh Hodges |
RHP |
Sr. |
R-R |
6-6 |
240 |
Ingomar Center |
Ingomar, Miss. |
NE Mississippi CC |
6/21/1991 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE: Even with the obvious presence of elite shortstop prospects Billy Hamilton (Taylorsville HS) and David Renfroe (South Panola HS, Batesville) in this year's high-school class, Mississippi remains one of the slower states in identifying its pro-level talent. Hodges was barely on the radar at the start of the 2009 season-for the most part because he played at a low level of competition for a high school with the unlikely name of the Ingomar Attendance Center, but also because his big body was out of shape last summer and disguised his quick, loose arm. There was little overlooking Hodges this spring, though, as he thoroughly dominated the Mississippi 1-A ranks as a two-way player, going 13-2, 1.41 with 160 strikeouts as a pitcher while hitting .506 with 16 homers as a 6-foot-6, 240-pound shortstop. He was selected the state player of the year in his class. With a fastball that occasionally topped at 94 mph, to go with a curve and changeup, it was apparent to most scouts who stopped by to see him this spring that his upside is on the mound, though he has a long way to go in his refinement as a pitcher.--ALLAN SIMPSON |
| |
| 219. |
Kyle Conley |
OF |
Jr. |
R-R |
6-4 |
230 |
Washington |
Richland, Wash. |
Dodgers '08 (16) |
5/7/1987 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Just like he did late in his junior year at Washington, Conley went on a massive home-run binge at the end of the New England Collegiate League season last summer. He hit eight homers in the regular season, finishing with a late rush to tie for the league lead, and then launched five more long balls in six playoff games, including three in one game when he went 5-for-5 with six RBIs. When he's hot, Conley is as dangerous as any hitter around, but he is also prone to long cold stretches. He struggled to start the NECBL season and wasn't even selected to the league's mid-season All-Star Game, but rallied to hit .278 with 37 RBIs. The powerfully-built Conley was in and out of the Washington lineup early in the 2008 season as he struggled to make consistent contact after sustaining a freak injury to his non-throwing shoulder in 2007 on a checked swing. The injury caused him to miss all but 18 games of that season and he was granted a medical red-shirt. Conley finally got hot late in the 2008 college season to finish with 19 homers, while hitting .337 overall with a team-high 57 RBIs. He is a considerable presence at the plate when he's locked in, and can mash balls to all fields. Though none of his other tools stand out by comparison, he's a 6.9-runner in the 60 and has acceptable defensive skills in left field. His tendency to run hot and cold, though, has left scouts in a quandary and most are not sure what to make of his true ability. As a draft-eligible player in June, Conley's stock was all over the board and his sophomore standing only complicated matters as that is possibly the toughest demographic for a scout to gauge a player's signability. The Los Angeles Dodgers took an unsuccessful stab at him in the 16th round, and he could improve on that position significantly in 2009 if he is more consistent at the plate and a team buys into his power potential.--ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): Conley’s raw power was on display again this spring as he topped Washington with 19 homers, while batting .303 with 55 RBIs. He also struck out a staggering 69 times in 211 at-bats. Scouts may be a little more willing to overlook the infrequent contact as Conley is a proven hitter in one of the strongest college leagues in the country, and they certainly will when his massive raw power is the tradeoff. Conley does have a long swing that gets exposed, but also has shown he can cover both sides of the plate. He isn’t just a one-dimensional talent, either, as his speed and corner-outfield skills are passable for the pro level.—AS |
| |
| 220. |
Egan Smith |
LHP |
So. |
L-L |
6-4 |
205 |
Southern Nevada |
Pleasant Grove, Utah |
Indians '08 (35) |
3/16/1989 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE: The College of Southern Nevada had more players drafted in 2008 than Western Nevada (5 vs. 3, including a fourth- and sixth-rounder) and figures to upstage its junior-college counterpart again this year with several more early- to mid-round candidates. Western Nevada, though, should have its own contingent of draft picks and can at least take credence that it mastered CSN and its supposed-better talent on the playing field by winning the Scenic Athletic Conference title this spring and advancing all the way to a third-place finish at the Junior College World Series. Smith is the state's most-draftable juco talent. Had he not gone on a Mormon mission following last year's draft and returned to CSN for his sophomore year, righthander Taylor Cole most likely would have been the first junior-college player from Nevada drafted-and he still could be selected even with another year remaining on his obligation. In Cole's absence, Smith assumed the role of staff ace this season at CSN and responded with a solid season-save for his deceiving 4-6 record. His 26 walks and 94 strikeouts in a staff-high 81 innings were more indicative of the way he pitched. Smith gained valuable experience in 2008 as a freshman on a prospect-laden, but injury-riddled CSN pitching staff, and he performed extremely well, going 7-4, 2.47 with 62 strikeouts in 69 innings. He became more of a pitcher in his return engagement, throwing more strikes with his second and third pitches-in the process ditching his 68-70 mph curve in favor of a more effective 74-76 mph slider. He also kept his fastball, a steady 88-91 mph pitch, down in the strike zone more consistently. Smith, a Utah high-school product, projects as an 8th-10th round talent but he recently committed to Arkansas and that may play a factor in where he is selected. His older brother Jordan is already a pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds system.--ALLAN SIMPSON |
| |
| 221. |
Dallas Keuchel |
LHP |
Jr. |
L-L |
6-3 |
200 |
Arkansas |
Tulsa, Okla. |
Never drafted |
1/1/1988 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE: Keuchel was Arkansas' Friday starter this spring, and went 7-3, 4.14 record with 25 walks and 61 strikeouts in 87 innings-a marginal upgrade from his 2008 season, when he went 4-3, 4.58 with 61 strikeouts in 75 innings. He is a Tom Glavine-style pitcher who does not rely on velocity for his success. Instead, Keuchel has a quality four-pitch mix and is capable of throwing any of his pitches at any point in the count, and can command them to both sides of the plate. He works frequently with a two-seam fastball that gets good running action at 86-87 mph and a four-seamer that he can bump up 90-91. His breaking ball is a slurve-type slider in the upper-70s, and he has a nice changeup. Keuchel has been a consistent performer at Arkansas for three years, but has performed even better in the Cape Cod League the last two summers, leading scouts to believe that his stuff and pitching savvy might work better against wood bats. He went 1-3, 2.63 in 2008 for Wareham, striking out 36 in 55 innings. He topped the league in innings pitched in 2007, and was among the leaders again in 2008. If scouts judge Arkansas' high-school D.J. Baxendale's signability to be too difficult, Keuchel should be a shoo-in as the first player picked from the state, probably in the 5th or 6th rounds.--DAVID RAWNSLEY |
| |
| 222. |
Brad Stillings |
RHP |
Jr. |
L-R |
6-4 |
205 |
Kent State |
Wash. Courthouse, Ohio |
Never drafted |
1/20/1988 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Stillings was primarily a catcher in high school and has had limited measurable success in two seasons in college, both at Kent State and in summer competition. Coming off a 4-7, 5.35 sophomore campaign for the Golden Flashes, he followed up by going 1-1, 0.82 in eight appearances (two starts) in the Cape Cod League while posting an unimpressive 12:14 walk-to-strikeout ratio in 22 innings. But there's a lot more to like about Stillings than the raw numbers indicate, and scouts say it's only a matter of time before he busts loose and begins fulfilling his vast potential. He has a big, athletic frame, an easy delivery with impressive raw arm strength, and the making of three solid-average major league pitches. His fastball is a customary 91-93 mph, but he has also been clocked as high as 96-97 on occasion. He also has surprisingly good command of the pitch, and with his ability to mix in a solid changeup, he can change speeds off his fastball effectively, neutralizing righthanded hitters. His high-70s slider is his No. 3 pitch as it has a tendency to flatten out, but clearly is advanced enough for Stillings to be considered a starter in the long run. By most accounts, Skillings projects as a second- or third-round pick for the 2009 draft, but it's entirely possible he could elevate himself into the first round by adding 1-2 mph to his fastball, being more consistent with his stuff and working out some minor mechanical issues in his delivery. He and his Kent State teammate Kyle Smith will be two of the most heavily-scrutinized college arms in the northern states this spring. Of the two, the 6-foot-6, 210-pound Smith is considered the more projectable but Stillings has better present velocity and fastball command.--ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): Stillings didn't progress as much with his pitchability or command this spring as hoped, though continued to show front-line stuff-93-94 mph fastball, solid-average slider and change-when he was at his best. And he was at his best on April 10, when he pitched a no-hitter and didn't walk a batter in a 1-0, Mid-American Conference win over Toledo in a match-up of two of the conference's best arms. Toledo's Justin Collop suffered the loss, despite throwing a three-hitter. Both pitchers had the advantage of pitching on a raw, mid-40s day with a pronounced wind at their backs. Stillings was rarely, even remotely that good again during the 2009 season as the same windy conditions that may have aided his no-hitter may have worked against him. He invariably worked in windy conditions over the second half that often gusted out at 30-40 mph. As primarily a fly-ball pitcher, he was often victimized by the conditions, which combined to grossly inflate his stats and shake his confidence. Stillings' final pitching line reflected the difficult conditions he pitched in, as he went 6-4 with a very high 7.52 ERA. He struck out a staff-high 75 and walked 37 in 71 innings. But the numbers didn't hide the inconsistency that scouts saw. Still, there should be teams willing to take a stab at him as early as the third round, believing they can smooth out his straight-up delivery, and get Stillings to harness his stuff a little better. He will be a project in pro ball, and may face a conversion to the bullpen.--ANUP SINHA |
| |
| 223. |
Justin Jones |
LHP |
Sr. |
L-L |
6-3 |
175 |
Oakdale |
Riverbank, Calif. |
California |
1/10/1991 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE: In terms of raw stuff, Jones is a solid top-5 round prospect. He has three solid pitches, even though his fastball is probably only his third-best pitch. He works mostly at 87-88 mph now, but can bump up the velocity to 90-91 when he elects to air it out. Jones' best pitch is a mid- to upper-70s curveball that one scout described as easily the best breaking ball in Northern California for either high school or college pitchers. Jones also throws a very nice changeup in the low 80s that he has a good feel for. The issue with Jones all stems with his high-effort delivery that consists of a very high front side coming off the rubber and a severe body lean and head-jerk off the plate at release. It doesn't seem to affect Jones' raw stuff or command at present, but calls into question his ability to maintain consistency and make adjustments at a later date. Jones was a dominant performer this spring, posting a 10-0, 0.42 record. In 66 innings, he walked 11 and had 118 strikeouts. He struck out 14 or more hitters on four occasions.--DAVID RAWNSLEY |
| |
| 224. |
Darin Gorski |
LHP |
Jr. |
L-L |
6-4 |
215 |
Kutztown (Pa.) |
Mount Joy, Pa. |
Never drafted |
10/6/1987 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Gorski was the dominant pitcher in the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League last summer, topping that circuit in wins and strikeouts while going 7-0, 1.33. He also allowed just 40 hits in 61 innings, while walking 15. Though he didn't get a decision in his only playoff start for the eventual champion Kutztown Rockies in decisive Game 3 of the semi-finals against Lehigh Valley, he went six strong innings, walked none and struck out nine-giving him an aggregate 87 strikeouts in 67 innings on the summer. For his efforts, he earned the inaugural Darrin Winston Award as the league's most valuable pitcher. Winston, a former ACBL pitching star who made his major league debut at the advanced age of 31 in 1997, died of leukemia on Aug. 15. Gorski was no less dominant as a sophomore for Division II Kutztown, going 8-4, 2.43 with 27 walks and 83 strikeouts in 81 innings. The tall, projectable lefthander has command of four pitches, including a fastball in the 89-92 mph range, along with a slider, split-finger and changeup.--ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): The Pennsylvania college ranks are noteworthy this year because of the greater attention that players at the NCAA Division II level received. Gorski and Slippery Rock catcher/first baseman Matt Adams were probably the state’s two most heavily-scouted college players. In one of his early-season outings, 22 scouts were on hand to see Gorski, who pretty much separated himself from the pack this spring and solidified his spot in the draft as a fifth- to seventh-round talent. He went 8-2, 2.17 with 24 walks and 100 strikeouts in 79 innings. His fastball was just fringy-average from the standpoint of velocity, for the most part, but he commanded it well to both sides of the plate, and mixed in a splitter, average slider and an above-average change to keep hitters off balance. He’s very projectable in his big, physical frame, has clean mechanics and a sound feel for pitching.—AS |
| |
| 225. |
Sean Black |
RHP |
Jr. |
R-R |
6-5 |
205 |
Seton Hall |
Mt. Laurel, N.J. |
Nationals '06 (2) |
4/23/1988 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): As a second-round pick of the Washington Nationals in 2006 and the highest-unsigned selection in that year's draft, Black created high expectations that he would be a dominant pitcher in both college and summer-league competition over the next three years. But he has not dominated to date, while showing only flashes of the superior stuff that got scouts excited when he was a New Jersey high-school senior. Black has a live arm with a fastball that has been clocked as high as 95-96 mph, but he rarely sustains that kind of velocity, leading scouts to believe he might be best suited to be used in short bursts, particularly in a closing role. He went 3-3, 3.44 with 30 walks and 59 strikeouts in 65 innings as a sophomore at Seton Hall, while being used in a variety of roles, then went 3-2, 4.09 with 17 walks and 26 strikeouts in 22 innings in the Cape Cod League last summer. He was just so-so as a starter to begin the summer, and picked up his pace considerably when moved to a short role. In addition to his big fastball, Black's power 12-to-6 curveball can be a dominant pitch, though he struggles to command it consistently. His changeup is a work in progress. Above all, Black needs to learn how to pitch. He has a loose arm action and can throw the ball with relative ease, but he struggles to repeat his mechanics. He often leaves pitches up in the hitting zone, and tends to press when he gets behind in the count. Clearly, Black isn't as far along in his development as scouts expected him to be and it has caused some to wonder whether he may have been just a flash in the pan in the months leading up to the 2006 draft as he was a largely-unknown commodity to all but area scouts prior to his senior season in high school-and even then had a history of fluctuating velocity and inconsistent performance.--ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): Black had a steady but unspectacular spring, going 4-6, 3.99 as a starting pitcher. In 85 innings, he walked 37 while striking out 70. His pitchability improved throughout the year but his stuff was relatively flat, especially compared to the flashes he had shown in the past-notably his senior year in high school. Black's fastball settled into the 89-91 mph area, but that pitch and his former plus curveball were not dominating, though were still solid pitches. Black's fastball often appears to be his secondary pitch as scouts say he tends to throw too many curveballs. He'll also mix in an occasional split-finger change. Scouts also feel that Black's arm action and delivery are no longer as loose and easy as they used to be. On the basis of his present stuff, Black fits in as a solid 5th-to-7th round-type, but there is some feeling that he might still be looking to recoup some of the $900,000 bonus he turned down out of high school, and that could make him a difficult sign in the area he's projected to be picked as that kind of money certainly won't be available any longer.--DAVID RAWNSLEY |
| |
| 226. |
Khris Davis |
OF |
Jr. |
R-R |
6-0 |
195 |
Cal State Fullerton |
Glendale, Ariz. |
Nationals '06 (29) |
12/21/1987 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Davis was heavily-scouted in 2006 after hitting .592-10-50 and leading Arizona's Deer Valley High to a state title. His hitting skills were apparent at the time, but opinions were mixed among scouts whether he was ready for pro ball and he slipped to a middle round in that year's draft after generating early-round interest. His detractors in the Arizona scouting ranks appeared to be well-founded in their concerns as Davis was just a part-time player his first two seasons at Cal State Fullerton, and served mostly as a DH when he did play. He hit just .269-4-19 in 2008, and struck out 33 times in 93 at-bats. Though he showed flashes of his impressive raw talent, he struggled with consistency in all phases. But the Titans coaching staff made a commitment last fall to give Davis regular playing time as a junior, and Davis responded positively to the vote of confidence in the early going. It was apparent immediately that he had a more mature overall approach to the game as the 2009 season unfolded, yet his bat remained his best tool. An aggressive hitter, especially in fastball counts, Davis has a very quick bat through the hitting zone and generates significant raw power. His overall hitting skills and approach, though, need refining. In particular, he needs to develop a more-level bat plane, keep his weight back on breaking balls and be more patient. He has a tendency to be a wild swinger and lunges at pitches in his thurst to punish fastballs. Davis' defensive skills have always been questioned, but he has been a reliable fielder, capable of making the routine plays. His biggest knock, and the primary reason he invariably ended up in a DH role, was always a below-average arm. But it was apparent early in the 2009 season that his arm strength and accuracy had improved, and it was no longer an obvious liability-even in right field, where he spent the early portion of the 2009 season. While his physical tools continue to evolve, Davis always has had a good feel for and understanding of the game as his father Rodney is a former minor-league player and currently serves as a scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks.--ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): Few college players on the west coast solidified their game more this season than Davis. He responded favorably to regular playing time, and hit .319-11-43. He led Fullerton in home runs as it entered the final weekend of regular-season action. Davis still needs to refine his overall approach, including showing more maturity at the plate. His bat speed and power potential rank among the elite power hitters in the draft, but is a dead-red fastball hitter and can be pitched to. He has more raw speed and power than fellow Titans outfielder Josh Fellhauer, but Fellhauer is much farther ahead in his overall development as a hitter and it should be a toss-up who is drafted first.—AS |
| |
| 227. |
Brody Colvin |
RHP |
Sr. |
R-R |
6-4 |
190 |
St. Thomas More |
Lafayette, La. |
Louisiana State |
8/14/1990 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Colvin is a long, projectable athlete who has enjoyed much more success in the outfield throughout his high-school career than on the mound, but is more highly-regarded in the scouting community for his pitching potential. He is a two-time all-state outfielder who hit .490-9-35 with 16 doubles as a junior, and is expected to be a two-way player should he attend college at LSU. His best offensive tool is his power potential, stemming from a long, extended swing with solid college-level bat speed. He also runs the 60 in 6.92 seconds and has obvious arm strength from the outfield. Although Colvin pitched sparingly as a junior out of the bullpen, he has intrigued scouts with a very quick, loose arm and a fastball that has been up to 94-95 mph in short stretches. His curveball is a very sharp, sweeping pitch in the upper-70s that shows plus potential, as well. Colvin is understandably more of a thrower than pitcher right now, but he will move into his high-school team's starting rotation in 2009 and pick up more innings and experience. And he'll undoubtedly be watched by hoards of scouts in most of his appearances as they ascertain whether he has the pitching upside to justify becoming an early-round selection.--DAVID RAWNSLEY |
| UPDATE (5/15): Colvin almost immediately established himself as a potential top-2 round selection this spring, and did nothing to change that impression as he dominated on both sides of the ball. He hit a resounding .465-11-44, but showed greater progress on the mound by assembling a 7-2, 2.29 record with 76 strikeouts in 55 innings. He threw a very live fastball that regularly topped out at 95 mph, while an upper-70s curve had a big, nasty break at times. Colvin’s delivery and command still need refining, compared to some of the top high-school pitchers ranked above him, but he will throw two present plus pitches on occasion, a rarity at his level. His season ended on a negative note as he was plagued by blisters in his final start and was toppled 11-3 by Byrd High in the first round of the Louisiana 5-A playoffs.—DR |
| |
| 228. |
Madison Younginer |
RHP |
Sr. |
R-R |
6-3 |
190 |
Mauldin |
Mauldin, S.C. |
Clemson |
9/24/1989 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): A slender, athletic righthander, Younginer has one of the fastest and loosest arms in the 2009 prep class. He was clocked consistently at 92-93 mph at Perfect Game/World Wood Bat Association events all last summer and fall, and there are reports of his touching 95-96 mph during his junior season in high school. Younginer throws from an exaggerated overhand release point with a long, deep arm circle in back and this type of delivery makes his mechanics, command and off-speed stuff inconsistent, although his fastball velocity always seems to be consistent. PG scouts have noticed that Younginer seems to be much more consistent when pitching in game-action rather than in a showcase format. He also throws a mid-70s curveball that can be nasty knee-buckler, at times, with sharp, downer life, but can often be lazy up in the zone, as well. He has a mid-80s changeup and will also cut his fastball occasionally to give him a third and fourth pitch. As a junior, he went 5-1, 4.96 with two saves, working mainly in relief, and walked 10 while striking out 32 in 24 innings. Younginer has the arm strength and athleticism to really take a step forward before the draft, but his delivery and lack of control may limit his ceiling. He's very gritty in his approach to pitching, and may be well-suited for a bullpen role.--DAVID RAWNSLEY |
| UPDATE (5/15): Younginer goes right at hitters with one of the best fastball/curveball combinations in the high-school ranks. His fastball consistently sat in the 91-95 mph range this spring, and it was as high as 96. His curve was a knee-buckler that at times showed above-average life. Questions arise from scouts about his arm action and delivery, which don’t profile well for a starter. He was again used in a closer role, and went 5-0, 1.51 with 33 strikeouts in 19 innings. His stump consistently trumped his pitchability. Younginer may not have the projection that other top prep pitchers in the draft have, but his raw stuff is superior to most and he should be made to order for a bullpen role.—JEFF SIMPSON |
| |
| 229. |
Cody Rogers |
OF |
So. |
L-R |
6-2 |
175 |
Panola (Texas) |
Hallsville, Texas |
Never drafted |
9/13/1988 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE: A lefthanded-hitting right fielder with noteworthy athletic ability, Rogers has two above-average present tools: his bat and speed. He has been clocked over 60 yards in 6.4 seconds and has intriguing, developing power potential. Rogers made strides in all areas of his game this spring, hitting .377-8-48, though his stolen-base total fell from 19 to 14 as his focus was more on becoming a complete, well-rounded offensive player.—ALLAN SIMPSON |
| |
| 230. |
Blair Springfield |
OF |
Sr. |
R-R |
5-11 |
195 |
Douglas McArthur |
Decatur, Ill. |
Illinois State |
2/19/1991 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE: Springfield, regarded as the best high-school hitter in the Illinois prep ranks, is effectively a righthanded-hitting version of Nick Martini, the state's top prep hitter in 2008. Martini had an excellent freshman year at Kansas State this spring. Springfield has an outstanding approach at the plate, good hand- and upper-body strength, and plenty of bat speed-all of which adds up to consistent hard contact. He projects as more of a gap-to-gap hitter at the upper levels, but he'll hit his share of home runs. His secondary tools are all playable and he's a solid, all-around athlete, though there's some concern on the part of scouts that he may not run well enough to play center and isn't big or strong enough to play on a corner. Springfield got a taste of the national spotlight last summer when he helped his summer club, the Georgia Roadrunners, to the Triple Crown 18-and-under national title. He then became the key recruit in the NCAA signing period last fall for an Illinois State program with big designs on raising its profile with highly-regarded Mark Kingston slated to take over the head-coaching duties in 2010.--DAVID RAWNSLEY |
| |
| 231. |
Jon Karcich |
3B/SS |
Jr. |
R-R |
6-2 |
190 |
Santa Clara |
Belmont, Calif. |
Never drafted |
9/10/1987 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE: A shortstop who hit 14 homers for Santa Clara in 2008 as a sophomore, Karcich appeared to be positioning himself as a solid draft this season—even if his lack of foot speed meant he might end up at third base in the near future. With proper hitting mechanics, a short stroke and long path through the hitting zone, Karcich gave every indication his bat would be an asset, regardless of where he ends up defensively. But he raised doubts this spring when his home-run total plummeted to two, though he still hit a respectable .354—second-best on the Santa Clara roster. All the early attention he received from scouts softened as the 2009 season progressed. Karcich has enough lateral agility and first-step quickness, along with reliable hands, to play almost anywhere in the infield, plus he’s an extremely smart player. But his lack of raw speed won’t play as an everyday shortstop at the pro level .—ALLAN SIMPSON |