The AFLAC All-American Game represents the first, and sometimes only, look that a national audience gets at some of the elite high school players in the country. These selcet players got a chance to show their skills off to a throng of college coaches and pro scouts. Over the past five years 52 players from this game have gone on to be first round draft picks, and a dozen or more could potentially be added to that list this year. The 2008 game was dominated by pitching, but there were a number of high ceiling position players on display as well.
After studying the game, researching the players, and talking to scouts, here is a quick listing of the top seven pitchers from the game. Please keep in mind that these rankings are extremely fluid and every player at the game will either be offered a substantial sum to turn pro or play D-I college, just being invited to events like this suggests that a young man has a world of talent.
1. Matt Purke LHP Klein HS, TX
The top three or four guys on this list are all separated by a hair. At this very early part of the scouting process my personal preference is for Purke...an opinion which is sure to change off and on until next summer. Purke is a six-foot-three inch lean, left-hander with a four pitch mix (2-seam and 4-seam fast balls, change up, and curveball) good, clean mechanics and a well developed knowledge of how to pitch. His fastball was consistently in the low-90's and he showed a plus curve - which acts a bit like a slider, but is thrown in a curve grip - from a low 3/4 angle arm slot. He also seems to be a very good kid, as I counted six "sirs" in a sixty second interview during the game.
2. Zack Wheeler RHP East Paulding HS, GA
This may be higher than Wheeler is ranked in other places, but I came away very impressed with young man and thought long and hard about putting him atop these rankings. Wheeler hit 95 mph with a heavy, sinking fastball and showed a very good curveball to go along with his change up. He has terrific mehcanics that make him look like he was taught by Tim Lincecum's dad. Wheeler gets tremendous amount of drive from his legs and has amazing hip rotation which creates torque -- torque equals power -- and does not place extra strain on the shoulder.
3. Tyler Matzek LHP Capistrano Valley HS, CA
While some teams have vastly different philosophies regarding player development, I think everyone can agree that a six-foot-three inch, 185 pound southpaw with good stuff, depth in his repertoire, good mechanics, love of the game, and great personal make-up is a very valuable commodity. Matzek sits in the low 90's with his fastball and offers up a curve, slide piece and change as well -- all of which have a good chance to be plus, or at least average offerings. The one thing that gives me some pause with Matzek is that he has a tendancy to leave pitches up in the zone and might be a strong fly ball pitcher in the pros. It was noted during the telecast that Matzek's father is a cancer patient, and young Tyler already has designs on starting a charity to help families out financially who have to deal with termianl disease. Root for this young man.
4. Jacob Turner RHP Westminster Christian HS, MO
Turner hit 94 mph and worked 90-92 with his fastball and offers mid 70's breaking ball. He showed lots of polish to go along with good mechanics -- although his arm action is a little long. He pitches aggressively -- using both sides of the plate -- and has the stuff to be front-of-the-rotation starter.
5. Keyvius Sampson RHP Forest HS, FL
Sampson is a terrific athlete who also projects as a speedy centerfielder, but I think the electricity in his arm is too great for him to be drafted as an outfielder. Sampson worked in the mid 90's and showed big break on his curve ball. His stuff will rival anyone in this draft class (Non-Steven-Strasburg-Division, NSSD). There is a lot of extra length in this arm action, but he can flat out deal and projects as a possible closer.
6. Chad Thompson RHP El Toro HS, CA
Thompson is an intimidating presence on the mound, standing six-foot-eight inches tall. Unlike some pitchers, Thompson uses his height to his advantage, pitching with a strong downhill plance and generating plus movement on his 89-91 mph fastball. What really separates Thompson from most players who are his size and age are his absolutely outstanding mechanics. The amount of coordination and athleticism he showed for a tall, lanky teen bod very well. Due to his current high level of ability and even high protential, Thompson is the kind of guy who could end up going very high in the draft.
7. Slade Heathcott LHP Texas High, TX
Heathcott has yet to pick up sizeable momentum in the scouting process, but that should end shortly. Some may like him more as a toolsey outfielder but, as of now, I think his upside is higher on the mound. Despite being relatively new to pitching, Heathcott has great mechanics and a well developed curveball. What is really intriguiging about Heathcott is his arm strength -- he hit 93 mph with his fastball during the game and 97 mph from the outfield in workouts for scouts...as in, from flat ground. He's a hard-nosed player who dove head first towards home plate trying to tag out a runner. His athleticism, projectability, velocity and competitiveness will make him a very interesting guy this spring.
An article on the '09 High School hitters from this event will be up shortly.
Lincoln Hamilton can be reached at lhamilton@mail.com.