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Friday June 3, 2011

MLB reports:  We are merely 72 hours or so away from one of the biggest baseball events of the year, the 2011 MLB Draft.  As the draft slowly develops into a prime time event, the hype surrounding the draft is increasing year-by-year.  2011 has probably been the most promoted and talked about draft in my recent memory.  With such a large pool of talented players available in the draft, people are started their countdowns to Monday night at 6:00p.m. when the fun begins.

Here at MLB reports, we posted a recent feature on the MLB draft, which you can view by clicking here.  Given that we have received hundreds of e-mails per day requesting additional information, we went back to our insider scouts to get the last final tidbits of information before the draft.  Our readers have been asking which players are rising and falling and where players are expected to land.  For the inside scoops, here is the latest information from our scouts and what they had to say about key prospects and their draft projections.  We have also included below the complete list of the order of selections for the first round of the draft and a top-100 prospects list.

RISING PROSPECTS

Gerrit Cole, UCLA RHP

“One scout said that Rendon and Starling are the best two players in the draft. However, Cole will hear his name when the Pirates are on the clock, just a hunch.”

Daniel Norris, Science Hill HS, TN LHP

“A once projected top-5 talent, Norris has every tool to be a special pitcher at the big league level.  His commitment to Clemson may come with a price tag, but a LHP with a 92-95mph fastball will be worth every penny.  Norris could go as high as #7 to the Diamondbacks, but I expect him to land somewhere in the top 15 selections.”

Robert Stephenson, Alhambra HS, CA RHP

“One scout told me that he might end up being the 3rd High School RHP off the boards with Bundy, Bradley and Howard ahead of him.  If that’s the case, he may end up sneaking into the late teens. I can see a good fit with Oakland (18th) or Washington (23rd).”

Bubba Starling, Gardner-Edgerton HS, KS OF

“The best player in this draft.  The only question is can the team that drafts him then sign him?  With Scott Boras as his “advisor”, one would believe that this signing would go down to the wire.  If Starling signs, you will be looking at a 5-tool star that an organization can build around.  Another scout told me that there is “no chance” if Bubba is there that the Royals pass on him.  But then again, if Dylan Bundy is available, he could be tempting as well.”

FALLING STARS

Taylor Guerrieri, Spring Valley HS, SC RHP

“Second week on the list, rumors are swirling about the gifted RHP.  He has top- 10 talent and one team may gamble early (NY Mets).  The newly rumored team to be considering Guerrieri could be the Blue Jays at #21.  His potential is there but many teams are still concerned with the lack of communication from his camp and many of his questionable off-field decisions.  Only reason why he made this list two weeks in a row is because for someone who has frontline starter written all over him, he should be going in the top 5-7 picks.”

Nick Delmonico, Farragut HS, TN C/3B

“I hate saying he will slip because I like everything about him.  A weak catcher draft could have him being selected in the Supplemental 1st round.   More likely thought, Delmonico is to be a 2nd round pick.  He is athletic (can also play SS) and is good size for a High School senior (6’3”).”

Logan Verrett, Baylor RHP

“A projected top-100 talent by Baseball America.  Multiple scouts have said that they wouldn’t expect to hear his name until the 4th or 5th round.  Verrett had a good career at Baylor but is a bit undersized at 6’2” and 185 lbs.  He may put wear and tear on his arm by the time it’s all said and done.”

What we are hearing:  Players that Teams are Considering

Toronto Blue Jays

Levi Michael, Blake Swihart, Matt Skole, Trevor Gretzky, Nick Tropeano, Chris Marlowe

Minnesota Twins

PrestonTucker, Travis Harrison, Ronnie Richardson

San Diego Padres

Sonny Gray, George Springer, Dillon Maples, John Stilson, Dillion Peters

St. Louis Cardinals

Cory Spangenberg, Daniel Norris

Kansas City Royals

Grayson Geiner, Carlos Rodon

Milwaukee Brewers

Mikie Mahtook, John Stilson

Chicago Cubs

Bubba Starling, Chris Marlowe, Matt Maronde

Cincinnati Reds

Tyler Beede, Andrew Chafin, Zeke Devoss

Seattle Mariners

Anthony Rendon, Tyler Greene, Mason Robbins, Trevor Podratz

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Here is the Order for the 1st Round of the 2011 MLB Draft:

First Round

1. Pirates
2. Mariners
3. Diamondbacks
4. Orioles
5. Royals
6. Nationals
7. Diamondbacks (for unsigned 2010 first rounder Barret Loux)
8. Indians
9. Cubs
10. Padres (for unsigned 2010 first rounder Karsten Whitson)
11. Astros
12. Brewers
13. Mets
14. Marlins
15. Brewers (for unsigned 2010 first rounder Dylan Covey)
16. Dodgers
17. Angels
18. Athletics
19. Red Sox (from Tigers for Type-A Victor Martinez)
20. Rockies
21. Blue Jays
22. Cardinals
23. Nationals (from White Sox for Type-A Adam Dunn)
24. Rays (from Red Sox for Type-A Carl Crawford)
25. Padres
26. Red Sox (from Rangers for Type-A Adrian Beltre)
27. Reds
28. Braves
29. Giants
30. Twins
31. Rays (from Yankees for Type-A Rafael Soriano)
32. Rays
33. Rangers (from Phillies for Type-A Cliff Lee)

Supplemental First Round

1. Nationals (for Type-A Adam Dunn)
2. Blue Jays (for Type-A Scott Downs)
3. Red Sox (for Type-A Victor Martinez)
4. Rangers (for Type-A Cliff Lee)
5. Rays (for Type-A Carl Crawford)
6. Phillies (for Type-A Jayson Werth)
7. Red Sox (for Type-A Adrian Beltre)
8. Rays (for Type-A Grant Balfour)
9. Rays (for Type-A Rafael Soriano)
10. Diamondbacks (for Type-B Adam LaRoche)
11. Mets (for Type-B Pedro Feliciano)
12. Rockies (for Type-B Octavio Dotel)
13. Blue Jays (for Type-B John Buck)
14. White Sox (for Type-B J.J. Putz)
15. Padres (for Type-B Jon Garland)
16. Giants (for Type-B Juan Uribe)
17. Twins (for Type-B Jesse Crain)
18. Yankees (for Type-B Javy Vazquez)
19. Rays (for Type-B Joaquin Benoit)
20. Blue Jays (for Type-B Miguel Olivo)
21. Padres (for Type-B Yorvit Torrealba)
22. Twins (for Type-B Orlando Hudson)
23. Rays (for Type-B Randy Choate)
24. Blue Jays (for Type-B Kevin Gregg)
25. Padres (for Type-B Kevin Correia)
26. Rays (for Type-B Brad Hawpe)
27. Rays (for Type-B Chad Qualls)
    

Here is the top 100 Draft Prospects as presented by MLB Draft Guide: