The DDT - Draft Day 1 thread

[GD]

"Lauer said he and his family have told the scouts that they are seeking between $1.2-1.5 million after taxes" lol

 

f*** him

 

Agreed but hey, he'd be a decent piece.

 

I'm hoping my rough guesses for bonuses are close to right. If they are, then we have around 800k-1.2mm to spend on picks past the 10th round. Hopefully it's more though. If we can get Brentz and Tellez signed I'll be a little happier with what we got in this draft.

 

Bickford

Hollon

Brentz

Tellez

 

That's a decent haul. Tellez would have the best lefty power in our system, and arguably one of the top 3-5 bats.

 

Agreed. Tewes would be a nice bonus but those 4 should be priority. Who do you like more, Brentz or Tellez? I like Brentz but I think it's more important to get Tellez signed... I really want them both though haha.

 

Edit: I'm not going over slot on Bickford, though, there isn't a chance. If he wants some cash, punt the pick and get it back at #10 again next year. (We'd be at 10 because Pittsburgh prevented us from being #9 this year, which is KEY because the top 10 picks are FA-protected.)

[Angrioter]

I'm hoping my rough guesses for bonuses are close to right. If they are, then we have around 800k-1.2mm to spend on picks past the 10th round. Hopefully it's more though. If we can get Brentz and Tellez signed I'll be a little happier with what we got in this draft.

 

Bickford

Hollon

Brentz

Tellez

 

That's a decent haul. Tellez would have the best lefty power in our system, and arguably one of the top 3-5 bats.

 

Post the scoutind reports of Bickford, Hollon, Brentz and Tellez

[DuckDuckGose]

I'm hoping my rough guesses for bonuses are close to right. If they are, then we have around 800k-1.2mm to spend on picks past the 10th round. Hopefully it's more though. If we can get Brentz and Tellez signed I'll be a little happier with what we got in this draft.

 

Bickford

Hollon

Brentz

Tellez

 

That's a decent haul. Tellez would have the best lefty power in our system, and arguably one of the top 3-5 bats.

 

No way AA can save enough money to sign Brentz and Tellez. At least it seems like it would take at least $2.5M... If he gets it done it will look great though.

[o2cui2i]

anyone have a running tally of the titanic Version 2013?

[GD]

anyone have a running tally of the titanic Version 2013?

 

We made up for our s***** early picks by taking some quality guys at the back end of the draft.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2013/drafttracker.jsp#ft=team&fv=tor

[o2cui2i]

thanks bro

[GD]

My personal signing priorities:

 

1.) Brentz

2.) Tellez

3.) Bickford

4.) Tewes

5.) Hollon

6.) Lauer

7.) Boyd

8.) Greene

9.) Murphy

10.) Smith

11.) Jansen

12.) Hurley

13.) Kalfus

 

The rest, I don't really care, just keep it below slot.

[ace3113]

10

Bickford, Phillip Oaks Christian HS (CA) RHP HS

6'04" 200lbs

DOB: 07/10/95

(Slot) $2,921,400

PICK ANALYSIS: Bickford had as much late helium as anybody. The Blue Jays were continuously linked to high-upside high school players and Bickford fits the bill.

 

Phil Bickford

SCOUTING REPORT: Bickford intrigued scouts with his projectable 6-foot-4, 195-pound body and 88-92 mph fastball last summer at the Area Code Games, and his velocity has jumped this spring, as has his draft stock. He pitches comfortably in the 90-93 mph range and regularly runs his fastball up to 95-96. He has a clean arm action and a three-quarters slot that gives his fastball good life, and he commands it well to both sides, prompting some scouts to grade it as a 70 pitch on the 20-80 scale. He’s a short strider with an upright finish, and sometimes his slot drops below three-quarters, causing him to pitch uphill. Bickford’s secondary stuff lags behind his fastball. He shows glimpses of a fringe-average slider, but he needs to do a better job staying on top of it. He tinkers with a changeup but seldom uses it because he can dominate high school hitters with his fastball. Bickford pumps strikes and works quickly, and his upside could get him drafted in the back of the first round, but many scouts are more comfortable with him as a second-rounder because of his underdeveloped offspeed stuff. Bickford could be a tough sign away from Cal State Fullerton.

 

WHERE HE FITS: The Jays are loaded with high-upside pitchers, but Bickford should fit into Toronto’s top 10.

 

Phil Bickford

 

Bickford is a high-upside, high-risk prep right-hander who has velocity and projectability but is a long way away from being a major league starting pitcher.

He will sit 90-93 mph and has touched 96 with riding life on it, a pitch that appears to explode in on hitters late. His lack of a breaking ball is a real concern -- his curveball is well below-average, lacking depth and easily visible out of his hand, while his slider is flat thanks to his low three-quarters arm slot. His arm action is very clean and he's got a great pitchers' body, leading one scout to suggest to me that Bickford might hit 100 mph at some point, easy to believe when you see how quick his arm is.

The lack of a breaking ball is a red flag for me, because it's harder to teach a curve or slider than it is to teach a changeup, but in the second round this kind of pure upside is going to be very attractive to teams that like high school arms.

 

Fastball 55 70 -- --

FB Movement 55 55 -- --

Command 45 55 -- --

Control 50 55 -- --

Curveball 35 40 -- --

Slider 40 45 -- --

Changeup 45 50 -- --

Feel for Pitching 40 50 -- --

 

Phil Bickford, rhp, Oaks Christian High School.

 

A virtual unknown outside of Southern California this time a year ago, Bickford topped out at 92 mph at the 2012 Area Code Games in August. While he made a solid impression in Long Beach, it's the velocity spike this spring that has allowed him to make a big move up draft boards. He has touched 97 mph at times this spring, typically working in the 92-94 range with plus life. He has started to fill out his lean and angular 6-foot-4 frame, and his pre-game long toss program is an impressive sight.

 

Name: Phil Bickford

Position: RHP

Height: 6-3

Weight: 200

Bats/Throws: R-R

Birthdate: July 10, 1995

High School: Oaks Christian

City, State: Ventura, Calif.

Commitment: Cal State Fullerton

Projected Draft Round: 1-1S

 

There have been a number of California high school pitchers who have taken major jumps in their ability levels and draft stock this spring, going from strong follows to potential top two round draft picks. We profiled Northern California left handed pitcher Matt Krook a few weeks ago and will take a look at another southpaw, Blake Taylor, next week. But no high school pitcher in the country has moved up as far and as fast as Southern California right hander Phil Bickford. I saw Bickford throw twice last summer, and judging on those two appearances, separated by about six weeks, one could already see the improvement starting to happen. At the Tournament of Stars late last June in North Carolina, Bickford was mediocre at best in the context of being considered a top prospect. He threw from a severe cross-body delivery that kept his hips and lower half locked up and rarely threw a pitch over 88 mph. His 77 mph slurve was flat and he was hit hard when he threw strikes, which wasn’t very consistently. Moving forward to the Area Code Games back on his own turf in Southern California in early August, Bickford was a different pitcher. He threw steady in the 90-92 mph range, with lots of 92s, and his fastballs had lots of life down in the zone. Bickford has a very nice athletic 6-foot-3, 200-pound build and with his arm speed and physical projection you could see him throwing harder. The slurvy breaking ball still wasn’t much of a pitch, and I’d yet to see a changeup leave his hand, even in warm ups, but there was a definite scout buzz following his Area Code Games outing. Based on watching video and talking to scouts this spring, Bickford has moved forward in every area. His fastball has been sitting in the 92-95 mph range for entire performances, topping out at 97-98 at times, and Bickford has shown an impressive ability to dial up his best stuff in tight game situations regardless of the inning or if he is pitching from the stretch. In fact, this mature ability to bear down and dominate hitters when he needs outs the most has been mentioned over and over by scouts this spring. Bickford gets good to very good run and sink down in the zone even in the mid-90s and is a strike thrower with his fastball. His breaking ball has also improved, significant as this pitch is more scrutinized by the scouting community than his fastball. It is still a slurvy pitch stuck between a curveball and a slider in the 78-81 mph range, but Bickford is getting better spin on the ball and has flashed big league average with the pitch at times, something he wasn’t close to doing last summer. He rarely throws a changeup in games but has shown promise with the pitch when he does and when he throws it warming up. How his breaking ball and changeup develop will ultimately determine his professional ceiling. Looking at the video, I’m confident that at least part of Bickford’s improved velocity, breaking ball and command is that he is much more directional to the plate this spring that he was last summer. In fact, instead of having his hips locked at release, he is now spinning off towards first base after release from the lower body torque he’s generating. Bickford throws from a tight mid- three-quarters release point and hides the ball very well in his quick, compact arm stroke, making him even harder to hit. The lower release point is sometimes an issue with scouts but doesn’t appear to be in Bickford’s case. From his long, floppy hair to his pitching mechanics to his Southern California upbringing, the obvious comparison made by scouts is to Angels three-time All-Star Jered Weaver. Weaver was the 12th overall pick in the 2004 draft out of Long Beach State (Bickford has signed with Cal State Fullerton). While it is more comfortable to slot Bickford in the second half of the first round, he has been heavily cross-checked and discussed by numerous teams in the upper half of the first round as well according to sources. It would certainly be ironic, but not too surprising, if he landed at the 12th pick (Seattle Mariners) just as Weaver did in 2004.

Edited June 9, 2013 by ace3113

[ace3113]

47

Hollon, Clinton Woodford County HS (KY) RHP HS

6'01" 191lbs

DOB: 12/24/94

(Slot) $1,168,200

Clinton Hollon

 

Hollon is one of the bigger wild cards in this draft, as he'll show first-round stuff at times but is wildly inconsistent and has missed time in the past with arm issues. He's been up to 95 many times, though he has sat more 89-91 this year, showing off a plus curveball at 78-81 that has depth and some angle with an 11/5 break, as well as a show-me changeup that's more like a fastball with something taken off it. His command and control are below average, perhaps a function of a delivery that's very arm-heavy, with a big plunge in the back that makes his arm late relative to his front leg.

He missed almost all of the 2012 summer schedule with forearm soreness. Although he's committed to Kentucky, there's a strong industry sentiment that Hollon would prefer to go pro this year, which could run him up to somewhere on day one.

 

Fastball 50 60 -- --

FB Movement 45 45 -- --

Command 35 40 -- --

Control 40 45 -- --

Curveball 65 70 -- --

Changeup 40 40 -- --

Feel for Pitching 40 45 -- --

CLINTON HOLLON, rhp, Woodford County HS, Lexington

 

With a fastball at 95-96 mph, Hollon established himself as a potential early first-round pick for the 2013 draft by his sophomore year at Woodford County High. But the 6-foot-1, 195-pound right-hander suffered a setback in his development at last summer’s East Coast Showcase, when he was sidelined with tendinitis in his elbow and subsequently shut down for several weeks. After undertaking a strength-training program to restore the health in his elbow, Hollon was back to 100 percent this spring as a high school senior. His fastball was still 92-94 mph, and occasionally peaked at 95 this spring. His power slider also has the potential to be a dominant pitch, and has a good feel for a changeup. Hollon is very athletic and has significant arm speed.

 

Clinton Hollon

Position: RHP

Height: 6-1

Weight: 195

Bats/Throws: R-R

Birthdate: Dec. 24, 1994

High School: Woodford County

City, State: Lexington, Ky.

Travel Team: Kentucky Baseball Club

Commitment: Kentucky

Projected Draft Round: 1S-2

 

As recalled in an earlier Draft Focus, Southern California shortstop Chris Rivera was the first player to hold the number No. 1 ranking in the Perfect Game 2013 class rankings. The second player to ascend to the top spot was Kentucky right handed pitcher Clinton Hollon.

 

Hollon, a 2012 Perfect Game All-American, is currently ranked 13th in the PG rankings.

 

Hollon’s top ranking was completely justified back in 2011, as he was touching velocities with his fastball that are only now being matched almost two years later by his peers in the 2013 class such as Kohl Stewart, Carlos Salazar and Hunter Harvey. Pitching for Kentucky Baseball Club at the 2011 WWBA 17u National Championship, Hollon topped out at 96 mph with a hard spinning 79 mph curveball and good overall command and mechanics. He topped out at 97 mph in Lakeland, Fla. at the 2011 East Coast Professional Showcase and came back and threw outstanding at the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter in October, again topping out at 96 mph from a low effort delivery with a potential plus curveball.

 

At that point, however, Hollon was far from a complete pitcher. He was used mostly in relief during the summer and fall and his velocity was of the reliever/showcase variety. Due to the shortness of his outings on the big stages, he also didn’t really have an opportunity to work in different pitches, although he would occasionally flash a changeup and even a rare slider. He even looked like a future reliever, with a thick core and thighs. But in a class that at that point featured literally no one else with a present fastball, Hollon stood out as the top pitcher.

 

The irony is that in 2012, when he dropped the dozen places in the rankings, Hollon was actually a much better pitcher and a better professional prospect.

 

The improvements were across the board and came with the opportunity to start and work deep into pitch counts. Much of the basis for the improvements were based on simple maturation and being a year older. Hollon’s body leaned out and lengthened and he looked to be in tremendous shape. His warm up routines and on-mound demeanor were much more detailed and confident and he looked to be enjoying himself more. And given the chance to start and throw deep into games he showed that he could pitch with a three or even four pitch mix.

 

Perhaps the highlight of Hollon’s 2012 year came in Peoria, Arizona on July 26 pitching for the East Cobb Braves at the inaugural Perfect Game 17u World Series. Here’s the blog I wrote after the game, with a comparison to fellow top prospect and PG All-American Kohl Stewart:

 

East Cobb Braves RHP and PG All American RHP Clinton Hollon threw 5 very effective innings yesterday in a win over the previously undefeated Team Northwest. He was a little shaky at the beginning, working out of a bases loaded no out jam in the first inning, but settled down and only threw 55 pitches in those 5 innings.

 

Hollon's fastball was steady at 92-94 mph, with lots of 94s. He had very good boring life on his fastball when he worked it to the bottom half of the strike zone and will break plenty of bats when he learns to power the ball downhill and inside to right handed hitters more often. He threw a power curveball in the 75-78 mph range that was very good at times and hung up in the zone at others, probably about a 60/40 split. He also threw a couple of 85 mph change ups with very good late life that is a very promising pitch. All in all he showed a maturity on the mound that was very impressive and was worthy of his ranking of the top right handed pitching prospect in the country.

 

I asked an American League cross checker after the game who he liked better, Hollon or Kohl Stewart, as he had seen Stewart, also for the first time, the previous day. He went with Stewart by the slimmest of margins, noting that the 6-3/200 Stewart (who was also 92-94 with a slider that graded out pretty much the same as Hollon's curveball) had the more projectable body and the ball left his hand a bit easier. I went with Hollon by the same slim margin, giving him the edge based on his dramatically improved pitchability over the last year and the better life on his fastball and change up (although this put Hollon at the advantage of having my having seen Hollon pitch 4-5 times previously but not Stewart).

 

So it was a toss up. Both young men have outstanding arms and big futures and are very deserving of their PG rankings and All-American status.

 

Unforunately, Hollon’s season came to an end the next week when he had to be pulled from his appearance at the East Coast Professional Showcase after one inning of work with what was later diagnosed as tendonitis in his elbow. He was forced to miss both the PG All-American Classic and the WWBA World Championship, but the conservative rehab approach seems to have been successful, as Hollon threw outstanding at the 2013 Perfect Game Pitcher/Catcher Indoor Showcase in February and has got off to a solid start in his recently opened high school season.

 

So while the visions of a mid- to upper-90s power right hander that existed two years ago haven’t come to fruition, Hollon is realistically in a better position today than where he was then. He has a true starting pitcher’s repertoire with a 91-94 mph fastball with great life, a power curveball, a very lively changeup and a promising slider that he hasn’t really thrown much. He throws easily and he throws strikes. The future is indeed looking very bright.

Edited June 9, 2013 by ace3113

[ace3113]

83

Murphy, Patrick Hamilton HS (AZ) RHP HS

6'04" 195lbs

DOB: 06/10/95

(Slot) $650,800

 

Patrick Murphy, rhp, Hamilton HS, Chandler.

 

Had Murphy not undergone Tommy John surgery last summer, which cost him his senior season at Hamilton High, he would in all probability have been in the mix to go as early as the second round. If, as anticipated, he has a chance to work out for scouts prior to the draft and shows signs of his former low-90s velocity, it’s possible a team could take a flier on him and pop him with an early-round pick.

 

PATRICK MURPHY, rhp, Hamilton HS, Chandler

 

Murphy, a long, loose, projectable righthander, easily ranked as the top prep arm in Arizona for the 2013 draft until hurting his pitching elbow during the 2012 season and undergoing Tommy John surgery last summer. He hasn’t pitched since, although he is back throwing and there is a chance he might throw a bullpen or two prior to the draft. If he does, and flashes any semblance of the raw stuff that he featured as a junior at Hamilton High, notably a 92-mph fastball and the makings of an impressive curve, then it’s entirely possible a team could take a stab at Murphy in the top 10 rounds—though it’s highly unlikely he would ever go as early as the second to fourth rounds, where he projected prior to his injury. Murphy has committed to Oregon, and that appears to be his more-likely option in the short term, especially since he has been assured all along by Ducks officials that his scholarship offer will be honored.

Edited June 9, 2013 by ace3113

[ace3113]

115

Smith, Evan Mary G Montgomery HS (AL) LHP R/L HS

6'05" 190lbs

DOB: 08/17/95

(Slot) $446,100

Evan Smith, lhp, Mary G. Montgomery HS, Semmes.

 

With a fastball that topped in the high-80s last summer, Smith did not rank among Alabama’s 10 best high-school prospects in the 2013 draft class entering his senior year, but the 6-foot-5 lefthander has added 4-5 mph in velocity while almost every one of the state’s top-ranked prep players has regressed to some degree—for any number of reasons. If enough clubs are scared off by right-hander Keegan Thompson’s stated desire to attend college at Auburn, Smith could conceivably surface as the first pick from the state’s high-school ranks.

EVAN SMITH, lhp, Mary G. Montgomery HS, Semmes

 

Smith’s intriguing 6-foot-5, 190-pound frame caught the attention of scouts last summer, but his mid- to upper-80s fastball left him on the outside looking in among the top handful of high-school prospects in Alabama. That perception changed almost overnight this spring when Smith came out of the gates with a fastball that topped out at 93-94 mph. He also flashed a plus breaking ball and the kind of arm action conducive to one day throwing a quality changeup with fading action. Smith eventually came out of a game while favoring his shoulder and missed several starts, but eventually returned, and his chances of making significant headway in the draft may hinge on how he pitches down the stretch and any lingering health concerns. Unlike all of the other top prep prospects in Alabama, Smith does not have a commitment to a Division I college (he has signed to attend Faulkner State CC) and that may enable him to vault over every one of his peers and become the first high-school player in Alabama drafted in June.

Edited June 9, 2013 by ace3113

[ace3113]

145

Lietz, Daniel Heartland CC (IL) LHP L/L J1

6'02" 200lbs

DOB: 06/01/94

(Slot) $334,000

Daniel Lietz, LHP

 

After going undrafted out of high school last year, Lietz jumped onto Draft boards this spring when he showed a sharp increase in fastball velocity. His fastball mostly sat in the mid-80s a year ago, but after spending a winter in the weight room, Leitz throws in the upper-80s to low-90s. He is listed at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds and scouts think he may have room to get even stronger. Lietz also throws a slider, changeup, splitter and curveball. His slider and changeup both have the potential to be Major League-average offerings. Lietz isn't afraid to pitch to contact with his fastball and has a good feel for pitching.

 

DANIEL LIETZ, lhp, Heartland CC (Fr.)

 

With his 5-4, 2.47 record, Lietz has been the least-effective of the four starters that played pivotal roles in leading a 48-9 Heartland team to a berth in this year’s National Junior College Athletic Association Division II World Series. His record, in particular, pales compared to that of right-hander John Lieske (7-2, 1.30, 62 IP, 16 BB/93 SO), another newcomer who arrived at Heartland in January with considerably more fanfare than the lightly-recruited Lietz, after transferring from Illinois State. But Lietz, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound freshman left-hander, has generated more interest from scouts this spring than any junior-college player in Illinois—and any pitcher ever at Heartland, a perennial junior-college power in recent years. After being clocked mostly from 85-88 mph last fall, and topping at 89 on Scout Day, Lietz’ velocity has been a steady 88-92, and as high as 93—with the velocity increase mostly a factor of getting bigger and stronger in the weight room in the off-season. Lietz pitches primarily to contact with his fastball, but has also displayed excellent command of four pitches, while walking just nine in 66 innings and striking out 59. His slider is his most projectable secondary pitch, his change his most effective. He has a clean arm action, but creates deception with a little funkiness in his delivery.

 

175

Boyd, Matt Oregon State (OR) LHP L/L SR

6'03" 215lbs

DOB: 02/02/91

(Slot) $250,100

BOYD, MATT

 

Boyd spent his first three years at Oregon State as a reliever, but is starting for the first time as a senior after not signing with the Cincinnati Reds, who took him in the 2012 Draft. As a starter, he's shown the ability to mix four pitches well, all of which could be Major League average as he develops them. Big, strong and durable, he throws his fastball, curve, slider and changeup around the plate consistently and varies his arm slot to give hitters different looks. A team that takes Boyd can give him the chance to remain as a starter, knowing that he had success as a lower-angle lefty reliever in the past.

 

Matt Boyd, lhp, Oregon State.

 

While the state's top prospect, Ryon Healy, has finally harnessed his big raw power this spring, scouts have been expecting it to show up more often in games for some time. Boyd finally being healthy and even taking a step forward in terms of stuff after coming back for his senior season and successfully moving from the bullpen into a starting role has him climbing up draft boards.

 

MATT BOYD, lhp, Oregon State (Sr.)

 

After a solid but unspectacular three year career out of the Beavers bullpen, Boyd was a 13th round pick last year. He ultimately decided to pass on starting his pro career, and it's a gamble that appears likely to pay off. Boyd began his transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation in the Cape Cod League last summer and after being an All-Star in that role with Orleans last year he has carried that momentum over into the spring. So far this spring he's nearly struck out a batter per inning (82 strikeouts through 86 1/3 innings) and has been stingy on issuing free passes (just 19 walks). While he doesn't have the overpowering stuff to be a frontline starter longterm, his improved performance out of the starting role and advanced pitchability make a mid-to-late rotation starter seem like a realistic possibility. As a result he could jump as high as ten rounds higher than where he was picked a year ago as a junior.

[ace3113]

205

Greene, Conner Santa Monica HS (CA) RHP R/R HS

6'03" 165lbs

DOB: 04/04/95

(Slot) $187,400

Greene is part of the California prep pitching class. At 6-foot-3, 165 pounds, Greene is tall and projectable and also has the stuff to back it up. He gets great downward plane on his fastball and it could be a plus pitch in the future as he fills out. He has shown good feel for both his curveball and his splitter. Both secondary pitches have the chance to be Major League average. His command is a problem, however, and will need to improve in order for him to be successful at higher levels. He'll get the chance to do that at the College of Southern Nevada if he doesn't sign.

 

CONNER GREENE, rhp, Santa Monica HS

 

While he can run his fastball up into the low-90s right now, the interest in Greene is more based on his long term projection rather than his present stuff. He has a quick, clean arm action and a lanky frame with room to fill, and he creates a good downhill plane to his pitches. His curveball has good 12-to-6 shape and above average present spin rate in the mid-70s, though he lacks the present feel to avoid making occasional mistakes with hanging it over the plate. He's also working on a splitter as a change of pace pitch, though that too is still a work in progress. He's the kind of projection arm who could take off under the tutelage of the right player development system.

[ace3113]

235

Graveman, Kendall Mississippi State (MS) RHP R/R SR

6'02" 190lbs

DOB: 12/21/90

(Slot) $156,900

Graveman, Kendall

 

Graveman has capably moved to the front of the Mississippi State rotation to fill the void left by the departure of Chris Stratton, a 2012 first-round selection. Graveman was a 36th-round pick himself a year ago, but returned to school for his senior year. He uses a sinker-changeup combination to produce plenty of groundouts. Graveman's fastball sits in the upper-80s with heavy sinking action and his changeup is a solid offering. Graveman throws a curveball as well, but it is a below-average pitch. Graveman has good command and has proven to be durable in college, which should make him a solid senior sign.

 

KENDAL GRAVEMAN, RHP, Mississippi State University

 

With 62 college seniors drafted in the first 10 rounds last year under the revised rules of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, Graveman is a logical candidate to be scooped up in the top 5-8 rounds this year if form holds. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound righthander does not have overpowering stuff, but has enjoyed a solid senior season for the Bulldogs, going 5-3, 2.06 with 15 walks and 44 strikeouts in 66 innings. He has been a ground-ball machine with the excellent sinking action he generates on his 88-92 mph fastball, and beat Louisiana State and Arkansas, two of the nation’s top college teams this spring, with 18 and 17 ground-ball outs, respectively. Graveman has an acute sense of working to his strengths and is not afraid to pitch to contact, and excels by throwing consistent strikes with his sinker, change and slider. He also helps his own cause by being an excellent fielding pitcher.

[ace3113]

265

Girodo, Chad Mississippi State (MS) RHP R/R SR

6'1" 195lbs

DOB: 2/06/91

(Slot) $146,500295

 

Sr. LHP Chad Girodo had made a big leap, pitching at 90 mph and commanding three pitches, making him the likely fourth starter.

 

LHP Chad Girodo, Mississippi State

 

The talented left-handed pitcher had just a 5.87 ERA for the Bulldogs this past spring, but really blossomed this summer with a strong showing. He made 16 appearances and had a 0.99 ERA in 27 1/3 innings. He also struck out 44 and walked three

 

295

Custons, Garrett Air Force Academy (CO) C R/R SR

6'0" 200lbs

DOB: 09/14/90

(Slot) $136,800

Air Force SR C Garrett Custons

5-11, 200 pounds

Great athlete; good speed; plus-plus arm.

(2011: .282/.371/.469 – 19 BB/42 K – 209 AB)

(2012: .269/.359/.421 – 17 BB/34 K – 7/12 SB – 171 AB)

(2013: .332/.424/.473 – 19 BB/32 K – 14/19 SB – 205 AB)

6.52-60YD 84mph(FB) 91(OF) 79© 1.92(POP)

 

Very athletic player, plus arm, plus run, plays hard, very good at PG National.

 

Garrett Custons is a 2009 C/OF with a 5'10'', 180 lb.

 

Custons is extremely athletic with plus tools. He has good arm strength behind the plate and popped a 1.92 in the workout. He is also very good in the Outfield with big arm strength (91mph) and uses his 6.51 speed well to run down balls. He has a short line drive stroke at the plate with gap to gap power. He has good strength and leverage in his swing as well as good balance. Custons has all of the tools and is one to watch. This is one very talented athlete with lots of versitility. He is also a very good student.

 

Garrett Custons is a 2009 C/3B with a 5'10'', 160 lb.

 

He has a medium athletic body with very good athletic life. Custons was named to the showcase Top Prospect Team. Custons has very good speed for a catcher, running the 60 in 6.72. He threw 75 mph in drills with a best pop time of 1.97. He has very quick feet behind the plate, as one would expect, although is upper body is a bit slower on his throws. Custons did a good job handling the pitchers during the games and had a advanced grasp on game situations for a young receiver. Offensively, Custons has a balanced, simple approach with little wasted movement. Some sort of trigger might help his timing. Custons has good bat speed with a high finish and some lift to his swing. Overall, Custons looks more like a second baseman but his tools play well behind the plate. He's a good follow and good athlete. Custons is also a very good student.

[GD]

The fact that Bickford can control his FB does ease some of my pain. If we get all these guys signed (obviously not happening but for teh lulz), what does our top 15 look like?

 

1.) Sanchez

2.) Osuna

3.) Bickford

4.) Davis

5.) Tellez

6.) Nolin

7.) Brentz

8.) Stroman

9.) Smoral

10.) Norris

11.) Alford

12.) Hollon

13.) Jimenez

14.) Barreto

15.) Tirado

 

I'd guess something like that. LOTS of question marks but a lot of high ceiling guys.

[Angrioter]

The fact that Bickford can control his FB does ease some of my pain. If we get all these guys signed (obviously not happening but for teh lulz), what does our top 15 look like?

 

1.) Sanchez

2.) Osuna

3.) Bickford

4.) Davis

5.) Tellez

6.) Smoral

7.) Brentz

8.) Nolin

9.) Norris

10.) Hollon

11.) Alford

12.) Stilson

13.) Jimenez

14.) Barreto

15.) Tirado

 

I'd guess something like that. LOTS of question marks but a lot of high ceiling guys.

 

Stroman and Nay?

[GD]

Stroman and Nay?

 

Realized Stroman was eligible again (I think suspensions make you ineligible), made an edit, and don't think Nay is top 15, more like 16-20.

[ace3113]

325

Brentz, Jacob

Parkway South Senior HS (MO) LHP L/L HS

6'02" 175lbs

DOB: 09/14/94

(Slot) $100,000

 

Lefties with plus velocity will always generate interest, and Brentz was moving up boards with his spring performance. A two-way standout from the Missouri high school ranks, there's no question Brentz's future is on the mound, especially after touching the upper-90s with his fastball during this, his senior season. He's also shown some ability to spin a breaking ball. Brentz is still pretty raw on the mound, but you can't teach that kind of arm strength. When it comes from the left side especially, it's going to continue to bring scouts in to take a look right up until Draft Day.

 

Jacob Brentz

 

Brentz might have the best pure left-handed arm in the draft class, hitting the upper 90s this spring (97 to 100 depending on whom you ask) and pitching at 90-95 even in cold weather. His curveball is a work in progress, slow with a big, round break that looks pretty but that won't likely fool pro hitters, and a tendency to ?cast? the pitch when he releases it.

He comes from a 3/4 slot, getting under the ball often. It's not a great delivery, with an elbow wrap behind his head and too little hip rotation for that kind of velocity. He's a great arm-strength pick given his age, but he's raw as a pitcher and probably needs more delivery help than you'd like to see on a first rounder.

 

Fastball 60 70 -- --

FB Movement 45 45 -- --

Command 35 55 -- --

Control 40 50 -- --

Curveball 40 45 -- --

Changeup 50 55 -- --

Feel for Pitching 40 50 -- --

 

Jake Brentz

Position: LHP

Height: 6-2

Weight: 195

Bats/Throws: L-L

Birthdate: Sept. 14, 1994

High School: Parkway South

City, State: Ball win, Mo.

Travel Team: St. Louis Pirates

Commitment: Missouri

Projected Draft Round: 1-2

 

We’ll put this in the most simple manner possible. Left handed pitcher Jake Brentz is one of the more unique prospects, with one of the most unique resumes, that has come across the high school baseball prospect scene in the last two decades. Brentz was recently moved up to the No. 8 position in the Perfect Game 2013 class rankings. The Perfect Game staff takes class rankings very seriously as an evaluation of our own opinion on the relative merits of a particular player. The next five players in the rankings are Reese McGuire, Jon Denney, Justin Williams, Ian Clarkin and Trey Ball, which pretty much says what needs to be said about what Perfect Game thinks of this Missouri based left-hander’s potential. Last year as a junior at Parkway South High School in suburban St. Louis, Brentz threw 4 1/3 innings, compiling an 11.31 ERA and allowing 5 hits and 4 walks to go with 5 strikeouts. That was pretty much the extent of his pitching experience as of last spring. However, Brentz did hit .394-4-31 with 13 doubles as a strong armed and fast outfielder, and was being recruited by numerous college teams, including SEC members Missouri and Arkansas, as a position player. He’s a very talented athlete who would get professional scout’s attention without ever stepping on the mound. Last fall, Brentz began working with St. Louis Pirates coach Rick Strickland as a pitcher after Strickland noted Brentz’s arm strength and asked him if he’d ever considered pitching more often. When the Pirates competed in the WWBA Kernels Foundation Championship in late September, Brentz only played in the outfield, although Perfect Game was already getting information about his potential as a pitcher. When the Pirates traveled to Jupiter, Fla., to play in the WWBA World Championship in late October, it was time for the proverbial “cat out of the bag” on the biggest scouting stage in baseball. Brentz came in from the outfield to close a game on Saturday in front of a huge crowd of scouts, many of whom had a forewarning of what might happen, and sat at 94 mph to retire the side and get the save. Some scouts had him as high as 96 mph. Brentz pitched again on Monday in a consolation game with fellow Pirates top prospect right handed pitcher Devin Williams, in front of one of the larger crowds of scouts to ever watch a consolation game anywhere, and was 91-93 while working in his curveball more often. After the initial Saturday night appearance, Perfect Game founder and President Jerry Ford asked the PG staff to have Brentz come up to the tower at Jupiter so he could meet him. Needless to say, that is an intimidating situation for any young man. I was there watching and listening, as I have been many times when Jerry has talked to a prospect. Brentz was as composed and well-spoken as anyone I’ve seen and stood out for his honesty and self-awareness of just where he just might be in the baseball world. Jerry said afterward, “This kid has a chance to be really, really good.” Brentz and his family made the decision during the winter that he would take a different route on the baseball trail. They elected to continue to work on his pitching mechanics and build arm strength with Strickland at The Sandlot facility in St. Louis and to travel up to Iowa on weekends during the spring to pitch in the Iowa Spring League and participate in the trio of events that Perfect Game holds in Cedar Rapids during the spring: the Pitcher/Catcher Indoor Showcase in February, the Spring Top Showcase in April and the National Pre-Draft Showcase in May. Thus far the results have been spectacular and have led directly to Brentz’s No. 8 ranking in the PG class rankings and a potential first round slot in the June Draft. Brentz sat in the 92-94 mph range at the Pitcher/Catcher Indoor and showed some idea how to spot his fastball, especially to left-handed hitters, while getting good movement and life down in the zone. Maybe the most impressive thing about his performance was watching how easy the ball came out of his hand and how he used his high level athleticism to throw. As a scout you were left saying, “This kid has hardly ever pitched to hitters in his life and he is throwing strikes and not working that hard to throw a plus fastball.” While the horrible spring weather in the Upper Midwest hasn’t been ideal for Brentz or the scouts, he’s taken two more very positive steps forward. He touched 97 mph (a Perfect Game event record for a left handed pitcher) in his first Iowa Spring League outing and 95 mph in his second appearance while consistently maintaining plus fastball velocity. Perhaps more importantly, he showed confidence in both his curveball and changeup as developing pitches, with one PG scout commenting that his changeup the second outing might have been his best pitch. This Sunday Brentz will throw in front of a large scouting contingent at the Spring Top Showcase. He’ll then have a couple more weekends of Iowa Spring League play, along with mid-week bullpens in St. Louis, before the National Pre-Draft Showcase on May 13. He will undoubtedly have a number of private team workouts in the three weeks leading up to June 6 and the first day of the draft. That should complete chapter one of this unique baseball prospect journey.

 

JACOB BRENTZ, lhp, Parkway South HS, Ballwin, Missouri

 

Brentz’ evolution from a power hitting outfielder being recruited by SEC schools to a mid-90s left-handed pitching prospect has been well documented, and is one of the most interesting sub-stories in the 2013 draft class. He has pitched in the PG Iowa Spring league over the past two months instead of playing for the Parkway South High School team, where he threw only three innings as a junior. Brentz’ spring has been somewhat uneven, completely understandable for an athlete with such limited pitching experience. He’s topped out at 97 mph with plus life at times and has consistently thrown in the 92-94 mph range. His changeup has also flashed as a plus pitch at times, and he has shown signs that his curveball can develop with more repetitions and a better feel for throwing it hard instead of slowing his arm on the pitch. At other times Brentz’ command has wavered and is off-speed stuff has not been a factor. Whoever does draft Brentz will be getting one of the best arms in the country but also one that will need a larger than normal amount of patience.

[ace3113]

355

Mayza, Tim Millersville University (PA) LHP L/L JR

6'03" 205lbs

DOB: 01/15/92

(Slot) $100,000

TIM MAYZA, lhp, Millersville University (Jr.)

 

Regardless of what flaws they may have, left-handers who live in the low-90s with their fastball and have the big league frames to match will always be sought after commodities. Mayza showed off a 90-93 mph fastball in the Cape Cod League last summer for the Cotuit Kettleers, but proved to be more raw in the secondary offering department. His curveball at 75-79 mph flashed potential, and good downward action but was mostly inconsistent in terms of command. But, it’s his easy, over-hand arm action and plus velocity that caught the eye of scouts. And, he followed that Cape League showcase with a huge spring for Millersville. Posting an 11-3 record, Mayza held hitters to just 73 hits in 98 2/3 innings pitched. He also posted a 1.55 ERA and struck out 91 batters, while walking only 27. His plus velocity showed up consistently, while his secondary attack still proved to need some work. Teams will be considering him in the 6-9 round area.

 

385

Locastro, Timothy Ithaca College (NY) SS R/R JR

6'01" 175lbs

DOB: 07/14/92

(Slot) $100,000

 

N/A

 

415

Dantzler, L.B. South Carolina (SC) 1B L/R SR

5'11" 200lbs

DOB: 05/22/91

(Slot) $100,000

South Carolina senior first baseman LB Dantzler is one of 60 players in the nation named to the 2013 Golden Spikes Award Watch List, as announced by USA Baseball on Thursday morning. Dantzler is the team’s leading hitter in all three Triple Crown categories with a .342 average (55-for-161) for the season with 12 homers and 44 RBI.

 

Dantzler joined the Gamecocks in 2012 after he transferred from junior college in Bradenton Florida. The Winter Haven native played third base for the Gamecocks in 2012 hitting for a .262 average, a .339 on-base percentage and a .433 sluggin percentage. He also hit 10 homeruns for the Gamecocks in 2012 good for second on the team behind 2012 fourth round selection Christina Walker. Dantzler didn't embarrass himself at third base, however, with the departure of Walker Dantzler moved over to first base for the 2013 season.

 

This year, as a senior, Dantzler has taken off and become the Gamecocks best hitter. This season he's improved his numbers across the board with a .332 average, a .445 on-base and .648 slugging percentage. In 70 less plate appearances he's hit five more home runs and taken six more walks. His defense, again, has been okay at first base.

 

After going undrafted as a Junior, Dantzler won't get overlooked again after his strong Senior season. As a hitter, Dantzler easily brings the best raw power I saw from the Gamecocks lineup. He's got strong quick wrists that allow for him to drive the ball deep to all fields when he squares up the ball. His swing mechanics won't win him any awards but he knows how to sit back and work the count. Despite the disciplined approach, there's a lot of swing and miss in his game and I particularly noticed an inability to catch up to advanced speeds when I saw him face off against Ryne Stanek in April.

 

I have my doubts whether he'll be able to make consistent contact in the upper levels of the minors which could stall his career as minor league depth. However, the power upside - I think he's capable of putting out 25 a year - and the ability to draw walks - which should at least give him respectable OBP numbers - should absolutely attract a team looking for a solid senior value sign. He's also versatile defensively, only committing 5 errors as a Junior playing third base before shifting over to first as a Senior.

[Atothe]

The fact that Bickford can control his FB does ease some of my pain. If we get all these guys signed (obviously not happening but for teh lulz), what does our top 15 look like?

 

1.) Sanchez

2.) Osuna

3.) Bickford

4.) Davis

5.) Tellez

6.) Nolin

7.) Brentz

8.) Stroman

9.) Smoral

10.) Norris

11.) Alford

12.) Hollon

13.) Jimenez

14.) Barreto

15.) Tirado

 

I'd guess something like that. LOTS of question marks but a lot of high ceiling guys.

 

Your list is all types of crazy. Norris, Stroman and Smoral are still ahead of any 2013 draft picks. If Tirado has a good short season then he is top ten. Lopes might be the only position player to make it and that might be at #10

[ace3113]

455

Davis, Jonathan Central Arkansas (AR) OF R/R JR

5'08" 188lbs

DOB: 05/12/92

(Slot) $100,000

Jonathan Davis came to the University of Central Arkansas as a multi-sport athlete who just happened to play baseball. He now leaves UCA as a Major League baseball player. Davis, a speedy junior center fielder from Camden, was drafted in the 15th round by the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday, joining teammate Forrestt Allday as only the second Bears teammates to ever be drafted the same year. Marquis Riley and Kevin Booker were both drafted in 1992. Davis, the Southland Conference Freshman of the Year in 2011, is a career .315 hitter at UCA in 145 games, with 27 doubles, 10 triples, 8 home runs, 107 RBI, 81 walks and 61 stolen bases.

“I think there’s no doubt he’s one of the top center fielders in the country defensively,’ said UCA head coach Allen Gum. “He brings a lot of speed and a lot of defense. And he’s very offensive, because that speed works on both sides of the ball. And he brings a lot of toughness. He’s played hurt, battled some adversity with the injury. But he’s led us in hit by pitches, he takes walks. He just does all the little things to help you win ball games. That will be big for a club, that toughness, that willingness to do the little things.’

[GD]

Your list is all types of crazy. Norris, Stroman and Smoral are still ahead of any 2013 draft picks. If Tirado has a good short season then he is top ten. Lopes might be the only position player to make it and that might be at #10

 

I'm not one for rankings lol, but based on some red flags from Norris and Smoral coming off an injury (broken foot I think) that kept him out last year, I decided to rank them all conservatively. I ranked Tirado as he's ranked before his season. And I think in terms of ceiling Alford > Lopes.

[GD]

anybody down for this?

 

I am.

[ace3113]

475

Jansen, Danny Appleton A West (WI) C R/R HS

6'02" 215lbs

DOB: 04/15/95

(Slot) $100,000

N/A

 

505

Lauer, Eric Midview HS (OH) LHP R/L HS

6'03" 190lbs

DOB: 06/03/95

(Slot) $100,000

 

Lauer, who turns 18 the night before the Draft begins, is one of the most projectable pitchers in this year's draft. Listed at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, Lauer, a left-hander out of Midview High School (Ohio), has a clean, loose delivery and is already throwing in the upper-80s. Scouts believe he will unlock more velocity as he physically matures and builds upper-body strength. Lauer also throws a curveball and changeup, both of which are promising but still need development. He has a good feel for pitching and is around the plate with all three of his pitches. Lauer is committed to Kent State.

ERIC LAUER, lhp, Midview HS, Elyria

 

With a dominating performance as a senior at Midview High, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound Lauer has scaled to the top of the heap this spring among an impressive crop of Ohio high school pitchers. Through his first six starts, he was 5-0, 0.00, while limiting opponents to a .054 average. He had yet to give up more than two hits in any outing, and in 35 innings overall, had walked just three while striking out 68. All the ingredients for success were already firmly in place for Lauer as he has a quick arm, an advanced feel for his secondary stuff and a clean, polished delivery for a young left-hander. His fastball has been a steady 90-91 mph this spring, peaking at 93, and he has thrown his breaking ball, a curve with occasional sharp break, and straight change for strikes more consistently. With Lauer’s athletic, projectable frame, it’s easy for scouts to project continued improvement, and the lanky left-hander may face a dilemma in this year’s draft, coming out now as a projected third-rounder, or attending Kent State, and coming out in three years as a potential first-rounder—especially with that school’s reputation for churning out top-notch pitching prospects.

 

535

Ratcliffe, Sean Pickering HS (Canada) RHP L/R HS

6'04" 200lbs

DOB: 04/11/95

(Slot) $100,000

Ratcliffe has been likened by long-time Canadian scouts to Chris Leroux, who was drafted in the ninth round in 2002 as a lefthanded-hitting catcher out of an Ontario high school and emerged three years later out of South Carolina’s Winthrop University as a power righthander. Leroux spent the better part of the last three years in the Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen, before venturing off to play in Japan this season. Ratcliffe flashed impressive raw power as a catching prospect through his junior year of high school, but it rarely translated to games, and scouts already see a higher upside on the mound with a fastball at 90-93 mph and the makings of a power breaking ball. It may be a roll of the dice for a team to draft Ratcliffe in the top 10-12 rounds this year as he has a minimum number of innings as a pitcher on his resume, but he has an easy arm action and may pitch consistently in the mid-90s one day.

[GD]

Is there a post character limit? Is that why he is posting them all in different posts?

 

I would think so.

[ace3113]

Agreed but hey, he'd be a decent piece.

 

 

 

Agreed. Tewes would be a nice bonus but those 4 should be priority. Who do you like more, Brentz or Tellez? I like Brentz but I think it's more important to get Tellez signed... I really want them both though haha.

 

Edit: I'm not going over slot on Bickford, though, there isn't a chance. If he wants some cash, punt the pick and get it back at #10 again next year. (We'd be at 10 because Pittsburgh prevented us from being #9 this year, which is KEY because the top 10 picks are FA-protected.)

 

I prefer Brentz cause he's the better prospect, but we need a guy like Tellez. He's the only hitter among our picks who has any potential to be good.

 

If we can get Bickford to sign for 2.5mm that gives us 400k to spend. Hollon also seems fully intent on signing based on his twitter feed. I can see him getting around what Tyler Gonzalez or Chase Dejong signed for which would put him under his 1.1mm slot. If we can get Brentz and Tellez, I think you have to be pretty happy with the upside of the picks if not the positional distribution.

[ace3113]

10

Bickford, Phillip

 

 

47

Hollon, Clinton

@MAJOR12_13

 

 

83

Murphy, Patrick

@patrickmurphyy

 

 

115

Smith, Evan

@smithers2point0

 

 

145

Lietz, Daniel

@totes_magotes23

 

 

175

Boyd, Matt

@mattboyd31

 

 

205

Greene, Conner

@connergreene

 

 

235

Graveman, Kendall

@kage49

 

 

265

Girodo, Chad

@cgirodo18

 

 

295

Custons, Garrett

@gcustons4

 

 

325

Brentz, Jacob

 

 

355

Mayza, Tim

@Mynameis_TmAyz

 

 

385

Locastro, Timothy

@TweetLo_17

 

 

415

Dantzler, L.B.

@LBDantzler

 

 

445

Davis, Jonathan

@theblackdynasty

 

 

475

Jansen, Danny

@djansen_31

 

 

505

Lauer, Eric

@elauer10

 

 

535

Ratcliffe, Sean

@seanratcliffe22

 

 

565

Vasquez, Christian

 

 

595

Frank, Chaz

@chazfrank2

 

 

625

Reeves, Mike

@reevesymike

 

 

655

Tewes, Sam

@S_Tewes4

 

 

685

Kalfus, Brendan

@BKal11

 

 

715

Hurley, Sean

 

 

745

Silverstein, Scott

@silvertweet29

 

 

775

Cable, Tanner

@TC_SABATHIA

 

 

805

Florides, Andrew

@A_Floridez22

 

 

835

Dermody, Matt

@Matt_Dermody

 

 

865

Pickens, Garrett

@gpick38

 

 

895

Tellez, Rowdy

 

 

925

Celek, Brison

@bcelek24

 

 

955

Sawyer, Josh

@josh__sawyer11

 

 

985

Cabral, Edgar

 

 

1015

Dunning, Dane

@perfectgame03

 

 

1045

Arriaga, Akoni

 

 

1075

Harris, David

 

 

1105

Barber, Brett

@buckskinnaaa_6

Not 100% sure about this one...^

 

 

1135

Nunnally, Jr., Jon

 

 

1165

Levinson, Zachary

@zacklevinson15

 

1195

Ruiz, Antonio

@itstonioo_

 

If you have someone on here I don't have or I made a mistake let me know

 

Get Rowdy's twitter so we can bug him to sign, and trash him if he doesn't.

 

I'm scared he'll go to school and become the next, albeit less mobile, Kris Bryant for us. lol

[ace3113]

Is there a post character limit? Is that why he is posting them all in different posts?

 

Yeah, there's a limit. Also, I'm working on getting the other scouting reports, but my computer is glitching right now.

[GD]

I prefer Brentz cause he's the better prospect, but we need a guy like Tellez. He's the only hitter among our picks who has any potential to be good.

 

If we can get Bickford to sign for 2.5mm that gives us 400k to spend. Hollon also seems fully intent on signing based on his twitter feed. I can see him getting around what Tyler Gonzalez or Chase Dejong signed for which would put him under his 1.1mm slot. If we can get Brentz and Tellez, I think you have to be pretty happy with the upside of the picks if not the positional distribution.

 

Who are all the guys you think will go underslot, and for how much? THat'd get us a good barometer of how much room we have.

 

The average of DeJong/Gonzales was 805k, which would give us an extra 200k or so.

 

If we could get Tellez AND Brentz I'd be thrilled.

 

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