Mark Appel Draft Profile

Name: Mark Appel

Position: Right-Handed Pitcher

Year: Sophomore

Appel

School: Stanford

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Height/Weight: 6'5"/ 200

D.O.B.: 01/15/1991

Scouting Report: Appel lasted until the 15th round in the 2009 draft when he was picked by the Detroit Tigers. He will go a little earlier in the 2012 draft as he boasts frontline starter potential. With his large frame Appel boars down on hitters with mid to high 90's fastball that has some late life. He has a smooth delivery that allows the fastball to gain easy velocity out of his hand. His change-up has made great strides since his high school days and has overtaken his slider as Appel's best secondary offering. It shows good fade to it and his arm speed remains the same as his fastball. His curveball has a good tight break on it, but it has been inconsistent over the past year. With the potential for three plus pitches Appel is one of the early favorites to go first overall in next year's draft.

Future Grades:

Fastball	65
Slider	60
Change-up	65
Command/Control	55
Delivery	55
Overall	65

Stats: 

Year	Team	W	L	SV	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	SO/9
2010	STA	2	1	2	5.92	24	3	38	44	19	26	1.66	6.16
2010	NEW	6	1	0	1.87	8	7	43.1	33	16	24	1.14	5.01
2011	STA	6	7	0	3.02	17	17	110.1	114	29	86	1.30	7.03
2011	USA	0	0	1	5.62	4	1	8	7	2	11	1.13	12.38

Video: 

Lance McCullers Draft Profile

Name: Lance McCullers
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Year: Junior

McCullers

School: Jesuit HS (FL)
Bats/Throws: Left/Right
Height/Weight: 6'2"/ 205
D.O.B.: 10/02/1993


Scouting Report: McCullers is considered to have the best arm in the 2012 prep class, despite measuring in at a relatively small 6'2". His father pitched seven seasons in the Majors and although Lance is also a top prospect as a third baseman, his future as a pro is on the mound. He has an extremely quick arm that allows him to pump mid 90's fastballs with late, boring action. He has touched 99 MPH and it is easily a plus-plus pitch. The righty compliments it with a plus power curveball that could become plus-plus in due time. The difference in him ending up as a frontline starter or a dominant closer is whether he develops his change-up. Right now it is an average offering but it has plus potential and I believe it will get there as he works on it more after high school. His command is a little shaky now but it shouldn't be a problem heading forward with his career. With a special arm, McCullers has all the makings of a No. 1 starter and should easily go in the Top 5 picks of the 2012 draft.


Future Grades:

Fastball	70
Curveball	65
Change-up	60
Command/Control	55
Delivery	55
Overall	65

Stats: 

Year	Team	W	L	SV	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	SO/9
2009	HS	0	0	6	0.00	10	0	7	3	5	10	0.80	12.86
2010	HS	2	0	3	0.39	11	1	18	8	13	34	1.17	17
2010	USA	0	0	2	0.00	7	0	7.2	0	7	9	0.97	11.25
2011	HS	5	3	0	2.02	14	9	52	34	32	79	1.27	13.67

Video: 

Rockies Agree To Terms With Story

The Colorado Rockies have agreed to terms with supplemental pick Trevor Story according to Jim Callis' twitter. His bonus has not yet been announced.

The 45th pick in the draft, Story is a high school shortstop drafted out of Texas. He is a 5-tool player who should be able to stay at shortstop and had committed to Louisiana State.

Rays Sign Early Picks Martin and Linsky

Martin

Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times has reported on his twitter that the Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to terms with 1st-round supplemental pick Brandon Martin and 2nd-rounder Lenny Linsky. Martin's signing bonus has not been released yet and Linsky has signed to the slot recommendation of about $392K.

Martin is a legitimate 5-tool shortstop out of Santiago HS in California. He had a commitment to attend Oregon State University in the fall. Linsky is a right-handed pitcher from the University of Hawaii who has a power sinker, slider combination that allowed him to save 14 games with just a 1.30 ERA in 34.2 innings this spring.

Cardinals Sign 1st-Rounder Kolten Wong

Wong

According to Baseball America's Jim Callis' twitter, the St. Louis Cardinals have signed their 1st-Round pick Kolten Wong to a $1.3 million signing bonus. The bonus is just barely above the slot recommendation by MLB for the 22nd overall pick.

A 2nd Baseman from Hawaii, Wong hit for a line of .378/.492/.560 as a junior with 7 home runs and 23 stolen bases. Although he is only listed at 5'9" 190 lbs, Wong is an outstanding hitter and should provide solid defense at 2nd base.

Pirates To Pick Gerrit Cole #1???

According to Devan Kovacevic of The Pittsburgh Post Gazette the Pirates will take Gerrit Cole with the top pick in Monday's 2011 MLB Draft.

While this obviously makes Cole the front-runner for the pick I don't think it is set in stone. I still think the Pirates are considering Anthony Rendon, Danny Hultzen, and possibly Dylan Bundy although at this point I don't see them selecting the high school right-hander.

Danny Hultzen Asks For $13 Million

According to Jim Callis twitter, it appears that Virginia LHP Danny Hultzen will be seeking a signing bonus of up to $13 million.

I am sure everyone is thinking that is a ridiculous amount for someone who only until recently was being considered for a Top 5 pick, but like Callis says it shouldn't change where he gets picked. This simply looks like a leverage move and I doubt he signs for anywhere near that number.