Draft Coverage Kick Off

Written by Sean P | 12 May 2010

The MLB draft is coming up in less than a month and it’s about time we start looking at who the Yankees might take at #32. It’s difficult to peg where everyone will fall beyond Bryce Harper even a few weeks out because there’s plenty of baseball left to be played. This is a general list of players that may be available. In the next couple of weeks good performances could put a few guys (Paxton, Harvey, and Workman) well out of site of pick 32.

James Paxton- LHP- Grand Prairie AirHogs

Paxton was drafted by the Blue Jays last year but didn’t sign. This year he’ll start pitching for the AirHogs soon, an independent team in the Midwest. Paxton has a fastball that sits in the mid 90’s and has touched 98- he also has a plus slider and the makings of a decent changeup. While his control was sometimes spotty, he’s a big projectable left hander who throws hard- easy to see why he gets so much attention. It’ll be tough to figure where Paxton will wind up until he starts pitching again, but so far early bets have him pegged as a supplemental round selection. Don’t get too excited though, as a solid performance in the independent league and Paxton may rocket up draft boards once again.

Matt Harvey-RHP- UNC

Harvey was drafted back in 2007 but slipped to the third round due to signabilty concerns and eventually wound up at UNC. His fastball is also in the mid 90s, and has gotten it up to 97 at times this year. He also has an above average change up but has really struggled to find any consistency with either a curveball or slider, which he currently throws. Another huge issue with him: command. It ranges in reports from average to horrible.

Barret Loux-RHP-Texas A&M

Mike Axisa touched on Loux earlier because he was featured in Andy Seiler’s mock draft. Loux sits 90-94 and has a 4 pitch mix that include a plus change up, an average curveball and a fringy, slurvy slider. He has good command however and a clean and easy delivery. He’s striking out 12.5 batters per nine innings so far while walking just 3 per 9 with a nifty 3.15 FIP.

Gary Brown-OF-Cal State Fullerton

Brown is the noted team mate of the likely top 20 pick Christian Colon. Brown will remind you a lot of Brett Gardner. He has blazing speed and terrific defense with an aggressive approach (unlike Gardner) but gets on base often. If you think he has any chance to hit for power at all (he is 6’0” 185), he’s your man- a future leadoff hitter with a ton of stolen bases. If not? Maybe Juan Pierre.

LeVon Washington- 2B/OF- Chipola JC

Washington was chosen a year ago by Tampa but did not sign going to play at Chipola Jr College instead. Washington moved to the outfield and has had a mixed season- he hasn’t been quite as impressive as scouts would like and has perceived “hustle” problems for some. What we do know about Washington is that he can hit well with a bit of surprising power for his size and plus speed. 2^nd base might ultimately be the better destination for Washington as he doesn’t have much of a throwing arm.

Stetson Allie-INF/RHP- OH (HS)

Allie is probably one of the more interesting players in the draft. As a pitcher, Allie throws in the upper 90’s and in work outs and combines has hit 100 with his power fastball. What’s really been interesting is the development of his power slider, an 87-91 mph “wipeout pitch” according to a report from Keith Law. Stetson is a big boy- 6’4”, 230. He also has a changeup that he throws irregularly but is thrown 85-89 with some good tail. On the other side of the coin, Allie is a 3B/1B (with the emphasis on 1B) with a very big power bat. Most see Allie as a pitcher with better than even odds to wind up a closer. If he can harness all his stuff and throw strikes consistently, he would have a chance to become a #1 starter. Command and focus have been issues at times for him however and he’ll command an awfully large signing bonus one way or the other.

Jesse Hahn-RHP- Virginia Tech

The big 6’5” 200 lbs ace from Virginia Tech has an electric fastball that hits the upper 90s (sits around 94) and a two seamer with great tail and sink. His curveball is good but not great and can add and subtract to it. He also has a decent changeup but he hasn’t thrown it very often. He has had issues with his delivery though and his command has suffered. He may be a reliever in the future if he can’t iron out those problems and additionally has had some arm troubles so far which have caused his stock to drop.

Yordy Cabrera-SS/RHP- FL (HS)

A 6’4” future 3^rd baseman or corner outfielder, Cabrera has a good bat and decent athleticism for his size. He has some good raw power and plenty of tools but he’s been inconsistent this year and has had questions about his fielding ability. He’s one of the rawest players likely to be drafted in the first round and the team that takes him will have to trust he can capitalize on all those tools at the next level.

Brandon Workman-RHP- Texas

Workman is the Longhorn’s front line starter and with good reason. He has a fastball that sits 90-95, a plus cutter and an average to plus 12-6 curveball. He also has a changeup which he doesn’t throw often but as is the case with all of his pitches, he commands it well. Workman has good makeup and constitution along with a great frame (6’5” 220). The only real negative associated with Workman are his mechanics which are a little rough. He has been rising up many draft boards but a recent rough outing is forcing some scouts to reconsider.