2012 Non-Drafted Free Agents of Interest

ESPNLosAngeles.com: USC baseball's Cade Kreuter hits a walk-off double 5/8/10 (via PedroMouraESPN)

As John is going round by round breaking down each player drafted, I thought I would go over the non-drafted free agents that were signed this year. Thanks to Matt Eddy at Baseball America, I have a list of NDFA's. Here are a few that intrigue me for one reason or another.

Cade Kreuter, C, San Diego

The son of former big leaguer, Chad Kreuter, spent his freshman year at Southern California but transferred to Miami after his father, and coach, was fired. He played mostly DH at USC and 1B at Miami when he wasn't injured, will likely stay there in pro ball. The reason I have him here is his bat. He has a long, leveraged swing and he can hit the ball a ton when he hits it. He K'd 21 times in 50 AB's in pro ball but he could have some potential if he gets back in rhythm. He may never hit enough to be a good pro player but the bloodlines are there and he has intriguing power.

Arby Fields, OF, White Sox

Drafted in the 34th round in 2009 and the 27th round in 2011, he went undrafted this year for one reason or another. He is a very good athlete. He was a two sport standout in high school as well as when he was a freshman and sophomore at Northwestern in the Big 10. He is 5'10", 200 LB and looks like a running back. In 2011, he played for Cypress College as he transferred from Northwestern to LSU. He didn't hit a lot this year, and maybe that's why he didn't get drafted but I saw him in the California Collegiate league in 2011 and 2012 as well as at LSU and he was better in 2011 than he was this season. He is not a power hitter but he takes good at bats, he can hit a little and he is a solid defender in the outfield. His range is a little short for a full time CF but he could be a good 4th OF if it all comes together. Otherwise he will be a solid organizational guy which, to me, is a success for a NDFA.

Tim Brechbuehler, RHP, Blue Jays

He is the reason for this article. I saw his name in stats I was working on and I didn't think he got drafted. He didn't I saw he was a NDFA and I wanted to see if I missed anyone else. Not a lot of big names here, but still a few names that get my attention. Brechbuehler is 6'8" and 200 LBS. He was a North Carolina commit out of high school where he was hitting 90-92 with improving mechanics. He wasn't drafted as his commitment to N.C. was very strong. He didn't play much as a Freshman, was injured in summer ball and had some personal life problems, not Josh Hamilton type, but just speed bumps in the road. This spring for Louisburg JC, he K'd a batter per inning and improved his walk rate a lot and topped out at 93 again. In pro ball, the command was shaky but he was still getting strike outs and he has a lot of potential. About as much as you will find in a NDFA that isn't a prep player. He won't move fast but he has 3 pitches that could be average MLB pitches especially out of the pen. It is unlikely but it's a name worth filing just in case. I have a good feeling.

A few others:

OF Will Piwnica-Worms, a Nats signee, stood out to me when I saw Duke play earlier this season. He hit the ball hard and worked the count. His pro debut wasn't overly successful but he was a name I recognized.

LHP Blake Mascarello for the Phillies could be a solid lefty out of the pen. He was good for Purdue this season.

RHP Ben Tomchick, a Royals signee, could have some potential as a 6'6 righty. He is from Old Dominion and is 4th in school history in K's behind Dan Hudson and some Verlander guy.