First round pick #1 overall
David Price LHP
2008 Prospect Rankings: BP TB #2, PP TB #1, MAH TB #4, TPA TB #2, PP #4/75, TDC #4/25, MT #9/100, MiLB #9/50, SB #29/100
Amateur: 11-0, 2.71 ERA, 123 IP, 29 BB, 175 K, .201 BAA ; Team USA - 5-1 0.20 ERA, 44 IP, 61 K.
SCOUTING REPORT: Price has been a marked man almost from the day he set foot on the Vanderbilt campus three years ago. He gave a taste of what was in store when he struck out 92 in 69 innings as a freshmanóeven as he won only two gamesóand began to cement his standing as the No. 1 pick in this yearÃs draft when he led the Southeastern Conference with 155 strikeouts in 110 innings as a sophomore. His performance with Team USA last summer (5-1, 0.20 with 61 strikeouts in 44 innings) sealed the deal. All he has done this spring is put the finishing touches on his gameóand his 11-0, 2.71 record with a national-best 175 strikeouts and just 29 walks in 123 innings, to go with a .201 opponent average, reflects how it has all come together for him. Scouts say he is close to being major league ready. The biggest difference in Price this year has been in his self-confidenceóhe knows now that heÃs the bestóand in his ability to locate all his pitches. He has two dominant offerings: a 93-96 mph fastball (touched 99) that he can sustain deep in to games, and a hard mid- to upper-80s slider. His changeup was for show only and is considered a work in progress. For the first time, he was able to throw any pitch in any countóand control the pace of a game. Price has been unfazed by all the attention he has received, and gets as high marks for his competitive makeup, yet humble nature, as he does for his pitching ability. His combination of athleticism, overpowering stuff and makeup makes him an easy choice as the best talent in the draftóand a near-lock to be the No. 1 pick.
--Allan Simpson
BA Scouting Report: Price entered his junior season as the best amateur player in the country and reinforced his reputation with a third dominant season. He has the complete portfolio of athleticism, stuff, makeup and a proven track record. He posted a 0.43 ERA with 151 strikeouts in 65 innings as a high school senior and would have been a high-round pick if it hadn't for signability questions. The Dodgers made a run at signing him after drafting him in the 19th round in 2004, but Price stuck to his Vanderbilt commitment and stepped into the rotation right away, earning Freshman All-America honors. Price attends Vanderbilt on a financial scholarship, rather than a baseball ride, and he is lauded for his positive, team-first attitude. He took two tours with USA Baseball's college national team, including a 5-1, 0.20 stint in 2006 when he led Team USA to a gold medal in the World University Games in Cuba and was named Summer Player of the Year. His fastball/slider/changeup repertoire is unmatched among amateurs. He pitches at 90-91 mph, but the late life, arm-side run and finish of his fastball make it a weapon. He can dial it up to 95, seemingly whenever he needs to. His slider touches 87 with hard, late, sharp bite, grading as a 70 pitch on the 20-80 scale. His changeup is deceptive, and a third plus pitch. He spots all three of his pitches to all four quadrants of the strike zone, adds and subtracts and carves up hitters with efficiency and ease. His arm action and delivery are excellent. Price was an honorable mention all-Tennessee selection in basketball in high school, an indication of his athletic ability, which helps him field his position well and repeat his delivery. He profiles, conservatively, as a No. 2 starter, while some scouts see him as a true No. 1. The Devil Rays are expected to make him the top pick.
TB draft picks
Moderator: RedSox
TB draft picks
Last edited by RedSox on Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
First Round Pick #13 overall.
Michael Burgess OF
2007 Awards: GCL #1 Prospect BA
2008 Prospect Rankings: PP WAS #3, BA WAS #4, JS WAS #3, TPA WAS #4, PP #51/75, SB #76/100, MT #81/100
2007 Pro Debut: GCL + NYP - .318/.421/.561, 11 HR, 35 BB/60 K
SCOUTING REPORT: Burgess entered the spring as perhaps the most highly-regarded high school hitter in the country. He has struggled at times as opposing coaches have refused to pitch to him and Burgess has expanded his strike zone and started guessing at the plate. Scouts still remember the superior bat speed and power the lefthander showed last summer and fall though. While Burgess is evaluated mostly on his bat, his other tools play well in right field. He is a fringy-average runner, at best, and doesnÃt project to get any faster. But he has excellent instincts, both on the bases and in the outfield that maximize his speed. Plus, Burgess has one of the strongest throwing arms in the class, capable of throw 94 mph off the mound. He is one of many East Coast top prospects that has signed with Arizona State but is not considered a difficult sign.
Burgess came into the 2007 season as a Louisville Slugger First-Team Pre-Season All-American, and was named to USA Today's High School All-American Second Team as a senior at Hillsborough (Tampa, FL) High School. Burgess was named the AFLAC High School Player of the Year and a Louisville Slugger All-American following his junior season in 2006 after batting .511 with 12 homers, 48 RBI and 24 steals. In the Class 5A Florida state finals at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Burgess hit a 473-foot home run, which traveled over the 60-foot high centerfield wall. Ken Griffey Jr., Bo Jackson and Frank Thomas are the only other players to accomplish that feat at Smith Stadium.
Burgess put it all together in his pro debut, leading the GCL in on-base percentage (.442) and slugging (.617).
Burgess' bat speed, strength and leverage produce huge raw power, and he has enough maturity to keep his hands back to square up quality breaking balls. Burgess shows advanced plate discipline and pitch recognition, and his long arms allow him to cover any part of the strike zone.
Though he didn't look as athletic as he did as an amateur, Burgess still displayed plus arm strength in right field. He's a slightly below-average runner and projects as a right fielder with classic tools.
"He doesn't run real well, but when you hit it as far as he does it doesn't matter," said one scout from a National League club. "He was very aggressive in all phases of the game. He had something to prove. Pitchers really went after him and challenged him, and he just ate that up."
Like Chris Marrero a year earlier, Burgess established himself as one of the draft's premier power hitters as a junior, batting .512 with 12 homers at Hillsborough High and excelling with wood over the summer. Also like Marrero, he slumped as a senior. With a strong, compact frame, a short stroke and a lightning-quick bat, Burgess has well above-average raw power, mostly to right field. He has good plate discipline and isn't afraid to use the opposite field on occasion. He's an average defender in right field with a plus arm.
Michael Burgess OF
2007 Awards: GCL #1 Prospect BA
2008 Prospect Rankings: PP WAS #3, BA WAS #4, JS WAS #3, TPA WAS #4, PP #51/75, SB #76/100, MT #81/100
2007 Pro Debut: GCL + NYP - .318/.421/.561, 11 HR, 35 BB/60 K
SCOUTING REPORT: Burgess entered the spring as perhaps the most highly-regarded high school hitter in the country. He has struggled at times as opposing coaches have refused to pitch to him and Burgess has expanded his strike zone and started guessing at the plate. Scouts still remember the superior bat speed and power the lefthander showed last summer and fall though. While Burgess is evaluated mostly on his bat, his other tools play well in right field. He is a fringy-average runner, at best, and doesnÃt project to get any faster. But he has excellent instincts, both on the bases and in the outfield that maximize his speed. Plus, Burgess has one of the strongest throwing arms in the class, capable of throw 94 mph off the mound. He is one of many East Coast top prospects that has signed with Arizona State but is not considered a difficult sign.
Burgess came into the 2007 season as a Louisville Slugger First-Team Pre-Season All-American, and was named to USA Today's High School All-American Second Team as a senior at Hillsborough (Tampa, FL) High School. Burgess was named the AFLAC High School Player of the Year and a Louisville Slugger All-American following his junior season in 2006 after batting .511 with 12 homers, 48 RBI and 24 steals. In the Class 5A Florida state finals at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Burgess hit a 473-foot home run, which traveled over the 60-foot high centerfield wall. Ken Griffey Jr., Bo Jackson and Frank Thomas are the only other players to accomplish that feat at Smith Stadium.
Burgess put it all together in his pro debut, leading the GCL in on-base percentage (.442) and slugging (.617).
Burgess' bat speed, strength and leverage produce huge raw power, and he has enough maturity to keep his hands back to square up quality breaking balls. Burgess shows advanced plate discipline and pitch recognition, and his long arms allow him to cover any part of the strike zone.
Though he didn't look as athletic as he did as an amateur, Burgess still displayed plus arm strength in right field. He's a slightly below-average runner and projects as a right fielder with classic tools.
"He doesn't run real well, but when you hit it as far as he does it doesn't matter," said one scout from a National League club. "He was very aggressive in all phases of the game. He had something to prove. Pitchers really went after him and challenged him, and he just ate that up."
Like Chris Marrero a year earlier, Burgess established himself as one of the draft's premier power hitters as a junior, batting .512 with 12 homers at Hillsborough High and excelling with wood over the summer. Also like Marrero, he slumped as a senior. With a strong, compact frame, a short stroke and a lightning-quick bat, Burgess has well above-average raw power, mostly to right field. He has good plate discipline and isn't afraid to use the opposite field on occasion. He's an average defender in right field with a plus arm.
Last edited by RedSox on Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
First Round Pick #20 Overall
Beau Mills 3B
2008 Prospect Ranks: BP CLE #3, PP CLE #1, MAH CLE #3, MT CLE #2, PP #28/75, MT #48/100, SB #49/100
SCOUTING REPORT: Mills enjoyed two productive seasons at the plate for Fresno State (.319-22-63 as a freshman; .355-14-58 as a sophomore) but ran into academic trouble late in his sophomore year and was on the sidelines as the Bulldogs advanced to NCAA regional play in 2006. It prompted Mills to seek out a transfer. He spent last summer in the Alaska League playing for long-time L-C State coach Ed Cheff, who doubles as the coach of the Alaska Goldpanners. Though the competition he has faced at the NAIA level is inferior to what he saw at Fresno State , Mills has had one of the best offensive seasons in recent college baseball history at .458 with 34 homers and 114 RBIs. With his team favored to win the NAIA World Series, he was within two homers of the NAIA single-season record set in 1992 by Mary Hardin-BaylorÃs Mike Meggers. Mills has excellent hitting skills. His bat head stays in the zone for an extended time and he makes good adjustments at the plate. HeÃll hit any kind of stuff in any location of the strike zone. In particular, he will punish mistakes pitchers makeóespecially when they try to run fastballs in on him on the inner half of the plate. He has exceptional bat speed and power to all fields. Mills walked 37 times this year, compared with 19 strikeouts, but his pitch selection needs work. Scouts are uncertain whether heÃll stay at third base, or may have to move across the diamond, in pro ball. His range is passable by third-base standards, but the larger issue is his armóhis only below-average tool. Mills has a funky, shot-put type arm action that may not be suitable for third base in the long run, but his throws are normally true and accurate. No matter where he plays, his bat will play. Few, if any, college position players in this draft possess his offensive profile.
--Allan Simpson
BA Scouting Report: Scouts are trained to focus on the process--the how--rather than the results. In Mills' case, though, the results must be mentioned. After two years at Fresno State when he hit 36 home runs, Mills transferred to NAIA Lewis-Clark State. Mills decided to join LCSC after playing for coach Ed Cheff in the summer in the Alaska League. He led the league in home runs (seven) and RBIs (33). The son of ex-big leaguer Brad Mills--now the Red Sox' bench coach--has proceeded to dominate inferior competition. He hit his school-record 31st home run in LCSC's 54th game, and his on-base plus slugging percentage was approaching 1.600. Mills generates well-above-average power thanks to a leveraged, balanced swing and excellent strength; the ball jumps off his bat to all fields. Defense is another matter. A shoulder injury limited him to DH last summer, and Mills' arm is still a bit tight (leading to more DH appearances) and grades as below-average. He works hard at his defense, and his hands and footwork could make him a fringe-average third baseman eventually, though most scouts believe he'll be below-average. His bat should play at first base, but it would play even better at third. In a year with few impact college bats, Mills stands out and figures to go high, no matter which infield corner he plays.
MoundTalk says of Mills: Mills profile looks a bit like Jason Giambi with an acceptable batting average, high on-base percentage and a masher at the plate. HeÃs a left-handed hitter and that always comes with an added bonus. He has a high ceiling and could become a regular major leaguer soon.
PP: Mills went .261/.337/.424 through three levels, including a .275/.375/.500 showing in 48 High-A plate appearances. While he didnÃt mash at his collegiate pace in his professional debut, Mills and his 42.2% XBH rate in the minors last season show that an imposing power stroke could be on its way to Jacobs Field shortly.
Beau Mills 3B
2008 Prospect Ranks: BP CLE #3, PP CLE #1, MAH CLE #3, MT CLE #2, PP #28/75, MT #48/100, SB #49/100
SCOUTING REPORT: Mills enjoyed two productive seasons at the plate for Fresno State (.319-22-63 as a freshman; .355-14-58 as a sophomore) but ran into academic trouble late in his sophomore year and was on the sidelines as the Bulldogs advanced to NCAA regional play in 2006. It prompted Mills to seek out a transfer. He spent last summer in the Alaska League playing for long-time L-C State coach Ed Cheff, who doubles as the coach of the Alaska Goldpanners. Though the competition he has faced at the NAIA level is inferior to what he saw at Fresno State , Mills has had one of the best offensive seasons in recent college baseball history at .458 with 34 homers and 114 RBIs. With his team favored to win the NAIA World Series, he was within two homers of the NAIA single-season record set in 1992 by Mary Hardin-BaylorÃs Mike Meggers. Mills has excellent hitting skills. His bat head stays in the zone for an extended time and he makes good adjustments at the plate. HeÃll hit any kind of stuff in any location of the strike zone. In particular, he will punish mistakes pitchers makeóespecially when they try to run fastballs in on him on the inner half of the plate. He has exceptional bat speed and power to all fields. Mills walked 37 times this year, compared with 19 strikeouts, but his pitch selection needs work. Scouts are uncertain whether heÃll stay at third base, or may have to move across the diamond, in pro ball. His range is passable by third-base standards, but the larger issue is his armóhis only below-average tool. Mills has a funky, shot-put type arm action that may not be suitable for third base in the long run, but his throws are normally true and accurate. No matter where he plays, his bat will play. Few, if any, college position players in this draft possess his offensive profile.
--Allan Simpson
BA Scouting Report: Scouts are trained to focus on the process--the how--rather than the results. In Mills' case, though, the results must be mentioned. After two years at Fresno State when he hit 36 home runs, Mills transferred to NAIA Lewis-Clark State. Mills decided to join LCSC after playing for coach Ed Cheff in the summer in the Alaska League. He led the league in home runs (seven) and RBIs (33). The son of ex-big leaguer Brad Mills--now the Red Sox' bench coach--has proceeded to dominate inferior competition. He hit his school-record 31st home run in LCSC's 54th game, and his on-base plus slugging percentage was approaching 1.600. Mills generates well-above-average power thanks to a leveraged, balanced swing and excellent strength; the ball jumps off his bat to all fields. Defense is another matter. A shoulder injury limited him to DH last summer, and Mills' arm is still a bit tight (leading to more DH appearances) and grades as below-average. He works hard at his defense, and his hands and footwork could make him a fringe-average third baseman eventually, though most scouts believe he'll be below-average. His bat should play at first base, but it would play even better at third. In a year with few impact college bats, Mills stands out and figures to go high, no matter which infield corner he plays.
MoundTalk says of Mills: Mills profile looks a bit like Jason Giambi with an acceptable batting average, high on-base percentage and a masher at the plate. HeÃs a left-handed hitter and that always comes with an added bonus. He has a high ceiling and could become a regular major leaguer soon.
PP: Mills went .261/.337/.424 through three levels, including a .275/.375/.500 showing in 48 High-A plate appearances. While he didnÃt mash at his collegiate pace in his professional debut, Mills and his 42.2% XBH rate in the minors last season show that an imposing power stroke could be on its way to Jacobs Field shortly.
Last edited by RedSox on Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
First Round Pick (Supplemental) #31 Overall
Nick Hagadone LHP
2008 Awards: BA BOS #8, BP BOS #8, JS BOS #7, MAH BOS #9, SP BOS #7
2007 Stats: NYP - 24.1 IP, 14 H, 8 BB, 33 K, 1 HR, 1.53 GO/AO, .163 BAA
Scouting Report: A six-foot-five lefty who can get into the mid-90s, Hagadone has a very high ceiling. His fastball generally sat in the 91-94 mph range, and he commands it well. His power slider is often a swing-and-miss pitch, and scouts were surprised by how effective his changeup is, which features good arm action and a late drop. Hagadone could develop into a big-time starting pitcher, with a future as a power reliever representing a solid backup plan. He allowed five runs in just one inning in his pro debut, but then finished the year with 23 consecutive scoreless innings stretched over nine appearances while giving up just eight hits and striking out 32.
BA Scouting Report: A big-bodied lefthander, Hagadone has two plus pitches in a 92-94 mph fastball and a hard slider that ranks as the best in the system. He uses a high three-quarters arm slot to stay on top of his pitches and drive them down in the strike zone. The Red Sox love his makeup and believe he can handle any role they throw at him. Hagadone's changeup isn't as good as his other two pitches, though it has potential and he showed feel for it at Lowell and in instructional league. His mechanics aren't picture-perfect and when they get out of whack, his stuff flattens out. The short-term plan is to send Hagadone to low Class A as starter, allowing him to have success and build up innings. Long term, Boston isn't sure whether it wants to deploy Hagadone as a starter or as a power lefty reliever. If he moves to the bullpen, he could rocket to the majors quickly.
Nick Hagadone LHP
2008 Awards: BA BOS #8, BP BOS #8, JS BOS #7, MAH BOS #9, SP BOS #7
2007 Stats: NYP - 24.1 IP, 14 H, 8 BB, 33 K, 1 HR, 1.53 GO/AO, .163 BAA
Scouting Report: A six-foot-five lefty who can get into the mid-90s, Hagadone has a very high ceiling. His fastball generally sat in the 91-94 mph range, and he commands it well. His power slider is often a swing-and-miss pitch, and scouts were surprised by how effective his changeup is, which features good arm action and a late drop. Hagadone could develop into a big-time starting pitcher, with a future as a power reliever representing a solid backup plan. He allowed five runs in just one inning in his pro debut, but then finished the year with 23 consecutive scoreless innings stretched over nine appearances while giving up just eight hits and striking out 32.
BA Scouting Report: A big-bodied lefthander, Hagadone has two plus pitches in a 92-94 mph fastball and a hard slider that ranks as the best in the system. He uses a high three-quarters arm slot to stay on top of his pitches and drive them down in the strike zone. The Red Sox love his makeup and believe he can handle any role they throw at him. Hagadone's changeup isn't as good as his other two pitches, though it has potential and he showed feel for it at Lowell and in instructional league. His mechanics aren't picture-perfect and when they get out of whack, his stuff flattens out. The short-term plan is to send Hagadone to low Class A as starter, allowing him to have success and build up innings. Long term, Boston isn't sure whether it wants to deploy Hagadone as a starter or as a power lefty reliever. If he moves to the bullpen, he could rocket to the majors quickly.
Second Round Pick #54 Overall
Michael Almanzar 3B
Scouting Report: Big (6'5") shortstop with excellent bat speed and plus power potential. Likely will switch to 3B due to his size and glove. Extremely athletic, but also extremely raw. Working out in Florida, Almanzar has more than held his own against older competition in the early going. Has the frame to add a lot of strength. Son of former MLB pitcher and current Red Sox minor leaguer Carlos Almanzar. Spent time with the Red Sox in 2007 XST, ultimately signed for a $1.5-million signing bonus.
BA Scouting Report: The 16-year-old Dominican is the son of former big league righthander Carlos Almanzar, who pitched for the Blue Jays, Padres, Yankees, Reds and Rangers from 1997-2005. With those bloodlines, along with Almanzar's plus bat speed and raw power potential, at least six clubs are currently courting the young shortstop. We talked to an international scout with an American League club to provide us with a sneak preview of one of the top players in this year's international crop:
"I like the bat a lot. He kind of wraps it a little bit, but the line drives to all fields with that little flick at the end that tells you he's going to hit for some power, too. It might wind up being a lot more power than people are projecting.
"He's already big for the position and he's probably going to wind up at third base. The bat will have to carry him, and he shows gap power now as a 16-year-old kid. I like the approach at the plate. He gets a good load, trigger is good, bat speed is plus.
Michael Almanzar 3B
Scouting Report: Big (6'5") shortstop with excellent bat speed and plus power potential. Likely will switch to 3B due to his size and glove. Extremely athletic, but also extremely raw. Working out in Florida, Almanzar has more than held his own against older competition in the early going. Has the frame to add a lot of strength. Son of former MLB pitcher and current Red Sox minor leaguer Carlos Almanzar. Spent time with the Red Sox in 2007 XST, ultimately signed for a $1.5-million signing bonus.
BA Scouting Report: The 16-year-old Dominican is the son of former big league righthander Carlos Almanzar, who pitched for the Blue Jays, Padres, Yankees, Reds and Rangers from 1997-2005. With those bloodlines, along with Almanzar's plus bat speed and raw power potential, at least six clubs are currently courting the young shortstop. We talked to an international scout with an American League club to provide us with a sneak preview of one of the top players in this year's international crop:
"I like the bat a lot. He kind of wraps it a little bit, but the line drives to all fields with that little flick at the end that tells you he's going to hit for some power, too. It might wind up being a lot more power than people are projecting.
"He's already big for the position and he's probably going to wind up at third base. The bat will have to carry him, and he shows gap power now as a 16-year-old kid. I like the approach at the plate. He gets a good load, trigger is good, bat speed is plus.
Third Round Pick #61 Overall
Kelvin DeLeon OF
Scouting Report: Universally considered one of the top position players available in the international signing period, DeLeon inked with the Yankees for a seven-figure deal. DeLeonÃs tools had scouts drooling leading up to the signing period. He has plus-plus power potential, and already showed the ability to tap into that power in game situations during the YankeeÃs Dominican instructional league. He also projects to hit for a high average thanks to excellent plate coverage. HeÃs an above-average athlete and average runner, and projects as a solid right fielder defensively with an above-average arm. In his first semi-official at-bat for the Yankees in the Domincan instructional league opener, DeLeon launched a home run that one in attendance estimated as traveling 425 feet. DeLeon will likely follow the same path that Jesus Montero did last year, beginning the year in extended spring training before making his official pro debut in the Gulf Coast League.
Yankees.scout.com: The Yankees signed 16-year old Kelvin De Leon for $1.1 million out of the Dominican Republic as part of their 'July 2nd' signing group this past year. Considered one of the top International signings, he enters the farm system as one of the better power hitting prospects already and some believe he could be a five-tool talent down the road.
Boston Herald: The Yankees last week gave De Leon, a 6-foot-3, 192-pound right fielder, $1.1 million to attend their facility in a banana tree-lined meadow in Boca Chica, down the road from his coastal hometown of La Caleta.
ìHe is a man who works a lot and is dedicated to baseball,î said his beaming father, a day laborer also named Kelvin De Leon.
Yankee scouts watching the scrimmage from a nearby tower were just as hopeful.
ìI have no doubt that in two or three years he will be in right field at Yankee Stadium,î scout Angel Ovalles said.
Kelvin DeLeon OF
Scouting Report: Universally considered one of the top position players available in the international signing period, DeLeon inked with the Yankees for a seven-figure deal. DeLeonÃs tools had scouts drooling leading up to the signing period. He has plus-plus power potential, and already showed the ability to tap into that power in game situations during the YankeeÃs Dominican instructional league. He also projects to hit for a high average thanks to excellent plate coverage. HeÃs an above-average athlete and average runner, and projects as a solid right fielder defensively with an above-average arm. In his first semi-official at-bat for the Yankees in the Domincan instructional league opener, DeLeon launched a home run that one in attendance estimated as traveling 425 feet. DeLeon will likely follow the same path that Jesus Montero did last year, beginning the year in extended spring training before making his official pro debut in the Gulf Coast League.
Yankees.scout.com: The Yankees signed 16-year old Kelvin De Leon for $1.1 million out of the Dominican Republic as part of their 'July 2nd' signing group this past year. Considered one of the top International signings, he enters the farm system as one of the better power hitting prospects already and some believe he could be a five-tool talent down the road.
Boston Herald: The Yankees last week gave De Leon, a 6-foot-3, 192-pound right fielder, $1.1 million to attend their facility in a banana tree-lined meadow in Boca Chica, down the road from his coastal hometown of La Caleta.
ìHe is a man who works a lot and is dedicated to baseball,î said his beaming father, a day laborer also named Kelvin De Leon.
Yankee scouts watching the scrimmage from a nearby tower were just as hopeful.
ìI have no doubt that in two or three years he will be in right field at Yankee Stadium,î scout Angel Ovalles said.
Last edited by RedSox on Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
Third Round Pick #68 Overall
Che-Hsuan Lin OF
2008 Prospect Ranks: BP BOS #11, SP BOS #13, BA GCL #4, 2007 Best OF Arm.
Scouting Report: Spectacularly athletic centerfielder likely would have been a supplemental first round pick in the 2007 draft had he been eligible. Ichiro-like speed with a cannon arm. Makes good contact - quick, strong wrists. Decent gap power to combine with his speed. Exceptional glove and range in CF, and his arm is both very strong and accurate. The Red Sox outbid several teams for Lin's services. Also, at least one team significantly outbid Boston, but Lin preferred to play for the Red Sox organization.
BA Scouting Report: Boston signed Lin out of Taiwan in late June for $400,000 and sent him straight to the GCL, where he was one of the most impressive outfielders in the league. He still has much to learn about the American style of the game, but he handled himself well in his pro debut. An above-average runner and solid-average defender in center, he's more than just a slap hitter who tries to get on base and utilize his wheels. He packs surprising power in his compact line-drive stroke, creating good backspin with the ability to take pitches on the outer half to the opposite field as well as to turn on inside fastballs. He does get too pull-conscious though and has trouble with breaking balls down and away.
BP Scouting Report: The best player in Taiwan this year, Lin was courted by many teams all spring long, before finally signing for $400,000 in June. Within two weeks he made his pro debut with BostonÃs GCL squad, where he impressed observers with his tools. Lin is a fantastic athlete, with one of the better arms in the system and the kind of speed to steal 40 bases annually. He has a quick bat and surprising pop for his size thanks to strong wrists that whip the bat through the zone. The Red Sox love his makeup, and heÃs dedicated to his game and takes well to instruction. He has to work on his pitch recognition, as he likes to jump on fastballs, and is always looking dead-red, leaving him susceptible to off-speed pitches.
Perfect World Projection: A dynamic, athletic center fielder with star potential.
Future: The Red Sox will likely take it slow with Lin, who still needs to acclimate to living in the United States, as well as our style of baseball. Spring training will dictate if he begins the year in extended spring or Low-A Greenville.
Che-Hsuan Lin OF
2008 Prospect Ranks: BP BOS #11, SP BOS #13, BA GCL #4, 2007 Best OF Arm.
Scouting Report: Spectacularly athletic centerfielder likely would have been a supplemental first round pick in the 2007 draft had he been eligible. Ichiro-like speed with a cannon arm. Makes good contact - quick, strong wrists. Decent gap power to combine with his speed. Exceptional glove and range in CF, and his arm is both very strong and accurate. The Red Sox outbid several teams for Lin's services. Also, at least one team significantly outbid Boston, but Lin preferred to play for the Red Sox organization.
BA Scouting Report: Boston signed Lin out of Taiwan in late June for $400,000 and sent him straight to the GCL, where he was one of the most impressive outfielders in the league. He still has much to learn about the American style of the game, but he handled himself well in his pro debut. An above-average runner and solid-average defender in center, he's more than just a slap hitter who tries to get on base and utilize his wheels. He packs surprising power in his compact line-drive stroke, creating good backspin with the ability to take pitches on the outer half to the opposite field as well as to turn on inside fastballs. He does get too pull-conscious though and has trouble with breaking balls down and away.
BP Scouting Report: The best player in Taiwan this year, Lin was courted by many teams all spring long, before finally signing for $400,000 in June. Within two weeks he made his pro debut with BostonÃs GCL squad, where he impressed observers with his tools. Lin is a fantastic athlete, with one of the better arms in the system and the kind of speed to steal 40 bases annually. He has a quick bat and surprising pop for his size thanks to strong wrists that whip the bat through the zone. The Red Sox love his makeup, and heÃs dedicated to his game and takes well to instruction. He has to work on his pitch recognition, as he likes to jump on fastballs, and is always looking dead-red, leaving him susceptible to off-speed pitches.
Perfect World Projection: A dynamic, athletic center fielder with star potential.
Future: The Red Sox will likely take it slow with Lin, who still needs to acclimate to living in the United States, as well as our style of baseball. Spring training will dictate if he begins the year in extended spring or Low-A Greenville.
Third Round Pick #87 Overall
John 'The Mad Hungarian' Bachanov RHP
2008 Prospect Rankings: BP LAA #10, TPA LAA #10
BA Scouting Report: Aside from Tampa product Nevin Griffith, Bachanov made the biggest climb among Sunshine State pitchers this spring. At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, he offers a strong, durable frame. But Bachanov has a max-effort delivery and off-the-field baggage that leaves some teams wary. Despite his blemishes, the big righthander shows glimpses of greatness, like his 15-strikeout performance against one of the state's top teams, Winter Springs High, in the 6-A regional quarterfinals in early May. That night his fastball was up to 95, and he showed an ability to place his hard breaking ball down in the strike zone. His control improves when he pitches out of the stretch.
BP Scouting Report: Late bloomer in central Florida had scouts scrambling to see him late, and the Angels were happily surprised that he was still available with the 58th overall pick. Bachanov has a classic power pitcherÃs frame and he knows how to use it. He gets a good downhill plane on his low-90s fastball that already touches 95. HeÃs throws a hard slider as well. HeÃs aggressive on the mound to the point of arrogance, and pitches with something ranging from extreme confidence to reckless abandon. Bachanov is still raw--his slider has good velocity, but is often sweepy, and he shows little feel for a changeup yet. His control comes and goes due to the inconsistency in his mechanics.
Perfect World Projection: Bachanov is your classic high-reward/high-risk high school power arm, but his ceiling is considerable.
Timetable: Bachanov has yet to make his pro debut, and heÃs far too raw a product to pitch in a full-season league. HeÃll begin the year in extended spring training before pitching for a short-season team.
John 'The Mad Hungarian' Bachanov RHP
2008 Prospect Rankings: BP LAA #10, TPA LAA #10
BA Scouting Report: Aside from Tampa product Nevin Griffith, Bachanov made the biggest climb among Sunshine State pitchers this spring. At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, he offers a strong, durable frame. But Bachanov has a max-effort delivery and off-the-field baggage that leaves some teams wary. Despite his blemishes, the big righthander shows glimpses of greatness, like his 15-strikeout performance against one of the state's top teams, Winter Springs High, in the 6-A regional quarterfinals in early May. That night his fastball was up to 95, and he showed an ability to place his hard breaking ball down in the strike zone. His control improves when he pitches out of the stretch.
BP Scouting Report: Late bloomer in central Florida had scouts scrambling to see him late, and the Angels were happily surprised that he was still available with the 58th overall pick. Bachanov has a classic power pitcherÃs frame and he knows how to use it. He gets a good downhill plane on his low-90s fastball that already touches 95. HeÃs throws a hard slider as well. HeÃs aggressive on the mound to the point of arrogance, and pitches with something ranging from extreme confidence to reckless abandon. Bachanov is still raw--his slider has good velocity, but is often sweepy, and he shows little feel for a changeup yet. His control comes and goes due to the inconsistency in his mechanics.
Perfect World Projection: Bachanov is your classic high-reward/high-risk high school power arm, but his ceiling is considerable.
Timetable: Bachanov has yet to make his pro debut, and heÃs far too raw a product to pitch in a full-season league. HeÃll begin the year in extended spring training before pitching for a short-season team.
Last edited by RedSox on Sun Jan 20, 2008 1:10 am, edited 1 time in total.
Fifth Round Pick #140 Overall
Micheal Watt LHP
2007 Pro: GCL - 21 IP, 18 H, 6 BB, 18 K, 0 HR, 1.00 GO/AO, .234 BAA
SCOUTING REPORT: Some players are draft wild cards--players that could just as easily go in the fourth round or go undrafted altogether. With Watt, who at one point this spring had the highest grade turned in by the Major League Scouting Bureau among California high school players, it will have more to do with his signability. It wonÃt be about ability as he is as athletic and talented as almost any high school lefthander projected to go in the early rounds. He has a great body, a beautiful arm action and a very fast arm. Those factors combined give him a very high ceiling. Watt is also very competitive on the mound. He has the rare ability to pitch above bats. Watt can be wild and that hurts him a bit, but more than anything the question will focus on his price tag. He is reportedly heavily committed to Long Beach State . Few high school pitchers have his combination of stuff, athleticism, competitiveness, body, arm action and arm speed, and scouts say he would have a high chance to be a first-rounder in three years.
BA Scouting Report: Some scouts like Michael Watt as a lefty who touches 91 mph and has shown a good curveball, but most believe he'd be better served with three years at Long Beach State and respected pitching coach Troy Buckley. Watt has a little recoil in his delivery, cutting off his natural velocity and throwing his command off, but he could throw harder with some mechanical adjustments.
Micheal Watt LHP
2007 Pro: GCL - 21 IP, 18 H, 6 BB, 18 K, 0 HR, 1.00 GO/AO, .234 BAA
SCOUTING REPORT: Some players are draft wild cards--players that could just as easily go in the fourth round or go undrafted altogether. With Watt, who at one point this spring had the highest grade turned in by the Major League Scouting Bureau among California high school players, it will have more to do with his signability. It wonÃt be about ability as he is as athletic and talented as almost any high school lefthander projected to go in the early rounds. He has a great body, a beautiful arm action and a very fast arm. Those factors combined give him a very high ceiling. Watt is also very competitive on the mound. He has the rare ability to pitch above bats. Watt can be wild and that hurts him a bit, but more than anything the question will focus on his price tag. He is reportedly heavily committed to Long Beach State . Few high school pitchers have his combination of stuff, athleticism, competitiveness, body, arm action and arm speed, and scouts say he would have a high chance to be a first-rounder in three years.
BA Scouting Report: Some scouts like Michael Watt as a lefty who touches 91 mph and has shown a good curveball, but most believe he'd be better served with three years at Long Beach State and respected pitching coach Troy Buckley. Watt has a little recoil in his delivery, cutting off his natural velocity and throwing his command off, but he could throw harder with some mechanical adjustments.
