ace3113

Hmmm. do I go with the opinion of a reputable source or check some internet site with questionable credentials. For the record it's not just one opinion check out Perfect Game, Keith Law, Baseball Prospectus if you'd like. But you can go ahead and consult fanposts published a year ago, and from someone who probably has not even seen the players mentioned or is not well-connected to scouts who have. That's ignorance at it's finest. Anyone know how to ignore a poster?

Sigh. It's fine if you have an opinion, but you really have to stop misleading posters who might not be aware by posting false info/reports that run contrary to what pretty much all the "experts" say. Anderson doesn't have 4 major league pitches, and impeccable command. He has 2 plus pitches (maybe 1 now), a solid/inconsistent change and good command. His stuff has also taken a step back as the spring has worn on so his fastball is more like 90-93 now than 93-96. The way you phrase your hyperbole, someone might think Anderson should be the top pick in the draft. Mark Appel barely has 4 pitches, and he's the best pitcher in this draft. I don't know why you keep running out this party line about Gray's supposed lack of command when both the stats 16bb in 89ip (Gray) vs 24bb in 85 (Anderson), and scouting reports suggest that his command has been very good and in fact, better than Anderson's. I've never put another poster on ignore, but I'm strongly considering it because as much as you contribute every now and then, your constant need to be right, and change others opinion at the expense of the facts can be really hard to stomach.

Rondon's pitching pretty well in AAA and he's only 22, and his stuff hasn't taken a step back, so I would hope it's the latter. I think the salient point is that Gray and Rondon are pretty different types of pitchers.

I think most of the posters on this board are pretty knowledgeable (GD included), I wouldn't limit it to any 3 people per say.

Here's some stuff on Ryon Healy via Perfect Game: 1. RYON HEALY, 1b/3b, 6'5 227, R/R, Oregon (Jr.) .342/.419/.583 10HR 46RBI 15(2B) 24BB 20SO 5SB 2CS The top power bat [from Oregon] in this year's draft class, Healy is rivaled only by Oregon State sophomore outfielder Michael Conforto for best power in the state, regardless of class. While he's seen time at third base, his natural position is first base. That profile puts a lot of pressure on the bat, but his impressive offensive tools and power surge this spring will give organizations enough confidence in the bat to make him a top three round pick, possibly working his way into the second round. His approach at the plate is controlled aggression, he takes violent hacks at hittable pitches and also recognizing when to take or fight off pitcher's pitches. He's always put on impressive power displays during batting practice, and as he's advanced as a pure hitter it has begun to translate into games on a regular basis.

I'm not the type of poster that likes to put other posters on blast often, and I generally try to respect everyone's opinion, because we all make errors. I don't know everything, I'm often wrong, I don't always have to be right, and I will change my opinion given empirical evidence or an opinion I respect showing me a reason otherwise. That's pretty much what I remind myself when I disagree with someone's reasoning so vehemently.

To be fair, I liked Anderson quite a bit, and still like him. But alas in retrospect the whole argument seems kind of silly. Here are some of the highlights for everyone's edification. Comparing Anderson to Gray:

http://www.forums.mlb.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=95&nav=messages&webtag=ml-bluejays&tid=89336 The poster TO1 is Niko10. The blog was from Twins daily. A fan site. I didn't get it either.

LOL. Who the heck is Coast 2 Coast prospects? No offense, but I'd take some of your criticisms more seriously if you didn't constantly post scouting reports from random fanblogs (Twins fan blog? when trying to argue Anderson over Gray) especially ones that aren't conscientiously updated, while scoffing at the opinions of reputable sports journalists whose views just don't happen to coincide yours. I think I'll stick with Callis and my own vision from my viewings over Coast 2 Coast.

Frazier and Gray if you mean out of everyone. If you mean who might still be available for us at 10, I've said before, there's so much parity around our pick, that it's really hard for me to prefer one guy over another, so I'll give a list of guys from each group that I like in no particular order. Pitcher: Stewart, Stanek, Ball, Shipley, Bickford-------->Krook, Church (next round) Hitter: Frazier, Meadows, Smith, Moran, Renfroe ------>Unroe, Longhi (next round)

Great find GD. It's nice to finally see the delivery at least. I can't really tell anything beyond that it's a nice repeatable, easy delivery. This is probably a bad comparison, but he makes me think of a pitching version of Hunter Renfroe. He has the raw tools to be really good (#2 borderline number 1 starter) or he could be a reliever. Law has him as having a future 70 fastball and 65 changeup. I don't even know what a 65 changeup would look like but I'm guessing not quite Pedro so around Tim Hudson level changeup. Big risk/big reward which for a college player is tough for me to advocate unless he's a draft eligible sophomore or something.

Fitzy (Toronto): Do the Jays have Ball pitch or play outfield? Jim Callis: I think almost every team would put Ball on the mound. Plus fastball, plus curveball, plus athlete, promising changeup. If he got to No. 13, the Padres might pop him as an outfielder, but they’re the exception. I’m not even sure he gets to Toronto at No. 10, to be honest. He’s rising. I actually like his changeup better from my viewings, but apparently the curveball has taken a BIG step forward this spring. I'm not surprised. That's one talented kid. Fastball apparently up to 95 now and still hitting 93 in the 7th of his 11 strikeout game.

Thanks for the updates Hurl. If Unroe makes it to us in the 2nd or 3rd I will be jumping for joy. This guy has massive tools (with the hit tool being the best), 6.5 runner, 91mph arm, surprising power, and looks like he can stick up the middle. I know high school stats don't mean anything but he's hitting .553/.636/1.128 10hr 14(2b) 5(3b) 18bb 4so 25sb 4cs in a very competitive baseball state and in a very strong program. http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2013/05/08/cumulative-prep-batting-stats-572013/

Guy should have signed out of high school. Definitely cost himself some money. Stuff has taken a small step back, performance hasn't really been there, and the diabetes will always make him a health concern. I think he's a reliever at the next level. Probably goes round 3-7.

Ooops. Forgot about him. I don't think he'll be a star, but Martinez seems like a sure fire big leaguer to me for some reason. He's pretty much solid in all aspects of the game, and pretty polished for a high school player. Renfroe is expected to go in the 11-20 range. That Mock by McDaniel's has him going 11th to the Mets.

Hmmmm. I'm not saying I'd want us to draft him, because he scares the heck out of me as a prospect, but I'm intrigued by the potential of Mississippi State outfielder Hunter Renfroe. The guy is a major tool bag (in a good way). He has 5 tools that rate 55 or better (Arm: 98mph from the mound; Speed: 6.60 second dash time; Power: 60; Defence: said to be plus in right). My only concern is that his hit tool had not really been there (save a few summer leagues), until this season where he's now hitting a gaudy .394/.488/.781 15hr 49rbi 13(2b) 2(3b) 29bb 27so 9sb 3cs in the SEC, which is widely considered the top baseball conference in the NCAA. Now is it the case of a guy with a lot of talent and tools finally putting it all together or is it a one year mirage. I'd be scared to find out, but he could be a pretty nice player for someone willing to take the risk. Mostly though I'm looking at players I like in the later rounds. High school: Phil Bickford, RHP Riley Unroe, SS Billy McKinney, OF Nick Longhi, 1B Andrew Church, RHP Brian Navarreto, C Ryan McMahon, 3B Terry McClure, OF Derik Beauprez, RHP Dustin Hagy, RHP Christian Arroyo, 2B Connor Heady, SS Jordan Paroubeck, OF Edwin Diaz, SS Tyler O'Neill, C (Canadian) NCAA/JUCO: Cody Reed, LHP Hunter Dozier, SS/3B Stuart Turner, C Corey Knebel, RHP Steve Tarpley, LHP Jake Johansen, RHP Ryon Healy, 1B That's all I can think of for now.

I know eh. This guy is like freakin Bigfoot or the Lockness Monster. I've seen footage of every potential first rounder except him. Come on Bullpen Banter guys, surely a trip to Vegas for "scouting" wouldn't be too bad.

Braden Shipley was recognized as a special two-way player early in his development as a ballplayer at North Medford High School in Medford, Ore. A right-handed pitcher and top-notch shortstop, it was widely believed he could do both once he reached college, even at the NCAA Division I level. The 2009 Perfect Game West Uncommitted-November Showcase in Mesa, Ariz., was the only Perfect Game event that Shipley attended, but he made an impression. He was named the top prospect at the event and a PG scout wrote: “Shipley is a quality 2-way prospect with loads of Division I quality tools on both sides of the ball. His best ceiling appears to be on the mound, where he topped out at 90 mph with a hard spinning, mid-70s curveball, but the 6-1, 170-pound athlete can hit as well.” Perfect Game ranked Shipley the No. 374 national prospect in his high school class of 2010 after he graduated from North Medford High, and he went undrafted out of high school. He had originally committed to Western Nevada College (a junior college) and considered an offer from Oregon State before deciding to join head coach Gary Powers at the University of Nevada in Reno. Powers and his staff recruited Shipley as a pitcher but also told him he would be given the chance to play shortstop if the opportunity presented itself. Due to changes within the Wolf Pack’s roster during his freshman year, Shipley was moved into the starting shortstop position simply because he was Powers’ best option at the time. “We needed him to play shortstop and really he was the only guy that could adequately play there, and he did a tremendous job,” Powers told PG this week. “But our initial intention was that we saw his potential as a pitcher and that’s what we wanted him to do.” Shipley responded by becoming one of the Pack’s leading hitters in 2011, batting .287 (39-for-136) with nine extra-base hits and 19 RBI while playing outstanding defense; he was named second team all-Western Athletic Conference as a shortstop. Shipley also pitched in five games that spring (two starts) and finished 1-0 with an 8.71 ERA in 10 1/3 innings. “It wasn’t too hard because I had done both in high school,” Shipley said this week of the transition from the mound to fulltime shortstop. “I did feel like coming in that I was going to get a little more pitching time but Coach and I talked … and he needed me to fill that spot. I was just trying to do the best I could to help the team out and at the time that was me playing shortstop.” At that point in his year-old collegiate career, it probably looked like Shipley’s future was as a position player. But easy now, not so fast. Shipley came back in the fall of 2011 for his sophomore year and was given an opportunity to work as a starting pitcher every week during the short fall season. He spent very little time at shortstop that fall, although he continued to take batting practice so he could still the swing the bat if called upon. By the time his sophomore season in 2012 was in the books, Shipley had emerged as the Wolf Pack’s Friday night ace. He finished 9-4 with a 2.20 ERA – the nine wins and ERA led the Western Athletic Conference – and he was named the WAC Pitcher of the Year. His 98 1/3 innings-pitched ranked second in the league and his 88 strikeouts ranked third. “Going from short to pitching my sophomore year wasn’t too hard for me just because of the fact that I had pitched before and I had done both,” Shipley said. “I like both positions so it was fairly easy to make that transition. I had talked to Coach after my first year here and I told him I wanted to throw on Friday nights. He agreed that was something I had to work for.” After that breakout season on the mound, Shipley headed to the Great White North to play in the Alaskan Summer League with the Anchorage Bucs. Working as the Bucs’ closer and restricted by an innings-pitched limit of 25 over the entire summer, PG’s national cross-checker Allan Simpson named Shipley the ASL’s Top Prospect. That recognition came despite the fact Shipley didn’t even work his 25 innings; he threw 17 innings in 17 appearances, picked up seven saves and enjoyed an outstanding 29-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio. It was in the ASL that Shipley first saw his fastball touch 97 mph. Simpson wrote: “Though Shipley does not have an overly physical frame, he is very athletic and generates his superior velocity with a very quick arm from a high three-quarters release point, enabling the ball to explode out of his hand.” “That was a big thing for me,” Shipley said of the ASL experience. “I know that (Powers) was really hesitant about me going up there and throwing because he didn’t want me to log a bunch of innings. But I told him I was going to go up there and close and get 20, 25 innings or so, and work on my breaking ball; I needed to get my feel back for that. I had lost a whole year of pitching my freshman year … and I also needed to put on about 15 or 20 pounds.” Shipley, listed at 6-foot-3, 190-pounds at Nevada, said early in the summer the velocity on his fastball had jumped to around 95 mph, up from the 92-93 he threw during his sophomore season in Reno. He attributed that increase to his closer role when he could just go out there and “let her rip a little bit.” “The most important thing was for him to go into the summer and be able to work on what he wanted to work on and not be playing for somebody who was more focused on what he could do for them,” Powers said. “They let him work in the weight room and used him as a closer so he could continue to work on getting stronger and still pitch for them, but not in the same role that he had here.” A lot was happening quickly for Shipley, and he came into his junior season widely recognized as the top pitching prospect in the WAC; he was ranked as the No. 88 overall prospect in the 2013 MLB amateur draft. He didn’t disappoint: after his first 12 starts this season, Shipley stood 7-2 with a 2.49 ERA, with a 78-27 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 86 2/3 innings. “He’s such a tremendous three-pitch guy; he’s got three pitches that he can throw at any time for strikes,” Powers said. “It’s all to his credit. He’s worked extremely hard on all the little things that make a difference and he’s stayed committed to that. It’s his commitment, his work ethic and his dedication to continually trying to find ways to get better. “His intentions are to pitch in the big leagues someday – not to just go and play professional baseball but to pitch in the big leagues someday. He’s always looking for things that will help him have a better chance of doing that.” The scouting community certainly took notice of Shipley’s improvement and PG’s Simpson jumped him up to No. 17 overall in the latest 2013 draft prospect rankings (up from his previous position at No. 88). PG national scouting supervisor Todd Gold named Shipley the No. 1 prospect in this year’s draft with ties to Nevada. Gold wrote: “His stuff isn’t quite as electric as the power arms that are projected for the top five picks but Shipley’s stuff is strong in its own right and his ability to utilize it will likely make him a first round pick.” In Perfect Game’s first mock draft published on April 18, Baseball Prospectus’ Nick Faleris, representing the Kansas City Royals, selected Shipley with the No. 8 overall pick, For his part, Shipley has completed almost all of his coursework for the school year and is now able to focus on nothing but baseball and his future, which includes his rising draft status. “It was actually a big surprise to me,” he said of his rise in the rankings. “Not being drafted out of high school; that was what I wanted. I knew I had to develop – I was a small kid coming out of high school, only about 160 pounds or so, so I knew I had to fill out and develop. After last summer I kind of figured I might get some mentions for maybe the first 10 rounds or so, but it’s still kind of unreal to me that I’m getting mentioned as possibly going in the first round. I’m super excited about it and really excited to see what happens.” Powers, who has been the head coach at Nevada for the last 30 years, takes a little more of a wait-and-see approach: “That’s totally out of everybody’s control,” he said. “I know how that works and I’ve seen goods and bads come out of that, so we can only control what we can control and he can only control what he can control, and that’s all his focus is on until that day comes. All he can do is go out and do what he does every day, and he does it pretty well.” Shipley’s three years in Reno have breezed by like a warm Friday night. He progressed from all-conference shortstop as a freshman to WAC Pitcher of the Year as a sophomore to potential first-round draft pick as a junior. His ceiling is so high it needs wings and the three years he spent in Reno will always be near and dear to him. “It’s been a great experience,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of help from my pitching coach (Pat Flury) and he’s really helped me progress and develop as a pitcher. The atmosphere with all the guys here is great … and all the coaches are very helpful; I’ve built a lot of great relationships.”

I'd be ecstatic if Meadows was available, and there seems to be a good chance of that happening apparently. Stanek may also be there, which would be a good problem to have.

I don't think he's a safety pick at all. In fact, I think there's a good amount of risk/reward with Shipley. On the one hand he doesn't have a long track record, and for a college pitcher he's quite raw. On the other hand he's super athletic with free-and-easy delivery and a fastball that sits 93-95 with a peak of 97. His changeup is a plus pitch, and his curve has flashed plus. That's pretty good upside. With more experience and instruction, you could be looking at a #2 starter with 3 plus pitches. Here's Keith Law's take for what it's worth. Kirk (Las Vegas) What is the ceiling for Braden Shipley and what is the most reasonable expectation for him? Klaw (1:53 PM) Great athlete, chance for three plus pitches. If that's not a potential ace, it's pretty close. He doesn't have the command or the present breaking ball to be that, but that's his best-case scenario outlook.

He's actually advanced a lot over the last 4 months. His velocity is steady low 90s, and he does not need to add much weight to add more velocity cause his delivery is so smooth and easy. Via natural maturation he's likely to add 3mph just because of that. His changeup is a legit plus pitch now, and his slurve is coming along very well. Pretty much all the draft pundits (PG, BA, Law, BP) agree his secondaries are very promising, and you can see even in this old video his change is very good and his slider/curve is effective. His natural athleticism also gives one confidence that whatever he learns he'll be able to translate to his game. As far as command, I've never heard anything negative about his command, and it would certainly not be uncommon compared to other high school players. I would not have a problem if the Jays drafted him, but like I said, I'm not really sure who I want at 10 beyond the vain hope that one of the top names drops.

Nick Longhi Position: 1B/OF/LHP Height: 6-2 Weight: 208 Bats/Throws: R-L Birthdate: Aug. 16, 1995 High School: Venice Senior City, State: Venice, Fla. Commitment: Louisiana State Projected Draft Round: 2-3 We don’t bat an eye in baseball, so to speak, when we see a right-handed thrower step into the left handed hitter’s batter’s box to swing. In fact, it’s seen as a very positive thing for any player at any level. Approximately 70-percent of the pitchers in Major League Baseball are right-handed, and most hitters perform their best off pitchers who are throwing with their opposite hand due to the direction the pitcher’s breaking ball is moving. The opposite, though, when a left-handed thrower hits right-handed, is extremely rare. According to one source, there have been only 57 bats right, throws left non-pitchers in Major League history. Surprisingly, there have probably been even fewer left-handed throwers who were switch-hitters. The most accomplished R/L player of all-time is unquestionably Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson. Henderson has been quoted as saying the reason he hit right handed instead of left handed was, “All my friends were right-handed and swung from the right side, so that’s just the way I thought it was supposed to be done.” Reds outfielder Ryan Ludwick is the most prominent active player who is a member of the R/L club. That brings us to Florida high school first base/outfielder Nick Longhi, potentially the next big league hitter belonging in the exclusive R/L club. Longhi’s story on how he came to hit “backwards” is closely tied to the game of golf. Many may recall the story of how golf great Phil Mickelson, who does everything in the world right handed except swing a golf club, learned how to swing a golf club as a small child by standing in front of his father, a golf instructor, and mirroring his swing. Longhi’s father, Tommy, is a former PGA professional who has worked in golf his entire life. Longhi’s mother, Debbie, also played golf on the Pro Futures Tour. However, Longhi’s story of learning to swing isn’t as fascinating as Mickelson’s. “I was just too cheap to buy him left-handed clubs when he was a little kid,” Tommy Longhi relates. “I had right-handed clubs sitting around all over the place for free and he was growing through clubs like he was clothes. When Nick started playing baseball, he went straight to hitting right-handed just like golf. I didn’t play baseball, it didn’t even occur to me that Nick would!” Swinging the bat right-handed is what Longhi does best on the baseball field and what could get him drafted inside the first 100 picks should scouts think he would give up a scholarship to Louisiana State. Longhi’s swing stands out for two things. The first is that it is one of the most mechanically fundamental and simple swings you are likely to find on a high school hitter. Because he is so strong in his hands and forearms, Longhi is able to get away with less weight shift in his lower half than most hitters while still generating outstanding raw bat speed from a short swing path. His hand load is similarly simple and understated. If Longhi were to spread out his stance a bit his approach would be very similar to another extra strong right handed hitter, Albert Pujols. Secondly, Longhi shows most of his game power from centerfield to the right field line and can probably drive the ball as hard and deep to right centerfield as any high school hitter in the 2013 class. He will turn and lift the ball frequently in batting practice and in workouts for scouts, but rarely in games. Most young hitters learn to pull and lift first and only later learn to stay behind the ball and drive it the other way. Longhi’s carrying tool with scouts is definitely his bat and offensive potential, but he is also an underrated athlete and versatile defensive player. He’s very slick around the first base bag and likely ranks only behind PG All-American Dominic Smith in the 2013 class defensively at first base among top prospects. However, Longhi has been playing more extensively in right field and even in centerfield this spring and shown a potential plus throwing arm and good instincts to the ball, though his running speed will definitely limit him to the corners at the next level. Although scouts are unlikely to have turned Longhi in as a left handed pitcher, and he has thrown less than 20 innings for Venice High School the past two springs, Louisiana State does plan on potentially using Longhi on the mound should he get to Baton Rouge. The southpaw has topped out at 91 mph this spring to go with a pretty good 73 mph curveball and a deceptive delivery that would work well as a reliever. One more thing that weighs in Longhi’s favor with the scouting community is his relative age to other high school players in the 2013 class. He is one of the youngest players in the 2013 class and won’t turn 18 until mid-August, something that more and more teams are paying attention to when considering a prospect’s entire package. It would be inappropriate not to tie Longhi’s story together without another golf reference. Before the season, Longhi and his father traveled to Orlando for Demo Day at the 2013 PGA Golf Show. Ken Griffey Jr., Fred McGriff and Ron Harper were hosting the Nike demo tent on the driving range and challenging all comers to try to top Griffey’s 298 yard drive (into a stiff wind) with the newest Nike Cobra driver. Harper even offered up a Chicago Bulls championship ring he was wearing to anyone who could outdrive Griffey. No one did until Longhi stepped up and knocked his second drive 306 yards, forcing Harper to quickly recant his offer of the ring. Hitting right-handed, of course. Andrew Church Position: RHP/OF Height: 6-3 Weight: 199 Bats/Throws: R-R Birthdate: Aug. 16, 1995 High School: Paolo Verde City, State: Las Vegas, NV Commitment: San Diego Projected Draft Round: 1S-2 Having just been declared eligible for his senior season last week, Church hasn't been seen as much this spring as a legitimate Group 1 prospect would otherwise have been seen, yet. That is about to change, as he has reported seen his velocity climb into the mid-90s during bullpen sessions this spring. His hammer curveball that became a plus pitch for him as early as last summer and was a weapon for him when he locked up with Alabama's Kevin Davis in a great pitchers duel during the semifinals of the 17u PG World Series in Arizona last July. His changeup is also quite solid for a prep arm and he has an idea how to utilize and command his impressive arsenal. His stuff and ceiling is of the caliber that it could be argued he should be more of a 1a than the No. 2 prospect on this list, and would have been the top prospect had it not been for the impressive breakout of Shipley this spring. Keep an eye on Church over the final weeks leading up to the draft, as his late start to the season will give him limited opportunities to pitch in front of MLB decision makers this spring, but he has the stuff to make a strong impression during those opportunities, and he could make a late push into the top two rounds as a result. Church is one of the more well rounded pitching prospects you'll find in the high school ranks. He doesn't have a glaring weakness, as he commands his low 90s fastball well, throws both of his secondary pitches (a plus curveball and a solid-average changeup) for strikes consistently and shows some feel for pitching. He doesn't have any one area where he absolutely stands head and shoulders above his peers, but he's the staff ace on the Dream Team thanks to his combination of stuff and pitchability.

Second round I want Riley Unroe (SS), Nick Longhi (1B) or Andrew Church (RHP). Three of my favorite players in the draft. Riley Unroe Position: SS Height: 6-0 Weight: 180 Bats/Throws: B-L Birthdate: Aug. 3, 1995 High School: Desert Ridge City, State: Mesa, Ariz. Commitment: Southern California Projected Draft Round: 1S-2 A popular catch-all phrase that is prevalent in college football recruiting is “Athlete.” It simply means that the player’s future position is to be determined but that his athletic skills are good enough to play any number of skill positions. On a football field that usually means defensive back, wide receiver, running back, and even quarterback in the right systems. Baseball needs some similar catch-all phrase to describe players who have the athleticism to stay in the middle of the field (shortstop, second base, centerfield), but whose future position is still to be determined, perhaps not for many years. If for no other reason, it will make the annual scouting debates about whether high school shortstops can stay at shortstop in the long term less ubiquitous and predictable. I’ve often used the phrase “Premium Defensive Position” to describe middle of the field athletes, but that usually includes catcher as well, so that is less than ideal. Regardless, Arizona high school shortstop Riley Unroe, one of the fastest rising prospects in the country heading into the final six weeks prior to the draft, would be a perfect candidate for a new baseball “Athlete” category. It’s that athleticism, and improved power and bat speed at the plate, that gives Unroe a good chance to go among the top 50-60 picks in June. Unroe has a tightly wound, quick twitch 6-foot, 180-pound build, although he might be a bit shorter than his listed height. He’s a plus runner in the 60, having run anywhere from 6.40 at the Perfect Game National Showcase to plenty of 6.5s for area scouts to a 6.61 at the Tournament of Stars. He has the body type that is not going to lose speed as matures physically. Unroe graded out as a 10 defensively at the Perfect Game National Showcase while playing not only the middle infield but centerfield as well. He has a solid average to fringy plus arm from all positions and has touched 90 mph off the mound as a reliever. While Unroe doesn’t have the classic “Latin Style” infield actions that so many scouts seem to think are necessary to play shortstop at the highest levels, he is quick and athletic to the ball, with the hands and balance for the middle infield. I asked one area scout recently about Unroe’s defensive position and his answer was a perfect hedge in scout talk cliche: “I’m not sure he’s a shortstop, but he’s versatile and can play multiple positions. Some guys like him as a second baseman and others think centerfield is possible.” What has separated and elevated Unroe this spring has been his all-around improvement with the bat. A switch-hitter, Unroe struggled at times from the right side against quality pitching last summer as his swing lacked fluidity and timing, especially compared to his crisp, short and fast left-handed swing. Not only has Unroe improved his swing mechanics from the right side this spring, some scouts say that he might even have more natural power from the right side. He has consistently crushed the ball left-handed all spring, too, and is currently hitting .556-10-58 with 13 doubles, 5 triples and 20 stolen bases for the 22-5 Desert Ridge High School team. Unroe also has an impressive 13-to-4 walk-to-strikeout ratio in 121 plate appearances. As seems to be happening more and more frequently in the Arizona prospect ranks (which includes Cody Bellinger and Brantley Bell in the 2013 class), Unroe is the son of a former big leaguer. Tim Unroe was a 28th round senior sign pick out of Lewis College in Illinois in 1992 but rose quickly through the minors as a power hitting corner infielder and had five separate cups of coffee in the big leagues between 1995 and 2000.

I'm hoping that one of the college pitchers (Stanek, Shipley, Manaea) or the Georgia high school outfielders (Meadows, Frazier) fall, but beyond that I'm not sure who I want. I've been hearing the Jays really heavily scouting two players in particular: Phil Bickford and Trey Ball. Bickford is a big projectable high school righty (6'4 200+) with a plus fastball and a big sweeping slider, who has been really rocketing up the draft boards. Right now he's throwing 92-94 steady, and touching 97 with a smooth delivery. Video of him striking out 16 guys by Bullpen Banter. Trey Ball is almost guaranteed to be drafted as a pitcher now. I was really weary of taking him before because of his rawness, but recent reports and viewings have really impressed me about his potential on the mound. He's a legit 6'6 with easy projection and a free and easy delivery. His athleticism allows him to repeat his delivery perfectly (unlike many tall hs pitchers). He's already sitting 91-93 now, but figures to add a few ticks (93-95?) down the line. He also has an advanced changeup, a really good one in fact, considering he's a high schooler and the fact that he's split his time between the mound and the field. It's probably a 50-55 right now and projects for me to be a 60. His curve is kind of slurvy but it works for him, it's probably a 45 now and a future 55. This guy is a lefty with the chance for three above average to better pitches. I can definitely see now, why people like Law, Rawnsley, and Manuel, Callis think he's the first prep arm off the board.