4/25/10

DRAFT: - Seth Rosin, Nick Fleece, Drew Smyly, Cory Hahn... and Christian Yelich

Seth Rosin:
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/4/23/1437780/25-additional-pitching-prospects  - RHP, University of Minnesota - Rosin may have the best command in the college ranks this year, at least if his stunning 49/2 K/BB ratio in 56 innings is any indication. On the other hand, his 4.15 ERA is just okay by contextual standards, and he's given up 57 hits. He has an average fastball and breaking ball, a big durable-looking body, and obviously throws strikes with ease. His fastball is a bit too short for him to go in the first two rounds, but he could be picked anywhere from the third round and beyond. The Twins have a long-standing interest in local players and picked Rosin out of high school back in 2007. He went in the 28th round then, but will go much higher this year.





Nick Fleece:
4-21 from: - link  - Fleece began the year as the Sunday starter for the Aggies, but that was short-lived. He made four starts early on, then was replaced and moved to the bullpen. His first three starts were solid, but he wasn't showing the kind of stuff the Aggies wanted, and he also wasn't showing much stamina, as he'd start to lose steam at about 60 pitches. He's made a single midweek start since, going only a pair of innings in a last-minute decision, and it's clear that the Aggies plan to leave him in the bullpen, the same place he'll likely land in pro ball. Curiously, Fleece didn't even begin his career as a pitcher at A&M, instead coming in as an outfielder and not pitching at all his freshman year. He moved into a vital bullpen role during his sophomore year, and he slowly lost playing time as a position player to the point that he hasn't had a single at-bat this year. On the mound, Fleece can ramp it up to the mid-90s out of the bullpen, and his delivery can become maximum effort. He pairs it with a fringe-average breaking ball, and though he controls his entire arsenal, his command is below-average and doesn't project for more. He's very hittable, leaving pitches out over the plate consistently, and scouts just hope that some tinkering could turn him into a late-inning bullpen threat. For now, he's a solid arm to watch. Projected Draft Range: 8th-15th Round

Drew Smyly:

4-21 from: - link  - , LHP, University of Arkansas - Teammate of first round candidates Brett Eibner and Zach Cox at Arkansas, Smyly is a fine prospect in his own right and could get into the supplemental round. His performance this spring has been strong: 1.99 ERA with a 52/22 K/BB in 50 innings with 37 hits allowed. The walk rate could stand some reduction, but his K/IP and H/IP marks are strong for context and reflect the quality of his 90-94 MPH sinking fastball, slider, and changeup. He has ideal size for a lefty at 6-3, 190, not too short but not tall enough to cause mechanical issues. Teams in the bottom part of the supplemental round such as the Rockies at 47, the Rangers at 49, and the Cardinals at 50 could be interested.

Cory Hahn;

4-22 from: - link  - Mater Dei High School, LHP - Before 2010, Hahn was considered an outfield prospect with great speed and a good arm. This year he has transformed his outfield arm into a solid pitching season - Hahn is 6-0 so far with a 1.04 ERA. At 5'9" and 160 lbs, Hahn does not have the prototypical size of prospect pitcher, but his fastball currently sits 88 to 91 and he mixes in a 74-78 changeup and a crisp 68-74 curve.



Christian Yelich

4-23 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/category/2010-draft  - projects as a long, loose and easy left-handed swing. I think his power is mainly pole oriented and his contact is geared to going straight away with an ability to hit to left field. His arm strength is enough for him to stay at third, but he’ll need to prove in the coming years that he has the athletic actions to stay there. After a very solid summer, Yelich should find himself as a very solid high school draft.

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