Draft update

[JoJoforHeisman]

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According to multiple sources, this year is one of the worst in recent memory for high school prospects in the state of Alabama. The good news is that all of the state's top prep players are expected to attend college rather than sign. The pessimistic view, on the other hand, would be that this year's crop of in-state signees must not be very good to begin with. Personally, I wouldn't read too much into all of the pre-draft hype. More often than not, a player's pro prospect status has little to no bearing on whether he can be an outstanding college player. Look no further than Kent Matthes for evidence of this. One scout called the fact that Matthes has never been drafted "an indictment of our industry." At the opposite end of the spectrum are cases such as that of Miers Quigley, who entering his senior year was universally considered the top high school lefthander in the country.

The latest report on Jake Smith is promising, as he did not undergo surgery on his ankle and is now expected to be ready to play by next month. The bad news, of course, is the effect that his improved health will have on his draft status. Will it be enough to convince a team to select him and subsequently meet his asking price? We'll see.

[crimsonkelly]

Well, I couldn't agree more on the Matthes quote.

As far as Jake goes, that is good news for him and maybe bad news for us. I guess time will tell. I would love to see him stay for his last year. If he can have another year like this year, I believe he would rocket way up the draft board.

JoJo you got any idea what Jake is asking? PM if you do or have an idea, I'm interested in that just to see what he thinks he's worth to a ball club/where he'll be picked.

[Zona]

the bad news is that it seems a lot of the state's top players have signed with Mississippi State (2 kids from Hartselle, one from Briarwood, one from Cleburne Co.), but they're draftable

a buddy of mine sent me the top draft prospects from the state of Alabama this year from Baseball America

1. Kent Matthes, of, Alabama (National Rank: 63)
2. Ben Tootle, rhp, Jacksonville State (National Rank: 79)
3. Del Howell, lhp, Alabama (National Rank: 105)
4. Austin Adams, rhp, Faulkner (National Rank: 172)
5. Joseph Sanders, 2b, Auburn (National Rank: 178)
6. Jake Smith, 3b/rhp, Alabama
7. Jason Walls, rhp, Troy
8. Luke Stewart, 1b, Alabama-Birmingham
9. CC Watson, lhp/of, Cleburne County HS, Heflin
10. Brint Hardy, of, Alabama-Birmingham
11. Luke Bole, lhp/1b, Hartselle HS
12. Johnny Gunter, rhp, Chattahoochee Valley CC
13. David Doss, c, South Alabama
14. Vin DeFazio, c, Alabama
15. Charley Williams, of, Troy
16. Austin Hyatt, rhp, Alabama
17. Dustin Crane, rhp, Snead State JC
18. Daniel Adamson, of, Jacksonville State
19. Adam Heisler, of, South Alabama
20. Austin Hubbard, rhp, Auburn
21. Chris Sorce, rhp, Troy
22. Slade Smith, rhp Fort Payne HS

[baseballfanatic]

	Quote:	Zona
	the bad news is that it seems a lot of the state's top players have signed with Mississippi State (2 kids from Hartselle, one from Briarwood, one from Cleburne Co.), but they're draftable a buddy of mine sent me the top draft prospects from the state of Alabama this year from Baseball America 1. Kent Matthes, of, Alabama (National Rank: 63) 2. Ben Tootle, rhp, Jacksonville State (National Rank: 79) 3. Del Howell, lhp, Alabama (National Rank: 105) 4. Austin Adams, rhp, Faulkner (National Rank: 172) 5. Joseph Sanders, 2b, Auburn (National Rank: 178) 6. Jake Smith, 3b/rhp, Alabama 7. Jason Walls, rhp, Troy 8. Luke Stewart, 1b, Alabama-Birmingham 9. CC Watson, lhp/of, Cleburne County HS, Heflin 10. Brint Hardy, of, Alabama-Birmingham 11. Luke Bole, lhp/1b, Hartselle HS 12. Johnny Gunter, rhp, Chattahoochee Valley CC 13. David Doss, c, South Alabama 14. Vin DeFazio, c, Alabama 15. Charley Williams, of, Troy 16. Austin Hyatt, rhp, Alabama 17. Dustin Crane, rhp, Snead State JC 18. Daniel Adamson, of, Jacksonville State 19. Adam Heisler, of, South Alabama 20. Austin Hubbard, rhp, Auburn 21. Chris Sorce, rhp, Troy 22. Slade Smith, rhp Fort Payne HS

Thanks Zona. I like Baseball America, but that site frustrates me cause it seems like every article is a Premium article only, and I don't have the money to shell out $120 or $300-ish a year for it.

Just a quick shameless plug here, but I'm happy to see my Alma Mater getting some love this year. Slade Smith had a really good career for Fort Payne. He's a great kid too. It's just a darn shame he's going to pitch for the Tigers next year, but it was expected due to family ties.

Coach Johnny Johnson has done a great job with FPHS since he arrived my senior year. He's a quality coach and really knows how to work with pitchers.

[capstone33]

Del Howell has all but cleaned his locker out. He's pitched his last game here. I'm extrememly excited for the kid.

I would like to know what Smith is asking for as well. Thanks.

[JoJoforHeisman]

	Quote:	capstone33
	Del Howell has all but cleaned his locker out. He's pitched his last game here. I'm extrememly excited for the kid. I would like to know what Smith is asking for as well. Thanks.

I'd love to have the kid back for another year, but at the same time, I completely understand his decision. He certainly wasn't going to benefit from another year at Alabama.

[crimsonkelly]

IF Howell does go pro, and if he does I wish him all the luck in the world along with all the other guys that go pro and don't go, what would out pitching staff look like next year.
I'm thinking:
starters:
Friday: Morgan
Saturday: Scott
Sunday: Nelson? Graham? Smart? (if he can come back from injury) Kilcrease? (could be closer)

middle - long relief:
Deerman, Hays, Sutherland

closer: Smith (if he comes back) or White / Kilcrease

The incoming freshman duo from Columbus could possibly take a spot or two. I don't know much about the other recruits and if they could take a spot or not. All I know is the kids form Columbus come from a tradition rich program and play in a fairly competitive region. They finished 2nd this year to another power program from Cartersville. We need to start getting some position players from both of those schools in Ga.


I guess I'll go further now, why not right?
Position wise:
1st Jones
2nd Wilson
ss Rutledge
3rd Smith (if he comes back) or Tinsley / Myer

rf Howell (if he comes back) if not,
lf May (if he comes back) if not,
cf Dugas

Catcher: Trotter or Smelly


Next year may not be as bad as some think. The incoming guys could make us a decent ball club.

We'll see.

[JoJoforHeisman]

Baseball America recently tabbed Columbus High lefty Matt Taylor as the 16th-ranked draft prospect in Georgia. According to BA, Taylor "throws in the upper 80s, touches 91 and has a solid, if slow, curveball."

Righthander Tucker Hawley, listed at #13 in South Carolina, "didn't live up to expectations this spring after throwing 89-92 mph last summer...." That could be good or bad for us, depending on how you look at it.

Chipola righthander Jason Townsend is a potential late-round pick, although his numbers this season were altogether unimpressive. I just hope he has more success against Southeastern Conference competition than he did against the Panhandle Conference. Otherwise, he'll be just another throw-in juco arm like a Jamie Manning or Patrick Nappi that makes you wonder why the staff even bothered recruiting him.

Shelton State RHP Brett Whitaker put up solid numbers, aside from a walk rate that was a bit on high side, but is not considered much of a draft prospect at this point. He could help out right away in the bullpen.


There's an excellent chance that for the first time in years, we might not lose a signee to the pros.

[crimsonkelly]

What are your thoughts on that proposed line-up I put together JoJo. Don't be afraid to disagree.

I'd like to see what we are looking at next year. We definitely need some bullpen help. Hopefully it will come. Granted I don't think we can count on 8-9 innings out of our starters like we did the last half of this year. That was ultimately what did us in imo. I can't blame Wells for that on either. I would have done the same thing if forced to. Granted I would work with my pitchers more too....I'll leave that one alone though... and if someone else runs with it I might them....or just and

[crimsonkelly]

What are your thoughts on that proposed line-up I put together JoJo. Don't be afraid to disagree.

I'd like to see what we are looking at next year. We definitely need some bullpen help. Hopefully it will come. Granted I don't think we can count on 8-9 innings out of our starters like we did the last half of this year. That was ultimately what did us in imo. I can't blame Wells for that on either. I would have done the same thing if forced to. Granted I would work with my pitchers more too....I'll leave that one alone though... and if someone else runs with it I might them....or just and



I love telling stories with the smiley faces they make me laugh.

[capstone33]

	Quote:	JoJoforHeisman
	Shelton State RHP Brett Whitaker put up solid numbers, aside from a walk rate that was a bit on high side, but is not considered much of a draft prospect at this point. He could help out right away in the bullpen.

He will be in the lineup somewhere for sure. Look for him to split time with Jones at 1B and the DH spot. He's also capable of being a very solid closer.

[Zona]

got to figure Morgan starts on FRI. You would hope a light comes on for Jimmy Nelson and he realizes this is his best chance to make a lot of money and actually pitches like he's capable of. If he makes a 180 from the direction Miers Quigley took, he'd be a good weekend guy. Scott can be an OK Sunday guy, but I'd like to think, unless he's a lot better, than one of the newcomers or redshirts will be better. I do think we'll count on Scott a lot next year.

Hopefully Whitaker can be a closer. Lord knows we need it (if Smith leaves)

I don't see May going pro. If Smith goes, then I suppose May plays third.

C-Trotter or Smelley
1B-Jones
2B-Wilson
3B-Smith or May
SS-Rutledge
OF-Dugas
OF-probably newcomer Andrew Miller
OF-????
DH-????

I wonder if guys like Matt Baca, Kent Myer and Brandt Hendricks will be able to contribute next year, if they're still around.