Scouting Report: Cubs righthander Mark Prior set the standard for excellence in college pitching at USC in 2001, but not even Prior was as consistently excellent as Weaver was in his Senior season. The 6-foot-6, 200-pounder won his first 14 decisions while averaging 13.8 strikeouts (against 1.1 walk) per nine innings, before he slipped up against Miami in his final start before NCAA regional play. He twice struck out the first 10 hitters in a game and didn't have a bad outing all year, extending a streak that began last spring when he went 14-4, 1.96 for Long Beach and continuing through the summer when he reeled off 45 2/3 scoreless innings for Team USA. Weaver is an intense competitor with an excellent feel for his craft. He can throw strikes with Prior-like precision--in, out, up, down. He is so advanced in all areas of pitching that he could hold his own in the big leagues right now. He may already be better than his brother Jeff, a starting pitcher for the Phillies. On raw stuff, though, Weaver is a step behind Prior--and even #5 pick Justin Verlander, a teammate last summer with Team USA. Like everyone at Long Beach State, Weaver pitches off his fastball, which has been clocked as high as 95 mph. He normally throws it at 91-92, but even at that speed it looks like 95 because of the deception in his delivery and his ability to locate it. His curve is just an average offering. He also throws two kinds of sliders, one with greater depth that he added just this year. While his brother is a sinker/slider pitcher and generates more arm-side movement with his pitches, Jered uses his whole repertoire much better. He also holds his velocity deeper into games and keeps his emotions in check better. Both throw from the same three-quarters arm slot.
2
JEFF NIEMANN
RICE U
RHP
R/R
6'9"
260
1983-02-28
JR
Scouting Report: Though Niemann was one of three players the Royals were considering for the No. 1 overall pick in mid-June, he really hadn't been at 100 percent last season. After tying an NCAA Division I record by going 17-0 in 2003 as Rice won the College World Series, Niemann had arthroscopic surgery last fall to clean out inflamed tissue in his elbow. He also strained his groin in mid-April, sidelining him for a month, and he had made two relief appearances and two relatively ineffective starts since returning. In his first outing back, Niemann showed exactly why he could be the top choice. His fastball registered 92-97 mph, and his 6-foot-9, 260-pound frame allowed him to drive the ball down in the zone and make it that much more difficult to hit. His slider, the best breaking pitch in the draft, hit 87 mph. Niemann has exceptional body control and strike-throwing ability for his size, the result of working diligently on his mechanics. He also has a spike curveball and a changeup but hasn't needed them very often in college. Even at less than his best, Niemann had struck out 83 in 70 innings and held hitters to a .219 average.
3
PHILIP HUMBER
RICE U
RHP
R/R
6'4"
220
1982-12-21
4YR
Scouting Report: Humber, who won the 2003 College World Series clincher against Stanford with a complete game five-hitter, might have been the safest pick among the three Rice aces. He was the first to join the Owls' weekend rotation, doing so a month into his freshman season, and has been the most consistent. An 11-game winner for the third straight year, Humber ranked among NCAA Division I leaders in victories, ERA (1.80), strikeout-walk ratio (141-33 in 105 innings) and strikeouts per nine innings (12.1) in mid-May. He does it with three plus pitches: a 90-94 mph fastball that scrapes 97, a true 12-6 curveball, and a splitter that he uses as a changeup. The run on his fastball is inconsistent and the pitch flattens out at times, but his curveball is a big-time strikeout pitch and his splitter keeps batters off balance. Strong and durable at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, he has been injury-free and has the most resilient arm of the Rice first-rounders. There's a little recoil in his delivery but it's not a huge issue.
4
MATT TUIASOSOPO
WOODINVILLE SR HS
SS
R/R
6'2"
210
1986-05-10
HS
Scouting Report: Tuiasosopo comes from a celebrated football family and was a top quarterback recruit of the University of Washington. His father Manu was a defensive tackle in the NFL, and his oldest brother Marques is a quarterback for the Oakland Raiders. Brother Zach is Washington's starting fullback. His brothers were also top baseball prospects out of high school, though they never gave the sport more than a passing thought in college. Despite pressure to fulfill his football commitment, Tuiasosopo has showed more interest in a baseball career. It is possible he was swayed by knee injuries that interrupted both his junior and senior prep football seasons. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Tuiasosopo is physical like his brothers, and has a chance to be a five-tool talent. His speed and arm strength are his most advanced tools. He also has excellent bat speed with power to all fields. He was the best pitcher and position player on his high school team and has the aptitude to play any position on the field. Scouts say he would probably start out as a shortstop, his primary position, and settle in at third base or right field down the road.
5
JUSTIN VERLANDER
OLD DOMINION U
RHP
R/R
6'5"
200
1983-02-20
4YR
Scouting Report: Verlander might have the best pure stuff in of any pitcher drafted. Dozens of scouts, crosscheckers and scouting directors turned out in mid-April when Verlander faced off against Justin Orenduff, and Verlander was dominant as he punched out 16 batters and flashed consistent mid-90s heat. The dominance continued all spring, with a 7-5, 3.19 record and 145 strikeouts in 99 innings. He broke his own Old Dominion season strikeout record of 139, set last year, and his 427 career strikeouts are a school and Colonial Athletic Association record. He has a lean, lanky frame with long arms and legs, and room for added strength. He has a tall, upright delivery with a lighting-quick arm, and a fastball that tops out at 99 mph with hard run and sink. He complements it with a curveball that has good late depth and sharp bite, and a deceptive changeup that has fastball arm speed and late fade and sink. Verlander's biggest obstacle is his lack of command. He rushes his body and lands on a stiff front side as he struggles to repeat his delivery.
6
THOMAS DIAMOND
U NEW ORLEANS
RHP
R/R
6'3"
230
1983-04-06
4YR
Scouting Report: Diamond was Louisiana's top high school pitching prospect three years ago, but he lasted until the Devil Rays took him in the 38th round because no team was willing to buy him away from New Orleans. Clubs began to regret that early last year, when he popped a 96 mph fastball early in his sophomore season. Diamond has continued to unleash explosive heat ever since. He dominated the Northwoods League last summer, tied a school and Sun Belt Conference record with 17 strikeouts against Arkansas State in March and ranked fifth in Division I with 125 strikeouts in 98 innings. With a strong 6-foot-2, 231-pound frame and solid mechanics, Diamond holds his mid-90s velocity deep into games. His secondary pitches have room for improvement. His slider is better than his curveball, but if he could refine the curve he could wreak havoc by changing hitters' eye level. His changeup shows promise, though he rarely uses it.
7
TAYLOR TANKERSLEY
U ALABAMA
LHP
L/L
6'1"
220
1983-03-07
4YR
Scouting Report: Tankersley has a long track record for scouts, and his plus stuff and success on the mound likely pushed him into the Top 10. Drafted out of high school by the Royals, Tankersley tied Alabama's record for wins by a freshman (eight) despite pitching primarily in relief. He struggled as a sophomore with a painful cyst on his left wrist, but picked up again in a relief role down the stretch, helping Alabama win its second straight SEC tournament. His success in the bullpen has made him hard to scout. The Crimson Tide often held him as a reliever for Friday and Saturday, and started him Sundays if he hadn't been used. He thrived in the role, and in the process, cleaned up his mechanics, driving through the catcher instead of falling off to the side. His sturdy 6-foot-2, 225-pound frame and strong lower half help him pump fastballs regularly in the 88-92 mph range with average life; he can run it up to 94 and maintains his velocity well. He's aggressive with the pitch, attacking hitters inside and making them prove they can hit it. Tankersley's breaking ball, a power slider, plays average, and he's shown a feel for a changeup in a starting role. He ranked among the NCAA's ERA leaders, at 1.64 in 64 innings, as Alabama's disappointing season neared its end.
8
CHRIS NELSON
REDAN HS
SS
R/R
5'11"
176
1985-09-03
HS
Scouting Report: Indians infielder Brandon Phillips also went to Redan High, but Nelson is more frequently compared with such shortstops as Derek Jeter and B.J. Upton. While Nelson isn't tall and rangy in the new shortstop mold, he has athletic ability to spare, which is why he went in the first 10 picks overall and ranked first on at least one team's draft board. Nelson's best tool is his arm, even though he had Tommy John surgery in the fall. He's made a full recovery and has shelved his low-90s fastball for good. Smooth and easy at shortstop, Nelson has fluid infield actions, plenty of range and good baseball savvy. With a polished bat, Nelson brings a short, compact swing, makes consistent contact and has solid bat speed. He hit .582-8-36 this spring. Along with his strong frame, the package has scouts projecting him to hit for average power down the road. It's an enticing total package when Nelson's plus-plus makeup is added in.
9
HOMER BAILEY
LA GRANGE HS
RHP
R/R
6'4"
185
1986-05-03
HS
Scouting Report: Bailey and Maryland righthander Nick Adenhart were running neck and neck as the top prep prospects in the draft before Adenhart succumbed to elbow problems, leaving Bailey as the undisputed class among the nation's high school crop. Even with an increasing bias against prep righties in the first round Bailey was certain to be selected with one of the first 5-10 choices. A University of Texas recruit, he threw 94 mph in his first scrimmage this spring and has been lights out every time he has taken the mound. He was 12-1, 0.39 on the season with 10 walks and 168 strikeouts in 72 innings. He has the best fastball (92-96 mph), the best righthanded breaking ball (a hard downer curveball), the best command and the most polish among high schoolers in the draft. He still has plenty of room for projection at 6-foot-4 and 185 pounds, and though he throws effortlessly the ball explodes out of his hand. Bailey will need to improve his changeup and get stronger, but that's true of almost every prep pitcher.
10
STEPHEN DREW
FLORIDA ST U
SS
L/R
6'0"
185
1983-03-16
4YR
Scouting Report: Older brothers J.D. and Tim were first-round picks in the 1997 draft. J.D. was the top player available in '97, and Stephen offers some similarities in tools, though scouts agree he's more like Todd Walker, though more athletic and better defensively. Stephen is a five-tool player, average across the board but with above-average speed and well-above-average hitting ability. He has fast hands and good plate discipline, and when he's locked in can dominate a game, a series, a week or a month. As a freshman, he missed 25 games with a broken foot and then carried Florida State to a 26-game winning streak. He was hurt again in 2003, tweaking his hamstring in a super-regional against Texas. The injuries have had two effects: Drew has never played extended time with wood bats, and he's taken on some of the makeup questions that dog his brother. Stephen hasn't shown much leadership in college, and scouts agree he doesn't play his best all the time--only when he wants to.
11
MATT BUSH
MISSION BAY HS
SS
R/R
5'10"
170
1986-02-08
HS
Scouting Report: The Angels had Bush in their mix for the No. 11 overall selection this year as late as early May. It made was logical, given the possibility of some local PR value and good will, but Bush is a legitimate talent and easily one of the best players in California. He's been a high-profile prospect throughout his high school career, both as a shortstop and pitcher, and he spent 2004 just polishing his game. At 5-foot-10, his size would be an issue if not for his exceptionally strong arms and legs. His arm is also a special tool. On the mound, his fastball has been clocked consistently at 94 mph and up to 96. His best asset may be his glove. He has outstanding lateral movement, lays out for balls in the hole and is quick at turning the double play. His presence, instincts and makeup also are unquestioned. Not everyone is as sold on his bat or his speed, however. He's more of a contact hitter than a power hitter, but scouts say he should hit better with wood than aluminum. He projects as a .270-.290 hitter. Though he lacks first-step quickness out of the batter's box and is just an average runner, he has good acceleration on the bases.
12
JOSH FIELDS
OKLAHOMA ST U
3B
R/R
6'2"
210
1982-12-14
4YR
Scouting Report: Thanks to Florida State shortstop Stephen Drew, Fields wasn't be the first college position player drafted, but in some ways he's more attractive than the still unsigned Phillie. Unlike with Drew, no one questions Fields' desire. And while Drew is a better all-around athlete, Fields is no slouch and might be more of a sure thing at the plate. He has starred at quarterback for Oklahoma State, setting school records for touchdown passes (55) and a Cotton Bowl mark for passing yards (307), yet Fields prefers baseball. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, he didn't have prototype NFL quarterback size and never really was a big-time football prospect. Fields should hit for average and power (though his homers are down from 12 in 2003 to six through mid-May), and he's patient enough to take walks when he's pitched around. The Cowboys thought about moving him to first base last fall because he's raw at the hot corner, but he has stayed at third and should be a solid defender in time. He moves well, has good hands and a strong, accurate arm. He just needs more repetitions, which will come when he gives up football, in order to improve his reads and instincts. It's easy to project Fields as an all-star third baseman, which is why he went this early.
13
BILLY BUTLER
WOLFSON SENIOR HS
3B
R/R
6'2"
225
1986-04-18
HS
Scouting Report: Butler looks best in the batter's box, and scouts are eager to see him with wood instead of metal in his hands. He'll have to move across the diamond to first, or with plus arm strength that helps him throw 93 mph off the mound, move to a corner outfield spot, but he has the raw power to make the move work. Butler has a mature approach. He trusts his quick hands and allows balls to get deep in the zone, giving him excellent loft power. He has natural rhythm to his swing and excellent hand-eye and body coordination. He hasn't always stayed patient this year while being been pitched around, but like his teammate Hurley, he's performed well down the stretch.
14
GLEN PERKINS
U MINNESOTA
LHP
L/L
6'0"
200
1983-03-02
4YR
Scouting Report: Perkins ia a lefthander who shows three plus pitches at times and commands them well. Perkins maintains an 88-92 mph fastball throughout games and can throw it to both sides of the plate. His changeup is his second-best pitch, and he has a good curveball that scouts would like to see him use more often. At the same point of their careers, his stuff is much better than that of former Gophers lefty Denny Neagle, a third-round pick in 1989. The only thing not to love is Perkins' body. While he won't grow much taller, he could firm himself up. Academically ineligible in 2002, Perkins set a Minnesota record with 117 strikeouts in 105 innings as a redshirt freshman last year. He also became the first pitcher to run the table with an 8-0 conference record since the Big 10 switched to an eight-series regular season. Perkins has been nearly as dominant this spring, going 6-0, 2.02 in his first seven conference starts.
15
JEREMY SOWERS
VANDERBILT U
LHP
L/L
6'1"
165
1983-05-17
4YR
Scouting Report: After three years, Sowers and the draft meet again, and he's ready to sign this time. The Yankees picked Sowers in the First Round in 2001 out of Louisville's Ballard High but made little attempt to sign him, and he honored his Vanderbilt commitment. Sowers has been the Commodores' No. 1 starter for three seasons, and Southeastern Conference teams have tried to attack him by swinging early in the count. It's the best approach against this slender, efficient strike-throwing machine. Sowers pounds the zone with four pitches: an accurate, active fastball he throws anywhere from 85-91 mph, a solid-average slider and curveball, and a changeup with good movement that he uses sparingly. His consistency and makeup impress scouts nearly as much as his stuff and command. Sowers' twin brother Josh pitches at Yale with similar pitches and command from the right side.
16
DAVID PURCEY
U OKLAHOMA
LHP
L/L
6'5"
240
1982-04-22
4YR
Scouting Report: Purcey came down with draftitis as a high school senior in 2001 and against as a draft-eligible sophomore in 2003. He tried to overthrow at the beginning of last season, then started aiming his pitches and wound up in the bullpen. Though he's a 6-foot-5, 240-pound lefthander with a 90-95 mph fastball, he earned a reputation as a one-pitch pitcher who lacked consistency. Purcey started to shed that tag last summer in the Cape Cod League, causing the Yankees to make a late run at signing him as their 17th-round pick. He turned them down, which paid off in a big way when he was drafted in the first round by the Dodgers. Purcey still has the big fastball, and now he can hit both sides of the plate with it. His curveball and overall command are much improved, if still inconsistent. He also has answered questions about his mental toughness by showing first-round stuff every time out this spring. He's a vastly better pitcher in 2004, and Purcey has the best pure arm among lefthanders in the draft.
17
MARK ROGERS
MT ARARAT SCHOOL
RHP
R/R
6'2"
205
1986-01-30
HS
Scouting Report: Unknown to people who weren't area scouts in the Northeast before last summer, Rogers got widespread attention at the East Coast Showcase when his fastball registered 96-97 mph on some guns. His fastball was so dominant against weak competition in Maine this spring that he struck out 99 in his first 38 innings, while allowing just three hits. He also hit almost .600 and was named the state's Gatorade player of the year for the second straight year. Also the captain of both his high school hockey and soccer teams, he has a lean, athletic build with room to fill out and get stronger. Rogers has a three-quarters delivery and throws slightly across his body, but has a loose, explosive arm. He should require just minor adjustments to his delivery. His fastball generally sits in the 90-95 mph range, with natural, hard running action and occasional bore. Rogers' hammer curve has solid rotation with three-quarter break and excellent depth for his arm slot. His 73-77 mph curve is inconsistent because he has an erratic arm slot and tends to drop his elbow, causing it to flatten out. Rogers, who projects as a No. 2 or 3 starter, throws his changeup with good arm speed, deception and sinking action.
18
WADE TOWNSEND
RICE U
RHP
R/R
6'4"
225
1983-02-22
4YR
* Failed to Sign: Will Return to 2005 FHFS Draft
Scouting Report: Many scouts are projecting Townsend as a big league closer, but he has the stuff to pitch in the front of a big league rotation. His fastball velocity has fluctuated this spring, sitting at 87-89 or 90-91 mph at various times, but he has also hit 95. His heater is straighter than those of fellow Rice aces Jeff Niemann and Phil Humber, but Townsend has better command of the pitch and can locate it on either side of the plate. He also throws the nastiest curveball among the trio, though sometimes it breaks so much that he can struggle to control it. He'll throw an occasional changeup to lefthanders, and if he refines that pitch or a splitter it would be hard to move him to the bullpen. Townsend is so competitive that his intensity can work for or against him, and the consensus is that he'd thrive on trying to blow away hitters in the late innings. Like Niemann and Humber, Townsend has a strong frame (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) and impressive statistics (11-0, 1.68, 141-43 strikeout-walk ratio in 113 innings, .171 opponent average).
19
KYLE WALDROP
FARRAGUT HS
RHP
R/R
6'4"
190
1985-10-27
HS
Scouting Report: Waldrop was considered a tough sign given his committed to Vanderbilt. He had considerable success in high school, leading Farragut High to the state 3-A title last year and a No. 3 national ranking this season. He didn't yield an earned run in his first 51 innings while batting .477-13-63. Scouts like him better on the mound for pro ball, as he throws an easy 88-91 mph fastball with an above-average spike curveball, while showing a feel for his changeup. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Waldrop would have gone both ways for Vanderbilt. He has excellent raw power, enough athletic ability to play the outfield and runs well under way.
20
YOVANI GALLARDO
TRIMBLE TECHNICAL HS
RHP
R/R
6'2"
190
1986-02-27
HS
Scouting Report: Gallardo struck out 25 in a March victory against Fort Worth crosstown rival North Side High, but scouts were shaking their heads because he needed 11 innings and 148 pitches to do so. His workload has been more reasonable since, easing concerns about the co-outstanding pitcher at the Perfect Game/Baseball America World Wood Bat Championship last October. Six-foot-2 and 180 pounds, Gallardo uses a strong leg drive to launch 91-94 mph fastballs, and his three-quarters breaking ball is a plus pitch at times. On the season, he went 5-4, 1.38 and struck out 143 in 61 innings.
21
DANNY PUTNAM
STANFORD U
CF
L/L
5'10"
200
1982-09-17
4YR
Scouting Report: Putnam has excelled for arguably the best high school (Rancho Bernardo High, San Diego) and college programs in the country, as well as last summer for Team USA. At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, he's not overly physical, and beyond his bat his tools are marginal. But he may be the most polished hitter in the draft. He got few leg hits on his way to building a .393 average, and his 32-29 walk-strikeout ratio is made to order for an organization that emphasizes plate discipline. Putnam has a wide, balanced stance and generates exceptional bat speed, attacking balls with a quick, short stroke. Based on his performance last summer, he should have little problem adjusting to wood and should move quickly to the big leagues. Scouts compare him to Pirates MVP outfielder Brian Giles, another San Diego high school product who stands less than 6 feet. Putnam is a below-average defender and will be relegated to left field. He doesn't anticipate well, gets poor jumps in the field and lacks arm strength. But it's all about his bat.
22
CHRISTOPHER LAMBERT
BOSTON COL
RHP
R/R
6'1"
205
1983-03-08
4YR
Scouting Report: A New Hampshire high school shortstop who seemed to have a brighter future as a hockey defenseman, Lambert has pitched for just three years. After going undrafted out of high school, he opened eyes at a Perfect Game showcase in Wareham, Mass., in mid-August of 2001 when he ran his fastball into the 91-94 mph range. He received scholarship offers from Louisiana State and Clemson, before he settled on Boston College. He was the Big East Conference rookie of the year and pitcher of the year as a freshman after he went 9-3, 2.76, marking the first time that the same player won both awards in one season, and followed with a similar sophomore season. He was 5-4, 3.53 this season, though his peripheral numbers are just as strong as past years, including a .203 opponent average. Lambert has a strong frame and quick arm action that enables him to produce fastballs in the 90-96 mph range. His fastball has good tailing action and bores when up in the zone. He does a good job of pitching to the inner and outer parts of the zone. Lambert has a sharp curveball with 11-to-5 break and good rotation. It buckles hitters' knees when he throws it for strikes, which is only sporadically. Command of all his pitches has been an issue, and he had 44 walks in 71 innings this spring. His changeup is a fair pitch, but he slows his delivery when he throws it and drops his arm angle. Lambert has a full-effort delivery and needs to develop a consistent arm angle and smooth out his mechanics.
23
PHILIP HUGHES
FOOTHILL HS
RHP
R/R
6'5"
220
1986-06-24
HS
Scouting Report: Orange County had three prep righthanders with first-round potential, and the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Hughes emerged as the best prospect. He has the complete package, including a power arm that can generate 93-95 mph heat. He also has excellent body control for a pitcher his size, a fluid delivery and an advanced feel for his craft. Some scouts say he's ahead of Mark Prior at the same stage of development. In a seven-inning perfect game this spring against Laguna Hills High, Hughes struck out 13 and threw just 74 pitches; his first and last pitches were clocked at 95. On the year, he went 8-1, 0.78 with three walks and 75 strikeouts in 54 innings. Hughes isn't a big strikeout pitcher because his fastball lacks movement, and he was more concerned with tightening his mechanics and developing his offspeed stuff, which ranges from a tight slider to a slurvy breaking ball. But he throws all his pitches for strikes and is projectable. Hughes has committed to Santa Clara, just like Jared Hughes (no relation), who was one of the top pitching prospects in Orange County a year ago but fell to the 16th round amid concerns about signability.
24
J.P. HOWELL
U TEXAS
LHP
L/L
6'0"
180
1983-04-25
4YR
Scouting Report: In many ways, Howell is a lefthanded version of Longhorns teammate Huston Street. Listed generously at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, he has a fastball that sits at 85-86 mph and tops out at 89. But he has a plus breaking ball, a curveball that devastates lefties and keeps righties at bay, plus command of his fastball and a huge heart. A nasty splitter also helps, and a developing changeup serves as his fourth pitch. Hitters have trouble picking up Howell's pitches, none of which ever seem to catch the heart of the plate. As a team that emphasize statistical analysis, the Rangers had trouble passing after checking out this line: 13-2, 2.01, 112 innings, 69 hits, 41 walks, 134 strikeouts.
25
B.J. SZYMANSKI
PRINCETON U
CF
S/R
6'5"
210
1982-10-01
4YR
Scouting Report: Szymanski has been one of the biggest revelations in this year's draft class. After spending his freshman year as a starting wide receiver on the Princeton football team, Szymanski took part in a Reds tryout camp and was urged by scouts to give baseball a shot. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound center fielder was an instant hit, batting .330 and earning second team all-Ivy League recognition as a sophomore. He rocketed up the draft charts this spring after he hit a mammoth homer off Old Dominion righthander Justin Verlander in front of about 100 scouts in his first game of the 2004 season. He moved up to first team all-Ivy after batting .378-6-48 in the regular season and leading the Tigers in most offensive categories. Szymanski is a gifted, five-tool athlete with a long-limbed body. He has been clocked in the 60-yard dash at 6.45 seconds and shows loose, graceful actions in the outfield with above-average arm strength. At the plate, he has an upright, slightly open stance and a smooth swing. He's a switch-hitter whose swing is almost a mirror image from both sides of the plate, and he has above-average power potential. Szymanski's swing can get long at times, and he could stand to be more patient at the plate.
26
NO SELECTION
COMMENT:
27
ERIC HURLEY
WOLFSON SENIOR HS
RHP
R/R
6'4"
195
1985-09-17
HS
Scouting Report: Among high school pitchers, Hurley was closing the season as well as any of his peers, and his improvement is reflected in his draft position. Heading into Florida's all-star games in Sebring, he was pitching his way toward the middle of the first round thanks to some of the best fastball velocity in the country. Hurley has gone from pitching in the 90-93 mph range to 92-95 consistently, hitting at least 96 in eight straight outings and maintaining his velocity deep into games. Pitching for one of the nation's top teams, he went 13-1, 0.70 with 11 walks and 139 strikeouts in 90 innings. Hurley has a loose arm, and now that he's ironed out a small mechanical issue--staying more upright in his delivery and keeping his elbows in--he's put all the pieces together. He's flashed an average slider and changeup. At times he gets around his breaking ball a bit, when he drops his elbow, and doesn't command it. Detractors say he has a slight head jerk in his delivery that causes him to elevate his fastball, but with Hurley's velocity and life, he might be the kind of pitcher who can live up in the zone, even against professionals.
28
SETH SMITH
U MISSISSIPPI
RF
L/L
6'3"
215
1982-09-30
4YR
Scouting Report: Smith didn't go No. 1 overall in the draft, as his Ole Miss football teammate Eli Manning did in the NFL draft. Smith never got into a game backing up Manning at quarterback for three seasons, but his baseball career blossomed. Most scouts agree there's much more to come once Smith, who was on a football scholarship, now that he has given up football for good. He played for Team USA last summer, his first extended experience with a wood bat, and ranked second on the team in batting (.322) and home runs (four) while also playing some center field. His spring didn't start well, but his performance picked up as he stopped thinking about hitting for power and let his natural hitting ability take over. He was batting .310-7-39 overall. Blessed with excellent hand-eye coordination, Smith makes consistent, hard contact and projects to hit for power with more experience and strength. His other tools play well. He's a 6.7 runner over 60 yards, has an average arm and is decent in center, though he profiles better for right.
29
NEIL WALKER
PINE RICHLAND HS
C
S/R
6'3"
205
1985-09-10
HS
Scouting Report: A preseason BA High School All-American, Walker got off to a hot start this year, hitting .580-9-26 in 38 at-bats before he was suspended for three games after attending a party and consuming alcohol, a violation of his high school team's rules. Walker assumed full responsibility, and it looks like a minor bump in the road for the top-ranked catcher in this year's draft. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Walker has a large frame with a strong build and room for development. He has a sound approach at the plate, starting from a balanced stance, and shows a fluid uppercut stroke from both sides. He has a little more lift from the right side and projects to hit with above-average power. Behind the plate, he is an excellent receiver, blocks balls well and has an average arm with a quick release. He has good speed for his size, running a 7.0-second 60-yard dash and getting down the line in 4.4 seconds from the left side. Walker comes from a family of athletes. His father Tom and his uncle Chip Lang pitched with the Expos in the 1970s. His oldest brother Matt was an outfielder in the Tigers system, while his other brother Sean pitched at George Mason. His sister Carrie plays basketball at Wagner.
30
HUSTON STREET
U TEXAS
RHP
R/R
6'0"
190
1983-08-02
4YR
Scouting Report: No one discusses Street without mentioning the words "heart" or "winner." As a freshman, he saved all four victories as Texas won the 2002 College World Series, and he outdid that performance last summer with the U.S. national team. In the semifinals of the Pan American Games in the Dominican Republic, Street pitched 8 2/3 innings of shutout relief to beat Mexico in a 14-inning classic, finishing with a 94-mph fastball. He didn't allow a run in 29 innings with Team USA. Street missed March with a strained groin and hasn't had his usual unbelievable sink for much of the spring, but he still put up a 1.60 ERA and limited opponents to a .172 average. Street isn't the most physical pitcher at 6 feet and 190 pounds, and neither his 88-92 mph fastball nor his slider are overpowering. But he generates good life on both pitches and spots them so well that he misses bats. He'll need a better changeup to combat pro lefthanders, an adjustment he should be able to make. As a club that surely noted the pro debuts of last years' drafted relievers Ryan Wagner, Chad Cordero and David Aardsma, the Rays had to have been attracted to Street in this year's opening round.
31
GIO GONZALEZ
MONSIGNOR EDWARD PACE HS
LHP
R/L
5'11"
180
1985-09-19
HS
Scouting Report: Gonzalez entered the year as Florida's top prep talent but slipped to No. 2 after Hurley's performance and his own missteps. Gonzalez was kicked off the Monsignor Pace High team that spent several weeks ranked No. 1 in the country after an argument between his mother and Pace's coach over younger brother Max' playing time. Similar issues prompted Gonzalez to transfer from Hialeah High, where he had pitched in two state title games, winning once and losing once. His track record on the field, as well as his stuff and great feel for pitching, still have him poised to go late in the first round. Gonzalez pitches in the 87-90 mph range, touching 93-94, and complements it with what may be the nation's best curveball, a tight spinner that he commands well. He's also shown good feel for a changeup. He has polish and could move quickly. His build (6 feet, 170 pounds) gives some scouts pause about his durability.
