Minnesota Scouting Reports

By Jim Callis
May 30, 2006

THIS YEAR'S CROP
*****	One for the books
****	Banner year
***	Solid, not spectacular
**	Not up to par
*	Nothing to see here

Minnesota lefthander John Gaub would have been a second- or third-round pick if his stuff hadn't fallen off dramatically this spring. Now he may not go in the first 10 rounds, and the state may not have anyone else who will earn that distinction. Because the best high school players aren't ready for pro ball or would be difficult to sign--or both--there may not be a single one chosen.

1. John Gaub, lhp, Minnesota
2. Cole Devries, rhp, Minnesota
3. Mark Dolenc, of, Mankato State
4. Mark Moriarty, rhp, St. Scholastica
5. Aaron Senne, of/1b, Mayo HS, Rochester
6. Dane Secott, rhp, Mankato State
7. Derek McCallum, ss, Hill-Murray School, St. Paul
8. Kyle Knudson, c, Maple Grove HS
9. Mike Mee, of, Minnesota
10. Ben Barrone, rhp/c, Winona State

Gaub's Down Spring Leaves Minnesota Cold

Lefthander John Gaub touched 96 mph and had 65 strikeouts in 39 innings working out of the bullpen as a sophomore, making him easily the early choice for top draft prospect in the Upper Midwest coming into 2006. But he has had trouble recapturing his previous form after arthroscopic shoulder surgery last July.

Used as a starter this spring to give him more time between outings, Gaub threw 88-91 in his first outing but was down to 81-84 mph by late April and didn't even appear in the Big 10 Conference tournament. He also lost some command and downward bite on his curveball. His arm action hasn't looked right, though Gaub says he feels fine physically. On his best days in the past, he has shown three plus pitches (including a changeup), and he may be able to start as a pro if his stuff comes back. Whoever drafts Gaub likely will evaluate him in summer ball before deciding to sign him.

Righthander Cole Devries replaced Gaub as Minnesota's most effective pitcher and could get drafted ahead of him, though scouts worry about his signability if he doesn't go in the first five rounds. They see him as more of an eight- to 12th-rounder on talent. Devries' best pitch is his hard curveball, and he can locate his 88-90 mph fastball for strikes though it lacks life. His younger brother Blake, a righthander at Eden Prairie High, is one of the state's better prep pitching prospects. He's taller and more projectable than Cole (6-foot-4 vs. 6-foot-2) but currently pitches at 85-86 mph. Blake's curve also serves as his out pitch.

Outfielder Mark Dolenc has the best package of tools in Minnesota, but he's also extremely raw. Primarily a pitcher in his first two years at Mankato State, he accumulated only 49 at-bats during that span. One scout described him as having a first-round body (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) while noting that he'll need a lot of at-bats in the lower minors. Dolenc's best tool is his plus-plus speed, and he employs a slap approach to take advantage of it. He'll need to make more contact to be effective. He has more than enough range and arm strength to play center field.

Righthander Mark Moriarty ranked third in NCAA Division III with 12.8 strikeouts per nine innings through regional play. He's 6-foot-5, owns an 88-91 mph fastball and baffles small-college hitters with his slider. He also has proven himself in the Northwoods League over the last two summers.

Aaron Senne is Minnesota's top high school prospect. He's a 6-foot-2, 185-pounder with a quiet, line-drive swing and a sound approach. He doesn't run well, so he could move from the outfield to first base down the road. An outstanding student, he wants top-five-round money to pass up attending Missouri, and there's little chance he'll go that high in the draft.