2007 Draft Class

[CaliforniaRaisin]

FYI, Q is the source I mentioned earlier.

 

And a HUGE Kevin Dyson fan. :)

[The Q]

I was referring more to the fact that Barney's name came up in this thread before St. Clair's. And St. Clair was basically considered the most likely guy on the entire team to make the Majors (based on the opinions of the players themselves).

 

And here's the thing about Cole. I love him, but after that first inning or two, his stuff really starts to run dry. Maybe he can be stretched out (he has the stuff to do so) but right now he's a super elite closer prospect.

 

Mosko is a lefty, throws 94-97 and has a slider just short of "nasty". That alone should make him a first rounder.

 

I understand your concerns with Roemer. But I'm convinced this kid is legit. He's just got a great feel for pitching. His secondary pitches have really started to come around this summer and he was pretty sick before he had to go home.

 

And yes, I like Cozart alot. he's a real good athlete and has a nice quick bat. I think he's the best middle infielder on Team USA and that says alot considering his double player partner is Jemile Weeks.

[Mephistopheles]

Since you've been around the team, what's the deal with Sean Doolittle? I understand why he might not be pitching much, Schmidt good stuff left side, Price..Price, Arrietta hasn't given up a run and Brackman throws 99.

 

The thing is that he's hitting under .250 and not pitching hardly ever. What's the deal? He looked like a top 10 pick earlier this summer? Is he hurt or just struggling?

 

Also how has Weathers looked? Sick K rate along with all the USA team, I know he's touched 98

[The Q]

I know they absolutely LOVE Doolittle beacuse he is a wizard at 1B. The team lacks hitters so they've been trying to beef up on defense.

 

I know they've also been playing JP at 1B a fair amoutn as well. His struggles are really hard to explain. It doesn't seem like there's anything wrong with him, he's just not getting base hits.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Any scouting reports on the college lefties? I know Price decently, would like more detail I guess but everyone else is a question mark.

 

Heres what I know:

 

Price - Mid 90's fastball, plus slider, OK control

 

Schmidt - Good curveball, control

 

Everyone else is blank.

[Mephistopheles]

Price also has a changeup that's a solid pitch.

 

Nick Schmidt's fastball is in the 92-94 range to go with the solid breaking pitch. He's a big 6'5" 220 guy whose fastball has touched 96 in the past. He's one of my favorite prospects. He's been lights out for Team USA (who hasn't?).

 

Joe Savery (Rice) had a fastball that got up to 94 his freshman season with a dirty slider, I have no idea what he's doing these days. He was out most of the season last year. He's also a lot like Doolittle with a sweet swing and a great glove at first. He was on the National teams' prelim roster and has been gone since. I haven't be able to find him in a summer league.

 

James Adkins (Tennessee) has the stuff and size to go in the top 10. He's really struggled with his command though. His fastball isn't overpowering by itself, but his knockout power breaking ball is one of the best in the country. Some define it as a curve or a slider, so slurve is probably what it is. I've seen some places that say it's a present plus ML pitch, don't know about that with all the walks though.

 

Sean Doolittle (Virginia) has a decent deceptive fastball with a good change. His curve's okay. My biggest concern with him is that he's an extreme flyball pitcher. Something like a .30 G/F last season.

 

After these and other's mentioned, I think there's quite a drop off. All of the lefties mentioned figure to go in the first round or close to it.

 

Tony Watson (Nebraska) is in the 2-5 range. He was drafted in the ninth round this year because he was sophomore eligible. From the BA scouting report: Fastball around 89 with potential for more. Makeup and pitchability are both plusses. Plus change and a inconsistent but okay breaking ball.

 

Eric Berger (Arizona) could shoot up this list. He could find himself in the first round if he's healthy. Entering the season he was one of the top lefty 07's in college. However he only made a few starts before hurting his elbow. Tommy John was performed in early June. Before the injury Berger threw in the 90-92 range with a good curve and a good slider. He could be this year's Kris Johnson (also TJ with good stuff).

 

Wade Korpi (Notre Dame) and Nick Hill (Army) are the polished, crafty lefties in the draft. Neither of them are Sowers nor Dave Huff. A comparison to former Crimson Tide, Wade LeBlanc, seems to be good for both.

 

Ross Detwiler (Missouri State) throws 92-94 and is a relief prospect. He's very raw and his command is an issue but 94 MPH throwing lefties don't grow on trees.

 

I know I've lefty out several guys but I've got the big names, I think.

[The Q]

Savery hurt his shoulder and actually had shoulder surgury this summer (according to Cole) which is why not only is he not playing for Team USA, but also not playing in any summer league period.

 

Also , Roemer was sent home because reached 180 innings for the year, or basically a full major league season for a #5 starter. The dude is a work horse though. He's proven that.

 

Detwiler made Team USA over a guy I really like in the 2008 class (Christian Friedrich), but I agree with your assessment of him. He's long and lanky and really needs to hit trhe weight room and buffet line for him to make it at the next level.

[Mephistopheles]

Wow, I had no idea Savery had surgery. Next time I see Lehmann I'll ask him what's up. Depending on the severity he could free-fall.

[The Q]

Cole seems to think he'll be ok. But he just needed to take the summer off to let it heal.

[The Q]

Well Team USA just got back from Cuba victorious with the Gold Medal. Which means they'll have more internet access and I can talk to them, especially Cole and see what's up with Savery.

 

I am currently chatting with Arencibia and he told me he won MVP of the tourney.

 

Stats:

 

14-32 4 hr's 3 2b's 2 3b's 23 rbi

 

He ended the summer hitting .302 with 9 2Bs 2 3Bs 8 HRs and 37 RBI 11 BBs and 23 Ks.

 

He also told me that Pedro Borbon hit over .500 for the Tourney.

 

Arrieta finally gave up a run vs. Japan.

 

Cole St. Clair and Moskos both only gave up 2 runs over the entire summer.

 

Florida Pitcher (soph) Bryan Augenstein quit the team apparently, which is why Weathers was added to the roster.

[The Q]

Also according to JP, the reason Doolittle didn't throw alot this summer was because his arm was hurt.

 

Now, that means Team USA lost Roemer, Savery and Doolittle and still had a freakishly dominant staff.

 

This is gonna be a great class.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Well Team USA just got back from Cuba victorious with the Gold Medal. Which means they'll have more internet access and I can talk to them, especially Cole and see what's up with Savery.

 

I am currently chatting with Arencibia and he told me he won MVP of the tourney.

 

Stats:

 

14-32 4 hr's 3 2b's 2 3b's 23 rbi

 

He ended the summer hitting .302 with 9 2Bs 2 3Bs 8 HRs and 37 RBI 11 BBs and 23 Ks.

 

He also told me that Pedro Borbon hit over .500 for the Tourney.

 

Arrieta finally gave up a run vs. Japan.

 

Cole St. Clair and Moskos both only gave up 2 runs over the entire summer.

 

Florida Pitcher (soph) Bryan Augenstein quit the team apparently, which is why Weathers was added to the roster.

 

Baseball America[/url]"]USA Baseball's college national team defeated Taiwan 18-9 in Havana, Cuba, and won its second straight FISU World University Championship.

 

The Americans, who won the gold medal in 2004 in this event with a team that featured big leaguer Ryan Zimmerman and tourney MVP Alex Gordon, went 28-2-1 this summer overall, the best winning percentage (.919) by a college national team. Its 8-0 tournament record helped it become the first U.S. national team to win a tournament on Cuban soil.

 

Team USA set season highs for hits (22) and runs to overcome an early 3-0 deficit, scoring 13 unanswered runs to help lefthander Nick Schmidt (Arkansas) pick up his third victory of the summer. Schmidt pitched five innings and gave up just two hits and three unearned runs while striking out five and walking four.

 

J.P. Arencibia (Tennessee) capped his outstanding tournament with a two-run homer in the first inning, his fourth of the tournament and ninth of the summer. He was named tournament MVP as he went 14-for-34 (.412) in eight games with three doubles, two triples and 23 RBIs to go with his home runs.

 

Outfielder Julio Borbon (Tennessee) had four hits to help lead the offense, including a two-run double in the third inning. Darvin Barney (Oregon State) had three hits, and every other starter had two. Highlights included the fourth homer of the summer by Todd Frazier (Rutgers) and a three-run double by Padro Alvarez (Vanderbilt).

[Mephistopheles]

It's amazingly hard to find any stuff on what Doolittle throws. Still great numbers excluding the flies.

 

Yeah this class is loaded, sadly the Cubs will probably have the #4 pick and lose their second round pick for a FA bat and lose their third round pick for a FA as well.

 

*sighs*

 

I don't see us picking up any picks.

 

In other news, a poster who is a scout or ex scout at the PG site said "Best overall? A toss up for me, but based on overall tools, performance and overall future potential, I'd say Neil Ramirez going into 2007 has to be a favorite with ML Execs that were there last week in San Diego.. A couple other guys there are down on Main as well.

 

thread

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Thanks, KC.

 

Two way player? Robert Stock no doubt, however he's not going to see the pitching mound in pro ball, at least not soon, he's too valuable as a receiver and just needs to be consistent with his release times to 2b.

 

I saw him pitch last spring and thought he was great. :(

[Mephistopheles]

Heh, the same guy was down on Stock in another thread a few weeks ago. He basically said you look at the gun and it's 94 and you watch him crush the ball - but he doesn't dominate the game.

[The Q]

Wieters is antoher guy who should be a 2 way player. He's too good not to be.

 

Also, Arencibia won't be represented by Boras he told me. Boras has been after him since his freshman year and he's managed to wiggle away from him. Which means he probably won't have a long hold out.

 

I disagree with some of the stuff I've read that says he'll have to move. He looks pretty good back there to me, at least the best of all the guys on Team USA. So if he's moving, then Clark and Federowicz are done. Cause Arencibia's better than both of them.

[Mephistopheles]

Wieters is posting a 900 OPS on the cape. Are you kidding me? That's ridiculous. Obviously he has some potential on the mound as a reliever, but the power bat plays more often and is a higher potential. If he were just a pitcher hed be a great talent, but not a guy mentioned to go #1 overall.

 

I know you're not saying you like him better as a pitcher, but his bat blows his arm out of the water.

 

As for Boras reps, wasnt Savery connected with him out of HS? I may mistaken there. I haven't heard any of the names he has been connected with in this draft, yet.

[The Q]

I just know JP isn't anymore because Boras has basically started stalking not only the kid but his mom too. Constantly calling her and begging her for 15 minutes of her time.

[The Q]

I get what you're sayin about Wieters. I just think he, like Stock, could probably be a top 10 pick doing either. Wieters stuff is so nasty. And he's got a great pitcher's body to build with.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

BA Writeup on the East Coast Prospect Showcase

 

BA's Top 20 Prospects at the East Coast Showcase (premium content): Matt Harvey is ranked #1 and Michael Main #2.

[Mephistopheles]

Danny Rams seems to have fallen off a bit. Nothing pop outs at this, other than of course Main not being first.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/images/mbumgarner06428309rg.jpg

 

Gotta love the showcases with real team unis. Anyways, BA should have their summer college league top 10s and stuff soon.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

When I first saw BA, I thought it was Jeremy Sowers (just because it was a lefty in an Indians uni).

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Jim Callis chat at BA:

 

Q: Jerry from Albany, NY asks:

Hey Jim, I know that it is early, but with the Cape Cod League over and most of the highschool showcase events completed, who are the top prospects for the 2007 draft? How about an early top 20!

 

A: Jim Callis: Hi, everyone. There are 112 questions already, so I'll get cracking. I won't get into a Top 20 here, but I have been focusing on the Cape Cod League and am well versed on the college side of things. The top three college prospects for the 2007 draft right now are (in whatever order) Vanderbilt lefthander David Price, North Carolina State righthander Andrew Brackman and Georgia Tech catcher Matt Wieters.

 

Q: Roger from Charleston, SC asks:

Much has been said lately about the 2007 high school draft class looking particularly strong. How does the college class compare?

 

A: Jim Callis: It pales in comparison. The frontline pitching isn't as plentiful in 2006, and the position players are maybe just slightly better.

 

A few guys who might be in the 07 draft:

 

Q: Rick from Boston asks:

Will the Angels sign Nate Boman? He was real good in the Cape. Also, why wouldnt the Orioles give Tony Watson top money after he was so good on the Cape. Finally, Laporta is a sure in to return to Florida right?

 

A: Jim Callis: The Angels probably will make a little run at Boman, but remember, a 2.94 ERA isn't exactly tearing up the pitcher-friendly Cape. If he has a healthy and solid spring, he probably could make more money in next year's draft. I believe the Orioles were willing to spend on Watson, but they just wouldn't meet his high price tag. As for Matt LaPorta, a scouting director told me yesterday he thought LaPorta might be another guy who already has agreed to terms but hasn't been announced yet. Hadn't heard that before, haven't been able to confirm it.

 

And the Smoak in 08 hype continues:

 

Q: Dave from Boston asks:

Matt Weiters or Justin Smoak?

 

A: Jim Callis: Those are the two top position guys in the Cape Cod League summer, and former high school teammmates (Goose Creek, S.C.) to boot. It's close, but I'd give the edge to Smoak.

 

Q: Scott from Washington, DC asks:

How much are the A's going to regret not signing Justin Smoak?

 

A: Jim Callis: They knew he wanted $1.5 million, and I'm not sure how close they came to that price tag after taking him in the later rounds. With the slotting in place, he wasn't very signable, so I don't fault the A's. But getting back to your question, I'm sure they already wish they had spent that money. He'll get two or three times that in 2008.

[Mephistopheles]

Oooh boy 2008 Justin Smoak or Pedro Alvarez. Geez.

 

I found this random article:

 

Star News Online[/url]"]An area scout thought pitching dominated Tuesday's opening day.

 

He was impressed with Brandon Hamilton, Scott Moviel, Sean Bierman, John Gast, Nathan Vineyard and Matt Harvey.

 

He thought Neil Ramirez, one of the top prospects, threw just OK because his velocity was down and his command was less than stellar.

 

The scout, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Ramirez, who struck out seven and walked two in four innings, threw 89-93 mph, down from his usual 91-95.

 

"I've seen him hit 96 mph,'' the scout said. "He wasn't sharp.''

 

Harvey fanned six in two innings with a 93-94 mph fastball.

 

"He was inconsistent, though,'' the scout said. "I've seen a better breaking ball from him.''

 

The scout said Hunter Morris was the most notable player, blasting a mammoth home run.

 

"He's one of the better power bats,'' the scout said.

 

He also liked Austin Gallagher's power bat.

[Mephistopheles]

Maybe I should use the Google news search more often

 

Wilmington Star[/url]"]At the head of the Cincinnati Reds' class is two-way star Michael Main, rated the nation's best prep prospect by Baseball America and Perfect Game. Main pitches comfortably at 93-95 mph with a fastball that tops out at 98 mph.

 

"He's the hardest thrower in the class,'' said Allan Simpson, founder of Baseball America and now a writer for Perfect Game Showcases. "He can really fly on the bases and has a big-time arm.''

 

Not far behind is Matt Harvey, a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher from Groton, Mass., who is projected as an early first-round pick next June. He will play for a Boston Red Sox-sponsored team. Right-hander Rick Porcello, rated the best player from New Jersey, is also on the Red Sox's roster.

 

Neil Ramirez, a right-hander from the Tidewater area who will play for the Cleveland Indians, rates among the nation's top five.

 

Besides Ramirez, the Indians have the best pitcher in North Carolina, left-hander Madison Bumgarner, as well as his South Caldwell High School teammate, right-hander Justin Poovey.

 

Asheville Citizen Times[/url]"]Jackson said he has narrowed his college choices to Arizona State, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia Tech, N.C. State and UNC Greensboro. Meanwhile, his choice for a potential MLB draft adviser is coming down to either Larry Reynolds, the brother of former major leaguer and ESPN analyst Harold Reynolds, or Scott Boras, whose reputation for long and often contentious negotiations precedes him.

 

“A lot of great opportunities are coming my way, and it just makes me want to continue to work harder,” Jackson said. “I’m excited and pumped about (the AFLAC game). It’s going to be a fun thing.”

 

Runion is also in the process of picking a draft adviser and said he’ll likely make an oral commitment to Arizona State, Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Tech or Tennessee. Runion used his 90 mph fastball to go 9-1 for Reynolds with a 1.59 earned run average with 97 strikeouts as a junior.

This is pretty big stuff if Jackson aligns with Scott Boras.

 

Keith Law[/url]"]he Cape's biggest standout is two-sport star Andrew Brackman, a 6-foot-10 right-hander. . . . If he shows he's committed to baseball, however, he's the leading contender to be the top college player selected, with a good shot to be the top overall selection. His mechanics are surprisingly simple and consistent for such a tall pitcher. He has a plus fastball (91-97 mph) and good command, pitching to both sides of the plate. He also has an above-average curve with a hard two-plane break, and he can work with just these two pitches, changing speeds on his fastball as needed, although he flashed a changeup during warmups.

 

 

I am sure I will dig up some more articles.