4/20/2012 8:45:29 AM
Mississippi State RHP Chris Stratton continues to cement his status as an eventual first-round pick with his dominant performance in a 2-1 win over Tennessee. The game was nationally televised on ESPNU, and there were 50+ scouts on hands, mostly crosscheckers, to watch Stratton go the distance, allowing only 4 hits and 0 walks while giving up the 1 run. He struck out 10 Volunteers using a fastball that peaked at 96 and a nasty 83-86 slider. Not only is Stratton a lock for the first round, he may be in the mix for the first 10-15 overall picks.
Stratton
was profiled yesterday as part of our Draft Focus series.
Texas prep RHP
Tyler Gonzales (James Madison HS, San Antonio, Texas) also continues to pitch well this spring with a similar repertoire to Stratton's. On Tuesday Gonzales tossed a two-hitter in front of a large scouting crowd of his own, pitching in the 92-96 range with a mid to upper-80s slider and a 82-83 changeup. His breaking ball continues to be his signature pitch, and the improvement of his fastball could push him into the first round come June.