Aflac Game, summer talent, WWBA tourney

[colbyjack]

There are a few events coming up, and one that already took place, that allows readers to get a sneak peak at some of the talent for the 2006 draft.

 

Cape Cod League All-Star Game

The first was the Cape Cod League All-Star Game, which actually took place over the weekend (yesterday I believe). TeamOne also had a HS All-Star Game of sorts on Friday with some interesting talent, but nothing along the lines of the Aflac game, which will take place Saturday August 13th in Aberdeen, MD.

 

Back to the Cape Cod League All-Star Game, check your TV listings (CSTV, College Sports TV, channel 118 for Milwaukee TW Cable subscribers), as there will be replays of the game pretty much every day this week. Some of the times are in the middle of the night, so set your VCR, TiVO, or stay up with a 6-pack and contribute to the drunk thread http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

 

Area Code Games

The Area Code games start this Thursday, August 4th, with the Brewers once again hosting two California teams. You can check out the two rosters on the links provided below, and check out StudentSports.com for more stories on the Area Code Games (Baseball America's coverage of the event dropped off last year).

 

Brewers Gray

Brewers Blue

 

Aflac All-American Classic

This will be the third annual Aflac All-American Classic, and I'm pleased that I will be able to attend this year's game. I hope to talk to a few of the players, parents, coaches, and add more insight to the game. The first two games have been televised, although not live. The game assembles the nation's top 38 high school to-be seniors, and has featured players such as Chris Nelson, Matt Bush, Homer Bailey, Justin Upton, Cameron Maybin and our very own Mark Rogers.

 

To get a background on the Aflac game, be sure to check out my interview with Dan Sabreen, public relations manager for Sports America, the corporation that hosts the event (and the McDonald's basketball game):

 

Dan Sabreen interview

 

And check out Aflac's site here:

 

Aflac All-American Classic

 

EDIT: The game will be televised live, I believe that's new this year. From the game's site:

 

The Aflac Classic will be broadcast nationally live on FSN at 2:05 p.m. EST

 

Perfect Game has added a very nice preview of the event, breaking down several of the top players to keep an eye on:

 

Perfect Game Aflac preview

 

I may not be in Brewerfan gear, but look for me in the stands http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

[colbyjack]

I thought I would profile a couple of the more intriguing players to follow that will be in attendance at the Aflac All-American Classic:

 

Jordan Walden-WEST

RHP, R/R, 6'4" 185, Mansfield HS, Arlington TX

Walden is soaring up draft boards this summers, flashing high-90s heat and working comfortably in the mid-90s. He already is getting the label as the next best prep pitching prospect from the state of Texas among high-profile names such as Kerry Wood & Josh Beckett. Walde, like Wood and Beckett, also has a very good curveball, and commands his dominating 1-2 punch very well. He has very good size and is a very good overall athlete. Walden is currently the #1 prep prospect in the nation according to Perfect Game USA.

 

Matt Latos-EAST

RHP, R/R, 6'5", 205, Coconut Creek (FL) HS

Latos, like Walden, is quickly rising up the prospect charts this summer. He too is showcasing mid-90s heat and offers an intimidating presence on the mound. With great size at 6'5", 200 pounds, Latos has a very projectable frame and the perfect pitcher's size that should be able to sustain his velocity deep into ballgames. Latos is one of many promising prep pitchers coming out of the state of Florida this year. He is currently ranked #2 in the nation according to PG.

 

Cody Johnson-EAST

OF/1B, L/R, 6'4", 190, Mosley HS, Lynnhaven, FL

Johnson, like Latos and Walden, is yet another player soaring up the top prospect charts this summer with his performances in Perfect Game and WWBA showcase and tournament events. With a very strong, and athletic frame, Johnson has awesome power potential. He is a good enough athlete that his future is probably in the outfield as opposed to first base, but his bat will play anywhere. Johnson was used more at 1B since he also pitches for his HS team, but has played the OF more this summer. Given his size, power potential and lefty bat, prepare yourselves for some comparisons to Adam Dunn. Johnson is currently ranked #3 in the nation.

 

Kyle Drabek-WEST

RHP/SS, R/R, 6'0", 175, The Woodlands (TX) HS

Kyle Drabek is the youngest son of former Cy Young award winner, Doug Drabek. Kyle is a similar prospect to the Nationals' Clint Everts, in that he's a shorter right-handed pitcher with a powerful arsenal, which includes a low-90s fastball and a nasty curveball. He's a very good overall athlete that also excels as an infielder, with smooth, graceful actions and a potent bat as well. Drabek's future lies on the mound however. He helped carry the Houston Heat to the championship during last fall's PG/WWBA national championship, and also stars as a wide receiver in football. He was the #1 prep prospect in the nation entering the summer, and was one of only two juniors to be named first-team All-Americans according to Baseball America.

 

Kasey Kiker-EAST

LHP, L/L, 5'11", 175, Russell County HS, Seale AL

Kiker was the other junior to be named a first-team All-American. He was the ace of the Russell County team that finished the 2005 season ranked #1 in the nation. While he's a sub-6' pitcher, he has a very advanced feel for pitching, and commands all of his pitches very well. He throws his fastball in the low-90s and can touch 94. His changeup is a plus-plus pitch, a pitch he can throw to any hitter in any count. In 94 innings pitched last spring he recorded 173 strikeouts. While Walden and Latos have better, pure stuff, and have been making bigger names for themselves this spring, there's a good chance that Kiker and Drabek could start for the East and West squads respectively.

 

Brent Brewer-EAST

OF/SS, R/R, 6'0", 180, Sandy Creek HS, Tyrone GA

A talented, natural athlete, Brewer is a true 5-tool athlete that has the arm strength to play either SS or CF, but given his speed probably profiles better in the outfield. He has a very quick bat and strokes line drives to all fields. Brewer uses his speed well on the basepaths and in the field, and is a excellent performer in all aspects of the game.

 

Jared Mitchell-WEST

OF, L/L, 6'0", 195, Westgate HS, New Iberia LA

Mitchell takes the honor as the best all-around athlete at this year's Aflac game, with outstanding speed that will serve him well as he is likely to be the West squad's leadoff hitter and centerfielder. His tools make him similar to former Aflac performers such as Greg Golson and Andrew McCutchen, both former first-round picks. Mitchell also serves as his high school team's starting quarterback, and is drawing significant interest to play both sports at some of the top D1 programs in th enation. Mitchell is also a very good student.

 

Gavin Brooks-WEST

LHP/OF, 6'3", 195, Rancho Buena Vista HS, Vista CA

Brooks is a smooth left-handed pitcher that also has a smooth and powerful stroke at the plate. His prowess as a pitcher makes him more valuable as a pitcher, not to mention the fact that he throws left-handed. Brooks missed significant time during his junior year due to injury, but he is healthy now and is poised to display his impressive repertoire at the Aflac game. He was rated the #3 junior at last fall's WWBA tournament after an impressive showing.

 

Aaron Miller-WEST

LHP/1B, L/L, 6'3", 200, Channelview (TX) HS

Miller, like Drabek, starred for the Houston Heat last fall at the WWBA wood bat national championship. He is a very talented left-handed pitcher that throws in the 90 mph range with life to complement a solid curveball and advanced changeup. Miller is also a very talented hitter, with a disciplined approach and intriguing power potential. On top of his athletic skills, he is the top student-athlete among all of the 2005 Aflac participants.

 

Chris Marrero-EAST

3B, R/R, 6'3", 195, Monsignor Pace HS, Opa Locka FL

Marrero is a smooth player both on the field and at the plate. He has an advanced feel for hitting, and may be the best pure hitter in attendance. Marrero uses a quick bat to stroke base hits to all fields, and has very promising power potential. Defensively he has soft hands, quick feet and a strong arm that should make him an asset at the hot corner. Marrero is also a very good student.

 

I look forward to providing first-hand reports on these players and more once I return from the event. Overall, the game will feature quite a few intriguing pitchers, many of whom are in the 6'3" to 6'5" range with exciting pure stuff. Walden and Latos highlight this list, but are joined by fellow fire-balling righties such as Dellin Betances (NY), Jeremy Jeffress (VA), Jerry Sullivan (NJ), Chris Walden (no relation to Jordan, OH), Colton Willems (FL), Chad Robinson (NV), and Chris Tillman (CA). Lefties Brett Anderson (OK) and Taylor Hammack (TX) join fellow southpaws Gavin Brooks and Aaron Miller on the West squad.

 

I also look forward to watching the catchers in this year's event. Torre Langley (GA) has the best defensive tools, and is considered polished enough to handle pro-level pitching right now. Max Sapp (FL) has the best bat of the bunch, giving the East squad the better of the two catching tandems. The West squad catchers are no slouches, with Hank Conger (CA) providing a very powerful switch-hitting bat, while Robbie Alcombrack (CA) getting more attention for his D'.

 

Other pure athletes include OF Cedric Hunter (GA), OF Derrick Robinson (FL), and the chiseled OF Devin Shepherd (CA). The power comes from 1B Andrew Clark (IN), 3B Bill Rowell (NJ), and 1B Chris Parmelee (CA). Infielders Ryan Jackson (FL), Ryan Adams (LA), Nathan Bridges (CA) and Grant Green (CA) have a variety of intriguing tools, defensively and offensively, while outfielders David Christensen (FL), Jeff Rapoport (CA) and Drew Rundle (OR) have a solid collection of tools.

 

The prep class of 2006 doesn't have one or two players such as Justin Upton, Cameron Maybin, Delmon Young and Lastings Milledge that have been atop the prospect charts for years, as evidenced by the recent climbs of Cody Johnson, Jordan Walden and Matt Latos, but there is very nice depth and upside, particularly with the pitchers.

[colbyjack]

Checking in from Towson, just outside of Baltimore, I wanted to remind everyone that the Aflac All-American Classic is today at 1:00 pm CST. Be sure to tune in to watch the best high school seniors that will be eligible for the 2006 draft.

 

I'm adding a few pictures here as a teaser, a lot more to come when I return home.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/colbyjack/kiker1.jpg

This is a photo of the East squad's Kasey Kiker during Thursday's scrimmage at John B. Schuerholz park on Towson University's campus. Love that high leg kick (and he's a lefty).

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/colbyjack/poy-award1.jpg

From left to right: Cal Ripken Jr., Jimmie Lee Solomon, Jackie Robinson Player of the Year Cody Johnson, Rachel Robinson and Al Johnson (of Aflac) at the awards banquet on Thursday evening.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/colbyjack/drabekswing1.jpg

Kyle Drabek watches one of his home runs fly during the first round of the home run derby Friday at John B. Schuerholz Park.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/colbyjack/justincody.jpg

Last year's Jackie Robinson Player of the Year Award winner Justin Upton with a surprise visit to the VIP suite at Camden Yards, poses next to this year's winner, Cody Johnson.

[BucEbadger1979]

Jordan Walden so far has looked very dominate compaired to Latos who got hit hard in the second inning... Walden is very well built and has a very easy pitching motion. Doubt Walden or Latos will be around when we are on the clock to draft.

 

Young Kyle Drabek is not bad either very very nice bender he has at this point. Not bad having your very own former CY pitching coach for a father... Id love for him to fall to the second round for us hes got a very very good fastball that i saw hit 91-94 on the gun on FSN but who knows if the gun was accurate to draft. Missed innings 6,7,and most of the 8th but got to watch most so was any pitcher dominate in those innings??

 

Did like Congers bat switch hitting C who swings at strikes and puts the ball in play D was not bad behind the plate but he needs some work IMO...

 

Devin Shepherd was impressive also very athletic OF who can run hit and from all reports has a cannon for a arm. Guessing hes a Maybin type prospect. 6-4 225 i would guess.

 

Brent Brewer is a kid that can fly WOW!!!! Played SS early on with a sound glove and very strong arm. First ball hit to him he threw into the stands kinda think he was way to pumped for this game. Has played OF and from what i heard on TV that is where alot of scouts think he will end up.. Colby is he a lock for first round at this point or could he fall to two??? What is he 5-11 6-0??

 

Alot of talent on those two teams dont expect many will fall past top 10 rounds unless its because of money demands

[batman]

Ugh... I added the game to my iCal but I thought it was on Sunday and didn't see this post until now. Unfortunately, that means I wasn't able to tape the game for myself and for Patrick. Did anyone happen to VHS or Tivo it? Does anyone know when it will be re-aired?

 

Any help would be appreciated! Email, post, or ezinbox me...

 

~Bill

[BucEbadger1979]

I would like a copy to if you do find it on again i know i went through my Direct TV guide and dont see it replaying at all in the next two days

[colbyjack]

Bill, my father-in-law taped the game for me. I haven't watched it yet to see how much of it is there, but when I do I'll let you know (and dub a tape for you along with the Cape game).

 

The game itself was on the sloppy side given the amount of errors and walks. The umps seemed to have a rather tight zone, especially given the weather (it was mid to upper 90s the days I was there). I will be sharing more thoughts on the event over the course of the week, here and at Perfect Game, but it was really nice to see these kids take BP, IF/OF along with taking their hacks during the HR derby because it allowed me to take plenty of looks at them. Among those that impressed me include LHP Brett Anderson, RHP Dellin Betances and C Max Sapp.

 

Brewer is a great athlete, but he probably moves to the OF, and while he displayed a good eye at the plate, I'm a little concerned about his ability to make contact. He didn't hit the ball that well in BP. I wouldn't take him in the first round, but I'd take him for his athleticism anytime after that.

 

No one hit the ball consistently hard as Max Sapp. Hank Conger is probably next in this category, even if they weren't launching balls over the fence. Cody Johnson without a doubt has the most raw power, and hit the ball further than anyone else, while Drabek displayed a consistent stroke in which he easily lofted balls over the LCF fence.

 

Shepherd is a physical specimen. Walden & Latos are the top two prep pitchers available for the '06 draft at this point in time, but both need refinement (they all do, but Walden & Latos didn't impress me as much as I was hoping). Nathan Bridges, Chris Marerro and Chris Parmelee are the best three pure hitters.

 

Also, I think the game is going to be re-broadcasted a few times. Check Yahoo TV listings to check this out. And when you do watch the game, look in the upper left-hand corner when the camera is focused on home plate. My brother and I spend quite a bit of time on the broadcast lookin' all scouty http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

[colbyjack]

More pics I took at the Aflac Game:

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/colbyjack/alcombrack1-saturday.jpg

Robbie Alcombrack swings for the fences on his way to winning the HR derby.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/colbyjack/betances1-saturday.jpg

Dellin Betances poses with one of his many young NYC fans.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/colbyjack/anderson1-saturday.jpg

Smooth lefty Brett Anderson wheels & deals.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/colbyjack/firstpitch-east.jpg

Matt Latos delivers the first pitch of the game.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/colbyjack/firstpitch-west.jpg

Jordan Walden delivers the first pitch for the West.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/colbyjack/jenkins1-saturday.jpg

Ryan Jenkins about to deliver...

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/colbyjack/willems1-saturday.jpg

Colton Willems delivering one of his many 90+ mph fastballs.

[colbyjack]

One thing that gets lost in the whole Aflac experience is that there were about 40 other players at Towson's John B. Schuerholz Park as part of Perfect Game's showcase. They definitely made the most of the 28 scouting directors in attendance, not to mention the countless number of scouts. I can tell you that the Brewers covered the event very well, as Jack Zduriencik, two crosschceckers and two area scouts were in attendance.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/colbyjack/jasonstoffel1.jpg

While there were plenty of players at the Perfect Game Aflac showcase that traveled great distances to turn the heads of scouts, none shone brighter than California's Jason Stoffel (RHP).

[colbyjack]

The first installment of my feature series of my Aflac experience is now up on Perfect Game's homepage:

 

Aflac experience-Day 1

 

The second installment is now up:

 

Aflac experience-Day 2

 

The third and final installment is now up:

 

Aflac experience-Day 3

 

I break down the top tools at the event in my Crack of the Bat column:

 

Crack of the Bat-Aflac Top Tools

[colbyjack]

Look for Baseball America to start releasing their top 10 prospects in the college summer leagues shortly. In the most recent issue of BA, Jim Callis serves up the top 10 prospects from the Cape Cod League:

 

1. Andrew Miller-LHP-UNC

2. Daniel Bard-RHP-UNC

3. Evan Longoria-IF-Long Beach St.

4. Chris Errecart-1B/OF-Cal

5. Brandon Morrow-RHP-Cal

6. Brad Lincoln-RHP/DH

7. Dallas Buck-RHP-Oregon St.

8. Greg Reynolds-RHP-Stanford

9. Brad Meyers-RHP-Loyola Marymount ('07 eligible)

10. Mark Hamilton-1B/OF-Tulane

 

If BA provides the profiles on their homepage any soon for non-subscribers, I will be sure to provide those as well. Andrew Miller is the front-runner for the #1 overall pick for next June's draft.

 

EDIT: Whaddya know? BA just posted their entire top 30 Cape prospect list this evening. Subscribers get the scouting reports:

 

BA Cape Cod top 30 prospects

 

Andrew Miller

http://www.baseballamerica.com/images2005/amillerunc450325ck.jpg

[colbyjack]

Baseball America has listed the top prospects for all of the other summer college leagues. I will note a few of interest below.

 

FLORIDA COLLEGIATE SUMMER LEAGUE

 

1. Ty Pryor, rhp, Winter Park (Tennessee)

Pryor earned the league?s most valuable pitcher award after going 4-0, 0.66 with 50 strikeouts in 41 innings. That?s a nice improvement after he went 5-4, 7.28 as a freshman at South Florida, and enough of one that he?ll be transferring to Tennessee for 2006. Pryor?s fastball reaches 95 mph, and he mixes in a solid curveball and changeup. He?s not related to Mark Prior, as their names obviously are spelled differently, but Pryor?s father Jeff played minor league ball with the Angels and his uncle Greg Pryor spent 10 major league seasons as an infielder.

 

Pryor was drafted by the Brewers in the 27th round of the 2004 draft. Like early day 2 picks Drew Bowmann and Sean Morgan, Pryor was always considered a tough sign. He's not draft eligible until 2007, and is joining LHP James Adkins, a fellow sophomore who had a phenomenal freshman season, on the Volunteers' squad.

 

CLARK GRIFFIN LEAGUE

 

7. Stephen Barnes, rhp, Vienna (Lake City, Fla., CC)

 

Unfortunately, no scouting report on Barnes for the summer, who the Brewers will follow as a DFE candidate for the 2nd year in a row after re-drafting him this past June in the 36th round.

 

TEXAS COLLEGIATE LEAGUE

 

7. Jake Arrietta, rhp, McKinney Marshals (Weatherford, Texas, JC)

The 6-foot-3 Arrietta flashed all the attributes that led the Brewers to draft him in the 26th-round draft in June and enabled him to compile a 4-3, 1.88 record with 54 strikeouts in 63 innings. He had command of three pitches, including a 92-93 mph fastball, smooth mechanics and a good mound presence.

 

As I noted on another thread, Arrietta reportedly has transferred to TCU, whose classes began yesterday, 8/24. With no news of Arrietta signing, it would seem as though both he and Brent Allar have escaped the Brewers' grasp.

 

EDIT: Not top summer prospect ranking involved, but reviewing a few rosters I have noticed that Brookfield Central 1B Ryan Schweikert has transferred to UIC after spending a year at Spartanburg Methodist College. Schweikert sat out all of last year after having surgery on his elbow, and is joining Madison native Ryan Zink, the Brewers 47th round pick in 2003, on the Flames roster.

 

2003 Aflac All-American and former Waukesha South 1B Tyler Beranek has transferred to Lake City CC, joining another former Brookfield Central star, catcher/DH Brandon Hall and Brewers' DFE candidate Stephen Barnes. Beranek played at UNLV last year, but may have the draft in mind.

 

Big draft note in relation to Lake City CC: Lake City Community College, for the second time in three years, had more players drafted than any other Junior College in the nation: 9. Only one 4-year school, Cal State Fullerton, had more players (14) selected than Lake City. Long Beach State, Baylor and Miami were the only other Schools with 9. That is an impressive fun-fact, and an incredible tribute to the job Lake City Head Coach Tom Clark.

[Blazer25]

Patrick,

 

Cameron Maybin will also attend Lake City CC this fall...should be an interesting team to say the least.

 

Big opportunity for a few WI preps to play in front of some of the biggest eyes in baseball this spring.

[colbyjack]

Thanks Blazer. I actually noted Maybin's inclusion on Lake City's baseball team on the thread discussing some of the other top draft picks from last June.

 

The Team USA Junior National Team has been announced. Check out this link for the rosters and player profiles:

 

www.usabaseball.com/sport...05aab.html

[colbyjack]

Since this has kind of evolved into a 2006 draft resource thread, I thought I'd share some of Jim Callis' view on the '06 draft here from his recent ask BA column:

 

www.baseballamerica.com/t...askba.html

 

Here is Jim Callis' top 10 prospect list, noting that Allan Simpson is working on a top 50 for the next issue of BA:

 

1. Andrew Miller, lhp, U. of North Carolina

2. Drew Stubbs, of, U. of Texas

3. Max Scherzer, rhp, U. of Missouri

4. Jordan Walden, rhp, Mansfield HS, Arlington, Texas

5. Daniel Bard, rhp, U. of North Carolina

6. Matt Latos, rhp, Coconut Creek (Fla.) HS

7. Wes Hodges, 3b, Georgia Tech

8. Ian Kennedy, rhp, U. of Southern California

9. Cody Johnson, of, Mosley HS, Lynnhaven, Fla.

10. Evan Longoria, ss, Long Beach State U.

 

No, you're not the first one to think of a witty comment about Evan Longoria...

 

Also, in case you missed it, I offered my recap of the '05 draft and a preview to '06 in this story featured on the homepage:

 

www.brewerfan.net/ViewArt...icleId=218

 

Here's my top 10 high school and college lists. Kind of hard to tell who will be available at #16. I don't know about everyone else, but I'm thinking pitching...college pitching. However, after seeing several of these young men pitch in person, I wouldn't be opposed to the right prep arm.

 

High School:

1. Kyle Drabek, RHP/SS, The Woodlands, TX

2. Cody Johnson, RF, Panama City, FL

3. Chris Marrero, 3B, Miami, FL

4. Jordan Walden, RHP, Mansfield, TX

5. Matt Latos, RHP, Margate, FL

6. Dellin Betances, RHP, New York, NY

7. Max Sapp, C, Windemere, FL

8. Brett Anderson, LHP, Stillwater, OK

9. Riley Cooper, OF, Clearwater, FL

10. Colton Willems, RHP, FL

 

College:

1. Andrew Miller, LHP, UNC

2. Ian Kennedy, RHP, USC

3. Drew Stubbs, CF, Texas

4. Max Scherzer, RHP, Missouri

5. Daniel Bard, RHP, UNC

6. Evan Longoria, 2B/3B, Long Beach State

7. Brandon Morrow, RHP, California

8. Dallas Buck, RHP, Oregon State

9. Brad Lincoln, RHP, Houston

10. Matt Antonelli, 3B, Wake Forest

 

EDIT: By the way, I've heard some rumors about some Boras clients in the college ranks. I believe Ian Kennedy was represented by Boras out of HS. Kennedy is one of my favorite players available for this draft, and with that affiliation he could fall. Jim Callis actually picked Kennedy to be our 2006 pick earlier this year when he predicted the Brewers would win the NL pennant in 2008 or something like that in a fantasy-proposed story (he said Ryan Zimmerman would be our '05 pick in the same story...it was just make-believe). Kennedy may not throw 95 all day long, but he misses bats like few others, and has been doing so with poise and competitiveness for both USC and Team USA the past couple of years.

 

Another rumored Boras advisees is Jason Donald, an athletic SS from Arizona. I've heard a few other names tossed out there, but more as speculation than fact.

 

EDIT: Add Max Scherzer to the rumored Boras list.

 

EDIT: Add USC RHP Ian Kennedy and ASU OF Colin Curtis to the rumored Boras list. Kennedy and Scherzer are two of the best college pitchers available for the '06 draft, so while they could fall to the 16th pick, the Brewers haven't been known to go over slot value for their first-rounder since Jack Z. has been at the helm (or ever actually). Donald and Curtis don't really break my heart, although Curtis has a polished bat and is a similar player to his former ASU teammate, Travis Buck. Curtis was also named the Cape Cod League's All-Star Game MVP last summer with a 3-hit performance in a 1-0 pitching dominated game.

[pogokat]

cool, i'm gonna try and go see that pair from UNC...good deal

[colbyjack]

The WWBA World Championship begins this Thursday, with about 80 teams participating with virtually every scout and college recruiter there. The tournament runs through next Monday. Perfect Game and WWBA's sites (WWBA is the tournament division of Perfect Game) have been posting frequent updates of the tournament, with most of the recent updates focusing on Hurricane Wilma. Baseball America usually covers the event as well, as partners to the event and hosting their own team. I'll be posting stories as they trickle out, and am including a few links of interest here.

 

This is a link to WWBA's tournament coverage, including links to the individual team rosters (if you follow the talent for the '06 draft, check out the Braves' scout team):

 

WWBA World Championship

 

This is a link to Perfect Game's homepage. Be sure to read update #7 if you want to learn about some of the more talent players from the Dominican Republic that will be in attendance (including Joaquin Andujar's son):

 

Perfect Game USA

 

This event often has a player or two make a name for themselves that allows them to vault up the top prospect lists to the top 3-5 players. With virtually every talented baseball player from across the country, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, there won't be too many prep draftees that didn't participate in this event.

[colbyjack]

Because of Hurricane Wilma, the WWBA World Championship has been postponed to mid-November, the weekend before Thanksgiving:

 

www.perfectgame.org/2005/...orts14.cfm

 

The area itself wasn't hit hard, but the stadium is going to be used as a relief area for those hit hard on the coastal areas.

 

Last year the tournament was moved from Jupiter because of a hurricane (the name escapes me, Andrew?) to Fort Myers, FL.

[pogokat]

the name escapes me, Andrew?

 

Probably Charly or Ivan...Andrew was way back in 1992

[colbyjack]

The WWBA World Championship Tournament started yesterday, Thursday November 17th, and will continue through Monday the 21st. Use the links provided above to receive coverage via Perfect Game and the WWBA.

[colbyjack]

The WWBA tournament ends tomorrow, with Blazer25's Midwest Blazers currently 2-1-1. Kenosha Tremper's Nick Rice, a junior LHP, tossed a 4-hit complete game on Friday against Perfect Game USA's Crimson squad. Rice struck out 12 in the process, and likely made a huge name for himself in the process, pitching in the 86-87 range with his heater. Rice is a tall and lanky lefty like his teammate Tony Butler, who pitched today, going 4 strong innings.

 

You can follow the tournament standings and game recaps by visiting the WWBA's site (the World Wood Bat Association is the tournament division of Perfect Game USA):

 

www.worldwoodbat.com/Tour...aspx?ID=58

 

Go Blazers!

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/colbyjack/midwestblazers.jpg

[colbyjack]

Unfortunately the Blazers didn't qualify for the Monday tourney games. The East Cobb Astros and Chet Lemon's Juice ended up tieing for the Championship as a storm cancelled the final game. For the story and to read about the most valuable pitcher and player follow this link:

 

www.worldwoodbat.com/News...spx?ID=381

[colbyjack]

There are a few really nice wrap-up stories from my new Perfect Game peer, Blaine Clemmens, up on PG's homepage covering the WWBA. Parts 1 & 2 are up right now, I think with a few more on the way:

 

WWBA Wrap-up #1

 

WWBA Wrap-up #2

 

PG also has a list of those who threw 88 mph or better at the event. This list gets bigger and bigger each and every year:

 

WWBA Pitchers throwing 88 or better

 

Baseball America also came out with their coverage, including a wrap-up and a top 20 prospect list (based on some of the reports I've heard, there are a lot of names missing on this list...although I must say I'm very happy to hear that Sapp impressed behind the plate because the guy can really hit):

 

BA WWBA Wrap-up

 

BA WWBA Top 20 Prospects

 

Cory Rasmus, brother of Colby Rasmus, a first-round pick from a year ago, was the talk of the event after touching 97 on the gun. I saw him at the Aflac game where he topped out at 94 with a killer curveball. At the time scouts still seemed to prefer him as a catcher at the next level, but that had to have changed by now.