11/29/11

Draft 2012: - RHP Lucas Giolito

      RHP       Lucas Giolito
6-11-10: -
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110608&content_id=20222396&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb&partnerId=rss_mlb  Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake HS, Calif.: Giolito is big and strong and can crank his fastball into the mid-90s with a low-effort delivery.
10-11-10 – Top 10 2012 Prospects from Jim Callis/Baseball America - #10. Lucas Giolito, rhp, Harvard-Westlake School, North Hollywood, Calif.

6-28 -10 from: - http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/high-school/?p=204&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter  – With the conclusion of the Tournament of Stars in Cary, N.C., USA Baseball has now announced the trials rosters for the 16U national teams. - Lucas Giolito RHP R/R 6-6 210 Harvard-Westlake HS, Los Angeles 2012


8-11-10 from: -
http://baseballanalysts.com/  - Lucas Giolito (Harvard-Westlake, North Hollywood, CA), class of 2012, just turned 16 in July, yet matched the best fastball of the tournament by consistently hitting 91-93 and touching 94 on at least one occasion according to the scoreboard display facing the press box. (Note: TrackMan registered his average fastball velocity at 95.8, or 3-4 mph faster than the consensus of the dozens of handheld Stalker Sport radar guns employed by scouts. TrackMan may measure the velocity at the pitcher's release point whereas radar guns and PITCHf/x estimate velocity at about 50 feet from home plate. There may be an additional explanation as well, which I would enjoy receiving from any expert in this area. In the meantime, the TrackMan leaders can be viewed here.) Giolito was wild with his entire repetoire of pitches (which included a 76-80 mph slurve and what appeared to be either a hard change or a two-seamer with more than decent arm-side run. With additional experience, the 6-5, 215-pound righthander may be able to improve upon his command, which was lacking on Saturday as evidenced by the 24 balls against 23 strikes and four free passes in only two innings. If so, he projects to go early in the 2012 draft.


8-11-10 from: -
http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=2704  - Lucas Giolito, rhp, Harvard Westlake HS, Los Angeles - The hardest thrower in Long Beach, Giolito topped out near 96 and tossed 8 pitches that registered 94 or higher. Only 16 years old and a member of the 2012 class, Giolito is a physical beast at 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds. Saberhagen was duly impressed. “He has tons of upside, he is lanky and has a great body. He will only get more velocity as he gets older. . . I wouldn’t be surprised if he eventually reaches 97.” Giolito struggled through command problems in his first outing. Saberhagen said, from a mechanical standpoint, that Giolito “needs to be cleaned up a little bit. . . he needs to do a better job of using his lower body." The June 2012 draft is two long years away, however Giolito is an early favorite to be chosen with one of the top 10 selections in that draft.

Ranked #6 in the 2012 Prospects List compiled by the All-American Athletic Foundation http://allamericanfoundation.pointstreaksites.com/view/allamericanfoundation/news/mlb-2012-draft

6-10-11 from http://www.draftsite.com/mlb/mock-draft/2012  - Mock Draft - 8  LA Dodgers Lucas Giolito  RHP   Harvard-Westlake School (CA) 6' 6" 220

6-11-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/722354-2012-mlb-mock-draft-early-predictions-for-next-years-top-10-picks#/articles/722354-2012-mlb-mock-draft-early-predictions-for-next-years-top-10-picks/page/9   If anyone is going to give Lance McCullers a run for his money as the top high school pitcher in the 2012 class, it's likely going to be Giolito. With a perfect pitcher's frame (6'6"), Giolito has exploded onto the draft scene, bringing along a wealth of mid-90s fastballs with him. He's also got a few impressive videos circulating out there, which have helped to increase the awareness about him nationally. Giolito has a commitment to UCLA and, for the most part, commitments there are pretty solid, so he's going to be one of the classes toughest signs.

7-5-11: - http://diamondscapescouting.com/articles_2011_summercircuit_prospectclassic_07042011.html   -  Lucas Giolito (rhp, Harvard-Westlake School, Studio City, Calif.) broke out last summer with a high velo showing at the Area Code Games and has maintained momentum through the start of this summer scouting season. The physical righty followed two strong Tournament of Stars showings with a scoreless inning against the USA Collegiate Team, sitting 93-95 mph with life and dropping a hard 80-82 mph 12-to-6 curve into the mix. Giolito is still working to repeat his mechanics, keeping things slow and deliberate while ticking off his checkpoints. While he will still hit patches where he struggles to command, he is generally keeping a consistent arm slot and release point. Giolito profiles as one of the top follows for next year's draft, and possesses the frame and stuff to draw top five overall interest. 

7-11-11: - http://diamondprospects.blogspot.com - At 6'7" Lucas Giolito has projectability written all over him. When you see that he already reaches 96 MPH with his fastball and has room to add on 25-30 pounds to his frame, you understand why he is considered one of the top prep prospects for the 2012 Draft. Giolito has a smooth delivery and has taken great strides in repeating it. He also features a power 12-6 curveball that has plus potential and an improving change that features depth and could also be a plus pitch. His command could use some work and he could incorporate his lower half more to help maintain his mechanics. He threw a no-hitter in the spring and it will be interesting to see how he fares with Team USA 18U squad in the fall. No 2012 prep pitcher has more upside than Lucas Giolito and he is definitely one of the top follows over the next year.

7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments - Lucas Giolito, Harvard-Westlake HS, Santa Monica CA, 6’6 220, tall righty with definite arm strength, was up to 95 with FB, most fb were straight and at times would get arm side run in on RHH, front side opens early, some similarities to Mark Prior in delivery, also makings of a hard slider, slurvy action at present, should tighten up to be a plus pitch and makings of change up which he changes his delivery on, so lacks deception on breaking/off-speed pitches. Definitely worth early look next spring, potential top 40 selection.

7-21-11: - http://www.mockdraftmania.com  - 4. Baltimore Orioles Lucas Giolito P Harvard Westlake High School California Trey Williams is a top 10 prospect in the 2012 MLB Draft who may go in the top 5. Lucas Giolito managed to strike out Trey Williams in a contest between Harvard Westlake ace Lucas Giolito and Valencia third baseman Trey Williams. Lucas Giolito is bound to go to UCLA unless he goes to the MLB. The Orioles need more pitchers to boost their team ERA and Baltimore is thin on pitching prospects. I’m not sold on Dylan Bundy and I really believe Lucas Giolito could become the ace of the Orioles rotation with the proper development.

8-8-11: - http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog?name=mlb_draft&id=6843405&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fmlb%2fblog%3fname%3dmlb_draft%26id%3d6843405 - The best high school pitcher in this draft class is Luc Giolito of Harvard-Westlake HS. The right-hander is committed to UCLA but would likely be the first prep arm off the board if the draft was held right now with his combination of stuff and size. The 6-foot-6, 230-pounder's fastball was up to 96 mph on Sunday, sitting at 93, and he showed a solid changeup at 83-84 as well as two speeds on his breaking ball. The velocity is easy to him and his delivery is built for starting; his command isn't there and he needs more consistency on each of his secondary pitches. But I don't think there's a better overall package among prep arms in the 2012 class yet.

8-15-11: - http://www.draftsite.com/article/High-School-Names-to-Know/94  -  Lucas Giolito – RHP HT – 6’6’’  WT – 230  Harvard Westlake (CA)  -Coming into the summer it was Lance McCullers in the top spot and everyone else. However, Giolito wasn’t listening and has taken over. He broke out at the end of 2010 during the Area Code games but this summer he ruled everything. At the Tournament of Stars he dominated, pitching in the mid- 90’s with a mid-80’s change and a curveball with sharp bite. His combination of size and stuff has made several scouts push Giolito ahead of McCullers as the top prep arm in the 2012 class and Lucas is now in the running for the number one overall pick.

9-1-11: - http://projectprospect.com/article/2011/08/31/2012-mlb-draft-top-prospects  - Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard Westlake HS, CA - Giolito has an uncommonly smooth motion for a pitcher with his youth, size, and arm strength. There aren’t many high school pitchers we look at and see teaching points in, but Lucas Giolito has virtually ideal timing in his delivery – a huge, huge deal. You think of pitchers with big arm circles pulling their elbows up high, bending and contorting their bodies in all sorts of silly directions. Everything a pitcher does with his mechanics, good or bad, is for naught if ball isn’t in the driveline as the shoulders start to rotate. There’s only one place a pitcher needs to bring the ball to, which is in a position to be accelerated towards home-plate. A bullet doesn’t do any good until it’s in the barrel. Giolito does this very, very well. He makes throwing hard look easy. 

8-25-11: - http://sullydraft.blogspot.com - This summer I went to the National Showcase, Prospect Classic, and the Under Armour All-American Game. Here is my updated top 50 HS prospects.  - 1. Lucas Giolito-RHP, Harvard-Westlake HS

9-13-11: - http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/varsitytimesinsider/2011/09/baseball-lucas-giolito-tabbed-top-pitcher-in-nation.html - Perfect Game has come out with its rankings of top pitchers, and No. 1 in the nation is Lucas Giolito, the senior at Studio City Harvard-Westlake. Giolito, a UCLA commit, is going to get plenty of attention this fall. Mark down Jan. 28 on your calendar. That's the day JSerra and Bishop Amat are scheduled to come to Harvard-Westlake's O'Malley Field to play as part of a three-game set that should draw pro scouts en masse.

10-25-11: - http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/637/giolito-compares-well-to-past-prep-prospects - Lucas Giolito stands out in many ways. He's 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, and is also the top prep pitcher in the draft class of 2012. There's a chance he's the No. 1 overall pick next June, and is certain to be taken off the board in the top 10. I've seen him up to 97 mph with his fastball, which sets up an above-average power curveball and a changeup drenched in promise. ESPN Insider's Keith Law wrote from the Area Code Games in August that Giolito's velocity "is easy to him and his delivery is built for starting; his command isn't there and he needs more consistency on each of his secondary pitches. But I don't think there's a better overall package among prep arms in the 2012 class yet." The industry agrees. One scouting supervisor called Giolito "a contender for a top-10 spot in any draft. He's very, very good, and he's only going to get better. There is a lot to like."

10-28-11: - http://students.hw.com/chronicle/Sports/SportsArticles/tabid/1292/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/7668/Pitcher-Giolito-has-shot-at-first-overall-pick.aspx - Pitcher Lucas Giolito '12 could be the first overall selection in the MLB draft in June 2012, according to ESPN Rise scouting insider Jason A. Churchill. "It's cool to see your name up there with some of the best players in the country," Giolito said. "What I'm really focused on now is putting in work and getting better so I can make those kinds of things a reality. Mock drafts this early can always be inaccurate. If I put in a lot of work now and have a good season, I'll be in the best position for my future."

No comments: