Fat Strat wrote:So, we're probably looking at Ahern now, maybe?
Or who knows...
I think the reds are hot on his trail
I thought they were going to pass on him last I heard.
Watching Dominguez's swing...I don't like it. I was kinda hoping he would fall to the Cardinals, but after watching him swing, I have changed my mind. It just doesn't look smooth.
9. Jason Heyward, of
School: Henry County HS, McDonough, Ga. Class: Sr.
B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 198. Birthdate: 8/9/89.
Scouting Report: Along with Brackman, Heyward has as much upside as any player in the draft. He possesses a rare blend of strong tools and feel for all phases of the game. He draws physical comparisons to Fred McGriff, while his tools are similar to Willie McCovey's and his approach is comparable to Frank Thomas'. Heyward's father played basketball at Dartmouth and his uncle played basketball for John Wooden at UCLA. He led McDonough High to the school's first state championship in baseball as a junior, when he was used as a center fielder, first baseman and pitcher. He'll play right field as a professional, where he's a solid-average defender with average arm strength. He's an average runner. His plate discipline and pitch recognition are outstanding, though some scouts left his games frustrated that he wasn't more aggressive. He rarely misses his pitch, and he shows above-average bat speed and a willingness to use the whole field. He has plus-plus raw power. Heyward will need to lower his hands in his set-up to improve his ability to get backspin on balls, helping his power translate into more home runs.
AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
.520 50 42 29 7 3 8 29 17
GatewaySnayke wrote:Watching Dominguez's swing...I don't like it. I was kinda hoping he would fall to the Cardinals, but after watching him swing, I have changed my mind. It just doesn't look smooth.
I had the same exact thought about his swing. Wasn't a big fan at all. Seemed... off.
24. Devin Mesoraco, c
School: Punxsutawney (Pa.) HS. Class: Sr.
B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 195. Birthdate: 6/19/88.
Scouting Report: As strong as this year's high school class was considered at the outset of the season, it got even better when high school righthanders Jarrod Parker and Nevin Griffith and Mesoraco came out of the gate showing better tools and ability than they had last summer and fall. Griffith and Mesoraco appeared in showcases, but they didn't show impact potential until this spring, and Mesoraco has been the biggest riser of them all. An arm injury led to Tommy John surgery when he was a sophomore, and he was relegated to DH duties as a junior. His arm strength has slowly returned, and this spring he has shown a 70 arm with quick, efficient releases. Defensively, Mesoraco compares favorably to 2001 Angels first-rounder Jeff Mathis, with athleticism serving as the foundation of an agile, quick-twitch player who receives and blocks exceptionally well. He shows above-average bat speed and 50-55 power at the plate. He's a solid-average runner, too, rounding out a legitimate five-tool package that probably won't make it out of the first round.
AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
.500 36 23 18 5 1 4 15 3
28. Kevin Ahrens, 3b
School: Memorial HS, Houston. Class: Sr.
B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 180. Birthdate: 4/26/88.
Scouting Report: The best high school hitter in another strong year in Texas, Ahrens repeatedly draws comparisons to Chipper Jones. That holds up on several levels, as Ahrens is a switch-hitter with power and a high school shortstop who will have to move to third base at the next level, whether that's at Texas A&M or in pro ball. More of a gap-to-gap hitter in the past, Ahrens has gotten stronger and started to turn on his power at the World Wood Bat Championship last fall, hitting a game-winning triple in the quarterfinals and a game-winning homer in the semis before his Houston Heat lost in the championship game. He's proficient from both sides of the plate, with a sound approach and little effort in his swing. The only thing lacking in Ahrens' game is speed, as he's a below-average runner. Though he still sees himself as a shortstop, he'll definitely have to shift to the hot corner, where his plus arm and soft hands will be assets. In a tremendous year for high school third basemen, Ahrens could be a bit of a steal in the late first round or early supplemental first round.
AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
.426 101 45 43 9 1 10 41 7
