The Baseball Draft Report

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Big South

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hitters

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

Pitchers

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

Campbell

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

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

Charleston Southern

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

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

Coastal Carolina

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

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

Gardner-Webb

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

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

High Point

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

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

Liberty

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

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

Longwood

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

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

Presbyterian

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

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

Radford

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

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

UNC Asheville

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

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

Winthrop

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

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

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Patriot

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hitters

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

Pitchers

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

Army

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

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

Bucknell

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

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

Holy Cross

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

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

Lafayette

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

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

Lehigh

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

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

Navy

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

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

1-1

22 Feb 2016 7:00 AM / Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Southern Conference

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hitters

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

Pitchers

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

The Citadel

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

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

East Tennessee State

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

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

Furman

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

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

Mercer

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

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

North Carolina Greensboro

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

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

Samford

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

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

Virginia Military Institute

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

High Priority Follows: Taylor Edens, Jack Gomersall

Western Carolina

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

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

Wofford

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

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

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – MAC

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hitters

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

Pitchers

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

Ball State

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

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

Bowling Green

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

High Priority Follows: Andrew Lacinak, Matt Smith

Buffalo

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

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

Central Michigan

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

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

Eastern Michigan

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

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

Kent State

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

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

Miami (Ohio)

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

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

Northern Illinois

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

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

Ohio

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

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

Toledo

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

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

Western Michigan

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

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

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Northeast Conference

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

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

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

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

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

Hitters

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

Pitchers

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

Bryant

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

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

Central Connecticut State

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

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

Fairleigh Dickinson

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

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

Long Island-Brooklyn

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

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

Mount St. Mary’s

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

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

Sacred Heart

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

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

Wagner

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

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

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Atlantic 10

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

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

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

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

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

Hitters

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

Pitchers

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

Davidson

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

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

Dayton

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

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

Fordham

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

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

George Washington

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

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

George Mason

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

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

La Salle

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

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

Massachusetts

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

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

Rhode Island

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

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

Richmond

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

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

St. Bonaventure

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

High Priority Follows: Thad Johnson, Taishi Terashima

St. Joseph’s

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

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

Saint Louis

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

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

Virginia Commonwealth

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

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

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Colonial Athletic Conference

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

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

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

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

Hitters

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

Pitchers

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

College of Charleston

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

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

Delaware

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

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

Elon

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

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

Hofstra

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

High Priority Follows: Alex Eisenberg, Brad Witkowski

James Madison

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

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

Northeastern

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

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

Towson

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

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

UNC Wilmington

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

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

William & Mary

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

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

2016 MLB Draft Follow Lists – Southland Conference

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

(I’m still not sure what format I like best, but we’ll start with a quick ranking of 2016 MLB Draft prospects and then transition into team-by-team follow lists. I tried to cover the bulk of the analysis with yesterday’s post, but still feel weird about doing a ranking/list post without the accompanying commentary. We’ll figure this out yet…)

The Southland Conference had 19 players selected in last year’s draft. That’s good for thirteen straight years of double-digit draftees. I’ll guarantee a fourteenth right now. Seeing as that’s not particularly bold, I’ll go a step further (farther?) and predict that the 2016 total of Southland MLB Draft selections will push past last year’s rjght up into the twenties. Much like last year’s group, I think this year will wind up as a pitching-heavy draft haul. My confidence in the hitting ranking extends only past the first few names — we’ll say Menard is the cut-off point — yet at the same time I wouldn’t be shocked to see a dozen or more pitchers off the board with little hesitation from pro scouting departments.

I won’t pretend to know the ebbs and flows of the Southland Conference any better than a guy who tries to cover an entire country’s worth of prospects by himself can, but I feel comfortable in saying that 2016 looks like a good year for the league. I’m excited for it, if nothing else. I’m particularly intrigued to see if either of my current top prospects — Jameson Fisher or Jake Smith — can beat last year’s top draft finisher (Grant Borne) as a seventh round selection. Others could rise up obviously, but I think if Fisher’s arm proves healthy and effective enough to withstand the rigors of catching by mid-season and Smith’s arm is electric as the early reports indicate then there’s a real shot.

Hitters

Southeastern Louisiana rJR C/1B Jameson Fisher
Lamar SR SS Stijn van derMeer
Southeastern Louisiana SR 2B/3B Daniel Midyett
Northwestern State SR 1B/OF Cort Brinson
Southeastern Louisiana JR OF Jacob Seward
Southeastern Louisiana JR SS/2B Kennon Menard
Central Arkansas SR SS Logan Preston
Southeastern Louisiana JR 2B Carson Crites
Southeastern Louisiana rSR C Sam Roberson
Northwestern State rJR C Daniel Garner
Nicholls State JR OF Justin Holt
Central Arkansas SR OF Tyler Langley
McNeese State rJR OF Matt Gallier
Stephen F. Austin State rJR OF/1B Conner Fikes
Southeastern Louisiana JR OF Webb Bobo
Sam Houston State JR 1B/3B Matthew Broadbent
Nicholls State SR 3B Kyle Reese
Stephen F. Austin State SR 1B Kyle Thornell
Lamar rJR OF Cutter McDowell
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi rJR OF Zacarias Hardy
Incarnate Word SR 3B Brance Kahle
Southeastern Louisiana SR OF Julian Service
New Orleans JR OF Hezekiah Randolph
Southeastern Louisiana SR C Chris Eades
Northwestern State rJR OF Nick Heath
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi SR 3B Cody Clarke

Pitchers

Nicholls State JR RHP Jake Smith
Nicholls State JR RHP/1B Cole Stapler
Southeastern Louisiana SO RHP Mac Sceroler
Abilene Christian rSO RHP Bryce Welborn
Sam Houston State rSO RHP Dakota Mills
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi JR LHP Chris Falwell
Northwestern State JR RHP Adam Oller
McNeese State rSR RHP Kaleb Fontenot
Lamar SR RHP Will Hibbs
Abilene Christian SR RHP Nate Cole
Sam Houston State JR RHP Sam Odom
Houston Baptist SR RHP Dylan Zarosky
Southeastern Louisiana SR LHP Kyle Cedotal
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi rJR RHP Nolan Holland
McNeese State SR RHP Ethan Stremmel
McNeese State JR RHP Collin Kober
Southeastern Louisiana SR RHP Domenick Carlini
McNeese State SR RHP Bryce Kingsley
New Orleans JR RHP Riley Hodge
Sam Houston State JR RHP Cody Brown
McNeese State JR LHP Austin Sanders
Southeastern Louisiana JR RHP/1B Derrick Mount
Nicholls State SR RHP Justin Sinibaldi
McNeese State SR RHP Tyler Day
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi JR RHP Devin Skapura
Southeastern Louisiana JR RHP Cliff Hurst
Southeastern Louisiana SR RHP Pat Cashman
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi SR RHP Kaleb Keith
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi SR RHP Dalton D’Spain
Northwestern State SR LHP Chase Hymel
Abilene Christian SR RHP Kyle Carroll
Sam Houston State SR RHP Jordan Church

Abilene Christian

SR RHP Nick Palacios (2016)
SR RHP Nate Cole (2016)
SR RHP Garrett deMeyere (2016)
rSO RHP Bryce Welborn (2016)
JR LHP Austin Lambright (2016)
SR RHP Kyle Carroll (2016)
JR 2B/RHP Aaron Draper (2016)
SR C Alex Copeland (2016)
JR 1B/OF Russell Crippen (2016)
FR OF/LHP Derek Scott (2018)
FR SS Mark Pearson (2018)
FR OF Hunter Markwardt (2018)
FR OF Willie Harris (2018)

High Priority Follows: Nate Cole, Bryce Welborn, Kyle Carroll

Central Arkansas

SR RHP Connor Gilmore (2016)
SR RHP Derek Beier (2016)
JR RHP Riley Echols (2016)
JR RHP Jacob Murray (2016)
SR C Brandon Montalvo (2016)
SR 2B Chris Townsend (2016)
SR OF Tyler Langley (2016)
SR SS Logan Preston (2016)
SR C/1B Travis Hull (2016)
SR 1B/3B Matt Anderson (2016)
JR 2B Butch Rea (2016)
SO RHP Tyler Gray (2017)
SO 2B/SS Ty Tice (2017)
FR RHP Cody Davenport (2018)
FR 1B/OF Hunter Strong (2018)

High Priority Follows: Tyler Langley, Logan Preston, Travis Hull

Houston Baptist

SR RHP Dylan Zarosky (2016)
SR LHP Matthew McCollough (2016)
SR RHP Matt Harding (2016)
SR 2B Greg Espinosa (2016)
SR SS Louie Payetta (2016)
SR 1B Andrew Alvarez (2016)
SR OF Brandon Morones (2016)

High Priority Follows: Dylan Zarosky, Greg Espinosa, Louie Payetta

Incarnate Word

JR RHP Trevor Hardee (2016)
SR 3B Brance Kahle (2016)
SR OF Matt Morris (2016)
JR OF Mark Whitehead (2016)
SR C Christian Divelbiss (2016)
SR 2B Trey Rodriguez (2016)
SO RHP John Shull (2017)
SO RHP Tyler Miller (2017)
FR RHP Bernie Martinez (2018)
FR RHP Jake Bedevian (2018)
FR LHP Denson Hull (2018)
FR SS Ryan Gonzalez (2018)

High Priority Follows: Brance Kahle

Lamar

SR RHP Will Hibbs (2016)
SR LHP Joe Farley (2016)
SR RHP Jayson McKinley (2016)
rSR RHP Billy Love (2016)
JR RHP Brent Janak (2016)
SR LHP Travis Moore (2016)
SR RHP Ryan Cawthon (2016)
SR RHP Enrique Oquendo (2016)
SR SS Stijn van derMeer (2016)
rJR OF Cutter McDowell (2016)
SR 1B Jake Nash (2016)
JR 1B Trey Silvers (2016)
JR OF Reid Russell (2016)
SR OF Jacoby Middleton (2016)

High Priority Follows: Will Hibbs, Stijn van derMeer, Cutter McDowell

McNeese State

rSR RHP Kaleb Fontenot (2016)
SR RHP Bryce Kingsley (2016)
SR RHP Ethan Stremmel (2016)
JR LHP Austin Sanders (2016)
SR RHP Tyler Day (2016)
JR RHP Collin Kober (2016)
JR RHP Trent Fontenot (2016)
SR 1B/OF Connor Crane (2016)
SR OF Lewis Guilbeau (2016)
rJR OF Matt Gallier (2016)
SR C Cameron Toole (2016)
JR SS Will Fox (2016)
JR 1B/LHP Ricky Ramirez (2016)
SO 2B Joe Provenzano (2017)
FR OF Shane Selman (2018)

High Priority Follows: Kaleb Fontenot, Bryce Kingsley, Ethan Stremmel, Austin Sanders, Tyler Day, Collin Kober, Matt Gallier

New Orleans

SR RHP Daniel Martinez (2016)
JR LHP Hunter Medine (2016)
rSR LHP Jordan Priddle (2016)
JR RHP Riley Hodge (2016)
JR C Kyle Bracey (2016)
SR OF Chaz Boyer (2016)
JR 2B/SS Samuel Capielano (2016)
JR OF Hezekiah Randolph (2016)
SR OF Ryan Calloway (2016)
JR 2B/SS Aaron Palmer (2016)
SO RHP Shawn Semple (2017)

High Priority Follows: Daniel Martinez, Riley Hodge, Hezekiah Randolph

Nicholls State

SR RHP Justin Sinibaldi (2016)
SR LHP Zach Thiac (2016)
SR RHP Robbie Petty (2016)
JR RHP Jake Smith (2016)
JR RHP/1B Cole Stapler (2016)
SR OF Alex Shermer (2016)
SR 3B Kyle Reese (2016)
JR OF Justin Holt (2016)
JR C Alex Tucker (2016)
SO SS Joey Morales (2017)
SO OF Gavin Wehby (2017)
FR 2B Ethan Valdez (2018)

High Priority Follows: Justin Sinibaldi, Jake Smith, Cole Stapler, Kyle Reese, Justin Holt

Northwestern State

SR LHP Chase Hymel (2016)
JR RHP Adam Oller (2016)
JR RHP Evan Tidwell (2016)
JR RHP Tim Winders (2016)
rSO RHP Brandon Stane (2016)
rJR OF Nick Heath (2016)
JR OF Matt Valdez (2016)
SR 1B/OF Cort Brinson (2016)
rJR C Daniel Garner (2016)
rJR 1B Regan Kaufman (2016)
rSR OF Bret Underwood (2016)
rFR INF Brandon Frazier (2017)
SO OF Kwan Adkins (2017)
SO SS Miller Parker (2017)
SO OF Cade Jones (2017)
SO SS David Fry (2017)
FR RHP Austin Reich (2018)
FR RHP Nathan Jones (2018)
FR 3B/RHP Austin Townsend (2018)
FR INF Lenni Kunert (2018)

High Priority Follows: Chase Hymel, Adam Oller, Nick Heath, Cort Brinson, Daniel Garner

Sam Houston State

rSO RHP Dakota Mills (2016)
JR RHP Cody Brown (2016)
SR RHP Greg Belton (2016)
SR RHP Jordan Church (2016)
SR LHP Hayden Nixton (2016)
JR RHP Sam Odom (2016)
JR 1B/3B Matthew Broadbent (2016)
SR 1B Spence Rahm (2016)
SR 2B Zach Smith (2016)
SR SS Miles Manning (2016)
SO OF Bryce Johnson (2017)
FR SS Andrew Fregia (2018)
FR 2B/RHP Riley McKnight (2018)
FR OF Hunter Hearn (2018)
FR OF Jaxxon Grisham (2018)
FR RHP Riley Gossett (2018)

High Priority Follows: Dakota Mills, Cody Brown, Greg Belton, Jordan Church, Sam Odom, Matthew Broadbent, Spence Rahm, Zach Smith

Southeastern Louisiana

SR LHP Kyle Cedotal (2016)
SR RHP Domenick Carlini (2016)
SR RHP Pat Cashman (2016)
JR RHP Cliff Hurst (2016)
JR RHP Gage Pickett (2016)
rSO RHP Dreagen Bethel (2016)
SO RHP Mac Sceroler (2016)
JR RHP/1B Derrick Mount (2016)
rJR C/1B Jameson Fisher (2016)
rSR C Sam Roberson (2016)
SR C Chris Eades (2016)
SR OF Julian Service (2016)
SR 2B/3B Daniel Midyett (2016)
JR SS/2B Kennon Menard (2016)
JR OF Webb Bobo (2016)
JR OF Jacob Seward (2016)
JR OF Ryan Byers (2016)
JR 2B Carson Crites (2016)
SO RHP Kade Granier (2017)
SO LHP/OF Drew Avans (2017)
SO C Nico Cuccia (2017)
FR LHP Payton Robinson (2018)

High Priority Follows: Kyle Cedotal, Domenick Carlini, Pat Cashman, Cliff Hurst, Mac Sceroler, Derrick Mount, Jameson Fisher, Sam Roberson, Chris Eades, Julian Service, Daniel Midyett, Kennon Menard, Webb Bobo, Jacob Seward, Carson Crites

Stephen F. Austin State

JR LHP Patrick Ledet (2016)
JR RHP Jarred Greene (2016)
SR OF Matthew Dickey (2016)
SR 1B Kyle Thornell (2016)
rJR OF/1B Conner Fikes (2016)
rSR OF Garrett McMullen (2016)
JR 2B Nick Ramos (2016)
SO 3B Eric DeJesus (2017)

High Priority Follows: Kyle Thornell, Conner Fikes

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

JR LHP Chris Falwell (2016)
SR RHP Kaleb Keith (2016)
SR RHP Dalton D’Spain (2016)
rJR RHP Nolan Holland (2016)
JR RHP Devin Skapura (2016)
rJR OF Zacarias Hardy (2016)
SR 3B Cody Clarke (2016)
SR 1B/OF Austin Krajnak (2016)
rSR OF Zack Gibson (2016)
JR OF Brian Deaver (2016)
SR SS Casey Thomas (2016)
rSR 1B Justin Perales (2016)
FR RHP Dustin Lacaze (2018)

High Priority Follows: Chris Falwell, Kaleb Keith, Nolan Holland, Devin Skapura, Zacarias Hardy, Cody Clarke, Austin Krajnak

2016 MLB Draft College Preview – Southland Conference

10 Feb 2016 7:00 AM / 5 Comments on 2016 MLB Draft College Preview – Southland Conference

(I didn’t like this setup as well as I thought I would and writing this much about each team in every conference will drive me to insanity before the season even begins, so I’m still pondering ways to present the info I have in a way that marries readability with a format that will allow me to get a full night’s sleep during the work week. Consider this a head’s up that things will probably change with the next conference preview. If you liked this, sorry. If not, you’re in luck!)

Abilene Christian

What RHP Bryce Welborn lacks in college experience he makes up for in fastball velocity. He’s still largely an unknown and his size (5-10, 185) works against him, but there’s no denying his heater (90-94, 96 peak) when on. The safer, and arguably superior, prospect is RHP Nate Cole, a potential sleeper relief prospect who has been able to combine good stuff (low-90s fastball, slider, change) with strong results (10.34 K/9 in 47 IP last year). RHP Kyle Carroll could be the third best arm on the staff.

Central Arkansas

SS Logan Preston and OF Tyler Langley are positioned to get themselves into late-round senior-sign territory with big springs. That’s something.

Houston Baptist

RHP Dylan Zarosky is a short (5-11, 200) righthander with limited innings under his belt (around 40 the past two seasons combined), but his fastball (88-92, 93 peak) and breaking ball (76-77 CB, average to above-average) are enough to keep missing bats. I’m intrigued by 2B Greg Espinosa due to his extreme high contact approach (5 BB/7 K in 153 AB) at the plate.

Incarnate Word

The freshman group of pitchers is where it’s at, but in the meantime I think the best prospect here is probably 3B Brance Kahle. Pro baseball needs a Brance and this one might have what it takes to get drafted. Fun Brance fact (besides the fact he has an above-average arm and appealing bat speed): he’s one of seven children, all with first names beginning with either B or C.

Lamar

RHP Will Hibbs has the fastball (93), size (6-7, 235), and peripherals (8.74 K/9 in 2015) to profile as an intriguing senior-sign reliever. SS Stijn van derMeer can field his position and do enough with the bat to rank as one of my favorite senior shortstops in this class. Fair or not, I can’t help but think of him as a potential Die Hard villain whenever I read his name. I like what rJR OF Cutter McDowell did in a small sample last year, so he’s officially on my high follow list this spring. There’s a chance one of 1B Jake Nash or 1B Trey Silvers does enough this spring to get some draft love by June.

Native New Yorker CJ Moore, coming off an up-and-down freshman season with more encouraging signs than not, is now back at home at Monroe (NY) CC. He’s as raw as his 12 BB/66 K freshman numbers suggest, but his speed, power, and athleticism are all at the top of the charts. I’m sufficiently intrigued.

McNeese State

The McNeese State pitching staff could have up to a half-dozen arms get draft consideration this summer. I like RHP Kaleb Fontenot a ton when healthy. RHP Bryce Kingsley and RHP Ethan Stremmel could join him as senior-signs. The little I know about LHP Austin Sanders sounds good to me. Then there are the two guys with numbers that stand out above the rest. RHP Collin Kober makes his upper-80s fastball work with a sidearm delivery that confounds hitters (9.17 K/9 and 1.02 ERA in 52.2 IP last year) at this level. RHP Tyler Day matched him in terms of peripherals (10.35 K/9), but not in run prevention (5.85 ERA). I still like him. All in all, it’s a strong group of pitchers here.

The best two position player prospects are underclassmen (2B Joe Provenzano and OF Shane Selman), but OF Matt Gallier has shown enough power to be interesting to teams in the here and now.

New Orleans

RHP Daniel Martinez and RHP Riley Hodge both could be late-round reliever options. C Kyle Bracey is a young catcher with some power, so he’ll have his fans this spring. OF Chaz Boyer might have a shot thanks to his plus speed, above-average range, and solid athleticism. He’ll have to do something drastic about his ugly 7 BB/41 K ratio, however. JR OF Hezekiah Randolph rivals Zacarias Hardy for best name in the conference.

Nicholls State

RHP Justin Sinibaldi has been a consistently strong performer as he’s utilized an upper-80s fastball (85-91) and average or better curve to carve hitters to the tune of a 1.40 ERA in 77.1 IP in 2015. His peripherals are less exciting, but still solid.

OF Justin Holt is yet another very fast, above-average glove in center – there seems to be a lot of these guys in this conference – with questions about his in-game pop and approach at the plate. SR 3B Kyle Reese has similar questions about his approach, but the power looks legit.

Those guys are all nice prospects, but RHP Jake Smith and RHP Cole Stapler are the true co-headliners here. Smith has the frame (6-5, 220) and fastball (94-97) to rocket up pref lists this spring. Stapler measures up similarly (6-5, 230) with a likewise strong heater (88-92, 94 peak) and the athleticism one might expect from a two-way threat.

Northwestern State

LHP Chase Hymel has the kind of out-pitch in his curve ball that could give him an extended look in the pros. That’s something. He’s second for me among Northwestern State pitching prospects behind RHP Adam Oller. Oller has really impressive stuff with three pitches profiling as average or better professionally, but the lackluster track record of missed bats (4.75 K/9 in 2015) is worrisome. If the breakout happens in 2016 we’ll know why. I’m cautiously optimistic.

I like rJR OF Nick Heath as a potential high-contact, athletic, plus running center fielder, but the complete lack of power undermines what he does well otherwise. He’s more fun college player than serious pro prospect until he can start driving a few more balls to the gaps. They can’t all be power hitters, but the threat of power is a must in the pro game.

1B/OF Cort Brinson (who has experience behind the plate) and C Daniel Garner do more than threaten power – they deliver. I’ve long liked Brinson, but, despite hitting for more power than ever, last year was admittedly a step back when looking at his all-around offensive game. Tough to say that for a guy coming off a .350/.407/.518 season, but his control of the strike zone dipped enough to raise tiny light red flags. We’ll call them light pink flags for now…maybe salmon. I’m less worried about the change (16 BB/18 K in 2014 to 12 BB/35 K in 2015) after talking to somebody who saw him a lot last year. His rationale for the dip was pretty simple: Brinson was so locked in that the choice to expand the zone was a conscious one. If he can find a happy medium that allows him to further tap into his deep power reserves through controlled aggression at the plate, watch out for him rising as one of the draft’s better senior-signs.

Sam Houston State

I really dig the Sam Houston state pitching staff. There’s a really nice blend of stuff and results that should give every team something to like. RHP Dakota Mills and RHP Cody Brown lead the way in the stuff department, but do so with limited D1 data to date. RHP Greg Belton and RHP Jordan Church have the numbers to get them noticed. RHP Sam Odom has a little bit of both: he’s 88-92 with his heat and coming off a solid sophomore season (7.05 K/9 in 83.0 IP).

I’m a little less keen on the 2016 hitters, but could see either 2B Zach Smith or SS Miles Manning play their way into late-round consideration. 1B/3B Matthew Broadbent has some positive buzz around his name as well.

Southeastern Louisiana

I’ve been on record as being a big C/1B Jameson Fisher fan, so consider me damn excited for his return to the field in 2016. If his arm allows him to show off behind the plate this spring, I could see him rising up into that round five to ten area where he belongs. C Sam Roberson also returns in 2016, so keep an eye on the underrated “other” catcher on the roster here. Then there’s C Chris Eades, the “other OTHER” catcher that could hear his name called this June. Eades took advantage of the absence of his teammates last year by flashing decent power and a strong arm from behind the dish.

Non-catcher talent on Southeastern Louisiana includes OF Julian Service (very athletic, good speed), SS/2B Kennon Menard (versatile defender with some utility player potential), OF Webb Bobo (untapped power), and 2B Carson Crites (impressive 2015 season). I like 2B/3B Daniel Midyett best of all thanks to his blend of speed, patience, and sneaky pop. OF Jacob Seward isn’t far behind on my personal list: he’s got a discerning eye at the plate and plenty of usable speed.

LHP Kyle Cedotal has the crafty college lefty thing down to a science, so spending a late pick on him and watching him move quickly as he mows down low-minors hitting out of the bullpen could be fun. RHP Domenick Carlini missed plenty of bats (11.25 K/9 in 2015) with his low-90s velocity as a junior. RHP Mac Sceroler stands out as one of the better draft-eligible sophomore arms I’ve come across.

Stephen F. Austin State

Any one of OF Matthew Dickey (speed, glove), Kyle Thornell (power), or OF/1B Conner Fikes (athleticism, approach) could wind up drafted with good springs.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

If RHP Kaleb Keith can stay on the mound, I think he can show the kind of stuff to get drafted. RHP Nolan Holland has the low-90s sinker/slider combination that could give him time in a pro bullpen. OF Zacarias Hardy excels at running, throwing, and having the first name Zacarias. I like him.

2016 College Prospect All-American Teams

8 Feb 2016 7:00 AM / 16 Comments on 2016 College Prospect All-American Teams

Now that football has wrapped up and the D1 college season is just eleven short days away, I think it’s time to come out of my semi-planned hibernation of the past few weeks. Time away from posting hasn’t meant time away from baseball draft work; quite the contrary, really. My college prep work is finally complete and my college notes Word document now stretches 186 pages and 129,856 words. Finding a way to turn those notes into something worth reading is the challenge we’ll tackle together these next two weeks. I have no concrete plan as to how I want to get the information I’ve accumulated out there, so any and all suggestions as to what you — yes, YOU! — want to see are appreciated. I’ll come up with something otherwise — conference previews? — but I’d rather do something by request…and not just because I don’t have anything pre-written in what could be a busy real life work week otherwise.

Until then, here are my (first annual?) College Prospect All-American Teams. The name says it all, but just in case…College PROSPECT All-American Teams. For the purpose of these teams, we care only about who will wind up the best professional prospects come June. Let’s do it…

First Team

C Zack Collins – Miami
1B Will Craig – Wake Forest
2B Nick Senzel – Tennessee
SS Michael Paez – Coastal Carolina
3B Bobby Dalbec – Arizona
OF Kyle Lewis – Mercer
OF Buddy Reed – Florida
OF Corey Ray – Louisville

RHP Alec Hansen – Oklahoma
LHP Matt Krook – Oregon
RHP Connor Jones – Virginia
LHP AJ Puk – Florida
RHP Dakota Hudson – Mississippi State

Filling my pretend team with Collins, Craig, Senzel, Dalbec, and the outfielders were pretty easy for me at this point. I love (Collins, Craig, Senzel, Lewis) or like (Dalbec, Reed, Ray) all of them as first round talents this June, though even getting three of them (I’ll guess two of the outfielders and Dalbec as the wild card) into the first thirty or so picks is probably more realistic knowing how I tend to value certain types different than actual scouting directors might. Fans of teams picking in the top ten dreaming of a quick fix college bat should follow all of them, but with the clear understanding that every single name there (save Craig) has a lot to prove this spring at the plate, especially in the strike zone discipline/approach facets of the game. I’m too lazy to do the math, but I’m pretty sure there is about 3,241 (rough estimate) strikeouts combined courtesy of those hitters. Paez is probably the name that jumps out for many, but it’s a really shallow year for college shortstops…and Paez is pretty damn good. More on him in the coming weeks.

There’s so much college pitching in this year’s class that there’s even less of a chance of coming up with a “right” order of players than usual. Like many, I love the healthy versions of both Hansen and Krook, so their placement on top of the rankings mountain is a bet on continued good health from right this second to early June. Jones was my top college player last March when I made a list like this, but I dropped him to seventh college pitcher on my most recent update in October. Without realizing it until now, it appears I’ve split the difference (more or less) with his current placement in the three spot. I still can’t get enough of that Masahiro Tanaka comp I heard for him. Puk is such a good prospect that I don’t feel too bad in nitpicking him here by pointing out his inconsistent secondaries (unlike the others listed, I haven’t seen a reliable plus offspeed pitch from him yet), up-and-down control, and good but not great athleticism. The fact that he can have all of those question marks — all very fixable issues, it’s worth noting — and still rank so highly says something about how overwhelming his strengths are. Hudson is all upside at this point; he reminds me of Taijuan Walker in more than a few ways.

Second Team

C Sean Murphy – Wright State
1B Pete Alonso – Florida
2B JaVon Shelby – Kentucky
SS Logan Gray – Austin Peay State
3B Sheldon Neuse – Oklahoma
OF Bryan Reynolds – Vanderbilt
OF Jake Fraley – Louisiana State
OF Nick Banks – Texas A&M

RHP Cal Quantrill – Stanford
LHP Matt Crohan – Winthrop
RHP Zach Jackson – Arkansas
RHP Robert Tyler – Georgia
LHP Garrett Williams – Oklahoma State

I could see a lot of the guys on this team outperforming their first team counterparts over the long haul. There’s a little more certainty with some of the names, but not quite the same degree of upside. Murphy, arguably the draft’s best two-way catcher, stands out as an example of this. You could also probably lump Reynolds and Fraley in the category, especially when compared to fellow SEC-er Buddy Reed.

From talking to smart people around the game lately, I think I might wind up the high guy on Crohan. I see a lefty with size, velocity, athleticism, and a nasty cut-slider. I also see a guy who does a lot of the same things AJ Puk does well, but with far less hype. One of my favorite snippets of my notes comes in the Jackson section: “if he fixes delivery and command, watch out.” Well, duh. I could have said that about just about any upper-echelon arm in this age demographic. With Jackson, however, it reinforces just how special his stuff is when he’s right. I don’t think this college class has a pitch better than his curveball at its best.

Third Team

C Matt Thaiss – Virginia
1B Carmen Beneditti – Michigan
2B Cavan Biggio – Notre Dame
SS Colby Woodmansee – Arizona State
3B Lucas Erceg – Menlo (CA)
OF Ryan Boldt – Nebraska
OF Stephen Wrenn – Georgia
OF Ronnie Dawson – Ohio State

LHP Eric Lauer – Kent State
RHP Michael Shawaryn – Maryland
RHP Daulton Jefferies – California
RHP Kyle Serrano – Tennessee
RHP Kyle Funkhouser – Louisville

There are too many good players and far too spots. Leaving out some of this year’s catching class breaks my heart, but ultimately I’m more excited at the ridiculous depth at that spot than at any pretend tough decision I had to make on what will turn out to be a meaningless list anyway. Second base wound up a tougher call than I expected when trying to weigh the relative pros and cons of Biggio, Nate Mondou, Bryson Brigman (who might be a worthwhile SS after all), Kyle Fiala, Nick Solak, and Ryne Birk. Woodmansee felt like the right choice over a few other deserving peers, but it wouldn’t surprise me if a trio I didn’t select (Daniel Pinero, Stephen Alemais, Ryan Howard OR Errol Robinson, Trever Morrison, Eli White) wound up the better bet by June. I had originally planned to make this a D1 only list, but figured the more the merrier so Erceg, the Cal transfer, got the call. That’s partly because I really like Erceg (as both a hitter and a pitcher, though I think I’m in the minority who prefers him currently with the bat) and partly because the pickings at third base are slim. Three of the next four names under consideration at the hot corner are draft-eligible sophomores: Greg Deichmann, Will Toffey, and Blake Tiberi. Beneditti, the choice at first over a similarly lackluster field, is also a two-way player who many prefer on the mound long-term. I liken him to a better Brian Johnson, the former Gator and current Red Sox lefthander. In a fun twist, I preferred Johnson as a hitter as well back in the day.

The similarities between Shawaryn and Jefferies are uncanny. Both guys should rank among the quickest movers in this year’s college starting pitching class once they make the move to pro ball. Pitchers considered who just missed the cut were numerous, but a few fun names include Corbin Burnes, Jake Elliott, Bailey Clark, and John Kilichowski, my personal favorite of the many outstanding Vanderbilt arms.

2016 MLB Draft Prospects – LSU

19 Jan 2016 7:00 AM / 2 Comments on 2016 MLB Draft Prospects – LSU

SR LHP John Valek (2016)
rJR RHP Hunter Newman (2016)
JR LHP Jared Poche’ (2016)
SR LHP Hunter Devall (2016)
rJR RHP Russell Reynolds (2016)
JR RHP Parker Bugg (2016)
rSO RHP Jesse Stallings (2016)
JR RHP Alden Cartwright (2016)
JR RHP Collin Strall (2016)
JR RHP Riley Smith (2016)
JR OF Jake Fraley (2016)
SO 3B/2B Greg Deichmann (2016)
JR 2B Kramer Robertson (2016)
JR OF Cody Ducote (2016)
JR 2B Cole Freeman (2016)
JR C Jordan Romero (2016)
SO RHP Austin Bain (2017)
SO RHP Alex Lange (2017)
rFR LHP Jake Latz (2017)
SO RHP Doug Norman (2017)
SO OF Beau Jordan (2017)
SO C/1B Bryce Jordan (2017)
SO C Mike Papierski (2017)
FR RHP Cole McKay (2018)
FR RHP Caleb Gilbert (2018)
FR OF/LHP Brennan Breaux (2018)
FR 3B/SS O’Neal Lochridge (2018)
FR SS Trey Dawson (2018)
FR OF Antoine Duplantis (2018)
FR OF/1B Brody Wofford (2018)
FR 3B Chris Reid (2018)

JR LHP Jared Poche’ is a tough guy to peg as a pro prospect because so much of his value comes from what he is rather than what he could be. That’s antithetical to everything that those who cover the draft are all about! What he is should be enough to have a long pro career: upper-80s fastball that can sometimes sit as high as 88-92 (93 peak), above-average or better 73-78 CB that flashes plus, and a really good 78-82 CU that is at least average and probably better. Add that in to a good new-ish cutter and strong overall command, and you can see that Poche’ has what it takes to get pro hitters out. How dare he be so polished and composed at such a young age!

What keeps Poche’ from being a true threat to crash the draft’s early rounds is the lack of projection in his 6-1, 200 pound frame and decent but not exciting peripherals (5.11 K/9 and 5.94 K/9) through two college seasons. He’s been an absolute workhorse as a weekend starter for LSU since first stepping foot on campus and his outstanding college career should be celebrated whether it comes to a close this June or next, but the possibility that he’s more great college pitcher than big-time pro prospect feels very real to me. His is just a tough profile to find any reasonable recent draft contemporaries to compare against. We need a filled-out lefthander with average velocity (give or take), a nice assortment of offspeed stuff, and lots of high-level college success despite underwhelming peripherals. Many guys check all but one of those boxes (size and peripherals are often the missing piece), but it’s hard to find anybody who went in the top five rounds or so with the same background. Closest that I found include guys (listed in order of my pre-draft rankings last June) like Travis Bergen from Kennesaw State (7th), Kevin Duchene from Illinois (5th), Scott Effross from Indiana (15th), Christian Trent from Mississippi (24th), Bobby Poyner from Florida (14th), and Reid Love from East Carolina (10th). Bergen and Duchene give me some hope that there’s room in the first seven or so rounds for a competitor like Poche’. Of course, comparisons like these lean heavily on historical trends often at the expense of the individual in question. It only takes one player to rise above and break past the ceiling that others have put on them, much the same way that “(fill in the blank) has never happened” until the first time that it does. Maybe Poche’ is the one to crack the draft’s top five rounds and make the paragraph you’re reading right now seem silly. I think Poche’ falling somewhere between round six and ten is the most likely outcome, but we’ll see.

SR LHP John Valek takes his mid- to upper-80s fastball, solid change, and plus command from Akron to LSU for the upcoming season. A year of holding his own in the SEC could get him some looks as a potential late-round matchup lefty possibility for some teams. rJR RHP Russell Reynolds has shown slow yet steady improvement as he’s come back from a labrum injury in 2013. He could force his way back into the draft mix if his stuff returns to pre-surgery levels. JR RHP Parker Bugg has enticing size (6-6, 220) and a fastball/slider combination that works well in relief. I’m a big fan of rSO RHP Jesse Stallings, a hard thrower (88-94, 95 peak) with a deceptive delivery and a split-change he makes good use of.

It’s unclear what to make of JR RHP Alden Cartwright at this point. Reports on his stuff are pretty ordinary — upper-80s heat complemented with a nice upper-70s curve — and he’s not particularly big (6-0, 190), but his peripherals last season (13.05 K/9 and 1.80 BB/9) make him worth keeping in mind. rJR RHP Hunter Newman’s stuff is a tick better across the board — 88-92 FB with a 75-77 CB with plus upside — and his peripherals aren’t far off the mark (8.27 K/9). Judging by more conventional standards, such as ERA (an eye-popping 0.49 in 36.2 IP last year), makes him a clear cut relief arm to know. I’ll always have a soft sport for undersized (5-8, 180) SR LHP Hunter Devall, a quality arm from the left side who keeps getting batters out year after year.

JR RHP Riley Smith is the biggest wild card on the staff. His raw ability suggests he could be the highest drafted arm off of this staff in 2016, but there’s always some risk in projecting a college arm who hasn’t done it at this level that high. I’ve always preferred talent to experience, so count me very much in on Smith heading into his draft year.

JR OF Jake Fraley is an outstanding prospect. I may have actually underrated him despite ranking him twentieth overall in the college class back in October. Here’s what was written then…

In a class with potential superstars like Lewis, Reed, and Ray roaming outfields at the top, it would be easy to overlook Fraley, a tooled-up center fielder with lightning in his wrists, an unusually balanced swing, and the patient approach of a future leadoff hitter. Do so at your own discretion. Since I started the site in 2009 there’s been at least one LSU outfielder drafted every year. That includes five top-three round picks (Mitchell, Landry, Mahtook, Jones, and Stevenson) in seven classes. Outfielder U seems poised to keep the overall streak alive and make the top three round run a cool six out of eight in 2016.

That fact about the outfielders still blows my mind. Six out of eight years with a top three round outfielder is one heck of a run for any university. Anyway, peers ranked over Fraley this year (according to me back in October) included names like Lewis, Reed, Ray, Boldt, and Reynolds. Banks, Wrenn, Quinn, Abreu, Brooks, and Dawson came next. I think if I had to do it again today with a few more months of research and thought under my belt, I would have Fraley behind only Lewis, Reed, and Ray, and in as close to a tie as humanly possible with Reynolds. He’s really good. In what is surely an unfair thing to say based on the sheer awesomeness of this guy’s numbers last year, I can see some opportunity for a Benintendi-like breakout for Fraley in 2016.

“If he’s not a star for this team, I’m quitting the internet draft game” – January 6, 2015. I said that about SO 3B/2B Greg Deichmann last year and I stand by it today. His first year at LSU didn’t end in stardom and as an older sophomore he’s able to leave after this year, so this could be do-or-die time for my sterling reputation as a prospect soothsayer. Of course, if Deichmann leaves LSU after this year then that almost certainly would mean he had a huge season that positioned himself to be drafted high enough to make turning pro a smart decision. If not, then I’ll at least get another year to tout him as the great prospect that I think he is. Deichmann completely won me over as a hitter in the year or so before he enrolled at LSU. Loved the swing, hands, bat speed, everything. His red flag during his prep days was his age, but that’s no longer a concern as a draft-eligible sophomore playing in the SEC. The new worry — or the old worry, if you weren’t sold on Deichmann as a hitter as I once was — is his approach. If said approach can move from “swing at anything that moves” to something slightly more refined, then he’ll take off as a hitter. That’s what I’m banking on in 2016.

I have Deichmann listed a primary 3B who can also play 2B; I’ve leaned toward him playing the latter position professionally, but a lot of smart people have finally convinced me that his long-term home is at third. JR 2B Kramer Robertson should have little difficulty staying at his position, so now the question will be whether or not he hits enough to make it worthwhile. On the surface he hasn’t done much in limited time, but despite his struggles making contact — he’s hit an empty .200 and .232 in his first two college seasons — he’s held his own in other ways (26 BB/30 K career). It’s a small thing, sure, but I like to see a guy battle like that in at bats even when things aren’t going great. From a tools standpoint, he’s still plenty intriguing: Robertson is a decent runner with pop and loads of athleticism, a steady glove, and a presence at the dish that makes his results to date all the more confusing. If the light bulb comes on — and there’s no guarantee he’ll even get the chance to keep working through things considering the depth that surrounds him on this roster — then he’s very much a draftable talent.

JR OF Cody Ducote (bat), JR 2B Cole Freeman (glove), and JR C Jordan Romero (arm) all do certain things well enough to be major players of interest to me this spring. Among the many, many underclass prospects to follow this spring are guys like SO RHP Austin Bain and SO RHP Alex Lange. I’d call them both future stars, but I think they are already there. Looking forward to seeing what rFR LHP Jake Latz and all of the true freshmen (McKay, Gilbert, Lochridge, Dawson, Duplantis, Wofford) do in their debuts.

2016 MLB Draft Prospects – Tulane

18 Jan 2016 8:00 AM / 2 Comments on 2016 MLB Draft Prospects – Tulane

SR RHP Emerson Gibbs (2016)
rJR RHP Daniel Rankin (2016)
rSR RHP Alex Massey (2016)
JR RHP Corey Merrill (2016)
SR RHP Patrick Duester (2016)
rJR RHP Eric Steel (2016)
rSO RHP JP France (2016)
SR RHP/OF Tim Yandel (2016)
rSR RHP Evan Rutter (2016)
rJR LHP Christian Colletti (2016)
rSO RHP Chris Oakley (2016)
rSO LHP Sam Bjorngjeld (2016)
rSR RHP/OF Trevor Simms (2016)
JR C Jake Rogers (2016)
JR SS Stephen Alemais (2016)
rSO OF Grant Brown (2016)
SR OF Richard Carthon (2016)
rJR C/1B Jeremy Montalbano (2016)
JR 1B/OF Lex Kaplan (2016)
JR 3B Hunter Hope (2016)
JR 1B Hunter Williams (2016)
JR OF Jarrett DeHart (2016)
rSO 2B Matt Rowland (2016)
rSR 2B/C Shea Pierce (2016)
JR 2B Jake Wilsey (2016)
SO LHP Jackson Johnson (2017)
FR LHP Ross Massey (2018)
FR OF/LHP Grant Witherspoon (2018)
FR INF Cade Edwards (2018)

Quantity and quality. Tulane has both in spades. I’m starting the SEC team profiles as soon as I finish this so maybe I’m being influenced by my dumb brain making patterns when it shouldn’t, but Tulane has both the depth and high-end talent typically found in an SEC school. Or an ACC school. Or a Pac-12 school. I mention those three conferences specifically because Tulane’s blend of first day pick quality and chance for double-digit draftee quantity inspired me to take a closer look at schools that have managed to have two or more players selected in the first round (including supplemental) AND a total of seven or more total draftees in the same year. I went back to my first year at the site (2009) to see what teams and conferences (without accounting for realignment) have done the trick. Unsurprisingly, the SEC, ACC, and Pac-12 are well represented…

2009: Boston College (2 first rounders, 4 total picks), Southern Cal (2, 6), Indiana (3, 7), Kennesaw State (2, 6), and North Carolina (2, 7)
2010: Cal State Fullerton (2, 9)
2011: Connecticut (2, 10), Vanderbilt (2, 12), and UCLA (2, 9)
2012: Texas A&M (2, 7), Florida (2, 9), and Stanford (2, 8)
2013:
2014: Virginia (3, 8) and North Carolina State (2, 7)
2015: Vanderbilt (3, 9)

This year it seems likely that a few more teams join the mix. Florida seems like a lock with Louisville right there with them and Virginia and Oklahoma just a step behind. Then you have maybes in Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, Miami, and Kentucky, plus teams with an outside chance like Oregon, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Clemson, Stanford, Louisiana State, Texas A&M, and Wake Forest (as well as any other team I’m forgetting). There’s also Tulane. Now we’re finally full circle. I’m not predicting that JR C Jake Rogers and JR SS Stephen Alemais are first day draft prospects, but the possibility certainly exists. Both Rogers and Alemais have similar general profiles as players: premium defensive talent at incredibly important spots on the diamond. Rogers is good enough defensively that his glove alone should keep getting him promoted even if he never hits. Alemais isn’t quite on that level, but he’s a legitimate shortstop with the athleticism, arm strength, and range to stick for a long time. The fact that he’s the better current hitter of the two makes up for the difference in my mind.

One of the easier comps in this year’s class is Rogers to Austin Hedges. It’s just too obvious to ignore. If you’re still on the Hedges bandwagon — I stayed off from the start — then you’re really going to like Rogers. If you value defense but also appreciate a guy who be a positive value player offensively — it doesn’t have to be an either/or! — then you might want to hold back for now. All bets are off if Rogers comes out swinging it this spring. If that’s the case (he’s got decent raw power and has held his own in terms of BB/K ratio, so don’t rule it out) then ignore everything you just read and mentally insert him into the first day of the draft. Pretty significant “if,” however. Alemais doesn’t have that “if” for me. I think he’s an honest big league hitter with continued development. There’s enough speed, pop, and approach to his offensive game that I’m comfortable calling him the best college shortstop profiled so far. That only includes most of the ACC and AAC, but it’s better than nothing. He’s a lock to finish as one of the country’s dozen best shortstops and has a strong case for remaining at the top spot come June.

Rogers and Alemais cover the quality at the top. Now let’s get to that depth. Assuming the two defensive stars have big junior season, these are the players that could push Tulane to join those schools listed about in my newly created (2, 7) club.

There are a ton of strikeouts found on the résumés of many of the returning Green Wave hitters, but also a lot of enticing tools that could have a few of these prospects in line for drastic improvements in 2016. SR OF Richard Carthon (40 K), JR 1B/OF Lex Kaplan (59 K), JR 3B Hunter Hope (73 K), and rSO OF Grant Brown (12 K in 35 AB) all have their issues, but not without also flashing pro ability at times. As the only senior listed, Carthon is obviously the only one in the do-or-die draft situation. Being a senior can work for and against you; in Carthon’s case, I think it might ultimately benefit him. His status as a potential money-saver combined with a few clear big league tools (speed, CF range) could get him a shot in the pros. Hope is steady enough defensively at third that I could see a team being intrigued by him as well. Kaplan, arguably the best hitter of the bunch, has a tougher hill to climb without that positional edge. Brown still has three years of eligibility if he wants it, so we’ll call the fascinating power/speed athlete a wild card at this point in the process. He’d be the easiest bet to identify as a breakout candidate in 2016 if you’re into that sort of thing.

Transfers from Louisville (rSO 2B Matt Rowland), Louisiana State (JR OF Jarrett DeHart), and Texas (rJR C/1B Jeremy Montalbano) add to the existing hitting surplus. All look promising in their own way. Rowland is known for a patient approach at the plate, DeHart is a great athlete who can really run, and Montalbano has as much raw power as nearly any 2016 draft peer. The only thing stopping me from hyping up Montalbano more than I will is the nagging belief that his C/1B position designation should be flipped. If he proves he can play even a slightly below-average catcher this spring, he’ll shoot up boards assuming the bat cooperates. If not, then he still has a chance as a pro prospect at first if he hits as many believe he can.

Transfers from West Virginia (rSR RHP/OF Trevor Simms), Connecticut (rJR LHP Christian Colletti), and Rice (rSR RHP Evan Rutter) add to the existing pitching surplus. The best of the incoming transfers should be rSO RHP Chris Oakley (North Carolina), big man with a bad fastball (90-94 with sink). I saw him back in his high school days when he was also flashing a pair of average or better secondaries (hard CB and split-CU), but I haven’t gotten any updates on him in a long while. As such, I’m looking forward to seeing him back on a mound this spring.

Those transfers will join experienced holdovers like rSR RHP Alex Massey (88.1 IP), SR RHP Emerson Gibbs (79.0 IP), JR RHP Corey Merrill (102.0 IP), SR RHP Patrick Duester (70.0 IP), and SR RHP Tim Yandel (56.1 IP). That’s a crazy amount of innings returning. I have all of those pitchers in my notes (save Duester since I don’t have gun readings on him) sitting 88-92 with their fastballs with Massey hitting higher (94-95). In fact, all of the pitchers that I have notes on at Tulane seem to have velocities that fall in that 88-92 range. That’s also where rJR RHP Daniel Rankin and rSO JP France are at, though both can get it up to the mid-90s like Massey. The similarities in sitting fastball velocity is kind of nice to see because it allows us to look beyond the obvious — admittedly to the slightly less obvious, but still — to differentiate the prospects.

Massey has that extra gear with his heater and an above-average slider that gives him a reasonable relief prospect floor if he can’t keep starting. Gibbs and his outstanding control, command, and sink on his fastball help him stand out among the rest. Merrill has a little more size (6-4, 230) and a good sinker. Yandel and France are old favorites who might be moving in different directions. The former, once a highly touted enough guy that Perfect Game compared him to Hunter Renfroe, hasn’t live up to his promise from both a performance perspective and from an evaluation of his stuff (lost velocity + the move away from a slider that flashed plus = not great). France, once compared to Lance McCullers by me, had a nice freshman season (9.26 K/9 and 1.80 BB/9 in 35 IP) and should enter the 2016 season ready to go. Between that old comp (rich in hindsight, but as draft prospects I stand by it) and France’s super talented right arm (90-94 FB and chance for two plus breaking balls), I’m all-in on France this year. That would leave me with a ranking of France, Massey, Gibbs, Merrill, (Oakley), Rankin, Duester, and Yandel. The fact that all have or are close to draftable grades is pretty impressive. I’d be surprised if Tulane doesn’t have at least five pitchers drafted this year.

2016 MLB Draft Prospects – South Florida

14 Jan 2016 7:00 AM / 1 Comment on 2016 MLB Draft Prospects – South Florida

JR RHP Brandon Lawson (2016)
rJR RHP Brad Labozzetta (2016)
rSO RHP Peter Strzelecki (2016)
SR RHP/OF Ryan Valdes (2016)
JR OF/RHP Daniel Portales (2016)
SR C/3B Levi Borders (2016)
rSO SS Clay Simmons (2016)
JR OF/C Luke Borders (2016)
SO OF/1B Duke Stunkel (2016)
SR OF Luke Maglich (2016)
JR 2B Andres Leal (2016)
SO RHP Joe Cavallaro (2017)
SO INF/OF Kevin Merrell (2017)
FR LHP Shane McClanahan (2018)
FR LHP Garrett Bye (2018)
FR LHP Andrew Perez (2018)
FR OF Garrett Zech (2018)
FR OF Chris Chatfield (2018)
FR C/1B Joe Genord (2018)
FR SS Robert Montes (2018)
FR OF Cam Montgomery (2018)

The freshman class at South Florida has a chance to lead to fantastic things. OFs Garrett Zech and Chris Chatfield have definite early round talent. C/1B Joe Genord has big-time raw power. SS Robert Montes could be the type of two-way infielder that helps change the fortune of a program. And LHP Shane McClanahan could be a future Friday night guy. That’s the good news. Now let’s talk about 2016…

Since I hopefully cushioned the blow some for any USF fans who might stumble upon this, I don’t feel so bad in calling rSO RHP Peter Strzelecki, set to miss the season after Tommy John surgery, the most promising pitcher in the 2016 class. He’s flashed impressive stuff when healthy, so hopefully he returns at full strength next season.

Offensively, look for one or both of the Borders brothers to draw interest from the Phillies this spring. Their father, Pat, is a manager in the organization and is thought of very highly (like, future MLB manager somewhere highly) by some important people in the front office. I prefer the bat of JR OF/C Luke Borders to that of SR C/3B Levi Borders, but the position adjustment bump Levi gets as a true catcher makes it a really tight race. Both look like really solid org guys to me more than serious professional prospects, but each guy has flashed enough as a hitter to warrant a closer look.

rSO SS Clay Simmons could make a move this spring as he returns to 100% health. He’s a good athlete with a strong arm and some pop. SR OF Luke Maglich joins the Border brothers as the trio make up one of the most prolific group of swing and missers in the college game. A strikeout is mostly just an out that feels worse than it deserves (though it has some predictive power in non-MLBers), so it’s not a judgment but look at these totals: 66 for Levi, 51 for Luke, and 66 for Maglich. Impressive. Curiously (or not), the only notes I have on Maglich make mention of his low-80s fastball.

2016 MLB Draft Prospects – Memphis

13 Jan 2016 7:00 AM / 1 Comment on 2016 MLB Draft Prospects – Memphis

rSO RHP Trevor Sutton (2016)
JR RHP Nolan Blackwood (2016)
JR RHP Blake Drabik (2016)
SR RHP Matt Ferguson (2016)
SR OF/1B Jake Little (2016)
rSR SS Jake Overbey (2016)
SR C Corey Chafin (2016)
JR OF Darien Tubbs (2016)
JR 3B Zach Schritenthal (2016)
JR OF Chris Carrier (2016)
SO RHP Colton Hathcock (2017)
SO RHP Connor Alexander (2017)

JR RHP Nolan Blackwood intrigues the heck out of me as a big (6-6) lanky (175 pounds) submariner with a legit fastball (88-91) and sustained success keeping runs off the board. His peripherals aren’t anything to write home about (4.11 K/9 last year), but the shiny ERA (0.52) is fun. A few more whiffs and continued success doing whatever he’s doing to get guys out (I’d love to see the batted ball data on him as I suspect he’s getting his fair share of ground ball outs and weak contact) would help him move way up the rankings.

The Jake brothers return in 2016 after disappointing junior seasons. SR OF/1B Jake Little had previously been able to overcome his swing-happy approach, but the bottom fell out for him last year. He’ll need to rebound in a big way to get win back the hearts and minds of the area guys who have stuck with him through his ups and downs. Then there’s rSR SS Jake Overbey, a very interesting case that earned this blurb last year…

Jake Overbey is the most talented player on the roster, so it should go without saying there are many in and around the Memphis program eagerly anticipating his debut for the Tigers. Overbey, the Ole Miss transfer, is an incredibly athletic baseball player with the defensive tools to play up the middle professionally. He’s had a long layoff between steady at bats so there’s really no telling how he’ll perform at the plate, but the upside is fascinating.

Turns out a few years away from facing high-level competition will bring some serious growing pains as Overbey struggled to hit his weight last season. I’ll be curious about him until the day he decides to move on to something different with his life, so count me in as one of his last remaining fans (non-friends and family division, of course). He’s still a great athlete and he can still defend. That’s a start.

Jake Tubbs…wait, no that’s not right. JR OF Darien Tubbs leaps past the field as Memphis’s best position player prospect. He’s got the type of build (5-9, 190) that inspires the “sneaky pop” disclaimer in my notes, but his days of catching opposing pitchers by surprise might be over after his breakout sophomore campaign. Tubbs can run, defend in center, work deep counts, and knock a ball or ten to the gaps when you’re not careful. Tubbs isn’t quite a FAVORITE yet, but he’s as close as you can get without tempting me into holding down the shift key. A friend who knows how much I went on about Saige Jenco over the past year reached out to me to let me know that he believed Tubbs was a better version of the same guy. Fun player.

Beyond the 2016 players, I have to give a quick mention to a pair of really promising arms worth knowing for 2017. I really, really like SO RHP Connor Alexander. He’s got a chance to be a pretty special college pitcher by the time he’s through, not to mention a damn fine MLB Draft prospect. Pairing him with fellow sophomore RHP Colton Hathcock gives Memphis the kind of 1-2 pitching punch a team needs to make some noise in conference play.

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