Area Code Games: Pitchers Impress on Day Two

Previous: Day One Report

By Josh Boyd
August 6, 2003

LONG BEACH--In the last two years 10 eventual first-rounders have played in the Area Code Games--eight of them from the 2002 class as last year's event was drained of many premium prospects due to the conflicting Team USA junior national schedule.

That is part of what makes the weeklong scouting combine such an anticipated and heavily scouted event. Organizations bring in their heavy hitters, including scouting directors, crosscheckers and area scouts. Some organizations have brought in as many as 11 evaluators and will spend more than $150,000 to cover the Area Code Games.

The pessimistic tone most scouts have had about the 2004 draft class makes you wonder why they're bothering. "Disappointing" has been the word most often used referring to last week's East Coast Professional Showcase, the Cape Cod League and Team USA. But it wasn't the word they were using after Tuesday's action at Blair Field, another reminder of why the Area Codes are so important.

Many of the top pitchers in the country matched up in the day's second game, featuring two teams made up mostly of players from Texas and California. Even teams who have shied away from drafting high school pitchers in the early rounds would have a hard time turning away from these arms.

Helium Time

Foothill (Calif.) High righthander Phil Hughes solidified his status as one of Southern California's best pitching prospects. He didn't touch 93-94 mph as he has done earlier this summer, but the 6-foot-5, 215-pounder sat at 90-92 and showed off a short, late-breaking 79-81 mph slider. He has a lightning-quick arm, a clean arm stroke and an outstanding delivery that allows him to keep the ball down at the knees.

After retiring the side in order in the first inning, Hughes' command was off in the second. He walked consecutive hitters and allowed two hits and two runs. Well known by area scouts in California, Hughes was ranked 225th overall nationally coming into this week. His exposure here will almost certainly send him soaring into the top 50.

High-Rent District

Already rated the 12th-best prospect in the class of 2004, Tomball (Texas) High lefty Troy Patton doesn't have much room for improvement. He showed why he belonged in the upper echelon, though, spinning three dominant innings.

Operating with a 90-92 mph fastball and a 69-72 mph curveball, Patton struck out four and allowed three hits. He throws slightly across his body from a deceptive three-quarters slot. He has great arm speed and works with a confident and aggressive demeanor. Patton occasionally drops down to a low three-quarters release point to throw a sweepy breaking ball to lefties. The pitch had back-door slider action to righthanders.

Highs And Lows

Weimar (Texas) High righthander Kenn Kasparek is the event's most intriguing pitcher at 6-foot-10, 225 pounds. He has overpowering potential with an 89-92 mph fastball that comes in on a tough downhill plane, and he showed the ability to spin a hard-biting 79 mph curveball.

At 6 feet, 150 pounds, Hanford (Calif.) High southpaw David Coulon doesn't stand out among some of the towering pitching prospects in Long Beach, but he showed an advanced feel for pitching during his two-inning stint. Coulon's fastball was clocked at 87-88 mph and he mixed in a good slider and changeup for strikes. He creates deceptiveness with a delivery reminiscent of Dontrelle Willis. Coulon's leg kick and hip turn aren't quite as exaggerated. He has a quick, clean arm action and repeats his delivery. He fanned the first two hitters he faced and didn't allow a hit.

High And Far

Texas is known for its ability to produce pitchers, but a few hitters made their presence felt yesterday. Clear Creek High third baseman J.P. Padron crushed the first home run of the week, smoking a fastball from Villa Park (Calif.) High righty Mark Trumbo (ranked 46th in the class) over the left-field wall. Blair Field is notorious for favoring pitchers, and only a couple of hitters have even reached the warning track so far. Wednesday's batting practice sessions should provide a longer look at who's got juice in his bat. Elkins High third baseman Matt Carpenter is another Texas slugger who has had a hot start. He's made consistent, hard contact, driving the ball up the middle and to the opposite field from the left side of the plate.

Maine Power

Righthander Mark Rogers of Mount Ararat High in Orr's Island, Maine, was the talk of the East Coast Showcase in Wilmington, N.C., last week, but just in case scouts weren't sure he dominated again on Tuesday.

"I guess I'm going to be making some trips to the Northeast this year," one crosschecker said after Rogers' first pitch registered 95 mph. Rogers topped out at 96-97 last week, and sat at 91-93 yesterday. He flashes a true power curveball, though it is inconsistent, sometimes lacking bite. He fanned five in a row after getting the first hitter to ground out to second during his two hitless innings.