Deck McGuire, Georgia Tech
Here four more interesting college pitchers for the 2010 draft, alphabetically. I should have a lot more of this tomorrow. For more about the draft, check out MLB Bonus Baby, the newest SB Nation baseball blog. Highly recommended!
Matt Harvey, RHP, University of North Carolina
An unsigned third round pick in the 2007 draft, Harvey has been erratic in college, outstanding at times but hampered by command issues. At his best, the 6-4, 225 pounder features a mid-90s fastball, a nasty curve, and a solid changeup. However, problems with his mechanics were an issue last summer in the Cape Cod League, costing him velocity and control. He's been much better this spring, with a 2.59 ERA and a 60/26 K/BB in 59 innings, with 44 hits allowed, showing a more consistent delivery and better stuff (96-98), though his control still wobbles on occasion. Harvey is a definite wild card on draft day. Depending on his bonus demands and late May performance, he could go anywhere from 15 to 40.
Dan Klein, RHP, UCLA
Closing for the UCLA Bruins, Klein has a 0.36 ERA with a 35/7 K/BB and just 15 hits allowed in 25 innings, collecting seven saves. The 6-3, 190 pounder features a 92-95 MPH fastball, a hard curve, and a better changeup than most college closers offer. Shoulder injuries hampered his freshman and sophomore seasons, but he seems healthy now, throws strikes, is blowing away college competition, and represents a reasonably safe investment, in the sense of being a guy who could contribute fairly quickly and shouldn't need a huge amount of development time. I don't see him as a first rounder, but he could get into the supplemental round for a team that has multiple picks.
Barret Loux, RHP, Texas A&M University
Loux had elbow surgery to remove bone spurs last year, but looks healthy and effective this spring, with a 2.32 ERA and a 78/19 K/BB in 54 innings, with 36 hits allowed. His K/IP and H/IP ratios are excellent, statistical confirmation of plus stuff including a 92-94 MPH heater, a power curveball, and a good changeup. The main question for the 6-5, 220 pond right-hander is durability, but in terms of performance and stuff he has everything you look for. He looks like a good supplemental round candidate, perhaps attractive to the Blue Jays at 41, the Mariners at 43, or the Cardinals at 46.
Deck McGuire, RHP, Georgia Tech
Standing tall at 6-6, 220 pounds, McGuire doesn't throw as hard as some of the other collegians, hitting 94 on his best days but usually working at 90-92 MPH. His fastball has good movement, and he mixes it with an excellent breaking ball and a strong changeup, giving him three major league pitches. He's very polished, and statistically there is a lot to like with a 2.84 ERA, plus a 68/17 K/BB in 67 innings, with 53 hits allowed. He shouldn't need a lot of minor league time, and represents one of the safest investments in the draft class. He's expected to go somewhere in the Top Ten, perhaps as early as the Indians at fifth overall.
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