Tennessee and South Carolina

[JJHardy7]

I'm just watching the Tennessee and South Carolina game and I was wondering if any of these guys are projected to be in the minors next year? The pitcher for South Carolina has struck out quite a few guys, but doesn't throw that hard.

[Mass Haas]

I'll close this thread but copy it to the draft forum, where you're more likely to get an answer, thanks.

[colbyjack]

Tennessee has two players that are potential top 10 picks for the '07 draft, and both were on display during Saturday's game. Catcher JP Arencibia will help make up for this year's incredibly lacklutster catching crop. He led Team USA last summer, the summer after his freshman season, and is polished defensively as well. He hit 9th HR in that game.

 

Adkins is a big lefty, and while he could shore up his command he changes speeds pretty well and his big, sweeping curve induces a lot of awkward swings. While he struck out 7 in 6.2 innings of work, he also gave up 5 ER.

 

SC has two talented freshmen that could have been near-first-rounders a year ago: 1B Justin Smoak and SS Reese Havens. Watch both of them for the '08 draft, as both are a huge part of the Gamecocks relatively surprising success this spring. Smoak hit a HR (his team leading 13th) and double in the game.

 

SC's starter Mike Cisco struck out 8 in 5 innings, but he also gave up 4 ER. He has good stuff, but gets overlooked somewhat because he's generously listed at 5'10".

 

Sleeper from this game to watch in this year's draft: SC catcher Trent Kline. He's leading the Gamecocks in hitting with a .363 batting average, and is a draft-eligible sophomore after missing his freshman year when he injured his throwing arm. I believe it was a shoulder-related injury, but Kline was an extremely talented backstop coming out of high school. His commitment and shorter stature caused him to go to UNC first, until he transferred to St. Petersburg JC only to transfer again to South Carolina. He's thrown out 10 of 24 opposing baserunners on top of his hitting ability. He doesn't walk much, but he doesn't strike out much either, and he's a switch-hitter.