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2010 MLB Draft: Top 100 College Pitching Prospects
Expanded lists for both RHPs and LHPs with quick scouting profiles can be found here (RHP) and here (LHP). The top 100 are below…
1. North Carolina JR RHP Matt Harvey
2. Texas JR RHP Brandon Workman
3. Georgia Tech JR RHP Deck McGuire
4. San Diego JR RHP Kyle Blair
5. Kentucky/Grand Prairie AirHogs SR LHP James Paxton
6. Ohio State JR RHP Alex Wimmers
7. San Diego SO LHP Sammy Solis
8. Mississippi JR LHP Drew Pomeranz
9. Arkansas JR RHP/OF Brett Eibner
10. Louisiana State JR RHP Anthony Ranaudo
11. The Citadel JR RHP Asher Wojchiechowski
12. San Diego State JR RHP Addison Reed
13. UCLA JR LHP Rob Rasmussen
14. CC of Southern Nevada RHP Donnie Roach
15. Virginia Tech JR RHP Jesse Hahn
16. Indiana State JR RHP Jake Petricka
17. Texas A&M JR RHP Barret Loux
18. Portland JR RHP Zach Varce
19. Texas Tech JR RHP Chad Bettis
20. Arizona State SO RHP/C Jordan Swagerty
21. Oregon State JR LHP Josh Osich
22. UCLA SO RHP Dan Klein
23. Charleston Southern JR RHP/OF Tyler Thornburg
24. South Carolina JR RHP Sam Dyson
25. St. Petersburg CC SO RHP Austin Wood
26. Howard JC (TX) RHP Burch Smith
27. Georgia JR RHP Justin Grimm
28. Arizona State JR RHP Seth Blair
29. Pepperdine SO RHP Cole Cook
30. Arkansas SO LHP Drew Smyly
31. San Jacinto JC FR LHP Miguel Pena
32. Miami JR LHP Chris Hernandez
33. Florida JR LHP Kevin Chapman
34. James Madison JR RHP Kevin Munson
35. Tennessee JR LHP Bryan Morgado
36. Oregon State JR LHP Tanner Robles
37. North Carolina State JR RHP Jake Buchanan
38. Georgia Tech JR RHP Kevin Jacob
39. Ball State SO RHP Perci Garner
40. Northeast Texas CC SO RHP Zach Cates
41. SUNY Oneonta JR RHP Dave Filak
42. Lower Columbia FR RHP Jeff Ames
43. Michigan JR RHP Tyler Burgoon
44. Texas Tech JR RHP Bobby Doran
45. Houston SO RHP Michael Goodnight
46. Virginia Tech SO RHP Mathew Price
47. Bowling Green JR RHP Brennan Smith
48. Wichita State SO RHP Jordan Cooper
49. Georgia State JR RHP David Buchanan
50. Florida Southern JR RHP Daniel Tillman
51. Clemson JR RHP Josh Thrailkill
52. Florida State JR LHP John Gast
53. Nebraska JR RHP Michael Mariot
54. Sam Houston State JR RHP Dallas Gallant
55. Texas-Arlington JR RHP Rett Varner
56. San Jacinto JC RHP Clay Schrader
57. Virginia JR RHP Tyler Wilson
58. Louisville JR RHP Thomas Royse
59. South Florida JR RHP Randy Fontanez
60. North Carolina JR RHP Colin Bates
61. Eastern Illinois JR RHP Josh Mueller
62. Minnesota JR RHP Seth Rosin
63. San Diego SR RHP AJ Griffin
64. Mississippi SR RHP Aaron Barrett
65. Vanderbilt JR RHP Taylor Hill
66. Oregon SR RHP Justin LaTempa
67. Oregon State JR RHP Greg Peavey
68. Georgia SO RHP Michael Palazzone
69. James Madison JR RHP Turner Phelps
70. Missouri JR RHP Nick Tepesch
71. Loyola Marymound SO RHP Martin Viramontes
72. California SO RHP Dixon Anderson
73. Boston College JR LHP Pat Dean
74. Lynn SO RHP Tommy Kahnle
75. CC of Southern Nevada SO RHP Tyler Hanks
76. Elon JR RHP Thomas Girdwood
77. Iowa SR LHP Zach Robertson
78. Auburn JR LHP Cole Nelson
79. Lee SR RHP Scott Swinson
80. Chipola JC LHP Austin Wright
81. CC of Southern Nevada SO RHP Joe Robinson
82. Navarro JC SO RHP Chris Marlowe
83. Cornell JR RHP Corey Pappel
84. Florida Southern JR LHP Max Russell
85. UC Santa Barbara JR LHP Kevin Gelinas
86. Tampa SR LHP Carmine Giardina
87. Coastal Carolina JR LHP Cody Wheeler
88. Arkansas SR RHP Mike Bolsinger
89. Missouri State SO LHP Mike Kickham
90. College of Charleston JR RHP Heath Hembree
91. Georgia SR LHP Alex McRee
92. Rice JR LHP Matt Evers
93. Hawaii JR LHP Sam Spangler
94. Miami JR LHP Eric Erickson
95. Elon JR LHP Jimmy Reyes
96. Rhode Island SR RHP Tim Boyce
97. Alabama Birmingham JR RHP Ryan Woolley
98. Toledo JR RHP Matt Suschak
99. Texas Christian JR RHP Steven Maxwell
100. LSU-Eunice SO RHP Tony Dischler
2010 MLB Draft: Top 250 College Righthanded Pitching Prospects
1. North Carolina JR RHP Matt Harvey: 92-96, peak FB 98; low-90s two-seamer with crazy sink; 83-85 SL that flashes plus; sinking 79-83 CU with promise; teams might be willing to bet that plus high-70s CB from high school could come back; 6-5, 225 pounds (3.65 FIP; 10.10 K/9; 3.00 BB/9)
2. Texas JR RHP Brandon Workman: low-90s FB with serious sink, peak 95-97; plus high-70s CB; sinking CU with legit promise; usable low-80s SL; two biggest issues out of high school (mechanics and poor control) both ironed out after three years in Austin; 6-5, 225 pounds (4.30 FIP; 9.43 K/9; 1.89 BB/9)
3. Georgia Tech JR RHP Deck McGuire: heavy 89-92 FB, peaking 93-94; 82-86 SL with plus potential; low-70s CB with plus potential; average low-80s CU; pinpoint command on just about everything (4.18 FIP; 10.06 K/9; 2.58 BB/9)
4. San Diego JR RHP Kyle Blair: great command of 90-93 FB; two-seamer 86-87; outstanding mid-70s CB that is a plus pitch; interesting 81-83 CU that will be average big league pitch at worst; usable SL that could be average or better in time; 6-3, 200 pounds; (2.91 FIP; 12.45 K/9; 2.59 BB/9)
5. Ohio State JR RHP Alex Wimmers: 88-92 FB; has touched 94; plus-plus potential with mid-70s CB, but pitch should be above-average professionally at minimum; good to plus upper-70s CU with sink; can nibble too much at times, but great command allows him to get away with it; 6-2, 195 pounds (2.66 FIP; 10.73 K/9; 2.84 BB/9)
6. Arkansas JR RHP/OF Brett Eibner: easy 92-94 FB with sink; has hit up to 96 in relief; hard 85-88 SL flashes plus, should be consistently solid offering at worst; average low-80s CU made significant progress in 2010; has thrown slow CB and cutter in past; desire to play outfield rather than pitch obviously complicates things; untapped potential on mound; 6-3, 205 pounds; (2.69 FIP; 9.28 K/9; 1.33 BB/9)
7. Louisiana State JR RHP Anthony Ranaudo: 90-93 FB, peak 94-95; has hit 97 in past; flashes plus 78-83 KCB that should be at worst above-average professionally; average at worst 80-82 CU with really good arm action; good command of all three pitches; reminds me of current minor leaguer Trevor May in many ways; (5.12 FIP; 9.26 K/9; 4.34 BB/9)
8. The Citadel JR RHP Asher Wojchiechowski: 90-94 FB, peaking at 96; good, hard upper-70s SL with curve-like break that flashes plus; developing CU, but hasn’t had to use it often to date (3.67 FIP; 11.12 K/9; 2.27 BB/9)
9. San Diego State JR RHP Addison Reed: 89-93 starting FB; holds velocity deep into games as a starter; up to 95-96 out of bullpen; plus low-80s SL; average to slightly above-average low-80s CU, thanks to Eric Valenzuela (3.77 FIP; 10.55 K/9; 1.82 BB/9)
10. CC of Southern Nevada RHP Donnie Roach: 90-94 FB, touching 96; plus 74-77 CB that has really come on since high school; good cutter; above-average but sparingly used 82 MPH splitter that works as CU (roughly 11.5 K/9 in 2010)
11. Virginia Tech JR RHP Jesse Hahn: 91-94 FB, peak 95-96 as starter; 96-99 FB out of bullpen; average 83-84 CU with above-average upside; decent mid- to upper-70s CB; has thrown SL and cutter in past, but hasn’t gone back to either in 2010; 6-5, 195 pounds (3.95 FIP; 10.03 K/9; 2.44 BB/9)
12. Indiana State JR RHP Jake Petricka: 92-94 FB, peaking 97-98; above-average CB; CU with promise; 6-4, 180 pounds (3.13 FIP; 9.66 K/9; 4.38 BB/9)
13. Texas A&M JR RHP Barret Loux: 90-92 FB, peak at 93-94 while starting; has hit peak of 98 coming out of bullpen; good command of above-average 83-86 CU; SL with some promise; KCB with above-average potential if he can ever learn to consistently command it; 6-5, 220 (3.07 FIP; 12.75 K/9; 2.81 BB/9)
14. Portland JR RHP Zach Varce: 88-91 FB, peak of 93-95; plus 76-78 SL that moves like a cutter; very good CB; usable low-80s splitter; superior command; 6-0, 190 pounds (3.16 FIP; 10.55 K/9; 2.42 BB/9)
15. Texas Tech JR RHP Chad Bettis: mid- to upper-90s FB, peaking at 97-98; power mid-80s SL that shows plus at times; needs refining on CU, but pitch has become effective over time (3.49 FIP; 11.77 K/9; 3.15 BB/9) ***
16. Arizona State SO RHP/C Jordan Swagerty: 88-92 FB, peak at 93-94; plus potential with upper-70s CB; solid CU that has been underused coming out of pen (3.11 FIP; 12.44 K/9; 2.73 BB/9) ***
17. UCLA SO RHP Dan Klein: coming off of shoulder surgery; low-90s FB, peaking at 94 with plus command; near plus mid-80s SL; average CB; workable CU (3.69 FIP; 11.06 K/9; 1.49 BB/9) ***
18. Charleston Southern JR RHP/OF Tyler Thornburg: 91-93 FB, peak 94-95 in relief; above-average 78-82 CU; average high-70s CB; very athletic; Tim Lincecum style throwing motion; 5-11, 190 pounds (3.21 FIP; 10.57 K/9; 3.79 BB/9)
19. South Carolina JR RHP Sam Dyson: sits 93-95 with FB, peaks 96-97; holds velocity deep into starts; 78-82 potential plus hammer CB; 80-82 CU work in progress, but coming along quickly in 2010; first round arm, fifth round medicals (3.63 FIP; 9.69 K/9; 1.74 BB/9)
20. St. Petersburg CC SO RHP Austin Wood: sits low-90s, 97 peak FB; SL with promise; decent CU; 6-4, 220 pounds
21. Howard JC (TX) RHP Burch Smith: low-90s FB, peak 95; low-80s SL that flashes plus; consistently solid CU that should be slightly above-average big league pitch; 6-4, 195 pounds
22. Georgia JR RHP Justin Grimm: 92-93 FB; peaked at 96; mid-80s cutter; potential plus upper-70s CB; good low- to mid-70s CU with good arm action; questionable mechanics; 6-4, 195 pounds (4.50 FIP; 9.35 K/9; 3.74 BB/9)
23. Arizona State JR RHP Seth Blair: low-90s FB with late life and serious sink; plus CU; solid CB; SL needs polish; good arm action; 6-2, 190 pounds (4.43 FIP; 9.50 K/9; 2.10 BB/9)
24. Pepperdine SO RHP Cole Cook: 90-93, peak 94 FB with late life; plus 83-84 CU with drop; hard 77-78 SL/CB that could be plus pitch; command needs work, especially with breaking ball; loses velocity as game drags on; pro body; 6-6, 215 (3.55 FIP; 7.76 K/9; 1.98 BB/9)
25. James Madison JR RHP Kevin Munson: 93-94 FB; has peaked at 96-97; solid to plus 80-83 SL; 6-2, 200 pounds (3.32 FIP; 11.78 K/9; 3.76 BB/9) ***
26. North Carolina State JR RHP Jake Buchanan: 87-90 FB; 74-77 near plus CB; nice 76-80 SL; very good 76-79 CU; impressive showing on Cape; 6-0, 205 pounds (4.21 FIP; 8.55 K/9; 2.32 BB/9)
27. Georgia Tech JR RHP Kevin Jacob: 96-97; topping out at 98-99; power upper-80s SL; good command, but inconsistent at times; very funky mechanics; 6-6, 225 (3.72 FIP; 12.19 K/9; 5.23 BB/9) ***
28. Ball State SO RHP Perci Garner: easy 96-97 peak FB; sits 92-95; near plus mid-80s CB; usable SL and splitter that works as CU; 6-2, 225 pounds (3.29 FIP; 10.46 K/9; 4.38 BB/9)
29. Northeast Texas CC SO RHP Zach Cates: very easy low-90s FB, peak 97; plus CU; raw breaking ball
30. SUNY Oneonta JR RHP Dave Filak: has really come on with the FB, from sitting 90-92 with a peak of 93 over the summer to sitting mid-90s (94ish) now; solid hard CB that would be a plus pitch with better command; 6-5, 220 pounds
31. Lower Columbia FR RHP Jeff Ames: low-90s FB, 96 peak; above-average SL; good CU; will slow the slow upper-60s CB on occasion; 6-5, 210 pounds
32. Michigan JR RHP Tyler Burgoon: sits low-90s with FB, but can run it up to 96; 83-87 plus SL; 5-10, 160 pounds (3.50 FIP; 10.56 K/9; 2.72 BB/9) ***
33. Texas Tech JR RHP Bobby Doran: hits 93-94 FB in relief; plus SL; solid CU; command needs work, very inconsistent game to game; clean mechanics; 6-6, 225 pounds (4.10 FIP; 9.00 K/9; 2.12 BB/9)
34. Houston SO RHP Michael Goodnight: 90-93 FB; plus CU; solid SL; plus athlete (4.57 FIP; 10.30 K/9; 5.25 BB/9)
35. Virginia Tech SO RHP Mathew Price: 91-94; potential plus 78-79 SL; 81-82 CU, iffy control, projectable (4.19 FIP; 9.28 K/9; 2.56 BB/9)
36. Bowling Green JR RHP Brennan Smith: 88-92 FB, 94 peak; above-average to plus splitter; good CB and solid CU; FAVORITE (5.03 FIP; 8.15 K/9; 5.47 BB/9)
37. Wichita State SO RHP Jordan Cooper: 88-92 FB; also throws two-seamer; above-average SL; well above-average CU; plus command (4.17 FIP; 8.13 K/9; 1.68 BB/9)
38. Georgia State JR RHP David Buchanan: sits low-90s, 96 peak FB; potential plus CB; quickly emerging CU; iffy command (4.36 FIP; 8.30 K/9; 4.23 BB/9)
39. Florida Southern JR RHP Daniel Tillman: 91-94 sinking FB; hard SL; 6-1, 185 pounds; dominant K numbers out of bullpen (56 K’s in 39.2 IP) ***
40. Clemson JR RHP Josh Thrailkill: mid-90s peak FB; solid CB; decent CU (3.97 FIP; 10.24 K/9; 0.93 BB/9) ***
41. Nebraska JR RHP Michael Mariot: 91-92 FB; very good CB; average at best CU; good FB command; 6-0, 175 pounds (4.83 FIP; 8.37 K/9; 2.63 BB/9)
42. Sam Houston State JR RHP Dallas Gallant: strong performance on the Cape; 91-94 FB; 12-6 CB that flashes plus; 6-3, 195 (4.46 FIP; 8.79 K/9; 4.07 BB/9)
43. Texas-Arlington JR RHP Rett Varner: low-90s FB with good command; sharp slurve; above-average CU; clean delivery; 6-4, 190 pounds (4.18 FIP; 8.59 K/9; 2.00 BB/9)
44. San Jacinto JC (TX) RHP Clay Schrader: 92-94 FB; plus SL; average CB; very highly thought of by area scouts; 6-0, 190 pounds ***
45. Virginia JR RHP Tyler Wilson: 89-92 FB; quality 81-82 SL; good 78 CU; easy arm action; good athlete; plus command; 6-2, 185 pounds (4.19 FIP; 10.57 K/9; 3.58 BB/9) ***
46. Louisville JR RHP Thomas Royse: 90-93 FB with plus life; plus FB command; 6-5 (4.36 FIP; 9.00 K/9; 2.18 BB/9)
47. South Florida JR RHP Randy Fontanez: 88-91 sinking FB; quality CB and SL; splitter (3.82 FIP; 9.05 K/9; 2.12 BB/9)
48. North Carolina JR RHP Colin Bates: sinking 90-92 FB; average 78 CB; good SL; good command (4.28 FIP; 9.49 K/9; 3.21 BB/9) ***
49. Eastern Illinois JR RHP Josh Mueller: 90-93 FB; good CB; solid CU; 6-4, 215 (4.15 FIP; 10.40 K/9; 3.95 BB/9)
50. Minnesota JR RHP Seth Rosin: 88-92 FB, peak 94; solid mid-70s CB; emerging low-80s CU; good command; 6-6, 245 (5.21 FIP; 8.53 K/9; 1.14 BB/9)
51. San Diego SR RHP AJ Griffin: 86-90 FB with plus command; can get it up to the 92-93 on occasion; good mid-70s SL; well above-average 78-79 CU; improving slow 66-68 CB; 6-5, 215 pounds (4.10 FIP; 10.95 K/9; 2.40 BB/9)
52. Mississippi SR RHP Aaron Barrett: 89-93 FB, peaking at 94; good CU; very good at times 82-85 SL; 6-4, 205 pounds (4.15 FIP; 10.35 K/9; 4.47 BB/9)\
53. Vanderbilt JR RHP Taylor Hill: 88-93 FB with sink; 80-82 plus SL; very good 78-79 sinking CU; mechanics need smoothing out; 6-4, 225 pounds (4.86 FIP; 6.73 K/9; 1.94 BB/9)
54. Oregon SR RHP Justin LaTempa: sat 92-94 FB, touched 95-96; developing CU; flashes plus SL; shoulder injury shelved him in 2009 (4.77 FIP; 7.62 K/9; 1.85 BB/9)
55. Oregon State JR RHP Greg Peavey: 94 peak FB; flashes plus SL; CU needs work; command comes and goes (3.76 FIP; 6.90 K/9; 2.62 BB/9)
56. Georgia SO RHP Michael Palazzone: 92 peak FB; plus CU; solid CB (4.75 FIP; 7.92 K/9; 3.38 BB/9)
57. James Madison JR RHP Turner Phelps: 89-91 FB; good CU; solid CB (4.73 FIP; 8.13 K/9; 5.88 BB/9)
58. Long Beach State JR RHP Jake Thompson: 91-93 FB; 95 FB peak; holds velocity very well; good FB command; above-average potential with CU that is now a near-plus pitch; doesn’t use the CU enough at present; inconsistent SL/CB at 77 that needs a lot of work (3.97 FIP; 7.54 K/9; 2.18 BB/9)
59. Missouri JR RHP Nick Tepesch: 91-94 FB, peak at 96; flashes above-average SL (3.17 FIP; 7.21 K/9; 2.37 BB/9)
60. Loyola Marymount SO RHP Martin Viramontes: 96 peak FB; sits 90-94; power CB that flashes plus; flashes plus CU; 6-4, 210 (4.60 FIP; 7.53 K/9; 4.65 BB/9)
61. California SO RHP Dixon Anderson: 92-94 FB; 96 FB peak; very good low-80s SL; splitter; 6-5, 225 pounds (4.89 FIP; 5.68 K/9; 3.55 BB/9)
62. Lynn (FL) SO RHP Tommy Kahnle: sits low-90s, can get it up to 95-96 with some regularity; ultimate high end peak FB of 98-99; solid low-80s SL; CU needs work, but has average big league upside; 6-0, 225 pounds ***
63. CC of Southern Nevada SO RHP Tyler Hanks: 92-94 FB, peak 97; plus 81-84 SL; 6-2, 195 pounds ***
64. Elon JR RHP Thomas Girdwood: low- to mid-90s FB (92-95); plus 82-84 SL (5.74 FIP; 8.67 K/9; 3.67 BB/9) ***
65. Lee (TN) SR RHP Scott Swinson: upper-80s FB while at Maryland, but reports are his FB is now sitting low-90s, peaking at 94; solid CU; quickly emerging 12-6 CB; uses SL sparingly; plus command; 6-2, 185 pounds
66. CC of Southern Nevada SO RHP Joe Robinson: 89-92 FB, peak 95; compact delivery; flashed a nice SL and CU
67. Navarro JC SO RHP Chris Marlowe: big FB; plus CB; huge K numbers; 6-1, 175 pounds ***
68. Cornell JR RHP Corey Pappel: upper-80s FB, 91-92 peak; good cut fastball; above-average SL; 6-6, 205 pounds (3.28 FIP; 9.18 K/9; 4.24 BB/9)
69. Arkansas SR RHP Mike Bolsinger: sits 88-90, hits 92-93 with FB; good to plus low-80s SL; decent CU; 6-2, 210 pounds (2.82 FIP; 9.04 K/9; 2.02 BB/9)
70. College of Charleston JR RHP Heath Hembree: 95-97 FB; good SL (4.18 FIP; 13.50 K/9; 6.07 BB/9) ***
71. Rhode Island SR RHP Tim Boyce: 88-92 FB; good slow CB; hard SL; moving CU; plus command; 6-2, 190 pounds (4.24 FIP; 7.90 K/9; 1.87 BB/9)
72. Alabama Birmingham JR RHP Ryan Woolley: 90-91, topping at 92 with FB; has been up to 93-96 with FB; good 12-6 75-77 SL; power 82-83 CU; 6-1, 195 pounds (4.87 FIP; 6.75 K/9; 4.64 BB/9)
73. Toledo JR RHP Matt Suschak: 92-95; high-70s slurve; still trying to harness his stuff; 6-3, 205 pounds (3.93 FIP; 8.70 K/9; 3.25 BB/9) ***
74. Texas Christian JR RHP Steven Maxwell: Tommy John surgery survivor; 88-94 FB; above-average power 78-82 CB (4.61 FIP; 7.89 K/9; 2.93 BB/9)
75. LSU-Eunice SO RHP Tony Dischler: big jump in FB velocity in last year; sits low-90s comfortably, peaks at 96; secondary stuff still extremely raw; 6-4, 200 pounds
76. Oregon State SO RHP Taylor Starr: recovering from complications stemming from earlier Tommy John surgery; 94-95 FB, peak 97
77. Oral Roberts SO RHP Drew Bowen: 88-91 FB; good cutter; plus SL; 6-3, 180 (6.09 FIP; 7.50 K/9; 4.88 BB/9)
78. Rice SR RHP Mike Ojala: when healthy has been able to sit in the low-90s FB, peaking at 93; sitting in the upper-80s now, but plus command of pitch remains; plus CB; coming back from June 2009 Tommy John surgery (4.44 FIP; 10.08 K/9; 3.42 BB)
79. Florida SO RHP Tommy Toledo: coming back from arm injury last season and a line drive off the face in 2010; 88-91 FB before, back sitting 91-93 as he rounds back into shape; above-average SL; CU with promise (4.02 FIP; 9.85 K/9; 2.55 BB/9)
80. Louisiana State JR RHP Austin Ross: decent sinker (4.17 FIP; 10.91 K/9; 1.98 BB/9)
81. Chandler-Gilbert JC SO RHP Devyn Rivera: 92-93 FB, 94 peak; plus SL; iffy mechanics; 6-2, 180 pounds
82. Gulf Coast CC SO RHP Andrew Morris: 88-92 FB; plus SF; CB; easy mechanics; 6-3, 180 pounds (11.92 K/9; 4.66 BB/9)
83. Alabama JR RHP Jimmy Nelson: 88-92; 80-82 above-average big league SL; CU; 6-6, 235 pounds (4.83 FIP; 8.94 K/9; 2.21 BB/9)
84. CC of Southern Nevada SO RHP Aaron Kurcz: very easy 91-94 FB, peak 97; solid 76-77 slurve ***
85. Baylor JR RHP Shawn Tolleson: upper-80s FB; decent SL; CU needs work; still on mend from Tommy John surgery, so return of above-average stuff from his prep days is still possible (3.82 FIP; 10.85 K/9; 3.21 BB/9)
86. William & Mary JR RHP Logan Billbrough: 89-90 FB; plus slider; projectable (3.66 FIP; 8.95 K/9; 5.34 BB/9
87. Virginia JR RHP Kevin Arico: lacks big fastball of traditional closer, but plus 80-84 SL will be serious weapon professionally (2.42 FIP; 13.34 K/9; 1.95 BB/9) ***
88. Oklahoma State SO RHP/SS Randy McCurry: 94-95 FB; SL, CB, CU; plus arm strength
89. Western Carolina SR RHP Jason Sullivan: 88-91 sinking FB; good SL; 6-1, 205 pounds (4.45 FIP; 10.35 K/9; 4.06 BB/9)
90. Western Kentucky SR RHP Matt Ridings: 91 peak FB; average CB; good CU; recent TJ surgery (3.99 FIP; 9.13 K/9; 1.55 BB/9)
91. Eastern Illinois JR RHP Mike Recchia: 90 FB peak; plus mid-70s CB (3.93 FIP; 9.21 K/9; 4.08 BB/9)
92. Western Oklahoma State FR SS/RHP Andrelton Simmons: plus defender at SS, but his best tool is his plus-plus arm; many prefer him as a position player, but his mid-90s FB and weak bat make him this year’s version of Mychal Givens for me; 6-1, 165 pounds
93. Chipola JC FR RHP Rodney Quintero: 88-93 FB; 77-78 SL; low-70s CB; 6-2, 200 pounds
94. Southern Arkansas JR RHP Hayden Simpson: 88-94 FB, peaking at 96; nice CB; 6-0, 175 pounds
95. South Carolina Upstate SR RHP Matt Branham: 92-94 FB; above-average SL; CU; 6-6, 210 pounds (4.59 FIP; 9.47 K/9; 2.47 BB/9)
96. Notre Dame JR RHP Evan Danieli: out for 2010 with arm injury; mid-90s peak FB; hard SL that should be plus pitch with more reps; 6-7, 230
97. Tennessee Tech JR RHP Stephen Pryor: low-90s FB (3.13 FIP; 16.02 K/9; 5.05 BB/9) ***
98. Texas JR RHP Chance Ruffin: 87-89, breaking ball, CU; good control (2.48 FIP; 14.50 K/9; 2.62 BB/9) ***
99. Lipscomb SR RHP Josh Smith: high-80s FB, touches 92; SL, CB, CU; 6-3, 210 pounds (3.69 FIP; 11.13 K/9; 3.28 BB/9)
100. Valparaiso JR RHP Bryce Shafer: low-90s FB (3.84 FIP; 9.83 K/9; 4.61 BB/9)
101. George Washington JR RHP Eric Cantrell: 88-90 FB; good command (4.62 FIP; 9.66 K/9; 2.59 BB/9)
102. Southern Illinois Edwardsville SR RHP Spencer Patton: 89-91, 92 peak FB; strike thrower; above-average SL; solid CU; 6-1, 175 pounds (2.68 FIP; 8.62 K/9; 6.32 BB/9)
103. Hawaii JR RHP Josh Slaats: 88-92 FB, peak 94-95; plus 80-82 SL; CU (3.20 FIP; 9.41 K/9; 3.84 BB/9)
104. Virginia JR RHP Robert Morey: 88-92; peak 94-94; quality low-80s SL; below-average 75-78 CB (4.25 FIP; 7.90 K/9; 3.40 BB/9)
105. Michigan JR RHP Matt Miller: low-90s FB, peak 94; good low-80s SL; command needs work; 6-6, 215 pounds (4.16 FIP; 7.52 K/9; 3.25 BB/9)
106. Texas JR RHP Cole Green: plus slider; solid fastball (4.96 FIP; 6.36 K/9; 2.00 BB/9)
107. Virginia Commonwealth JR RHP/3B Joe Van Meter: plus arm; 90-92 FB; 95-97 at one point in past; near-plus low-80s CB; 6-3, 200 pounds (5.79 FIP; 5.01 K/9; 4.24 BB/9) ***
108. Houston JR RHP Jared Ray: 93-95 peak FB; above-average SL, flashes plus; decent CU; shoulder injury keeps stock way down
109. Kansas JR RHP Brett Bochy: 91-93 sitting FB; 94 peak FB; really good SL; Bruce’s son; Tommy John surgery mid-season 2010 (1.89 FIP; 14.48 K/9; 2.74 BB/9) ***
110. Minnesota JR RHP Scott Matyas: 94 peak FB; good breaking ball; good command (3.47 FIP; 14.07 K/9; 3.73 BB/9) ***
111. Florida Atlantic JR RHP Mike Gipson: excellent FB command; big, looping breaking ball; 6-1, 190 pounds (4.43 FIP; 8.15 K/9; 3.23 BB/9)
112. Washington State JR RHP Chad Arnold: 88-91 FB with great sink; plus 80-81 SL; iffy CB; CU; command needs work; 6-4, 205 pounds (3.93 FIP; 6.84 K/9; 3.92 BB/9)
113. Georgia SR RHP Jeff Walters: power sinker; good SL; good athlete (4.39 FIP; 7.90 K/9; 4.87 BB/9)
114. Kansas State SO RHP Justin Lindsey: 88-90 two-seam FB with great sink; 92 peak FB; solid SL; CU needs polish; 6-3, 170 pounds (6.55 FIP; 6.41 K/9; 3.13 BB/9)
115. Indiana SR RHP Chris Squires: 91-94 FB; command needs work; really nice arm action on high-70s CU; splitter looks good; KCB work in progress; 6-2, 185 pounds (3.70 FIP; 11.18 K/9; 4.15 BB/9) ***
116. Maine SO RHP Kyle Benoit: 93-95 FB; plus breaking ball; solid CU; coming back from Tommy John surgery very slowly
117. Notre Dame JR RHP Brian Dupra: straight 91-95 FB; 88-91 cutter; good 79-81 SL; CU; 6-3, 205 pounds (5.41 FIP; 5.88 K/9; 2.40 BB/9)
118. Baylor JR RHP Craig Fritsch: 90-92 FB, peak 94; average at worst SL; decent CU (4.20 FIP; 8.39 K/9; 2.94 BB/9)
119. UNC-Wilmington JR RHP Justin Bradley: 88-91 FB; average SL; average CU; good command; 6-3, 195 pounds (4.28 FIP; 9.16 K/9; 4.76 BB/9)
120. Western Kentucky SO RHP Rye Davis: 93-94 FB; good SL; 6-5, 250 pounds (2.23 FIP; 11.96 K/9; 3.44 BB/9) ***
121. Tennessee SR RHP Stephen McCray: 88-91, touched 93-94 with FB; SL, CB, CU; good command; good athlete; 6-3, 230 pounds (5.34 FIP; 6.68 K/9; 2.75 BB/9)
122. Northern Iowa JR RHP Lucas O’Rear: 88-91 FB with loads of sink; quality basketball player for UNI squad that knocked off Kansas this year; intriguing potential with SL; one year left of basketball eligibility and UNI dropping baseball both cloud his future, but raw talent is undeniable; 6-7, 250
123. St. John’s SO RHP Dan Burawa: 93-95 FB; average 75-78 slurve; developing CU, but pitch is currently very green; 6-3, 215 pounds (2.87 FIP; 11.91 K/9; 4.76 BB/9) ***
124. Cal Poly JR RHP Steven Fischback: hoped to return in 2010 after surgery to repair labrum damage, but hasn’t gotten clean bill of health; 90-94 FB; potential plus 81-84 SL; emerging CU
125. Texas Christian JR RHP Greg Holle: sat 90-91 with FB; 94 FB peak; potential plus CB; great athlete; repeats mechanics very well; 6-8, 210 pounds (4.70 FIP; 9.79 K/9; 2.03 BB/9) ***
126. Oregon State JR RHP Tyler Waldron: low-90s FB; good command; four-pitch mix (4.61 FIP; 9.20 K/9; 1.84 BB/9) ***
127. St. Mary’s JR RHP Alex Schmarzo: low-90s FB, topping out at 95; plus SL; 6-3, 185 pounds (2.47 FIP; 9.56 K/9; 2.81 BB/9) ***
128. Oregon JR RHP Drew Gagnier: 90-95, potential plus 83 SL (3.51 FIP; 9.74 K/9; 4.87 BB/9) ***
129. Oregon State JR RHP Kevin Rhoderick: 89-94 FB; good SL that he uses often (3.91 FIP; 10.86 K/9; 4.11 BB/9) ***
130. Coastal Carolina SR RHP Austin Fleet: 88-92 FB 94 peak; flashes good to plus mid-80s SL (3.29 FIP; 9.17 K/9; 2.67 BB/9) ***Nova Southeastern JR RHP Sean Albury: 89-93 FB; big mid-70s CB; 5-11, 185 pounds ***
131. Weatherford JC (TX) SO RHP Zach Nuding: 90-94 FB, peak 95-96 out of bullpen; hard SL with above-average potential; good splitter; iffy command; 6-4, 250 pounds ***
132. Northwestern State JR RHP Chad Sheppard: 92-95 FB; also throws a nasty two-seamer; good SL; 6-4, 210 pounds ***
133. South Carolina JR RHP/DH Parker Bangs: 88-92 FB; quality SL; power potential with bat (3.93 FIP; 14.49 K/9; 5.93 BB/9) ***
134. Wichita State JR RHP/OF Mitch Caster: peak FB 92; flashed plus SL; above-average athlete; very little power; plus arm; 6-2, 175 pounds
135. Cincinnati JR RHP Dan Jensen: 90 FB peak, but has hit 92 in the past; promising SL; command needs work; 6-7, 225 pounds (4.78 FIP; 7.21 K/9; 3.02 BB/9)
136. UC Irvine SR RHP Christian Bergman: sinking 89-91 FB; above-average SL; CU; 6-1, 180 pounds (4.29 FIP; 7.08 K/9; 1.40 BB/9)
137. St. John’s SR RHP Bruce Kern: upper-80s FB; very good CB (5.16 FIP; 7.70 K/9; 3.57 BB/9)
138. Illinois JR RHP Lee Zerrusen: 91-93 FB, 95 peak; quality CF and CU; good command; 6-3, 190 pounds (6.06 FIP; 4.65 K/9; 5.10 BB/9)
139. Charleston Southern JR RHP Anthony Markham: generates lots of weak contact with 2-seam 88-90 FB; peak velocity of FB is 92; good sinking CU; above-average SL; good control; 6-3, 180 pounds (5.91 FIP; 5.65 K/9; 3.68 BB/9)
140. Bloomsburg SR RHP Grant Kernaghan: 90-92 FB; average SL; average CU; 6-3, 200 pounds
141. Furman JR RHP Brian Dudzinski: 88-90 FB, but straight; potential plus SL; promising circle CU; 6-5, 210 pounds (6.75 FIP; 7.15 K/9; 3.97 BB/9)
142. Marshall JR RHP Ian Kadish: 88-91 FB; solid 81-82 SL; sinking CU; good command; 6-1, 210 pounds (5.59 FIP; 6.39 K/9; 5.68 BB/9)
143. Central Michigan JR RHP Jake Sabol: 90 FB with good sink; good SL; improving CU; good command; 6-5, 220 pounds (6.20 FIP; 5.02 K/9; 2.21 BB/9)
144. Virginia Commonwealth SR RHP Robbie Andrews: 89-91 FB; strike thrower; plus SL; 6-3, 170 pounds (3.62 FIP; 6.88 K/9; 3.71 BB/9) ***
145. UNC-Greensboro JR RHP Blake Hassebrock: 90-93 FB, touching 96; CB and CU both need work; 6-5, 185 pounds (5.06 FIP; 7.40 K/9; 5.55 BB/9)
146. San Diego SR RHP Matt Thomson: 93 FB peak (2.81 FIP; 12.73 K/9; 2.41 BB/9) ***
147. South Florida JR RHP Kevin Quackenbush: big FB; trouble commanding CB at times (3.46 FIP; 13.90 K/9; 4.81 BB/9) ***
148. Youngstown State JR RHP Phil Klein: 86-89 FB; very good FB command; SL with real potential; good athlete; 6-7, 205 pounds (5.13 FIP; 7.62 K/9; 3.74 BB/9)
149. Wright State JR RHP Max Friedman: 88-93 FB with sink; good CU; quality SL (6.45 FIP; 5.68 K/9; 4.62 BB/9)
150. Bradley JR RHP Patrick Cooper: low-90s FB; good 84 SL (3.73 FIP; 7.84 K/9; 3.34 BB/9)
151. Florida International JR RHP Danny DeSimone: 88-92 FB; good SL (4.83 FIP; 7.90 K/9; 3.30 BB/9) ***
152. Wichita State JR RHP Tim Kelley: 86-88 FB; average to good CU; strike thrower; plus command; 6-6, 215 pounds (3.94 FIP; 7.69 K/9; 2.34 BB/9)
153. CC of Southern Nevada SO RHP Kenny McDowall: 90-92 FB with good sink; solid SL
154. Notre Dame SO RHP Ryan Sharpley: 94 peak FB; good SL; great athlete; coming off of shoulder surgery (4.59 FIP; 9.39 K/9; 7.63 BB/9)
155. Michigan SR RHP/OF Alan Oaks: low- to mid-90s FB (90-94); very raw pitching prospect; 6-3, 230 pounds (4.88 FIP; 6.95 K/9; 4.11 BB/9)
156. West Virginia JR RHP Jarryd Summers: 92 peak FB; 6-5 (4.70 FIP; 6.93 K/9; 5.15 BB/9)
157. Notre Dame JR RHP Cole Johnson: 88-92 FB; good SL (4.69 FIP; 5.46 K/9; 3.16 BB/9)
158. Wofford JR RHP John Cornley: peak FB 93-95; hard 83-84 SL that shows plus promise; 6-1, 180 pounds (4.69 FIP; 8.91 K/9; 5.95 BB/9)
159. Southern Mississippi JR RHP Todd McInnis: 88-92 FB; very good 12-6 CB; hard SL; decent CU; slight frame (4.18 FIP; 8.40 K/9; 3.05 BB/9)
160. Dayton SO RHP Burny Mitchem: missed 2009 season after ACL tear; 88-92 FB, peak 94; 6-6, 260 (4.07 FIP; 8.89 K/9; 2.82 BB/9)
161. Baylor SR RHP Willie Kempf: upper-80s heavy FB; good sinker; good SL (3.66 FIP; 9.20 K/9; 3.11 BB/9)
162. North Carolina JR RHP Patrick Johnson: 90-92 FB; good SL; CU; 5-11, 170 (4.63 FIP; 8.22 K/9; 3.31 BB/9)
163. Wright State SR RHP Alex Kaminsky: very good CU; great command; signature outing against UVA (5.12 FIP; 8.19 K/9; 1.46 BB/9)
164. Maryland JR RHP Brett Harman: 88-90 FB; good command; SL; CU (4.25 FIP; 10.26 K/9; 2.41 BB/9)
165. Kansas JR RHP TJ Walz: 91-94 FB; CU; CB (3.96 FIP; 9.06 K/9; 2.31 BB/9)
166. New Mexico SR RHP Willy Kesler: 94 peak FB; solid breaking ball (3.92 FIP; 8.87 K/9; 2.17 BB/9)
167. Cal State Fullerton JR RHP Daniel Renken: 87-90 FB with plus command; quality upper-70s CU; splitter; iffy SL (4.17 FIP; 8.29 K/9; 3.09 BB/9)
168. Oklahoma JR RHP Zach Neal: 87-90 sinking FB, can run it up to 91-93 after some adjustments to mechanics; plus control; 6-2, 205 (4.59 FIP; 8.21 K/9; 1.95 BB/9)
169. Gonzaga JR RHP Cody Martin: 88-90 FB; decent slurve (4.87 FIP; 9.31 K/9; 3.68 BB/9)
170. Tulane SO RHP Robby Broach: returning from elbow injury; 88-92 FB (4.25 FIP; 8.92 K/9; 3.05 BB/9)
171. West Virginia SR RHP Chris Enourato: solid SL; good athlete (4.48 FIP; 8.59 K/9; 1.99 BB/9)
172. UCLA SR RHP Garrett Claypool: 89-91 FB (4.60 FIP; 8.77 K/9; 2.05 BB/9)
173. UNC-Wilmington JR RHP Daniel Cropper: two years off of Tommy John surgery, stuff slowly coming back (4.31 FIP; 7.11 K/9; 1.56 BB/9)
174. East Carolina JR RHP Seth Maness: plus CU (4.66 FIP; 8.35 K/9; 1.33 BB/9)
175. South Carolina SR RHP Blake Cooper: good command (4.52 FIP; 7.96 K/9; 2.42 BB/9)
176. Nyack (NY) JR RHP Phil Messerian: 90 peak FB; CB; CU; SF; max-effort delivery; 6-2, 190 pounds
177. Denison (OH) SR RHP Aiden Lucas: low-90s FB; forkball; SL; CU; 6-2, 220 pounds
178. UNC-Wilmington SR RHP Seth Frankoff: 88-91 FB; plus breaking ball; 6-5, 210 (4.95 FIP; 11.18 K/9; 4.15 BB/9) ***
179. Texas Christian SR RHP Eric Marshall: 90 sinking FB, very impressive CB (3.80 FIP; 11.12 K/9; 5.56 BB/9) ***
180. Arkansas SR RHP Jeremy Heatley: 92 peak FB; good SL (2.51 FIP; 11.08 K/9; 2.54 BB/9) ***
181. UCLA SO RHP Erik Goeddel: 90-92 sinking FB; good CB (3.66 FIP; 11.66 K/9; 3.89 BB/9) ***
182. Southern JR RHP Cody Hall: 95 FB peak; (2.96 FIP; 11.51 K/9; 7.94 BB/9) ***
183. Jacksonville State SR RHP Alex Jones: mid-80s FB; 90-91 FB pre-surgery; coming back from TJ surgery; plus-plus SL; 6-6, 190 pounds (2.25 FIP; 10.80 K/9; 6.66 BB/9) ***
184. Oklahoma JR RHP Ryan Duke: plus SL; plus command (4.06 FIP; 10.50 K/9; 3.30 BB/9) ***
185. Southeastern Louisiana SR RHP Chris Franklin: 95 peak FB; plus SL (4.28 FIP; 8.35 K/9; 3.06 BB/9) ***
186. Michigan JR RHP Kolby Wood: 88-93 FB with late movement; nasty SL; very good mid-80s SF; good command; 6-6, 210 pounds (4.46 FIP; 8.20 K/9; 0.96 BB/9) ***
187. Alabama SO RHP Tyler White: 90-92, touches 93 with sink; above-average big league CB; 6-2, 210 pounds (4.04 FIP; 10.74 K/9; 3.99 BB/9) ***
188. Ohio State JR RHP Drew Rucinski: 87-88, CU (4.15 FIP; 7.23 K/9; 3.55 BB/9)
189. Embry-Riddle (FL) SR RHP Jonathan Kountis: 92-93 FB; inconsistent, but potential plus SL; poor command; 6-3, 225 pounds
190. Michigan State JR RHP AJ Achter: 88-91 FB; CB; SL; good CU; 6-5, 205 pounds (4.14 FIP; 6.57 K/9; 3.38 BB/9)
191. Virginia JR RHP Cody Winiarski: 88-92 FB; power SL; 6-4, 200 (5.86 FIP; 5.72 K/9; 2.79 BB/9)
192. New Mexico State SR RHP/OF Steven Anderson: plus athlete; intriguing raw tools; more potential as pitcher (5.59 FIP; 7.50 K/9; 4.50 BB/9) ***
193. Winthrop JR RHP Robert Lake: 89-91 FB with good command; 6-2, 185 pounds (5.11 FIP; 7.18 K/9; 2.11 BB/9)
194. Missouri State SR RHP Pat Doyle: low-90s FB; good cutter (4.77 FIP; 7.04 K/9; 3.04 BB/9)
195. Duquesne JR RHP/3B Andrew Heck: 88-89 sinking FB; good SL; great command of strike zone; great athlete; 6-2, 205 pounds (5.56 FIP; 5.88 K/9; 1.34 BB/9)
196. Southeastern Louisiana JR RHP Brandon Efferson: sits high-80s, 92 peak FB; good cutter; CB; CU (4.86 FIP; 5.00 K/9; 2.40 BB/9)
197. Nicholls State SR RHP Tyler Minto: 87-89 FB, topping at 91; good command; smooth mechanics; SL; CU; 6-1, 195 pounds (4.72 FIP; 6.41 K/9; 2.14 BB/9)
198. San Francisco SR RHP Doug Murray: 86-88 power sinker; solid SL (4.10 FIP; 6.09 K/9; 1.11 BB/9)
199. Richmond SR RHP Ian Marshall: 92-93, touching 94 with FB; inconsistent command of CB; 6-3, 210 pounds (4.23 FIP; 6.69 K/9; 1.96 BB/9) ***
200. Utah SR RHP Jordan Whatcott: 89-92 FB; average SL; missed two years on Mormon mission (4.94 FIP; 6.81 K/9; 3.74 BB/9)
201. Southern JR RHP Kyle Wahl: three average pitches (4.69 FIP; 5.37 K/9; 3.58 BB/9)
202. Furman SR RHP Nick Karow: 93 FB peak; above-average 83-84 SL; 6-2, 200 pounds (9.13 FIP; 6.94 K/9; 3.86 BB/9) ***
203. Miami SR RHP Jason Santana: good CU (4.17 FIP; 8.63 K/9; 3.50 BB/9)
204. Southern California SO RHP Andrew Triggs: 94-95 peak FB (3.67 FIP; 8.53 K/9; 2.42 BB/9)
205. Vanderbilt SR RHP Drew Hayes: 95 peak FB (5.18 FIP; 9.41 K/9; 3.48 BB/9) ***
206. Miami SR RHP Taylor Wulf: coming back from Tommy John surgery; 90 FB, above average CB (3.74 FIP; 12.33 K/9; 4.11 BB/9) ***
207. Gonzaga SR RHP Jake Hiatt: 89-92 FB; sharp SL; 6-1, 180 pounds (5.76 FIP; 10.57 K/9; 5.87 BB/9) ***
208. Kent State JR RHP/3B Brett Weibley: 92-95 FB; 96 FB peak; average SL; occasional promising CU; 6-3, 220 pounds (4.04 FIP; 8.59 K/9; 5.65 BB/9) ***
209. Texas JR RHP Kendal Carrillo: very athletic; smooth mechanics; good command; 88-92 FB; advanced CU; 6-0, 190 pounds (5.53 FIP; 8.50 K/9; 1.00 BB/9) ***
210. Boston College JR RHP Kevin Moran: 94-96 peak FB (3.89 FIP; 5.58 K/9; 6.84 BB/9) ***
211. San Diego SR RHP Matt Hauser: 88-92 FB with plus movement; promising 80-82 SL; 81-83 SFCU; 79-80 SL; 6-3, 190 pounds (3.44 FIP; 8.56 K/9; 1.76 BB/9) ***
212. Washington State SR RHP Seth Harvey: heavy sink on 90-94 FB; solid SL; improving command; violent delivery; 6-1, 210 pounds (5.00 FIP; 8.67 K/9; 3.00 BB/9) ***
213. Nebraska SO RHP Sean Yost: 95 peak FB; 6-7, 190 pounds (5.49 FIP; 6.75 K/9; 4.32 BB/9) ***
214. Texas A&M SR RHP Shane Minks: 85-88 FB with sink; above-average SL; occasional CU; 6-3, 205 pounds (3.70 FIP; 7.75 K/9; 4.28 BB/9) ***
215. San Diego State SR RHP Drew Leary: 89-91 FB, touching 93-94; FB has good sink; inconsistent SL; 6-4, 225 pounds (3.46 FIP; 8.89 K/9; 4.13 BB/9) ***
216. Maryland SR RHP Ian Schwalenberg: 88-92 FB; solid SL; good command; 6-3, 210 pounds (5.31 FIP; 8.37 K/9; 2.56 BB/9) ***
217. Louisville JR RHP Gabriel Shaw: 92 peak FB; good SL; good athlete (4.72 FIP; 8.47 K/9; 1.58 BB/9) ***
218. Tulane JR RHP Nick Pepitone: low- to mid-90s sinking FB; 6-7 (3.85 FIP; 8.72 K/9; 4.36 BB/9) ***
219. Florida State JR RHP Geoff Parker: 94-95 peak FB (4.62 FIP; 8.37 K/9; 4.56 BB/9) ***
220. Mississippi JR RHP Trent Rothlin: 88-92 FB with sink, has hit 94; 77-80 above-average SL; CU; 6-3, 195 pounds (4.59 FIP; 7.05 K/9; 3.22 BB/9) ***
221. Iowa JR RHP Zach Kenyon: low-90s FB; erratic CB; solid CU; 6-6, 220 (4.91 FIP; 6.27 K/9; 4.02 BB/9) ***
222. North Carolina State JR RHP Rey Cotilla: 95-96 with FB in relief; drafted last three years; 6-4, 195 (5.06 FIP; 5.91 K/9; 1.69 BB/9) ***
223. North Carolina JR RHP Nate Striz: 95 peak FB; good but inconsistent SL (2.43 FIP; 9.72 K/9; 6.48 BB/9) ***
224. Purdue SR RHP Matt Bischoff: low on projection, high on pitchability (4.45 FIP; 8.62 K/9; 1.42 BB/9)
225. Rhode Island JR RHP Gardner Leaver: 86-89 FB, topping at 90; solid CU; good SL; 6-2, 190 pounds (5.05 FIP; 9.09 K/9; 3.63 BB/9) ***
226. UNC-Wilmington JR RHP Stephen Harrold: 90-93 FB, has hit 96; average at best SL (3.60 FIP; 10.98 K/9; 2.97 BB/9) ***
227. Texas State SR RHP Garret Carruth: 87-89, 90 FB peak; has been at 90-93 in past; two impressive CBs, one slower and one sharper; SL; average at best CU; 6-4, 220 pounds (3.43 FIP; 9.76 K/9; 3.18 BB/9) ***
228. Miami SR RHP David Gutierrez: 87-89 with sink; 73-74 more slurve than CB, inconsistent but good low-80s CU; skinny but long legs (3.67 FIP; 9.00 K/9; 3.57 BB/9) ***
229. New Mexico SR RHP Eddie Carl: 89-91 FB; decent CU; up and down CB; 6-0, 200 pounds (3.92 FIP; 10.07 K/9; 4.71 BB/9) ***
230. Texas A&M JR RHP/OF Nick Fleece: sat low-90s (88-92 with great sink), 96 peak FB; hard SL; max-effort delivery; 6-2, 200 pounds (4.71 FIP; 5.45 K/9; 1.91 BB/9) ***
231. Stanford JR RHP Alex Pracher: high-80s FB; touches low-90s; solid SL and CU; 6-3, 175 pounds (4.09 FIP; 5.91 K/9; 3.74 BB/9) ***
232. Baylor SO RHP/OF Brooks Pinckard: 95 peak FB; plus speed; strong arm; 6-1, 175 pounds (4.79 FIP; 5.22 K/9; 4.60 BB/9) ***
233. Arizona State JR RHP Kyle Brule: 92-93 FB; hard SL; 6-2, 205 pounds
234. Texas A&M JR RHP/OF Joaquin Hinojosa: heavy sinker at 89-92; good 85 SL; 5-11, 195 pounds
235. Rice SR RHP Jared Rogers: 87-89 with sink (5.26 FIP; 5.70 K/9; 1.25 BB/9)
236. Ohio State JR RHP Dean Wolosiansky: high-80s; 86-88, slider, good command (4.40 FIP; 6.42 K/9; 3.02 BB/9)
237. Ashland (OH) SR RHP AJ Meyer: 89-91 FB from multiple angles; average CU; plus command; 6-7, 180 pounds
238. SW Oklahoma State SR RHP Jason Stover: low-90s FB, peak 93; solid SL; 6-3, 200 pounds
239. Millersville JR RHP/1B Derek Kline: 90-92 FB, peaking at 94; plus SL
240. Pittsburgh-Johnstown JR RHP Kaleb Fleck: 90-92 FB with life, peaking at 96
241. Albright SR RHP Casey Lawrence: 90 FB peak; above-average SL; average at best CU; good command; 6-2, 170 pounds
242. Shenandoah (VA) JR RHP Greg Van Sickler: 88-90 FB; good CU; plus command; 6-1, 190 pounds
243. North Park (IL) SR RHP Mike Giovenco: 89-91 FB, 94-95 peak; poor command; straight with FB; good low-80s SL with good command; nice CU; 6-6, 235 pounds
244. St. Louis SR RHP Bryant Cotton: 89-91 FB; clean delivery; 6-2, 185 pounds (4.13 FIP; 6.86 K/9; 2.29 BB/9)
245. Nebraska JR RHP Mike Nesseth: mid-90s FB with sink, peak velocity at 96-97; SL is wild; 6-5, 220 (4.59 FIP; 7.07 K/9; 3.86 BB/9) ***
246. Southern Mississippi SR RHP Collin Cargill: 82-85 FB; sidearm makes his stuff play up (3.45 FIP; 6.52 K/9; 2.33 BB/9) ***
247. Louisiana State JR RHP Daniel Bradshaw: decent sinker (6.07 FIP; 5.98 K/9; 2.12 BB/9) ***
248. Louisiana State JR RHP Mitch Mormann: power arsenal (4.45 FIP; 5.97 K/9; 4.71 BB/9) ***
249. East Carolina JR RHP Mike Anderson: 91 peak FB; CB with potential; 6-4, 230 pounds (6.69 FIP; 6.30 K/9; 7.20 BB/9) ***
250. Southern Mississippi JR RHP Seth Hester: 90-93 FB; nasty SFCU; occasional SL; 6-3, 200 pounds (7.21 FIP; 4.71 K/9; 6.00 BB/9) ***
2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Third Base Prospects (Complete List)
Somebody emailed and asked, everybody receives. See how easy that is? The complete list of the top 30 draft-eligible college third basemen, previously broken up into three separate chunks, now all in one handy, easily searchable post. Can you feel the excitement? Next up, hopefully later today, the complete college position player big board and, with luck, the start of the high school position lists. The college righthanded pitching list is a whopper of a post, so I’m trying to be sure I’m 100% happy with it before letting it see the right of day. Right now, I’m only about 95%. Soon, though, soon…
30. Bowling Green SR 3B Derek Spencer
Spencer won’t wow you with his tools or outstanding collegiate production, but his skills are good enough when taken in altogether to get himself on a professional roster. He’s the classic well-rounded, hard working, good enough senior sign who doesn’t do any one thing exceptionally well, but does everything so wonderfully competently that he profiles as an organizational player with backup upside. Three of his tools have average upside or better (power, speed, glove), so it’s no stretch to see him sneak him onto a big league bench someday.
29. Florida JR 3B Bryson Smith
Smith has a big league body, intriguing pop, useful positional versatility, but has been held back by injuries in 2010. Injury induced subpar seasons for mid- to late-round underclassman prospects are normally a recipe for a senior season return engagement, but Smith may be a victim of his own college team’s success. Playing time in 2011 looks to be very hard to come by on a young, stacked Florida starting nine, so Smith may try his luck professionally if a team is willing to bet that a return to health will bring him closer to the player he was at junior college than he was as a Gator.
28. UC Irvine JR Brian Hernandez
Hernandez has a similar scouting profile as Derek Spencer, but gets the edge because of better plate discipline and more balanced swing mechanics. Like Spencer, he’s your typical “whole is greater than the sum of his parts” kind of prospect, with the upside of a big league bench bat if everything breaks right.
27. Chipola FR 3B Michael Revell
Revell has really impressive tools across the board, but his production in 2010 didn’t reflect his true talent level. His plus bat speed, strong arm, good athleticism, and 20 homer lefthanded power upside will keep him on many follow lists despite his struggles. The down year will probably keep him at Chipola for a sophomore season; disappointing, sure, but perhaps a good thing for his long-term draft stock. Revell has the tools to succeed, but is raw enough that the extra relatively low pressure junior college at bats could help turn his substantial promise into production. It’s rare to see a player capable of starting in the big leagues so low on a prospect list like this, but it’s an acknowledgement of the wide gap between what Revell could be versus what he currently is. He makes the list as more of a token 2011 name to watch than a realistic 2010 draft target.
26. Holy Cross SR 3B Matt Perry
Is it sad that one of the first things I thought about when looking at my notes on Perry was “gee, I bet Bill Simmons would get a kick out of having a fellow Holy Cross guy show up on some anonymous internet nobody’s top 30 college third base prospect list…”? Perry is one of my favorite 2010 senior signs because of his advanced strike zone knowledge, good defensive tools, and renowned drive to succeed. It’s a rare college senior who plays in the big leagues, so sometimes it’s alright to dig deep to find a small something extra about a player that you think sets him apart. Perry’s steady four year progression, strong performance under pressure as a legacy at Holy Cross, and success with wood in the summer makes me think he’s a guy worth gambling on.
25. Eastern Kentucky JR 3B Jayson Langfels
Langfels came into the season with a reputation as a total hacker at the plate, but curbed his swinging and missing ways just enough to finally unlock his good raw power in game situations. I’ve gotten mixed reports on his defense this year, but his hands in the past have gotten him into some trouble at third. It ranges anywhere from somewhat possible to very likely that he’ll wind up as more of a power hitting four-corners utility type than a starting third base candidate; either way, there’s value enough in the bat.
24. Toledo JR 3B Jared Hoying
Hoying’s an interesting scouting, coaching, and prospect development test case. His swing is ugly, but his bat speed is exceptional. Knowing that, do you a) let Hoying be Hoying and go with what works, b) attempt to make slight alterations while preserving the integrity of the swing, or c) work to maintain Hoying’s great bat speed while simultaneously trying to reinvent his swing mechanics? More to the point, how exactly do you go about coaching the kid up? What coaches in the organization do you assign to help him? How much time and energy should be spent working with a mid-round draft prospect? Hoying’s swing isn’t the only intriguing, but raw part of his game. He’s an obviously raw defender, but the tools, most notably a plus arm and athleticism equally suited up the middle, are there for him to succeed anywhere in the infield in a pinch. His high strikeout rate is absolutely a concern, but the aforementioned bat speed, plus arm, and above-average base running give him the look of a potential above-average utility infielder in the mold of former Ranger, Indian, Cub, Brave, Brewer, Rockie, Cub again, Pirate, Dodger, Indian again, Pirate again, and Phillie Jose Hernandez.
23. Oklahoma SO 3B Garrett Buechele
And so begins a stretch of players with starting caliber upside, but high bust potential. Buechele has one of the stronger pure hit tools of this college third base class, and his quickly emerging power make him one to watch. His defense is plenty good enough to stick at third, so the only thing that realistically stands in the way of Buechele succeeding professionally (you know, besides all of the other things that can get in the way for any player drafted) will be high strikeout totals. He’s not as talented as Zack cox, so don’t take this as a direct comparison, but it seems that Buechele would be best served returning to school to work on honing his pitch recognition skills like the top player on this list managed to do in his sophomore season.
22. San Francisco JR 3B Stephen Yarrow
Yarrow’s basic story is very similar to Garrett Buechele’s in that both prospects have legit plus power potential and a strong overall hit tool. Going against Yarrow is his tendency to pull darn near everything, below-average tools outside of the batter’s box, and a long-term future as a four-corners type of player, not an everyday third baseman.
21. Furman JR 3B Brian Harrison
Harrison is a good, good player. Case in point, Harrison has a good arm, is a good defender, and has a good hit tool, with good power potential. He’s a really good athlete, perhaps too good to be “wasted” at third if there’s really a team out there willing to try him in centerfield as rumored. I wish he would have gotten more at bats on the Cape this past summer, but, as too often the case with Harrison, injuries limited his playing time. Get him healthy, get him a regular defensive home, and get a good, good player with starter upside past round ten. Good bargain. The relatively low ranking is more about the players ahead of him than the above-average (or, in other words, “good”) overall talent package that Harrison brings to the table.
20. Alabama SR 3B Jake Smith
Players coming off of more accomplished collegiate seasons precede Smith on this list, so take this aggressive ranking as a show of good faith that the Alabama senior’s tools will trump his up-and-down college career when it comes to his success or failure in the pros. Hey, speaking of aggressive, one of Smith’s biggest current issues is a tendency to get too aggressive at the plate, jumping out at pitches before they reach his happy zone. He’s gotten away with it to some extent in college, but hacking at anything 16 inches (give or take) off, up, or away from the plate is no way to advance up the minor league ladder in the enlightened age of baseball we’re lucky to be living in. Smith’s tremendous raw power and excellent defensive tools play in any era of baseball, but he’s been slow to recover from a serious ankle injury. I get the feeling based on all of the above that we’re talking about another four-corners backup type here. Fun fact: Replace “serious ankle injury” with “labrum injury” and you’ve got a very similar situation to what the number eight overall prospect on this list is dealing with. Any guesses about the identify of our mystery prospect?
19. Clemson SO 3B John Hinson
John Hinson was a tough player to rank because of his status as a redshirt and thus draft-eligible sophomore and his positional versatility across the infield. He was an easy guy to rank this high because of the really nice things that anybody who has seen him play this year had to say about him. Hinson was a highly touted prospect out of high school who was considered advanced enough after his freshman year to be asked to play for Hyannis in the Cape Cod League. Back surgery cost him all of his 2009 season, but the fully recovered version of Hinson put up a 2010 statistical line that reads a lot like Pittsburgh’s Joe Leonard’s work this season. A plus hit tool combined with above-average speed and power will get you far professionally, but people smarter than myself that I talked with told me some teams question his ability to play any one particular spot in the infield with the consistency needed of a regular. Based on the limited looks of Hinson that I’ve seen, I can’t say that I necessarily agree with that assessment, but his defensive skillset (good athlete, iffy arm) may make him better suited for second base than third. At either spot, he’s got the bat to make him a potential regular with a couple breaks along the way.
18. Tarleton State JR 3B Chris Casazza
Like Jayson Langfels and Jake Smith before, and Jason Martinson and Mike Olt after, Chris Casazza’s biggest deficiency is a long swing with holes in it that winds up waving and missing at the ball far too often. Like Martinson a few spots ahead of him, Casazza’s good batting eye and sneaky power upside should keep his secondary statistics afloat even when the K’s are trying to drag his prospect stock below the surface. In many ways he’s quite simply the better version of Alabama’s Jake Smith, especially at the plate – more power, more patience, less strikeouts, and better all-around bat. Definite sleeper to watch.
17. Tennessee JR 3B Matt Duffy
Duffy was a deep sleeper top five rounds candidate of mine heading into the season, so you know his underwhelming, but still solid, junior season won’t downgrade his stock too much for me. The Vermont transfer has all of the defensive tools to play a decent shortstop professionally, but profiles better as a potential plus defender at the hot corner. For Duffy, a Jack Hannahan (with more raw power) or Andy LaRoche (with less raw power) type of career is possible.
16. Azusa Pacific SR 3B Ryan Delgado
Delgado earned his way on the list because of his ridiculous power numbers over the years, but it certainly doesn’t hurt that Azusa Pacific has one of the most fun college names to say out loud. Try it, you won’t be disappointed. Besides the cool college name and plus power potential, Delgado has a true plus arm and a well above-average overall hit tool. His defense at third isn’t currently at the level where you could project him as above-average professionally, but the tools are there for him at least wind up a decent defensive player at least through his twenties. If it doesn’t work at third, however, there’s a backup plan that I know for a fact is actually Plan A for some teams. Delgado’s future for some teams might be donning the tools of ignorance behind the plate every day. It’s a stretch and it’s based largely on the 3B/C future that could be in store, but I can’t shake the Jake Fox comp for Delgado that I heard way back when.
15. Coastal Carolina JR 3B Scott Woodward
It’s very easy to envision Scott Woodward playing in the big leagues someday. He’s got an outstanding approach to hitting, a discerning batting eye, and a really good idea of his fundamental strengths and weaknesses at the plate. Woodward ably uses his plus-plus speed to leg out infield hits, turn balls driven to the gaps into triples, and steal bases at a tremendous success rate (46 steals in 52 tries). Home runs will likely never be a big part of his game, but his is a game based more on speed and plate discipline anyway. He could have the type of career many once projected for former Dodgers prospect Joe Thurston. Another comp that I like a lot is Phillies minor leaguer Tyson Gillies, a comparison made more interesting due to the fact both players are hearing impaired, but one not at all dependent on that fact as the basis of the comp. When I first thought of it a few weeks ago the connection didn’t even occur to me, but the two players share enough distinct offensive similarities to make it work.
14. North Carolina State JR 3B Russell Wilson
Betting on Wilson is betting on upside, a worthy risk to take when you are considering which mid-round college hitter to gamble on. See, the sad little truth about lists like this are that the players, while undeniably impressive and accomplished and talented, are more than likely never going to play in the big leagues. Heck, many of them won’t see AA. Once you get past the top two or three names on any of these college lists, it’s all a big guessing game. Educated guessing, to be sure, but guessing all the same. To make a long intro slightly less long, if you’re are going to bet on a mid-round college player, go for the rare guy with untapped potential. That’s Wilson. Here’s why…
I tend to overuse this word when writing about draft prospects, but it applies to Wilson so well here that I can’t help myself. Wilson is an interesting prospect. More than one team affiliated employee I spoke to used that word to describe Wilson in some way – “interesting upside,” “interesting bat,” and “interesting future.” Watch him for just a couple of innings and you’ll see evidence of all five tools right away. His bat is, well, interesting, and his power, while mostly to the gaps at this point, could top out with homer totals in the teens professionally. As a former quarterback unafraid to take off with the ball when needed, it comes as no surprise that his speed rates as an easy 60, with startlingly quick acceleration. Defensively he may have the speed, instincts, and athleticism to play up the middle (2B or CF), but his presence on this particular list is a bet on his plus arm playing best at third base over the long run. Wilson’s numbers this year were solid across the board, but his performance must be judged with his lack of college ball experiences prior to 2010 in mind. He needs more reps on the diamond, but if a team is patient with him they could be rewarded with a player who closely mirrors the Melvin Mora developmental path, something that will no doubt interest a big league club or two come draft day.
13. Texas State JR 3B Jason Martinson
The more I do this, the more I begin to gain an appreciation for the way certain college programs recruit and develop talent. The job Ty Harrington has done in San Marcos is nothing short of spectacular. I relate it to a college football team with very specific offensive and defensive schemes recruiting not based on consensus overall talent levels, but rather best fits for the program. You’d think these less talented players would succeed mainly due to the system in college, but then, lo and behold, draft day comes and teams start taking these supposed system talents left and right. Turns out that players overlooked in high school can turn out to be pretty valuable prospects after three years of quality college coaching. I suppose that’s really just my long way of saying that even though it’s common the best high school players sign out of high school, and even though it’s common the best unsigned high school players go to the big name schools in Texas, it’s still possible to have some really talented players wind up at non-traditional baseball schools. Schools like that often have coaching staffs more familiar with coaching guys up than allowing them to coast by on natural abilities they may or may not have.
Martinson is a plus athlete with very good defensive tools who, similar to Tennessee’s Matt Duffy, may be good enough with the leather to stick up the middle (either shortstop or second base) in some organizations. For me, however, his hands, range, and arm all play best at third, a position where he could eventually be a decidedly above-average defender. Offensively the rap on Martinson coming into the year was that he swung and miss too often to ever hit for an acceptable average professionally. That may or may not be true going forward — his 2010 performance has been very similar to his 2009 — but his quick wrists and above-average plate discipline should help keep his on-base percentage up even when he is striking out more often than you’d like. Teams will worry less about the low contact rate if Martinson can begin to tap into some of the long awaited above-average raw power that hasn’t really showed up through three seasons of college ball. If he can begin to apply some of his brute physical strength into homerun power professionally, he’s got a chance to be a starter. If not, his best chance of earning the big bucks will be in the good defender/patient pinch hitter role.
12. Wichita State FR 3B Johnny Coy
Coy has taken a long, strange trip to get to this point, but the eventual payoff could very well make it all worth it. Coy’s story began as a two-sport high school star, regarded by many as a better basketball prospect than baseball. After getting drafted by the Phillies in the 7th round, protracted and sometimes testy (allegedly) negotiations between player and team led to the two sides opting to go their separate ways. Coy’s older brother was reportedly heavily involved with negotiations, strongly pushing his bro to either a) get every last penny from the Phillies as possible (making him a greedy villain to many) or b) go to school and get a quality education (a far more admirable position, some might say). Coy wound up enrolling at Arizona State, but never made it to baseball season. He left the Sun Devils to move closer to home after his father suffered a stroke in late 2008. That led him to Wichita State. As a Shocker, Coy has been able to focus on honing his considerable baseball skills. All of his raw tools grade out as average or better – 55 speed, 60 arm, 65-70 raw power, average hit tool, and, perhaps most controversially, above-average upside with the glove at third. I remember not believing for a second that he’d ever stick at third after seeing video of him in high school, but all of the noise regarding his defensive progress coming out of Wichita has been positive. I’m a big believer in the big (6-8, 210 pound) righthanded freshman. As mentioned, Coy was a 7th round pick by the Phillies back in 2008. The questions concerning his signability will probably keep him from hitting that mark here in 2010, but his true talent level makes him a top ten round candidate worth pursuing if he even begins to hint that he’ll consider signing.
11. Fresno City College FR 3B David Rohm
Rohm hits and hits and hits. He can also steal a bag when left unattended (great instincts on the bases), smack a ball the other way (very mature hitting style), and crank it out of the ballpark when the mood strikes (above-average present power). Mostly though, he hits. His defense ranks in the bottom third of players here in the top 30, but he still has a better than 50/50 shot to stick at the position through his first six years of big league control. Ah, the defense update is appreciated, you’re thinking, but, wait, can the guy hit? Excellent question; yes, David Rohm can hit.
10. Oregon State JR 3B Stefen Romero
Romero is arguably the best present defender on the top ten list. He makes all the plays on balls hit at him, and has proven more than capable of ranging to both his left and right when needed. What really makes his draft stock pop in comparison to some other names on the list is his performance with wood last summer on the Cape. The raw numbers don’t jump right out at you, but all of the reports from the summer were positive. Romero kept the momentum going this spring by displaying a steady dose of good defense, above-average power, and decent athleticism. A few area scouts that have seen him play way more than I have seem to like him a lot more than I do, so take his placement on the list as a rare example of me trusting people smarter than myself. Rare not because I’m trusting them, but because there are people out there actually smarter than I am. Hard to believe, I know. Romero’s upside is a good four-corners bench bat for me, something true of the majority of the players on this list no matter how rosy a picture I try to paint of their ultimate super duper best case scenario big league ceilings.
9. Connecticut JR 3B Mike Olt
I’ve toyed with the idea of standardizing these quick scouting capsules, but always wind up just doing the rambling paragraph or two synopses you see up and down the page. Seems like all of those standardized reports have some sort of strengths/weaknesses attached somewhere, so let’s try it out with a personal favorite, Mike Olt:
Strengths: three above-average or better tools (65 raw power, 55 speed, and 65 arm), plus athleticism, and a big league ready frame
Weaknesses: present tool most need in work is his bat, due in large part to a largely unrefined approach and inconsistent swing mechanics
So, will Olt make enough consistent hard contact to put his other tools to use professionally? I think any one of the guys on one of the deepest top ten college position lists I can remember in the long, storied history of this site has the upside of an every day player if the circumstances allow it. That comes out as a cop-out, but it’s true; this is a really, really deep year for college third basemen.
8. San Diego JR 3B Victor Sanchez
My support of Victor Sanchez goes back to his prep days, so it’s hard for me to be completely objective when trying to evaluate his current draft stock. The memory of the potential plus defender with equally exciting power potential and a mature beyond his years approach to every single at bat may be just that, a memory. Sanchez’s slow recovery from labrum surgery has knocked his prospect stock way down, but I’m enthused by the perhaps misguided hope that his depressed draft standing will give him the chip on his shoulder (not literally) needed to prove all the teams that passed on him wrong. Talent doesn’t disappear, but it can get lost in the fog of injuries. Teams willing to take the chance that Sanchez will someday recovery 100% from his shoulder injury are betting that the fog will soon lift.
7. Kansas JR 3B Tony Thompson
If he sticks at third, you’ve got a real player on your hands. If he’s a first baseman long-term, the bat will need to go up a level or two before you could realistically consider him a potential regular at the spot. For now, I think he’s got nimble enough feet to stick at third through his mid-twenties. Thompson’s successful return to health after an early season injury has allowed him time to showcase the plus arm and plus power that should get him drafted in the first five rounds no matter what teams think about his defense.
6. Louisville SO 3B Phil Wunderlich
Makeup is one of the easiest scouting terms to throw around as a positive or a negative for any given prospect because anonymous internet sources (like mine!) are never asked to truly qualify what the word means. Here’s what I mean when I say Wunderlich’s makeup is off the charts: In an completely fictional, but totally possible survey of college coaches and players, Wunderlich would win the “most likely to manage” poll going away. He’s that kind of player. Intangibles aside, Wunderlich is an underrated athlete with legit plus power and amazing patience at the plate. He may not be a natural defender at third, but he’s also not the type of player you’d bet against working his tail off until he is at least a decent big league defensive player.
5. Oklahoma City JR 3B Matt Presley
A trio of haikus, one offensive, one defensive, and one summing it all up, to describe draft sleeper Matt Presley…
Strikeouts are scary
But bat gives pitchers nightmares
Power is special
Not Schmidt with leather
Still, strong arm and high effort
Might fit best in right
Star in Sooner state
Not quite on Durant’s level
Better nickname, though
In summary: Easy to fall in love with his bat, but hard to realistically see him ever being average or better at third. Also, I suck at haikus.
4. Pittsburgh JR 3B Joe Leonard
Leonard has gotten a ton of positive press over the past few weeks, all of it well earned. He came into the season as one of the best college hitting prospects and one of the few collegiate position players projected to be productive enough both at the plate and in the field to start every day in the big leagues. The one question that scouts had about his game was his power upside. Leonard has answered the bell by hitting for over 30 extra base hits and slugging well over .600. He’s a good athlete with a plus arm and great big league size for a third baseman. Defensively he’s presently skilled enough to be considered big league average at the position, and continued development ought to get him up above-average during his best defensive seasons.
Neither his offense nor his defense will ever quite approach the level of peak years Scott Rolen (a really underrated player by many, I think), but if you squint really hard you can begin to see Leonard as perhaps developing into that type of player – exciting defenders, strong physiques, and often mischaracterized as power hitters first and foremost. In fact, after looking at the numbers some, I’d compare Leonard’s upside as a hitter to something around what Rolen did his rookie season (.283/.377/.469) with the Phillies. That kind of upside is substantial, clearly, so it may very well be that Leonard’s placement on this list is a mistake that I’ll have to rectify before June 7th hits.
3. Georgia Tech JR 3B Derek Dietrich
I’m part of the small but vocal minority that seems to think Dietrich could play a decent shortstop professionally if given the chance, but, seeing as its highly unlikely he’ll ever get that opportunity, we’ll judge him here on the basis of his potential well above-average glove and plus arm at third. There’s very little mystery as to what kind of player a team will get if they take Dietrich early on; he’ll hit with both above-average contact and home run numbers (consistent 20 homer upside, I think), play solid to plus defense (as mentioned), and consistently work hard to improve his overall game. I’m no fan of writers/analysts/scouts/Larry Browns who fall back on the tired cliché “he plays the game the right way,” but, hypocrite that I am, Derek Dietrich simply plays the game the way it was meant to be played. He won’t be a sexy pick, but he’s as good a bet as any player on this list to contribute in some capacity in the big leagues.
2. Arkansas SO 3B Zack Cox
Easily confused fellow that I am, I don’t quite understand the negativity surrounding Cox’s power potential that has come to the surface this season. It seems to me that he can’t really win with some people. Last year people oohed and aahed as he flashed prodigious raw power, but disappointed in the plate discipline department. This year he’s taken a much more patient, contact-oriented approach, but is getting heat for not hitting for the same power as he did his freshman year. I realize slugging .600+ and socking 20 extra base hits in college (like Cox has done so far in 2010) isn’t quite the feat it appears to be at first blush, but it’s still a decent indicator that the guy hasn’t been reduced to a singles only hitter this year. Now imagine the possibility that good professional coaching can help Cox unlock the secret of maintaining his gains in plate discipline and a high contact rate while simultaneously helping him rediscover the big power stroke of his first collegiate season. Sounds pretty good, right?
As arguably the draft’s top position player prospect, much has already been written about Cox’s toolset. The cliff notes version is this: potential plus bat, above-average present power but plus projection, 45/50 runner, plus arm, good defender. His worst tool is probably his speed, and, as you can see, even that project to be around average. I think Cox’s ceiling is below that of your typical top half of the first round college bat, but he’s still a relatively safe pick to be an above-average regular third baseman for a first division club.
1. Tulane JR 3B Rob Segedin
I had Segedin as the 47th best draft-eligible player in the nation heading into the year, so it’s nice to see him succeed in 2010 for totally selfish reasons alone. Sure, it’s also nice to see a hard working young man work his way back from a season lost to injury to put himself in a position for a well earned big paycheck and chance at chasing his dream of professional baseball, but, really, it’s all about me, me, me! Anyway, Segedin has a gorgeous righthanded stroke that’s so pretty to look at it’s almost a surprise when he makes contact and the ball doesn’t fly to an unattended gap somewhere. Defensively, he’ll stick at third at least in the short-term (steady hands, limited range), but could become a rightfielder with average range and a cannon arm if needed. It’ll be the bat that makes him the big bucks, and it’s got all the makings of a special one. At the plate, Segedin is a professional player trapped in the college game. Rare plate discipline, gap power that’s finally beginning to round into over-the-fence pop, and impressive bat control make him a hitter with a big future going forward. When your floor is a lefty mashing four-corners utility guy, then you’d better believe the ceiling is much, much higher.
2010 MLB Draft: Top 101 College Outfielders
A few quick thoughts before we get to the ranking of the 2010 MLB Draft’s Top 100 College Outfield Prospects™. I may add to this throughout the week as random thoughts pop into my head, but we’ll start off with some quick justifications for players at the top of the list, an explanation about the relatively low rankings of two much ballyhooed prospects, and a general overview of how I pieced together the list. I may also tweak this list here and there in the next week, both near the top (3-11 are all really, really close for me) and closer to the bottom (a few pop-up guys I heretofore haven’t paid enough attention to deserve one last look), but those changes will probably be reflected when the college position player big board is revealed tomorrow.
Michael Choice has five solid or better tools (solid: speed, defense, bat; better: arm and power) and the potential to hit 30+ homers or more playing every day in the big leagues. Tyler Holt’s fantastic approach, stellar base running, and plus defense should help keep him employed as an everyday leadoff hitting centerfielder (at best) or a reserve outfielder (at worst) for a long, long time. Wates has no glaring weakness to his game and profiles as an above-average regular who should move quickly through the minors after signing. Mummey came into the year as a prospect who relied on plus speed, plus defense, and enough pop to keep pitchers honest. Well, one 2010 slugging percentage north of .800 and the highest of praise for his defense later, it seems like he’s taken what he’s done well and amplified it.
Gary Brown and Ryan LaMarre were both initially lower than even their current modest standing (tying up so much value in batting average terrifies me), but, after running the rough copy of this by a few people way smarter than I am, I moved each guy up five spots or so. Then, realizing that just because I always lump the two players together in my head, I took a step back and only left one player up in the rankings. Brown stayed up high because, if nothing else, he has the floor as one the league’s best fly catchers in center and a true base stealing threat off the bench. LaMarre’s skill set is nothing to sneeze at, don’t get me wrong, but the lack of a premium tool to fall back on lumps him back in with other well-rounded potential outfield tweener types like Todd Cunningham, Parker, and Santos.
At the top, big bats with below-average corner outfield defense were penalized. In the middle, my old love of hitting won out because, and this is more of a personal draft philosophy quirk than anything, at a certain point in the draft you have to start taking players you acknowledge do not have starting upside and instead focus on players with one or two definite big league tools. Whether it’s the power to contribute off the bench in a pinch (e.g. Patterson, Wes Cunningham, Bailey) or the defense/speed to hang on for a long time as a fifth outfielder (Den Dekker is the most obvious example of this), the player needs to show a clearly defined big league tool to make his mark. I think the former has more traditional value in the game (perhaps deservedly so), but the latter is a) easier to project, b) very much en vogue these days, and c) pretty darn important in its own right. I tried to weigh all of these factors into the list accordingly.
One last important note before we go on – the scouting reports, so much as they can be called scouting reports, are wholly incomplete for a handful of reasons I’ll hopefully be able to announce at a later date. If you’ve got something to add, something to ask, something that needs clarification…leave a comment or drop me an email. I’m more than happy to go into more detail about any player. Alright, time for the list…
1. Texas Arlington JR OF Michael Choice (good speed; good arm; solid in center, but best in right; strong hit tool; serious power potential)
2. Florida State JR OF Tyler Holt (fantastic approach; above-average runner; great baserunner; legitimately great defender; big hit tool)
3. Virginia Tech JR OF Austin Wates (gap power; good athlete; good to plus speed (70); capable defender in CF; may be tried at 2B; good turn on Cape; 6-1, 174 pounds
4. Auburn JR OF Trent Mummey (plus speed; legendary defender; solid pop; 5-10, 176 pounds)
5. Wabash Valley JC FR OF Mel Rojas (tons of projection; plus speed; plus power potential from both sides of plate; good defender in CF; weak arm may relegate him to LF; 6-3, 195 pounds)
6. Louisville SO OF Stewart Ijames (great bat speed; big power potential; good approach; decent speed; should be average or better defender in corner spot, likely right; good arm; 6-1, 205 pounds)
7. Middle Tennessee State JR OF Bryce Brentz (plus bat speed; easy 65 power; above-average runner; plus arm; legit five-tool talent; great athlete; 89-92 FB off of mound)
8. Ohio JR OF Gauntlett Eldemire (above-average to almost plus speed (70); plus power potential; very good defender)
9. Clemson JR OF Kyle Parker (plus raw power; plus arm strength, but lacks accuracy; knocked for stiff movements and only being able to hit mistake pitches)
10. West Oklahoma State JC SO OF Randolph Oduber (good raw power; above-average to plus speed; good athlete; little to no plate discipline, but improving in this area; very raw; below-average arm; 6-2, 200 pounds)
11. Cal State Fullerton JR OF Gary Brown (plus speed (70); good bat control; plus defender in CF; average arm; puts ball in play at very high rate, but inability to take a walk makes his overall offensive value very much dependent on batting average; 6-0, 180 pounds)
12. Jacksonville State JR OF Todd Cunningham (quick bat; good approach at plate; little present power, but flashes raw plus power during batting practice; could just be gap power as professional; good defender; average arm; good speed; performed well with wood on Cape; danger of being labeled a tweener; 6-1, 205 pounds)
13. Virginia JR OF Jarrett Parker (plus power potential; very good defender; above-average arm; plus speed; all five tools are there; struggled with wood on Cape; Lastings Milledge comp; 6-3, 190 pounds)
14. Louisiana State JR OF Leon Landry (plus speed; plus athlete; raw in all phases; big power potential; legit defensive tools, but extremely inconsistent tracking balls in the air; 5-11, 195 pounds)
15. Wake Forest JR OF Steven Brooks (evidence of all five tools present; plus raw speed, solid defensively in center; raw power potential is there, but inconsistent with in-game power)
16. Coastal Carolina JR OF Rico Noel (above-average speed, but plus runner because of great base stealing instincts; plus defender in center)
17. Oregon State JR OF Adalberto Santos (above-average to plus speed; good plate discipline; versatile defender; gap power)
18. Michigan JR OF Ryan LaMarre (good knowledge of strike zone despite hacktastic 2010; plus power potential; good to plus (60) speed)
19. Catawba SR OF Wade Moore (very good defender in CF; plus speed; some gap power; leadoff man profile; 6-0, 200 pounds)
20. Catawba SR OF Craige Lyerle (leadoff man profile; very good arm; excellent speed; some pop; utility player future; can also play 3B; 6-0, 180 pounds)
21. Yavapai JC SO DeMarcus Tidwell (plus speed; plus athlete; above-average with all tools except power; 6-1, 190 pounds)
22. San Jacinto SO OF Randall Thorpe (plus speed; plus range in CF; average power potential; average arm strength; 6-1, 175 pounds)
23. Miami-Dade SO OF Jabari Blash (plus runner; solid-average arm; huge raw power potential, but has never been able to consistently show it in game situations; not a good defender; 6-5, 220 pounds)
24. Oxnard FR OF Harper White (present gap power with homerun potential with tweaks to swing; above-average runner; 6-6, 200 pounds)
25. Virginia JR OF Dan Grovatt (patient approach; gap power; average fielder; above-average to plus arm strength, good enough for RF; average speed; 6-1, 175 pounds)
26. Meridian SO OF Corey Dickerson (above-average bat; above-average raw power; average speed; above-average arm; good size; nice swing)
27. Weatherford SO OF Bryson Myles (plus speed; good bat; power a definite question)
28. Clemson JR OF Jeff Schaus (pretty swing; good natural hitter; average power; average speed; stuck in LF)
29. Rutgers JR OF Pat Biserta (iffy defender in left field who may profile best at first or DH, but his numbers have been so strong in 2010 — park and schedule adjusted line of .440/.502/.812; 28 BB/28 K; 43 extra base hits; 5/6 SB — that you’re at least getting a guy with big league bench bat potential)
30. California JR OF Mark Canha (poor defender in the outfield who may have to play first base professionally; above-average to plus arm; interesting hit tool; 6-2, 195 pounds)
31. Missouri SR OF Aaron Senne (advanced idea of strike zone; good power)
32. East Carolina JR OF Devin Harris (60 power, 65 arm, 60 speed; great athlete, but really inconsistent college career)
33. Texas JR OF Kevin Keyes (plus power potential; slow; average arm)
34. Auburn JR OF Kevin Patterson (big raw power, but too many swings and misses)
35. Pacific JR OF Nick Longmire (above-average athlete; good range in outfield; added strength in 2010; 6-2, 210 pounds)
36. Rutgers JR OF Jaren Matthews (unrefined approach prior to 2010, but concerted effort to take better at bats impressed; plus defensive possibilities at first base (natural position), but a good enough athlete to be average or better in the outfield; to that end, good enough speed and instincts for outfield make the conversion likely to happen; 6-2, 215 pounds)
37. Auburn JR OF Brian Fletcher (aggressive at plate, in both a good and bad way; good athlete; good defender; strong arm; plus power; 6-4, 195 pounds)
38. Tampa JR OF Jared Simon (very pretty swing; too aggressive at plate; 1B or LF professionally, so defense is certainly an issue; will have to hope bat carries him; 6-1, 210 pounds)
39. Sonoma State JR OF Kyle Jones (above-average speed; good arm; likely limited to LF as a pro because of iffy instincts; 6-0, 195 pounds)
40. Florida Southern SR OF Trae Gore (decent arm; average at best speed; good base runner; some power potential; LF professionally; 6-0, 215 pounds)
41. Central Florida SR OF Chris Duffy (plus hit tool; average raw power; above-average arm strength; good athlete and underrated speed)
42. Bucknell SR OF Andrew Brouse (good athlete; above-average speed; good arm; above-average defender; 6-2, 205 pounds)
43. Nebraska-Omaha JR OF Ryan Hook (peak 95 FB off of mound; nice approach; good pop; above-average speed; good range in CF and RF; plus arm; 6-2, 190 pounds)
44. Ohio JR OF Robert Maddox (good strength; good runner; quick enough bat; can hold down any of the three outfield spots)
45. Rutgers JR OF Michael Lang (intriguing power/speed combo; above-average speed; should stick as average CF as pro; strong arm; good athlete; no plus tool, but well-rounded; 5-11, 180 pounds)
46. Dallas Baptist SR OF Ryan Enos (plus speed; good range; good athlete)
47. Truett-McConnell SO OF Terrell Jones (gap power; good approach)
48. Gonzaga SR OF Drew Heid (great track record with wood; slightly above-average speed; decent range in CF; playable arm; only plus tool is bat; 5-9, 175 pounds)
49. Murray State SR OF Wes Cunningham (plus speed; poor defender stuck in corner; good arm)
50. Vanderbilt JR OF Aaron Westlake (smooth swing; capable of playing average at best defense behind plate if called upon; four-corners potential; 6-4, 230 pounds)
51. South Carolina JR OF Whit Merrifield (near-plus runner; great instincts on bases; solid tools; mature approach)
52. CC of Southern Nevada SO OF Trevor Kirk (good approach; leadoff hitter profile; good speed)
53. Fort Hays State JR OF Jordan Payne (plus speed; plus CF range; no current power, little projected)
54. Chipola JC SO OF Joey Rapp (powerful swing; bat will make or break him going forward)
55. Iowa JR OF Kurtis Muller (plus speed; little power; good base runner; 5-10, 165 pounds)
56. Georgia Tech SR OF Jay Dantzler (very good athlete)
57. Central Florida SR OF Shane Brown (good bat speed; versatile defender capable of playing 3B)
58. Michigan State SR OF Eli Boike (patient approach; good defender, can play CF; decent power; 6-1, 180 pounds)
59. Pittsburgh JR OF John Schultz (five average tools at best; limited power; good approach; 5-11, 190 pounds)
60. Manhattan JR OF Mike McCann (good strike zone judgment; average speed; average arm; 5-10, 175 pounds)
61. James Madison SR OF Matt Browning (gap power; has played some 3B in past)
62. Florida State JR OF Mike McGee (great approach; average speed; could be tried on mound)
63. Nebraska SR OF Adam Bailey (undisciplined bat; plus arm; big power; 6-0, 190 pounds)
64. Texas SR OF Russell Moldenhauer (poor runner; good power; professional bat)
65. North Carolina State SR OF Kyle Wilson (plus athlete; versatile defender; can play center; above-average speed; questions about bat translating to wood)
66. Florida SR OF Matt Den Dekker (plus speed; great base stealer; outstanding defender)
67. Louisville JR OF Josh Richmond (good power; average speed; good range; good arm)
68. Washington SO OF Caleb Brown (extremely raw; too many empty swings; legit speed, arm, and defense in CF; many believe in his bat, but needs results; 6-2, 220 pounds)
69. Indiana State SR OF Ryan Strausborger (plus speed; good range in CF; decent arm; leadoff hitter profile, patient with pop; smart base runner; has experience up the middle in the infield; 6-0, 180 pounds)
70. San Diego State JR OF Cory Vaughn (plus raw power; arm and speed limit him to LF; terrible plate discipline; poor swing mechanics; fastball hitter only)
71. Georgia State SO OF Joey Wood (plus hit tool)
72. Stanford JR OF Kellen Kiilsgaard (plus athlete; plus power potential; plus speed; should be above-average defender; questionable arm; weird 2010 season; 6-2, 225 pounds)
73. Sonoma State JR OF Tillman Pugh (plus speed; plus defender in CF; huge tools, but very raw; 6-0, 190 pounds)
74. Samford SR OF David Schulze (average speed; weak arm; LF professionally; 6-2, 210 pounds)
75. Dallas Baptist JR OF Jason Krizan (gap power)
76. Cal Poly SR OF Luke Yoder (good speed; leadoff hitter profile; some power developing; solid tools across board)
77. Georgia Tech JR OF Chase Burnette (good power)
78. Texas JR OF Tant Shepherd (average runner)
79. Wright State SR OF Casey McGrew (played well for Team USA)
80. Virginia Tech SR OF Steve Domecus (good arm, decent defender, good athlete, power potential; strong hit tool; can play behind plate when needed)
81. Texas A&M SR OF Brodie Greene (great athlete; versatile defender with experience all over the diamond; good speed; some power)
82. Ohio State SR OF Zach Hurley (solid speed; good defense; good arm; good baserunner)
83. Sam Houston State JR OF Mark Hudson (pretty swing; plus bat speed; legit power potential; solid-average speed; strong CF arm; 6-2, 200 pounds)
84. Western Michigan SR OF Chris Lewis (good plate discipline; big hit tool; poor body and no other above-average tools; 6-1, 205 pounds)
85. Georgia Tech JR OF Jeff Rowland (some pop; plus speed; good defender)
86. Rice JR OF Michael Fuda (good gap power; plus speed; good defender; versatile defender; strong arm; great athlete; 6-0, 190 pounds)
87. Virginia JR OF John Barr (plus speed; plus range in corner, but not suited for CF)
88. Florida Gulf Coast JR OF Josh Chester (solid arm; interesting power)
89. East Carolina JR OF Trent Whitehead (good pop; above-average speed; plus range)
90. UCLA JR OF Brett Krill (power potential, but underwhelmed in three college seasons)
91. Clemson JR OF Addison Johnson (good speed)
92. Clemson SR OF Wilson Boyd (average power; average speed)
93. Siena SR OF Anthony Giansanti (nice swing; intriguing hit tool; average speed; strong arm; good athlete; 5-10, 195 pounds)
94. Auburn JR OF Justin Fradejas (plus speed; plus arm; above-average bat speed; 6-0, 190 pounds)
95. Kentucky SO OF Navarro Hall (leadoff profile; patient approach; plus speed; plus range; weak arm; infrequent at bats in 2010; 6-1, 180 pounds)
96. Xavier JR OF John McCambridge (above-average speed; little power; great athlete; leadoff man profile; good defense in CF; 6-2, 205 pounds)
97. Mississippi JR OF Tim Ferguson (good hit tool; some pop; above-average speed; good range)
98. Louisiana Lafayette SR OF Kyle Olasin (plus runner; plus range in CF; above-average tools except power; 5-10, 175 pounds)
99. Rice JR OF Chad Mozingo (good power; good range; doesn’t have a cannon for an arm, but unusually accurate)
100. San Diego JR OF Kevin Muno (plus runner; good range)
101. Boston College JR OF Robbie Anston (plus speed; very good defender; leadoff hitter profile)
2010 MLB Draft: Top 75 College Lefthanded Pitching Prospects
Three things before we get to the rankings of the top 75 (!) college lefthanded pitching prospects…
(1) It is absolutely my intent, time permitting, to explain some of these choices in greater depth, but my time management skills have bitten me in the butt again and now I’m trying to focus first and foremost on just getting all of the rankings out there before draft day. Love the rankings, hate the rankings…it’s all good, and I’m happy to debate on any particular placement, but, for now, hopefully they can serve as a handy resource if nothing else.
(2) If you’ve made a comment on or emailed me about any of the previous college player rankings, thank you. Seriously, thanks. I love comments and I’m being 100% truthful when I say I’ve yet to get an uninformed one since starting this site a little over a year ago. I apologize for not giving responses in a timely manner, but I’ve got a quick feature based on a few of the comments/emails that I think will at least partially make up for it.
(3) The rankings of top college outfielders should be published on Wednesday, followed by the complete 2010 MLB Draft college position player big board. Thursday should bring the top 100 (give or take) college righthanded pitching prospect list, followed by the complete 2010 MLB Draft college pitching big board. Then it’ll be a flurry of high school lists before culminating in the last pre-draft big board and, maybe, a final stab at a mock. This is going to be a fun week.
Alright, enough of that. Apologies for the ugly formatting, but I couldn’t figure out a way to lay everything out so that it was any easy to read than this. Enjoy.
1. Florida Gulf Coast JR LHP Chris Sale
89-92 with plus sink on FB,95-96 peak; very good to plus 77-80 CU; average 77-78 SL that works a bit slurvy; gets big edge over Pomeranz in FB command; big ground ball pitcher (65+% in 2010); Andrew Miller body comp; 6-6, 185 pounds; signature win (8 IP 4 H 2 ER 2 BB 10 K) against Clemson (2.98 FIP; 13.02 K/9; 1.22 BB/9)
2. Kentucky/Grand Prairie AirHogs SR LHP James Paxton
90-94 FB, peaks at 97; plus CB; CU needs work, but enough there to believe it’ll be average with work; 6-4, 215 pounds
3. San Diego SO LHP Sammy Solis
90-92 FB pre-injury, now sitting more regularly 87-89, but pitch maintains serious late life through zone; plus 77-78 CU; excellent 71-75 CB when on; 76-78 mystery pitch that has been identified as either a harder CB with bite or the beginnings of a SL; coming back from ruptured disc in back; 6-5, 228 pounds; (4.07 FIP; 9.88 K/9; 2.09 BB/9)
4. Mississippi JR LHP Drew Pomeranz
90-92 FB, can get it up to 94-95; good to plus KCB at 79-81; improving 80-83 CU that is now considered potential average big league offering; 6-5, 235 pounds (2.85 FIP; 13.45 K/9; 4.23 BB/9)
5. UCLA JR LHP Rob Rasmussen
89-92 FB; touched 93-94 on Cape; low-70s CB that can be plus pitch, but should be above-average at worst; 82-85 SL has potential; 81-82 CU needs more reps; easy mechanics, but can get out of whack at times; interesting JP Howell comp; 5-11, 170 pounds (3.56 FIP; 11.77 K/9; 2.65 BB/9)
6. Oregon State JR LHP Josh Osich
missed 2010 season after having Tommy John surgery; 93-96 FB, peak 98; plus CB; CU with plus potential; gambling on him past round 5 seems like it’s worth a shot, but that’s without any inside information on whether he’d even consider signing or how his rehab is going
7. Arkansas SO LHP Drew Smyly
88-92 FB with sink; has hit 93-94 in past; good low-80s SL; CB; CU; 6-3, 190 pounds (2.55 FIP; 10.65 K/9; 2.69 BB/9)
8. San Jacinto JC FR LHP Miguel Pena
87-90 FB, peak 92; hard thrower with right hand as well; really good CU; plus control; lots of positive word of mouth has me sold, but admittedly little is still known about Pena relative to other names on list
9. Miami JR LHP Chris Hernandez
86-89 FB; plus mid-80s cutter; good CU; usable SL (3.78 FIP; 10.78 K/9; 2.83 BB/9)
10. Florida JR LHP Kevin Chapman
92-95 FB; plus SL; emerging CU that has been underutilized; 6-4, 215 pounds (3.85 FIP; 9.84 K/9; 1.37 BB/9) ***
11. Tennessee JR LHP Bryan Morgado
90-92, peak 94 FB; up to 96 in relief; 78-80 average SL; average 78-81 CU; nasty CB that was rarely seen this spring; 6-3, 205 pounds (4.40 FIP; 10.27 K/9; 4.48 BB/9)
12. Oregon State JR LHP Tanner Robles
88-92 FB with really good sink, but has peaked at 94-95 FB in past; 73-75 CB that could be plus pitch in time; CU is the question; very good athlete; 6-4, 205 (3.97 FIP; 9.71 K/9; 3.08 BB/9)
13. Florida State JR LHP John Gast
low-90s FB; high-70s CB; extremely up and down with stuff; (4.30 FIP; 8.33 K/9; 3.55 BB/9)
14. Boston College JR LHP Pat Dean
87-90 FB, peak 93; plus FB command; above-average CU; average CB and SL; plus control; overuse a concern (3.06 FIP; 7.76 K/9; 1.51 BB/9)
15. Iowa SR LHP Zach Robertson
mid-to-upper 80s FB, peaking at 87-88; very good CU with great deception; 55ish CB; smooth, clean, easily repeatable delivery; 6-1, 195 pounds (4.21 FIP; 10.15 K/9; 3.78 BB/9)
16. Auburn JR LHP Cole Nelson
91-93 FB; really good SL; good athlete; 6-7, 230 pounds (4.06 FIP; 9.29 K/9; 3.48 BB/9)
17. Chipola JC LHP Austin Wright
89-93 FB; SL and CB with real potential; CU; poor FB command has held him back; control an ongoing issue; big raw talent, but still waiting to put it all together
18. Florida Southern JR LHP Max Russell
upper-80s FB; good CB
19. UC Santa Barbara JR LHP Kevin Gelinas
90-94 FB; improving command; CB; CU; 6-5, 230 pounds
20. Tampa SR LHP Carmine Giardina
87-89 FB, peaking 91-92; has sat a tick or two higher in 2010; above-average 79-82 SL; good slow low-70s CB; decent upper-70s CU; clean mechanics; 6-3, 215 pounds
21. Coastal Carolina JR LHP Cody Wheeler
87-92 FB, peak 94; sharp 77-82 SL; good 81-83 CU; loses velocity as game goes on; (3.63 FIP; 10.05 K/9; 2.96 BB/9)
22. Missouri State SO LHP Mike Kickham
89-92 FB; 94 peak; good SL; decent CU; CB (4.48 FIP; 10.03 K/9; 2.72 BB/9)
23. Georgia SR LHP Alex McRee
89-92 with above average movement; up to mid-90s out of bullpen; 81-83 average SL; CU and CB should be average; similar delivery to BJ Ryan; 6-6, 230 pounds (3.38 FIP; 16.93 K/9; 11.69 BB/9)
24. Rice JR LHP Matt Evers
89-91 FB with plus movement, peaking at 92-93; plus cutter; 81-83 above-average SL; 82-83 above-average CU; command is improving, but still an issue; 6-3, 220 pounds ***
25. Hawaii JR LHP Sam Spangler
88-91, topping at 93-94 with FB; good hard CB; plus CU; LOOGY floor; 6-1, 190 pounds (3.12 FIP; 8.02 K/9; 3.88 BB/9)
26. Miami JR LHP Eric Erickson
coming back from Tommy John surgery; below-average FB; average CB; plus control (4.24 FIP; 8.55 K/9; 1.01 BB/9)
27. Elon JR LHP Jimmy Reyes
88-91 FB; above-average SL and CU, but both pitches are hurt by inconsistent command; 5-10, 194 pounds (3.85 FIP; 9.25 K/9; 1.89 BB/9)
28. UC Santa Barbara JR LHP Mario Hollands
heavy upper-80s FB, peaking at 92-93 on occasion; 84-85 SL; CU (4.35 FIP; 7.22 K/9; 2.57 BB/9)
29. Missouri State JR LHP Aaron Meade
upper-80s FB, peaking at 91-92 on his best day; very good to plus CU; good to plus command; (3.45 FIP; 8.96 K/9; 4.54 BB/9)
30. UC Irvine SR LHP Daniel Bibona
86-88 FB; plus CU; good cutter; SL; plus command; Randy Flores comp seems like a really strong one; similar to Manno, but better control gives him boost; 6-0, 170 (3.36 FIP; 10.30 K/9; 1.50 BB/9)
31. Duke SR LHP Chris Manno
more at 85-89 now with FB now, but has touched 90-91 in the past; quality mid-70s SL that has been inconsistent of late; plus CU; great command of FB; 6-2, 160 pounds (2.23 FIP; 11.19 K/9; 4.63 BB/9)
32. Old Dominion JR LHP Kyle Hald
85-87 FB, peak 88; plus-plus SFCU; sharp SL; CB; great fielder, great pickoff move; clean mechanics; 5-11, 175 pounds (4.26 FIP; 8.37 K/9; 2.70 BB/9)
33. San Jacinto JC SO LHP David Rollins
upper-80s FB, peak 92; solid CB; solid CU; smooth delivery; recovering from injury to non-throwing shoulder; 6-2, 185 pounds
34. Dayton SO LHP Cameron Hobson
87-91 FB with movement; good SL; solid CB; developing CU with potential; plus makeup; 6-1, 205 pounds (4.45 FIP; 7.28 K/9; 3.81 BB/9)
35. Clemson JR LHP Casey Harman
86-88 FB with good sink; plus high-70s CU; high-70s SL needs work; 6-2, 200 pounds (4.74 FIP; 8.28 K/9; 2.76 BB/9)
36. Kentucky JR LHP Logan Darnell
88-92, peak 93-94 FB; almost a sidearm delivery; good CB; 6-2, 205 pounds (4.60 FIP; 7.33 K/9; 3.18 BB/9)
37. Concordia LHP Ben Whitmore
93 peak FB; plus command
38. Sonoma State JR LHP Scott Alexander
plus FB velocity; good CB; average CU; 6-3, 210 pounds
39. North Carolina State JR LHP Grant Sasser
83-87 FB; plus SL; above-average CU; 6-0, 210 pounds (4.41 FIP; 9 K/9; 3.2 BB/9)
40. Oklahoma SR LHP JR Robinson
93 peak FB (3.88 FIP; 10.29 K/9; 3.67 BB/9)
41. Kansas State JR LHP Thomas Rooke
mid-80s FB; very good CU; CB; 5-11, 190 pounds (3.97 FIP; 12.34 K/9; 3.09 BB/9) ***
42. Oklahoma State SR LHP Tyler Lyons
88-90 FB with sink; plus command; good CB; CU (4.31 FIP; 8.93 K/9; 1.81 BB/9)
43. Oklahoma State JR LHP Thomas Keeling
90-93 FB, 95-96 peak; good 78-82 CB; often relies almost exclusively on FB; 6-3, 184 pounds (4.20 FIP; 13.43 K/9; 5.60 BB/9)
44. Pepperdine JR LHP Matt Bywater
88-89 FB with plus movement; really good slow low-70s SL; high-70s sinking CU; (3.68 FIP; 7.87 K/9; 2.59 BB/9)
45. Gonzaga JR LHP Reedy Berg
88-89 FB with good movement; plus FB command; plus CU; solid CB; 6-2, 205 pounds (4.20 FIP; 5.23 K/9; 3.05 BB/9)
46. Indiana SO LHP Blake Monar
mid- to upper-80s FB, peak at 87-88; plus CB; SL; injury set back progress in 2010; 6-2, 185 pounds
47. College of Southern Nevada LHP Bryan Harper
88-92 FB; solid 76-78 CB; emerging CU; 6-5, 190 pounds
48. Maryland JR LHP Adam Kolarek
upper-80s with FB, peak of 93-94; above-average 83-84 SL; clean delivery; 6-2, 215 pounds (4.06 FIP; 9.34 K/9; 4.79 BB/9)
49. Virginia Tech JR LHP Justin Wright
buddy who loves Virginia Tech baseball told me all I had to write here was the following: “he may be a Hokie, but he’s nothing short of a bulldog out on the mound” (4.27 FIP; 9.04 K/9; 3.01 BB/9)
50. Oklahoma State JR LHP Mike Strong
91-92 FB; holds velocity late; good hammer CB; 6-0, 170 pounds (4.42 FIP; 9.65 K/9; 4.76 BB/9)
51. UCLA JR LHP Mitch Beacom
85-87 FB; could be a LOOGY long-term; 6-8, 240 pounds (3.97 FIP; 11.72 K/9; 1.53 BB/9) ***
52. Oregon State JR LHP Kraig Sitton
93 peak FB; good SL (3.19 FIP; 8.04 K/9; 3.16 BB/9) ***
53. UCLA JR LHP Matt Grace
87-90 FB, peak 92; 78-81 CU (3.86 FIP; 7.30 K/9; 2.55 BB/9) ***
54. Louisiana Tech SO LHP Mike Jefferson
88-93 FB with plus movement; slurve that has flashed plus when closer to true SL; upper-70s CB; great move to first; 6-4, 185 pounds (5.41 FIP; 8.36 K/9; 7.26 BB/9)
55. Manatee JC SO LHP Alex Burgos
89-92 FB; good cutter
56. Arkansas Little Rock SR LHP Adam Champion
87-92 FB with tons of sink; FB sometimes dips to hittable mid-80s; plus SL; CU; 6-7, 220 pounds (4.01 FIP; 6.77 K/9; 3.02 BB/9)
57. Northwestern JR LHP Eric Jokisch
87-89 FB, peak 92; very good CB; solid CU (4.29 FIP; 6.14 K/9; 3.61 BB/9)
58. Texas Tech JR LHP Jay Johnson
89-93 FB; peak 95; FB has good movement, but iffy command; potential plus 78-80 SL; 6-2, 200 pounds (4.28 FIP; 8.46 K/9; 6.83 BB/9) ***
59. Tennessee Tech SR LHP Adam Liberatore
coming off of Tommy John surgery; 94 peak FB; very good CU (4.33 FIP; 8.61 K/9; 3.00 BB/9)
60. Kutztown SR LHP Nate Reed
83-89 FB; has been at 89-92 before; solid CB; good circle CU; control still a major issue; feels like this is the 12th year that Reed’s been draft-eligible; 6-3, 190 pounds
61. Arizona State SR LHP Josh Spence
mid-80s FB, topping at 86; above-average CU, very good CB; variety of arm angles; great command; lost 2010 due to injury
62. Tennessee SO LHP Steven Gruver
89-91 FB with more there; plus command; breaking ball and CU need work; 6-2, 205 pounds (4.90 FIP; 7.45 K/9; 2.33 BB/9)
63. Murray State SR LHP Chris Craycraft
mid- to high-80s FB with sink; good SL; good command; 6-2, 200 pounds (5.00 FIP; 6.72 K/9; 3.57 BB/9)
64. Washington State SO LHP Rusty Shellhorn
88-90 FB; average at best breaking ball and CU; excellent command; 5-10, 180 pounds (5.92 FIP; 8.16 K/9; 3.14 BB/9)
65. Central Florida JR LHP Nick Cicio
mid-80s FB; above-average CU; slurve; below-average control; 5-11, 155 pounds (4.88 FIP; 8.69 K/9; 4.73 BB/9)
66. Kansas JR LHP Walter Marciel
86-87 FB, 88-91 before TJ surgery in early 2008; solid CB; CU; very good command; 6-0, 230 pounds (4.49 FIP; 8.21 K/9; 5.18 BB/9) ***
67. Army SR LHP Matt Fouch
87-91 FB with good command; good CB; emerging CU (5.28 FIP; 5.64 K/9; 2.82 BB/9)
68. Cal Poly JR LHP Matt Leonard
88-90 FB; plus CU with great arm action; CB; improved control; 6-0, 185 pounds (5.07 FIP; 4.91 K/9; 1.84 BB/9)
69. Tulane SR LHP Matt Petiton
mid- to upper-80s FB; good CB; solid CU (5.13 FIP; 5.27 K/9; 3.16 BB/9)
70. Louisville JR LHP Bob Revesz
90 FB; usable SL (3.94 FIP; 6.51 K/9; 3.25 BB/9) ***
71. Illinois Chicago SR LHP Chris Kovacevich
86-88 FB with life; plus CU; 6-5, 220 pounds (5.34 FIP; 5.06 K/9; 3.86 BB/9)
72. Georgia Southern SR LHP Dexter Bobo
90-92 FB; shaky command; poor secondary stuff (4.94 FIP; 6.75 K/9; 3.60 BB/9)
73. Northwestern SR LHP Dave Jensen
mid-80s FB; 6-6, 190 pounds (6.11 FIP; 5.32 K/9; 3.27 BB/9) ***
74. Rice JR LHP Tony Cingrani
88-90 FB; plus CU; above-average at times CB; 6-4, 190 pounds (4.91 FIP; 5.73 K/9; 6.14 BB/9)
75. Wisconsin-Oshkosh SR LHP Ryan Demmin
mid-to-upper 80s FB; plus SL; 6-1, 210 pounds
2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Third Base Prospects (10-1)
10. Oregon State JR 3B Stefen Romero
Romero is arguably the best present defender on the top ten list. He makes all the plays on balls hit at him, and has proven more than capable of ranging to both his left and right when needed. What really makes his draft stock pop in comparison to some other names on the list is his performance with wood last summer on the Cape. The raw numbers don’t jump right out at you, but all of the reports from the summer were positive. Romero kept the momentum going this spring by displaying a steady dose of good defense, above-average power, and decent athleticism. A few area scouts that have seen him play way more than I have seem to like him a lot more than I do, so take his placement on the list as a rare example of me trusting people smarter than myself. Rare not because I’m trusting them, but because there are people out there actually smarter than I am. Hard to believe, I know. Romero’s upside is a good four-corners bench bat for me, something true of the majority of the players on this list no matter how rosy a picture I try to paint of their ultimate super duper best case scenario big league ceilings.
9. Connecticut JR 3B Mike Olt
I’ve toyed with the idea of standardizing these quick scouting capsules, but always wind up just doing the rambling paragraph or two synopses you see up and down the page. Seems like all of those standardized reports have some sort of strengths/weaknesses attached somewhere, so let’s try it out with a personal favorite, Mike Olt:
Strengths: three above-average or better tools (65 raw power, 55 speed, and 65 arm), plus athleticism, and a big league ready frame
Weaknesses: present tool most need in work is his bat, due in large part to a largely unrefined approach and inconsistent swing mechanics
So, will Olt make enough consistent hard contact to put his other tools to use professionally? I think any one of the guys on one of the deepest top ten college position lists I can remember in the long, storied history of this site has the upside of an every day player if the circumstances allow it. That comes out as a cop-out, but it’s true; this is a really, really deep year for college third basemen.
8. San Diego JR 3B Victor Sanchez
My support of Victor Sanchez goes back to his prep days, so it’s hard for me to be completely objective when trying to evaluate his current draft stock. The memory of the potential plus defender with equally exciting power potential and a mature beyond his years approach to every single at bat may be just that, a memory. Sanchez’s slow recovery from labrum surgery has knocked his prospect stock way down, but I’m enthused by the perhaps misguided hope that his depressed draft standing will give him the chip on his shoulder (not literally) needed to prove all the teams that passed on him wrong. Talent doesn’t disappear, but it can get lost in the fog of injuries. Teams willing to take the chance that Sanchez will someday recovery 100% from his shoulder injury are betting that the fog will soon lift.
7. Kansas JR 3B Tony Thompson
If he sticks at third, you’ve got a real player on your hands. If he’s a first baseman long-term, the bat will need to go up a level or two before you could realistically consider him a potential regular at the spot. For now, I think he’s got nimble enough feet to stick at third through his mid-twenties. Thompson’s successful return to health after an early season injury has allowed him time to showcase the plus arm and plus power that should get him drafted in the first five rounds no matter what teams think about his defense.
6. Louisville SO 3B Phil Wunderlich
Makeup is one of the easiest scouting terms to throw around as a positive or a negative for any given prospect because anonymous internet sources (like mine!) are never asked to truly qualify what the word means. Here’s what I mean when I say Wunderlich’s makeup is off the charts: In an completely fictional, but totally possible survey of college coaches and players, Wunderlich would win the “most likely to manage” poll going away. He’s that kind of player. Intangibles aside, Wunderlich is an underrated athlete with legit plus power and amazing patience at the plate. He may not be a natural defender at third, but he’s also not the type of player you’d bet against working his tail off until he is at least a decent big league defensive player.
5. Oklahoma City JR 3B Matt Presley
A trio of haikus, one offensive, one defensive, and one summing it all up, to describe draft sleeper Matt Presley…
Strikeouts are scary
But bat gives pitchers nightmares
Power is special
Not Schmidt with leather
Still, strong arm and high effort
Might fit best in right
Star in Sooner state
Not quite on Durant’s level
Better nickname, though
In summary: Easy to fall in love with his bat, but hard to realistically see him ever being average or better at third. Also, I suck at haikus.
4. Pittsburgh JR 3B Joe Leonard
Leonard has gotten a ton of positive press over the past few weeks, all of it well earned. He came into the season as one of the best college hitting prospects and one of the few collegiate position players projected to be productive enough both at the plate and in the field to start every day in the big leagues. The one question that scouts had about his game was his power upside. Leonard has answered the bell by hitting for over 30 extra base hits and slugging well over .600. He’s a good athlete with a plus arm and great big league size for a third baseman. Defensively he’s presently skilled enough to be considered big league average at the position, and continued development ought to get him up above-average during his best defensive seasons.
Neither his offense nor his defense will ever quite approach the level of peak years Scott Rolen (a really underrated player by many, I think), but if you squint really hard you can begin to see Leonard as perhaps developing into that type of player – exciting defenders, strong physiques, and often mischaracterized as power hitters first and foremost. In fact, after looking at the numbers some, I’d compare Leonard’s upside as a hitter to something around what Rolen did his rookie season (.283/.377/.469) with the Phillies. That kind of upside is substantial, clearly, so it may very well be that Leonard’s placement on this list is a mistake that I’ll have to rectify before June 7th hits.
3. Georgia Tech JR 3B Derek Dietrich
I’m part of the small but vocal minority that seems to think Dietrich could play a decent shortstop professionally if given the chance, but, seeing as its highly unlikely he’ll ever get that opportunity, we’ll judge him here on the basis of his potential well above-average glove and plus arm at third. There’s very little mystery as to what kind of player a team will get if they take Dietrich early on; he’ll hit with both above-average contact and home run numbers (consistent 20 homer upside, I think), play solid to plus defense (as mentioned), and consistently work hard to improve his overall game. I’m no fan of writers/analysts/scouts/Larry Browns who fall back on the tired cliché “he plays the game the right way,” but, hypocrite that I am, Derek Dietrich simply plays the game the way it was meant to be played. He won’t be a sexy pick, but he’s as good a bet as any player on this list to contribute in some capacity in the big leagues.
2. Arkansas SO 3B Zack Cox
Easily confused fellow that I am, I don’t quite understand the negativity surrounding Cox’s power potential that has come to the surface this season. It seems to me that he can’t really win with some people. Last year people oohed and aahed as he flashed prodigious raw power, but disappointed in the plate discipline department. This year he’s taken a much more patient, contact-oriented approach, but is getting heat for not hitting for the same power as he did his freshman year. I realize slugging .600+ and socking 20 extra base hits in college (like Cox has done so far in 2010) isn’t quite the feat it appears to be at first blush, but it’s still a decent indicator that the guy hasn’t been reduced to a singles only hitter this year. Now imagine the possibility that good professional coaching can help Cox unlock the secret of maintaining his gains in plate discipline and a high contact rate while simultaneously helping him rediscover the big power stroke of his first collegiate season. Sounds pretty good, right?
As arguably the draft’s top position player prospect, much has already been written about Cox’s toolset. The cliff notes version is this: potential plus bat, above-average present power but plus projection, 45/50 runner, plus arm, good defender. His worst tool is probably his speed, and, as you can see, even that project to be around average. I think Cox’s ceiling is below that of your typical top half of the first round college bat, but he’s still a relatively safe pick to be an above-average regular third baseman for a first division club.
1. Tulane JR 3B Rob Segedin
I had Segedin as the 47th best draft-eligible player in the nation heading into the year, so it’s nice to see him succeed in 2010 for totally selfish reasons alone. Sure, it’s also nice to see a hard working young man work his way back from a season lost to injury to put himself in a position for a well earned big paycheck and chance at chasing his dream of professional baseball, but, really, it’s all about me, me, me! Anyway, Segedin has a gorgeous righthanded stroke that’s so pretty to look at it’s almost a surprise when he makes contact and the ball doesn’t fly to an unattended gap somewhere. Defensively, he’ll stick at third at least in the short-term (steady hands, limited range), but could become a rightfielder with average range and a cannon arm if needed. It’ll be the bat that makes him the big bucks, and it’s got all the makings of a special one. At the plate, Segedin is a professional player trapped in the college game. Rare plate discipline, gap power that’s finally beginning to round into over-the-fence pop, and impressive bat control make him a hitter with a big future going forward. When your floor is a lefty mashing four-corners utility guy, then you’d better believe the ceiling is much, much higher.
2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Third Base Prospects (20-11)
20. Alabama SR 3B Jake Smith
Players coming off of more accomplished collegiate seasons precede Smith on this list, so take this aggressive ranking as a show of good faith that the Alabama senior’s tools will trump his up-and-down college career when it comes to his success or failure in the pros. Hey, speaking of aggressive, one of Smith’s biggest current issues is a tendency to get too aggressive at the plate, jumping out at pitches before they reach his happy zone. He’s gotten away with it to some extent in college, but hacking at anything 16 inches (give or take) off, up, or away from the plate is no way to advance up the minor league ladder in the enlightened age of baseball we’re lucky to be living in. Smith’s tremendous raw power and excellent defensive tools play in any era of baseball, but he’s been slow to recover from a serious ankle injury. I get the feeling based on all of the above that we’re talking about another four-corners backup type here. Fun fact: Replace “serious ankle injury” with “labrum injury” and you’ve got a very similar situation to what the number eight overall prospect on this list is dealing with. Any guesses about the identify of our mystery prospect?
19. Clemson SO 3B John Hinson
John Hinson was a tough player to rank because of his status as a redshirt and thus draft-eligible sophomore and his positional versatility across the infield. He was an easy guy to rank this high because of the really nice things that anybody who has seen him play this year had to say about him. Hinson was a highly touted prospect out of high school who was considered advanced enough after his freshman year to be asked to play for Hyannis in the Cape Cod League. Back surgery cost him all of his 2009 season, but the fully recovered version of Hinson put up a 2010 statistical line that reads a lot like Pittsburgh’s Joe Leonard’s work this season. A plus hit tool combined with above-average speed and power will get you far professionally, but people smarter than myself that I talked with told me some teams question his ability to play any one particular spot in the infield with the consistency needed of a regular. Based on the limited looks of Hinson that I’ve seen, I can’t say that I necessarily agree with that assessment, but his defensive skillset (good athlete, iffy arm) may make him better suited for second base than third. At either spot, he’s got the bat to make him a potential regular with a couple breaks along the way.
18. Tarleton State JR 3B Chris Casazza
Like Jayson Langfels and Jake Smith before, and Jason Martinson and Mike Olt after, Chris Casazza’s biggest deficiency is a long swing with holes in it that winds up waving and missing at the ball far too often. Like Martinson a few spots ahead of him, Casazza’s good batting eye and sneaky power upside should keep his secondary statistics afloat even when the K’s are trying to drag his prospect stock below the surface. In many ways he’s quite simply the better version of Alabama’s Jake Smith, especially at the plate – more power, more patience, less strikeouts, and better all-around bat. Definite sleeper to watch.
17. Tennessee JR 3B Matt Duffy
Duffy was a deep sleeper top five rounds candidate of mine heading into the season, so you know his underwhelming, but still solid, junior season won’t downgrade his stock too much for me. The Vermont transfer has all of the defensive tools to play a decent shortstop professionally, but profiles better as a potential plus defender at the hot corner. For Duffy, a Jack Hannahan (with more raw power) or Andy LaRoche (with less raw power) type of career is possible.
16. Azusa Pacific SR 3B Ryan Delgado
Delgado earned his way on the list because of his ridiculous power numbers over the years, but it certainly doesn’t hurt that Azusa Pacific has one of the most fun college names to say out loud. Try it, you won’t be disappointed. Besides the cool college name and plus power potential, Delgado has a true plus arm and a well above-average overall hit tool. His defense at third isn’t currently at the level where you could project him as above-average professionally, but the tools are there for him at least wind up a decent defensive player at least through his twenties. If it doesn’t work at third, however, there’s a backup plan that I know for a fact is actually Plan A for some teams. Delgado’s future for some teams might be donning the tools of ignorance behind the plate every day. It’s a stretch and it’s based largely on the 3B/C future that could be in store, but I can’t shake the Jake Fox comp for Delgado that I heard way back when.
15. Coastal Carolina JR 3B Scott Woodward
It’s very easy to envision Scott Woodward playing in the big leagues someday. He’s got an outstanding approach to hitting, a discerning batting eye, and a really good idea of his fundamental strengths and weaknesses at the plate. Woodward ably uses his plus-plus speed to leg out infield hits, turn balls driven to the gaps into triples, and steal bases at a tremendous success rate (46 steals in 52 tries). Home runs will likely never be a big part of his game, but his is a game based more on speed and plate discipline anyway. He could have the type of career many once projected for former Dodgers prospect Joe Thurston. Another comp that I like a lot is Phillies minor leaguer Tyson Gillies, a comparison made more interesting due to the fact both players are hearing impaired, but one not at all dependent on that fact as the basis of the comp. When I first thought of it a few weeks ago the connection didn’t even occur to me, but the two players share enough distinct offensive similarities to make it work.
14. North Carolina State JR 3B Russell Wilson
Betting on Wilson is betting on upside, a worthy risk to take when you are considering which mid-round college hitter to gamble on. See, the sad little truth about lists like this are that the players, while undeniably impressive and accomplished and talented, are more than likely never going to play in the big leagues. Heck, many of them won’t see AA. Once you get past the top two or three names on any of these college lists, it’s all a big guessing game. Educated guessing, to be sure, but guessing all the same. To make a long intro slightly less long, if you’re are going to bet on a mid-round college player, go for the rare guy with untapped potential. That’s Wilson. Here’s why…
I tend to overuse this word when writing about draft prospects, but it applies to Wilson so well here that I can’t help myself. Wilson is an interesting prospect. More than one team affiliated employee I spoke to used that word to describe Wilson in some way – “interesting upside,” “interesting bat,” and “interesting future.” Watch him for just a couple of innings and you’ll see evidence of all five tools right away. His bat is, well, interesting, and his power, while mostly to the gaps at this point, could top out with homer totals in the teens professionally. As a former quarterback unafraid to take off with the ball when needed, it comes as no surprise that his speed rates as an easy 60, with startlingly quick acceleration. Defensively he may have the speed, instincts, and athleticism to play up the middle (2B or CF), but his presence on this particular list is a bet on his plus arm playing best at third base over the long run. Wilson’s numbers this year were solid across the board, but his performance must be judged with his lack of college ball experiences prior to 2010 in mind. He needs more reps on the diamond, but if a team is patient with him they could be rewarded with a player who closely mirrors the Melvin Mora developmental path, something that will no doubt interest a big league club or two come draft day.
13. Texas State JR 3B Jason Martinson
The more I do this, the more I begin to gain an appreciation for the way certain college programs recruit and develop talent. The job Ty Harrington has done in San Marcos is nothing short of spectacular. I relate it to a college football team with very specific offensive and defensive schemes recruiting not based on consensus overall talent levels, but rather best fits for the program. You’d think these less talented players would succeed mainly due to the system in college, but then, lo and behold, draft day comes and teams start taking these supposed system talents left and right. Turns out that players overlooked in high school can turn out to be pretty valuable prospects after three years of quality college coaching. I suppose that’s really just my long way of saying that even though it’s common the best high school players sign out of high school, and even though it’s common the best unsigned high school players go to the big name schools in Texas, it’s still possible to have some really talented players wind up at non-traditional baseball schools. Schools like that often have coaching staffs more familiar with coaching guys up than allowing them to coast by on natural abilities they may or may not have.
Martinson is a plus athlete with very good defensive tools who, similar to Tennessee’s Matt Duffy, may be good enough with the leather to stick up the middle (either shortstop or second base) in some organizations. For me, however, his hands, range, and arm all play best at third, a position where he could eventually be a decidedly above-average defender. Offensively the rap on Martinson coming into the year was that he swung and miss too often to ever hit for an acceptable average professionally. That may or may not be true going forward — his 2010 performance has been very similar to his 2009 — but his quick wrists and above-average plate discipline should help keep his on-base percentage up even when he is striking out more often than you’d like. Teams will worry less about the low contact rate if Martinson can begin to tap into some of the long awaited above-average raw power that hasn’t really showed up through three seasons of college ball. If he can begin to apply some of his brute physical strength into homerun power professionally, he’s got a chance to be a starter. If not, his best chance of earning the big bucks will be in the good defender/patient pinch hitter role.
12. Wichita State FR 3B Johnny Coy
Coy has taken a long, strange trip to get to this point, but the eventual payoff could very well make it all worth it. Coy’s story began as a two-sport high school star, regarded by many as a better basketball prospect than baseball. After getting drafted by the Phillies in the 7th round, protracted and sometimes testy (allegedly) negotiations between player and team led to the two sides opting to go their separate ways. Coy’s older brother was reportedly heavily involved with negotiations, strongly pushing his bro to either a) get every last penny from the Phillies as possible (making him a greedy villain to many) or b) go to school and get a quality education (a far more admirable position, some might say). Coy wound up enrolling at Arizona State, but never made it to baseball season. He left the Sun Devils to move closer to home after his father suffered a stroke in late 2008. That led him to Wichita State. As a Shocker, Coy has been able to focus on honing his considerable baseball skills. All of his raw tools grade out as average or better – 55 speed, 60 arm, 65-70 raw power, average hit tool, and, perhaps most controversially, above-average upside with the glove at third. I remember not believing for a second that he’d ever stick at third after seeing video of him in high school, but all of the noise regarding his defensive progress coming out of Wichita has been positive. I’m a big believer in the big (6-8, 210 pound) righthanded freshman. As mentioned, Coy was a 7th round pick by the Phillies back in 2008. The questions concerning his signability will probably keep him from hitting that mark here in 2010, but his true talent level makes him a top ten round candidate worth pursuing if he even begins to hint that he’ll consider signing.
11. Fresno City College FR 3B David Rohm
Rohm hits and hits and hits. He can also steal a bag when left unattended (great instincts on the bases), smack a ball the other way (very mature hitting style), and crank it out of the ballpark when the mood strikes (above-average present power). Mostly though, he hits. His defense ranks in the bottom third of players here in the top 30, but he still has a better than 50/50 shot to stick at the position through his first six years of big league control. Ah, the defense update is appreciated, you’re thinking, but, wait, can the guy hit? Excellent question; yes, David Rohm can hit.
2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Third Base Prospects (30-21)
30. Bowling Green SR 3B Derek Spencer
Spencer won’t wow you with his tools or outstanding collegiate production, but his skills are good enough when taken in altogether to get himself on a professional roster. He’s the classic well-rounded, hard working, good enough senior sign who doesn’t do any one thing exceptionally well, but does everything so wonderfully competently that he profiles as an organizational player with backup upside. Three of his tools have average upside or better (power, speed, glove), so it’s no stretch to see him sneak him onto a big league bench someday.
29. Florida JR 3B Bryson Smith
Smith has a big league body, intriguing pop, useful positional versatility, but has been held back by injuries in 2010. Injury induced subpar seasons for mid- to late-round underclassman prospects are normally a recipe for a senior season return engagement, but Smith may be a victim of his own college team’s success. Playing time in 2011 looks to be very hard to come by on a young, stacked Florida starting nine, so Smith may try his luck professionally if a team is willing to bet that a return to health will bring him closer to the player he was at junior college than he was as a Gator.
28. UC Irvine JR Brian Hernandez
Hernandez has a similar scouting profile as Derek Spencer, but gets the edge because of better plate discipline and more balanced swing mechanics. Like Spencer, he’s your typical “whole is greater than the sum of his parts” kind of prospect, with the upside of a big league bench bat if everything breaks right.
27. Chipola FR 3B Michael Revell
Revell has really impressive tools across the board, but his production in 2010 didn’t reflect his true talent level. His plus bat speed, strong arm, good athleticism, and 20 homer lefthanded power upside will keep him on many follow lists despite his struggles. The down year will probably keep him at Chipola for a sophomore season; disappointing, sure, but perhaps a good thing for his long-term draft stock. Revell has the tools to succeed, but is raw enough that the extra relatively low pressure junior college at bats could help turn his substantial promise into production. It’s rare to see a player capable of starting in the big leagues so low on a prospect list like this, but it’s an acknowledgement of the wide gap between what Revell could be versus what he currently is. He makes the list as more of a token 2011 name to watch than a realistic 2010 draft target.
26. Holy Cross SR 3B Matt Perry
Is it sad that one of the first things I thought about when looking at my notes on Perry was “gee, I bet Bill Simmons would get a kick out of having a fellow Holy Cross guy show up on some anonymous internet nobody’s top 30 college third base prospect list…”? Perry is one of my favorite 2010 senior signs because of his advanced strike zone knowledge, good defensive tools, and renowned drive to succeed. It’s a rare college senior who plays in the big leagues, so sometimes it’s alright to dig deep to find a small something extra about a player that you think sets him apart. Perry’s steady four year progression, strong performance under pressure as a legacy at Holy Cross, and success with wood in the summer makes me think he’s a guy worth gambling on.
25. Eastern Kentucky JR 3B Jayson Langfels
Langfels came into the season with a reputation as a total hacker at the plate, but curbed his swinging and missing ways just enough to finally unlock his good raw power in game situations. I’ve gotten mixed reports on his defense this year, but his hands in the past have gotten him into some trouble at third. It ranges anywhere from somewhat possible to very likely that he’ll wind up as more of a power hitting four-corners utility type than a starting third base candidate; either way, there’s value enough in the bat.
24. Toledo JR 3B Jared Hoying
Hoying’s an interesting scouting, coaching, and prospect development test case. His swing is ugly, but his bat speed is exceptional. Knowing that, do you a) let Hoying be Hoying and go with what works, b) attempt to make slight alterations while preserving the integrity of the swing, or c) work to maintain Hoying’s great bat speed while simultaneously trying to reinvent his swing mechanics? More to the point, how exactly do you go about coaching the kid up? What coaches in the organization do you assign to help him? How much time and energy should be spent working with a mid-round draft prospect? Hoying’s swing isn’t the only intriguing, but raw part of his game. He’s an obviously raw defender, but the tools, most notably a plus arm and athleticism equally suited up the middle, are there for him to succeed anywhere in the infield in a pinch. His high strikeout rate is absolutely a concern, but the aforementioned bat speed, plus arm, and above-average base running give him the look of a potential above-average utility infielder in the mold of former Ranger, Indian, Cub, Brave, Brewer, Rockie, Cub again, Pirate, Dodger, Indian again, Pirate again, and Phillie Jose Hernandez.
23. Oklahoma SO 3B Garrett Buechele
And so begins a stretch of players with starting caliber upside, but high bust potential. Buechele has one of the stronger pure hit tools of this college third base class, and his quickly emerging power make him one to watch. His defense is plenty good enough to stick at third, so the only thing that realistically stands in the way of Buechele succeeding professionally (you know, besides all of the other things that can get in the way for any player drafted) will be high strikeout totals. He’s not as talented as Zack cox, so don’t take this as a direct comparison, but it seems that Buechele would be best served returning to school to work on honing his pitch recognition skills like the top player on this list managed to do in his sophomore season.
22. San Francisco JR 3B Stephen Yarrow
Yarrow’s basic story is very similar to Garrett Buechele’s in that both prospects have legit plus power potential and a strong overall hit tool. Going against Yarrow is his tendency to pull darn near everything, below-average tools outside of the batter’s box, and a long-term future as a four-corners type of player, not an everyday third baseman.
21. Furman JR 3B Brian Harrison
Harrison is a good, good player. Case in point, Harrison has a good arm, is a good defender, and has a good hit tool, with good power potential. He’s a really good athlete, perhaps too good to be “wasted” at third if there’s really a team out there willing to try him in centerfield as rumored. I wish he would have gotten more at bats on the Cape this past summer, but, as too often the case with Harrison, injuries limited his playing time. Get him healthy, get him a regular defensive home, and get a good, good player with starter upside past round ten. Good bargain. The relatively low ranking is more about the players ahead of him than the above-average (or, in other words, “good”) overall talent package that Harrison brings to the table.
2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Catching Prospects
30. Pittsburgh JR C Kevan Smith
The former Panthers quarterback is a plus athlete with a strong arm who is still understandably raw in some phases of the game. He was a highly regarded prospect coming out of high school who was at one point seen as a potential top five round pick, but was downgraded because of his strong commitment to the gridiron. There’s already some speculation that he’ll stick around for his senior year to further showcase his skills.
29. Louisville SR C Jeff Arnold
Arnold is good enough defensively to stick behind the plate, but his above-average speed could tempt a pro team into moving him off the position into a super-sub role. He’s always had a keen batting eye and a solid hit tool, but the lack of power should limit him to backup work going forward.
28. New Mexico JR C Rafael Neda
Neda’s strong statistical profile syncs up well with the increasingly positive scouting reports thrown his way this spring. He came into the year with a solid defensive reputation and above-average power to the gaps, but now has some scouts thinking he could grow into a decent regular with double digit homerun totals.
27. Texas Tech JR C Jeremy Mayo
Reminds me a lot of Jeff Arnold in that both players are above-average runners with solid gloves, but Mayo’s edge in power makes him the better prospect.
26. Ohio State JR C Dan Burkhart
Despite being a legitimate pro prospect in his own right, his biggest claim to fame may be convincing best friend and potential first rounder Alex Wimmers to join him for three years in Columbus. Burkhart is yet another good defensive catcher with a good batting eye and a questionable power ceiling. His scouting reports and his numbers come very close to Kevan Smith’s, but Burkhart’s higher probability of contributing gives him the edge over Smith’s higher upside. Burkhart also receives high marks for being one of the few catchers in the college game trusted to call his own pitches.
25. Rice SR C Diego Seastrunk
I haven’t seen or heard this comp elsewhere, so take it for what it’s worth (not much), but Seastrunk’s scouting profile and video remind me of a lesser version of Ryan Doumit. That’s high praise. Seastrunk is the kind of player who’s overall package exceeds the sum of his parts. Of course, it’s not exactly like his parts are all that shabby. I love, love, love the way Seastrunk has transitioned to the role of full-time catcher this spring. Seastrunk’s combination of an above-average arm, gap power, and plus makeup (he’s a tireless worker and a great team player) has me believing his tools will play as a professional. He isn’t a natural behind the plate, but the instincts I’ve seen from him in going down to get balls in the dirt lead me to believe he’ll be an above-average defender before long. I eventually can see Seastrunk filling a supersub role (not unlike Doumit before he broke out).
The majority of catchers at this point in the ranking fall into one of three categories: 1) high ceiling, low floor (could be a starting catcher with all the right breaks, but doesn’t have the customary skill set big league clubs like in backup catchers), 2) low ceiling, high floor(ready-made big league backup skill set, especially defensively, but without the offensive upside to start) , 3) supersub upside (capable of contributing at first, third, and/or the outfield corners). Seastrunk has a throwing arm that flashes plus (great raw strength, improving pop times), gap power (notice this commonality among the back half of the top 30?), and good patience at the plate. He also has experience at all of the supersub positions listed above. He may never be a big league starting catcher, nor may he be a primary backup, but his versatility should be a boon for whatever pro team takes the chance on him.
24. Oklahoma State JR C Kevin David
On paper, David is a top ten college catching prospect, but his results through three years at Oklahoma State have been more good than great. There’s not much to quibble with when it comes to his excellent athleticism, strong throwing arm, and above-average glove, but all of that untapped potential needs to turn into production before long. His relatively low placement on the list — it’s possible he goes somewhere between round 5-10 — is more about the players ahead of him than anything else; if that’s a cop-out, so be it.
23. Embry-Riddle SR C Austin Goolsby
Besides having a fun name to say, Austin Goolsby is an intriguing NAIA catching prospect with elite defensive potential, good pro size, and power to the gaps. His skills as an economist, however, are at this point unknown.
22. Southern Illinois SR C Tyler Bullock
Bullock possesses the best present power of any player in the bottom half of the top thirty, no real shock when you consider his classic big bopper (6-4, 275) build. He’s a lesser version of one of my 2009 favorites, Purdue’s Dan Black, another large man with prodigious power potential. Like Black, Bullock’s defense is passable and his arm strength is above-average. Like Black, Bullock’s professional future is that of a versatile backup catcher capable of filling in at first base (Bullock and Black) and/or third base (Black only).
21. Western Kentucky JR C Matt Rice
Average hit tool, slightly above-average power, solid defender = mid-round pick with big league backup upside.
20. Georgia Tech JR C Cole Leonida
As one of the spring’s fastest rising prospects, Cole Leonida does a lot of little things very well. His defense around the plate is a strength, and his power potential is second only to Tyler Bullock’s here on the latter half of the top thirty. Leonida’s impressive throwing arm, while at least big league average in strength and above-average in accuracy, could really stand to benefit from some mechanical adjustments to help with his release point. With good coaching that big league average arm could easily become consistently above-average. As a hitter he’ll probably never hit at or near .300 professionally, but his raw power could translate into double digit homeruns if given enough playing time.
19. Virginia JR C Kenny Swab
Here’s what was said here about Mr. Swab back before the season started:
He’s got a live bat with above-average power potential, but it’ll take some serious lineup juggling from Brian O’Connor to get him the at bats he’ll need to boost his draft stock. As is, Swab is a potential 10-20th round player based on upside alone.
Not a bad preseason prediction on a fairly unheralded junior college transfer, right? In the at bats Swab’s earned this year, he’s impressed. Good power, good patience, good defender, good arm, and good positional versatility. He’s not a star by any means, but he’s a good player. That sounds pretty good to me.
18. Missouri JR C Brett Nicholas
Similar to Swab in that both are junior college transfers with solid hit tools capable of playing a variety of positions, but Nicholas’ greater power potential and more intriguing secondary position (Nicholas is at least passable on the hot corner) gives him the advantage.
17. Arizona State JR C Xorge Carrillo
Carrillo’s placement this high is largely speculative, but, hey, isn’t that really what a list like this is all about? Carrillo has missed almost all of the season with a bum forearm, but when healthy showed off impressive power to all fields and much improved athleticism behind the plate. That last reason is why I’m comfortable keeping the twice drafted Carrillo this high on the list despite the injury. The improvements in his body and subsequent uptick in footwork behind the plate indicate a dedication to getting better that makes me think his injury is just a minor blip on his path towards getting drafted a third time.
16. Lewis-Clark State JR C Kawika Emsley-Pai
Emsley-Pai’s injury history, most notably a stress fracture of his L5 veterbra that occurred in high school, could keep some teams away, but as a switch-hitter with patience and really good defensive tools he should get plenty of looks this June. Recent back tightness is a bit of a red flag, but, again, if his medicals check out then the former Longhorn will finally get his chance in pro ball.
15. North Carolina State JR C Chris Schaeffer
Good defensively? Check. Above-average power production? Check. Mature approach at the plate? Check. There really aren’t a lot of obvious chinks in Schaeffer’s prospect armor, especially when stacked up against his draft-eligible college catching competition. Biggest knock on Schaeffer that I’ve heard revolves around his swing. His experience with wood in the past hasn’t inspired a great deal of confidence that his power is more than an aluminum bat mirage. Even if we adjust for a loss of power, Schaeffer’s other aforementioned skills make him an attractive mid-round candidate as a developmental backup catcher type.
14. North Carolina JR C Jesse Wierzbicki
Wierzbicki’s tools grade out as solid across the board, especially if you’re like me and willing to grade a catcher’s running speed on a curve. I tend to think of backup catchers falling into one of three general archetypes. The first group of backups are the sluggers (big raw power, capable of popping an extra base hit or two in that one start a week), the second are the defensive aces (nothing mesmerizes big league coaching staffs more than a catching with a plus arm), and the third are the players that do everything pretty well, but nothing great. Wierzbicki falls squarely in with that last category of player. He’s known for having power to the gaps, a consistent line drive generating swing, and a solid arm. He’s also a tireless worker who knows his own athletic limitations, two of those tricky intangible qualities that either mean a lot to a team or nothing at all.
13. Santa Clara SR C Tommy Medica
Medica was profiled last year:
Tommy Medica brings tons of experience with 92 starts behind plate in his first two years at Santa Clara. He offers up good size (6-1 215), gap power, a very fine throwing arm, above-average athleticism (he’s played a decent LF in the past), and a classic sounding baseball player name, but he hasn’t seen live action since leaving a game with what has been since diagnosed as a separated shoulder on March 7th. That makes Medica a unique prospect to evaluate – what do we make of a solid mid-round catcher considered by many to have untapped potential with the bat (good!) who is on the mend rehabbing a pretty serious injury (bad!)?
He doesn’t necessarily have a standout tool (though his arm is darn good), but he also doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses. I think I remember coming to the conclusion that catchers who are billed as solid players unspectacular in any one area tend to disappoint, yet I still can’t help but like Medica’s game. I need to fight that like and go with what my hastily thrown together research told me – Medica fits the profile of a player who faces a long climb towards attaining the ultimate goal of making himself a useful big leaguer.
He’s healthy this year and producing at about the level expected of his tools. The outfield experiment hasn’t gone quite as well as it has in the past, but the positional versatility still helps his stock. Teams that were in on him last year before the injury should probably be after him in the mid-rounds once again in 2010.
12. TCU SR C Bryan Holaday
Off the charts leadership, plus raw strength, excellent gap power, elite defender, and a plus arm. That description immediately makes me think of the guy ranked number four on this list. Quick conclusion: Bryan Holaday is about 90% of the player Micah Gibbs is with only about 9% of the hype. Of course, their respective placement on the list makes me guilty of overlooking Holaday as well. He’s a relatively safe investment in the mid-rounds for a team in need of a high floor backup with the upside of a solid second division starting player.
11. Coastal Carolina SR C Jose Iglesias
Iglesias started 2009 with as much helium as any college catcher in the country. I remembered talking to a scout really early in the season about Iglesias. He told me that from a body/tools/projection standpoint, Iglesias was as good a bet as any college catcher in the country, Tony Sanchez included. His junior season (.306/.381/.570) was a letdown for many, but only because of the tremendous expectations placed on his head during the winter. His numbers in 2010 are better across the board, and his skills, especially his batting eye and power potential, remain strong. As much as any catcher on the list so far, Iglesias has what it takes to be a big league starter behind the plate.
10. Tennessee JR C Blake Forsythe
As one of my favorite players in the country heading in the year, Forsythe, no doubt already feeling the heat as a key bat on a top SEC school expected to compete in 2010, had the added pressure of keeping this faceless internet stranger happy with a big season at and behind the plate. He’s responded with a season reminiscent of Jose Iglesias’s 2009 – good, but certainly not top five round worthy like many had hoped. Like Iglesias, it may be in his best interest to return for a senior season to rehabilitate his slipping draft stock. As it stands, his stock isn’t completely down the tubes; legit power potential and super plate discipline will get a guy chances, down year or not. I also think he’s a better athlete and runner than he often gets credit for, but those skills aren’t going to be what gets him paid. If he hits like expected, he’s a big leaguer.
9. Vanderbilt JR C Curt Casali
Casali has an almost perfect big league body, incredible athleticism for a catcher, and great physical strength. That’s all well and good (and I don’t say that derisively, it really is both well and good), but can he play baseball? Well, he’s an above-average defender who has caught a wide array of pitchers while at Vanderbilt, and his throwing arm has made a slow, but steady recovery from Tommy John surgery. His bat has some serious juice (near-plus power may be the tool that comes most naturally to him) and his patient approach makes him a legit candidate to play every day professionally.
8. Texas JR C Cameron Rupp
Now we’re finally getting to some college catching prospects with legit plus tools. In Rupp’s case, it’s plus raw power and a plus throwing arm. The raw power is hard to argue with, though there is some concern it’s more of a pure physical strength power rather than quick wrists and a classic swing kind of power. Rupp’s arm strength has been called above-average in some places, but, for me, his arm becomes a plus tool when you combine that above-average throwing power with his incredibly precise throwing accuracy. Arm and power, check. As for the other three tools, well, that’s more of a mixed bag. His running speed is well below-average and his long swing has enough holes against breaking pitches to keep him from ever having anything more than a league average bat. His defense, however, gives him a third above-average tool, especially his surprisingly nimble lateral movement behind the plate.
7. UNC Wilmington JR C Cody Stanley
Stanley gets the edge over Rupp due to better athleticism, but, really, the two are similar prospects in many respects. Both have plus power potential, both have plus throwing arms (Stanley’s isn’t as strong, but better footwork and a quicker release helps narrow the gap), and both profile as solid big league defenders behind the plate. Pretty similar, right? So what exactly gives Stanley the advantage as a prospect? Well, we’ve already covered Stanley’s superior athleticism, but the UNC Wilmington catcher also bests his Texas counterpart in baserunning (Stanley has great instincts and is an average runner for a catcher) and track record with a wood bat (Stanley killed it on the Cape this past summer). Stanley over Rupp by a hair; the proof is in the parentheses.
6. UC Riverside SO C Rob Brantly
Originally my favorite four-year college in the 2010 class, Brantly’s sophomore season hasn’t really done too much to hurt his stock, but has nonetheless seen his spot in the rankings slip as other college guys have simply done more. The one and only time (maye) I’ll lift something directly from the always wonderful Baseball America comes now:
[Redacted] has a strong, compact swing and the ability to make consistent, hard contact to all fields. He has a mature, patient offensive approach, excellent pitch recognition and advanced strike-zone awareness. He has above-average power to the pull side and also good power the other way.
That could very easily be written about Rob Brantly, but it was actually the most recent scouting report on Washington’s Derek Norris. The comparison isn’t perfect, but I think it works as a general outline – big bat, professional strike-zone awareness, solid defensive tools, but not yet a reliable backstop. Norris was a fourth round steal out of high school in 2007; Brantly could be the college equivalent, in round and value, here in 2010.
5. Villanova SO C Matt Szczur
- Bias #1: Players with plus makeup that really, really, really back it up
- Bias #2: Players with the plus athleticism needed to excel at a high level in another sport
- Bias #3: Players with an idea of the strike zone
- Bias #4: Players I’ve seen play in person a disproportionate number of times
- Bias #5: Local players
I can’t really defend the last two biases on the list, but the first three are things that I know I’m not alone in looking out for. Szczur’s scouting credentials include the following: really impressive hit tool, good speed (not just good for a catcher, either), plus arm, plus athleticism, rapidly emerging power, championship pedigree, worthwhile positional versatility (3B and corner OF collegiate experience, above-average at all three spots), and, as a long-time two-sport star conditioned to split his training two ways since junior high, vast untapped potential on the diamond. I won’t profess to know Szczur’s ultimate upside as a ballplayer, but I have a hard time watching him play and seeing anything but a young man on the cusp of a long big league career. These rankings have been more or less surprise free to this point, but Szczur’s high placement is something I’m willing to roll the dice on.
4. Louisiana State JR C Micah Gibbs
Previously on Micah Gibbs…
JR C Micah Gibbs (2010) is currently a potential late first round pick who, even with a subpar junior season, still ought to hear his name called in the first three rounds of the 2010 Draft. Offensively he is more solid than spectacular, though his plate discipline (career 69/76 BB/K ratio) is a skill worth getting somewhat excited about. Scouts have long pegged him as a player with big raw power, especially from the left side, but in two years at LSU he hasn’t been able to show off that batting practice thunder in game situations. Gibbs’ leadership is praised far and wide and his defense is beyond reproach, so expect Gibbs to get a ton of ink as one the chosen players MLB decides to “talk up” with positive press heading into the June draft.
Next week on Micah Gibbs…
Unfunny joke aside, not much has really changed from Gibbs’ preseason outlook to now. Only the emergence of his in-game power qualifies, and even that’s a stretch when you consider said emergence was predicted by many heading into the year. Gibbs’ defensive skills make him a solid bet to reach the big leagues in some capacity. His power/speed combination makes him a pretty good bet to reach the big leagues ready to start and put up league average or better numbers for the position. In other words, Gibbs is a relatively safe player with a high floor worth betting on having some semblance of a successful big league career.
3. Minnesota JR C Mike Kvasnicka
I try my best to balance reading as much as possible about the draft as I can while also not allowing any one publication’s rankings influence my own. Kvasnicka at third overall on the list of top college catchers seemed so clever before checking one of the big boys’ lists (ESPN, I think) and seeing Kvasnicka up at the top as well. Oh well, clever doesn’t really suit me all that well anyway. Kvasnicka’s spot near the top is incredibly well deserved. Here’s what was said about him in the preseason:
JR OF/C Mike Kvasnicka (2010) possesses one of the longest swings of any major prospect in the 2010 draft. This is a good thing when he makes contact (I’ve heard both the thwack! of the bat in the Northwoods League and the ping! at Minnesota, both very impressive), but a very bad thing when up against pitchers with effective offspeed stuff. Kvasnicka has struck out 103 times in 438 college at bats. Any regular reader knows that I’m firmly entrenched in the strikeouts are no worse than any other kind of out camp, but that only really applies to big leaguers. There is something to be said for high-K rates being an indicator of poor contact abilities for minor leaguers and amateurs. If I was told I’d be drafting the current iteration of Kvasnicka, then I’m not sure I’d be too happy selecting a hitter who I won’t think will make enough contact to be a regular. Luckily, nobody is drafting the February version of any potential draft pick. Any team drafting Kvasnicka isn’t getting the Kvasnicka of February, 2010; they’ll get the player he will be someday down the line. Given the fact that Kvasnicka is a plus athlete with a well-rounded toolset (good speed, decent arm, plus raw power), there should be plenty of teams interested to see if he can figure it all out professionally, long swing and strikeouts be damned. His draft stock (already pretty solid – round 4-7 is my current guess) gets a bump if teams buy into his defensive abilities behind the plate.
To recap: February Kvasnicka, the free swinging outfielder with the long swing, was an intriguing draft prospect, but May Kvasnicka, the catcher with the revamped swing and more mature approach, is a potential big league star. Again, all the positives from the preseason remain; his speed, arm, and power will all work at the big league level. That’s the good news. The better news is the way Kvasnicka has worked to improve across the board this spring. The swing itself is so much better than the last time I saw it. Equally important, however, is the process that went into correcting his long, loopy swing in the first place. The realization of the existence of a correctable problem, implementation of a plan to fix said problem, and successful execution through hard work and practice is exactly what teams are looking for. Remember, most amateur players that are drafted high aren’t prospects that came out of nowhere; these guys have been on the radar for years. Teams spend a lot of time, money, and energy trying to figure out which players in the draft pool have what it takes to successfully adjust their game over time. Kvasnicka’s phenomenal transformation from intriguing draft prospect to potential big league star ought to give big league scouting staffs all over the country confidence that he is one of those players capable of constantly working to improve his game.
2. Miami JR C Yasmani Grandal
From my notes on Grandal: “big lefty power, but with from right side.” If anybody can explain what the heck I was trying to say there, I’d love to know. The part that’s easy to decipher is the “big lefty power” part; the data from College Splits via Jonathan Mayo backs that scouting idea up with empirical evidence: “The left-handed hitting backstop has feasted off of righties to the tune of .485/.592/.897. Southpaws have been a little more challenging: .328/.488/.508.” Can you use a semicolon and a colon in the same sentence? Darned if I know, but I just did. You know who might know? Yasmani Grandal. Why? Well, the guy is on such a roll in 2010 that there’s no reason to put anything past him at this point. Plus lefty power, hit tool with league average potential, above-average throwing arm, and defense that won’t hurt you (the accomplished salsa dancer has shown off some really fancy footwork behind the dish this year) combine to give you a prospect with four potential big league average minimum tools. Sure, there are some things that need to be cleaned up (swing can get long, inconsistent release point on throws to second, etc.) once he gets going in pro ball, but Grandal very clearly has what it takes to be an above-average big league starting catcher from a tools/production standpoint.
1. Community College of Southern Nevada FR C Bryce Harper
.417/.509/.917. With wood. At 17 years old. Even BB/K ratio. 42 extra base hits. No discernable platoon split. I’m only now starting to come around to the idea that moving him off of catcher may give him the best chance to unlock all of the professional potential he has with the bat, but, man, I really do love his defensive tools behind the plate. That’s honestly my biggest question with him right now – will he wind up a great hitting catcher or a really great hitting right fielder? With that as the biggest question about his future, there’s no wonder he’s atop this particular list. Bryce Harper is good.
2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Catching Prospects (8-5)
[Again, my apologies for continuing to stretch this out as long as I have. The real life job that pays me real life dollar bills is crazy right now, but things should slow down at the “office” by Wednesday night. If it helps any, 2010 MLB Mock Draft 2.0 is almost ready to see the light of day. In the meantime, hey, how about that Villanova guy ranked fifth?]
8. Texas JR C Cameron Rupp
Now we’re finally getting to some college catching prospects with legit plus tools. In Rupp’s case, it’s plus raw power and a plus throwing arm. The raw power is hard to argue with, though there is some concern it’s more of a pure physical strength power rather than quick wrists and a classic swing kind of power. Rupp’s arm strength has been called above-average in some places, but, for me, his arm becomes a plus tool when you combine that above-average throwing power with his incredibly precise throwing accuracy. Arm and power, check. As for the other three tools, well, that’s more of a mixed bag. His running speed is well below-average and his long swing has enough holes against breaking pitches to keep him from ever having anything more than a league average bat. His defense, however, gives him a third above-average tool, especially his surprisingly nimble lateral movement behind the plate.
7. UNC Wilmington JR C Cody Stanley
Stanley gets the edge over Rupp due to better athleticism, but, really, the two are similar prospects in many respects. Both have plus power potential, both have plus throwing arms (Stanley’s isn’t as strong, but better footwork and a quicker release helps narrow the gap), and both profile as solid big league defenders behind the plate. Pretty similar, right? So what exactly gives Stanley the advantage as a prospect? Well, we’ve already covered Stanley’s superior athleticism, but the UNC Wilmington catcher also bests his Texas counterpart in baserunning (Stanley has great instincts and is an average runner for a catcher) and track record with a wood bat (Stanley killed it on the Cape this past summer). Stanley over Rupp by a hair; the proof is in the parentheses.
6. UC Riverside SO C Rob Brantly
Originally my favorite four-year college in the 2010 class, Brantly’s sophomore season hasn’t really done too much to hurt his stock, but has nonetheless seen his spot in the rankings slip as other college guys have simply done more. The one and only time (maye) I’ll lift something directly from the always wonderful Baseball America comes now:
[Redacted] has a strong, compact swing and the ability to make consistent, hard contact to all fields. He has a mature, patient offensive approach, excellent pitch recognition and advanced strike-zone awareness. He has above-average power to the pull side and also good power the other way.
That could very easily be written about Rob Brantly, but it was actually the most recent scouting report on Washington’s Derek Norris. The comparison isn’t perfect, but I think it works as a general outline – big bat, professional strike-zone awareness, solid defensive tools, but not yet a reliable backstop. Norris was a fourth round steal out of high school in 2007; Brantly could be the college equivalent, in round and value, here in 2010.
5. Villanova SO C Matt Szczur
- Bias #1: Players with plus makeup that really, really, really back it up
- Bias #2: Players with the plus athleticism needed to excel at a high level in another sport
- Bias #3: Players with an idea of the strike zone
- Bias #4: Players I’ve seen play in person a disproportionate number of times
- Bias #5: Local players
I can’t really defend the last two biases on the list, but the first three are things that I know I’m not alone in looking out for. Szczur’s scouting credentials include the following: really impressive hit tool, good speed (not just good for a catcher, either), plus arm, plus athleticism, rapidly emerging power, championship pedigree, worthwhile positional versatility (3B and corner OF collegiate experience, above-average at all three spots), and, as a long-time two-sport star conditioned to split his training two ways since junior high, vast untapped potential on the diamond. I won’t profess to know Szczur’s ultimate upside as a ballplayer, but I have a hard time watching him play and seeing anything but a young man on the cusp of a long big league career. These rankings have been more or less surprise free to this point, but Szczur’s high placement is something I’m willing to roll the dice on.
2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Catching Prospects (15-9)
(Sorry to keep stretching out the Top 30 College Catching Prospects bit, but I spent far too much time working on site maintenance — re-tagged and recategorized every post ever — and long-range draft projects that should hopefully pay off big in the coming weeks. Stay tuned…)
15. North Carolina State JR C Chris Schaeffer
Good defensively? Check. Above-average power production? Check. Mature approach at the plate? Check. There really aren’t a lot of obvious chinks in Schaeffer’s prospect armor, especially when stacked up against his draft-eligible college catching competition. Biggest knock on Schaeffer that I’ve heard revolves around his swing. His experience with wood in the past hasn’t inspired a great deal of confidence that his power is more than an aluminum bat mirage. Even if we adjust for a loss of power, Schaeffer’s other aforementioned skills make him an attractive mid-round candidate as a developmental backup catcher type.
14. North Carolina JR C Jesse Wierzbicki
Wierzbicki’s tools grade out as solid across the board, especially if you’re like me and willing to grade a catcher’s running speed on a curve. I tend to think of backup catchers falling into one of three general archetypes. The first group of backups are the sluggers (big raw power, capable of popping an extra base hit or two in that one start a week), the second are the defensive aces (nothing mesmerizes big league coaching staffs more than a catching with a plus arm), and the third are the players that do everything pretty well, but nothing great. Wierzbicki falls squarely in with that last category of player. He’s known for having power to the gaps, a consistent line drive generating swing, and a solid arm. He’s also a tireless worker who knows his own athletic limitations, two of those tricky intangible qualities that either mean a lot to a team or nothing at all.
13. Santa Clara SR C Tommy Medica
Medica was profiled last year:
Tommy Medica brings tons of experience with 92 starts behind plate in his first two years at Santa Clara. He offers up good size (6-1 215), gap power, a very fine throwing arm, above-average athleticism (he’s played a decent LF in the past), and a classic sounding baseball player name, but he hasn’t seen live action since leaving a game with what has been since diagnosed as a separated shoulder on March 7th. That makes Medica a unique prospect to evaluate – what do we make of a solid mid-round catcher considered by many to have untapped potential with the bat (good!) who is on the mend rehabbing a pretty serious injury (bad!)?
He doesn’t necessarily have a standout tool (though his arm is darn good), but he also doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses. I think I remember coming to the conclusion that catchers who are billed as solid players unspectacular in any one area tend to disappoint, yet I still can’t help but like Medica’s game. I need to fight that like and go with what my hastily thrown together research told me – Medica fits the profile of a player who faces a long climb towards attaining the ultimate goal of making himself a useful big leaguer.
He’s healthy this year and producing at about the level expected of his tools. The outfield experiment hasn’t gone quite as well as it has in the past, but the positional versatility still helps his stock. Teams that were in on him last year before the injury should probably be after him in the mid-rounds once again in 2010.
12. TCU SR C Bryan Holaday
Off the charts leadership, plus raw strength, excellent gap power, elite defender, and a plus arm. That description immediately makes me think of the guy ranked number four on this list. Quick conclusion: Bryan Holaday is about 90% of the player Micah Gibbs is with only about 9% of the hype. Of course, their respective placement on the list makes me guilty of overlooking Holaday as well. He’s a relatively safe investment in the mid-rounds for a team in need of a high floor backup with the upside of a solid second division starting player.
11. Coastal Carolina SR C Jose Iglesias
Iglesias started 2009 with as much helium as any college catcher in the country. I remembered talking to a scout really early in the season about Iglesias. He told me that from a body/tools/projection standpoint, Iglesias was as good a bet as any college catcher in the country, Tony Sanchez included. His junior season (.306/.381/.570) was a letdown for many, but only because of the tremendous expectations placed on his head during the winter. His numbers in 2010 are better across the board, and his skills, especially his batting eye and power potential, remain strong. As much as any catcher on the list so far, Iglesias has what it takes to be a big league starter behind the plate.
10. Tennessee JR C Blake Forsythe
As one of my favorite players in the country heading in the year, Forsythe, no doubt already feeling the heat as a key bat on a top SEC school expected to compete in 2010, had the added pressure of keeping this faceless internet stranger happy with a big season at and behind the plate. He’s responded with a season reminiscent of Jose Iglesias’s 2009 – good, but certainly not top five round worthy like many had hoped. Like Iglesias, it may be in his best interest to return for a senior season to rehabilitate his slipping draft stock. As it stands, his stock isn’t completely down the tubes; legit power potential and super plate discipline will get a guy chances, down year or not. I also think he’s a better athlete and runner than he often gets credit for, but those skills aren’t going to be what gets him paid. If he hits like expected, he’s a big leaguer.
9. Vanderbilt JR C Curt Casali
Casali has an almost perfect big league body, incredible athleticism for a catcher, and great physical strength. That’s all well and good (and I don’t say that derisively, it really is both well and good), but can he play baseball? Well, he’s an above-average defender who has caught a wide array of pitchers while at Vanderbilt, and his throwing arm has made a slow, but steady recovery from Tommy John surgery. His bat has some serious juice (near-plus power may be the tool that comes most naturally to him) and his patient approach makes him a legit candidate to play every day professionally.
2010 MLB Draft: Top 30 College Catching Prospects (30-16)
30. Pittsburgh JR C Kevan Smith
The former Panthers quarterback is a plus athlete with a strong arm who is still understandably raw in some phases of the game. He was a highly regarded prospect coming out of high school who was at one point seen as a potential top five round pick, but was downgraded because of his strong commitment to the gridiron. There’s already some speculation that he’ll stick around for his senior year to further showcase his skills.
29. Louisville SR C Jeff Arnold
Arnold is good enough defensively to stick behind the plate, but his above-average speed could tempt a pro team into moving him off the position into a super-sub role. He’s always had a keen batting eye and a solid hit tool, but the lack of power should limit him to backup work going forward.
28. New Mexico JR C Rafael Neda
Neda’s strong statistical profile syncs up well with the increasingly positive scouting reports thrown his way this spring. He came into the year with a solid defensive reputation and above-average power to the gaps, but now has some scouts thinking he could grow into a decent regular with double digit homerun totals.
27. Texas Tech JR C Jeremy Mayo
Reminds me a lot of Jeff Arnold in that both players are above-average runners with solid gloves, but Mayo’s edge in power makes him the better prospect.
26. Ohio State JR C Dan Burkhart
Despite being a legitimate pro prospect in his own right, his biggest claim to fame may be convincing best friend and potential first rounder Alex Wimmers to join him for three years in Columbus. Burkhart is yet another good defensive catcher with a good batting eye and a questionable power ceiling. His scouting reports and his numbers come very close to Kevan Smith’s, but Burkhart’s higher probability of contributing gives him the edge over Smith’s higher upside. Burkhart also receives high marks for being one of the few catchers in the college game trusted to call his own pitches.
25. Rice SR C Diego Seastrunk
I haven’t seen or heard this comp elsewhere, so take it for what it’s worth (not much), but Seastrunk’s scouting profile and video remind me of a lesser version of Ryan Doumit. That’s high praise. Seastrunk is the kind of player who’s overall package exceeds the sum of his parts. Of course, it’s not exactly like his parts are all that shabby. I love, love, love the way Seastrunk has transitioned to the role of full-time catcher this spring. Seastrunk’s combination of an above-average arm, gap power, and plus makeup (he’s a tireless worker and a great team player) has me believing his tools will play as a professional. He isn’t a natural behind the plate, but the instincts I’ve seen from him in going down to get balls in the dirt lead me to believe he’ll be an above-average defender before long. I eventually can see Seastrunk filling a supersub role (not unlike Doumit before he broke out).
The majority of catchers at this point in the ranking fall into one of three categories: 1) high ceiling, low floor (could be a starting catcher with all the right breaks, but doesn’t have the customary skill set big league clubs like in backup catchers), 2) low ceiling, high floor(ready-made big league backup skill set, especially defensively, but without the offensive upside to start) , 3) supersub upside (capable of contributing at first, third, and/or the outfield corners). Seastrunk has a throwing arm that flashes plus (great raw strength, improving pop times), gap power (notice this commonality among the back half of the top 30?), and good patience at the plate. He also has experience at all of the supersub positions listed above. He may never be a big league starting catcher, nor may he be a primary backup, but his versatility should be a boon for whatever pro team takes the chance on him.
24. Oklahoma State JR C Kevin David
On paper, David is a top ten college catching prospect, but his results through three years at Oklahoma State have been more good than great. There’s not much to quibble with when it comes to his excellent athleticism, strong throwing arm, and above-average glove, but all of that untapped potential needs to turn into production before long. His relatively low placement on the list — it’s possible he goes somewhere between round 5-10 — is more about the players ahead of him than anything else; if that’s a cop-out, so be it.
23. Embry-Riddle SR C Austin Goolsby
Besides having a fun name to say, Austin Goolsby is an intriguing NAIA catching prospect with elite defensive potential, good pro size, and power to the gaps. His skills as an economist, however, are at this point unknown.
22. Southern Illinois SR C Tyler Bullock
Bullock possesses the best present power of any player in the bottom half of the top thirty, no real shock when you consider his classic big bopper (6-4, 275) build. He’s a lesser version of one of my 2009 favorites, Purdue’s Dan Black, another large man with prodigious power potential. Like Black, Bullock’s defense is passable and his arm strength is above-average. Like Black, Bullock’s professional future is that of a versatile backup catcher capable of filling in at first base (Bullock and Black) and/or third base (Black only).
21. Western Kentucky JR C Matt Rice
Average hit tool, slightly above-average power, solid defender = mid-round pick with big league backup upside.
20. Georgia Tech JR C Cole Leonida
As one of the spring’s fastest rising prospects, Cole Leonida does a lot of little things very well. His defense around the plate is a strength, and his power potential is second only to Tyler Bullock’s here on the latter half of the top thirty. Leonida’s impressive throwing arm, while at least big league average in strength and above-average in accuracy, could really stand to benefit from some mechanical adjustments to help with his release point. With good coaching that big league average arm could easily become consistently above-average. As a hitter he’ll probably never hit at or near .300 professionally, but his raw power could translate into double digit homeruns if given enough playing time.
19. Virginia JR C Kenny Swab
Here’s what was said here about Mr. Swab back before the season started:
He’s got a live bat with above-average power potential, but it’ll take some serious lineup juggling from Brian O’Connor to get him the at bats he’ll need to boost his draft stock. As is, Swab is a potential 10-20th round player based on upside alone.
Not a bad preseason prediction on a fairly unheralded junior college transfer, right? In the at bats Swab’s earned this year, he’s impressed. Good power, good patience, good defender, good arm, and good positional versatility. He’s not a star by any means, but he’s a good player. That sounds pretty good to me.
18. Missouri JR C Brett Nicholas
Similar to Swab in that both are junior college transfers with solid hit tools capable of playing a variety of positions, but Nicholas’ greater power potential and more intriguing secondary position (Nicholas is at least passable on the hot corner) gives him the advantage.
17. Arizona State JR C Xorge Carrillo
Carrillo’s placement this high is largely speculative, but, hey, isn’t that really what a list like this is all about? Carrillo has missed almost all of the season with a bum forearm, but when healthy showed off impressive power to all fields and much improved athleticism behind the plate. That last reason is why I’m comfortable keeping the twice drafted Carrillo this high on the list despite the injury. The improvements in his body and subsequent uptick in footwork behind the plate indicate a dedication to getting better that makes me think his injury is just a minor blip on his path towards getting drafted a third time.
16. Lewis-Clark State JR C Kawika Emsley-Pai
Emsley-Pai’s injury history, most notably a stress fracture of his L5 veterbra that occurred in high school, could keep some teams away, but as a switch-hitter with patience and really good defensive tools he should get plenty of looks this June. Recent back tightness is a bit of a red flag, but, again, if his medicals check out then the former Longhorn will finally get his chance in pro ball.
Quick Comparison – 2010 College Catchers vs 2009 College Catchers
Given the choice of a random sampling of college catching prospects from 2010 and 2009, what side of the ’10 vs ’09 debate will you fall on? It’s been said that 2010 is the better year for college catching, a sentiment I agree with for what it’s worth, but why not actually put conventional wisdom to the death with a head-to-head comparison? Originally I had planned to pick players 1-5-10-15-20-25 from each draft class (2010 based on my rankings, 2009 based on draft order) and compare, but the presence of Bryce Harper would make the entire exercise even more pointless than it probably already is. Instead, we’ll compare 2-7-12-17-22-27. Also, I may have miscounted with the 2009 draft class, but, really, the comparison is unscientific enough already, what’s the harm in mixing things up even further?
Full 2010 college catcher rankings tomorrow. Maybe an Alternate Reality Mock Draft, too. Real Mock Draft is almost done, should be ready to be published early next week. Additionally, comments and emails will be answered in the next 48 hours. Please, do try to contain your excitement. As for our college catching comparison, here’s the quick breakdown:
2010
Yasmani Grandal
Cody Stanley
Tommy Medica
Xorge Carrillo
Tyler Bullock
Jeremy Mayo
OR
2009
Josh Phegley
Tobias Streich
Carlos Ramirez
Tyson Van Winkle
Michael Thomas
Jeremy Gillan
Personally, I like Grandal better than Phegley, Stanley over Streich, and Ramirez more than Medica. 2 wins for 2010, 1 win for 2009. After that, things get pretty close to even with each matchup. Xorge Carrillo gets the edge over Van Winkle in the battle of hilariously named prospects, Bullock (offense!) wins by the slightest of margins over Thomas (defense!), and Mayo/Gillan is a true pick-em. 4 wins for 2010, 1 win for 2009, 1 too close to call. Admittedly not the most scientific way to determine a particular year’s draft strength, but it’s at least one more tiny data point for the pro-2010 crowd.
2010 MLB Draft Top 30 College Catching Prospects – Honorable Mentions
It was a lot more difficult paring down the list of top 2010 MLB draft-eligible players down to 30 than it was at either 1B or 2B, so I figured I’d devote a little bit of electronic ink to the players that didn’t quite make the cut. First, the top five college catching prospects that were squeezed out of a surprisingly deep class of 30, in no particular order unless otherwise noted…
Auburn SR C Ryan Jenkins
Jenkins is the best prospect that didn’t make the cut. He’s a ready-made big league catcher defensively with a fantastic arm and a really nice, level swing. The mid-round college catching depth this year is really the only thing keeping him out of the top thirty.
Mississippi JR C Miles Hamblin
Big things were expected out of the junior college transfer Hamblin this season, but his debut year at Ole Miss has been a gigantic disappointment. I liked him enough last year to claim he was a superior prospect to Trevor Coleman of Missouri, a player at one time regarded as an easy top three round pick. Here’s what was said then:
Hamblin has above-average power potential and a live bat, plus he has the added advantage of being close to a sure bet of sticking behind the plate as a professional. His outstanding performance this season for a dominant junior college team has scouts buzzing. Lefty power, a great catcher’s frame, strong throwing arm (mid-80s fastball in high school), and a mature approach at the plate…don’t let the lack of pedigree bother you, Hamblin is a good prospect; so good a prospect, in fact, that I’d take him over Coleman, thank you very much.
His park and schedule adjusted season numbers as of early May: .221/.345/.375; 22 BB/33 K; 11 extra base hits. Gigantically disappointing. Hamblin’s solid all-around tools are all still present, so it’s hard to write him off as a prospect completely, but it’s harder still justifying a placement over a slew of more qualified catching candidates on the list.
Mississippi State JR C Wes Thigpen
Must be something in the water down in Mississippi. First it’s Hamblin disappointing, now it’s Thigpen. Way more power was expected out of the Bulldogs primary catcher in 2010, but his park and schedule adjusted line looks a lot like Hamblin’s: .232/.360/.354; 15 BB/26 K; 4 extra base hits. Ouch. Thigpen, a really good athlete and an even better defender, had me believing that this was the year he’d finally put some of his impressive raw power to use. Like talented but disappointing junior year players such as Jose Iglesias, Tommy Medica, and Diego Seastrunk last year, returning for a senior season may be the best/only course of action for Hamblin and Thigpen.
Rutgers SR C Jayson Hernandez
Another player I’ve written about before that also happened to just miss the list is Rutgers senior Jayson Hernandez. Here’s what was said about his laser rocket arm a few months back:
The guy may have little to no power to speak of, and he may be considered one of the weaker hitters currently playing major college ball, but, man oh man, can this guy throw. If he can wake up the bat even a teeny, tiny bit, he could find himself drafted with the chance of someday being a shutdown all-defense big league backup.
The ridiculous arm strength remains, but now Hernandez can lay claim to a spot on the 2010 list of most-improved college hitters. His power is still almost non-existent, but newfound patience at the plate has enabled him to work deeper counts. Deeper counts have meant more walks, obviously, but it’s also helped to set him up in more and more advantageous hitter’s counts. It would be nice if he could drive the ball with some authority in said hitter’s counts, but his increase in singles might be enough to elevate his stock from “hopeful some team will invite him for a tryout somewhere along the way” to “believing that he’ll see his name online as a late round flier on draft day.” Progress.
Minnesota SR C Kyle Knudson
The other Minnesota catcher with a chance to be drafted (more on his teammate much, much, much higher up the list) and yet another player that has already received some much coveted Baseball Draft Report screen time. Pre-season assessment of Knudson right here:
[Knudson] is a good athlete with a strong arm. He also has some pop and a big league ready frame, but the total tools package still comes up short. He’s not a real prospect at this point, but could get himself a professional job filling out a rookie ball roster if a team is in need of a reliable backstop. Catchers are always in demand, you know.
I do know! Catchers are always in demand, especially those coming off of solid senior seasons. Knudson is another player that took a step forward with the bat in 2010. He should probably consider himself in about the same “please, somebody take a late round flier on me” spot that Hernandez is now in. Again, that’s progress.
Other players of note who didn’t make the cut include, but are not limited to the following:
Houston SR C Chris Wallace
Cal State Fullerton SR C Billy Marcoe
Vanderbilt SR C Andrew Giobbi
Southern Mississippi SR C Travis Graves
South Carolina SR C Kyle Enders
Bryant SR C Jeff Vigurs
San Diego SR C Nick McCoy
Wallace is the best of the rest, a more than capable defender with enough power to keep pitchers honest and impressive 2010 season numbers. The remaining senior sign candidates all offer up varying degrees of above-average defense; in fact, my notes range from “solid” (McCoy) to “good” (Vigurs) to “near-plus” (Graves). Giobbi, one of the defenders noted as “good” in my notes, has the most offensive upside of the group. Any one player here could get drafted in the later stages of the draft. Any one player here could wind up as a big league backup backstop someday. The odds are obviously stacked against them, but part of the fun of the whole draft process is you just never know.
Two names that didn’t hit enough to warrant consideration, but are worth mentioning for their one plus tool alone:
South Florida JR C Eric Sim
Nebraska JR C Patric Tolentino
Two of the very best arms in all of college baseball attached to two of arguably the very worst everyday hitters. Sim’s arm is so good that his best hope at a pro career will probably come after first receiving some time on the mound his senior season. Tolentino’s arm and big league frame are both strengths, but, unfortunately, that’s about the limit of his redeeming on-field qualities.
Not enough offense, not enough defense:
College of Southern Nevada SO C Ryan Scott
Texas A&M JR C Kevin Gonzalez
UC Irvine SR C Francis Larson
In the same way Knudson is the other Minnesota catcher, Scott is the other CSN catcher. His defense is stellar, far better than teammate Bryce Harper’s at this stage, but his poor contact rate and minimal power keep him far away from the top thirty. Gonzalez will probably stick around College Station another year after he goes undrafted; he’ll no doubt look to improve upon his 2010 statistics, numbers that are eerily close to Larson’s. Gonzalez in 2010: .302/.326/.434. Larson in 2010: .291/.338/.426. Not enough power or patience for either player to get by without being tremendous on defense.
And finally rounding out the top 50…
Florida Southern JR C Zach Maggard
Virginia SR C Franco Valdes
Duke SR C Ryan McCurdy
Liberty JR C Jerry Neufang
Maggard, Valdes, McCurdy, and Neufang all had at least an outside shot of cracking the back end of the top thirty coming into the season, but all fell well short of expectations in 2010. Maggard has the most pop, but has no idea of the strike zone; he stands and swings like a professional (scouts have given him positive reviews most of the spring), but any pitcher with a clue can make quick work of him. Valdes, McCurdy, and Neufang don’t have a single above-average tool to share, unless you count McCurdy’s uncanny ability to get plunked by the opposition.
Injured List
Fresno Pacific SR C Wes Dorrell had a chance to backdoor his way onto the top 30 with a healthy, productive spring. Unfortunately, a torn labrum prevented any of that from happening. Hard to even project a player who probably didn’t have the chops for catching everyday to rebound from such serious shoulder surgery, but Dorrell’s bat could get him a look in 2011 as a potential four-corners utility guy that can also suit up behind the dish in a pinch.
The Baseball Draft Report 