AFLAC All-American Game (Part 2)

September 12, 2008

Earlier this month we took a look at the top hurlers from the AFLAC game but now we will turn out attention to the guys in the field and at the dish. Due to the pitcher's dominance in the game -- and the fact that most guys only got a couple of at-bats -- most of this ranking is based on my own research and conversations with scouts. 

Again, these ranking are still somewhat rudimentary and fluid...but enough dawdling.

 

1) Austin Maddox C Eagle's View Academy FL

I think you will hear a lot of Austin Maddox/Matt Wieters comps as the spring unfolds, that should tell you about this kid right there. He played all eight games for the USA Under 18 Team and hit .367/.457/.633 placing second on the team in walks and hitting one of the team's two home runs in the tournament. Maddox has a strong arm behind the plate and projects to be at least a solid to above average defender, but his real strength is his bat. He generates terrific leverage from a short, right handed stroke. His quick wrists give him elite bat speed. He has a phenomonally well developed approach at the plate with a discerning eye. His swing and size -- not to mention what he's done in games -- point to big time power potential. 

In fact, the one real negative about Maddox at this point might be his size. At six-foot-four inches tall and already a sturdy, well propotioned 220 pounds, he may outgrow the position. However, the game seems to be experiencing a rash of big catchers: Joe Mauer, Matt Wieters, Brian McCann, Jarrod Saltalamacchia -- which I didn't have to look up how to spell, man I love baseball! -- Kyle Skipworth last year's sixth overall pick. Even if Maddox does have to move from behind the dish, the bat will carry him. 

2) Matt Davidson 3B Yucaipa HS CA

Davidson is a USC committ and just the lastest in the long line of uber-prospects for SC and coach Chad Kreuter. The problem with getting every 47-star recruit is that most of those guys get drafted really early, and Davidson looks like that kind of player. Davidson maintains stellar balance at the plate uses a quick, short stroke to put a charge into really everything the bat runs into. He has one of prettiest swings you'll see from a right handed amateur. 

High school third basemen tend to be among the riskiest of choices on draft day, but players with Davidson's approach to the hitting tend to do much better than less polished talents. He made a couple of nice defensive plays during the game, showcasing his quick reactions and strong, accurate arm. He profiles as a potential No. 2 or 3 hitter in the order, and could be a high-average guy without light-tower power. 

3) Donovan Tate CF Cartersville HS GA

One a pure talent basis, there probably isn't another player in this draft -- or many others -- that compares with Tate. With consistant 60-yard dash times in the 6.3's, Tate projects as plus-plus defender in center and an absolute terror on the base paths. His raw power will match up with just about anyone in this class. He has the ability to hit the ball any where it's pitched to any part of park. And his arm is good enough to hit mid 90's with a fastball and lead his high school football team...but that might be the problem for MLB teams in the 2009 draft. 

Tate, who's father was an All-American running back at Georgia and played in the NFL for Tampa Bay and Chicago, is also an outstanding football prospect. He tends to be looked at the same way as a football prospect as a baseball one, incredibly talented but still raw. His future football position is still in the air but football ranking service Rivals.com lists him as the No. 1 most athletic talent in this year's prep class. According to Baseball America's Matt Blood, Tate has changed his mind about concentrating soley on baseball and now wants to play both sports at the college level. While such news will no doubtedly send Tate tumbling down draft boards, if he succeeds in college -- which should allow him to refine his game -- he may end up going higher in three years. Look for someone to grab Tate late and throw big money at him, seeing if he'll change his mind again.

4) Mychal Givens SS/RHP Plant HS FL

Givens will be one of the most closely followed high school players in the country this spring. An absolutely superb defender at short, smart with great leadership abilities and great athleticism, Givens has a package of tools that few can match. His arm at short would rank amoung the top handful in the major leagues today as he hit 96 mph in the AFLAC game with his only two pitches. His prowess on the mound may end in him being taken very high as a pitcher -- I went back and forth on which list to put him in and right now like him slightly more as a pitcher. 

How Givens progresses offensively this spring will ultimately determine where he plays. His swing path is very level, lending itself to increased contact but decreased power. While listed at six-foot-one 190 pounds, Givens is smaller than that -- from the people I've talked to -- and lacks significant physical projection. Maybe the power develops and he's a five-tool shortstop, roughly on par with Tim Beckham. Maybe it doesn't and he's Elvis Andrus. Maybe he focuses on pitching and becomes a closer. Despite the myriad of possibilies for Givens, a lot of the possible outcomes are good. 

5) Jonathan Walsh C Coppell HS TX

Walsh will play on one of the most talented high school teams in the country this year. Center fielder Jacob Morris and Walsh are both potential first round picks and infielder Chad Kettler should garner early round concideration as well. Walsh is a switch hitting catcher with incredible pitch and zone recognition to go along with plus power potential. Walsh is a very well rounded player, and though he does not compare with Tate or Givens athletically, he is one of the most professional hitters you'll find in the high school ranks. 

6) Scooter Gennett SS Sarasota HS FL

A Florida State commit and heir apparent to Casey Kelly (Red Sox first round pick) as Sarasota's shortstop, Gennett has up-the-middle defensive abilities and a bat that could play on the corners. A lefty batter -- despite being a right handed thrower -- Gennett has great plate discipline and good pull power. He draws natural comparisons to Dustin Pedrioa because of skill set, batting eye, and size (five-foot-10, 170 pounds). 

7) Everett Williams CF McCallum HS TX

Williams comes from a very athletic family. His dad played in the NFL, his cousin pitched in the Reds organization and he has two aunts in the National Softball Hall of Fame. A plus runner with some power potential Williams is an outstanding athlete.  Williams also has a good approach at the plate and profiles, potentially, as a leadoff hitting center fielder with above average all round skills.

 

Lincoln Hamilton can be reached at lhamilton@mail.com.