5/28/10

DRAFT: - Kevin Chapman, Jayson Langfeis, Deck McGuire, Jedd Gyorko ... and Connor Powers

Kevin Chapman:

5-27 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft  - Chapman did not look especially sharp in Florida’s 5-4 victory over Arkansas in an SEC tournament elimination game – a one-out diving catch by right fielder Jonathan Pigott started a double play that ended the game. But he still got the job done. He allowed one hit, one earned run, and walked one in one inning of work. “I have 100 percent confidence every time he comes in the game,” Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “It’s hard to develop closers at this level, because most of the guys come in as starters and everybody wants to start, but he has really taken to that role.” In his first full season since Tommy John surgery in 2008, Chapman has excelled. Coming into the SEC tournament, he allowed five earned runs in 39 1/3 innings pitched and struck out 40. As a lefty with three pitches, and a fastball that touches 95 miles per hour, he has a chance to be one of the top closers taken in the 2010 draft. On Thursday, he worked mostly with fastballs in the 92-94 mile per hour range.
Jayson Langfeis:

5-25 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com/2010/05/25/2010-mlb-draft-top-30-college-third-base-prospects-30-21  - Top 30 College Third Base Prospects - 25. Eastern Kentucky JR 3B Jayson Langfels - Langfels came into the season with a reputation as a total hacker at the plate, but curbed his swinging and missing ways just enough to finally unlock his good raw power in game situations. I’ve gotten mixed reports on his defense this year, but his hands in the past have gotten him into some trouble at third. It ranges anywhere from somewhat possible to very likely that he’ll wind up as more of a power hitting four-corners utility type than a starting third base candidate; either way, there’s value enough in the bat.

Deck McGuire:

5-27 from: - http://baseballbeginnings.com/2010/05/27/deck-mcguire-report  - PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Big rangy body, sloped shoulders, high hips and thick waist. Body reminds of Aaron Harang, RHP, Reds. STRENGTHS: Fastball 89-94, throws both 2-seam and 4-seam. 2-seam has small run, creates plane with both. 6/6 command on 2-seam, 5/5 command on 4-seam. Slider 82-86, has good arm and hand speed, is late and hard with depth. 6/6 go-to pitch. Shows confidence in slider. Change-up at 82, shows feel with good arm speed, 4/5. WEAKNESSES: Arm action is a little deep and cuts off some in back and out in front. A little shoulder showing. Backside is a little late and causes some inconsistency in getting to preferred release points. Appears to lack some confidence to pitch with his fastball. Fair athlete. SUMMARY: Great landing and front side to throw against. Can create plane and depth to stuff. Mechanics a bit of a concern for longevity. Some will think he’s a front-end rotation guy and a high draft. Some concern that arm action and fair athleticism may cause some health risk. GRADES (Present/Future): Fastball 60/60 Slider 60/60 Change-up 40/50 Command 40/50 Control 40/50 Overall Future Potential: 54

Jedd Gyorko

5-27 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/5/27/1489645/top-5-by-position-second-basemen#comments  - Jedd Gyorko is currently a shortstop, but the odds are that he’ll end up at either second or third base as a pro. He lacks the offensive profile for third base, so even though his range at second would likely be below-average, he still fits best there. Gyorko wasn’t a very highly-recruited player coming in to West Virginia, but after three prolific offensive seasons, he’s going out as one of the more heralded players to ever go through the program. He’s done nothing but produce, and while he gets plenty of negative comments about his body and his glove, he’s likely to be a productive Major League hitter. In terms of tools, Gyorko features an above-average to plus hit tool, and he could be a .300 hitter at the Major League level due to his sound approach to hitting, which means hitting the ball where it’s pitched. He’s extremely patient and works pitchers, and he’s difficult to strike out. His power is only average, but he’s not cheated on pitches to drive, and he could turn out to have a similar offensive profile to the Rangers’ third baseman Michael Young. He’s a below-average runner and has below-average range defensively, but he has an average arm that could play well at second base. He will need to continuously work on his defense to be good enough to warrant a defensive spot, but as a high makeup player, he’s expected to be a solid starter. He should be off the board in the supplemental first round or the second round.

Connor Powers;

5-27 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com/2010/05/chris-duffy-leads-senior-surprises/#more  - Senior Surprises - Connor Powers, Mississippi State, 1B - After just two home runs in 162 ABs his junior year, Powers has 15 home runs this season. He also sports a nice .393/.497/.731 and a 33-15 BB/K ratio in 38 games. Powers was the winner of the Cape Cod Leage All-Star game home run hitting contest last year.

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