9/26/10

2011 DRAFT: - Archie Bradley, Anthony Rendon, Jackie Bradley Jr., Sonny Gray... and Matt Purke

Archie Bradley:



9-24 from: - link  - There's a number of top notch high school arms in this year's draft, and to me, Archie Bradley offers the most upside. He has the ultimate pitcher's body, he has excellent stuff, and again to me, has the best chance to reach his ceiling as a top-notch starter. Bradley's one issue is with his command, but Jameson Taillon had the same concern heading into his senior year of high school. Now, he's cashing huge checks in Pittsburgh after sharpening his command, and earning his way as the number two overall pick.



Anthony Rendon:


9-24 from: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/470764-2010-mlb-mock-draft-40-shaking-up-the-order-and-the-picks#page/2  - Rendon just had ankle surgery, but if his recovery is anything like his last ankle surgery, then he should be just fine. He rebounded from torn ligaments in his ankle to rake to the tune of a .394 average with 26 home runs, 85 RBI and an .801 slugging percentage. The Pirates already have Pedro Alvarez occupying the hot corner, but given his size and mobility he could stand a move to first base, which would leave third wide open for Rendon, giving the Pirates one of the most impressive corner combos in the big leagues. Rendon offers Gold Glove caliber defense, a quick bat, and above-average power, and more than anything he gives the city of Pittsburgh one more superstar, something they've lacked for too long.



Jackie Bradley Jr.


9-17-10 from: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/chat/2010/2610683.html   - How good can Jackie Bradley Jr be? Aaron Fitt: He's a legit five-tool talent. Now, it might be average or slightly better tools across the board, but he could be a 70 defender in center field. Scouts rave about his instincts, which really play in all facets of his game. I think he can be an everyday center fielder in the big leagues, with 15-20 homers a year, 15-20 steals, a .270-.300 average and gold glove defense. That's a nice package.

Sonny Gray:


9-17-10 from: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/chat/2010/2610683.html  - What is the current thought on Sonny Gray and where he ends up? The previous couple of seasons the prevailing thought was that he would end up in the bullpen due to his size, but has that changed at all? Aaron Fitt: I think he is starting to convince some people that he has a chance to start. The fact is he's undersized, and some scouts will always look at a 5-foot-11 righthander who throws 95 and say, "He's a bullpen guy." But Gray is very strong, and he holds his velocity deep into games. He also is making progress with his changeup, as well as his command and feel for pitching. I chatted with Sonny this summer for our Summer POY feature, and he bristles a bit when people say he won't be a starter—he thinks he can succeed in either role. I think I agree with him, but my sense is that at least a slight majority of scouts still see him in the 'pen down the road.


9-24 from: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/470764-2010-mlb-mock-draft-40-shaking-up-the-order-and-the-picks#page/2  - Gray had one of the best summers of any prospect, high school or college. He shut down just about everyone he faced off against for Team USA, and has unlimited momentum headed into his senior season at Vanderbilt. Gray features a mid 90s fastball, rather impressive for a tiny guy, and he compliments it with some solid secondary stuff. Gray profiles as a number two starter, and Baltimore doesn't have anybody quite like him. He would be a perfect compliment in a rotation that includes Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman, Jake Arrieta, and Zach Britton.



Matt Purke:


9-17-10 from: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/chat/2010/2610683.html  - I heard that Matthew Purke will be sophomore-elible; since he spruned the draft after high school, is he likely to sign as a sophomore? John Manuel: He is eligible, you heared right, and he is very likely to sign. Look, he wanted to sign out of high school, but the Rangers' financial situation didn't really allow it to happen, that's a kind way of putting it. It worked out so far for Purke, he had an amazing freshman season, went to Omaha and he's stayed healthy so far. He's a prime candidate to go in the first 5 picks in 2011. As an LHP, I could see him going No. 1 to the Pirates if he has a big spring.


9-24 from: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/470764-2010-mlb-mock-draft-40-shaking-up-the-order-and-the-picks#page/2 - Scouts seem to see Purke as a combination between Cole Hamels and Clayton Kershaw, and he very well may be better than them both. He certainly looked like it in this year's College World Series, and he'll have a good chance to lead an up-and-coming D-Backs rotation. With Jarrod Parker coming back, he and Purke could form one of the best young 1-2 tandems in the big leagues.

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