ace3113

He's always been 7 on my wish list, but I kind of hope we pick him now just to troll all the experts on this board. lol

MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo with his first Mock Draft for 2013 http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130515&content_id=47666630&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb 10. Toronto Blue Jays: Trey Ball, LHP/OF, New Castle HS (Ind.) The Blue Jays have aggressively gone after high-end high school talent of late. General manager Alex Anthopoulos was at Ball's most recent start, and the two-way player has been streaking up the boards all spring.

To add to the Trey Ball discussion. Perfect Game's take:

I believe it was either on Baseball America or ESPN a few weeks ago. I'll track it down and post it once I find it.

I read a statistical analysis before that showed that about 50% of major league shortstops are signed via the international free agent market. The DR for instance seems to produce a remarkable amount of quality shortstops over the years. I'd look for my shortstop there first unless there was an obvious candidate in the draft.

Yeah, the only guy I've heard connected to us that I'm weary of is McGuire. I would rather just get a guy like Jeremy Martinez or Brian Navarreto later in the draft or a college guy like Stuart Turner. Look up Turner is you have a chance, he's a pretty interesting prospect. Anyway, I just came here to post these ESPN updates. It's the final weekend of the regular season, but it may be the biggest start of the year for a pair of SEC rivals, and they'll go toe-to-toe Saturday in Baton Rouge. Ole Miss right-hander Bobby Wahl (1.43 ERA, 88 IP, 55 H, 73 SO, 40 BB) looks to prove that he can be more than a reliever at the next level, while LSU righty Ryan Eades (2.29 ERA, 82 2/3 IP, 83 H, 69 SO, 23 BB) hopes to get back the crisp fastball and sharp off-speed stuff that could make him a first-round selection. Both schools will hit the SEC Tournament and perhaps beyond, so it's not the final outing of the year for either pitcher, but it's another chance to shine in front of scouts. "This is the stretch drive, the time when a huge showing could make the difference," said one club's national crosschecker. "When I send in final reports and I can point to at least one big game, that signature performance, it lends more confidence in that player." How high Wahl and Eades can climb remains to be seen, but on draft boards, at least a few of them, there's room for both to jump. "Even if Bobby closes (in pro ball), he can show me something this weekend," a regional crosschecker said. It's a big game on the road and things like this make a difference." What about Eades? "For me," the national checker said, "he probably is what he is, but it's always better to finish strong. He can certainly solidify his place in this draft, wherever that is." There do not appear to be many questions about Eades' future role, but Wahl is still, in theory, fighting against the bullpen label. "I'm not sure he can," said one assistant scouting director of Wahl's chances to avoid a future relief role, "but I'm not positive he can't, either." Keith Law ranks Eades at No. 30 on his latest top 100 Draft Prospects. Wahl ranks at No. 66. What to Watch • Right-hander and UC Irvine ace Andrew Thurman (2.98 ERA, 84 2/3 IP, 75 H, 72 SO, 14 BB) and two-way prospect Michael Lorenzen of Cal State Fullerton square off Friday in one of the better pitcher-batter matchups of the week. Lorenzen is batting .328/.409/.527 with 20 extra-base hits on the year, but is a better prospect on the mound where he has 16 saves and sits in the mid-90s with his fastball. Neither is a first-round prospect, but the second round is within reach for both. • Mississippi State right fielder Hunter Renfroe will face South Carolina for three games starting Thursday. The Gamecocks are a team with a lot of strong pitching, including a nasty relief corps and an overall team ERA below 3.00. Renfroe has as many home runs by himself, 15, as South Carolina has given up as a staff all season. • Arizona's Konner Wade, a Day 2 prospect, and Arizona State ace Trevor Williams figure to go against each other Friday night in Tempe, as both pitchers have been their schools' No. 1 starter all spring. Williams has a chance to be taken off the board on day one of the draft. • Oklahoma's Jonathan Gray will head to Manhattan, Kansas to face Kansas State, who have their own prospect in Jared King, an outfielder and slugger that figures to be off the board in the first five rounds. Gray, of course, could go as high as No. 1 overall, and may actually be the favorite. • Left-hander Sean Manaea has big numbers -- 1.58 ERA, 88 strikeouts in 68 1/3 innings and just 44 hits allowed -- but he hasn't shown the elite stuff he flashed last summer in the Cape Cod League and has lacked consistency. He's still likely to be gone by pick No. 10 or so, but a strong finish to the season couldn't hurt. • Fresno State outfielder Aaron Judge will get a look at Nevada right-hander Braden Shipley in a battle of probable first-round picks. Shipley struggled last weekend versus UNLV and his stock may be slipping a bit on some boards. The same goes for Judge to a lesser extent, so both will be looking to finish well and leave a positive impression on scouts in attendance. • As is with Wahl, Florida's Jonathon Crawford may need to shake the bullpen label with better performances down the stretch, though he may have already pitched his way out of the first round. His velocity has been down a bit this season from last, and the third pitch has not been promising. He'll face Georgia on the road over the weekend. • Ryne Stanek still has a chance at the top five or six picks and his final regular season start is Saturday at Auburn. • Mark Appel, the top prospect in the class, has two regular season starts left, with this weekend's tilt in Berkeley versus the California Bears. The Bears' top draft prospect is catcher Andrew Knapp, the top college catcher in the draft class, who figures to be a Day 2 selection.

Here's a less optimistic view of Ball by Law, Speedy as a counter point to guys like Jim Callis and Rawnsley who love him. Ball is the draft's best two-way prospect, so promising as a position player and as a pitcher that he could go in the first round as either one of the two. On the mound, his talent is easier to spot -- a 6-foot-6 left-hander with a loose arm, a fastball up to 94, and feel for a breaking ball already. His delivery has some effort in it, but he stays on top of the ball well and keeps himself online to the plate. He's inconsistent in finishing his pitches and doesn't get enough hip rotation, but there's nothing here that couldn't be fixed or improved in pro ball. As a position player, Ball has similar upside but is more crude, showing great bat speed and some raw power but lacking bat control and barring his lead arm when he loads. He's a plus runner who projects as a right fielder who, of course, would have a 60 or 70 arm. My gut feel on Ball would be to send him out as a pitcher, because he's closer to major league value on the mound with No. 2 or No. 3 starter ceiling, but I wouldn't argue with a team that wants to send him out as a hitter, figuring that it's easier to return to pitching after a layoff than it is to return to hitting. Either way he's a clear top 20 talent in this draft class. Fastball 55 55 -- -- FB Movement 50 50 -- -- Command 35 50 -- -- Control -- -- -- -- Curveball 40 50 -- -- Changeup -- -- -- -- Feel for Pitching 40 50

Thanks, Speedy but please don't call me a board "expert." I laugh at some guys who talk so expertly about prospects they've never seen based on regurgitated scouting reports. Worse when those scouting reports are outdated. All I have is an opinion, and I try my best to make sure it's informed by the best possible sources. Right now Ball projects to have at least 3 average pitches according to Law, but the scouts who want to dream on his size and huge development curve (once focusing strictly on pitching) see a guy who can have potentially 3 above average to plus pitches. We won't know who's right for at least 4 years.

I would love Manaea, but he's represented by Boras and the Jays seem to avoid him like the plague. I got my wish list for 10 pretty much down to one of Frazier, Meadows, Stewart, and Stanek, with and outside chance of Shipley or Ball.

I loved everything I've read about McGuire except for the bat, and from what I saw at the PG Classic (granted it's an old viewing), I was not that impressed. Then there's the history of high school catchers taken in the first round not really panning out, and the fact that this draft is deep in high school catches and I think we can get a pretty good guy in the 2nd or 3rd round. I'm also more confident in this front office's ability to identify pitchers than hitters given their early results. I wouldnt mind McGuire, but he wouldnt be my first choice personally.

Law has said however that his mock picks are not projections but based on info he's heard surrounding each of those teams.

Oh man, as much as I respect Keith Law's opinion he must be smoking some good stuff today with his first mock draft. Who knows, maybe he's heard something we don't know, but until I know what that is wow. Jays take Reese McGuire at 10 and pass on Clint Frazier who falls to 13. If AA did that I would rage. 10 Reese McGuire POS: C B/T: L/R HT: 6-1 WT: 190 School: Kentwood HS (Kent, Wash.) Analysis: I've heard the Blue Jays could take Ball or Meadows with this pick. I would expect them to be opportunistic on any player who was supposed to go higher than this and falls, which could mean Frazier. 13 Clint Frazier POS: OF B/T: R/R HT: 6-1 WT: 190 School: Loganville (Ga.) HS Analysis: Frazier and Meadows falling this far seems odd to me, but there's a flight to safety in the top 10, with teams expressing stronger preferences for college players over prep kids. That could certainly change in the next three weeks after scouting departments get into their draft rooms. The Padres would also consider Hunter Renfroe with this pick or they might cut a deal with a prep arm, an approach that worked very well for them last year when they nabbed prep lefty Max Fried at No. 7 overall.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mlb/news/20130510/mlb-mock-draft-2013-jonathan-gray-dave-perkin/?sct=hp_t11_a3&eref=sihp Yes please. 10 Ryne Stanek RHP Arkansas R/R6-4190 The Jays want and need pitching and at this spot many hurlers are available. Stanek, a power-armed righty, started poorly in 2013 but has since improved. He's not aesthetically pleasing because of a stiff delivery, but he has improved his command and has a body size that makes him easily projectable.

If it's the Jays reporting this I'm just awaiting the news that he's being scheduled for Tommy John surgery. lol

Bat=Denney Glove=McGuire I'm concerned by McGuire's hit tool since the Jays are connected to him. If we're going high school hitter I want a guy with a better than average chance to hit. For what it's worth, Law rates McGuire's hit tool as a future 45. From ESPN: Reese McGuire McGuire is the best-throwing catcher in the draft class, routinely showing pop times to second base under 1.85 seconds, about as good as you'll see at any level of baseball, and he's improved his receiving this spring as well. He is lean and athletic with good energy behind the plate, showing better hands this year than he did last summer when he struggled catching better velocity while attending various high-end showcases. His arm strength is plus but what makes his arm so special is his rapid transfer from glove to throwing hand. At the plate, however, he's a real question mark. ----------------Present Future Hitting--------------35 45 Power---------------35 45 Plate Discipline -- -- Running Speed----- 55 55 Fielding Range----- 60 60 Arm Strength------ 80 80 Feel for Game Jon Denney Denney was one of the stars of the summer showcase circuit last year, showing off raw power and a strong arm, but he has struggled receiving this spring and is no longer seen as a lock to catch. At the plate, his swing is very simple and direct, balanced throughout with power from his hands and his hips. Good bat control should allow him to hit for average and for power in time. Behind the plate, he has arm strength and his release is fine, but his receiving is shaky, especially on balls down in or below the zone, where he tends to slap down at the ball rather than catching it cleanly and holding it. He has an excellent catcher's build, not too tall, broad and durable, but isn't the kind of higher-energy, more athletic catcher teams seem to favor now. I think there's enough of a chance to fix what ails his receiving that you can send him out as a catcher and give him a few years to see how much he improves, especially since his bat at that position could make him an All-Star if he sticks. ----------------Present Future Hitting--------------40 55 Power--------------40 60 Plate Discipline -- -- Running Speed----30 30 Fielding Range--- 40 50 Arm Strength------55 55 Feel for Game -- --

More Draft notes from ESPN: It was an interesting weekend of college and prep baseball, with many high schools entering their postseason play and colleges gearing up for their conference tournaments. That also means it’s the last look at several players in the draft class, which makes it a crucial time for those who haven’t secured themselves onto a team’s board yet. This weekend we saw a dominating effort from the best high-school pitcher in the class, a bit of redemption from the class’ best southpaw, and the two best bats this year continue to put up gaudy numbers. • If anyone had any worries about St. Pius X (Texas) High School’s Kohl Stewart’s health, his effort on Monday went a long way toward erasing those doubts. Stewart was sensational against Nolan Catholic in the 5A playoffs, pitching a complete-game shutout while giving up just two hits and striking out 14. The right-hander’s fastball was clocked in the mid 90s, and his devastating slider gave hitters trouble all afternoon. “He’d be the No. 2 player on the board if I was running the show,” an NL East scout said. He’s got two 70 (on the 20-80 scouting scale) pitches in his heater and his slider, and I think the curve and change have gotten better. He’s not the prettiest mechanically but he’s got good rhythm and he knows how to pitch. That’s potential ace stuff, to me.” Stewart appears to be a top-10 lock, and it’d be a real surprise if he is still available after the top 5 at this point. • It has not been a great past month for Indiana State's Sean Manaea, but Friday’s start against Alcorn State was a definite step in the right direction. Manaea gave up only one earned run in his seven innings of work, walking one and striking 11. Most importantly, the slider was much better, and he was as efficient as he has been all year, throwing 71 of 100 pitches for strikes. There still are teams in the back half of the top 10 who are considering the left-hander, but he’ll need more efforts like this to keep that consideration. • Jonathan Gray had his start on Friday moved to Saturday as he recovered from strep throat, and he wasn’t his usual strike-throwing efficient self against Oklahoma State. In a 4-3 loss to Oklahoma State, Gray threw 109 pitches in five innings, walking three and hitting another while giving up six hits and three runs. The Oklahoma right-hander did have good velocity -- most of the day sitting 96-98 -- striking out eight, but the command just wasn’t there. “He never looked comfortable on the mound,” an AL scout said. “I don’t know if it was the [throat] or if he wasn’t used to the eight days off, but he really struggled to get ahead of hitters today. That is not something we are used to seeing, but we’re not too concerned.” • Coming off one of the best efforts of his Stanford career, Mark Appel had possibly his worst start of the season against Oregon State, giving up five runs, six hits and five walks in just five innings as Oregon State beat Stanford 7-3. “The box will tell you all the runs were scored in the fifth, but he had issues all day,” sad an AL Central scout. The command fell apart in the fifth inning, but he struggled to put hitters away most of the day and his slider was just average at best. That’s a good [Oregon State] club, though. He won’t face a better lineup than that the rest of the season.” • Right now, no pitcher is working his name up draft boards more than than Oral Roberts right-hander Alex “Chi Chi” Gonzalez, who was on-point again this weekend. In a complete-game loss to McNeese State, Gonzalez gave up two earned runs on just four hits while striking out 11. Gonzalez is a first-round lock, and could go as early as No. 15 to Arizona. • Trey Ball, out of New Castle (Ind.) High School, had a big double-header on Saturday, both with the bat and on the mound. In Game 1, Ball almost hit for the cycle, hitting a homer and a triple and showing the swing scouts loved last summer but haven’t seen most of this spring. Ball pitched in Game 2, pitching a complete-game shutout and striking out 12, with the fastball topping out at 93 but mostly sitting in the high 80s and low 90s. The San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies all have shown interest in the left-hander, and it’d be an upset if he’s available when the first-round ends. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hitters • I was in Kent, Wash., to see Kentwood High School catcher Reese McGuire play in the district championships and came away impressed. McGuire went 3-for-4 with a double off the wall against Skyview High School. He also showed off his amazing arm strength. One play in particular had scouts scribbling in their notepads. With a runner on second -- who had just run a 4.3 40 to get on first -- McGuire picked off the runner from his knees, throwing an absolute bullet strike to second. The only problem was the throw was so quick the shortstop didn’t get there in time and the ball bounced off the Skyview runner’s head. “We know what he can do with the glove, that’s why most of us are here,” an NL West scout told me during the game. “We haven’t always seen him be able to hit the ball with authority, so this is nice to see. His glove is so good that he’s going to be a big-leaguer. If he shows even a lick of offensive ability, he’s an All-Star.” • It was another huge weekend for San Diego third baseman Kris Bryant, hitting three homers in his series against Portland -- including a monster game on Sunday during which he went 5-for-6 with two bombs and a double, and also picking up a triple on Friday. Bryant continues to lead all of college baseball in homers and walks, and is putting up numbers we haven’t seen since the inclusion of the new bats. “I think people get so enamored with the power numbers that we forget this kid has some discipline, too," an AL scout said. “I don’t think it’s just a case of him being pitched around either. There’s a lot of swing and miss to his game, but he’s a smart hitter who works counts into his favor. We’ll see if that continues at the pro level, but I’d bet on it.” • Colin Moran continues to put up big numbers from the left side of the plate, even when he’s being pitched around. The North Carolina third baseman hit his 13th homer of the season and a double over the weekend against Georgia Tech. He also walked six times. Moran could go as early as No. 5 to the Cleveland Indians and likely won’t get past one of the two Pirates first-round picks -- be it pick No. 9 or 14.

Yeah, if Aybar's bonus demands drop far enough, I would jump all over that. His physical tools are all outstanding, and he's said to be the best defensive shortstop in the class. The unfortunate thing is he won't be able to play for a year (suspension) for lying, which would mean he'd be 19 in rookie ball, which wouldn't be too bad, except that his hit tool needs time to develop. Gudino is almost the complete opposite. No big tools, but a lot of hitting polish.

Baseball America just came out with their top 10 list of International Free Agents for July 2nd 2013, linking us to Venezuelan shortstop, Yelstin Gudino. That's very good news as Gudino is considered either the 1st or 2nd best shortstop prospect in this class, and has a lot of polish. Here is BA's list along with what they have to say about Gudino http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/ten-international-prospects-to-watch-for-july-2/ 7) Yeltsin Gudino, ss, Venezuela (video): When scouts grade out Gudino’s tools, there isn’t a 60 on his scouting report, but he’s a well-rounded player with success on the international circuit and strong baseball instincts. Gudino, who trains with Carlos Guillen, excelled at the 15U World Championship last August in Mexico and has continued to show an advanced hitting approach for his age. Gudino’s game will benefit from additional strength, which is a positive because there’s room to project more power and perhaps arm strength from his 6-foot, 150-pound body. He’s an average runner and a good fielder who projects to stay at shortstop. Oakland and Texas were tied to Gudino at one point, but now it looks like the Blue Jays are the leaders to sign him. An earlier list from John Sickels' Top 50 International Free Agents of 2013 at Minor League Ball http://www.minorleagueball.com/2013/4/24/4259466/2013-international-free-agents 9) Yeltsin Gudino, SS, 6'0" 152lbs, R/R, Venezuela Trainer: Carlos Guillen Age: 16.5 years A smart player with good instincts, Gudino shows the kind of feel for the game that belies his age. "He knows how to play," remarked one scout, who also noted Gudino's strong fundamentals and leadership qualities. Gudino's intangibles are off the charts, and his sound positioning and plus arm-strength help make up for his lack of pure footspeed (6.96). Already a pretty slick defensive shortstop who will make all the routine plays, if he can improve his overall range, his defense would project to plus. Gudino has a muscular athletic build. He hits from an open stance and employs a toe-tap trigger. His setup begins with an open stance, hands high and close to the body, and there is a slight bat wrap in his swing. Mostly a linedrive hitter, Gudino has very good bat speed, and shows some power to the pull side. Gudino has a wealth of experience having played for Venezuela internationally, leading the 15-and-Under team to the 2012 World Championship of Baseball. Gudino finished that tournament with an impressive line of .455/.611/.833 to go with 10rbi 1(2b) 4(3b) 10bb 3so 5sb 1cs in 8 games. Rumors have Seattle and Oakland interested in signing him. He's expected to receive a bonus in the 1mm range.

Right field. Plus arm. I guess Tinnish was hoping he might turn into Kris Bryant who we missed out on.

10 is too high for Gray. The guy can't locate for crap. Throws it straight down the middle. We should draft this guy:

You mean his face just blends into his neck sans chin? lol

The blocker save on Jagr? I don't know if that was luck or skill but holy crap we needed it. Did anyone see Grabo's trick shot flip over the back of the net that he tried to swat out of the air? If it had gone in (and if it was not a high stick) that would have been a top 10 highlight of the year. lol

Loved Winker. One of my favorite draft prospects last year. Bat was so advanced for a high schooler, with big raw power. I remember watching his older brother against the Lugnuts a bunch last year.

Thanks. I couldn't figure it out.

Post them then, I'm sure people would appreciate the info rather than just hoarding all that "knowledge" for yourself.