MLB Draft Preview: West Virginia

Draft : : State Preview

Frankie Piliere

Published: Thursday, May 09, 2013

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. Please visit this page for all of the links to Perfect Game's 2013 Draft Preview content.

West Viriginia State-by-State List

It’s shaping up to be an exceptional year in the state of West Virginia. And, most noteworthy is that for the first time since 1997, the state may produce a first round draft pick. Marshall’s Aaron Blair entered the season with a chance to be that player, and he’s only continued to build that momentum as the spring has moved along.

Everyone knew that Blair would be a top level draft pick entering the spring, but what we did not predict was that there would be other emerging college pitching talents worthy of going in the top five rounds. As it turns out, West Virginia University has two arms making a push for the early rounds in Harrison Musgrave and Corey Walter. As a whole, the Mountaineers have done a fantastic job of holding their own in the Big-12, boasting a lineup with some power to go along with a couple hard throwing arms. It’s clearly a program on the rise that could be providing more draft talent in the coming years.

STRENGTH: College Pitching
WEAKNESS: High School talent
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 4

BEST COLLEGE TEAM: West Virginia University
BEST JUNIOR-COLLEGE TEAM: Potomac State
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Hurricane

Best Out-of-State Prospect, West Virginia Connection: Brett Barber, rhp, Ohio (Hurricane HS)
Top 2014 Prospect: Bobby Boyd, of, West Virginia University
Top 2015 Prospect: Michael Taylor, rhp, Marshall University

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History: Chris Enochs, RHP, West Virginia University (1997, Athletics/ 1st round, 11th pick)
2008 Draft: Tyler Kuhn (15th round, Chicago White Sox)
2009 Draft: Tobias Streich (5th round, Minnesota Twins)
2010 Draft: Jedd Gyorko (2nd round, San Diego Padres)
2011 Draft: Greg Williams (12th round, Texas Rangers)
2012 Draft: Nathan Minnich (8th round, Boston Red Sox)

2012 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed: 3/3
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 0/0
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 1/0

TOP PROSPECTS, GROUPS 1 and 2

GROUP 1 (rounds 1-3)

1. AARON BLAIR, rhp, Marshall University (Jr.)
If not for the historical performance of Sean Manaea last summer, there would not have been a more talked about pitcher in the Cape Cod League than Aaron Blair. He worked at 90-94 mph for the Y-D Red Sox, and showed two above average secondary offerings. His change was arguably his best pitch, coming in at 83-85 mph with late fading action. It was proved to be a consistent swing-and-miss pitch that he was able to locate with ease to left handed batters. He also proved willing to pitch backwards with it, or go to it behind in counts. A little less consistent for him was his curveball, which flashed plus action at 76-79 mph. There were nights when this pitch didn’t show up consistently before him, but when he was right, it was a legitimate three above average pitch arsenal. He ended the summer with a 6-0 record with a 1.17 ERA, striking out 44 in 38 1/3 innings of work. And, as good as he was last summer, he’s been even better this spring, at least in terms of stuff. He’s consistently reached 96 mph with his fastball, and according to scouts, has been more consistent and sharp with his curveball. His big league frame, at 6-foot-5, 220-pounds, and of course his arsenal, makes him a a legitimate candidate to go in the 25-30 range in the first round.

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