Draft Scouting Reports

These are the top players, not in an specific order.

Payne, Andrew  SS, HS

Payne, from Plantation Florida, is a rare two way prospect.  As a hitter he has a short, compact swing that will allow him to hit at the highest level and perhaps show average power.  As a pitcher, he sits in the mid 90s with potential plus pitches in his slider and forkball.  Though a slight 5 foot 10, Payne is not a fast runner and will most likely move off shortstop as he progresses, as his hands are error prone.  He might be able to play second base or left field at the big league level.

Carson, Walt - RHP, COL Carson throws his fastball 96-98 from a sidearm slot, making him very tough on right handed hitters.  His slider is a plus pitch right now and his changeup has potential to be an outstanding pitch.  At 6'4, 215, Carson, knicknamed "the Wall" has a classic build and good stamina on the mound. Gonzalez, Ricardo - CF, COL Gonzalez has a sweet lefthanded swing with potential to hit for average and power while controlling the strike zone.  He can handle all three outfield spots, but is best suited to a corner.  He runs well and has a strong enough arm to play right field. Jackson, Jim - CF, COL Jackson is a potential 5 tool player and possible #1 overall pick from San Francisco.  He does not have a single dominant tool but is average or better in all phases.  He could hit .280 with 20 homeruns, has a strong arm, top of the line speed (under 4 seconds from home to first as RHB) and plays gold glove defense.  In addition, Jackson has good enough stuff to be draftable as a starting pitcher.  He has been clocked as high as 98 MPH, and features a curve, change, forkball, and knuckle curve. Meyer, Wade - C, COL Meyer is a big slow catcher with a short compact stroke, good patience at the plate, and above average power.  His throwing arm is well below average and his catching skills are raw.  He'll have to earn a living with his bat, likely with a move to first base. Rippin, Eliot - RHP, COL Throws a mid 90s fastball with an over the top delivery.  He's got 4 pitches, with the slider being his best.  Rippin generates groundballs and is a potential top of the rotation starter. Smith, Kris - RHP, COL A high schooler from Michigan, Smith throws in the low to mid 90s and has maintained his velocity deep into games.  He has potential average offerings with his curve, slider, and change, and also has shown the ability to cut his fastball.  Smith keeps the ball down and gets groundballs.  He struggles with holding baserunners but fields his position well. Solis, Jorge - LHP, HS Solis was born in Puerto Rico but moved to Minnesota.  He relies on a 92-94 mph sinker that generates ground balls, and also throws a curve and a cutter, both potential plus pitches.  Solis is a good competitor but very raw on the mound. Thompson, Anderson - RHP, COL The closer at Oral Roberts, Thompson throws a 97 MPH heater and generates swings and misses with that and his slider.  He has no third pitch.  His teammates call him "Hoss". Annett, Jerry - LHP, COL A 22 year old lefty from California who tops out at 92-94.  He projects to have a nice slider, a tough changeup, and a plus splitter.  He'll need to improve his command.  He has the pitches to be effective starting, but struggles to last deep into games. Bowman, Jeremiah - RF, COL Bowman has a lot of talent and makes hard, consistent contact at the plate.  Despite his size (6'5) he doesn't lift the ball yet, though he may develop average power.  Bowman runs well but struggles to pay attention in the field.  So far he has been below average in the corners. Cornett, Jason - RHP, HS An undersized (5-9) pitcher with a mid 90s fastball, Cornett throws a mid 90s sinking fastball and has a dominant changeup.  A big, strong lefty starter from Eastern Michigan.  Throws 4 solid pitches including a cutter that can reach the mid 90s.  A solid, repeatable delivery makes him a good bet to iron out his command issues. Espinoza, Armando - LHP, COL A big, strong lefty starter from Eastern Michigan.  Throws 4 solid pitches including a cutter that can reach the mid 90s.  A solid, repeatable delivery makes him a good bet to iron out his command issues. Gray, Tom - LHP, HS Only 5-10, 165 pounds, at 17 one of the younger players in the draft.  Does not light up the radar guns with an 88-90 fastball, but is an excellent athlete, can repeat his delivery, throws strikes, and has an excellent changeup. Higgins, Rick - 3B, COL Born in Canada, Higgins played 3 years at Louisville where he showed big time power, blasting 18 homers in 46 games.  He's a free swinger, a below average runner, and needs to work hard to be an average defender.  He'll go as far as his bat can take him. Hudson, Anthony - RHP, COL A big power arm from Old Dominion, Hudson has hit 100 on the radar guns.  He can get swings and misses with a forkball and also has shown an average changeup and curve.  He locates his pitches well and has a chance to stick in a rotation, but also fits the prototype of a closer. Jordan, Broderick - CF, HS A lean, athletic center fielder from Brooklyn NY.  His speed is well above average, arm is average.  He needs experience to learn how to use his speed both in the field and on the bases.  He'll need to improve his pitch recognition, learn which pitches he can drive in order to realize his above average power potential. LaCroix, Laurent - LHP, HS Has a 3 pitch arsenal which includes a low 90s fastball, a swing and miss change, and a quality curveball.  He pounds the zone and has good movement on his pitches.  Projects as an eventual mid rotation starter. Lester, Kelsey - CF, HS A long, lean, athletic center fielder born in Oklahoma.  He has above average power potential, a solid lefty swing, and a strong throwing arm.  His speed is below average, which will require a move to a corner in the future, with his arm he could be a good fit in right. McDonald, Jerry - CF, COL Lean and athletic from California.  He's a plus runner with a below average arm.  His pitch recognition is improving, and he projects as a .270 hitter with possible above average power. Medina, Victor - RHP, COL Power pitcher who tops out at 97, he has a decent slider and change.  When his command is on his stuff is good enough to draw swings and misses. Robinson, Ryan - RHP, COL A 23 year old college senior with a quality sinker that sits in the low 90s.  His changeup needs work.  He'll need to improve his command but could end up as a solid bullpen arm. Ryan, Mike - RHP, COL A 6-5, strong framed power arm.  Fastball can reach 96-98, however he does not have good feel for a breaking ball.  His best secondary pitches are a change and a forkball. Taylor, Bill - RF, COL Long, lean, athletic outfielder with above average contact skills, a smooth swing, quick hands, and good pitch recognition.  His power does not match his frame, but is improving.  A solid defender with slightly above average speed and a strong throwing arm. Tufnel, Monte - 3B, COL The younger brother of Utah's Derek, and the son Nigel Tufnel, Monte is a college senior at Oklahoma state.  His defense at third base is top notch, with good hands, a quick first step, and a cannon for an arm.  His running speed is below average.  Tufnel  can put a charge into the ball and hit for power, but his swing is long and he can struggle with offspeed stuff.  Shows good patience at the plate. Valdez, Pedro - RHP, COL A 20 year old right hander who projects to have a 3 pitch mix includin a mid 90s sinker, a live cutter, and a plus circle change.  He has the tools to throw strikes and miss bats while holding down a rotation spot. Williams, Bob - RHP, COL A sinker/slider guys who throws in the low to mid 90s, Williams is a closer from Miami who could move quickly into a big league bullpen. McCullogh, Jeff - LF, COL

A big strong lefty bat, his raw power is better than his game production at this point.  Arm and speed are at best average.  Looks like he will hit for average and power in the middle of someone's batting order.