Kyle Long is FLYING up boards...

[Madtown Bomber]

I just heard a report about Kyle Long (NFL HOF'er Howie's son) on Fox Sports Radio's segment with Johnathan Mayo from MiLB.com. He stated that the one player who is on the move is Belfield High School Senior Kyle Long. There is always one kid who flys up the board come May and it sounds like Long could be it. He is 6 foot 8 monster at 290 pounds. Mayo was saying that he has light pole power and 90+ arm. Says he could go from 13 to second round.

 

Wow is all I can say. Add me to a person that could be interested in him come sandwich round.

[bball123h2]

Wow. Good time to be a son of Howie, I guess.

[Tedaldtada]

Yea, I heard he could be a pitcher or a hitter. Hitters that big usually do not have the easiest of times in the majors. If he has the arm, I think he should pitch.

[colbyjack]

I had Long in the 20s in my initial rankings from last October or November, but even then there were quite a few indications that Long may be inclined to head to FSU. PGCC I believe initially had him among their top 10 prep players.

 

I remember talking about him in a previous thread as well, in which I believe DHonks mentioned he had the chance to see Kyle in person and noted not only how big he is, but how trim he is for being as big as he is. The guy reached 96 with his FB, or at least that is where he was at last summer, although his overall pitching finesse was somewhat raw given his 2-sport career. He also is a very exciting power hitting first baseman, so it may be tough for teams to decide how to groom him. I personally love his upside as a pitcher.

 

So while I'm happy to hear his name is on the rise again, it's not really that big of a surprise. How often to 6'8", 285 pound left-handed pitchers come along? He would truly be unique, and like the Long family, has the added benefit of strong character traits as well.

[Madtown Bomber]

Colby I don't know if you have the answer to this but I will ask you and everyone else. Has anyone been drafted say in the past 20 or so years that pitched and played the field early on after signing? I know Micah Owings has played first in spring training but I am wondering if anybody was drafted not knowing until a season in.

[colbyjack]

I know the Indians toyed a little bit with having Chuck Lofgren hit and pitch (I think the Pirates did as well with John Van Benschoten), but they have stuck with him as a pitcher. I'm sure there is an instance of someone else doing so, but I can't think of anyone. When they get to the pro level, teams really want their players to focus on their discipline.

 

And whoever takes Long should do the same. While he's a very exciting and almost unreal prospect, he needs to focus on one aspect of his game since he's not as polished as he could be in either area.

[Madtown Bomber]

Thanks for the quick response. So your opinion is that he projects better as a pitcher? 96 and big framed. How is his secondary stuff? Or is he to raw to really judge him on that yet.

[fewgoodcards]

Colby I don't know if you have the answer to this but I will ask you and everyone else. Has anyone been drafted say in the past 20 or so years that pitched and played the field early on after signing? I know Micah Owings has played first in spring training but I am wondering if anybody was drafted not knowing until a season in.

the cardinals didn't know with rick ankiel until about 8 years in http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

[Blazer25]

How is his secondary stuff?

Not great. He probably projects as a closer at some point but how many HS kids do you know that get drafted as a closer? I'm guessing he will be drafted as he is a freak athlete and has shown those 94+ numbers. His swing has quite a few holes but he probably has "7" raw power on the pro scale.

 

I just don't know that he wouldn't be better served taking his game to FSU for 3 years and improving.

[DHonks]

Colby,

 

I always wanted teams to choose hitting or pitching for the kid, but allow the kid to dabble in the other. That way, if the player has legit power like Van Benschoten, I'd like them to pitch but DH in the low minors. The reason is because a team has such a huge sum of money invested in players, that I'd like to do anything that can help improve their return on the investment. So if they want the kid to hit, let him go to the pen once a week, or throw bullpen sessions twice a week. Once they lose the pitching arm strength, it's rare to get it back. Kieschnick never threw 95 again like he did in college. Or if they pitch for you, let them DH 3-4 times per week to work on the swing.

[TooLiveBrew]

I just don't know that he wouldn't be better served taking his game to FSU for 3 years and improving.

 

The latest I'd heard is that this is what Long has said he intends to do (go to FSU, not necessarily for 3 yrs.). Hard to know either way, as money probably wouldn't play as big a role as it does in most cases.

[Gopher74]

The latest I'd heard is that this is what Long has said he intends to do (go to FSU, not necessarily for 3 yrs.). Hard to know either way, as money probably wouldn't play as big a role as it does in most cases.

What other choice does he have? If he goes to FSU, he's going for 3.

 

[Madtown Bomber]

3 years unless he turns 21 before the draft. I think that is the rule. I don't know if that is the case but that could be one case for that.

[colbyjack]

I think TLB was just pointing out that he didn't know how long Long would be at FSU, just that he was leaning towards going there. As Madtown brought up, there are instances that Long could be draft eligible as a sophomore, but that isn't the case here, as his birthdate is 12/5/1988, meaning he doesn't turn 21 until his junior year in college.

[Gopher74]

I think TLB was just pointing out that he didn't know how long Long would be at FSU, just that he was leaning towards going there.

Right...I'm just saying what else would he do? If he goes there, he has to go for 3 years. In his post he says, "not necessarily for 3 years".

 

 

 

[And That]

He could go there for 4 years. Or 5 years. Or he could transfer.

[DrWood]

or he could enter the NFL draft.

[Madtown Bomber]

haha, you know what Dr. Wood that is a very good statement. I am thinking Bobby Bowden has already talked to him about doing both.