Canadian Draft Prospects

[colbyjack]

A new wrinkle to the draft talks, since you know Team Canada has an eye north of the border.

 

Slam! Sports is always a great resource for Canadian baseball, and Bob Elliott does a good job providing top prospect lists and other info concerning some of the best amateur prospects. Here is his list for the top Canadian prospects for the '06 draft:

 

slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Baseba..._2006.html

 

Tim Smith mentioned in the "others to watch." I'm not sure if he's not ranked higher because he's under the control of the Brewers, but there is no way Smith isn't among the top-25 native Canadians eligible for the draft (if the Brewers didn't sign him that is).

 

This year's class offers two well-built, athletic outfield prospects in Kyle Orr and Jonathan Waltenbury. Orr doubles as a pitcher, but his power potential is too great to pass on, and he could find himself being taken in the top 3-5 rounds like Canadian power prospects Justin Morneau and Mike Saunders. Waltenbury has a pretty good bat as well, although his overall athleticism is a noth below Orr's. Orr has committed to play for the University of Kentucky.

 

Some interesting notes on some familiar Canadian names in this feature, most of which I will cover in the DFE thread:

 

slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Baseba...60-ca.html

[colbyjack]

Bob Elliott of Slam! Sports recently provided a list of the 70 most influential Canadians on Canadian baseball:

 

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Baseball/Canada/2007/08/03/4392017-sun.html

 

Doug Melvin #3, Gord Ash #20, Brewers Canadian scout Jay Lapp #42.

 

My PG associate Allan Simpson checks in at #13.

[Blazer25]

Stosh Wawrzasek is a HS kid to keep and eye on. He's from Langley, BC and is a RHP. He's built like a barrel (6-1 and 230) but his arm is special.

 

FB @ 90-93 with hard sink. Power breaking ball at times and I love his approach to pitching. Comes after guys with his FB and really pounds the zone with that sinker. Closers mentality and will have closers stuff when he learns to be consistient with the CB. He was one of my favorite guys at the PG national. Not much projection but he's pretty darn good already.

[colbyjack]

Thanks Blazer. Did you happen to be at the East Coast Pro, and if so, did you have the chance to see Brett Lawrie?

 

Best wishes in Jupiter starting tomorrow.