Lincoln's 2009 MLB Draft Board

March 28, 2009
2009 MLB Draft Board
No.   Player   Pos   Comments   Age   School
1   Steven Strasburg   RHP   56.9 K% 5.4 BB%, 100 mph FB, SL maybe be best pitch, injury concerns only red flag   20.6   SDSU
2   Dustin Ackley   CF   High average, and walk hitter with speed for CF, dominated last year (.477 wOBA*)   21.0   UNC
3   Tyler Matzek   LHP   Projectable California lefty with plus velocity, deep repitroire and clean mechanics   18.4   HS
4   Donavan Tate   CF   True 5-tool talent, two-sport star has strong commitment to UNC, upside rivals Stras   18.5   HS
5   Josh Phegley   C   Numbers tell the story, .522 wOBA*, .329 IsoP, 16.5% BB, 13.6% K, should stay at C   21.1   IU
6   Zach Wheeler   RHP   FB hit 95 mph w/ sink in AFLAC game, plus curve and control, smooth mechanics   18.8   HS
7   Jared Mitchell   OF   Always had tools, now has production .316 IsoP, 29.3% BB, worrisome K 18.3%, ++ speed   20.4   LSU
8   Andrew Oliver   LHP   Plus velocity and command of fastball with rapidly developing breaking ball (28.9%K)   21.3   OKST
9   Matt Davidson   3B   David Wright starter kit, beautiful right handed stroke should hit for power and AVG   18.0   HS
10   Shelby Miller   RHP   Athletic fireballer w/ strong arm, FB sits 92-94 w/ sink, potential for 2 + breaking pitches   18.4   HS
11   Alex White   RHP   Great velocity and sink on FB, plus SL, 2.7/1 K:BB, mechanical concerns lower rating    20.5   UNC
12   Matt Purke   LHP   Talented Texas hurler, 6'3" hit 94 mph w/ sink in showcases, plus SL and solid change   18.6   HS
13   Tanner Scheppers   RHP   Elite '08 prospect before injury, mid 90's FB and plus slider, 40.1% K and 12.8% BB   22.1   St. Paul
14   Austin Maddox   C   Massive catcher, 6'4" 220 lbs, tremendous raw power, advanced approach at plate   17.8   HS
15   Jacob Turner   RHP   Advanced and polished Missouri righty with low 90's FB, good curve and change   17.8   HS
16   Max Stassi   C   Polished defensive C with strong arm, good approach at plate, power potential   18.0   HS
17   James Paxton   LHP   Lefty with plus, plus velocity , dominating SEC (37.9% K 4.8% BB), long arm action   20.3   UK
18   Aaron Crow   RHP   Unsigned 9th overall pick in 2008, potential #1/2 starter, really bad mechanics   22.3   FW Cats
19   Rich Poythress   1B   Slugger dominated SEC in '08, .509 wOBA* w/ power (.252 IsoP) & keen eye (14% BB)   21.6   UGA
20   Mychal Givens   RHP/SS   Talented 2-way player, hits 96 mph from mound, defensive whiz at SS, likely pitcher   18.8   HS
21   Alex Wilson   RHP   Small frame but big arm, mid 90's FB and plus slider, had TJ surgery, 38.8% K 6.4% BB   22.4   TAMU
22   Jake Marisnick   OF   Toolsy Cali outfielder with plus power and the speed for center and arm for right   17.9   HS
23   Jason Kipnis   CF   Productive speedster with patience (18.9% BB) and power (.380 IsoP) 4th round pick '08   21.9   ASU
24   Mike Leake   RHP   Athletic four-pitch pitcher with plus command, 32.4% K 4.7% BB undersized righthander   21.3   ASU
25   Jiovanni Mier   SS   Plus defensive shortstop with loads of range, showed improved bat in showcases   18.5   HS
26   Brad Boxberger   RHP   Closer turned starter, mid 90's FB and plus cutter, 25.5% K and 12.7% BB in 2008   20.8   USC
27   Matt den Dekker   CF   High School All-American w/ plus speed (20-20 SB), walked (29) more than K (24)   21.6   UF
28   Grant Green   SS   Athletic true shortstop w/ power .254 IsoP '08,  started year as top prospect, struggled   21.5   USC
29   Kentrail Davis   OF   Short but strong & athletic, production down in '09, patience & contact much improved   20.7   TENN
30   Bobby Borchering   3B   Advanced switch hitter w/ power from both sides, 6'4" 190 lbs may outgrow 3B   18.4   HS
HM: Scott Bittle RHP MISS, Kevius Sampson RHP/OF HS, and Jason Stoffel RHP ARIZ        
                     
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Grant Green

A month has pasted since my last draft board and this latest incarnation features lots of shakeups.

Grant Green (pictured to the right) tumbled from No. 3 overall to the end of the first round – only his recent 11-20 hitting streak kept him in the first round. I plan on an in-depth article specifically about Green very soon.

LSU OF Jared Mitchell is the highest climber on this list, making his debut at No. 7 overall. His strikeout rate has spiked recently – he whiffed three times in a mid-week game versus Harvard – but he has also been dealing with a hamstring strain that may be to blame. The improvement he’s made this year has been historic, but he has the tools to back it all up. He entered the year as the most athletic college position player with the best set of tools. When that guy suddenly starts walking 30% of the time, we might be looking at something special.

High school righty Shelby Miller jumps to No. 10. The Texas-bred Miller possesses a low-to-mid 90s fastball he throws with control and movement. He flashes a plus curve and changeup with good athleticism and solid mechanics.

James Paxton of the University of Kentucky did not enter the year with much fan fare but the tall lefthander has been one of the best pitchers in the SEC. His mid 90s fastball (95-97 mph) and big slurvey breaking ball have baffled some of the nation’s best hitters. His arm action is long, and he comes at hitters from a very low ¾ delivery – almost sidearm. His velocity, stuff, size, and arm angle remind me more than a little bit of former top pick Andrew Miller.

TAMU stud Alex Wilson would be my number one ranked college pitcher if not for the injury history. I think he could be a Rich Harden like pitcher, and that may be just his downside.

Mike Leake of Arizona State is unlike the high risk/upside college pitchers on this list. With pinpoint command and a deep arsenal of pitches, Leake is more of a high floor/safe bet type prospect that still has a lot of value on draft day.

 

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