[情報] College Baseball Review
http://projectprospect.com/article/2009/04/23/college-baseball-review
College Baseball Review
by Lincoln Hamilton / April 23, 2009
Starting with the clear-cut No. 1 Stephen Strasburg, the San Diego State
righthander went the distance on Friday versus New Mexico (who lead the country
in runs scored) for his first complete game shutout of the year. Strasburg
scattered seven hits and walked only one while striking out 14. On the season
Strasburg has struck out 51.5% of batters while walking 8.8%. At this point, I
feel comfortable saying that Stephen Strasburg is the best college pitcher of
all-time.
North Carolina righty Alex White has been vying for the No. 2 spot behind
Strasburg all year, and made his best case last Friday. White one-hit the
University of Miami, striking out 10 and walking just one during a complete
game shutout. White has nasty stuff: a mid-90's fastball with late life that
acts like a turbo-sinker and a filthy slider that will be an out pitch in the
majors. Friday was one of the few times White actually dominated like his stuff
suggests he's capable of. On the season White has struck out 28.1% and walked
10.9% of batters faced. After watching him pitch, I'm scared by his mechanics.
White has very late forearm turnover, which creates timing problems and adds
stress to the shoulder. That problem is multiplied by his dangerous level of
elbow hyperabduction -- he takes his pitching elbow well above his shoulder
height. His stuff will certainly play in the bullpen, unfortunately, without
major mechanical adjustments he's likely to end up there.
Fellow Tar Heel Dustin Ackley just keeps hitting. Though he's yet to play much
outfield, Ackley's shown legit power this year (.310 IsoP). On the season
Ackley is hitting .399/.508/.709 with 33 walks and 19 strikeouts in 197 plate
appearances. Am I crazy for thinking he could be Nick Markakis? A
.300/.400/.500 hitter and plus outfield defender? Ackley seems to be the clear
No. 1 hitter available come June and a certain top three pick.
I've gone against the grain and been vocal in my skepticism of USC shortstop
Grant Green, a projected top 10 pick. After a terrible start, Green has his
triple slash numbers up to .371/.440/.561 with 13 walks and 26 strikeouts in
150 plate appearances. I worry that his strikeout rate is still too high, but
it's at least trending downward. Historically, I've found that a walk rate less
than 10.0% or a strikeout rate higher than 17.0% spell doom for a hitter. Green
currently has a 8.6% walk rate and a 17.3% strikeout rate. He's hit for less
power this year than last (.190 IsoP this year, .254 IsoP last year). Given his
tools I can still see him being a solid MLB regular, but I don't see the star
upside many have seen in Green. For me personally, there's too big a chance
that he tops out at being Bobby Crosby to take him early in round one.
Rich Poythress kills pitching. The University of Georgia first baseman is
sporting a .403/.506/.805 line with 29 walks and 21 strikeouts in 181 plate
appearances (16.0% BB, 11.6% K). The Kodiak Bear has cemented his status as a
first round pick this spring.
LSU outfielder Jared Mitchell is one of the most difficult prospects to
evaluate in this draft. As toolsy as any hitter in this class, Mitchell is
hitting .310/.470/.595 with a mind mending 33 walks. However, Mitchell has also
struck out 26.5% of the time and is still raw, having never fully devoted his
athletic attention to baseball.
I got my first long look at Mike Minor a few days ago and came away impressed
with the Vanderbilt ace. Tall and sturdy at 6-foot-4 and about 210 pounds, the
left handed Minor works with a fastball that sits in the low-90's, touching 94
mph, a fantastic changeup as well as a solid slider and curveball. Minor showed
plus command of solid stuff and an advanced knowledge of how to set hitters up
-- several Florida batters looked confused during the game. Minor showed smooth
mechanics, getting the ball up to the driveline quickly and using his legs and
core to generate power. Minor has a bit of a back bend early in his delivery,
that trunk flexion may lead to increased velocity in the near future. On the
season, Minor has struck out 28.1% of hitters while walking 7.3% in the
difficult SEC. Minor projects as a relatively safe bet to be at least a No. 3
or 4 starter and an innings eater, but I think he has a little more upside than
some give him credit for.
Indiana catcher and Project Prospect favorite Josh Phegley keeps doing his best
to quiet his critics. The Hoosier backstop is hitting .378/.480/.652 while
walking in 14.7% of his plate appearances and striking out 13.1% of the time.
Catchers with his hitting ability, patience, and power are rare, but doubts
surround his defensive ability. After watching a few IU games, I think Phegley
can stick behind the plate, though it's unlikely he'll ever be a plus, or even
average, defender. In terms of build, batting stance, swing, and college
production Phegley reminds me a lot of current White Sox outfielder Carlos
Quentin. Even if he is forced to move positions, I believe in his bat.
Phegley's battery mate, righthander Eric Arnett, has been very impressive this
season after entering the spring with little fanfare. A big, athletic,
fireballer, Arnett has been one of the best pitchers in the Big 10 this season,
striking out 25.6% of hitters while walking just 7.1%. Arnett has smooth
mechanics, with a 93-95 mph fastball that touches 96 mph coming from a terrific
downhill plane. His slider should be a plus pitch, coming from the same arm
angle as his fastball and breaking very late. Arnett's curve ball is a big,
slow looper that changes the hitter's eye line and has good speed differential
from his other pitches. A workhorse (four complete games this year) with good
stuff and upside, Arnett is a possible first rounder and shouldn't last past
the second round.
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※ 編輯: Westmoreland 來自: 118.160.68.121 (04/25 17:54)
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