Shaffer looks pretty strong as the number one first baseman out of this group (not quite Zunino strong, but strong), so who is number two? Do any of these players profile as big league regulars at baseball’s most demanding offensive position? Which state of Florida prospect do you prefer: Boyd, Johnson, or Tucker? Speaking of Johnson, am I crazy for preferring him at first rather than on the mound? How high has Muncy’s strong start elevated his draft stock? Ard, Davies, Rash, or Wasserman: who wins that home run derby? So many questions, precious few answers. Here’s a list of all of my personal AQ conference follow list for first basemen eligible for the 2012 MLB Draft…
- Arkansas SR 1B Sam Bates
- Baylor JR 1B Max Muncy
- Clemson JR 1B Richie Shaffer
- Florida JR 1B Vickash Ramjit
- Florida JR 1B Brian Johnson
- Florida SR 1B Preston Tucker
- Florida State JR 1B Jayce Boyd
- Georgia Tech SR 1B Jake Davies
- Louisville JR 1B Zak Wasserman
- Miami JR 1B Cade Kreuter
- Mississippi SR 1B Matt Snyder
- North Carolina JR 1B Cody Stubbs
- Northwestern SR 1B Paul Snieder
- Oklahoma JR 1B Drew Harrison
- Oregon State JR 1B Danny Hayes
- South Carolina JR 1B Christian Walker
- South Florida SR 1B Todd Brazeal
- Stanford JR 1B Justin Ringo
- Texas A&M SR 1B Jacob House
- Virginia SR 1B Jared King
- Virginia Tech rJR 1B Andrew Rash
- Wake Forest JR 1B Matt Conway
- Washington State rJR 1B Taylor Ard
- Washington State rSO 1B Adam Nelubowich
My answers from above: Boyd. As everyday first basemen, probably not. Again, Boyd but it is very, very close. Probably, but that’s old news. Argument could be made that he is at or near the top, especially if he can play other spots (2B/OF) besides first as rumored. Ard, but they all have power to spare.
The Baseball Draft Report 
Alex Sherrod USC .300 plus hitter for three years Great arm, stellar defense,good power
Adam Landecker USC stellar defensive player/consistent hitter
Matt Foat USC hitting .400 plus and ranked in several PAC 12 categories. Great summer wood bat campaign
Alex Glenn doesnt play for USC
Several players you mention arent even starting and or having very unstellar years.
PAC 12 players did you even look at the stats.
You dont see any of the players play?
These players are having standout years and arent even on the PAC 12 list??
Saw Alex Sherrod mentioned.
My biggest misses are always early season breakout guys, so I really appreciate the heads up on players lighting it up in the early going who haven’t received their proper due from me. I will say that I’m not as concerned about slow starts (or fast starts) or even playing time issues as you seem to be, but I think that’s partly the nature of long-range projection scouting. Alex Glenn is a good example of that. He did next to nothing while at USC, but was still considered a prospect ahead of guys who outperformed him based on the tools he possesses. I think I’m as stat-reliant as any of the draft-obsessed, but even I know that in the end loud tools always win out.
Speaking of Glenn, well, claiming him as a part of the USC roster is pretty damn bad, and I apologize for it. That’s what I get for going off of older notes and not double-checking current rosters. One of the pitfalls of this unpaid one-man operation, I guess. Not for nothing, but he is playing pretty well (.279/.436/.442 – 18 BB/22 K – 11/11 SB) at the NAIA level for Arizona Christian and I still think of him as a solid draft prospect. Thanks for bringing the whole thing to my attention.
Landecker was on my last round of cuts due mostly to the lack of power production thus far. I know power isn’t his game, but you need a little something there to keep pitchers honest at the next level. I’ve got nothing on his defense, so I appreciate the input there. He’s been playing third all year, true? Is that his natural spot? Can he handle any other infield position? If so, I could begin to see him as a potential late-round utility prospect, but as a third baseman only I don’t really get the appeal. Good college player, though.
Sherrod’s improved approach (my biggest concern heading into the year) has me impressed in the early going. Again, I had little previous intel on his overall tool set, so I appreciate the feedback on his defense and arm. If the arm is enough for right, then I think his power makes him an definite potential pro player.
I can’t lie, I know next to nothing about Foat. His down 2011 season basically put him off the map for me. The outstanding start to 2012 is intriguing, but it doesn’t change the fact that he is a 22-year old R/R first base college senior. The bar is ridiculously high for first base prospects, as I’m sure you know. He’s definitely a name for me to keep in mind – I’ll be monitoring him throughout the year thanks to this.
Thanks for the response.
Lay people often ponder tools over performance.But we arent the scouts.
Yeah I agree with what you have to say about above players.But with that said sometimes those late bloomers,scrappy guys ,late round signs,can really surprise you. 🙂
Guess we will have to watch and see how it all turns out.
Very true. When I read or hear that a player is a “natural hitter” with a “true plus hit tool” and a “beautiful lefthanded swing” and then check to see that he’s batting .234 or something, my brain hurts. Not saying the scouts are wrong, but, man, at some point those supposedly awesome tools need to turn into skills, or else. As for the guys we talked about, I’m rooting for each to make it big. Wanting every player to succeed is one of the fun parts about following younger players. I don’t feel bad rooting against millionaire athletes who’ve already made it to the very tippy top of their given profession, but I’ve always been a sucker for high school and college-aged kids to at least get a taste of big league success somewhere, someday.
Yes on all things said above.
A quick side note Steve Garvey was a pretty good right handed first basemen.
Also another thing to note sometimes where a player plays in college has not much to do with where he may end up just has to do with coaches, and talent at the time.
To me if you cant hit it doesnt matter what tools you have.Ill take a hitter anyday.
Thanks for the feedback, love talking baseball.