Live from the Area Code Games: Scouting Day 1 BP
By John Klima
August 5, 2009
If there is an Opening Day for the Draft season, today is it. The morning and early afternoon batting practice sessions have been completed and the 2009 Area Code Games are under way at Blair Field in Long Beach, Calif., and the 2010 Major League Draft is now on the clock.
Scanning the scouting highlights from the morning sessions, in which some 200 hitters participated, here is a handful of noteworthy performers.
The hardest hit ball of the six-hour BP session was possibly hit by Anthony Bryant of Connally HS of Pflugerville, Texas. A left-handed hitter listed at 6-3, 215, Bryant got his loose and easy swing into a pitch to drive it on a solid line off the right-field scoreboard, just to the right of the 387-foot marker.
Braynt was part of a talent-laden Texas team in which several players had good BP sessions to start the showcase. Brian Ragira, a tall and lanky outfielder from James Martin HS in Arlington, Texas, showed his plus bat speed. Outfielder Kendrick Perkins, from La Porte HS, showed a nice and easy swing with power potential.
Shortstop Matt Lipka, a probable high school draft pick, showed a whippy swing resulting in several well-hit line drives, and catcher Jacob Felts had a good session with an aggressive cut that produced clean and hard contact.
From Southern California, outfielders Austin Wilson (Harvard-Westlake HS, North Hollywood) and Angelo Gumbs (Torrance HS) both had good BP showings. Wilson showed why his plus athletic frame and fast hands give him the ability to translate those skills into power. Gumbs is extremely aggressive and might have the fastest hands here. Outfielder Mike Lorenzen, with a gap-to-gap swing, had a good session, as did Valenicia HS SS Christian Lopes.
On the East Coast-based Yankees, left-handed hitting first baseman Tim Kiene, a 6-4 230-pound first baseman from Avon Old Farms in South Windsor, Connecticut, showed how he likes to get his arms extended and produce hard contact and power. Catcher Greg Brodzinski (6-2, 210) from Bishop Eustice (Turnersville, NJ) showed a durable body, no matter his modest height. Speaking of modest height, right-handed hitting second baseman Sean Coyle’s bat created loud shots and line drives. Coyle plays for Germantown Academy in Chalfont, Penn.
From the Washington Nationals, from Washington State, right-handed hitting second baseman Ryan Brett showed great hands and the ability to drive the ball. One prospect for 2011, Spencer O’Neil, is worth following for his lanky and projectable frame.
From the Reds, composed of players from Arizona and Colorado, Josh Alexander, Trevor Allen, Mike Benjamin, Jacob Brugman, and Kris Bryant had good rounds and are each draft quality players in the future. Aflac invite Marcus Littlewood needed a few rounds to warm up before finding his grove in his last swings. Left-handed hitting catcher T.C. Mark will be interesting to watch for his power potential.
Kevin Jordan, a lean and lanky and very athletic outfielder from Northside Columbus (Georgia), showed explosive ease in his swing and hit balls with authority. D’Monte Grissom (Whitewater, Fayetville, GA) is one of the best slap hitters here with a great deal of upside in front of him. Another line-drive hitting second baseman, Pat Kelly (Red Wing HS, Red Wing, Minnesota) showed modest pop for a player of his nature. Jacob Rice (6-3, 190, Tulsa Union, Oklahoma) found some balance later in his round and drove balls. Aflac invite Justin O’Conner (Cowan HS, Muncie, Indiana) also needed a few rounds worth of swings to find his groove, saving his best for last when he drove several balls hard from gap to gap.
The games are scheduled to begin at 4 PM PST when the Nationals (Washington) and Reds (Southwest) play a nine-inning game, followed by the Rangers (Texas) and White Sox (Midwest and Central states) playing nine.
Baseball Beginnings will have recaps and noteworthy performances and radar gun readings from each game this week.
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