2013 Draft prospects discussion

[colbyjack]

Solid writeup Austin. I do need to point out that Kris Bryant is already being talked about as a future RF. You're right, he is a good overall athlete, but he doesn't fit at third base long term (or possibly short-term). Tremendous power potential.

 

Narwal, Sheffield may be committed to Vandy, but if the Brewers were to take him in the 1st round I'm guessing he would sign, and probably do so quickly given the money involved. He's a baseball rat, a good kid and really dedicated to the game.

 

You're right on with Eades and his arm action, and also correct on Crawford likely being taken before the Brewers pick. If Crawford is available, he likely had a down year (or is advised by Boras).

 

nate82, the only reason more scouts don't take Puk more seriously as a hitter/positional prospect is because he is so slow. He's not an OF, and that along with his left-handedness would make him an awkward fit at 3B. In other words, he's a 1B and a 1B only, and even at that he's a very slow 1B. You're right though, his power potential is very, very impressive, and he's a better overall hitter than Adam Dunn is. When scouts see his size and current low-90s velocity its easy to dream on him throwing in the mid-90s more consistently in the not so distant future. Another good kid.

 

Hollon is scheduled to be at our (Perfect Game's) Indoor Showcase in early February to serve as his welcome back party. He has been shut down since last August when he tweaked his arm at the East Coast Pro Showcase. I've seen him up to 97 mph, with an absolutely electric/loose arm and a really good breaking ball as well.

 

A co-worker of mine has dropped a comp of Matt Cain on Dustin Driver, and Ryan Boldt is a very exciting/athletic 5-tool talent. Opposite of Puk, a growing number of scouts, including those I work with, were growing more and more fond of Trey Ball as an outfielder given his speed and the leverage in his swing. Like you, I prefer him as a pitcher.

 

After loading up on bats early last year my best is they turn their attention back to arms next June. Some of my favorite hitters that should/could be around the No. 17 pick include 1B/OF Dominic Smith, 3B/1B D.J. Peterson (who wasn't profiled by Austin above, although like Bryant doesn't project to stick at 3B) and C Reese McGuire.

[TooLiveBrew]

nate82, the only reason more scouts don't take Puk more seriously as a hitter/positional prospect is because he is so slow. He's not an OF, and that along with his left-handedness would make him an awkward fit at 3B. In other words, he's a 1B and a 1B only, and even at that he's a very slow 1B. You're right though, his power potential is very, very impressive, and he's a better overall hitter than Adam Dunn is.

That sounds a bit similar to a certain former Brewers draft pick...

[nate82]

 

nate82, the only reason more scouts don't take Puk more seriously as a hitter/positional prospect is because he is so slow. He's not an OF, and that along with his left-handedness would make him an awkward fit at 3B. In other words, he's a 1B and a 1B only, and even at that he's a very slow 1B. You're right though, his power potential is very, very impressive, and he's a better overall hitter than Adam Dunn is. When scouts see his size and current low-90s velocity its easy to dream on him throwing in the mid-90s more consistently in the not so distant future. Another good kid.

 

Hollon is scheduled to be at our (Perfect Game's) Indoor Showcase in early February to serve as his welcome back party. He has been shut down since last August when he tweaked his arm at the East Coast Pro Showcase. I've seen him up to 97 mph, with an absolutely electric/loose arm and a really good breaking ball as well.

 

A co-worker of mine has dropped a comp of Matt Cain on Dustin Driver, and Ryan Boldt is a very exciting/athletic 5-tool talent. Opposite of Puk, a growing number of scouts, including those I work with, were growing more and more fond of Trey Ball as an outfielder given his speed and the leverage in his swing. Like you, I prefer him as a pitcher.

 

After loading up on bats early last year my best is they turn their attention back to arms next June. Some of my favorite hitters that should/could be around the No. 17 pick include 1B/OF Dominic Smith, 3B/1B D.J. Peterson (who wasn't profiled by Austin above, although like Bryant doesn't project to stick at 3B) and C Reese McGuire.

 

lol I guess I should pay more attention to what hand he throws with bah. Thought he was right handed and batted left.

 

I am starting to fall in love with Ball and Driver personally. Though as the draft comes closer and closer I am expecting them to be taken well before the Brewers pick. Driver to me would be an awesome pick at 17 but I am not sure I agree with the Matt Cain comp. I am still concerned with Hollon and the injury he suffered it maybe something more than just a tweak. But he is an impressive young pitcher.

[colbyjack]

Fielder wasn't terribly slow, he never was, especially given the way he hustled his tail off. Prior to his senior year in high school, he ran a 7.17 60-yard dash at the PG National back in June of 2001:

 

http://www.perfectgame.org/Players/Playerprofile.aspx?ID=117246

 

In May of this past year, at the same point of their respective careers, Puk ran a 7.83:

 

http://www.perfectgame.org/Players/Playerprofile.aspx?ID=268466

 

That's a pretty big gap, and the difference between having first baseman speed and being just plain slow. Think of it this way, the difference between the two is the same difference as Fielder having elite (6.5) speed.

[nate82]

Would Frank Thomas be a reach of a comparisson for Puk as his ceiling? After watching some more videos and raeding more about him I am getting rather excited about him. Defensively he would be a liability but I think he could play at the level of what Prince did at 1st and still be valuable. I doubt he makes it out of the top 10. The Brewers are really missing an impact prospect and Puk to me is a rather big impact prospect.

[brewcrewdue80]

Here's a mock draft link I found:

 

http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/mlb-mock-draft-central-2013/

 

Has several mock drafts to look over and gives an idea of the 10-20players who Brewers may select with their pick. You can overlook these players and look in to them more and find the ones you want Milwaukee to select.

 

I've seen McGuire, Mercado,Boldt,Jon Crawford on the recent mocks.

[brewcrewdue80]

So, looking the past 5over.

Rivera at #1 in 2nd mock and not in top 25 in any of other 4. Guessing to be #1 means he'll be gone as well as:

Meadows,Manaea,Frazier,Appel,Stanek,Bryant,Stewart,Wilson,Mercado,Ball,and Moran.

 

That's 12.

So names consistently around that could fall or be picked by Milw:

Gonsalves, Reese McGuire, Jon Crawford, Wahl, Boldt, Denney, J.P.Crawford to name a few. It seems like the top 15 in general within top 20 picks are regulars then it gets a bit random.

So with 17 I'm already thinking the Brewers would take one of those general top 15 who fall to them. Meaning like a Moran/McGuire/Wahl. Crawford and Gonsalves and Mercado for that matter are right on that 14-18picks.

Reading up on Boldt on one of the Mocks not the one Brewers are slotted picking him, reads of CF with top of the order bat and a beast on basepaths. Didn't mention how he defends CF.

I like what I read on Gonsalves being a 6'5" Lefty. Sounds like a solid pick.

McGuire at Catcher doesn't seem to fit the Brewers imo with current makeup.

[nate82]

So names consistently around that could fall or be picked by Milw:

Gonsalves, Reese McGuire, Jon Crawford, Wahl, Boldt, Denney, J.P.Crawford to name a few. It seems like the top 15 in general within top 20 picks are regulars then it gets a bit random.

So with 17 I'm already thinking the Brewers would take one of those general top 15 who fall to them. Meaning like a Moran/McGuire/Wahl. Crawford and Gonsalves and Mercado for that matter are right on that 14-18picks.

Reading up on Boldt on one of the Mocks not the one Brewers are slotted picking him, reads of CF with top of the order bat and a beast on basepaths. Didn't mention how he defends CF.

I like what I read on Gonsalves being a 6'5" Lefty. Sounds like a solid pick.

McGuire at Catcher doesn't seem to fit the Brewers imo with current makeup.

 

I don't like Gonsalves at all. I am not all that confident in him being all that great.

 

Also it is way to early to predict where guys will be drafted. Just look at last years draft in Roach as he was a safe bet top 10-15 pick but we all saw how that turned out.

[brewcrewdue80]

So names consistently around that could fall or be picked by Milw:

Gonsalves, Reese McGuire, Jon Crawford, Wahl, Boldt, Denney, J.P.Crawford to name a few. It seems like the top 15 in general within top 20 picks are regulars then it gets a bit random.

So with 17 I'm already thinking the Brewers would take one of those general top 15 who fall to them. Meaning like a Moran/McGuire/Wahl. Crawford and Gonsalves and Mercado for that matter are right on that 14-18picks.

Reading up on Boldt on one of the Mocks not the one Brewers are slotted picking him, reads of CF with top of the order bat and a beast on basepaths. Didn't mention how he defends CF.

I like what I read on Gonsalves being a 6'5" Lefty. Sounds like a solid pick.

McGuire at Catcher doesn't seem to fit the Brewers imo with current makeup.

 

I don't like Gonsalves at all. I am not all that confident in him being all that great.

 

Also it is way to early to predict where guys will be drafted. Just look at last years draft in Roach as he was a safe bet top 10-15 pick but we all saw how that turned out.

 

 

http://mlbdraftcountdown.wordpress.com/2012/06/08/2013-scouting-report-stephen-gonsalves-lhp-cathedral-catholic-hs-ca/

 

What's wrong with him with a scouting report like this? Big Frame, Projects in mid-90s FB and an improving Curve ball. Changeup to come. Also, reads has having some pop in his bat, playing CF when not pitching. Reads as athletic to me, so I'm going to assume a higher ceiling with progression.

The way the club sits right now I would think either a pitcher from HS or a College bat would be the likely selection.

 

Roache broke his wrist, and thus broke down the initial feeling on if his power remains when healed. Haven't gotten any chance to see how that inury heals and affects him. It's not like cases of Roaches of top 10-15 in predraft rankings suffer injuries to fall down in the order too often. I'm going to assume it doesn't happen until it does. So, yes way early to predict where guys fall but when the top 10-15 show up consistently in mock's over the past 6months, it's likely that doesn't change all too much. There's a reason I only dug down 25spots in assessing what are likely candidates. After 15 or so, the players start interchanging in every mock. Gonsalves wasn't one of them though remaining in the 13-22 draft projections. I'll assume he's real candidate of selection by Milw with his continual draft slot around Milw's.

[nate82]

 

What's wrong with him with a scouting report like this? Big Frame, Projects in mid-90s FB and an improving Curve ball. Changeup to come. Also, reads has having some pop in his bat, playing CF when not pitching. Reads as athletic to me, so I'm going to assume a higher ceiling with progression.

The way the club sits right now I would think either a pitcher from HS or a College bat would be the likely selection.

 

Roache broke his wrist, and thus broke down the initial feeling on if his power remains when healed. Haven't gotten any chance to see how that inury heals and affects him. It's not like cases of Roaches of top 10-15 in predraft rankings suffer injuries to fall down in the order too often. I'm going to assume it doesn't happen until it does. So, yes way early to predict where guys fall but when the top 10-15 show up consistently in mock's over the past 6months, it's likely that doesn't change all too much. There's a reason I only dug down 25spots in assessing what are likely candidates. After 15 or so, the players start interchanging in every mock. Gonsalves wasn't one of them though remaining in the 13-22 draft projections. I'll assume he's real candidate of selection by Milw with his continual draft slot around Milw's.

 

I don't see mid-90's FB out of Gonsalves and his delivery don't get me started on that. There is no way any MLB team is going to allow him to keep that delivery so he is going to have to change it which may hurt him as he develops as he is going to have to relearn everything. I just don't see Gonsalves being a good pick for the Brewers. The Brewers still need an impact bat in the system which the Brewers are lacking heck an impact talent would be nice right about now. I don't see Gonsalves as being that impact talent.

 

From: http://www.bbprospectreport.com/2012/12/03/stephen-gonsalves-video

Fastball 89-91 in this look, maybe a tick more upside, maybe not. Curveball at 72, flashes rotation and control. Won’t be a power arm, this guy will be about strikes and efficiency. Would have been just fine in the 1940s thru the 1970s. Nowadays, well, he better hope somebody with institutional knowledge drafts him, or this runs the risk of not ending well. Hey, you people read me for the stuff you’re thinking but can’t say, right?

[brewcrewdue80]

Every Mock I've read on Gonsalves so far lists him at low 90s FB and with a frame when builds out should be mid 90s. He's 18. Actually, 6months ago he was being mocked in the top 10, and as the Best Lefty in the draft. Your link is the only one I've seen a down side write up for him.

 

Like my original post on Gonsalves, I like the build, the current FB with expected rise in velocity as he matures. Seems to already have control of a Curveball. Give him 4-5years to develop be 23-24 when he reaches around the time all the current Pitchers in our farm are approaching their late Arby-Free Agency. Also, figure pairs well with Lopez in hopes one of those 2 reach their ceilings. Both and it's a big plus for 2017 and beyond! Drafting a College pitcher now just seems like logjam with the current system figuring a 2-4year advance to bigs.

 

This brings the idea of finding a College bat. One I'm good with. But, I'm only looking at the bat when one of the better hitting prospects falls to us unexpectedly. The team did draft 3 hitters last draft as well with their 1st rd picks. The batter they would draft had better be the type who goes through the system under 3years.

I think this is the season/draft to reach for a HS SP with a high ceiling. All about pairing ahead with the draft of Lopez. Add another high ceiling HS Pitcher again next season then draft the College Pitchers again and just have a bunch of arms that could all mesh around 2017-2020.

[colbyjack]

Would Frank Thomas be a reach of a comparisson for Puk as his ceiling? After watching some more videos and raeding more about him I am getting rather excited about him. Defensively he would be a liability but I think he could play at the level of what Prince did at 1st and still be valuable. I doubt he makes it out of the top 10. The Brewers are really missing an impact prospect and Puk to me is a rather big impact prospect.

 

Frank Thomas is just too different of a player. Thomas played tight end at Auburn (I'm pretty sure he went there on a football scholarship before switching to baseball full-time), a sign of his overall athleticism. I think John Olerud is a better comp for Puk, who has the same refined hitting mechanics, albeit with much better natural raw power.

 

I give you credit for campaigning for Puk as a hitter, because I do believe far too many people pass on him in conversation as a hitter due to his speed. I don't necessarily think he would be a liability defensively, as he plays 1B well and has soft hands, good instincts and obviously a very good wingspan. It's just that he can't play anywhere else, and he's not going to do his team any favors on the basepaths (and I'm not talking about stealing bases). Given his ability on the mound it would be interesting to draft him as a hitter, and if all else fails, move him to the mound to see what he can do.

 

My gut feeling says he goes to Florida where he'll get the chance to perform both ways and give scouts 3 more years to determine where he fits best.

[colbyjack]

I'm not going to comment on Gonsalves or any of the other players mentioned in relationship to the mock drafts, but keep an eye on prep LHP Garrett Williams. I work with and know several others that believe he's the 2nd best prep LHP in this class after Rob Kaminsky. Watch for him to have a big spring, and equally big jump up draft boards (and mock drafts).

[brewcrewdue80]

How about a poll in this discussion? Who do you think the Brewers should draft with their #1 pick? Batter or Pitcher? For me, I'm picking a Pitcher as the majority of top prospected pitchers in the organization are all in the very near graduate stages to the club. Add to it none of them are graded on the upside of a #1 pitcher and only a couple grade with upside to #2 pitcher. When looking long term in batters SS,LF,C are set for at least 5years. and between Schafer OF,Gennet 2b, Morris 1b, Haniger OF, Taylor OF, Coulter C, Roache, mixed in with the Davises, the club has batters to rotate with for the near future. Between Taylor,Coulter, and Roache the club may have top level prospects when it pans out. So, I think drafting an upside SP with this year's pick is on the team's need.

[narwhalattack]

I also think they should draft pitcher. But my preference is a HS pitcher. There are many solid pitching prospects in the upper-minors but there aren't many in the lower minors.

[brewcrewdue80]

I also think they should draft pitcher. But my preference is a HS pitcher. There are many solid pitching prospects in the upper-minors but there aren't many in the lower minors.

 

That's what Gonsalves would be. It doesn't have to be Gonsalves, it could be Kaminsky or any HS SP prospect with any ties of an upside to be a #1 or 2 on a ML staff. The Brewers need to find another Gallardo. They tried in 2010 and 11 but it's looking like those picks will not achieve their draft upside. Time to try again.

[nate82]

That's what Gonsalves would be. It doesn't have to be Gonsalves, it could be Kaminsky or any HS SP prospect with any ties of an upside to be a #1 or 2 on a ML staff. The Brewers need to find another Gallardo. They tried in 2010 and 11 but it's looking like those picks will not achieve their draft upside. Time to try again.

 

No it is not time to try again. You do not draft based on need you draft on BPA (best player available). BPA is the smart way to go in drafting and it doesn't really matter if it is a pitcher or positional player because you are going to need them at some point in time. If your farm system is pitcher heavy it doesn't mean you have to take a positional player because you are pitching heavy if the player that you are picking at that time is not the BPA.

 

It should always be BPA and forget what position or positions you have depth at.

[TheCrew07]

BPA.

 

If a Mike Trout is on the board you don't pass him up to arbitrarily take a pitcher, and everyone should know how much I value young starting pitching.

 

We need some impact players and in a bad way. We took 2 mid rotation guys in Bradley and Jungmann 2 years ago with 2 top 15 picks and then took a high upside HS pitcher in the 2nd when they took Lopez. Jungmann isn't all that inspiring, he's been solid yet unspectacular, Bradley was terrible, and Lopez ended up all the way down in the DSL. Right now it's not looking we landed any impact players at the top of the 2011 draft, especially if both Jungmann and Bradley continue working where they did velocity wise last season. Lopez (I did like the pick BTW) has a projectable frame so could pick-up more velocity, but I'm having a really hard time getting past his demotion to the bottom rung of the organization.

 

Of last year's first rounders Coulter is a project as a C but appears to have some nice upside with the bat, Roache is an unknown, Haniger did alright before getting hurt, but 2nd rounder Tyrone Taylor absolutely exploded onto the scene before he got hurt as well. I'm not sure I'd throw any of those guys into the "impact" category yet but if Taylor starts in WI he'll be well on his way. Now that I'm thinking about it that WI OF could be pretty intriguing with Roache, Haniger, and Taylor... assuming health and starting in A. I don't think Haniger is an impact player regardless, but Roache could be if he'll hit enough. I would think Coulter would spend another season in short season ball if they are serious about his development as a C, if not then maybe he starts moving quicker. If he's not a C I sure hope he can play 3B... some potential impact corner IF types would be nice.

 

I would definitely agree with the premise that you can never have enough pitching but if the player isn't there we can't make chicken salad out of chicken bleep. The organization still hasn't done all that well identifying and drafting quality arms with upside, and I'd much rather have an impact bat than another Jungmann type college starter. A rotation of Gallardo and 4 #3 type pitchers isn't going win a championship. We could do it with 3 #2s, but I just don't think it's realistic to do it with less. I can appreciate high floor players but we already have an organization filled with those guys... that's most of our prospect list.

 

We need some difference makers.

[brewcrewdue80]

But Nate in BPA with Baseball choosing between High Schoolers vs. College-Refined players, the College players would be better players over many HS at that point in time. But in regards to a HS aged eventually exceeding the better 2013 College player at the same age 4years later....I don't know how to say it. I guess it all depends where you place BPA. Is it in upside potential? Or of current results graded on ML ability at that moment? And between BPA, if we go on a 1-100 grade scale if you're choosing from a tier of 5players who are of the same 95grade for instance which one is the BPA? That's where I'm going for HS Pitcher in that scenario.

I'm not trying to say draft a 92grade HS SP if 94/95 grade players who are batters or college players are still remaining, only, among a tier of like grade players, I want to see the HS Pitcher drafted.

 

I feel there needs to be ties on how you draft to fit 3-5year windows. Timing High upside HS players with Solid College players to come up on the club expectancy around those 3-5years. Otherwise you will be having 1 or 2 players graduate from AAA to the Club around the same time 1 or 2 players leave the club due to FA. Taking a leap on Big Potential HS players for 2years followed by 2-4years of College players so you create a ballclub of 24-27year olds who come up together and win together. Obviously if a HS player in a given year exceeds the college player you can pick when you would be expecting a college pick player, Trout/Harper types changes that.

I guess what I'm suggesting is mixing in 4-5year to ML ready picks with 2-4year ML ready picks. It would still be following you BPA only on a scale of what year you are drafting for that player to reach the team.

I'm suggesting drafting a HS pitcher whose upside may be of the 220ip/200k sub 3.4era potential, over a guy who within a couple years may achieve 200IP/170k around 3.4-4.1Era level who's 4years older. Sure by 2015 that College pitcher could be on the team doing as expected, But, Watching a team with that HS pitcher who had the higher upside pitch against you "Lights Out" in 2017-2023 will leave a bad taste in your mouth for passing on him for BPA today.

The same can be applied to hitters, and I won't argue if the team drafts one. I was just voicing my opinion considering the team is obviously overpriced on signing ACE pitchers, and the cost to attain one for only brief period leaves the farm in dire need. So, to solve I see a draft pick on a #1 pitcher potential.. If he exists on the Brewers Draft Board when their pick comes. If the team doesn't see a #1 Ace potential pick when their pick comes then I'm going with the BPA on a hitter. Of MiLB's prospect watch top 50. 14 are pitchers drafted who didn't attend college. 5 are that went to college. And of Batters I count 24 out of 31 who didn't go to college. Now, I wonder what it looks like #s 51-100? 22HS aged Pitchers 12HS aged batters 7College Pitchers and 9College batters. That's 72HS aged draftee/signed players in the current top 100 to only 28 in the top 100 who went to college and then were drafted.

[TheCrew07]

I feel there needs to be ties on how you draft to fit 3-5year windows. Timing High upside HS players with Solid College players to come up on the club expectancy around those 3-5years. Otherwise you will be having 1 or 2 players graduate from AAA to the Club around the same time 1 or 2 players leave the club due to FA. Taking a leap on Big Potential HS players for 2years followed by 2-4years of College players so you create a ballclub of 24-27year olds who come up together and win together. Obviously if a HS player in a given year exceeds the college player you can pick when you would be expecting a college pick player, Trout/Harper types changes that.

 

I guess what I'm suggesting is mixing in 4-5year to ML ready picks with 2-4year ML ready picks.

 

When does it ever work out that nicely? Jungmann and Bradley were supposed to be MLB ready college pitchers and neither made it out of A ball last year. It's nearly impossible to predict any kind of career arc until a player completes a season of full season ball in the minors and even then it's extremely difficult to do.

 

It's just not realistic to expect to be able to make the kind of determinations you suggest on draft day.

 

I'd rather never draft a guy because he's MLB ready unless we're drafting in the top 5 picks in the draft. All things being equal take the better athlete, but since all things are never equal look for athleticism with work ethic.

 

Also, I'd like to quit graduating prospects that are 27 years old as rookies to MLB, by the time they reach arbitration they are already statistically declining. The idea should be to get prospects up in the 22-24 year old range and hang onto them until their early 30s then let them walk. Players that come up later than that have had major injury issues, were maybe blocked for a couple of years, or aren't front line players...

[brewcrewdue80]

You're right it isn't likely to work out that nicely. I guess in the BPA talk, how easy is it to really decide that 1 player is the BPA over the next 10BPAs after him? What I'm at is you're likely going to have 3-6players you are looking at with your draft pick. The top 2 are equal and the next 4 are equal. or it can be 3 and 3. When I'd end up picking between the the top 2 or 3 I would lean on my decision where I see the team in 4-5years across the board. The club has a bunch of pitchers to pitch for them in the next 4years, albeit not at a top 2 level but at least in the 3/4range. So if my top 2/3 on my draft board contains a College Pitcher followed by a HS Pitcher I'm going to feel comfortable to pick the HS pitcher. Now, moving on 2drafts later, my 4-5year team has a hole for SP in 2-3years and the scenario comes up HS pitcher 1st College Pitcher 2nd I'm pulling my pick in to the college player.

For the most part in 1st rd picks I'm feeling the College player joining the club in 2-4years. And the HS pick joining the club in 3-6years. As you said, in that terms a HS player joins the team age 21-24 while the College player joins age 23-26.

Being the small market, if you are going to sign extensions I'd rather they be by age 26 through to their 30-32 age years. The college player joining the team at age 25/26 would fall in that extension happening around age 28/29 with that extension for years 30-35. Contracts being what they are are typically going to be higher priced the final years I'd much rather be paying top dollar on ages 30-32 over 33-35.

In truth, being a small market, the Brewers ought to seek to draft the HS over College players unless its just such a sure thing like Braun. But, again, I see with being a small market, trying to sign away a HSer from Going to College could turn on you like Covey. And I think part of that is why a majority of picks have been College guys recently in 1st rd 8 of 10 since 2009. This all goes with the high floor, lower ceiling, and having guys make the team at age 27. I think all these coincide with the CC and Grienke deals and the team went to making safer picks with the high floor. But it's time to find those big upside HSers!

[narwhalattack]

Some other prep arms that are intriguing:

 

Jake Brentz- According to Kendall Rogers, Brentz was sitting 92-94. Lefties that have that kind of velocity don't grow on trees.

 

Carlos Salazar- A tweet from Todd Gold, "2013 RHP Carlos Salazar (Kerman, CA) goes 4 up/4 down showcase IP. Worked 94-95, touched 96, cutter @ 90-92. Changeup 84-87, CB up to 79." Now that's a terrific arm.

[colbyjack]

Brentz was at one of our (Perfect Game) events yesterday. He was up to 94, sat easily 90-92. He is a very good athlete and repeats his delivery very well. Very smooth, ball explodes, and it's a 2-seamer at 94, so there's a little late dip to it. He has only pitched something like 14 innings competitively, so his arm is about as fresh as they come. His secondary stuff expectedly needs a lot of work.

 

I tweeted (@PGPatrickEbert) this last night, but here's some video of him pitching yesterday. Sorry about the quality, and while you can't seem much of Brentz, you do get a good luck at his fastball:

 

http://baseballwebtv.com/Video.aspx?videoID=78429#ooid=l1MG44OTrNHJonDKnr8rVrENS8FtX2EZ

 

Clinton Hollon and Devin Williams were also up to 94 yesterday, while Andrew Dunlap peaked at 96. Dunlap is 100% future closer, while Williams had the most impressive pure pitching performance with very impressive movement on his fastball.

[TheCrew07]

...while Andrew Dunlap peaked at 96. Dunlap is 100% future closer...

 

I'm just curious as to how a HS senior gets pegged with my least favorite "closer" label? With that kind of arm isn't there hope he could develop secondary stuff? Is his control or delivery just that bad? Why the closer label for a kid so young?

[nate82]

But Nate in BPA with Baseball choosing between High Schoolers vs. College-Refined players, the College players would be better players over many HS at that point in time. But in regards to a HS aged eventually exceeding the better 2013 College player at the same age 4years later....I don't know how to say it. I guess it all depends where you place BPA. Is it in upside potential? Or of current results graded on ML ability at that moment? And between BPA, if we go on a 1-100 grade scale if you're choosing from a tier of 5players who are of the same 95grade for instance which one is the BPA? That's where I'm going for HS Pitcher in that scenario.

I'm not trying to say draft a 92grade HS SP if 94/95 grade players who are batters or college players are still remaining, only, among a tier of like grade players, I want to see the HS Pitcher drafted.

 

 

You are missing the point on BPA. Best player available doesn't mean the most advanced player. Most college players are going to be a little more advanced than HS players but that doesn't mean the college players are going to be better or the BPA. Actually if you look in past drafts I would say that HS pitchers mainly and college pitchers are about on equal footing in terms of how advanced they are.

 

For example most college pitchers are still getting by on one or two pitches and still need to refine that third pitch. The same can be said about HS pitchers as they are mostly getting by on one or two pitches. Actually I think you can make an argument that HS pitchers will be more advanced after year 2 or 3 in a teams minor league system than a college pitcher is at that same time in college. College pitching coaches are not all that great in developing pitchers as they are only there for a few years and a majority of the coaches really don't have anything to benefit from grooming a pitcher so they are ready for MLB. Since MLB isn't a real big recruiting tool for college baseball teams as it is for football and basketball there is no real incentive for teams to really make a player ready for MLB.