battlekow

Hahn got hurt the other day.

Baseball America on Thornburg (ranked #190 overall):

Baseball America's scouting report on Nelson (ranked #107 overall): Their scouting report on Morris (same link, ranked #65 overall):

Baseball America's John Manuel: "had forgotten that Auburn 1B Hunter Morris was falling; taken behind teammate Trent Mummey, but good value for MIL for SEC POY" College Splits: "Really nice pick for mid-4th." FanGraphs' Bryan Smith notes that Morris was the highest-drafted high school pick from the 2007 not to sign.

Hunter Morris's college splits

MLB scouting report on Hunter Morris: Hitting ability: Morris has an above-average bat all around, with a solid approach. He'll occasionally get around the ball, but he's rarely fooled more than once. Power: He has serious raw power from the left side and should have at least average, if not better, power in the future. Running speed: He's got better-than-you'd-think speed. Base running: He has sneaky speed, definitely not a base-clogger. Arm strength: He's got an average arm that would be playable in the outfield. Fielding: He's gotten much better at first base and is athletic enough to handle a corner outfield spot. Range: Has enough range to play the outfield when asked. Physical Description: Morris has a body type similar to the Colorado Rockies' Brad Hawpe. Medical Update: Healthy. Strengths: The bat, both the approach and the raw power. Weaknesses: Early in his college career, he was a little overweight. He's changed his body since, but he'll have to watch his conditioning. Summary: Morris certainly isn't new to the Draft scene as a second-round pick of the Red Sox in 2007. His biggest strength, his bat, hasn't changed. If anything, it's gotten better as he's clearly brushed off a ho-hum sophomore year to put up terrific numbers this season. He's got a solid approach and very good power from the left side. He's capable enough to play either first base or a corner outfield spot, and it's looking like he'll have the kind of bat usually associated with those positions. Advanced hitters with power from the left side usually don't last too long, so don't expect Morris to have to wait around much before hearing his name called.

MLB scouting report on Thornburg: Fastball: Thornburg can run his fastball up to 95 mph. Fastball movement: It's fairly straight, but he shows the ability to throw downhill despite his size. When he elevates it, it has little riding life. Curve: He throws a get-me-over slow curve, 68-71 mph, and then a 75-78 mph hard breaking ball, usually out of the zone, to get strikeouts. Changeup: He has a good, above-average changeup and excellent arm speed when he throws it. Control: He's generally around the plate, but his overall command is below average, leading some to believe he's destined for a bullpen role. Poise: He's got good mound presence. Physical Description: Thornburg is an athletic, but undersized, right-hander who uses a delivery similar to Tim Lincecum's. Medical Update: Healthy. Strengths: Excellent fastball and above-average changeup. As a two-way player, his athleticism helps him on the mound. Weaknesses: He gets swings and misses on the hard curve now, but if he continues to not throw it for strikes, it won't work at the next level. He has below-average overall command. Summary: As a two-way player, Thornburg hits cleanup while playing right field on Friday, then is the DH on Saturday before taking his turn in the rotation on Sunday. There's a lot to like about him on the mound, with an above-average fastball and changeup. He's going to have to learn to throw his curve for strikes and command the ball better if he wants to remain a starter, but even if that doesn't work out, he could have a very nice future coming out of the 'pen. Scouts are always looking for good games on Sundays, so Thornburg will get plenty of looks before Draft Day.

MLB scouting report on Nelson: Fastball: Nelson throws his fastball in the 91-94 mph range. Fastball movement: It's heavy and downhill, but it has below-average life. Slider: It's solid average, thrown 80-84 mph, and it's a tilted, hard, late-breaking pitch. Changeup: He has an average changeup, but he doesn't throw it much. Control: His overall command is average. Poise: He's very good on the mound, very competitive. Physical Description: Nelson is big and physical, a bigger version of Jeff Suppan. Medical Update: Healthy. Strengths: Three pitches that are average or a bit better, with the ability to command them. Good mound presence. Weaknesses: There's a lack of life to his fastball, and he needs to develop that third pitch, especially to use against left-handed hitters. Summary: There will invariably be a number of college arms taken at or near the top of the Draft. Once you get past that top tier, there are always steals to be found. Nelson could very well fit into that group as Alabama's Saturday starter. He's got three pitches, with the fastball and slider being his best two options. If he can develop his changeup, he could be a very good starting option for a team that's seeking some advanced pitching after that first group.

Baseball America' John Manuel: "Lincecum Lite in RHP Tyler Thornburg, who is 5-foot-11, 190, beat Florida early in season, will give up hitting, may move quick in bullpen"

There goes Marcus Knecht.

Covey: "I met with them a couple weeks back, but they never really talked to me other than that and haven't really given me any phone calls."

Tyler Thornburg's college splits

Hey guys. Too bad about Allie.

Maranatha's Covey goes to Brewers with 14th pick Miguel A. Melendez/Pasadena Star-News PASADENA - The normally cool, calm and collected Dylan Covey couldn't hold his emotions anymore. The senior pitcher from Maranatha High School erupted in celebration after he was selected 14th overall by the Milwaukee Brewers in Major League Baseball's first-year player draft on Monday. Dozens of friends and family members packed Dr. Sam and Angela Lee's residence in Pasadena to anxiously await the inevitable. Covey exploded onto the national scene in his sophomore year when he pitched at the PGWWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Fla. He struck out 18 batters in a game against the Kansas City Royals scouts team and drew raves from the reported 350 or so scouts in attendance. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior right-hander led the Minutemen (19-10) to the CIF Southern Section Division 5 quarterfinals this past season and posted a 7-1 record with three saves, a 0.40 ERA, 138 strikeouts and 20 walks in 70.2 innings. He also hit .414 with a home run and 17 RBIs and led the Minutemen to a Division 5 championship last year. Covey's 96 mile-per-hour fastball wowed more than several dozen scouts who attended his games this year. His sharp breaking ball reaches an above-average velocity in the 78-82 mph range. Aside from his athletic gifts it was his humble demeanor that made him attractive to so many professional teams. It culminated in MLB Commissioner Bud Selig announcing Covey's name. It didn't matter that he mispronounced it. Covey's parents, Darrell and Angela, met with 28 of the 30 clubs in their living room to discuss their son's future. In the end, it was the Brewers with whom Darryl said the family felt closest when the courting process started nearly two years ago. "I'm definitely excited to go there," Covey said. "It's kind of weird saying I'm a Milwaukee Brewer. "I still have the `M' on my hat." Covey, the 2009 Star-News Player of the Year, and an Aflac All-American recently was selected Gatorade's California Baseball Player of the Year. He was invited by the commissioner's office to attend the draft in Secaucus, New Jersey. He politely declined. "You saw all this," Covey said. "Just because of this atmosphere. I don't think it would have been the same sitting in the draft room. It was really fun seeing them all erupt. "I was pumped because I had been waiting for this moment the last two years. The worst is over now. It's time to focus on the next stage." Bryce Harper of Southern Nevada Junior College was the No. 1 overall pick by the Washington Nationals. Contract negotiations will begin soon, and Covey said he feels confident the team will sign him. "I don't really know what the figure is going to be," he said. "I'm hoping to have a two in front of it. I didn't really talk to them about the money aspect, but we'll see what happens. I'm confident we'll get what we need." Darrell Covey will handle his son's negotiations instead of hiring an agent. That keeps his amateur status safe should he not sign and accept the baseball scholarship offered by University of San Diego. All indications, however, point to Covey signing to come one step closer to living out his dream. "I would say it's really, really strong that I sign," Covey said. "A first-round pick is a really good investment for a major league team. I have a really good feeling we'll fulfill our plan." Darrell, who was drafted by the New York Mets in 1968, received text messages and phone calls minutes before Covey's selection. Covey ignored his phone. Throughout the process, it was his father who provided a steady and guiding hand. "Maybe except for two games my dad's been to my games my whole life," Covey said. "He flew with me everywhere, put out the money to fly me and fly with me. If you can count with one hand how many games he's missed, then that's pretty remarkable. "I'm now one step closer to my dream because of him. When I get to the major leagues and get on that mound I'll look back on all this and I'll owe it to my family."

Nice.

Prospect Junkies' 10 best remaining: 1. Stetson Allie - RHP - St. Edward HS (OH). The 6'4" 225 fireballer hit over the weekend while leading his team to a state championship. Rated as the #8 player in the draft by Baseball America, I suspect the Allie camp threw out a high number that has scared some teams away. University of North Carolina Head Coach Mike Fox is hoping his slide continues, as it increases the likelihood he ends up at Chapel Hill. 2. Austin Wilson - OF - Harvard-Westlake HS (CA). At 6'4" 215, he's a bag of tools that has yet to put them all together in game action. He's going to be extremely difficult to sign away from Stanford, especially this late. 3. Brett Eibner - RHP/OF - Arkansas. Most teams want him as a pitcher, he likes hitting and blasted 3 HR in the opening game of regional tournament last weekend. 4. A.J. Cole - RHP - Oviedo HS (FL). At 6'5 190, he fits the mold for the prototypical projectable prep pitcher. He's headed to Miami (FL) if he doesn't sign. 5. Brandon Workman - RHP - Texas. The #3 pitcher on the best college pitching staff in years. Could be the first guy on this list to go in Round 2. 6. Jesse Hahn - RHP - Virginia Tech. H.S. teammate of new Mets draftee Matt Harvey. Possible future MLB closer. 7. Yordy Cabrera - SS/RHP - Lakeland (FL). 19 year old at 6'3" 200 has plus power and a plus arm but few think he'll stick at SS. 8. Chad Bettis - RHP - Texas Tech. Possible destination would be the White Sox in round 2. 9. Ryan LaMarre - OF - Michigan. Athletic OF who will attempt to play CF as a professional. 10. Jarrett Parker - OF - Virginia. One of the better athletes left in the draft. Other Notables: Jacob Petricka - RHP - Indiana State, James Paxton - LHP - Grand Prairie (Independent), Jedd Gyorko - SS - West Virginia, Sammy Solis - LHP - San Diego, Kyle Blair - RHP - San Diego, Micah Gibbs - C - LSU, Kevin Gausman - RHP - Grandview HS (CO), Ryne Stanek - RHP - Blue Valley HS (KS)

It's not that crazy. We talked about the Brewers possibly drafting Josh Fields in the first round in 2008 because they were in the playoff hunt and he was supposed to be the most MLB-ready dominant reliever. In hindsight, it's really good that they didn't do that, and while the concept in general may be ill-advised, it's not foreign.

Final: Huntsville 6, Tennessee 4Stars earn comeback win over Smokies Aaron Morse/Huntsville Stars Andy Machado lined a pitch past Smokies’ shortstop Marwin Gonzalez and the Huntsville Stars (27-31) scored four runs in the eighth inning on their way to a 6-4 win over the Tennessee Smokies (34-23) Monday night. It was Tennessee getting on the board in the bottom of the first against Stars’ starter Mark Rogers. Back-to-back singles by Tony Campana and Marwin Gonzalez put runners on first and second with nobody out. They pulled off a double steal and Rogers was in all sorts of trouble. He managed to strike-out team RBI leader Ty Wright for the first out of the inning. Rogers got Blake Lalli to hit a slow chopper to short which Zelous Wheeler booted. Campana scored on the play and the Smokies had runners at the corners with only one down. A RBI ground-out off the bat of Robinson Chirinos made it 2-0 Smokies. Huntsville loaded the bases with only one away in the second inning. However Smokies’ starter Craig Muschko struck-out two straight batters to get out of the jam unscathed. In the top of the third, bad defense gave the Stars a run. Brett Lawrie hit a grounder to third that Josh Vitters threw wild to first. Muschko tried to pick him off like he had in the first inning. The throw was wild though, and Lawrie scampered around to third. A Lorenzo Cain ground-out drove home Lawrie to cut the deficit to 2-1. Tennessee smacked back-to-back singles to start the third against Rogers. Lalli’s single sent Wright to third base and Chirinos picked up his second RBI of the evening with a sacrifice fly to center. Rogers went five plus innings, giving up three runs (two earned), on six hits. He only walked one while striking out four. Facing a 3-1 hole, the Stars chipped away in the sixth. Caleb Gindl struck out his first two times up, but he singled to lead off the frame. A hit-and-run ground-out off the bat of Wheeler advanced Gindl to second. With two away, Steffan Wilson drove a ball to center that Campana attempted to catch on a dive. It got past him and Gindl scored to make the score 3-2. Muschko went six innings, scattering six hits while giving up two runs, one of which was earned. He walked one and struck-out eight Stars. The Smokies took a two-run lead for the third time in the game thanks to a Tony Thomas solo homer in the seventh against Stars’ reliever Jim Henderson. The Stars’ big eighth innings started with one away when Gindl singled to left. Wheeler hit a chopper to third that Russ Canzler had go off his glove into shallow left field. Gindl went from first to third on the play, which was ruled a single. Taylor Green hit a single that bounced over the head of Lalli at first base to score Gindl and cut the Smokies’ lead to 4-3. With runners at the corners Wilson came up big again as he doubled to center to tie the game. That was the end of the day for reliever Jake Muyco who went 1.1 innings out of the ‘pen. New pitcher Luke Sommer struck out Chuckie Caufield and intentionally walked Dayton Buller. Machado, pinch hitting for Henderson, hit a hard one hopper that scooted under the glove of Gonzalez, scoring Green and Wilson. It was ruled an error, but Machado picks up the most productive 0-1 of the Stars’ season. Robert Hinton tossed an inning of shutout ball for his second hold of the year, and the Brandon Kintzler-less Stars got a save from Donovan Hand. Hand threw a scoreless ninth for his first save in 2010. Henderson (2-0) worked two innings for the win while Muyco (1-2) picked up the loss. Green, Gindl, and Wilson all had multi-hit games, with Green going 3-5 and Wilson driving in two runs. With the win the Stars move to 7.5 games back of Tennessee in the north division. Amaury Rivas (5-3, 2.64) takes the mound Tuesday as the Stars look to clinch the series victory. First pitch is at 6:15pm central time and can be heard on www.huntsvillestars.com. Huntsville box score Lawrie was 1-5 and committed his 12th error of the year. A suddenly cold Cain was 0-5, but Gindl and Green may be heating up; Gindl walked to go with his two hits. Lee Haydel was 1-3 before Caufield pinch hit for him in the 8th. Huntsville play-by-play

Brewers didn't go for quick fix Tom Haudricourt As much as the Brewers need to develop pitchers and get them to the major leagues as soon as possible, they did not go for a quick fix Monday night in the first round of the June draft. Rather than take one of the many available college pitchers, the Brewers selected right-hander Dylan Covey of Maranatha High School in Pasadena, Calif., with the 14th pick. Team owner Mark Attanasio and general manager Doug Melvin were in the Brewers’ draft room and endorsed the decision of scouting director Bruce Seid and his staff to go with the long view with Covey. “I give the guys credit for not taking the easy way out and maybe going after a college pitcher that might be able to get there quick and pitch in the bullpen,” said Melvin, whose pitching staff ranks next-to-last in the National League with a 5.29 earned run average. “College pitchers can get there early but they can leave early, too. You’ve got to look at it over the long haul. We’ve always said whatever talent we thought was best, we’d take.” Covey, 18, went 7-1 with a 0.40 earned run average as a senior, with 138 strikeouts and 20 walks in 70 2/3 innings. He recently was named the Gatorade player of the year for the state of California. A 6-2, 195-pound power pitcher, Covey regularly throws his fastball in the 93-94 mph range and touches 96 mph. He also has a power curveball in the 83-86 mph range that separates him from other power pitchers. “When we talk about creating depth and building a future for the Brewers, I think our selection of Dylan Covey fits that description,” said Seid. “We know Dylan real well. We weren’t sure that he would get to us but he did. “This gave us the opportunity to take somebody we really wanted. Dylan is a fantastic young man. Our scouts Dan Huston and Corey Rodriguez were heavily involved in this situation, got to know him real well, got to know the family real well.”

Final: Round Rock 5, Nashville 3Sounds fall to Express on Monday night, 5-3 Nashville Sounds ROUND ROCK, Tex. - The Round Rock Express topped the Nashville Sounds, 5-3, on Monday evening at The Dell Diamond in Round Rock in the third-game of a four-game series. With the loss, Nashville (32-25) has dropped four of its last five contests overall, with the Express also holding the Sounds to three of fewer runs in six of the seven games between the two clubs this season. The Sounds were also held without an extra-base hit and went 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Round Rock took a 1-0 lead in the opening frame, as Express outfielder Jason Bourgeois hit a leadoff double off former Sounds teammate Sam Narron. After Edwin Maysonet singled over Bourgeois to third, Narron induced an infield double play and allowed the run to score for third. The Express added another run for a 2-0 lead in the next inning on another infield groundout, as Yordany Ramirez grounded out to Luis Cruz to plate Jason Castro. After a one-out, Oswaldo Navarro double in the bottom of fourth inning, Matt Kata hit an RBI-base knock to left field that extended the Round Rock lead to 3-0. After Express starting pitcher Andy Van Hekken was removed from the game and replaced with Yorman Bazardo, the Sounds got on the board in the top of the sixth inning and reduced the Express lead to two runs. Nashville loaded the bases with no outs, thanks to walks from Mat Gamel and Brendan Katin, plus a single from Erick Almonte. Cruz then brought home the club's first run on an infield groundout to the second baseman that scored Gamel from third. It was Cruz's 31st RBI of the season, tying him with Joe Koshansky for the team-lead. The Express tacked on two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. In a rehab appearance for the Brewers, reliever David Riske allowed two two-out RBI-singles to Brian Bogusevic and Chris Johnson for a 5-1 Round Rock advantage. The Sounds rallied in the bottom of the ninth inning to load the bases off reliever Tim Corcoran, but were able to only score two runs in the final frame. With two outs and the bases juiced, Adam Stern singled up the middle to score Johnny Raburn and Koshansky to cut the lead to two runs. Corcoran then got Gamel to groundout and end the ballgame. Van Hekken (3-4) earned the win, allowing one run on four hits with three walks over five innings for Round Rock. Bazardo added three shutout innings in relief. Narron (0-1) took the tough loss after twirling a quality start in his 2010 Sounds debut. The 6-foot-7 left-hander surrendered three runs on seven hits with two strikeouts over six innings pitched. A.J. Murray provided one scoreless inning in relief. Stern snapped out of an 0-for-17 hitless drought with a 2-for-5 performance while adding two RBIs. Almonte also went 2-for-3 with a walk, posting a multihit-game for the ninth time in his last 12 contests with multiple appearances. The Sounds and Express will continue their four-game series with Tuesday evening's 7:05 pm CT finale at The Dell Diamond. Left-hander Chris Waters (4-2, 3.43) takes the hill for Nashville against Round Rock right-hander Shane Loux (1-1, 9.53). Nashville box scoreYou can listen to Stern's two-run single here. Gamel was 1-4 in addition to the walk and committed zero errors. Nashville play-by-play After Cruz's RBI ground out, Raburn struck out with Almonte on third and one out.

Kevin Goldstein's 10 best remaining talents: 1. Stetson Allie, RHP, St. Edward HS (OH) Just priced himself out of the market. If he's throwing bullets like he was the last six weeks of the high school season, he's a top three pick in 2013. 2. Brett Eibner, OF/RHP, Arkansas Despite huge offensive numbers, including more than twice as many home runs as teammate Zach Cox, teams like him better as a pitcher, and he wants to keep hitting. 3. Austin Wilson, OF, Harvard Westlake HS (CA) Too raw to spend huge money on him, another possible big name in three years in the tools blossom at Stanford. 4. Brandon Workman, RHP, Texas In the end, too many teams saw him as a future reliever, as he's primarily as fastball/curve pitcher, and it's not the prettiest delivery in the world. 5. Yordy Cabrera, SS, Lakeland HS (FL) The concept of paying seven figures to a high school player who turns 20 in October proved too much. He should be an early name tomorrow. 6. A.J. Cole, RHP, Oviedo HS (FL) Once he slid past the 20s, signability became a big issue, as he's going to want first-round money no matter where he's drafted. Miami could benefit from this drop. 7. Sammy Solis, LHP, San Diego When the trend went to high-ceiling high school arms, the low-upside, polished college type got pushed to the side. Like Cabrera, he won't be waiting long tomorrow. 8. Jedd Gyorko, INF, West Virginia Another easy second-round projection, scouts being unable to confidently project a good defensive home hurt him on day one. 9. Ryne Stanek, RHP, Blue Valley HS (KS) Too much, too soon. Scouts didn't trust it in the end, and his secondary pitches failed to impress late. Could end up going to Arkansas. 10. Jesse Hahn, RHP, Virginia Tech Just the worst timing of any player in the draft, as he left his post-season start on Sunday after three innings with forearm tightness, and final evaluation of the injury is still up in the air.

Final: DSL A's 5, DSL Brewers 2 (7 innings)DSL Brewers box score Rolando Pascual, in a very familiar position, picked up the loss after allowing two runs in three innings. Jose Pena was 1-4 with a double, and Hitaniel Arias and Jose R. Garcia were both 1-3 with a triple. SS Andres Martinez did not play. DSL Brewers play-by-play Well, at least they went down swinging: DSL Brewers Bottom 7th Yonki Hernandez pops out to pitcher Victor Trinidad. Joan Abreu singles on a ground ball to center fielder Anderson De La Rosa. Jose Pena doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Charli Blanco. Joan Abreu to 3rd. Hitaniel Arias strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Victor Trinidad. Joan Abreu scores. Jose Pena to 3rd. Hitaniel Arias to 1st. Jose R. Garcia strikes out swinging. Juan De Leon strikes out swinging.

Haha, thank you, I'm flattered.

Final: DSL Brewers 7, DSL A's 2 (7 innings)DSL Brewers box score 18-year-old righty Leonard Lorenzo had an unusually good game for the DSL, tossing all seven innings and allowing just two unearned runs on four hits and four walks, striking out nine. SS Andres Martinez stayed hot, going 2-2 with a walk, and OF Jose Pena was 1-2 with a walk. OF Jose R. Garcia was 1-2 with a double and a walk, and 1B Hitaniel Arias was 1-4. 2B Yonki Hernandez was 3-4. DSL Brewers play-by-play

Yeah, this smells like Tim Melville a couple years ago. Maybe the Brewers can play the Royals here.