More Right-handers from the 2009 Draft
Here's a look at more right-handers who should go early in the 2009 draft, sometime in the second half of the first round, supplemental, or early second round types. They are listed alphabetically.
There is still a huge amount of uncertainty right now about where things will fall. I have will have more thoughts about the draft on Sunday, and will do a mock first round for Rotowire this coming week.
Eric Arnett, Indiana: STRENGTHS: Excellent 2009 performance with velocity boosted well into the 90s, good slider, durable. WEAKNESES: Needs to improve changeup; sometimes guys who improve quickly implode quickly as well. PROJECTION: Should go in the later half of the first round; won't get past supplemental round. He is likely the fall-back option for a lot of teams if the guy they really want gets picked too soon.
Victor Black, Dallas Baptist: STRENGTHS: Can hit 95 MPH; good slider, made strides with changeup, dominating performances this spring. WEAKNESSES: Was ineffective in previous seasons due to command problems; stamina could be an issue; like Arnett, he's made a lot of progress in a short time but needs to prove he can sustain it. PROJECTION: supplemental round; could be interesting for home-state Rangers at 44.
Brody Colvin, Louisiana HS: STRENGTHS: Projectable, already throws 90-94 and should get faster; good curveball; athletic. WEAKNESSES: High school pitcher risk; secondary pitches are raw; command is inconsistent. PROJECTION: Someone who likes raw arms will take him. . .would fit well with the Angels in the supplemental round with their extra picks.
Sam Dyson, South Carolina: STRENGTHS: Can hit 96-97 MPH, one of the hardest throwers in the draft; promising curveball. WEAKNESSES: Very erratic college performance; has labrum surgery on his resume; fastball is straight; more thrower than pitcher. PROJECTION: Will be attractive to an upside-oriented team in the supplemental round, or possibly late in the first. Yankees at 29 might be a good fit.
Garret Gould, Kansas HS: STRENGTHS: 90-94 MPH fastball, excellent curveball, athletic and projectable, relatively fresh arm. WEAKNESSES: General high school pitcher risk; needs to polish his mechanics; might not be cheap to get away from Wichita State. PROJECTION: I have no direct evidence to support this, but if his bonus demands are reasonable I think he could end up going a lot higher than people currently expect, perhaps as high as the middle of the first round.
Kyle Heckathorn, Kennesaw State: STRENGTHS: Huge guy at 6-6 but has some athleticism, has hit 98-99 and works well in the mid-90s, strong slider. WEAKNESSES: Hasn't dominated college as much as you'd expect given his stuff; will need to improve changeup to remain a starter. PROJECTION: His stock has been up-and-down this spring, but he won't get past the top half of the supplemental round and could still go in the 20-25 range.
Matt Hobgood, California HS: STRENGTHS: Fastball at 90-95 MPH; good curveball, also has a slider and changeup that are better than most high schoolers. WEAKNESSES: Maxed-out physically at 6-4, 245; command is inconsistent, general high school pitcher risk. PROJECTION: This is another guy I can see the Angels, with their multiple picks, going for in the supplemental round.
Chad Jenkins, Kennesaw State: STRENGTHS: 90-94 MPH sinker; very good slider, good changeup, sharp command, outpitched teammate Heckathorn. WEAKNESSES: Soft body means he has to work hard to stay in shape; more of a very solid inning-eater type than a potential rotation ace. PROJECTION: Jenkins looks like a solid and safe choice to me for later in the first round, though some rumors have him going as high as the Top Ten.
Mike Leake, Arizona State: STRENGTHS: Outstanding college performance against tough competition; excellent control, decent 88-93 MPH fastball, good slider, good cutter, good changeup, tremendous competitive instincts, fine athlete. WEAKNESSES: Not a big guy at 6-0, 180; has a lot of mileage on his arm. PROJECTION: He is very polished and will rise quickly through the minors, making him a safe and rational choice for many clubs, especially anyone who needs rapid pitching help (Oakland? Cleveland?) as early as the middle of the first round.
Keyvius Sampson: Florida HS: STRENGTHS: Athleticism, 90-93 MPH fastball, curveball and changeup show potential. WEAKNESSES: Mechanics and command need work, general high school pitcher risk, Florida State commitment could raise price tag, velocity is inconsistent, smallish at 6-1, 180.. PROJECTION: Has been mentioned anywhere from the supplemental round into the third or fourth round, but if he falls too far college will beckon. My guess: second round.
Robert Stock, Southern Cal: STRENGTHS: 90-93 MPH sinking fastball, hard curveball, improving changeup, strong strikeout rate; good tools and athleticism overall, fresh arm. WEAKNESSES: he prefers catching to pitching, but had a bad year at the plate; needs polish and has an erratic track record; he's just 19 years old and could be expensive to sign. PROJECTION: he has as much natural talent as some of the definite first-rounders, but there is enough uncertainty about his future to knock him down a round or two.
Drew Storen, Stanford: STRENGTHS: Excellent season as Stanford's closer; good combination of stuff (92-95 MPH) and command, good slider; strong K/IP and K/BB ratios, fine overall athlete. WEAKNESSES: Stanford sophomore means he won't likely be cheap; there has been talk of making him a starter, which would slow his development but increase his future value. PROJECTION: mid-to-late first round, early supplemental at worst. Both performance-oriented and projection-oriented teams should be interested.
Alex Wilson, Texas A&M: STRENGTHS: Excellent K/IP and K/BB ratios in college; can hit 95 MPH; strong slider; strong command. WEAKNESSES: Velocity tailed off in second half of season; had Tommy John in 2007; probably more a reliever than a starter in pro ball; history of significant bonus demands. PROJECTION: he looked like a sure first-rounder at one point, but now looks more like a supplemental or early second round pick. Might fit nicely for the Padres, who look a lot at stats, at 52.
Madison Younginer, South Carolina HS: STRENGTHS: Athletic and projectable; can hit 94-96 MPH; shows promise with his slider. WEAKNESSES: Has been used as a reliever, so scouts haven't gotten to seen enough of him; normal high school pitcher risk; rough mechanics and general rawness; Clemson commitment could make him expensive if drafted too low. PROJECTION: Someone who likes raw arms should be interested in the second round; would fit well with Braves, Giants, or Dodgers based on past drafts.
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