Comparing the Young Pitchers Available in the Draft
-Dexter Sports
3:12 PM
Dexter-Sports Inbox
Though high school pitching is where a lot of professional scouts and organizations like to focus to develop talent at a young level, this year's draft class seems to lack the complete depth of high school pitching talent. Many players coming out of high school are dual threats that could play in the field and pitch professionally (Casey Kelly, Ethan Martin) . These Organizations have to make the choice of which talent to develop. Today, we will look at pure pitchers out of high school available in the draft.
Tim Melville RHP/Holt HS, Wentville, MO: He is the best high school pitcher in the draft and we could see him go anywhere in the mid first round. Melville, who will be the second straight Holt grad to be drafted in the first round (Ross Detwiller), has committed to perennial powerhouse North Carlolina, but will most likely be heading to professional baseball. Melville's fastball reaches 94 on the radar gun and he compliments it with a tight curve that is his plus pitch. Melville started off slow, and his velocity was lower than in previous seasons, but many scouts accompany that with the cold start in Missouri baseball. Melville stands at 6'5" and has a fluid delivery that he can constantly repeat with ease. Melville was recognized in The Sporting News earlier this month.
Gerrit Cole RHP/Orange Lutheran HS/Orange,CA: Cole is the most mysterious hi
gh school pitcher in the draft, simply because nobody knows what to expect from him. Cole brings a fastball that sits between 93-96 and peaks at 99 . Scouts have compared the youngster to Mariners closer J.J. Putz because of his presence on the mound. Cole, who lacks consistency and does come with some mechanical problems, has been considered a closer type, but some scouts believe the project to fix his control and pitch count issues are worth him starting. Another issue with Cole is his agent, Scott Boras. Boras will make it hard to sign the youngster because of his constant demand for more money for his clients. Cole brings a hard biting curve ball that tends to dip late. Many wouldn't be surprised if Cole skipped signing with a team and head to a college program to get more money later in his career. Cole has committed to UCLA.
Alex Meyer RHP/Greensburg HS/Indiana: Meyer was a late bloom, catching prospect's eyes at the Perfect Game National Showcase last summer. Meyer has a mid nineties fastball that reaches 95 and a real nasty breaking ball that has scouts foaming at the mouth. Since the Perfect Game National Showcase, Meyer has continued to show improvement that could land him in the late first round, but it seems that Meyer is leaning toward the University of Kentucky. Meyer, who is also advised by Scott Boras could project as the number one pick in 2011 if he goes to college. Nobody seems to believe that teams are willing to spend a pick on him, because he wont commit. I feel that someone with money (Tigers, Yankees) could make a run at him.
Ross Seaton RHP/Second Baptist HS/Houston,TX: Seaton has quickly climbed up the ladder to first round talent within the last year. In the fall, Seaton was hitting 89 on the radar gun but in the spring the warmth and training upped his fastball to 90-94 that topped out at 96. Though Seaton is a talented outfielder, who hit from the left side, he is included in this list because if he goes pro, he will focus on pitching. The 6'4" right hander has a decent slider that isn't fully developed and a good change up. Unlike many of these young pitchers, Seaton plans to sign if he is drafted in the first round, instead of attending Tulane, where he has committed to.
Jake Odorizzi RHP/Highland HS/IL: Odorizzi has been considered the best high school pitcher in the draft by several scouts. Though he doesn't bring the heat (91-93 MPH), Odorizzi has great command of a game and his enough stamina to maintain his top pitches in the late innings. The teams that like him buy into his slider and think it is a great out pitch. Odorizzi will most likely attend Louisville on scholarship after being drafted.
Brett Devall LHP/Niceville HS/FL: Devall is the top left handed high schooler available. He has a great understanding of how to pitch a game and with an 89 MPH fastball and a below average curve ball. He seems to be able to develop into a decent 4th or 5th starter, but with the development of his curve he could peak as a number two type. Devall has a nice change up that has been hard for hitters to adjust to. I compare Devall to a Nate Robertson or an older Tom Glavine. Devall has committed to Georgia.
Mike Montgomery LHP/Hart HS/Newhall, CA: Montgomery is another lefty that scouts love because of his size and ability to throw the fastball effectively. Montgomery's personality is a bit of a question though. Montgomery was ousted from his basketball team because of his love with the technical foul. Montgomery also throws a palm ball, but it is unknown whether it will ever be Major League caliber. That leave Montgomery with just two pitches, and scouts are not sure if his raw ability will be able to be effective with just two pitches. Montgomery has committed to Cal State Fullerton, but will most likely make the jump to professional baseball.
3:12 PM
Dexter-Sports Inbox
Though high school pitching is where a lot of professional scouts and organizations like to focus to develop talent at a young level, this year's draft class seems to lack the complete depth of high school pitching talent. Many players coming out of high school are dual threats that could play in the field and pitch professionally (Casey Kelly, Ethan Martin) . These Organizations have to make the choice of which talent to develop. Today, we will look at pure pitchers out of high school available in the draft.
Tim Melville RHP/Holt HS, Wentville, MO: He is the best high school pitcher in the draft and we could see him go anywhere in the mid first round. Melville, who will be the second straight Holt grad to be drafted in the first round (Ross Detwiller), has committed to perennial powerhouse North Carlolina, but will most likely be heading to professional baseball. Melville's fastball reaches 94 on the radar gun and he compliments it with a tight curve that is his plus pitch. Melville started off slow, and his velocity was lower than in previous seasons, but many scouts accompany that with the cold start in Missouri baseball. Melville stands at 6'5" and has a fluid delivery that he can constantly repeat with ease. Melville was recognized in The Sporting News earlier this month.
Gerrit Cole RHP/Orange Lutheran HS/Orange,CA: Cole is the most mysterious hi
gh school pitcher in the draft, simply because nobody knows what to expect from him. Cole brings a fastball that sits between 93-96 and peaks at 99 . Scouts have compared the youngster to Mariners closer J.J. Putz because of his presence on the mound. Cole, who lacks consistency and does come with some mechanical problems, has been considered a closer type, but some scouts believe the project to fix his control and pitch count issues are worth him starting. Another issue with Cole is his agent, Scott Boras. Boras will make it hard to sign the youngster because of his constant demand for more money for his clients. Cole brings a hard biting curve ball that tends to dip late. Many wouldn't be surprised if Cole skipped signing with a team and head to a college program to get more money later in his career. Cole has committed to UCLA.Alex Meyer RHP/Greensburg HS/Indiana: Meyer was a late bloom, catching prospect's eyes at the Perfect Game National Showcase last summer. Meyer has a mid nineties fastball that reaches 95 and a real nasty breaking ball that has scouts foaming at the mouth. Since the Perfect Game National Showcase, Meyer has continued to show improvement that could land him in the late first round, but it seems that Meyer is leaning toward the University of Kentucky. Meyer, who is also advised by Scott Boras could project as the number one pick in 2011 if he goes to college. Nobody seems to believe that teams are willing to spend a pick on him, because he wont commit. I feel that someone with money (Tigers, Yankees) could make a run at him.
Ross Seaton RHP/Second Baptist HS/Houston,TX: Seaton has quickly climbed up the ladder to first round talent within the last year. In the fall, Seaton was hitting 89 on the radar gun but in the spring the warmth and training upped his fastball to 90-94 that topped out at 96. Though Seaton is a talented outfielder, who hit from the left side, he is included in this list because if he goes pro, he will focus on pitching. The 6'4" right hander has a decent slider that isn't fully developed and a good change up. Unlike many of these young pitchers, Seaton plans to sign if he is drafted in the first round, instead of attending Tulane, where he has committed to.
Jake Odorizzi RHP/Highland HS/IL: Odorizzi has been considered the best high school pitcher in the draft by several scouts. Though he doesn't bring the heat (91-93 MPH), Odorizzi has great command of a game and his enough stamina to maintain his top pitches in the late innings. The teams that like him buy into his slider and think it is a great out pitch. Odorizzi will most likely attend Louisville on scholarship after being drafted.
Brett Devall LHP/Niceville HS/FL: Devall is the top left handed high schooler available. He has a great understanding of how to pitch a game and with an 89 MPH fastball and a below average curve ball. He seems to be able to develop into a decent 4th or 5th starter, but with the development of his curve he could peak as a number two type. Devall has a nice change up that has been hard for hitters to adjust to. I compare Devall to a Nate Robertson or an older Tom Glavine. Devall has committed to Georgia.
Mike Montgomery LHP/Hart HS/Newhall, CA: Montgomery is another lefty that scouts love because of his size and ability to throw the fastball effectively. Montgomery's personality is a bit of a question though. Montgomery was ousted from his basketball team because of his love with the technical foul. Montgomery also throws a palm ball, but it is unknown whether it will ever be Major League caliber. That leave Montgomery with just two pitches, and scouts are not sure if his raw ability will be able to be effective with just two pitches. Montgomery has committed to Cal State Fullerton, but will most likely make the jump to professional baseball.
