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2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – MAAC

8 Mar 2016 7:00 AM / 1 Comment on 2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – MAAC

One of my great regrets in doing conference lists rather than team profiles is the unfortunate inevitability of the prospects outside a conference’s top few names getting short shrift. With team profiles, there’s more time and space to get into some of the lesser prospects that are still fun to discuss as potential late-round sleepers. So without any huge names that I can see in this year’s class of MAAC draft prospects, let’s take a look at some of the prospects who would have gotten profiled in a team-by-team look instead.

Jose Carrera is listed at 5-6, 145 pounds, but nobody who has seen him believes he’s really that big. He struggled with the stick last season (.190 BA), but found other ways to contribute offensively: his 14 BB/9 K ratio led to a .358 OBP, his lack of size didn’t get in the way of some surprising pop showing through (168 ISO), and his above-average speed and smart base running was evident in his 15/16 success rate stealing bags. Carrera is one of my favorite college players already. I’m all about him as a 2017 senior-sign. For those of you who don’t want to wait another year for a senior-sign to love, there’s Lou Iannotti of Quinnipiac. Iannotti has great size (6-3, 200), above-average speed, a strong arm, and really impressive defensive instincts. It’s not the usual package one would expect out of a potential late-round senior-sign MAAC catching prospect, but Iannotti makes it work.

Kyano Cummings is a rarity as a lefty with a legit plus splitter. How rare is a lefthander who throws a split? Quick research revealed only five big league lefties even attempted the pitch last year: Jeremy Affeldt, Matt Reynolds, Ken Roberts, Andrew Faulkner, and Manny Parra. Fellow lefthanders Anthony Ciavarella (curve) and Frank Trimarco (change) don’t throw splitters (to my knowledge), but both have an out pitch of their own that they can rely on to miss bats.

Meanwhile, at the top of their respective lists sit Jake Lumley and Iannick Remillard from Canisius. Lumley is a reliable glove with above-average speed and a sound approach at the plate. Remillard has always been able to get swings and misses from his three-pitch mix headlined by a heater up to 93 MPH. Below them are real draft prospects that I can’t help but like such as Christ Conley (athletic catcher who can hit), Shaine Hughes (promising bat that could rise this spring with more exposure), Christian Santisteban (an all-caps FAVORITE as a hitter), Alex Vargas (undersized righthander with a really quick arm), Thomas Jankins (a crafty righty who can throw any one of his top four pitches in any count), and Bryan Goossens (intriguing senior-sign reliever option up to 94).

Hitters

Canisius JR 2B/SS Jake Lumley
Canisius JR C Christ Conley
Monmouth rSO 3B/1B Shaine Hughes
Manhattan SR 1B/OF Christian Santisteban
Niagara SR 1B/2B Michael Fuhrman
Siena JR OF Dan Swain
Quinnipiac JR SS/2B Matt Batten
Canisius SR 2B/SS Anthony Massicci
Marist SR OF Graham McIntire
Quinnipiac SR OF Rob Pescitelli
Marist SR 2B Joey Aiola
Marist rSR 1B/OF Steve Laurino
Iona rJR 2B/SS Matt Byrne
Manhattan JR SS Jose Carrera
Quinnipiac SR C/1B Lou Iannotti
Siena SR C Dave Hoffmann
Siena JR OF Ryne Martinez
Fairfield SR 1B Brendan Tracy
Quinnipiac SR OF Mike Palladino
Fairfield SR OF/SS Jake Salpietro
Monmouth SR OF Dan Shea
Marist JR OF Tyler Kirkpatrick
Marist SR OF Matt Pagano
St. Peter’s SR OF Rob Moore
Rider SR OF James Locklear
Quinnipiac SR 3B/RHP Joseph Burns
St. Peter’s SR SS Jon Kristoffersen
Siena SR 1B/OF Fred Smart

Pitchers

Canisius SR RHP Iannick Remillard
Quinnipiac JR RHP Alex Vargas
Quinnipiac JR RHP Thomas Jankins
Siena SR RHP Bryan Goossens
Marist rSO RHP Scott Boches
Monmouth JR RHP Ricky Dennis
Siena SR LHP Kyano Cummings
Monmouth SR LHP Anthony Ciavarella
Monmouth SR LHP Frank Trimarco
Rider rJR RHP Vincenzo Aiello
Manhattan JR RHP Joey Rocchietti
Quinnipiac JR RHP Greg Egan
Manhattan JR RHP Matt Simonetti
Manhattan SO LHP Tommy Cosgrove
Siena JR LHP Chris Amorosi
Canisius SR LHP Alex Godzak
Manhattan JR LHP Joe Jacques
Iona JR RHP Vinny Martin
Marist rSR RHP Evan Davis
Iona rJR LHP Andrew Pucillo
Iona JR LHP Andrew Camiolo
Marist JR RHP Tyler Dearden
Quinnipiac rSR RHP Matthew Lorenzetti
Quinnipiac JR LHP Matthew Osieja
Quinnipiac SR LHP Justin Thomas
St. Peter’s SR RHP John Leiter

Canisius

SR RHP Iannick Remillard (2016)
SR LHP Alex Godzak (2016)
JR RHP Josh Shepley (2016)
SR 2B/SS Anthony Massicci (2016)
JR 2B/SS Jake Lumley (2016)
JR C Christ Conley (2016)
SO LHP JP Stevenson (2017)
SO RHP Tyler Smith (2017)
SO 1B/3B Ryan Stekl (2017)
SO OF Adam Tricarico (2017)
SO C Jack Massa (2017)
SO 2B Ryan Creps (2017)
SO 2B/SS Alex O’Donnell (2017)
FR RHP Andrew Kneussie (2018)

High Priority Follows: Iannick Remillard, Alex Godzak, Anthony Massicci, Jake Lumley, Christ Conley

Fairfield

SR RHP Aaron Howell (2016)
JR LHP Mike Bonaiuto (2016)
JR RHP Kyle Dube (2016)
SR OF/SS Jake Salpietro (2016):
SR 1B Brendan Tracy (2016)
JR OF Dan Hopkins (2016)
JR OF Troy Scocca (2016)
FR 3B Jack Gethings (2018)
FR OF Tim Zeng (2018)

High Priority Follows: Jake Salpietro, Brendan Tracy

Iona

rJR LHP Andrew Pucillo (2016)
JR RHP Vinny Martin (2016)
JR LHP Andrew Camiolo (2016)
rJR 2B/SS Matt Byrne (2016)
SR C Carmine Palummo (2016)
JR C Alex Beckett (2016)
SR OF Travis Mistretta (2016)
SR SS Vinny DeMaria (2016)
SO RHP Patrick Ryan (2017)
SO RHP Joe DeRosa (2017)
SO OF Seth Hoagland (2017)
FR 2B Sean Breen (2018)

High Priority Follows: Andrew Pucillo, Vinny Martin, Andrew Camiolo, Matt Byrne

Manhattan

JR RHP Joey Rocchietti (2016)
JR RHP Matt Simonetti (2016)
JR LHP Joe Jacques (2016)
SO LHP Tommy Cosgrove (2016)
JR SS Jose Carrera (2016)
SR 1B/OF Christian Santisteban (2016)
SO OF Brendan Bisset (2017)
FR RHP Ryan Takacs (2018)

High Priority Follows: Joey Rocchietti, Matt Simonetti, Joe Jacques, Tommy Cosgrove, Jose Carrera, Christian Santisteban

Marist

rSO RHP Scott Boches (2016)
rSO RHP Sean Keenan (2016)
JR RHP Ryan Thomas (2016)
rSR RHP Chris Napolitano (2016)
rSR RHP Evan Davis (2016)
JR RHP Tyler Dearden (2016)
SR RHP Erik Bauer (2016)
SR OF Matt Pagano (2016)
SR OF Graham McIntire (2016)
SR 2B Joey Aiola (2016)
JR OF Tyler Kirkpatrick (2016)
SR SS John Brucker (2016)
rSR 1B/OF Steve Laurino (2016)
rJR OF Zachary Racusin (2016)
rSR C Mark Swertfager (2016)
SO RHP Michael Hunter (2017)
SO LHP Charlie Jerla (2017)
SO LHP Tony Romanelli (2017)
FR SS Jack Shirk (2018)

High Priority Follows: Scott Boches, Evan Davis, Tyler Dearden, Erik Bauer, Matt Pagano, Graham McIntire, Joey Aiola, Tyler Kirkpatrick, Steve Laurino, Mark Swertfager

Monmouth

SR LHP Anthony Ciavarella (2016)
SR LHP Frank Trimarco (2016)
JR RHP Ricky Dennis (2016)
rSO 3B/1B Shaine Hughes (2016)
SR OF Dan Shea (2016)
SR C Cary Jacobson (2016)
SR SS Robbie Alessandrine (2016)
JR 2B/SS Grant Lamberton (2016)
JR OF Chris Gaetano (2016)
JR C/1B Ryan Bailey (2016)
SO LHP Justin Andrews (2017)
SO LHP Mike Brambilla (2017)
SO INF Justin Trochiano (2017)
SO OF Pete Papcun (2017)
FR RHP Joe Molettiere (2018)
FR INF/RHP Jordan McCrum (2018)

High Priority Follows: Anthony Ciavarella, Frank Trimarco, Ricky Dennis, Shaine Hughes, Dan Shea, Robbie Alessandrine, Chris Gaetano, Ryan Bailey

Niagara

SR RHP Ben Zaccagnino (2016)
JR RHP Kevin Lucas (2016)
JR RHP Daniel Procopio (2016)
JR LHP Michael Bucci (2016)
rJR RHP Matt McCuen (2016)
SR 1B/2B Michael Fuhrman (2016)
rSR OF Taylor Hackett (2016)
rJR 3B Greg Rodgers (2016)
rJR OF Hayden Coll (2016)
JR C Joel Brophy (2016)
SO RHP Zachary Kolodziejski (2017)
SO OF/3B Tanner Kirwer (2017)
FR SS Greg Cullen (2018)

High Priority Follows: Michael Bucci, Matt McCuen, Michael Fuhrman, Hayden Coll

Quinnipiac

JR RHP Alex Vargas (2016)
SR LHP Justin Thomas (2016)
JR LHP Matthew Osieja (2016)
JR RHP Thomas Jankins (2016)
JR RHP Greg Egan (2016)
SR RHP Joseph Scaglione (2016)
rSR RHP Matthew Lorenzetti (2016)
SR 3B/RHP Joseph Burns (2016)
SR OF Mike Palladino (2016)
SR OF Rob Pescitelli (2016)
SR C/1B Lou Iannotti (2016)
SR 2B Ryan Nelson (2016)
JR C Matt Oestreicher (2016)
JR SS/2B Matt Batten (2016)
SR OF John Bodenhamer (2016)
SO RHP Robert Hitt (2017)
SO RHP Taylor Luciani (2017)
SO LHP Wyatt Hamilton (2017)
SO 1B/RHP Ben Gibson (2017)
SO OF Julius Saporito (2017)
FR OF Brian Moskey (2018)

High Priority Follows: Alex Vargas, Justin Thomas, Matthew Osieja, Thomas Jankins, Greg Egan, Matthew Lorenzetti, Joseph Burns, Mike Palladino, Rob Pescitelli, Lou Iannotti, Matt Batten

Rider

rJR RHP Vincenzo Aiello (2016)
JR RHP Josh Sharik (2016)
SR OF James Locklear (2016)
SO LHP Nick Margevicius (2017)
SO OF Brian Uliana (2017)
FR RHP Brett Kosciolek (2018)
FR 1B Richie Tecco (2018)

High Priority Follows: Vincenzo Aiello, James Locklear

Siena

SR RHP Bryan Goossens (2016)
SR LHP Kyano Cummings (2016)
JR LHP Chris Amorosi (2016)
JR OF Dan Swain (2016)
JR OF Ryne Martinez (2016)
SR 1B/OF Fred Smart (2016)
SR C Dave Hoffmann (2016)
SR OF Alex Tuccio (2016)
SR C Dave Hoffman (2016)
SO RHP Ryan Bellomo (2017)
SO 2B/SS Jordan Bishop (2017)
SO 1B Joe Drpich (2017)
FR LHP Tommy Miller (2018)
FR RHP Dylan D’Anna (2018)
FR 3B Jordan Folgers (2018)

High Priority Follows: Bryan Goossens, Kyano Cummings, Chris Amorosi, Dan Swain, Ryne Martinez, Fred Smart, Dave Hoffmann

St. Peter’s

SR RHP John Leiter (2016)
JR RHP Kevin Soriano (2016)
SR OF Rob Moore (2016)
SR SS Jon Kristoffersen (2016)
SO RHP Anthony Assante (2017)
SO OF Nick Ciocco (2017)

High Priority Follows: John Leiter, Rob Moore, Jon Kristoffersen

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Horizon

7 Mar 2016 7:00 AM / 1 Comment on 2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Horizon

I think I was pretty optimistic about Sean Murphy in the pre-season…

Watching Murphy do his thing behind the plate is worth the price of admission alone. We’re talking “Queen Bee” level arm strength, ample lateral quicks on balls in the dirt, and dependable hands with an ever-improving ability to frame borderline pitches. He’s second in the class behind Jake Rogers defensively — not just as a catcher, but arguably at any position — but with enough bat (unlike Rogers) to project as a potential above-average all-around regular in time. I expect the battle for top college catching prospect to be closely contested all year with Thaiss, Okey, and Murphy all taking turns atop team-specific draft boards all spring long.

…but there’s a chance that even the praise and his lofty ranking (22nd among college prospects, top three college catcher) undersold how good a player he is. Murphy has a chance to be a game-changing talent defensively as well as a significant contributor offensively. If you ever sat down and counted up all of the players that various experts considered first rounders you’d wind up with a first round approaching triple-digit selections; for that reason, I hesitate to call Murphy a future first round pick. I think it’s much easier to identify him instead as a first round talent, a minor distinction that speaks more about his ability as a player than an attempt to explain the vagaries of how teams draft. I have no idea if Murphy will be a first round pick in June. I don’t even know if he’ll wind up as one of the top thirty or so (“first round”) players on my final big board before the draft. What I do know is that he’s talented enough to warrant a first round pick, so fans of any team picking him then should be pleased. I also know that college players I like in that late-first to mid-second round range have had a tendency of slipping some on draft day, what with there being so many talented players that sorting through the top 100 can produce lists with all kinds of different orders. Brandon Lowe (ranked him 24/drafted in the third), Scott Kingery (25/second), David Thompson (35/fourth), and Harrison Bader (42/third) are all examples of this kind of player from last year. Those were all serious value picks in my mind, and I can see Murphy’s (late-first to third round) selection being written about in much the same way in a few months.

Throwing to Murphy will be a pitching staff that stands out as one of the best in the conference. Jesse Scholtens, a transfer from Arizona, can crank it up to the low-90s with his fastball, a pitch complemented nicely with an average or better breaking ball. There’s clear senior-sign reliever potential with him and perhaps a little bit more if his changeup continues to develop. EJ Trapino and Derek Hendrixson are players who could be targeted by teams more interested in performance than physical projection. Trapino, the lefty, and Hendrixson, a righty, both stand at only around 5-9, 150 pounds. The lack of size has not slowed them down in any way, however, as both young pitchers have consistentedly mowed down whatever competition that has been put in front of them. Trapino uses a funky sidearm delivery with loads of deception to keep hitters off balance to the tune of a 11.21 K/9 in 53 junior year innings. Hendrixson has more impressive stuff (low-90s heat, interesting cutter), but he’ll have to prove it works at the D1 level first. Judging by his junior college numbers – 9.88 K/9 and 0.80 BB/9 in 78.1 IP last year – it shouldn’t be too painful a transition if he’s healthy and given the opportunity. We need not take those things for granted, but there’s no harm in hoping for the best.

Hitters

Wright State JR C Sean Murphy
Wisconsin-Milwaukee rJR SS/3B Eric Solberg
Oakland SR SS Mike Brosseau
Oakland JR 1B/OF Zach Sterry
Wright State JR SS Mitch Roman
Wisconsin-Milwaukee rSR OF Luke Meeteer
Valparaiso JR 1B Nate Palace
Illinois-Chicago JR 3B/SS Mickey McDonald
Youngstown State rSO 1B Andrew Kendrick
Wright State rSO 1B/OF Gabe Snyder
Youngstown State JR OF Alex Larivee
Valparaiso SR C/OF Daniel Delaney
Oakland rSR C/2B Ian Yetsko
Illinois-Chicago JR SS/3B Cody Bohanek
Valparaiso SR OF Nolan Lodden
Illinois-Chicago rSR OF Conor Philbin
Wright State SR OF Ryan Fucci

Pitchers

Wright State SR RHP Jesse Scholtens
Youngstown State JR RHP Kevin Yarabinec
Illinois-Chicago JR RHP Connor Ryan
Illinois-Chicago JR LHP Jake Dahlberg
Wisconsin-Milwaukee SR RHP Brian Keller
Valparaiso SR LHP Dalton Lundeen
Wisconsin-Milwaukee JR RHP Jay Peters
Valparaiso SR LHP Luke Syens
Wright State SR LHP EJ Trapino
Wright State JR RHP Derek Hendrixson
Wright State rJR LHP Robby Sexton
Youngstown State SR LHP Jared Wight
Oakland JR RHP Connor Fannon
Wisconsin-Milwaukee JR RHP Adam Reuss
Illinois-Chicago SR LHP/OF Trevor Lane
Valparaiso SR RHP Ryan Fritze
Oakland rSR RHP Chris Van Dyke
Oakland rSR RHP Lucas Scocchia
Youngstown State JR RHP Jeremy Quinlan

Illinois-Chicago

JR RHP Mitchell Schulewitz (2016)
JR LHP Jake Dahlberg (2016)
SR RHP Jack Andersen (2016)
JR RHP Connor Ryan (2016)
SR LHP/OF Trevor Lane (2016)
rSR OF Conor Philbin (2016)
JR 3B/SS Mickey McDonald (2016)
rSO C Gabe Dwyer (2016)
rSO 2B David Cronin (2016)
JR SS/3B Cody Bohanek (2016)
SO RHP Noah Masa (2017)
SO C Robert Calabrese (2017)
FR RHP Fred Gosbeth (2018)
FR RHP Reid Birlingmair (2018)
FR OF Riley Hebert (2018)
FR OF/1B Scott Ota (2018)

High Priority Follows: Mitchell Schulewitz, Jake Dahlberg, Jack Anderson, Connor Ryan, Trevor Lane, Conor Philbin, Mickey McDonald, David Cronin, Cody Bohanek

Northern Kentucky

rSR RHP Alex Bolia (2016)
SR RHP Aric Harris (2016)
SR RHP Justin Watts (2016)
rJR LHP Kevin Herren (2016)
rSR RHP Wendell Wright (2016)
SR C Logan Spurlin (2016)
JR SS Kyle Colletta (2016)
rSR OF Quint Heady (2016)
JR OF Tito Montgomery (2016)
SO OF/LHP Trey Ganns (2017)

High Priority Follows: Justin Watts, Kyle Colletta

Oakland

rSR RHP Lucas Scocchia (2016)
rSR RHP Chris Van Dyke (2016)
SR LHP Collin Gee (2016)
SR RHP Alex Mason (2016)
JR RHP Connor Fannon (2016)
JR RHP Kendall Colvin (2016)
JR RHP Tyler Palm (2016)
JR RHP Aaron Dehl (2016)
JR 1B/OF Zach Sterry (2016)
SR SS Mike Brosseau (2016)
JR OF Tyler Pagano (2016)
rSR C/2B Ian Yetsko (2016)
SO RHP Nate Green (2017)
SO LHP Nate Schweers (2017)
FR OF Jordan Jackson (2018)

High Priority Follows: Lucas Scocchia, Chris Van Dyke, Connor Fannon, Zach Sterry, Mike Brosseau, Ian Yetsko

Valparaiso

SR RHP Trevor Haas (2016)
SR LHP Luke Syens (2016)
SR LHP Dalton Lundeen (2016)
SR RHP Ryan Fritze (2016):
rJR RHP Ellis Foreman (2016)
SR C/OF Daniel Delaney (2016)
SR OF Nolan Lodden (2016)
SR OF Josh Clark (2016)
JR 1B Nate Palace (2016)
SO RHP Luke VanLanen (2017)
SO INF Chad Jacob (2017)
FR RHP Montana Quigley (2018)
FR C Scott Kapers (2018)

High Priority Follows: Trevor Haas, Luke Syens, Dalton Lundeen, Ryan Fritze, Daniel Delaney, Nolan Lodden, Nate Palace

Wisconsin-Milwaukee

JR RHP Jay Peters (2016)
SR RHP Brian Keller (2016)
JR RHP Adam Reuss (2016)
rSR RHP Cal Haley (2016)
JR RHP Zach Brenner (2016)
rJR SS/3B Eric Solberg (2016)
JR 2B/SS Billy Quirke (2016)
rJR 1B/3B John Boidanis (2016)
SR 3B/1B Nick Unes (2016)
rSR OF Luke Meeteer (2016)
SO LHP Alex McIntosh (2017)
SO RHP Austin Schulfer (2017)
SO C Daulton Varsho (2017)
FR RHP Jake Sommers (2018)
FR INF Mike Ferri (2018)

High Priority Follows: Jay Peters, Brian Keller, Adam Reuss, Cal Haley, Eric Solberg, Billy Quirke, John Boidanis, Luke Meeteer

Wright State

SR LHP EJ Trapino (2016)
rSR RHP Jack Van Horn (2016)
JR RHP Derek Hendrixson (2016)
SR RHP Jesse Scholtens (2016)
rJR LHP Robby Sexton (2016)
SR OF Ryan Fucci (2016)
SR 3B John Brodner (2016)
SR C Jason DeFevers (2016)
rJR 1B/OF Brad Macciocchi (2016)
JR SS Mitch Roman (2016)
rSO 1B/OF Gabe Snyder (2016)
JR C Sean Murphy (2016)
SO RHP Jeremy Randolph (2017)
SO OF Matt Morrow (2017)
FR RHP Ryan Weiss (2018)
FR RHP/SS Caleb Sampen (2018)
FR LHP Zane Collins (2018)
FR OF/C Peyton Burdick (2018)
FR OF JD Orr (2018)

High Priority Follows: EJ Trapino, Jack Van Horn, Derek Hendrixson, Jesse Scholtens, Robby Sexton, Ryan Fucci, Mitch Roman, Gabe Snyder, Sean Murphy

Youngstown State

SR LHP Jared Wight (2016)
JR RHP Kevin Yarabinec (2016)
JR LHP Michael Semonsen (2016)
JR RHP Jeremy Quinlan (2016)
SR 2B Billy Salem (2016)
JR OF Lorenzo Arcuri (2016)
JR SS Shane Willoughby (2016)
JR OF Alex Larivee (2016)
rSO 1B Andrew Kendrick (2016)
SO 1B Ryan Cordova (2017)
FR LHP Collin Floyd (2018)
FR OF Kyle Benyo (2018)

High Priority Follows: Jared Wight, Kevin Yarabinec, Jeremy Quinlan, Billy Salem, Lorenzo Arcuri, Alex Larivee, Andrew Kendrick

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Summit

4 Mar 2016 7:00 AM / 2 Comments on 2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Summit

For a variety of reasons, some valid (other non-site baseball obligations) most not (classic case of letting perfect become the enemy of good leading to delays), I don’t always say exactly what I want to say when I want to say it on this platform. When that happens, I try to at least hint at what I want to say. Like, if I’m not quite ready to unveil a complete ranking of a conference or a position or even an overall big board but I still want a certain opinion about a player out there for public consumption, I’ll try to find a way to work it in somehow. I do that more with high school prospects because the research piece there is never truly done – for example, I’ve yet to do a complete HS board but anybody can read between the lines who I’d have number one by now – but occasionally it happens at the college level.

Clayton Taylor is an excellent draft prospect. He was the top position player on last year’s Summit list and he retains that very spot in 2016. I’ve championed Taylor’s cause for a few years now, but now I’m willing to go all-in on his electric bat speed and promising defensive tools. It was that last point that kept me from falling completely in love with him before, but enough people who know things have assured me he’s athletic enough to handle second (and short in a pinch) with a strong enough arm and solid instincts for third. With his bat, that’ll work just fine. Power, patience, production, athleticism, size, defensive upside…Taylor checks every box. Now comes the part where I’m not yet ready to say what I want to say, but I’ll do what I can to say it anyway: the next batch of updated college position rankings could see Taylor rate as the top D1 third base prospect in the country. I’d have Lucas Erceg at the top with some (unfinished) combination of Taylor, Bobby Dalbec (for now…), Sheldon Neuse, and old favorite Greg Deichmann making up the next tier. Getting that on the record now before everybody – or not: whatever, doesn’t matter, maybe I’m alone on this one – jumps on the bandwagon come June. Clayton Taylor can play.

Cole Gruber joins Taylor in what may be the country’s best pair of senior-sign hitters in one lineup. Gruber has always hit and has the bat speed to give confidence that he’ll keep doing so going forward, but his true calling card is his combination of speed and range in CF. When the first word out of one’s mouth after watching a prospect patrol center is “easy,” then you know you’ve got a keeper. Count me in as a big fan of his game, both aesthetically in the here and now and how it will translate to the pros.

Neither Brent Williams nor Adam McGinnis will blow you away with their defensive work, but both have the chance to be serviceable behind the plate while having an average or better offensive impact at it. Of course, when I say they have a chance that’s not something to be taken lightly. Projecting prospects is, as we all know, a game of percentages, and I’d put the best possible outcome path for both Williams and McGinnis lower than most prospects that rank so highly on a conference prospect list. Williams’s bat is plenty intriguing and his reputation as a patient hitter is appealing, but positive early scouting buzz is a long way from doing it consistently at the D1 level; that, in turn, is a long way from doing it well enough to get drafted and eventually promoted along as a professional. McGinnis’s bat does even less for me at the moment, but his defensive versatility – he’s a good athlete with average speed and a strong arm, so a four-corners/catcher utility future can’t be ruled out – makes him stand out in a conference filled with interesting yet flawed prospects.

Interesting yet flawed describes the Summit League’s pitching prospects as well. Kyler Stout, a redshirt-sophomore at Oral Roberts, takes the top spot despite only tossing 10.2 innings last year and around 35 total his first two seasons. The aggressive ranking is a testament to the importance of a pitcher knowing how to consistently locate his fastball. Stout commands his 88-92 fastball really well, so at the top he sits. His main challengers for the spot include Joe Mortillaro (good low-90s FB with sink), Preston Church (upper-80s lefty with deception), Brian VanderWoude (changeup specialist), and Parker Trewin (leverages his slider for lots of whiffs, but already 24 years old). The most fascinating names for me this spring are Tyler Fox (85-90 FB with three offspeed pitches he can throw at any time) and Nick Milligan (power righty up to 94 who piles up both strikeouts and walks). Interesting by flawed, indeed.

Hitters

Nebraska-Omaha SR 3B/SS Clayton Taylor
Nebraska-Omaha SR OF Cole Gruber
Oral Roberts rJR C/1B Brent Williams
Western Illinois JR C Adam McGinnis
Oral Roberts rSO OF Noah Cummings
North Dakota State JR OF Ben Petersen
Fort Wayne SR OF Brandon Soat
Oral Roberts JR 3B Chase Stafford
Oral Roberts JR 3B/OF Rolando Martinez
Nebraska-Omaha SR OF Alex Schultz
Fort Wayne SR OF Evan VanSumeren
North Dakota State SR C/OF Taylor Sanders
Fort Wayne rSR 2B/SS Greg Kaiser
South Dakota State JR 1B Matt Johnson
Fort Wayne rSO 1B/C Brock Logan
North Dakota State SR C Juan Gamez
Fort Wayne SR 1B Kendall Whitman
Oral Roberts rJR OF/2B Nick Rotola
North Dakota State rJR C JT Core
Western Illinois JR SS/1B Chris Tschida
South Dakota State SR OF Paul Jacobson

Pitchers

Oral Roberts rSO RHP Kyler Stout
South Dakota State SR RHP Andrew Clemen
Western Illinois SR RHP Joe Mortillaro
Western Illinois JR LHP Preston Church
South Dakota State JR RHP Ryan Froom
North Dakota State SR RHP Brian VanderWoude
North Dakota State rSR LHP Parker Trewin
Nebraska-Omaha SR RHP Tyler Fox
Western Illinois SR RHP Nick Milligan
Fort Wayne rSO RHP Brandon Phelps
South Dakota State JR RHP Ethan Kenkel
North Dakota State JR RHP Alex Rogers
Oral Roberts rSR RHP Nathan Garza
Fort Wayne rJR RHP Jake Weber

Fort Wayne

rJR RHP Jake Weber (2016)
rSR LHP Brandon Pease (2016)
SR RHP Trevor Storie (2016)
SR RHP Kyle Orwig (2016)
rSO RHP Brandon Phelps (2016)
SR OF Brandon Soat (2016)
rSR 2B/SS Greg Kaiser (2016)
SR 1B Kendall Whitman (2016)
SR OF Evan VanSumeren (2016)
rSR OF Shane Trevino (2016)
rSO 1B/C Brock Logan (2016)
rSO 3B/C Shannon Baker (2016)
SO RHP Evan Miller (2017)
FR RHP Brayton Cooper (2018)

High Priority Follows: Jake Weber, Brandon Pease, Kyle Orwig, Brandon Phelps, Brandon Soat, Greg Kaiser, Kendall Whitman, Evan VanSumeren, Shane Trevino, Brock Logan, Shannon Baker

Nebraska-Omaha

SR RHP Tyler Fox (2016)
SR RHP Marcus Ethen (2016)
JR RHP Brett Sasse (2016)
JR RHP Shane Meltz (2016)
JR RHP Eric Moreno (2016)
JR RHP Skyler Sylvester (2016)
SR OF Cole Gruber (2016)
SR OF Alex Schultz (2016)
SR 3B/SS Clayton Taylor (2016)
rSO 1B Ryan Cate (2016)
SO RHP Corey Binger (2017)
SO LHP Brad Olsen (2017)
SO OF Cole Patterson (2017)
FR INF Jack Kalina (2018)

High Priority Follows: Tyler Fox, Cole Gruber, Alex Schultz, Clayton Taylor

North Dakota State

JR RHP Alex Rogers (2016)
SR RHP Brian VanderWoude (2016)
JR RHP Adam Lambrecht (2016)
rJR RHP Sean Terres (2016)
JR RHP Reed Pfannenstein (2016)
JR RHP Kevin Folman (2016)
rSR LHP Parker Trewin (2016)
SR C/OF Taylor Sanders (2016)
SR C Juan Gamez (2016)
rJR C JT Core (2016)
SR 2B Andy Wicklund (2016)
rSO OF Logan Busch (2016)
JR OF Ben Petersen (2016)
SR 3B Paul Funk (2016)
SR INF Danny Regan (2016)
SO LHP Blake Stockert (2017)
SO RHP Colin Baumgard (2017)
SO 1B/C Brayden Resch (2017)
SO OF Jayse McLean (2017)
SO 2B Drew Fearing (2017)
SO 1B Mason Pierzchalski (2017)
FR RHP/OF Blake Tritch (2018)
FR LHP/OF Parker Harms (2018)
FR OF Alec Abercrombie (2018)

High Priority Follows: Alex Rogers, Brian VanderWoude, Sean Terres, Parker Trewin, Taylor Sanders, Juan Gamez, JT Core, Ben Petersen

Oral Roberts

rSR RHP Nathan Garza (2016)
rSO RHP Kyler Stout (2016)
JR RHP Logan Michaels (2016)
rSR RHP Nick Wood (2016)
JR RHP Grant Glaze (2016)
rJR C/RHP Holden Cammack (2016)
rJR C/1B Brent Williams (2016)
rSR SS Trevin Sonnier (2016)
rJR OF/2B Nick Rotola (2016)
JR 3B/OF Rolando Martinez (2016)
JR 3B Chase Stafford (2016)
rSO OF Noah Cummings (2016)
SO RHP Bryce Howe (2017)
SO LHP Taylor Varnell (2017)
SO C Matt Whatley (2017)
SO SS Nick Roark (2017)
FR RHP/1B Josh McMinn (2018)
FR LHP Trevor McCutchin (2018)

High Priority Follows: Nathan Garza, Kyler Stout, Brent Williams, Nick Totola, Rolando Martinez, Chase Stafford, Noah Cummings

South Dakota State

SR RHP Andrew Clemen (2016)
SR RHP Derringer Huff (2016)
JR RHP Ethan Kenkel (2016)
JR LHP Landon Busch (2016)
JR RHP Ryan Froom (2016)
SR RHP Joe Erickson (2016)
SR OF Paul Jacobson (2016)
SR SS Jesse Munsterman (2016)
JR 1B Matt Johnson (2016)
SO 3B Tony Kjolsing (2017)
SO C Luke Ringhofer (2017)
SO OF Anthony Schneider (2017)
SO OF Philip Jacobson (2017)
SO 3B Newt Johnson (2017)
FR RHP Will McAffer (2018)
FR OF Marcus Hahn (2018)

High Priority Follows: Andrew Clemen, Derringer Huff, Ethan Kenkel, Landon Busch, Ryan Froom, Paul Jacobson, Jesse Munsterman, Matt Johnson

Western Illinois

SR RHP Joe Mortillaro (2016)
rJR LHP Aaron Michel (2016)
SR RHP Nick Milligan (2016)
JR LHP Preston Church (2016)
JR RHP Robbie Nunn (2016)
SR OF Erik Maki (2016)
SR C Mark Garton (2016)
JR C Adam McGinnis (2016)
JR SS/1B Chris Tschida (2016)
SO LHP JT Baksha (2017)
SO RHP Colan Borchers (2017)
SO LHP Pete Minella (2017)
SO RHP Sam Cottingham-Beard (2017)
SO SS Kendall King (2017)
SO 2B Colton Pogue (2017)
FR INF Deion Thompson (2018)
FR INF Drue Galassi (2018)
FR C CJ Shaeffer (2018)

High Priority Follows: Joe Mortillaro, Aaron Michel, Nick Milligan, Preston Church, Robbie Nunn, Mark Garton, Adam McGinnis, Chris Tschida

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – MEAC

3 Mar 2016 7:00 AM / 2 Comments on 2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – MEAC

We’ve talked at length over the years about the limits of what an amateur second base prospect can realistically achieve. It goes without saying that the road is even harder for a senior coming out of the MEAC, especially an undersized one with no clear standout physical tool. But Cameron Onderko has been a hitting machine since first stepping foot on campus. That’s enough for me for now to give him the top spot in a generally think crop of 2016 pro prospects.

Demetrius Sims is good enough to stick at short in the pros with a strong arm and solid speed. There’s a little more wishcasting involved with his bat then you’d like to see, but betting on an athlete like him is rarely a bad idea. Marlon Gibbs has a 350 at bat or so lead on Sims, so it’s no big shock that his bat is a little bit ahead as of now. He’s a comparable athlete to Sims – a very good thing – with an above-average approach and impressive bat speed. Same goes for Denathan Dukes, a personal favorite for more (athleticism, speed, idea at the plate) than his outstanding name.

There’s a tick less pitching to get excited about, but, as always, you can find a few interesting guys if you’re willing to keep an open mind. Andrew Vernon has some late-round senior-sign future reliever characteristics, most notably his fastball/slider combo (88-92, 94 peak; average or better SL) and consistent track record of missing bats. Alex Seibold, a transfer from Florida International, has similar stuff and a similar pro outlook. The three lefties that rank next are all unique in their own way: Devin Hemmerich had an excellent junior season (9.51 K/9 and 1.90 BB/9) utilizing a mid- to upper-80s fastball, Matt Outman is the veteran potential senior-sign, and JoJo Durden comes to Florida A&M via Chipola JC with decent stuff, good size, and plenty to prove.

Hitters

Delaware State SR 2B/SS Cameron Onderko
Bethune-Cookman rSO SS Demetrius Sims
Florida A&M rSR OF Marlon Gibbs
Norfolk State JR OF Denathan Dukes
North Carolina Central JR OF Carlos Ortiz
Delaware State JR OF/LHP Jaylen Zielecki
Florida A&M rSR OF Dylan Dillard
Florida A&M SR 2B Alec Wong
Coppin State SR 1B/OF George Dragon
North Carolina A&T JR 2B/3B Timothy Ravare
Florida A&M JR C Jacky Miles
North Carolina Central JR C Conrad Kovalcik
Norfolk State SR OF Angel Rosario
North Carolina Central rSO OF/C Bryant Battle
Bethune-Cookman SR OF Nathan Bond
North Carolina Central rJR OF Jacobi Harris
North Carolina Central SR 1B Christian Tripplett
Savannah State rSR 1B Charles Sikes
Florida A&M SR OF Peter Jackson
Norfolk State SR 3B Kyle Vaas
Norfolk State rJR 2B/SS Roger Hall
Savannah State SR OF/C Mendez Elder

Pitchers

North Carolina Central SR RHP Andrew Vernon
Bethune-Cookman SR RHP Alex Seibold
Norfolk State JR LHP Devin Hemmerich
Norfolk State rSR LHP Matt Outman
Florida A&M JR LHP JoJo Durden
Bethune-Cookman JR RHP Zach Olszewski
Florida A&M rJR RHP Sawyer Betts
North Carolina Central SR RHP Alex Dandridge
Delaware State JR RHP/INF Chris Gonzalez
Norfolk State SR RHP/3B Robbie Hiser
Savannah State JR RHP Austin Robinson
North Carolina A&T JR RHP Robert Peck
Bethune-Cookman SR RHP German Hernandez
Bethune-Cookman JR LHP Marcellus Sneed
Florida A&M rSO RHP Hunter Fillingim
North Carolina A&T JR LHP Danny Garrett
Florida A&M JR RHP Chase Jarrell
Florida A&M JR RHP Danny Rodriguez
Florida A&M SR RHP Kenny McDonald
Norfolk State SR RHP Cooper Jones
Florida A&M SR LHP Ricky Page
Florida A&M SR RHP Brandon Fleming

Bethune-Cookman

SR RHP Alex Seibold (2016)
JR LHP Marcellus Sneed (2016)
SR RHP German Hernandez (2016)
JR RHP Zach Olszewski (2016)
SR RHP Clint Clymer (2016)
SR OF Nathan Bond (2016)
rSO SS Demetrius Sims (2016)
JR OF Sam Brooks (2016)
JR C Michael Cruz (2016)
rJR C Clay Middleton (2016)
SR OF Rakeem Quinn (2016)
JR 2B Brandon Amendolare (2016)
JR 3B/1B Austin Garcia (2016)
SO RHP Tyler Norris (2017)
SO 3B Jameel Edney (2017)
SO OF Kyle Corbin (2017)
FR RHP Tyler Krull (2018)
FR SS Trent Nash (2018)
FR OF Josten Heron (2018)
FR 1B Daniel Rodriguez (2018)

High Priority Follows: Alex Seibold, Marcellus Sneed, German Hernandez, Zach Olszewski, Nathan Bond, Demetrius Sims, Clay Middleton

Coppin State

SR 1B/OF George Dragon (2016)
SR OF Darien Percell (2016)
SR OF John Kraft (2016)
rSO 3B/SS Bryant Miranda (2016)
JR OF Clinton Arnold (2016)
SO SS Jacquez Hunn (2017)
FR LHP Andrew O’Dwyer (2018)
FR P Jahmon Taylor (2018)
FR P Aaron Rea (2018)
FR P Krystian Negron (2018)
FR OF Carlos Alvairez (2018)
FR SS Erik Crossman (2018)
FR C John O’Dwyer (2018)

High Priority Follows: George Dragon, Darien Percell, Bryant Miranda, Clinton Arnold

Delaware State

JR LHP Dan Galati (2016)
JR RHP/INF Chris Gonzalez (2016)
JR OF/LHP Jaylen Zielecki (2016)
SR 2B/SS Cameron Onderko (2016)
JR C Jacob Bartlett (2016)
SO RHP Lane DeLeon (2017)
SO RHP Zach Cooney (2017)
SO LHP Darrien Ragins (2017)
SO RHP Hunter McVey (2017)
SO OF Devin Beverly (2017)
SO OF Austin Bentley (2017)
FR RHP Sean Hanhauser (2018)
FR OF Darnell Maisonet (2018)

High Priority Follows: Jaylen Zielecki, Chris Gonzalez, Cameron Onderko

Florida A&M

SR LHP Ricky Page (2016)
SR RHP Kenny McDonald (2016)
SR RHP Brandon Fleming (2016)
SR RHP David Ogilvie (2016)
JR RHP Chase Jarrell (2016)
rJR RHP Sawyer Betts (2016)
rSO RHP Hunter Fillingim (2016)
JR LHP JoJo Durden (2016)
JR RHP Danny Rodriguez (2016)
JR 3B Ben Ellzey (2016)
JR C Jacky Miles (2016)
rSR OF Marlon Gibbs (2016)
rSR OF Dylan Dillard (2016)
SR 2B Alec Wong (2016)
SR SS AJ Elkins (2016)
SR OF Peter Jackson (2016)
SO C Brian Davis (2017)
FR INF Keith Stevens (2018)
FR OF Willis McDaniel (2018)

High Priority Follows: Ricky Page, Kenny McDonald, Brandon Fleming, Chase Jarrell, Sawyer Betts, Hunter Fillingim, JoJo Durden, Danny Rodriguez, Jacky Miles, Marlon Gibbs, Dylan Dillard, Alec Wong, Peter Jackson

Maryland-Eastern Shore

SR RHP Will Turley (2016)
rSR RHP Devin Repine (2016)
SR 2B/SS Mike Escanilla (2016)
SO RHP Toby Hoskins (2017)
SO RHP Scott Bean (2017)

High Priority Follows: Mike Escanilla

Norfolk State

SR RHP Cooper Jones (2016)
JR LHP Devin Hemmerich (2016)
rSR LHP Matt Outman (2016)
SR RHP/3B Robbie Hiser (2016)
SR OF Angel Rosario (2016)
rJR 2B/SS Roger Hall (2016)
SR 3B Kyle Vaas (2016)
JR OF Denathan Dukes (2016)
SO RHP Michael Parmentier (2017)
SO 2B/RHP Alex Mauricio (2017)
SO C Ismael Herrera (2017)
SO OF Syeed Mahdi (2017)
FR 2B/RHP Chase Anderson (2018)

High Priority Follows: Cooper Jones, Devin Hemmerich, Matt Outman, Robbie Hiser, Angel Rosario, Roger Hall, Kyle Vaas, Denathan Dukes

North Carolina A&T

JR RHP Robert Peck (2016)
JR RHP Kaesen Wilson (2016)
JR RHP Will Greene (2016)
JR LHP Danny Garrett (2016)
JR 2B/3B Timothy Ravare (2016)
SO OF/2B Myles Sowell (2016)
SO RHP Tevelle Clark (2017)
rFR RHP Nathan Blake (2017)
SO C Adan Ordonez (2017)
SO SS Milton Rivera (2017)

High Priority Follows: Robert Peck, Danny Garrett, Timothy Ravare, Myles Sowell

North Carolina Central

SR RHP Andrew Vernon (2016)
SR RHP Alex Dandridge (2016)
SR RHP Cameron Scalzo (2016)
JR RHP Christian Gonnelli (2016)
JR OF Carlos Ortiz (2016)
JR C Conrad Kovalcik (2016)
rSO OF/C Bryant Battle (2016)
JR SS Thomas Prospero (2016)
JR OF Zach Marszal (2016)
SR JR C James Dey (2016)
rJR OF Jacobi Harris (2016)
JR 3B Ellington Hopkins (2016)
rSR 2B Trevor Theissen (2016)
SR 1B Christian Tripplett (2016)
SO RHP Devin Sweet (2017)
SO OF/LHP Mitchell McCrary (2017)

High Priority Follows: Andrew Vernon, Alex Dandridge, Cameron Scalzo, Carlos Ortiz, Conrad Kovalcik, Bryant Battle, Thomas Prospero, Jacobi Harris, Christian Tripplett

Savannah State

JR RHP Austin Robinson (2016)
SR OF/C Mendez Elder (2016)
JR OF Jakeel Daniels (2016)
rSR 1B Charles Sikes (2016)
SO RHP Chris Hayes (2017)
SO LHP Trevor McKenna (2017)
SO SS Somto Egbuna (2017)
SO OF Harrison Moore (2017)
SO 1B/OF Marcus Mitchell (2017)
SO 3B Knox Marchman (2017)
FR RHP Greg Hollman (2018)
FR RHP Justin Washington (2018)
FR OF Jalen Atterbury (2018)

High Priority Follows: Austin Robinson, Mendez Elder, Charles Sikes

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – WAC

2 Mar 2016 7:00 AM / 6 Comments on 2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – WAC

Brick Paskiewicz is one of college baseball’s best all-around players. There’s very little that he’s incapable of on the field. As a hitter, he flashes power, makes a lot of contact, and has an advanced approach. As a fielder, he’s well above-average in center with special athleticism, above-average to plus speed, and a strong arm. As a pitcher, he’s been up to 95 with his fastball (88-93 with serious sink otherwise) and can spot an average slider with above-average upside where he wants. Some I’ve checked with prefer him on the mound as a future athletic reliever with as yet untapped potential, but I’ll stick with him as a potential regular in center with continued growth as a hitter. His two-way college profile reminds me some of another old favorite, Louie Lechich, so a similar rise for Paskiewicz (Lechich was a sixth rounder) wouldn’t surprise me one bit. He’s good.

It’s fairly well-established by now that this year’s college shortstop class isn’t good. I’m about as positive a guy as you’ll find willing to do this for free and even I’ll admit that. That said…there are way more mid-major and small school types that can a) probably stay at shortstop in the pros, and b) hit frozen ropes even when dragged out of bed to do so. Paul Panaccione is one of the best of those types. In drafting Panaccione, you’d be getting a steadying influence in the middle infield, a hitter with a very clear plan with every trip to the plate, and an all-around solid performer with an increasingly intriguing track record of getting it done at the college level. Griffin Andreychuk, Brandon Greiger, and Ryan Yamane are all middle infielders that could wind up as similarly worthwhile mid- to late-round depth picks this June. Andreychuck, a prospect good enough that I took the time to think about and then commit the spelling of his name to memory, is the most similar to Panaccione and a threat to overtake him as the best shortstop prospect in the conference by year’s end. Greiger, a standout junior college transfer coming off a decent .478/.563/.701 (42 BB/30 K) season at New Mexico JC, has something to prove at New Mexico State. Early reports from fall ball were encouraging, so I’m bullish…and that’s even with the knowledge that his crazy 2015 stats don’t look quite as nice when viewed through the context of his team’s cumulative .377/.466/.613 batting line. Yamane has plenty to prove in his own right after injuries limited him to just 55 AB – very effective ones, it should be noted – last season. He’s more second baseman than shortstop, so that’ll have to be taken under consideration as well.

Beyond Paskiewicz and Panaccione, there’s a third Grand Canyon prospect I like a lot: catcher Josh Meyer. There’s really no getting around the fact that Meyer’s ranking is really aggressive considering his dreadful 2015 performance. The memory of his strong 2014 and really positive scouting notes (above-average defender in all phases, strong arm, very physical) prop up his prospect stock, but I could see why others may not give him the same pass for his recent struggles.

Yet another Grand Canyon prospect stands right there with Zach Muckenhirn as the WAC’s top pitching prospect. We’re talking about no other than Andrew Naderer. Both Muckenhirn and Naderer live mostly in the upper-80s – Muckenhirn can hit 92 and Naderer tops out at 90 – with average changeups that flash better, stellar overall command, and pitchability beyond their years. The two are very close as prospects since both do certain things particularly well. For Muckenhirn it’s his better by a hair change and fastball velocity, plus his unusually high baseball intelligence. Naderer wins with outstanding fastball movement and a developing cutter that has my attention. You really can’t go wrong with either as long as you keep your expectations (matchup reliever with a chance to keep starting as a crafty lefty) in check.

If more velocity is what you want, then check out Brett DeGagne’, Justin Dillon, Danny Beddes, and Matt Gorgolinski. Clocking in at a mere 6-4, 225 pounds, Dillon is the smallest of that quartet with the lowest peak fastball velocity (94 MPH) to boot…but he makes up for those “deficiencies” by being the only one of the four without present control issues. The door is open for any of those hard throwers – we could include the trio from New Mexico State (Joe Galindo, Marcel Renteria, Brett Worthen) who all can hit at least 94 – to wind up the highest drafted arm from the conference this June.

(I can’t mention the Western Athletic Conference without mentioning the “real” WAC. There’s not much of an online presence, so forgive the outdated flyer. Great league, great cause, great volunteers running the show.)

Hitters

Grand Canyon JR OF/RHP Brick Paskiewicz
Grand Canyon SR SS Paul Panaccione
Seattle JR SS Griffin Andreychuk
Grand Canyon JR C Josh Meyer
New Mexico State SR SS Brandon Greiger
Northern Colorado rSR 2B/SS Ryan Yamane
Cal State Bakersfield JR 2B/OF David Metzgar
Utah Valley State SR 1B/OF Mark Krueger
Seattle SR 2B/SS Sheldon Stober
Texas Rio Grande Valley SR OF Cole Loncar
Sacramento State rSO OF Andrew McWilliam
New Mexico State JR OF Daniel Johnson
Sacramento State rSR OF/1B Chris Lewis
Northern Colorado rSO 3B/OF Cole Maltese
Cal State Bakersfield JR 2B/RHP Max Carter
Chicago State rJR SS Julian Russell
New Mexico State JR OF Greg Popylisen
Texas Rio Grande Valley JR 1B Victor Garcia
Utah Valley State SR OF Craig Brinkerhoff
Sacramento State JR C Gunner Pollman
Texas Rio Grande Valley JR C Jose Garcia
Seattle JR 3B Brock Carpenter
Grand Canyon SR OF Brandon Smith
New Mexico State SR OF Cameron Haskins
Seattle rJR 2B Cash McGuire

Pitchers

North Dakota JR LHP Zach Muckenhirn
Grand Canyon SR LHP Andrew Naderer
North Dakota SR RHP Brett DeGagne’
Sacramento State rJR RHP Justin Dillon
Utah Valley State JR RHP Danny Beddes
Sacramento State rSO RHP Matt Gorgolinski
Grand Canyon rSR RHP Jorge Perez
Sacramento State JR LHP Sam Long
New Mexico State JR RHP Joe Galindo
New Mexico State JR RHP Marcel Renteria
New Mexico State JR RHP Brett Worthen
Sacramento State SR RHP Tyler Beardsley
Northern Colorado rSO RHP Connor Leedholm
Seattle SR RHP Ted Hammond
Seattle rJR LHP Connor Moore
Texas Rio Grande Valley JR RHP Andrew Garcia
Utah Valley State JR LHP Patrick Wolfe
North Dakota JR LHP Brandon Radmacher
Sacramento State JR RHP Max Karnos
Cal State Bakersfield SR RHP/OF Chance Gusbeth
Grand Canyon SR LHP Travis Garcia-Perreira
Grand Canyon SR LHP Jaren Drummond
Grand Canyon JR LHP Zebastian Valenzuela
North Dakota JR LHP Ellery Breshnahan
Texas Rio Grande Valley SR LHP Matt Rigby

Cal State Bakersfield

rSR RHP AJ Monarrez (2016)
JR LHP Alec Daily (2016)
SR RHP/OF Chance Gusbeth (2016)
JR 2B/RHP Max Carter (2016)
JR 2B/OF David Metzgar (2016)
JR OF/3B Ryan Grotjohn (2016)
JR 3B Joey Sanchez (2016)
SO OF Drew Seelman (2017)
SO OF Jarrett Veiga (2017)

High Priority Follows: AJ Monarrez, Chance Gusbeth, Max Carter, David Metzgar, Ryan Grotjohn, Joey Sanchez

Chicago State

rJR SS Julian Russell (2016)
SR OF Andy Gertonson (2016)
JR 2B Sanford Hunt (2016)
SO C Cody Freund (2017)
FR Cody Grosse (2018)

High Priority Follows: Julian Russell

Grand Canyon

SR LHP Andrew Naderer (2016)
SR LHP Travis Garcia-Perreira (2016)
SR RHP Cameron Brendel (2016)
SR LHP Jaren Drummond (2016)
rSO LHP Ethan Evanko (2016)
rSR RHP Jorge Perez (2016)
JR LHP Zebastian Valenzuela (2016)
JR OF/RHP Brick Paskiewicz (2016)
JR C Josh Meyer (2016)
SR OF Brandon Smith (2016)
SR SS Paul Panaccione (2016)
rSR 2B Krysthian Leal (2016)
JR OF Brian Kraft (2016)
JR OF Matt Haggerty (2016)
SO LHP Jake Repavich (2017)
SO RHP Mick Vorhof (2017)
SO OF Thomas Lerouge (2017)
SO OF Garrison Schwartz (2017)
SO INF Greg Saenz (2017)
SO 3B/SS Ben Mauseth (2017)
FR RHP/SS Tyler Wyatt (2018)
FR SS Marc Mumper (2018)
FR 1B/OF Zach Malis (2018)

High Priority Follows: Andrew Naderer, Travis Garcia-Perreira, Cameron Brendel, Jaren Drummond, Jorge Perez, Zebastian Valenzuela, Brick Paskiewicz, Josh Meyer, Brandon Smith, Paul Panaccione, Brian Kraft

New Mexico State

JR RHP Joe Galindo (2016)
JR RHP Brett Worthen (2016)
JR RHP Marcel Renteria (2016)
JR SS/RHP LJ Hatch (2016)
SR 1B Joseph Koerper (2016)
SR OF Cameron Haskins (2016)
JR OF Daniel Johnson (2016)
JR OF Greg Popylisen (2016)
SR SS Brandon Greiger (2016)
JR C Chad Reibenspies (2016)
SR SS/OF Jay Sheeley (2016)
FR FR LHP Steven Butts (2018)
FR RHP/SS Alex Reyes (2018)
FR SS Roman Trujillo (2018)

Whole new team –three are only returnees

High Priority Follows: Joe Galindo, Brett Worthen, Marcel Renteria, Joseph Koerper, Cameron Haskins, Daniel Johnson, Greg Popylisen, Brandon Greiger

North Dakota

JR LHP Zach Muckenhirn (2016)
SR RHP Brett DeGagne’ (2016)
JR LHP Ellery Breshnahan (2016)
JR LHP Brandon Radmacher (2016)
SR SS Daniel Lockhert (2016)
SO OF Brett Harrison (2017)
rFR OF/C Miles Lewis (2017)

High Priority Follows: Zach Muckenhirn, Brett DeGagne’, Ellery Breshnahan, Brandon Radmacher

Northern Colorado

SR RHP Spencer Applebach (2016)
rSO RHP Connor Leedholm (2016)
JR LHP/OF Nick Tanner (2016)
JR OF Dan Reese (2016)
JR C Jake Garcia (2016)
rSO 3B/OF Cole Maltese (2016)
rSR 2B/SS Ryan Yamane (2016)
SO RHP Justin Mulvaney (2017)
SO C Payton Tapia (2017)
SO 1B Marco Castilla (2017)
FR OF Cam Huber (2018)

High Priority Follows: Connor Leedholm, Cole Maltese, Ryan Yamane

Sacramento State

rSO RHP Matt Gorgolinski (2016)
JR RHP Max Karnos (2016)
SR RHP Tyler Beardsley (2016)
rJR RHP Justin Dillon (2016)
SR RHP Grant Kukuk (2016)
JR RHP Austin Ragsdale (2016)
JR LHP Sam Long (2016)
JR RHP Chad Perry (2016)
rSR OF/1B Chris Lewis (2016)
rSO OF Andrew McWilliam (2016)
SR SS Trent Goodrich (2016)
JR 2B Brandon Hunley (2016)
JR INF Kody Reynolds (2016)
JR C Gunner Pollman (2016)
SO SS PJ Floyd (2017)
SO 3B Devin Lehman (2017)
SO 1B Vinny Esposito (2017)
FR OF Matt Smith (2018)
FR C James Outman (2018)

High Priority Follows: Matt Gorgolinski, Max Karnos, Tyler Beardsley, Justin Dillon, Grant Kukuk, Sam Long, Chris Lewis, Andrew McWilliam, Gunnar Pollman

Seattle

SR RHP Ted Hammond (2016)
rSR RHP Grant Gunning (2016)
rJR LHP Connor Moore (2016)
JR 3B Brock Carpenter (2016)
SR 2B/SS Sheldon Stober (2016)
rJR 2B Cash McGuire (2016)
JR C/1B Mike McCann (2016)
JR SS Griffin Andreychuk (2016)
SO LHP Nick Meservey (2017)
SO LHP Tarik Skubal (2017)
SO RHP Janson Junk (2017)
SO RHP Ryan Freitas (2017)
SO OF Dalton Hurd (2017)
SO INF Sean Sutton (2017)
FR SS Chase Ridder (2018)
FR RHP Zach Wolf (2018)
FR LHP Tyler Oldenberg (2018)
FR OF Jeffrey Morgan (2018)
FR C/OF Kyler Murphy (2018)

High Priority Follows: Ted Hammond, Connor Moore, Brock Carpenter, Sheldon Stober, Cash McGuire, Mike McCann, Griffin Andreychuk

Texas Rio Grande Valley

JR RHP Andrew Padron (2016)
SR LHP Matt Rigby (2016)
JR RHP Eddie Delgado (2016)
JR RHP Andrew Garcia (2016)
SR OF Cole Loncar (2016)
JR 1B Victor Garcia (2016)
JR C Jose Garcia (2016)
SR OF Correy Davis (2016)
SO RHP Robert Quinonez (2017)
SO RHP Ryan Jackson (2017)
SO RHP Johnny Gonzalez (2017)
FR RHP Pablo Ortiz (2018)

High Priority Follows: Matt Rigby, Andrew Garcia, Cole Loncar, Victor Garcia, Jose Garcia

Utah Valley State

JR RHP Danny Beddes (2016)
JR LHP Patrick Wolfe (2016)
JR RHP Matt Davidson (2016)
JR RHP Eric Olguin (2016)
SR 1B/OF Mark Krueger (2016)
SR OF Craig Brinkerhoff (2016)
SR 2B/SS Greyson Bogden (2016)
SR 1B Spencer Gothberg (2016)
SO LHP Jackson Cofer (2017)
SO RHP Evan Fresquez (2017)
SO C Jake Atkinson (2017)
FR 2B Paul Estrada (2018)

High Priority Follows: Danny Beddes, Patrick Wolfe, Matt Davidson, Eric Olguin, Mark Krueger, Craig Brinkerhoff

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – SWAC

29 Feb 2016 7:00 AM / 4 Comments on 2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – SWAC

The SWAC saw nine players drafted by MLB teams last June. I think the talent is there to match or exceed that in 2016.

Larry Barraza leads the way as a middle infield prospect with sneaky pop, functional speed, and a track record of making plenty of solid contact. I’m a fan of his all-around game. Diamyn Hall is more of a boom/bust pick considering he only managed 26 healthy at bats last season. His 2014 was strong and his tools are exciting (quick bat, tons of speed, intriguing power), so I think he’ll fly up boards with a full return to health. Sam Campbell is a thumper with advanced strike zone knowledge. Both Moses Charles and Ryan Lazo are capable of sticking up the middle defensively as pros; Lazo in particular stands out as being outstanding in center with speed and athleticism for days.

Jackson Figueroa is a little like the Diamyn Hall of pitchers: he only threw fourteen innings last year, so his spot atop the pitching rankings is a gamble on his athleticism and arm speed. Guys who can hit the mid-90s like he can don’t stay under the radar for long, SWAC or not. Jevon Jacobs is another two-way talent who could make his mark in pro ball thanks to a very appealing three-pitch mix. Like Figueroa, Jacobs makes up for his lack of physicality (both guys are listed around 6-0, 180 pounds) with serious athleticism. Angel Alicea is the third guy who logically can be lumped together with the short, two-way, athletic, big fastballing profile. Jamal Wilson and Robert Pearson both stick to pitching only – as far as I know – but can run their heaters up to 96 at their best. That’ll get you noticed. Michael Tellado and Joseph Camacho are on the opposite end of the spectrum. Both righthanders fall just shy of the 90 MPH mark with their fastballs, but do enough well beyond that (curve for Tellado, sinker/slider/change/deception for Camacho) that they are able to pile up strikeouts year after year. There are many paths to getting one’s name called on draft day, and I could see a team that factors analytics high in their decision-making give those two sleepers some consideration this year as senior-signs. I would, but nobody asked me.

Hitting

Grambling State SR 2B/SS Larry Barraza
Grambling State rJR OF Diamyn Hall
Jackson State JR 1B Sam Campbell
Alcorn State SR SS Moses Charles
Texas Southern SR OF Ryan Lazo
Texas Southern rSR C Javier Valdez
Prairie View A&M JR OF Cody Den Beste
Alabama State JR OF Carlos Ocasio
Jackson State JR C Carlos Diaz
Alcorn State rJR INF Daniel Corona
Southern JR SS/RHP Troy Lewis
Alcorn State SR 1B Collin Carroll
Prairie View A&M SR 1B Angel Avalos
Alabama State rJR C Chris Biocic
Southern rSR C Jose DeLa Torre
Alabama A&M SR 1B Dylan Payne
Mississippi Valley State JR C Arrington Smith
Grambling State JR SS Wesley Drain
Prairie View A&M JR INF/RHP Charles Philpott
Jackson State SR OF Tony Holton
Prairie View A&M JR 2B Kevin Macias
Prairie View A&M SR C Jaron Hicks
Alcorn State SR OF LaDerrick Williams
Mississippi Valley State rSR 3B/OF Drew Wheeler
Prairie View A&M JR 1B Carson Lee
Texas Southern SR OF Christopher Scroggins
Prairie View A&M SR OF Anthony Fernandez
Texas Southern SR INF Joel Rosario

Pitching

Arkansas-Pine Bluff JR RHP/OF Jeremiah Figueroa
Jackson State SR RHP/SS Jevon Jacobs
Jackson State JR RHP Jamal Wilson
Texas Southern rSR RHP Robert Pearson
Alabama State JR RHP/SS Angel Alicea
Alabama State rSR RHP Michael Tellado
Alabama State SR RHP Joseph Camacho
Jackson State JR RHP Jesse Anderson
Alabama State SR RHP Hunter McIntosh
Grambling State JR LHP Tanner Raiburn
Alabama State JR RHP Austin Bizzle
Grambling State SR LHP Dion Holbrook
Alabama State JR RHP Brandon Caples
Alabama State rJR RHP Tyler Howe
Alabama A&M SR RHP Josh Burchell
Arkansas-Pine Bluff SR RHP Blake Estep
Arkansas-Pine Bluff SR RHP Humberto Medina
Jackson State SR RHP Rene Colon
Southern rSO RHP Harold Myles
Texas Southern JR RHP Ryan Rios
Jackson State SR LHP Vincent Anthonia
Prairie View A&M SR RHP Jordan Foster

Alabama A&M

SR RHP Josh Burchell (2016)
SR RHP Caleb Roberts (2016)
SR RHP Jordan Benford (2016)
SR 1B Dylan Payne (2016)
JR INF JT O’Reel (2016)
rFR 3B Austin Turner (2017)
SO INF Tanner Ivey (2017)

High Priority Follows: Josh Burchell, Dylan Payne

Alabama State

SR RHP Joseph Camacho (2016)
rSR RHP Michael Tellado (2016)
rJR RHP Tyler Howe (2016)
JR RHP Austin Bizzle (2016)
SR RHP Hunter McIntosh (2016)
JR LHP Patrick Coffin (2016)
JR RHP Brandon Caples (2016)
JR RHP/SS Angel Alicea (2016)
SR OF Dillon Cooper (2016)
JR OF Carlos Ocasio (2016)
rJR C Chris Biocic (2016)
SO LHP Ivanniel Vazquez (2017)
SO RHP Darren Kelly (2017)
SO 3B Ray Hernandez (2017)
SO OF Joseph Estrada (2017)
SO 1B Gustavo Rios (2017)
SO 2B Yamil Pagan (2017)
SO C Hunter Allen (2017)
FR 2B Eriq White (2018)
FR OF Diandre Amion (2018)

High Priority Follows: Joseph Camacho, Michael Tellado, Tyler Howe, Austin Bizzle, Hunter McIntosh, Brandon Caples, Angel Alicea, Carlos Ocasio, Chris Biocic

Alcorn State

rJR INF Daniel Corona (2016)
SR 1B Collin Carroll (2016)
rJR INF Jesus Vasquez (2016)
JR C Walter Vives (2016)
SR SS Moses Charles (2016)
SR OF LaDerrick Williams (2016)
FR RHP Conrado Skepple (2018)

High Priority Follows: Daniel Corona, Collin Carroll, Moses Charles, LaDerrick Williams

Arkansas-Pine Bluff

SR RHP Blake Estep (2016)
SR RHP Skyler Henson (2016)
JR RHP CJ Lewington (2016)
SR RHP Humberto Medina (2016)
rSR LHP Chris Phelps (2016)
JR RHP/OF Jeremiah Figueroa (2016)
SR INF Roberto Colon (2016)

High Priority Follows: Blake Estep, Humberto Medina, Jeremiah Figueroa

Grambling State

JR LHP Tanner Raiburn (2016)
SR LHP Dion Holbrook (2016)
SR 2B/SS Larry Barraza (2016)
rJR OF Diamyn Hall (2016)
SR OF Darien Brown (2016)
JR OF Marshawn Taylor (2016)
JR SS Wesley Drain (2016)
JR 3B Daniel Barnett (2016)
FR OF Nick Wheeler (2018)

High Priority Follows: Tanner Raiburn, Dion Holbrook, Larry Barraza, Diamyn Hll, Wesley Drain

Jackson State

SR RHP/SS Jevon Jacobs (2016)
SR LHP Vincent Anthonia (2016)
JR RHP Jamal Wilson (2016)
JR RHP Jesse Anderson (2016)
SR RHP Rene Colon (2016)
JR 1B Sam Campbell (2016)
JR C Carlos Diaz (2016)
SR OF Tony Holton (2016)
SO C David Burke (2017)
SO 3B Jesus Santana (2017)
SO OF Bryce Brown (2017)
SO INF Lamar Briggs (2017)
FR OF CJ Newsome (2018)

High Priority Follows: Jevon Jacobs, Vincent Anthonia, Jamal Wilson, Jesse Anderson, Rene Colon, Sam Campbell, Carlos Diaz, Tony Holton

Mississippi Valley State

rSR 3B/OF Drew Wheeler (2016)
JR C Arrington Smith (2016)
FR RHP/SS Fredrick Spencer (2018)
FR RHP Marcus Jones (2018)

High Priority Follows: Drew Wheeler, Arrington Smith

Prairie View A&M

SR RHP Jordan Foster (2016)
JR INF/RHP Charles Philpott (2016)
SR 1B Angel Avalos (2016)
JR 3B Josh Jefferson (2016)
JR OF Cody Den Beste (2016)
SR C Jaron Hicks (2016)
JR 2B Kevin Macias (2016)
JR 1B Carson Lee (2016)
SR OF Anthony Fernandez (2016)
SO OF Brashad Jones (2017)
SO OF Darrien Williams (2017)

High Priority Follows: Jordan Foster, Charles Philpott, Angel Avalos, Cody Den Beste, Jaron Hicks, Kevin Macias, Carson Lee, Anthony Fernandez

Southern

rSO RHP Harold Myles (2016)
JR SS/RHP Troy Lewis (2016)
rSR C Jose DeLa Torre (2016)
JR INF Robinson Mateo (2016)
FR LHP Bryan Melendez (2018)
FR OF Anthony Valdes (2018)
FR SS/3B Franky Montesino (2018)

High Priority Follows: Harold Myles, Troy Lewis, Jose DeLa Torre

Texas Southern

rSR RHP Robert Pearson (2016)
JR RHP Larry Romero (2016)
JR RHP Ryan Rios (2016)
rSR C Javier Valdez (2016)
SR OF Ryan Lazo (2016)
SR INF Joel Rosario (2016)
SR OF Christopher Scroggins (2016)
SO RHP Seth Oliver (2017)
SO SS Gerreck Jimenez (2017)
SO C Blake Hicks (2017)
SO 3B Horace LeBlanc (2017)
SO INF Kamren Dukes (2017)
FR OF Oladjide Oloruntimilehin (2018)

High Priority Follows: Robert Pearson, Ryan Rios, Javier Valdez, Ryan Lazo, Joel Rosario, Christopher Scroggins

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Ohio Valley

26 Feb 2016 7:00 AM / 1 Comment on 2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Ohio Valley

It may just be me, but I’m starting to detect a trend towards hitters over pitchers in these conference prospect lists so far. This comes as a surprise as I would have told anybody who would listen – like my dog, if I had one – that this year’s college pitching group, on the whole, represented one of the strengths of the draft class. I don’t think that was a “wrong” first impression per se — going back through the archives over the past two weeks sees positive things written about Matt Crohan, Parker Bean, Andre Scrubb, Eric Lauer, Nick Deeg, Zach Plesac, Keegan Akin, Aaron Civale, Bailey Ober, and Dustin Hunt, among others – but more of a testament to the kind of high-end potential hitters that could be found in the draft’s mid- to late-rounds for teams willing to look a bit deeper into what college ball has to offer. In an effort to reverse this trend, here’s a lot of words about the Ohio Valley’s best pitchers…followed by slightly less words about the conference’s top hitters. Seems only right.

If you like senior-sign pitchers, then you’ll love what the Ohio Valley has in store in 2016. The presence of eight consecutive seniors at the top of these pitching rankings is fascinating to me for a couple of reasons. First, I didn’t realize I had done it until just this very moment; if anything, I make a conscious effort to settle most of my prospect ties by siding with the younger guy (admittedly less important with pitchers than hitters, at least in my estimation), so seeing the run of seniors really threw me off. If you’ll indulge me in a little self-scouting, I think what happened here was a lack of informational depth on my end about some of the younger arms in the conference. When faced with less data to work with, I went with the guys with longer track records who I knew better as prospects. I don’t think this is a great way to do business, but it’s one of the compromises I have to make when ranking players: giving preferential treatment to players with more data is far from ideal yet any realistic attempt to cover an entire country’s worth of amateur prospects (and Canada/Puerto Rico) with an unpaid staff of one necessitates some cutting of corners.

More information about Alex Robles’s fastball could have bumped him up the rankings considering how much I like his ability to change speeds and overall athleticism. If I had a better feel for whether Patrick McGuff’s control issues were correctable, he could be higher. Updated reports about the trio of Southeast Missouri State juniors (Justin Murphy, Clay Chandler, Robert Beltran) might have given me more confidence to shoot them up the board a couple spots. I did the best I could with the information that I could compile, but that nagging thought that I could have done more to fairly represent the true pro prospects of some of these hard-working players is what keeps me up some nights.

Anyway, the eight seniors at the top all have flashed pro ability at one time or another during their college careers. Matt Anderson has had some ugly ERAs to date, but he consistently misses bats with his impressive three-pitch mix (88-92 FB, CU that flashes plus, average or better breaking ball). Tyler Keele can run it up to 94 with a good yet inconsistent curve, Aaron Quillen is a steady (88-92 FB, solid command) righthanded arm out of central casting, and PJ Schuster leans on an above-average change to stay one step ahead of hitters. Then you’ve got Joey Lucchesi with a good fastball (88-92) coming in with deception from the left side, the wild Andrew Bramley who can throw two effective breaking balls, Jared Carkuff and his ready for the bullpen fastball/slider combo, and Matt Wivinis, the transfer from Kansas State who will sink and cut his fastball all while flashing an above-average slider of his own.

The hitters are led by Logan Gray, a tooled up infielder with a good chance at sticking at short professionally. I’m excited by his raw power (average or better), defensive upside, serious wheels, and a rapidly improving approach. Right behind Gray is Tyler Lawrence, the catcher out of Murray State. He’s improved enough defensively over the years to be a near-certainty to stick behind the plate and his approach as a hitter separates him from many (but not all) of his mid-major catching peers. I’m a big fan. If Lawrence does it do it for you (he should), then perhaps a different Tyler will get your attention. Tyler Walsh and Tyler Fullerton, both of Belmont, go about things differently, but both wind up as interesting pro prospects. Walsh, the 6-5, 200 pound plus runner, is a rangy shortstop with significant upside if he can put it all together his junior season. Fullerton, the steady glove with deceptive pop in his 5-9, 175 pound frame, is already coming off a monster junior year, so a layman like me can only wonder what more he needs to do to get noticed by pro teams this spring. Maybe I’m overrating his glove as I’ve heard at least average at second with a fallback as a quality outfielder, but maybe that’s too rich. Even still, I can’t in good conscience deny a hitter who has produced like he has so far.

I’m not sure Ridge Smith is a catcher over the long haul, but he’s got the athleticism to give it a go as a pro. Failing that, he could still put that athleticism (and above-average speed) to good use at either third or an outfield spot. In a draft lacking in big-time power, Keaton Wright stands out as one of the more intriguing sluggers. Feedback I’ve gotten say he’s more 2017 senior-sign to track than a real 2016 draft threat, but I’m throwing caution to the wind with the aggressive ranking. Power has that kind of effect on me, I guess. The placement of Demetre Taylor, Mandy Alvarez, and Kyle Nowlin in the top ten reflects that position as well. When a guy like Nowlin (coming off a .326/.438/.690 junior season) ranks ninth on a list of hitters, then you can assume good things about a conference’s overall depth.

Hitters

Austin Peay State JR SS/3B Logan Gray
Murray State JR C Tyler Lawrence
Belmont JR SS Tyler Walsh
Belmont SR 2B/OF Tyler Fullerton
Austin Peay State JR C/3B Ridge Smith
Southern Illinois Edwardsville JR 1B Keaton Wright
Eastern Illinois rSR OF/1B Demetre Taylor
Eastern Kentucky SR 3B/1B Mandy Alvarez
Eastern Kentucky SR OF Kyle Nowlin
Austin Peay State JR 2B Garrett Copeland
Jacksonville State SO C Hayden White
Morehead State rJR 3B Alex Stephens
Tennessee Tech rJR OF Jake Rowland
Eastern Kentucky SR SS/2B Doug Teegarden
Southeast Missouri State JR OF Dan Holst
Southern Illinois Edwardsville JR 1B/OF Jared McCunn
Tennessee-Martin rSO OF Collin Edwards
Southeast Missouri State SR 1B/OF Ryan Rippee
Jacksonville State SR 1B Paschal Petrongolo
Southeast Missouri State SR SS Branden Boggetto
Belmont JR C Nick Egli
Tennessee-Martin JR C/OF Tanner Wessling
Eastern Kentucky SR OF TJ Alas
Austin Peay State JR 1B Dre Gleason
Morehead State JR OF Ryan Kent
Austin Peay State JR OF Cayce Bredlau
Austin Peay State JR OF Chase Hamilton
Southeast Missouri State SR 3B/OF Hunter Leeper
Southeast Missouri State SR C/1B Garrett Gandolfo
Tennessee Tech JR OF Tyler Brazelton
Eastern Kentucky JR 1B Ben Fisher
Southeast Missouri State JR C Kylar Robertson
Jacksonville State SR OF Elliot McCummings
Jacksonville State SR 1B Tyler Gamble
Southeast Missouri State SR C Scott Mitchell
Eastern Illinois SR C Jason Scholl
Austin Peay State SR OF Josh Wilson
Jacksonville State SR OF Paul Angel
Austin Peay State SR OF Patrick Massoni
Southeast Missouri State SR OF Clayton Evans
Southern Illinois Edwardsville SR 2B/SS Skyler Geissinger
Tennessee-Martin SR SS Matt Hirsch
Jacksonville State SR OF/2B Gavin Golsan
Eastern Kentucky JR OF Shea Sullivan
Eastern Kentucky JR C Logan Starnes
Tennessee Tech SR 2B/SS Jake Farr

Pitchers

Morehead State SR RHP Matt Anderson
Morehead State SR RHP Tyler Keele
Belmont SR RHP Aaron Quillen
Southern Illinois Edwardsville SR RHP PJ Schuster
Southeast Missouri State SR LHP Joey Lucchesi
Murray State SR RHP Andrew Bramley
Austin Peay State SR RHP Jared Carkuff
Eastern Illinois rSR RHP Matt Wivinis
Eastern Kentucky JR LHP Alex Hamilton
Austin Peay State JR RHP/3B Alex Robles
Morehead State JR RHP Patrick McGuff
Southern Illinois Edwardsville SR RHP Jarrett Bednar
Morehead State rSR RHP Craig Pearcy
Tennessee Tech SR RHP Trevor Maloney
Tennessee Tech JR RHP Jake Usher
Southern Illinois Edwardsville JR RHP Connor Buenger
Southeast Missouri State JR RHP Justin Murphy
Southeast Missouri State JR RHP Clay Chandler
Southeast Missouri State JR LHP Robert Beltran
Murray State rSO RHP Tyler Anderson
Jacksonville State JR RHP Graham Officer
Jacksonville State rSO LHP Justin Hoyt
Jacksonville State JR RHP/INF Joe McGuire
Murray State SR RHP Cody Maerz
Southeast Missouri State SR RHP Alex Siddle
Jacksonville State SO RHP Jake Walsh
Southeast Missouri State SR RHP Brady Wright
Austin Peay State JR LHP Levi Primasing
Murray State SR RHP Brad Boegel
Tennessee-Martin SR RHP Patrick Bernard
Belmont SR RHP Josh Tubbs
Austin Peay State JR RHP Caleb Powell
Belmont JR RHP Christopher Carroll
Southern Illinois Edwardsville SR LHP Zach Malach

Austin Peay State

SR RHP Jared Carkuff (2016)
JR RHP Caleb Powell (2016)
SR RHP Keirce Kimbel (2016)
JR LHP Levi Primasing (2016)
JR RHP/3B Alex Robles (2016)
JR SS/3B Logan Gray (2016)
SR OF Josh Wilson (2016)
SR OF Patrick Massoni (2016)
SR OF Kyle Blackburn (2016)
JR C/3B Ridge Smith (2016)
JR 1B Dre Gleason (2016)
JR 2B Garrett Copeland (2016)
JR OF Cayce Bredlau (2016)
JR OF Chase Hamilton (2016)
SR OF Wesley Purcell (2016)
SR SS Clayton Smithson (2016)
SO LHP Mike Costanzo (2017)
SO LHP John Sparks (2017)
SO LHP Zach Neff (2017)
SO SS Imani Willis (2017)
SO C TJ Marik (2017)
FR INF Parker Phillips (2018)

High Priority Follows: Jared Carkuff, Caleb Powell, Levi Primasing, Alex Robles, Logan Gray, Josh Wilson, Patrick Massoni, Ridge Smith, Dre Gleason, Garrett Copeland, Cayce Bredlau, Chase Hamilton

Belmont

SR RHP Aaron Quillen (2016)
SR RHP Josh Tubbs (2016)
JR RHP Christopher Carroll (2016)
rJR RHP/OF Dom Veltri (2016)
SR 2B/OF Tyler Fullerton (2016)
JR C/OF Clay Payne (2016)
JR C Nick Egli (2016)
JR SS Tyler Walsh (2016)
SR C Desi Ammonds (2016)
JR OF Brennan Washington (2016)
JR 1B Drake Byrd (2016)
SO RHP Tyler Vaughn (2017)
SO RHP Alex Ward (2017)
SO RHP Connor Etheridge (2017)
FR RHP Dylan King (2018)
FR RHP Casey Queener (2018)
FR LHP Brandon Liskey (2018)
FR RHP/OF Austin Kzreminski (2018)

High Priority Follows: Aaron Quillen, Josh Tubbs, Dom Veltri, Tyler Fullerton, Clay Payne, Nick Egli, Tyler Walsh, Desi Ammonds, Drake Byrd

Eastern Illinois

rSR RHP Matt Wivinis (2016)
SR RHP Jake Johansmeier (2016)
SR RHP Brendon Allen (2016)
JR RHP Chase Thurston (2016)
rSR OF/1B Demetre Taylor (2016)
SR 2B Mitch Gasbarro (2016)
SR C Jason Scholl (2016)
rSO OF Frankie Perrone (2016)
SO RHP Ben Hughes (2017)
SO RHP Luke Dietz (2017)
SO OF Joe Duncan (2017)
SO 1B/OF Bobby Wenthe (2017)
FR SS Nick Maton (2018)
FR 2B Dane Toppel (2018)
FR 3B Jimmy Govern (2018)

High Priority Follows: Matt Wivinis, Chase Thurston, Demetre Taylor, Mitch Gasbarro, Jason Scholl

Eastern Kentucky

JR LHP Alex Hamilton (2016)
SR LHP Luke McGee (2016)
JR OF/RHP Taylor Blair (2016)
SR OF Kyle Nowlin (2016)
SR 3B/1B Mandy Alvarez (2016)
SR SS/2B Doug Teegarden (2016)
SR OF TJ Alas (2016)
SR 2B/3B Luke Wurzelbacher (2016)
JR 1B Ben Fisher (2016)
JR OF Shea Sullivan (2016)
JR C Logan Starnes (2016)
JR 2B Cole Warrenfeltz (2016)
SO RHP Aaron Ochsenbein (2017)

High Priority Follows: Alex Hamilton, Taylor Blair, Kyle Nowlin, Mandy Alvarez, Doug Teegarden, TJ Alas, Luke Wurzelbacher, Ben Fisher, Shea Sullivan, Logan Starnes

Jacksonville State

JR RHP Graham Officer (2016)
rSO LHP Justin Hoyt (2016)
SO RHP Jake Walsh (2016)
JR RHP Michael McCreless (2016)
JR LHP Jesse Fry (2016)
JR RHP/INF Joe McGuire (2016)
SR 1B Paschal Petrongolo (2016)
SR OF Elliot McCummings (2016)
SR 1B Tyler Gamble (2016)
SR OF Paul Angel (2016)
SR OF/2B Gavin Golsan (2016)
JR OF Peyton Williams (2016)
JR INF Josh Bobo (2016)
SO C Hayden White (2016)
SO INF Clayton Daniel (2016)
SO INF Tyler Hawthorne (2016)
SO RHP Grant Chandler (2017)
SO LHP Jack Pierce (2017)
FR LHP Derrick Adams (2018)

High Priority Follows: Graham Officer, Justin Hoyt, Jake Walsh, Michael McCreless, Jesse Fry, Joe McGuire, Paschal Petrongolo, Elliot McCummings, Tyler Gamble, Paul Angel, Gavin Golsan, Peyton Williams, Hayden White, Clayton Daniel, Tyler Hawthorne

Morehead State

SR RHP Matt Anderson (2016)
SR RHP Tyler Keele (2016)
JR RHP Patrick McGuff (2016)
rSR RHP Craig Pearcy (2016)
JR RHP Luke Humphreys (2016)
JR LHP Cable Wright (2016)
rJR 3B Alex Stephens (2016)
JR C Jimmy Wright (2016)
rJR OF Michael Patrick (2016)
JR 1B Jesus Carrera (2016)
JR OF Ryan Kent (2016)
SO RHP David Calderon (2017)
SO RHP Brent Stoneking (2017)
SO LHP Aaron Leasher (2017)
SO C Tyler Niemann (2017)
SO 2B Braxton Morris (2017)
FR SS Reid Leonard (2018)
FR C Hunter Fain (2018)
FR INF Trevor Snyder (2018)

High Priority Follows: Matt Anderson, Tyler Keele, Patrick McGuff, Craig Pearcy, Luke Humphreys, Cable Wright, Alex Stephens, Ryan Kent

Murray State

SR RHP Andrew Bramley (2016)
SR RHP Brad Boegel (2016)
SR LHP Sheldon Baxter (2016)
SR RHP Cody Maerz (2016)
SR RHP John Lollar (2016)
rSO RHP Tyler Anderson (2016)
JR C Tyler Lawrence (2016)
JR OF Brandon Gutzler (2016)
JR SS Caleb Hicks (2016)
SR 2B Nick Moore (2016)
rJR INF Matthew Johnson (2016)
SO 3B/C Kipp Moore (2017)

High Priority Follows: Andrew Bramley, Brad Boegel, Cody Maerz, Tyler Anderson, Tyler Lawrence, Nick Moore

Southern Illinois Edwardsville

JR RHP Connor Buenger (2016)
SR RHP Jarrett Bednar (2016)
SR LHP Zach Malach (2016)
SR RHP Ryan Agnitsch (2016)
SR RHP PJ Schuster (2016)
JR 1B/OF Jared McCunn (2016)
JR C Kailer Smith (2016)
SR 2B/SS Skyler Geissinger (2016)
SR C Zach Little (2016)
JR 3B Jacob Stewart (2016)
JR 2B Alec Skender (2016)
JR 1B Keaton Wright (2016)
JR OF Austin Verschoore (2016)
SO OF Dustin Woodcock (2017)
SO INF Mario Tursi (2017)
FR RHP Danny Ehrsam (2018)
FR OF Eric Giltz (2018)

High Priority Follows: Connor Buenger, Jarrett Bednar, Zach Malach, PJ Schuster, Jared McCunn, Kailer Smith, Skyler Geissinger, Jacob Stewart, Keaton Wright

Southeast Missouri State

JR RHP Clay Chandler (2016)
JR LHP Robert Beltran (2016)
JR RHP Justin Murphy (2016)
SR RHP Alex Siddle (2016)
SR RHP Brady Wright (2016)
SR LHP Joey Lucchesi (2016)
SR RHP Jacob Lawrence (2016)
rSR RHP/OF Cody Spanberger (2016)
JR OF Dan Holst (2016)
SR 1B/OF Ryan Rippee (2016)
SR C/1B Garrett Gandolfo (2016)
SR SS Branden Boggetto (2016)
SR C Scott Mitchell (2016)
SR SS Andy Lack (2016)
SR OF Clayton Evans (2016)
SR 3B/OF Hunter Leeper (2016)
JR C Kylar Robertson (2016)
SO RHP Matthew Wade (2017)
SO RHP Zach Moore (2017)
SO 2B/SS Trevor Ezell (2017)
FR LHP Daniel Bergtholdt (2018)

High Priority Follows: Clay Chandler, Robert Beltran, Justin Murphy, Alex Siddle, Brady Wright, Joey Lucchesi, Jacob Lawrence, Dan Holst, Ryan Rippee, Garrett Gandolfo, Branden Boggetto, Scott Mitchell, Andy Lack, Clayton Evans, Hunter Leeper, Kylar Robertson

Tennessee Tech

SR RHP Trevor Maloney (2016)
SR RHP Kyle Godwin (2016)
rJR RHP Kit Fowler (2016)
JR RHP Jake Usher (2016)
JR RHP Evan Fraliex (2016)
rJR OF Jake Rowland (2016)
SR 2B/SS Jake Farr (2016)
JR OF Anthony El Chibani (2016)
JR OF Tyler Brazelton (2016)
rSO SS David Garza (2016)
SR 3B Josh Pankratz (2016)
SO RHP Travis Moths (2017)
SO RHP Will Gardner (2017)
SO 1B Chase Chambers (2017)
SO 1B Ryan Flick (2017)
SO INF Trevor Putzig (2017)
FR RHP Nick Osborne (2018)

High Priority Follows: Trevor Maloney, Kyle Godwin, Jake Usher, Jake Rowland, Jake Farr, Anthony El Chibani, Tyler Brazelton

Tennessee-Martin

SR RHP Patrick Bernard (2016)
JR RHP Alex Evans (2016)
SR OF Andrew Castillo (2016)
JR C/OF Tanner Wessling (2016)
SR 1B/OF Austin Taylor (2016)
SR SS Matt Hirsch (2016)
JR 1B Ryan Helgren (2016)
JR SS Josh Hauser (2016)
rSO OF Collin Edwards (2016)
SO RHP Dillon Symon (2017)
rFR LHP Dom Bazzani (2017)

High Priority Follows: Patrick Bernard, Andrew Castillo, Tanner Wessling, Austin Taylor, Matt Hirsch, Collin Edwards

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Big South

24 Feb 2016 7:00 AM / 4 Comments on 2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Big South

Matt Crohan at the top of the Big South’s pitching pile is easy. He’s really good. I currently have him as the seventh best college arm in this class and a dark horse to crash the top half of the first round this June. It’s a minority opinion to be sure, but I still don’t see what separates him all that much from AJ Puk at this point. After Crohan, however, this list gets difficult to sort in a hurry. Thankfully, it’s not for lack of quality options. The top dozen or so names listed below are all really exciting pro prospects in their own ways.

Parker Bean and Andre Scrubb are both big guys (Bean a little leaner) with mid-90s fastballs and quality offspeed stuff to match. The former’s 2015 was one to forget, but I think his athleticism and the depth of his offspeed stuff (cut-SL, CB, CU) are enticing enough that I can forgive it. Scrubb’s heft and arm action have me leaning towards more of a bullpen future for him – fair or not – but he can throw two breaking balls for strikes, so starting as a pro shouldn’t be off the table. He’s coming off a really impressive 2015 season, so I could see teams that value performance giving him the edge.

The Big South has a pair of pitchers in Devin Gould and Jeremy Walker that had me questioning my own core pitching beliefs. Both are righthanded juniors with sturdy frames and some projection left. Both have fastballs that creep into the mid-90s. Both have average or better sliders with above-average promise. Gould has missed more bats, but has been far too wild. Walker has average to above-average control, but to date hasn’t lit the world on fire with his ability to get swings and misses. Their relative youth and similar stuff sets up an interesting (albeit admittedly flawed) study in what area is more “fixable” in pitching prospects. Is it easier to fix one’s control or the increase one’s ability to miss bats? I send this question around to three BASEBALL MEN. Two opted for the guy with the iffy control but better strikeout numbers while the third claimed the guy with better control and decent K/9 had an easier path towards overall improvement (he also said he’d pay to see a real study done on this…we both freely admitted we were too stupid to figure out the logistics – so many variables! – of such a thing). Anyway, this was one of my conclusions…

Control seems more fixable due to circumstantial stuff — improved mechanics, better/different coaching, having some baseball or non-baseball epiphany between the ears — so I think I’d take the wild guy over the lower-K/lower-BB option. The only thing that gives me pause is that spikes in K/9 (when they happen at all) — again, assuming quality stuff throughout — seem to come with incremental change rather than major overhauls. That 6.50 K/9 to 9.00 K/9 jump can come with just changing a grip on an existing cutter or something since the “new” pitch better complements what you’ve been doing already. Still going with the control guy over the alternative, but it’s close.

Of course, that conversation sent me down a rabbit hole that eventually led to an interesting discussion that expanded on the idea of what the least worrisome flaw a prospect can be. It reminded me of a football coach I once had who swore that he could fix any player’s – he specialized in QB’s, but said he could help anybody – footwork in a matter of weeks. Paxton Lynch, a potential early first round QB in this year’s NFL Draft, has been dinged by many for ugly footwork. When I see some draft experts call this a fatal flaw, I’m reminded of that coach. One man’s fatal flaw is another’s easily correctable foible. For the record, I don’t know nearly enough about correcting a quarterback’s footwork to add much to the Lynch conversation. On one hand, it does seem like something that can be retaught. On the other, I’ve heard and read elsewhere that bad footwork is more of a symptom of something larger (inability to make decisions and read defenses, for example) than a singular physical issue. Scouting and development is hard work, I guess.

Anyway, due to my current belief that below-average control at the amateur level, often stemming from inconsistent mechanics, ineffective coaching, or some unknowable to the outside world mental barrier, is the simpler of the two issues to improve on, the wild Devin Gould gets the edge over the ordinary K/9-ing Jeremy Walker…for now. Your mileage might vary.

Alex Cunningham is a good arm on a good team, so he’ll get plenty of deserved attention all spring long now that he’s fully recovered from a fractured elbow. His command of three pitches (88-95 FB, mid-70s CB, upper-70s CU) should allow him to stay in the rotation professionally. Austin Ross has more of a reliever feel (good FB, plus SL), but with the chance to be a damn fine one. Mitchell Kuebbing has a little less fastball than the aforementioned Gould, so teams might not be as willing to overlook his similar control issues. I’m just a guy on the internet with little to lose, so gambling on his impressive arm – 88-92 FB, breaking ball that flashes plus, changeup that improves with every outing – is a no-brainer for me. I switched the order of these three pitches about a dozen times before finally settling on the ranking you see below. That kind of waffling is indicative of the overall time spent on sorting through these arms. I can’t pinpoint the exact reason why, but Big South pitching has been the hardest conference/position group to organize so far. That’s probably bad news for the conference’s hitters…

I last took Spanish in school a dozen years ago, so forgive me for the few days of excitement when I thought I had a nickname for Michael Paez cued up and ready to leash on the unsuspecting world. Turns out that vocabulary, once my one and only language strength (boooo grammar), had let me down: country in Spanish is país and not paez. Turns out we can’t call him Little Country after all. What we can call him is a damn fine ballplayer, lame nickname or not. Paez was my preferred First Team All-Prospect college player from two weeks ago for a reason. My indirect comp for him — more about how I perceive him as a prospect than a tools/physical comparison — was Blake Trahan, a third round pick of Cincinnati last season. I don’t know that he’ll rise that high in the eyes of the teams doing the picking in June, but there’s nothing in his prospect profile to suggest he doesn’t have a chance to finish around the same range (early second round) on my final big board. In a draft severely lacking in two-way college shortstops, he’s as good as it gets.

Josh Greene uses his plus speed to his advantage both in tracking down balls in center and on the base paths. He’s also one of the many toolsy college outfielders in this class who scouts insist has a better approach at the plate than his BB/K ratios to date suggest. Speed, range for center, leadoff approach, and sneaky pop all add up to a quality prospect too good to be called a sleeper.

Connor Owings and Nate Blanchard are both solid second base prospects coming off good 2015 seasons. Owings has an impressive hit tool and a patient approach while Owings is a strong defender with a similarly keen batting eye. I’m intrigued by Roger Gonzalez, a plus defender behind the plate and a potential contributor at it. The Miami transfer had a fine junior season and now rates as one of this class’s better senior-signs at the position. Tyler Chadwick is a really fun college player who might get dinged by pro teams unsure what to do with him defensively at the next level. It’s hard to believe that being too versatile a player can be seen as a negative by some front offices in 2016, but that’s some of the feedback I’ve gotten on him as a prospect. It’s such a ridiculous notion to me that it feels like a strawman argument to otherwise – especially considering that Chadwick is a good athlete who legitimately can play multiple spots; it’s not like’s a future DH without a position – but here we are. Chadwick’s versatility make him a far more appealing to prospect to me than he otherwise might be for no other reason than the utility he could bring a low-level minor league roster in flux with promotions, demotions, and injuries. That in and of itself gives him value, and that’s even before we get to his sound approach at the plate, average speed, and the possibility he could be nurtured full-time behind the plate as a viable catching prospect.

My quick search didn’t find the whereabouts of former Big South prospects Connor Pate, Al Molina, and Cas Silber. If anybody knows anything – or knows how to Google better than I can, evidently – drop me a line. I did find Dalton Moats, formerly of Coastal Carolina, at Delta State. He’s a good name to know as a three-pitch lefty with projection and velocity.

Hitters

Coastal Carolina JR SS/2B Michael Paez
High Point JR OF Josh Greene
Coastal Carolina SR 2B/OF Connor Owings
Charleston Southern JR 3B/2B Nate Blanchard
Winthrop SR C Roger Gonzalez
Coastal Carolina SR 3B/C Tyler Chadwick
High Point JR 2B/SS Chris Clare
Radford SR OF Shane Johnsonbaugh
High Point SO 1B/OF Carson Jackson
Liberty SR SS Dalton Britt (2016)
Coastal Carolina SR 3B Zach Remillard
Liberty JR OF Will Shepherd
Coastal Carolina JR C/1B GK Young
Liberty JR 3B/1B Sammy Taormina
Coastal Carolina SR OF Anthony Marks
Gardner-Webb SR C Collin Thacker
Radford SR SS/OF Chris Coia
UNC Asheville JR OF/3B Joe Tietjen
Campbell SR OF/RHP Cole Hallum
Radford rSO OF Trevor Riggs
Liberty JR 1B Andrew Yacyk
Liberty JR 2B Eric Grabowski
Radford JR C John Gonzalez
Winthrop rSR OF Anthony Paulsen
Winthrop JR OF/C Babe Thomas
Longwood SR OF Colton Konvicka
Charleston Southern SR OF Sly Edwards
Coastal Carolina SR C/OF David Parrett
Liberty SR OF Aaron Stroosma
UNC Asheville JR OF Kyle Carruthers
Presbyterian SR OF Weston Jackson
UNC Asheville SR C Lucas Owens
Charleston Southern SR SS Cole Murphy
UNC Asheville SR C Pete Guy

Pitchers

Winthrop JR LHP Matt Crohan
Liberty JR RHP Parker Bean
High Point JR RHP Andre Scrubb
Coastal Carolina rJR RHP Alex Cunningham
Longwood JR RHP Mitchell Kuebbing
Radford JR RHP Austin Ross
Coastal Carolina SR RHP Mike Morrison
Longwood JR RHP Devin Gould
Gardner-Webb JR RHP Jeremy Walker
Coastal Carolina rSR RHP Tyler Poole
Radford SR RHP Dylan Nelson
Gardner-Webb SR RHP Brad Haymes
High Point rSR RHP Scot Hoffman
Liberty JR LHP Michael Stafford
Gardner-Webb SR LHP Ryan Boelter
Coastal Carolina JR RHP Andrew Beckwith
Liberty JR RHP Caleb Evans
Liberty SR LHP Victor Cole
Coastal Carolina rSR RHP Adam Hall
Coastal Carolina rSO RHP Nicholas Masterson
Gardner-Webb rSO RHP Andrew Massey
Winthrop rSR LHP Sam Kmiec
Presbyterian JR RHP Ethan Wortkoetter
Liberty JR RHP Jackson Bertsch
Liberty JR RHP Thomas Simpson
Coastal Carolina rSR RHP Patrick Corbett
Liberty SR RHP Carson Herndon
Radford JR RHP Kyle Zurak
Charleston Southern SR LHP Alex Ministeri
Winthrop rSO RHP Zach Cook
Winthrop SR SS/RHP Kyle Edwards
Radford JR RHP Nygeal Andrews
High Point rSR RHP Joe Goodman
Gardner-Webb rSO RHP Wil Sellers
Charleston Southern rSO RHP Wil Hartsell
Longwood JR RHP Ryan Jones
Charleston Southern SR RHP Chayce Hubbard
Longwood JR RHP Luke Simpson
Presbyterian JR LHP Hayden Deal
Charleston Southern rSR RHP Evan Raynor
Radford SR RHP Daniel Bridgeman
Charleston Southern SR RHP Jon Piriz
Winthrop SR RHP Zach Sightler
Radford JR LHP Kyle Palmer
Campbell SR RHP Nick Thayer
Presbyterian SR RHP David Sauer
Campbell JR LHP Andrew Witczak
UNC Asheville SR RHP Corey Randall

Campbell

SR RHP Nick Thayer (2016)
SR RHP Grant Yost (2016)
JR LHP Andrew Witczak (2016)
SR OF/RHP Cole Hallum (2016)
rSR OF/RHP Brian Taylor (2016)
SR C Matt Parrish (2016)
rSR OF Kyle Prats (2016)
SR 2B/SS Anthony Lopez (2016)
SO C JD Andreessen (2017)
FR 1B/OF Michael Van Degna (2018)

High Priority Follows: Nick Thayer, Grant Yost, Andrew Witczak, Cole Hallum

Charleston Southern

rSR RHP Evan Raynor (2016)
SR LHP Alex Ministeri (2016)
SR RHP Jon Piriz (2016)
SR RHP Chayce Hubbard (2016)
rSO RHP Wil Hartsell (2016)
SR OF Sly Edwards (2016)
SR 1B Bryan Dye (2016)
SR OF Brandon Burris (2016)
SR SS Cole Murphy (2016)
JR 3B/2B Nate Blanchard (2016)
SR OF Jack Crittenberger (2016)
SR 2B Ryan Maksim (2016)
SO RHP Tyler Weekley (2017)
SO OF Chris Singleton (2017)

High Priority Follows: Evan Raynor, Alex Ministeri, Jon Piriz, Chayce Hubbard, Wil Hartsell, Sly Edwards, Nate Blanchard

Coastal Carolina

rJR RHP Alex Cunningham (2016)
rSR RHP Tyler Poole (2016)
rSR RHP Adam Hall (2016)
rSR RHP Patrick Corbett (2016)
SR RHP Mike Morrison (2016)
rSO RHP Nicholas Masterson (2016)
JR RHP Andrew Beckwith (2016)
rJR SS/RHP Jordan Gore (2016)
JR C/1B GK Young (2016)
JR SS/2B Michael Paez (2016)
SR OF Anthony Marks (2016)
SR C/OF David Parrett (2016)
SR 3B Zach Remillard (2016)
SR 2B/OF Connor Owings (2016)
SR 3B/C Tyler Chadwick (2016)
SO OF Dalton Ewing (2016)
SO RHP Bobby Holmes (2017)
SO RHP Zack Hopeck (2017)
SO 2B/SS Seth Lancaster (2017)
SO 2B/OF Billy Cooke (2017)
SO 1B/3B Kevin Woodall (2017)
FR RHP Jason Bilous (2018)
FR SS/OF Cameron Pearcey (2018)
FR C Kyle Skeels (2018)

High Priority Follows: Alex Cunningham, Tyler Poole, Adam Hall, Patrick Corbett, Mike Morrison, Nicholas Masterson, Andrew Beckwith, Jordan Gore, GK Young, Michael Paez, Anthony Marks, David Parent, Zach Remillard, Connor Owings, Tyler Chadwick, Dalton Ewing

Gardner-Webb

JR RHP Jeremy Walker (2016)
rSO RHP Andrew Massey (2016)
SR LHP Ryan Boelter (2016)
SR RHP Brad Haymes (2016)
rSO RHP Wil Sellers (2016)
SR C Collin Thacker (2016)
SR 1B Patrick Graham (2016)
SR 2B Tyler Best (2016)
JR OF/3B Matt Simmons (2016)
JR OF Jacob Walker (2016)
SR OF Taylor Fisher (2016)
SR OF Evan Hyett (2016)
SO RHP Bradley Hallman (2017)
FR OF Chris Clary (2018)
FR OF Mason Fox (2018)

High Priority Follows: Jeremy Walker, Andrew Massey, Ryan Boelter, Brad Haymes, Wil Sellers, Collin Thacker

High Point

JR RHP Andre Scrubb (2016)
rSR RHP Scot Hoffman (2016)
SR RHP Michael Hennessey (2016)
rSR RHP Joe Goodman (2016)
SR RHP Tyler Britton (2016)
JR OF Josh Greene (2016)
JR 2B/SS Chris Clare (2016)
SO 1B/OF Carson Jackson (2016)
SR OF Tim Mansfield (2016)
SR C Dominic Fazio (2016)
JR OF Luke Parker (2016)
SO 2B Hunter Lee (2017)
FR RHP Andrew Gottfried (2018)
FR C Nick Blomgren (2018)
JR INF Nick Capra (2018)

High Priority Follows: Andre Scrubb, Scot Hoffman, Michael Hennessey, Joe Goodman, Josh Greene, Chris Clare, Carson Jackson

Liberty

SR LHP Victor Cole (2016)
SR RHP Carson Herndon (2016)
JR LHP Michael Stafford (2016)
JR RHP Jackson Bertsch (2016)
JR RHP Thomas Simpson (2016)
JR RHP Shane Quarterley (2016)
JR RHP Evan Mitchell (2016)
JR RHP Cody Gamble (2016)
JR RHP Jordan Scott (2016)
JR RHP Alex Clouse (2016)
JR RHP Caleb Evans (2016)
JR RHP Parker Bean (2016)
SR SS Dalton Britt (2016)
JR 3B/1B Sammy Taormina (2016)
JR OF Will Shepherd (2016)
rSO 3B Dylan Allen (2016)
JR 1B Andrew Yacyk (2016)
SR OF Aaron Stroosma (2016)
JR 2B Eric Grabowski (2016)
SO OF Josh Close (2017)
FR RHP Jack Degroat (2018)
FR RHP Zack Helsel (2018)
FR OF DJ Artis (2018)

High Priority Follows: Victor Cole, Carson Herndon, Michael Stafford, Jackson Bertsch, Thomas Simpson, Jordan Scott, Caleb Evans, Parker Bean, Dalton Britt, Sammy Taormina, Will Shepherd, Andrew Yacyk, Aaron Stroosma, Eric Grabowski

Longwood

JR RHP Devin Gould (2016)
SR RHP Allen Ellis (2016)
SR RHP Travis Burnette (2016)
JR RHP Mitchell Kuebbing (2016)
JR RHP Ryan Jones (2016)
JR RHP Luke Simpson (2016)
SR OF Colton Konvicka (2016)
SR 2B CJ Roth (2016)
JR OF Drew Kitson (2016)
SR 1B Connar Bastaich (2016)
JR C Mac McCafferty (2016)
JR 3B Alex Lewis (2016)
JR OF Janos Briscoe (2016): 6-2, 200 pounds
SO LHP Michael Catlin (2017)
SO RHP Zach Potojecki (2017)
SO SS Mike Osinski (2017)

High Priority Follows: Devin Gould, Mitchell Kuebbing, Ryan Jones, Luke Simpson, Colton Konvicka

Presbyterian

SR RHP David Sauer (2016)
rJR RHP Aaron Lesiak (2016)
JR RHP Ethan Wortkoetter (2016)
JR LHP Brian Kehner (2016)
JR LHP Hayden Deal (2016)
SR OF/1B Peter Johnson (2016)
SR 3B/2B Jacob Midkiff (2016)
JR OF Tyler Weyenberg (2016)
SR OF Weston Jackson (2016)
SO RHP Tanner Chock (2017)
SO RHP Russell Thompson (2017)
SO RHP/3B Ryan Hedrick (2017)
SO INF/OF AJ Priaulx (2017)
SO 1B Nick Wise (2017)

High Priority Follows: David Sauer, Ethan Wortkoetter, Hayden Deal, Jacob Midkiff, Tyler Weyenberg, Weston Jackson

Radford

SR RHP Dylan Nelson (2016)
JR RHP Austin Ross (2016)
SR LHP Mitchell MacKeith (2016)
SR RHP Daniel Bridgeman (2016)
JR LHP Kyle Palmer (2016)
SR LHP Tyler Swarmer (2016)
JR RHP Kyle Zurak (2016)
JR RHP Nygeal Andrews (2016)
SR OF Shane Johnsonbaugh (2016)
JR C John Gonzalez (2016)
SR SS/OF Chris Coia (2016)
SR C Jordan Taylor (2016)
JR INF Danny Hrbek (2016)
rSO OF Trevor Riggs (2016)
SO LHP Zack Ridgely (2017)
FR RHP Brandon Donovan (2018)
FR RHP Ryan Sande (2018)
FR 2B/SS Cody Higgerson (2018)
FR 3B Matt Roth (2018)
FR OF Adam Whitacre (2018)

High Priority Follows: Dylan Nelson, Austin Ross, Daniel Bridgeman, Kyle Zurak, Nygeal Andrews, Shane Johnsonbaugh, Jose Gonzalez, Chris Coia, Jordan Taylor, Danny Hrbek, Trevor Riggs

UNC Asheville

JR RHP Joe Zayatz (2016)
SR RHP Corey Randall (2016)
JR OF/LHP Tanner Bush (2016)
SR C Pete Guy (2016)
SR C Lucas Owens (2016)
JR OF Kyle Carruthers (2016)
JR OF/3B Joe Tietjen (2016)
JR SS Derek Smith (2016)
rJR INF Justin Woods (2016)
SO LHP Jordan Fulbright (2017)
SO RHP Ryan Tapp (2017)
FR LHP Jordan Carr (2018)
FR LHP Zach Greene (2018)

High Priority Follows: Joe Zayatz, Corey Randall, Pete Guy, Lucas Owens, Kyle Carruthers, Joe Tietjen

Winthrop

JR LHP Matt Crohan (2016)
rSR LHP Sam Kmiec (2016)
JR RHP Reece Green (2016)
SR RHP Zach Sightler (2016)
rSO RHP Zach Cook (2016)
SR SS/RHP Kyle Edwards (2016)
rSR OF Jayce Whitley (2016)
rSR OF Anthony Paulsen (2016)
rSR OF Tyler Asbill (2016)
JR OF/C Babe Thomas (2016)
SR C Roger Gonzalez (2016)
rSR 1B Mark Lowrie (2016)
rJR 2B CJ Hicks (2016)
SO LHP Riley Arnone (2017)
SO LHP Freddie Sultan (2017)
SO 2B/3B Mitch Spires (2017)
SO SS Jake Sullivan (2017)
FR RHP Nate Pawelczyk (2018)
FR LHP Thad Harris (2018)
FR OF Hunter Lipscomb (2018)
FR OF Matthew Mulkey (2018)

High Priority Follows: Matt Crohan, Sam Kmiec, Reece Green, Zach Sightler, Zach Cook, Kyle Edwards, Jayce Whitley, Anthony Paulsen, Babe Thomas, Roger Gonzalez

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Patriot

23 Feb 2016 7:00 AM / 1 Comment on 2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Patriot

Garzillo, Lovullo, and Coniglio at the top of the hitting list is music to my Italian ears. Better yet is the fact that all are locks to remain up the middle at crucial defensive spots. Garzillo has more tools than you’d expect out of a typical Patriot Leaguer, so it’s expected that his speed, arm strength, and pop should get him drafted as a senior-sign even if he doesn’t clean up his approach this spring. Lovullo has the bloodlines, athleticism, and steadying infield presence to be a really solid org guy with the chance for more. His bat has improved each year at Holy Cross, so a big senior season is well within range. Nobody is asking for my seal of approval, but having seen Lovullo play on a few different occasions, I can certainly vouch for him as a player that does all the little things beautifully. I’m less sure about Coniglio’s aggressive ranking here than the others – there’s some concern his lack of power will have him getting the bat knocked out of his hands as a pro – but his speed, range in center, and high-contact approach give him three tools that’ll play well enough to give him a shot.

Robert Currie of Navy is a similar player to Coniglio in many respects, so it’s no big shock they are close on this list. Sandwiched between the two is a fellow Midshipman standout, Sean Trent. Everything that I wrote about him last year applies today…

From Bishop Moore HS to Florida (where he redshirted) to Manatee CC to Navy, the well-traveled Trent has been a prospect at every stop. In HS I noted his natural ability to make hard contact, strong to plus arm strength, good enough speed for an outfield corner, and the potential for a position switch to either C or 3B. All of those strengths remained (“plus arm, strong hit tool, good speed”) through his time at Manatee. He’s just a good all-around player with the kind of prospect pedigree not typically seen outside of the power conferences. At Navy I’ve heard he’s in the proverbial “best shape in his life” and so far the results (.405/.464/.541 in 74 AB) seem to back it up. His positional versatility make him appealing for teams in need of a Swiss army knife prospect that can plug holes (cool mixed metaphor) when needed in the low-minors after being drafted. That versatility could be his ticket to the big leagues if he keeps hitting like he’s capable of doing.

Now that I’ve taken a look at the archives, I see that the link from last year has information about a lot of these players. I guess that mention about not a ton of Patriot League prospects signing after their junior season proved to be true. Garzillo, Trent, Jon Mayer, and Luke Gillingham all had a little bit of the spotlight shone on their abilities last year, and all return to school to do it again in 2016. Makes my life easier now that I realize I don’t have to do anything but plagiarize myself. On Gillingham…

JR LHP Luke Gillingham, the aforementioned Navy pitcher putting up video game numbers (again: 13 strikeouts per start) to start the season, was originally tenth on my ranking of pitchers in the conference. I’ve said before that I don’t want to alter these “pre-season” rankings based on overreacting to one month’s worth of data, but I feel like I should be forgiven for making Gillingham one of my few exceptions. Gillingham has been one of college baseball’s best stories this winter, but I’m more interested in understanding the professional implications his hot start could lead to. It’s not exactly a performance out of nowhere as he’s been a prospect since high school who was only under the radar back then due to an injury that wiped out his entire senior season. At Navy he’s consistently missed bats (7.13 K/9 in 2013, 7.81 K/9 in 2014) while showing above-average control of good but not overwhelming stuff highlighted by a mid- to upper-80s fastball that he commands really well. Ultimately, Gillingham is a better college story than pro prospect, but that doesn’t mean his talent needs to be outright dismissed, either. If willing and permitted to start a pro career this summer there’s definitely a draft-worthy talent here.

This year I’m happy to update Gillingham’s profile to include some specific numbers on the fastball (85-89) and make mention of improvements with both of his offspeed offerings (curve and change, both of which flash average to above-average). I stand by the assertion that he’s a better college story (human interest, really) than pro prospect, but I think we can move his draft grade up a notch or two now that he’s seen a small but meaningful jump in stuff. He’s still a long shot, but the pros outweigh the cons when considering the “risk” of taking him in the mid- to late-rounds. At best he’s a matchup lefty of some value and at worst he’s a fine ambassador for your organization.

Circling back to some players ranked high on these lists that weren’t mentioned last year brings us to Joe Ogren, a 2B/OF who some who follow the league closely told me was a better prospect than Garzillo. Alex Woinski is a fine hitter who controls the strike zone well; if 100% healthy in 2016, he’s primed for a big season. On the mound there’s Jon Escobar, the pitcher who is in many ways the polar opposite of Gillingham. Whereas Gillingham is lefthanded, crafty, and accomplished, Escobar is a righthander with power (90-94, up to 96) and limited innings – wild ones, at that – under his belt. I plan on using their relative rankings next time I get accused of “scouting the box score” too heavily. Ahead of Gillingham, Escobar, and every other pitching prospect in the conference (for now) is David Bednar from Lafayette. Bednar is what you get when you get a taste of the performance (10.00 K/9 in 63.1 IP last year) and stuff (88-92 FB, up to 96; nice SL; command to throw four pitches in any count) of Gillingham and Escobar, respectively. Prospects that don’t make you choose between what they’ve done and what they might do are my favorite, so Bednar is a definitely name to know going forward.

Hitters

Lehigh SR 2B/SS Mike Garzillo
Holy Cross SR SS Nick Lovullo
Lafayette SR OF Michael Coniglio
Navy rSR OF/3B Sean Trent
Navy SR OF Robert Currie
Bucknell SR 2B/OF Joe Ogren
Lafayette JR 1B/OF Alex Woinski
Holy Cross JR 1B/3B Anthony Critelli
Lehigh JR OF/C Jacen Nalesnik
Army SR C Ben Smith
Lehigh JR 1B/RHP Connor Donovan
Army JR 2B Kris Lindner
Bucknell SR C Jon Mayer
Navy JR C Adrian Chinnery
Lehigh JR 3B/SS Pat Donnelly
Navy JR OF Leland Saile
Navy JR SS/2B Travis Blue

Pitchers

Lafayette JR RHP David Bednar
Holy Cross JR RHP Jon Escobar
Lehigh SR RHP Brandon Kulp
Navy SR LHP Luke Gillingham
Lehigh SR RHP Kevin Boswick
Holy Cross JR RHP Ben White
Lehigh SR RHP Kevin Long
Navy JR RHP George Coughlin
Bucknell SR RHP Andrew Andreychik
Navy JR RHP Jett Meenach
Bucknell JR LHP/OF Danny Rafferty
Holy Cross SR RHP Sean Gustin
Army SR LHP Brock Davidson
Lafayette SR LHP Ryan Callanan
Navy SR RHP Sam Sorenson
Army SR RHP Justin French

Army

SR RHP Justin French (2016)
SR LHP Brock Davidson (2016)
SR LHP Patrick Gardner (2016)
SR RHP Garrison Franklin (2016)
SR OF Jacob Page (2016)
SR C Ben Smith (2016)
JR 2B Kris Lindner (2016)
SO LHP Jeremy Mortensen (2017)
SO RHP Matt Ball (2017)
SO RHP Stu Schley (2017)
FR LHP Tyler Giovinco (2018)
FR OF Matthew Hudgins (2018)
FR 2B Josh White (2018)
FR 2B Trey Martin (2018)

High Priority Follows: Justin French, Patrick Gardner, Ben Smith, Kris Lindner

Bucknell

SR RHP Andrew Andreychik (2016)
JR LHP Mike Castellani (2016)
SR RHP Dan Keller (2016)
JR LHP/OF Danny Rafferty (2016)
SR C Jon Mayer (2016)
SR OF/1B Spencer Stokes (2016)
JR OF/2B Brett Smith (2016)
SR 2B/OF Joe Ogren (2016)
JR 3B Sam Clark (2016)
JR 3B/SS Mark Powell (2016)
SO RHP Mike Stephens (2017)
SO 1B Mike Korchak (2017)
FR RHP Jeff Gottesman (2018)
FR LHP Jack Grabek (2018)
FR RHP Christian Tailor (2018)
FR RHP PJ Strahm (2018)
FR 1B/OF Miles Moore (2018)
FR C/3B Evan Klugerman (2018)

High Priority Follows: Andrew Andreychik, Danny Rafferty, Jon Mayer, Spencer Stokes, Joe Ogren, Sam Clark

Holy Cross

JR RHP Jon Escobar (2016)
SR RHP Sean Gustin (2016)
JR RHP Phil Reese (2016)
JR RHP Brendan King (2016)
JR RHP Ben White (2016)
JR RHP George Capen (2016)
JR RHP Justin Finan (2016)
JR RHP Zach Fox (2016)
JR RHP Joe Cravero (2016)
SR SS Nick Lovullo (2016)
SR OF Bobby Indeglia (2016)
SR C Connor Perry (2016)
JR C Alex Voitik (2016)
JR 1B/3B Anthony Critelli (2016)
JR OF Bill Schlich (2016)
SO 2B Cam O’Neill (2017)
FR RHP Pat McGowan (2018)

High Priority Follows: Jon Escobar, Sean Gustin, Ben White, Zach Fox, Nick Lovullo, Anthony Critelli

Lafayette

JR RHP David Bednar (2016)
SR LHP Ryan Callanan (2016)
SR RHP Connor McMahon (2016)
SR RHP Mitch Leeds (2016)
JR RHP Trevor Houck (2016)
SR LHP Ari Kaufman (2016)
SR 1B Campbell Lipe (2016)
SR OF Michael Coniglio (2016)
SR SS Jackson Kramer (2016)
JR 1B/OF Alex Woinski (2016)
SR 3B Tyler Hudson (2016)
SO LHP John Cain (2017)
SO OF Drew Aherne (2017)
SO SS Steven Cohen (2017)
FR RHP David Guisti (2018)
FR OF Dan Leckie (2018)

High Priority Follows: David Bednar, Ryan Callanan, Campbell Lipe, Michael Coniglio, Alex Woinski

Lehigh

SR RHP Brandon Kulp (2016)
SR RHP Kevin Long (2016)
SR RHP Kevin Boswick (2016)
JR LHP Matt Kozemchak (2016)
JR RHP David Young (2016)
JR 1B/RHP Connor Donovan (2016)
SR 2B/SS Mike Garzillo (2016)
JR 3B/SS Pat Donnelly (2016)
JR OF/C Jacen Nalesnik (2016)
JR C John Scarr (2016)
SO LHP Peter Moore (2017)
SO SS James Bleming (2017)
FR RHP Cole McManimon (2018)
FR LHP Ethan Frohman (2018)
FR C Jeff Shanfeldt (2018)
FR OF Ryan Malloy (2018)

High Priority Follows: Brandon Kulp, Kevin Long, Kevin Boswick, Connor Donovan, Mike Garzillo, Pat Donnelly, Jacen Nalesnik, John Scarr

Navy

SR LHP Luke Gillingham (2016)
SR RHP Sam Sorenson (2016)
SR RHP Andrew Bartek (2016)
JR RHP George Coughlin (2016)
JR RHP Kyle Condry (2016)
JR RHP Jett Meenach (2016)
SR OF Robert Currie (2016)
rSR OF/3B Sean Trent (2016)
JR SS/2B Travis Blue (2016)
JR OF Leland Saile (2016)
JR C Adrian Chinnery (2016)
SR OF Connor Deneen (2016)
SO 1B Ben McGrath (2017)
SO OF Stephen Born (2017)
SO 1B Ben Lowe (2017)
FR RHP Noah Song (2018)
FR 2B Matt Wilcox (2018)

High Priority Follows: Luke Gillingham, Sam Sorenson, George Coughlin, Kyle Condry, Jett Meenach, Robert Currie, Sean Trent, Travis Blue, Leland Saile, Adrian Chinnery

1-1

22 Feb 2016 7:00 AM / Leave a comment

I really like Zack Collins, Will Craig, Pete Alonso, Nick Senzel, Bryan Reynolds, and Jake Fraley. Garrett Williams, Eric Lauer, Mike Shawaryn, Daulton Jefferies, Bailey Clark, and the Kyle’s (Funkhouser, Serrano, and Cody) are all pretty great, too. Delvin Perez, Josh Lowe, Nolan Jones, Mickey Moniak, and Blake Rutherford all could be high school hitters that realistically enter the 1-1 conversation. Ian Anderson, Kevin Gowdy, Alex Speas, and Forrest Whitley, among others, could join the race as well. All, however, are a tier below the group of players I feel currently have the best shot to go 1-1 to the Philadelphia Phillies this June. With apologies to all the aforementioned names — one of those guys is going to fall to the second round or later, by the way…that’s crazy! — the focus here is on the early front-runners to go 1-1 . Let’s see what they’ve been up to lately…

Jay Groome has been my stated preference since last summer. Performance-wise, I’m not sure if Groome can lose the top spot between now and June. He looked great during his workout at Maplezone in beautiful Garnet Valley — located a very convenient 21 miles from my apartment — and figures to show the premium stuff (mid-90s FB, plus mid-70s kCB, rapidly improving CU) and “extras” (beautiful delivery/command/frame) all spring. That leaves major injury (Brady Aiken 2.0) or the ascent of one of the players listed on this very page (or somebody unlisted, but if that’s the case then I really haven’t done my job here) being the realistic avenues to knock Groome off the 1-1 perch.

Groome’s co-headliner in the high school class is Riley Pint for me. I know there are questions about a prep righthander going first overall (silliness, I think) and questions about his delivery and command making an eventual move to the bullpen a necessity (fair, but up for debate yet), but there’s still so much to like about him that I can’t see him leaving the potential 1-1 tier any time soon.

I have a hard time separating the three top college outfielders, so spring performances will weigh heavy on on evaluators minds as they decide on nailing down a proper order of Kyle Lewis, Buddy Reed, and Corey Ray. My semi-fearless prediction: for as much hype — deservedly — as those three outfielders have gotten to date, they won’t wind up as the first three outfielders drafted this June. Maybe that’s not particularly bold considering we’re talking three high variance outcome prospects, but I can see a future where one blows up this spring (Lewis or Reed), one struggles relative to expectations (Reed?), and one remains more or less where he was in the eyes of most teams when the season started.

Kyle Lewis had a very good weekend. Buddy Reed had a less good weekend. Corey Ray was on an different planet altogether. In a whopping three-game sample, Ray hit .667/.714/1.444. I keep mistyping his SLG for the weekend because I’m not used to typing anything with a digit in front of the decimal. If his performance with the bat wasn’t enough, Ray chipped in with six (six!) stolen bases in six tries. We won’t get carried away with one weekend’s worth of games, but that’s not a bad way to get things started, especially for the guy with the most to prove on-field out of the three. That last bit is obviously debatable, but there’s a school of thought that says Ray should be the best present performer out of the three considering he has the most limited physical projection of the trio. I’m not sure that’s entirely fair — punishing Ray by expecting more now seems a bit counterproductive if the aim is projecting his future — but maybe there’s something to it. Either way, I think the jumble of guys in contention for 1-1 leaves things wide open enough for any of these three to rise up to that level; for now, Ray’s loud opening weekend helps him takes the lead.

If Ray’s opening weekend was loud, then what does that make Alec Hansen‘s? The less said about Hansen’s hushed debut, the better. His 22 ball/14 strike performance included four walks, one wild pitch, and one poor plunked hitter. One bad start wouldn’t be too concerning in the big picture (still isn’t, really), but on the heels of a fall season marred by a sore forearm…I don’t know. Maybe we laugh about this come June when a healthy Hansen is the top ten pick his talent warrants…or maybe he’s this year’s Michael Matuella.

Matt Krook and AJ Puk are the top two lefties in this college class, so it works out quite nicely that the two of them had such similar 2016 debuts. My non-scout view on Puk hasn’t changed much since he’s debuted as a Gator: he’s an excellent prospect who has always left me wanting after seeing him pitch up close. I wasn’t up close this past weekend, but I did check out his start against Florida Gulf Coast via the magic of the internet. Again, for all of Puk’s strengths he’s still not the kind of college prospect that gives off that 1-1 vibe when watching him. Even when he was cruising — 11 pitch first inning, 19 total pitches through two (15 strikes), and a 1-2-3 swinging strikeout to end the second that went slider, fastball, change — it was still on a very fastball-heavy approach with little evident feel for his offspeed stuff. His slider picked up from there and he mixed in a few nice changeups, but neither offering looked like a potential big league out-pitch.

In the third inning his defense let him down — literally and figuratively, as he made one of the two errors in the inning — but what really hurt him was his command falling apart. These are all players learning on the job so I don’t want to sound too negative, but he failed to locate an 0-2 pitch and that was what really led to his undoing. On the plus side, his velocity was good for a first start (90-94, 96 peak), his delivery looks better, the aforementioned handful of nice changeups were encouraging, and he responded really well in the fourth inning after losing his way in the third. I still struggle with his underdeveloped offspeed stuff, inconsistent command, and puzzling lack of athleticism (where did it go from HS?), but 6-7, 225 pound lefthanders who can hit 96 (98 at times last year) are worth being patient with.

With Pat Gillick, Johnny Almaraz, and two other scouts in attendance, the Phillies, owners of the first pick in this year’s draft, were well-represented in Gainesville over the weekend. Much has been made of this and rightly so as the Gators are stacked, obviously, though I’m sure it didn’t hurt that they only had to ride 2.5 hours north from Clearwater. They obviously have heavy interest in Puk and will have plenty of opportunities to get to know him inside and out as the spring progresses.

Meanwhile, Krook matched Puk in innings (4), hits (4), and strikeouts (6). While shaky glovework and command did Puk in, Krook’s issue was iffy control. Three walks, two wild pitches, and one hit batter ended his day early, but some rust was to be expected as he continues the comeback path from Tommy John surgery. No worries here.

Speaking of returning from Tommy John surgery, Cal Quantrill is still on the way back from his procedure. I really think he could pitch his way into the 1-1 conversation once healthy.

The two best 1-1 candidate performances came from Connor Jones and Robert Tyler. Both young righthanders faced only one batter over the minimum in their respective seven and five inning debuts. Tyler stole most of the headlines with his dominant performance on Friday. His win came against a weak Georgia Southern lineup — I like Ryan Cleveland, but there’s not a ton there otherwise — but striking out the last ten batters you face in a given outing is something. I’m 100% buying what Connor Jones — the Virginia one, not Tyler’s lefthanded Georgia teammate — is selling. I’ve mentioned it before, but I get an unusually high number of comps on him from enthusiastic scouts. My hunch is that it has something to do with his exciting mix of ceiling (number two starter?) and certainty (very polished, very professional) that gets those guys going. I still love the cross-cultural Masahiro Tanaka comp for him.

Dakota Hudson quietly pitched well in his debut. Matt Crohan did the same, but with an interesting fly ball tendency that could be worth tracking. Both are longer shots to crash the 1-1 party, but I have them on the board for a reason. One guy who might need to move off the board is Zach Jackson. His slip has nothing to do with talent — I’ve said it before, but his curve might be the best singular pitch in this class — but more about the logistics of trying to scout him this spring. As the only present college reliever on this list, it’s a guessing game as to whether or not you’ll see him in any given outing. That’s a damn shame because developmentally Jackson could really use innings to improve both his delivery and command, but Arkansas has to do what Arkansas has to do, I suppose. It could wind up costing Jackson a pretty penny, unfortunately. For now, I think he’s not a realistic 1-1 candidate due to the (rightful) fear of the unknown.

Everything written above is based largely on what my board would look like if I was holding the first pick in June. Below is my best guess — remember, I know nothing — as to what the Phillies could be thinking about that first pick as of now. Players are separated into four potential tiers…

Groome
Pint – Puk – Hansen – Ray
Jones – Quantrill – Lewis
Tyler – Reed

I think Groome is the lean as of today with Pint, Puk, and Ray all close behind. Hansen is right there, but it’ll take a clean bill of health to solidify that spot. Jones is an interesting case as a prospect who has been on the radar nationally for years, but still entered his college draft year underrated by many. The Phillies have only drafted one player from the University of Virginia since 2010 (Neal Davis), but they have leaned on their area guys in that part of the country more recently, especially when picking out of Virginia Tech. I certainly wouldn’t rule him out right now, especially if you buy the talk — I don’t — that the Phillies want a quick-mover to help accelerate their rebuild timeline. If Puk doesn’t dominate and Hansen remains injured/ineffective, then somebody will have to rise up as a potential college threat to the Groome’s and Pint’s of the world, right? If not Jones, maybe it’ll be Quantrill, son of former Phillie Paul, once he gets right. Should be fun.

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Southern Conference

19 Feb 2016 7:00 AM / 5 Comments on 2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Southern Conference

I’m an unabashed Kyle Lewis fan. I’m also a fan of hitters who can control the strike zone, spoil pitchers’s pitches, work favorable counts, and punish baseballs when ahead. Right now, that description only partially describes Lewis…and even that requires a more optimistic outlook than some are willing to take at this point in time. So how can those two statements be reconciled? It’s a dangerous thing for my credibility to admit, but call it an educated hunch that the 20-year-old Lewis will figure things out as a hitter. It goes back to something I mentioned in the comments section a few weeks back: guys either learn to hit or they don’t. That’s my paraphrased take from this scout’s quote talking about the likelihood of Jahlil Okafor improving his outside shot as a professional: “He needs to become a better shooter and free throw shooter. He either will or he won’t.” Scouts work very hard evaluating amateur and minor league talent across the country, so their collective insight into projecting a young hitter’s future is not to be dismissed. But…can we ever really know how a guy is going to react when thrown into the professional environment? A 95 MPH fastball with movement is a 95 MPH fastball with movement at any level. Plus speed, outstanding glove work, and the ability to miss bats are all translatable skills when honed properly. Hitting is an entirely different animal.

A big part of what makes hitting unique is that it can mean different things to different evaluators. There’s no wrong way to define “hitting,” so long as it remains consistent report to report. When I personally talk hitting, I’m including everything that I think goes into what separates a good hitter from a not so good hitter. If that means there’s overlap with other tools (power, most notably) and abilities (athleticism, hand-eye coordination, work ethic), then so be it. Hitting can be broken up into all kinds of smaller sub-components, but the three central facets are “hitting” (contact skills, bat-to-ball ability, mechanics), power (fairly self-explanatory), and approach (having a plan at the plate, both early and late in counts). The hitting and power components are relatively easy to identify with practice — there’s a reason they are two of the oft-cited five tools — but approach has always been the great mystery of amateur scouting. This is problematic for guys like me who place a great deal of importance on the approach piece of the pie; without an approach up to a certain standard, the hit and power tools will suffer greatly. I know some scouts will argue for hit over power (i.e., the Kansas City and Pittsburgh approach to scouting and development) or power over hit (where many teams are still at as they struggle to adjust to a post-PED world), but I’ll always be approach over hit/power, with no real preference on the last decision.

So what do I look for in young hitters and what does this ultimately have to do with liking Kyle Lewis and his current sub-optimal (per performance metrics) approach so much? I want to see athleticism (both traditional and baseball-specific), ease of mechanical repeatability (swing path, pre-swing movements, and upper- to lower-half coordination are all interesting to me, but ultimately I’m pragmatic: don’t really care how it looks as long as the hitter is comfortable, productive against top competition, and able to consistently do the same thing over and over), a high frequency of “hard” contact (easier judged now thanks to new technology at the pro level, but still a subjective call at the amateur level), and evidence of a planned approach (more about “self-scouting” and less about trying to guess what the hitter is seeing out of the pitcher’s hand — often labelled “pitch recognition,” but a really hard thing for an outsider to claim in my opinion) with every single plate appearance.

The relative importance of hitting the ball to all fields is something I go back and forth on; it’s obviously a good thing, but I think there’s still room in our shift-filled game for a slugger with extreme pull-side power to succeed if he’s good enough at it. For now, I consider it a bonus and not a prerequisite for being an average or better pro hitter. I’m also somewhat divided in thought when it comes to bat speed. As somebody who grew up with a front row seat — well, upper-deck (sections 420/421!) but it still counts — to watching Chase Utley play every day, I’m not about to downplay the importance of swinging a quick bat. Bat speed is undeniably important, but damn hard to judge in a nuanced way. That could be a personal failing of mine and not a universal issue among real deal scouts, but I’m not sure how the human eye can possibly determine bat speed beyond differentiating between “whoa,” “decent,” and “slow.” Maybe you could attempt to circle back to existing scouting language and separate a bit more (plus, above-average, average, below-average), but even that only teases out one extra descriptive layer. Short of measuring bat speed electronically, we’re left at doing our best to approximate what we see in an instant.

There’s also always going to be the most basic aspect of scouting: how does he look when he’s doing what he does. Think of this as an informed “gut” instinct. That’s so much of what scouting is: educated guesses. I wish I had access to some kind of special proprietary video library of every hitter of the past few decades to compare what I’m seeing right this second to what has worked for others historically, but I don’t. Thankfully, our brains are designed to cycle through all that our eyes have perceived and form patterns based on positive outcomes. That magic video library is inside each and every one of us obsessives who watches baseball on a daily basis. This will always be the most subjective aspect of scouting — everybody has a “type” and we’re all preconditioned to prefer those who fit that mold — but that doesn’t mean it’s not without value. And, yes, Kyle Lewis is my type, thank you very much.

Acknowledging that we all have our own preconceived notions about what is best lends further credence to the idea that sweeping proclamations about whether or not a young guy will hit aren’t wise. We can all make our best guesses — some of us having to do so with millions of dollars on the line — but ultimately these hitters will or won’t hit as pros. There’s already some interesting “expert” noise out there about Florida OF Buddy Reed’s swing being unsuitable to the challenges of the pro game. That’s a fair criticism (when substantiated beyond the boring blanket statement of “I just don’t like that swing”), but consider me preemptively bummed out to read (in the event of him being a great pro) how it wasn’t a scouting miss per se but rather a developmental success. No way could it be that his swing wasn’t misidentified as a bad one. Nooo, it was the impossible to predict reworking of his swing as a pro that led to his (again, entirely hypothetical) pro success. In other words, be careful what you read about a young hitter’s ability to adjust to the pro game. Nobody on the outside really knows — heck, neither do the supposed insiders! — so beware anybody who claims to have some kind of soothsaying abilities when prognosticating raw amateur bats. These guys are often the first to explain away their misses under the guise of unforeseen pro development. Here I am thinking that making that determination was part of the scouting process — silly me!

Kyle Lewis hit .367/.423/.677 last year in a decent college conference. That’s good, clearly. His 19 BB/41 K ratio is less good. So why buy the bat? As a hitter, I like what I’ve seen and heard about his righthanded swing. I like that he seemingly improved his approach (aggressively hunting for “his” pitch showed good self-scouting while getting ahead more frequently late in the year demonstrated a fuller understanding of what it will take to succeed against top-level competition) and started chasing fewer pitchers’s pitches as the season went on. I like his physical projection, public and privately shared intel about his work ethic, bat speed (I’ve seen some “whoa” cuts from him), and how his athleticism allows his upper- and lower-body to work in concern with one another with each swing. Believe me, I understand doubting him now as a potential top ten pick and dark horse to go 1-1 in this draft based on a wait-and-see approach to his plate discipline; if improvements aren’t made in his draft year BB/K ratio, all the positive scouting buzz will matter a lot less to me come June. But part of college scouting early in the season is identifying players set to make the leap as juniors. I think Lewis’s leap as a more mature, thoughtful, and explosive hitter has already begun, and it’ll be reflected on the field this upcoming season. I’ve thrown out a Yasiel Puig comp in the past for his ceiling and I’m sticking with that for now. As an added prospect to prospect bonus, his game reminds me some of Anthony Alford. Your mileage might vary on how in the draft a player like that could go, but it sure sounds like a potential premium pick to me.

Hitters

Mercer JR OF Kyle Lewis
Samford JR OF Heath Quinn
East Tennessee State JR SS/RHP Chris Cook
East Tennessee State SR 2B Trey York
Mercer JR SS Matt Meeder
Mercer JR C Charlie Madden
East Tennessee State SR 1B/C Kevin Phillips
Mercer JR 2B/SS Ryan Hagan
East Tennessee State JR 3B Blake Rowlett
East Tennessee State JR OF Lance Mays
Furman SR 2B/SS Jordan Simpson
East Tennessee State SR OF Jeremy Taylor
Furman JR C Cameron Whitehead
Mercer JR 3B Danny Edgeworth
Western Carolina SR C Danny Bermudez
Samford JR 1B/RHP Hunter Swilling
Wofford JR 1B Brett Hash
Samford SR 1B Alex Lee
Samford rJR SS Danny Rodriguez
East Tennessee State rJR 2B/SS Danny Carrier
Furman JR OF Carter Grote
Samford JR OF TJ Dixon
Furman JR OF Sky Overton
North Carolina Greensboro SR 3B Collin Woody
Western Carolina JR OF/1B Matt Smith
Wofford JR C Carson Waln
Wofford JR OF Kody Ruedisilli
Samford SR C Richard Greene
Mercer rSR OF/1B Blaise Lezynski
Western Carolina rSR OF Garrett Brown
East Tennessee State JR 1B/RHP Zach Thompson
Western Carolina SR 2B/3B Reece Strong
Wofford SR 2B/SS Alec Paradowski
Samford SR SS Frankie Navarette
Wofford SR SS/2B Derek Hirsch

Pitchers

Samford JR RHP Jared Brasher
Wofford SR RHP Will Stillman
Wofford JR RHP Jacob Condra-Bogan
East Tennessee State SR RHP Griffin Krieg
North Carolina Greensboro rJR RHP Hunter Smith
East Tennessee State JR RHP Blake Smith
VMI SR RHP Taylor Edens
North Carolina Greensboro SR RHP Keaton Haack
East Tennessee State rSO RHP Dillon Cate
Western Carolina SR RHP Colton Davis
VMI rSO RHP Jack Gomersall
Western Carolina JR LHP Bryan Sammons
Western Carolina SR LHP Taylor Durand
East Tennessee State JR RHP Victor Gonzalez
Mercer JR RHP Ryan Askew
Wofford JR RHP John Caskey
Mercer JR LHP Austin Lord
Western Carolina JR RHP BJ Nobles
Wofford SR RHP Matthew Milburn
Samford SR RHP Parker Curry

The Citadel

rSO RHP Zach McKay (2016)
rJR RHP Zach Lavery (2016)
rJR LHP Nate Brecklin (2016)
SR 2B/3B Bret Hines (2016)
rJR OF Steven Hansen (2016)
rJR OF Jason Smith (2016)
JR OF Austin Mapes (2016)
SR C Stephen Windham (2016)
SR OF Mike Deese (2016)
SO LHP JP Sears (2017)
SO RHP Thomas Byelick (2017)
SO RHP/2B Jacob Watcher (2017)
SO 3B/SS William Kinney (2017)
SO 2B Philip Watcher (2017)
SO 1B Drew Ellis (2017)
FR 1B Ben Peden (2018)

High Priority Follows: Steven Hansen, Austin Mapes, Stephen Windham

East Tennessee State

SR RHP Griffin Krieg (2016)
rSO RHP Dillon Cate (2016)
SR LHP Josh Jacques (2016)
JR LHP Jamin McCann (2016)
JR RHP Blake Smith (2016)
JR RHP Victor Gonzalez (2016)
SR RHP Lee Haeberle (2016)
JR RHP Connor Bartow (2016)
JR RHP/1B Zach Thompson (2016)
JR SS/RHP Chris Cook (2016)
SR 1B/C Kevin Phillips (2016)
SR 2B Trey York (2016)
SR OF Jeremy Taylor (2016)
JR 3B Blake Rowlett (2016)
JR OF Lance Mays (2016)
JR 1B/OF Caleb Longley (2016)
rJR 2B/SS Danny Carrier (2016)
SO RHP Ryan Simpler (2017)
SO RHP Logan Gentry (2017)
FR RHP Dalton Long (2017)
SO OF Aaron Maher (2017)
SO C/INF Hagan Owenby (2017)
SO INF Christian Bailey (2017)

Highest Priority Follows: Griffin Krieg, Dillon Cate, Blake Smith, Victor Gonzalez, Zach Thompson, Chris Cook, Kevin Phillips, Trey York, Jeremy Taylor, Blake Rowlett, Lance Mays, Danny Carrier

Furman

SR RHP Steven Fondu (2016)
JR RHP Will Dvorak (2016)
SR RHP Ryan Griffith (2016)
JR RHP Matthew Quarles (2016)
JR LHP Billy Greenfield (2016)
JR C Cameron Whitehead (2016)
SR 2B/SS Jordan Simpson (2016)
JR OF Carter Grote (2016)
JR OF Sky Overton (2016)
SR OF Griffin Davis (2016)
SR INF Matt Towarnicky (2016)
SR C Andrew MacLatchie (2016)
SO RHP Will Gaddis (2017)
SO LHP Grant Schuermann (2017)
SO 1B/RHP Brandon Elmy (2017)
SO SS Sims Griffith (2017)
SO OF Landon Kay (2017)
FR RHP Rollin Layton (2018)

High Priority Follows: Matthew Quarles, Cameron Whitehead, Jordan Simpson, Carter Grote, Sky Overton, Griffin Davis

Mercer

JR RHP Ryan Askew (2016)
JR RHP CJ Martin (2016)
JR LHP Austin Lord (2016)
JR OF Kyle Lewis (2016)
JR SS Matt Meeder (2016)
JR C Charlie Madden (2016)
JR 2B/SS Ryan Hagan (2016)
rSR OF/1B Blaise Lezynski (2016)
JR 1B Ben Upton (2016)
JR 1B Hunter Bening (2016)
JR INF Drew Lingo (2016)
JR 3B Danny Edgeworth (2016)
rJR 1B Howard Joe (2016)
SR C Jose Hernandez (2016)
SO LHP Conner Herd (2017)
SO RHP Carter Varga (2017)
SO OF Jackson Ware (2017)
SO OF Trey Truitt (2017)
FR RHP Kevin Coulter (2018)
FR RHP Andrew Kane (2018)
FR RHP Conrad Broom (2018)

High Priority Follows: Ryan Askew, Austin Lord, Kyle Lewis, Matt Meeder, Charlie Madden, Ryan Hagan, Blaise Lezynski, Danny Edgeworth

North Carolina Greensboro

rJR RHP Hunter Smith (2016)
SR RHP Keaton Haack (2016)
SR 3B Collin Woody (2016)
JR C Jake Kusz (2016)
JR OF Dillon Stewart (2016)
JR 1B Michael Goss (2016)
JR C/INF JoJo Underwood (2016)
JR 2B/OF Ben Spitznagel (2016)
rSR OF LJ Kalawaia (2016)
JR OF Ryne Sigmon (2016)
SO LHP Bryce Hensley (2017)
SO RHP Andrew Wantz (2017)
SO RHP Chad Sykes (2017)
SO OF Devin Ruiz (2017)
SO SS Tripp Shelton (2017)
FR RHP Matt Frisbee (2018)
FR OF Andrew Moritz (2018)
FR SS Cesar Trejo (2018)

High Priority Follows: Hunter Smith, Keaton Haack, Collin Woody, Jake Kusz, Dillon Stewart

Samford

SR RHP Parker Curry (2016)
JR RHP Jared Brasher (2016)
JR 1B/RHP Hunter Swilling (2016)
JR OF TJ Dixon (2016)
JR OF Heath Quinn (2016)
SR 1B Alex Lee (2016)
SR C Richard Greene (2016)
SR SS Frankie Navarette (2016)
rJR SS Danny Rodriguez (2016)
rSR OF Jared Watson (2016)
rSR OF Damon Waller (2016)
JR 3B/SS Anthony Gonzalez (2016)
SO RHP Jacob Greer (2017)
SO RHP Tristan Widra (2017)
SO RHP Wyatt Burns (2017)
SO 1B Austin Edens (2017)
FR RHP Connor Radcliff (2018)

High Priority Follows: Parker Curry, Jared Brasher, Hunter Swilling, TJ Dixon, Heath Quinn, Alex Lee, Frankie Navarette, Danny Rodriguez,

Virginia Military Institute

SR RHP Taylor Edens (2016)
JR LHP Austin Heenan (2016)
SR RHP Micah Gorman (2016)
rSO RHP Jack Gomersall (2016)
rJR RHP Ryan Bennett (2016)
JR OF Will Malbon (2016)
SR 3B David Geary (2016)
JR 1B Tyler Tharp (2016)
JR OF BJ Dudeck (2016)
SR OF Ray Lopez (2016)
SO LHP Brandon Barbery (2017)
SO RHP Jared Silva (2017)
SO RHP Matthew Eagle (2017)
SO SS Jacob Jye (2017)
SO C Peyton Maddox (2017)
SO OF/1B Collin Fleischer (2017)
SO OF Matt Dunlevy (2017)
FR RHP Josh Winder (2018)

High Priority Follows: Taylor Edens, Jack Gomersall

Western Carolina

JR LHP Bryan Sammons (2016)
JR RHP Korey Anderson (2016)
SR LHP Taylor Durand (2016)
SR RHP Colton Davis (2016)
SR RHP Jonathan Waszak (2016)
JR RHP BJ Nobles (2016)
rJR LHP Dillon Bray (2016)
SR C Danny Bermudez (2016)
JR OF/1B Matt Smith (2016)
SR OF Kramer Ferrell (2016)
SR 2B/3B Reece Strong (2016)
rJR 3B/SS JD Long (2016)
rSR OF Garrett Brown (2016)
rJR OF Bryson Bowman (2016
rSO C Pierce Suttles (2016)
rJR 1B Jason Smith (2016)
SO LHP Brandan Nail (2017)
SO LHP Corey Sikes (2017)
SO SS/3B Brett Pope (2017)
SO OF Matthew Koehler (2017)
SO C Spencer Holcomb (2017)
FR LHP Tristan Baker (2018)

High Priority Follows: Bryan Sammons, Taylor Durand, Colton Davis, BJ Nobles, Danny Bermudez, Matt Smith, Kramer Ferrell, Reece Strong, Garrett Brown, Pierce Suttles

Wofford

SR RHP Will Stillman (2016)
SR RHP Matthew Milburn (2016)
JR RHP Jacob Condra-Bogan (2016)
JR RHP Elliot Lance (2016)
JR RHP Spencer Kulman (2016)
SR LHP Connor Foltyn (2016)
JR RHP Jordan Accetta (2016)
JR RHP John Caskey (2016)
SR SS/2B Derek Hirsch (2016)
SR 2B/SS Alec Paradowski (2016)
SR OF/2B Demetrius Jennings (2016)
JR 1B Brett Hash (2016)
JR C Carson Waln (2016)
JR OF Kody Ruedisilli (2016)
JR INF Dylan May (2016)
SO LHP Adam Scott (2017)
SO 3B Max McDougal (2017)
SO OF McClain Bradley (2017)
SO C Mack Nathanson (2017)
SO C Cody Miller (2017)
FR RHP Reed Massey (2018)
FR LHP Austin Higginbotham (2018)
FR RHP Thomas Tatham (2018)
FR OF Chandler Engel (2018)

High Priority Follows: Will Stillman, Matthew Milburn, Jacob Condra-Bogan, John Caskey, Derek Hirsch, Alec Paradowski, Brett Hash, Carson Waln, Kody Ruedisilli

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – MAC

18 Feb 2016 7:00 AM / 4 Comments on 2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – MAC

Typically we start with the hitters because I’m an incredibly biased baseball fan and “writer” who grew up during the steroid era predisposed, right or wrong, to love offense. There’s no way we can do that with this year’s collection of MAC prospects. The top four pitchers in the conference – Eric Lauer, Nick Deeg, Zach Plesac, and Keegan Akin – are all fantastic draft prospects. The only difficulty here is picking a favorite.

Akin, the lefty with an above-average slider, deceptive delivery, and up-and-down control, might fit best in the bullpen over the long haul. Or maybe he’s the guy you view as having the highest ceiling thanks to a fastball that he can dial up to 95 when needed. Plesac has the obvious bloodlines working in his favor, but it’s his unusual athleticism and deep reservoir of offspeed pitches that make him a favorite of mine. He’s third on my list only because of a lost coin flip to Deeg, another lefthander with above-average velocity (86-92, 94 peak) and an average or better breaking ball (his curve took off this summer after firming up from a loopier 71-74 to an improved 79-81 bender). Deeg got the edge over fellow lefty Akin despite the latter’s better peripherals to date because of a more advanced change (a low-80s offering with average or better upside) and an interesting but as yet underdeveloped mid-80s cutter. His size advantage (6-5, 220 for Deeg, 6-1, 200 for Akin) certainly didn’t hurt either.

As much as I like all three of those pitchers, there’s still a decent-sized gap between Eric Lauer and the field. Lauer, the third lefthander in my MAC top four, combines the best of all of the prospects below him on the rankings. There isn’t a box that he doesn’t check when looking for a potentially quick-moving above-average mid-rotation big league starting pitcher. He’s an athletic (like Plesac) lefthander (like Deeg/Akin), with good size (like Deeg/Plesac), very strong performance indicators (10.78 K/9 and 2.72 BB/9), above-average heat (88-94) that he commands like a pro, and a complete assortment of offspeed pitches (74-77 CB, 78-82 SL, emerging CU) he can throw in any count. One could quibble by noting there’s no singular knockout pitch here – maybe with continued work one of his secondaries can become a consistent plus pitch, but certainly not presently – so maybe Lauer’s best case scenario outcome isn’t quite that of some of his peers across the country, but that’s a nitpick for a still impressive ceiling/high floor starting arm. Maybe you don’t love him – I kind of do, clearly…but maybe you don’t – but he’s still a prospect that’s hard not to at least like.

Lauer, Deeg, Plesac, and Akin are the four best prospects here, but they are far from the only prospects of note. I’m 100% ready to invest in all the Mike Kaelin stock I can afford. How can you not love a big fastball (up to 95) from a smaller righty (5-9, 185) who happens to be coming off a season where he whiffed 12.14 batters per nine? Beyond even those five, there are plenty of other pitching prospects worth knowing, especially those with advanced changeups. For whatever reason, the change seems like the pitch in the MAC this year. Nick Jensen-Clagg, Steven Calhoun (who also happens to be 6-7, 205 pounds), and Adam Aldred all throw really good ones. Sam Delaplane (94 peak and good SL, listed at 5-11, 175 pounds, and 10.80 K/9 last season) is a little bit like the Michigan version of Kaelin. I happen to like Sean Renzi and deep sleeper Kyle Slack as big men with some upside left to be unsheathed.

Despite the emphasis on pitching here, there are a handful of interesting MAC position players in need of more attention at the national level. Jarett Rindfleisch is a steady defender with a big arm, real power upside, and a decent approach at the plate. I’m not yet sure what exactly to make of Alex Borglin, but everything I know about him I like. He’s a great athlete who can run (but hasn’t done much of it yet), and flash some impressive leather at short. I’ve heard his arm could necessitate a move to second or possibly even center, so that’s something to watch. Mitch Longo has some “scouty” questions to answer this spring, but I’m sold on the bat. A little bit further down the list are names like Manny DeJesus (two plus tools in his CF range and speed, not to mention an ideal leadoff approach), Deion Tansel (handles the bat well and makes all the plays at short), and Zach McKinstry (draft-eligible sophomore with an advanced hit tool, ample speed, and impressive defensive gifts) , each intriguing in his own right.

Hitters

Ball State JR C Jarett Rindfleisch
Central Michigan JR SS Alex Borglin
Ohio JR OF Mitch Longo
Miami (Ohio) SR 3B/OF Chad Sedio
Ball State JR OF Alex Call
Ohio SR OF Manny DeJesus
Toledo SR SS/2B Deion Tansel
Northern Illinois SR SS Brian Sisler
Central Michigan SO SS Zach McKinstry
Eastern Michigan JR 1B John Montgomery
Central Michigan SR OF Logan Regnier
Western Michigan JR 3B Grant Miller
Miami (Ohio) JR 2B Steve Sada
Miami (Ohio) rJR 3B Adam Yacek
Ball State SR 2B Ryan Spaulding
Miami (Ohio) SR OF Jake Romano
Eastern Michigan rJR C/OF Michael Mioduszewski
Eastern Michigan rJR SS/OF Marquise Gill
Kent State SR 1B/3B Zarley Zalewski
Kent State JR 1B/OF Conner Simonetti
Central Michigan rSR SS Joe Houlihan
Buffalo SR SS Bobby Sheppard
Ohio rSR C Cody Gaertner
Buffalo rSO 2B Ben Haefner
Ohio SR 1B John Adryan
Ball State JR 1B/C Caleb Stayton
Northern Illinois SR C Johnny Zubek
Eastern Michigan SR 1B/3B Mitchell McGeein
Toledo rSR OF/SS Dan Zuchowski
Ball State JR SS/RHP Alex Maloney
Central Michigan SR 1B Zack Fields

Pitchers

Kent State JR LHP Eric Lauer
Central Michigan JR LHP Nick Deeg
Ball State JR RHP Zach Plesac
Western Michigan JR LHP Keegan Akin
Buffalo rJR RHP Mike Kaelin
Kent State JR RHP Andy Ravel
Kent State SR RHP Nick Jensen-Clagg
Eastern Michigan JR RHP Sam Delaplane
Toledo JR LHP Steven Calhoun
Miami (Ohio) rJR LHP Ryan Marske
Central Michigan SR LHP Adam Aldred
Western Michigan SR RHP Gabe Berman
Central Michigan SR RHP Sean Renzi
Bowling Green rJR LHP Andrew Lacinak
Central Michigan JR RHP Jordan Grosjean
Miami (Ohio) JR RHP Jacob Banks
Ohio JR RHP Jake Rudnicki
Toledo SR RHP Kyle Slack
Western Michigan SR LHP Derek Schneider
Ball State JR RHP BJ Butler
Buffalo JR RHP Alec Tuohy
Northern Illinois JR RHP Andrew Frankenreider
Buffalo JR RHP Brent Cleland
Eastern Michigan JR RHP Kevin Shul
Ohio SR RHP Jake Miller

Ball State

JR RHP Zach Plesac (2016)
JR RHP BJ Butler (2016)
rJR LHP Kevin Marnon (2016)
JR SS/RHP Alex Maloney (2016)
JR C Jarett Rindfleisch (2016)
JR OF Alex Call (2016)
SR 2B Ryan Spaulding (2016)
JR 3B Sean Kennedy (2016)
JR 1B/C Caleb Stayton (2016)
SR OF Scott Tyler (2016)
JR OF Matt Eppers (2016)
SO RHP/3B Colin Brockhouse (2017)
SO RHP Brendan Burns (2017)
SO LHP Trevor Henderson (2017)

High Priority Follows: Zach Plesac, BJ Butler, Alex Maloney, Jarett Rindfleisch, Alex Call, Ryan Spaulding, Sean Kennedy, Caleb Stayton, Matt Eppers

Bowling Green

rJR LHP Andrew Lacinak (2016)
SR RHP Devin Daugherty (2016)
SR OF Matt Smith (2016)
SR OF Kory Brown (2016)
rJR C Tyler Greiner (2016)
rJR 3B/1B Nick Glanzman (2016)
SO RHP Zac Carey (2017)
SO LHP Kody Brown (2017)
SO 3B/RHP Cody Callaway (2017)
SO 1B Randy Righter (2017)
FR OF Blake Jenkins (2018)
FR 1B/OF Logan Giddings (2018)
FR 3B/OF Cameron Daugherty (2018)
FR RHP Matt Szabo (2018)
FR RHP Chase Antle (2018)
FR RHP Brad Croy (2018)

High Priority Follows: Andrew Lacinak, Matt Smith

Buffalo

rJR RHP Mike Kaelin (2016)
SR LHP Ben Hartz (2016)
JR RHP Brent Cleland (2016)
JR RHP Alec Tuohy (2016)
SR SS Bobby Sheppard (2016)
JR 3B Chris Kwitzer (2016)
JR OF Vinny Mallaro (2016)
SR OF Mike Abrunzo (2016)
rSO 2B Ben Haefner (2016)
SO 1B Charlie Sobieraski (2017)
SO INF Ben Vey (2017)

High Priority Follows: Mike Kaelin, Ben Hartz, Brent Cleland, Alec Tuohy, Bobby Sheppard, Ben Haefner

Central Michigan

JR LHP Nick Deeg (2016)
SR LHP Josh Pierce (2016)
SR RHP Connor Kelly (2016)
SR LHP Adam Aldred (2016)
SR LHP Jimmy McNamara (2016)
SR RHP Sean Renzi (2016)
SR RHP Jason Gamble (2016)
JR RHP Jordan Grosjean (2016)
rSR SS Joe Houlihan (2016)
SR OF Logan Regnier (2016)
SR 1B Zack Fields (2016)
SR C Dylan Goodwin (2016)
rJR OF Adam Colllins (2016)
JR SS Alex Borglin (2016)
SO SS Zach McKinstry (2016)
JR C Robert Greenman (2016)
SR INF Morgan Oliver (2016)
rFR RHP Patrick Leatherman (2017)
SO RHP Sean Martens (2017)
SO OF/1B Daniel Jipping (2017)
rFR OF/C Dazon Cole (2017)
FR LHP Grant Wolfram (2018)
FR OF Daniel Robinson (2018)
FR RHP Michael Brettell (2018)
FR C Evan Kratt (2018)
FR INF Jarrod Watkins (2018)
FR INF Jason Sullivan (2018)

High Priority Follows: Nick Deeg, Connor Kelly, Adam Aldred, Sean Renzi, Jordan Grosjean, Joe Houlihan, Logan Regnier, Zack Fields, Alex Borglin, Zach McKinstry, Robert Greenman, Morgan Oliver

Eastern Michigan

SR LHP Devon Bronson (2016)
SR LHP Michael Marsinek (2016)
JR RHP Sam Delaplane (2016)
JR RHP Matthew Beaton (2016)
JR RHP Kevin Shul (2016)
SR 1B/3B Mitchell McGeein (2016)
SR RHP Nick Jensen-Clagg (2016)
rSO RHP Zach Spangler (2016)
rSR RHP Eli Martin (2016)
rSR LHP Tim Faix (2016)
JR LHP Jared Skolnicki (2016)
SR 1B/3B Zarley Zalewski (2016)
JR 2B Dom Iero (2016)
JR 1B/OF Conner Simonetti (2016)
rJR C/OF Michael Mioduszewski (2016)
JR C/OF Jeremy Stidham (2016)
rJR SS/OF Marquise Gill (2016)
SR OF Jordan Peterson (2016)
JR 1B John Montgomery (2016)
SR OF Jackson Martin (2016)
SO RHP Brent Mattson (2017)
SO RHP Antonio Jacobs (2017)
SO OF Brennan Williams (2017)
FR LHP Tyler Butzin (2018)

High Priority Follows: Sam Delaplane, Matthew Beaton, Kevin Shul, Mitchell McGeein, Michael Mioduszewski, Marquise Gill, Jordan Peterson, John Montgomery

Kent State

JR LHP Eric Lauer (2016)
JR RHP Andy Ravel (2016)
SR RHP Nick Jensen-Clagg (2016)
rSO RHP Zach Spangler (2016)
rSR RHP Eli Martin (2016)
rSR LHP Tim Faix (2016)
JR LHP Jared Skolnicki (2016)
SR 1B/3B Zarley Zalewski (2016)
JR 2B Dom Iero (2016)
JR 1B/OF Conner Simonetti (2016)
rSR OF Alex Miklos (2016)
JR 2B/SS Sam Hurt (2016)
rJR OF Luke Burch (2016)
JR 2B/SS Zach Beckner (2016)
rSR OF Jacob Neuschaefer (2016)
SO RHP Zach Willeman (2017)
SO RHP Chris Martin (2017)
SO LHP Eli Kraus (2017)
SO 3B Dylan Rosa (2017)
FR C Peter Schuler (2018)
FR SS Josh Hollander (2018)
FR LHP Connor Wollersheim (2018)
FR RHP Joey Murray (2018)
FR RHP Austin Havekost (2018)

High Priority Follows: Eric Lauer, Andy Ravel, Nick Jensen-Clagg, Jared Skolnicki, Zarley Zalewski, Conner Simonetti, Luke Burch

Miami (Ohio)

rJR LHP Ryan Marske (2016)
JR RHP Brad Schwartz (2016)
JR RHP Jacob Banks (2016)
SR 3B/OF Chad Sedio (2016)
SR OF Jake Romano (2016)
SR OF Gary Russo (2016)
rJR 3B Adam Yacek (2016)
JR 2B Steve Sada (2016)
rSO C Spencer Dull (2016)
SO RHP Gus Graham (2017)
FR LHP Zach Spears (2018)
FR RHP Cole Gnetz (2018)
FR RHP Michael Hendricks (2018)
FR C Hayden Senger (2018)
FR OF Dallas Hall (2018)

High Priority Follows: Ryan Marske, Jacob Banks, Chad Sedio, Jake Romano, Adam Yacek, Steve Sada, Spencer Dull

Northern Illinois

JR RHP Andrew Frankenreider (2016)
rJR LHP Jordan Ruckman (2016)
SR LHP Ryan Olson (2016)
SR SS Brian Sisler (2016)
SR OF Stephen Letz (2016)
rSR C Tony Brandner (2016)
SR C Johnny Zubek (2016)
rSR OF Alex Smith (2016)
rJR OF Brandon Mallder (2016)
rJR 3B/OF Tommy Hook (2016)
SR 2B Justin Fletcher (2016)
SO RHP Donovin Sims (2017)
SO SS/2B Brad Wood (2017)
FR 3B Joseph Boyle (2017)
FR OF Malique Ziegler (2017)

High Priority Follows: Andrew Frankenreider, Brian Sisler, Stephen Letz, Tony Brandner

Ohio

SR RHP Jake Miller (2016)
rSO RHP Jake Roehn (2016)
JR RHP Jake Rudnicki (2016)
rSO LHP Gerry Salisbury (2016)
SR RHP Connor Sitz (2016)
JR RHP Tom Colletti (2016)
SR OF Manny DeJesus (2016)
JR OF Mitch Longo (2016)
rSR C Cody Gaertner (2016)
SR 1B John Adryan (2016)
rJR OF Nate Squires (2016)
JR 3B Ty Black (2016)
FR 1B Rudy Rott (2018)

High Priority Follows: Jake Miller, Jake Rudnicki, Tom Colletti, Manny DeJesus, Mitch Longo, Cody Gaertner, John Adryan

Toledo

SR RHP Kyle Slack (2016)
SR RHP Caleb Schillace (2016)
JR RHP Sam Shutes (2016)
JR LHP Steven Calhoun (2016)
SR LHP Ross Achter (2016)
SR RHP/OF John Martillotta (2016)
JR RHP/OF Jordan Kesson (2016)
SR SS/2B Deion Tansel (2016)
rSR OF/SS Dan Zuchowski (2016)
SR OF Ryan Callahan (2016)
JR OF Jake Krupar (2016)
SO OF AJ Montoya (2017)
SO C/1B Dalton Bollinger (2017)

High Priority Follows: Kyle Slack, Steven Calhoun, Ross Achter, Jordan Kesson, Deion Tansel, Dan Zuchowski

Western Michigan

JR LHP Keegan Akin (2016)
SR LHP Derek Schneider (2016)
SR RHP Pat Haynes (2016)
SR RHP Gabe Berman (2016)
JR 3B Grant Miller (2016)
JR SS Steve Pastora (2016)
SR C Mitchell Ho (2016)
SO LHP Jacob Piechota (2017)
SO LHP/OF Tanner Allison (2017)
FR OF Nate Grys (2018)
FR INF Connor Smith (2018)

High Priority Follows: Keegan Akin, Derek Schneider, Gabe Berman, Grant Miller

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Northeast Conference

17 Feb 2016 7:00 AM / 1 Comment on 2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Northeast Conference

Zack Short and Cole Fabio are why I do this. Players like those guys – guys who have been on the radar here for years, but not fully appreciated until a closer look during their draft year – make it all worth it. These are the kind of players that I’d go to bat for in a draft room. Short should be on any short list (no pun intended) of best college shortstop prospects in this class. He’s really, really good. Offensively he’s a high-contact hitter with an above-average blend of patience and pop. As a defender, he’s capable of making all the plays at short with range that should have him stick at the spot for years to come. There simply aren’t many two-way shortstops as good as him in this class. He’s an easy top ten round player for me with the chance to rise as high as around the fifth round (reminiscent of Blake Allemand last year) and a realistic draft floor of where Dylan Bosheers (round fifteen) eventually fell.

Fabio is right there with Short at the plate with a mature approach, keen eye, and above-average or better speed on the base paths. I know less about his defense than I’d like, but early notes on him point towards him being a more realistic option at second in the long-term than short. That’s one of the reasons why Short is ahead of him here, but, assuming Fabio is as good at second as I’ve been told, it’s far from a death blow to his prospect standing. I’d draft them both and have an all-new under-the-radar NEC middle infield prospect pair to watch grow over the next few years.

Not too far behind those middle infielders is Nick Mascelli. You’ll likely get less bat with him – hair less contact and similar patience, but definitely a step behind in terms of pop and physical projection – but he’s a good glove at short with a fine utility infielder profile. Brian Lamboy is a personal favorite thanks to his exceptional ability to battle with two strikes.

Jason Foley is currently the conference’s best hope for a future professional starter. His size, ability to throw three pitches for strikes (big fan of his 81-85 split-change), and solid peripherals add up to a potential back-end of the rotation arm. The two pitchers from Wagner are a study in contrast: Austin Goeke is the big guy with some projection left and 5-11, 170 pounder Mike Adams is the “what you see is what you get” prospect. Both are draftable talents, though it should be no shock that I opted for projection over polish for the time being.

Hitters

Sacred Heart JR SS Zack Short
Bryant JR 2B Cole Fabio
Wagner JR SS Nick Mascelli
Long Island-Brooklyn SR 2B Brian Lamboy
Wagner SR 3B/OF Ben Ruta
Bryant JR OF Matt Albanese
Bryant JR 2B/RHP Brandon Bingel
Bryant SR 1B Robby Rinn
Long Island-Brooklyn rJR OF Tommy Jakubowski
Bryant SR C/OF Buck McCarthy
Fairleigh Dickinson rSR C Patrick McClure
Fairleigh Dickinson SR 2B/SS Dylan Sprague
Bryant SR OF AJ Zarozny
Fairleigh Dickinson JR SS Matt McCann
Long Island-Brooklyn rJR 1B/RHP Mark Hernandez

Pitchers

Sacred Heart JR RHP Jason Foley
Central Connecticut State rJR LHP Cody Brown
Wagner JR RHP Austin Goeke
Wagner SR RHP Mike Adams
Long Island-Brooklyn JR RHP Bobby Maxwell
Central Connecticut State SR LHP Casey Brown
Fairleigh Dickinson rJR RHP Logan Frati
Long Island-Brooklyn rSO RHP Baylor LaPointe
Long Island-Brooklyn rSR RHP Brian Drapeau
Long Island-Brooklyn SR RHP Vincent Tranchina
Mount Saint Mary’s SR LHP Jordan Lawson
Wagner JR RHP Danny Marsh

Bryant

SR RHP James Davitt (2016)
rSR LHP Garrett Hayward (2016)
JR 2B/RHP Brandon Bingel (2016)
SR C/OF Buck McCarthy (2016)
SR 1B Robby Rinn (2016)
SR OF AJ Zarozny (2016)
SR C Daniel Palazzo (2016)
SR SS Dan Cellucci (2016)
JR OF Matt Albanese (2016)
JR 2B Cole Fabio (2016)
JR 1B/OF Zane Smith (2016)
JR OF Joseph Paparelli (2016)
SO RHP James Karinchack (2017)
SO LHP Justin Snyder (2017)
SO RHP Ross Weiner (2017)
SO LHP Logan Lessard (2017)
SO C Mickey Gasper (2017)
FR RHP Mason Palmieri (2018):
FR RHP Nathan Wrighter (2018):
FR RHP Craig Lacey (2018):
FR RHP Jack Owens (2018):
FR LHP Steve Theetge (2018):
FR 3B Tyler Panno (2018): LHH
FR INF John Nollett (2018):
FR OF Nick Angelini (2018):

High Priority Follows: James Davitt, Brandon Bingel, Buck McCarthy, Robby Rinn, AJ Zarozny, Matt Albanese, Cole Fabio, Joseph Paprelli

Central Connecticut State

rJR LHP Cody Brown (2016)
SR LHP Casey Brown (2016)
JR RHP Brett Susi (2016)
JR 1B/RHP Andrew Hinckley (2016)
SR C Connor Fitzsimmons (2016)
SR OF Matt Martinez (2016)
JR OF Franklin Jennings (2016)
SO 3B Ryan Costello (2017)
SO 2B Dean Lockery (2017)
SO INF/OF Mitch Guilmette (2017)
FR RHP Brandon Fox (2018)

High Priority Follows: Cody Brown, Casey Brown, Connor Fitzsimmons, Franklin Jennings

Fairleigh Dickinson

rJR RHP Logan Frati (2016)
SR 2B/SS Dylan Sprague (2016)
rSR C Patrick McClure (2016)
rJR OF/3B Ryan Brennan (2016)
SR 3B Joel Roman (2016)
SR 1B/C John Giakas (2016)
JR SS Matt McCann (2016)
rSR OF Shane Siebler (2016)
SO 3B Bobby Romano (2017)
FR RHP Kyle Rockin McLaughlin (2018)

High Priority Follows: Logan Frati, Dylan Sprague, Patrick McClure, Ryan Brennan, Joel Roman, Matt McCann

Long Island-Brooklyn

rSO RHP Baylor LaPointe (2016)
JR RHP Nick Freijomil (2016)
JR RHP Bobby Maxwell (2016)
SR RHP Vincent Tranchina (2016)
rSR RHP Brian Drapeau (2016)
rJR 1B/RHP Mark Hernandez (2016)
SR 2B Brian Lamboy (2016)
rJR OF Tommy Jakubowski (2016)
JR C Harrison Preschel (2016)
SO LHP Cory Hart (2017)
FR RHP Mike Kreiger (2018)
FR LHP/OF Tre Jackson (2018)
FR OF Joe Mercadante (2018)
FR C/3B Andy Camilo (2018)
FR SS Luis Arias de los Santos (2018)
FR 3B/SS Kyle Ruth (2018)
FR C Andy Camillo (2018)

High Priority Follows: Baylor LaPointe, Nick Freijomil, Bobby Maxwell, Vincent Tranchina, Brian Drapeau, Mark Hernandez, Brian Lamboy, Tommy Jakubowski

Mount St. Mary’s

SR LHP Jordan Lawson (2016)
SR LHP Chad Diehl (2016)
SR RHP Austin Bonadio (2016)
rSR RHP Connor Graber (2016)
rSR OF Ryan Owens (2016)
rJR OF Zach Hostetter (2016)
SO RHP Nick DeCarlo (2017)

High Priority Follows: Jordan Lawson, Chad Diehl, Zach Hostetter

Sacred Heart

JR RHP Jason Foley (2016)
rSR RHP James Cooksey (2016)
SR OF Jayson Sullivan (2016)
SR 1B Victor Sorrento (2016)
JR 1B Keith Klebart (2016)
JR SS Zack Short (2016)
JR INF Ted Shaw (2016
SR INF/RHP Jesus Medina (2016)
rSO INF PJ DeFilippo (2016)
SO OF Dan Schock (2017)
SO C Cody Doyle (2017)

High Priority Follows: Jason Foley, Jayson Sullivan, Zack Short

Wagner

SR RHP Mike Adams (2016)
SR LHP Paul Mammino (2016)
JR RHP Danny Marsh (2016)
JR LHP Brad Currao (2016)
JR RHP Austin Goeke (2016)
SR 3B/OF Ben Ruta (2016)
rSR OF Trey Nicosia (2016)
JR SS Nick Mascelli (2016)
SO OF Anthony Godino (2017)
FR RHP Doug Molnar (2018)
FR 1B Anthony Harrold (2018)
FR 2B Cole Heavilin (2018)

High Priority Follows: Mike Adams, Danny Marsh, Austin Goeke, Ben Ruta, Nick Mascelli

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Atlantic 10

16 Feb 2016 7:00 AM / 1 Comment on 2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Atlantic 10

I tend to have a positive outlook when it comes to evaluating amateur players. I’ve gotten some feedback — some friendly, some not — about being too positive at times, but focusing on what players do well is more fun than the alternative. I try not to get too carried away with the positivity, but it can be difficult balancing my enthusiasm of promoting players from mid-major programs and non-traditional baseball powers with realistic pro forecasts that speak to the absurd rate of “failure” of even the best of prospects. I guess I can see their point: listing 58 players of interest on the Southland Conference list when only 19 got drafted last year might be a bit of overkill. Anyway, this is just my nice way of easing into an admission that I’m not in love with the Atlantic 10 this year from a draft perspective. In fact, there isn’t really one draft-eligible player in the Atlantic 10 that jumps out to me as a sure-fire top-ten round prospect. I could be wrong — it’s happened once before, probably — and the possibility that somebody could emerge between now and June is very real, but I don’t see any way around this being a down draft year for the conference. But — and here’s that damn positivity again — there are still some fun players with pro futures to discuss!

Logan Farrar is a well-rounded offensive player who does everything well but nothing spectacularly at the plate. If teams buy his long-term outlook as an infielder (based on what I know so far, I’m not sold), then his stock will rise. Chris Hess is a no-doubter infielder, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the similarly talented offensive player ahead of Farrar on some boards by June. I’ve long been enamored by Braxton Martinez, a strong hitter with some defensive questions to answer this spring. I know some who think he can play third, others who want to try him behind the plate, and others still who believe he’s a first baseman (where I believe he’ll be playing this season) in the long run. The first two options are obviously preferable, but I like him as a senior-sign at any spot.

The pitching side of things doesn’t inspire much confidence either. Greg Weissert can throw three pitches for strikes – 88-93 FB, 78-79 CU, mid-70s CB – and has missed bats at the kind of clip (10.45 K/9) to warrant his spot at the top. Zach Girrens does it with a little more heat (up to 94) and an average or better slider. Joey Ravert is one of college ball’s best two-way players, but his future is likely on the mound thanks to his 90-94 FB and power slider. He’s the kind of athlete who could take off in pro ball once he’s able to focus entirely on one side of ball. After the first few names, there’s lots of projection based more on talent than history: Nick Vichio (about 20 IP total to his name), Joseph Serrapica (7.71 ERA last year), and Jorge Jimenez (10.1 IP last year) all have a lot to prove in 2016, but with the talent to move quick.

Maybe meaningful storyline to follow: the Royals drafted five of the A-10’s twelve drafted players last year. At first I assumed it was just a coincidence or maybe just a case of having a trusted (and convincing) area scout frequenting conference games, but then it hit me: it’s the George Mason connection. Dayton Moore, JJ Picollo, Lonnie Goldberg, and area scout Ken Munoz all played ball at George Mason. If any team is going to have the best connections to the program and conference, it’s the team with three major decision-makers and a respected scout all with ties to the university. When Brandon Gum gets drafted Kansas City this year, remember you heard it here first.

Hitters

Virginia Commonwealth JR OF/2B Logan Farrar
Rhode Island rSO 2B/3B Chris Hess
Fordham JR 2B/SS Matthew Kozuch
Rhode Island JR C/3B Martin Taveras
Saint Louis SR 3B/C Braxton Martinez
Saint Louis SR OF Michael Bozarth
Virginia Commonwealth JR 2B/SS Matt Davis
Davidson SR OF Lee Miller
Richmond rSR OF Michael Morman
George Mason SR 3B Kent Blackstone
Rhode Island SR OF Ryan Olmo
George Washington JR OF Joey Bartosic
Davidson SR 2B/SS Sam Foy
George Mason SR 2B/SS Brandon Gum
St. Bonaventure SR 3B/RHP Thad Johnson
Dayton rJR OF Glenn Jones
Richmond SR OF/SS Tyler Beckwith
George Washington JR OF Andrew Selby
Virginia Commonwealth JR 1B/3B Darian Carpenter
George Washington JR 3B/1B Bobby Campbell
St. Joseph’s SR OF John Brue
Fordham SR 2B Joseph Runco
Richmond SR OF Jansen Fraser
St. Bonaventure JR OF Taishi Terashima
St. Joseph’s JR SS Taylor Boyd
Virginia Commonwealth SR OF Jimmy Kerrigan
Saint Louis SR 3B/SS Josh Bunselmeyer
Virginia Commonwealth SR OF Cody Acker
Virginia Commonwealth SR OF James Bunn

Pitchers

Fordham JR RHP Greg Weissert
Saint Louis JR RHP Zach Girrens
La Salle SR RHP/1B Joey Ravert
Saint Louis SR LHP Josh Moore
Saint Louis JR RHP Nick Vichio
Fordham SR RHP Joseph Serrapica
La Salle JR LHP Jorge Jimenez
La Salle rJR LHP Luke Reilly
George Mason rJR RHP Tyler Tobin
Davidson JR RHP Westin Whitmire
Saint Louis SR RHP Matt Eckelman
Fordham SR RHP Jimmy Murphy
Rhode Island SR RHP Brad Applin
Rhode Island SR LHP Steve Moyers
St. Joseph’s rSR RHP Tim Ponto

Davidson

SR RHP Durin O’Linger (2016)
JR RHP Cody White (2016)
rSR RHP Clark Beeker (2016)
JR RHP Westin Whitmire (2016)
SR OF/RHP Andrew Pope (2016)
SR 2B/SS Sam Foy (2016)
SR OF Lee Miller (2016)
JR OF Will Robertson (2016)
JR C Tyler Agard (2016)
SO RHP Josh Smutzer (2017)
SO RHP Connor Gordon (2017)
SO SS/3B Alec Acosta (2017)
SO OF Cam Johnson (2017)
FR RHP Casey Sutherland (2018)
FR 3B/OF Adrian Mayans (2018)

High Priority Follows: Durin O’Linger, Clark Beeker, Westin Whitmire, Sam Foy, Lee Miller

Dayton

SR RHP Zach Beaver (2016)
SR RHP Charlie Dant (2016)
SR RHP Sam Brunner (2016)
rJR RHP Nick Weybright (2016)
SR OF/1B Aaron Huesman (2016)
rJR OF Mitch Coughlin (2016)
rJR OF Glenn Jones (2016)
JR SS/2B Maverick Prine (2016)
JR C Matt Poland (2016)

High Priority Follows: Sam Brunner, Glenn Jones, Maverick Prine

Fordham

JR RHP Greg Weissert (2016)
SR RHP Jimmy Murphy (2016)
SR RHP Joseph Serrapica (2016)
SR RHP Cody Johnson (2016)
JR RHP Kirk Haynes (2016):
JR RHP Donald May (2016)
JR LHP Shane McDonald (2016)
JR RHP/SS Luke Stampfl (2016)
SR 2B Joseph Runco (2016)
SR OF Ryan McNally (2016)
SR 3B Ian Edmiston (2016)
JR OF/C Mark Donadio (2016)
JR 2B/SS Matthew Kozuch (2016)
JR OF Ryan Mahoney (2016)
SR SS Joseph DeVito (2016)
SO RHP Ben Greenberg (2017)
SO RHP David Manasek (2017)

High Priority Follows: Greg Weissert, Jimmy Murphy, Joseph Serrapica, Joseph Runco, Matthew Kozuch

George Washington

SR RHP Bobby LeWarne (2016)
SR RHP Randy Dalrymple (2016)
JR RHP Eddie Muhl (2016)
JR OF Joey Bartosic (2016)
JR 3B/1B Bobby Campbell (2016)
JR OF Andrew Selby (2016)
JR 3B/2B Eli Kashi (2016)
JR SS Kevin Mahala (2016)
SR C Matthieu Robért (2016)
JR OF Colin Gibbons-Fly (2016)
SO RHP Brady Renner (2017)
SO RHP Tyler Swiggart (2017)
SO LHP Kevin Hodgson (2017)
SO 2B/RHP Robbie Metz (2017)
SO C Brandon Chapman (2017)

High Priority Follows: Bobby LeWarne, Randy Dalrymple, Eddie Muhl, Joey Bartosic, Bobby Campbell, Andrew Selby

George Mason

rJR RHP Tyler Tobin (2016)
SR LHP Evan Porcella (2016)
SR RHP Mark Maksimow (2016)
JR RHP Tyler Zombro (2016)
SR 2B/SS Brandon Gum (2016)
SR 3B Kent Blackstone (2016)
SO LHP Joe Williams (2017)
rFR RHP Bryce Nightengale (2017)
SO 2B Michael Smith (2017)
SO OF Brady Acker (2017)
SO OF/C Tyler Nelin (2017)
SO 1B/3B Trevor Kelly (2017)
FR LHP Bran Marconi (2018)
FR 1B/3B Greg Popatak (2018)

High Priority Follows: Tyler Tobin, Tyler Zombro, Brandon Gum, Kent Blackstone

La Salle

rJR RHP Greg Krug (2016)
SR RHP Jordan Meyer (2016)
JR LHP Jorge Jimenez (2016)
rJR LHP Luke Reilly (2016)
SR RHP Billy Woswick (2016)
SR RHP Jared Mattera (2016)
SR RHP Tom Fazzini (2016)
JR RHP Andrew Craig (2016)
SR RHP/1B Joey Ravert (2016)
rJR 1B/RHP Michael Flax (2016)
rJR OF Ethan Springston (2016)
SR SS Collin McGowan (2016)
SO RHP Greg Paprocki (2017)
SO 2B/OF Yan Carlo Rivera (2017)
FR RHP CJ Pruitt (2018)
FR C Brett Simon (2018)
FR 2B Kevin McGowan (2018)
FR OF Drew Jarmuz (2018)
FR OF Brian Tagoe (2018)

High Priority Follows: Greg Krug, Jorge Jimenez, Luke Reilly, Joey Ravert

Massachusetts

SR RHP/C Brandon Walsh (2016)
SR LHP Evan Mackintosh (2016)
JR RHP Ryan Moloney (2016)
rSO RHP Ryan Venditti (2016)
SR RHP Ben Panunzio (2016)
SR 1B/C John Jennings (2016)
JR 1B/RHP Mike Geannelis (2016)
SO RHP Kevin Hassett (2017)
FR 3B/SS Cooper Mrowka (2018)

High Priority Follows: Brandon Walsh, Evan Mackintosh, Mike Geannelis

Rhode Island

SR LHP Steve Moyers (2016)
rJR RHP Ben Wessel (2016)
SR RHP Brad Applin (2016)
rJR RHP Blaise Whitman (2016)
rJR RHP Matt O’Neil (2016)
rSO RHP Tyler Barss (2016)
JR RHP Taso Stathopoulos (2016)
rSR C Derek Gardella (2016)
rJR OF Mike Corin (2016)
SR 1B Connor Foreman (2016)
SR OF Ryan Olmo (2016)
rSO 2B/3B Chris Hess (2016)
JR C/3B Martin Taveras (2016)
SO LHP Tyler Wilson (2017)
SO LHP Dom Grillo (2017)
SO OF Jordan Powell (2017)

High Priority Follows: Steve Moyers, Brad Applin, Taso Stathopoulos, Derek Gardella, Mike Corin, Connor Foreman, Ryan Olmo, Chris Hess, Martin Taveras

Richmond

SR RHP Dan Martinson (2016)
rSR RHP Jonathan de Marte (2016)
JR RHP Robbie Baker (2016)
SR 1B Doug Kraeger (2016)
SR OF/SS Tyler Beckwith (2016)
SR OF Jansen Fraser (2016)
SR C Aaron Newman (2016)
rSR OF Michael Morman (2016)
JR INF Kurtis Brown (2016)
SO RHP Brendan McGuigan (2017)
SO 2B/RHP Keenan Bartlett (2017)
SO C Kyle Adams (2017)
SO C Brandon Johnson (2017)
SO INF/OF Daniel Brumbaugh (2017)
FR LHP Jacob Lamb (2018)
FR RHP Layne Looney (2018)

High Priority Follows: Doug Kraeger, Tyler Beckwith, Jansen Fraser, Michael Morman

St. Bonaventure

SR RHP Connor Grey (2016)
SR RHP Drew Teller (2016)
SR 3B/RHP Thad Johnson (2016)
JR OF Taishi Terashima (2016)
SR 1B Tyler Walter (2016)
SR 1B Ted Dilts (2016)
JR 2B Jared Baldinelli (2016)
JR C Bradley Gresock (2016)
SR 1B Tyler Kirwan (2016)
SO RHP Brandon Schlimm (2017)
SO RHP Aaron Phillips (2017)
SO RHP Ben Contento (2017)
SO LHP Nate Grant (2017)
SO SS Cole Peterson (2017)
FR OF Sam Fuller (2018)

High Priority Follows: Thad Johnson, Taishi Terashima

St. Joseph’s

SR LHP Jack Stover (2016)
SR RHP Tim McCarthy (2016)
JR RHP Pat Vanderslice (2016)
SR LHP Joe Manion (2016)
JR RHP Steve Powles (2016)
JR RHP Ryan Kelly (2016)
rSR RHP Tim Ponto (2016)
rSR RHP Ryan Otero (2016)
SR 1B Charlie Coghlin (2016)
SR OF John Brue (2016)
JR SS Taylor Boyd (2016)
JR OF Cal Jadacki (2016)
SO RHP Dominic Cuoci (2017)
SO RHP Justin Aungst (2017)
SO C Deon Stafford (2017)
SO SS/2B Matt Maul (2017)
FR 1B Charlie Concannon (2018)

High Priority Follows: Pat Vanderslice, Tim Ponto, Charlie Coghlin, John Brue, Taylor Boyd

Saint Louis

SR LHP Josh Moore (2016)
SR RHP Matt Eckelman (2016)
JR RHP Nick Vichio (2016)
JR LHP Brett Shimanovsky (2016)
JR RHP Zach Girrens (2016)
SR 3B/C Braxton Martinez (2016)
rJR OF Trent Leimkuehler (2016)
SR OF Michael Bozarth (2016)
SR 3B/SS Josh Bunselmeyer (2016)
JR INF Danny Mannion (2016)
rSO INF Michael Cusenza (2016)
SO RHP Connor Lehmann (2017)
SO RHP Luke Sommerfeld (2017)
SO SS Alex King (2017)
SO C James Morisano (2017)
SO OF Parker Sniatynski (2017)
FR RHP Jackson Wark (2018)
FR RHP Miller Hogan (2018)
FR OF Curtis Whitten (2018)
FR 2B/SS Cole Dubet (2018)

High Priority Follows: Josh Moore, Matt Eckelman, Nick Vichio, Zach Girrens, Braxton Martinez, Michael Bozarth, Josh Bunselmeyer

Virginia Commonwealth

JR LHP Matt Jamer (2016)
JR RHP Luke Crabb (2016)
JR LHP Brooks Vial (2016)
JR RHP Matt Oxner (2016)
JR RHP Sam Donko (2016)
SR OF Cody Acker (2016)
JR OF/2B Logan Farrar (2016)
SR OF James Bunn (2016)
SR 2B Cooper Mickelson (2016)
SR OF Jimmy Kerrigan (2016)
SR C Walker Haymaker (2016)
JR 2B/SS Matt Davis (2016)
JR 1B/3B Darian Carpenter (2016)
SO RHP Garrett Pearson (2017)
SO RHP Sean Thompson (2017)
rFR C Brett Hileman (2017)
SO INF Daane Berezo (2017)
FR RHP Jack Alkire (2018)
FR RHP Ben Dum (2018)
FR SS Zac Ching (2018)

High Priority Follows: Cody Acker, Logan Farrar, James Bunn, Jimmy Kerrigan, Matt Davis, Darian Carpenter

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Colonial Athletic Conference

12 Feb 2016 7:00 AM / 3 Comments on 2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Colonial Athletic Conference

I’ll update this to provide more commentary when I can, but for now I’m pleased to say how much I like the CAA this year. There’s no doubt in my mind that the conference will blow by last year’s twelve drafted players in this year’s draft.

Bradley Jones has one of the top power/speed blends in all the country, Charley Gould was seemingly put on this planet to hit baseballs, and Gavin Stupienski checks all the boxes one could hope to see in a potential big league backstop. Chad Carroll, Casey Golden, and Morgan Phillips have all had good college careers, but still have enough untapped physical talent that each could be considered an upside play and potential mid-spring surger up draft boards.

The pitching is really impressive at the top. Aaron Civale and Bailey Ober look like strong candidates to pitch in professional rotations for a long time; I can see mid-rotation ceilings for both. Then there’s a slew of hard-throwing relievers who should make their mark on the draft this June: Jared Gesell, Chris Hall, Joe McGillicuddy, and Joseph Gaouette can all reach the mid-90s with an above-average (give or take) offspeed pitch to go with the heat.

Hitters

College of Charleston JR OF/SS Bradley Jones
William & Mary SR 1B/C Charley Gould
UNC Wilmington rJR C Gavin Stupienski
Towson JR C/3B Brady Policelli
James Madison rSR OF/2B Chad Carroll
Elon JR 3B/OF Nick Zammarelli
Towson rJR OF/1B Chris Henze
Hofstra JR SS/2B Brad Witkowski
UNC Wilmington JR OF/RHP Casey Golden
College of Charleston rSR OF Morgan Phillips
UNC Wilmington SR OF/3B Steven Linkous
UNC Wilmington SR 3B/SS Terence Connelly
Delaware rSO 3B Diaz Nardo
Elon rJR OF Will Nance
College of Charleston JR C Ervin Roper
UNC Wilmington rJR SS Kennard McDowell
Elon JR OF Kyle Jackson
Elon JR OF Jamal Clarke
William & Mary rSR OF/C Josh Smith
James Madison rJR 1B/3B Brett Johnson
UNC Wilmington SR OF Joe Bertone
James Madison JR OF Ky Parrott
James Madison SR C Bobby San Martin
Towson rJR OF AJ Gallo
Northeastern JR 3B Cam Hanley
Northeastern JR OF Pat Madigan
College of Charleston SR OF Alex Pastorius
James Madison JR 1B/LHP Logan Corrigan

Pitchers

Northeastern JR RHP Aaron Civale
College of Charleston rSO RHP Bailey Ober
Northeastern JR RHP Dustin Hunt
UNC Wilmington SR RHP Jared Gesell
Elon JR RHP/C Chris Hall
Elon rSR RHP Joe McGillicuddy
William & Mary SR RHP Joseph Gaouette
Hofstra SR RHP Alex Eisenberg
James Madison JR LHP Michael Evans
College of Charleston SR RHP Nathan Helvey
College of Charleston rSO RHP Hayden McCutcheon
Elon JR RHP Matt Harris
Elon JR RHP Nick Beaulac
William & Mary JR RHP Nick Brown
Delaware rSO RHP Ron Marinaccio
College of Charleston rSO RHP Michael Carpin
UNC Wilmington SR RHP Ryan Foster
William & Mary SR RHP Mitchell Aker
Elon rSR RHP/C Michael Elefante
Elon JR LHP Jordan Barrett
Towson rJR RHP Kevin Ross
UNC Wilmington SR LHP Taylor Hyssong
College of Charleston SR LHP Eric Bauer
Elon SR LHP Tyler Manez
Elon rJR LHP Brandon Kacer
Hofstra rSR LHP Brendan Mulligan
Northeastern rJR RHP Mike Fitzgerald
Towson SR RHP Lee Lawler

College of Charleston

rSO RHP Hayden McCutcheon (2016)
rSO RHP Bailey Ober (2016)
SR RHP Nathan Helvey (2016)
SR LHP Eric Bauer (2016)
rSO RHP Michael Carpin (2016)
JR OF/SS Bradley Jones (2016)
rJR C/1B Jake Maziar (2016)
rSR OF Morgan Phillips (2016)
SR OF Alex Pastorius (2016)
JR C Ervin Roper (2016)
SO RHP Justin Baker (2017)
SO RHP Carter Love (2017)
rFR 1B Logan McRae (2017)
SO OF Ryan Brown (2017)
SO INF Tommy Richter (2017)
FR RHP Clay Helvey (2018)
FR LHP Evan Sisk (2018)
FR SS Dupree Hart (2018)
FR SS Luke Manzo (2018)

High Priority Follows: Hayden McCutcheon, Bailey Ober, Nathan Helvey, Michael Carpin, Bradley Jones, Jake Maziar, Morgan Phillips, Ervin Roper

Delaware

JR LHP Kevin Milley (2016)
rSO RHP Ron Marinaccio (2016)
JR 3B/SS James Meeker (2016)
SR 1B Nick Liggett (2016)
JR INF Doug Trimble (2016)
JR 2B Nick Tierno (2016)
rSO 3B Diaz Nardo (2016)
rJR OF Jordan Glover (2016)
SO RHP Scott Zimmer (2017)
SO RHP Nick Spadafino (2017)
SO OF Calvin Scott (2017)
rFR OF/C Kevin Mohollen (2017)
FR LHP Brandon Walter (2018)

High Priority Follows: Ron Marinaccio, Nick Liggett, Diaz Nardo

Elon

JR LHP Jordan Barrett (2016)
rSR RHP Joe McGillicuddy (2016)
SR LHP Tyler Manez (2016)
rJR LHP Brandon Kacer (2016)
JR RHP Matt Harris (2016)
JR RHP Nick Beaulac (2016)
JR RHP/C Chris Hall (2016)
rSR RHP/C Michael Elefante (2016)
rJR OF Will Nance (2016)
SR C Danny Lynch (2016)
JR 3B/OF Nick Zammarelli (2016)
JR OF Kyle Jackson (2016)
JR OF Jamal Clarke (2016)
SR C Austin Leeney (2016)
rJR 2B/SS Kory Shumate (2016)
SO RHP Sean Byrnes (2017)
SO RHP Robbie Welhaf (2017)
SO C/1B James Venuto (2017)
FR RHP Mason Daniels (2018)
FR SS Cam Devanney (2018)
FR 2B Ryne Ogren (2018)

High Priority Follows: Jordan Barrett, Joe McGillicuddy, Matt Harris, Nick Beaulac, Chris Hall, Michael Elefante, Will Nance, Nick Zammarelli, Kyle Jackson, Jamal Clarke

Hofstra

SR RHP Alex Eisenberg (2016)
SR RHP Chris Bonk (2016)
rSR LHP Brendan Mulligan (2016)
SR RHP Bowie Matteson (2016)
rSO RHP Matt Weissheier (2016)
rJR C Chris Hardardt (2016)
rSR 1B/OF Ryan Karl (2016)
JR SS/2B Brad Witkowski (2016)
SO RHP Adam Heidenfelder (2017)
SO RHP Chris Weiss (2017)
SO OF/LHP Teddy Cillis (2017)
SO OF Matt Annunziata (2017)
SO OF Steven Foster (2017)
rFR C/1B Nick Bottari (2017)
FR C Vito Friscia (2018)

High Priority Follows: Alex Eisenberg, Brad Witkowski

James Madison

SR RHP Mark Gunst (2016)
rSR LHP Aaron Hoover (2016)
rJR RHP Brandon Withers (2016)
JR LHP Michael Evans (2016)
JR 1B/LHP Logan Corrigan (2016)
rSR OF/2B Chad Carroll (2016)
SR C Bobby San Martin (2016)
rSR SS Kyle Weston (2016)
rJR 1B/3B Brett Johnson (2016)
SR OF Tyler Carroll (2016)
JR OF Josh Wyatt (2016)
JR OF Ky Parrott (2016)
SO LHP Eric Yankey (2017)
SO OF Michael Sciorra (2017)
SO 2B Kyle McPherson (2017)
SO 3B Bradley McKay (2017)

High Priority Follows: Michael Evans, Chad Carroll, Bobby San Martin, Brett Johnson, Ky Parrott

Northeastern

JR RHP Aaron Civale (2016)
JR RHP Dustin Hunt (2016)
rJR RHP Mike Fitzgerald (2016)
SR LHP James Mulry (2016)
SR RHP Nick Cubarney (2016)
rSO 1B/LHP Zach Perry (2016)
JR 3B Cam Hanley (2016)
JR OF Pat Madigan (2016)
rSR C Josh Trieff (2016)
SO RHP Brian Christian (2017)
SO INF/OF Mason Koppens (2017)
SO 3B Maxwell Burt (2017)
SO INF Nolan Lang (2017)
FR LHP Andrew Misiaszek (2018)
FR OF Jake Farrell (2018)
FR 2B Charlie McConnell (2018)
FR INF Ryan Solomon (2018)

High Priority Follows: Aaron Civale, Dustin Hunt, Mike Fitzgerald, Cam Hanley, Pat Madigan

Towson

SR RHP Lee Lawler (2016)
rJR RHP Kevin Ross (2016)
SR RHP Garrett Walther (2016)
rJR LHP Matt Golczewski (2016)
SR RHP Austin Clark (2016)
rSR RHP Paul Beers (2016)
rSR 1B Spencer Sutton (2016)
rJR OF/1B Chris Henze (2016)
rJR OF AJ Gallo (2016)
rJR 2B/SS Colin Dyer (2016)
JR C/3B Brady Policelli (2016)
rSO 1B Colin Gimblet (2016)
SO LHP David Marriggi (2017)
SO RHP Alex Cuas (2017)
SO OF Mark Grunberg (2017)
SO C Tristan Howerton (2017)
FR SS Richard Palacios (2018)

High Priority Follows: Lee Lawler, Kevin Ross, Chris Henze, AJ Gallo, Brady Policelli

UNC Wilmington

SR RHP Jared Gesell (2016)
SR RHP Ryan Foster (2016)
SR LHP Taylor Hyssong (2016)
rSO LHP Whitman Barnes (2016)
rSO LHP Clay Lockamon (2016)
JR OF/RHP Casey Golden (2016)
SR 3B/SS Terence Connelly (2016)
SR OF/3B Steven Linkous (2016)
SR 1B/OF Andy Austin (2016)
rJR SS Kennard McDowell (2016)
rJR C Gavin Stupienski (2016)
SR OF Joe Bertone (2016)
JR OF/2B Robbie Thorburn (2016)
SO RHP Zack Burke (2017)
SO RHP Justin Crump (2017)
SO RHP Josh Roberson (2017)
SO RHP Austin Magestro (2017)
SO RHP Austin Easter (2017)
SO 2B Brian Mims (2017)
SO INF Zack Canada (2017)
SO C Nick Freight (2017)
FR C Ryan Jeffers (2018)
FR 1B Walker Imwalle (2018)
FR RHP Alex Royalty (2018)
FR INF Blake Deatherage (2018)
FR RHP/OF Clark Cota (2018)

High Priority Follows: Jared Gesell, Ryan Foster, Taylor Hyssong, Whitman Barnes, Clay Lockamon, Casey Golden, Terence Connelly, Steven Linkous, Keenard McDowell, Gavin Stupienski, Joe Bertone

William & Mary

SR RHP Joseph Gaouette (2016)
SR LHP Andrew White (2016)
SR RHP Mitchell Aker (2016)
JR RHP Nick Brown (2016)
JR RHP Daniel Powers (2016)
JR RHP John Yoest (2016)
JR OF/RHP Charles Ameer (2016)
SR 1B/C Charley Gould (2016)
rSR OF/C Josh Smith (2016)
JR 3B/SS Tim Hoehn (2016)
JR INF Ryder Miconi (2016)
JR OF Matthew Tilley (2016)
SO RHP Rob White (2017)
SO RHP Michael Toner (2017)
rFR SS Kyle Wrighte (2017)
SO OF Ryan Hall (2017)
SO 2B Cullen Large (2017)
FR RHP/1B Nick Butts (2018)

High Priority Follows: Joseph Gaouette, Mitchell Aker, Nick Brown, Charles Ameer, Charley Gould, Josh Smith

The Baseball Draft Report

Yearly Archives: 2016

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – MAAC

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Horizon

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Summit

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – MEAC

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – WAC

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – SWAC

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Ohio Valley

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Big South

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Patriot

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2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Southern Conference

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – MAC

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Northeast Conference

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Atlantic 10

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Colonial Athletic Conference

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