Here's a list of some notable high school pitchers drafted in the 1st round.
2002 - Zack Greinke, Scott Kazmir, Cole Hamels, Matt Cain
2003 - John Danks, Chad Billingsly
2004 - Homer Bailey, Phil Hughes, Gio Gonzalez
2006 - Clayton Kershaw
2007 - Madison Bumgarner, Rick Porcello
2008 - Gerrit Cole (didn't sign), Jake Odorizzi
2009 - Zack Wheeler, Shelby Miller
2010 - Jameson Taillon, Aaron Sanchez, Noah Syndergaard
2011 - Jose Fernandez
2012 - Lance McCullers
Why you cut your list off at the top 5 is somewhat arbitrary. You could argue that teams have picked the wrong high schoolers in the past, but to say that high school pitchers never succeed is just downright wrong.
Edd Roush (05-25-2017),lollipopcurve (05-25-2017),Nathan (05-25-2017),Tom Servo (05-25-2017)
For a 3rd/4th round guy, Zac Lowther struck out 9 and gave up zero earned runs in 7 innings against a really good St. John's offense in Omaha today.
I could be completely off base, but wouldn't it be kind of weird if an elite high school hitter was just constantly walking? What is Bubba Thompson's batting average? Does he hit for power? I'm guessing with HS hitters scouts are moreso looking at tools and projectability.
My friend's little brother was a pretty good high school catcher. He led the district in walks. He didn't even sniff a scholarship or anything.
Edd Roush (05-25-2017),OnBaseMachine (05-25-2017)
I have no idea. We don't have statistical databases for high school guys. Heck, we don't even have stats for a lot of high school guys playing today, much less 5 years ago.
But, generally speaking, I'd guess it's not a good sign for high schoolers that are striking out more than they are walking. But, as always, I need more information on the specific player, too.
OnBaseMachine (05-25-2017)
alwaysawarrior (05-30-2017),Benihana (05-25-2017),corkedbat (05-25-2017),Donder (05-25-2017),NC Reds (05-25-2017),podgejeff_ (05-26-2017)
McKay is pitching right now on NESN for anyone who gets it. Looks good early.
Eric Longenhagen
@longenhagen
Brendan McKay 90-93 in the first. Mostly 2s and 3s, a 94 on one gun. Late tail, command.
Brendan McKay grand slam into the upper deck in RF
“I don’t care,” Votto said of passing his friend and former teammate. “He’s in the past. Bye-bye, Jay.”
33 pitch inning for McKay in the third, heater losing zip, now 90-91.
https://twitter.com/longenhagen/stat...99091279388672
PASS
RedTeamGo! (05-25-2017)
cincy09 (05-26-2017),cincyinco (05-26-2017),RedTeamGo! (05-25-2017)
Board Moderators may, at their discretion and judgment, delete and/or edit any messages that violate any of the following guidelines: 1. Explicit references to alleged illegal or unlawful acts. 2. Graphic sexual descriptions. 3. Racial or ethnic slurs. 4. Use of edgy language (including masked profanity). 5. Direct personal attacks, flames, fights, trolling, baiting, name-calling, general nuisance, excessive player criticism or anything along those lines. 6. Posting spam. 7. Each person may have only one user account. It is fine to be critical here - that's what this board is for. But let's not beat a subject or a player to death, please. |