2018 Official Draft Pick Selection/Signing Thread

[And That]

This thread will be used to post all draft picks in order of their selection, as well as page-by-page details of the picks, which we will slowly but surely add to in the coming days.

 

A moderator will update the picks and player profiles. If you have comments/links about a player, please post them in the appropriate discussion thread.

 

Bold indicates the player has signed.

 

1 (21). Brice Turang, SS, Santiago HS (CA)

2 (60). Joe Gray Jr., OF, Hattiesburg HS (MS)

CB Rd. B (73). Micah Bello, OF, Hilo HS (HI)

4 (125). Aaron Ashby, LHP, Crowder JC (MO)

5 (155). Justin Jarvis, RHP, Lake Norman HS (NC)

6 (185). Drew Rasmussen, RHP, Oregon State

7 (215). David Fry, C, Northwestern State

8 (245). Luis Gonzalez, RHP, PJ Education School (PR)

9 (275). Arbert Cipion, CF, Passaic County Technical Institute (NJ)

10 (305). J.T. Hintzen, RHP, Florida Southern College

11 (335). Davis Daniel, RHP, Auburn WILL NOT SIGN

12 (365). Korry Howell, SS, Kirkwood CC (IA)

13 (395). Reese Olson, RHP, North Hall HS

14 (425). Elijah Cabell, OF, TNXL Academy (FL) WILL NOT SIGN

15 (455). Nick Trogrlic-Iverson, RHP, Central Arizona College WILL NOT SIGN

16 (485). Alec Barger, RHP, Polk State College (FL) WILL NOT SIGN

17 (515). Clayton Andrews, LHP, Cal State Long Beach

18 (545). Scotty Sunitsch, LHP, Washington State

19 (575). Peyton Zabel, RHP, T.F. Riggs HS (SD) WILL NOT SIGN

20 (605). Joey Matulovich, RHP, California

21 (635). Steve Hajjar, LHP, Central Catholic HS (MA) WILL NOT SIGN

22 (665). Joey Baran, LHP, Lackawanna College (PA)

23 (695). Jared Platero, RHP, Beckman HS (CA) WILL NOT SIGN

24 (725). Wade Beasley, RHP, Home School - Horatio (AR)

25 (755). Pablo Garabitos, OF/LHP, Lakewood Ranch HS (FL)

26 (785). Connor Sparks, RHP, Marion M. Graham Collegiate HS (SK)

27 (815). Brady Schanuel, RHP, Iowa

28 (845). Kekai Rios, C, Hawaii

29 (875). Nander De Sedas, SS, Montverde Academy (FL) WILL NOT SIGN

30 (905). Basilio Pacheco, LHP, Segerstrom HS (CA)

31 (935). Matt Dillard, LHP, St. Pius X HS (TX)

32 (965). Jonny Cuevas, 3B, Palm Desert HS (CA) WILL NOT SIGN

33 (995). Brandon Hylton, 1B, Ridge HS (NJ)

34 (1025). Michael Mediavilla, LHP, Miami

35 (1055). Josh Watson, OF, TCU WILL NOT SIGN

36 (1085). Brandon Williamson, LHP, North Iowa Area CC WILL NOT SIGN

37 (1115). Franklin Hernandez, RHP, Central Florida JC

38 (1145). Aidan Maldonado, RHP, Rosemount HS (MN) WILL NOT SIGN

39 (1175). Caleb Marquez, C, Blue Springs HS (MO)

40 (1205). Wes Clarke, C, Liberty Christian Academy (VA) WILL NOT SIGN

[And That]

ROUND 1 (21st overall): Brice Turang, SS

 

(Photo: Will Lester)

 

Height: 6'1

Weight: 165

B/T: L/R

School: Santiago HS (CA)

Year: HS Senior

Hometown: Corona, CA

DOB: 11/21/99

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

MLB Pipeline:

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

 

Turang entered last summer as perhaps the top player in the entire class, and certainly among the high school set. A combination of a relatively pedestrian summer showcase performances and an extremely high expectation bar, a trend that has continued this spring, caused his star to fade, though he's still one of the better prep players in the nation.

 

Turang does everything fairly well, though a lack of a true plus carrying tool is one reason why scouts were a bit down on him. Most feel he has the chance to be a plus hitter with an advanced approach at the plate using a high-contact, line-drive spray kind of approach. With a lean frame, there is some question about how much strength he'll add, with believers thinking power will come. Most feel he is a long-term shortstop, though some don't see it as a slam dunk.

 

Some feel Turang suffered more from being seen for so long that he was bound to get knocked simply for not being the best player on the field at all times. Others haven't seen him dominate the way they feel a top-of-the-Draft prospect should in high school. He is committed to LSU, which could become an issue depending on when he's selected.

 

 

Perfect Game:

One of the top prospects in this year's crop of California talent is PG All-American Brice Turang. The shortstop has been near the forefront of the scouting community for some time now and will certainly draw large crowds of scouts and evaluators in to see him as he is currently a projected first round pick. Turang is a quality prospect who does so many things right on a baseball field and attacks everything with a polished, professional approach. The Louisiana State signee is viewed upon as a prototypical shortstop prospect, however he has also shows the athleticism and twitch to play centerfield for his high school team if need be. The bat is the selling point here as his approach at the plate is so polished and disciplined, especially for an amateur prospect. The frame looks stronger through the lower half, however there is still plenty of room for additional development, and Turang operates in the box like he knows exactly how he's going to be pitched. He looks to drive the ball the other way but will also hunt fastballs over the inner half when he looks to ambush. The bat-to-ball skills stand out and Turang still has the look of a high selection in this year's draft.

 

 

Perfect Game NHSI:

One of the prospects who entered this event as a projected first-round pick and has received enormous attention is West Coast shortstop Brice Turang (2018, Corona, Calif.). It has become a spectacle for every one of the LSU signee’s at-bats, but Turang has showed out well in all aspects thus far.

 

As mentioned earlier in this feature, BP is a very important tool for scouts to evaluate prospects in terms of their approach, swing, and raw power. Turang took some of the best BP of the event to date with a really smooth lefthanded stroke and turned on the barrel with authority. He currently has probably average raw power and you can project a bit more than that at the next level. The difference in offensive approach has been notable in game, as he seems to allow his speed to do more of the work during the game.

 

The aforementioned speed classifies Turang as a plus runner, posting times consistently in the 4.1 second range, including a best time of 4.12 seconds. Turang gets out of the box quickly and already has notched a couple of infield singles on the tournament, while the speed aids him defensively. He ranges effortlessly to both sides and has such a natural feel for the position that makes difficult plays look routine; one example that comes to mind is a pop up probably about 130 feet deep on the left field line that Turang had the whole way and made rather easily.

 

The overall skill-set and tools make him a strong first round candidate, and his at-bats will be heavily attended for the remainder of the event as Turang is still going ot be looked upon to turn the barrel over with authority going forward.

 

In what turned out to be a matchup for the ages, No. 22 John Curtis Christian (La.) upset No. 6 American Heritage (Fla.) 2-1 and there were a number of impact players on both sides. Brandon Davis (2018, Kenner, La.) has been the catalyst for the John Curtis lineup and the Tennessee signee showed a number of intriguing tools. Davis operates in one mode on a baseball field and that’s full-speed, from the get-go of the event he has been going all-out on both sides of the ball. Davis showed off the defensive chops during this game with a sliding, over-the-shoulder grab in shallow left field to rob a hit and maintain the slim lead. The offensive approach features a similar mantra as he doesn’t sit around and wait for pitches when he will jump on and hammer the first pitch he likes. Davis looks to drive the ball on a line but will also hit a fair share of ground balls and allow his speed to work; the best run time of the event thus far he has recorded is 4.42 seconds but his quick burst out of the box allow his speed to play up.

 

 

2080 Baseball:

A year ago, Turang was a shortlist contender for the top overall selection in this class. His game has not progressed as expected, and while he put together solid but unspectacular summer and spring, the profile now fits better in the mid-to-late-first than atop it. A smooth defender at shortstop, Turang ranges well to either side and displays soft hands and above-average arm strength with easy carry across the diamond, with little question he can be an above-average defender at the next level.

 

The LSU commit has a fluid line drive swing with above-average bat-to-ball skills and an all fields approach. It’s unclear if he’ll hit for much power as a professional, as he hasn’t consistently flashed that tool during his amateur career, but advocates insist there’s enough strength and bat speed to project out. Turang’s speed is an asset, as he consistently produces home-to-first times in the 4.05-to-4.15 range from the left side, then subsequently shows long, fluid strides as he zips around the bases. He’s a clean fit for shortstop at the next level and there’s still a chance when the dust settles Turang will be left standing as the best position player in the draft class.

 

 

Baseball America:

Turang is one of the most famous prep players in the 2018 class and entered the draft cycle as the top high school player in the nation. A four-year varsity starter at Santiago (Corona, Calif.) High, Turang also played for USA Baseball’s 18U National Team in 2016 and 2017, more than holding his own playing on the 2016 club that featured 2017 No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks Royce Lewis and Hunter Greene, respectively. In fact, you wouldn’t have to search far to find a scout who said Turang was the best player on the team, despite the fact that Turang never played in the international tournament in Mexico after getting hit in the face by a pitch. Because of his exposure and history as a talented player at such a young age, teams have been somewhat disappointed with Turang since last summer. He’s never struggled, but he’s also never wowed scouts in the same way that he did as an underclassman. Even with that said, Turang was still voted a first-team Preseason All-American, the best pure hitter in the class, the best defensive infielder in the class with the second-best arm, and the No. 3 athlete in Baseball America’s preseason survey to major league scouting directors. Turang is among the more polished prep players with an advanced left-handed hit tool and rarely swings and misses with a patient approach that allows him to hit the ball where it’s pitched. Turang’s loudest tool is his speed, which is at least plus and likely plus-plus, allowing him to wreak havoc on the bases and also cover a large swath of ground defensively. He can make throws from multiple angles, on the run, up the middle and in the hole, and also has the sure hands and footwork that should allow him to stay at the position at the next level. At just 6-foot-1, 165 pounds, the biggest knock on Turang is his size. Some teams are worried about the impact he’ll make at the next level and don’t anticipate him having much more than fringe-average raw power. While Turang might not be filling up a scout card with 6- and 7-grade tools, he does everything well, has a long track record of succeeding against elite competition and plays a premium position as a lefthanded hitter.

 

 

Prep Baseball Report:

Turang has wiry strength with room to fill out his 6-foot, 160-pound frame. The son of a big leaguer, he has always shown excellent instincts in the game. He routinely puts the bat on the ball and can drive it to all fields. He began to show some raw power in BP this spring, but his game is more about living in the gaps for doubles and triples. He can tend to leak out with his front side, preventing him from making hard contact, but he keeps his hands back and still manages to put the ball in play. He is a plus runner and uses his speed and instincts to be a menace on the base paths. That speed also plays defensively, giving him above average range at shortstop. He is a very good athlete, seemingly able to make any play and throw on the move. He has athletic actions and good footwork.

 

 

Fangraphs:

As an underclassman, Turang looked like he might be the best prospect on a Southern California Area Code team that included Hunter Greene, Nick Allen, Jeremiah Estrada, Hans Crouse and several other excellent prospects. His balletic actions at shortstop and plus arm and athleticism gave Turang a stable floor, while his precocious feel to hit (he struck out just twice as a junior) and chance to grow into power made him a potential star. Turang looked like the best player in the class until last summer when he suddenly looked lethargic and uncomfortable at the plate. He's been better this spring, but not so great that concerns about his developmental direction have been quelled. Teams who value several years of performance are likely to value Turang more highly, and he should be off the board anywhere between the mid-teens and early twenties.

 

 

Jeff Ellis:

Turang is going in the top 20 picks. There is some prospect fatigue with him and some disappointment at him being basically the same player he was a year ago. Yet, that player is still a potential above average starter at shortstop. He never became the eye popping talent but, instead, was a steady, reliable defender with plus speed and an average hit tool. It might not be the most exciting profile, but it is a profile of a player who could start for the majority of teams in MLB.

 

From April

Turang is what he is and, while that is pretty good, it seems like he is being penalized for not being more. People wanted him to be the next great prep shortstop, a future star, and, while might not look like another Lindor or Correa, he still profiles as an upper division starter, for me, at the second hardest position to find on the diamond. He is a future plus defender at short with an average offensive profile and plus speed. I still see a lot of Trea Turner, specifically the 2017 version.

 

From January

Turang might be suffering from overexposure right now. He has been around and talked about for multiple years. He looks like a future leadoff hitter who is a plus defender at shortstop. His speed and defense are his best tools. His hit tool seems to range from people thinking average to plus in the future. If it ends up being either of those, then he should be an easy starter. The reason he is not higher for me is the lack of power. The profile is similar to Madrigal’s, but he has proven himself on a higher stage.

 

 

John Sickles:

A year ago, high school shortstop Brice Turang was a leading candidate to go one/one in the 2018 MLB draft. That’s not going to happen now. Turang is still a first-round talent and could still be an early pick, but his chance to go first-overall has faded. Let’s explore.

 

The basics first.

 

Turang is a prep shortstop from Santiago High School in Corona, California. He has been on the radar for years, which is both a blessing and a curse (more on that in a moment). He’s been on the showcase circuit since 2014. He played for Team USA in both 2016 and 2017. He’s also a bloodline talent, as the son of former MLBer Brian Turang.

 

As a California player scouts have had many looks at Brice during the high school regular season and during summer play against top competition. Name an important player evaluation event and Turang has likely been there. He’s also a much-coveted college recruit with a Louisiana State scholarship as leverage.

 

Physically, Turang is a left-handed hitter and right-handed thrower born November 21, 1999. He isn’t one of the younger players in the prep class, but he’s not one of the older ones either. He was 5-10, 150 a few years ago but has matured out to 6-1, 165.

 

His best physical tool is running speed, with grades varying between 60 and 70 depending on the source; you can split the difference and give him a 65 if you like. He has a good arm, too, 55 or 60 depending on the source. He has loose, easy athletic actions and looks natural in the infield. The tools fit those of a major league shortstop and that by itself makes him worthy of notice.

 

What about the bat? Well, that’s good, too. Turang has a sound sense of the strike zone and is one of the best pure hitters in the draft. The general consensus is that he’ll hit for average and get on base and will need less refinement than most high school bats.

 

Power projection is the only real question. As noted above he doesn’t carry a lot of weight on his frame and that’s led to doubts about his power at higher levels despite his refinement as a hitter.

 

Optimists point to Turang’s impressive power displays in batting practice, Perfect Game noting that Turang shows “a really smooth lefthanded stroke and turned on the barrel with authority. He currently has probably average raw power and you can project a bit more than that at the next level.” That said, PG also notes that Turang’s approach seems to change in actual games, where he doesn’t unleash his power as readily.

 

Other sources pick up on that, MLB.com noting Turang uses a “high-contact, line-drive spray kind of approach” in live games. That fact, combined with a frame that may not have much room to add additional strength, pushes him down draft boards for many clubs.

 

Familiarity can breed contempt, the old saying goes. Baseball America summarizes this well in their draft report:

 

Because of his exposure and history as a talented player at such a young age, teams have been somewhat disappointed with Turang since last summer. He’s never struggled, but he’s also never wowed scouts in the same way that he did as an underclassman.

There are a couple of ways you can look at this.

 

***Turang has been nitpicked in favor of shiny new toys and it has unfairly impacted his draft status; or

 

***Turang is more polished and experienced than most of his peers and has less room to grow as a player, particularly as a hitter.

 

The thing is, these statements are not in contradiction. Both can be true and I think they are.

 

So, where does he land in the draft?

 

The perceived safety of college players and the normal lust for pitching has pushed Turang out of the top five. Most mock drafts have Turang as a candidate starting in the teens, with some projecting that he could fall into the late 20s.

 

At that point signability comes into play. If he falls too low, it could be tempting for him to pass on an offer he doesn’t like, go to LSU, rake for three years, then (hopefully) shoot back to the top with a larger paycheck in 2021.

 

All that said, if you step back and look objectively you’ll see a player with a proven track record who should be handle shortstop in the majors while hitting for average, getting on base, stealing while there, and who could develop more in-game pop if the power optimists are right.

 

It would not surprise me if Turang ends up going a bit higher than currently expected.

 

 

LINKS:

Wisconsin State Journal — Brewers select high school shortstop Brice Turang with 21st pick in draft

 

 

VIDEOS:

 

 

[And That]

ROUND 2 (60th overall): Joe Gray Jr., OF

 

(Photo: Chris Todd)

 

Height: 6'3

Weight: 195

B/T: R/R

School: Hattiesburg HS (MS)

Year: HS Senior

Hometown: Hattiesburg, MS

DOB: 3/12/00

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

MLB Pipeline:

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Arm: 70 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

 

Gray hails from a Hattiesburg (Miss.) High program that hasn't had a player drafted since 2007 yet has produced five big leaguers, most notably Wendell Magee. He emerged as a top prospect for the 2018 Draft as a sophomore, and while he has plateaued a bit, there are still few players with better all-around potential in his prep class. As a toolsy right-handed hitter from the Deep South with a similar build, he draws comparisons to Torii Hunter.

 

Gray has two loud tools in his raw power and arm strength. With his lightning-fast bat and his strength, he can hammer balls out of the park to all fields from the right side of the plate. The Mississippi recruit might have the best arm among 2018 high school position players, having been clocked at 98 mph from the outfield at the Perfect Game National showcase last June, though his accuracy sometimes leaves something to be desired.

 

There are some swing-and-miss concerns with Gray's bat because he has been inconsistent against quality pitchers on the showcase circuit, though he helped his cause by performing well at the World Wood Bat Association World Championship in October and at the National High School Invitational in March. He has solid speed and takes good routes in center field, giving him a chance to play there in pro ball. With his power and arm, he fits the classic right-field profile.

 

 

Perfect Game:

Joe Gray Jr is a 2018 OF with a 6-3 195 lb. frame from Hattiesburg, MS who attends Hattiesburg HS. Outstanding physical build, very projectable. 6.75 in the sixty, plays much faster on the baseball field. Outstanding range in the outfield, gets quick jumps and runs direct routes, laser arm strength, fields the ball easily and gets rid of it quickly, highest level defensive tools. Right handed hitter, hits from a wide base with a short swing and good extension out front, generates big bat speed and power in batting practice, game swing is less fluid and consistent but the big tools are there with more repetitions. Good student, verbal commitment to Mississippi. Selected for the 2017 Perfect Game All-American Classic.

 

 

Perfect Game NHSI:

Adams debut has overshadowed the performance of a not dissimilar athlete in Hattiesburg centerfielder Joe Gray Jr. (2018, Hattiesburg, Miss.). Gray made significant changes to his approach and swing at the plate between the summer and the fall, simplifying and shortening most aspects of his swing, and they've really taken hold based on his consistent at-bats and hard line drive contact. He's not shown the plus lifting power he flashed during the summer but it is there laying latent to be brought out gradually with more repetitions of his sounder present approach. Gray does not have Adams’ running speed, as few baseball players at any level do, but watching him throw the ball from the outfield generates the same excitement in this scout as watching Adams run.

 

 

2080 Baseball:

Gray has one of the more appealing skillsets in this draft, though his raw collection of tools doesn’t consistently translate to on-field success. High-waisted and athletically built, Gray stands out before even picking up a bat or ball. There’s some swing-and-miss in Gray’s right-handed swing, but he’s got plus bat speed and a lofty plane which produces above-average-to-plus raw power to all fields when he connects. A rangy defender in center, Gray gets good jumps and tracks the ball well. He’s got a cannon for an arm – one of the best among outfielders in this class – grading out as a double-plus tool. The Ole Miss commit runs well too, producing above-average times to first base as well as a second gear underway due to a long fluid stride.

 

 

Baseball America:

So, scout, do you feel lucky? If it all clicks for Gray, he could be one of the better high school sluggers in this draft class, as he’s got a plus arm, currently turns in plus run times and can be an above-average defender in center field. And that’s before you even start to talk about Gray’s power. He has the size, frame and strength to be a future 25-30 home run hitter. Gray will likely trade some of that speed for size as he matures, which is why long term he’ll likely end up in right field. But with his arm, the former shortstop should remain a defensive asset as he gets good jumps and reads. What leaves many evaluators skittish about Gray is his struggles to make consistent contact. He swung and missed as much as any prominent high school prospect on the showcase circuit last summer. He kept tweaking his stance to improve and he did show better contact skills late last year at Jupiter’s World Wood Bat showcase. If Gray is a well below-average hitter, which some scouts see as his future, the rest of the tools won’t play nearly as much, but you can find evaluators who see him as a future average hitter with plenty of additional plus tools to dream on.

 

 

Prep Baseball Report:

Lean, projectable and athletic 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame. Athleticism plays on defense. Long, easy strides that covers the ground. Aggressive drop step, takes efficient routes on balls hit over his head. Arm action is long & loose. Plus arm strength w/ good 4-seam carry & accuracy. RHH w/ above avg bat speed & smooth path w/ leverage through the zone. He can get big at times, adding length to his swing, causing some swing & miss. But drives the ball with authority when he stays short. Pull approach w/ + raw power. Showed increased patience as the season progressed.

 

 

LINKS:

 

 

VIDEOS:

 

 

[And That]

CB ROUND B (73rd overall): Micah Bello, OF

 

http://www.hawaiiprepworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1st-OF-Micah-Bello-HIL-e1528137866492.jpg

(Photo: Micah Bello)

 

Height: 6'0

Weight: 165

B/T: R/R

School: Hilo HS (HI)

Year: HS Senior

Hometown: Hilo, HI

DOB: 7/21/00

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

MLB Pipeline:

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

 

It can be difficult for high school players from Hawaii to gain exposure, though Bello was seen at the Area Code Games last summer, Perfect Game's WWBA World Championship in the fall, and also participated in a Prospect Development Pipeline event in Los Angeles in February. The upside of hailing from Hawaii? Getting to work out with the Cardinals' Kolten Wong and his brother, Rays prospect Kean, during the offseason.

 

Bello profiles as a top-of-the-order catalyst who can impact the game with his speed on both sides of the ball. The right-handed hitter makes consistent contact and projects to be an average hitter. He needs to add strength, but there is some extra-base pop in his swing. He has the kind of speed to steal bases and cover a lot of ground in the outfield, with the chance to be an above-average defender eventually, and a plus arm to boot.

 

There hasn't been a top-five-round pick from Hawaii since Ian Kahaloa went to the Reds in the fifth in 2015, and the last time a high school position player from there went that early was when the younger Wong brother joined Isiah Kiner-Falefa as fourth rounders in 2013. Bello, a St. Mary's commit, has the chance to join that select group.

 

 

Perfect Game:

Hawaii is only periodically represented on the high school top prospect and draft lists and Bello's fast rise this spring makes 2018 one of those years. He is a young quick-twitch athlete who grades out as plus or better both for his running speed and for his arm strength from the outfield, a combination that should make him a very good defensive center fielder. Offensively, Bello is a righthanded hitter who has a short and quick swing that is well suited for a speed profile, although anything above gap power is strictly a projection at this point.

 

 

2080 Baseball:

Universally considered the top draft prospect in Hawaii, Bello is a plus runner and with a plus arm. Committed to St. Mary’s, he fits the bill of a top of the order table setter. Though he lacks present power, there’s room to add strength on his thin frame.

 

 

Baseball America:

Hawaii’s top draft prospect by a wide margin, Bello held his own during the Area Code Games and stood out at the MLB Prospect Development Pipeline showcase with an opposite-field, standup triple. The 6-foot, righthanded-hitting Bello has average or better tools across the board and a long track record of hitting. He takes aggressive swings with a small leg kick, above-average bat speed and a level bat path that produces frequent hard line drives. He’s aggressive but takes good at-bats and shows average power potential. Bello is playable in center field, but his average speed and above-average arm profile best in right field. He is one of the youngest players in the class, so his tools are still growing. Bello spent the offseason working out with Kolton and Kean Wong to prepare for pro ball. He is committed to St. Mary’s but expected to sign.

 

 

LINKS:

Hawaii Tribune Herald — Bello primed to be Big Island’s next big hit

 

 

VIDEOS:

 

 

[And That]

ROUND 4 (125th overall): Aaron Ashby, LHP

 

(Photo: Ross Martin)

 

Height: 6'1

Weight: 170

B/T: L/L

School: Crowder JC (MO)

Year: JC Sophomore

Hometown: Kansas City, MO

DOB: 5/24/98

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

MLB Pipeline:

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45

 

Andy Ashby pitched at Park Hill High (Kansas City, Mo.) and Crowder (Mo.) JC before embarking on a 14-year big league career. His nephew Aaron is following the same path and is one of the top junior college pitching prospects this spring. After turning down the Rangers as a 25th-rounder last summer, he returned to the Roughriders and led all Division I juco pitchers in strikeouts (156) and strikeout rate (18.8 per nine innings).

 

Ashby's money pitch is a plus curveball that he can manipulate into a harder, shorter slider at times. He opened his sophomore season throwing in the upper 80s but ended the year working at 91-94 mph while reaching double-digit strikeouts in his last five starts, including 17 in his final outing. He also has a changeup that he doesn't use very often.

 

Ashby is athletic but has a funky delivery that hampers his ability to throw strikes. Some scouts worry that most of his swings and misses come out of the zone, either on curveballs down or fastballs up, and wonder how his stuff will play against more advanced hitters. He'll play next season at Tennessee if he doesn't turn pro.

 

 

2080 Baseball:

Ashby had some late-season helium thanks to an uptick in fastball velocity that saw the lefty sitting 90-to-93 mph and touching 94. That, coupled with a big-bending curve with plus bite give him an adequate one-two punch with which to attack pro hitters, and could get him off the board as early as the third round to a team believing they can help smooth out his control issues (he averaged over five walks per nine innings pitched this spring).

 

 

Baseball America:

Ashby, the nephew of ex-big league pitcher and fellow Crowder (Mo.) alumnus Andy Ashby, has posted some of the most absurd statistics in baseball this year. Ashby arrived at Crowder as an 83-86 mph lefty with a decent breaking ball without the strength to always repeat his delivery. He walked eight and allowed six runs in 0.2 innings in his collegiate debut, but by the end of the season he threw a complete game to beat Seminole State (Okla.) JC to get Crowder to the NJCAA World Series. This year, Ashby’s stuff has gotten better and better. The Tennessee signee was 88-91 with a plus curveball early in the season, but as the weather warmed up, he consistently sat 90-94 mph with his above-average fastball. It’s his plus curveball that hitters can’t touch. He can throw it back-to-back-to-back, baffling hitters even when they are looking for it. At one point, Ashby allowed one hit in a 19-inning stretch, as he recorded strikeouts for 45 of those 57 outs. Ashby’s control does waver—he’s walking 5.2 per nine innings—but he also generates loads of swings and misses. He leads all Division I junior college pitchers with 156 strikeouts (and 19 strikeouts per nine innings) to go with an 11-2, 2.29 record. Ashby has gotten stronger, but he still has a skinny frame that could fill out further. He works a lot of deep counts because of his control, which explains why he has worked into the eighth inning only once all season as of mid-May. His best pitching is likely still ahead of him, but his present breaking ball and plenty of fastball should be enough to get him drafted in the third or fourth round.

 

 

Perfect Game:

Perhaps the most prolific strikeout pitcher in all of baseball this season, not just at the JUCO level, Crowder's Aaron Ashby struck out 156 hitters in 74 2/3 innings, good for a ridiculous 18.80 strikeouts per nine innings. A solid-sized, athletic lefty, Ashby dominated his opponents all season long with a good mix of funk and stuff. He's capable of working into the low-90s with his fastball and moving it around the zone, and complements the fastball extremely well with a hammer breaking ball that projects to be a bat-missing pitch for the duration of his career. He's viewed more as a reliever in terms of projection, but has legitimate Major League upside with that breaking ball from the left side. He's committed to Tennessee, and if he should make it campus there would almost immediately become one of their top pitchers.

 

 

LINKS:

Brewers draft Crowder's Ashby

 

 

VIDEOS:

 

[And That]

ROUND 5 (155th overall): Justin Jarvis, RHP

 

(Photo: Justin Parker)

 

Height: 6'3

Weight: 168

B/T: R/R

School: Lake Norman HS (NC)

Year: HS Senior

Hometown: Mooresville, NC

DOB: 2/2/00

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

MLB Pipeline:

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

 

A mainstay on the high school showcase circuit, Jarvis kicked his game up a notch in his senior season opener, reaching 95 mph with his fastball during an 18-strikeout perfect game. He looked like a top-three-rounds pick early in the spring, but his curveball regressed as the Draft drew closer, which may knock him down a bit. Though he's committed to UNC Wilmington, he's considered fairly signable for a mid-rounds prepster.

 

Jarvis' fastball has parked in the low 90s all spring and he should add more velocity once he adds muscle to his skinny 6-foot-3 frame. He works from an overhand slot that creates downhill plane but not much life on his four-seamer. He has flashed a solid curveball in the past but it devolved into a mid-70s slurve this spring.

 

Jarvis has deceptive arm speed and fade with a changeup that may have more upside than his breaking ball. He has a quick arm but also a deep plunge in the back of his delivery that affects the consistency and command of his pitches. He'll continue to develop as a starter whether he turns pro this summer or attends college, though he might deal in the mid-90s as a reliever once he gets stronger.

 

 

Baseball America:

A UNC Wilmington commit, Jarvis in an enticing combination of projection and present stuff. The 6-foot-2, 160-pound righthander has touched as high as 95 mph this spring, often working in the 91-94 mph range with occasional sink. His 11-to-5 curveball flashes plus with good depth but sometimes lacks bite and can earn varying grades depending on what day a scout sees him. Jarvis shows at least some feel for a changeup as well, giving him starting pitcher upside. He throws from a high three-quarters arm slot with a stab in the back of his delivery that could use some cleaning. He has shown pitching feel and projects to develop above-average to plus command. With room to add good weight to his frame, Jarvis offers the kind of projectability teams look for in high school pitchers. He is not a lock to get to campus in Wilmington.

 

 

Perfect Game:

Scouts have been fortunate this year in North Carolina as the state's two top pitchers, Lake Norman HS righthander Justin Jarvis and Carson HS righthander Owen White, go to school about 20 miles from each other. The two standouts are different types of pitchers and athletes, though, with White being older and more mature both physically in his approach to pitching while Jarvis has potentially more dynamic raw stuff and plenty of growth potential left.

 

Jarvis was a well known prospect entering the spring, with an exceptionally long list of premium Perfect Game tournaments and showcases under his belt and a very symmetrical development history since he first appeared at the2014 Atlantic Coast Underclass Showcase. At that event as a 14-year old, Jarvis topped out at 79 mph and showed surprising power on a curveball that worked in the low-70s from an over-the-top arm slot. He gradually progressed through the 80-90 mph range over the few years while retaining his tall and slender build, finally topping out at 93 mph at the 2017 PG National Showcase while showing a very fast arm coming through to go with a tight 76 mph curveball.

 

The question with all young pitching prospects, and especially athletes with Jarvis' slender build, is when their natural physical improvement curve is going to slow down and plateau. From his first start in early March this spring, it's been obvious that Jarvis had not peaked yet. He struck out 18 of 21 batters in an opening day perfect game and has regularly been hitting 95-96 mph with his fastball with increased power to his curveball while maintaining his raw stuff throughout the spring.

 

Jarvis' arm action does draw comments from evaluators, as he's very deep in the back in his takeaway and comes all the way up to a high three-quarters to overhand slot on release, making for lots of length and potential variables in the process. But the arm speed and raw stuff is elite level, and again, there is no real sign that Jarvis is near that natural peak yet as he keeps improving. The results on the mound have been equally impressive, as Jarvis has gone 8-0,1.49 on the season with 89 strikeouts and 23 walks in 51 innings.

 

Jarvis' name isn't tossed about among the top 10-15 high school righthanders in this deep high school pitching class but he is strongly in the next group, along with his fellow North Carolinian, White. Jarvis committed to UNC-Wilmington almost two years ago when he was still pitching in the mid-80s and has remained loyal to that early commitment ever since.

 

 

LINKS:

Brewers draft Lake Norman High pitcher Jarvis in round 5

 

 

VIDEOS:

 

[And That]

ROUND 6 (185th overall): Drew Rasmussen, RHP

 

(Photo: D1 Baseball)

 

Height: 6'2

Weight: 225

B/T: R/R

School: Oregon State

Year: 4YR Senior (Redshirt)

Hometown: Colbert, WA

DOB: 7/27/95

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

MLB Pipeline:

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

 

Rasmussen had been a big part of Oregon State's pitching staff as a freshman in 2015 and at the start of the 2016 season, though he needed Tommy John surgery in March of that year. After returning in late April in 2017, and pitching well in short stints, the Rays took the right-hander with the 31st overall pick in the Draft. Citing discrepencies between the pre-Draft and post-Draft MRIs, the Rays didn't sign Rasmussen. He was set to return to the Beavers' pitching staff when he required a second TJ surgery in September, missing the entire season.

 

At this point, it's hard to know what to expect from Rasmussen when he does come back. In all likelihood, he'd be viewed as a reliever only given his medical history, and his stuff did look good a year ago in those shorter outings. He was showing a fastball in the 92-96 mph range in his limited time back, thrown with good extension and getting swings and misses with it. He was getting back to average feel of his slider rand changeup the more he threw during OSU's postseason run a year ago.

 

Rasmussen does have three effective pitches and a starter's delivery, not to mention some track record of success in that role. But after two elbow surgeries, his future almost certainly has to be in a bullpen, where his stuff does play up.

 

 

Baseball America:

Rasmussen's career at Oregon State has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride. An overweight, upper-80s prep righthander before he got to Corvallis, Rasmussen transformed his body with the help of Driveline Baseball and quickly established himself as the staff ace, throwing the only perfect game in Oregon State history as a freshman. Rasmussen then tore his UCL his sophomore year and was sidelined with Tommy John rehab until midway through the 2017 season. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound righthander used his rehab as an opportunity to get stronger, and he came back late last April working 94-97 mph and touching 98 mph with an explosive fastball, showing enough for the Rays to take him with the 31st overall pick. But the Rays didn't sign him after a post-draft physical revealed issues with his first Tommy John surgery. Rasmussen returned to Corvallis and had a second, mostly corrective, surgery with Dodgers team doctor Neal ElAttrache late in 2017. The surgery was successful and by all reports Rasmussen has progressed well in his rehab—even losing some weight—but he has yet to throw a baseball and likely won't start throwing until closer to the draft. When healthy, Rasmussen works in the mid- to upper 90s, with a devastating split-like changeup as his main out-pitch and an average breaking ball as his third pitch. He's a first-rounder in terms of talent, but scouts haven't seen him fully healthy since 2016 and won't be able to see him on a mound before draft day. After two Tommy John surgeries, Rasmussen's landing spot will hinge on how teams view his medical report.

 

 

LINKS:

 

 

VIDEOS:

 

[And That]

ROUND 7 (215th overall): David Fry, C

 

(Photo: Sean McGraw)

 

Height: 6'0

Weight: 195

B/T: R/R

School: Northwestern State

Year: 4YR Senior

Hometown: Colleyville, TX

DOB: 11/20/95

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

Baseball America:

Fry is better than your average senior sign. The catcher slid through the draft in 2017 because he had to have Tommy John surgery. He primarily played first and third base this spring but slowly worked his arm back into shape behind the plate. His arm is showing signs of returning to full strength and he’s solid defensively. At the plate Fry hit .327/.440/.604 with 24 doubles and 12 home runs.

 

 

LINKS:

Fry swings into record books

 

 

VIDEOS:

[And That]

ROUND 8 (245th overall): Luis Gonzalez, RHP

 

 

Height: 6'3

Weight: 175

B/T: R/R

School: PJ Education School (PR)

Year: HS Senior

Hometown: Carolina, PR

DOB: 5/6/99

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

Perfect Game:

Luis A Gonzalez is a 2018 RHP with a 6-3 160 lb. frame from Carolina, PR who attends International Baseball Academy. Long and lean athletic build, lots of physical projection there. Loose easy arm from a 3/4's arm slot, ball comes out of his hand easily, clean repeatable mechanics, gets hip shoulder separation and good lower half drive to the plate, good balance through release. Fastball topped out at 91 mph, move in there with strength and physical maturity, mostly straight with occasional running action, works fastball down in the zone well. Mid-70's curveball showed good shape and spin the most he used it with 11/5 break, can spin the ball. Didn't see a change up. Has gained 8 mph since last summer and is a long way from peaking physically. Very interesting young prospect! Good student.

 

 

LINKS:

[And That]

ROUND 9 (275th overall): Arbert Cipion, CF

 

(Photo: Steve Hockstein)

 

Height: 6'2

Weight: 186

B/T: R/R

School: Passaic County Technical Institute

Year: HS Senior

Hometown: Paterson, NJ

DOB: 5/9/00

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

Baseball America:

Listed at 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, Cipion stands out for his athleticism and plus speed. As his physical profile suggest, Cipion doesn’t project to hit for power, as he has a line-drive bat path that pairs well with his speed in order to get on base. Overall, the New Jersey prep’s offensive game is raw. Defensively, Cipion has average to above-average arm strength and his speed plays in center field.

 

 

Prep Baseball Report:

Cipion exploded onto the scene at PBR New Jersey’s Preseason All-State Showcase with exciting athleticism and a quick stroke. Starting the day off by running a 6.64 60-yard dash, Cipion showed off his speed before producing a strong, 93 mph exit velocity off the tee. At 6-foot-1, 175-pounds Cipion’s body shows wiry strength, and has a chance to fill out even more in the next few years. At the plate, Cipion sets up open in a slight crouch, and closes off with a medium-sized stride while his hands move slightly back before ripping through the zone. Cipion’s hand speed stands out along with quick hips that allow him to work line drives from gap to gap, and his speed makes him a threat on the basepaths. In the field, Cipion grazes around with ease, and should be a centerfielder at the next level. He shows off a strong, 89 mph arm from the outfield with whip and carry. Overall, Cipion is an exciting player who has a chance to be a game changer at the next level with his excellent toolset.

 

 

LINKS:

 

 

VIDEOS:

[And That]

ROUND 10 (305th overall): J.T. Hintzen, RHP

 

(Photo: Paul Silverfarb)

 

Height: 6'0

Weight: 185

B/T: R/R

School: Florida Southern College

Year: 4YR Senior

Hometown: Riverside, CT

DOB: 9/1/96

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

Baseball America:

Hintzen is a deceptive righthander whose fastball plays better than the 88-92 mph radar gun readings because he hides the ball in his delivery. He mixes in slider and a curve that are below-average but usable. Hintzen filled the strike zone. He had a 1.96 ERA with 114 strikeouts and 13 walks in 96.2 innings. He also was very good in the Cape Cod League as he struck out 25 and walked five in 27.1 innings with a 1.98 ERA.

 

 

LINKS:

Greenwich’s Hintzen Living the Dream With Orleans Firebirds

Greenwich native J.T. Hintzen will soon live his baseball dream

[And That]

ROUND 11 (335th overall): Davis Daniel, RHP

 

(Photo: Adam Sparks)

 

Height: 6'1

Weight: 180

B/T: R/R

School: Auburn

Year: 4YR Sophomore

Hometown: Montgomery, AL

DOB: 6/11/97

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

Perfect Game 5/23 game report:

In an extra-inning affair, both Auburn and Kentucky abandoned their freshmen starters in favor of higher-end arms and the Tigers turned to sophomore Davis Daniel in the second inning of the game. The affair certainly had a high stakes feel to it and Daniel exploded onto the season turning in one of his best performances of the season.

 

The energy in the stadium was palpable, and it was evident from the onset that Daniel was certainly feeding off the atmosphere, as Daniel entered with runners on and two outs then proceeded to go 95-95-96-96 for a strikeout. The fastball velocity played well off the previous pitcher Jack Owen, an upper-80s lefthander, as early on Daniel was simply able to power the fastball by opposing hitters as it exploded out of the hand.

 

Daniel has a very physical present build, with strength on the mature frame, and that allows him to hold his velocity deep into games even during his most recent few stints as a reliever. Daniel hasn't had the best of seasons, but you couldn't tell that from his outing on Tuesday. Daniel lived 93-96 mph with his fastball and that was his go to pitch to attack hitters with.

 

The righthanded pitcher has a long, loose arm stroke with whip-like features that allow him to generate arm speed and thus the high levels of velocity. He mostly threw the fastball but he showed both a breaking ball that he could manipulate with both curveball and slider shape in the 77-82 mph range as well as a straight changeup in the 84-85 mph range.

 

The pitchability stood out for Daniel too as his second time through the order he started pitching backwards, landing his breaking ball for strikes, and mixing in his changeup more often. It was very smart from a pitch-calling perspective, as the fastball was a bit hittable as it was mostly straight, and Daniel showed that he can get outs with more than just the fastball later on in the game.

 

Daniel got into some trouble early on in the showing, but settled in nicely and shut down a tough Kentucky offense and left Auburn in a situation to win the game. There are some overall reliever concerns due to effort and size, but Daniel opened eyes during this look and turned in an impressive performance.

 

Perfect Game:

Daniel has endured a bit of an up-and-down season for the Tigers, however there are still very attractive MLB tools to the profile with a plus fastball up to 96 mph and offspeed pitches that show promise. Daniel’s pro future offers some reliever risk, but the arm strength alone is worthy of extended looks and his secondary pitches continue to improve with every outing.

 

 

Baseball America:

Daniel was well-regarded in 2016 coming out of the Alabama prep ranks and was drafted in the 34th round by the Cubs. He continued on to Auburn, where he has been a mainstay on staff the last two years. Daniel throws his fastball in the low 90s and regularly runs it up to 96 mph. He also throws a big curveball and a changeup, but both offerings are inconsistent. Two issues have hounded Daniel throughout his college career: his fastball doesn’t have much life, making it easier to square up, and his control has been below-average. Daniel, a draft-eligible sophomore, pitched well down the stretch as he began working off his fastball more.

 

 

LINKS:

 

 

VIDEOS:

[And That]

ROUND 12 (365th overall): Korry Howell, SS

 

http://cdnak1.psbin.com/img/mw=600/cr=n/d=wmvxc/bjgs8uw1ka0zw087.jpg

(Photo: Kirkwood Eagles)

 

Height: 6'2

Weight: 175

B/T: R/R

School: Kirkwood CC (IA)

Year: JC Sophomore

Hometown: Lockport, IL

DOB: 9/1/98

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

MLB Pipeline:

Howell was drafted by the Royals in the 19th round in 2017 out of junior college, but he elected to stay another season. He hit .401 in 60 games for his Kirkwood team, and he stole 40 bases. Howell is extremely athletic, with 70-80 grade speed, but he's very raw, and teams will have to do a lot of projecting on his bat. A 6-foot-2, 180-pound shortstop for now, Howell could be a center fielder in the future. He could also be headed to Iowa next year, depending on the results of the Draft.

 

 

Perfect Game:

One of the premier athletes across JUCO baseball, Howell has had a big season for Kirkwood Community College in Iowa. He slashed .401/.483/.572 with 22 doubles, five triples, two home runs and a remarkable 40 stolen bases. His profile is rested on a ton of fast-twitch athleticism as he's an impact runner who can really change the game on the basepaths. He plays shortstop and is smooth there, with all of the requisite athleticism and tools to stay at the position. He's not a powerful hitter but can make contact and started to drive the ball a little better this year, and some scouts believe there is some untapped power in there that he will get to eventually.

 

 

Baseball America:

Howell, an Iowa signee, is a projectable junior college shortstop with excellent athleticism. He’s a plus-plus runner who swiped 39 bases in 48 tries this season to go with his .397/.476/.565 slash line. Physically, Howell needs to fill out and get stronger. His high average aside, there are still worries that he doesn’t have much bat speed or strength in his swing right now. His arm is also below-average, although there’s some hope that he could improve that as he matures. His range is more than enough for shortstop and his hands work well, but if he’s drafted right now, it will be by a team willing to be patient while he matures. His speed would also play well in center field if his arm doesn’t improve.

 

 

LINKS:

 

 

VIDEOS:

[And That]

ROUND 13 (395th overall): Reese Olson, RHP

 

(Photo: Scott Rogers)

 

Height: 6'1

Weight: 160

B/T: R/R

School: North Hall HS (GA)

Year: HS Senior

Hometown: Lula, GA

DOB: 7/31/99

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

Perfect Game:

In an abbreviated look, a number of prospects took to a simulated game type of setting on Monday which includes North Hall's Olson, who has looked good this spring as one of the area's top righthanded pitching prospects. Olson's got a very quick arm, and a very lean and lanky 6-foot-1, 155-pound frame that's easy to envision a lot of strength to be added to the frame. The delivery is a bit restrictive with some effort, but the arm speed allows him to create velocity that saw him sit in the 92-93 mph range while bumping 94 mph once. The changeup was the Georgia Tech signee's best secondary pitch on the evening as it was thrown with the same conviction as the fastball and featured late sinking life in the 85-86 mph range that snuck under the bats of lefthanded hitters. The breaking ball wasn't as sharp as it has looked in the past, but Olson is a highly projectable arm with three usable pitches which offers both upside and intrigue.

 

 

Perfect Game:

Olson, who popped up last summer with a fastball peaking at 93 mph, worked a pair of innings at LakePoint in front of numerous scouts at the 2018 May 14 Pre-Draft live bullpen event. Olson, a Georgia Tech signee, is a skinny 6-foot-1 pitcher with lots of room to fill throughout. He featured a sinking changeup that sat in the 85-86 mph range that accompanied the low-90s fastball well. Olson’s strong showing helped him boost up the rankings list 168 spots to 139.

 

 

Baseball America:

A 6-foot-1, 155-pound righthander, Olson pitches above his size, sitting in the 90-94 mph range this spring thanks to an extremely fast arm. He also gets good life on the pitch. Because of his frame and the fact that he’s a prep righthander, many teams will be out on Olson entirely, but he’s a solid athlete, throws strikes and also has shown an above-average curveball and changeup—though both pitches are inconsistent. A Georgia Tech commit, Olson is considered signable and might not make it to campus with several teams very much in on him.

 

 

LINKS:

North Hall pitcher Reese Olson commits to Georgia Tech

North Hall’s Olson faces decision after being drafted by Brewers

 

 

VIDEOS:

[And That]

ROUND 14 (425th overall): Elijah Cabell, OF

 

(Photo: Perfect Game)

 

Height: 6'2

Weight: 190

B/T: R/R

School: TNXL Academy (FL)

Year: HS Senior

Hometown: Winter Park, FL

DOB: 6/30/99

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

MLB Pipeline:

Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

 

TNXL Baseball Academy was started a few years ago in Florida as a place for high-level high school level players to focus more of their day on baseball, while taking care of classwork online through the Florida Virtual School. Cabell has been one of the better products of the academy to date, with some serious upside, though it does not come without risk.

 

There is no question that Cabell looks the part of an impactful offensive player and has the bat skills to go along with it. He has tremendous raw power with the ability to drive the ball with the kind of different sound you hear from some hitters when he makes contact. With that power, however, comes some considerable swing and miss issues, as scouts see a grooved swing. It goes a long way when the ball is thrown in that groove, but he doesn't always adjust when it's not.

 

A fringy rurnner, Cabell is a capable outfielder with a very strong arm, and he gets high marks for his makeup. If a team believes he can make enough contact to tap into that power, it could see him as a future run-producing right fielder and take him early enough to keep him from heading to LSU.

 

 

Perfect Game:

Elijah Cabell is a 2018 OF/3B with a 6-2 190 lb. frame from Winter Park, FL who attends TNXL Academy. Big and strong athletic build, pretty mature physically. Playing with a minor knee injury and not at full speed, has run 6.62 in the past. Outstanding outfield arm strength with plus on line carry, long and easy arm action, has 100 mph in his arm. Right handed hitter, nice shift into contact, easy bat speed, hits off a hard front side, very strong hands, ball makes an different sound off the barrel, elite level bat speed with big power to all fields, hits easy and hits it hard. Classic right field tools with a high ceiling. Good student, verbal commitment to Louisiana State. Selected for the 2017 Perfect Game All-American Classic.

 

 

Perfect Game:

One of the toolsiest prospects in this draft class for Florida is Elijah Cabell and he showed a bevy of tools during batting practice before the game and during it. The raw bat speed and power potential are dazzling for Cabell as he has plus bat speed and easy plus raw power, if not more. The swing gets through the zone so quickly and the LSU signee's strength is evident as the ball jumps off the barrel with such ease. Another plus tool in Cabell's arsenal is his arm strength which grades out as a plus tool and a difference maker. Should he stick in center field at the next level having plus arm strength certainly helps. Cabell didn't do much in game – facing Mason Denaburg can do that to you – but he showed off his quickness beating out an infield single/error in the first inning. Cabell struck out in his second at-bat and laced a hard hit groundout in his third at-bat. The results weren't there during the game for Cabell but he will be followed very closely all spring and will be one of the top outfield prospects in the class as he comes in at No. 67 on the Top 250.

 

 

Baseball America:

A Louisiana State commit playing for TNXL Academy in Altamonte Springs, Fla., Cabell is one of the many high-upside prep outfielders in the 2018 class, with some loud tools but also questions about his plate discipline and feel to hit. With plus raw power, plus speed and a plus arm, Cabell has three tools that garner immediate attention. But depending on when evaluators saw him over the summer and in the spring, they could walk away with vastly different opinions on what sort of player he will wind up being. Cabell’s batting practices are always solid, and he has impressive bat speed, loose wrists and strength that allows him to hit with authority to all fields, but he’ll swing and miss regularly in games. Some evaluators question not only his pitch selection but also his vision, which is a big concern. In the outfield, Cabell has the tools that might allow him to stick in center, but he will likely move to a corner as he continues to physically develop, where his arm—one of the strongest and most accurate in the high school class—should allow him to thrive. Where Cabell is drafted will ultimately depend on the quality of looks a specific team has with him, as he barreled high-end prep pitchers this spring and over the summer, but also looked overwhelmed at times against pitchers who scouts would label as non-prospects. During the Tournament of Stars in Cary, N.C., Cabell had the second-highest average exit velocity of the event at 98.2 mph. He cuts himself off at times in his swing and gets uphill and steep, so if he’s able to get more direct to the ball in the future, his hit tool concerns might begin to subside and allow him to take advantage of his power more frequently.

 

 

Prep Baseball Report:

LSU recruit, listed at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds. Has above average athleticism with above average to elite bat speed and above average power. Rangy in center with an above average arm, good instincts and should be able to stick in center. The bat and power has a very high ceiling and the elite level bat speed has some swing and miss, but shows big power potential. There are three above average tools with the arm, speed and power with a very high ceiling as an above average athlete.

 

 

LINKS:

[And That]

ROUND 15 (455th overall): Nick Trogrlic-Iverson, RHP

 

http://cdnak1.psbin.com/img/mw=300/cr=n/d=36drm/b1glkeaillsn3o2a.jpg

(Photo: Central Arizona College)

 

Height: 6'1

Weight: 175

B/T: R/R

School: Central Arizona College

Year: JC Sophomore

Hometown: Oakville, ON

DOB: 10/3/97

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

Perfect Game:

One of the top junior college arms in the country this season, Iverson went 8-3 with a 2.35 ERA across 76 2/3 innings, striking out 91 and doing a fair job of limiting his walks. He's a bit on the smaller end in terms of righthanded starting pitchers, but he has solid present stuff, does a good job of throwing strikes and does project some in terms of physicality. He usually lives in the 90-93 mph range with his fastball and the pitch features significant late life. His slider has shown average in the past but doesn't live there, and he also works in more of a curveball look as well as a changeup, although both pitches will continue to need work and repetitions for them to be more effective offerings. There is legitimate upside here but most scouts feel he could be best suited for the bullpen long term.

 

 

Baseball America:

Iverson jumped on scouts' radars early in 2018, when the sophomore touched 96 mph in the first weekend of the season. For most of the year the Ontario, Canada native's fastball velocity has sat in the low 90s, however, touching 93 mph. Because of his smaller, 6-foot-1, 170-pound stature, Iverson doesn’t project to add more zip to his average fastball. He has good feel for all four of his pitches, with his curveball, slider and changeup projecting to be average pitches. Scouts noted that Iverson’s stuff backed up as the season progressed, likely due to his lack of size. He competes well and has feel for the game. He could get drafted late on day two, although a team that saw the potential in his early season performances could jump on him before then. Iverson is committed to Gonzaga, but he is considered signable.

 

 

LINKS:

 

 

VIDEOS:

[And That]

ROUND 16 (485th overall): Alec Barger, RHP

 

(Photo: Twitter)

 

Height: 6'3

Weight: 190

B/T: R/R

School: Polk State College (FL)

Year: JC Sophomore

Hometown: Savoy, IL

DOB: 3/24/98

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

Perfect Game:

Barger had a very good year at Polk State in 2018, and could be an immediate impact rotation piece at ACC powerhouse NC State in 2019 if he should decide to head there rather than professional baseball. He went 7-3 with a 3.56 ERA across 83 1/3 innings, striking out 86 hitters along the way while walking a scant 16. He has a very athletic, well-proportioned body with projection remaining, and scouts are intrigued by his clean delivery and arm action as well. He works mostly in the 88-92 mph range now with some potential velocity left in the tank, and does a good job moving the pitch around the zone. The breaking ball is below average now but he throws it for strikes, and the hope is that it will tighten up in the future.

 

 

LINKS:

Brewers draft former Champaign Central standout

[And That]

ROUND 17 (515th overall): Clayton Andrews, LHP

 

(Photo: D1 Baseball)

 

Height: 5'6

Weight: 160

B/T: L/L

School: Cal State Long Beach

Year: 4YR Junior

Hometown: Santa Rosa, CA

DOB: 3/11/96

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

Perfect Game:

Andrews earned Big West Pitcher of the Week honors for the second time in a row and the third time this season with an impressive showing against UC Santa Barbara. Andrews tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing just four base hits while striking out eight to earn the win and push his record to 5-7 on the year.

 

Andrews isn’t very big, listed at just 5-foot-6, 160-pounds, but he has shown very well on both sides of the ball this season, also hitting .300 while serving as Long Beach State’s leadoff man. He knows his game and executes at a high level, working with a fastball that sits at 88-90 mph but plays up due to his command. Andrews mixes in a 75-77 mph changeup with sink and fade that he has very good feel for, as well as a 73-75 mph curveball that he can manipulate and move around the zone. He changes speeds and mixes his pitches very well, creating uncomfortable at-bats and limiting hard contact against.

 

 

LINKS:

Local trio selected on final day of MLB Draft; Joe Gillete, Clayton Andrews will turn pro, Chris Rivera unsure

 

 

VIDEOS:

[And That]

ROUND 18 (545th overall): Scotty Sunitsch, LHP

 

http://wsucougars.com/images/2017/2/3/Sunitsch_Scotty_2017Headshot_WEB.jpg?width=300

(Photo: Washington State)

 

Height: 6'1

Weight: 205

B/T: L/L

School: Washington State

Year: 4YR Senior

Hometown: Federal Way, WA

DOB: 6/16/96

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

Perfect Game:

Senior lefthander Scott Sunitsch was 89-92 mph this fall with three quality pitches and he will make the move from closer to the rotation.

 

 

LINKS:

 

 

VIDEOS:

[And That]

ROUND 19 (575th overall): Peyton Zabel, RHP

 

(Photo: Emily Spartz Weerheim)

 

Height: 6'6

Weight: 220

B/T: R/R

School: T.F. Riggs HS (SD)

Year: HS Senior

Hometown: Pierre, SD

DOB: 1/23/00

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

 

LINKS:

Pierre's Peyton Zabel drafted in 19th round by Milwaukee Brewers

Zabel has scholarship to play football at Augustana

What the Brewers saw in Peyton Zabel

 

 

VIDEOS:

[And That]

ROUND 20 (605th overall): Joey Matulovich, RHP

 

(Photo: Twitter)

 

Height: 6'3

Weight: 195

B/T: R/R

School: California

Year: 4YR Junior

Hometown: Danville, CA

DOB: 7/6/97

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

Perfect Game:

With an athletic build, standing 6-foot-3 and just under 210-pounds, Joey Matulovich has a loose and easy delivery to match his frame. With a crossfire step to the plate, created by counter-turn at the top of his delivery, he uses a full three-quarters arm slot with good extension to create a fastball that is in the 89-91 mph range. Slightly running to his arm side, his fastball location was good to both sides of the plate, with some degree of tilt.

 

Matulovich also shows an above average changeup, which is more of a swing-and-miss pitch. Showing good late down action at 79-80 mph, he routinely had hitters coming up empty in their quest for contact against it. He uses a slider as a breaking pitch, but it is clearly a third pitch presently. With more sweeping 10-to-4 shape, the slider will start to break earlier than wanted and can be recognized by hitters. Staying in the 79-80 mph range, it does not have the depth needed to get bats started early. With some increase to his arm strength, or better intent with the slider, Matulovich should be able to improve into a consistent three-pitch starter.

 

 

LINKS:

 

 

VIDEOS:

[And That]

ROUND 21 (635th overall): Steve Hajjar, LHP

 

(Photo: Barry Chin)

 

Height: 6'4

Weight: 205

B/T: R/L

School: Central Catholic HS (MA)

Year: HS Senior

Hometown: North Andover, MA

DOB: 8/7/00

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

MLB Pipeline:

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

 

New England isn't typically a hotbed for high school pitching talent, though a good arm comes from the region from time to time. In this year's Draft class, right-hander Mike Vasil is the top talent, even with his injury, and while Hajjar isn't in the same conversation, he is the best left-hander from the area.

 

Aside from his left-handedness, Hajjar has size, stuff and projectability working in his favor. The 6-foot-4 southpaw has room to grow into his frame, which means there could me more to his fastball in the future, which he can throw anywhere from 86 to 93 mph, sitting comfortably right around 89-90 mph. His slider projects as at least average, if not more, once he tightens it more consistently. It can have some slurve action to it, but it has enough depth to be a potential swing and miss pitch. He doesn't use a changeup at all and hasn't needed it at his high school level. He has a funky delivery, all arms and legs, which adds deception, but he still throws strikes.

 

Scouts have watched Hajjar carefully, particularly since last summer's Area Code Games, and were running in to see him as the weather warmed in New England. He's committed to the University of Michigan, but a team might be willing to gamble on his upside from the left side to take him early enough to sign.

 

 

Perfect Game:

Steve Hajjar is a 2018 LHP/1B with a 6-4 205 lb. frame from North Andover, MA who attends Central Catholic HS. Big and strong athletic build. Leg tuck delivery with a pause at the top, has deception in his delivery, loose wristed and has a quick wrap in back and plenty of wrist snap out front, ball gets on hitters quickly. Fastball up to 93 mph, good arm side running action at times, lots of late swings against his fastball. Slider was very consistent with plenty of depth and biting action. Filled up the zone with both pitches. Not conventional mechanics but very consistent with them and hitters don't like the stuff that comes out. Very good student, verbal commitment to Maryland.

 

 

Perfect Game:

In terms of pure physical projection, there may not be any arm in the Northeast this year that you can dream on more than the lefthanded Hajjar. Since making his Perfect Game debut in October of 2015, Hajjar has seen a steady rise from his then 82 mph fastball to present day in which he’ll sit comfortably in the 89-92 mph range, touching a tick higher, and there’s plenty of reason to believe he’s just scratching the surface in terms of velocity. Reports on Hajjar this spring say he’s refined his arm action through the back, staying more direct with his stroke while still pounding the strike zone and showing the ability to pitch off of his fastball. With his long limbs the Michigan commit is able to generate solid extension out front, helping him work to either side of the plate while mixing in an upper-70s slider for strikes. Should Hajjar make it to the Wolverines Head Coach Erik Bakich has a potential front-line arm in the young lefthander, though his long-term projection along with present stuff may keep him from stepping foot on campus.

 

 

Baseball America:

Hajjar has seen his stock rise this spring, even if it’s still more likely that he honors his commitment to Michigan. The projectable, 6-foot-5, 210-pound lefthander can reach 93-94 mph with his fastball, although it more consistently comes across in the 89-92 mph range. Despite a jerky delivery and extended arm action, Hajjar shows decent feel for a 78-80 mph slider. The offering is inconsistent, sometimes lacking the tight spin it needs, but when he’s able to snap it off the pitch shows late bite and above-average potential. His changeup is well behind his fastball and slider and will need additional development to become an average third pitch. A good athlete, Hajjar typically pounds the strike zone with above-average control. He has more room on his frame to add weight and will likely throw harder in the future.

 

 

LINKS:

Central Catholic’s Steve Hajjar drafted by Brewers

[And That]

ROUND 22 (665th overall): Joey Baran, LHP

 

(Photo: Bill Tarutis)

 

Height: 5'10

Weight: 185

B/T: L/L

School: Lackawanna College (PA)

Year: JC Sophomore

Hometown: Hazleton, PA

DOB: 12/3/96

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

Prep Baseball Report:

Committed to Penn State out of Lackawanna JC (PA).

 

Transferred to Lackawanna JC from Stony Brook.

 

Baran is a 5-foot-11, 170-pound LHP/OF from Hazleton Area HS. He tops out at 89 mph and has the potential to be a two-way player at the next level.

 

 

LINKS:

Hazleton Area grad Joey Baran selected by Brewers in MLB draft

[And That]

ROUND 23 (695th overall): Jared Platero, RHP

 

(Photo: Jennifer Cappuccio Maher)

 

Height: 6'3

Weight: 190

B/T: R/R

School: Beckman HS (CA)

Year: HS Senior

Hometown: Tustin, CA

DOB: 11/23/00

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

Baseball America:

Platero took advantage of all the eyes on teammate Matt McLain this spring and drew some interest of his own. Platero is one of the youngest players in the draft class and shows some of the best pure arm strength in the region with a 90-95 mph fastball. His arm strength and youth give him a considerable ceiling, but the rest of his game is raw. His power slurve and changeup aren’t ready for pro ball, and his control of all of his pitches is scattered. Platero is committed to Long Beach State and expected to end up there, but his youth and arm strength have a few teams interested.

 

 

LINKS:

[And That]

ROUND 24 (725th overall): Wade Beasley, RHP

 

(Photo: Perfect Game)

 

Height: 6'3

Weight: 210

B/T: R/R

School: Home School - Horatio (AR)

Year: HS Senior

Hometown: Horatio, AR

DOB: 12/14/99

 

SCOUTING REPORT:

 

Perfect Game:

Wade Beasley is a 2018 RHP with a 6-3 210 lb. frame from Horatio, AR who attends Horatio HS. Thick and strong build. Fast arm from a high 3/4's arm slot, very long arm stroke, still working on repeating his mechanics and release. Fastball topped out at 94 mph early, mostly straight. Changes arm slot for his breaking ball, slurve type sweeping action. Definitely high level arm strength but will have to rework mechanics bases on this viewing. Verbal commitment to Arkansas.

 

 

Perfect Game:

Beasley has been a dominant two-way player for Horatio High School this spring, posting a 6-3, 1.65 record on the mound with 136 strikeouts in 68 innings along with hitting .434 with 12 home runs. He has a high velocity arm from a very long and loose arm action and can work in the 92-94 mph range with comfort. Beasley's secondary pitches, with a breaking ball that melds between a curveball and a slider and an occasional changeup, are both in the developmental stages, as is Beasley's command at times. But it is easy to see him developing into a steady mid-90s arm with adjustments and time as a potential starter if he can further develop his off-speed stuff.

 

 

Baseball America:

Only one high school player has been drafted and signed out of an Arkansas high school in the past four years, so the odds are that Wade Beasley will make it to Arkansas. But the big righthander has touched 93-94 while showing a fast arm. He’s raw and has a lot of refinement ahead of him, which he’ll probably be doing in Fayetteville.

 

 

Prep Baseball Report:

Arkansas recruit. 6-foot-2, 220-pound right-handed pitcher, wide-bodied, physically mature frame with broad shoulders and strong lower half. Works between high-¾ to over-the-top slot, long takeaway with some stiffness in the back, quick hand out front. Timing issues in delivery led to inconsistency around the zone with the fastball. Topped at 92 mph, sitting mostly 90 out of the windup, 88 from the stretch; tendency to miss up. Changeup was best pitch, flashing heavy sink at times between 80-83 mph. Throws changeup with intent; registered one of the better changeup spin rates per FlightScope, 1,454 rph. Breaking ball ranged between 75-78 mph, erratic shape and inconsistent around the zone. With more refinement in the delivery, it wouldn't be surprising if Beasley was pumping consistent mid-to-upper-90s after three years at Arkansas.

 

 

LINKS: