With the 2007 MLB Draft a thing of the past, and the majority of non-first rounders signed to their first professional contracts, now is the time to take note of who has excelled in the early stages of their respective careers. The criterion is simple: prospects must have signed and made their pro baseball debuts, and have made an intriguing first impression.
Starting with the third round this week, and advancing through the second round, first supplemental, and first round in following weeks, Project Prospect will show you which prospects are already making good impressions.
Third Rounders:
Nick Barnese, RHP, Tampa Bay Devil Rays (No. 95)
While he may only have six professional innings under his belt, there’s something to be said about what Nick Barnese has done with his first 18 outs. A product of Simi Valley (Calif.) H.S., Barnese has held opponents scoreless, allowing three base runners while striking out five for Princeton of the Appalachian League. A 6-foot-2, 170-pounder, Barnese needs to fill out his frame and add an off-speed pitch to compliment a low-90’s fastball with great movement down in the strike zone.
Daniel Duffy, LHP, Kansas City Royals (No. 96)
You simply can’t teach power pitching. Carrying a mid-90’s fastball and a sharp high-80’s two-seamer, Daniel Duffy has the aforementioned power makeup to be developed. Hailing from Lompoc, Calif., Duffy has struck out 10 batters in just 5.2 innings of work, with opposing batters hitting just .105 against him. While his control and mechanics will need to be refined, it is important to notice that the natural ability is there for the Cabrillo H.S. product.
Eric Niesen, LHP, New York Mets (No. 99)
Power, yes. Control, not so much. This has been the book on Eric Niesen throughout his collegiate career at Wake Forest. Pitching primarily in relief, Niesen paced the Demon Deacons with a .218 opponents’ average, but also allowed 38 walks in 84 innings of work. Niesen has given up six hits and walks apiece while striking out 10 in 10.1 innings (0.87 ERA) for Brooklyn of the New York-Penn League thus far. If Niesen can refine his mechanics, the 6-foot, 192-pounder could make it to the show as a middle reliever.
Jonathan Lucroy, C, Milwaukee Brewers (No. 101)
Seeing as starting your professional career behind the plate is tough enough, going .330/.361/.500 (100 PIO at-bats) is plain ridiculous. After posting a .360/.408/.659 vital line for the Ragin’ Cajuns of UL Lafayette, Jonathan Lucroy has the offensive side of the game figured out. And while he may lack a rifle arm, Lucroy calls a solid enough game and carries the leadership skills necessary to at least have a chance to stick at catcher, according to MLB.com.
Daniel Carroll, OF, Seattle Mariners (No. 105)
A product of Valley View (Calif.) H.S., Daniel Carroll is doing his best to make the jump from his senior prom to professional debut a nonexistent one. Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing in at 175 pounds, Carroll is hitting .366 with an impressive .464 OBP through his first 20 games in the Arizona League. While he may never hit for power – 4 XBH in 80 plate appearances – Carroll is the type of hitter who will bring a great deal of energy to the top of any batting order.
Brandon Hicks, SS, Atlanta Braves (No. 108)
When 30 prospects are selected in the third round, and this College Station, Tex. product is hitting .220, you know Brandon Hicks must be doing something right to make this list. Despite his lackluster batting clip, Hicks holds an impressive .385 OBP, thanks greatly to more walks (12) than hits (11) in his first 46 Appy League at-bats. A 6-foot-2, 205-pounder, Hicks proved himself at Texas A&M (.338/.419/.536) carries all the physical skills scouts dream of.
Neftali Soto, SS, Cincinnati Reds (No. 109)
Selected out of Colegio Marista (Puerto Rico) H.S., Neftali Soto’s bat convinced talent evaluators that he could carry himself to the big leagues. Starting his career off in the Gulf Coast League to the tune of .368/.410/.539 in 76 at-bats, Soto is showing that his bat has plenty of talking to do. While the 6-foot-2, 180-pounder may inevitably be destined for an infield corner slot, according to Baseball America there’s no question that Soto has big league power at his disposal to develop.
Have questions about this year’s crop of third rounders? Too excited to wait until next week for the second round? Adam Loberstein can be reached at adamloberstein@gmail.com.