Minigoon

21st Round pick, Kevin Shackelford's profile from Marshall University Press Release from Marshall University announcing Milwaukee's selection of Shackelford. Baseball's Kevin Shackelford and Aaron Blair Selected in MLB Amateur Draft http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/text/graphics/spacer.gif http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mars/sports/m-basebl/auto_action/5368426.jpeg Kevin Shackelford http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/text/graphics/spacer.gif June 8, 2010 HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Junior Kevin Shackelford and signee Aaron Blair of the Marshall University baseball team were both selected in the 21st round of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft on Tuesday afternoon. Shackelford was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers with the 639th overall pick. The Charlotte, N.C. native, had served as a catcher during his first two seasons with the Thundering Herd prior to making the switch to the mound. In his first season on the bump, the righty logged 18.0 innings in 19 relief appearances, while posting a 1-1 record and a 7.50 ERA.

Dane Amedee's LSU-Eunice profile. Game Photo from SmugMug http://lsue.smugmug.com/Sports/Baseball/2009-World-Series-Game-5/LSUE1484/548898847_px6Jy-S.jpg

St. John's Profile for 24th round pick, Greg Hopkins Baseball America's # 7 Prospect from the Valley League, a wood bat summer league based in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. September 09, 2009 BA #7 Prospect: Greg Hopkins, Haymarket http://allthingsvalleyleague.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bfe6a53ef0120a55a370e970b-320wi Up to #7- the Senator's Greg Hopkins, now a junior at St. John's. Greg was a huge part of Haymarket's championship run, even though he missed the clinching game with a broken hand. Greg assured ATVL that he would be back on the field sooner rather than later. Here's his writeup: A pure-hitting third baseman, Hopkins anchored the heart of the order for the league champions. In 200 at-bats, he produced 69 hits, which led the Valley, finishing with a .345/.413/.495 season line. Hopkins employs a wide base at the plate, taking a short stride to the ball with a level swing path that results in gap-to-gap power. He stays inside the ball well, letting him take offspeed pitches the other way, but he also has the bat speed to turn on an inside fastball. Hopkins is a solid defender at third base with a sure glove and adequate range, although he might lack the arm strength to stay at the position in pro ball. A position change is probably in his future, but his bat is good enough to play anywhere. You just gotta love that line- "His bat is good enough to play anywhere." I will be surprised if Greg isn't drafted next June! (Photo courtesy of the rabid Haymarket Joe!) The # 6 hitting prospect from that league. November 03, 2009 #6 Hitter: Greg Hopkins, Haymarket http://allthingsvalleyleague.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bfe6a53ef0120a69e6dc1970c-320wi The #6 hitter in the league is also the Most Valuable Player of the league: Haymarket's Greg Hopkins. Hopkins, a current junior at St. John's, was a critical part of the Senator's lineup. (And of their soul, if ATVL's observations during the finals were correct.) He pounded the ball to the tune of 345/413/495, with 34 runs, 69 hits, 14 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs, 33 RBI, 99 total bases, and a 16/30 BB/K ratio in 51 games and 200 at-bats. He added 13 stolen bases in 15 attempts as well. Greg led the league in hits, finished 4th in total bases, and 5th in batting average. Of course, Greg is no less a hitter with an aluminum bat in his hands. As a freshman at St. John's, he hit 304/386/473, with 12 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs, and a 24/30 BB/K ratio in 184 at-bats. He really walloped the ball in his sophomore season, upping his numbers to 349/411/550, with 11 doubles, a triple, 7 home runs, and a 17/18 BB/K ratio in 169 at-bats. Obviously chosen to participate in the All-Star game, Greg went 2-4 in Woodstock, and then went 0-2 in the Mid-Atlantic Classic against the Cal Ripken League. Hopkins showed his hitting chops in the first playoff series against the first-ranked Staunton Braves, going 5-10 in the two games, both Haymarket wins, with 6 runs scored and 5 RBI. ATVL was able to ask Greg a couple questions last week- here's the transcript: "ATVL: You've obviously been an excellent hitter for St. John's your first two years with aluminum. What was your approach to hitting with wood this summer? GH: My approach with wood this summer was to use the whole field. It's easy to get away with being pull happy with aluminum. But my approach this summer was to use the whole field, I tried to stay up the middle of the field. I used [wood] last summer as well for the first time (other than in the cages), so I had a better feel and more confidence with the wood bat this past summer. ATVL: How would you describe your experience over the summer? GH: I wouldn't trade this past summer for a thing. Our team at Haymarket was something else, we had a good feeling from the very beginning of the summer. I made some great friends on that Haymarket team and had fun playing baseball, and won a championship, what else could you ask for? The coaches were awesome too, everyone was on the same page and things clicked from day one. ATVL: What's it mean to be named MVP of the league? GH: Being named MVP is definitely something I'm proud of. I had a good mindset going into this past summer, I went into it telling myself to work hard and have fun. And that's what we did, we had fun the whole summer. A lot of summer ball teams want to get home as soon as possible, but it was different with this team. We were simply having too much fun playing baseball. One of my best friends Mike Lang gets my vote for MVP though, we wouldn't have even made the playoffs if it wasn't for him. Also, Tom La Stella and Evan Noell were a huge part of the successful summer, we worked hard on and off the field, no one works harder at their game than those two. I wish them the best of luck this year at Coastal!" Congratulations on your excellent year, Greg!

Alex Jones' Jacksonville State Profile Missed the 2009 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Baseball Draft Report Random College Plus-Plus Tools Jacksonville State SR RHP Alex Jones (2010) and his surgically repaired elbow’s nasty slider. Jones is coming off from Tommy John surgery and, unfortunately, is feeling the impact hard. His fastball that once topped out in the low-90s was only able to get up over 86 this past summer. Thankfully the procedure and subsequent time off had no negative consequences on his plus-plus slider, a pitch that may be the best of its kind in all of college baseball. If Jones can pick up some of that lost velocity, he’ll find himself as another potential mid-round college reliever sleeper. He’s got the pro body (6-6, 190 pounds) and financial advantage (he’d be a senior sign) that many similarly talented pitchers in the mid-rounds seem to lack. Jacksonville State is also the alma mater for current Brewer prospect Donovan Hand

25th round pick, shortstop Nick Shaw was a 1st Team All SCC player this year. Barry University Profile Career total of 209 walks to 83 strike outs in 203 games. All time leader for Barry University in walks, runs, OBP (.495) and SF's.

Kevin Berard's Max Preps Profile. He has an LSU-Eunice commitment.

23rd round pick Ryan Bernal's profile from Florida Atlantic University. An early season story about Ryan's success out of the bullpen for the Owls. Ryan Express Sporting a 1.25 ERA, Ryan Bernal has emerged as one of FAU's most important pitchers this season. Originally published on 4/22/2010 by Chuck King BOCA RATON - Mike Gipson has achieved the ace status expected of him last season. Andy Mee has been a revelation in the closer’s role. Reliever Ryan Bernal isn’t the most recognized pitcher on Florida Atlantic’s staff, but the bridge he’s provided getting the Owls from Gipson and the other starters to Mee isn’t lost on FAU coach John McCormack. “He’s the key to the year,” McCormack said. “That was the one guy we couldn’t get going last year. What we really needed this year is a guy with his type of numbers. He has come in for two innings and shut everything down.” The numbers suggest McCormack isn’t hyperbolizing. Even after allowing the tying run – and subsequently vulturing the win – in Tuesday’s 4-3, 10-inning victory at Florida Gulf Coast, Bernal’s 1.25 ERA is the Owls’ lowest. He’s only surrendered 14 hits in 21 2/3 innings en route to a 3-0 record. Those numbers are oceans away from the 9.88 ERA he posted in 13 2/3 innings as a junior. “This is the first time in my career that I feel comfortable in my role,” said Bernal, who had previously thought of himself as a starter. “I’ve finally accepted it and taken charge.” A large part of Bernal’s comfort stems from stability. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound righthander started his college career at Florida International before transferring to Palm Beach Community College, then FAU. During those years pitching coaches experimented with changes to Bernal’s pitching motion. FAU coaches stabilized his arm angle, returning it to over the top, and Jason Jackson has also helped Bernal develop a split-fingered change-up. Originally added as something different to show hitter, that change-up has developed into a devastating pitch that drops and runs, producing swings and misses. “Last year he was a guy with a good arm that at times was hoping he could get the job done,” McCormack said. “Now he knows he’s going to get the job done.”

Daniel Britt profile from Elon University College Splits

More on Marzac Eric Marzac Taken By Milwaukee In The 30th Round With Milwaukee's last selection on Tuesday, the Brewers chose Youngstown State closer Eric Marzec in the 30th round (909th pick). In February, Marzec was named the top prospect in the Horizon League by Baseball America. Eric struck out 56 batters in 39 innings of work this past season. The 5'11 hard throwing righty was 3-3 on the hump as he accumulated a 3.92 earned run average and five saves in 2010. Marzec was also impressive from the plate. The Canton Central Catholic product batted .338 as he smacked six long balls and drove in 28 runs this past campaign. Marzec was named the 2006 Division III Player of the Year by the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association. Eric was a three-year letterwinner at CCCHS. He struck out a Central Catholic school record of 18 batters in a single game.

30th Round Pick Eric Marzec Marzec Named Top Prospect In Horizon League By Baseball America Youngstown -- Youngstown State senior relief pitcher and outfielder Eric Marzec has been recognized as the top professional baseball prospect in the Horizon League by Baseball America in its college preview edition. Marzec, a native of Canton, Ohio, was also picked to be a first-team all-league pick as a utility player because of his dual role. YSU senior Jacke Healey was predicted to be a first-team selection at designated hitter. http://www.ysusports.com/baseball/top-photos/marzec-pitch09-1.jpgEric Marzec has been a Second-Team All-Horizon League selection at utility in each of the past two seasons. Marzec has been a second-team all-league pick at utility in each of the past two seasons. Last year he batted .289 with six home runs, 27 RBIs and 22 runs scored despite missing more than a month with an injury to his glove hand. Marzec finished as the team leader in slugging percentage, and he was leading the club in home runs before his injury. On the mound, Marzec had a 2.40 ERA and two saves in his 15 innings out of the bullpen. He had 20 strikeouts and six walks in 17 innings overall in 2009. Healey was a first-team all-league selection at shortstop in 2009, which was his first season at YSU after transferring from Potomac State College. He hit a team-high eight home runs and 17 doubles, and he also led YSU in RBIs, runs scored and total bases. Baseball America mirrored the Horizon League preseason poll in its prediction of the final standings. The publication picked Wright State to win the conference and UIC, Milwaukee, Valparaiso, YSU, Cleveland State and Butler to follow. Year ERA W-L App GS CG SHO/CBO SV IP H R ER BB SO 2B 3B HR BF B/Avg 2007.... 9.00 1-1 5 4 0 0/0 0 18.0 25 18 18 15 20 2 2 6 93 .325 2008.... 2.82 2-1 12 0 0 0/0 2 22.1 16 9 7 17 18 3 0 1 104 .198 2009.... 5.29 1-4 10 1 0 0/1 2 17.0 16 11 10 6 20 3 1 2 78 .242 TOT..... 5.49 4-6 27 5 0 0/1 4 57.1 57 38 35 38 58 8 3 9 275 .254

I'm going to go with Luke Jackson. Maybe I'm reading a little too much into the way he was being watched yesterday. He didn't throw in the scrimmage, but threw before with all the decision makers watching from behind the cage. They were telling him what to throw and where. CB looked like it had good bite. He seemed to slow down his delivery a bit when throwing his change though. Fastball was popping in the catcher's mitt. Couldn't see the readings on the radar guns, but you could tell he was running it up there pretty well.

Johnny Raburn got into the Nashville game today. Brendan Katin was placed on the DL. No word on what Katin's injury is.

[quote author=Mass Haas wrote: [/b] RHP Cody Adams (2nd round, 2008), RHP Pedro Lambertus, and C Brett Whiteside (who had Tommy John surgery last summer -- we never did learn if his four pitching appearances in 2009 were the start of a position switch or even the cause of his injury), will all be staying in Maryvale working their way back from injuries. As is often the case, we don't have injury details on Adams and Lambertus at this time. I thought Cody Adams still had time to serve from his suspension last season.

"Good signing, not to excited about his K/BB rate, but has had some past mlb success. Does anybody know a way to look up his numbers last year in Japan?" http://bis.npb.or.jp/eng/2009/stats/idp1_h.html 0-4 27 innings pitched, 36 hits, 12 bb to 18 K, 6.33 ERA, 2 HR allowed

I share mine: 1) Alcides Escobar 2) Brett Lawrie 3) Mat Gamel 4) Zach Braddock 5) Jonathan Lucroy 6) Wily Peralta 7) Cody Scarpetta 8) Angel Salome 9) Jake Odorizzi 10) Eric Arnett 11) Mark Rogers 12) Caleb Gindl 13) Logan Schafer 14) Amaury Rivas 15) Kentrail Davis 16) Lorenzo Cain 17) Taylor Green 18) Josh Butler 19) John Axford 20) Jose Pena Pretty much the same as most. The Pena signing was a pretty big deal in July so I felt it was necessary to include him in there. My # 21 was Evan Anundsen.

Since they are soon to be grandparents, a digital picture frame?

http://twitter.com/SPTimesRays/status/6610221290 If Corey Hart is moved this off season, I wouldn't mind seeing him brought in to split time with Gerut out in right.

"Braves general manager Frank Wren said he won't start thinking about a successor for Cox until an appropriate time next season. Both men said Cox probably will have input." Paging Ned Yost.

No Stosh? I was surprised by only 4 catchers and one is Austin Stockfisch.

Ebay. I've bought silver coins there without any problems. As with all Ebay transactions, check out the seller, read the description carefully, and look at the photos.

Thanks for the update. Green was a draft-and-follow (25th round, 2005), and must have signed prior to his 19th birthday which would have been November 2nd, 2005. He debuted with Helena in 2006 (not all that impressively) before exploding into our consciousness at West Virginia in '07.Josh caught my mistake. Green was 19 when he signed, but according to the rules, it's how old he was on the June 5th immediately preceeding his signing. Green signed prior to 6/5/06 so it goes back to his age on 6/5/05, at which time he was still 18. Therefore 5 drafts starting with 2006.

My opinion is that Lo Cain, Green, and Rivas get protected. Melvin likes to leave a spot or 2 open for waiver claims and there is always the chance of a Rule V pick again. Interesting decisions next year as Jeffress, Braddock, Casey Baron, Jon Lucroy, Evan Anundsen, Brent Brewer, Eric Farris, and Wily Peralta (I'm about 95% sure Peralta is up next year) are eligible and would need protection.

Don't forget, he was tossed for a AA game after hitting a batter during his stint in Huntsville. Definately firey.

In the "Notes" section it mentions that Yovani Gallardo's start Sunday will be his final for the season and that the team has recalled Mike Burns. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap;_ylt=ApPu0zY6Qg.HD5UITd4ku8gRvLYF?gid=290918108

Thanks for another awesome summer of link reports Mass! I'm already looking forward to next April.