caulfield12

Wonder how far Smoral does end up dropping...? Has to be signability, right?

Cue Eddie Pearson/Brandon Allen comparisons. Guess Smoral's a big signability question.

With the 13th-overall pick the White Sox selected high school outfielder Courtney Hawkins from Carroll High in Corpus Christi, Texas. This is the first time the White Sox have gone with a high school player in the first round since 2001. Hawkins stands 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds. He's a freak athlete who fits the power-hitting right field profile to a T. He shows excellent power potential and a strong arm, as he's also been up to 95 mph off the mound. Hawkins is playing in the Texas high school semi-finals this week. The highlight of my spring was Hawkins doing a backflip at USA Baseball's National High School Invitation. Watch the video here. baseballamerica.com KW, in the contract, an insurance rider...no back-flips!!

Duke has had plenty of first-round picks in basketball, but 5-foot-9 righthander Marcus Stroman became the school's first first-rounder in the June MLB draft. The Blue Jays made it happen with the No. 22 overall selection—their second first-round selection, following prep outfielder D.J. Davis at No. 17 overall. Stroman jumped into first-round consideration last summer when he struck out 17 of the 25 batters he faced with USA Baseball's college national team as the closer. Then he performed consistently all spring for a poor Duke team, ranking second in the nation in strikeouts (136, behind Andrew Heaney's 140) and third in strikeouts per nine innings. Stroman gets strikeouts both with his fastball, which sits 92-94 mph, and he has added a changeup and cutter in the last year as he evolved from an infielder/closer into a starter. He always has had his wipeout slider that can make hitters look silly. He should be one of the fastest players to the majors in this year's class, and some scouts think he can start. But they all know he can be a big league reliever in short order. www.baseballamerica.com

QUOTE (Jake @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 09:37 PM) McCullers + Hawkins would make for a hell of a talented 1-2 draft punch Any relation of Lance, the former SD Padre?

Option 1: Free Wil Myers! Bringing Myers’ hot bat up to KC is probably the favorite option amongst Royals fans, but the question is, where? Jeff Francoeur and Alex Gordon are both under contract for at least the next two years and the club still has no idea what it has in Lorenzo Cain. Mike Moustakas is firmly entrenched at third. The only real option this season would be to send Eric Hosmer down for seasoning and bring Myers up to DH and spell outfielders while Billy Butler plays first. I don’t like the idea of Hosmer in Omaha or Billy Butler playing first base. Of course you could avoid that whole mess by trading one of these big leaguers for starting pitching help…but who? I doubt anyone wants Gordon’s new contract until he proves last year wasn’t a fluke, and then Dayton Moore wouldn’t trade him anyway. Francoeur is coveted by no one as much as he is by Dayton Moore. Lorenzo Cain is injured. So that leaves Mike Moustakas…but really, if you’re going to trade Moustakas why wouldn’t you just… Option 2: Trade Wil Myers There is something to be said for trading players at their peak values, but this is not something the Royals have excelled at. Myers would probably bring a nice haul of prospect arms, but the Royals have shown that prospect arms rarely turn into starting rotation arms. Trading Myers for a starting pitcher would prove even more difficult. Most of the pitchers available on the market are free agents at the end of this season. Why in the world would you trade a prospect that you control for the next 6 years for a rent-a-starter when you are 10 games under .500? So that leaves the only option as packaging Myers with other prospects for a pitcher you can control for 2+ years. Honestly, the list of good young pitchers locked up for 2+ years and available is ridiculously short. Of course, that lack of supply makes demand ridiculously high, which to me means trading Wil Myers is probably a bad solution. Option 3: Platoon Wil Myers I kid, I kid. I assume the Royals will not give Myers the Johnny Giavotella treatment. However, as much as this organization loves utility infielders, can we completely rule out the utility slugger? Myers can conceivably play all three outfield positions, third base and first base. Obviously he could fill in at DH as well. I wouldn’t put it past this organization to bring Myers up and play him 5 days a week at a different position each day. Honestly, I am not sure I have the solution. Even though I hate option three, it would at least help the lineup. Best case scenario? Frenchy keeps up his current streak and we trade him and Broxton for a couple of AA All Stars in July, freeing up Wil Myers to play RF and Kelvin Herrera to get a chance to close. Of course, the idea of Dayton Moore trading Frenchy is like asking my 10 year old to give up his Xbox…you can’t fight love. http://www.i70baseball.com/2012/05/29/is-i...rade-wil-myers/ Loved the post at the bottom about how the Braves "almost" pried Adam Jones away from the Orioles for Jurrjens and Prado. I suppose Royals fans want the same deal for the unproven Myers.

That was seven outfielders taken in the first round. Buxton, Almora, Hawkins, DJ Davis and Lewis Brinson, plus collegiate outfielders Roache and Naquin. Who knows how they will all turn out, that's the thing that drives you crazy about baseball drafting and scouting (especially prep players), compared to the more refined NFL and NBA prospects (although that's definitely changed with so many high schoolers coming out in the 1st round).

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 09:01 PM) If Brent Morel hit .350 the rest of the year with 20 HR's, I wouldn't even think of extending him. Not with a "Back thing". The last guy who I thought it would have been a good idea to give the 8 year extension to was Quentin in 2008. I'm kind of glad that the team did not listen to me. Thus, consider me chastened. Maybe talk about Viciedo at the end of the year. Beckham too inconsistent. Sale too scary. Also good choices (year by year) with Joe Crede and Bobby Jenks. They've always been astute in their judgements with players on their own roster...except for how to handle Swisher, perhaps. And we really don't know how much of that was Ozzie and how much of it was "self-induced" to use a Hawkism.

Update: Jared Mitchell is NOT being converted to a relief pitcher for the White Sox stretch drive. Now back to previously scheduled programming, folks. And Hawkins will have kindred spirits in the Danks brothers already in the organization to bond with.

The Texas high school product was shooting up draft boards as the 2012 spring season began, thanks to a very successful summer. While he pitches and will touch 90 mph, his future is in the outfield. He has some swing-and-miss to his game, but he does have power. He has shown the ability to hit any fastball and can show pop to all fields, though he needs to improve his approach at the plate, where his over-aggressiveness leads to those misses. An average to a tick-above-average runner, he'll play center field for his high school team, but with his size, strength, power profile and at-least-average arm, the University of Texas commit profiles best as a corner outfielder in the future. mlb.com I've always thought Thompson's basketball frame worked against him as a baseball player (yeah, I know there are counter-examples like Alex Rios and Daryll Strawberry). This kid looks like some combination of Kevin Mitchell, Viciedo, Cespedes and Adrian Beltre physically. He's a man among boys, the LeBron James of Texas high school baseball, lol. And you have to like the fact that he's not from some obscure state where it's really hard to get a good read on the level of high school competition and make worthwhile projections.

Never even knew Mitchell had anything resembling a "plus" arm. Always considered that one of his biggest weaknesses, particularly in CF.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 08:55 PM) I'll make one thing for clear, everything is in dire need in the system. However, with Beckham maybe figuring it out and Viciedo, Sale and Reed developing (along with De Aza looking good), all of a sudden things don't look near as barren (as the system has developed 4 of those guys; won't count De Aza). Don't forget Nathan Jones. He might end up being the best of all those relievers when all is said and done.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 08:53 PM) Too bad sox aren't expanding their options. Would love to see throw a curveball and take Roache, but pitching is a dire need in our system. Moreso than position prospects? With our system, almost every position except for relief pitcher could use some huge improvement...although OF's definitely looking a lot better TODAY than it has ever since the Rowand/Chris Young/Anthony Webster/Brian Anderson/Reed days.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 07:51 PM) Sergio Santos "Touches" 98. I bet the Royals wish they had that Colt Griffin pick back, speaking of Texas high school pitchers who "touch/ed" 100. Another name that comes to mind is Todd Van Poppel.

Keith Staab has been a Texas area (based out of College Station, TX) scout for the Chicago White Sox. He signed Boone Logan, Lance Broadway, Kyle McCulloch, Jordan Danks, Matthew Long, Carlos Torres, Brandon Allen and John Ely. baseball-reference.com Mr. Molina in Birmingham also says hi (about the position change from hitter to pitcher)! Well, suffice it say, you don't want another set-up guy out of the 13th pick in the first round.

And Mitchell zooms back to .300 with yet another walk, 2/2, including his 11th double of the season. 37 RBI's. Jose Martinez is starting to look more and more dangerous. And, Molina's actually pitching a very good game, too. Everything's coming up roses, lol. 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA back down below 5, which is progress.

QUOTE (flavum @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 08:27 PM) I hope he turns out good, obviously. But he has one of those "bust" names...."ah, remember that year we took Courtney Hawkins instead of Giolito?" Well, there's always an NBA career for him if he doesn't make it in baseball with that famous name. Or a career as the next White Sox closer.

BLUF: Raw athlete with big-time power potential and a right field profile. The Player: Courtney Hawkins (OF/RHP, Carroll HS) – One of the more improved high school players in this year’s draft class. He has improved steadily over the last two years. Through 29 games this spring, Hawkins was hitting .452/.589/.952 with ten home runs and 16 stolen bases. He is also an accomplished pitcher, posting a 0.83 ERA in eight games with 44 strikeouts in just 25.1 innings. Hawkins is committed to the University of Texas. Basis of Report: Industry Contacts Scouting Report Body (6-3, 210): Plus athlete. Physically mature kid. MLB body right now. Plus-plus strength. Explosive, fast-twitch strength and athleticism. Thick body with broad shoulders and chiseled features. Should maintain athleticism as he finishes maturing. Plus-plus pro body. Hit: Extremely raw hitter overall. Has exceptional strength in hands/wrists and can drive the ball to all fields. Lots of moving parts in setup and trigger. Head movement can take him off the ball and results in plenty of swing and miss, particularly against quality secondary pitches. Free-swinging approach. Doesn’t look for pitches he can drive. Handles big-time velocity very well. Can make contact in any part of the zone on fastballs. May never be more than a below-average hitter because of moving parts and approach. Grade – 20/40 Power: Big, powerful swing. Can drive the ball out of any park. Tons of present pull-side power. Has strength to go out the other way but raw hitting ability isn’t there for it to play in games. Has 25+ home run potential given raw strength and plus-plus bat speed. Doesn’t need a ton of loft in swing to drive the ball out. Can get out front and struggles to drive secondary pitches. Needs to temper approach and make more consistent contact for raw power to play long term. Grade (raw power) – 30/60 Arm: Has reached 90-92 mph off the mound in short bursts. Arm strength plays well in the outfield. True plus arm that can profile in right field. A quick release and solid accuracy help his arm play up. Grade – 60/60 Fielding: Has athleticism and raw tools to be a plus defender. Runs well, takes solid routes but is often late in his initial read off the bat. Scouts are split on ability to stick in CF as opposed to move to RF. Profiles as classic power, defense and arm strength right fielder. Grade – 40/60 Speed: Runs above-average once underway. Will flash plus times from home to first when he gets out of the box, but big swing typically slows him down to an average in-game level. May lose a tick as he completes physical maturation. Projects as fringe-average to average runner long term. Grade – 50/50 Summation: Extremely raw all around. Has plenty of power projection but has to hit for it to matter. Quieter pre-pitch mechanics will help hitting ability and could help make him more of a .250-.260 hitter long term. Unlikely to ever work counts consistently. Aggressive mentality and preference for big power will always hamper his raw hitting. Power could make up lack of secondary offensive skills if he can make enough contact. Power needs to play to profile in RF. Unlikely to have defensive ability for CF, putting more pressure on the bat. Relative Risk: High. Sort of a boom or bust type that could be a power hitting corner outfielder or be stuck in no-man’s land with a ton of swing and miss. Draft Projection: Potential to go as high as the middle of the first round. Athleticism, physicality and power potential make him intriguing and unusual for a high school player. http://baseballprospectnation.com/2012/05/...ney-hawkins-of/ Very strange his power's (his biggest asset) 30/60 and speed is a 50? Well, yet another detailed take on him. Jeff Manto can fix him, lol.

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_...54&c_id=mlb With Buxton, Hawkins and DJ Davis, those three guys are going to be compared over and over again throughout their progressions in the minors. Praying he ends up more like Kemp and less than the Padres' Donovan Tate who has fallen all the way to the #22 prospect in their system in 3 short years. Still, all things considered, you prefer to go with the guy (if you have to choose between speed and power) who has the ability to put the ball in the seats at USCF. Plus, we already have DeAza, Mitchell and Walker for the near future in terms of leadoff hitting possibilities. And it's hard not to see that video and think of Don Cooper's reaction, haha. Imagine having two outfield arms like that in Viciedo and Hawkins, with DeAza or possibly Mitchell in between them. Exciting. More exciting for a fan than yet another college pitcher, although surely most would have been excited had Appel fallen 4 more picks.

Raw in the "art" of hitting, Hawkins nevertheless possesses explosive bat speed and power to spare. Hawkins' speed is only average, but he profiles as an asset on defense. Still only 18, however, Hawkins will likely spend many years on the farm before arriving in "The Show." Power is a popular tool. We talked about it yesterday with Adam Brett Walker, but today we'll talk about it with Courtney Hawkins. I don't mean that to say that Hawkins has Walker's power, because he doesn't. Yet, Hawkins is a right handed power hitting outfielder in his own right. Plus, he's great athlete that is currently capable of playing center field, but his 6-2, 210 pound body will likely cause him to grow into a corner spot, which isn't a problem since he has an above average arm that will allow him to play in right. Hawkins is a busy man at the plate. I mean that as he has a lot of pre-swing movement including very busy hands. His swing is pretty complex with a lot of movement. He has starts out with a wide base and toe taps into a narrow base before stepping back into a wide base. We all know the issues with timing from the toe touch, but because of the size of step after his toe touch, he often times can lunge instead of stepping. That's an issue against quality off-speed pitches. It works for him now because it gets some more out of his legs for power at times, but more often he ends up out of balance. That's the bad news. The good news is that he's improved his pitch recognition and some other things at the plate to reduce his bad swings and improve his hitting ability. That's why he's shot up draft boards as he projects to hit for a much better average with above average power. If things just don't work out, he's a prospect on the mound as well due to a low 90's fastball and a slider that peaks your interest. Floor As with any other HS prospect, it's pretty low. He's got the power and he has the athleticism, but he still may not hit. Scouts feel better than they did about his ability to hit in pro ball, but he'll still strikeout on a good breaking ball. That leaves his floor as a corner outfielder that hits his fair share of bombs but just doesn't create enough contact to ever make it out of the minors. Think of a guy like Colin DeLome Ceiling The better you feel about his ability to stay in center, the better you see his ceiling. He's signed on at University of Texas to be a CF and plays it now, but they aren't professional level. He'll swipe his share of bags, and he'll play solid defense, mostly because of a strong and accurate arm. His ceiling is probably of that of a .280 hitter with around 25-30 home runs. http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2012/5/31/305...of-carrol-hs-tx As far as the ceiling thing, 25-30 is pretty conservative. It's pretty easy to have your opinion changed...coming into this season, would never have though Viciedo would approach 30 homers. Most would have predicted 20-25 with solid RBI production (at least for this season) and been quite happy with that. So we're seeing 25-30, 30-35, 35+ HR totals being thrown out, lots of different numbers but they don't mean a heckuva lot right now.

At least TheHammer is a cool name, lol. Armon Gilliam.

Raw in the "art" of hitting, Hawkins nevertheless possesses explosive bat speed and power to spare. Hawkins' speed is only average, but he profiles as an asset on defense. Still only 18, however, Hawkins will likely spend many years on the farm before arriving in "The Show." Power is a popular tool. We talked about it yesterday with Adam Brett Walker, but today we'll talk about it with Courtney Hawkins. I don't mean that to say that Hawkins has Walker's power, because he doesn't. Yet, Hawkins is a right handed power hitting outfielder in his own right. Plus, he's great athlete that is currently capable of playing center field, but his 6-2, 210 pound body will likely cause him to grow into a corner spot, which isn't a problem since he has an above average arm that will allow him to play in right. Hawkins is a busy man at the plate. I mean that as he has a lot of pre-swing movement including very busy hands. His swing is pretty complex with a lot of movement. He has starts out with a wide base and toe taps into a narrow base before stepping back into a wide base. We all know the issues with timing from the toe touch, but because of the size of step after his toe touch, he often times can lunge instead of stepping. That's an issue against quality off-speed pitches. It works for him now because it gets some more out of his legs for power at times, but more often he ends up out of balance. That's the bad news. The good news is that he's improved his pitch recognition and some other things at the plate to reduce his bad swings and improve his hitting ability. That's why he's shot up draft boards as he projects to hit for a much better average with above average power. If things just don't work out, he's a prospect on the mound as well due to a low 90's fastball and a slider that peaks your interest. Floor As with any other HS prospect, it's pretty low. He's got the power and he has the athleticism, but he still may not hit. Scouts feel better than they did about his ability to hit in pro ball, but he'll still strikeout on a good breaking ball. That leaves his floor as a corner outfielder that hits his fair share of bombs but just doesn't create enough contact to ever make it out of the minors. Think of a guy like Colin DeLome Ceiling The better you feel about his ability to stay in center, the better you see his ceiling. He's signed on at University of Texas to be a CF and plays it now, but they aren't professional level. He'll swipe his share of bags, and he'll play solid defense, mostly because of a strong and accurate arm. His ceiling is probably of that of a .280 hitter with around 25-30 home runs. http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2012/5/31/305...of-carrol-hs-tx

Interesting we're seeing some reports that his speed is just so-so (comparatively) and that he's bound for RF...this last one, the rival Texas high school coach is speaking highly of his speed and his whole overall skillset. Sounds like we just got Soler, but for a WHOLE lot less money. At least, that's one way of looking at it. And we picked a guy who was slotted to go 9-12 in most pre-draft accounts, rather than a college pitcher we were reaching for who belong in the last third of the round but was picked due to easy signability. Does anyone have a time to 1B? 1B to 3B? 1B to home? Salivating imagining Viciedo, Mitchell and Hawkins in the same outfield. Or DeAza.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 06:05 PM) Heaney off the board. I don't really like Wacha, other then I can make comments like Wacha Wacha. Sounds like Shakira's World Cup song, that could easily be his theme music.

I'm sure the Twins don't like the Donovan Tate comparisons. They've had a number of similar players in their system in Span, Ben Revere and Aaron Hicks. Obviously, Buxton's pure upside is higher at this point. Seems those high school toolsy players are the ones who disappoint the most...but at least the Twins are being realistic in their idea of trying to take the best player available rather than looking at quicker fix college pitching.