2008 Player Draft Scouting and Info 1-25

[RedlegJake]

I've compiled a number of reports and rankings using BA, Keith Law, minor league zone, and several other online sources. The first group are players 1-25. After the first 10 or so the players are grouped pretty closely. These are my own rankings and completely totally subject to error! Please add comments, ad scouting on players I know little about, add players I've missed that are 1st-3rd round caliber.

1 Tim Beckham ss Griffin (Ga.) HS best combination of tools, athleticism
and projection, Best HS Athlete, quickest HS to bigs A bonafide five-tool player at a premium position, there's a reason why Beckham is at or near the top of Draft lists everywhere. He's got tools galore, with some idea of how to use them. He'll need to iron out some things mechanically and fundamentally, but he's got the ability and potential to hit, hit for power, steal bases and stay at shortstop at the big-league level.

2 Pedro Alvarez 3b Vanderbilt Boras $8.5 million pure power & ability to
project at 3B seeks big league contract should reach quickly. Alvarez entered the season as the top player talent-wise in the Draft, and even though he missed a chunk of the season after suffering a broken hamate bone, his status hasn't suffered. While his timing and strength have been slow in fully returning, most are confident it will and point to a long track record of success for Alvarez. The only thing that could affect his status on Draft day are perceived bonus demands, but it's unlikely they will force any huge slide out of the first several picks.

3 Justin Smoak 1b S/L South Carolina 6-4 215 hot spring rising best power hitter
quickest to help There are a number of top-notch college first basemen in this year's class and Smoak is right at the top of the list. That's because he's got a smooth and easy swing that generates plenty of power from both sides of the plate. This isn't college power; it will translate just fine to the pro game. He can't run and is limited to first base defensively, but there will be more than enough bat to make up for those shortcomings.

4 Eric Hosmer 1b American Heritage HS, Plantation, Fla. 6-4 210 Boras client best
HS Power Arguably the top high school bat in the Draft class, the lefty first baseman has drawn comparisons to Casey Kotchman for his advanced hitting approach, though he might not quite be there. He's got a ton of upside with the bat, both in terms of hitting for average and power and he's surprisingly nimble defensively. Teams who like high school hitters with potential to move fairly quickly will be on Hosmer all spring.

5 Aaron Crow rhp Missouri 6-3 195 great fastball some question mechanics hardest
thrower best poise quickest to help After a strong Cape season, he was high atop Draft lists heading into the season. He's done nothing to hurt his status, showing three plus pitches to dominate hitters and establish himself as one of the top college arms, if not the top college arm, in the Draft class – that’s certainly between him and Matusz. FB up to 96 with movement, hard power slider that he throws for strikes, and a good feel for the changeup. Electric stuff and he maintains velocity deep into starts

6 Brian Matusz lhp San Diego three-pitch lefty who misses bats maybe
better than Crow great spring, polished After a slow start to the season, Matusz has remained one of the, if not THE top pitcher in this year's Draft class. The lefty has four pitches he can throw for strikes and isn't afraid to use his entire arsenal in a game. His velocity has been a little down this year and he hasn't pitched off his fastball as much as some would like, but he's still got front-of-the-rotation potential and is likely to see his name go off the board very early on Draft day.

7 Buster Posey c Florida State 6-2 200 top catcher College catchers who can stay at the position and can hit are always a hot commodity and Posey will be no exception. He's got a great approach with the bat and has a little power. As a converted shortstop, he's still a little raw behind the plate, but all the tools are there for him to be just fine and help ensure he gets drafted fairly early.

8 Kyle Skipworth c Patriot HS, Riverside, Calif. 6-3 190 L/R great spring rising best
HS Defense Arguably the best catching prospect in the draft class, Skipworth has all the makings of an offensive-minded catcher with plenty of power from the left side, a hot commodity for every organization. He's got plus arm strength, but needs some work in his defensive game, something scouts believe will improve over time.

9 Gordon Beckham ss R/R Georgia 6-0 185 great spring rising on boards hits, hits for power, athletic, projects at 2B should reach quickly. Beckham has quality at-bats and some pretty good pop, surprising considering his size. He's capable of being an excellent defender, but might be better suited at second as a pro.

10 Yonder Alonso 1b Miami professional approach and hitting ability best
line drive hitter in draft Alonso is a hitter, period, with a great approach and power, especially the other way right now. Defensively, he's no great shakes, but it's that bat that teams will dream about putting in the middle of their lineup to produce plenty of runs in the future.

11 Shooter Hunt rhp Tulane 6-3 205 fastball to go with a true power breaking ball
command issues With a strong junior season, Hunt has moved himself into serious first-round contention. While the right-hander doesn't always command his pitches well -- he's walked a few too many this year -- he's got terrific stuff, most notably his fastball and curve, both of which are above average. He hasn't needed a changeup much, but he has the feel for one. There might be one or two right-handers who rank ahead of Hunt heading into the Draft, but he's not too far behind them in the pecking order. 2 seam and 4 seam FBs from 90-95, a true power curve

12 Christian Friedrich lhp Eastern Kentucky 6-3 210 polished lefty commands three
pitches College lefties are always in high demand and, truth be told, there aren't that many upper-echelon ones out there this year. Behind San Diego's Brian Matusz, Friedrich is likely the best -- especially once he gains more consistent command -- with a repetoire that should land him in the middle of a big-league rotation in short order. Matusz may go first, but it shouldn't take long for Friedrich to hear his name, either. 88-93 w/ a cutter and above avg curve

13 Tim Melville rhp Holt HS, Wentzville, Mo. 6-5 205 Excellent HS pitcher also
hits, arm rates as good as any One of the top high school arms in the Draft class, Melville has a big projectable frame which has plenty of room for growth. Already possessing above-average arm strength, he could add even more velocity in the future. He shows glimpses of a good knuckle-curve, but will have to find more consistency with it. Same goes for his changeup, which is clearly his third pitch. He draws some comparisons to Yankee Phil Hughes when he was in high school and should find himself gone in the first round just as Hughes did.

14 Joshua Fields rhp Georgia 6-0 178 top closer in NCAA, could reach quickly A second-round Draft pick last year by the Braves after a subpar junior season, he and his advisor, Scott Boras, could not come to terms with Atlanta. So the closer returned to Georgia for a senior season to try and make his junior campaign a distant memory. He was off to a good start and could be the kind of college closer teams look for these days. Fb 92-95 w/a true hammer curve

15 Casey Kelly ss/rhp Sarasota (Fla.) all around athlete, excellent
defense, some question his bat One of the better athletes in the class, whoever drafts Kelly will have to lure him from being a two-sport star at the University of Tennessee, where he is a quarterback recruit. Big and athletic, he has all the tools to play shortstop. The main question is whether he'll swing the bat well enough and that could determine his draft status as a hitter. As a pitcher, he's a bit raw, but has the makings of three outstanding pitches and could be more intriguing to scouts on the mound.

16 Andrew Cashner rhp Texas Christian 6-5 195 closer has upper-90s velocity pure
power closer A move to a short relief role has suited Cashner extremely well. As TCU's closer, he's been virtually unhittable, though he has struggled with his command. He's had a big spike in velocity, up to the upper 90s to go along with a very good slider. College closers have become intriguing Draft picks over the past few years and Cashner has positioned himself to be one of the first taken. Hits 98 & has plus slider

17 Gerrit Cole rhp Lutheran HS, Orange, Calif. 6-3 190 great arm concerns about
delivery, presence and secondary pitches.best HS Power pitcher A projectable high school right-hander with the capability already to throw a fastball up into the upper 90s Throw in a future plus slider and a changeup, all for which he can throw for strikes. Scott Boras as an advisor. He has some mechanical issues with his delivery, with an arc in the back and a tendency to throw across his body; he gets too emotional on the mound.

18 Ethan Martin rhp/3b Stephens County HS, Toccoa, Ga. R/R 6-3 200 scouts like both
arm AND bat but his arm is too good to ignore. He went from an interesting two-way player to an upper-echelon pitching prospect in one start. Showing three above-average pitches he can throw for strikes as well as the ability to maintain mid-90s velocity deep into a game, Martin was sure to be one of the most closely watched prep pitchers in the draft class. He jumped on the screen with that one start; if he keeps it going, he'll move quickly up the charts.

19 Jemile Weeks 2b Miami 5-9 180 S/R line-drive swing, speed and surprising power may be best athlete & best speed in draft Even though he plays the same position as his older brother, Rickie, Jemile is not the same kind of player. He doesn't have, and likely will never have, the kind of power Rickie does. He runs extremely well and with a line-drive approach, could be a good table-setter. His defense is somewhat in question, but a move to center would fix that. The Brewers drafted Weeks in the eighth round in 2005 and it's clear that it was more than just a favor to his brother.

20 Aaron Hicks rhp/of Wilson HS, Long Beach pitches, plays CF speedy
athletic type, scouts split on pitcher or CFer, he prefers CF, not
projectible power but leadoff type. Hicks is one of the more athletic outfielders in the high school ranks and perhaps in the draft class. How high he gets drafted depends on how highly people project what he can become. He's got a ton of tools, but will he learn how to use them? Someone is sure to take that chance. Very raw with lots to learn but all the tools are there.

21 Brett Wallace 1b/3b Arizona State 6-1 245 pure hitter red hot spring rising
strictly 1B with arm and speed below ML avg Drawing rave reviews for his work in the box, he's one of the best hitters in college and perhaps in the entire Draft class. His unbelievable plate discipline will undoubtedly be attractive to some teams, though it's unlikely he'll play anything but first as a pro. He could be the kind of Major Leaguer who hits .300 with 25 homers and a high OBP annually.

22 Tanner Scheppers rhp Fresno State 6-4 200 92-96 mph fastball recent arm
soreness dropping him if his arm's okay he's a legit top ten Originally recruited by Fresno State as a shortstop, he's an intriguing right-hander with a ton of upside. He may be a little raw because of his lack of experience -- he showed just two pitches early in the season -- but the above-average fastball and strong early results will be enough to keep scouts coming and keep him moving up Draft charts all spring.

23 Conor Gillaspie 3b L/R 6-1 200 Wichita State grinder and a premium hitter MVP of
Cape Cod League, ballplayer skills over pure athleticism. After a strong Cape season, Gillaspie has followed up with an excellent junior campaign. He's a terrific hitter and has been over .400 for most of the year. His lack of power makes it hard to profile him anywhere other than as a Bill Mueller-type third baseman. There are worse things to be, of course, and a team that values what Gillaspie can do will surely take him.

24 David Cooper, L/L 1B, California - Great hitter, although scouts wish
he were bigger 20, 20 6' 1, 210, average speed and defense, probably
limited to 1st, good power, below avg arm He's got legitimate power to all fields and his advanced approach at the plate helps him avoid any slumps. Somewhat limited defensively, there's no doubt a team will take him fairly early just to get that bat into its system.

25 Jason Castro L/R C Stanford 6-3 215 plenty of bat & projects as a catcher in ML w/avg arm but good pop time could be a sleeper C pick in draft with Skipworth and Posey getting the press, fast for a catcher can steal on occasion. College catchers, especially those who hit left-handed, are always in demand and Castro has used a strong Cape League season to put himself in position to be one of the first backstops taken. He's got legit power and a good set of defensive skills. He might not be the first college catcher to go off the board, but he likely won't have to wait long. Has had some arm health issues

[RedlegJake]

Players 26-50

26. Brandon Crawford SS UCLA L/R 6-2 200 After his first two seasons at UCLA, Crawford seemed poised to be one of the top collegiate middle infielders in the class. But a rough Cape season appears to have carried over and he's lost some confidence in his game, both at the plate and in the field. Some added thickness to his lower half has taken away a little of his quickness, though he's still a solid shortstop. If he can right himself, he's the kind of player who usually sees himself go off the board within the first couple of rounds. A poor 2008 has hurt his status –he could go a lot lower than this. Covering Team USA last summer, I watched Crawford play long toss before a game, and after, some fans in the right field stands called for a ball. Crawford unknowingly shunned them, and realized when he neared third base. So he turned around, took a few steps and heaved the ball right over the right field fence. Crawford has a 70 arm, is superbly athletic and has a little juice in his swing.

27. Ryan Perry rhp Arizona 6-4 200 92-97 mph, power curve, poor spring More than one scout has scratched his head about the Arizona right-hander, who has a plus fastball up to 98 mph, a plus changeup and a slider that is a plus at times. Despite this arsenal, he's been hittable due to a tendency to open up on his delivery too early and keep balls up in the zone. Some see him as a reliever, and he should move quickly that way, but his size, arm action and repertoire say that a patient club could end up with a front-of-the-rotation starter.

28. Lance Lynn, RHSP, Mississippi 25, 25 Good command #3-4 starter, #4
likely. No true out pitch fb 88-90 6-5 260 weight concerns but projects
well as back of rotation innings eater. Lacking great pure stuff, Lynn is a level behind the elite college arms in this Draft class. But he makes the most out of his average offerings with excellent command, a knowledge of how to pitch and a real competitive streak on the mound. He's done a good job of maintaining his weight this year and will have to continue to do so as a pro. He won't wow you, but he's the type who could be a solid innings-eater who presumably won't take long to be big-league ready.

29.Jake Thompson, RHSP, Virginia Jake Thompson, sophomore, Virginia: The nation’s best statistical pitcher behind Adam Mills, Thompson has great stuff to boot, with top ten potential if he has a good summer.

30.Dennis Raben, L/L OF, Miami 6-3 220, long swing, power, passive hitter
gets behind in counts, walks, poor speed but decent defense with arm good
enough for RF After an All-Star campaign in the Cape, scouts were eager to see what Raben would do for an encore, especially since the outfield group this spring is relatively weak. Unfortunately, he's been disappointing since coming off a back issue. He's got a long swing and takes too many pitches, often hitting in negative counts. His raw power from the left side will still get him drafted fairly early, but maybe not quite as soon as it once seemed.

31. Petey Paramore C Az State S/R 6-3 215 These numbers may sum him up: In his first two seasons, he committed four total errors and walked 17 times more than he struck out. While he has a good game plan and handles the bat fine, particularly from the right side, it's his all-around defensive acumen that should interest scouts the most. Off the charts defense, all around. Handles the bat well and has a very good approach

32. Reese Havens ss L/R 6-1 195 South Carolina rising on boards A legitimate prospect in high school, teams were scared off because of a strong commitment to South Carolina. He's improved steadily in his three years there and has evolved into a good all-around hitter with outstanding plate discpline. He may need to move to third down the road because of his lack of range, but his smarts in the field may at least give him the opportunity to play his way off of short as a pro. At either spot, he's sure to go off the board pretty quickly.

33. Alex Meyer rhp Greensburg (Ind.) HS 6-7 200 ltr to UKy #5 prospect in
all of HS At 6-foot-7, Meyer brings a unique appearance to the mound, and he generates velocity and plane on his pitches thanks to the leverage of his delivery and his plus arm strength. He has been up to 95 mph with his fastball, and his two-plane curveball grades as a legitimate plus offering. Meyer was dominant in a two-inning stint at Perfect Game's National Showcase in Cincinnati, and was ranked by Baseball America's Prospects Plus as the No. 2 prospect in attendance, behind only fellow-West righthander Tim Melville. He also pitched well at the World Wood Bat Association 17-and-under summer championship with the Indiana Bulls travel team, and ranked among the top prospects at that event

34.Kyle Lobstein, LHSP, High School (AZ) 6' 3 180 lefty is very
projectable A projectable lefty who has the chance to throw three at least average Major League pitches, he certainly will be watched closely all spring. A basketball player as well, Lobstein is athletic on the mound and has a free and easy delivery. He gets started a little late because of hoops, but if he throws as he's capable of as the season wears on, he could be one of the first high school lefties to be taken in June. FB 88-90 Decent Curve Decent change with a chance to be plus

35.Sonny Gray, RHSP, High School (TN) 5' 10 as good a HS pitcher as there
is concerns over height, most HS poise, very polished for HSer Those who saw Gray over the summer -- and liked him -- saw more or less the same pitcher near the start of his high school season. He'll have to make believers out of those who shy away from undersized righties, but Gray's fastball and breaking ball -- and his command of those two pitches -- might be very persuasive. FB to 93 with little movement, power slurve

36.Tyson Ross, RHSP, California 6' 6 235, top of rotation stuff,
projectable body type Ross has all the makings of a front-of-the-rotation starter, from stuff to size. He's very imposing on the mound with a fastball that runs up to the mid-90s. He's got two other pitches that work well, albeit with an upright delivery that worries some, but it's worked for him to this point. FB 93-95 avg slider, shows a curve needs work, good change up

37. Aaron Weatherford, RHRP, Miss 6-0 187 Second-team preseason NCBWA All-American as the ace of the MSU bullpen • Enters his junior campaign with an 8-4 record with seven saves and a 3.81 career earned run average in 40 games • Hard-throwing righty who has totaled 115 strikeouts in 106-1/3 innings • On the initial watch list for the 2008 Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Award and the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award • Member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Leadership Team.

38.Robbie Ross, LHSP, High School (KY) 6-0 170 lbs big stuff outdueled
lefties DeVall and Maronde. 17th-best hs prospect again some concern with
size Ross is a very intriguing high school lefty who is considered to be one of the better prep southpaws in the Draft class. With a fastball that's plus at times, the possibility of two decent secondary offerings, good command and outstanding competitiveness, he's the type of pitcher who always gets more out of his stuff than others might. He may not have a ton of projection, but he's already pretty good. Sits at 90 touches 92

39. Adrian Nieto, C, High School (FL) 6-0 195 S/R Generally considered to be the second-best prep catcher in the Draft class, Nieto has a solid approach at the plate and a very strong arm behind it. However, an elbow injury last year has limited his time behind the plate and he struggled a bit defensively early this season. On the same team as top prospect Eric Hosmer, he'll get plenty of chances to show improvement in front of scouts this spring.

40. Robbie Grossman OF Cypress Fairbanks HS Cypress TX 6-1 195 S/R best of Texas
OFers in a down yr for Tx HS players. talented outfielder with plus speed and power potential, Grossman offers an intriguing package of tools. He has a track record of impressive performance and has been a household name among amateur baseball circles in Texas since his days as an underclassman.

41. Matt Lollis RHP/1B/DH Patriot HS Riverside CA 6-9 235 ranked #23 by
Baseball America after earning all-AAF, 5-4 with a 2.94 ERA and also hit
.432 in the DH role SD State letter

42. Allan Dykstra, 1B, 6-5 240 L/R Wake Forest - projects as 1B in pros hits
and with plenty of power In another year, Dykstra might be a hot commodity as a college lefty power-hitting first baseman with advanced skills at the plate. But if there's one strength in this class, it's first basemen, and he's probably a half-step behind the elite players at the spot.

43. Jordan Cooper HS Pitcher found very little about him except for several game acounts where he excelled but no scouting reports

44. Josh Lindblom RHP Purdue picked in 3rd rd by Astros in ’05 but dns, Lindblom has shown a plus fastball. He has pitched at 90-93 mph in every outing and peaked at 95. Scouts have mixed opinions on his breaking ball. It's more of a slider than a curveball, and its velocity varies from 74-82 mph. Some like his ability to spin the ball and envision it becoming a true slider, while others see it as shaky and becoming average at best. Lindblom needs to trust his changeup, and while he has clean mechanics, he's not deceptive pitching from a high arm slot. His lower body is not athletic, a mild concern. Purdue ace Josh Lindblom, was deemed Cotuit's best pitching prospect by coach Mike Roberts. "He's consistently under control, and very polished. Plus the breaking ball has been much better." Lindblom's slider has tightened in relief work, and he has shown improved command of his heavy fastball.

45. Brett DeVall lhp Niceville (Fla.) HS Florida's top prep pitcher 6-4 220 A sort of pitchability high schooler, which is rare, but should not be overlooked. He's got the chance to have three outstanding pitches and knows how to command all three. A big, strong competitor, he goes right after hitters and shows the ability to repeat his mechanics consistently, something that's always a plus for scouts, even if he doesn't light up the radar gun. Hits 91 sits at 88. Low stress delivery and big frame make him innings eater type. Being lefty raises his level quite a bit.

46. Cody Satterwhite, RHSP, Mississippi 6-5 200 Originally the Ole Miss Saturday starter, Satterwhite got bumped to Sundays because of his uneven performance. Scouts still love his body and his arm strength, but he's gotten hit much more than you'd think he should based on his electric stuff. The issues largely come from inconsistencies in his delivery and despite the subpar season, a team that feels it can tweak his mechanics is still likely to draft the right-hander fairly early. Touches 95 sits at 92 Satterwhite was a top pitching prospect coming from high school, but a rocky freshman season at Ole Miss had him end up in the bullpen. The Rebels closer, Satterwhite had a rocky season — he was extremely enigmatic all season. His strength is a put-away power curveball, but Satterwhite also puts it in the mid 90s.

47. Brett Hunter, RHRP, Pepperdine 6-4 215 Closer prospect season ending injury
hurts his draft position, healthy he's a top 10 pitcher in draft. Hunter touched 99 mph in fall practice and sits in the mid-90s with his four-seam fastball. He also can cross batters up with a two-seamer that features life and sink, and backs his heaters up with a tight slider. He doesn't always repeat his delivery or command his pitches, and he hasn't shown much of a changeup, so he could be a reliever in the major leagues. He excelled in that role while leading Team USA with a 0.66 ERA last summer.

48. Brad Holt, RHSP, UNC-Wilmington 6' 4 195 righty could first round 57 IP
62 Ks he tops out at 95-96 mph with consistent velocity in the 92-94 mph range“He’s got a good arm, a good delivery and he does it easily,’’ one scout said. “His breaking ball the other day was not very good. But that was just one day. I have seen it where it has been a little bit better. I would think every scout likes him in some regard, without question.’’ A third rd pick at worst

49. Cutter Dykstra RH 2B 6-0 180 Westlake HS Ca UCLA Ltr son of Lenny
potential 1st rd ability CF candidate more power than Dad same speed and
attitude some doubt signability over UCLA. He absolutely lit it up in BP. It doesn't always translate into games, but he knows how to handle the bat, how to bunt, etc. He shows flashes of power. He hit the first pitch he swung at in BP out of the park. Dykstra is an above-average to plus runner

50. Daniel Webb rhp/1B Heath HS, West Paducah, Ky. 6-3 205 best HS arm in Ky
26th-ranked high school player There are things about Webb that scouts love: his size, his strength, his aggressiveness on the mound. Most of all, there's the velocity, which gets up to the mid-90s. What's lacking are other pitches -- his curve and slider are below-average -- and his command. The team that has seen enough glimpses in those areas that convince them he'll improve will take a flier on his arm strength. That could happen within the first few rounds.

[RedlegJake]

Players 51 - 75

51. Isaac Galloway, OF, High School (CA) R/R 6-3 190 He's got more now skills -- and less projection -- than fellow outfielders Aaron Hicks and Anthony Gose. But he can do everything well and should develop into a guy who will hit for average and power as well as steal some bases. The ceiling may not be as through the roof as with the others, but he's the type who could hit 20 homers and steal 20 bases annually in the future.

52. Bryan Price, RHRP, Rice, 6-4 200 excellent speed on fastball Averaged better than a strikeout per inning, reliever

53. Luke Burnett, RHSP, Louisiana Tech 6-8 260 Burnett has routinely sat in the mid 90s this summer, touching 96, and also showing a good splitter. The secondary offering, combined with Burnett's downward angle, make him a groundballer par excellence.

54. Chris Carpenter, RHSP, Kent State 6-4 210 Carpenter has a big arm with a plus fastball and a slider that is often above-average as well. That two-pitch mix will be enough for him to perhaps be a setup guy at the next level rather than a starter. His health is a concern (Tommy John surgery in 2005) and might scare some people off, another reason why perhaps a bullpen role would be a good choice. Carpenter can touch 98 mph with his fastball, but he has yet to figure out how to dominate college competition.

55. Harold Martinez, SS/3B, High School (FL) 6-3 185 R/R attempting to right his
sinking prospect ship, poor showing in spring showcases disappointed
scouts, all the tools Martinez certainly looks the part of a future pro player with a good, athletic baseball body. He entered the season with plenty of expectations and hasn't lived up to them as performance hasn't met what many thought his potential will be. Someone dreaming about his projections will likely take a chance on him, but the question is whether it will be early enough to keep him from going to Miami.

56. Michael Palazzone, RHSP, Lassiter High School (GA) Palazzone, who is considered by many recruiting services as the top pro prospect in the Southeast. If the talented right-handed pitcher goes high enough in the draft, he will pack his bags and head off to a rookie league or Class A baseball. It's an experience that comes with money, but not necessarily luxury. Ltr to Georgia. "I mean he can throw in the 90s," McMurtry said. "He's got a nasty 12-6 curveball. His best pitch is his changeup. His changeup should really be against the rules. His changeup doesn't really sink like a lot of guys'. If you wait for it, you're out. You can't hit it. It literally is an unhittable pitch. At one point he ran up 60 consecutive scoreless innings

57. Jarret Martin LHP Centennial HS CA 6-3 195 ltr to CS Fullerton StudentSportBaseball makes him a top 20 prep pitcher. recorded 81 strikeouts in 59 innings pitched, and a .330 batting average with 43 runs scored and six home runs. fastball ranges from 88 to 92 mph, his changeup clocks in at 72 and his best pitch is his curve, which has sharp late break at 77-78. Some inconsistency this spring but has 4 pitches he commands rare for HSer

58. Ike Davis 1b/of L/L 6-4 205 Arizona State power hiter injury slowed him,son of
Ron Davis On radars since high school, when he was a 19th round pick of the Rays in 2005, the son of ex-big leaguer Ron Davis has a sweet left-handed swing that should generate more power in the future. He's not speedy, but he is a solid base runner and would be fine as a corner outfielder or first baseman at the next level.

59. Jake Odorizzi, RHSP, High School (IL) 6-2 170 A high school pitcher with "helium," Odorizzi is moving up charts thanks to an excellent repetoire, good command and smooth delivery. He's got four offerings that grade out as average or better, a projectable frame that has room for growth. The only things that could hold him back are some questions about his competitiveness on the mound and a commitment to Louisville. 2 seam and 4 seam fastballs from 88-92, plus hammer curve (at times)

60. Zach Stewart, RHRP, Texas Tech 6-1 175 College closers have become all the rage lately, with some getting drafted early every year. Stewart could be in that group in 2008. The Texas Tech reliever relies on a plus fastball and slider and commands both power offerings well. He's got the kind of makeup you want in a short reliever, a guy who is very aggressive and goes right after hitters. The stuff plus the mentality could push Stewart into early-round consideration.

61. James Darnell, 3B, South Carolina, 6-2 195 R/R Not as much a pure hitter as his South Carolina teammeats Justin Smoak and Reese Havens, Darnell still makes solid contact and has some line-drive power, particularly to the pull side. The Cape League All-Star is strong, but not very agile defensively. That could force a move to a corner outfield position in the future. How much people think he can develop his raw power may determine how quickly he gets drafted. Using a swing that's flat through the zone, Darnell can really drive the ball. Below avg runner, slightly above avg arm

62. Zach Collier, L/L OF, Chino Hills High School (CA), 6-2 185 Collier began the year behind other California high school outfielders like Aaron Hicks and Anthony Gose. He closed the gap with some strong performances this spring, showing some big-time power in some big games. He's still very raw, but with some more instruction, a whole lot could be unlocked. Only 17 going into draft. Terrific tools but a long way off.

63. Zach Cox, 3B, Pleasure Ridge Park High School (KY) 6-0 205 L/R contact hitter w/avg skills but projects as 3rd baseman. Put simply, Cox is a hitter. Once regarded as a legitimate two-way player, the focus has changed as his hitting ability has developed faster than his pitching. He's nothing spectacular at third, but should be able to stay there. The main question is how much power he'll show as a pro and how it's answered could determine his Draft status

64. Niko Vasquez SS, Durango HS Las Vegas 6-0 175 Vasquez played in his first game of the season at the end of March because he was academically inelligible. When he's on the field, he shows a bat that could translate into a .270 hitter with 20-25 home run pop down the line. He has well below-average speed, which turns some off when considering him as a shortstop, but he's got the arm and the actions to stay there for now. If he fills out, he could handle a move to third, both with the glove and what's expected from that position offensively, in the future.

65. Zeke Spruill rhp Kell HS Marietta Ga, 6-4 190 The very definition of a projectable high school right-hander, Spruill has the size and flashes the pitches to be an intriguing prospect. His fastball runs up to 94 mph, though he doesn't always maintain it. He's got a smooth delivery, but a long arm sweep is an issue. There's a lot to work with here, and a team that likes projectable arms won't hesitate to take him.

66. Tyler Stovall, LHSP, Hokes Bluff High School (AL) 6' 1 190 lefty touching
96,out-pitch slider A slender and athletic looking left handed pitcher with command of a fastball that reaches 90 mph. His breaking ball has shown tight rotation and action at times. As he gains more body control in his delivery, his overall stuff and effectiveness should improve quite a bit.

67. Roger Kieschnick, OF, Texas Tech, 6-3 200 Kieschnick is a potential five-tool corner outfielder who could hit for power and steal a few bases. He plays a fearless outfield, getting to plenty of balls and showing off a good arm at times. The one knock is an issue with his mechanics at the plate that concerns some about his hitting ability at the next level. Still, an aggressive college outfielder -- in a weak class of outfielders -- who has those tools should get plenty of interest.

68. Tim Murphy, LHSP, UCLA - The 6' 2 205 lefty 4 pitches College lefties are always of interest come Draft time and this Draft class does not have a ton to offer. Murphy offers up a four-pitch repertoire that he mixes well to keep hitters guessing. His stuff isn't off the charts, but he has a good idea of how to pitch and is a battler on the mound. If he can clean up some mechanical problems, he can become a durable strike-throwing starter at the next level.

69. Michael Montgomery LHP Hart HS Valencia Ca 6-4 190 Every spring, there seem to be high school lefties who gain some "helium" and move up draft charts. Montgomery is one of them this season, thanks to a spike in velocity that has the southpaw getting up to 93 mph. Combine that with decent command and a projectable frame and he's becoming more intriguing to teams willing to work with him on developing his secondary offerings.

70. Zach Putnam, RHRP, Michigan 6-2 215 Some see him as a pitcher, others as a hitter. He's got raw power in either spot. On the mound, he's got the potential to throw three to four quality pitches, though he'll have to correct some flaws in his delivery first. Those issues have caused some command issues, though scouts remained intrigued about the potential. FB up to 96 sit about 90, filthy splitter, avg slider "He's an enigma," the AL scouting director said. "On the right day, he'll show heavy life to a low-90s fastball. He's big and physical. But his secondary pitches are not strong. To me, he's a definite relief pitcher at the next level."

71. Jack Armstrong Jupiter HS Fla father is Jack 6-7 200 fb 88-92 decent
curve, raw as a pitcher, also college hoops, signability issue from college He's got many things going for him: Big-league lineage (his dad, Jack, was a Major League pitcher), athleticsm (he's a legitimate college basketball prospect) and a tall and lean projectable frame. He's also shown two good offerings he can throw for strikes. Because of his split focus, both with basketball and in playing first base on the diamond, he's still raw as a pitcher. But all of those positive attributes are sure to have several teams interested on Draft day.

72. Tyler Sample, RHSP, High School (CO) 6-7 220 L/R If you're looking for a big right-hander with power stuff, Sample might be your guy. He's got a fastball that cranks up to 95 mph and a hammer curve. He doesn't use the change much, but it should be a pitch for him in the future. He's never going to be an above-average command guy, but he should throw enough strikes to be successful. He might be a bit of a project, but at 6-foot-7 with that kind of stuff, someone will be willing to try and see it through.

73. Ryan Flaherty, SS/2B, Vanderbilt 6-3 210 3B/2Bman as a pro. Good solid bat A strong and athletic infielder with a classic left-handed swing, he's drawn a comparison to Wally Joyner in terms of his offensive skill set. He should hit for average, but hasn't shown much power at this point. Defensively, he's got a good arm, but does not have the range to stay at short. A move to third might make the most sense given his size.

74. Vance Worley RHP, Long Beach State 6-3 210 Worley was projected as a high pro draft pick, but he suffered an elbow strain late in the season that cost him velocity and led pro teams to bail. He wound up being drafted by Philadelphia in the 20th round and chose to attend Long Beach State instead, something he says he might have done regardless. Worley hit the low 90s on the speed gun before the injury and struck out 102 in 51 1/3 innings this season while posting a 4-3 record and 1.79 ERA. In 2004, he was 6-1 with a 1.71 ERA. Worley is outstanding when healthy and finished last season with a 1-2 record and a 3.64 ERA in 54 1/3 innings of work. He also struck out 38 and walked 12.

75. Destin Hood OF St Pauls Epicopal Mobile Al HS 6-2 185 R/R Prospects with the pure athletic ability of Hood will always attract interest. Hood has the potential to do it all, particularly hit with power and run. A shortstop in high school, he'll undoubtedly move to the outfield as a pro. He has some feel for the game, but overall is more projection right now. The big question is whether the team that drafts him will be able to sign him away from being a two-sport star at the University of Alabama.

[RedlegJake]

Players 76-100

76. Preston Guilmet, RHSP, Arizona 6-2 190 Pitchers who simply produce in college often get overlooked early, but invariably get drafted, particularly by some teams who value that kind of performance. Guilmet won't light up a radar gun, but he's got three outstanding secondary pitches and excellent command. He's come down to earth a little bit from last year's Pac 10 Pitcher of the Year performance, but he's still a strike thrower with an unorthodox and deceptive delivery. That delivery has some thinking he's a middle reliever or swingman in the future, but there's no question he knows how to pitch. FB 87-88 with darting movement, hard slider with curve action and plus changeup

77. Aaron Schafer, RHSP, Wichita State

78. Wade Miley lhp SE La-Monroe

79. Scott Green, RHSP, Kentucky 6-8 245 Green turned down a large bonus offer a year ago when the Red Sox drafted him in the 15th round, hoping he'd have a strong junior season and vault himself into the first round. Whether he sees that kind of money again remains to be seen, but his performance, one that's seen him taken from the rotation and nearly buried in the bullpen at Kentucky, doesn't point to a guy who's going to go early. That being said, his size and arm strength will still be enough to intrigue someone to take a chance. Had Tommy John surgery, also elbow problems

80. Brett Lawrie SS BritColumbia HS, R/R 6-0 190 trains with Russ Martin in off season Scouting Canadian players can sometimes be difficult because of the lack of opportunity to see them. But scouts know all about Lawrie and his plus power potential, something he's been able to show off while playing for the Langley Blaze in British Columbia. What they don't know is where he can play, though he's shown the tools -- raw though they may be -- to handle being a catcher. It may take a while, but putting that bat behind the plate could one day make him a premium player.

81. Xavier Avery, OF, High School (CA)

82. Scott Gorgen, RHSP, UC-Irvine 5-10 190 Gorgen's combination of stuff, command and makeup in a different package would be flying up Draft charts everywhere. But as a stocky "undersized righty," he'll have to fight an uphill battle to get the recognition he probably deserves. There are always teams who look outside that certain box, and his ability to throw three pitches -- fastball, curve, changeup -- for strikes to go along with a terrific work ethic should entice one of them to take him. FB 88-92 good life, good slurve and a plus plus changeup – maybe best change in draft, above avg command of all three

83. Jordan Danks, OF, Texas John’s brother was considered elite out of high school, but he wanted to go to college, and will be drafted in the first round next June. However, his scouting report hasn’t changed much in two years, as Danks has yet to develop the power he has once projected. Danks looks more like a gifted leadoff hitter with great speed, patience and defense. As a 6-foot-5, 209-pounder who looks like he should hit for power, runs well and displays good instincts on the bases and in center field, Danks passes the eye test with ease. He could have been a first-round pick out of high school—as his brother, White Sox lefty John was in 2003—if he hadn't asked out of the 2005 draft, but he hasn't developed as hoped. He has hit just six homers in two college seasons and shows just average bat speed and an inconsistent feel for hitting.

84. Nick Maronde LHP 6-3 195 S/L It's not often that you can tell someone to head to Kentucky to see top-notch Draft prospects, but that's the case in 2008. Maronde may be the cream of that crop, a projectable lefty with an above-average fastball and the possibility of two other pitches to go with it. Some issues with mechanics have led to command problems, but that certainly won't keep a team from taking him fairly early in the Draft.

85. Logan Forsyth 3B Arkansas

86. Kyle Weiland RHP Notre Dame

87. Mitch Harris, RHSP, Navy 6-4 215 Not your typical college senior, Harris could be among the first of that class to go if the Navy allows him to put off his active duty like the Army's Nick Hill did a year ago. The Braves liked what they saw in Harris a year ago despite knowing it would be nearly impossible to sign him. He's still throwing as well and the going should be a little bit easier, so predicting an earlier draft than last year's 24th round is a no-brainer. FB to 93 w/a cutter-slider and changeup, outstanding makeup

88. Cecil Tanner, RHP, High School (GA)

89. Taylor Hightower, C Caretersville HS Ga

90. Brett Monneyham, LHSP, Buhach Colony HS (CA)6-4 215 90-94 fb, slider,
command issues, Boras client with ltr to Stanford A big, imposing lefty with the potential to have some plus stuff is always interesting, but Mooneyham's lack of command may cause some to pause. He's got serious arm strength and should develop three average or above offerings in the future. The combination of wildness, a concern over whether he's mentally ready to make the leap to pro ball, a commitment to Stanford and having Scott Boras as an advisor all make Mooneyham a bit of a wild card for Draft day.

91. Bobby Bundy, RHSP, High School (OK)

92. Corban Joseph 2B intent to UKy .418 HS career

93. David Adams 2B

94. Riccio Torrez 2B 6-0 190 R/R He gets the ultimate compliment from scouts by being called a real "baseball player." He's a five-tool player, with the bat as the only plus one. Defensively, he'll make for a good second baseman as a pro and has a very mature makeup. His brother is the second baseman at ASU and he is committed to the same school. Torrez can flat-out hit the baseball. He uses excellent bat control and makes solid contact, usually up the middle and the other way. He's got a short and compact swing.

95. Tyler Chatwood Redlands E HS Ca C/OF/RHP 90-94 good curve heat but
low ceiling 5-10 180 maybe best in OF maybe hits well size concern as
pitcher Chatwood is an intriguing athlete and pitcher. Some see him on the mound and some see him as a super-utility type. He does have command of two good pitches, though his size could keep some from being too interested. How he progresses on the mound could determine when he gets drafted.

96. Andy Burns, 2B, High School (CO)

97. David Duncan LHP Georgia 6-8 208 Has been used as a starter or reliever during his career on the Flats ... Combines a lively fastball with a good changeup and also features a split-finger fastball. Drafted in 14th rd by Twins out of HS but elected college

98. Brett Jacobson, RHSP, Vanderbilt 6-6 205 R/R With a tall, projectable frame, scouts have always been intrigued with Jacobson. He has the ability to throw three decent pitches -- fastball, curve, changeup -- for strikes and from a downhill plane. He doesn't have the prettiest delivery in the world and some issues with fastball command hurt him early on this season,something he'll have to straighten out to get serious consideration early in June. FB 88-91 on downhill plane, above avg curve and plus change

99. Austin Dicharry, RHSP, High School (TX) Ranked No. 1 on the 2008 Inside Prep Baseball Texas Top 25 list Ranked No. 41 on the 2008 Baseball America Top 100 Prospects list Member of the 2007 Texas Rangers Area Code Team Posted a 10-1 record with a 1.41 ERA with 78 strikeouts in 59.2 innings as a junior. Good command. Ltr to Texas

100 Evan Crawford LHRP Auburn Jr 6-1 185 fb touches 91 w/ a hard sharp curve pitching out of Auburn's bullpen after two ineffective years as a starter. He used a strong Cape season closing as a springboard and has been used as more of a setup man with Auburn. He's been able to use two good pitches to go right after hitters and should be of interest to teams looking for quality lefty relievers...which is pretty much every team.

[RedlegJake]

Players 101-125

101. Anthony Gose LHP Bellflower HS Ca 5-11 17- L/L Depending on how he develops, Gose could fit one of two types. He could be a Corey Patterson type, one who flashes brilliance and hits for power but strikes out a lot. He also could be a Juan Pierre type, a leadoff hitter who sprays line drives and steals bases. Either way, someone will draft the Urban Youth Academy product based on his projectability. 6.5 sec in 60

102. Seth Lintz RHP Marshall Co HS TN 6-1 165 ltr to UK 3 pitches HS All American As a junior in 2007, Lintz earned a school-record 12-1 record on the mound, striking out 116 in 85 innings. Lintz totaled a 1.33 ERA while earning first-team All-State honors and leading his club to a Region Championship finish. An excellent student, Lintz is a four-year member of the honor roll, and currently stands second in his graduating class.

103. Garrison Lassiter SS Clemmons 6-2 187 ltr to UNC. Last year at West Forsyth, Lassiter hit .413 with 5 home runs and 34 RBIs, and he accumulated these impressive stats in a conference that is historically very strong. As a defender, Lassiter is fully capable of playing multiple positions in the infield. According to scouts, he possesses great instincts, displays fluid movement, and has a power arm. Lassiter is ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 69 overall prospect in the nation

104. Kyle Russell, OF, Texas Russell led NCAA Division I with 28 homers last year (eclipsing the previous Longhorns record of 20) and has a quick bat with power to all fields, yet scouts still aren't sold on his bat. Many think he has a grooved swing, and he has repeatedly made poor contact with wood bats. He's an average athlete and runner with a right-field arm, though his ability to hit will determine his ultimate value.
"I'm kind of in the middle on Russell," the first NL scouting director said. "I do really respect the lefthanded power. I do question how much he's really going to hit, though. But he has put up pretty good production at the highest level of amateur baseball."

105. Dominic De le Osa OF Vanderbilt R/R 6-0 205 The senior was taken in the 10th round of the 2007 draft by the Tigers, but chose to return to Vanderbilt for his senior season. He's very strong and has power to all fields with a fairly short swing. As an outfielder, he's limited to a corner. That puts more pressure on him to show he can hit. How he swings the bat will greatly determine his draft status.

106. Tyler Ladendorf, SS 2B/3B, Howard College (TX) 6-2 210 R/R Ladendorf was drafted by the Giants in the 34th round last year (the second year in a row he'd been drafted in that round), but he opted to return to Howard for another season. There's little question his Draft stock has risen since then as he's shown the ability to run, hit for power and field his position pretty well for a player his size. He may not be a shortstop long-term, but he's more than athletic enough to handle a switch. Wherever he plays defensively, his size and athleticism should see him get drafted for a third time much earlier than the previous two.

107. Josh Romanski LHP/OF SD State 6-6 185 L/L no hit Harvard 15th rd pick in 05 There is some debate over Romanski's value, whether it's higher on the mound or in the outfield. He's got a solid hitting approach with occasional power and he's OK in center field, though few think he could play there every day at the next level. He might be a bit of a tweener who ends up being a pretty good fourth OF one day. FB sits at 88

108. Preston Clark C 5-11 215 UTx great arm hits ok Two-year starter at catcher ... all-conference performer who should garner All-America and Johnny Bench Award consideration ... a quality signal caller who possesses an exceptional throwing arm and advanced offensive skills ... gained valuable experience as a U.S. National Team member in the summer of 2006.

109. Danny Espinosa SS Long Beach State S/R 6-0 190 he can handle the bat a little bit. Defensively, he's got outstanding instincts and a plus arm. He may not go as high as Crosby, Tulo and Longoria did, but he's sure to garner plenty of interest. Espinosa is a baseball rat who has logged a lot of innings already in his career and played on several U.S. National youth teams. He's very solid with the glove but his bat numbers in 2005 were modest, .288 and 20 RBI, to go with 18 steals.

110. Ryan O'Sullivan P/SS Valhala HS NY 6-0 180 O'Sullivan, whose brother Sean is in the Angels organization, hopes to follow in his footsteps as a pitchability right-hander. There's not a whole lot of projection for him, but he does have the chance to throw three Major League average pitches. FB 88-90

111. Andrew Liebel Long Beach State 6-1 195 College seniors are always intriguing draftees, largely because they appear to be easier signs, and Liebel could be among the first to hear his name called. Long Beach State's Friday starter has competed well, averaging nearly eight innings per start, despite having just average stuff across the board. He does have a pretty good idea of how to pitch and that, along with his competitive nature, should be enough to get him drafted.

112. TJ House LHP Picayune HS MIss 6-1 190 Top 20 prep pitcher w/ltr to Auburn considered unlikely to sign

113. Ryan Babineau C UCLA R/R 6-2 205 Teams looking for good defense behind the plate surely know all about Babineau, one of the better catch-and-throw guys in the draft class. Though he's improved offensively, the bat lags behind the defensive tools. He looks like a guy who could use his defense and leadership to become a solid backup catcher at the big-league level, a guy who'll shut down the running game and maybe give you a .250 average and 10 homers annually.

114. Jermaine Curtis 3B UCLA Jr 6-1 90 R/R After an All-Star campaign in the Cape League last summer, there were some high expectations for Curtis. He hasn't lived up to them, struggling at the plate to hit the ball with the same authority he has in the past. He doesn't have the arm to stay at third and would profile better at second at the next level. Mechanical problems hitting but projects well, power mediocre 10-15 HRs a year maybe

115. Sawyer Carroll L/R OF U Ky Carroll turned down an offer a year ago to sign with the Nationals as an 18th-round pick to return to Kentucky. The Wildcats must be happy as the senior has been among the Division I leaders in hitting for much of the year and has dramatically improved his power output. Scouts do not think, however, that the power will translate to the pro game and the fact that Carroll will be limited to left field, at best, does cap his Draft status somewhat. Still, he's bound to enhance his round by a good margin this June.

116. Lonnie Chisenhall SS Pit CC L/R 6-0 200 A 12th-round draft pick out of high school in 2006, he chose USC over the Pirates. His Gamecock career ended abruptly after he was arrested on burglary and grand larceny charges. If teams can be convinced he's gotten past it and his makeup is OK, he still has the tool that had everyone interested in the first place: a plus bat.

117. Greg Conver rhp American Heritage HS Fla 6-5 200 tall, lanky body and clearly the kind of frame that has plenty of room for growth, Conver is the kind of high school pitcher projection fans will love. His fastball has some heavy sink when he's throwing it well, but some delivery issues keep him from being too consistent across the board. He'll get plenty of looks playing with Eric Hosmer and Adrian Nieto at American Heritage and whoever takes him will be dreaming about what he might become, not what he is now. Fb 87-90 scouts think better mechanics and growth can easily add 3-5 mph to that

118. Colin Cowgill OF U Ky 5-9 195 R/L rare RH hitter who throws lefty, Cowgill is one of those college outfielders whose performance surpasses how his tools grade out. He's got a good hitting approach, but scouts don't expect him to hit for power in the future. He most likely profiles best as a fourth outfielder type, the kind of guy who could fill in every day in center, but wouldn't be seen as a long-term solution. After turning down the A's (29th round last year), he's certainly improved his Draft status this year. A reach until the 3rd round

119. Chris Dominguez R/R 6-6 235 Louisville Soph One of the bigger enigmas in the Draft class, Dominguez is eligible as a sophomore after red-shirting his freshman year back in 2006. Healthy now, he's been an impact player at the college level this season, but his performance has been extremely inconsistent. He'll look outclassed one moment and in a league of his own the next, leaving many a scout to scratch his head. Still, his size, strength, athleticsm and potential all should pique someone's interest early enough. Plus raw power but very inconsistent

120. Kevin Eichhorn S/R RHP Aptos HS Ca 6-1 170 A huge start in front of a large audience at the National Classic in late March certainly didn't hurt, but Eichhorn will have to work past the "undersized righty" stigma. He does have two decent offerings, plus command and poise to help him with that, as well as good bloodlines -- his father Mark spent 11 seasons in the bigs. A few years at Santa Clara might not hurt, but that will depend on when he's drafted. FB 88-91 with jump, avg curve plus command

121. Anthony Ferrarra R/L LHSP Riverview HS Fla 6-1 170 Shoulder weakness and soreness limited his starts Any pitcher coming off of any kind of injury is always going to be difficult to place in terms of draft status. If he stays healthy, he's got a chance to go pretty well as a southpaw with some plus stuff. There will be some risk involved, but isn't there always when high school pitchers are concerned? 91 mph fb w/ a small tight curve

122. Rolando Gomez SS Woodrow Wilson HS Ca 6-2 170 S/R He may not look like much at first glance -- and his size is an issue -- but Gomez really knows how to play the game. He's got a terrific approach at the plate for a high schooler and smooth mechanics. Defensively, he's got the hands and arm to stay at shortstop, but his range may force him over to the right side of the infield, where he could be an interesting offensive-minded second baseman.

123. Trey Haley Central Hts HS Tx 6-4 185 It's not a good year for talent in the usually loaded state of Texas, but there always has to be at least a few intriguing prep arms. Haley may be the best of the lot with a projectable frame, a good delivery and two outstanding pitches he commands well. He's another East Texas kid in the Clay Buchholz mode and if he can prove people he's not just good because of the lack of competition -- something he's done all spring -- he should give the state of Texas some pride on draft day. FB up to 95 w/movement and plus curve has committed to Rice and is considered a hard sign

124. DJ Hicks 1B Lake Brantley HS Fla 6-5 210 If you're looking for a high school bat with plus power, this might be your guy. Hicks has plenty of it from the left side of the plate, both in the present and future tense. He makes good consistent contact and can drive the ball to all fields. He's limited to first base defensively, and while he's no gold glover, he should hold his own there. Also a right-handed pitcher, it's his size and power bat that should interest scouts the most. Probably goes lower than he would other years because of number of good first baseman in draft

125. Kyle Wieland RHP Bishop Manogue HS Nev 6-3 170 While he doesn't belong in the discussion of elite pitchers in this Draft class, Wieland does have some pretty good pitchability. Not too many high schoolers can throw their breaking ball for strikes at will, but count Wieland among the few. With the ability to command his fastball and a feel for a change, the wiry right-hander is the kind of high schooler who could move fairly well through a system and emerge as a back-of-the-rotation type in the future.

[mth123]

Awesome. This will be a nice resource on draft day.

[Lockdwn11]

Good stuff, Thanks a million RJ.

[redhawk61]

I Hoper we get this guy in the 3 rd
94. Riccio Torrez 2B 6-0 190 R/R He gets the ultimate compliment from scouts by being called a real "baseball player." He's a five-tool player, with the bat as the only plus one. Defensively, he'll make for a good second baseman as a pro and has a very mature makeup. His brother is the second baseman at ASU and he is committed to the same school. Torrez can flat-out hit the baseball. He uses excellent bat control and makes solid contact, usually up the middle and the other way. He's got a short and compact swing.

[Blue]

First of all, you are my hero.

Secondly, I would be very if the Reds wound up with the guys you listed at #7 (Buster Posey) and #119 (Chris Dominguez). In fact, if the Reds were to wind up with Dominguez at that slot, I might soil myself. He's a supreme athlete, but his plate discipline isn't up there with that of a lot of elite college hitters. But does the ball ever jump off his bat! A good fielder too, with a great arm. I'd be very pleased if the draft went in this order.

[Javy Pornstache]

Phenomenal. Thanks for posting this.

[OnBaseMachine]

Good stuff, Jake.

[REDblooded]

This is who I want......... I went to high school here, so I'm a bit biased...


33. Alex Meyer rhp Greensburg (Ind.) HS 6-7 200 ltr to UKy #5 prospect in
all of HS At 6-foot-7, Meyer brings a unique appearance to the mound, and he generates velocity and plane on his pitches thanks to the leverage of his delivery and his plus arm strength. He has been up to 95 mph with his fastball, and his two-plane curveball grades as a legitimate plus offering. Meyer was dominant in a two-inning stint at Perfect Game's National Showcase in Cincinnati, and was ranked by Baseball America's Prospects Plus as the No. 2 prospect in attendance, behind only fellow-West righthander Tim Melville. He also pitched well at the World Wood Bat Association 17-and-under summer championship with the Indiana Bulls travel team, and ranked among the top prospects at that event

[SoTxRedsFan]

Any of you guys have an update on that kid we drafted last year that went back to school? Blake Stouffer?

[RedlegJake]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=3365120

Stouffer may have actually hurt his chances in the draft returning - at one point he was hitting just .188. He turned it around, though and ended up decently but not with the kind of year he had as a junior. I figure he'll likely go in the 3rd or 4th round.

[BuckeyeRedleg]

Any of you guys have an update on that kid we drafted last year that went back to school? Blake Stouffer?

I'm sure Blake Stouffer currently wishes he would have signed last year with the Reds.

.260, 5 HR, 34 RBI, .391 OBP/.385 SLG/.776 OPS

He should have taken advantage of his career 2007 season. Take a look at his 3 seasons:

2006: .229, 3 HR, 15 RBI, .389 OBP/.362 SLG/.751 OPS
2007: .398, 12 HR, 85 RBI, .487 OBP/.668 SLG/1.155 OPS
2008: .260, 5 HR, 34 RBI, .391 OBP/.385 SLG/.776 OPS