15th round SS James Roberts signed.

A key piece of USC's No. 16 recruiting class in the fall of 2010, Roberts and the rest of the class have underachieved. He had his best year this spring, hitting .320/.379/.429 with four homers and 28 RBIs. He began the year as USC's shortstop but struggled and wound up at third base, where his range fits better anyway. Scouts question his hands in the infield, envisioning him as a potential catcher or pitcher down the road because his best tool is his above-average arm. The 6-foot, 170-pound Roberts has some feel for the barrel, but scouts don't love his swing and project him as a below-average hitter with occasional pop to the pull side. He's a below-average runner.

Roberts sounds pretty useless, but at least he comes cheap

Not exactly draft news, but the International signing period begins July 2.

The 2013-14 international signing period begins on July 2, marking the first day of the year when 16-year-old international prospects are eligible to sign.

This year’s class doesn’t have a dominant player who stands above the rest the way Michael Ynoa did in 2008 or Miguel Sano in 2009, and that’s usually the nature of evaluating 15- and 16-year-old players. While Eloy Jimenez ranks as this year’s No. 1 prospect and is high on many teams’ lists, he isn’t a consensus choice, as many teams have another player from the top 10 at the top of their boards.

The top 10 players have separated themselves as the elite players in the class, even though teams might have them on their preference lists in different orders. Opinions begin to diverge more after that, with an even wider range of evaluations on players ranked in the 21-30 range and those who just missed the list.

Due to the nature of the international market, some players will sign for $1 million while other teams might value those players at $100,000. Our rankings attempt to capture the industry consensus, something the bonuses themselves don’t necessarily do.

The rankings include amateur players from South Korea and Taiwan who have finished high school, but they do not include Japanese players, because their top amateur prospects almost exclusively sign with Japanese professional teams. The Cuban market is also different enough that we have decided not to rank Cubans here.

We have decided not to rank players who have previously been eligible to sign, are currently suspended (or on the “not eligible to sign” list) or have ever been suspended. Although some of them may sign during the 2013-14 period, the process of scouting and signing those players is different enough that we will leave them aside for now. So Dominican righthanders Jefferson Mejia and Angelo Serrano (formerly Andres Serrano) and Dominican shortstop Cecilio Aybar (formerly Obispo Aybar) were not considered for this list.

Baseball America subscribers can access complete scouting reports on all 30 players, along with reports on other notable international prospects to watch. Final predictions for where the top 30 prospects will sign and forecasts for all 30 teams will be available for BA subscribers on Monday.

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1. Eloy Jimenez, of, Dominican Republic (video)
2. Gleyber Torres, ss, Venezuela
3. Rafael Devers, 3b, Dominican Republic (video)
4. Luis Encarnacion, 3b, Dominican Republic (video)
5. Leonardo Molina, cf, Dominican Republic (video)
6. Marcos Diplan, rhp, Dominican Republic (video)
7. Yeyson Yrizarri, ss, Venezuela/Dominican Republic
8. Yeltsin Gudino, ss, Venezuela (video)
9. Micker Zapata, of, Dominican Republic
10. Jose Herrera, c, Venezuela
11. Carlos Herrera, ss, Venezuela
12. Marten Gasparini, ss, Italy
13. Erick Julio, rhp, Colombia
14. Jesus Lopez, ss, Nicaragua (video)
15. Lewin Diaz, of/1b, Dominican Republic (video)
16. Erling Moreno, rhp, Colombia (video)
17. Carlos Hiciano, ss, Dominican Republic (video)
18. Freddy Rodriguez, of, Venezuela (video)
19. Mayky Perez, rhp, Dominican Republic (video)
20. Nicolas Pierre, of, Dominican Republic
21. Greifer Andrade, of, Venezuela
22. Cristhian Vasquez, of, Venezuela
23. Jen-Ho Tseng, rhp, Taiwan (video)
24. Wilson Amador, ss, Dominican Republic
25. Ali Sanchez, c, Venezuela
26. Michael de Leon, ss, Dominican Republic (video)
27. Ricardo Sanchez, lhp, Venezuela
28. Carlos Talavera, of, Venezuela (video)
29. Anderson Franco, 3b, Dominican Republic (video)
30. Luis Carpio, ss, Venezuela

Here's what BA says about the Tribe and International Signing Day:

Cleveland Indians

Dominican shortstop Dorssys Paulino is having an adjustment period in low Class A Lake County, but he looks like one of Cleveland’s most promising international signings in years. Venezuelan outfielder Anthony Santander has quickly surpassed expectations with his rapid ascent through the system, while Venezuelan lefthander Luis Lugo is pitching well in short-season Mahoning Valley. While several teams liked Paulino’s bat, their $1.1 million signing of Dominican outfielder Hector Caro was more puzzling. This year they might do another deal along those lines, as they could throw a big bonus at Willy Castro from the Dominican Republic. Junior Soto, a Dominican outfielder, is a player who has been heavily tied to the Indians for several months.

Hector Caro has a nice solid .529 OPS in the Dominican League so BA might have been right on that one.

Indians do indeed sign Junior Soto. His writeup:

Junior Soto played in the Dominican Prospect League, although he hasn’t been easy to see lately. The 16-year-old Dominican corner outfielder, who trains with Cristian Batista (“Niche”), is a 6-foot-2, 190-pound righthanded hitter who shows good raw power in batting practice. Scouts were mixed on how much he’ll hit in games, but the Indians are one team known to like him a lot.

Did not rate among BA's Top 30 Intl prospects

I see that the Indians have signed 11th rounder Adam Plutko, of UCLA, for $300,000 bonus, which is more than paid for 6th,7th 8th or 9th rounder. 10th round pick is unsigned. Here's a report on Plutko:

Ranked #179 in Baseball America's Top 500.
Plutko flashed 93 mph heat in high school and ranked as BA's No. 131 prospect for the 2010 draft. The Astros drafted him in the sixth round, but he headed to UCLA, where he has been one of college baseball's most reliable pitchers for three years. He went 7-4, 2.01 as the Sunday starter behind Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer as a freshman, then went 12-3, 2.48 to lead the Bruins to Omaha as a sophomore. He was 7-2, 2.68 with 65 strikeouts and 22 walks in 84 innings this spring. A consummate winner with toughness, Plutko succeeds without overpowering stuff. A flyball pitcher, he likes to work up in the zone with his 87-91 mph four-seam fastball, which plays up a bit because he hides the ball well in his start/stop delivery. He attacks the strike zone with all four of his pitches, and he has a plus secondary offering in his changeup, which he'll throw to righties as well as lefties. His slider and curveball have distinct looks. He uses the slider more often, and it rates as a fringe-average pitch, while the curveball is below-average. Plutko's feel for pitching, command and competitiveness could help him get drafted in the top five rounds despite his limited ceiling.

The two reach picks Tribe went after are pitchers Will Crowe and Aaron Brown. The signing deadline is Friday. Haven't heard anything about them since the draft.

Here's a report from about 2 weeks ago:

Indians: Adam Plutko would be an amazing signing. Mark Payton would be a good target. Aaron Brown is a draft eligible sophomore who likely will go back to school and Wil Crowe would be a good target but would take more than they have available. Heath Quinn may be their most likely overslot signing.

Well we signed Plutko which I guess is amazing although the BA writeup above makes him sound less than amazing.

Here are their thoughts on Quinn:

Ranked #390 in Baseball America's Top 500.
Quinn has a good pro body, with projection remaining at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds. He has played center field in high school and shows and average to above-average speed, but he figures to slow down as he physically matures and move to a corner position. There the onus will be on his bat, and most scouts weren't convinced he has shown enough power to but him out of his commitment to Samford.

Tyler Kolek Leads Tournament Of Stars Standouts

July 24, 2013 by Clint Longenecker

CARY, N.C.—

The 2012 Tournament of Stars, a showcase tournament organized by USA Baseball as the first step in the selection of its 18-and-under national team, was below-average from a talent perspective, even in an overall down year for high school talent.

For example, not a single player from Georgia, which produced four of the 10 high school position players taken in the 2013 first and supplemental first round, attended TOS last year.

This year’s crop was better, with pitching as the strength. The top fastball velocity recorded at last year’s event was 93 mph, by two players. This year, nine players hit 93 mph, and three hit 95 or better, led by No.1 prospect Tyler Kolek, who hit 97. Here are the Top 10 Prospects from the event, listed with their high schools as well as their travel teams. The Top 10 is followed by 25 reports on quality prospects at the event; those players are listed alphabetically.

1. Tyler Kolek, rhp, Shepherd (Texas) HS/Houston Heat

Kolek broke his non-throwing arm early in his junior season. He resumed throwing in early May and within a month his 91-94 mph velocity jumped to 97, and he touched 99 mph at an Area Code Games tryout. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Kolek has strength throughout his extra-large frame, long levers and athleticism, garnering Division I scholarship offers as a defensive end. A Texas Christian signee, he delivers his fastball from a three-quarters arm slot, giving it heavy boring action and good downhill plane. Both his low-80s slider and mid-70s curveball show plus or better potential, with the curveball showing more promise.

2. Jacob Gatewood, ss/3b/of, Clovis (Calif.) High/SGV Arsenal

The 6-foot-5, 190-pound Gatewood has a lanky, projectable physique with a high waist and long limbs. He uses a toe tap, pronounced weight transfer and quick hands to generate some of the best raw power in the class. Gatewood put on a show in batting practice, hitting balls off the batter’s eye in center field and into the trees well beyond left field. He has an aggressive, pull-oriented approach. Gatewood has a strong arm and has displayed low-90s velocity on the mound . A shortstop currently, Gatewood’s size will likely push him off the position, as will his average-to-tick above speed. The Southern California signee has a strong chance to become a first-round pick like his father, Henry, the 11th selection in the January 1982 draft.

3. Luis Ortiz, rhp, Sanger (Calif.) High/San Diego Show

After losing 35 pounds in the last year, Ortiz has a strong, durable 6-foot-3, 210-pound build with strength in his lower half. Pitching exclusively from the stretch, the Fresno State signee looks effortless producing 92-95 mph velocity and sustains his velocity well. He reportedly hit 97 in early June. Ortiz gets good sink and armside run from his tick above three-quarters arm slot. He consistently throws strikes and has feel for multiple offspeed pitches. His low-80s slider with tight rotation has the makings of a plus pitch. A mid-80s changeup with tumble flashes average or better.

4. Braxton Davidson, 1b/of, Roberson High, Asheville, N.C./Dirtbags

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Davidson has a large frame with wide shoulders and a strong lower half. Using a wide base and deep hand load, Davidson produces raw plus power, which is his carrying tool. With three home runs in four games, he tied the TOS record and hit more home runs than all of the players at last year’s TOS combined (two). Folklore grew that one homer bounced onto a highway more than 500 feet away. His prodigious power does come at the expense of swings and misses. With adequate speed and arm strength, the North Carolina commit could play an outfield corner, but profiles best at first base.

5. Brady Aiken, lhp/of, Cathedral Catholic, San Diego/San Diego Show

At 6-foot-4, 205 pounds with broad shoulders and room to carry more weight, Aiken has an ideal pitcher’s build. He has a quick arm, clean arm action and hides the ball well from a high three-quarters arm slot. His fastball sits 89-92 mph and will touch 93 with downhill plane. Aiken has a curveball with tight 1-to-7 rotation, making it one of the best breaking balls in the class at its best. His low-80s with fade changeup shows the makings of an above-average offering. Aiken repeats his fluid delivery well and has good control. He is a two-way player as an outfielder. Aiken, a UCLA commit, is young for the class and will be 17 on draft day.

6. Sean Reid-Foley, rhp, Sandalwood High, Jacksonville/FTB Chandler

For just the second time in the last 20 years, Florida produced only one high school pitcher in the first three rounds of the 2013 draft. Reid-Foley is one of several pitchers who could be drafted in that range in 2014 after showing 91-94 mph velocity with good glove-side run. The 6-foot-3, 208-pound Reid-Foley has a quick arm, and the ball jumps at hitters because of his athletic delivery with a long stride. His mid-70s curveball has good depth and is Reid-Foley’s best secondary offering. The Florida State signee also has feel for a 78-81 mph slider with sweeping action. His hard changeup lags behind the breaking balls.

7. Jack Flaherty, 3b, Harvard-Westlake, Burbank, Calif./SGV Arsenal

With a balanced base, quiet stride and good bat speed, Flaherty has a natural feel to hit. The righthanded batter is presently a line-drive, gap-to-gap hitter who excels at driving the ball to the right-field gap. His 6-foot-4, 205-pound build portends future power gains as his strength increases and his frame fills. Flaherty, who has signed with North Carolina, has natural actions, fluidity and lateral quickness in the field. He has arm strength that is capable of touching the low 90s on the mound. Flaherty showed above-average speed, with 60-yard times ranging from 6.4 to 6.6 seconds this summer, although his in-game speed does not also play to that level.

8. Derek Hill, of, Elk Grove (Calif.) High/NorCal

The son of former minor leaguer and current Dodgers area scout Orsino Hill, Derek is a student of the game. He ran consecutive 60-yard times on grass at TOS in just under 6.4 seconds, and he is one of the fastest players in the class. He consistently produces home-to-first times in the 4.0-4.1-second range from the right side. Hill, who is uncommitted, is one of the top defensive players in the class and has a knack for making highlight-reel catches. He also has an average present arm. At the plate, Hill has a high hand load, balanced base and short stride. He has quick hands, bat speed and a line-drive oriented approach. Hill has a short stroke conducive to hard contact up the middle and to the gaps. The lean 6-foot-1, 175-pounder with a V-shaped upper body has a discerning eye at the plate and rarely swings and misses.

9. Brandon Murray, rhp, Hobert (Ind.) High/Region Storm

Murray, a South Carolina signee, is another pitcher with elite arm strength. He sits 92-94 mph and touches 95 with above-average armside run from his three-quarters arm slot. Murray has an athletic 6-foot-4, 200-pound build with sloped shoulders, a tapered waist and strong legs that offers projection. His high-70s slider with two-plane break is his best secondary pitch. Although currently inconsistent, his low-80s changeup showed good tumble. He is working on reducing the effort in his delivery, which includes a head whack, and repeating it more consistently.

10. Justus Sheffield, lhp, Tullahoma (Tenn.)/Ohio Warhawks

Sheffield is a year younger than his brother, Jordan, who entered the spring as one of the top high school pitchers and was up to 97 mph before having Tommy John surgery in April. Both brothers are committed to Vanderbilt. Justus Sheffield has a strong, compact 6-foot, 190-pound build and has gotten a little leaner in the last year. His fastball can sit in the 90-92 mph in shorter stints and was up to 94 in the spring. He has an athletic delivery that features a high leg kick and throws from a three-quarter slot. His mid-70s changeup with fade could become an above-average pitch. Sheffield also throws a 75-78 mph breaking ball with three-quarter tilt. A good athlete, Sheffield has also shown potential in center field. Young for the class, Sheffield will turn 18 just prior to the draft.

With so many players participating in the Tournament in the Stars, it would be a shame to limit our list to 10. So here are 25 more players to watch (listed alphabetically) leading up to the 2014 draft:

Spencer Adams, rhp, White County, Cleveland, Ga./Team Elite

The 6-foot-5, 180-pound Georgia commit has a lean, angular frame with wide shoulders and a tapered waist. Adams uses a loose, easy arm action to deliver his fastball at90-92 mph, touching 93. Adams hides the ball well with a compact arm arc and the ball jumps out of his hand. He is a consistent strike thrower and gets armside run and sink from a three-quarter slot. His mid-80s slider has some depth and he mixes in a low-80s changeup. A natural athlete who fields his position well, Adams is capable of above-average run times and has seen some action in center field.

Quinn Brodey, of/lhp, Loyola, Los Angeles/GBG Marucci

Brodey has the ability to excel both on the mound and at the plate. He is a physical presence with a wide back, slightly sloped shoulders and broad chest. Brodey has strength throughout his 6-foot-1, 195-pound frame with trim, muscular legs. He has an effortless, athletic delivery and gets over his front leg well, which allows him to get good downward plane. The Stanford commit, who throws from a three-quarter arm slot, gets natural cutting action from his smooth, clean arm action. He compliments an upper-80s fastball with two secondary offerings that flash average: a mid-70s breaking ball with 1-7 action and depth, and an upper-70s changeup with fade. Brodey has good control. He has a squared, balanced and upright stance and levered swing that produces pull-side power. Brodey has a feel for the barrel in games and plus speed.

Ryan Castellani, rhp, Brophy College Prep, Phoenix/Diamondbacks Elite Scout Team

With broad shoulders and lean legs, Castellani has a tall, athletic and evenly-proportioned 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame that offers projection. Using a full wind-up, Castellani gets downhill plane from his three-quarter arm slot. Over the last year, the UCLA commit has reduced the effort in his delivery and shortened his arm action, producing a loose, whippy arm. Castellani has hit 93 mph and sits 89-91 with his fastball. He has feel for a 78-82 mph changeup with tumble that has the makings of an average pitch and a mid-70s curveball. Castellani has an advanced feel for pitching.

Gregory Deichmann, ss, Brothers Martin, Metairie, La./Marucci Elite

Deichmann has a lean and athletic 6-foot-2, 180-pound build. The lefthanded hitting LSU commit has impressive bat speed and is one of the top power bats in the class. He has raw power to all fields and can put on a show in batting practice, especially to his pull side. With two home runs during TOS, Deichmann matched the total all of 144 players from last year’s event. Deichmann is a fluid, rangy athlete with good lateral actions and defensive prowess. He has turned in a tick above-average 60-yard-dash times this summer and has shown arm strength.

Alex Destino, lhp, North Buncombe, Weaverville, N.C./South Charlotte Panthers

At 6-foot-3, 215-pounds, Destino has a large frame and sturdy build. The South Carolina commit has a smooth, repeatable delivery and easy arm action. His three-quarter arm slot creates deception and downhill plane. He sits 88-91 mph with his fastball and touches 92. Destino shows feel for a 76-78 mph breaking ball with three-quarter tilt and depth. He mixes an 80-82 mph changeup with fade. Destino repeats his delivery well and consistently throws strikes.

Foster Griffin, lhp, The First Academy, Orlando/Orlando Scorpions

At 6-foot-5, 195 pounds, Griffin has a large frame, strong lower half and lanky build that offers projection. With long arms, Griffin gets downhill plane from a high three-quarter arm slot. He has a long arm action that creates natural glove-side run. The Mississippi commit can touch 92 mph and sits 88-91 and offers a 71-74 curveball with three-quarter tilt. His mid-70s changeup with fade might be a better offering. Griffin, who plays travel ball with the Orlando Scorpions, attends The First Academy, which has at least three seniors who could be drafted a year after producing third-round shortstop Ben Deluzio.

Monte Harrison, of, Lee’s Summit West (Mo.)/Marucci Elite

The muscular 6-foot-3, 200-pound Harrison is a physical specimen and one of the best athletes in the class. The three-sport standout—who had scholarship offers from Arkansas, Oregon and Ohio State—recently committed to Nebraska as one of the top wide receiver recruits in the country. He has a plus arm that is one of the best in the class. Harrison produces plus run times with a powerful running style, which could make him a strong defender. He shows balance and bat speed in batting practice and should improve his feel to hit with more game reps. His natural strength portends future power.

Scott Hurst, of, Bishop Amat, La Puente., Calif./San Gabriel Valley Arsenal

Hurst has a compact, athletic build and broad chest at 6-foot, 180 pounds. He has at least an above-average arm and plus speed, giving the Cal State Fullerston commit a chance to be a strong defender. With a simple setup, quiet stride and balanced swing, Hurst has good contact ability and bat speed. Hurst produces surprising pop.

Kel Johnson, of/1b, Homeschooled, Palmetto, Ga./FTB Mizuno

Johnson showed toughness and determination battling through a stomach virus during TOS. He has strength throughout his large 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame. The Georgia Tech commit’s calling card is his bat. Johnson, who has a loud setup with lots of moving parts and unique timing mechanisms for his hands and front leg, has good bat speed with a swing path conducive to power—especially to his pull side. He has above-average raw power and can put on a show in batting practice. The righthanded hitter is faster than quick and has enough arm and speed to handle an outfield corner. Johnson is homeschooled, a rarity for potential pro prospects.

Travis Jones, of/3b, Atascocita, Humble, Texas/Columbia Angels

The 6-foot-5, 205-pound Jones is a tall, long and rangy athlete. He has long levers and room to fill his large frame. Jones, who is also a wide receiver on the football field, moves well laterally and is a long strider with plus straight-line speed. The Texas commit offers an interesting combination of hitting ability and power. He has some loft to his swing and has shown pull-side power. Jones has the athleticism to handle third or the outfield.

Trenton Kemp, of, Buchanan, Clovis, Calif.

Although Kemp’s TOS was truncated because of a minor injury, his talent warrants inclusion on this list. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Kemp has a compact, muscular and athletic build. Kemp, who did not play baseball as a sophomore to concentrate on football, has explosive athletic ability. A wide receiver that drew interest from a few Pac-12 Conference schools, Kemp has plus speed. From a deep hand load, Kemp has very quick hands, explosive bat speed and some present power. The Fresno State commit should improve his ability to hit in games after time away from the diamond.

Michael Kopech, rhp, Mount Pleasant (Texas)/Dallas Tigers-Vanlandingham

The tall, lean and wiry Kopech offers projection to his 6-foot-4, 195-pound frame. While his velocity has been inconsistent this summer, Kopech is capable of low-90s velocity and has hit 94 mph. He has long arm action but also a quick arm. Kopech, who is uncommitted, is flexible throughout his delivery, featuring a high leg kick up to his shoulders, hip turn and loose arm action. His top secondary offering is a mid-70s curveball that flashes three-quarter tilt and depth.

Turner Larkins, rhp, Martin, Arlington/Dallas Tigers-Vanlandingham

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Larkins is a strongly built Texan with a large frame and a powerful lower half. He has an easy delivery from a high three-quarter arm slot and gets good extension out front. In shorter stints, the uncommitted Larkins is capable of sitting in the low-90s and touching 94 with minimal effort and natural sink. He shows an ability to spin a mids-70s curveball and a high-70s changeup is his third offering.

Keaton McKinney, rhp, Ankeny (Iowa) High/Marucci Elite

At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, McKinney has a physical build with a strong lower half and still has room to grow into his upper body and large frame. With a quick, whip-like arm action from a three-quarter arm slot, McKinney sits 89-92 mph, touching 93. An Arkansas signee, he also throws a two-seamer with above-average armside run and sink and pitches aggressively off his fastball. His low-80s changeup with fade is his most advanced secondary offering. His 76-79 mph slider with tight rotation shows the makings of an average pitch.

Josh Morgan, ss, Orange County Lutheran, Corona, Calif./GBG Marucci

Morgan has a compact, strong and athletic build with physicality in his lower half at 6-foot, 185-pounds. With fluid actions, good lateral quickness and soft hands, Morgan has defensive chops. He has a quick transfer and average arm. More quick than fast, Morgan has average straight-line speed. Using a tall, narrow and slightly open stance, the UCLA commit has a long, aggressive stride. He has a quick, compact line-drive stroke and natural feel for the barrel. A member of GBG Marucci, Morgan has gap power and runs the bases well.

Jacob Nix, rhp, Los Alamitos (Calif.)

With a large frame, wide shoulders and a strong lower half, the 6-foot-4, 205-pound Nix has a durable pitcher’s build. A UCLA commit, Nix has a smooth, easy delivery that looks like he is playing catch. He possesses impressive arm strength and his fastball sits 90-93 mph, touching 94, from a high three-quarter arm slot. He varies the shape and velocity of his 71-75 mph breaking ball that shows two-plane break but lacks power, and he mixes in a mid-80s changeup.

Jonah Patten, rhp, Norwell, Ossian, Ind./Indiana Bulls

Patten has a lean, well-proportioned and athletic build at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds that offers room to fill out. His delivery is athletic, featuring a long stride and good extension out front. The Arkansas commit has a quick arm and has a tick below three-quarter arm slot. Patten can sit 90-91 mph in shorter stints and pitches comfortably in the 88-89 range over more innings. He has a feel for pitching and can mix multiple secondary offerings, a high-70s slider, mid-70s curveball with 11-5 tilt and low-80s changeup.

David Peterson, lhp, Regis Jesuit, Denver/FTB

Colorado has a strong lineage of big, projectable high school pitchers and Peterson is next in line. With broad shoulders and long arms and legs, the 6-foot-6, 215-pound Oregon commit fits the description. Peterson has an easy delivery and hides the ball well from a tick below three-quarter arm slot. His velocity sat in the upper-80s and touched 91 mph with above-average movement. Both his mid-70s curveball and 78-79 mph changeup are in the developmental stages but show promise.

Jakson Reetz, c/of/rhp, Norris, Hickman, Neb./Marucci Elite

At 6-foot-1, 195 pounds with a compact build and powerful lower half, the strong-bodied Reetz is an athletic backstop. Reetz is a three-sport athlete who also plays quarterback and point guard. He has advanced defensive skills behind the plate and a strong arm capable of 1.95-2.00 second pop times. Holding the bat close to his head and using an aggressive stride, Reetz has a quick, line-drive oriented swing and has hit well in games. His natural strength gives him gap power. He has enough speed and athleticism to play the outfield. On the mound, Reetz sits 88-90 mph and touches 91. He is committed to Nebraska, where his father played football.

Carson Sands, lhp, North Florida Christian, Tallahassee, Fla./Orlando Scorpions

Sands was one of two underclassmen to make the 18U team last summer. A large frame, broad shoulders and strong lower half, give the 6-foot-4, 205-pound Sands a projectable body with room to fill out. The Florida State commit sits 88-91 mph and touches 92 with natural cut due to his long arm action. He has feel for a 77-78 mph changeup with fade and deceptive arm speed that flashes average. His mid-70s breaking ball shows two-plane break and depth at its best but is inconsistent. The 18-year-old gets downhill plane from an arm slot above three-quarters. Carson’s young brother Cole, a rising junior with a 90-91 mph fastball, also attended TOS and is one of the top arms in the 2015 class.

Devin Smeltzer, lhp, Bishop Eustace Prep, Voorhees, N.J./Pennsauken American Legion

The 6-foot-2, 170-pound Smeltzer has a lean, lanky and angular build with long extremities. With a high waist, broad shoulders and lean legs, Smeltzer offers significant projection. He has a very deceptive delivery and the ball jumps out of his hand. Starting from the far third-base side of the rubber, Smeltzer uses a high leg kickand throws across his body to create deception and movement. He produces good arm speed from a long, loose arm action. Smeltzer’s arm slot, which is typically a tick below three-quarters, varies to create deception. The Florida Gulf Coast commit generally throws in the upper-80s but can sit 89-91 mph in shorter stints. At its best, Smeltzer’s high-70s breaking ball has sharp 1-7 tilt and depth. He will also vary its shape and throw a sweepier version to lefthanders and mixes in a low-80s changeup. Despite many moves parts, Smeltzer repeats his delivery well and has an advanced feel for pitching. Smeltzer sports glasses like fellow lefties Matt Purke, Brett Cecil and Gustavo Chacin.

Chase Vallot, c, St. Thomas, Youngsville, La./Marucci Elite

The 6-foot, 200-pound Vallot has a compact, physical build and muscular lower half. He has a strong arm capable of pop times in the 1.9-2.0 second range. His hands and receiving skills are developing. With a wide base and minimal stride, the strong-bodied backstop produces good raw power. The Mississippi State recruit has good athleticism for the position and has posted average running times to first base. Vallot is one of the youngest players in the class and will not turn 18 until the end of the minor league season next year.

Alex Verdugo, of/lhp, Sahuaro, Tucson, Ariz./Chi Town Cream

The athletic 6-foot-1, 190-pound Verdugo is a promising two-way talent. He has a solid build with sloped shoulders and a strong lower half. On the mound, Verdugo has a quick, loose-and-easy arm action and smooth delivery. His fastball sits 88-91 mph and touches 93 with armside run and some sink from a high three-quarter slot (although he will vary his arm slot depending on the hand of the hitter). His mid-70s breaking ball can show sharp 1-7 tilt at its best and flashes plus. The Arizona State commit compliments with a 79-80 mph changeup. At the plate, Verdugo has an open stance and uses a toe tap. He has a feel for the barrel and generates pull-side power. Verdugo has average to a tick above straight-line speed and an above-average arm from the outfield. Verdugo is young for the class and will turn 18 right before the draft.

Keith Weisenberg, rhp, Osceola, Seminole, Fla./Marucci Elite

With a large frame, broad shoulders and lanky physique, the 6-foot-4, 190-pound Weisenberg is very projectable. From a full arm circle, Weisenberg produces considerable arm strength with ease from a three-quarter slot. The ball jumps out of his hand as it looks like he is playing catch. The Stanford commit sits 90-92 mph and can touch 93 with armside run. Weisenberg shows feel for an 82-84 mph changeup and low-80s breaking ball.

Marcus Wilson, of, Junipero Serra, Los Angeles/SGV Arsenal

Wilson offers projection as he fills his lean, wiry 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame. He has broad shoulders, a tapered waist and leans legs. Wilson, who is uncommitted, has athleticism, fluid actions and plus speed capable of 60-yard-dash times in the 6.5 range and home-to-first times around 4.1. The member of SGV Arsenal has arm strength and defensive prowess in center field. A righthanded hitter, Wilson has good bat speed and has shown the present ability to hit in games. Wilson is young for the class and will not be 18 until two months after the draft.

Tyler Kolek | RHP | Shepherd HS (Shepherd, TX)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-5/240 pounds

B/T: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 years, 6 months

At 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, Kolek is an intimidating presence on the bump before he even throws the ball. Once he starts to deal, however, the intimidation factor increases exponentially. Kolek’s power stuff is led by a mid-90s fastball that explodes on hitters and reached 97 mph on some guns. Although a little straight, hitters had trouble finding the ball with the barrel of the bat against Kolek’s premium velocity, and the big righty has enough deception in his release that the ball can be difficult to spot out of his hand.

Kolek brought two distinct breaking balls to the table, with his low-80s slider grading out slightly better than his mid- to upper-70s curve. Kolek is the definition of a power arm, throwing with some effort out of a big, burly frame. There is work to be done with regards to both control and command, but the raw stuff is as exciting as you’ll find.

You Tube Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjuISeRCsGA

Kolek will be long gone before we pick #1 at draft position #24. This will be a good draft at the top but by the time we pick all the nuggets will be plucked. Too bad. Time for the boys in the front office and scouting department to do some cherry pickin'.

2014 draft will be within less than a month. Baseball America is starting on its in-depth reports. I don't pay too much attention, until after the draft is held and how they had evaluated the players the Indians chose. But here is their take on the Tribe No. 1 pick in this first mock draft. Because of Ubaldo's FA signing with the O's we get two extra picks, so we draft at No. 21, No. 31 and No. 38. The projected pick and comments for Round 1:

"The Indians need for power arms [that's for sure] could lead them down the path of a reliever [ugh] such as [RHP Nick] Burdi and [another RHP Nick] Howard. But the availability of [LHP Sean] Newcomb here would bring the system something it desperately needs, a starter with a plus fastball."

They include a long writeup on the top pitching prospects [make that top prospects at all positions, 75 in all] in the print issue and I'm not going to copy the whole thing on Newcomb, other than to note he is college junior, at Hartford. His control was lousy as a freshman, but things 'took off' in 2013 ranking second in the nation in K/IP (11.5). He has "flashed mid-90s velocity but more often pitches as 91-93) from a sound delivery and he does it easily. He has plenty of projection left with a strong 6-5 240 pound workhorse body and a fresh arm. He throws a lot of strikes with his FS HIs breaking wall wavers between a curve and a slider and scouts believe his arm slot lends itself more to a curveball. He changeup flashes some promise though he uses it sparingly. The uncertainty with him is his short track record." All of this rates his the 5th best LH pitcher in the draft, per BA.

BA Mock Draft 2.0 of course with a different Cleveland projected pick. I'll give you a link to the whole article:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/20 ... draft-2-0/

21: INDIANS: With other college bats off the board, Kentucky slugger A.J. Reed will tempt the Indians. But the Tribe has tried and failed with college first basemen high in the draft many times over the years (Michael Aubrey, Stephen Head, Beau Mills) and won’t get fooled again. Cleveland has another pick at No. 31, so it can take a risk with one of the injured pitchers and may need to go get one with its first pick, because the Royals and Reds pick again before Cleveland.
Projected Pick: RHP Jeff Hoffman

East Carolina righthander Jeff Hoffman has had his Tommy John surgery

They had him going at No. 11 presurgery and have also suggested several teams ahead of Cleveland could call his name before the Tribe in the 2.0 draft.
Here's the comment in 1.0: Hoffman’s combination of athleticism and premium velocity fits well despite his lack of a dominant track record.

This time they have Newcomb, the LHP they saw the Tribe getting in version 1.0, going much higher, at No. 8

Version 3 from Baseball America:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/20 ... draft-3-0/

This time they have Tribe picking an RHP:

21: INDIANS: After having one pick on the first day of last year’s draft (albeit No. 5 overall), the Indians have four picks in the top 61 this year, so they could gamble on an injured pitcher such as Fedde or Finnegan. Having Holmes, who will rank as the No. 3 prep pitcher on some boards, fall to 21 could be a coup for the Indians, who also could splurge for a power bat such as Schwarber.
Projected Pick: RHP Grant Holmes