Early Draft Preview
Sure the draft is 2 months away, but I've been thinking about it since last June. I was able to catch the AFLAC All American Game last August and saw some of the best high school talent available for this June's FYPD. Here, I'll mention some of the top overall prospects and some guys I think the Dodgers could/should draft.
The first draft prospect I was ever high on was David Price. How can you not love a 6'6 lefty with power stuff? Well, 3 years later, Price is positioning himself to be one of the first players taken this summer. After a disappointing end to the 2006 season, Price re-established himself as the top pitching prospect in the draft with a strong summer performance with the US National Team. Through 8 starts, he's posted a 2.88 ERA with 89 strikeouts and just 15 walks in59.1 innings. He's also only allowed 1 homerun. David's repetoire starts with a low to mid 90s fastball that he commands well with an easy delivery. His slider features good tilt but less than ideal break. He also throws a curveball and a changeup. My main concern with Price is how much mileage he's going to rack up on his arm this season. He's racked up lofty pitch counts, some in excess of 120 pitches. Still, with clean mechanics and a strong, durable frame, Price's health isnt a major issue and his name should be called very early in the first round.
When I was watching the AFLAC game, two players really caught my eye. The first was third baseman Josh Vitters. His first inning at bat against highly touted right-hander Michael Main lasted 10 pitches, with a couple LONG fouls balls before Vitters finally slammed a 94mph fastball off the left field wall. Vitters added 2 more doubles and a walk in the game. Possibly the best pure hitter in the draft, Vitters uses quick hands to generate good bat speed and has gap power already, which should turn into HR power once he matures physically. His pitch recognition is also a plus, as he can make last second adjustments and lay off breaking balls in the dirt. In the field, he has a plus arm and decent speed. He looks a little stiff at third, leading me to believe he'll end up in a corner OF spot. But with his bat, he'll be a valuable player in the future.
The other player who caught my eye was right-handed pitcher Matt Harvey. Harvey is lean and projectible at 6'4 195 lbs. He has a loose, easy arm action and generates mid 90s fastballs with little effort. He struck out the side in his inning of work, though the at bat that stuck out for me was against first baseman Freddie Freeman. With the count 3-2, Harvey threw a very impressive circle change that snuck over the inside part of the plate against the lefty and caught Freeman looking. He also threw a curveball, though he needs to find a consistent release point in order for the pitch to be reliable. His command was just okay, but should improve with refined mechanics. However, like Vitters, Harvey should be drafted in the first half of the first round.
Now, onto some players who should be available for LA at #20. The first guy I like is left-handed pitcher Josh Smoker. One of the most polished and experienced pitchers in the prep ranks, Smoker has a stockier build than I prefer at 6'2 (listed at) 190 lbs (but probably over 200). His handedness and frame remind me of Chuck Tiffany. His stuff is similar, but better. He comes at hitters with a low 90s fastball, generated from a loose arm with some deception. His plus curve and solid change allow him to mix pitches and keep hitters off balance. He also has good control. While he doesnt have the projection of a guy like Harvey, the polish is there and he should move quickly through the minors.
To keep with the southpaw theme, the next guy I like is Madison Bumgarner. Much bigger than Smoker at 6'5 220, Bumgarner has a little bit more on his fastball that has touched 95. His breaking ball has improved this spring, though it still needs work and he needs to develop a changeup. Where Smoker is a strong pitcher already, Bumgarner will need some work. But a lefty with mid 90s heat is always a hot commodity and Madison has a considerable amount of upside.
The third guy I like for the Dodgers at #20 is third baseman Matt Dominguez. While he's been overshadowed by a fellow SoCal prospect in Josh Vitters, Dominguez has a similarly exciting overall package starting with his offense. He has polish and power from the right side, which should allow him to hit in the middle of the order throughout his pro career. Defensively, unlike Vitters, Dominguez has a good glove with smooth actions and a strong arm. He's a better athlete than Vitters, though his offensive potential might not be as high. Still, the local product would be a nice addition to LA's system.
And there you have it. I'll be posting more draft tidbits next month when BA begins their coverage. With the minor leagues starting up in just two days, look for box scores and highlights, which will be updated daily.
The first draft prospect I was ever high on was David Price. How can you not love a 6'6 lefty with power stuff? Well, 3 years later, Price is positioning himself to be one of the first players taken this summer. After a disappointing end to the 2006 season, Price re-established himself as the top pitching prospect in the draft with a strong summer performance with the US National Team. Through 8 starts, he's posted a 2.88 ERA with 89 strikeouts and just 15 walks in59.1 innings. He's also only allowed 1 homerun. David's repetoire starts with a low to mid 90s fastball that he commands well with an easy delivery. His slider features good tilt but less than ideal break. He also throws a curveball and a changeup. My main concern with Price is how much mileage he's going to rack up on his arm this season. He's racked up lofty pitch counts, some in excess of 120 pitches. Still, with clean mechanics and a strong, durable frame, Price's health isnt a major issue and his name should be called very early in the first round.
When I was watching the AFLAC game, two players really caught my eye. The first was third baseman Josh Vitters. His first inning at bat against highly touted right-hander Michael Main lasted 10 pitches, with a couple LONG fouls balls before Vitters finally slammed a 94mph fastball off the left field wall. Vitters added 2 more doubles and a walk in the game. Possibly the best pure hitter in the draft, Vitters uses quick hands to generate good bat speed and has gap power already, which should turn into HR power once he matures physically. His pitch recognition is also a plus, as he can make last second adjustments and lay off breaking balls in the dirt. In the field, he has a plus arm and decent speed. He looks a little stiff at third, leading me to believe he'll end up in a corner OF spot. But with his bat, he'll be a valuable player in the future.
The other player who caught my eye was right-handed pitcher Matt Harvey. Harvey is lean and projectible at 6'4 195 lbs. He has a loose, easy arm action and generates mid 90s fastballs with little effort. He struck out the side in his inning of work, though the at bat that stuck out for me was against first baseman Freddie Freeman. With the count 3-2, Harvey threw a very impressive circle change that snuck over the inside part of the plate against the lefty and caught Freeman looking. He also threw a curveball, though he needs to find a consistent release point in order for the pitch to be reliable. His command was just okay, but should improve with refined mechanics. However, like Vitters, Harvey should be drafted in the first half of the first round.
Now, onto some players who should be available for LA at #20. The first guy I like is left-handed pitcher Josh Smoker. One of the most polished and experienced pitchers in the prep ranks, Smoker has a stockier build than I prefer at 6'2 (listed at) 190 lbs (but probably over 200). His handedness and frame remind me of Chuck Tiffany. His stuff is similar, but better. He comes at hitters with a low 90s fastball, generated from a loose arm with some deception. His plus curve and solid change allow him to mix pitches and keep hitters off balance. He also has good control. While he doesnt have the projection of a guy like Harvey, the polish is there and he should move quickly through the minors.
To keep with the southpaw theme, the next guy I like is Madison Bumgarner. Much bigger than Smoker at 6'5 220, Bumgarner has a little bit more on his fastball that has touched 95. His breaking ball has improved this spring, though it still needs work and he needs to develop a changeup. Where Smoker is a strong pitcher already, Bumgarner will need some work. But a lefty with mid 90s heat is always a hot commodity and Madison has a considerable amount of upside.
The third guy I like for the Dodgers at #20 is third baseman Matt Dominguez. While he's been overshadowed by a fellow SoCal prospect in Josh Vitters, Dominguez has a similarly exciting overall package starting with his offense. He has polish and power from the right side, which should allow him to hit in the middle of the order throughout his pro career. Defensively, unlike Vitters, Dominguez has a good glove with smooth actions and a strong arm. He's a better athlete than Vitters, though his offensive potential might not be as high. Still, the local product would be a nice addition to LA's system.
And there you have it. I'll be posting more draft tidbits next month when BA begins their coverage. With the minor leagues starting up in just two days, look for box scores and highlights, which will be updated daily.
posted by Jared @ 12:31 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home