Post by Youth Movement on Dec 19, 2012 15:40:50 GMT -5
1997 Mock Major League Baseball Amateur Draft 11-20
11.
LHP Rick Ankiel
DOB: July 19, 1979 (17 years old)
School: Port St. Lucie High School, Florida
This is a guy I can easily see being taken in the top 10 and i'd probably be surprised if he didn't. I just know i wouldn't take him there because he's too big of a risk. He's probably the biggest boom or bust type in this whole draft, but the idea of him booming can be too tempting for anyone to pass up on. Probably has the best stuff, just has the worst control.
12.
RHP Brad Penny
DOB: May 24, 1978 (18 years old)
School: Broken Arrow Senior High (Blackwell, Oklahoma)
Brad Penny is honestly a better pick for me than Ankiel just because there's a strong feeling amongst scouts that he is assured to be a solid MLB pitcher. Although he has some upside and could eventually become an all star pitcher, his ceiling still falls considerably short of Ankiel's which is why i have him slotted right behind him.
13.
RHP Matt Anderson
DOB: August 17, 1976 (20 years old)
School: Rice University
The second draftee from Rice and probably the most disappointing. Going into the season he was the top projected pick in the draft but durability issues and inconsistency issues have him falling out of the top 10. He has topped 100 mph on plenty of occasions at Rice, but it's not clear as to whether he projects as starter or reliever.
14.
RHP Joel Piñeiro
DOB: September 28, 1978 (18 years old)
School: Puerto Rico
So many pitching prospects coming off the board at the beginning of this draft and here's another young solid pitcher with decent upside. He'll probably never be a cy young candidate or anything like that but he might be a solid 2nd or 3rd starter at some point in his career. The Royals can use some pitching depth in their system, so this seems like the way to go.
15.
SS Michael Cuddyer
DOB: March 27, 1979 (17 years old)
School: Great Bridge High School (Chesapeake, Virginia)
The Gatorade National Baseball Player of the year finally comes off the board. Michael Cuddyer has a chance to be really really good but no one is sure what position he projects to play in the big leagues. As his body fills out, he'll probably be out of place at shortstop so look for him to be either a corner IF or corner outfielder in the prime of his career. He's listed as a shortstop but don't expect him to play there.
16.
RHP Jon Garland
DOB: September 27, 1979 (17 years old)
School: John F. Kennedy High School (Granada Hills, California)
Depending on how the other pitchers perform leading up to the draft, i can see Jon Garland going from anywhere to 9 to 18. He doesn't have the stuff of an Ankiel or Matt Anderson, but his secondary skills are better than both of them including Joel Piñeiro. Garland has a fastball that hits about 92-94 mph and his control is above average. Jon Garland is the wild card in the draft.
17.
RHP Heath Bell
DOB: September 29, 1977 (19 years old)
School: Tustin High School (Tustin, California)
Another high school pitcher in the top 20, but there is a considerable gap between Ankiel, Piñeiro, Anderson, Garland and Heath Bell. The reason behind this is as that Heath Bell doesn't projects as a starting pitcher at all. The best case scenario barring some unforeseen development is that he'll become an all star level reliever. I fully expect Bell to be the first reliever to come off the board.
18.
RHP Fernando Rodney
DOB: March 18, 1977 (19 years old)
School: Dominican Republic
I have another reliever projected to go here and Rodney probably has better stuff than Heath Bell with a fastball that can sometimes hit 100 mph. Like Heath Bell, there's a very slim chance Rodney will ever be able to start in the big leagues. This is a pretty good slot for the Rangers because they are almost guaranteed to fill a spot of weakness since they have no stud relievers anywhere in there system.
19.
2B Orlando Hudson
DOB: December 12, 1977 (19 years old)
School: Darlington High School (Darlington, South Carolina)
Orlando Hudson will either be a solid leadoff or #2 hitter in a lineup or a mediocre #9. He can go either way as a hitter. One aspect of his game that projects as great is his defense and projects as a Gold Glove infielder in the bigs. He's still young so he still has plenty of time to become a good hitter, but that will probably take 4-5 years as he is still raw.
20.
LHP Randy Wolf
DOB: August 22, 1976 (20 years old)
School: Pepperdine University
Randy Wolf is a polished pitcher and really solid, but he'd probably a middle of rotation guy at best. He doesn't have the stuff to be at the top of any rotation and specializes in keeping hitters off balance and location. Don't expect to draft a steal if you're looking at Randy Wolf, nothing more than a safe solid pick.
