http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/ The Home For Baseball Insiders Fri, 25 May 2012 18:10:23 EST en-us http://www.baseballamerica.com/images/baonlinelogo4.gif http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/ 96 9 1 http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/column/2012/2613464.html Content: CHICAGO—With less than two weeks before the draft, the teams at the top still were zeroing in on whom they should take. While this draft crop pales in comparison to 2011's, there are talented players. They just haven't separated themselves. Georgia high school outfielder Byron Buxton is the consensus No. 1 prospect, but he hit just three homers in his first 33 games, a sign that it may be a few years before his bat is ready to make an impact at the big league level. Puerto Rico prep shortstop Carlos Correa is gaining on Buxton. Talk to three different scouts, and you'll get three different answers as to who's the best pitcher in the top tier of college arms (Stanford's Mark Appel, Louisiana State's Kevin Gausman and San Francisco's Kyle Zimmer, all righthanders). Florida catcher Mike Zunino is clearly the top college position player available but has only one true plus tool. That's why we're here to help. Last issue, we projected who each team would take in the first round. This time, we'll tell you who clubs should select with the top 10 picks. Astros Must Forget About ETAs Rumors continue to swirl that Astros scouts prefer Buxton . . . Fri, 25 May 2012 17:04:57 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/column/2012/2613464.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/draft/mock-draft/2012/2613463.html Content: Ten days before the draft, the prospect picture is beginning to clear—not so much exact destinations for players, but how they're lining up on draft boards. Georgia high school center fielder Byron Buxton, three college righthanders (Stanford's Mark Appel, Louisiana State's Kevin Gausman and San Francisco's Kyle Zimmer) and Florida catcher Mike Zunino continue to comprise the top tier of talent, with Puerto Rican prep shortstop Carlos Correa pushing his way into that mix. California high school lefthander Max Fried turned in a strong start this week to reaffirm his standing atop the prep pitching crop, followed by Florida righthander Lance McCullers Jr. Behind Buxton and Correa, the high school position player order is getting more established: outfielders Albert Almora (Puerto Rico), Courtney Hawkins (Texas) and David Dahl (Alabama), with shortstop Gavin Cecchini (Louisiana) factoring into that mix. Righthanders Michael Wacha (Texas A&M) and Chris Stratton (Mississippi State) and lefty Andrew Heaney (Oklahoma State) form the second wave of college starters, while 5-foot-9 righthander Marcus Stroman (Duke) has the most electric arm in the draft but seems to be getting pigeonholed as a reliever. After up-the-middle players Zunino and Arizona State shortstop Deven Marrero go in the top 10 picks, . . . Fri, 25 May 2012 16:38:04 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/draft/mock-draft/2012/2613463.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/texas-rangers/2012/2613461.html Content: ARLINGTON—As draft stock goes, not many teams were buying Justin Grimm after doubts were raised by his junior season with Georgia. One team bought into Barret Loux but never saw any return on its investment. But the Rangers have seen their high-risk investments in Grimm and Loux pay dividends so far this season, as the two 23-year-old righthanders opened at Double-A Frisco with a combined 13-1 record. Grimm, the Rangers' fifth-round pick in 2010, had to address mechanical issues that plagued him ahead of the draft. He has also developed a changeup and taken a more businesslike approach to his chosen profession. "You start to show up to the field every day to work, and you go in with the attitude of, 'What can I do today to get better?' " said Grimm, who was 6-3, 2.34 with 45 strikeouts and 11 walks in 50 innings. "It's not just picking up a ball anymore like it was in college." Loux's draft stock didn't fall in 2010, as he was selected sixth overall by the Diamondbacks, but he never signed after failing his physical. Shoulder and elbow concerns eventually led to him becoming a free agent, and the Rangers scooped him . . . Fri, 25 May 2012 13:03:11 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/texas-rangers/2012/2613461.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/los-angeles-angels/2012/2613460.html Content: LOS ANGELES—Lefthander Trevor Reckling's rapid rise and fall as a prospect came to a thudding conclusion in early May. Reckling was the Angels' minor league pitcher of the year in 2009 and ranked as high as No. 4 on the organization's prospect list in 2009 and '10. But the Angels finally released him after he opened the season with a dreadful performance at high Class A Inland Empire: 18.90 ERA, 15 walks, six hits and five hit batsmen in just 62⁄3 innings. "Unfortunately, as prospect status goes, three or four years is an eternity," general manager Jerry Dipoto said. "Trevor was to the point—without getting hypercritical of a young player—where his ability to get the ball even near the strike zone was so diminished and his velocity had regressed so much that it just wasn't viable to continue down that path." Reckling, who released just short of his 23rd birthday, was an eighth-round pick in 2007 out of St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, N.J, who rose quickly through the minor league ranks, part of a domino effect in an organization whose young pitching stock was depleted by the sudden death of Nick Adenhart in April 2009 and subsequent trades that . . . Fri, 25 May 2012 12:58:15 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/los-angeles-angels/2012/2613460.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/houston-astros/2012/2613459.html Content: HOUSTON—Things could not have gone any smoother for lefthander Dallas Keuchel since he realized who he is as a pitcher—and perhaps more importantly, who he is not. His first ride through Triple-A last season was a nightmare, a 1-1, 7.50 record in seven starts with nearly as many walks (12) as strikeouts (15) in 35 innings. But Keuchel has made the most of a fresh start in the Oklahaoma City rotation out of spring training. Through eight starts this season, the 24-year-old was 4-2, 2.09 with 28 strikeouts and 10 walks in 56 innings. The biggest difference has been accepting his role as a finesse lefty—his fastball sits in the mid-80s—rather than trying to overdo things. "When I came up here last year, I was out of my element a little bit and tried to do too much," said Keuchel, a polished seventh-round pick in 2009 off an Arkansas team that reached the College World Series. "Going to the (Arizona) Fall League helped me out a lot, facing all that talent. It made me think about refining my command, and coming into this year, I was more comfortable with my stuff and not trying to outdo myself and trying to . . . Fri, 25 May 2012 12:44:35 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/houston-astros/2012/2613459.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/oakland-athletics/2012/2613458.html Content: OAKLAND—The expectation had been fairly simple: Lefthander Pedro Figueroa would work out of the bullpen at Triple-A, giving him time to rebuild his arm after missing nearly two years following Tommy John surgery. Figueroa had started from the time he signed with the Athletics in 2003 until the left elbow went bad in June 2010. Working in the bullpen this year would allow him to regain his strength and see where destiny would carry him. Then the 26-year-old Dominican started the year lights-out in Sacramento, not allowing a run over seven innings and five appearances. So on April 20, River Cats manager Darren Bush called Figueroa into his office. "He said he had to make some decisions with me, because I wasn't doing well," Figueroa said with the help of translator Manolo Hernandez-Douen, Oakland's Spanish-language broadcaster. "I said, 'Hey, I'm doing well.' " Bush then laughed and told him he was going to the majors. Figueroa hugged his manager. The newly minted reliever then proceeded to impress, allowing only one run in his first five big league games. Figueroa had been an emerging talent in the system before having surgery 13 games into the 2010 season. Then came a long . . . Fri, 25 May 2012 12:30:20 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/oakland-athletics/2012/2613458.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/seattle-mariners/2012/2613457.html Content: SEATTLE—The Mariners have reams of press clippings and reels of video on three high-profile starters at Double-A Jackson: lefthanders Danny Hultzen and James Paxton and righthander Taijuan Walker. So the first Jackson starter to be promoted to Triple-A Tacoma was, naturally, Andrew Carraway. Er, who? The 25-year-old doesn't come with the credentials of the others, at least in terms of being a high draft pick. But the righthander, a 12th-round pick in 2009 out of Virginia, has put himself on the fast track by understanding his job. He came into the 2012 season with a career minor league record of 28-13, then went 4-0, 2.61 in his first seven starts for the Generals by throwing fastballs, sliders, curves, cutters and changeups that simply didn't get hit very hard. "He is one of those guys who reads what the hitter is doing, and adjusts real well to that," farm director Chris Gwynn said. "He's not a hard thrower. He goes at 89, 90 (mph), and he probably could get a little bit more velocity. "But that's not him. That's not how he pitches." At its base, pitching is about disrupting hitters. And that's been Carraway's focus. Gwynn, who took his new . . . Fri, 25 May 2012 12:30:15 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/seattle-mariners/2012/2613457.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/college/on-campus/2012/2613455.html Content: When the University of California announced it was cutting its baseball program in the fall of 2010, then-sophomore second baseman Tony Renda had plenty of options. The NCAA granted all the players a waiver to transfer without having to sit out a year, and coming off a freshman campaign in which he played all 54 games—leading the team in batting average, hits, runs, and doubles—Renda had plenty of suitors for his services. Renda said opposing coaches started calling him almost immediately after the NCAA made that announcement, and considering the Bay Area native had just seen his program swept out from under him, no one could have faulted Renda if he chose to transfer. Which is why what he told Cal coach Dave Esquer in the immediate aftermath of the decision all the more surprising. "He came in and said to me, until someone takes this program away from me, I am going to be here," Esquer said. "When your best player shows that kind of commitment, that meant everything to us. He could have gone anywhere he wanted to, but he was saying he wasn't just going to turn his back and take the next best opportunity." It's that . . . Fri, 25 May 2012 11:39:07 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/college/on-campus/2012/2613455.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/tampa-bay-rays/2012/2613454.html Content: ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.—The final element for lefthander Alex Torres to progress from prospect to established major leaguer seems so simple it shouldn't have to be repeated: throw more strikes. But until Torres shows the ability to become more consistent in repeating his delivery, and thus throwing more strikes, there will be a daunting challenge. After a solid second half in Triple-A Durham last season, and including two stints with the Rays, Torres seemed ready to take the last step this year. But in the first month of the 2012 season, he instead took a major step backward, demoted to the Durham bullpen after going 1-3, 10.38 in his first five starts, allowing 19 hits and 21 walks in 17 innings. The biggest problem? "Repeating a good delivery to throw quality strikes," Rays farm director Mitch Lukevics said. So at 24, with two-plus years in the Rays system since his acquisition from the Angels in the Scott Kazmir deal (along with Sean Rodriguez and Matt Sweeney), Torres' main task is a steady repetition of drill work to work on his delivery. "Are we fairly confident he can do it?" Lukevics said. "You never know when the light turns on in a . . . Fri, 25 May 2012 11:02:49 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/tampa-bay-rays/2012/2613454.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/new-york-yankees/2012/2613453.html Content: NEW YORK—After shoulder surgery sidelined Michael Pineda for the season and Mariano Rivera's year ended in early May due to a torn ACL, the Yankees did receive good news on a high-profile pitcher. When righthander Jose Campos informed the Yankees he was experiencing right elbow stiffness following a miserable start on April 28, the 19-year-old was immediately sent for an MRI. While the organization held its breath, the news was positive—at least initially—because Campos was diagnosed with inflammation and not structural damage. "We don't mess around with that stuff," Yankees vice president Mark Newman said. Campos was expected to be idle for at least two starts, go on anti-inflammatory medicine and an exercise program before he resumes throwing. Acquired with Pineda from the Mariners for Jesus Montero and righthander Hector Noesi, Campos was 3-0, 4.01 in five games for low Class A Charleston. Thanks to a fastball that was clocked as high as 95 mph and consistently at 92 with a plus changeup and curveball, Campos whiffed 26 and issued eight walks in 25 innings. South Atlantic League batters were hitting .213 against the 6-foot-4, 195-pound Campos, a native of La Guaira, Venezuela. "His fastball command has been good and . . . Fri, 25 May 2012 10:59:47 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/new-york-yankees/2012/2613453.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/boston-red-sox/2012/2613452.html Content: BOSTON—When the Red Sox signed outfielder Keury De La Cruz out of the Dominican Republic in early 2009, it barely created a ripple. He had been passed over as a 16-year-old, but the Red Sox saw him several times at 17 and found his combination of defensive tools and an aggressive approach intriguing. Despite a 5-foot-11 frame and a lack of strength at the time, the Sox and former international scouting director Craig Shipley were impressed by the natural loft in his swing. "(Shipley) said, 'You can project power on this guy,' " current Sox international scouting director Eddie Romero said. "He was right." De La Cruz hit the ground running, being named the organization's top player in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League in 2009. The next year, he led the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in total bases. But in 2011, at 19, De La Cruz's performance took a hit while he was playing for short-season Lowell. He hit .263/.292/.390, and while he showed some pop, he did so at the expense of a solid approach. "He didn't look at it as a bad season," Romero said. "He said, 'I didn't hit what I wanted to and didn't hit as . . . Fri, 25 May 2012 10:57:03 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/boston-red-sox/2012/2613452.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/baltimore-orioles/2012/2613451.html Content: BALTIMORE—Stu Pomeranz's first taste of the majors was brief, but the impression he made could linger. Pomeranz, a second-round pick of the Cardinals in 2003, has battled through a series of injuries and a bout with alcoholism to again establish himself as a prospect. Before having his contract purchased on May 7, Pomeranz yielded just two unearned runs and seven hits in 19 combined innings of relief between Triple-A Norfolk and Double-A Bowie, with two walks and an astounding 32 strikeouts. He didn't give up a run or hit in 5 2⁄3 innings with Norfolk, walking one and striking out 12. "I've been sober 15 months," he said. "I don't drink or do anything. I'm all about baseball right now." Pomeranz didn't allow a run in two appearances with the Orioles covering four innings. He gave up four hits, walked one and struck out three. He had options remaining and the club needed to make another roster move to get back to a four-man bullpen, which is why he was demoted. It certainly had nothing to do with performance. "I don't know what the key is," he said. "I've just been going right after hitters and trying to get outs. . . . Fri, 25 May 2012 10:50:51 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/baltimore-orioles/2012/2613451.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/toronto-blue-jays/2012/2613450.html Content: TORONTO—Travis d'Arnaud is getting used to slow starts. His average dipped to .182 after going 0-for-4 on April 18 for Triple-A Las Vegas, but he wasn't about to panic. "I've had three seasons so far where I've started out slow," d'Arnaud said. "That definitely helped me out with this one. I wasn't really worried. I figured as long as I could relax, sooner or later they'll start falling and I'll start getting hits." The next day he embarked on a 14-game hitting streak (21-for-60) and he has raised his hitting line to .298/.360/.534. D'Arnaud had a slow start last season at Double-A New Hampshire and went on to win the Eastern League MVP award, hitting .311/.371/.542 with 21 homers. "I started off slow the first couple of weeks and then I had a concussion—two foul balls in a row off my mask—and then something clicked I guess and I just went off," d'Arnaud said recalling last season at New Hampshire. "I was just over-swinging. And once I realized I don't have to swing really hard to make good contact—just worry more about keeping my eye on the ball and hitting it square instead of trying to blast it all the . . . Fri, 25 May 2012 10:45:49 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/toronto-blue-jays/2012/2613450.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/washington-nationals/2012/2613447.html Content: WASHINGTON—Following a 13-month layoff to recover from a torn labrum, middle infielder Rick Hague was back at high Class A Potomac and feeling stronger than ever. Not only did he pick up where he left off at the plate, but he also was more confident with his throwing. The 23-year-old had been in extended spring training until late April, putting in hours of work with infield coordinator Jeff Garber. "I throw better now than I did before surgery, I would say that," said Hague, a third-round pick out of Rice in 2010. "It's more accurate and consistent." At Potomac, Hague was sharing time at shortstop with Zach Walters, who had rebounded from a hand injury that forced him to go to extended spring. Hague had started four games at shortstop, two at second base and three at DH. A righthanded hitter, Hague batted .313/.361/.344 in 32 at-bats. In his fifth game, he went 4-for-5 with a game-ending single. Hague also started hot with Potomac in 2011, batting 5-for-14 (.357) with two doubles and a home run. Then he hurt his shoulder on a slide at second base in his fourth and final game of the season. "It just popped out . . . Thu, 24 May 2012 16:31:11 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/washington-nationals/2012/2613447.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/new-york-mets/2012/2613446.html Content: NEW YORK—As the front office handed out minor league assignments this spring, officials spent hours trying to determine who would play third base for Double-A Binghamton. They thought first of Wilmer Flores, a once-sterling hitting prospect who had struggled in two tries at the Florida State League. Ultimately, the Mets assigned him to high Class A St. Lucie for the third time—with a position switch from shortstop to third base. New York also briefly considered second basemen Danny Muno, an eighth-rounder last June, and Robbie Shields for the job, but the former lacked pro experience and the latter missed most of 2011 with a back injury. Then they considered Jefry Marte. Vice president of scouting and player development Paul DePodesta explained the decision: "We said, '(Marte's) not changing positions. He had a full season with St. Lucie. He played terrific in the Arizona Fall League, which was a good test for him.' "As we put it all together, it just seemed he was really the best choice to send (to Binghamton). Because we thought he was ready, it wouldn't really be unnecessarily pushing him. " The early returns were favorable for Marte, whom the Mets signed out of the Dominican . . . Thu, 24 May 2012 16:20:13 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/new-york-mets/2012/2613446.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/florida-marlins/2012/2613445.html Content: FORT LAUDERDALE—Lefthander Daniel Jennings was surprised by his April 30 callup to the Marlins. He would not have been had it happened earlier. That's because Jennings admits that in the past he had obsessed about getting the call, and that seeing others promoted to Miami yielded mixed emotions. "As happy as I was for those guys," Jennings said, "I was so disappointed in myself. Honestly, this is the first time since my first big league camp that (a callup) was the furthest thing from my mind. "Part of it was that two years ago the bullpen was shuffling guys in and out. Knowing a lot of these guys (now) had been here for a while, it was almost like I didn't have anything to worry about. I was settled in at (Triple-A) New Orleans." Jennings' initial big league stint didn't last long. Called up to replace struggling lefty Mike Dunn, Jennings made two scoreless appearances totaling five outs but still found himself back in New Orleans the next week when Miami needed fresh bullpen arms. Regardless, Jennings can be proud of the fact that he overcame a 50-game suspension while with Double-A Jacksonville to reach the majors. He tested positive . . . Thu, 24 May 2012 16:07:01 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/florida-marlins/2012/2613445.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/atlanta-braves/2012/2613443.html Content: ATLANTA—Despite scuffling through spring training, catcher Evan Gattis set about converting the non-believers with an offensive outburst that carried him to Double-A in May. The reigning low Class A South Atlantic League batting champion, Gattis had been even more productive this season, hitting .361/.441/.770 through 122 at-bats across two levels. He ranked second in the minors in home runs (13), RBIs (41) and slugging. He spent April at high Class A Lynchburg but received a quick promotion to Double-A Mississippi on May 1 when catcher Christian Bethancourt strained his hamstring. Gattis batted .318/.388/.682 in his first 11 Southern League games. "On the last day (of spring training), I saw one pitch and hit a home run," Gattis said. "It felt good to come out like that, and everything has been going well since then." Gattis, 25, got a late start to his pro career because he spent nearly four years away from the game, touring the country and performing odd jobs. Coming out of high school, he committed to Texas A&M but never made it to campus, and he followed that false start with another when he hurt his knee at Seminole (Okla.) JC and walked away from the game. . . . Thu, 24 May 2012 15:53:51 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/atlanta-braves/2012/2613443.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/philadelphia-phillies/2012/2613442.html Content: PHILADELPHIA—Thin at third base for years, the Phillies feel like they have put together an intriguing group of prospects at the position in the lower levels. Perhaps one will grow to be the organization's first homegrown hot-corner regular since Scott Rolen. Cody Asche is the latest to open eyes. Philadelphia's fourth-round pick out of Nebraska last June, he batted .364/.391/.471 with one homer through his first 121 at-bats for high Class A Clearwater. "He's been consistent since day one of spring training," assistant general manager Benny Looper said. "He's really swinging it well and playing good third base. He runs well, and we think the power has a chance to come." The lefty-hitting Asche has proven to be coachable. He hit just .192 in 68 games with short-season Williamsport last summer, and Looper said his bat looked dead. Some tutoring with the organization's hitting staff in instructional league added life to Asche's bat. "He always had a nice swing, but he had trouble getting his bat started," Looper said. "He didn't have a load. Very few hitters can swing from a dead stop and have success. Our instructors did an outstanding job on helping him get the bat started." Another . . . Thu, 24 May 2012 15:48:00 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/organization-reports/philadelphia-phillies/2012/2613442.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2012/2613441.html Content: Had Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich started the season on a sour note, then he would have had a ready-made explanation. Struck by an errant bat while standing in the on-deck circle during spring training, Yelich sustained a deep bone bruise in his right elbow that forced him to the high Class A Jupiter disabled list at the outset of the season. He returned with a vengeance following a 10-day layoff, however, and by mid-May the 20-year-old said his elbow felt 100 percent healthy. Yelich's early-season performance spoke much louder than his words ever could. Upon his return, he went 12 for his first 24 and collected six extra-base hits in seven games for Jupiter, his first exposure to the Florida State League. A smooth-swinging lefthanded batter—as well as the 23rd pick in the 2010 draft—Yelich popped 15 home runs for low Class A Greensboro last season while making his full-season debut, doing his best to answer criticism of home-field bias by swatting seven homers away from NewBridge Bank Park, a noted bandbox. He also hit .312 to finish fourth in the South Atlantic League batting race. "The home park is the biggest difference this year," Yelich said in reference to . . . Thu, 24 May 2012 15:07:07 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2012/2613441.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2012/2613439.html Content: MARACAY, VENEZUELA—One of Venezuela´s newest up-and-coming baseball academies is located just a few hundred yards from the stadium of its most recent national champions, the Tigres de Aragua, in the city of Maracay, about 60 miles west of the capital of Caracas. The academy boasts some of the finest facilities of any in the country, including four fields, batting cages, a weight room and a training room. It provides its players with comfortable dormitories and a cafeteria. It also counts on one advantage that no other academy has: the financial backing and name recognition of recently retired three-time major league all-star infielder Carlos Guillen. The Carlos Guillen Baseball Academy was founded in 2010 when Guillen decided that he wanted to give back to his homeland by creating opportunities for young baseball players so that they could succeed just as he did 20 years ago. His decision was notable given that no other Venezuelan player of comparable status has chosen to do so. Former big league righthander Dennis Martinez has an academy in Nicaragua, Edgar Renteria has one in Colombia, but the majority of even the top programs in Latin America are run by former minor leaguers and local professionals without . . . Thu, 24 May 2012 10:23:09 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2012/2613439.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/draft/draft-tracker/2012/2613438.html Content: Last year, Baseball America used various installments of Draft Tracker to spotlight two-sport players like lefthander Amir Garrett, righthanders Tayler Scott and Patrick Connaughton and outfielder Brandon Magee. This installment has four two-sport guys all in one place . . . Shaq Thompson, of, Grant HS, Sacramento Thompson is one of the top football recruits in the nation. He was committed to California, but in January when the Bears' recruiting coordinator, Tosh Lupoi, headed north to Washington, his prize recruit followed suit. Thompson is a 6-foot-2, 210-pound physical specimen. He'll spend most of his time on the gridiron as a safety, but also starred at Grant as a running back, kick returner and punter. Thompson's brother, Syd'Quan, is a cornerback for the Denver Broncos. Shaq is also shows off his athletic ability on the baseball field and a team may try to persuade him to keep playing both sports—baseball in the minor leagues and football at Washington. If that happens, the team will have to be patient. "He'd be a complete project for player development," one scout said. "But the athleticism is there. It's ridiculous how he moves and controls his body. But he's far from a baseball player. If . . . Wed, 23 May 2012 14:50:34 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/draft/draft-tracker/2012/2613438.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2012/2613435.html Content: With the international signing period coming up in fewer than six weeks, here are reports on 10 more players to watch for July 2: Wendell Rijo, SS, Dominican Republic Listed at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds—which some scouts say may be generous by a couple of inches—Rijo is exactly the type of player who benefits from playing in the Dominican Prospect League. A 16-year-old from La Romana who trains with Victor Brus, Rijo consistently earns high marks from scouts who have been impressed by his baseball acumen and ability to hit in games wherever he goes. In terms of present ability, he's one of the best baseball players in the Dominican Republic, with quick hands at the plate and surprising pop for his size. He doesn't have the strength or speed of Venezuela's Franklin Barreto, another undersized shortstop who hits well in games, but he has a solid all-around skill set. Rijo runs well, has solid hands and is a fundamentally sound defender, though some teams think his arm will play better at second base. He sprained his knee during the DPL's spring training tour in the United States in March, but he's back on the field working his way back to . . . Wed, 23 May 2012 10:47:48 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2012/2613435.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-pulse/2012/2613436.html Content: In every start during his first full pro season, Pirates righthander Jameson Taillon, the first high school pitcher taken in the 2010 draft, knew that he'd never see the sixth inning. "They've told me my pitch count is five innings no matter what, that or 75 pitches," Taillon said last year when asked about his outings. If he used his 75 pitches well, he could last five innings. If the teenage righthander used them poorly, he would be done by the third or fourth inning. But even if he economized like a Prius driver hypermiling, Taillon wasn't going to pitch more than five innings. A 15-up, 15-down, 40-pitch outing would have brought a pat on the back and a trip to the showers. The first time Dylan Bundy, the first high school pitcher taken in the 2011 draft, stood on the mound officially as a pro, he didn't face one stomach-churning moment. Three innings, nine batters, nine outs and just 45 pitches later his night was over. Six days later, Bundy returned to the mound to do the same thing, retiring all nine hitters he faced, this time needing just 31 pitches. Two games, six innings, 76 pitches. That's become . . . Wed, 23 May 2012 10:20:01 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-pulse/2012/2613436.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2012/2613428.html Content: A new era for international baseball is about to begin. When July 2 arrives, so too will the new rules on international spending, and indications are that prices are falling in Latin America. With teams limited to spending $2.9 million each (with a handful of minor exemptions) before penalties kick in, aggregate spending in the international amateur market is expected to drop. While three international amateur free agents signed for at least $3 million last year, the top players in this year's class are unlikely to get anywhere near that mark. There might not even be a player who eclipses $2 million. The more skeptical view in the international community is that the money won't significantly change, it will just be passed under the table now. It will be up to MLB to police, but several sources have reiterated that they believe the teams will try different tactics (previously detailed in Baseball America) to circumvent the new international spending limits. "I understand what (MLB is) trying to do and I support it, but the more restrictions you place on these people, the more they're going to try to cheat," said one Latin American director. "The restrictions create a sense of, . . . Tue, 22 May 2012 09:45:50 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2012/2613428.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/draft/draft-preview/2012/2613421.html Content: Reports written by Jim Callis, Aaron Fitt, Conor Glassey, John Manuel and Nathan Rode. 176. Edgardo Rivera, of, Inzarry de Puig HS, Toa Baja, P.R. Rivera was essentially an unknown before playing in Puerto Rico's Excellence Tournament in May. He cemented himself as one of the island's top prospects there and reminded some scouts of 2009 first rounder Reymond Fuentes. Rivera isn't as polished, but he has similar tools, beginning with premium speed. Rivera is at least a 70 runner on the 20-80 scale and some scouts give him 80 grades. He lacks instincts in the outfield but has the speed to make up for bad jumps or reads. His arm is fringe-average but projects to be average or better with pro instruction and a throwing program. At the plate, Rivera has a short swing from the left side of the plate and the ball jumps off his bat. Power won't be a part of Rivera's game and he'll likely need two years in short-season ball, but he could be an average hitter. Because Rivera came on so late, teams might not have seen enough of him to take him in the first five rounds, but his tools are hard . . . Thu, 17 May 2012 15:34:53 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/draft/draft-preview/2012/2613421.html