By John Klima
January 31, 2010
Boston College’s Mickey Wiswall helped himself last summer in the Cape Cod League by proving to be one of the strongest left-handed hitters available for the 2010 draft. Wiswall has a strong frame and a low center of gravity. His hands and forearms are extremely strong. Wiswall doesn’t have a singles-hitter approach. The guy is aggressive with his cut and he knows he’s there to lift the ball. He doesn’t possess extraordinary secondary tools, but he should be able to make himself a decent defensive first baseman. Guys like this have to have it in their minds before they go into pro ball that the only way they’re getting to the big leagues is to hit one ball after another out of the park. When you have power like this guy, you can think that way.
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Tags: Boston College, Cape Cod League, Mickey Wiswall
By John Klima
January 30, 2010
Austin Wates was one of the better prospects in the Cape Cod League last summer. The Virginia Tech outfielder is going to have several advantages working for him as he moves into professional baseball following the 2010 draft. Wates is going to be a better athlete than many players he will share the field with. This will translate in professional baseball into the ability to play all three outfield positions and run and defend well enough to cover them all. Offensively, Wates has a nimble frame with physical projection and the hands that should allow him to spray the gaps. As he ages, he should mature and develop modest power.
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Tags: Austin Wates, Cape Cod League, Virginia Tech
By John Klima
January 29, 2010
Kendrick Perkins is among the better high school athletes available in the 2010 MLB Draft. He has a college commitment to Texas A&M, but we’ll have to wait and see if he gets there following the draft. Perkins gave up football at Houston’s La Porte High School, where he had been an All-greater Houston running back. His speed and his power are the tools that will take him into professional baseball. A good comparison for Perkins in terms of career path and talent is Carl Crawford, the Tampa Rays all-star centerfielder from Houston, who turned down a college football career to pursue baseball.
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Tags: Kendrick Perkins, Texas A&M
By John Klima
January 29, 2010
Jake Jelmini isn’t a player that is very well known, but he’s the kind of guy we like to shed some light on here at Baseball Beginnings. A defensive lineman for a football team that won a Southern Section championship, Jelmini reminds me of another South Bay (California) prospect who wasn’t on any prospect lists out of high school.
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By John Klima
January 28, 2010
The prospect vs. prospect at-bat is one of our favorite features here at Baseball Beginnings. We thought it would be a good time to dust off the plate and have a look at two players from different parts of the country with Kansas left-handed pitcher Albert Minnis and New Jersey catcher Greg Brodzinski.
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Category: '10 Videos |
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Tags: Albert Minnis, Greg Brodzinski, South Carolina, Wichita State
By John Klima
January 27, 2010
Jordan Shipers has some physical projection remaining on what was listed as a 5-10, 160 frame last summer. His arm speed will be his main weapon. When coupled with some physical projection and strength training, it’s easy to see why Shipers was a wanted man for a college baseball program and why scouts will monitor him this spring at South Harrison HS (Bethany, Missouri).
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Tags: Jordan Shipers, Missouri State
By John Klima
January 26, 2010
DeAndre Smelter is headed to Georgia Tech, if the 2010 draft doesn’t get him first.
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By John Klima
January 25, 2010
Before I break down second baseman-outfielder Ryan Brett, there’s one subtlety to point out. I like that the guy isn’t using batting gloves to hit with wood. The reason is because it gives you a very clear view of how strong Brett’s hands and forearms are. It’s the reason he has bat speed with wood. It’s also why he’s able to generate bat speed to make hard and consistent contact. The sound is good. So is the bat control.
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Tags: Gonzaga, Ryan Brett
By John Klima
January 24, 2010
Tim Ferguson will have some skills to work with when he leaves Ole Miss and enters the minor leagues. His ability to put the ball in play will be one factor. He also should be able to play every infield position. This is a hitter without a lot of natural power, but a heady and instinctive guy whose organizational value will be in versatility and contact. He’ll run and throw you well enough to stick around as well.
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Tags: Ole Miss, Tim Ferguson
By John Klima
January 23, 2010
Jarrett Parker has some advantages for a college outfielder and professional prospect. His body type and physical projection will be beneficial for him. He won’t have one tool that will knock you out, but is the kind of guy who could develop into a servicable major league outfielder by doing several things just well enough.
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Tags: Jarrett Parker, Virginia
