By The Baseball Beginnings Guy
June 7, 2010
We’ve spent a lot of time breaking down the catchers in Southern California, but one guy I don’t want readers to forget is New Jersey catcher Greg Brodzinski.
By The Baseball Beginnings Guy
June 7, 2010
Aaron Jones is one of three catchers in Southern California who will receive good draft consideration. He’s also the least known of the three because he wasn’t at the big summer events, though that’s more of a comment on the system than it is on him. In this draft, you’ve got Jones, Stefan Sabol and Jake Hernandez.
The way I see it, Sabol is the best pure hitter. Hernandez is the best pure defender. Jones has the most power production potential. If you asked me who I think will have the most power with wood in five years, it would be Jones.
Sabol runs well for a catcher, but Jones would surprise you. Sabol is a good athlete, but again, Jones would surprise you. Jones might have a touch more pure arm power than Hernandez, but Hernandez is the quickest receiver and catch-and-throw of the three and the closest to the big leagues defensively. We’ve covered Hernandez and Sabol extensively this spring.
I’m not in the position of having to like one guy of these three guys the most. To be honest, I think you have to like each guy for what he is. There are aspects of all three guys I really like. (more…)
By The Baseball Beginnings Guy
June 7, 2010
Scott Frazier found the velocity bump from the 90-91 range in the summer and the fall to 90-93 this spring. Paired with his 6-4 height and the makings of a frame some teams think has more power yet in store and you can understand why someone will take a flyer on him.
By The Baseball Beginnings Guy
June 6, 2010
I had a fresh look at LSU catcher Micah Gibbs at the UCLA regional. I previously saw him on the Cape in Summer 2009.
By The Baseball Beginnings Guy
June 5, 2010
Kole Calhoun is one of those guys who will just pick up the bat and hit wherever he goes. As described in our earlier scouting update, Calhoun won’t light you up with tools. He’s going to be an American League type of player and he’ll have to rake to make his mark. I wouldn’t expect his pro path to be any different than his amateur path. He probably won’t be a star, but he’ll probably find a way to hit his way into steady work. Which level will that work come out? Depends how much he hits.
By The Baseball Beginnings Guy
June 4, 2010
Derek Dietrich should be a very solid major league infielder in the coming years. I saw the Georgia Tech shortstop in a prolonged look on the Cape and then had eyes on him during the college season. Dietrich told me he wants to follow the Gordon Beckham career path, though I hope he doesn’t make like Beckham is in 2010, and let distractions get in the way of what he came to do.
By The Baseball Beginnings Guy
June 1, 2010
Jake Thompson has come a long way from a chuck-and-duck high school days. There have been some growing years along the way and he’s had to prove himself again and again. You won’t take the competitor out of Thompson, and when he comes to the big leagues, I expect people to start saying he reminds them of Drysdale or Gibson. Look, I like pitchers who push hitters back. I like pitchers who don’t back down. Go watch a big league game. You will find guys who are afraid to pitch with the fastball. So that’s one big reason why I like Thompson.
I also really like it when the guy can throw 94 consistently and throw a slider that will make your bat explode. I can deal with the moments of inconsistent command, and though I don’t expect this guy to ever be Leake or Maddux, I do think he’s got more pitch-ability than he gets credit for. Here’s what the scouting card says.
By The Baseball Beginnings Guy
June 1, 2010
There are two thought processes centered around Hueneme’s Jesus Valdez. He’ll definitely be signed as a pitcher because of his loose arm that offers power projection. There are scouts who believe that Valdez would have more value as a bat/arm everyday player than he would as a pitcher. The reason the question exists is because Valdez is such a good baseball athlete. Offensively, he doubled off a first-inning Peter Tago fastball. That should tell you all you need to know. That speaks to hands and timing, which leads to physical projection, power projection, and a potential third baseman. There are also scouts who wonder if Valdez is too much of a ballplayer to play every five days. He doesn’t do anything badly – he runs, he throws, he hits. It’s a nice problem to have, but because Valdez made the showcase rounds on the mound, he’ll go in as a pitcher.
By The Baseball Beginnings Guy
June 1, 2010
I saw plenty of Marcus Littlewood over the summer. He didn’t waste my time.
By The Baseball Beginnings Guy
May 31, 2010
Justin O’Conner moved behind the plate this spring after he was an infielder and a pitcher when I saw in summer 2009. At the time, I noted that O’Conner’s arm would play better in the infield than on the mound and that his athleticism would benefit him up the middle. I thought he’d have enough range for it. The reason I didn’t go for third base was because I wasn’t convinced he would have the power.
When O’Conner moved behind the plate, his arm and athleticism played, the power that would have been marginal for third became above-average for behind the plate, and fielding range and running is a moot point. I haven’t seen him this spring so my grades are based off what I saw in the summer over a week-long look. Nobody learns to catch professionally overnight, no matter how polished they may look as amateurs. But athletic ability is what buys you time, and because the bat is there, people will be willing to take the chance to develop the talent.
