By John Klima
May 31, 2010
In my travels here at Baseball Beginnings, I usually tell the players that they can speak about themselves in a way that is about them in a forum that allows them to be who they are without being considered self-absorbed. I gave Mike Olt the same disclaimer and all he really wanted to talk about was his team. I’ve been doing this a long time and talked to a ton of ballplayers. Olt is a guy who is more comfortable talking about others than himself. You can’t give a guy that quality and you usually can’t take it out of them either.
So here’s Connecticut’s third baseman. As a scout, I’m on the record for liking him a lot. If I’m in uniform in the minor leagues, I’m probably going to love this guy in the room. I imagine the same thing will transpire at the big league level. In the meantime, we’ll see how far this good UConn team can go. Come to think of it, I’ve been to Storrs. I’ve seen the photo of Walt Dropo on the wall of the indoor cage. I hope it’s still there.
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Category: '10 Meet the Player |
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Tags: Mike Olt, UCONN
By John Klima
May 31, 2010
Justin O’Conner moved behind the plate this spring after he was an infielder and a pitcher when I saw in summer 2009. At the time, I noted that O’Conner’s arm would play better in the infield than on the mound and that his athleticism would benefit him up the middle. I thought he’d have enough range for it. The reason I didn’t go for third base was because I wasn’t convinced he would have the power.
When O’Conner moved behind the plate, his arm and athleticism played, the power that would have been marginal for third became above-average for behind the plate, and fielding range and running is a moot point. I haven’t seen him this spring so my grades are based off what I saw in the summer over a week-long look. Nobody learns to catch professionally overnight, no matter how polished they may look as amateurs. But athletic ability is what buys you time, and because the bat is there, people will be willing to take the chance to develop the talent.
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Category: '10 Scouting Reports |
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Tags: Justin O'Conner
By John Klima
May 31, 2010
This updated report comes from Taijuan Walker’s outing on May 21, 2010, and is a follow up to our report we filed in March at his season debut.
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Category: '10 Scouting Reports |
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Tags: Taijuan Walker
By John Klima
May 30, 2010
Love Rob Rasmussen. From a scout’s point of view, he’s a solid three pitch left-handed starter with a bulldog mentality. An up-tempo guy who likes to attack the zone.
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Category: '10 Videos |
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Tags: Rob Rasmussen, UCLA
By John Klima
May 30, 2010
Talk around Northern Alabama has Reggie Golden in the third round. He reminds one scouting source of mine of Kentrail Davis, but from the right side. I can’t wait to see Golden again. I saw him at the Aflac game. Back home last summer, he hit a ball to left field at Joe Davis Stadium, where the Double-A Huntsville Stars play. He ran a solid 4.3 in that look. Personally, I don’t know how you put third round on this guy. That’s me. He’s a solid average runner, he’s got wood power to all fields, he’s an above-average thrower. Third round. If that happens, it’s a shame. Never underestimate Alabama baseball blood.
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Category: '10 Videos |
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Tags: Reggie Golden
By John Klima
May 30, 2010
Dan Child was 89-91 in this look. I didn’t see much of him this season. Based on this look, my prediction would be that he would get to Oregon State. We’ll see. I think this guy is some mechanical adjustments away from being much better than when I saw him.
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Category: '10 Videos |
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Tags: Dan Child
By John Klima
May 29, 2010
Mike Olt might just hit his way into the back of the first round. He’s got right-handed power and shows the aptitude for offensive adjustments at the plate. It’s a combination of brains and hands. Defensively, watch how he handles the slow roller in front of him. You really want to move him off third base?
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Category: '10 Videos |
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Tags: Mike Olt, UCONN
By John Klima
May 29, 2010
Trent Mummey is seen here in extra work on the Cape with the old school baseball socks. He’s a grinder, a left-handed hitter with slightly above-average speed. He won’t wow you on tools but college outfielders who can run a little and put the ball in play and just grind tend to find a way to hang around the game. Some of these players become fourth outfielders and excellent bench players on the major league level. Mummey could follow that path.
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Category: '10 Videos |
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Tags: Auburn, Trent Mummey
By John Klima
May 29, 2010
Addison Reed was a closer as a sophomore at San Diego State and a starter this season. After he signs, don’t be surprised to see him fast-tracked as bullpen help. If Drew Storen can go from Stanford to the big leagues in under a year, so can Reed.
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Category: '10 Scouting Reports |
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Tags: Addison Reed, San Diego State
By John Klima
May 28, 2010
Jake Thompson’s first pitch against Cal State Fullerton went right behind the knees of Christian Colon. I love Thompson’s cocky fearlessness on the mound. The Big West, who put a suspension on him for that, didn’t love him throwing at the conference’s golden boy. Too bad they don’t scout.
Thompson’s outing at Blair Field against the Titans showed you everything you need to know about Thompson – nasty, filthy stuff, inconsistent command of all three pitches deep into a game and bar-room brawling mentality. As a scout, all you really ought to care about is the filthy, nasty stuff.
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Category: '10 Scouting Updates |
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Tags: Jake Thompson, Long Beach State
