College Baseball

by roboz on Mar 2, 2006 7:08 PM EST

This is a personal question as far as the specifics, but can definitely be expanded to include a broader range of comments - as I've mentioned before in other diaries, I'm heading down to Chapel Hill this weekend on a little "scouting" trip to see some college baseball (Purdue @ UNC). It seems there has been a bit more college baseball and draft talk here recently and I'm hoping to cash in on the momentum of that to get advice on what players I should pay extra attention to. Here's the list I'm starting with...

UNC
Saturday's SP Daniel Bard
Sunday's SP Andrew Miller
SS Josh Horton (BA's 19th best Soph. prospect)
1B Chad Flack (BA's 41st Soph. prospect)
OF Matt Spencer (BA's 3rd best prospect in CPL)
3B Reid Fronk (BA's 10th best prospect in Northwoods League)

Bard and Miller are the obvious studs; as for the rest of the group, I know very little about each guy other other than their statlines and what BA thinks of them.

I'll miss the Jay Buente-Robert Woodward matchup on Friday which is a shame since Buente represents half of my Purdue baseball knowledge. The only other Boilermaker I know of that looks like a prospect is SS Mitch Hilligoss (he'd be the other half of that knowledge).

Any other players worth watching - either specifically in this game (if you feel like helping a novice like me out) OR in a much broader context of college baseball (to make my diary feel less selfish - who are some top guys, sleepers, favorite guys on your favorite teams, etc.)?

I know John said he was going to take a look at college baseball soon, but I figured this was a decent place for anybody with any thoughts on college baseball to get the ball rolling.

Oh and if this diary ends up being a bust, hopefully it won't be considered a total lost - I'll find a way to post pictures somewhere of some of the guys I see in action (namely Bard and Miller) and provide a link if anybody is interested. Thanks to anybody that responds, I'm really trying to get into college baseball this year and am curious as to see what the community has to say about it.

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Texas

The Longhorns have some very interesting freshmen. Bradley Suttle, 3b and Kyle Russell, of, have been carrying the offense all year. Kyle Russell's first collegiate hit was a walk off HR at Minute Maid Park vs Rice. Preston Clark has provided pop at the catcher position. Kyle Walker, lhp has also been impressive on the mound. There is another reliever, Parigi, I think, who has yet to be scored on. Jordan Danks, of, the most heralded freshman on the team, preseason, has struggled with consistency. I don't think anyone is worried though whether he will hit. It is no wonder that though, that Texas has struggled offensively. With 4 freshman in the lineup and a transfer at ss, they have a lot of fresh young faces that will have to grow up mighty fast for Texas to repeat.

Hookem Horns!

by bevo on Mar 2, 2006 8:04 PM EST reply actions

Delivery

Also youll be missing Woodard's odd delivery. He almost stops in mid air

Flack is a big boy with some serious power if anything is left in his wheelhouse.
Spencers a big boy too and a better athlete than youd think.

Horton is really impressive. Physically he looks like a 3b out there but he can really play SS well and the ball really comes off his bat hard.

by nms on Mar 2, 2006 8:24 PM EST reply actions

Spencer and Others

Yeah, Spencer is listed at 6-4, 225 lbs., but I think I remember seeing that he led the team in steals. He seems like a heck of an athlete. I also didn't realize he was once a 24th rounder by the Red Sox...interesting.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Horton and Hilligoss play some shortstop. Both guys are very exciting players. Too bad I'm missing that Woodward delivery, I'm really intrigued.

Thanks a ton for the feedback, I really appreciate it.

by roboz on Mar 2, 2006 9:22 PM EST up reply actions

Bard...

is an obvious dud. I can't wait to see which sucker drafts this bum.

by templeUsox on Mar 2, 2006 10:09 PM EST reply actions

youre saying that...

based on 80 innings of pitcing?

by nms on Mar 2, 2006 10:38 PM EST up reply actions

Bard

I'm actually not sold on him yet either, that K/BB ratio puts me off...templeUsox, any particular reason why you doubt him?

by roboz on Mar 2, 2006 10:50 PM EST up reply actions

Numerous...

comments have been made about the downtick he saw in his fastball from freshman to sophomore year. BA, in addition to several other first-hand observations, say that his slider is inconsistent at best. He got away with a lot of poor pitches in the CCL due to the adjusments hitters were too busy making with wood bats.

by templeUsox on Mar 2, 2006 10:59 PM EST up reply actions

Very Interesting

Thanks a bunch, that's a good bit of info I wasn't aware of. Out of curiosity, let's say I put you in charge of a team...where is Bard (at this moment) on your value board come draft time? What's the highest pick/round you'd personally consider taking him?

by roboz on Mar 2, 2006 11:02 PM EST up reply actions

Probably...

the supplemental round. I have 7 college pitchers ahead of him:

Miller
Kennedy
Scherzer
Reynolds
Lincoln
Morrow
Lincecum

You can make the argument over Lincecum because most people think he would be converted to a reliever. But I could also throw Wade Leblanc in there.

by templeUsox on Mar 3, 2006 12:12 AM EST up reply actions

Didn't know

That any pitcher not in the top six was a dud or that you had to be a first round pick to not be a dud. I think it is funny that you say he is a bum and don't think he will be good, then say he is top 7 and a supplemental first rounder.

Tim Purpura, This Bud is for you.

by Shamus on Mar 3, 2006 1:01 AM EST up reply actions

Its obviously...

all relative.

by templeUsox on Mar 3, 2006 1:10 AM EST up reply actions

not including

the prep arms ahead of him.

by npurcell on Mar 3, 2006 1:09 AM EST up reply actions

i remember thinking the EXACT same thing

about justin verlander coming out of college. prospects can surprise you :)

by jpahk on Mar 2, 2006 10:54 PM EST up reply actions

I'm terrible at decisions, so I ask strangers...

Another question about Bard in general...any opinions on what's the better bet - seeing Bard pitch on Saturday at UNC or heading over to Raleigh to see UCLA @ NC State. It would be cool to see a different city and stadium (plus 2 more teams), but I still kind of get the feeling the better talent will be on the field at Chapel Hill - I could be way off though. Anybody?

by roboz on Mar 2, 2006 10:57 PM EST reply actions

When hes on....

Bard is a tremendous pitcher to watch. Best fastball on the team and the approach of a precise veteran. of course this is when the good Bard is on.

State/UCLA would be a great one to see though, and the upgrade from Purdue to UCLA is huge. State has a killer offensive core.
What is the pitching matchup there?

by nms on Mar 2, 2006 11:27 PM EST up reply actions

also

I havent seen States field since they did the renovations but i've heard its real nice now

by nms on Mar 2, 2006 11:28 PM EST up reply actions

UCLA @ NC State

Looks like the pitching matchup for Saturday is Gib Hobson for State (Gib???) vs. Dave Huff for UCLA - two pretty good, veteran guys going at it. I would have rather have seen Brackman for State (he pitches Sunday), but you can't have everything. Seeing Aaron Bates, Jon Still, and Matt Mangini might still make the trip worth it...I'm on the fence.

By the way, thanks for helping me out.

by roboz on Mar 3, 2006 12:23 AM EST up reply actions

How come no one...

ever mentions the name of Corey Brown? He might be the best hitter in college baseball and he is only a sophomore.

by templeUsox on Mar 3, 2006 12:13 AM EST reply actions

Joba Chamberlain (3-3-06 vs. ND)

I just got back from watching Nebraska vs. Notre Dame in the Dairy Queen Classic in the Metrodome (Arizona vs. Minnesota is later tonight). Chamberlain looked very solid with 15-20 scouts in attendance. His final line was 7.0-ip, 3-h, 1-bb, 1-hpb, 11-k. He was pulled with Nebraska up 10-0 against a decent ND squad.

Chamberlain's fastball had great velocity, but he struggled a bit keeping it down in the zone. The curve looked good--he had no problem throwing it for strikes, often in the 1st pitch of the ab. Physically, he does not appear to be carrying any excess weight and his mechanics are very smooth (both in the windup and in the stretch).

As far as the other players go: Nebraska's Luke Gorsett hit a long HR to CF (~425ft) and ND's catcher, Sean Gaston (a Cape Cod League all-star this summer) had a nice line drive hit against Chamberlain.

I will try to post some comment about the other possible high draft picks in the tourney later this weekend (e.g., Donald, Melancon, Gaub, Samardzija, Manship, etc.)

by ajc on Mar 3, 2006 4:08 PM EST reply actions