Alec Asher

Asher was a 23rd-round pick of the Giants out of high school in 2010, and was set to sign for $80,000 when his contract was voided due to a bone chip in his elbow. Asher, who had Tommy John surgery when he was 14, pitched at Santa Fe (Fla.) JC in 2011, then moved on to Polk County this spring, helping the school to its first Junior College World Series berth. He was named top pitcher of the state juco tournament after throwing 7 2/3 innings on three days' rest in the championship game. He has dominated juco competition (12-1, 1.39, 113-24 SO-BB ratio in 104 IP) working off a hard 89-94 mph fastball that consistently reaches 95 and has touched 97. He locates the pitch well and has shown an ability to pitch to both sides of the plate with it. Asher has gotten leaner since high school, and his 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame helps him maintain his velocity deep into games. None of his secondary pitches excites scouts. His curveball is more of an early-count pitch, and he doesn't regularly throw his decent slider for strikes. He hasn't needed much of a changeup. Asher's medical history pushes him down some boards, but the Division-II Tampa commitment is considered signable.