Late Round Sleepers from the 2012 Draft: Interesting Pitchers from the 15th Round.
Can you find the next Michael Fiers? Here are some sleepers from the 2012 draft, five pitchers from the 15th round who have a chance to advance quickly through the minors. These guys project as relievers, but a good team never wastes a draft pick, and these guys all have the potential to surprise.
Zach Cooper, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies: Undersized 5-10, 185 right-hander from Central Michigan University, did well as a starter in college (2.82 ERA, 98/44 K/BB in 108 innings, 82 hits) but scouts prefer him in the bullpen. He has been lights-out in pro ball so far, 1.05 ERA with six saves, 22/9 K/BB in 26 innings, 18 hits between Williamsport in the New York-Penn League and Low-A Lakewood in the Sally League. Throws a low-90s fastball, with a promising slider.
Ben Klimesh, RHP, Cincinnati Reds: 6-4, 215 pound right-hander drafted in the 15th round out of Trinity University in Texas. 3.47 ERA with a 32/10 K/BB in 23 innings in the Pioneer League thus far. Outstanding performance in NCAA Division III this year, went 13-3, 1.71 ERA with a 154/40 K/BB in 111 innings, allowing 77 hits. He has a low-90s fastball, along with a decent slider and changeup. Although used as a reliever so far, a return to starting is plausible if he can sharpen his command.
Scott Oberg, RHP, Colorado Rockies: 15th round pick from the University of Connecticut where he had a strong spring (0.99 ERA, 36/13 K/BB in 36 innings, 19 hits, nine saves), has been excellent in the Pioneer League with a 2.00 ERA, 21/3 K/BB in 18 innings, 12 hits, 3.00 GO/AO, nine saves. Features a 90-94 MPH fastball and a nasty curveball, and he throws strikes. Listed at 6-2, 200, he could have gone ten rounds higher if not for a history of arm issues including Tommy John. Can advance very rapidly as a reliever.
Reid Scoggins, RHP, Los Angeles Angels: 15th round pick out of Howard Junior college by the Angels, listed at 6-3, 210. So far, he has a 4.97 ERA with a 24/9 K/BB in 13 innings in the Arizona Rookie League, with a 6.00 GO/AO. Although he's easy to overlook due to the ERA, his strikeout/grounder combination stands out, and there's nothing wrong with his stuff, he can hit mid-90s with his sinker and his slider has some promise. Tommy John survivor.
Duke von Schamann, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers: 15th round pick out of Texas Tech this spring, where he posted a 2.08 ERA with a 60/12 K/BB in 87 innings, allowing 66 hits. In pro ball, he's posted a 3.18 ERA in nine starts for Great Lakes in the Low-A Midwest League, 24/8 K/BB in 51 innings, 44 hits, 1.31 GO/AO. A control artist, he has good size at 6-4, 215, uses a upper-80s sinker, decent slider and changeup, and throws strikes with ease, quite effective in pro ball so far. His strikeout rate is low, but I think he has the pitching instincts to continue performing well. Son of former NFL player Uwe von Schamann.
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