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Pitcher Rankings
By Allan Simpson
May 31, 2002
RIGHTHANDED PITCHER
Never before has one draft featured three high school pitchers with fastballs that have touched 98 mph. Kevin Jepsen, Mark McCormick and Jason Neighborgall have all accomplished that feat and become the standard bearers for a draft that is deep in hard-throwing righthanders. It's so deep, in fact, that the possibility exists that Jepsen, McCormick and Neighborgall won't even be first-round picks. Neighborgall has the highest ceiling of the three--and maybe the highest ceiling of any high school pitcher in the draft. He has outstanding stuff, but concerns about his missing last season because of a nagging back problem, inconcistent command this spring and a Josh Beckett/Gavin Floyd price tag may conspire to knock him out of the first round. Neighborgall and McCormick, whose velocity slipped to the low- to mid-90s, are represented by agent Scott Boras. While the draft status of Jepsen, McCormick and Neighborgall is somewhat unclear, Clint Everts, Zack Greinke and Chris Gruler have surged to the forefront. Greinke and Gruler have performed consistently well with fastballs in the mid-90s while Everts has emerged from the shadows of his more celebrated high school teammate Scott Kazmir to become possibly the first high school righthander drafted. The Expos, picking fifth, have indicated a strong interest in Everts, whose curveball is rated the best in the draft. Bobby Brownlie was ranked as the top college righthander at the start of the season, but he was plagued by tendinitis this spring and his performance suffered. He has been replaced as the top college righty by Bryan Bullington, whose new-found slider has elevated him to the probable No. 1 pick in the entire draft. Jeremy Guthrie may be the most advanced of all the college righthanders and should move quickly through the minor leagues.
Strength of Position (1-to-5 scale): 4
Best velocity: 1. Jason Neighborgall. 2. Mark McCormick. 3. Kevin Jepsen.
Best breaking pitches: 1. Bryan Bullington. 2. Clint Everts. 3. Jason Neighborgall.
Best command: 1. Bryan Bullington. 2. Bobby Brownlie. 3. Zack Greinke.
|
|
Player |
High School/College |
Class |
Age |
B-T |
Ht. |
Wt. |
|
1. |
Bryan Bullington |
Ball State U. |
Jr. |
21 |
R-R |
6-5 |
212 |
|
2. |
Jason Neighborgall |
Riverside HS, Durham, N.C. |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-5 |
190 |
|
3. |
Bobby Brownlie |
Rutgers U. |
Jr. |
21 |
R-R |
6-1 |
195 |
|
4. |
Chris Gruler |
Liberty HS, Brentwood, Ala. |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-3 |
200 |
|
5. |
Zack Greinke |
Apopka HS, Orlando |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-2 |
185 |
|
6. |
Jeremy Guthrie |
Stanford U. |
Jr. |
23 |
R-R |
6-1 |
195 |
|
7. |
Clint Everts |
Cypress Falls HS, Houston |
Sr. |
17 |
B-R |
6-2 |
170 |
|
8. |
Joseph Blanton |
U. of Kentucky |
Jr. |
21 |
R-R |
6-2 |
210 |
|
9. |
Mark McCormick |
Clear Creek HS, Clear Lake Shores, Texas |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-2 |
190 |
|
10. |
Kevin Jepsen |
Bishop Manogue HS, Sparks, Nev. |
Sr. |
17 |
R-R |
6-2 |
195 |
|
11. |
Darrell Rasner |
U. of Nevada |
Jr. |
21 |
R-R |
6-2 |
210 |
|
12. |
Anthony Reyes |
U. of Southern California |
Jr. |
20 |
R-R |
6-1 |
200 |
|
13. |
David Bush |
Wake Forest U. |
Sr. |
22 |
R-R |
6-1 |
210 |
|
14. |
Matthew Cain |
Houston HS, Collierville, Tenn. |
Sr. |
17 |
R-R |
6-3 |
185 |
|
15. |
Blake Hawksworth |
Bellevue (Wash.) CC |
Fr. |
19 |
R-R |
6-3 |
180 |
|
16. |
Brian Slocum |
Villanova U. |
So. |
21 |
R-R |
6-2 |
200 |
|
17. |
Blair Johnson |
Washburn HS, Topeka, Kan. |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-4 |
195 |
|
18. |
Micah Owings |
Gainesville (Ga.) HS |
Sr. |
19 |
R-R |
6-3 |
205 |
|
19. |
Derick Grigsby |
Northeast Texas JC |
So. |
19 |
R-R |
6-0 |
200 |
|
20. |
Eric Thomas |
U. of South Alabama |
Jr. |
21 |
R-R |
6-8 |
225 |
|
21. |
Wardell Starling |
Elkins HS, Missouri City, Texas |
Sr. |
19 |
R-R |
6-4 |
200 |
|
22. |
Zach Hammes |
Iowa City (Iowa) HS |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-6 |
220 |
|
23. |
Ben Fritz |
Fresno State U. |
Jr. |
21 |
R-R |
6-4 |
220 |
|
24. |
Zack Segovia |
Forney (Texas) HS |
Sr. |
19 |
R-R |
6-2 |
220 |
|
25. |
Trevor Hutchinson |
U. of California |
Sr. |
22 |
R-R |
6-5 |
220 |
|
26. |
Mike Esposito |
Arizona State U. |
So. |
20 |
R-R |
6-0 |
185 |
|
27. |
Jonathan Broxton |
Burke County HS, Waynesboro, Ga. |
Sr. |
17 |
R-R |
6-3 |
260 |
|
28. |
Romelio Lopez |
Conroe (Texas) HS |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-6 |
245 |
|
29. |
Brandon Weeden |
Santa Fe HS, Edmond, Okla. |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-5 |
200 |
|
30. |
Steven White |
Baylor U. |
Jr. |
20 |
R-R |
6-4 |
195 |
|
31. |
Chadd Blasko |
U. of Purdue |
Jr. |
21 |
R-R |
6-6 |
205 |
|
32. |
Kris Harvey |
Bandys HS, Catawba, N.C. |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-2 |
190 |
|
33. |
Christian Madson |
Bloomingdale HS, Valrico, Fla. |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-8 |
225 |
|
34. |
Jesse Crain |
U. of Houston |
Jr. |
20 |
R-R |
6-1 |
185 |
|
35. |
Matt Farnum |
Texas A&M U. |
So. |
21 |
R-R |
6-1 |
185 |
|
36. |
Rory Shortell |
San Diego State U. |
Jr. |
20 |
R-R |
6-3 |
200 |
|
37. |
Sean White |
U. of Washington |
Jr. |
21 |
R-R |
6-3 |
195 |
|
38. |
Alex Hart |
U. of Florida |
Jr. |
22 |
R-R |
6-5 |
220 |
|
39. |
Aaron Coonrod |
John A. Logan (Ill.) JC |
So. |
22 |
R-R |
6-4 |
220 |
|
40. |
Tom Wilhelmsen |
Tucson (Ariz.) HS |
Sr. |
18 |
B-R |
6-5 |
210 |
|
41. |
O.J. King |
Northwestern State U. |
Sr. |
22 |
R-R |
6-3 |
210 |
|
42. |
Charlie Morton |
Joel Barlow HS, Redding, Conn. |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-4 |
180 |
|
43. |
Mitch Talbot |
Canyon View HS, Cedar City, Utah |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-1 |
170 |
|
44. |
Ben Crockett |
Harvard U. |
Sr. |
22 |
R-R |
6-3 |
210 |
|
45. |
Steve Kahn |
Servite HS, Orange, Calif. |
Sr. |
18 |
L-R |
6-2 |
202 |
|
46. |
John C. Barnett |
Florida Southern U. |
Jr. |
21 |
B-R |
6-2 |
190 |
|
47. |
Friedel Pinkston |
Hart County HS, Hartwell, Ga. |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-2 |
190 |
|
48. |
Lee Gwaltney |
Louisiana Tech |
Sr. |
22 |
R-R |
6-5 |
210 |
|
49. |
Matt Clanton |
Orange Coast (Calif.) JC |
So. |
21 |
R-R |
6-2 |
210 |
|
50. |
Josh Johnson |
Jenks HS, Tulsa |
Sr. |
18 |
L-R |
6-7 |
215 |
|
51. |
Evan Meek |
Inglemoor HS, Bothell, Wash. |
Sr. |
19 |
R-R |
6-1 |
180 |
|
52. |
Randy Frye |
Lake Orion (Mich.) HS |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-4 |
205 |
|
53. |
Matt Pender |
Kennesaw State (Ga.) U. |
Jr. |
20 |
R-R |
6-5 |
215 |
|
54. |
Jared Burton |
Western Carolina U. |
Jr. |
20 |
R-R |
6-5 |
220 |
|
55. |
Mike Pelfrey |
Wichita Heights HS, Wichita |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-7 |
190 |
|
56. |
John Maine |
UNC Charlotte |
Jr. |
21 |
R-R |
6-4 |
185 |
|
57. |
Khalid Ballouli |
Texas A&M U. |
Jr. |
22 |
R-R |
6-2 |
195 |
|
58. |
Kevin Correia |
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo |
Sr. |
21 |
R-R |
6-3 |
185 |
|
59. |
Anthony Pearson |
Jackson State U. |
Jr. |
20 |
R-R |
6-5 |
200 |
|
60. |
Hector Ambriz |
Valencia HS, Placentia, Calif. |
Sr. |
18 |
L-R |
6-2 |
205 |
|
61. |
Josh Rupe |
Louisburg (N.C.) JC |
So. |
19 |
R-R |
6-2 |
180 |
|
62. |
Robert Ray |
Lufkin (Texas) HS |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-4 |
190 |
|
63. |
Eduardo Baeza |
Poly HS, Sun Valley, Calif. |
Sr. |
17 |
R-R |
6-0 |
175 |
|
64. |
James Holcomb |
U. of Nevada |
So. |
21 |
R-R |
6-5 |
190 |
|
65. |
Chris Garcia |
Xaverian HS, Brooklyn, N.Y. |
Sr. |
17 |
R-R |
6-1 |
190 |
|
66. |
Justin Gee |
Sarasota (Fla.) HS |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-4 |
200 |
|
67. |
Adam Simon |
Bishop Amat HS, La Puente, Calif. |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
5-10 |
170 |
|
68. |
Kiki Bengochea |
U. of Miami |
Jr. |
21 |
R-R |
6-2 |
195 |
|
69. |
Kyle Edens |
Baylor U. |
Sr. |
22 |
R-R |
5-9 |
180 |
|
70. |
Chad Pleiness |
Central Michigan U. |
Sr. |
22 |
R-R |
6-6 |
235 |
|
71. |
Joel Zumaya |
Bonita Vista HS, Chula Vista, Calif. |
Sr. |
17 |
R-R |
6-3 |
200 |
|
72. |
T.J. Beam |
U. of Mississippi |
Jr. |
21 |
R-R |
6-7 |
210 |
|
73. |
Jensen Lewis |
Anderson HS, Cincinnati |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-2 |
180 |
|
74. |
Jake Baker |
Holtville HS, Wetumpka, Ala. |
Sr. |
18 |
B-R |
6-3 |
200 |
|
75. |
Jesus Maldonado |
Manuel M. Villa HS, Humacao, P.R. |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-2 |
180 |
|
76. |
Steve Obenchain |
Evansville U. |
Jr. |
20 |
R-R |
6-5 |
200 |
|
77. |
Jon Papelbon |
Mississippi State U. |
So. |
21 |
R-R |
6-3 |
218 |
|
78. |
Casey Aguilar |
Franklin HS, Portland, Ore. |
Sr. |
17 |
R-R |
5-11 |
210 |
|
79. |
Glenn Woolard |
Kutztown State (Pa.) U. |
Jr. |
21 |
R-R |
6-1 |
200 |
|
80. |
Alan Bomer |
U. of Texas |
Jr. |
22 |
R-R |
6-3 |
195 |
|
81. |
Nick Tisone |
Mandeville HS, Covington, La. |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-0 |
180 |
|
82. |
Kris Krise |
Crescenta Valley HS, La Crescenta, Calif. |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-6 |
230 |
|
83. |
Jonah Bayliss |
Trinity (Conn.) College |
Jr. |
21 |
R-R |
6-2 |
215 |
|
84. |
Hayden Penn |
Santana HS, Santee, Calif. |
Sr. |
17 |
R-R |
6-3 |
180 |
|
85. |
Allen Ponder |
Lee Scott Academy, Auburn, Ala. |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-4 |
220 |
|
86. |
Jimmy deMontel |
Bellevue (Neb.) College |
So. |
21 |
R-R |
6-4 |
245 |
|
87. |
Sean Tracey |
UC Irvine |
Jr. |
21 |
L-R |
6-3 |
215 |
|
88. |
Adam Elliott |
Clayton Valley HS, Concord, Calif. |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-2 |
205 |
|
89. |
Ryan Warpinski |
Texas A&M U. |
So. |
20 |
R-R |
6-3 |
200 |
|
90. |
J. Brent Cox |
Bay City (Texas) HS |
Sr. |
18 |
L-R |
6-3 |
188 |
|
91. |
Brian Grant |
C.B. Aycock HS, Goldsboro, N.C. |
Sr. |
|
R-R |
6-4 |
190 |
|
92. |
Chance Douglass |
Randall HS, Amarillo, Texas |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-1 |
195 |
|
93. |
Scott Mathieson |
Aldergrove (B.C.) SS |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-3 |
185 |
|
94. |
Aaron Parker |
Sonoma State (Calif.) U. |
Jr. |
22 |
R-R |
6-3 |
210 |
|
95. |
Chris Goodman |
Georgia Tech |
Jr. |
20 |
R-R |
5-11 |
170 |
|
96. |
Erik Thompson |
Pensacola (Fla.) JC |
Fr. |
19 |
R-R |
5-11 |
170 |
|
97. |
Sean Rierson |
U. of Arizona |
So. |
21 |
R-R |
6-3 |
190 |
|
98. |
Billy Mohl |
John Foster Dulles HS, Sugar Land, Texas |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-4 |
200 |
|
99. |
Jonathan George |
Camden Catholic HS, Pennsauken, N.J. |
Sr. |
17 |
R-R |
6-3 |
220 |
|
100. |
Billy Petrick |
Morris (Ill.) HS |
Sr. |
18 |
R-R |
6-6 |
220 |
LEFTHANDED PITCHER
This position is the strength of this year's draft. As many as five lefthanders have been mentioned prominently as possibly going in the first 10 picks, with another four or five slated to go later in the first round. Pound-for-pound, Scott Kazmir is the best pitcher in the draft. The 6-foot Houston lefthander has been compared to Astros fireballing southpaw Billy Wagner. Kazmir has the same lightning-quick arm and command of three pitches, including a mid-90s fastball. Scouts say he could move to the big leagues quicker than any high school player and faster even than most of the top college players. But no lefthander has a greater upside, Kazmir included, than 6-foot-6 Canadian lefty Adam Loewen, who is still on Pittsburgh's short list and may go to the wire as a contender to be the No. 1 overall pick. If Cole Hamels can convince the Brewers or Tigers to overlook his medical history--he missed last year after suffering a broken arm following his sophomore year--he could be a prime candidate to go No. 7 or 8. Beyond the big three of Kazmir, Loewen and Hamels, lefthanders will continue to roll off the table with a frequency rarely seen in past drafts.
Strength of Position (1-to-5 scale): 5.
Best velocity: 1. Scott Kazmir. 2. Cole Hamels. 3. Scott Hindman.
Best breaking pitches: 1. Cole Hamels. 2. Justin Maureau. 3. Scott Kazmir.
Best command: 1. Joe Saunders. 2. Scott Kazmir. 3. Cole Hamels.
|
|
Player |
High School/College |
Class |
Age |
B-T |
Ht. |
Wt. |
|
1. |
Scott Kazmir |
Cypress Falls HS, Houston |
Sr. |
18 |
L-L |
6-0 |
170 |
|
2. |
Adam Loewen |
Fraser Valley Christian HS, Surrey, B.C. |
Sr. |
18 |
L-L |
6-6 |
210 |
|
3. |
Cole Hamels |
Rancho Bernardo HS, San Diego |
Sr. |
18 |
L-L |
6-2 |
185 |
|
4. |
Jeff Francis |
U. of British Columbia |
Jr. |
21 |
L-L |
6-5 |
195 |
|
5. |
Joe Saunders |
Virginia Tech |
Jr. |
20 |
L-L |
6-3 |
195 |
|
6. |
Luke Hagerty |
Ball State U. |
Jr. |
21 |
R-L |
6-7 |
225 |
|
7. |
Royce Ring |
San Diego State U. |
Jr. |
21 |
L-L |
6-0 |
215 |
|
8. |
Jon Lester |
Bellarmine Prep, Puyallup, Wash. |
Sr. |
18 |
L-L |
6-3 |
195 |
|
9. |
James Loney |
Elkins HS, Missouri City, Texas |
Sr. |
18 |
L-L |
6-3 |
190 |
|
10. |
Greg Miller |
Esparanza HS, Yorba Linda, Calif. |
Sr. |
17 |
L-L |
6-5 |
190 |
|
11. |
Nick Bourgeois |
Tulane U. |
Jr. |
21 |
L-L |
6-4 |
210 |
|
12. |
Rich Hill |
U. of Michigan |
Jr. |
22 |
L-L |
6-4 |
190 |
|
13. |
Bill Murphy |
Cal State Northridge |
Jr. |
21 |
L-L |
6-0 |
185 |
|
14. |
Jon Felfoldi |
Glendale (Calif.) JC |
So. |
|
L-L |
6-1 |
185 |
|
15. |
Dan Meyer |
James Madison U. |
Jr. |
20 |
L-L |
6-3 |
180 |
|
16. |
Justin Jones |
Kellam HS, Virginia Beach, Va. |
Sr. |
17 |
L-L |
6-4 |
200 |
|
17. |
Mark Romanczuk |
St. Marks HS, Newark, Del. |
Sr. |
18 |
L-L |
6-1 |
180 |
|
18. |
Jesse English |
Rancho Buena Vista HS, Vista, Calif. |
Sr. |
17 |
L-L |
6-2 |
220 |
|
19. |
Brett Nyquist |
College of Saint Scholastica (Minn.) |
Jr. |
21 |
L-L |
6-8 |
210 |
|
20. |
Forrest Beverly |
Conway (S.C.) HS |
Sr. |
18 |
R-L |
6-3 |
195 |
|
21. |
Clay Dirks |
Hernando (Miss.) HS |
Sr. |
17 |
L-L |
6-3 |
200 |
|
22. |
Justin Maureau |
Wichita State U. |
Jr. |
21 |
L-L |
6-0 |
175 |
|
23. |
Chris Leonard |
Miami (Ohio) U. |
Jr. |
21 |
L-L |
6-0 |
195 |
|
24. |
Danny Christensen |
Xaverian HS, Brooklyn, N.Y. |
Sr. |
18 |
L-L |
6-2 |
185 |
|
25. |
Mark Rosen |
Salisbury (Conn.) Prep |
Sr. |
17 |
L-L |
6-0 |
200 |
|
26. |
Scott Hindman |
Princeton U. |
Jr. |
21 |
L-L |
6-3 |
210 |
|
27. |
Alex Merricks |
Oxnard (Calif.) HS |
Sr. |
18 |
L-L |
5-11 |
180 |
|
28. |
Jared Doyle |
James Madison U. |
Jr. |
21 |
R-L |
6-1 |
185 |
|
29. |
Tim Cunningham |
Stanford U. |
Jr. |
21 |
L-L |
6-3 |
175 |
|
30. |
Kendall Bergdall |
Cimarron HS, Layhoma, Okla. |
Sr. |
19 |
L-L |
6-3 |
195 |
|
31. |
Daniel Haigwood |
Midland HS, Batesville, Ark. |
Sr. |
18 |
L-L |
6-3 |
205 |
|
32. |
Camilo Vazquez |
Hialeah (Fla.) HS |
Sr. |
18 |
L-L |
5-11 |
170 |
|
33. |
Brandon Perry |
Graham (N.C.) HS |
Sr. |
|
L-L |
6-1 |
175 |
|
34. |
Kelvin Garay |
Santa Cruz HS, Trujillo Alta, P.R. |
Sr. |
|
L-L |
6-4 |
223 |
|
35. |
Ricky Barrett |
U. of San Diego |
Jr. |
21 |
L-L |
6-0 |
185 |
|
36. |
Danny Forrer |
Jeff Davis HS, Montgomery, Ala. |
Sr. |
18 |
R-L |
6-3 |
195 |
|
37. |
Tyler Pelland |
Mt. Abraham HS, Bristol, Vt. |
Sr. |
|
L |
5-11 |
185 |
|
38. |
Sean Thompson |
Thunder Ridge HS, Denver |
Sr. |
19 |
L-L |
5-11 |
185 |
|
39. |
Mark McLemore |
Oregon State U. |
Jr. |
21 |
L-L |
6-2 |
215 |
|
40. |
Chad Decker |
Valley View HS, Moreno Valley, Calif. |
Sr. |
18 |
L-L |
6-2 |
170 |
|
41. |
Garrett White |
Round Rock (Texas) HS |
Sr. |
18 |
R-L |
6-5 |
230 |
|
42. |
Ryan Rodriguez |
Keller (Texas) HS |
Sr. |
|
L-L |
6-4 |
205 |
|
43. |
Ryan Schreppel |
Lincoln HS, Stockton, Calif. |
Sr. |
17 |
L-L |
6-3 |
180 |
|
44. |
Brad Halsey |
U. of Texas |
Jr. |
21 |
L-L |
6-2 |
179 |
|
45. |
Marshall Looney |
La Pine (Ore.) HS |
Sr. |
18 |
L-L |
6-4 |
245 |
|
