2011 MLB Draft Top 150 Pitching Prospects
- UCLA JR RHP Gerrit Cole
- RHP Dylan Bundy (Owasso HS, Oklahoma)
- UCLA JR RHP Trevor Bauer
- RHP Archie Bradley (Broken Arrow HS, Oklahoma)
- Vanderbilt JR RHP Sonny Gray
- RHP Taylor Guerrieri (North Augusta HS, South Carolina)
- Texas JR RHP Taylor Jungmann
- LHP Daniel Norris (Science Hill HS, Tennessee)
- Georgia Tech JR LHP Jed Bradley
- Virginia JR LHP Danny Hultzen
- Connecticut JR RHP Matt Barnes
- LHP Henry Owens (Edison HS, California)
- RHP Robert Stephenson (Alhambra HS, California)
- Kent State SO LHP Andrew Chafin
- Kentucky JR RHP Alex Meyer
- RHP Jorge Lopez (Academia la Milagrosa, Puerto Rico)
- RHP Joe Ross (Bishop O’Dowd HS, California)
- RHP Michael Kelly (West Boca Raton Community HS, Florida)
- Oregon JR LHP Tyler Anderson
- Oregon State JR LHP Josh Osich
- RHP Dillon Howard (Searcy HS, Arkansas)
- RHP John Curtiss (Carroll HS, Texas)
- Texas State JR RHP Carson Smith
- RHP Pat Connaughton (St. John’s Prep, Massachusetts)
- LHP Jake Cave (Kecoughtan HS, Virginia)
- Oklahoma JR RHP Burch Smith
- Vanderbilt JR RHP Jack Armstrong
- Southern California JR RHP Austin Wood
- RHP Benton Moss (Rocky Mount HS, North Carolina)
- RHP Tyler Beede (Lawrence Academy, Massachusetts)
- RHP Kyle Smith (Santaluces HS, Florida):
- RHP Joe Musgrove (Grossmont HS, California)
- RHP Kyle Crick (Sherman HS, Texas)
- RHP Bryan Brickhouse (The Woodlands HS, Texas)
- RHP Dillon Maples (Pinecrest HS, North Carolina)
- RHP Jose Fernandez (Alonso HS, Florida)
- TCU SO LHP Matt Purke
- Texas A&M JR RHP John Stilson
- TCU JR RHP Kyle Winkler
- Vanderbilt JR LHP Grayson Garvin
- Florida JR LHP Nick Maronde
- RHP Nick Burdi (Downers Grove HS, Illinois)
- LHP Amir Garrett (Leuzinger HS, California)
- RHP Brandon Woodruff (Wheeler HS, Mississippi)
- RHP Kevin Comer (Seneca HS, New Jersey)
- Texas JR LHP Sam Stafford
- RHP Carson Baranik (Parkway HS, Louisiana)
- RHP Deshorn Lake (Menchville HS, Virginia)
- RHP Hudson Boyd (South Ft. Myers HS, Florida)
- RHP Aaron Nola (Catholic HS, Louisiana)
- Stony Brook JR RHP Nick Tropeano
- LHP Andy Suarez (Columbus HS, Florida)
- Florida State JR LHP Sean Gilmartin
- LHP Cody Kukuk (Free State HS, Kansas)
- RHP Jake Reed (Helix HS, California)
- RHP Matt Troupe (Northridge HS, California)
- Johnson County CC SO RHP Vince Spilker
- Georgia Tech JR RHP Mark Pope
- Baylor JR RHP Logan Verrett
- Coastal Carolina JR RHP Anthony Meo
- Vanderbilt JR RHP Navery Moore
- Oregon JR RHP Scott McGough
- UC Irvine JR RHP Matt Summers
- RHP Dylan Davis (Redmond HS, Washington)
- RHP Christian Montgomery (Lawrence Central HS, Indiana)
- RHP Michael Cederoth (Steele Canyon HS, California)
- Clemson SO RHP Kevin Brady
- Gonzaga JR LHP Ryan Carpenter
- Cal State Fullerton JR RHP Noe Ramirez
- Wichita State JR LHP Charlie Lowell
- RHP Jordan Cote (Winnisquam HS, New Hampshire)
- RHP Mason Hope (Broken Arrow HS, Oklahoma)
- RHP Michael Fulmer (Deer Creek HS, Oklahoma)
- Long Beach State JR RHP Andrew Gagnon
- Loyola Marymount JR LHP Jason Wheeler
- Cal State Fullerton JR RHP Tyler Pill
- Southern Cal JR RHP Andrew Triggs
- Louisville JR RHP Tony Zych
- Washington State JR LHP Adam Conley
- Hawaii JR RHP Lenny Linsky
- RHP Adrian Houser (Locust Grove HS, Oklahoma)
- RHP Kody Watts (Skyview HS, Washington)
- LHP Adam McCreery (Bonita HS, California)
- RHP Hawtin Buchanan (Biloxi HS, Mississippi)
- RHP Jerrick Suiter (Valparaiso HS, Indiana)
- RHP Ricky Jacquez (Franklin HS, Texas)
- RHP Jake Junis (Rock Falls HS, Illinois)
- Green River CC SO RHP Cody Hebner
- Oklahoma State JR LHP Chris Marlowe
- Miami-Dade CC SO RHP Jharel Cotton
- Rice SR LHP Tony Cingrani
- Texas A&M JR RHP Ross Stripling
- Stanford JR LHP Chris Reed
- Kentucky JR RHP Braden Kapteyn
- Villanova RHP Kyle McMyne
- Oregon JR RHP Madison Boer
- Alabama JR LHP Adam Morgan
- California JR RHP Erik Johnson
- RHP Tayler Scott (Notre Dame Prep, Arizona)
- LHP Kevin Matthews (Richmond Hill HS, Georgia)
- RHP Ryan Keller (West Ranch HS, California)
- RHP Danny Keller (Newbury Park HS, California)
- North Carolina State JR RHP Cory Mazzoni
- Virginia SR RHP Tyler Wilson
- Kansas JR RHP Colton Murray
- Santa Clara JR RHP JR Graham
- Stanford JR LHP Brett Mooneyham
- Texas JR RHP Austin Dicharry
- Vanderbilt SR RHP Taylor Hill
- LHP Philip Pfeifer (Farragut HS, Tennessee)
- LHP Stephen Tarpley (Gilbert HS, Arizona)
- LHP Dillon Peters (Cathedral HS, Indiana)
- RHP Taylor Nunez (Salmen HS, Louisiana)
- RHP Cole Wiper (Newport HS, Washington)
- Dayton JR LHP Cameron Hobson
- Oregon State JR RHP Sam Gaviglio
- Merced JC FR RHP Jake Sisco
- Johnson County CC SO RHP Jeff Soptic
- Kansas State JR RHP Evan Marshall
- Indiana State JR RHP Colin Rea
- Lower Columbia JC SO RHP Jeff Ames
- RHP Thomas Robson (Delta SS, British Columbia)
- RHP Austin Robichaux (Notre Dame HS, Louisiana)
- RHP Vaughn Covington (Killarney SS, British Columbia)
- RHP Gandy Stubblefield (Lufkin HS, Texas)
- Mississippi JR RHP David Goforth
- RHP Matt Wisler (Bryan HS, Ohio)
- RHP Koby Gauna (St. John Bosco HS, California)
- Georgia Southern JR RHP Matt Murray
- South Carolina SO RHP Matt Price
- Georgia JR RHP Michael Palazzone
- Florida JR RHP Tommy Toledo
- Notre Dame SR RHP Brian Dupra
- LHP Zakery Qualls (Rancho HS, Nevada)
- RHP Tyler Arthur (Lexington Catholic HS, Kentucky)
- RHP Matt Spalding (St. Xavier HS, Kentucky)
- RHP Dakota Freese (Washington HS, Iowa)
- Gonzaga SR RHP Cody Martin
- Santa Barbara CC SO LHP Kylin Turnbull
- RHP Clay Holmes (Slocomb HS, Alabama)
- LHP Daniel Camarena
- LHP Blake Snell (Shorewood HS, Washington)
- Oxnard CC FR RHP Jesus Valdez
- Mississippi JR LHP Matt Crouse
- LHP Carlos Rodon (Holly Springs HS, North Carolina)
- Cal Poly JR RHP Jeff Johnson
- Longwood JR RHP Mark Montgomery
- Minnesota SR RHP Scott Matyas
- TCU JR RHP Erik Miller
- Catawba JR RHP JJ (Jordan) Jankowski
Final 2011 MLB Draft College Pitcher Rankings
1. UCLA JR RHP Gerrit Cole: 92-96 FB, peak 97-99; FB is true plus-plus pitch but gets in trouble when command slips; holds velocity exceptionally well; hits upper-90s at will; 92-94 two-seam FB; plus 81-85 added velocity to become outstanding 86-90 SL this summer; excellent sinking 83-87 hard CU with plus upside; 89-91 cutter; love the Max Scherzer comp; 6-4, 215
2. UCLA JR RHP Trevor Bauer: 88-92 FB, peak 93-94; began to hit 95-96 this past fall, has said he’ll hit 98 at some point; currently sitting 91-93, 95 consistent peak; plus 72-78 CB that he leans on heavily; good 80-84 CU; any one (and often more than one) of his 78-82 SL, cutter, 84-89 screwball/reverse slider, or 84-86 splitter is a plus pitch on a given day
3. Vanderbilt JR RHP Sonny Gray: plus FB in mid-90s (92-97) with excellent movement; currently rarely dips below 93-96 with nice sink; 81-85 plus to plus-plus CB; average command that comes and goes; 84-87 SL can be a weapon in time; 82-85 CU slow to emerge, but now a weapon more often than not; plus athlete; 5-11, 180
4. Texas JR RHP Taylor Jungmann: has touched 96-99, but regularly sits low-90s (91-93); new reports have him 92-95; can still reach back and crank upper-90s (like on opening day 2011), but sits most comfortably 92-93, occasionally dipping to 89-91; plus FB command; good sink on FB; plus 75-78 CB; plus CB command; good 85-87 CU; good SL; love the Jered Weaver comp
5. Georgia Tech JR LHP Jed Bradley: 88-92 FB with plus life and good sink, pretty steady peak up at 94-96; loves to cut the FB; has sat 91-93 at times; holds velocity late; good sink on FB; average 80-84 SL that flashes plus when velocity gets up to 86-87; good 77-79 CB; plus 79-83 CU that he has worked very hard on, but sometimes goes away from for too long; both the SL and CB are very inconsistent offerings; 6-4, 200 pounds
6. Virginia JR LHP Danny Hultzen: plus command of all pitches; 88-91, will definitely touch 94; velocity jump due to 20 pounds of added muscle since high school, currently sitting 91-93, peaking 94-95; will throw upper-80s two-seam FB with good sink; 77-78 CB; plus 78-82 CU; quality 82-85 SL that he leans on at times
7. Connecticut JR RHP Matt Barnes: 90-93 FB, 95-96 peak; has hit 97-98 in past; great movement on FB; great FB command; holds velocity well, still hitting 90-92 late; good 82-84 CU that gets better every time out; 72-76 CB that is now firmed up enough that it is a potential plus 75-80 CB; 78-83 SL with plus upside, but doesn’t use it often; work needs to be on delivery and command of offspeed stuff; some debate on whether CB or SL is better breaking pitch, a good sign; uses CB more to get outs on balls in play, SL for swings and misses; 6-4, 200
8. Kent State SO LHP Andrew Chafin: missed 2010 after Tommy John surgery; 89-93 FB, 94-95 peak; potential plus 81-83 SL that is a big league ready pitch; very good CU; command slowly coming on after surgery
9. Kentucky JR RHP Alex Meyer: sitting 93-97 FB, dips closer to 92-94 later in games; inconsistent but plus 84-86 spike CB that works like a SL; 79-86 CU that flashes above-average when he throws it with more velocity; 92-93 two-seamer; all about command and control – if it is on, he’s incredibly tough to hit; FB is plus-plus down in zone, very hittable when left up; mechanical tweaks are likely needed; 6-9, 220
10. Oregon JR LHP Tyler Anderson: 88-92 FB, 93-95 peak; well above-average FB command; good 76-84 SL that is better when thrown in low-80s; average 80-83 CU that flashes plus but isn’t used enough; good 75-78 CB; good pitchability; repeats delivery well; good control; holds velocity well; 6-4, 215
11. Oregon State JR LHP Josh Osich: Tommy John survivor still capable of throwing 94-98 FB; has been consistently sitting 93-95, peaking 97-98; really good 79-82 CU that he relies on heavily; below-average 79-83 SL, but was solid pitch before surgery and is beginning to show signs of life once mroe; can’t wait to see return of CB; much better at holding velocity as season progressed, 90-94 late in games
12. Texas State JR RHP Carson Smith: very good athlete; 91-93 FB with great sink, 94-95 peak; sits 95-98 out of bullpen, 91-94 as starter; above-average potential with SL; CU with plus potential; commands CB well; 6-5, 215
13. Oklahoma JR RHP Burch Smith: starts hot with 95-96 sitting FB, but loses velocity and finishes 88-90; typically sits low-90s; 83-87 SL that flashes plus; good 79-80 CU; 6-3, 200
14. Vanderbilt JR RHP Jack Armstrong: 91-93 FB sitting, 94-97 peak; 80-82 flashes plus CU; 81-82 CB with promise but slow to develop due to injuries; clean mechanics; finally healthy, CB better than ever; 6-7, 230 pounds
15. Southern California JR RHP Austin Wood: 92-94 FB, 95-96 peak; interesting SL; emerging 80-82 CU that still needs work; average CB; 6-4, 215
16. TCU SO LHP Matt Purke: originally ranked 8th overall, but injury scare drops him; at his best throws 91-95 FB, 96-97 peak; command of FB needs work; potential plus 77-79 CU; solid CB; has shown plus 76-83 SL, but doesn’t use it anymore; SL was inconsistent, but best in upper-80s; plus makeup; sat 88-92 to start 2011, now down to upper-80s; loses feel for offspeed stuff quickly; 6-4, 180
17. Texas A&M JR RHP John Stilson: originally ranked 9th overall, but injury scare drops him; 92-95 FB, 97-98 peak out of bullpen; as starter sitting 92-94, 95 peak; plus 80-83 CU, but using it less in 2011; emerging 81 SL with plus upside; good athlete; holds velocity really well; using more of 78-82 CB; good all-around four-pitch mix; starts 92-94, have seen 91-93 FB late in games; up to 88 SL
18. TCU JR RHP Kyle Winkler: 89-92 FB; peak 93-94; FB is plus pitch because of movement; loses velocity early, falling to upper-80s; good deception in delivery; plus 86-88 sinker; decent 88 cutter; decent 75-76 CB that has largely been phases out in favor of cutter and SL; 81-83 SL that needs tons of work; SL gained velocity and now flashes plus-plus at 85-89; quality low-80s CU with plus upside, now more consistently plus; 5-11, 195 pounds
19. Vanderbilt JR LHP Grayson Garvin: started 87-89 FB, 90-91 peak; sitting 89-92 now, 93-95 peak; good FB command; 70-73 CB with upside if thrown harder; now up to 73-75 and above-average pitch; average 77-80 CU with room for improvement, could be plus in time; cutter; SL; good athlete; outstanding control; 6-6, 220
20. Florida JR LHP Nick Maronde: 90-91 FB, peak 93 as starter; now sitting 93-95, 96 peak out of bullpen; plus low-80s SL that he doesn’t use enough; CB; good 81 CU; relieved in college, but I like him as a starter; 6-3, 200
21. Texas JR LHP Sam Stafford: 88-92 FB, peak 94-95; FB command issues hold him back; holds velocity well; good 80-85 SL; 73-78 CB is ahead of SL; average 83-85 CU; 6-4, 190
22. Stony Brook JR RHP Nick Tropeano: 87-88, tops out at 90-91 with FB; velocity up a tick this year; better sink on FB; very good CU; very good SL with plus upside; advanced feel for pitching; relies very heavily on CU; 6-4, 205 pounds
23. Florida State JR LHP Sean Gilmartin: 87-89 FB, peak 91-92; sweeping 73-77 above-average CB that he has deemphasized in favor of CU and SL; very good 74-76 CU that keeps improving; 80-81 SL could be average pitch with time; good athlete; good hitter; 6-2, 190
24. Johnson County CC SO RHP Vince Spilker: 96 peak FB; good CB; solid or better CU
25. Georgia Tech JR RHP Mark Pope: upper-80s two-seamer with great sink; 90-91 four-seamer that hits 92; scrapped CB for emerging low-80s SL with plus upside that is gaining consistency; still uses slower mid-70s CB occasionally; straight 80-84 CU; great athlete; much improved command in 2011; 6-2, 205
26. Baylor JR RHP Logan Verrett: very good command when on; sitting 89-91, 92-94 peak FB with sink; good 77-79 CU with fade; big-time CB; uses 82-85 SL with plus potential more in 2011; good athlete; relies most heavily on FB/SL, with occasional CU and very rare CB; 6-3, 185
27. Coastal Carolina JR RHP Anthony Meo: last summer showed 89-94 FB with good life; now sitting 92-93, 96-97 peak that comes often; flashed plus 78-85 SL that is now plus-plus SL up to 87-90; 82-86 CB; occasional average straight 84-85 CU; 6-2, 185
28. Vanderbilt JR RHP Navery Moore: 92-96 plus FB, 99 peak; plus 81-84 SL that comes and goes; flashes plus CB; iffy control; Tommy John survivor; very occasional CU; “Intergalactic” is his closer music; has the stuff to start, but teams might not risk it from a health and delivery standpoint; 6-2, 205
29. Oregon JR RHP Scott McGough: 90-92 FB, peak 94-95; 78-79 CB; raw 83 CU; above-average 78-83 SL that flashes plus; potential plus 82-85 CU that is still very raw; working on splitter; great athlete; 6-1, 185
30. UC Irvine JR RHP Matt Summers: straight 90-93 FB, 96 peak; good 78-81 CU; flashes plus low-80s SL; plus athlete; average high-70s to low-80s CB
31. Clemson SO RHP Kevin Brady: straight 90-92 FB, touches 94-95; good FB command; good, but inconsistent SL; occasional CB; improved CU; offered third round deal from Red Sox out of high school; 6-3, 205
32. Gonzaga JR LHP Ryan Carpenter: at one time threw a heavy 92-94 FB, touching 95 with movement; now sits upper-80s, with rare peak of 92; above-average 81-82 SL, dominant at times; inconsistent but quickly improving 77-78 CU; low-70s CB that he uses very sparingly; 6-5, 225 pounds
33. Cal State Fullerton JR RHP Noe Ramirez: once straight 85-90 FB with occasional hard sink is now more consistently 88-92 (93 peak) with more consistent, more drastic sink; delivery is deceptive and adds miles to the FB; plus FB command; plus-plus 82-84 CU learned from Ricky Romero; paid it forward by helping Gerrit Cole with his CU grip; emerging 75-80 SL that has put on velocity and is now 82-85; SL is good but inconsistent; shaky command of offspeed pitches; 6-3, 180
34. Wichita State JR LHP Charlie Lowell: 89-92 FB, 93-94 peak; above-average SL; solid CU; 6-4, 235
35. Long Beach State JR RHP Andrew Gagnon: 89-91 FB, has hit 93-94; once promising slurvy breaking ball has turned into above-average 82-85 SL; rapidly improving 85-86 CU that is now at least an average pitch; plus command; 78-82 CB; breaking ball command an issue; 6-2, 188 pounds
36. Loyola Marymount JR LHP Jason Wheeler: 87-90, 92-93 peak FB with above-average movement; cutter; developing 76-81 CU that is now pretty good; inconsistent 74-81 SL; good athlete; 6-6, 260
37. Cal State Fullerton JR RHP Tyler Pill: 89-92 FB; very good 77-78 CB; plus command; quality 82 CU; great athlete; holds velocity well, 88-89 late; 6-1, 185 pounds
38. Southern Cal JR RHP Andrew Triggs: 94-95 peak FB; velocity way down in 2011, starting 89-91 with really good sink and falling to 84-86 late in some games; good 73-75 CB; also shows promise with SL; occasional 78-81 CU; Tommy John surgery in high school; 6-3, 210
39. Louisville JR RHP Tony Zych: heavy 90-93 FB with sink, 95-98 peak; velocity up and sitting 93-96 now; plus 84-87 SL; violent delivery; good athlete; 6-3, 190
40. Washington State JR LHP Adam Conley: 86-88 FB; peaks at 90-92; up to 94 out of bullpen this spring; hits 95-96 when amped up; above-average 79-83 CU; very rare CB that has now been phased out; SL being added and now used a lot; great command; 6-3, 175 pounds; big peak FB could have been opening day juice; sitting more often 88-92; 6-3, 190 pounds
41. Hawaii JR RHP Lenny Linsky: 94-97 peak FB with plus sink; plus upper-80s cut SL
42. Green River CC SO RHP Cody Hebner: 90-94 FB, 97 peak; shows above-average SL and CU; good athlete; 6-0, 160
43. Oklahoma State JR LHP Chris Marlowe: 89-92 FB, more commonly 91-93, legit 94-95 peak; plus-plus 83-87 SL that he leans on; plus 80-82 CU; great athlete; 6-0, 175
44. Miami-Dade CC SO RHP Jharel Cotton: low-90s FB; very good to plus 80-81 CU; good CB; turned down low six-figures from Dodgers last year; native of Virgin Islands; 5-11, 190
45. Rice SR LHP Tony Cingrani: was 88-90 FB, now sitting low-90s with revamped delivery with 94-96 peak; plus CU; above-average at times CB; 6-4, 190 pounds
46. Texas A&M JR RHP Ross Stripling: 90-94 FB; plus CB that he uses a ton; good athlete
47. Stanford JR LHP Chris Reed: 89-92 FB, sits 92-94 as reliever; good low-80s SL; emerging CU; 6-4, 205
48. Kentucky JR RHP Braden Kapteyn: 89-94 FB; hard 88 SL; potential above-average CU; lots of moving parts in delivery; great hitter; 6-4, 215 pounds
49. Villanova RHP Kyle McMyne: 92-94 FB, peak 96; above-average 82-84 SL that he relies on; sitting 94-96 in early going of 2011; flashes above-average 75-78 CB that works best as show-me pitch; occasional CU; 6-0, 210 pounds
50. Oregon JR RHP Madison Boer: 90-93 FB, 94-96 peak; two-seamer with good sink; good low- to mid-80s SL that flashes plus; wildly inconsistent CU, good when on and unusable when bad; good control, iffy command; occasional CB; 6-4, 215
51. Alabama JR LHP Adam Morgan: 86-90 FB, can hit 91-92 but not often; plus CB; good CU that keeps getting better; plus command; 6-1, 180 pounds
52. California JR RHP Erik Johnson: heavy 90-92 FB, 93-94 peak; emerging 76-78 CB that is now a weapon; 81-84 CU needs work, but is now plus pitch with added velo; command needs work; decent 85-88 SL that could also be a cutter; no sure fire plus offering; 6-3, 240 pounds
53. North Carolina State JR RHP Cory Mazzoni: 88-91 FB, touching 92; SL; good 70-76 CB; emerging splitter used as CU; good command; 6-1, 200 pounds
54. Virginia SR RHP Tyler Wilson: Wilson’s solid three-pitch mix (88-90 fastball, good sinking 80-82 change, average low-80s slider) gives credence to the idea he has value either in the bullpen or as a starter. Fastball plays up in short bursts (94 peak). 6-2, 190
55. Kansas JR RHP Colton Murray: heavy 91-94 FB, 95 peak FB; good cutter; plus 82-84 SL; decent CU; violent delivery; love the development of breaking pitch from CB to SL over three college seasons; 6-3, 220 pounds
56. Santa Clara JR RHP JR Graham: 94-98 peak; average 83-85 SL with plus potential but still very inconsistent like the Billy Wagner get me over slider; developing sinker; has hit 100-101; really shown improvement with CU; 6-0, 180
57. Stanford JR LHP Brett Mooneyham: 88-90 FB, 91-92 peak; sits 90-92 now; also seen 87-91; weak FB this summer at 86-88, 90 peak; average 78-80 SL; good 75-78 CB; good CU; 6-5; improved cutter; missed 2011 season due to finger injury
58. Texas JR RHP Austin Dicharry: 89-92 FB, 94 peak; very good CB; plus CU; missed lots of time throughout college career due to injury; 6-4, 200 pounds
59. Vanderbilt SR RHP Taylor Hill: 88-91 FB with plus sink, 93-94 peak that I’ve seen with my own two eyes, have heard rumors of him hitting 95; 79-85 plus SL; very good 78-83 sinking CU also called a splitter; mechanics need smoothing out; 6-4, 225 pounds
60. Dayton JR LHP Cameron Hobson: 87-91 FB with movement, sitting closer to 90-92 this year; good SL; solid CB; developing CU with potential; plus makeup; 6-1, 205 pounds
61. Oregon State JR RHP Sam Gaviglio: 89-91 FB with plus sink, mostly 87-88; really heavy ball; above-average hard 78-81 SL; developing 78-79 CU that flashes plus; plus command; 6-1, 180 pounds
62. Merced JC FR RHP Jake Sisco: 92-93 FB, 95 peak; 6-3, 200
63. Johnson County CC SO RHP Jeff Soptic: 93-96 FB, 98-100 peak; flashes plus 83-84 SL; average CU on his best day; control issues; 6-6, 200
64. Kansas State JR RHP Evan Marshall: 93-94 FB, 96 peak; plus SL; 6-1, 210
65. Indiana State JR RHP Colin Rea: 91-92 FB, 94 peak; solid CU
66. Lower Columbia JC SO RHP Jeff Ames: 92-95 FB, 97 peak; plus movement on FB; inconsistent offspeed stuff
67. Mississippi JR RHP David Goforth: 93-96 straight FB; has hit 97-99 in relief; average 79-83 SL that flashes plus; occasional CU; max effort delivery; good athlete; poor command; new 88-91 cutter has been effective; has been up to 98-100 in 2011; 5-11, 185
68. Georgia Southern JR RHP Matt Murray: 88-92 FB with heavy sink; ground ball machine; solid upper-70s SL; better than solid CU that has come on a lot since getting to school; CB; 6-4, 240 pounds
69. South Carolina SO RHP Matt Price: no plus pitch; really like his low-80s SL; CB; 89-92 FB; also like his CU quite a bit
70. Georgia JR RHP Michael Palazzone: 92 peak FB; plus CU; solid CB
71. Florida JR RHP Tommy Toledo: coming back from arm injury; 88-91 FB; took line drive off of face in 2010; 91-93 back and healthy; command comes and goes; really nice breaking stuff
72. Notre Dame SR RHP Brian Dupra: 91-95 FB; 88-91 cutter; good 79-81 SL; CU; 6-3, 205 pounds
73. Gonzaga SR RHP Cody Martin: 88-90 FB, sitting 92-93 out of bullpen; good 70-75 slurve-like CB that is much better as a firmer mid-70s CB in 2011; good 86 CU
74. Santa Barbara CC SO LHP Kylin Turnbull: 88-92 FB, 94 peak; loses velocity early; above-average low-80s splitter; SL need work; 6-4, 200
75. Oxnard CC FR RHP Jesus Valdez: 90-92 FB, 94 peak; good SL; emerging CU; 6-3, 180
76. Mississippi JR LHP Matt Crouse: 86-88 FB, rare 91-92 peak; above-average CB that he leans on heavily; good CU; very projectable, but mechanics need cleaning up; 6-4, 185 pounds; stuff down this spring
77. Cal Poly JR RHP Jeff Johnson: 92-95 peak FB; nasty 86-88 splitter; two pitch pitcher makes it work; 6-0, 200
78. Longwood JR RHP Mark Montgomery: 88-92 FB; peak 94; hard 82-84 SL with plus upside; really consistent numbers over three years; 6-0, 205 pounds
79. Minnesota SR RHP Scott Matyas: sits 88-91, 94 peak FB; above-average low-70s CB; good cutter; good command; mixes in upper-70s CU; really good athlete; 6-4, 220; Tommy John survivor
80. TCU JR RHP Erik Miller: 87-91 at new arm angle, 93-94 peak; good sink; good SL; good 81 CB; average CU; strong three year track record; has relieved, but could be seen as starter; 6-3, 210; Tommy John survivor
81. Catawba JR RHP JJ (Jordan) Jankowski: 88-92 FB with sink; above-average 80-81 SL; solid mid-70s CB that I really like; sinking mid-70s CU; low-70s splitter; 6-1, 200; transferred from Miami (Ohio); really good junior year numbers as starting pitcher; also has experience as catcher where I liked him better when I saw him in high school
82. Mississippi State JR RHP Devin Jones: low-90s FB, peaking at 93; 87-88 two-seamer with great sink; 82-84 SL could be plus pitch; CU is work in progress; breaking stuff hasn’t quite developed as hoped, but still peaks 94-95 with FB; 6-4, 180 pounds
83. Louisiana State JR RHP Matty Ott: 87-89 FB; does a lot with the FB, cutting it and sinking it very effectively; very inconsistent 78-81 SL; great command and deception; plus control; big problem is lack of an out pitch; 6-2, 200 pounds
84. Pittsburgh FR RHP Ray Black: 92-95 FB, 97-98 peak; potential plus mid-80s SL; command needs work and control is a major issue at present; 6-4, 220
85. Florida JR RHP Anthony DeSclafani: good 92-94 FB with plus life and great sink, 95-96 peak with four-seamer but two-seamer is better pitch; above-average 79-81 SL; mid-70s CB; occasional upper-70s CU; 6-2, 200 pounds
86. Texas SR RHP Cole Green: 87-91 FB; plus command; great sinker; plus control; plus SL; really good 79-81 CU that comes and goes; 75-77 CB
87. Mississippi JR LHP Austin Wright: 89-92 FB, 93-94 peak; once had both a distinct SL and CB with real potential; now seen as one big 78-81 slurve, more of a SL with average-ish upside; CU; poor FB command; Chipola transfer
88. Arizona JR RHP Bryce Bandilla: 90-92 FB, 93-95 peak in 2011; good breaking ball; good high velocity CU
89. Rice JR RHP Matthew Reckling: 90-93 FB at start, velocity dips to 86-89 quickly; good 79-81 CB, loses effectiveness when it dips to mid-70s
90. Liberty SO RHP Blake Forslund: 92-95 FB, 97-98 peak
91. San Diego SO RHP Calvin Drummond: 91-93 FB, 94 peak; 84-87 cutter/SL; 78-79 CB; 83-84 CU
92. Heartland CC (Illinois) SO LHP Jerad Grundy: 87-92 with movement; hard SL; promising CU; 6-0, 190; Miami transfer
93. BYU SO RHP Taylor Cole: mid-90s peak FB, sits 90-92 FB; 80-84 SL; CU
94. Florida International SO LHP Mason McVay: 89-91 FB; now up 92-94 after recovering from Tommy John surgery; solid potential with CB; mechanics need work; control is an issue; 6-8, 210 pounds
95. Wichita State SO LHP Brian Flynn: 86-90 FB, peak 92; new peak of 94; command needs work; 6-8, 245 pounds
96. UC Riverside JR RHP Matt Andriese: sinking 88-91 FB, 93 peak; quality SL; SF; great command; average CB; below-average CU; 6-2, 185 pounds
97. Old Dominion SR LHP Kyle Hald: 85-87 FB, peak 88; plus split-fingered CU; sharp SL; CB; great fielder, great pickoff move; nice mechanics; 5-11, 175 pounds
98. Georgia JR RHP Cecil Tanner: 91-94 FB with sink; 96-98 peak FB; good 77 SL; below-average command; Jonathan Broxton and Bobby Jenks body comps; hasn’t ironed out mechanics in three years at Georgia; 6-6, 260
99. South Florida SR RHP Kevin Quackenbush: straight 92-93 FB; trouble commanding low-70s CB; 80 CU; solid 75 SL; 6-3, 200; really good the past three years
100. Maryland JR RHP Sander Beck: straight 88-92 FB with good command; improving spike CB that I really like; solid straight CU; SL; 6-3, 200 pounds; control an issue
101. Oklahoma SR RHP Ryan Duke: 87-91 FB but can bump it up in tight spots; plus SL; plus command; strong four years of bullpen success; 6-0, 175
102. Tennessee JR RHP Matt Ramsey: low-90s peak in HS, now up to 96 peak FB; low-80s CB that flashes plus; converted catcher who PG compared to Russell Martin in high school; 5-10, 200
103. Winthrop JR RHP Tyler Mizenko: 92-95 FB with heavy sink; sharp 76-79 SL; solid CU; 6-2, 200 pounds; velocity down to 86-91 early on in 2011
104. Mississippi State JR LHP Nick Routt: good FB movement; relies heavily on FB; 91 peak; plus circle CU before injury, now just a good straight CU; SL with cut fastball action; plus command; ulnar nerve replacement surgery in 2010; really smart pitcher; 6-4, 210
105. Arkansas JR LHP Geoffrey Davenport: 87-90 FB, 91 peak; above-average 76 CB; decent CU; good command; 6-1, 180 ; Tommy John surgery in March 2011
106. Arizona State JR LHP Mitchell Lambson: outstanding 72-74 CU with outstanding arm action that sometimes dips into upper-60s; uses the CU a ton; 85-87 FB, 88-90 peak; plus command; plus control; maybe a little Josh Spence in him; 6-1, 200 pounds
107. Southern Mississippi SR RHP Todd McInnis: 88-92 FB; very good 12-6 CB; hard SL; decent CU; slight frame; outstanding fielder
108. Howard FR JC RHP Connor Sadzeck: 95 peak FB; 6-6, 200
109. Oklahoma State SO RHP Randy McCurry: 94-95 FB pre-injury, now back to 93 peak; finally healthy and hitting 96; SL, CB, CU
110. Austin Peay SR RHP Ryne Harper: 94 peak FB; very good SL; had offer from Vanderbilt out of high school
111. Connecticut JR RHP Kevin Vance: 88-92 FB; plus CB; plus command; good hitter; 6-0, 200 pounds
112. South Dakota State SR RHP Blake Treinen: 92-94 FB, 97 peak; improved SL; working on CU; improved command; 6-4, 220 pounds; didn’t pitch in first three years at Baker (Kansas) or Arkansas; had possible transfer to Florida voided last season;
113. Army SR RHP Kevin McKague: 92-96 FB; mid-80s SL; great splitter; missed most of 2011 due to back injury; 6-5, 230 pounds
114. Rice JR LHP Taylor Wall: upper-80s FB, peak 88; plus CU that he relies on heavily; average at best CB and SL; CB shows more potential; repeatable mechanics; 6-2, 200 pounds
115. Florida State JR RHP Hunter Scantling: Scantling is huge (6-8, 270 pounds) and athletic, but his stuff still doesn’t quite match his imposing frame. That could change in a hurry, but for now he’s still sitting in the same upper-80s with iffy breaking stuff that he was at back in high school. It’ll be interesting to see if he’ll get more consistent innings as a starter or if Florida State opts to keep him coming out of the bullpen in 2011. Update: 91 peak FB; emerging SL; CU; still huge at 6-8, 270
116. Missouri JR RHP Matt Stites: 88-92 FB, 93-95 peak; good SL; CB; CU; 5-11, 180
117. Davidson JR LHP Chris Lamb: 88-92 FB; good splitter; average CB; 6-1, 185
118. Elon SR RHP Thomas Girdwood: 92-95 FB; plus 82-84 SL
119. South Florida SR RHP Randy Fontanez: 88-91 sinking FB; quality CB and SL; splitter; great control; 6-1, 200 pounds
120. Washington JR RHP Andrew Kittredge: low-90s FB; strong breaking ball; CU; plus command; 6-1, 210 pounds; academically ineligible to start 2011, never returned
121. Louisiana Tech JR LHP Mike Jefferson: 88-93 FB with plus movement; slurve that should be plus SL in time; great move to first; 6-4, 185 pounds
122. UCLA JR LHP Mitch Beacom: 85-90 FB; 76-78 SL; could be a LOOGY as a pro; 6-8, 260 pounds
123. Charlotte SR RHP Bryan Hamilton: 89-92 FB, 94 peak; good 75-78 CB; 6-2, 210
124. South Carolina JR LHP Steven Neff: 92 peak; Tommy John survivor; good athlete; good hitter; missed lots of time late in 2011 with shoulder fatigue and bicep tendinitis; 6-2, 190
125. Northeastern JR LHP Andrew Leenhouts: 87-88 FB; good CB; average CU; command needs work; clean mechanics; 6-3, 200 pounds
Final 2011 MLB Draft High School Pitcher Rankings
1. RHP Dylan Bundy (Owasso HS, Oklahoma): 94-95 sitting velocity, 96-97 peak; good to plus 77-82 CB; CU with average upside at start of spring, may have surpassed that already; 85-87 SL that might have been the cutter; really like the FB/CB combo; smooth mechanics; plus 86-89 cutter; Dylan Covey comp?; extreme strike thrower, great control; now sitting 92-96, 97 peak; holds velocity late; 6-1, 205
2. RHP Archie Bradley (Broken Arrow HS, Oklahoma): 89-93 FB, hitting 94-97; power knuckle CB 80-86 with plus potential that improved drastically throughout spring; good SL; emerging circle CU; very easy 95 peak every outing; rumors of a 101 one-time peak in state title game; 6-4, 220 pounds
3. RHP Taylor Guerrieri (North Augusta HS, South Carolina): 87-90 FB last summer until sudden 97 peak this spring; now sitting 93-94 due to added physical strength with a consistent peak of 97-98, holds velocity late as well as any prep pitcher I remember; FB has plus life; emerging 77-83 CB with plus upside that has turned into a weapon already; heavy FB; very low effort mechanics; FB command greatly improved; mid-80s SL with upside; will show CU with upside and cutter; 6-3, 195 (up from 180)
4. LHP Daniel Norris (Science Hill HS, Tennessee): 90-93, 95-96 peak FB; very good to plus 73-77 CB; good 83 CU that keeps getting better, lots of deception; newly learned 70-74 SL with plus upside; great athlete, quick learner
5. LHP Henry Owens (Edison HS, California): 88-92 FB with more coming, 93-94 peak; crazy FB movement; plus FB command; plus control; potential plus 67-72 CB with big break, getting stronger each start; strong 77-79 CU with plus upside; shows 74-77 SL, but still a raw pitch; new cutter shows more promise; holds velocity well; Tyler Skaggs comp?; 6-5, 185 last summer, now up to 6-6, 200
6. RHP Robert Stephenson (Alhambra HS, California): 92-93 FB with great movement, 94-95 peak; plus 77-80 CB; 78-80 raw CU; has been seen sitting 94-97 early in games, still holding low-90s velocity late while hitting upwards of 94; 6-3, 185
7. RHP Jorge Lopez (Academia la Milagrosa, Puerto Rico): 88-91 FB with good command, 93 peak; very good 73-75 CB; plus CU; 6-5, 175
8. RHP Joe Ross (Bishop O’Dowd HS, California): 90-92 FB, peak 94-96; excellent 78-80 CB; above-average 82 CU; developing SL; good athlete; 6-2, 180
9. RHP Michael Kelly (West Boca Raton Community HS, Florida): 89-92 FB, peak 93-94; 74-78 CB with sharp break and plus upside; average 81-83 CU; good control; 6-5, 195 pounds
10. RHP Dillon Howard (Searcy HS, Arkansas): 90-92 FB, 93-95 peak; rumors of a 98 peak; also throws sinker that will break bats; outstanding sinking 81-83 CU; 76-78 CB; good 81-82 SL that he too often gets away from; good athlete; 6-3, 200
11. RHP John Curtiss (Carroll HS, Texas): 88-92 FB with good sink, peak 93-95; plus 77-78 SL; good 82-84 CU; strong Texas commit; 6-4, 190
12. RHP Pat Connaughton (St. John’s Prep, Massachusetts): 87-92 FB, 93-94 peak; 74-76 CB; really like his 78-80 SL; CU flashes plus; great athlete and basketball talent; strong Notre Dame commit; raw; 6-5, 190
13. LHP Jake Cave (Kecoughtan HS, Virginia): 88-91 FB, peak 93-94; 75-77 SL or CB; potential plus 74-79 CU; good athlete; power potential; good speed; strong LSU commit; 6-1, 180
14. RHP Benton Moss (Rocky Mount HS, North Carolina): 88-91 FB, 93 peak; plus mid-70s spike CB; good CU
15. RHP Tyler Beede (Lawrence Academy, Massachusetts): last summer was 86-90 FB, 91-93 peak; now sitting 90-92, 94-95 peak; holds velocity late; very good FB command; good two-seamer at 90; outstanding 79-84 CU; flashed above-average 74-77 CB; working on SL; 6-4, 200 pounds
16. RHP Kyle Smith (Santaluces HS, Florida): 88-92 FB with late burst, 93-95 peak; potential plus CU; excellent 77-78 CB; great pitchability; quick worker; good athlete; 6-0, 170
17. RHP Joe Musgrove (Grossmont HS, California): 87-89 FB, 91 peak; now sitting 90-92, 94 peak; rumors of 97-98 peak; very heavy fastball; 76 splitter used as CU; CB jumped from low-70s to 76-82 and is now weapon; groundball machine; 6-5, 225
18. RHP Kyle Crick (Sherman HS, Texas): 90-92 FB, 94 peak; now sitting 93-95, 96-97 peak; mid-70s CB flashes plus; 81 splitter; CU 72-73; above-average 81-83 SL; concern over dip in velocity; control an issue; too fastball reliant; 6-4, 225
19. RHP Bryan Brickhouse (The Woodlands HS, Texas): 88-92 FB, 94-95 peak; 75-77 knuckle CB; solid 80-85 SL with upside; emerging low-80s CU; good athlete; 6-2, 190
20. RHP Dillon Maples (Pinecrest HS, North Carolina): 90-93 FB, peak 94-96; velocity will sometimes dip to upper-80s; potential plus 77-82 CB that is already above-average pitch; 80-81 SL; iffy command; emerging CU that still needs work; bat breaker; good athlete: latest: great athlete; spotty FB command; 6-3, 195
21. RHP Jose Fernandez (Alonso HS, Florida): 90-93 FB, peak 94-97; good 80-83 CB; good enough FB/CB combo to pitch in bigs right now; 81 CU; learning a 78-79 SL; good hitter; 6-4, 235
22. RHP Nick Burdi (Downers Grove HS, Illinois): 90-94 FB with great life, 96-97 peak; solid to plus 80-85 SL; good 78-83 CU; control is a question mark; more of a thrower than a pitcher; 6-4, 210
23. LHP Amir Garrett (Leuzinger HS, California): 88-94 FB. 96 peak; very interesting low-80s CB; raw CU; very athletic; 6-5, 175
24. RHP Brandon Woodruff (Wheeler HS, Mississippi): 90-92 FB, 93 peak; above-average 79-81 CU with sink; solid 74-80 CB
25. RHP Kevin Comer (Seneca HS, New Jersey): 89-92 FB, 93-94 peak; mid-70s CB with upside; CU is coming around, could be above-average in time; impressive command; 6-3, 205 pounds
26. RHP Carson Baranik (Parkway HS, Louisiana): 87-89 FB, 90-92 peak; improved conditioning now has him sitting 91-93, 95 peak; 73-74 CB; 77-78 SL that needs tightening; low-70s CU; 6-3, 205
27. RHP Deshorn Lake (Menchville HS, Virginia): 88-91FB, 93-94 peak; good 77-82 SL; 80-81 CU with upside, but needs reps; raw, but lots of projection; 6-2, 180 pounds
28. RHP Hudson Boyd (South Ft. Myers HS, Florida): 91-93 FB, peak 94-96; good command of average 75-81 SL that flashes plus; above-average 80-84 CU; low-70s CB; good command; 6-3, 250
29. RHP Aaron Nola (Catholic HS, Louisiana): 88-92 FB; very good to plus 78-81 circle-CU; later in year sat upper-80s, 89 peak but great movement; solid but inconsistent 72 CB; funky arm action; 6-0, 170
30. LHP Andy Suarez (Columbus HS, Florida): 88-92 FB; good CB; good CU; good command; deceptive delivery; 6-2, 200
31. LHP Cody Kukuk (Free State HS, Kansas): 88-91 FB, 93 peak; good 78 SL; CB; CU; good athlete; 6-4, 185
32. RHP Jake Reed (Helix HS, California): 88-92 FB, 93 peak; good sinker; really good CU; average SL; Drew Cisco comp due to plus pitchability; 6-2, 175
33. RHP Matt Troupe (Northridge HS, California): 90-92 FB, 94 peak; very good CB; plus CU; SL; inconsistent FB velocity so he sometimes sits 87-88, peak 91
34. RHP Dylan Davis (Redmond HS, Washington): 90-93 FB, peak 94-95 with good sink; good 82-84 SL; 76-78 CB; CU; plus athlete; iffy command; 6-0, 200
35. RHP Christian Montgomery (Lawrence Central HS, Indiana): 89-93 FB, 95 peak; potential plus 72-81 CB that goes both hard and soft; low-80s CU; plus pitchability; 6-1, 240
36. RHP Michael Cederoth (Steele Canyon HS, California): 87-90 FB jumped up to 90-93 with 95-96 peak; average CB; 72 SL; good 86-88 cutter; very raw; violent delivery; 6-5, 185
37. RHP Jordan Cote (Winnisquam HS, New Hampshire): 88-90 FB, 92-93 peak; good CB; SL; raw CU; 6-5, 200
38. RHP Mason Hope (Broken Arrow HS, Oklahoma): 90-92 FB, 94 peak; flashes plus CB
39. RHP Michael Fulmer (Deer Creek HS, Oklahoma): 90-94 FB, 97 peak; 83-85 SL; CU needs work; 6-2, 200
40. RHP Adrian Houser (Locust Grove HS, Oklahoma): 90-93 FB with great sink, 95 peak; good CB; raw CU; good athlete; 6-3, 200
41. RHP Kody Watts (Skyview HS, Washington): 89-93 FB, 94-95 peak; good CB; average SL; above-average future splitter; 6-3, 185
42. LHP Adam McCreery (Bonita HS, California): 88-92 FB with some cutting action; very good 79 CB; good SL; interesting CU; injury plagued senior season; 6-8, 200
43. RHP Hawtin Buchanan (Biloxi HS, Mississippi): 89-91 FB with room to grow, 93-94 peak; good command; raw CB, but much improved as year went on; strong Mississippi commit; 6-8, 230
44. RHP Jerrick Suiter (Valparaiso HS, Indiana): 91-92 FB, 93-94 peak with very heavy sinking FB; 73 CU; good bat; iffy command; good athlete; 6-4, 220 pounds
45. RHP Ricky Jacquez (Franklin HS, Texas): 90-93 FB, 95-97 peak; potential plus 78 CB that is already very effective pitch; promising CU; great athlete; 5-9, 160
46. RHP Jake Junis (Rock Falls HS, Illinois): 88-91 FB; good upper-70s CB with plus upside; solid CU; great athlete; 6-3, 200
47. RHP Tayler Scott (Notre Dame Prep, Arizona): 90-92 FB; flashes plus CB but below-average on balance; very raw; plus athlete; 6-2
48. LHP Kevin Matthews (Richmond Hill HS, Georgia): 87-90 FB, jumps to 94-95 peak; above-average CB; great athlete; high effort delivery; 5-10, 160
49. RHP Ryan Keller (West Ranch HS, California): 87-91 FB with sink, 92 peak; good 73-76 CB; three quarters delivery; good 72 SL; average CU; 6-2, 210 pounds
50. RHP Danny Keller (Newbury Park HS, California): 88-92 FB, 94 peak; good sinker; raw but interesting CU; good 79-80 CB; 75 SL; raw; violent delivery; 6-5, 185
51. LHP Philip Pfeifer (Farragut HS, Tennessee): 87-89 FB, later up to 90-92; peak 93; good to plus 75-79 CB; CU; SL; splitter; 6-0, 200
52. LHP Stephen Tarpley (Gilbert HS, Arizona): 88-91 FB, 93 peak; good 74-76 CB needs polish; 81 CU; good athlete; 6-0, 170
53. LHP Dillon Peters (Cathedral HS, Indiana): 90-92 FB, 94 peak; good 80 CU; very good 73-76 CB; 5-10, 195 pounds
54. RHP Taylor Nunez (Salmen HS, Louisiana): 87-89 FB, 90 peak; reports of 93-94 peak made to stay quiet to keep his draft stock down; very good to plus upper-70s CB; 6-4, 175
55. RHP Cole Wiper (Newport HS, Washington): 88-91 FB, 93 peak; low-80s SL that ranges 83-86; potential plus 78-80 CB that is already above-average; uses splitter as CU;
56. RHP Thomas Robson (Delta SS, British Columbia): 88-92 FB, 93-94 peak; good 78-81 SL; CB; CU; 6-4, 200
57. RHP Austin Robichaux (Notre Dame HS, Louisiana): 87-89 FB, 90 peak; now sits 91-93 with lots of movement; good 75 CB; 6-5, 180
58. RHP Vaughn Covington (Killarney SS, British Columbia): 90-92 FB with good sink, 93-94 peak as starter and 96 peak in short bursts; promising CB; recovering from Tommy John surgery in September; 6-5
59. RHP Gandy Stubblefield (Lufkin HS, Texas): 6-4, 190; 88-92 FB, 94-95 peak; CB with upside
60. RHP Matt Wisler (Bryan HS, Ohio): 88-90 FB. 92 peak; good 73-75 CB; emerging CU; SL; 6-3, 175
61. RHP Koby Gauna (St. John Bosco HS, California): 90-91 FB with good movement; plus 77-78 CU
62. LHP Zakery Qualls (Rancho HS, Nevada): mid-80s FB, 89 peak; slurvy SL; CB; really good CU; three quarters delivery; 6-3, 155 pounds
63. RHP Tyler Arthur (Lexington Catholic HS, Kentucky): 88-89 FB; 75-77 CB; good 78-80 CU; good command; 6-3, 190
64. RHP Matt Spalding (St. Xavier HS, Kentucky): 91-94 FB, 95-96 peak; 73-77 SL; violent delivery; 6-0, 190
65. RHP Dakota Freese (Washington HS, Iowa): 88-90 FB, 92 peak; good CB; 6-4, 190
66. RHP Clay Holmes (Slocomb HS, Alabama): 90-93 FB with good sink; knuckle CB; inconsistent SL; good command; good athlete; 6-5, 220
67. LHP Daniel Camarena: high-80s FB with late life, 90-91 peak; above-average future 70-73 CB; average 70-75 CU; line drive hitter; good approach; power upside, but hasn’t shown too much yet; RF arm; 6-0, 200 pounds
68. LHP Blake Snell (Shorewood HS, Washington): 86-90 FB, 92-94 peak; slow CB flashes above-average; average CU; less polished than expected; good athlete; 6-4, 190
69. LHP Carlos Rodon (Holly Springs HS, North Carolina): 87-89 FB, peak 92-93; loses velocity early; 75-76 CB; good 76-80 SL; emerging CU; raw enough that he may be better off at NC State; inconsistent offspeed stuff; spotty command; good athlete; 6-2, 210
70. RHP Zach Davies (Mesquite HS, Arizona): 90 FB; CB; SL; CU; good athlete; 6-0, 170
71. LHP Corey Stump (Lakeland Christian HS, Florida): 85-88 FB, 89-90 peak; good 68-74 CB that has since added velocity and is now low- to mid-70s consistently; 6-5, 195
72. LHP Travis Radke (Oaks Christian HS, California): 86-88 FB, 90 peak; good 74-75 CB; emerging 70-72 CU; low-70s SL that needs tons of work
73. RHP John Taylor (Franklin County HS, Georgia): 89-91 FB; good 75-77 CB; 79 CU
74. RHP Jordan Ramsey (North Davidson HS, North Carolina): 87-88 FB, 91 peak; good 68-70 CB; 75 CU; 6-4, 180
75. LHP Max Homick (Rancho Bernardo HS, California): mid-80s FB, 87-89 peak; good low-70s CB; 73 CU; 6-2, 210 pounds
Top 200 2011 MLB Draft Position Player Prospects
Draft day is finally here. Position players are done in the nick of time. Follow the links for much more explanation on every player listed below (and others) and stay tuned for the pitchers coming later today.
I should also mention that I’ll be live blogging the draft starting tonight around 6ish. Should be fun…
- Rice JR 3B Anthony Rendon
- OF Bubba Starling (Gardner-Edgerton HS, Kansas)
- C Blake Swihart (Cleveland HS, New Mexico)
- SS Francisco Lindor (Montverde Academy, Florida)
- OF Josh Bell (Jesuit College Prep School, Texas)
- Oregon State SO C Andrew Susac
- OF Brandon Nimmo (Cheyenne East HS, Wyoming)
- Connecticut JR OF George Springer
- SS Trevor Story (Irving HS, Texas)
- 3B Javier Baez (Arlington County Day HS, Florida)
- Utah JR 1B CJ Cron
- 1B Travis Harrison (Tustin HS, California)
- 3B Matt Dean (The Colony HS, Texas)
- Hawaii JR 2B Kolten Wong
- OF Granden Goetzman (Palmetto HS, Florida)
- North Carolina JR 2B Levi Michael
- 2B Phillip Evans (La Costa Canyon HS, California)
- 2B Johnny Eierman (Warsaw HS, Missouri)
- 3B Tyler Goeddel (St. Francis HS, California)
- Miami-Dade CC SO OF Brian Goodwin
- OF Senquez Golson (Pascaagoula HS, Mississippi)
- Louisiana State JR OF Mikie Mahtook
- SS Tyler Greene (West Boca Raton HS, Florida)
- Georgia Tech JR 3B Matt Skole
- Vanderbilt JR 3B Jason Esposito
- OF Carl Thomore (East Brunswick HS, New Jersey)
- C Eric Haase (Divine Child HS, Michigan)
- C Riley Moore (San Marcos HS, California)
- 1B Jacob Anderson (Chino HS, California)
- 1B Dan Vogelbach (Bishop Verot HS, Florida)
- Clemson JR SS Brad Miller
- SS Brandon Martin (Santiago HS, California)
- OF Roman Quinn (Port St. Joe HS, Florida)
- OF Derek Fisher (Cedar Crest HS, Pennsylvania)
- 3B Jake Hager (Sierra Vista HS, Nevada)
- 3B Chris McFarland (Lufkin HS, Texas)
- Connecticut JR SS Nick Ahmed
- Alabama JR OF Taylor Dugas
- South Carolina JR OF Jackie Bradley
- North Carolina State JR C Pratt Maynard
- C Elvin Soto (Xaverian HS, New York)
- Vanderbilt SR C Curt Casali
- Bethune-Cookman JR C Peter O’Brien
- Southern Mississippi JR 3B BA Vollmuth
- C Garrett Boulware (TL Hanna HS, South Carolina)
- C Cameron Gallagher (Manheim Township HS, Pennsylvania)
- C Austin Hedges (JSerra HS, California)
- C Nicky Delmonico (Farragut HS, Tennessee)
- Arizona JR 3B Andy Burns
- Valparaiso JR OF Kyle Gaedele
- 2B Trent Gilbert (Torrance HS, California)
- OF Williams Jerez (Grand Street HS, New York)
- OF Ben Roberts (Missoula Sentinel HS, Montana)
- SS Julius Gaines (Luella HS, Georgia)
- 1B Dante Bichette (Orangewood Christian HS, Florida)
- Florida JR 1B Preston Tucker
- Miami JR 3B Harold Martinez
- Texas Christian JR OF Jason Coats
- Coastal Carolina JR SS Taylor Motter
- Indiana JR OF Alex Dickerson
- 1B Kevin Cron (Mountain Pointe HS, Arizona)
- OF Dwight Smith (McIntosh HS, Georgia)
- OF Larry Greene (Berrien HS, Georgia)
- OF Mason Robbins (George County HS, Mississippi)
- OF Billy Flamion (Central Catholic HS, California)
- Texas JR SS Brandon Loy
- Vanderbilt SR 1B Aaron Westlake
- Miami SO OF Zeke DeVoss
- Indian River State College SO 2B Corey Spangenberg
- St. John’s JR 2B Joe Panik
- Louisville JR 2B Ryan Wright
- Santa Fe CC FR OF Trey Griffin
- Central Arizona CC SO OF Keenyn Walker
- 3B Taylor Sparks (St. John Bosco HS, California)
- 2B Shon Carson (Lake City HS, South Carolina)
- 2B Christian Lopes (Edison HS, California)
- SS Connor Barron (Sumrall HS, Mississippi)
- OF James Harris (Oakland Technical HS, California)
- 1B Rookie Davis (Dixon HS, North Carolina)
- 1B Wallace Gonzalez (Bishop Amat HS, California)
- Southern California JR 1B Ricky Oropesa
- Rice JR OF Jeremy Rathjen
- San Diego JR C Zach Kometani
- C Tyler Marlette (Hagerty HS, Florida)
- North Carolina JR C Jacob Stallings
- Western Kentucky SO OF Kes Carter
- Central Florida SO OF Ronnie Richardson
- Kansas State JR OF Nick Martini
- Arizona State JR OF Johnny Ruettiger
- Nebraska JR 3B Cody Asche
- Oklahoma JR C Tyler Ogle
- OF Josh Tobias (Southeast Guilford HS, North Carolina)
- Coastal Carolina JR 2B Tommy La Stella
- C Grayson Greiner (Blythewood HS, South Carolina)
- Washington State JR 1B Taylor Ard
- McNeese State JR 2B Jace Peterson
- 3B Matt Papi (Tunkhannock HS, Pennsylvania)
- OF Sean Trent (Bishop Moore Catholic HS, Florida)
- Clemson JR OF Will Lamb
- Texas SO OF Cohl Walla
- Wichita State SO 1B Johnny Coy
- Pittsburgh SR C Kevan Smith
- Arkansas JR C James McCann
- Georgia JR OF Zach Cone
- Virginia JR C John Hicks
- James Madison JR C Jake Lowery
- 3B Nicholas Howard (St. John’s College HS, Washington DC)
- OF Shawon Dunston (Valley Christian HS, California)
- OF Charles Tilson (New Trier HS, Illinois)
- 2B Dante Flores (St. John Bosco HS, California)
- 2B TJ Costen (First Colonial HS, Virginia)
- Clemson SR OF Jeff Schaus
- Arizona JR C Jett Bandy
- C Greg Bird (Grandview HS, Colorado)
- C Brandon Sedell (American Heritage HS, Florida)
- 3B Austin Slater (The Bolles School, Florida)
- 1B Ryan Krill (Portage Central HS, Michigan)
- Clemson JR 3B John Hinson
- Texas State JR 3B Kyle Kubitza
- OF Tyler Gibson (Stratford Academy, Georgia)
- OF John Norwood (Seton Hall Prep HS, New Jersey)
- TCU JR SS Taylor Featherston
- Cal State Fullerton JR 1B Nick Ramirez
- North Carolina State JR 1B Harold Riggins
- TCU SO 3B Jantzen Witte
- Virginia JR 3B Steven Proscia
- OF Gabriel Rosa (International Baseball Academy, Puerto Rico)
- Arizona State JR 2B Zack MacPhee
- SS Drake Roberts (Brenham HS, Texas)
- SS Mikal Hill (Mallard Creek HS, North Carolina)
- 3B Patrick Leonard (St. Thomas HS, Texas)
- 3B Hunter Cole (Moore HS, South Carolina)
- Florida International JR OF Pablo Bermudez
- 1B Elliot Richoux (The Woodlands HS, Texas)
- 1B Rouric Bridgewater (Diamond Ranch HS, California):
- Stetson JR C Nick Rickles
- Tulane JR C Jeremy Schaffer
- College of Charleston JR C Rob Kral
- C BreShon Kimbell (Mesquite HS, Texas)
- C Brett Austin (Providence HS, North Carolina)
- C AJ Murray (Westfield HS, New Jersey)
- OF Michael Reed (Leander HS, Texas)
- 3B Alex Santana (Mariner HS, Florida)
- Minnesota JR SS AJ Pettersen
- SS Chris Mariscal (Clovis North HS, California)
- SS Nico Slater (Jupiter HS, Florida)
- SS Mitchell Walding (St. Mary’s HS, California)
- Wichita State JR SS Tyler Grimes
- LSU JR SS Austin Nola
- OF Jo-El Bennett (Houston Academy, Alabama)
- Arizona State JR 3B Riccio Torrez
- Coastal Carolina SR 3B Scott Woodward
- 2B Kevin Kramer (Turlock HS, California)
- Kent State JR 3B Travis Shaw
- Texas A&M JR 3B Adam Smith
- OF Dakota Smith (Lansing HS, Kansas)
- Florida International JR 2B Jeremy Patton
- Siena JR 2B Dan Paolini
- 2B Vicente Conde (Orangewood Christian Academy, Florida)
- SS Brett Harrison (Green Valley HS, Nevada)
- Southeast Missouri State JR SS Kenton Parmley
- Michigan SO SS Derek Dennis
- Mercer JR 3B Jacob Tanis
- Walters State SO 1B Cody Stubbs
- Oklahoma JR 3B Garrett Buechele
- Oral Roberts JR OF Brandon King
- St. Mary’s JR 1B Troy Channing
- Central Florida SO 1B DJ Hicks
- Oklahoma JR 1B Cameron Seitzer
- LSU-Eunice FR 1B Hommy Rosado
- Western Kentucky SR C Matt Rice
- C Daniel Mengden (Westside HS, Texas)
- Texas-Pan American JR 3B Vincent Mejia
- Wright State JR OF Tristan Moore
- Cal State Fullerton SO 1B Carlos Lopez
- 1B Skyler Ewing (Arlington HS, Texas)
- Florida State SR OF Mike McGee
- Connecticut SR 1B Mike Nemeth
- Georgia JR 1B Chase Davidson
- East Tennessee State SR 1B Paul Hoilman
- California JR C Chadd Krist
- Kent State SR OF Ben Klafczynski
- Samford JR C Brandon Miller
- Central Florida JR C Beau Taylor
- C Taylor Nichols (Faith Academy, Alabama)
- C Hunter Lockwood (LD Bell HS, Texas)
- C Aramis Garcia (Pines Charter HS, Florida)
- Oklahoma State JR 3B Mark Ginther
- Minnesota JR 1B Nick O’Shea
- Northwestern JR 1B Paul Snieder
- C Dylan Delso (Broken Arrow HS, Oklahoma)
- 3B Austin Davidson (Oxnard HS, California)
- Auburn SR C Tony Caldwell
- Chipola JC SO C Geno Escalante
- Kentucky JR C Mike Williams
- Florida JR C Ben McMahan
- Tennessee SR 3B Matt Duffy
- C Bryce Mosier (Valhalla HS, California)
- Franklin Pierce JR C Mike Dowd
- 3B Ahmad Christian (Trinity Christian Academy, Florida)
2011 MLB Draft Outfielder Rankings Resource Page
For more on the top fifty college and top thirty high school 2011 outfield prospects…
Final 2011 MLB Draft College Outfielder Rankings
Final 2011 MLB Draft High School Outfielder Rankings
…and for a combined top fifty list of all 2011 draft-eligible outfield prospects, go get ’em while they’re hot…
1. OF Bubba Starling (Gardner-Edgerton HS, Kansas)
2. OF Josh Bell (Jesuit College Prep School, Texas)
3. OF Brandon Nimmo (Cheyenne East HS, Wyoming)
4. Connecticut JR OF George Springer
5. OF Granden Goetzman (Palmetto HS, Florida)
6. Miami-Dade CC SO OF Brian Goodwin
7. OF Senquez Golson (Pascaagoula HS, Mississippi)
8. Louisiana State JR OF Mikie Mahtook
9. OF Carl Thomore (East Brunswick HS, New Jersey)
10. OF Roman Quinn (Port St. Joe HS, Florida)
11. OF Derek Fisher (Cedar Crest HS, Pennsylvania)
12. Alabama JR OF Taylor Dugas
13. South Carolina JR OF Jackie Bradley
14. Valparaiso JR OF Kyle Gaedele
15. OF Williams Jerez (Grand Street HS, New York)
16. OF Ben Roberts (Missoula Sentinel HS, Montana)
17. Texas Christian JR OF Jason Coats
18. Indiana JR OF Alex Dickerson
19. OF Dwight Smith (McIntosh HS, Georgia)
20. OF Larry Greene (Berrien HS, Georgia)
21. OF Mason Robbins (George County HS, Mississippi)
22. OF Billy Flamion (Central Catholic HS, California)
23. Miami SO OF Zeke DeVoss
24. Santa Fe CC FR OF Trey Griffin
25. Central Arizona CC SO OF Keenyn Walker
26. OF James Harris (Oakland Technical HS, California)
27. Rice JR OF Jeremy Rathjen
28. Western Kentucky SO OF Kes Carter
29. Central Florida SO OF Ronnie Richardson
30. Kansas State JR OF Nick Martini
31. Arizona State JR OF Johnny Ruettiger
32. OF Josh Tobias (Southeast Guilford HS, North Carolina)
33. OF Sean Trent (Bishop Moore Catholic HS, Florida)
34. Clemson JR OF Will Lamb
35. Texas SO OF Cohl Walla
36. Georgia JR OF Zach Cone
37. OF Shawon Dunston (Valley Christian HS, California)
38. OF Charles Tilson (New Trier HS, Illinois)
39. Clemson SR OF Jeff Schaus
40. OF Tyler Gibson (Stratford Academy, Georgia)
41. OF John Norwood (Seton Hall Prep HS, New Jersey)
42. OF Gabriel Rosa (International Baseball Academy, Puerto Rico)
43. Florida International JR OF Pablo Bermudez
44. OF Michael Reed (Leander HS, Texas)
45. OF Jo-El Bennett (Houston Academy, Alabama)
46. OF Dakota Smith (Lansing HS, Kansas)
47. Oral Roberts JR OF Brandon King
48. Wright State JR OF Tristan Moore
49. Florida State SR OF Mike McGee
50. Kent State SR OF Ben Klafczynski
Final 2011 MLB Draft High School Outfielder Rankings
1. OF Bubba Starling (Gardner-Edgerton HS, Kansas)
[plus speed; really good bat speed; patient approach; plus raw power; 88-93 FB; very good 73-76 CB that could be plus in time; 6-4, 180; plus CF range; hit tool is legit; everything you’d look for in a prep player, including rapid improvement in last year]
2. OF Josh Bell (Jesuit College Prep School, Texas)
[two most common comps: Dom Brown and Cliff Floyd; good arm for center, but not a prototypical RF arm; good range in CF but probably won’t stick; really mature approach; swing is short and sweet, but has physical strength to hit for big power; born to swing the bat; 6-3, 195]
3. OF Brandon Nimmo (Cheyenne East HS, Wyoming)
[good athlete; above-average arm well suited for RF; above-average speed would work in CF; good approach; gifted natural hitter; gap power; 6-3, 185]
4. OF Granden Goetzman (Palmetto HS, Florida)
[plus speed; plus raw power; arm enough for 3B or RF; raw; lots of range in CF; bat is raw, but quick; huge upside gamble; 6-3, 200]
5. OF Senquez Golson (Pascaagoula HS, Mississippi)
[great athlete; plus-plus speed; plus defensive upside in CF; strong arm; Jared Mitchell comp; quick bat; above-average raw power; 6-0, 180]
6. OF Carl Thomore (East Brunswick HS, New Jersey)
[above-average speed; shows all five tools; above-average power; plus bat speed; above-average arm; personal favorite]
7. OF Roman Quinn (Port St. Joe HS, Florida)
[crazy plus-plus (80) speed; quick bat; strong arm; gap power; like him a lot; tremendous range in CF; 5-10, 165]
8. OF Derek Fisher (Cedar Crest HS, Pennsylvania)
[plus speed; solid arm; good athlete; good bat; RF arm; huge raw power; too much swing and miss; too aggressive; 6-3, 210]
9. OF Williams Jerez (Grand Street HS, New York)
[plus athlete; good speed, but might not have instincts for CF; plus arm; extremely raw; average raw power; 6-4, 190]
10. OF Ben Roberts (Missoula Sentinel HS, Montana)
[plus speed; plus arm; CF defense; 6-4, 200 pounds]
11. OF Dwight Smith (McIntosh HS, Georgia)
[very quick bat; natural hitter; good approach; above-average speed; below-average arm; seen as a bat only prospect by most; 5-9]
12. OF Larry Greene (Berrien HS, Georgia)
[really good raw power; good athlete; strong defender, but arm limits him to LF]
13. OF Mason Robbins (George County HS, Mississippi)
[well-rounded five-tool player with no standout tool; underrated arm; average speed; interesting gap power that has plus upside; fantastic approach; likely LF in pros; better athlete than given credit]
14. OF Billy Flamion (Central Catholic HS, California)
[plus bat speed; special sound; plus lefthanded pull power; above-average arm; average speed; average range in corner, likely LF; good athlete; lots of swing and miss]
15. OF James Harris (Oakland Technical HS, California)
[plus-plus range in CF; plus runner; plus athlete; limited raw power; bat has a long way to go; iffy arm; classic leadoff hitter approach]
16. OF Josh Tobias (Southeast Guilford HS, North Carolina)
[above-average to plus-plus speed; very strong; plus raw power; leadoff profile; ability to stick in CF will make or break him]
17. OF Sean Trent (Bishop Moore Catholic HS, Florida)
[strong to plus arm ready for RF; natural hitter; could be tried anywhere defensively including C and 3B; good enough speed for outfield corner]
18. OF Shawon Dunston (Valley Christian HS, California)
[plus athlete; plus speed; plus range; iffy arm; limited power, but has shown more pop to gaps this spring; super raw]
19. OF Charles Tilson (New Trier HS, Illinois)
[plus-plus speed, but that may be overstated; good range; strong hit tool; good arm; 6-0, 175]
20. OF Tyler Gibson (Stratford Academy, Georgia)
[plus raw power; could be stuck in LF; solid speed; pro body; pretty swing]
21. OF John Norwood (Seton Hall Prep HS, New Jersey)
[plus speed; good bat speed; potential plus defender; not a lot of power; average bat; strong arm; great athlete; 6-2, 190]
22. OF Gabriel Rosa (International Baseball Academy, Puerto Rico)
[good raw power; good speed; average arm; swing is a mess; may or may not stick in CF as converted SS]
23. OF Michael Reed (Leander HS, Texas)
[strong; plus arm; average speed; raw bat; shows all five tools]
24. OF Jo-El Bennett (Houston Academy, Alabama)
[plus range in corner, solid in CF; good arm; plus athlete; good speed; plus bat speed; plus-plus first name]
25. OF Dakota Smith (Lansing HS, Kansas)
[good athlete; plus runner; low-90s FB; plus arm; good power; 5-11, 175]
26. OF Aaron Brown (Chatsworth HS, California)
[good speed; good athlete; some power upside; big arm; average in corner spot; 6-1, 205]
27. OF Eric Snyder (Edison HS, California)
[leadoff man profile; very good defensively; strong UCLA commit; good on the bases; very intriguing hit tool; 5-11, 155]
28. OF Richard Prigatano (St. Francis HS, California)
[above-average hit tool; above-average raw power; average speed; good arm; average range in corner]
29. OF Michael Conforto (Redmond HS, Washington)
[bat and power will carry him because no other tool is above-average]
30. OF Nigel Nootbaar (El Segundo HS, California):
[good speed; plus arm; 88 FB; 74 CB; 81 CU; 6-3, 190]
Final 2011 MLB Draft College Outfielder Rankings
Time is at a premium, so we’re moving from real life written paragraphs to quick reformatted edits of my notes…
1. Connecticut JR OF George Springer
[lethal power/speed combo; electric bat speed; above-average to plus arm; above-average to plus speed; great athlete; should be plus defender in RF, chance to be above-average in CF; above-average raw power; biggest issue is aggressiveness at the plate, but worked deeper counts and produced better at bats as year went on; for a supposed “tools gamble with holes in swing” his 2010 production was outstanding; plus-plus speed?; 6-3, 200; DOB 9/19/89]
Good pro coaching will do wonders for him, though it will be really interesting to see how much tinkering his future employer will really want to do after investing a hefty bonus in the college version of Springer’s swing. He looks a little bow-legged in the photo above, but it isn’t a great representation of his swing setup because it captures him just as he started his stride. I had great video of him swinging the bat, but it disappeared into the ether during a file conversion. As for Springer’s swing, again, I’m not a scout, but I was really impressed with his balance at the plate, both in his approach and follow through. I didn’t like his collapsed back elbow, but found many of his flaws to be those decidedly under the “Coach Him Up and He’ll Be Alright” umbrella. This may be a cop-out, but the rise of so many other prospects could really be a boon for Springer’s career. Taking him in the top ten scares the heck out of me, but if he slips closer to the middle or end of the round, watch out. Lowered expectations + more stable pro organization, especially at the big league level (less need to rush him) = transformation from overrated to underrated almost overnight.
Another quick note I’ll pass along without much comment: George Springer cares. I realize this is a dangerous game to play because, really, how can we ever know such a thing, but George Springer (his name just sounds better when you use the first and the last) cares, or, at worst, is one heck of an actor. I’d never get on a player for not reacting to a strikeout with anger (and, by extension, showing that they care) because, as a quiet guy myself, I know demonstrative displays of emotion shouldn’t be the standard by which we judge effort and dedication. But the way Springer reacted to an early strikeout — pacing back and forth in front of the bench seemingly in search of a tunnel to pop into and blow off some steam (soon enough, George) until finally settling to the far end of the dugout, just off to the side, where he took a knee, closed his eyes, and started pantomiming his swing — really stood out to me. Probably nothing, but there you go.
None of that changes my view of George Springer the prospect, by the way. Just thought it was a relatively interesting tidbit worth passing along. I have to admit that I do kind of love the idea of a player with a wOBA approaching .500 getting that worked up over a bad at bat. Or maybe I love the way a player who is is clearly pressing at the plate has still somehow managed to put up a league/park adjusted triple slash of .386/.482/.667 (as of mid-April).
Two pro comparisons for Springer came immediately to mind. The first is 100% physical and in no way any kind of projection of future pro value. Something about Springer’s body, swing, and overall on-field demeanor reminded me a great deal of Florida’s Mike Stanton. Again, the two are very different players, but the physical similarities were interesting. A comp like that is probably why most people don’t like comps, but they’ll live.
The second comparison is much, much better, I think. Springer’s upside and overall tools package remind me so much of Minnesota minor leaguer Joe Benson that it’s scary. File that one away…
2. Miami-Dade CC SO OF Brian Goodwin
[well-rounded with average at worst tools across board; average present power with plus-plus upside; above-average to plus-plus (70) speed; strong arm; fantastic athlete; update: plus athlete; very explosive; some question his swing; 10-20 homer upside as pro; above-average (55) runner; average arm for CF; raw fielder, but all the tools are there; 6-1, 190; DOB 11/2/90]
3. Louisiana State JR OF Mikie Mahtook
[above-average to plus speed; good defender; above-average to plus arm; big power potential, but swing holds him back; excellent athlete; good approach; great athlete; 6-1, 195 pounds]
4. Alabama JR OF Taylor Dugas
[advanced idea of strike zone; above-average speed; good athlete; gap power; good friends with Mikie Mahtook; by no means a tools guy, but ultimate grinder; plus hit tool for me; 5-7]
5. South Carolina JR OF Jackie Bradley
[special defensive tools in CF, plus to plus-plus ability; interesting hit tool; above-average to plus speed, closer to plus; good athlete; above-average to plus arm; legit pro power potential with average upside; gap power for now; very quick bat; gifted across the board; mature approach; fully recovered from broken hamate bone; 20/20 upside; 5-10, 175; DOB 4/19/90]
6. Valparaiso JR OF Kyle Gaedele
[above-average to plus runner…now called just average; hacker; above-average to plus (70) power potential, but currently average; above-average to plus arm; plus defensive tools in RF; above-average speed; very quick bat; Jeff Francoeur-like athleticism; has had success with wood; 6-4, 225 pounds; swing needs tweaking]
7. Texas Christian JR OF Jason Coats
[plus athlete; very strong; special bat speed; decent to average speed; average arm; plus raw power; corner outfielder with good range; pitch recognition could make or break him; 6-2, 195 pounds]
8. Indiana JR OF Alex Dickerson
[advanced hit tool; good raw power; below-average speed; below-average arm; between below-average and solid defensively in LF, tends to be overlooked due to lack of athleticism; really struggles against lefties; 6-3, 210]
9. Miami SO OF Zeke DeVoss
[plus to plus-plus speed; plus range; average at best arm; very raw with bat; 5-9, 170]
10. Santa Fe CC FR OF Trey Griffin
11. Central Arizona CC SO OF Keenyn Walker
12. Rice JR OF Jeremy Rathjen
[above-average speed, raw power, and arm; too aggressive at plate; good defensive feel; average range in corner; gap power at present that could turn into HRs in time; 6-6, 200 pounds]
13. Western Kentucky SO OF Kes Carter
[91 peak FB; plus arm; capable CF; little power at present, but raw power is there; above-average speed; 6-1, 190 pounds]
14. Central Florida SO OF Ronnie Richardson
[plus athlete; plus arm; plus-plus runner; potential for some pop; plus defensive tools; 5-7, 175]
15. Kansas State JR OF Nick Martini
[very strong pure hit tool; solid speed; average defender; above-average arm; RF professionally; gap power; good approach; 5-10, 180 pounds]
16. Arizona State JR OF Johnny Ruettiger
[plus athlete; big hit tool; line drive machine; gap power at best; leadoff man profile; good patience; average to plus speed; good defender; iffy arm, more accurate than powerful; strong experience with wood; love the way he plays within himself; great athlete, great body; 6-2, 175 pounds]
17. Clemson JR OF Will Lamb
[plus arm strength; above-average speed; power projection; He’s big and strong enough to drive balls out without necessarily having to try (always a good thing to look for in a young hitter), he has elite range and first step quickness in the outfield, and his arm is a legitimate weapon in center. The word is that the majority of scouts have told him they prefer his upside on the mound (6-5 projectable lefties with low-90s velocity and two present average secondary pitches), but I still like his upside as a position player. 89-92 FB; good CB; decent CU; 6-5, 190]
18. Texas SO OF Cohl Walla
[plus power potential; plus speed; strong arm that has hit 92-93 on mound; should stick in CF; Drew Stubbs comps defensively, Jarrett Parker comps offensively; plus athlete; absolutely must add strength; 6-3, 165]
19. Georgia JR OF Zach Cone
[good line drive swing; good athlete; good speed; plus arm; approach needs work; above-average raw power; plus speed; excellent defender; 6-2, 204 pounds]
20. Clemson SR OF Jeff Schaus
[pretty swing; good natural hitter; average power; average speed, more quick than fast; inconsistent arm strength, but flashes plus; top ten round possibility last year who fell due to bonus demands]
21. Florida International JR OF Pablo Bermudez
[could play CF as pro; very raw; power/speed combo; too aggressive; above-average speed; strong arm; plus bat speed; 5-11, 185 pounds]
22. Oral Roberts JR OF Brandon King
[16th round pick last year; great with wood; plus plate discipline; questionable defender]
23. Wright State JR OF Tristan Moore
[leadoff man profile; strong hit tool; above-average speed; very strong arm; RF professionally; questionable power potential; very raw but very; talented; really like the hit tool; really good athlete; 6-2, 195 pounds]
24. Florida State SR OF Mike McGee
[great approach; average speed; 88-90 FB, 92-93 peak; very good upper-70s SL; CU; drafted as a pitcher last year; good CB]
25. Kent State SR OF Ben Klafczynski
[big power; really good athlete; really refined approach junior season; more raw talent than most; average speed; good arm]
26. Louisville JR OF Stewart Ijames
[great bat speed; big power potential; good approach; decent speed; average or better range in corner; good arm; 6-1, 205 pounds]
27. Arizona State JR OF Zach Wilson
[very talented natural hitter; average power; average runner; no real defensive home]
28. Florida International SR OF Yoandy Barroso
[plus bat speed; above-average speed; above-average to plus arm, I buy the plus; potential above-average defender in RF; raw and inconsistent talent; big power to gaps that is turning into HR power; good present strength; very heavily recruited out of junior college; 6-2, 215]
29. Texas Christian JR OF Brance Rivera
[good range in corner; best tool is speed; good arm; solid power upside; great athlete; great body; could be tried up the middle once again; loads of upside]
30. Miami JR OF Nate Melendres
[serious tools, but very raw; potential plus defender in CF; hacker; plus speed; above-average to plus arm; 5-11, 185 pounds]
31, Minnesota JR CF Justin Gominsky
[good arm; very good defender; plus athlete; good speed; interesting hit tool; 6-4, 185]
32. Marshall SO OF Isaac Ballou
[leadoff hitter profile; good approach; above-average speed; above-average range; iffy arm that has also been called plus; little power; quick bat; great athlete; needs to add strength; lots of untapped talent; 6-2, 180]
33. North Carolina JR OF A&T Xavier Macklin
[great athlete; big jump in plate discipline freshman to sophomore season; CF speed; raw, but plus makeup]
34. Wake Forest SR OF Steven Brooks
[plus speed, solid defender in CF; good raw power potential but average in-game ability]
35. College of Charleston SR OF Cole Rakar
[plus speed; very good defender in center; gap power]
36. Michigan State SR OF Jeff Holm
[great approach; above-average to plus speed; gap power; average arm; average range in corner; has played 1B, but enough foot speed for corner]
37. Coastal Carolina JR OF Daniel Bowman
[impressive plus raw power, but it may be his only real tool; strong enough arm for RF; decent speed; hacker; too many K’s; underrated athlete; 6-1, 210 pounds]
38. Georgia State SR OF Mark Micowski
[Vermont transfer; above-average speed; above-average arm; like Duffy, I like these Vermont guys; average in center, above-average in corner; good athlete]
39. Mississippi SR OF Matt Smith
[big raw power]
40. Fresno State JR OF Dusty Robinson
[plus-plus raw power]
41. Stephen F. Austin State JR OF Bryson Myles
[plus athlete; good speed; interesting upside with bat]
42. Oregon State SO OF Garrett Nash
[plus-plus speed; little power; good arm; CF range; all about development with bat]
43. Northern Colorado JR OF Jarod Berggren
[plus speed; above-average arm; good to plus raw power; 6-3, 205]
44. Manhattan SR OF Mike McCann
[good strike zone judgment; average speed; average arm; 5-10, 175 pounds; could be good RF]
45. Illinois JR OF Willie Argo
[great athlete; very strong; impressive power/speed combo; plus bat speed; good range in CF; weak arm, but accurate; recovering from broken hamate; untapped talent]
46. UNC Wilmington JR 1B/OF Andrew Cain
[plus speed; real raw power; 6-6, 220]
47. Florida State JR OF James Ramsey
[His arm is currently average at best and his range in the outfield is below-average. In addition, he’s a decent runner who picks his spots on the bases well. College players limited to leftfield need to be able to hit a ton to make it in pro ball, and I’m not sure Ramsey has the power to profile as a regular in a corner.]
48. Rutgers SR OF Michael Lang
[plus speed; should stick in CF; plus arm; good athlete; walk-on who was very close to attending Rowan; reports on makeup are sky high, great family]
49. Cal Poly JR OF Bobby Crocker
[good whole field approach at plate; poor arm limits him to LF; plus raw speed but closer to average in-game; too many K’s; arm has also been called solid; great body; great athlete; plus defender in corner, average or better in CF; plus bat speed; swing has come a long way, but still needs refining; real curious about arm…could be difference between RF and LF; 6-3, 210 pounds]
50. West Virginia SR OF Grant Buckner
[above-average arm; above-average raw power]
2011 MLB Draft Third Base Rankings Resource Page
For more on the top twenty-five college and top sixteen high school 2011 third base prospects…
Final 2011 MLB Draft College Third Base Rankings
Final 2011 MLB Draft High School Third Base Rankings
…and for a combined top thirty-five list of all 2011 draft-eligible third base prospects, take a deep breath and dive in below…
1. Rice JR 3B Anthony Rendon
2. 3B Javier Baez (Arlington County Day HS, Florida)
3. 3B Matt Dean (The Colony HS, Texas)
4. 3B Tyler Goeddel (St. Francis HS, California)
5. Georgia Tech JR 3B Matt Skole
6. Vanderbilt JR 3B Jason Esposito
7. 3B Jake Hager (Sierra Vista HS, Nevada)
8. 3B Chris McFarland (Lufkin HS, Texas)
9. Southern Mississippi JR 3B BA Vollmuth
10. Arizona JR 3B Andy Burns
11. Miami JR 3B Harold Martinez
12. 3B Taylor Sparks (St. John Bosco HS, California)
13. Nebraska JR 3B Cody Asche
14. 3B Matt Papi (Tunkhannock HS, Pennsylvania)
15. 3B Nicholas Howard (St. John’s College HS, Washington DC)
16. 3B Austin Slater (The Bolles School, Florida)
17. Clemson JR 3B John Hinson
18. Texas State JR 3B Kyle Kubitza
19. TCU SO 3B Jantzen Witte
20. Virginia JR 3B Steven Proscia
21. 3B Patrick Leonard (St. Thomas HS, Texas)
22. 3B Hunter Cole (Moore HS, South Carolina)
23. 3B Alex Santana (Mariner HS, Florida)
24. Arizona State JR 3B Riccio Torrez
25. Coastal Carolina SR 3B Scott Woodward
26. Kent State JR 3B Travis Shaw
27. Texas A&M JR 3B Adam Smith
28. Mercer JR 3B Jacob Tanis
29. Oklahoma JR 3B Garrett Buechele
30. Texas-Pan American JR 3B Vincent Mejia
31. Oklahoma State JR 3B Mark Ginther
32. 3B Austin Davidson (Oxnard HS, California)
33. Tennessee SR 3B Matt Duffy
34. 3B Ahmad Christian (Trinity Christian Academy, Florida)
35. 3B Max Kuhn (Zionsville HS, Indiana)
Final 2011 MLB Draft High School Third Base Rankings
1. 3B Javier Baez (Arlington County Day HS, Florida)
From watching Baez a good bit this spring, scouts are pretty confident that can run, throw, and hit for power. Much of his projection revolves around his defensive upside. Considering many think he has the requisite footwork and quick release to catch and perhaps the agility and range for shortstop, I have to believe he’ll be just fine at third base as a pro. A pretty cool outside the box comp I’ve heard on Baez is current Rangers infielder Michael Young.
2. 3B Matt Dean (The Colony HS, Texas)
I’m trying to imagine the Texas Longhorns squad adding both Josh Bell and Matt Dean to their already stacked core of young talent, but there’s just no way that both stud prep stars wind up in Austin, right? For the sake of the rest of the Big 12, I hope not. Dean’s commitment to Texas is reportedly quite strong, but I don’t think it’ll scare off pro clubs looking for the next big thing. The kind of plus power and special defensive tools that Dean brings to the table ought to get him paid this year.
3. 3B Tyler Goeddel (St. Francis HS, California)
Fast rising Tyler Goeddel has emerged as one of the finest prep players in California this spring. He’s shown all five tools in game action, including a really strong hit tool. His arm, speed, and power are all average or better, and his pro frame gives him room to mature physically.
4. 3B Jake Hager (Sierra Vista HS, Nevada)
Hager is a shortstop on many team’s draft boards, but I prefer him as a potential defensive star at third base. His arm and reaction time are both perfectly suited for the hot corner. The only downside with moving him off short is the acknowledgement that his bat, specifically his power, profiles better as a middle infielder that at a corner. His approach to hitting and history of hitting with wood assuage some of those worries, but I understand the concern. I’ve heard a Daric Barton comp on his bat that I like.
5. 3B Chris McFarland (Lufkin HS, Texas)
The 2014 draft class might wind up loaded with premium third base prospects if all of the supposed difficult signs wind up at their respective universities. McFarland’s down senior year has many thinking he’ll wind up at Rice this fall. That’d be great news for college baseball, but a bummer for the fans of whatever team drafts him. They’d be missing out on an excellent athlete with five-tool upside at third. McFarland’s lightning quick bat is his best tool, followed closely behind by his well above-average raw power and aided by his discerning eye at the plate. His speed, size, and arm are all exactly what you’d want out of a potential big league regular.
6. 3B Taylor Sparks (St. John Bosco HS, California)
Taylor Sparks, the former American Idol finalist (probably), is one of the most fascinating draft prospects in this year’s class. There are polished prospects who may be short on tools, but have high floors and a relatively clear path up the minor league ladder. There are raw prospects who have tremendous physical gifts, but need a lot of professional work to reach their admittedly difficult to hit ceilings. Then we have a guy like Sparks, a rare prospect with upside who is undeniably raw yet somehow not super toolsy. There are a lot of 50s in his scouting report (average arm, average power, average speed, average defense), but also something about his game that leaves you wanting more, in a good way. Part of that could be the rapid improvement he showed in certain areas — namely power and speed — this spring. If he can improve in those two areas, who is to say he can’t keep getting better after he signs on the dotted line?
7. 3B Matt Papi (Tunkhannock HS, Pennsylvania)
Another player with a better than average shot at winding up in class this fall, Matt Papi’s solid across the board tool set could get him drafted early enough to keep him away from enrolling at Virginia. His best tool is an electric right arm, a true plus tool that helps the still raw defender compensate for his occasional defensive shortcomings.
8. 3B Nicholas Howard (St. John’s College HS, Washington DC)
Howard is a similar player to Matt Papi, at least in the way both players have standout throwing arms and less than stellar defensive reputations. I obviously think both prospects will work out at the hot corner — they wouldn’t be on this list otherwise — but their respective defensive progress will be something to monitor as they enter pro ball. Howard’s power and athleticism make him a really interesting option after some of the elite prep bats are off the board.
9. 3B Austin Slater (The Bolles School, Florida)
I don’t often account for signability in these rankings unless something obvious is up. That’s exactly the case with Slater, a player who would be ranked higher on merit (really like the bat) but dinged for being a 99% slam dunk to attend Stanford (their new strategy targeting top prep stars named Austin has now worked two years in a row) after hobbling through an injury plagued senior season of high school. He could reemerge in three years as a premium pick once again.
10. 3B Patrick Leonard (St. Thomas HS, Texas)
Leonard has a fun mix that includes an above-average hit tool, impressive power upside, good athleticism, and above-average arm strength. Questions about his defensive future keep him lower than his bat warrants, at least for now.
11. 3B Hunter Cole (Moore HS, South Carolina)
Cole is another really tough sign (strong Georgia commit) with loads of raw power and good defensive tools. His bat is currently way more advanced than his glove, so maybe part of the idea of heading to Athens is to polish up his overall game and help him pop up as a first rounder in 2014.
12. 3B Alex Santana (Mariner HS, Florida)
As a plus athlete with above-average speed, Santana is a bit of an anomaly in this year’s high school class. Some question his power upside, but there is a long way to go before his body (6-4, 190) fills out.
13. 3B Austin Davidson (Oxnard HS, California)
Davidson’s down senior season will probably cost him some cash in the short-term, but his solid blend of tools will still get him noticed on draft day. I think he has the chops to be a good defender at third base, but his lack of power upside may keep him from ever holding down an everyday spot. It is tough to project a utility player on a high school prospect, but Davidson’s skill set — average arm, average speed, cerebral player — seems well suited for spot duty.
14. 3B Ahmad Christian (Trinity Christian Academy, Florida)
It sure doesn’t seem like Christian will sign a pro contract this year, but his crazy athleticism, great range, and plus glove are all too good to leave him off this list. In the likely event he’ll wind up at South Carolina, it’ll be interesting to track his development as a dual-sport (the other being football) prospect. Like Hunter Cole before him, going off to school could be a blessing in disguise for his long-term outlook. There are still many concerns about Christian’s offensive ability and three years in the SEC will provide a clearer picture of his skills.
15. 3B Max Kuhn (Zionsville HS, Indiana)
Three reasons why I like Max Kuhn: 1) his upside with the bat, 2) any early round prep prospect from Indiana is fun, and 3) baseball could use another quality Max. One of my first — and as it turns out, only — autographs came from Max Patkin, the Clown Prince of Baseball, at a shoe store when I was six.
16. 3B Dustin Houle (Langley SS, British Columbia)
Houle probably fits best behind the plate, but I’m sticking with him as a third baseman for now. He is a talented player who will need a lot of minor league reps. That shouldn’t be a problem for him because , as one of the youngest draft-eligible players this year, youth is on his side.
17. 3B Brian Anderson (Deer Creek HS, Oklahoma)
18. 3B Justin Atkinson (St Aloysius Gonzaga SS, Ontario)
Final 2011 MLB Draft College Third Base Rankings
1. Rice JR 3B Anthony Rendon
*** 2010: .407/.544/.832 – 68 BB/21 K – 226 AB
*** 2011: .337/.536/.550 – 82 BB/30 K – 202 AB
There are a lot of amazing young arms in this year’s draft class, but Rendon is still the top prospect in 2011. There is not a single legitimate concern about his on-field performance. Despite his lack of size and some nagging injuries that held back his numbers some this year, there is little doubt that his power upside is substantial. His defensive tools are outstanding. The hit tool is well above-average and his approach to hitting is special. The two most popular comps thrown his way are Ryan Zimmerman and Evan Longoria. I like the Zimmerman comp a lot, but I’ll toss another two names out there as well. Rendon’s play reminds me of a mix of a less physical, righthanded version of peak years Eric Chavez and current Boston third baseman Kevin Youkilis, minus the unorthodox swing setup. Can’t blame the Pirates for going with the rare commodity that is a potential ace with the first overall pick, but if I was in charge — and thank goodness for Pittsburgh or every other franchise I’m not — then Rendon would be the pick without thinking twice.
2. Georgia Tech JR 3B Matt Skole
*** 2010: .343/.448/.708 – 45 BB/34 K – 233 AB
*** 2011: .362/.457/.570 – 43 BB/31 K – 221 AB
It took me a while to warm up to Skole, but I’d rather be late to the party than too stubborn to change my mind. The plus power bat should play wherever you put him (first base is a safe fall back option, catcher is the riskier but more appealing choice), though it would obviously be preferable if he can continue to work to turn his surprisingly strong defensive tools (good arm, decent foot speed, quality athleticism) into at least league average caliber third base defense.
3. Vanderbilt JR 3B Jason Esposito
*** 2010: .397/.492/.660 – 37 BB/33 K – 262 AB
*** 2011: .357/.425/.552 – 16 BB/36 K – 230 AB
Esposito’s defense is big league ready, and his hit tool, raw power, and speed all grade out as average future tools at the next level. I swear I was ready to mention Matt Dominguez as a potential comp before reading Baseball America beat me to the punch, but it is a good enough comp that I don’t mind repeating it.
4. Southern Mississippi JR 3B BA Vollmuth
*** 2010: .380/.495/.733 – 44 BB/50 K – 236 AB
*** 2011: .304/.417/.546 – 38 BB/55 K – 207 AB
Some people believe in it, some don’t. Either way, I figured I’d pass along something two different people said to me with respect to BA Vollmuth. Two words were used to describe the Southern Mississippi shortstop: “star quality.” He has the requisite athleticism, arm, and above-average raw power to play third base in the big leagues down the line, but his loopy swing might need a tune-up
5. Arizona JR 3B Andy Burns
*** 2010: .282/.358/.565 – 20 BB/41 K – 177 AB
The only thing I don’t like about Andy Burns is the fact he had to sit out in 2011 after the former Colorado prep star transferred from Kentucky to Arizona. Every thing else is positive including his very good defensive tools (like the two guys sandwiched around him on this list, Burns is a former shortstop), plus arm, above-average speed, quick bat, and good raw power. He also has what could be a great separator if he hopes to crack this draft’s top five rounds: the proven ability to hit with wood. On top of all those legitimate reasons why I like Burns, I also have a strong instinctual feel for him. That’s almost certainly worth nothing to 99.9% of the readers out there, but I know my Mom likes it when I share stuff like that.
6. Miami JR 3B Harold Martinez
*** 2010: .328/.403/.672 – 33 BB/50 K – 241 AB
*** 2011: .328/.416/.424 – 29 BB/38 K – 198 AB
Had a weird moment when I was just about to start writing about Harold Martinez at the same time he came to the plate in the 4th inning against Florida during Regional play. Then I stepped away for a bit only to return to the still unfinished entry on Martinez exactly as he stepped up to bat in the 7th. Now that I see it typed out I realize it probably isn’t all that weird, but after writing about draft prospects almost non-stop over the past week and a half, I may be beginning to lose my mind.
As a prospect, Martinez does more than just time his television appearances well. He typifies what this uninspiring college third base class is all about: heavy duty of the word “but.” His defensive tools are solid and he certainly looks the part of a player capable of manning the hot corner, BUT his inconsistency making the routine play and erratic arm keep him from claiming third base as a sure fire long-term defensive home. He’s already plenty strong with the frame to get even bigger, BUT his above-average raw power fell off big time in 2011, in no small part because his long swing was geared towards the aluminum. He was a highly touted prep player who has played well over three years of competitive ACC ball, BUT he hasn’t dominated the competition in quite the way many had hoped. He’s a solid, potential top five round selection, BUT not a player you can pencil in as a long-term answer at third unless some of questions about his game are answered professionally.
7. Nebraska JR 3B Cody Asche
*** 2010: .335/.393/.565 – 18 BB/45 K – 209 AB
*** 2011: .337/.437/.668 – 36 BB/39 K – 208 AB
“Really like his approach, but have been underwhelmed by his overall package thus far” – that’s what I had in my notes re: Asche coming into the year. I’m happy to say that I’m no longer underwhelmed and now considered myself appropriately whelmed by his performance. I wasn’t alone in worrying that he wouldn’t stick at third coming into the year, but am now ready to go out on a limb and say I think his athleticism and instincts make him underrated at the position. Despite his very powerful throwing arm he’ll never be a good defender at third, but if his plus raw power would look really good if he can at least play at or around average defense as a pro.
8. Clemson JR 3B John Hinson
*** 2010: .370/.433/.635 – 27 BB/40 K – 230 AB
*** 2011: .333/.389/.504 – 22 BB/28 K – 228 AB
A plus hit tool combined with above-average speed and power will get you far professionally, but people smarter than myself have told me some teams question Hinson’s ability to play any one particular spot in the infield with the consistency needed of a regular. Based on my limited looks of him, I can’t say that I necessarily agree with that assessment, but his defensive skillset (good athlete, iffy arm) may make him better suited for second base than third. At either spot, he’s got the bat to make him a potential regular with a couple breaks along the way. He’s got a relatively high floor (easy to see him as a big league utility guy with pop) with the upside of a league average third baseman.
9. Texas State JR 3B Kyle Kubitza
*** 2010: .332/.433/.563 – 38 BB/41 K – 229 AB
*** 2011: .305/.445/.527 – 52 BB/46 K – 220 AB
Kubitza has many of the key attributes you’d want in a third base prospect – good raw power, solid arm strength, and a patient approach at the plate. The biggest question he’ll have to answer is on the defensive side, but I’m on board with the idea that good pro coaching can help him through some of his concentration lapses in the field.
10. TCU SO 3B Jantzen Witte
*** 2010: .415/.455/.592 – 9 BB/17 K – 147 AB
*** 2011: .365/.431/.515 – 28 BB/31 K – 241 AB
I do love a good draft-eligible sophomore, and Witte qualifies as one of the best in 2011. His defensive tools at third base are outstanding, worthy of consideration as top five (with Rendon, Esposito, maybe Burns…) in the college third base class. His swing and approach is geared towards hitting line drives and getting on base, but there’s still enough pop in his bat to keep pitchers honest.
11. Virginia JR 3B Steven Proscia
*** 2010: .325/.377/.548 – 22 BB/41 K – 252 AB
*** 2011: .354/.399/.527 – 17 BB/30 K – 237 AB
Most people love coffee. Every few months I’ll try a little sip, but it just doesn’t work for me. So many people enjoy it every day that I’m smart enough to know that it isn’t “bad” per se, but rather a specific taste that I just don’t enjoy as much as others. Proscia is a little bit like coffee for me. His defense at third is very good, he’ll show you a nice potential power/speed combo most days, and his athleticism is well above-average for the position. He’s a good prospect by any measure. Yet somehow after taking everything I’ve heard about him and having seen him play a few times myself, I remain unmoved by his upside. Solid player, no doubt; he wouldn’t be on this list otherwise. I just see him as much more likely to wind up a potential four-corners utility player than a starting third baseman.
12. Arizona State JR 3B Riccio Torrez
*** 2010: .386/.482/.627 – 20 BB/37 K – 228 AB – 21/25 SB
*** 2011: .309/.371/.466 – 15 BB/23 K – 204 AB
Torrez seems to finally have found a defensive home at third base. A team could draft him as a true third base prospect now and hope his bat grows into the role, or, and I think this is the more likely outcome, a team could draft him with the idea that he could develop into a versatile utility player. His only standout tool is his raw power, but even that is mitigated somewhat by a swing that currently lacks the proper loft needed to consistently drive balls up and out.
13. Coastal Carolina SR 3B Scott Woodward
*** 2010: .343/.512/.486 – 49 BB/48 K – 210 AB – 58/66 SB
*** 2011: .368/.500/.538 – 32 BB/54 K – 182 AB – 30/34 SB
It’s very easy to envision Scott Woodward playing in the big leagues someday. He’s got an outstanding approach to hitting, a discerning batting eye, and a really good idea of his fundamental strengths and weaknesses at the plate. Woodward ably uses his plus-plus speed to leg out infield hits, turn balls driven to the gaps into triples, and steal bases at a great success rate. Home runs will likely never be a big part of his game, but his is a game based more on speed and plate discipline anyway. He could have the type of career many once projected for former Dodgers prospect Joe Thurston. Another comp that I like a lot is Phillies minor leaguer Tyson Gillies, a comparison made more interesting due to the fact both players are hearing impaired, but one not at all dependent on that fact as the basis of the comp. When I first thought of it a few weeks ago the connection didn’t even occur to me, but the two players share enough distinct offensive similarities to make it work.
14. Kent State JR 3B Travis Shaw
*** 2010: .330/.453/.622 – 49 BB/41 K – 230 AB
*** 2011: .311/.408/.570 – 39 BB/36 K – 228 AB
Lacking lateral quickness and agility, Shaw’s future at third base is a major question as he enters pro ball. If he can stay at third base — good pre-pitch positioning and quicker than you’d expect reactions give him his best shot — then his big power, great approach, and strong track record with wood would make him a fast riser on draft boards. Most of the industry leaders are already moving him off of third, however, so perhaps I’m being unrealistic in thinking he could someday grow into an average-ish fielder there. Probably goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: if he is a first baseman at the next level, his value takes a big hit.
15. Texas A&M JR 3B Adam Smith
*** 2010: .263/.357/.495 – 20 BB/53 K – 194 AB
*** 2011: .225/.294/.387 – 12 BB/50 K – 142 AB
At some point, he has to do it on the field, right? Adam Smith is such a force of nature from a tools standpoint that you have to believe someday he’ll put it all together and show why so many have touted his ability for so long. He has the plus arm and plus defensive tools you’d expect from a former pitcher/shortstop, and his pro frame (6-3, 200) generates plenty of raw power on its own. What he doesn’t have is a good idea of the strike zone or a consistent at bat to at bat swing that can help him put said raw power to use. I’d love for my favorite team to take a chance on him after round ten (tools!), but probably couldn’t justify popping him much sooner than that (production…). One thing that would make gambling on Smith the third baseman a little less risky: if he doesn’t work out as a hitter, his plus arm could be put to good use back on the mound.
16. Mercer JR 3B Jacob Tanis
*** 2010: .354/.417/.668 – 21 BB/51 K – 268 AB
*** 2011: .321/.422/.565 – 35 BB/30 K – 237 AB
Tanis is an under the radar prospect who is capable of doing some good things at the next level if given the chance. His defense is good at third, his bat speed is more than adequate, and his athleticism gives him a chance to play a couple different positions in the field going forward.
17. Oklahoma JR 3B Garrett Buechele
*** 2010: .376/.460/.653 – 21 BB/41 K – 242 AB
*** 2011: .293/.354/.423 – 13 BB/31 K – 239 AB
Here’s what I wrote about Buechele last year at this time: “And so begins a stretch of players with starting caliber upside, but high bust potential. Buechele has one of the stronger pure hit tools of this college third base class, and his quickly emerging power make him one to watch. His defense is plenty good enough to stick at third, so the only thing that realistically stands in the way of Buechele succeeding professionally (you know, besides all of the other things that can get in the way for any player drafted) will be high strikeout totals. He’s not as talented as Zack Cox, so don’t take this as a direct comparison, but it seems that Buechele would be best served returning to school to work on honing his pitch recognition skills like the top player on this list managed to do in his sophomore season.”
I’d say most of that holds up today. His defense at third remains fine, but new questions about his power — was the emergence last year real or more of a juiced bat phenomenon? — keep his draft stock from being any higher. Others seem to like him a lot more than I do, for what it’s worth.
18. Texas-Pan American JR 3B Vincent Mejia
*** 2010: .385/.484/.582 – 41 BB/24 K – 208 AB
*** 2011: .337/.455/.479 – 38 BB/36 K – 190 AB
Mejia doesn’t get a lot of nationally recognized prospect love, but I think the guy can play at the next level. He doesn’t have a clear plus tool and may not have the range to play third base, but his approach is sound and his present power is intriguing. I’ve heard from one source that he is a sure fire senior sign candidate in 2012 (i.e. don’t hold your breath waiting for him to get drafted this year). I wonder if a pro team might look to him as a potential catcher, assuming they believe his arm will play behind the plate.
19. Oklahoma State JR 3B Mark Ginther
*** 2010: .311/.364/.547 – 18 BB/38 K – 225 AB
*** 2011: .306/.351/.541 – 16 BB/31 K – 229 AB
I came into the year thinking Ginther was a better player than he has shown, and I still feel that way after another good but not great college season. His athleticism is up there with any college third baseman in the class and his arm strength is an asset defensively, but his hit tool hasn’t shown much progress in his three years with the Cowboys. Ginther certainly looks the part of a potential big league third baseman with three well above-average tools (defense, arm, power) and special athleticism, but it’ll take much more contact and a less loopy swing if he wants to make it as a regular.
20. Tennessee SR 3B Matt Duffy
*** 2010: .304/.385/.444 – 20 BB/36 K – 207 AB
*** 2011: .302/.423/.481 – 29 BB/25 K – 189 AB
Duffy was a deep sleeper top five rounds candidate of mine heading into the 2010 season, so you know I’ve been irrationally high on his talent for a long time now. The Vermont transfer and current Tennesee standout has all of the defensive tools to play a decent shortstop professionally, but profiles better as a potential plus defender at the hot corner. For Duffy, a Jack Hannahan (with more raw power) or Andy LaRoche (with less raw power) type of career is possible.
21. UC Irvine SR 3B Brian Hernandez
*** 2010: .356/.421/.513 – 21 BB/26 K – 236 AB
*** 2011: .358/.416/.419 – 19 BB/26 K – 229 AB
Last year I wrote: “he’s your typical ‘whole is greater than the sum of his parts’ kind of prospect, with the upside of a big league bench bat if everything breaks right.” I stand by that today (some pop, some speed, some plate discipline), with one additional comment I’ll present straight from my notes: “PLUS fielder.” All caps means you know I’m serious. Hernandez can really pick it at third.
22. Stetson JR 3B Ben Carhart
*** 2011: .349/.395/.500 – 17 BB/17 K – 232 AB
I liked Carhart more on the mound heading into the year, but now think his plus arm, gap power, and improved approach at the plate could play at third.
23. Penn State JR 3B Jordan Steranka
*** 2010: .309/.352/.483 – 10 BB/45 K – 236 AB
*** 2011: .327/.395/.548 – 25 BB/34 K – 217 AB
Steranka gives just about what you’d expect from a player this far down the ranking: a strong arm and some power upside. He also has the advantage of being a steady glove at third, though there are some rumblings that he could be tried behind the plate as a pro.
24. Louisiana Tech JR 3B Matt Threlkeld
*** 2010: .322/.382/.540 – 22 BB/44 K – 239 AB
*** 2011: .287/.383/.478 – 31 BB/46 K – 230 AB
Threlkeld gives just about what you’d expect from a player this far down the ranking: huge raw power and a strong arm. The reason Steranka gets the one spot edge over him is because of Threlkeld’s questionable defensive ability.
25. College of Charleston JR 3B Matt Leeds
*** 2010: .335/.442/.715 – 30 BB/46 K – 241 AB
*** 2011: .353/.454/.681 – 39 BB/60 K – 232 AB
Leeds has big power and a strong track record of showing it, but his average on his best day defense and just good enough arm temper some of the enthusiasm that he’ll play third base regularly as a pro. If his knees check out, he could have a future as a bat-first four corners backup.
26. Southern Mississippi JR 3B Ashley Graeter
*** 2011: .325/.393/.453 – 14 BB/22 K – 117 AB
27. Winthrop JR 3B Chas Crane
*** 2010: .356/.452/.673 – 39 BB/53 K – 208 AB
*** 2011: .280/.415/.338 – 45 BB/46 K – 207 AB
28. Texas A&M JR 3B Matt Juengel
*** 2010: .359/.424/.629 – 13 BB/30 K – 167 AB
*** 2011: .295/.376/.446 – 19 BB/34 K – 224 AB
29. Baylor SO 3B Cal Towey
*** 2010: .305/.434/.505 – 21 BB/31 K – 105 AB
*** 2011: .250/.424/.422 – 29 BB/43 K – 116 AB
30. Oklahoma City SR 3B Kirk Walker
2011 MLB Draft Middle Infield Rankings Resource Page
Final 2011 MLB Draft College Second Base Rankings
Final 2011 MLB Draft High School Second Base Rankings
Final 2011 MLB Draft College Shortstop Rankings
Final 2011 MLB Draft High School Shortstop Rankings
…and for a combined top fifty list of all 2011 draft-eligible middle infield prospects, observe and discuss below…
1. SS Francisco Lindor (Montverde Academy, Florida)
2. SS Trevor Story (Irving HS, Texas)
3. Hawaii JR 2B Kolten Wong
4. North Carolina JR 2B Levi Michael
5. 2B Phillip Evans (La Costa Canyon HS, California)
6. 2B Johnny Eierman (Warsaw HS, Missouri)
7. SS Tyler Greene (West Boca Raton HS, Florida)
8. Clemson JR SS Brad Miller
9. SS Brandon Martin (Santiago HS, California)
10. Connecticut JR SS Nick Ahmed
11. 2B Trent Gilbert (Torrance HS, California)
12. SS Julius Gaines (Luella HS, Georgia)
13. Coastal Carolina JR SS Taylor Motter
14. Texas JR SS Brandon Loy
15. Indian River State College SO 2B Corey Spangenberg
16. St. John’s JR 2B Joe Panik
17. Louisville JR 2B Ryan Wright
18. 2B Shon Carson (Lake City HS, South Carolina)
19. 2B Christian Lopes (Edison HS, California)
20. SS Connor Barron (Sumrall HS, Mississippi)
21. Coastal Carolina JR 2B Tommy La Stella
22. McNeese State JR 2B Jace Peterson
23. 2B Dante Flores (St. John Bosco HS, California)
24. 2B TJ Costen (First Colonial HS, Virginia)
25. TCU JR SS Taylor Featherston
26. Arizona State JR 2B Zack MacPhee
27. SS Drake Roberts (Brenham HS, Texas)
28. SS Mikal Hill (Mallard Creek HS, North Carolina)
29. Minnesota JR SS AJ Pettersen
30. SS Chris Mariscal (Clovis North HS, California)
31. SS Nico Slater (Jupiter HS, Florida)
32. SS Mitchell Walding (St. Mary’s HS, California)
33. Wichita State JR SS Tyler Grimes
34. LSU JR SS Austin Nola
35. 2B Kevin Kramer (Turlock HS, California)
36. Florida International JR 2B Jeremy Patton
37. Siena JR 2B Dan Paolini
38. 2B Vicente Conde (Orangewood Christian Academy, Florida)
39. SS Brett Harrison (Green Valley HS, Nevada)
40. Southeast Missouri State JR SS Kenton Parmley
41. Michigan SO SS Derek Dennis
42. North Carolina A&T JR 2B Marquis Riley
43. Cal State Fullerton JR 2B Joe Terry
44. SS Tommy Williams (Palm Beach Gardens HS, Florida)
45. Missouri State JR 2B Kevin Medrano
46. SS Jack Lopez (Deltona HS, Florida)
47. Tennessee JR 2B Khayyan Norfork
48. 2B Mason Snyder (Marquette HS, Illinois)
49. SS Zac LaNeve (Pine Richland HS, Pennsylvania)
50. Texas Tech JR SS Kelby Tomlinson
2011 MLB Draft Shortstop Rankings Resource Page
For more on the top twenty-five college and top fifteen high school 2011 shortstop prospects…
Final 2011 MLB Draft College Shortstop Rankings
Final 2011 MLB Draft High School Shortstop Rankings
…and for a combined top twenty-five list of all 2011 draft-eligible shortstop prospects, hang on tight and go for a ride with me below…
1. SS Francisco Lindor (Montverde Academy, Florida)
2. SS Trevor Story (Irving HS, Texas)
3. SS Tyler Greene (West Boca Raton HS, Florida)
4. Clemson JR SS Brad Miller
5. SS Brandon Martin (Santiago HS, California)
6. Connecticut JR SS Nick Ahmed
7. SS Julius Gaines (Luella HS, Georgia)
8. Coastal Carolina JR SS Taylor Motter
9. Texas JR SS Brandon Loy
10. SS Connor Barron (Sumrall HS, Mississippi)
11. TCU JR SS Taylor Featherston
12. SS Drake Roberts (Brenham HS, Texas)
13. SS Mikal Hill (Mallard Creek HS, North Carolina)
14. Minnesota JR SS AJ Pettersen
15. SS Chris Mariscal (Clovis North HS, California)
16. SS Nico Slater (Jupiter HS, Florida)
17. SS Mitchell Walding (St. Mary’s HS, California)
18. Wichita State JR SS Tyler Grimes
19. LSU JR SS Austin Nola
20. SS Brett Harrison (Green Valley HS, Nevada)
21. Southeast Missouri State JR SS Kenton Parmley
22. Michigan SO SS Derek Dennis
23. SS Tommy Williams (Palm Beach Gardens HS, Florida)
24. SS Jack Lopez (Deltona HS, Florida)
25. SS Zac LaNeve (Pine Richland HS, Pennsylvania)
2011 MLB Draft Second Base Rankings Resource Page
For more on the top twenty-six college and top thirteen high school 2011 second base prospects…
Final 2011 MLB Draft College Second Base Rankings
Final 2011 MLB Draft High School Second Base Rankings
…and for a combined top twenty-five list of all 2011 draft-eligible second base prospects, peep the list below…
1. Hawaii JR 2B Kolten Wong
2. North Carolina JR 2B Levi Michael
3. 2B Phillip Evans (La Costa Canyon HS, California)
4. 2B Johnny Eierman (Warsaw HS, Missouri)
5. 2B Trent Gilbert (Torrance HS, California)
6. Indian River State College SO 2B Corey Spangenberg
7. St. John’s JR 2B Joe Panik
8. Louisville JR 2B Ryan Wright
9. 2B Shon Carson (Lake City HS, South Carolina)
10. 2B Christian Lopes (Edison HS, California)
11. Coastal Carolina JR 2B Tommy La Stella
12. McNeese State JR 2B Jace Peterson
13. 2B Dante Flores (St. John Bosco HS, California)
14. 2B TJ Costen (First Colonial HS, Virginia)
15. Arizona State JR 2B Zack MacPhee
16. 2B Kevin Kramer (Turlock HS, California)
17. Florida International JR 2B Jeremy Patton
18. Siena JR 2B Dan Paolini
19. 2B Vicente Conde (Orangewood Christian Academy, Florida)
20. North Carolina A&T JR 2B Marquis Riley
21. Cal State Fullerton JR 2B Joe Terry
22. Missouri State JR 2B Kevin Medrano
23. Tennessee JR 2B Khayyan Norfork
24. 2B Mason Snyder (Marquette HS, Illinois)
25. Western Carolina JR 2B Ross Heffley
Final 2011 MLB Draft College Second Base Rankings
1. Hawaii JR 2B Kolten Wong
*** 2010: .438/.507/.647 – 37 BB/19 K – 249 AB – 20/27 SB
*** 2011: .432/.548/.630 – 40 BB/19 K – 192 AB – 22/28 SB
Have to love the consistency shown by Wong from his sophomore year to his junior year, don’t you? Those are some freakishly similar numbers. Wong has above-average or better future grades with three tools (bat, arm, glove) and enough power to the gaps and speed on the bases to keep both pitchers and catchers honest. I’ve gone back and forth deciding whether or not I like him or Levi Michael better, but ultimately think Wong’s higher floor gives him a teeny tiny advantage. I try not to force comps, but something about Kolten Wong’s overall body of work, statistical profile, and scouting outlook remind me of Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz. I’ve heard the Brandon Phillips and Brian Roberts comps, but I keep coming back to Ruiz. I realize that Wong hits lefthanded and has significantly more speed, but I could see him putting up a few 2010 Carlos Ruiz seasons (.302/.400/.447) at his peak.
2. North Carolina JR 2B Levi Michael
*** 2010: .374/.509/.621 – 48 BB/24 K – 214 AB
*** 2011: .321/.475/.480 – 48 BB/30 K – 196 AB – 15/16 SB
I’ve mentioned it before, but it is so incredible to me that it bears repeating: Levi Michael graduated high school early to enroll at UNC mid-year, and then went on to tear it up as a freshman playing as a starter in the ACC. Occasionally we’ll see pitchers do this, and last year we had the whole Bryce Harper skipping his senior year to go destroy wood ball junior college ball thing, but it is still pretty rare to see a hitter do what Michael did in the manner he did (repeat: he smashed the ball all over the place back in 2009 as an 18-year-old) that it is worth pointing out over and over again. Michael has plenty of bat speed, double-digit homer upside, and the footwork and instincts to potentially stick at his junior season college position of shortstop.
3. Indian River State College SO 2B Corey Spangenberg
*** 2010: .345/.391/.553 – 14 BB/46 K – 235 AB – 24/29 SB (at VMI)
*** 2011: .477/.553/.659 – 29 BB – 176 AB – 33/37 SB
If you’re one of the die-hards who have been tracking the 2011 draft for the past few years and not the past few days (not that there is anything wrong with that…), it should come as no shock that I find the rise of Corey Spangenberg from Indian River (Florida) to be one of the most interesting potential draft day subplots. In his most recent mock draft, Jim Callis mentioned Spangenberg as a possibility for San Diego at pick number ten, Florida at fourteen, Oakland at eighteen, and Cincinnati at twenty-seven. Not bad for a player I compared to former Miami 2B Scott Lawson, now a member of the Tampa Bay organization after getting selected in the 29th round last year. Spangenberg was ranked 30th on my preseason listing of college second basemen. So, a comparison to a guy taken in the 29th round last year and a preseason ranking behind a pair of potentially undrafted infielders like Matt Puhl and Ryan Holland for a guy now expected my the leading draft expert to go 14th overall to the Marlins. Whoops.
To be fair, even with the benefit of hindsight, I feel pretty good about at least tacking Spangenberg on to the end of my preseason list of draft-eligible 2B prospects, and am now quite pleased to see the way his draft stock has skyrocketed this spring. I would have guessed his good, but not great overall tool set — his only plus tool is his bat, though I acknowledge that’s the plus tool you want if you’re only blessed with one — would have him off to Miami in time for the 2012 season. So, in a way I was right all along…I just thought Spangenberg would wind up with the Hurricanes, not the Marlins. Others like his speed more than I do, but I’m higher on his defensive upside at second base than most. The total package is made up of average to slightly above-average speed, good base running instincts, gap power, an aggressive approach that he has worked hard to improve, and, as mentioned, a true plus hit tool with the added bonus of having a strong track record with wood bats. Haven’t heard this comp yet, but it just makes too much sense to me right now and I can’t get it out of my head: Corey Spangenberg is the next generation Lonnie Chisenhall.
4. St. John’s JR 2B Joe Panik
*** 2010: .339/.448/.564 – 38 BB/17 K – 227 AB – 6/9 SB
*** 2011: .380/.492/.610 – 38 BB/19 K – 200 AB – 17/21 SB
I do my best not to let a quick look influence my opinion on a player too much, partly because I know I’m just an amateur when it comes to “scouting” players and partly because I trust the second-hand notes and observations that paint a much richer picture of what a player can and can’t do (i.e. data spanning multiple years) over what I may or may not see in one game, three games, or ten games. Without getting anybody I trust to definitively tell me, “yes, Panik is a shortstop in pro ball” and based on a couple firsthand views over the years, I made the decision to slide Panik over to the 2B rankings. With that out of the way, we can see he’s a pretty interesting 2B prospect. Many of my defensive misgivings — iffy first step quickness, good but not great arm, questionable range to his left — go by the wayside if he is moved to second. Looking at his defensive tools through this different light, we see now that his defensive actions are mostly good (hands work, quick transfer, decent “catch up” burst), his arm is plenty strong, and he won’t be asked to cover quite as much ground. The bat is obviously a strength – average or slightly above-average hit tool, arguably the most raw power in the college second base class, and above-average speed (helped by good base running instincts). The total package leaves you with a legit five-tool player, and a player with a chance to contribute, though maybe not excel, in all phases of the game.
5. Louisville JR 2B Ryan Wright
*** 2010: .370/.418/.642 – 21 BB/25 K – 254 AB – 10/11 SB
*** 2011: .338/.426/.583 – 32 BB/30 K – 216 AB – 16/18 SB
Wright’s case is a unique one because, even though his numbers dipped slightly from 2010 to 2011, his stock improved. The smarter people I talked to all came away more impressed with his 2011 approach to the new bats than they were with his “sell out for power” approach with the old aluminum. That sounds like a good sign as he makes the transition to wood. I mentioned Joe Panik, Wright’s Big East buddy, as having arguably the most raw power for a college second baseman, but you could probably flip a coin and be happy with either him or Wright at the top of that list. The difference there is that Panik has tapped into his power and shown pretty much all he can do in that area of his game; Wright, on the other hand, still has just enough untapped raw power that I sometimes wonder if the right organization could help him unlock the key (I use that phrase a lot — “unlock the key” — even though it makes no sense and isn’t listed as a real idiom anywhere. Sounds cool to me, though…) to a 20 homer season down the road. Even if his present gap power is all that we see at the next level, Wright’s solid glove, average foot speed, and promising hit tool will keep getting him chances.
6. Coastal Carolina JR 2B Tommy La Stella
*** 2010: .388/.471/.659 – 34 BB/14 K – 246 AB – 6/6 SB
*** 2011: .417/.496/.686 – 28 BB/16 K – 204 AB – 7/11 SB
The number one knock I heard on La Stella heading into the season was his tendency to get too anxious at the plate and swing at pitcher’s pitches too often. This clearly wasn’t reflected in the numbers — notice the awesome batting averages and BB/K ratios — but it was a concern from smart people who had seen him often. When I receive scouting tips that contradict what the numbers reflect, I get dizzy. Trust the reports from people who are paid to this, banking on the idea that sometimes a scouting observation shows up before a dip in on-field production? Or acknowledge that sometimes even the best see things that sometimes aren’t really there? In La Stella’s case, I’m inclined to go with the latter. La Stella’s pure hit tool is on par with darn near any college prospect in this year’s draft.
7. McNeese State JR 2B Jace Peterson
*** 2010: 345/448/478 – 41 BB/35 K – 232 AB – 35/38 SB
*** 2011: .335/.451/.473 – 44 BB/27 K – 224 AB – 31/41 SB
Funny anecdote on Peterson, courtesy of two of my better sources in the game. The first guy texted me during warmups of a McNeese State game to say something along the lines of, “No clue if he can play, but, wow, what an athlete!” I heard from the second guy later in the season when he said something like, “Here’s a grinder with a great feel for hitting.” The former football star’s athletic ability can’t be questioned and his speed is potentially a game changing tool. The current baseball star has shown a better than expected approach, greatly improved hands at the plate, and enough pop to garner early round consideration.
8. Arizona State JR 2B Zack MacPhee
*** 2010: .380/.483/.647 – 42 BB/36 K – 221 AB – 20/24 SB
*** 2011: .263/.410/.340 – 44 BB/18 K – 194 AB – 22/29 SB
This isn’t quite Jett Bandy bad — notice the still strong BB/K numbers — but the degradation of MacPhee’s once promising prospect stock is still disappointing to see. On the bright side, he still has near plus speed, impressive bat speed, and excellent defensive tools up the middle. I’d love to know whether or not his batting average collapse had something to do with a BABIP-fueled string of bad luck or if he just isn’t making the kind of hard contact he did in 2010. Reports on him struggling to square up on balls this spring have me afraid it is the latter, but that great 2010 season should be enough to have a handful of teams buying into him as a potential utility player.
9. Florida International JR 2B Jeremy Patton
*** 2010: 364/455/567 – 36 BB/23 K – 231 AB – 8/10 SB
*** 2011: .357/.462/.502 – 39 BB/22 K – 213 AB – 6/7 SB
Patton can really, really hit. I don’t know if his other tools will play at the next level, but when judged solely as a hitter it is easy to see him going far. An argument can be made for a couple different offense-first second base prospects ranked below him here, but I like his hit tool as much as I like any one player’s hit tool that comes next.
10. Siena JR 2B Dan Paolini
*** 2010: .373/.441/.821 – 21 BB/28 K – 212 AB – 12/15 SB
*** 2011: .362/.451/.694 – 29 BB/35 K – 196 AB – 13/15 SB
Paolini has more present power than any college middle infielder. The question that remains to be answered is whether or not his long swing will lead to enough hits to make that power useful at the next level. If he doesn’t hit, he’s in trouble – only his power rates as above-average at this point, with the potential for an average hit tool down the road his only other tool of note. There’s a little sleeper Dan Uggla upside here, if everything breaks right. Of course, think about the original Uggla before getting too excited – how many things had to break exactly right for him to become the Dan Uggla we know and love (even as a long-time fan of a rival division team I have to admit his uppercut corkscrew swing is fun to watch) today? Paolini will probably start out around the same place as Uggla, a former 11th round pick.
11. North Carolina A&T JR 2B Marquis Riley
*** 2010: .335/.412/.495 – 22 BB/5 K – 212 AB – 10/12 SB
*** 2011: .324/.405/.493 – 29 BB/4 K – 207 AB – 13/15 SB
For a plate discipline junkie like me, that 29 BB/4 K ratio is a thing of beauty. Reports on his defense are all over the place — “above-average,” “passable,” “erratic” — and there is a ton of upside at the plate, but the combination of that plate discipline and just enough pop to keep the bat from being knocked out of his hands gives me hope.
12. Cal State Fullerton JR 2B Joe Terry
*** 2011: .260/.309/.384 – 4 BB/13 K – 73 AB – 5/8 SB
The much-hyped (by me) hitting machine who last year made hard contact in just about every at bat failed to live up to his Bill Hall (my comp for him last year) billing in 2011. I still like the rest of his skills — good enough speed, loads of arm strength, unconventional fielding motions but underrated at second — and I’m willing to bet that bat wakes up next year. Whether the bat rises and shines in pro ball or back at Fullerton for a senior season remains to be seen.
13. Missouri State JR 2B Kevin Medrano
*** 2010: .443/.512/.614 – 31 BB/24 K – 210 AB – 17/19 SB
*** 2011: .332/.383/.379 – 19 BB/14 K – 190 AB – 13/14 SB
Medrano’s beastly 2010 season was a year to be celebrated, but it seems his 2011 performance is much more in line with the kind of player he is and will be going forward. You might not know it from the numbers above, but his best singular tool is his plus speed. He’s also a steady defender at second with good range, though a below-average throwing arm (50/50 shot on whether it will hang on the left side of the infield) limits his upside as a utility infielder. There isn’t a whole lot of power here — note his 2011 slugging percentage — but that isn’t his game anyway. Medrano is a gifted natural hitter with plus bat speed who does a great job of getting the barrel of the bat on the ball with consistency. His lack of arm strength may be his professional undoing, but his bat and speed will at least give him a chance initially.
14. Tennessee JR 2B Khayyan Norfork: plus speed; 5-10, 170;
*** 2010: .267/.392/.367 – 32 BB/35 K – 180 AB – 15/18 SB
*** 2011: .317/.420/.463 – 29 BB/34 K – 205 AB – 30/34 SB
I wanted so badly to include Norfork on my preseason list, but chickened out at the last minute for reasons still unknown to me. He’s got the prerequisite leadoff man skill set — plus speed, great jumps from first, good bunting skills, some patience, some hit tool — and the defensive versatility to play around the infield. I don’t think he has the bat to ever log consistent starter’s at bats, but unlike a few of the guys chained to 2B now and forever, Norfork should be able to move around the infield in a backup’s role with success.
15. Western Carolina JR 2B Ross Heffley
*** 2010: .345/.405/.429 – 22 BB/30 K – 238 AB – 2/3 SB
*** 2011: .398/.468/.621 – 29 BB/19 K – 211 AB – 3/5 SB
My notes on Heffley always come back to two simple words: good hitter. Ask anybody about Heffley and those will be the first two words out of their mouths. His other tools may not compare to the bat, and there are some unanswered questions about his ability to play anywhere but second base, but many think he’ll continue to be a good hitter, at least through the low minors.
16. Bowling Green JR 2B Jon Berti
*** 2010: .391/.453/.541 – 15 BB/33 K – 220 AB – 29/35 SB
*** 2011: .320/.419/.459 – 22 BB/24 K – 172 AB – 18/23 SB
Berti may not have the bat to prosper as a pro, but his speed, range, arm, and pop all rate as average or better (especially his speed) tools.
17. JR 2B Jon Schwind (Marist): good arm; good defender; above-average speed; some pop; versatile defender
*** 2010: .369/.442/.535 – 16 BB/23 K – 217 AB – 10/11 SB
*** 2011: .322/.422/.505 – 27 BB/24 K – 202 AB – 4/6 SB
Schwind profiles very similarly to Jon Berti, in that both players have underrated tools (above-average speed, some pop, good arm and defense) that are only mitigated by a bat that lacks projection. Schwind’s defensive versatility will help.
18. Auburn SR 2B Dan Gamache
*** 2010: .381/.461/.619 – 26 BB/31 K – 189 AB – 7/9 SB
*** 2011:.314/.432/.485 – 32 BB/31 K – 194 AB – 2/2 SB
The Auburn third baseman works best as a 2B in pro ball where his athleticism could shine. I’m a big fan of his swing and power upside.
19. Florida SR 2B Josh Adams
*** 2010: .239/.333/.416 – 31 BB/47 K – 226 AB – 5/8 SB
*** 2011: .365/.407/.505 – 16 BB/25 K – 200 AB – 1/4 SB
Adams is a long time personal who struggled as one of the veteran anchors of a young Gators lineup last year, but has rebounded a bit in 2011. His scouting reports remain largely favorable, despite his inconsistent performances. Adams will be helped by his positional versatility as he tries to make it in the pros as a utility guy.
20. Cal Poly JR 2B Matt Jensen
*** 2010: .277/.382/.460 – 23 BB/23 K – 137 AB – 3/3 SB
*** 2011: .189/.297/.211 – 13 BB/16 K – 95 AB – 1/2 SB
I really wish I could explain what happened to Jensen this year, but I’ve got nothing. Still really like his bat speed and power upside, and he has apparently made strides as a defender. A big senior season, either back at second or on the mound, could get him drafted in the top ten rounds like his talent probably warrants.
That’s the top twenty, but we’ll add six more for good measure. No commentary on these prospects for now, but I’m happy to add some on request.
21. Michigan State SO 2B Ryan Jones
*** 2010: 283/367/504 – 26 BB/41 K – 226 AB – 19/20 SB
*** 2011: .350/.451/.458 – 32 BB/12 K – 203 AB – 11/19 SB
22. Florida State JR 2B Sherman Johnson
*** 2010: .349/.463/.550 – 47 BB/35 K – 238 AB – 7/10 SB
*** 2011: .271/.429/.369 – 54 BB/42 K – 203 AB – 10/12 SB
23. Florida International JR 2B Garrett Wittels
*** 2010: .413/.465/.541 – 23 BB/18 K – 242 AB – 4/5 SB
*** 2011: .347/.400/.440 – 15 BB/24 K – 225 AB – 11/15 SB
24. Fresno State SR 2B Danny Muno
*** 2010: .329/.444/.500 – 48 BB/33 K – 246 AB – 10/13 SB
*** 2011: .339/.472/.462 – 43 BB/25 K – 186 AB – 12/18 SB
24. UT-San Antonio SR 2B Ryan Hutson
*** 2010: .337/.428/.609 – 24 BB/45 K – 3/5 SB – 184 AB
*** 2011: .316/.404/.572 – 22 BB/25 K – 152 AB – 4/7 SB
26. Virginia JR 2B Keith Werman
*** 2010: .436/.509/.523 – 19 BB/8 K – 149 AB – 11/16 SB
*** 2011: .233/.365/.258 – 25 BB/20 K – 163 AB – 5/8 SB
The Baseball Draft Report 