As we approach the 2013 MLB draft on Thursday, several prospects, ranging from high school to college, have jumped up teams’ boards.
As always, it’s all about projection in the MLB draft. Through the years, scouts have become better and better about projecting a player’s potential in the pros, even at the high school level. That includes precisely predicting pitchers’ velocity and hitters’ power down the road.
Here’s a look at prospects that have soared up draft boards in recent weeks.
3. Trey Ball, LHP/OF, New Castle High School (Ind.)
At this point, Trey Ball could end up being a top-10 pick. While he is fairly raw as a position player, his potential there and as a pitcher are on similar levels.
As a pitcher, the 6’6″ left-hander brings a fastball that can reach 94 mph and a curveball that could become an above-average offering on the major-league level. As a high school player, he already has a strong feel for his curveball.
As an outfielder, Ball has the physical tools to succeed in the pros, possessing lightning-quick bat speed and raw power that has the ability to surprise, with some work on his bat control and mechanics. He’s also quick for his size and has a top-level arm, especially as a corner outfielder.
If a team isn’t sure whether he’s better-equipped to be a pitcher or a position player, the best course of action would be to start him as a position player. If that doesn’t work out, it’ll be easier to transition to the mound than the other way around.
This past season at New Castle, Ball was named Indiana’s top player. As a pitcher, he registered a 0.76 ERA and 93 strikeouts (14.2 strikeouts per seven innings pitched), via the Indianapolis Star. As a hitter, he entered Monday’s game against Connersville with a .329 average, .504 on-base percentage, nine home runs and 28 RBI before launching a solo home run.
2. Jonathon Crawford, RHP, Florida
Jonathon Crawford is a power arm—that’s the first thing you need to know about the right-hander. He throws in the mid-90s and has been known to hit 97 mph on the gun. He also possesses a slider that is already an above-average offering at the major-league level (with the potential to be a top-level pitch).
The biggest concerns with Crawford are a) his velocity tailed off to start the 2012-13 campaign before rising steadily and b) his command and pitching delivery need work.
That last concern is the biggest issue for some teams. His velocity has risen, so it’s not as much of a concern now, but that delivery can not only hurt his command, but it can hurt his arm in the long run.
Still, there’s a reason he’s risen in recent weeks: his stuff is undeniable. With some coaching, he could end up being a better pitcher than Ball.
Crawford registered a 3.13 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 77.2 innings this season for Florida.
1. Phil Bickford, RHP, Oaks Christian High School (Calif.)
Phil Bickford‘s rise has been astronomical in recent weeks. Racking up 18 strikeouts in one game tends to do that.
Bickford‘s fastball is drawing major attention throughout Major League Baseball. He throws in the early-90s on average, but the arm is certainly there. He’s been known to reach back and hit 96 mph (with life) and he could conceivably hit 100 mph down the road.
He has three other offerings right now—a changeup, slider and curveball—but his changeup is the only pitch that appears serviceable at the major-league level currently. I can’t see his curveball ever being a plus-pitch (more like a try-to-surprise-you out-pitch), but with a good deal of work, his slider could come around.
The bottom line: Bickford is raw, but his arm strength, arm action and command point to him potentially breaking out down the line. His success down the road may ultimately depend on how well he is coached.
Bickford finished his senior campaign at Oaks Christian with a 12-1 record and 146 strikeouts in 84 2/3 innings, per MaxPreps.com.
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