Preseason Draft Preview

Even though the 2008 First Year Player Draft is about 4 months away, it's never too early to talk about the prospects who could make their way into the Dodgers' system. Division 1 colleges have a uniform start date, February 22nd, and High School seasons should begin around that time as well. Many players will see their stock rise and fall, so this is more speculation rather than determining what will happen in June.

The Obvious Choices

The Dodgers will pick in the top half of the first round for only the second time since 1994, when they took a prep catcher by the name of Paul Konerko. Selecting with the 15th overall pick should provide the Dodgers scouting staff with plenty of options, and the expected candidates will be found in the high school pitching class. The following players could be found near the top of LA's short list.

Jarret Martin, LHP (Centennial HS, CA)

A scouting report on this southpaw caught my eye and led me to tag him as the likeliest pick for the Dodgers in June. At 6'3 200 lbs, he has plenty of size to go along with a good amount of projection and watching video of him convinced me that he should add muscle (and velocity) down the road. He models his delivery after Scott Kazmir's, though Martin comes more over the top. His arm action is compact and clean and there's very little effort in his delivery. His fastball has plus velocity for a lefty, sitting in the low 90s with good natural movement. His curveball is his best pitch, with depth and sharp, late break. Jarret's changeup is remedial but it could be a dependable pitch for him in the future.

The downside for Martin isn't too serious, though he has some work to do. In the Cape Cod High School Classic, he struck out the first batter he faced, but the batter reached on a wild pitch and it all went downhill from there. His release point is inconsistent, which leads to erratic command. Still, only two players put balls in play during the game and neither of them reached base safely, which is a testament to his pure stuff. With some refinement, the Dodgers could have something close to another Clayton Kershaw on their hands.

Brett DeVall, LHP (Niceville HS, FL)

Another lefty, DeVall is more a finesse pitcher but that's not to say his stuff isn't good. DeVall's fastball sits around 90mph, but his ability to spot it where he wants is advanced for a high school pitcher. Like Martin, DeVall also owns a plus curveball that he has no problems locating. His changeup has the potential to be a third above average pitch due to his pitchability and command.

The difference between DeVall and Martin is ultimate ceiling. DeVall reminds me of current Oakland A's prospect Brett Anderson, in that he has a big frame, great command and a limited ceiling. Brett is already pretty big in his lower body and doesn't offer a ton of projection down the road. However, like Anderson, DeVall should have no problems early in pro ball and could sail through the lower levels with ease.

Scott Silverstein, LHP (St John's Prep, MD)

Silverstein is a bit of a sleeper at this point, but there have been rumors that a growth spurt has this lefty pumping mid 90s heat from a 6'6 frame. Silverstein has a strong delivery, though it's not high effort. It reminds me a little of Randy Johnson's. He knows how to add and subtract velocity from his heater, as well as sink and cut it. His curveball is his go-to breaking ball and his changeup is usable as well.

There hasn't been confirmation of his stuff from draft experts, and pitching the northeast will force scouts to wait to see for themselves. However, if his fastball is sitting in the mid 90s and he can maintain that type of velocity throughout the spring, he'd definitely be in contention to be one of the first prep players taken come June.


He Wouldn't, Would He?

To assume that Logan White and the Dodgers would take anything but a prep pitcher with their first overall pick would be crazy. Or would it? If White decides to buck the trend and take a high school hitter, the following could get the nod.

Aaron Hicks, OF (Wilson HS, CA)

As a potential 5 tool CF, there may not be a player in the draft that can match Hicks' skillset. Hicks offers pure hitting ability and power potential from both sides of the plate. His speed grades out as well above average, allowing him to fly around the basepaths and cover tons of ground in center. But Aaron's best tool might be his arm, which allows him to pump mid 90s fastballs off the mound.

Hicks could improve his approach at the plate, as well as his balance from the left side. While he can generate pretty good bat speed, Aaron's power doesn't profile well if he doesn't add muscle to his lanky frame. Still, Hick's ceiling is considerable and he could be gone by the time the Dodgers pick.

Kyle Skipworth, C (Patriot HS, CA)

A towering HR in the AFLAC All American game and a strong showing in the World Wood Bat Association tournament sent Skipworth soaring towards the top of most draft lists. Skipworth's projectable defensive skills and offensive prowess garner comparisons to Joe Mauer, and Kyle has plenty of athleticism to boot. His best defensive tool is his arm.

Skipworth still needs to work on blocking balls in the dirt and the nuances of being a receiver behind the plate. Given his size (6'3 190), there is a chance he could outgrow catcher and have to move to third base or the outfield, which would lessen his value. But his bat should play anywhere and he should be a top 10 pick this year.

Isaac Galloway, OF (Los Osos HS, CA)

Another 5 tool CF, Galloway had problems with injuries over the summer that limited his exposure and caused his draft stock to drop. But he shows a solid approach at the plate with power potential, which along with his speed and arm strength should see him become a sure-fire first rounder. He has plenty of experience playing in tournaments and showcases.

Galloway has some holes in his swing. He tends to like the ball down around the knees and struggles when it's elevated. There's also the concern about his injuries, though there hasn't been much talk of it in draft circles. With a healthy spring, Galloway could contend with Hicks to be the first prep centerfielder from CA taken in the draft.

Harold Martinez, SS (Braddock HS, FL)

A personal favorite of mine, Martinez was robbed of two hits in the AFLAC game by Robbie Grossman. Still, Martinez shows the tools to be a first round pick. He generates very good bat speed with a wide base and projects to fill out his lean frame which will add lots of power projection down the road. A good athlete, Harold currently plays shortstop and has played second base in some events. His arm rates as plus-plus.

Martinez' frame is perfect for a prep hitter, in that he has current lean muscle and should add more as he physically matures. That could lead to him moving off of shortstop, but he does profile well at third base. His speed is only average. As a shortstop with good pure hitting ability and power projection, Martinez could be drafted in the top 10 this summer.


He Couldn't, Could He?

After the Luke Hochevar fiasco, it's almost unimaginable that Logan White would elect to draft a college player with his first pick. But stranger things have happened. Here are some possibilities.

Brandon Crawford, SS (UCLA)

From a pure tools perspective, Crawford is in an elite class. He has plus bat speed and generates plus power from the left side of the plate. He has plus speed which he uses well on the basepaths. And he's a good defender at short with a rocketlauncher attached to his shoulder. He improved from .318/.378/.500 in his freshman season to .335/.405/.504 last year.

Even as a college junior, Crawford remains very raw. He swings and misses too often and has struggled mightily to hit with wood during the summer. At shortstop, he'll make an extraordinary play and commit an error on a routine one. But the tools are undeniable and his ceiling is that of an All Star.

Gordon Beckham, SS (Georgia)

Another 5 tool shortstop, Beckham led the Cape Cod league in HR and RBI last summer. His bat is legit from both sides of the plate and he could profile as a middle-of-the-order type down the road. His defense at shortstop is fine and he can run the bases well.

Beckham's glove will not garner him any awards and there's question about his ability to stay at short. He could make the transition to second base, which would still leave him as a middle infielder with a live bat. Either way, he's bound to be a high pick this June.

Christian Friedrich, LHP (Eastern Kentucky)

While Eastern Kentucky is not known as a prospect breeding ground, there's a good chance that they produce a first round pick this year in Friedrich. The big lefty should garner comparisons to Barry Zito thanks to his strong frame and ridiculous curveball. Christian's bender should be the best in the draft class and is easily a plus-plus pitch. His fastball has average velocity for a lefty, sitting in the high 80s. He showed his ability to dominate hitters last summer in the Cape Cod league, striking out 52 in 37 innings.

The main knock on Friedrich is his command, or lack thereof. He walked 24 hitters in the Cape and 36 in 81 innings as a sophomore. He'll need to cut down on those to solidify his position in the first round, though there's little chance that he'll drop out of it altogether. He could be the second college pitcher taken, after Brian Matusz, if he continues to dominate inferior competition this spring.


That's all for know. Be sure to check back once the amateur and pro seasons start up, as there will be content added regularly.