Special Summer Feb. 11, 2008 Alex Meyer went from being an unknown local standout to becoming a highly coveted high school recruit, an All-American and a common name in scouting circles—all within the span of two innings. [...] Continue Reading »
Fields Rebuilds Confidence Feb. 11, 2008 Long toss by long toss, workout by workout and bullpen session by bullpen session, Joshua Fields slowly gathered back all his confidence this summer. [...] Continue Reading »
2008 Draft Order Feb. 11, 2008 After the 2007 draft featured 34 supplemental first-round draft picks, blowing away the previous record of 22 in 1997, this year's sandwich round won't be nearly as long. There have been just 15 supplemental first-rounders doled out to teams thus far, with the potential for three more if Type B free agents Livan Hernandez (Diamondbacks), Mike Piazza and Shannon Stewart (both Athletics) sign with new clubs. [...] Continue Reading »
Too Tempting To Pass Up? Feb. 11, 2008 Scouts are enthused about the 2008 draft, which will begin on June 5 with the Rays making the first pick, because of the diverse talent available. The consensus is that there are more quality college bats—not in terms of athleticism but just sheer offensive firepower—than in any year in recent memory. [...] Continue Reading »
Class Of 2006: A Look Back To 2003 Feb. 2, 2006 Here's Baseball America's early take on the top 25 players in this year's college draft class, and how the same players stacked up when last eligible for the draft out of high school. [...] Continue Reading »
2006 Early Draft Preview Feb. 2, 2006 There are no Delmon Youngs or Justin Uptons in this year's high school class. There are also few marquee high school selections from three years ago who went unsigned then and might have resurfaced to beef up this year's college crop. As a result, the 2006 draft is shaping up with few potential headline players, one in which the high-end talent has been more difficult to identify or quantify than in most years. [...] Continue Reading »
Mixed Results Cloud Johnson's Draft Stock Jan. 27, 2006 For seniors hopeful of being drafted in June, the months leading up to their final high school season can crawl by agonizingly slow. But few in this year's class have awaited Opening Day as eagerly as Cody Johnson. Though Johnson, a laid-back, unassuming 6-foot-5 slugger from the Florida panhandle, rarely feels restless, the start of his senior season represents a fresh start and it couldn't come a moment too soon. [...] Continue Reading »
Juco Jamboree: Top 25 Prospects Feb. 2, 2005 Here's how Baseball America's Allan Simpson sees the nation's top 25 junior college prospects for the 2006 draft. For players that were drafted in 2005 and remain under control, the team that drafted them (and the round) is noted. Such players will be eligible to sign after their 2006 season is complete until the closed period—a week before the draft. They will re-enter this year's draft if they don't sign. [...] Continue Reading »
O'Sullivan Stays Busy Feb. 1, 2005 In a draft class heavily weighted with two-way standouts, Sean O'Sullivan, a senior righthander from Valhalla High in suburban San Diego has the moves to play professionally on the mound or at the plate. O'Sullivan's package of legitimate pitching and hitting tools is among the most intriguing in the class, and he enters the season ranked as the nation's No. 3 prep prospect. [...] Continue Reading »
2005 Early Draft Preview: Overview Jan. 31, 2005 According to scouting directors, the 2005 draft class doesn't need a boost from Townsend's presence. By all accounts, it's a deep class that scouts are looking forward to sifting through, even if they aren't looking forward to paying the players at the top the multimillion-dollar, major league contracts that Justin Verlander, Humber and Niemann received as the second, third and fourth selections in 2004. [...] Continue Reading »