I tried to put together a ranking of the college class to go with my ranking of the prep players (http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/5/22/3037519/blue-jays-mod-5)... I could only get up to 25-names without wanting to cry - this group is just not very interesting.
Outside of the top few, there were only a few names that really interested me for the Jays - Marcus Stroman, Victor Roache (but not in the first round), Nolan Fontana (maybeee in the supplemental round, though I doubt he's available then), Mitch Haniger,and Adam Brett Walker (intriguing upside for a college player).
Rank | Player | Position | Level | Description |
1 | Mark Appel | RHP | College | Best package of college pitchers, needs to locate better to prevent being hittable |
2 | Kyle Zimmer | RHP | College | Still improving as he was a late convert to pitching, great athlete, highest upside of college SPs |
3 | Richie Shaffer | 3B | College | Can stick at 3B, very good power and good hit tool, likely above average regular |
4 | Kevin Gausman | RHP | College | Great fastball and changeup, but his curveball is somewhat lacking |
5 | Mike Zunino | C | College | Should hit and have power, fine behind the plate |
6 | Deven Marrero | SS | College | Great defense, average speed, not much power - strong player if hit tool comes back/improves |
7 | Marcus Stroman | RHP | College | Best stuff of college pitchers, but his size leads to fears he'll be a reliever |
8 | Michael Wacha | RHP | College | Good fastball and great changeup, but lack of breaking ball hurts upside |
9 | Victor Roache | OF | College | Plus bat speed and raw power, solid approach and good pitch recognition, corner OF - hit questions |
10 | Chris Stratton | RHP | College | Middle-rotation upside |
11 | Andrew Heaney | LHP | College | Middle-rotation upside |
12 | Tyler Naquin | OF | College | Great hit tool and great arm, but may not have the power typical for a corner OF spot |
13 | Stephen Piscotty | 3B | College | Likely above average bat with 20+ HR power, question about if he sticks at 3B or moves to LF |
14 | Nolan Fontana | SS | College | True shortstop, great arm, not great hitter but should post great OBPs |
15 | Mitch Haniger | OF | College | Power and bat speed, uppercut swing, 25 HR potential, improved plate discipline, plus RF arm |
16 | Travis Jankowski | OF | College | Well-rounded, good hit, good speed and some power - pretty valuable in CF |
17 | Pierece Johnson | RHP | College | Decent potential for college SP, but needs to improve command and pitchability |
18 | Adam Brett Walker | 1B/OF | College | Huge, close to 80 raw power, good approach, 1B or LF, but lacking insticts may hinder hitting |
19 | Barrett Barnes | OF | College | Strong and athletic, still raw, some upside, raw power and speed, likely LF |
20 | Christian Walker | 1B | College | Good all around player who can hit for average, but will need power at 1B |
21 | Pat Light | RHP | College | Good fastball and slider, useable changeup will need to improve for him to start successfully |
22 | Patrick Wisdom | 3B | College | Plus power, solid defense, will need to hit for some average |
23 | Chris Beck | RHP | College | Good fastball, average changeup and curveball, 3/4 upside |
24 | Tom Murphy | C | College | Power and strong defense, has good potential if he can hit for some average |
25 | Kenny Diekroger | SS | College | Has great bat speed, can be a very solid big leauger if he can get back to pre-2012 performance |
Let me know if there's anyone particular on this list that jumps out as you as someone the Jays should target, or if there's anyone you really like that I missed, though as we decided, it's pretty unlikely that the Jays end up taking anyone from this group compared to the more intriguing and higher upside prep class.
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