2011 Draft Sneak Peak: Gentleman, Start Your Horses

By John Klima
June 15, 2010

No sooner does one draft cycle end than the next one begins. The next draft cycle always starts with a group of players pretty much everyone knows, but from now until next June, the draft cycle is nothing but a horserace. What follows are some of the prospects that I have already seen and will see more of in 2011.

This is not meant to be a complete list or a ranking, and if this story is the first time you are discovering Baseball Beginnings, we invite you to stick around throughout the year to see video and read about the players we are talking about. If you stay with us, by the time draft day rolls around, I promise you many players that are not even in this story will come alive for you through video, scouting reports, scouting updates and interviews.

If you’re a 2011 prospect and you’re not in this story, it doesn’t mean you are not a prospect. It just means I haven’t seen you yet. If you can play, chances are I will find you.

Here, then, is a sneak peak at what is inside the 2011 stable, both high school and college, on a national scale.

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Scouting Video, Christian Lopes, INF, Edison HS (2011 Draft)

By John Klima
June 10, 2010

In many ways, Christian Lopes is the prototype for the high school draft prospect — the guy who is no secret long before his draft year. In the case of Lopez, he’s been known for several years now and is an old pro as far as the multi-year draft cycle build up goes. He’ll be the guy to start 2011 off for us.

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Scouting update: Christian Lopes, SS, Edison (CA) HS (2011 Draft)

By John Klima
April 29, 2010

Continuing our early looks at 2011 Draft players, Christian Lopes has been on these lists for quite some time. Here were my impressions of him in this recent look.

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First look: Christian Lopes scouting video (2011 Draft)

By John Klima
October 29, 2009

Looking ahead to the 2011 draft, Valencia infielder Christian Lopes has been on the radar for a few years already. Here’s a look at some BP footage of Lopes assembled from the Area Code Games in August and a few swings from rounds with the Brewers scout team at USC. If you listen closely, you can hear USC coach Pete Carroll blowing his whistle during football practice on the field next door. I had to make sure my camera was aimed in the right direction, otherwise I’d be in deep trouble, being an Alabama fan and all. (more…)

Area Codes Game 16: Valdez Lights up Guns

By John Klima
August 9, 2009

Right-hander Jesus Valdez touched 92 Sunday afternoon in his best outing of the Area Code games at Blair Field in Long Beach, Calif.  

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Area Codes Game 7: Pitchers from Coast to Coast

By John Klima
August 7, 2009

In what was the best collection of starting pitching prospects assembled in one seven-inning stint, left-hander Jesse Biddle and right-handers Tyler Beede, Peter Tago and Aaron Sanchez showed four of the best available high school starters from Southern California and the Northeast Friday afternoon at Blair Field in Long Beach, Calif. 

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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.

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