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The Slav's Blog about anything relating to the great game of baseball
- and other less important issues from outside the diamond.
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This is going to be a tough one to work out since you have two of the biggest control freaks in sports, MLB and the NCAA, struggling for control of these assets called baseball players. If MLB gives subsidies, they are going to want some measure of control in return.
We'll see how it goes and I remain hopeful they can improve the landscape. But IDK......There should be a partnership type of arrangement and colleges currently work with the industries they serve all the time in terms of curriculum, so this should be somewhat in their wheelhouse.
So there you go MLB, here's your to do list:
Subsidize RBI baseball in the inner cities
Subsidize women's/girls softball nationally
Subsidize college scholarships
Subsidize baseball/softball internationally via WBC tournaments to enhance or replace Olympics command and control every four years
It's an investment in your potential future players as well as expansion of the sports future audience. See how easy it is to spend other peoples money? I should be a politician, but I don't want to shower/delouse three times a day.
In late March, Stanford announced it was raising an important financial aid threshold. Previously, any family with a yearly household income of $100,000 or less could expect to contribute nothing to a student's tuition payments. This year, that number became $125,000, which is more than twice the median U.S. household income but right in line with the median figure of Stanford's student body.
The motivation for the move was primarily academic: Removing money as an obstacle in getting the smartest, most talented high school students to Palo Alto.
The implications go further than that, though, to the sphere of athletics. Not to football and basketball, most schools' most popular sports and primary moneymakers. A scholarship in those sports has essentially the same value anywhere, and schools are can cover each position three to four times over.
Baseball, however, is different. It is limited to 11.7 scholarships for a 35-man roster, and those are doled out not in terms of yes and no, but in percentages and fractions.
The Dominicans have their World Baseball Classic crown, at last. Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina understood the magnitude of this victory, and made sure to call right away to offer his congratulations after his countrymen beat Puerto Rico 3-0 on Tuesday night.
These guys are class acts all the way. Somebody here in the States recently tried to make the case that "Culture matters" and was shut down by the flotsam and jetsom that fancies themselves as the guardians and gatekeepers of culture in this country. Here is a clear example of that basic fact. Culture matters!!
March 18, 2013 at 7:35 am
Japan’s Show Of Sportsmanship
After the final out of its loss to Puerto Rico, the Japanese team heads out onto the field to bow in respect to fans, opponents.
In a DR-PR final, my money is on the Dominicans. I'm glad to see the Final Four was made up of teams that really seem to care about the outcome of the games.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- After two World Baseball Classics dominated by Japan, this one is coming down to a pair of proud Caribbean nations.
When the undefeated Dominican Republic plays Puerto Rico on Tuesday night in a rematch only three days after they last met in Miami, two island countries with years of baseball success will give the world another version of a Caribbean championship.
''Whoever wins the Classic is really the Caribbeans,'' Dominican manager Tony Pena said after his team's 4-1 win against the Netherlands on Monday. ''It could be Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic, but it will belong to the Caribbeans.''
Puerto Rico surprises Japan to reach the final and now its up to the Netherlands to derail the Dominican Republic juggernaut. The Dominicans will have a little payback on their minds, so I would not want to be the Dutch on Monday night. A PR-DR match-up seems like it's baked into the cake.
Both teams had already qualified for the semifinals in San Francisco, and the game merely determined seedings. Puerto Rico plays two-time defending champion Japan on Sunday night, and the Dominicans face the Netherlands on Monday night, with the winners advancing to the championship game Tuesday.
The Dominicans were eliminated from the 2009 WBC when they lost twice to the Netherlands in a stunning first-round upset.
D.R. appears to be in the driver's seat. And they seem to 'want' it more. There is something to be said for that.
Roll the tape: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=9054644 The Dominican Republic scores two runs in the ninth to top the United States 3-1 and advance to the WBC semifinals.
With the final out, several teammates joined Rodney in his familiar arrow-shooting ritual. The victory left Dominican manager Tony Pena choking back tears.
"I feel so emotional," he said in the interview room over the clamor of partying Dominicans on a nearby plaza. "Today was the battle of two titans."
Bye bye Italia!! It was a nice run for the Italians and hopefully this will help grow the game in that area of the world, which is one of the purposes for tournaments like this. Next time, maybe the Italians bring a better bullpen as it seems like they spit out a couple of late inning leads.
La Repubblica Dominicana si strofina il naso italiani nella sporcizia.
(The Dominican Republic rubs the Italians noses in the dirt.)
I domenicani sono stati solo cercando di divertirsi, ma qualcosa sembra essere andato perso nella traduzione.
(The Dominicans were just trying to have fun but something seems to have been lost in the translation.)
"That's something you never see in the big leagues," Cano said. "Here we get a chance to come out and give high-fives to the guys. We can jump around. Nobody sees you trying to show somebody up. It's more about the chemistry on the team. We're all excited to be here, and we've all got a mission to win."
(Note: to Robinson Cano - buy a dog and name him clue, then you'll have one. you probably shouldn't show up your opponent. EVER!! See below.)
Italy hitting coach Mike Piazza said his team noted the Dominicans' demeanor.
"Some enhanced theatrics," Piazza said. "It's not what we're used to, but hey, you have to go to with it and have fun. It's unorthodox for me. Obviously in a 162-game season you're not going to be seeing that, so you have to just let it roll off your back."
(Note: From my coach-speak to English thesaurus "demeanor" and "enhanced theatrics" means "Bull spit". See below)
The New York Yankees second baseman was annoyed in the seventh when Italy's Nick Punto slid hard into second base on an inning-ending forceout.
"I was upset," Cano said. "I don't care if you slide on a double play, but when it's a forceout, the last thing you want to do is get hurt."
(Note: to Robinson Cano - again, get a clue Robby!! Good Luck the rest of the way.)
Canada vs Mexico Brawl (World Baseball Classic 2013)
This is what happens when you lose to Italy. Both team were looking to get their ticket home punched and came out punching. So much for the argument that the players aren't taking these games seriously.
This is what happens when you have tournament rules like the mercy rule, run differential rules deciding who advances, etc. All the usual "unwritten rules" get tossed out the window, then someone says something about somebody's momma and IT'S ON!!! Issues discussed here in Yahoo Sports article: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/fierce-brawl-mars-canadas-10-234242057--mlb.html
Canada is trying to get to +10 to save some pitching, so they bunt or steal when normally that would be unseemly and the opponent decides to deliver a message. The Canadian hitter almost dipped into the second pitch, then took the 3rd message pitch square in the back without moving an inch, so it looks like these guys were just itching to brawl.
I could say the Canadians were taking their hockey heritage onto the diamond, but that would be too easy.
Now the U.S. takes the neighborhood rivalry north to decide who advances into the second round. The Italians would have to be happy just making it to the Elite 8. If they can manage to win their first game there, things could get really, really interesting.
Credete nei miracoli? Sì!
H/T to slavieboy for the WBC video. (I can't find them all by myself)
That destiny took a turn for the worse when the surprising Italians took a 2-0 lead against Ryan Vogelsong, who didn't have his usual excellent fastball command. Most of the Italian players are from the U.S., including big leaguers Anthony Rizzo, Chris Denorfia and Nick Punto, but cleanup hitter Alex Liddi of the Mariners was born and raised in Italy and 23-year-old starting pitcher Luca Panerati is an Italian who played a few years in the Reds system, topping out in A-ball. Panerati nevertheless shut down the U.S. with his 86 mph fastball and offspeed pitches, leaving after three scoreless innings; he can tell his grandkids someday about the time he shut down a lineup of major league All-Stars. But the U.S. rallied with five runs in the fifth inning, capped by Wright's two-out grand slam off Matt Torra, an American who pitched in Triple-A for Tampa Bay’s organization last year.
In a soccer-mad country, no one on Team Italy believes that even an amazingly unexpected WBC Championship is going to make baseball Italy’s passatempo nazionale. But it may help build further interest in the sport.
“This morning on the sports page of the Gazzetta there was a big article about baseball. That hasn’t happened in a long time,” Holmberg said. “The article will probably be a little bigger tomorrow. In Italy, soccer gets 30 pages and everything else gets the last five. Maybe now we’re up to the 15th page now. This is tremendous for us.”
It’s also a big deal for baseball in Europe. Currently, European teams are 5-1 in this year’s World Baseball Classic.The Netherlands is one win away from San Francisco and Italy looks like it wants to join them.
Jason Grilli #49 and Francisco Cervelli #64 of Italy celebrate a win over Canada during the 2009 World Baseball Classic Pool C game on March 9, 2009 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.Italy defeated Canada 6-2. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) * Local Caption * Jason Grilli;Francisco Cervelli -- (March 9, 2009 - Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
Ow Canada!!! Credo che qualcuno dimenticasse di dire agli italiani che non possono giocare a baseball. MERCY!!!
(Ow Canada!!! I think somebody forgot to tell the Italians that they can not play baseball. MERCY!!!)
Italy wins by the mercy rule, scoring five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to end the game 14-4 over Canada. Wow. Jim Kaat noted the Canadian team is a lot bigger than the Italians, but that didn’t seem to matter.
The Italians collected 17 hits to Canada’s seven, and showed selectivity at the plate, drawing seven walks to Canada’s four. Italy is now in the driver’s seat in pool D, with a 2-0 record.
Spain just started their game against Puerto Rico. We’ll see if they continue the European surprises. This is exactly the kind of thing that will help make the game popular in other parts of the world.
Italy 6, Mexico 5: A game that at times looked like a minor-league contest, gave us the day's most exciting conclusion. Mexico's bullpen, led by San Francisco Giants closer Sergio Romo, blew a ninth-inning lead and Italy did what no one imagined it would. It won.
• Italy looks for another upset when it plays Canada in Pool D play (2 p.m. ET). It's Canada's first game.
Congratulations to Japan for successfully defending their WBC title over Korea. They now move up in the International rankings posted by the International Baseball Federation. I'm not sure I quite understand how Korea--who lost to Japan--seemingly leap-frogs ahead of Japan and the USA into second place.
The ultimate hope and expectation from those in MLB's executive suite is that the fan interest and passion exhibited by Korea--whose fans packed an empty stadium to watch a televised game--is passed to mainland China. There is reasonable cause for hope given the level of play demonstrated by Japan, Korea and Chinese Taipei.
In addition, we see efforts to at least attempt to introduce the game to the cricket-based India. I'm not sure they will have the same success here as they might in China, but at least they are making the effort.
Japan moves to No. 3 in the IBAF World Rankings following WBC win Cuba still No. 1; USA falls to fourth Please follow the link below to view the International Baseball Federation's updated World Rankings, through the 2009 World Baseball Classic (March 24).
With Japan's World Baseball Classic victory, it moves to No. 3 in the world. Cuba holds on to the No. 1 position and Korea moves past the USA into second. The new top 10 is as follows:
1. Cuba 2. Korea 3. Japan 4. USA 5. Chinese Taipei 6. Netherlands 7. Mexico 8. Canada 9. Australia 10. Puerto Rico
The IBAF debuted its World Rankings earlier this year in January. Developed in conjunction with Scott Goode, a sports information director from Harding University (Arkansas, USA), the rankings are based on a point total which IBAF member federations (teams) earn from IBAF-sanctioned events in a four-year window, or a period of time that encompasses two IBAF Baseball World Cups.
Teams earn points based on their finish in an event. A tournament winner takes home 50 points, second place, 40; third place, 30; and fourth place, 15. From there, points are divided evenly among the remaining teams in the event to ensure balance between tournaments that feature different-sized fields.
Once points are rewarded based on a team’s finish, that amount is then multiplied by a number based on the strength of the event. Major world championships, such as an Olympic Games, IBAF Baseball World Cup or World Baseball Classic, all receive 4X multipliers. Minor world championship events (Junior, Youth or FISU University Worlds, or the Honkbol Tournament, for example) have a 1X multiplier, and all other continental championships receive multipliers from 1X-.25X based on how many teams in the top-10 of the current IBAF World Rankings compete in the event.
------------- MORE MISCELLANEOUS NOTES FROM IBAF REGARDING THE WBC:
GROWTH AT THE GRASSROOTS: Forbes.com’s Tom VanRiper looked at the growth of grassroots play increasing because of the down economy…”Thanks to the aching economy, the expensive summer vacation is out for many families around the country. A quiet beneficiary: youth baseball, a declining sport now enjoying a recession-induced resurgence. Following years of steady decline, organizations from Little League to Tee Ball USA to the Connie Mack league are generating more sign-ups in 2009, thanks to the financial downturn…Tee Ball leagues, have seen a 10% to 15% surge in inquiries and sign-ups this year...it's the same story for the American Amateur Baseball Congress, which counts Connie Mack, Mickey Mantle and several other youth and adult leagues under its umbrella. After suffering a steady decline in registration over the past 12 years, from 300,000 players in 1997 to 200,000 in 2008…elsewhere, Pony baseball and softball, an independent national affiliation group that organizes local teams around the country, expects a 6% to 8% increase in registrations this year after several down years, according to president Abraham Key….Also spurring more interest around the country: ESPN's increased coverage of the Little League World Series, which now includes a plethora of tournament games (once upon a time, ABC televised only the finals).” (Forbes.com)
APATHY IN THE U.S.? USA TODAY’s Jorge Ortiz notes ESPN’s ratings for the WBC are “about 30% higher than in 2006, and ticket sales for the first round were up 38% compared with the inaugural event.” However, U.S. fans’ “lack of enthusiasm for the WBC, especially in comparison to their counterparts from other countries, has been a running theme.” Members of Team USA are “puzzled by the lack of support," and they hope their 6-5 bottom-of-the-ninth win over Puerto Rico Tuesday at Dolphin Stadium “wins some disbelievers” (USA TODAY, 3/19). ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian said after the U.S.' win over Puerto Rico, “Anyone who wasn’t onboard with the (WBC) is now officially onboard.” Kurkjian said when you “see those guys celebrating like that on the field after the game, please don’t tell me that they don’t care” (“Baseball Tonight,” ESPN, 3/18). ESPN's Jim Rome: “That was the shot of adrenalin that the WBC needed” (“Jim Rome Is Burning,” ESPN, 3/18).
INT'L INTRIGUE: The AP’s Tim Dahlberg wrote under the header, “Some Countries Care More About Outcome Than Others.” Team USA was always going to “have difficulty with teams that really seem to care about whether they win or not,” including Team Cuba and Team Venezuela. Parity “reigns in the WBC," as the “best players play in the U.S. because that’s where the money is, but three out of every 10 of them hail from somewhere else.” To them, the WBC “means something” (AP, 3/18). In Miami, Linda Robertson noted during U.S.-Puerto Rico, “two thirds of the crowd was cheering madly for Puerto Rico, turning it into a road game for the U.S.” The large crowds at Dolphin Stadium during the second-round of the tournament “begs the question that has perplexed the Marlins for years: Why doesn’t South Florida’s heavily Hispanic population support the local team?” Team Puerto Rico fan Miguel Rivera: “With Puerto Rico and Venezuela, it’s different. You like to see the players from your country together on one team. It gets your heart racing” (MIAMI HERALD, 3/17).
CASTRO COMMENTS: “As expected, the Japan defeat elicited an essay from Fidel Castro on a government Web site late Thursday. The ailing, 82-year-old ceded the presidency to his brother Raul 13 months ago, but has written almost daily about the Classic -- previously heaping praise on Japan and Ichiro Suzuki, who went 2-for-5 in the second Cuba game. Castro called the Cuba WBC team "excellent ... made up of young athletes who, without a doubt, are a genuine representation of our country."But he also criticized the coaching staff and island sports officials in general, saying, "we have rested on our laurels and we are paying the price. "We must revolutionize the preparation methods of our athletes, not only in baseball but in all sports disciplines," Castro wrote. (AP)
MORE CALIFORNIA SUPPORT: “Frankly, those who don’t like the World Baseball Classic — those who disapprove of it because it takes players away from spring training and exposes them to injury and time missed from their big league clubs — are missing the point….Baseball needs the kind of boost the WBC provides. The crowds in Miami may have been small (after all, Miami has trouble getting people to even come watch the Marlins), but in San Diego, Petco Park was nearly full to see Mexico, Cuba, Japan and South Korea. Stadiums in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Japan were rocking in the earlier rounds. When the U.S. played Canada in Toronto, Rogers Centre was packed. The public’s imagination was caught when the Netherlands eliminated the Dominican Republic. Baseball needs a shot in the arm globally after being kicked out of the Olympics. The World Baseball Classic shows there is an appetite for the sport so that perhaps it can someday be added again. And cultivating interest worldwide can only help Major League Baseball.” (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER)
ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE: In N.Y., Joel Sherman wrote the "fervor for the WBC is overwhelming in the Far East and Latin America." Fervor "equals dollars via the worldwide appetite for all things baseball," and it "keeps expanding the pipeline of players around the globe." MLB wants to "make 1.2 billion Chinese care," so it is "easy to see why central baseball is so gung-ho about the WBC" (N.Y. POST, 3/14). Also in N.Y., Harvey Araton wrote under the header, "The Classic Is Taking Baseball To Another Level." The WBC offers the opportunity to see MLB players in "home country uniforms." Once every three years, Americans "can afford to view the game through a global lens," and fans "ought to for our own growth, and good" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/15). The N.Y. TIMES' Alan Schwarz writes WBC games are "quickly demonstrating how this tournament exists far less for the United States than for certain ingredients of its melting pot" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/17). YAHOO SPORTS' Jeff Passan writes, "This is what the World Baseball Classic should be." It is "almost as though the tournament prospers without the Americans." Last night's Venezuela-Puerto Rico game drew 25,599 to Dolphin Stadium, showing that the WBC "can succeed, and that was apparent from the voices, the claps, the cheers, the cries and the thank yous, all delivered by a people to whom this tournament really matters" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 3/17).
I hate to say I told you so but--NO strike that--I actually love to say I told you so. It just pains me to do it under these circumstances. DAVEY JOHNSON, Team USA Manager - This one is for you. I TOLD YOU SO!!!!
I posted this on my Facebook site March 19th. And just about every other non-Yankee acolyte knew that this would be the nail in the coffin for Team USA.
JIMMY ROLLINS SHOULD START AT SHORTSTOP FOR TEAM USA. THIS ISN'T THE YANKEES AND I DON'T CARE ABOUT DEREK'S FEELINGS. THESE GAMES COUNT.
So in the ultimate game that counts--an elimination game--we start Jeter at SS and DH Jimmy Rollins, a much better fielder. And a late Jeter error proves costly in allowing Japan to fend of a late Team USA rally.
The fact that Rollins goes 4-4 vs. Jeter's 1-4 is icing on the cake. I'm OK with both bats being in the lineup.
Sucks that we lost but Thank God Derek F-ing Jeter's feelings were not bruised or otherwise damaged in the playing of this World Baseball Classic.
After all, that should be the important thing. Because what kind of a nation have we become when we hurt the feelings of the face of baseball?
Oh Slav, I'm detecting sarcasm.
Well you should because I'm laying it on a little thick.
The final eight teams in the 2009 World Baseball Classic were fairly predictable from the start minus the Dominican debacle. The Dutch play the role of Cinderella which, I suppose, is somewhat appropriate.
Cuba, Japan, Korea and Mexico will do battle in one Pool group.
I like Cuba to defeat Japan and advance to the Finals.
Puerto Rico, United States, Venezeula and the Flying Dutchmen compete in the other Pool.
Here I like Puerto Rico to defeat Venezeula and advance. The U.S. has the strongest team on paper. But as we all know, games are not played on paper--except for the greatest game ever invented, Strat-O-Matic baseball--they are played on grass, or inside domes or something.
Anyway, in a Puerto Rico vs. Cuba final, I would go for the Amazing Castros, plus or minus a defector or two. So the trophy sits on the bus in the seat assigned to the defector, who will be sunning himself on a beach in Nicaragua and listening to Scott Boras whispering sweet dollars in his ear.
In a baseball shocker of biblical proportions, The Netherlands ousts the Dominican Republic from the World Baseball Classic by defeating the Dominicans not once, but twice, last week.
Are you kidding me? Once was a shocker. Everyone was scurrying to find out who was on the Netherlands roster? How could they do this? But I don't think anybody would have given the Dutch a snowballs chance in hell of accomplishing what they did in eliminating one of the tournament favorites.
Think about it, this is like the gym weenie going up to the gym muscle-head and punching him square in the face and knocking him down. I guess you could do that once and live to tell about it, provided you never went back to the gym or ever faced the victim again. But the Dutch had to face the Dominicans again, IN AN ELIMINATION GAME.
No excuses for the Dominicans. This is not on the level of the Miracle in Lake Placid, or the Puerto Rican basketball team beating the Americans a few years back as the hyperventilators at ESPN would lead you to believe. Sadly the WBC is not considered that big of a stage yet. I will give you that generally speaking it does seem as if the Latin American countries DO take the event more seriously than the Americans, which adds to the shock factor.
There goes my WBC tournament bracket. I had the Dominicans advancing further.
Netherlands coach Rod Delmonico sprints to the front as an early March candidate for coach of the year.
I would have been happy with my pre-tournament favorite the Dominican
Dandies winning the whole thing. But the Japanese and the Korean teams
defensive efficiency was something to watch.
My impression of the Cuban team was that of a talented team, who given
the circumstances of their inclusion in the event, was obviously
motivated to win. I just couldn't get over how much they looked like a
beer league softball team. Coulda been the uniforms. Coulda been the
somewhat less than mid-season form of the players physiques. These guys
are obviously not missing to many team meals. Or maybe it's the per
diem.
I would have been happy with either of those teams winning as well as
the Puerto Rican team, because of the obvious passion and joy to simply
play the game of baseball at that level each of those teams displayed.
Something Team U$A apparently lacks. I wonder why tha i$?
Anyway much congrats to Team Japan.
this week. Those words sound much sweeter now that we live in a part of the country that actually experiences winter.
Judging from the media reaction, the only folks interested in the World Baseball Classic are the international countries. Team USA seems more concerned with not getting hurt or not participating, which leads me to fear that the Americans may make a showing comparable to that of our Olympians. Which is to say, somewhat embarrasing.
But if a team embarrasses itself, and nobody's really watching because American Idol is on, does anybody blush?
As long as our guys don't slide on their wallets, they should be fine. Pedro won't break down until July or August as usual.
Thank God A-Rod has stopped hiding behind his wife and his mother's apron strings and made a decision, as painful and public as it may have been. It shouldn't have been that hard. 1) Be a man, sack up and make your own decisions and live with them. Don't lay your personality flaws on, presumably the two most important women in your life. 2) You have about 252 million more reasons to play for Team USA than any other team on the planet. 3) You could have whined that evil Boss George didn't want you to get hurt and it would have been a better excuse.
Well, I can't wait for the next best set of words after "Pitchers and Catchers Report" and that's "Play Ball"!!!
as it should be. The geniuses in Washington finally got one right. Politics and baseball don't mix. You give Castro more currency by exclusion than inclusion. Let them come over here, take their ass whuppin' like men and leave a few of the young diamonds behind for Messrs. Steinbrenner, Moreno, et al. Then they can go home and dominate every other men against boys "amateur" baseball tournament out there.
On the field, I worry more about the Dominicans and the Peurto Ricans, not so much on better playing ability or depth, but on playing more for the name on the front of the jersey than the name on the back. For national pride, we may pull a Dream Team III or IV instead of Dream Team 1.
Good way to kick off the season maybe keep the focus on the field instead of all the off-field nonsense that bored media types can conjure up during the normal spring training lull.
1. Joey Bart 6-2, 215 C Power arm and a power bat, playing a premium defensive position. Good catch and throw skills.
2. Heliot Ramos 6-2, 185 OF Potential high-ceiling player the Giants have been looking for. Great bat speed, early returns were impressive.
3. Chris Shaw 6-3. 230 1B Lefty power bat, limited defensively to 1B, Matt Adams comp?
4. Tyler Beede 6-4, 215 RHP from Vanderbilt projects as top of the rotation starter when he works out his command/control issues. When he misses, he misses by a bunch.
5. Stephen Duggar 6-1, 170 CF Another toolsy, under-achieving OF in the Gary Brown mold, hoping for better results.
6. Sandro Fabian 6-0, 180 OF Dominican signee from 2014, shows some pop in his bat. Below average arm and lack of speed should push him towards LF.
7. Aramis Garcia 6-2, 220 C from Florida INTL projects as a good bat behind the dish with enough defensive skill to play there long-term
8. Heath Quinn 6-2, 190 OF Strong hitter, makes contact with improving approach at the plate. Returns from hamate bone injury.
9. Garrett Williams 6-1, 205 LHP Former Oklahoma standout, Giants prototype, low-ceiling, high-floor prospect.
10. Shaun Anderson 6-4, 225 RHP Large frame, 3.36 K/BB rate. Can start or relieve
11. Jacob Gonzalez 6-3, 190 3B Good pedigree, impressive bat for HS prospect.
12. Seth Corry 6-2 195 LHP Highly regard HS pick. Was mentioned as possible chip in high profile trades.
13. C.J. Hinojosa 5-10, 175 SS Scrappy IF prospect in the mold of Kelby Tomlinson, just gets it done.
14. Garett Cave 6-4, 200 RHP He misses a lot of bats and at times, the plate. 13 K/9 an 5 B/9. Wild thing.
2019 MLB Draft - Top HS Draft Prospects
1. Bobby Witt, Jr. 6-1,185 SS Colleyville Heritage HS (TX) Oklahoma commit. Outstanding defensive SS who can hit. 6.4 speed in 60 yd. Touched 97 on mound. Son of former major leaguer. Five tool potential.
2. Riley Greene 6-2, 190 OF Haggerty HS (FL) Florida commit.Best HS hitting prospect. LH bat with good eye, plate discipline and developing power.
3. C.J. Abrams 6-2, 180 SS Blessed Trinity HS (GA) High-ceiling athlete. 70 speed with plus arm. Hitting needs to develop as he matures. Alabama commit.
4. Reece Hinds 6-4, 210 SS Niceville HS (FL) Power bat, committed to LSU. Plus arm, solid enough bat to move to 3B down the road. 98MPH arm.
5. Daniel Espino 6-3, 200 RHP Georgia Premier Academy (GA) LSU commit. Touches 98 on FB with wipe out SL.
2019 MLB Draft - Top College Draft Prospects
1. Adley Rutschman C Oregon State Plus defender with great arm. Excellent receiver plus a switch hitter with some pop in the bat.
2. Shea Langliers C Baylor Excelent throw and catch skills with good pop time. Quick bat, uses all fields approach with some pop.
3. Zack Thompson 6-2 LHP Kentucky Missed time with an elbow issue. FB up to 95 with plenty of secondary stuff.
4. Matt Wallner 6-5 OF Southern Miss Run producing bat plus mid to upper 90's FB closer. Power bat from the left side, athletic for size.
5. Nick Lodolo LHP TCU Tall LHP, 95MPH FB and solid breaking stuff.
