46th Round • 1392nd Overall – Rich Ruff, RHP | School: Quincy U | Height: 6’3″ Weight: 215 | DOB: 12/14/88

Stats: 7-3, 3.86 ERA, 3 CG, 67.2 IP, 71 H, 39 R, 29 ER, 35 BB, 49 SO

Transferred from Eastern Illinois.

Ruff pitched in 13 games, all in relief, and saw action in eight other contests… started four times at catcher, including the final two games of the Belmont series, the nightcap of the South Florida doubleheader and the spring break trip game against Akron… his first hit of the season was a solo home run in the middle game of the Belmont series… also walked, stole a base and executed a sacrifice bunt in that Belmont game… went 1-for-3 with a pair of walks and a run scored in the victory in the nightcap of the South Florida doubleheader… struck out a pair of in each of his final three appearances of the season… allowed eight of 14 inherited base runners to score… worked a season-high inning and two-thirds of relief at Southern Illinois… pitched a scoreless seventh inning in the regular-season finale against Southeast Missouri.

47th Round • 1422nd Overall – Cole Limbaugh, RHP | School: Childersburg HS | Height: 6’4″ Weight: 180 | DOB: 5/4/93

Committed to Samford University.

Cole Limbaugh (P/Util, 6’5, 180, Childersburg High School, Childersburg, Ala.) is a tall, athletic two way player from Childersburg High School. Limbaugh is a high velocity right-handed pitcher who also handles the bat well as the top hitter on his high school team as a junior.

“Cole has really developed over the last couple of years,” Samford head coach Casey Dunn said. “We had him at our camp this summer and he performed really well on the mound and at the plate. He has a great frame that projects well for the future, but we expect him to contribute right away.”

As a junior, he led the team in hitting with a .388 batting average, 29 RBI and six home runs. He also scored 26 runs and stole eight bases. On the mound he struck out 51 hitters in 43 innings with a 3.20 earned run average on his way to being named his team’s Most Valuable Player. Limbaugh was equally impressive his sophomore season where he was honored as both All-County and State honors. He hit .376, with two home runs, 39 RBI, 29 runs scored and nine stolen bases. On the mound he struck out 26 hitters to only five walks, posted a 2.83 earned run average with a record of 2-0 with four saves.

Limbaugh’s versatility is expected to be a great asset with the limited roster.

“With the rule change the last couple of years limiting the roster to 35 players it is more helpful if you have guys who can legitimately help on the mound and as a hitter,” Dunn said. “Cole is very athletic and has shown some defensive ability and power at the plate.”

Perfect Game lists his top velocity at 87 mph. Looks like he is not only a two-way player, but a two-sport player as well serving as his HS football teams quarterback.

48th Round • 1452nd Overall – Malcolm Clapsaddle, RHP | School: Santa Fe JC | Height: 6’3″ Weight: 185 | DOB: 9/10/90

Stats: 11-2, 1.81 ERA, 4 CG, 2 SHO, 89.1 IP, 66 H, 25 BB, 103 SO

Baseball America:

The state pitcher of the year, Clapsaddle has a memorable name and bumped 92 mph in the fall. His fastball velocity was less showy during the season, and his stuff generally earns fringy grades. He began his college career at Georgia and will go to High Point if he doesn’t sign.

Perfect Game profile (high school):

88 mph and can pitch, smooth quick arm, projects, 90 at BCS, 90 at PG National, 90 at WWBA and breaking lots of bats, good command, 90 at Jupiter

Malcolm Clapsaddle is a 2009 RHP/3B with a 6’2”, 170 lb. frame from Geneva , FL who attends Oviedo. Clapsaddle uses a Hi 3/4 arm angle and his fastball topped at 90 mph at the Metyrodome. He throws downhill and his arm is fast and loose. His breaking ball has big potential and he also throws a good change up. He shows pitchability on the mound and has very good command od all three pitches. He projects large on the mound and also shows ability with the bat. He has verballed to the U of Georgia.

Video of Clapsaddle pitching.

49th Round • 1482nd Overall – Sean Buckle, LHP | School: Woodrow Wilson HS | Height: 5’11″ Weight: 165 | DOB: 3/14/93

Stats: 1-0, 2.07 ERA, 27 IP, 10 R, 8 ER, 10 H, 16 BB, 35 K

Perfect Game profile:

Sean Buckle is a 2011 OF/LHP with a 5’10”, 160 lb. frame from Long Beach, CA who attends Wilson. Lean athletic build, body projects well, fast-twitch athlete, 6.89 sixty, smooth and simple swing, good feel for hitting, stays inside the ball well, better tools than what he showed in batting practice, smooth outfield actions, strong arm, good footwork, live arm on the mound, short compact arm action, arm works well, good armside run on all pitches, around the plate, big upside, strong student.

Gazettes:

Sean Buckle, from Wilson, who just last Saturday had what his family hopes will be a final procedure on the fractured vertebrae in his neck.  Buckle was drafted by the Mets but has said he plans on fulfilling his commitment to attend Loyola Marymount University.

50th Round • 1512th Overall – Eddie Rohan, C | School: Winthrop U | Height: 6’0″ Weight: 205 | DOB: 8/15/88

Eddie Rohan on left

Stats: .342/.442/.492, 199 AB, 33 R, 11 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 38 RBI, 27 BB, 34 SO, 8/10 SB

Herald Online:

“All I wanted was that plane ticket and a chance to play,” Rohan said from his parents’ home in Ohio, an evident sigh of relief in his voice. “Right now, I’m as excited as I would be if I was picked in the 15th round or whatever.

“All anyone can ask for is a chance to play, and I have that now.”

41st Round • 1242nd Overall – Mark Picca, LHP | School: U Texas Arlington | Height: 6’2″ Weight: 205 | DOB: 5/31/89

Stats: 1-1, 7.07 ERA, 14 IP, 12 R, 11 ER, 19 H, 7 BB, 9 SO

UT Arlington:

Mark Picca doesn’t have the most glamorous of roles on the team for UT Arlington. He’s set up for having bad stats and a lot of “L’s” on the right side of his pitching record.

Few pitchers in the Southland Conference, or even the nation, could be successful in the role the junior left-handed starter Picca has for the Mavericks. He is the midweek starter. And for what it’s worth, his team and coaches think he’s doing a pretty good job.

His list of the high quality teams he’s faced sounds more like a team’s NCAA Tournament run than a regular season schedule: Oklahoma, TCU (twice), Oral Roberts, Baylor, Texas and Oklahoma State. It’s almost a baseball miracle that Picca sits at 2-5 with a 6.08 ERA.

42nd Round • 1272nd Overall – Greg Pron, OF | School: U West Florida | Height: 6’6″ Weight: 195 | DOB: 1/3/89

Stats: .423/.486/.677, 220 AB, 56 R, 20 2B, 3 3B, 10 HR, 69 RBI, 25 BB, 23 SO, 28/34 SB

PNJ:

A breakthrough season for Greg Pron has led to a breakthrough achievement.

Pron, the senior right fielder and leading hitter for top-ranked University of West Florida, was named Wednesday as the Gulf South Conference East Division player of the year. He is the first UWF player to attain the honor. “It’s awesome to be the first person in our school’s history to do it,” said Pron, who is batting .440, the second-highest average in the GSC.

Pron, a Daphne (Ala.) High graduate, altered his batting stance at the suggestion of UWF coaches and professional scouts prior to this season. What a difference it’s made. Pron is batting more than 100 points higher this season.

43rd Round • 1302nd Overall – Jacob Decker, SS | School: Piedmont HS | Height: 6’2″ Weight: 170 | DOB: 5/11/92

Stats: .417/.525/.694, 3 HR, 47 RBI

Committed to Eastern Oklahoma State College

44th Round • 1332nd Overall – Clint Sharp, RHP | School: Howard JC | Height: 6’2″ Weight: 215 | DOB: 3/20/91

Stats: 1-1, 9.95 ERA, 12.2 IP, 22 R, 14 ER, 21 H, 8 BB, 12 SO

Teammate of 2010 unsigned 5th round pick Damien Magnifico. Transfered from UT-Tyler.

UT-Tyler:

After earning his first collegiate victory in the opening game of a two-game series with Hendrix College, freshman right-hander Clint Sharp has been named the ASC East Pitcher of the Week.

Making his fourth career start, Sharp struck out a career-high seven batters over seven scoreless innings to get the win over Hendrix. He scattered five hits and three walks in lowering his ERA 4.05 points in the outing, which marked his longest of the season as well.

45th Round • 1362nd Overall – Andrew Marra, RHP | School: St. Thomas of Villanova Secondary HS | Height: 5’11″ Weight: 175 | DOB: 12/31/93

Michigan Baseball Prospects:

FB Velo	BB Velo	CH Velo
85-87	74-76	77-79

Perfect Game profile:

Andrew Marra is a 2011 RHP/SS with a 5’11”, 160 lb. frame from LaSalle, ON who attends St Thomas of Villanova. Lean athletic build, room to fill out and add strength, arm works on the mound, good arm speed, locates all of his pitches well, works the corners, good armside run, does a good job of getting ahead with his fastball, quality feel for his curveball, good upside on the mound, aggressive hitting approach, line-drive contact, confident hitter in his ability, attacks the baseball, looked good during the games, raw arm strength in the infield, makes all the plays in the field, solid actions, terrific student. Named to Top Prospect Team.

The Windsore Star:

The 17-year-old Marra first heard from the Mets Tuesday.

“I got called in the 15th round, but what they were offering wasn’t enough for me,” the five-foot-11, 175-pound Marra said.

Marra also has school options having a full-ride to the University of Toledo for more than $100,000.

“In order for me to sign, the money is a big factor,” Marra said.

“It’ll have to match my scholarship and then some.”

Wednesday, the Mets were back on the phone.

“They said they wanted me,” Marra said. “They were going to take me and we’ll talk money later. It was pretty exciting.”

36th Round • 1092nd Overall – Ryan Hutson, 1B | School: U Texas San Antonio | Height: 6’2″ Weight: 195 | DOB: 9/19/88

Stats: .342/.426/.625, 152 AB, 30 R, 11 2B, 1 3B, 10 HR, 35 RBI, 22 BB, 25 SO, 4/7 SB

College Baseball Daily:

He struggled during his freshman season in 2008 where he played in 50 games (45 starts) while having a batting average of .246 with seven homers and 32 RBI.

Hutson had a breakout season in 2009 as he finished with a .343 average with a team high 17 homers while driving in 43 runs. He was also picked up 12 doubles and two triples to bring his slugging percentage to .719 which was good enough for second place on the team.

The one area he needs to work on is his defense as he made twelve errors in 2008 and eleven in 2009.

37th Round • 1122nd Overall – Craig Missigman, RHP | School: Olympic HS | Height: 6’4″ Weight: 175 | DOB: 8/5/93

Carolina’s Baseball Center:

Grad Year	First Name	Last Name	Fastball	Breaking	Off Speed
2011	Craig	Missigman	89	70	80

Made MLB Bonus Baby‘s list of players to watch for the 2011 draft.

38th Round • 1152nd Overall – Dustin Emmons, RHP | School: UC – Riverside | Height: 6’1″ Weight: 205 | DOB: 9/26/89

Stats: 7-3, 6.00 ERA, 57 IP, 40 R, 38 ER, 64 H, 16 BB, 34 SO

West Coast League:

21. DUSTIN EMMONS, rhp, Corvallis Knights (UC Riverside/SR)
Marlins’ 35th-rounder was bounce-back from Cape Cod; success stems from command of 87-92 FB; SL better than ’09, CH a WIP

Glendale News-Press:

“I’m totally happy,” said Emmons, who went 7-3 with a 6.00 earned-run average this past season with the Highlanders. “I don’t care about the money or where I was taken, all I want is a shot.”

39th Round • 1182nd Overall – Charley Thurber, OF | School: U Tennessee | Height: 6’4″ Weight: 220 | DOB: 12/28/89

Stats: .230/.304/.327, 113 AB, 5 2B, 2 HR, 7 R, 12 RBI, 10 BB, 35 SO, 5/6 SB

Perfect Game profile (high school):

Charley Thurber is a 2008 OF from Elmira Free Academy, residing in Elmira, New York, with a 6’4″/220 pound frame. Charley has a tall and strong frame. He hits from a slightly open stance with good bat speed. Thurber has a short and quick swing at the plate. He has lift and strength in his swing with good power potential. Charley centers the ball well and uses the whole field to hit. He has a strong arm from the outfield at 86 mph with long arm action. Thurber gets good carry on his throws and is a solid corner outfielder. Charley is an excellent student.

Charley Thurber is a 2008 OF/P from Elmira Free Academy, residing in Elmira, New York, with a 6’4″/220 pound frame. Thurbur has a big XL frame with a good strong build. Defensively, Thurbur showed good defensive actions in the outfield portion of the workout and in games. He has good arm strength at 90 mph with good carry on his throws. Thurbur made consistent online throws and showed a feel for playing outfield defense. At the plate, Thurbur starts with a slightly open stance and gets closed at load. He uses a short load to start his swing and maintains good balance through his swing. Thurbur swings on an uppercut swing path and looks to lift the baseball to the gaps. He gets good extension in his swing and has leverage at contact. He generates good bat speed and has some present power. Thurbur has very good power potential and should develop into a good power hitting corner outfielder. Thurbur pitches from an OT arm slot with a long arm action. He uses drop and drive style mechanics and maintains good balance through delivery. Thurbur is a good student and a national level prospect.

UT Sports:

UT’s starting right-fielder for most of the year, Thurber finished second on the squad with seven outfield assists despite playing through a wrist injury on his throwing arm that forced him to miss 14 consecutive contests at one point of the season. During his first three years at Rocky Top, Thurber launched 13 longballs and hit at a .259 clip with 60 RBIs.

40th Round • 1212th Overall – Alexis Merchado, C | School: Otay Ranch HS | Height: 6’3″ Weight: 205 | DOB: 12/20/92

Perfect Game profile:

Alexis Mercado is a 2011 C with a 6’2”, 185 lb. frame from Chula Vista, CA who attends Otay Ranch. Bigger frame, thin athletic build, long arm action, stands up on pops, some arm strength, moves well behind plate, medium width base, hands start back, some bat speed, line drive path, can get more out of lower half, has some hitting tools, good student.

Committed to Cal State Northridge.

Cal State Northridge:

• Prepped at Otay Ranch High School under head coach Bob McCurdy
• Earned All-Mesa League First Team Honors in 2010
• Named to the All-Mesa League Second Team in 2009
• Competed for the So Cal Rays Scout Team this past summer
• Also participated in the So Cal Scout League All-Star Game
• Finished the 2010 season with a .488 batting average and 37 RBIs
  

31st Round • 942nd Overall – Chad Zurcher, SS | School: U Memphis | Height: 6’1″ Weight: 170 | DOB: 8/25/88

Stats: .443/.547/.557, 203 AB, 19 2B, 2 3B, 47 R, 34 RBI, 33 BB, 12 K, 12/17 SB

Knox News:

Chad Zurcher, the nation’s leading collegiate hitter, doesn’t have many 0-for days.

Zurcher hit .443 in 55 games for the University of Memphis this past season and hit safely in his final 12 games. In 2010, he became the first Memphis player to bat .400 since 1994.

Zurcher was told by some he could go as high as the sixth round.

Zurcher will begin his career with the Mets in Kingsport, Tenn.

He’s eager to prove his doubters wrong.

“I’ve always been motivated,” he said. “I’ve always been told no because of my size. I’m just motivated to go up there and do the best I can. If I play hard every day, I think I’ll make it to the Big Leagues and reach my ultimate goal.”

Perfect Game profile (high school):

Zurcher is a slender athletic 5-11 sophomore middle infielder from Tennessee with a young and projectable body. Zurcher showed surprising bat speed for a young 145 lb athlete, with a tall stance, good loading action and some whip to his swing. More strength will definitely help Zurcher but he has a good offensive base to work from. We may not have seen Zurcher at his best defensively. His arm strength was fine but he showed a long arm stroke. His overall actions were raw but very promising. He’s a good athlete and should continue to develop. Zurcher is also a very good student.

32nd Round • 972nd Overall – Carlos Leyva, SS | School: Cal St. Dominguez Hills | Height: 5’8″ Weight: 170 | DOB: 4/29/89

Stats: .356/.410/.485, 194 AB, 6 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 46 R, 25 RBI, 16 BB, 18 K, 22/24 SB

Cal St. Dominguez Hills Athletics:

One of the team captains, Leyva established the CCAA and school record for career runs scored, currently at 198.  He also owns the school record for most All-region honors with eight, including three 1st-team honors this season.

Leyva overcame many obstacles en route to completing his four-year career.  While prepping at the California Academy of Mathematics and Sciences on the CSUDH campus, the four-year starter was unable to play organized baseball due to CAMS not fielding a team, and originally was cut from the CSUDH baseball team after trying out as a freshman.

33rd Round • 1002nd Overall – Tyson Seng, RHP | School: U Oklahoma | Height: 6’1″ Weight: 180 | DOB: 8/5/87

Stats: 0-1, 1 SV, 2.08 ERA, 30.1 IP, 11 R, 7 ER, 30 H, 8 BB, 24 SO

Enid News:

Seng believes he will sign a contract in the next few days.

“My third year, I decided to take a break. I was switching back and forth from pitching to defense and I got burned out,” Seng said. “I came home and coached the Enid Majors and when I saw the desire those kids had to make it to the next level, it made me respect the game more and I had a different understanding of the game.”

After resurrecting his career, Seng went to the bullpen and flourished there, proving to Mets scouts he was a good reliever.

“I have gotten used to coming out of the bullpen,” he said. “I believe being a short reliever is in my best interest but I’ll do whatever they want me to do.

Rivals:

Seng has impressed the coaching staff this fall with a 89-91 mph fastball, a nasty slider and a fantastic changeup. It’ll be interesting to see how Seng’s repertoire evolves as the season nears.

Enid News:

Tyson Seng has left the University of Oklahoma, where he signed to play baseball, and now is enrolled at Northern Oklahoma College Tonkawa, where he will pursue a college basketball career.

34th Round • 1032nd Overall – Seth Lugo, RHP | School: Centenary College | Height: 6’4″ Weight: 185 | DOB: 11/17/89

Stats: 3-7, 5.57 ERA, 2 SV, 72.2 IP, 57 R, 45 ER, 82 H, 39 BB, 70 SO, 6 WP, 18 HBP

Shreveport Times:

Lugo was voted the Summit League’s “Most Underrated Pitcher” for the 2011 season by College Baseball Insider.

35th Round • 1062nd Overall – Chase Bradford, RHP | School: U Central Florida | Height: 6’1″ Weight: 185 | DOB: 8/5/89

Stats: 6-2, 5.30 ERA, 52.2 IP, 33 R. 31 ER. 67 H, 12 BB, 43 SO

Perfect Game profile (high school):

Chase Bradford is a 2007 3B/P with a 6’0”, 195 lb. frame from Henderson, NV, who attends Silverado HS. Bradford has a strong and durable frame. Defensively he has good third base actions with soft hands and nice footwork. Shows arm strength across the diamond at 82 mph with accuracy. Bradford was solid defensively during the showcase games. At the plate he is a right handed hitter who hits from a straight away stance. He is quick to the ball with bat speed and stays balanced throughout his swing. Stays inside the ball well, and sprays the ball to all fields. There is strength in his swing with projectable power. On the mound he throws from a 3/4 arm slot with a loose and smooth arm action. Bradford has a quick arm with a compact delivery and stays balanced over the rubber. He is aggressive with his fastball that topped out at 86 mph that jumps on the hitters. He gets life on his fastball and throws strikes. He also mixes in a 74 mph curveball and a 80 mph change up. Bradford did a nice job mixing his pitches with good tempo on the mound. He is a two-way prospect that needs to be followed. He is a very good student as well.

From Youtube video description:

Chase Bradford, Team Vegas, takes on the Santa Barbara Forrestors in Championship game for the California Collegiate Summer Baseball League. (Each Pitch taped) Though he lost 2-1, S.B. Coach Bill Pitard said after the game…”He just dominated us.” In the last four games of the season, covering some 22 innings, Chase allowed 4 earned runs, 8 hits, 24 K’s, 5 walks, hurling his fast ball upto speeds of 91 mph & off-speed of around 78 mph. He is off to the University of Central Florida for his senior year…

26th Round • 792nd Overall – Casey Hauptman, RHP | School: U. of Nebreska – Lincoln | Height: 6’4″ Weight: 220 | DOB: 1/1/89

Stats: 6-3, 8 SV, 2.45 ERA, 62.1 IP, 22 R, 17 ER, 62 H, 3 BB, 57 SO

News Net Nebraska:

As Hauptman’s 94 mile per hour fastball hits the back of the catcher’s mitt for strike three and Huskers win, Hauptman’s mind is now on to graduating.

Omaha:

Hauptman has followed instructions well this spring, in part because of the two-seam fastball intended to dive before it reaches the plate. It’s a tick or two slower on the radar gun than his four-seam pitch, which Hauptman describes as “flat.”

His fastball-slider combination works well as a reliever.

27th Round • 822nd Overall – Randy Fontanez, RHP | School: South Florida | Height: 6’1″ Weight: 205 | DOB: 5/18/89

Stats: 5-6, 2.92 ERA, 95.2 IP, 35 R, 31 ER, 86 H, 11 BB, 74 SO

Tampa Bay:

Collazo calls Fontanez’s best pitch a “BP fastball,” and while that stands for batting practice, it just means it’s a little slower but with pinpoint control. He’ll throw 86-87 mph, working both sides of the plate. (from 2009)

Prospect Junkies:

Randy Fontanez – RHP – South Florida – Sr. 4.2IP 9H 6ER 1BB 3K. (L, 0-1) Unsigned 15th round pick last season (Reds) has good movement on 2 seem fastball.

Voodoo Five:

In college baseball the three most important positions are Friday night starter, Saturday night starter, and Sunday afternoon starter. The Bulls would seem to be in good shape with Randy Fontanez and Andrew Barbosa leading the charge. Coming off an unlucky 5-7 record with a 3.59 ERA last season, Fontanez passed on being a 23^rd round pick of the Reds to return for his final campaign. His 105 strikeouts in 110.1 innings shows he has the kind of power to make hitters miss when needed, but his location might be his best asset, as he is usually around the plate. His fastball has been clocked as high as 92 on the radar gun, with an excellent over-the-top curve ball. Fontanez earned all sorts of conference honors last season, but the one he won’t forget is a no-hitter to open the 2010 Big East season against Notre Dame.

28th Round • 852nd Overall – Jharel Cotton, RHP | School: Miami Dade CC | Height: 6’0″ Weight: 180 | DOB: 1/19/92

Stats: 4-3, 2.49 ERA, 65 IP, 25 R, 18 ER, 45 H, 15 BB, 74 SO

Daily Press:

Cotton isn’t that imposing looking at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, but his pitches are. His fastball consistently pops in the low 90s. But Cotton’s changeup is his punch card.

“It’s 80, 81 miles an hour, and I think it’s Major League quality,” Morgan said. “It’s made not only because of his movement but also because he’s been able to locate his fastball. When he’s locating his fastball, that changeup is really unhittable.”

Baseball America:

Jharel Cotton is another righthander that moved from the Virgin Islands to pitch for Menchville. He is a 6-foot, 180-pound sophomore at Miami-Dade and starred for the Coastal Plains League’s Peninsula Pilots last summer. In 46 innings he went 3-2, 3.33 with 57 strikeouts and 11 walks. His fastball ranges from 89-92.

“Cotton has a very good body,” the scout said. “He is long-limbed and high-waisted. He has a strong, clean arm action. His changeup and curveball could both be average.”

BA:

Cotton has a stabbing arm action that can be difficult to repeat, but at his best he touches 93 mph, sitting 88-91, and has a plus changeup.

Committed to ECU. Turned down an offer of 125k from the Dodgers last year.

29th Round • 882nd Overall – Joshua Ake, RHP | School: Hunterdon Central Reg HS | Height: 5’11″ Weight: 185 | DOB: 10/11/92

Stats: .354/.484/.583

Perfect Game:

5. JOSH AKE, ss, Hunterdon Central HS, Flemington
Polished all-around skills, RH bat, surprising pop with short/quick swing, 7.0 runner, quick-twitch defender.

NJ.com:

He can kill you with his glove, legs and power. He has good at bats and that’s why he’s had this type of career. He’s been with us for four years and he’s just a great player.

Tar Heel Blue:

Athletic middle infielder with strong arm at shortstop • Showcases great hands at the plate and in the field • Rated as the No. 4 player in the state of New Jersey by Perfect Game • Ranked the No. 214 player in the country by Perfect Game • Named third team all-state and second team all-group as a junior • Also tabbed as first team all-conference • Coached by Mike Raymond at Hunterdon Central Regional.

Prospectwire:

Pesky player who handles the bat well and projects as a second baseman/utility player down the road for North Carolina. Defensively is where Ake stands out the most.With the bat Ake showed some strength, with aggressiveness and the ability to get the barrel to the ball.

My Central Jersey:

“We’ll see how it plays out over the summer,” he said of possibly signing a pro contract. “I’m definitely considering it, and if the offer is good enough, but it’ll take a lot of money.’’

MLB scouting video of Ake.

30th Round • 912th Overall – Jacob Hansen, LHP | School: F.P. Walshe HS | Height: 5’11″ Weight: 175 | DOB: 11/6/93

Stats: None

Macleod Gazette:

Fort Macleod’s Jake Hansen will test his powerful left arm against a junior college team from Florida and a professional team from Korea.
The 17-year-old Hansen will pitch for the junior national team, a collection of the best 18 and under players from across Canada.
“It’s a great opportunity,” said Hansen, a Grade 11 student at F.P. Walshe school.

21st Round • 642nd Overall – John Gant, RHP | School: Wiregrass Ranch HS | Height: 6’4″ Weight: 175 | DOB: 8/6/92

Stats: 6-0, 1.90 ERA, 62.2 IP, 44 H, 19 BB, 107 SO

Perfect Game profile:

John Michael Gant is a 2011 RHP/1B with a 6-4 180 lb. frame from Wesley Chapel, FL who attends Wiregrass Ranch HS. Nice projectable pitcher’s build, long arms and legs, should be able to gain strength. Drop and drive pitching style, long extended arm action, 3/4′s release, whippy loose arm action. Steady 85-87 mph fastball, gets nice sink/run on fastball, short mid 70′s curveball with some depth, developing change up. Projects to add velocity. Signed with Long Island University.

Tampa Bay:

Gant traveled to New York over the weekend to perform for the Mets in a pre-draft workout at Citi Field. The big-league club from the Big Apple apparently liked what they saw in the 6-foot-4, 175 pounder who has command of a fastball, curveball and change-up and tops out at 92 MPH on the radar gun, although they didn’t indicate their interest to Gant at the time.

22nd Round • 672nd Overall – Casey Turgeon, SS | School: Dunedin HS | Height: 5’10″ Weight: 155 | DOB: 9/28/92

Stats: .400, 4 HR, 40 BB

Perfect Game profile:

Casey Turgeon is a 2011 MIF with a 5-9 155 lb. frame from Palm Harbor, FL who attends Dunedin HS. Small framed slender build, has deceptive strength. Left handed hitter, hard load and hand hitch, very quick hands, lift in swing, power approach, has present bat speed, ball jumps hard, shows his power, good feel for hitting. 6.98 runner, good body control on defense, quick feet, gets in position, quick release, best suited for second base but played third base well, too. Nice all around player. Verbal commitment to Florida.

The Suncoast News:

“He doesn’t try to hit long balls, he just tries to hit line drives from gap to gap. But his numbers speak from themselves. He’s already one of the most feared offensive threats in this county as only a sophomore.”

Fortunately for Hilbert, his big bopper in the lineup is just as gifted with the glove leather as he is with the aluminum – if not more.

“The thing is, I think the best part of his game is his defense,” Hilbert said. “That’s saying a lot for a kid that hits right around .500 and puts up the power numbers that he does.”

A soft-handed, smooth-fielding middle infielder with a nice arm and ample pop in his bat – it almost seems unfair.

His brother Erik Turgeon pitches for the Binghamton Mets.

23rd Round • 702nd Overall – Jeff Diehl, C | School: Cranton HS West | Height: 6’4″ Weight: 195 | DOB: 9/30/93

Stats: .569/.673/.931, 101 AB, 36 R, 7 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 18 BB, 6 K, 12/14 SB

Perfect Game profile:

Jeffrey Diehl is a 2011 C/OF/P with a 6’4”, 190 lb. frame from Cranston, RI who attends Cranston West HS. Very good athletic build, athletic actions, nice strength potential. Primary catcher, but also OF prospect, big arm both positions, good outfield fundamentals, very strong accurate throws, soft hands receiving strikes but size hinders present blocking skills, 2.00 best pop. Good raw bat speed, uses lower half well, ball jumps well, very good power potential, extends out front, balance and swing plane inconsistent at present. Also pitched, max effort drop and drive delivery, FB topped at 84 mph, slurve type breaking ball. Interesing C/OF prospect, raw skills but noteworthy tools. Follow closely. Named to Top Prospect Team.

Perfect Game:

1. JEFF DIEHL, c, Cranston West HS, Cranston
Athletic 6-4/195 C, sound catching/receiving skills; suspect bat, may outgrow position; very signable.

The 6-foot-4, 195-pound Diehl is an athletic catcher with good catch-and-throw skills, but a questionable bat limits his draft appeal. It’s possible he may outgrow his current position, but his bat will need to come on significantly for him to be a consideration at a corner position down the road. Diehl is considerable very signable because he is a non-qualifier, and conceivably could work his way into the first 10 rounds.

Baseball America:

Cranston West HS produced Coastal Carolina’s sandwich-round talent Anthony Meo in 2008, and this year it has Jeff Diehl, the top prep prospect in Rhode Island. Diehl is a raw, athletic 6-foot-4, 195-pound backstop with good catch and throw skills, though he probably won’t stay behind the plate as his frame fills out and he gets stronger. As a catcher, Diehl is not polished and has stiff actions, so he profiles as a corner outfielder or first baseman. A broken finger kept him out of the Area Code Games, and he struggled during the summer but looked better in the fall and spring, showing good bat speed and raw power to the pull side. Diehl struggles with consistency but flashes potential, and he will likely be taken in the top 12 rounds. He has a commitment to Rhode Island, but scouts say he’s likely to sign.

Bullpen Banter:

Visiting Cranston West’s (RI) Sr. C. Jeff Diehl was extremely impressive and a name you’ll be hearing in the draft this June. Big, physical, athletic specimen with lot of power. Likely a corner outfielder as a pro, but very impressive tools.

24th Round • 732nd Overall – Tant Shepherd, 1B | School: Texas | Height: 6’0″ Weight: 200 | DOB: 8/1/89

Stats: .300/.400/.476, 233 AB, 51 R, 18 2B, 4 3B, 5 HR, 40 RBI, 32 BB, 50 K, 8/10 SB

Perfect Game profile (high school):

Tant Shepherd is a 2007 right hand hitting 3rd baseman from Flower Mound HS, residing in Flower Mound, TX. Shepherd has a strong, powerful build on a physical 6’0″ 195 lb. frame. He did not play as well as he is capable of at PG National and ended up ranked #94 among PG National Top 100 position players. It is a safe bet that when the ’07 rankings are all said and done, that he will be above many of the players ranked above him, but at this showcase he just did not perform to his ability level. At the plate Shepherd has easy to see strength. He is a good opposite field hitter and has power to all fields. He produces his power with a short swing and gets the barrel to the ball quite well and consistently. With that type of swing Shepherd will hit for both power and average and fit well in the middle of a line-up. His hands work really well and his bat head has life through the hitting zone. It is entirely conceivable to imagine him putting up huge numbers this spring in high school and moving steadily up draft lists. In the field he showed that he has good hands and an above average arm. All Shepherd’s tools fit the 3rd base position quite well, including the power. He is a big, physical young player with explosive abilities and good athleticsm. Shepherd ran 4.27 home/1st with a 6.92 60 time and both times are very impressive given his build. Shepherd is verbally committed to Texas and based solely on his ability, should have significant scout attention this fall.

25th Round • 762nd Overall – A.J. Reed, LHP | School: Terre Haute South Vigo HS | Height: 6’4″ Weight: 230 | DOB: 5/10/93

Stats: 8-0, 1.17 ERA, 60 IP, 96 SO

Baseball America:

A.J. Reed set a Vigo County home run record with 18 as a junior, and when he came out throwing in the mid-80s this spring, some scouts wondered if he had a brighter future as a power-hitting first baseman. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound lefthander ended those thoughts when he started throwing 90-94 mph as the weather warmed up. Reed slings the ball from a low arm slot, and might find more velocity if he raises his arm angle. His slider also has added power, though it lacks consistency. He has committed to Kentucky.

“I’m going to play all summer and show [the Mets] what I can do, then we’ll negotiate in August and decide then,” Reed said

Tribstar:

Reed, 18, is already committed to play baseball at the University of Kentucky next season. He said he plans to play this summer for the Wayne Newton Post 346 American Legion team before reaching a decision on whether or not to sign with the Mets.

16th Round • 492nd Overall – Bradley Marquez, SS | School: Odessa (Texas) HS | Height: 6’1″ Weight: 185 | DOB: 12/14/92

OAVarsity:

Marquez recently went to four showcases and has talked with numerous teams about his plans. Marquez has signed to play football for the Red Raiders and has an agreement to play baseball as well.

However, if the situation is right, Marquez could go play minor-league baseball for the team that drafts him, while maintaining his eligibility to play college football.

“I look at it as a win-win situation,” Marquez said. “If the money is good, I’ll get to play pro baseball. If not, I’ll continue my (baseball) career at Texas Tech.”

Odessa American Online:

“I’ll still go with it at the same pace and same attitude (as if I were a higher round pick),” Marquez said. “In baseball, you can negotiate contracts. There’s no telling what I’ll get. Basically, it’s money over rounds. They can pay slot, or go over.”

If Marquez elects not to sign with the Mets, he will play and baseball for Texas Tech. Either way, he also will play football for the Red Raiders.

MLB scouting video on Marquez.

17th Round • 522nd Overall – Jonathan Clark, CF | School: Lee University | Height: 6’1″ Weight: 180 | DOB: 9/28/90

Cleveland Daily Banner:

Junior center fielder Jonathan Clark was selected in the 17th round (pick 522 overall) by Mets and area scout Erwin Bryant.

“He is one of the most talented players I have ever coached,” acknowledged Brew. “He is a game-changer as a lead-off hitter and he should only get better at it as a professional player. I believe his best days are ahead of him. We wish him the best as he chases his dream.”

18th Round • 552nd Overall – Travis Taijeron, CF | School: Cal Poly Pomona | Height: 6’2″ Weight: 210 | DOB: 1/20/89

Stats: .392/.534/.744, 199 AB, 59 R, 20 2B, 1 3B, 16 HR, 51 RBI, 50 BB, 41 SO, 6/10 SB

Bronco Athletics:

As one of the top homerun hitters in the history of Cal Poly Pomona baseball, Travis Taijeron earned NCAA Division II All-American honors Friday in the Daktronics announcement.

A senior centerfielder from San Diego, Calif., Taijeron helped the Broncos reached the NCAA D-II West Region title game on May 22. Earlier in the month, he received California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and swept the West Region Player of the Year honors.

“His performance at the plate and in the field was obviously a huge part of our success this season,” Broncos’ head coach Randy Betten said. “This All-American honor is definitely well deserved and we’re extremely proud of what he’s accomplished.”
Taijeron batted .542 over the final month of the season to help Cal Poly Pomona make a late-season run that resulted in a CCAA Tournament berth and NCAA Regional appearance.

At the conclusion of the year, Taijeron picked up even more honors, including selection to the West Region All-Tournament Team and the College Baseball Lineup Division II All-Star Team along with inclusion as a semifinalist for the Tino Martinez Award, given annually to the top Division II baseball student-athlete.

19th Round • 582nd Overall – Dustin Lawley, CF | School: University of West Florida | Height: 6’1″ Weight: 195 | DOB: 4/11/89

Stats: .338/.410/.577, 234 AB, 59 R, 22 2B, 2 3B, 10 HR, 61 RBI, 28/34 SB

Wallace State:

“Dustin was a guy that improved a lot after the first day he stepped on campus. A lot of scouts have asked over the last year what has made him improve so much and it’s just because of hard work. The hard work has not been an option for him,” Putman said. “His goal is to play professional baseball and hopefully he’ll get that chance one day. It was just an uphill battle for him after he broke his hand.”

20th Round • 612th Overall – Mason Robbins, CF | School: Georgey County HS | Height: 6’2″ Weight: 200 | DOB: 2/1/93

Stats: .500, 14 2B, 2 3B, 14 HR, 40 40 RBI
Perfect Game profile:

Mason Robbins is a 2011 OF/LHP with a 6-1 195 lb. frame from Leakesville, MS who attends George County HS. Very nice athletic build, loose, agile and quick, 6.81 runner. Very good OF actions, loose strong arm, solid footwork. Balanced hitting approach, busy hands in load, very good raw bat speed, ball jumps hard on contact, barrels up well, has lift in his swing, should hit with power. Also pitches, high 3/4′s release, long loose arm, throws downhill, FB to 89 mph, change best secondary pitch with + fade, short SL type break on CB. Highest level 2-way player. Good student, verbal commitment to Southern Mississippi.

Frankie Piliere on twitter:

Mets draft another kid I really like. Sweet swinging Mason Robbins. But will any of these guys sign?

Perfect Game:

4. MASON ROBBINS, of, George County HS, Leakesville
Top all-around athlete, most pro-ready MS prep player; power bat (.500-14-39), upper-80s LHP (59IP/93).

MLB scouting video on Robbins.

Gulf live:

The sweet-swinging 18-year-old signed with Southern Miss in October and said it would take “a lot” to keep him from playing for the Golden Eagles next season. He could to be taken as early as the top 40 overall, one scout for a National League team said.

“I would think he’ll be in the top five rounds, maybe a ‘sandwich’ round pick (after) the first round,” said the scout, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “He’s disciplined at the plate. He can go the other way and handle the outside pitch. If you throw him (a pitch) in, he’s going to turn on it. He’s got power to all fields. (Major league teams) really like him a lot, and they liked him even more as the season progressed.”

Baseball America:

It wouldn’t surprise area scouts if someone jumped up and drafted outfielder Mason Robbins or hard-throwing Brandon Woodruff in the first five rounds. Robbins is part of Southern Miss’ excellent recruiting class and has a smooth, balanced lefthanded swing to go with a polished approach. He’s a lefthanded thrower as well, and he’ll be a two-way player if he makes it to Hattiesburg. He’s an average runner who profiles as a center fielder in college, but pro scouts see him more as a corner bat. At 6 feet, 200 pounds, he’s maxed out physically, so deciding whether he has enough power to profile there is the key for scouts and the crosscheckers who were rushing in to see Robbins in May. He hit just three home runs in 2010, but finished second in the home run derby at the Under Armour game in Chicago last summer and led the state with 14 homers this spring.

BA:

“A loose, lean outfielder with plenty of tools, Robbins has a polished left-handed stroke with bat speed and power potential. He shows arm strength from the outfield that is also evident on the mound where he touches 90 mph. He will be an impact bat at the next level.

The Clarion Ledger:

“He has that sweet swing, he’s a plus runner and has a plus arm. He has everything you’re looking for in a player.”