By John Klima
June 30, 2010
The first thing you would notice about Kris Bryant in this look has nothing to do with his power, which is his money tool that offers upward mobility. What you find is a young player trying to be the most complete player he can be, which, in effect, means playing to improve himself rather than to prove himself.
If you were around for BP, you got one ball pulled down the left-field line by the right-handed hitting Bryant, a clean shot well over and past the 330 mark. Good enough for me. I felt he was looser and more coordinated than when I saw him in Summer 2009 and felt his athletic actions were much smoother than they were in the summer. I also felt his hands and wrists are stronger, which is reflected in the quick, easy looseness from the BP swings. That’s why the power is there even if you don’t see it in a game on a given day – most guys don’t have what I would call “easy” power. Some raw power is generated by max-effort swings with multiple moving parts. I don’t like complexity in swings. I like loose and easy explosiveness with physical projection. I like effortless weight shifts, loading, keeping hands back, and throwing the head and bat speed. Bryant has a very simple swing that probably should keep him out of prolonged slumps throughout his career. He trusts his hands and his front side.
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Category: '10 Scouting Updates |
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Tags: Kris Bryant, San Diego, Toronto Blue Jays
By John Klima
April 1, 2010
The raw right-handed power Kris Bryant projects him to be a player capable of cornerstone offensive numbers. A first baseman in pro ball in all likelihood, Bryant’s sweeping stroke and uppercut is reminiscent of run producers such as Troy Glaus and Dave Kingman. We’ve had a few looks at him here at Baseball Beginnings, and his potential warrants another look.
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Category: '10 Videos |
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Tags: Kris Bryant, San Diego
By John Klima
March 31, 2010
Dylan Covey was pitching in a long-forgotten game somewhere in Florida a few years ago when he found himself in trouble. He couldn’t throw his fastball for a strike to save his life. In previous seasons, he never really felt confident in any one off-speed pitch, but this game forced him to find something he needed. What happened was he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a million-dollar curveball. Four years later, the hard hammer is Covey’s signature pitch and the separating factor that puts him in Group 1 of 2010 high school draft right-handers. Baseball Beginnings caught up with Covey for this recent Q&A.
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Category: '10 Meet the Player |
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Tags: Dylan Covey, San Diego
By John Klima
March 29, 2010
Tony Wolters has four tools going for him. The hands from the left-side allow for solid contact and a strong compact stroke with wood. He’ll run you a 50 at the very least. Defensively, he’s got a chance to stay because of something that is seen on this scouting video.
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Tags: Anthony Wolters, San Diego
By John Klima
March 13, 2010
Not many high school right-handed starting pitchers can touch 95 in the sixth inning and still call that an average day.
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Tags: Dylan Covey, San Diego
By John Klima
March 9, 2010
Dylan Covey is just getting warmed up. Now I’m going to sit back and let the kid do the talking.
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Category: '10 Videos |
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By John Klima
March 5, 2010
Dylan Covey struck out 12 in five innings in his season debut Friday night in Pasadena, showing four pitches and fastball command beyond typical high school right-handed power arms.
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By John Klima
February 12, 2010
Put a question mark on which position Kris Bryant ends up playing as a pro, be it first, third or the outfield. What you can’t put a question on is his physical presence and plus, plus, raw right-handed power. The comparisons Bryant gets are guys like Troy Glaus and Dave Kingman. One thing about the Kingman comp: he was a better athlete earlier in his career, and actually had enough arm to pitch and play third base in college. Those are both things Bryant could do in college, if he gets to San Diego. The dollar sign is on the right-handed power and the right kind of body.
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Category: '10 Scouting Reports |
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By John Klima
February 9, 2010
Southern California High School left-hander Griffin Murphy has a college commitment to the University of San Diego. We’ll see what happens this spring.
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Tags: Griffin Murphy, San Diego
By John Klima
February 5, 2010
Tony Wolters is regarded as one of the top shortstop prospects in California for the 2010 MLB draft. He put himself on the map when he was named MVP of the Aflac game. A very handsy hitter.
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Category: '10 Scouting Reports |
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Tags: Anthony Wolters, San Diego
