Minor League Radar: September 2012

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Ryne Stanek 2013 Draft Profile

First Look Ryne Stanek
RHP- Arkansas Razorbacks
6' 4" 190 Lbs.
Bats: Right Throws: Right

Razorback Ace Ryne Stanek has a big-time arm and a dominant presence on the mound that could allow him to become the front runner for the top pick in next years draft. Stanek already possesses three major league-quality pitches. Stanek's heater sits in the mid 90's and tops out at 97. His slider is somewhat inconsistent, but when its on, it can be a knockout pitch. Stanek has also made huge strides in developing his change-up since he arrived on campus in 2010; with some work it could become a plus offering. Seattle nabbed Stanek in the third-round out of Blue Valley High in the 2010 draft. While he enjoyed tremendous success in high school, his mechanics were a major concern and he often had trouble repeating his delivery. Stanek appears to have worked through these issues, and has developed into the Friday Night-Starter for the Razorbacks. He was dominant for Arkansas last year, as he posted an 8-4 record with a sub 3.00 ERA. Look for him to battle Stanford right-hander Mark Appel as the first pitcher taken in the 2013 draft.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Colin Moran 2013 Draft Profile

First Look Colin Moran

3B North Carolina

6' 3" 210 Lbs.

Bats: Left Throws: Right

Moran is the best pure bat among the college ranks going into this season. He has an open stance and easy swing that allows him to really drive the ball. Perhaps Moran's most valuable asset is his eye at the plate. For an amateur player, he has outstanding pitch recognition skills to go along with an advanced approach at the dish. Moran arrived at Chapel Hill as a scrawny freshman who went undrafted out of high school. But Moran burst onto the scene in 2011 and won NCAA Freshman Honors to go along with a .335/.442./.540 slash line. While he succeeded in raising him average by 30 points, his sophomore campaign was largely considered a down year. His power numbers slipped from 9 homers to just 3, while he was also plagued by a broken hand that sidelined him for 20 games. In the field Moran is average at best. However, he will probably be given a shot to stay at third at the next level. If his power numbers climb and he manages to stay healthy, he will battle Austin Wilson and Kris Bryant as the first college hitter to be taken off the board in 2013.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Reese McGuire 2013 Draft Profile

First Look Reese McGuire
Catcher Westwood High School, Washington
6' 1" 190 Lbs.
Bats: Left Throws: Right
Committed to San Diego

Reese McGuire may be the best amongst a slew of talented young catchers in this draft class. Unlike many high school catchers, McGuire projects to stay behind by the plate and also possesses high offensive upside. He is an outstandingly athletic backstop, and his speed and agility give him the opportunity to become a plus defender at the next level. McGuire is especially adapt at smothering balls in the dirt and rarely lets anything get by him. Reese also has a pretty good offensive game. He shows an exceptional approach at the dish that is superior to most players at his age. He has solid bat speed and shows the potential to develop some power down the road. However, at this stage in his career, his invaluable defensive skills are what makes him a prospect of such high-caliber.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Karsten Whitson 2013 Draft Profile

Karsten Whitson First Look
RHP, Florida
6' 4" 215 Lbs.
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Junior

Karsten Whitson was taken 8th overall by the Padres in 2009 out of Chipley High in Florida. He was well regarded as one of the best prep arms in his class, and was offered a bountiful bonus north of 2 million dollars. However, Whitson shocked the industry when he spurned the Padres and headed to school to play for Kevin O' Sullivan's Gators. In his freshman season at Florida, Whitson lived up to the hype; He went 8-1 with a minuscule ERA of 2.40. Going into last season Whitson seemed poised to be one of the top picks in this years draft. Unfortunately, injuries and struggles with his command marred his sophomore campaign. Whistson will need a bounce back season to reestablish himself as one the elite pitchers in the NCAA, and he certainly has the pure stuff to do it.

Whitson has the ideal pitchers frame at 6' 4" and 215 Lbs. His fastball sits comfortably between 91-94 and he likes to work down in the zone. When he really rears back he get it up a few ticks, and it has been recorded as high as 97. Whitson next best offering is his power slider. With some refinement it could easily become a plus pitch. His change-up will need some work however, but it has been effective at times in the past. Few pitcher's draft status will depend as much on the upcoming season as much as Whitson's; If he can return to his prior form he could easily sneak back into the top 10.

Minor League Awards

Minor League Player of the Year: Wil Myers OF Kansas City
Minor League Pitcher of the Year: Jose Fernandez P Miami
Minor League Breakout Player of the Year: Alen Hanson SS Pittsburgh
Minor League Breakout Pitcher of the Year: Dan Straily P Oakland
Minor League Prospect of the Year: Jurickson Profar SS Texas
AAA Player of the Year: Wil Myers OF Kansas City
AAA Pitcher of the Year: John Ely P Los Angeles
AA Player of the Year: Oscar Tavares OF St. Louis
AA Pitcher of the Year: Zack Wheeler P New York
A+ Player of the Year: Billy Hamilton SS Cincinnati
A+ Player of the Year: Cody Buckel P Texas
A Player of the Year: Ty Austin OF New York
A Pitcher of the Year: Jose Fernandez P Miami
Low A Player of the Year: Miguel Sano Minnesota
Low A Pitcher of the Year: Justin Nicolino Toronto
Short Season Player of the Year: Mike Zunino C Seattle
Short Season Pitcher of the Year: Taylor Cole P Toronto
Rookie League Player of the Year: Joey Gallo OF Texas Rangers
Rookie League Pitcher of the Year: Blake Snell P Tampa

2013 Player of the Year Prediction: Xander Bogaerts Boston
2013 Pitcher of the Year Prediction: Archie Bradley Arizona

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Ryan Boldt 2013 Draft Profile

First Look Ryan Boldt

OF-Red Wing HS, Minnesota
6' 1" 190 Lbs.
Bats: Left Throws: Right
Committed to Nebreska

For Red Wing High School outfielder Ryan Boldt, less is more; Boldt's wing is simple, yet very smooth. He generates line drives all over the field, and especially up the middle. He does not have a tremendous amount of present power, but he could easily change that with some minor adjustments. He is an above average runner, and has turned in times just under 6.5 seconds. He projects as a table-setter in a major league lineup and also should manage to stick in center field. With excellent instincts and good range there, he could even develop into an above average center fielder. If he ever develops power, he could become one of the biggest steals in his draft class.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Bobby Wahl 2013 Profile

First Look Bobby Wahl
RHP- University of Mississippi
6' 3" 200 Lbs.
Bats: Right Throws: Right

Wahl was taken in the 39th round in 2010 draft by the Indians, but he surely won't last that long this time around. Wahl broke out in the Cape two summers ago as a reliever and became the ace at Ole Miss last season. Wahl cruised to a successful 2012 campaign, as he posted a record of 7-4 with an ERA of 2.55. In addition, he struck out 104 batters in just 99 innings of work for the Rebels. Wahl also flashes the potential to develop three impressive pitches. His fastball has sits in the low to mid 90's, however, he has been reportedly clocked as high as 97. He also throws an above average slider along with a solid change-up that has some good late movement. There is a lot to like about Wahl, and with a good Spring, he could be drafted in the upper half of the 1st round.

Justin Williams 2013 Profile

First Look Justin Williams

OF/3B- Terrebonne High, California
6' 3" 225 Lbs
Bats:Left Throws: Right

Committed to: Louisiana State

Justin Williams might have the most raw power among all hitters in the 2013 Prep class. He has absurd bat speed but he has not truly tapped into his potential yet. His mechanics and plate discipline will need to refined as he learns to become a baseball player oppose to relying on his athletic ability. He projects as a corner outfielder with an above average arm. While he is not a burner on the base pads, he is a good runner and currently has slightly above average speed. However, it is possible that he may loose a step as he continues to fill out. A team drafting him is purely investing in his upside. He has close to 80 raw- power and his ceiling is sky-high. His draft position will greatly depend on his ability to make adjustments this coming spring.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Clint Frazier 2013 Profile

First Look Clint Frazier

Clint Frazier- OF
Logansville HS, GA
6' 0" 190 R/R
Committed to Georgia

Clint Frazier is one of the top high school players in his class and a potential top 10 pick. He is an elite athlete with exceptional bat-speed. His swing is compact and he rocks his leg slightly back, and despite his relatively small frame, he is able to generate plus power. Frazier connected for 24 home runs in his junior campaign but he but also possesses the ability to shoot line drives to all parts of the field. He also grades out as an above average runner; he has turned in several 60 yard-dash times under 6.5 seconds. In addition, Frazier was the recipient of the 2012 Jackie Robinson Award which is given to the Perfect Game National Player of the Year.