TigsTown '08 Draft Blog

Ready to start talking draft? The two-day extravaganza has come and gone, but that doesn't mean the end of the updates. Get the latest from JA inside!

Hoenecke To Be A Panther

One player who raised his profile with a terrific summer with the bat is going to school. Drafted in the 42nd round, third baseman Paul Hoenecke from West Bend (Wisc.) High School led his team to a state title in his junior year, and the state quarterfinals this year. In his last two years, West Bend was dominant in compiling a 62-3 record.

Because his team's season is during the summer, Hoenecke didn't get much exposure on the showcase circuit, although he stood out at Perfect Game's Spring Showcase that included two of Iowa's top talents in B.J. Hermsen and Brent Warren earlier this year.

Hoenecke has a solid left-handed bat, and should grow into a solid defender at third base. If everything comes together for Hoenecke, he could be a very solid draft in three years.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 8/2

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Weismann Headed To Clemson

The highest profile name the Tigers had on their summer follow list is headed to school. Scott Weismann, a right-hander out of Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in Massachusetts, will be pitching at Clemson.

An 18th-round pick of the Tigers in June, Weismann had a good summer pitching for the Ohio Warhawks, which included a co-MVP performance at a tournament in Florida last weekend.

Weismann's fastball sits in the low-90s, and he gets great movement on the pitch. His power curveball gives him a solid second pitch, and Clemson has had great success in developing small right-handed pitchers. If everything comes together, Weismann could be a premium-round pick in 2011.

"It just didn't work out this year, but the guys in Detroit treated me great," Weismann said. "I'm looking forward to going to Clemson, and hopefully in three years, Detroit picks me again."

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 7/28

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The Tigers have added another

Broberg Comes To Terms

The Tigers have added another arm to their deep arsenal from the 2008 draft class in right-hander Eric Broberg.

Selected by the Tigers in the 41st round out of Seminole (Fla.) Community College, Broberg had a solid summer with the Fairfax Nationals of the Clark Griffith League.

Overall, Broberg went 2-0 with a 0.57 ERA and five saves in 12 appearances. In 15 2/3 innings, he allowed 11 hits and five runs (only one was earned.) He walked seven and struck out 15.

The Braves drafted him out of high school as a position player, but his growth on the mound makes him profile better there.

He has a bulldog-type approach and can reach 93-94 when he needs it, although he wasn't throwing that hard this summer. He has a hard-breaking curveball to go with a changeup, but in spite of having a three-pitch mix, he appears destined to stay in the bullpen.

Broberg was originally ticketed for South Carolina, but didn't have enough credits to attend school there, and he had to leave Fairfax to take care of a transcript issue before enrolling at Texas Wesleyan had he wanted to fulfill his college commitment, but with his signing today, Broberg is ready to focus simply on baseball. He has been assigned to the Tigers' affiliate in the Gulf Coast League.

"I'm really excited to be beginning my career," Broberg said. "Hopefully good things will happen for me."

With Broberg now in the books, the Tigers have signed 35 of their 50 picks, and could add more between now and the August 15th signing deadline.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 7/25

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One Month to Deadline Day

The deadline for signing draft choices is August 15th, and the Tigers still have several players that they are keeping a close on.

One player that has stood out with his performance this summer in the Cape Cod League is Quinnipiac left-hander Chris Gloor, who was taken in the 39th round.

In eight appearances with Falmouth, he has a 2.35 ERA. A temporary player at the start of the summer, his parlayed his good start into staying with Falmouth for the remainder of the summer, where he is starting.

Taken two rounds after Gloor, Eric Broberg (41) has taken well to a relief role with Fairfax of the Clark Griffith League, but perhaps the biggest surprise of the summer follows has been third baseman Paul Hoenecke (42) from West Bend High School in Wisconsin.

Hoenecke has simply raked to the tune of a .522 average with seven homers and 40 RBIs in leading his team to a 20-1 start. A left-handed hitter with the chance to hit for both average and power, Hoenecke has good hands and a good arm.

Time Winding Down on Weismann

Scott Weismann, the highest remaining unsigned pick (18) the Tigers have, turned in a solid performance for the Ohio Warhawks at a tournament in Memphis last week, but this week will mark the last time the Tigers will get a look at the right-hander.

Needing to be on campus for orientation (ironically on August 15), Weismann set a deadline for the end of the month to make a final decision, so that if he elects to go to Clemson, he can begin the process of getting settled in before classes start.

Weismann is set to pitch in a tournament in Fort Myers (Fla.) in front of Tigers officials this upcoming weekend, and a decision should come in the days following the tournament.

Projecting Who May Sign

I think their are seven players the Tigers are watching. I've mentioned Weismann, Gloor, Broberg and Hoenecke, but five other players that could sign are outfielders Ryan Lollis (20) and Brian Wheeler (44), shortstop Zach MacPhee (22), left-hander Nathan Linseman (45) and catcher Eric Roof (46).

If Lollis doesn't sign this summer, he would be a nice senior sign, as he has solid tools across the board with power potential.

Wheeler is a chiseled athlete who has a nice set of tools. He is a great defender with power to the gaps, and he runs well.

MacPhee may be a tad undersized, but he sprays line drives all over the field, and has good speed. He is also a fierce competitor and fits the mold of Boston's Dustin Pedroia, whom MacPhee could follow by going to Arizona State before turning pro.

Linseman is a finesse lefty who resides in the mid-80s, but gets great movement on his heater to go with a slider and a changeup. He will get a chance to shine on one of amateur baseball's biggest stages by pitching with Team Canada later this summer.

The son of Tigers instructor Gene Roof, Eric has had a solid summer for Hays of the Jayhawk League by hitting .295 with four homers and 18 RBIs. He's controlled the strike zone well by drawing 14 walks and fanning 17 times in 95 at-bats.

With James Young (27) and Bryan Bingham (40) having made indications that they are headed to college, I think the Tigers will target the remaining pitchers first to add more depth to the organization. Should the Tigers get shut out on the arms, I could see them turning to the position players with Hoenecke and MacPhee being in the lead due to their solid all-around ability.

With the performances and upsides on their remaining summer follows, it would be very disappointing if the Tigers came away empty-handed on August 15.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 7/14

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After agreeing to terms with Shades Valley (Ala.) left-hander Jade Todd on the second day of the draft, the Tigers have come to terms with Bristol Eastern (Conn.) shortstop Brett Anderson, whom the Tigers drafted in the 12th round.

Anderson has projectable frame, and although he was drafted as a shortstop, he likely faces a move to third base, where his agility, hands and arm should play very well there.

With the bat, he hit .390 with one homer and 25 RBIs this spring. He made great contact by striking out just two times in 77 at-bats. He is a little raw at the plate, but the tools are there.

"It's a dream come true for me," Anderson said on Monday night. "I can't wait to get down there and get to work, and hopefully I can contribute for them one day in the big leagues."

Summer Follows

With the beginning of the college summer leagues starting across the country, the Tigers will be begin to keep close tabs on those college players they will follow until the August 15th deadline.

Two of the bigger names (literally) were taken with consecutive picks in the 39th and 40th rounds in Quinnipiac left-hander Chris Gloor and Navarro JC right-hander Bryan Bingham.

Gloor was the top prospect in the Coastal Plain League last summer, but a subpar junior year caused his draft stock to plummet. He is pitching for Falmouth in the Cape Cod League, and will be one of the more intriguing names to watch this summer. He worked a scoreless inning in his Cape debut.

Bingham is an Arkansas recruit who is very projectable at 6-foot-6 and he can run his fastball up to 94 on a good downhill plane to go with a slider and a circle changeup.

Pitching for the Coppell Copperheads in the Texas Collegiate League, Bingham allowed four hits and one run in four innings of work in his summer debut. He walked two and fanned five.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 6/16

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Hewitt on Tigers' Radar?

The Tigers have always been infatuated with tools-oriented players, and one with a potential full toolshed is being watched closely by the Tigers.

Salisbury School's (Conn.) Anthony Hewitt is the ultimate high-risk, high-reward player who has made a quantum leap up draft boards this spring.

A shortstop in high school, Hewitt faces a move to either third base or the outfield, but he has significant power potential and he runs very well. His arm also gives him a third plus tool.

The Tigers had the chance to scout Hewitt heavily earlier this spring when Salisbury School practiced at the Tigers' spring training complex during their trip to Florida, which is where Hewitt's draft buzz began to surge upwards.

Hewitt has plenty of rawness to his game and it starts with his bat, which faces plenty of development in the years ahead.

His commitment to Vanderbilt will also give scouts pause about his signability, but teams that pick in the 20-30 range, as well as in the sandwich round, have all been in to see Hewitt extensively.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 5/30

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Tigers Eyeing Pair of Prepsters

Two names to keep an eye on next week for possible selections are Lee Ridenhour, a right-hander from Shawnee Mission West (Ks.) High School, and outfielder Michael Swinson from Coffee County (Ga.) High School.

Ridenhour has been going neck-and-neck with Shawnee Heights right-hander Jordan Cooper for the top prep prospect in Kansas, and he got the better of Cooper in a head-to-head matchup by throwing a three-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts in a 9-0 win.

Ridenhour also had 17 strikeouts in a no-hitter this year, and he finished 7-2 with a 1.65 ERA. In 59 1/3 innings, he issued 13 walks and had 79 strikeouts. As his numbers indicate, Ridenhour throws strikes and is very competitive.

At 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, Ridenhour is projectable and he gets good downward movement on his fastball that can reach the low-90s. He threw a knuckle-curve in the past, but has now gone to a more traditional curveball. Ridenhour is also making strides with his changeup and has been effective in changing speeds.

A Kansas recruit, Ridenhour could one day see his stuff reach the mid-90s, and the Tigers have inquired about his signability, so there is a definite interest.

Swinson is a player that will remind minor league followers of D’Andrea Vaughn, whom the Tigers signed out of Tavares High School in Florida in the 40th round last year, as he is a multi-sport athlete who is raw, but has tremendous upside if everything clicks.

Swinson is a three-sport athlete who just began playing baseball in the eighth grade, and is obviously very raw because of his inexperience. However, he will flash all five tools and he runs a 6.6/60. He also has been clocked up to 92 on his throws from the outfield.

For the year, Swinson hit .440 with six homers and 36 RBIs despite being pitched around and dealing with a pulled back muscle. The Tigers have done an in-home visit with Swinson, and he was expected to workout as well.

Swinson, who has signed with Florida Community College in Jacksonville, could go as early in the eighth round, but could be more of a factor in the 10-20-round range.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 5/28

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Tigers Following Up on Former Draftees

The Tigers have been back in to see several of their own unsigned draft picks from prior years, including Fresno State's Steve Susdorf. Coming off an outstanding junior season for the Bulldogs, the Tigers popped Susdorf in the 27th round last year. While they made a run at signing him, they were unable to reel him in. This year, the Tigers have been back to Fresno to see Susdorf, and have walked away impressed yet again. The Tigers are believed to be among several teams that are increasing their belief in the projection on his bat, and considering him as a nice senior sign.

Detroit has also been back in to see 2005 draftees Tony Pechek and Tyson Jaquez. Pechek has bounced around since being selected by the Tigers in the 41st round out of South High School in Pueblo, Colorado. This year, the 6-2, 200 pound catcher has struggled to the tune of a .203 average in 33 games for Creighton. The Tigers didn't send scouts out to see Pechek specifically, but they were watching him while there to see other players. Despite his strong defensive skills, don't expect any teams to gamble on Pechek in the draft.

In 46 games for Nevada this spring, the former third baseman now catcher, Jaquez has posted a .292/.344/.575 line with a solid defensive showing. The Tigers are among a handful of teams who have shown some interst in the junior backstop, and he could be a late round chance.

While not a former Tiger draft pick, Picayune (Miss.) High School lefty T.J. House has drawn some interest from the organization. Believed to be a near impossible sign as a strong Tulane commit, that hasn't deterred a few of the teams willing to spend serious cash on the draft. The Tigers have had several levels of their amateur scouting department in town to see him throughout the season, and he could be a 3-6 round guy for an organzition like the Tigers who have demonstrated a willingness to make a strong run at expensive talents. House's low-90s heat from the left side, and two projectable breaking balls are an enticing package.

Posted by: Mark, 5/28

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First Round Prospects

With the draft rapidly closing, the Tigers have begun the process of determining who they may take with the 21st pick in the draft.

As of right now, it would seem the Tigers have a decent shot at landing one of the top prep pitchers available with Georgia's Ethan Martin, Illinois' Jake Odorizzi, as well as Missouri's Tim Melville all possibly being on the board when the Tigers pick.

California outfielder Zach Collier is one of the more toolsier players available, as are Canada's Brett Lawrie and New York infielder Anthony Hewitt, but signability is always going to be a question, and the one name to keep a very close eye on is American Heritage (Fl.) first baseman Eric Hosmer.

Represented by Scott Boras, Hosmer will come with a hefty price tag, so there is the possibility that the Tigers could get a blue-chip talent like Rick Porcello last year.

Should the Tigers go the college route, first basemen Brent Wallace (Arizona State) and David Cooper (California) provide solid power. Another wild card from the college ranks could be Fresno State right-hander Tanner Scheppers, who suffered a stress fracture in his shoulder and will be unable to pitch until after the draft.

Right now, Hosmer is very likely at the top of the Tigers' wish list, but should he be taken, the Tigers would have numerous options to choose from.

Eyeing the Southpaws

The Tigers made it a point to target left-handed pitching in last year's draft, and it appears they may have two more in their sights this year.

Alabama prep lefty Tyler Stovall burst into the early rounds with a bump in his velocity. Stovall has topped out at 96 this spring and has been consistently in the 92-94 range to go with a hard-breaking slider and curveball that has allowed him to set state records for wins and strikeouts.

For the year, he went 13-1 with an ERA of 1.00. He fired three no-hitters and had a perfect game to his credit as well. Stovall would be an ideal target in the second round, but he is the class valedictorian at his school, and may be tough to sign away from Auburn.

Heading into the spring, Arizona's Kyle Lobstein had ambitions of being a potential first-round pick, but he never took the dramatic step forward that Stovall did with his stuff.

However, Lobstein went 8-2 with a 1.29 ERA and had 83 strikeouts in 53 innings, and his stock is good enough to where he could still factor in the sandwich to early second round.

Should he slide to the Tigers' spot in the second round (67th pick), Lobstein would be an intriguing pick thanks to his very projectable frame, and the team has worked him out.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 5/22

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Prospects in the Wolverine State

The Tigers have made it a point to keep a watchful eye on the prospects in their own backyard, but the 2008 crop promises to be carried strictly by college players.

Michigan should have several players drafted with right-hander Zach Putnam leading the way as a possible sandwich selection, and several other schools should have players selected in the first 10-15 rounds.

Right-handers Ethan Hollingsworth (Western Michigan) and Matt Shoemaker (Eastern Michigan) should go high enough to turn pro, as could Wayne State right-hander Anthony Bass, and Michigan State catcher Kyle Day. Central Michigan could also have several players drafted with senior Tyler Stovall leading the way.

There are only a handful of players from the junior college ranks that could get drafted with Grand Rapids left-hander Brandon Ritchie and Kellogg CC catcher Danny Killian the best bets to be selected. Ritchie has signed with Indiana State and Killian was headed for Kentucky after being selected by the Nationals last year, but he elected to go to junior college.

The prep ranks are also down this year with few players having an outside shot of going in the first 10 rounds.

Mount Pleasant was ranked 51st in Perfect Game Crosschecker's top 100 preseason rankings, and they could have two players drafted in Central Michigan recruit William Arnold and Michigan recruit Tyler Mills, who is a three-sport athlete. Davison lefty and Arkansas recruit Trevor Cousineau offers plenty of projection on his 6-foot-5 frame, and Northville outfielder Damarii Saunderson has the raw tools to be a solid player in the future. So far this season, he is hitting .418 with three homers and 33 RBIs. Saunderson has signed with Iowa Western CC.

Last Looks

As the college regular season heads into its final weeks before conference tournaments begin, scouts' time to see the top college prospects, particularly starting pitchers, is dwindling rapidly. Although many teams are wrapping up their high school seasons, there will be two significant events over the next few weeks for scouts to see the top prep talent for a the last time.

Perfect Game will be hosting its National Pre-Draft Showcase this week, which will give scouts another look at players from across the country that they will want to get a final look at before making a final decision before the draft.

You can also bet that there will be a plethora of scouts and executives at the Florida High School All-Star Game, which will be held later this month.

The contest brings the top seniors from the Sunshine State together in one place, and with several potential premium-round talents, including potential first-rounders Eric Hosmer and Casey Kelly on hand, scouts will be able to see Florida's prep talent for a final time in game situations before the draft.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 5/12

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Gulf Coast Arms

Many schools in the warm-climate states have begun their postseasons, so scouts have precious little time to further evaluate prospects they have on their draft radars.

One pitcher who has aspirations of going in the early rounds has already completed his season. T.J. House, a left-hander from Picayune Memorial HS in Mississippi may have wrapped up his season last weekend, but the Tulane signee showed scouts his nice upside by topping out at 94 with his fastball, and he sits in the 88-90 range.

House holds his velocity deep into games, and he also has a hard-breaking slider that's been clocked in the low-80s. House also mixes in a curveball with 10-to-4 break, and although he didn't throw it much, House has a feel for a changeup.

For the year, House went 7-2 with a 0.82 ERA. In 60 innings, he allowed 24 hits and fanned 99. He walked 25. Tulane recruits typically are difficult to lure away from school, but left-handers with his stuff always will draw lots of interest come draft time.

Another potential power arm with early-round hopes is Faith Academy (Al.) right-hander Steven Upchurch. At 6-foot-4 and 175 pounds, Upchurch is one of the more projectable pitchers available this year, but a couple of nagging injuries have sapped his velocity somewhat.

While on the showcase circuit last summer, Upchurch flashed a low-90s fastball with a nice curveball, but this spring he has been topping out at 90.

Although his stuff hasn't been as crisp this spring, Upchurch has been outstanding on the mound by going 9-0 with a 0.77 ERA prior to this past weekend's playoff series. He has a terrific BB/K ratio with just seven walks and 83 strikeouts.

Upchurch has signed with Auburn, and he could be a wildcard because scouts haven't really been able to see him at his peak level because of the aforementioned injuries this spring.

Lobstein No Longer Alone

It's a thin year for the prep ranks in Arizona, particularly in pitching. Coconino's Kyle Lobstein ranks as the state's top prospect, and he has a chance to be a premium-round pick, but there weren't many surefire candidates to join him as a potential early-round draft choice--until now.

Cactus left-hander Ryan Carpenter has emerged by simply dominating the opposition. After pitching his team to a regional title by firing a three-hit shutout with 14 strikeouts, Carpenter is 9-1 with a 0.99 ERA. He has racked up 104 strikeouts in just 63 innings. He has allowed 32 hits and walked 19.

At 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, Carpenter has projection, and he holds his stuff deep into games. He sits in the 90-91 range, but has topped out at 94, and he has a good four-pitch mix. Carpenter has signed with Gonzaga, but with the success and attention he has been getting from the scouting community, he has the chance to get drafted high enough to bypass college and start his professional career.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 4/22

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Bringin' The Heat

California's Gerrit Cole may be the hardest thrower in the prep class, but James River (Va.) right-hander Daniel Marrs is right on his heels.

A shoulder injury limited him from being seen on the showcase circuit last summer, but he has made up for lost time so far this spring. Marrs has a 3-0 record, including a no-hitter in his last start, but it's his fastball that has scouts drooling.

The right-hander has been sitting in the 93-95 range, with reports of him hitting 97 several times in one outing. Marrs has a deep repertoire that includes a split-finger, a curveball, and a changeup.

Marrs hails from the same area of Virginia that produced Justin Verlander, and like the Tigers ace, he is overpowering with his stuff when everything is clicking. Marrs has signed with Wake Forest, along with teammate and fellow draft prospect Austin Stadler, but barring anything unforeseen, he would seem to be a long shot to make it to school at this juncture as a possible premium-round selection.

Lost In The Shuffle

One would think it's impossible to have a fairly unknown prospect in San Diego, one of baseball's scouting hotbeds, but Montgomery High School outfielder Brandon Meredith certainly isn't the first name that gets mentioned when discussing some of the top prep players in the area.

Through 19 games, Meredith leads the team in batting average (.446) and RBIs (15), but has just one homer. He has also stolen four bases, but what the numbers don't show is his considerable upside.

Meredith is a physical specimen who also played football, and his build has compared to that of Cecil Fielder (minus the bulging waistline). He also runs well (6.9/60) and has good arm strength. His best tool in time should be his power, which he flashed in a game at Petco Park, when he homered off of the Western Metal Supply building in left field.

Meredith is part of a solid recruiting class Tony Gwynn has put together at San Diego State, but a prospect that could be a potential five-tool right fielder will always draw the attention from the scouting community.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 4/28

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Slammin' Senators

With many of the country's top junior colleges heading into the home stretch of their regular seasons, I wanted to delve back into the JUCO ranks with this post, and I'll start with a team who has a chance to win their second national title in three years.

When Walters State (Tenn.) won the Junior College World Series two years ago, they simply bludgeoned the opposition with their bats, and the 2008 team is beginning to look eerily similar.

Over their last 18 games, the Senators have scored 10 or more runs in 14 of those games, and in two others, they've scored nine. Leading the way for the Senators has been Kyle Koeneman, who leads the team with 18 homers and has 46 RBIs to go with a .443 average. Power has been the freshman's calling card, as he belted 50 homers in his prep career.

Certainly outfielder Adam Milligan and right-hander Nick Fuller are the bigger names on Walters State's roster, but the Senators have several other players who could get drafted. Freshman C/LF Dylan Pratt has above-average power and the ability to hit for average, but he needs plenty of polish defensively at both positions. A hamstring injury slowed him down a little, but he has 15 homers this spring. Pratt has signed with Vanderbilt, so teams may have to wait until 2010 to land him.

Third baseman Cody Hawn turned down the chance to attend Arkansas to stay close to home. A torn ACL suffered while playing in a pick-up basketball game sabotaged his senior year of high school. His knee is still about 90-95%, and he is running better. He won't wow people with his defense, but he makes plays, and where he gets his highest marks is with the bat. So far Hawn is hitting .421 with 13 homers and 50 RBIs. Like Milligan and Pratt, he has plenty of juice in his bat, but he has also shown the ability to make adjustments at the plate.

The Senators already have six players with over 10 homers, and could have two more by season's end, but besides Fuller, they could have two more pitchers drafted in right-hander David Francis and left-hander Chad Bell. Francis has been up to 94 this spring and has a good breaking ball, while Bell has good pitchability, but may not throw hard enough (84-89) to entice scouts to make him an early selection.

King Of The Hill

North Carolina has become a hotbed for scouts to flock to over the years, as both the prep and college ranks have produced solid talent, but sometimes a player can fall through the cracks and blossom.

Such is the case for Surry CC left-hander Aaron King, who has moved up draft boards this spring thanks to a dominating performance on the mound.

His record may be just 4-3, but the rest of his numbers have been outstanding. He has a sparkling 1.69 ERA and in 53 1/3 innings, he has allowed a scant 30 hits. King has walked 29 and struck out 81. In his last outing on Monday, 15 scouts, including the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau, was there to watch him strike out five batters in two scoreless innings of work.

A freshman, King has a lot of positives going for him. He has a projectable 6-foot-5 frame, and he already tops out at 94 while sitting in the 90-91 range with his fastball, which has good movement. He throws a curveball that can be average at times, and his changeup is a work in progress.

Left-handers with King's profile don't often last very long on draft boards, and even though he needs to improve his command, King has the ingredients to work his way into the first five rounds if he continues his solid showing.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 4/16

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Under The Radar?

There's lots of stuff to delve into with the prep ranks, and we'll begin with a traditional Tigers hot spot. In recent years, the Tigers have gone to Oklahoma's Owasso High School to tab pitchers Dallas Trahern and Matt Hoffman in the draft, and in 2008, Owasso has another pitching prospect in left-hander Brian Flynn.

So far this spring, Flynn has been absolutely dominant, as he has gone 6-0 with a save to go with a microscopic 0.58 ERA.

In 36 innings, Flynn has allowed just 14 hits and a scant three runs (all earned). The lefty also has racked up 72 strikeouts and has walked only six batters. His numbers also include a two-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts against No. 4 Jenks, who has fellow draft prospect and Oklahoma State signee Mark Ginther (see More From Oklahoma below) on its roster.

What immediately stands out with Flynn is his imposing frame. At 6-foot-8, Flynn casts a large shadow on the mound, and he has the stuff to back it up. He can reach the low-90s with his fastball to go with a sweeping slider. There's no question Flynn has intriguing upside, but he has signed with Wichita State, so where he goes in the draft will depend on how open he is to signing a pro contract.

More from Oklahoma

Besides Owasso's Flynn and Sperry right-hander Bobby Bundy, Jenks' Ginther stands as a third prep prospect out of the Tulsa area, which has been a haven for Tigers draft picks.

In addition to the draftees at Owasso, the Tigers have also mined Oral Roberts University for several draft choices, including Michael Hollimon back in 2005, and Erik Crichton last June.

Ginther likely faces a move to third base from his current position of shortstop at his next stop, but he should have no problem making the move.

An outstanding athlete who played quarterback for Jenks, Ginther runs well (6.7/60) and should develop plenty of power. So far this season, Ginther is hitting .438 with four homers and 30 RBIs. He has walked only eight times, but has struck out just seven times in 73 at-bats.

If Ginther makes it to Oklahoma State, he could get the chance to pitch as well. He is undefeated with a 6-0 record to go with a sparkling 0.63 ERA. He has 60 strikeouts in 33 innings.

Unlike Georgia's Xavier Avery and Florida's Casey Kelly, Ginther won't continue his football career in college, but his set of intriguing tools will give teams plenty to think about on draft day, including the Tigers, who have taken a close look at him.

Role Reversal

It's not often you find a future slugger hitting at the top of the batting order, but for Memorial (Texas) outfielder Jeremy Rathjen, playing the role of tablesetter has been a key to improving his considerable set of tools.

Rathjen first got noticed on the national stage last summer at the Area Code Games, where his power and projectable (6-foot-4) frame made scouts wonder just how powerful an offensive force he could be.

Rathjen has had issues making consistent contact in the past, but he has just seven strikeouts in his first 66 at-bats this spring. He is hitting .485 with three homers and 13 RBIs as Memorial's leadoff man.

Rathjen has a long ways to go before he is physically developed, but he has the chance to be a major threat with the bat when it's all said and done. He also runs well and has a good arm. The major question for Rathjen will be signability, as he has signed with Rice.

Digging For Prospects In The Back Yard

Three years ago, the Tigers selected Matt Joyce out of Florida Southern, who played only a short distance from the Tigers' spring training home in Lakeland.

Last June, Santa Fe Catholic right-hander Nate Striz was a fifth-round pick who spurned the Twins to attend North Carolina, and the prep ranks around Lakeland have several prospects that could be drafted.

All Saints Academy outfielder Wesley Freeman, an AFLAC All-American last summer, is a household name for scouts. Freeman could be premium pick thanks to his athleticism and tantalizing set of tools, but a pair of teammates at Lakeland High School could also find themselves signing pro contracts.

Taylor Wrenn may be one of the few shortstops available from the prep ranks who has a chance to stay there in the future. The son of scout Luke Wrenn, Taylor has the feet, arm, and range for the position.

Although he isn't big (5-foot-11), he is athletic and has some pop in his bat. He is hitting .348 with four home runs and 20 RBIs this year. Wrenn has also stolen 11 bases.

Wrenn has signed with Manatee Community College, and he would've been a nice draft-and-follow under the old draft rules, but if the draft doesn't pan out in June, he'll be in the 2009 draft pool.

Center fielder Keon Braxton put himself on the map with a strong showing at last summer's East Coast Professional Showcase, which was held in Lakeland.

A physical specimen at 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, Braxton starred as a wide receiver on the football team, and he could play both sports at Florida Atlantic if the draft doesn't intercede.

Braxton has a patient approach and has very good bat speed. He has also played some at shortstop, but the outfield is where he seems to fit best.

Hitting out of the leadoff spot, Braxton is hitting .425 with eight RBIs. He hasn't hit any home runs, but 10 of his 20 hits have gone for extra bases, and the power should come as he continues to fill out his frame.

There is no question Braxton has plenty of upside, and it will be interesting to see if he follows the path of current Tigers prospect Londell Taylor, who turned pro despite having a football commitment to Oklahoma.

In addition to those three players, keep an eye on Winter Haven HS outfielder Markus Brisker, and Florida Southern outfielder Will Cherry, both of whom have the tools to be selected on draft day.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 4/13

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Oropesa Sizzling

Although he may be overshadowed somewhat by other prospects in California, Etiwanda's Ricky Oropesa is a name to keep an eye on.

An AFLAC All-American who has signed with USC, Oropesa is off to a marvelous start with the bat, as he is hitting a robust .743 (26-for-35), with four homers and 12 RBIs. He also has five doubles and two triples to go with 19 walks. He has struck out just four times and is 9-for-10 in the stolen base department.

Although he is a third baseman by trade, should Oropesa make it to USC, he will also get the opportunity to pitch, where he tops out in the mid-90s. In 21 innings, he has allowed 11 hits and has struck out 40. Command has been an issue with 15 walks and a hit batter.

Oropesa's game revolves around power, both in his arm and bat. If he continues to make good progress, he could be off the board in the first three rounds.

How The Mighty Have Fallen

At this time last year, Texas' Kyle Russell was on his way to slugging 28 home runs and driving in 71 runs. However, scouts have always questioned his ability to make consistent contact, and coupled with his first-round bonus demands, he slid to the fourth round of last June's draft as a draft-eligible sophomore.

Russell spent the summer with the Santa Barbara Foresters of the California Collegiate League, where he hit just .247 with four home runs. The summer slump was enough for St. Louis to not meet Russell's steep asking price and allow him to return to the Longhorns for his junior year.

The summer swoon Russell had has carried over in an unthinkable way. Through 21 games, Russell is hitting just .206 with one home run in 63 at-bats. He has drawn 22 walks, and has also been hit by a pitch five times, but strikeouts continue to plague Russell, who has a team-leading 20 so far this season.

Russell was one of the top storylines heading into the season, as it's not often you have a player put up the numbers he did and have him return to school, but after being selected in the fourth round last year, Russell may not be a factor this year's draft, although he has two months to rectify that.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 4/3

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JUCO Update

As junior colleges begin to head into the final month of the regular season, two players have stepped to the top of many teams' draft boards as the best the JUCO ranks have to offer this year.

Pitt (N.C.) CC's Lonnie Chisenhall has done nothing but rake this spring. He is hitting .474, and actually lost 19 points off of his batting average during Pitt's weekend sweep of Blue Ridge (N.C.).

The sophomore has belted six of his team's 14 home runs, and he has driven in 49 runs. He has drawn 15 walks, but has struck out just six times in 78 at-bats.

Although he suffered his first loss last week, Southern Nevada's Colby Shreve has been outstanding so far this year.

Overall, the Arkansas recruit is 5-1 with a 2.30 ERA in eight starts, with three complete games. In 47 innings, he has allowed just 23 hits. He has walked 20 and fanned 43.

Both Chisenhall and Shreve have the opportunity to go as high as the sandwich round, but as has been mentioned previously, Chisenhall's off-field indiscretions at South Carolina during his freshman year will be at the forefront of any discussions between Chisenhall and interested teams.

Diamonds In The Rough?

Although they were swept last weekend, Blue Ridge CC has two potential sleepers for the draft that will need to be closely watched.

Third baseman Casey Justice sits near the top of the JUCO home run leaderboard with 10, and he has also driven in 40 runs, both of which lead the team by a wide margin. He is hitting .382 this spring.

One thing Justice doesn't lack is tools. A former high school quarterback, who played football at West Virginia Tech before switching back to baseball, Justice is a good athlete who has been clocked at 88 in his throws across the diamond. He also has good speed (6.75-6.80 in the 60) and has good bat speed.

Defensively, Justice is adept at making plays on the run, and he has quick hands. He could move to first base, or to the outfield, but his arm action isn't really conducive to playing out there.

What works against him is that he lost lots of development time while on the gridiron, and he's older than your typical JUCO prospect. The Royals and Braves have shown interest, and if he is deemed signable, he will be an intriguing prospect for teams to keep an eye on.

Blue Ridge also could have a second player drafted in June in right-hander Kyle Chandler, who saw his record fall to 7-2 this year after allowing six runs (two earned) in tossing a nine-hitter last week against Pitt.

The tall (6-foot-3, 195 lbs.) right-hander has run his fastball up to 94, but sits in the 89-92 range. He has a good changeup that has some run and dip to it. Chandler also features a nice slider to go with a curveball.

Chandler holds his stuff well deep into games, and he has good arm action. The sophomore isn't short on potential suitors for his final two years, but his standing in the draft may allow him to pro.

On a sidenote, coach Brandon LaDuc, a graduate of Western Michigan, has made Blue Ridge a present haven for Michigan prep players to attend, as 10 current Bears dot the roster.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 3/27

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Crawford Heats Up

Few players available in the 2008 draft can match the impressive set of tools that UCLA shortstop Brandon Crawford has.

After hitting .335 with seven homers and 55 RBIs as a sophomore, Crawford was looking to build on those numbers in the Cape Cod League last summer, but he struggled immensely by hitting just .189 with 13 errors in the field.

The junior got off to a miserable start by getting just nine hits in his first 44 at-bats (.205 BA) before going 9-for-15 this past week to raise his average exactly 100 points.

There is no question Crawford has considerable upside, and shortstops that show all five tools don't stay on draft boards very long. Despite his woes on the Cape, he has the opportunity to be a first-rounder if his bat returns to its sophomore form.

Raben, Ross Return

Two potential first-round picks that haven't had much of an opportunity to play in the first month of the season due to nagging injuries are Miami (Fla.) outfielder Dennis Raben and California right-hander Tyson Ross.

After missing the first few weeks of the season with back problems, Raben played in the final two games of Miami's series at N.C. State, and he made his first hit of the year a memorable one, as he launched a towering home run in Sunday's loss to the Wolfpack.

Although Raben presently plays in the outfield due to Yonder Alonso's presence at first base, Raben will likely wind up there once he turns pro, and he has more than enough power to handle the move. If Raben is able to shake off his back problems and show the vast power in his bat, he has a chance to be selected in the middle of the first round.

Ross missed the last two weeks due to a pulled lat muscle, but he pitched well in his return against Loyola Marymount on Friday night. In five innings of work, Ross allowed just three hits and three runs (all earned). He walked one and struck out three in a 10-4 win.

With a deep arsenal of pitches, and a fastball that reaches the mid-90s, Ross could be one of the first prospects to hear his name called in June, provided he doesn't have any setbacks or recurring problems due to the injury.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 3/18

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Lobstein Labors

This entry is for a quick look at how a few of the top prep pitchers have fared in their early outings. Coconino (Ariz.) HS left-hander Kyle Lobstein has the opportunity to be a first-round pick in June's draft, but poor defense hurt him in a recent outing.

Lobstein, who recently made a verbal commitment to Arizona, suffered the loss in a 12-2 setback to Prescott. He lasted 3 2/3 innings and allowed nine hits. He had nine strikeouts and didn't walk a batter. Overall, six errors were committed by Coconino in the loss.

Of the nine runs Lobstein has allowed in three starts, only one has been earned. Lobstein has a solid three-pitch mix and projects to throw harder as he fills out his 6-foot-3 frame.

Georgia's Finest Square Off

Lassiter right-hander Michael Palazzone and Wesleyan left-hander Grayson Garvin hooked up in a terrific pitching matchup that opened up both of their school's seasons.

Both pitchers were strong, as Palazzone allowed four hits and struck out nine in six innings of work. However, Garvin helped his own cause by hitting a home run off Palazzone, and left with a 2-1 lead, but Lassiter tied the game in the bottom of the seventh, before falling in extra innings 3-2.

Palazzone has signed with Georgia, but his curveball ranks as one of the best in the country. Palazzone served up a grand slam in his last outing that left him on the hook for a loss, but he has a chance to be selected in the first round based on his fastball, which reaches 94, to go with his plus curveball.

Garvin is one of the more unheralded lefties available this June. He works in the high-80s, but his 6-foot-5 frame projects nicely, and he also has a lot of polish. Garvin has signed with Vanderbilt, which could cloud his draft status, but if he makes it to school, he could follow in the footsteps of fellow southpaws David Price and Mike Minor as big winners in college who morphed into premium-round talents while in Nashville.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 3/14

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Seniors Galore

Teams are always on the lookout for good talent at bargain prices, and they will find it with college seniors, who have little leverage in negotiating their contracts once they are drafted in June. This entry will take a look at some of the top seniors available, and which ones have moved up or down in the early part of the season.

Heading into the season, Georgia's Josh Fields and Rice's Cole St. Clair, both closers, were considered the top senior talents available, as they both could move fairly quickly once they sign, although Fields is advised by Scott Boras, which complicates matters.

So far, Fields has been dominant, allowing just one hit in 4 1/3 innings in five appearances. He has walked two and fanned 11.

Some scouts think the left-handed St. Clair could start as a pro, but after two so-so starts for the Owls, he was moved to the bullpen, where he picked up a win by working 1 1/3 scoreless innings on Saturday. Both pitchers could factor into the sandwich round for a team with extra draft choices.

Long Beach State's Andrew Liebel has been brilliant so far this season, yet doesn't a win in any of his first three starts. He has a microscopic 1.16 ERA, and in 23 1/3 innings, he has struck out 31 while walking only three batters. He has allowed just 14 hits. He has been one of the fastest risers in the early going this year.

After being named the top prospect in the Jayhawk League, Wichita State left-hander Rob Musgrave has a BB/K ratio of 3/23 in his first three starts in posting a 3.06 ERA. He doesn't throw hard (touches 90), but he has a terrific changeup and a solid curveball. He has a chance to be selected in the first five rounds.

Scouts in the past were intrigued by Georgia Tech's Charlie Blackmon as a left-handed pitcher, but after showing flashes in the Texas Collegiate League as an outfielder, he is playing everyday as a senior. So far he is hitting .333 with one homer and eight RBIs. Blackmon appears to be the rare senior who has tools to grow into after college.

Washington State shortstop Paul Gran went undrafted last year, but after a solid summer in the New England Collegiate League, Gran's combination of speed and power continues to grow. Gran is hitting a blistering .432 with two homers and 19 RBIs in his first 37 at-bats for the Cougars.

Villanova's Jordan Ellis also could factor early on with a fastball that reaches the mid-90s to go with a solid slider. He is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA in three starts. In 18 innings he has allowed 15 hits. He has issued nine walks and has fanned 17.

A teammate of St. Clair's at Rice is infielder J.P. Padron. A toolsy player out of the Louisiana prep ranks, Padron was drafted by the Pirates before going to LSU. He transferred to San Jacinto Junior College before winding up at Rice last year. So far, Padron is hitting .327 with two homers and 13 RBIs. He is similar to Blackmon in that he has more upside then your typical senior sign.

Arkansas' Aaron Murphree has had a staggering start to the season. He is hitting .447 with 12 home runs and 28 RBIs in just 47 at-bats. He is also 4-for-4 in the stolen base department.

The first baseman had a stretch where he hit eight homers in six games. He is already halfway towards the school record for home runs. He is definitely one to keep an eye on.

Seniors Slumping

Two seniors that were expected to be selected in the first five rounds have struggled thus far. Texas A&M second baseman Blake Stouffer, who returned to school despite being selected in the fourth round by Cincinnati, is hitting just .233.

Vanderbilt outfielder Dominic De la Osa, a two-time draft pick of Detroit, is hitting .256 and has only two extra-base hits in 43 at-bats after a 20/20 season last year.

Players at the service academies are virtually unsignable until they graduate, which means teams will have to wait until June to pluck Navy right-hander Mitch Harris, whom the Braves considered signing as a 24th-round selection before electing not to last summer.

Harris hasn't had the chance to showcase his powerful pitching arsenal due to a jammed pitching shoulder he suffered while jogging around the bases.

The injury isn't considered serious and he should be on the mound soon. Harris sits in the low-90s with a hard slider and changeup. He also is a candidate for the first five rounds.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 3/12

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Shepherd Struggling

I wanted to take a quick trip back into the JUCO ranks, where Southern Nevada's Devin Shepherd, the top JUCO prospect in the country at the start of the season, hasn't gotten into the swing of things.

So far, Shepherd is hitting just .237 with one homer and nine RBIs in 59 at-bats. He leads the team with 14 walks, but also has a team-leading 20 strikeouts.

Although Shepherd hasn't swung the bat well, pitchers Colby Shreve (3-0, 1.45 ERA), Taylor Cole (3-2, 2.08 ERA), and Tyler Lavigne (1-0, 1.62 ERA) have been solid. The latter is the defending Pitcher of the Year in the Scenic West conference. He doesn't throw as hard as his compatriots mentioned, but his command sets him apart.

Alabama Pitchers Going In Opposite Directions

Wallace State-Hanceville's Craig Kimbrel was drafted in the 33rd round by Atlanta last year, but he has the chance to go much earlier this June.

Armed with a fastball that tops out at 97 and sits in the mid-90s, Kimbrel also has a slider.

Although he is just six-feet tall, he has a durable frame and is getting better command of his pitches after a broken foot delayed his progress at the outset of the 2007 season.

So far this season, the Alabama recruit is 3-0 with 1.17 ERA in four starts. In 23 innings, he has allowed more walks (10) than hits (7) to go with 32 strikeouts.

Jonathan Lopez, who inherited Kimbrel's closer's role, has flourished in that role by allowing just one hit in 9 2/3 innings of work. A signee of Campbell, he has walked four and struck out 15 batters. The left-hander has three saves in his first six appearances.

After a breakthrough summer in the Georgia Collegiate League, Shelton State left-hander Greg Hendrix has gotten off to a slow start.

In five games (three starts), Hendrix has posted a 0-1 record with a ghastly 9.49 ERA. In 12 1/3 innings, he has allowed 16 hits and walked nine. He does have 17 strikeouts.

Hendrix has a very projectable frame that could see his velocity spike into the mid-90s in the future as he matures physically. A former draft pick of the Dodgers, Hendrix has a promising curveball and changeup.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 3/7

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Injuries Take Down Top Prospects

Just one week into the season, the biggest story surrounding the start of college baseball has been the setbacks suffered by some of the top college prospects available in the June draft.

The biggest news obviously starts with Vanderbilt third baseman Pedro Alvarez. The junior slugger is sidelined with a hand injury that will keep him out of the lineup for the next six weeks.

With Scott Boras advising him, it will be interesting to see what happens, especially should he not be able to showcase his power when returns. With three months until draft day, Alvarez' draft prospects are somewhat clouded, and will stay that way until he returns to action.

Miami outfielder Dennis Raben has been limited to just two at-bats over the first two weekends due to back problems. Raben didn't play at all in Miami's sweep of Cincinnati last weekend, and left Friday night's game against Florida in the bottom of the fourth when his back tightened up.

Raben had a great summer on the Cape, and although he faces a likely move to first base in time, he has the bat to play there, but if this lingers, his draft stock could take a major hit. The quality crop of first basemen available also could work against him if his back continues to be troublesome.

Michigan's Zach Putnam and California's Tyson Ross are two of the top pitchers in the country that have been slowed by ailments at the start of the year.

Putnam didn't make his first start until Saturday against Arizona State due to a tender shoulder. He didn't factor into the decision by allowing two runs (both earned) on three hits in three innings of work. He walked four and struck out three.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Putnam believes he slept on the shoulder awkwardly, which caused the discomfort. Putnam is a prime candidate to be one of the first 50 players selected in June.

Ross, who held Kansas State to one hit over five innings in his season debut, was scheduled to oppose Missouri ace Aaron Crow on Friday, but was scratched due to muscle tightness. Ross was sterling in his debut, and should this be only a temporary setback, Ross has the opportunity to go in the first round.

Pitching Duel

Certainly, the matchup between San Diego's Brian Matusz and Fresno State's Tanner Scheppers was one to watch (Matusz won 5-2), but in Minneapolis, Tulane's Shooter Hunt and Pepperdine's Brett Hunter hooked up at the Dairy Queen Classic.

Both right-handers pitched well, with Hunt yielding just two hits and two runs in six innings of work. Command was an issue for Hunt, who walked five and struck out eight, but needed 111 pitches to get through his outing.

Hunter continued to show why he could go among the first 10 picks in June, as he limited Tulane to just four hits and two runs in seven innings. He walked two and fanned seven, as the Waves scored twice in the eighth to beat the Green Wave.

Hunter reportedly reached triple digits during fall practice, and while some scouts think of him as a closer, he has held his velocity deep into games. Hunt may not throw as hard as Hunter, but he can reach the mid-90s with his heater to go with a solid breaking ball, and like Hunter, he has the opportunity to be first-round selection.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 3/3

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Wallace Off To Fast Start

With the start of Division I baseball last Friday, I wanted to take a quick tour around the country, so lets begin with Arizona State junior third baseman Brett Wallace.

The ASU slugger hit three home runs and drove in nine runs in the Sun Devils' three wins over the weekend, including two homers and seven RBIs in an 18-6 drubbing of Vanderbilt, who played without the services of possible No. 1 overall pick Pedro Alvarez for two games this weekend due to a wrist injury.

Wallace likely faces a move to first base, which is a loaded group this year. He has a very polished approach, as well as plenty of power. If Wallace can build on his monster sophomore year, he has a chance to be a first-rounder in June.

Toreros Battered

San Diego entered their four-game series with crosstown rival San Diego State ranked No. 12 in the country, and with one of the deepest and most talented pitching staffs in the country.

However, the Aztecs ripped the Toreros to the tune of 44 runs in winning three of four games. Brian Matusz (4 2/3 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 6 K) got roughed up in losing to Stephen Strasburg, one of the top pitchers available in 2009 on Friday.

Josh Romanski got San Diego's lone win, but allowed seven hits and eight runs (seven earned) in five innings of work, although he helped his own cause by homering twice and driving in seven runs.

Kyle Blair struck out nine and allowed three runs (one earned) over 6 1/3 innings in his college debut, but took the loss in Monday's 7-1 defeat to SDSU. A.J. Griffin was touched for four hits and three earned runs in 1 2/3 innings.

An inauspicious start for sure for San Diego, but the Toreros have too much talent to stay down for very long.

Outstanding Mound Work

Although Matusz struggled, several pitchers turned in terrific outings, including Missouri right-hander Aaron Crow, who didn't walk a batter and fanned seven in allowing one run over five innings of work.

California right-hander Tyson Ross held Kansas State to one hit in five innings and fanned seven. Lastly, Tulane right-hander Shooter Hunt fired six shutout innings and struck out eight in his season debut.

All three right-handers rate as among the top college arms available this year, and could go in the first 15 picks.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 2/25

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San Jacinto Rolling

Since I've hit the Florida JUCO's for the most part, I wanted to touch on a few other teams and prospects in the junior college ranks. San Jacinto (Texas) has long been a powerhouse in junior college baseball, and they are already off and running with a sterling 12-1 start.

The Gators have several players that scouts will be keeping an eye on, including right-handers Chris Corrigan and Michael Johnson, and left-hander Kevin Angelle, as well as outfielders Jeremy Barfield and Kris Miller.

Corrigan, an 18th-round pick of Toronto last year, works in the 90s with a hard slider, while Johnson has reached 96 despite his small frame (5-foot-10, 170 pounds). Angelle made waves one of the top prep pitchers in Texas two years ago, but his progress with the Gators has been slow. Command was an issue last year, and he has walked 15 in 15 1/3 innings so far this year. In fact, both Corrigan and Johnson both have ERA's over four (4.05 and 4.32 respectively), but Barfield and Miller have gotten off to hot starts with the bats.

Barfield, the son of former Toronto slugger Jesse and current big-leaguer Josh, may face a move to first base with enormous power potential. The Mets drafted him in the ninth round out of high school in 2006, but he just three homers as a freshman and went undrafted last year.

That should change this June, as Barfield is hitting .442 with four homers and 14 RBIs. He has struck out only five times in his first 52 at-bats of the season, but also has drawn just three walks.

Miller is off to a blistering-hot start for the Gators, as he is hitting .390 with six homers and a whopping 26 RBIs in just 41 at-bats. He also has 14 walks and has fanned just three times. His lack of a true defensive position hurts him, but there is no question that Miller's bat is one to watch.

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Ladendorf, Cleary Sizzling; Chisenhall Scuffling

Perhaps the top JUCO prospect in Texas resides not at San Jacinto, but at Howard College. Shortstop Tyler Ladendorf, a 34th-round pick of the Giants last June, has blossomed into a very solid all-around prospect. After swiping 65 bases last year without getting caught, Ladendorf has actually been caught stealing (5-for-6)this year, but has added some power in his bat.

After hitting just one home run last spring, Ladendorf has hit seven homers in his first 24 at-bats to go with 18 RBIs. Eleven of his 16 hits have gone for extra bases. An excellent athlete, he has plus defensive tools, as well as a discerning eye at the plate. He has signed with Oklahoma.

If there is one thing that LSU-Eunice outfielder Delta Cleary isn't short on, it's tools. Had the draft-and-follow rule not been abolished, Cleary likely would've been a mid-round pick last June for a team that would've liked to see him develop his game after being a three-sport star in high school.

So far, Cleary has hit well in limited action by going 9-for-21 (.429 BA), and he leads the team in RBIs with eight.

Lonnie Chisenhall, the former South Carolina freshman who was dismissed from the team along with Nick Fuller for an off-field incident, is off to a so-so start in very limited action. Chisenhall is hitting .286 (4-for-14) with seven runs scored and two RBIs. He has shown great patience at the plate by drawing six walks and striking out just once.

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Goin' To California

Two of the nation's top JUCO pitching prospects reside in the fertile California junior colleges in Golden West right-hander Justin LaTempa and Fresno left-hander Ben Whitmore, both of whom have committed to Oregon, which returns to baseball in 2009.

LaTempa can reach the mid-90s with his trio of pitches, and has been dominating thus far, going 4-0 with a 0.31 ERA in his first four starts. In 28 2/3 innings, he has allowed just 20 hits, walked 11 and struck out 21.

Whitmore came out of nowhere and dominated in the California Collegiate League after not pitching much as a freshman at Fresno Pacific, an NAIA school. He elected to transfer to a junior college so he wouldn't have to sit out a year if he went to another four-year school. In the early going, the left-hander is 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA in four starts. He has given up just 17 hits in 24 innings to with 25 strikeouts. He has walked eight. Whitmore works in the high-80s, but his curve, slider and changeup all are solid pitches.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 2/20

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Checking out a top JUCO prospect

Over the weekend, I had a chance to take a look at one of the more intriguing junior college prospects in the country in Bossier-Parish (La.) CC’s T.J. Forrest.

A right-hander who was selected by the Florida Marlins out of high school in 2006, Forrest throws four pitches for strikes. Normally, Forrest sits in the 88-92 range, but on Saturday, he was mainly in the high 80’s in Saturday’s game against Pratt (Kan.) CC.

Although his velocity was down, Forrest was extremely effective in throwing his curveball for strikes early in the count. He also has a slider that serves as his out pitch, and a changeup that he likes to throw early in the count.

What really excites scouts is his incredibly projectable frame. At 6-foot-5 and 175 pounds, Forrest could pack on a lot of muscle as he matures, where he could he see a major bump in velocity. Forrest hasn’t committed to a four-year school, but has plenty of suitors, including several SEC schools.

Forrest isn’t the lone pitching prospect at Bossier-Parish. Right-hander Chad Poe throws harder that Forrest presently, as he sits in the 90-94 range to go with a slurve that has a very hard break to it.

One thing Poe lacks is a definite third pitch. He throws a changeup that’s inconsistent, and he toyed with a split-finger last year, which he could return to. Poe has cleaned up his delivery and his committed to Southern Mississippi. Both right-handers could land in the first five rounds in June.

Posted by: JA, 2/14

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Rahal-Miller Classic

Four of the top teams in the JUCO ranks did battle in the Florida panhandle last weekend, and several players stood out. Walters State (Tenn.) CC outfielder Adam Milligan has been well-known to scouts, having been drafted by Atlanta twice, but the sophomore delivered a solid performance by going 5-for-12 with a grand slam. A Vanderbilt recruit, Milligan has a chance to be a five-tool player.

Southern Nevada’s Colby Shreve continued to make his case as the top JUCO pitching prospect in the country by tossing a three-hitter and striking out eight in beating Walters State. Nick Fuller (CG, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 8 K) took the loss.

St. Petersburg (Fla.) catcher Justin Dalles continues to rake in the early going of the season. Overall, the South Carolina signee and 2007 St. Louis draft choice went 10-for-17 with two home runs and nine RBIs in the four games, including a 7-for-9 performance in two games against CCSN. Outfielder Drew Poulk also hit a good tournament by going 6-for-16 with eight RBI.

The Titans also got a top-notch pitching performance from Tommy Meagher, who surrendered just five hits in eight shutout innings while fanning 11 in a win over CCSN. Meagher was turned down by LSU after a tryout, but landed at St. Petersburg, where he became the Titans closer last season and had nine saves. He continued his dominance in the summer by going 5-0 with a 1.47 ERA in seven starts for Glens Falls of the New York Collegiate League.

The hosts from Chipola got a good lift from freshman outfielder Chris Berroa, who was 5-13 with a homer and five RBIs.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

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CCSN Takes Title

With 3-1 records, Southern Nevada and Fullerton College tied for the best record at the 9th annual Coyote Slugout over the weekend, but it was CCSN who topped Fullerton 6-3 in their head-to-head matchup.

Fullerton ripped opposing pitching staffs during their first three games (all wins) by a 37-7 margin before stranding 12 men in the loss to the Coyotes.

In a pitching matchup of aces that you don't normally see this early in the year, CCSN's Colby Shreve went head-to-head with Chipola's (Fla.)Ryan Chaffee. Both right-handers rank as two of the best pitchers in the JUCO ranks. Shreve (6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K) got the better of Chaffee (5 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 6 K), as the Coyotes won 5-1. Chaffee, the MOP of last year's JUCO World Series, tops out in the mid-90s to go with solid secondary stuff and pitchability.

As far as other prospects go, Taylor Cole (7 2/3 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K) pitched well, but was the losing pitcher in CCSN's lone defeat, which came at the hands of Arizona Western. On the other end of the spectrum, Devin Shepherd went just 2-for-11 in the tournament. Yavapai right-hander Kirby Yates turned in a dominant performance by tossing six hitless innings while fanning 10 against CCSN. Yates, a former draft pick of the Red Sox, is making progress after Tommy John surgery cost him last year. His fastball sits in the low-90s.

If the first week of the season is any indication, St.Petersburg (Fla.) will have a very difficult offense to stop. Catcher Justin Dalles is hitting .455 with a whopping 21 RBIs in just eight games. He has already belted four home runs. Drew Poulk, a winter transfer from North Carolina, is hitting .361 with three homers and 14 RBIs. However, the most inspirational story is that of D.J. Leonard. After sustaining a spinal cord injury due a to head-first slide during the 2006 WWBA Tournament, Leonard, who didn't sustain any paralysis, underwent surgery. Just over a year later, Leonard is working his way back into form. So far, he is 5-for-15 with seven RBIs.

One of the more interesting draft stories will be that of Nick Fuller and Lonnie Chisenhall, the duo of heralded South Carolina recruits who were kicked off the team for an off-field indiscretion last spring. Fuller, a right-hander with electric stuff, fired a five-hit shutout with seven strikeouts in his debut for Walters State (Tenn.). Fuller also didn't issue a walk. Chisenhall makes his first appearance on February 12 for Pitt (N.C.) CC, and he could become the top JUCO hitter available in this year's draft.

After last week's Coyote Classic, there will be another huge tournament that will bring scouts out in droves, as Chipola will host the Rahal-Miller JUCO National Classic. In addition to Chipola, Walters State, St. Petersburg and Southern Nevada will round out the field. All rank as among the top JUCO teams in the country, and have a chance to compete for the national championship.

If anyone has any questions, you can send them to me at

Posted by: JA, 2/5

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Welcome to the Draft Blog

I'd like to welcome everyone to the 2008 TigsTown Draft Blog. I wanted to go to this type of format as a way to deliver more in the way of timely updates, and since the junior colleges got started over the weekend, lets jump right into it.

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Silver State Shines

Southern Nevada is home to three of the top JUCO prospects in right-handers Colby Shreve and Taylor Cole, as well as outfielder Devin Shepherd.

Shreve, an eighth-round pick of the Braves who has signed with Arkansas, held Cochise College to just one hit over six innings in his season debut on Friday. He struck out eight, but the bullpen couldn't hold a 4-1 lead. Shreve has a good changeup to go with a low-90s fastball.

Cole, a 26th-round pick of the Dodgers who originally signed with Brigham Young, got the win over Gateway CC on Saturday by allowing one hit and one run over five innings. He walked five and fanned five. Cole has been up to 94 in the past.

Shepherd, who is considered the top junior college prospect in the country, went just 2-for-8 with three runs scored. A former fifth-round pick of the Twins back in 2006, Shepherd has enormous power potential, and will attend Oregon State if the draft doesn't work out in June.

Staying in Nevada, South Mountain CC won two of three games at Western Nevada (a fourth game was canceled). SMCC right-hander Shane Dyer, a former Rockies draft choice, got hammered for six hits and seven runs in just four innings of work in a 16-6 loss. He walked five and fanned five. When he's on, the Nebraska signee has a good three-pitch mix.

After going undrafted out of high school, WNCC right-hander Kyle Farrell has come into his own. The freshman threw four scoreless innings and allowed just three hits in his first start. He fanned four. Farrell tops out in the mid-90s and has a good curveball.

One of the bigger JUCO Tournaments gets started on Thursday, as Southern Nevada will host the 9th annual Coyote Classic, which will feature the defending national champions from Chipola (Fla.), as well as Yavapai (Ariz.). I'll post updates on the goings on out there as time permits.

Posted by: JA, 1/29