High School Draft Prospects

[maggsmaggs]

I have made up my mind about the two guys I want, either Devin Mesoraco or Michael Main.

 

Devin Mesoraco is a catcher who has a 70-rated arm on the scout's scale, not to mention a quick release. We really need a solid catching prospect to go along with the rawness of Francisco Hernandez. Also from Pennsylvania, so used to playing in cold. Also blocks very well and plays very solid D, according to Baseball America. So far on the season, he was batting .500 and has above-average tools across the board, making him a 5-tool player at catcher. I like him alot. Rated as the 24th best prospect, he might make it to us at 25.

 

The other guy I really like is Michael Main who is rated the 23rd best prospect. He can be an impact pitcher or a 5-tool outfield prospect. As a pitcher he throws easy heat into the high 90's with movement. He also has a good feel for his cuve and already an above-average changeup. As a hitter, he is a switch hitter and has solid approach. He is a very fast base runner. He has had some tendinitis issues that make him rated down by us, without he is probably a top 15 pick. He has been compared to Tim Hudson.

 

Overall, I really feel like this pick needs to be a high schooler with potential. I see Main as a riskier pick than Mesoraco, but I feel like both could help the organization immensely, especially with Mesoraco being a very good catching prospect. Thoughts?

[CWSGuy406]

Overall, I really feel like this pick needs to be a high schooler with potential. I see Main as a riskier pick than Mesoraco, but I feel like both could help the organization immensely, especially with Mesoraco being a very good catching prospect. Thoughts?

 

I haven't looked a whole lot at individual prospects yet, but I hear high school players is where it's at this year. Unless someone has a drastic fall due to signability -- I'm thinking about that catcher that's a Boras client -- I think the Sox should be looking at a high school pitcher. I know they have a higher propensity to bust, but the Sox should still be looking for the 'home-run' with this pick.

[southsideirish71]

I haven't looked a whole lot at individual prospects yet, but I hear high school players is where it's at this year. Unless someone has a drastic fall due to signability -- I'm thinking about that catcher that's a Boras client -- I think the Sox should be looking at a high school pitcher. I know they have a higher propensity to bust, but the Sox should still be looking for the 'home-run' with this pick.

 

Keith you hit it on the head again. Get a high school pitcher. We have had enough of the safe picks, go for someone that can project into a top of the rotation guy. Get a guy who can project into a top end fastball.

 

 

here is something I posted in another thread.

 

I think if you want a difference maker, a top of the rotation guy. You need to explore the high school ranks. Someone with the body type, and you see the spark of stuff that projects to be a top of the rotation type guy. The college guys that are like this are off the board before they get to us. To me you take a chance. What the hell, the current drafting strategy hasnt exactly put superstars in the rotation. We have made a better splash with our later picks. So take a chance and get a toolsy kid. You can teach control, and how to pitch. You cannot teach stuff.

 

This is what I would like to see if this kid falls to us. He is high school, but has a good arm, movement and body size for a good pitcher.

 

Phillipe Aumont 6'7 225 Good fastball with serious life on it. Could grow into serious velocity. This is more of what I look at from a high school pick with some upper mobility. He needs control of course. But you can teach control in the minors, you cannot teach a guy who has a live arm that can grow into his velocity more.

 

 

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/ev...x.jsp?mc=aumont

 

 

Here is another top of the rotation type guy. His velocity projections could be topping 97/98 and he is a lefty.

 

 

Madison Bumgarner is my current favorite. He has nice projectability. His motion has some deception to it. And he has a lot of late life on that fastball.

 

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/ev...sp?mc=bumgarner

 

Madison Bumgarner has a strong, sturdy frame and an effortless delivery. He has an incredible feel for pitching, with an ability to throw all three of his pitches for strikes in any count. Madison's fastball has been clocked as high as 95 mph. He went 12-2 with a 0.99 ERA and 120 strikeouts in 84 innings as a junior on South Caldwell's state Class 4-A runner-up club. He also hit .392 with 14 home runs and 39 RBI’s. In the first game of the best-of-three state finals, Madison belted a pair of home runs and pitched a shutout. He spent much of the summer playing for American Legion Post 29. As a sophomore at South Caldwell High, he was 9-2 with a 1.20 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 77 innings. Madison’s freshman season he won five games and had a 1.63 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 30 innings. Madison has committed to North Carolina.

[chimpy2121]

The other guy I really like is Michael Main who is rated the 23rd best prospect. He can be an impact pitcher or a 5-tool outfield prospect. As a pitcher he throws easy heat into the high 90's with movement. He also has a good feel for his cuve and already an above-average changeup. As a hitter, he is a switch hitter and has solid approach. He is a very fast base runner. He has had some tendinitis issues that make him rated down by us, without he is probably a top 15 pick. He has been compared to Tim Hudson.

 

I pray to God somehow he falls outa the first 10 rounds (I know it won't happen) because I would love to see this kid playing for the Noles.

[whitesoxfan101]

There are 2 really good Northern Illinois HS guys I can think of. Seth Blair from Rock Falls (not too far from the Quad Cities) is the best one I know of. He's signed to pitch at Arizona State (6'2 190 righty) but he might get drafted high enough to skip that. He throws from 90 to 94 at like a 3/4 point release and has a nasty sinker, or at least that's what I've seen the 3 times I saw him pitch in person.

 

Casey Crosby is a 6'4 lefty from Kaneland that is a late bloomer due to injury, but throws in the low 90's and is a great athlete (runs the 60 yard dash in under 7 seconds). He is probably the best HS prospect in this state, he is signed to play at Illinois but I doubt he ever makes it down there. He's another guy I've seen in person a few times, and his stuff isn't quite as good as Blair's, but he still throws 91 consistently, and you can't teach the numbers of 18 years old, 6'4, and left handed.

 

Those are the only 2 really good prospects in Illinois I know of, but somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, which I probably am knowing me.

[WhiteSoxfan1986]

There are 2 really good Northern Illinois HS guys I can think of. Seth Blair from Rock Falls (not too far from the Quad Cities) is the best one I know of. He's signed to pitch at Arizona State (6'2 190 righty) but he might get drafted high enough to skip that. He throws from 90 to 94 at like a 3/4 point release and has a nasty sinker, or at least that's what I've seen the 3 times I saw him pitch in person.

 

Casey Crosby is a 6'4 lefty from Kaneland that is a late bloomer due to injury, but throws in the low 90's and is a great athlete (runs the 60 yard dash in under 7 seconds). He is probably the best HS prospect in this state, he is signed to play at Illinois but I doubt he ever makes it down there. He's another guy I've seen in person a few times, and his stuff isn't quite as good as Blair's, but he still throws 91 consistently, and you can't teach the numbers of 18 years old, 6'4, and left handed.

 

Those are the only 2 really good prospects in Illinois I know of, but somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, which I probably am knowing me.

 

These two guys are ranked #120   overall(including college players) by BA. Crosby was around #150.

 

120. Cody Scarpetta, rhp

School: Guilford HS, Rockford, Ill. Class: Sr.

B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 220. Birthdate: 8/25/88.

Scouting Report: Scarpetta's father Dan was a third-round pick by the Brewers out of an Illinois high school in June 1982, and Cody could match him if a late injury doesn't hurt his stock too much. Scarpetta tore the flexor tendon in his right index finger while pitching in late April, an injury similar to the one that has sidelined the Tigers' Joel Zumaya (who tore the same tendon in his middle finger). Scarpetta had surgery in mid-May and will be out until at least July. A team that takes him with plans to evaluate him this summer may not see him at full strength before the Aug. 15 signing deadline. Scarpetta, 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, worked hard to get in the best shape of his life during the offseason, and his efforts paid off. Before he got hurt, he showed a plus fastball every time out this spring, usually sitting around 92-94 mph. In addition to increasing his velocity, he also turned his breaking ball into a true power curveball and added a changeup. One scout compared him to John Wetteland, though Scarpetta has enough stuff to stick in a rotation. If he doesn't sign, he'll attend Creighton.

 

W L ERA G SV IP H BB SO

3 1 2.33 7 0 21 12 8 50

 

160. Jake Smolinski, 3b

School: Boylan Catholic HS, Rockford, Ill. Class: Sr.

B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 195. Birthdate: 2/9/89.

Scouting Report: A number of third basemen made strong impressions at the Area Code Games last summer. Californians Josh Vitters and Matt Dominguez should be first-round picks in June, while Iowan Jon Gilmore should go in the second or third round. Smolinski also has maintained his status as the best position-player prospect in Illinois. He stands out most for his feel for hitting and for the strength in his 6-foot, 195-pound build. He's also a good athlete-—he doubles as Boylan Catholic's quarterback and finished 14th in SPARQ testing at the Area Codes-—and has good arm strength. While scouts agree that he'll be a star at Clemson if he attends college, they aren't as sold on his pro future. Some believe he's maxed out physically already and will become a below-average runner as he fills out, limiting his defensive options. Currently a shortstop, Smolinski will have to move to third base or an outfield corner. Some clubs are intrigued with the idea of making him a catcher, where his arm and leadership skills would work to his advantage. His signability is uncertain, so he may not be drafted as high as his talent would warrant.

 

AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

.522 67 39 35 10 0 5 31 13

[BearSox]

Michael Burgess wouldn't be bad.....

[whitesoxfan101]

What was Blair ranked? Just curious and thanks for the info.

[WhiteSoxfan1986]

What was Blair ranked? Just curious and thanks for the info.

 

#188

 

BA comes out with their top Illinois prospects next week.

[southsideirish71]

Draft preparations

The Sox worked out infielders Justin Jackson of Roberson High School in Asheville, N.C., and Brian Guinn of Berkeley (Calif.) High School, during batting practice.

 

Jackson is considered a very athletic shortstop who possibly could be a first-round pick in Thursday's amateur draft, according to Baseball America. Jackson is from the same high school as Cameron Maybin, Detroit's top prospect. Jackson has signed a letter of intent with Arizona State.

 

Guinn is an intriguing prospect who isn't considered as polished as Jackson. He averaged 12.6 points per game in basketball and batted .406 with 17 stolen bases.

 

His father, Brian Sr., is a former scout and was one of three players acquired by the Cubs in the 1987 trade that sent pitcher Dennis Eckersley to Oakland.

 

Guinn signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Cal.

 

Sox general manager Ken Williams knows Jackson's father Chuck, a former major-league player with Houston and Texas, and Guinn's father.

[CWSGuy406]

FWIW, I'm not seeing either of these guys in the above article in Baseball America's top 30, and they're not on the eight listed "lip of the cup", either.

[BearSox]

Figures that KW and the org. would be interested in Jackson (from his scouting report from milb.com)...

 

On one day, Jackson struggled, not hitting a ball out of the infield. He showed a swing that was long and loopy at times. Against Sam Runion and Reynolds, with the scouts pouring in, Jackson looked more like the top-flight prep prospect, going 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles.

 

I bet as soon as they saw film of this game, they made up their minds...

[CWSGuy406]

If I'm hitching my wagon to anybody at this point, it's probably Nevin Griffith. It might be a slight overdraft at #25 but he looks like your "high risk/high reward" high school pitcher with the most potential in that part of the draft.

 

I also like LaPorta, too, if the Sox are going to take a position prospect. Kid -- and as I say "kid", I realize he's older than me, hehe -- can flat out hit...

[WhiteSoxfan1986]

I want Main if he's there. I am still hoping (wishful thinking) that Matt Wieters somehow drops to us because of signability.

[danman31]

I also like LaPorta, too, if the Sox are going to take a position prospect. Kid -- and as I say "kid", I realize he's older than me, hehe -- can flat out hit...

Yeah, I haven't followed the prep guys this year, but none of the college guys likely to be around at 25 thrill me. If Schmidt of Arkansas fell to us as has been suggested I'd be for taking him, but I'm rooting for a LaPorta pick. That would be ideal in my mind. High impact polished bat. He has question marks, but he can rake.

[29thandPoplar]

QUOTE(danman31 @ Jun 6, 2007 -> 02:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, I haven't followed the prep guys this year, but none of the college guys likely to be around at 25 thrill me. If Schmidt of Arkansas fell to us as has been suggested I'd be for taking him, but I'm rooting for a LaPorta pick. That would be ideal in my mind. High impact polished bat. He has question marks, but he can rake.

 

I'm guessing "no" on Laporta, he is advised by Boras.

[RockRaines]

We need an impact bat, preferable a middle infielder or a corner OF'er.

[danman31]

I'm guessing "no" on Laporta, he is advised by Boras.

He's also a college senior. His leverage is minimal and with the new signing rules he would have to sign before August 15 or somewhere around there. I wouldn't be worried about him this time around.

[maggsmaggs]

I'm guessing "no" on Laporta, he is advised by Boras.

As annoying it is to deal with Boras, he generally represents the best players in each draft and thus the best players in baseball. So if we want the best talent, we are going to have to deal with Boras, just like every other team.

[Gene Honda Civic]

BP's Kevin Goldstien has the Sox taking Tim Alderson. Of course, he also has Rick Porcello dropping to Detroit with the next pick.

Edited June 6, 2007 by Gene Honda Civic

[WhiteSoxfan1986]

BP's Kevin Goldstien has the Sox taking Tim Alderson. Of course, he also has Rick Porcello dropping to Detroit with the next pick.

 

If we pass on Porcello or Wieters I'll be on suicide watch.

[29thandPoplar]

QUOTE(danman31 @ Jun 6, 2007 -> 03:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He's also a college senior. His leverage is minimal and with the new signing rules he would have to sign before August 15 or somewhere around there. I wouldn't be worried about him this time around.

 

Yes yours is a good point but there is a reason these players sign with Boras, it is to get top dollar. having watched Boras like we all have, that means waiting until the last possible minute which keeps a developing player off the field all summer. In theory I agree with you as a college sr. he should be easier to sign although I'm not sure if he may have eligibility left. Either way the Boras camp always brings a fly to the ointment no matter what.

 

The other poster is right too, as he seems to rep lots of good players. Lots of them turn out to be busts though, like any agents talent. And teams have paid through the nose for a bust. In a perfect world you pick the best player per your scouts and to heck with the agent but its not always like that.

 

The other kid that BP has them taking, the HS pitcher, the Sox have seen him for sure as he went to HS in Scottsdale, he throws strikes and lots of them.

[CWSGuy406]

Yes yours is a good point but there is a reason these players sign with Boras, it is to get top dollar. having watched Boras like we all have, that means waiting until the last possible minute which keeps a developing player off the field all summer. In theory I agree with you as a college sr. he should be easier to sign although I'm not sure if he may have eligibility left. Either way the Boras camp always brings a fly to the ointment no matter what.

 

The other poster is right too, as he seems to rep lots of good players. Lots of them turn out to be busts though, like any agents talent. And teams have paid through the nose for a bust. In a perfect world you pick the best player per your scouts and to heck with the agent but its not always like that.

 

If the Sox feel the best player available on the board at #25 is a Boras client, they should take him. All the other 29 teams have to deal with him too. And he doesn't always hold out -- IIRC the Cubs made a Boras pick two years ago (Pawalek, perhaps?) and he was signed immediately after the draft. The Sox have two picks in the top 100 -- money shouldn't be an issue AT ALL here.

[Flash Tizzle]

BP's Kevin Goldstien has the Sox taking Tim Alderson. Of course, he also has Rick Porcello dropping to Detroit with the next pick.

That alone is enough to dismiss his predictions. Anyone familar with the draft knows Porcello dropping past the Cubs (#3) is ridiculous, yet alone 26 positions to Detroit. I know there have been concerns of him pitching in the Northeast with a shortened season and questionable competition, but he's practically a mold of Justin Verlander.

[29thandPoplar]

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jun 6, 2007 -> 05:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If the Sox feel the best player available on the board at #25 is a Boras client, they should take him. All the other 29 teams have to deal with him too. And he doesn't always hold out -- IIRC the Cubs made a Boras pick two years ago (Pawalek, perhaps?) and he was signed immediately after the draft. The Sox have two picks in the top 100 -- money shouldn't be an issue AT ALL here.

 

I agree with you. I just dont think it will happen. Maybe this 8/15 deadline will change the landscape, who knows.