Three games into the 2012 Prospect Classic and the highlights are still about the Collegiate National Team. Aside from a couple lopsided innings in Game Two, the 18U National Team has held its own in the series, but the college players have stood out the most mostly because of their advanced experience and a crop of preps that scouts feel is down from recent years.

Game Three highlights belonged to infielder Trea Turner (North Carolina State) and righthander Bobby Wahl (Mississippi). Wahl was a known entity in high school and ranked 68th on the Preseason High School Top 100 in 2010—just four spots behind Monday starter Adam Plutko (UCLA). But he had a lackluster spring, admitting that he got caught up in the draft talk, and fell to the 39th round. He honored his commitment to Ole Miss and made 18 appearances (one start). He logged four saves and went 0-2, 4.80 with 26 strikeouts, 11 walks and 33 hits allowed in 30 innings. After his freshman season he went to the Cape Cod League and pitched out of the bullpen for Cotuit and went 1-1, 1.23 in 16 appearances with six saves. In 22 innings, he allowed 15 hits and 11 walks while striking out 38. That summer he learned some valuable lessons and took them back to Ole Miss. [...] Continue Reading »

The Mariners have signed Mike Zunino, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, for $4 million.

Baseball America's College Player of the Year, Zunino led Florida to its third straight College World Series appearance by batting .322/.394/.669 with 19 homers. His plus power is his best tool, and he also has a solid bat and defensive skills.

Zunino's bonus was the third-highest thus far in the 2012 draft but also $1.2 million less than the assigned value for the third choice. The Mariners are now $36,600 over budget for their signings in the first 10 rounds. Seattle's lone unsigned player in that group is eighth-rounder Nick Halamandaris, a California high school first baseman.

The Mariners previously had handed out above-value bonuses to second-rounder Joe DeCarlo ($1.3 million), supplemental third-rounder Tyler Pike ($850,000), fifth-rounder Chris Taylor ($500,000) and sixth-rounder Timmy Lopes ($550,000). Unless Seattle signs eighth-rounder Nick Halamandaris to a below-value deal, it will be subject to a 75 percent tax on its overage ($27,450) under MLB's new draft rules.

View our Mariners draft database here.

UPDATED: July 1, 2012 at 4:09 p.m EST.

After the first game of the 2012 Prospect Classic ended in a 2-2 tie, the bats busted out in Game Two, but just for one side. Behind an eight-run second inning the Stars beat the Stripes 15-3 with 16 hits and seven walks. Oral Roberts infielder Jose Trevino led the barrage by going 2-for-3 with six RBIs and two runs scored. He doubled in the top of the second to open the scoring and followed with a grand slam in the fourth to make it 12-0.

Despite the outburst of offense, Arkansas righthander Ryne Stanek was one of the bigger highlights of the night. He pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out four. The only trouble he found was in the second inning when he allowed a leadoff single, got two outs and then loaded the bases with a walk and fielder's choice. But he got Kentucky outfielder Austin Cousino to fly out to end the inning. He cruised through the third inning and was taken out in the fourth with two outs after walking a batter. He had thrown 59 pitches.

"I felt like I competed pretty well," Stanek said. "I threw my fastball for a strike, which is the biggest thing. I was able to throw most everything for a strike. The second inning I ran into a little trouble. I tried to get a little too fine and make too good a pitch instead of just letting them put the ball in play and get a quick out." [...] Continue Reading »