Surprise, they went for the guy you wanted not the guy you expected.
CLINT FRAZIER, OF, LOGANVILLE (GA.) HS (@CJF19)
Area Scout: Brad Tyler
PICK ANALYSIS: The Indians have traditionally been linked to college players, but have gone big with high-profile high school players recently.
Clint Frazier
Clint Frazier (Photo by Alyson Boyer Rode)
SCOUTING REPORT: Frazier brings premium bat speed, solid athleticism and an all-out style, making him a strong contender to be the first high school player drafted this year. However, scouts do not put him in the same class as last year’s top prospect, fellow Georgia prep outfielder Byron Buxton (now with the Twins). While he’s modestly sized, Frazier has fast-twitch athleticism and strength in his hands, wrists and forearms. He generates tremendous bat speed and plus-plus raw power that should play at any level. He hits ‘em far and hits homers with regularity. While Frazier has a compact swing, scouts expect him to swing and miss a decent amount with his aggressive approach and modest feel for hitting. He’s an above-average runner whose speed plays better offensively than in the field. Frazier’s defense in center field remains raw; he lacks instincts and tries to outrun his mistakes. He has shown above-average arm strength in the past, but scouts say he has played through pain this spring and his arm has played as average or worse at times. Thanks to his bat and power, Frazier should hit enough if he has to move to a corner and fits in the first 10 selections.
WHERE HE FITS: Frazier will rank as Cleveland’s best power prospect and will slot in behind Francisco Lindor in the Indians’ system.
Re: Draft Folder
242LOGANVILLE, Ga. — Things are about to change for the Frazier family, but don’t expect that to change them. At some point in the early part of MLB Network’s coverage of the 2013 Draft, Bud Selig will stand at the podium in Studio 42 and announce that a team has selected Clint Frazier, an outfielder from Loganville (Ga.) High. The cameras will pan to the Fraziers, who will be in Secaucus, N.J., for the broadcast, and they will share the special moment. Clint Frazier will likely show his simple, humble grin as he realizes a dream has been achieved. His parents—and most likely his sister—may get emotional as they all see hard work and sacrifice pay off.
Whichever team selects Frazier will be selecting not a high school kid, but a young, modest and unflappable man that puts his best effort and passion for the game of baseball into every pitch. He is confident in his abilities, but channels that into his performance rather than his personality or appearance.
“It comes from respecting the game and loving what I do,” Frazier said. “I’m not trying to go out there and show anybody up and make them look bad. At the same time, I’m trying to go out there and hold my own and not get pushed around.”
Frazier cites Mike Trout and Bryce Harper as players he likes to emulate—both known for having tremendous amounts of talent while also grinding out every pitch and every play. That is obvious to others that watch him, especially his No. 1 fan—his 21-year-old sister, Taylor Frazier Cown.
“Ever since I can remember, I’ve always had a little brother that is just so passionate for the ball,” she said. “I can remember going to games, seeing him as a kid. He’d practice in the yard with my mom (Kim) and with a little yellow Wiffle ball bat while our dad was at work. It became very apparent, very early, that was what he loved to do. As he got older and as I got older, I just thought it was kind of a phase, but then I saw it was his talent.”
Frazier made the freshmen team at Loganville High as an eighth grader and became a starter on varsity the following year. When he would walk up to the plate as a ninth-grader, Loganville fans would chant, “He’s our freshman!”
He played travel ball through middle school and by the end of his freshman year, he was gaining interest from colleges. Before starting his sophomore year of high school, he had an offer from Georgia.
“That was our prayer throughout the whole deal, just hoping that he could get a college scholarship,” said Mark Frazier, Clint’s father. “And one close enough where we could go watch him play.”
Little did he know how much bigger it would get. Mark Frazier knew his son was one of the top players in Gwinnett County, but it wasn’t until the summer before Clint’s senior year that reality began setting in. Advisers were asking to meet with them about Clint’s future in baseball and he played in both the Perfect Game and Under Armour All-America Games. Over the winter, scouts started coming into the Fraziers’ home to meet with Clint and ask him questions, among other processes and tests scouts put players through.
Clint Frazier
Clint Frazier (Photo by Alyson Boyer Rode)
“It’s been a whirlwind,” Mark Frazier said. “We’re glad it’s winding down. It was a circus since December. I wish we could’ve just taped the first interview that he had with one of the home visits and just sent it out to everyone.”
Whirlwind is how most players and families would describe the long process of a son committing to a college, attending showcases and getting drafted, but the Fraziers’ experience was a little tougher than most. Participating in travel ball and the showcase circuit is costly and right when Clint was in the thick of it, Mark Frazier lost his job as a salesman at a local cement company.
“It couldn’t have happened at a worse time,” he said. “It’s never a good time. We pinched pennies and got it together.”
Part of the reason the Fraziers were able to battle through tough times was because how quickly Clint and his sister, Taylor, matured. They knew times were tough and that their parents were doing everything they could to support them. Clint and Taylor already shared a close relationship, but their family’s ordeal made it even stronger.
“We do have a unique bond,” Taylor Frazier Cown said. “Clint and I grew closer from that. We would share things, we would talk about things. We just kind of bonded through that. He was there, he was my support system and I felt like I could be like that for him.”
Money won’t be an issue soon as Frazier projects to be a top 10 pick, which brings a bonus slot value of just a shade under $3 million—at minimum. But that’s not going to change Frazier, his approach or even his family.
“I’m not playing baseball for the money right now,” he said. “I didn’t grow up with a lot of money so it’s not like I’m playing for it. A signing bonus is nice, but I didn’t grow up from 3 years old wanting to make a living off of money. I grew up wanting to make a living off playing baseball, so that’s been a big part of not letting money step in the way of what I’m doing.”
Whichever team selects Frazier will be selecting not a high school kid, but a young, modest and unflappable man that puts his best effort and passion for the game of baseball into every pitch. He is confident in his abilities, but channels that into his performance rather than his personality or appearance.
“It comes from respecting the game and loving what I do,” Frazier said. “I’m not trying to go out there and show anybody up and make them look bad. At the same time, I’m trying to go out there and hold my own and not get pushed around.”
Frazier cites Mike Trout and Bryce Harper as players he likes to emulate—both known for having tremendous amounts of talent while also grinding out every pitch and every play. That is obvious to others that watch him, especially his No. 1 fan—his 21-year-old sister, Taylor Frazier Cown.
“Ever since I can remember, I’ve always had a little brother that is just so passionate for the ball,” she said. “I can remember going to games, seeing him as a kid. He’d practice in the yard with my mom (Kim) and with a little yellow Wiffle ball bat while our dad was at work. It became very apparent, very early, that was what he loved to do. As he got older and as I got older, I just thought it was kind of a phase, but then I saw it was his talent.”
Frazier made the freshmen team at Loganville High as an eighth grader and became a starter on varsity the following year. When he would walk up to the plate as a ninth-grader, Loganville fans would chant, “He’s our freshman!”
He played travel ball through middle school and by the end of his freshman year, he was gaining interest from colleges. Before starting his sophomore year of high school, he had an offer from Georgia.
“That was our prayer throughout the whole deal, just hoping that he could get a college scholarship,” said Mark Frazier, Clint’s father. “And one close enough where we could go watch him play.”
Little did he know how much bigger it would get. Mark Frazier knew his son was one of the top players in Gwinnett County, but it wasn’t until the summer before Clint’s senior year that reality began setting in. Advisers were asking to meet with them about Clint’s future in baseball and he played in both the Perfect Game and Under Armour All-America Games. Over the winter, scouts started coming into the Fraziers’ home to meet with Clint and ask him questions, among other processes and tests scouts put players through.
Clint Frazier
Clint Frazier (Photo by Alyson Boyer Rode)
“It’s been a whirlwind,” Mark Frazier said. “We’re glad it’s winding down. It was a circus since December. I wish we could’ve just taped the first interview that he had with one of the home visits and just sent it out to everyone.”
Whirlwind is how most players and families would describe the long process of a son committing to a college, attending showcases and getting drafted, but the Fraziers’ experience was a little tougher than most. Participating in travel ball and the showcase circuit is costly and right when Clint was in the thick of it, Mark Frazier lost his job as a salesman at a local cement company.
“It couldn’t have happened at a worse time,” he said. “It’s never a good time. We pinched pennies and got it together.”
Part of the reason the Fraziers were able to battle through tough times was because how quickly Clint and his sister, Taylor, matured. They knew times were tough and that their parents were doing everything they could to support them. Clint and Taylor already shared a close relationship, but their family’s ordeal made it even stronger.
“We do have a unique bond,” Taylor Frazier Cown said. “Clint and I grew closer from that. We would share things, we would talk about things. We just kind of bonded through that. He was there, he was my support system and I felt like I could be like that for him.”
Money won’t be an issue soon as Frazier projects to be a top 10 pick, which brings a bonus slot value of just a shade under $3 million—at minimum. But that’s not going to change Frazier, his approach or even his family.
“I’m not playing baseball for the money right now,” he said. “I didn’t grow up with a lot of money so it’s not like I’m playing for it. A signing bonus is nice, but I didn’t grow up from 3 years old wanting to make a living off of money. I grew up wanting to make a living off playing baseball, so that’s been a big part of not letting money step in the way of what I’m doing.”
Re: Draft Folder
2436. MIAMI MARLINSMiami Marlins
PICK VALUE: $3,516,500
COLIN MORAN, 3B, NORTH CAROLINA (@CMoran18)
Area Scout: Joel Matthews
PICK ANALYSIS: Everything is still playing out pretty true to form with no real surprises so far. Moran is a polished hitter who should move quickly to Miami.
Colin Moran
Colin Moran (Photo by Brian Westerholt)
SCOUTING REPORT: A few teams liked Moran as a high schooler out of Rye, N.Y., but his strong commitment and ties to North Carolina, as well as rough defense at third base, prompted him to go undrafted in 2010. The nephew of 1985 No. 1 overall pick B.J. Surhoff and younger brother of Mariners farmhand Brian Moran, he stepped into the middle of the Tar Heels’ lineup in 2011 and was BA’s Freshman of the Year. He missed part of his sophomore season with a broken hand after punching a wall but was healthy and productive in the Cape Cod League last summer. He’s had his best season as a junior, entering May atop the Division I leaderboards in runs and RBIs. Moran combines outstanding control of the strike zone with size, strength and power. He covers the plate, lays off pitcher’s pitches, has excellent hand-eye coordination and drives the ball to all parts of the ballpark. Scouts consider his hitting ability more advanced than his power, and he projects to have profile plus power for third base. He has improved greatly with the glove. His good hands play both in the field and at the plate, and he combines plus arm strength with accuracy. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder’s biggest weakness is his below-average speed, but most scouts still consider him athletic enough to stay at third. Most also expect him to come off the board in the first 10 picks.
WHERE HE FITS: With Jose Fernandez graduating to the big leagues, Moran will fit as the second-best prospect in Miami’s system, behind Christian Yelich.
PICK VALUE: $3,516,500
COLIN MORAN, 3B, NORTH CAROLINA (@CMoran18)
Area Scout: Joel Matthews
PICK ANALYSIS: Everything is still playing out pretty true to form with no real surprises so far. Moran is a polished hitter who should move quickly to Miami.
Colin Moran
Colin Moran (Photo by Brian Westerholt)
SCOUTING REPORT: A few teams liked Moran as a high schooler out of Rye, N.Y., but his strong commitment and ties to North Carolina, as well as rough defense at third base, prompted him to go undrafted in 2010. The nephew of 1985 No. 1 overall pick B.J. Surhoff and younger brother of Mariners farmhand Brian Moran, he stepped into the middle of the Tar Heels’ lineup in 2011 and was BA’s Freshman of the Year. He missed part of his sophomore season with a broken hand after punching a wall but was healthy and productive in the Cape Cod League last summer. He’s had his best season as a junior, entering May atop the Division I leaderboards in runs and RBIs. Moran combines outstanding control of the strike zone with size, strength and power. He covers the plate, lays off pitcher’s pitches, has excellent hand-eye coordination and drives the ball to all parts of the ballpark. Scouts consider his hitting ability more advanced than his power, and he projects to have profile plus power for third base. He has improved greatly with the glove. His good hands play both in the field and at the plate, and he combines plus arm strength with accuracy. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder’s biggest weakness is his below-average speed, but most scouts still consider him athletic enough to stay at third. Most also expect him to come off the board in the first 10 picks.
WHERE HE FITS: With Jose Fernandez graduating to the big leagues, Moran will fit as the second-best prospect in Miami’s system, behind Christian Yelich.
Re: Draft Folder
2447. BOSTON RED SOX3ds_redsox83
PICK VALUE: $3,246,000
TREY BALL, LHP, SCHOOL (@South_Paw24)
Area Scout: Blair Henry
PICK ANALYSIS: The Red Sox had their pockets picked, but Ball has premium upside as an athletic lefthander with a fresh arm.
Trey Ball
Trey Ball (Photo by Mike Janes)
SCOUTING REPORT: Coming into the year, the industry was split on whether Ball had a brighter future as an outfielder or a pitcher. That’s no longer a question, as he has excelled on the mound to the extent that he could go in the first five picks overall. He has surpassed Indiana State’s Sean Manaea as the top lefthander available by showing better stuff and more athleticism. Ball’s fastball dipped to the upper 80s when he wore down toward the end of the showcase circuit last summer, but he has maintained a 91-94 mph heater all spring despite cold and wet weather. He still carries just 180 pounds on his 6-foot-6 frame, so he has plenty of room to add strength and velocity. His athleticism is equally impressive, as he does a fine job of maintaining and repeating his delivery for such a young and tall pitcher. His father restricted his use of a curveball before his junior season, but Ball already shows aptitude for spinning the ball and has an above-average breaker. He learned to rely on his changeup, which he throws with deceptive arm speed and nice fade. He has a fast arm and a clean arm action, and in a rarity for a high school arm, he has no obvious red flags. While Ball is a likely top 10 choice as a pitcher, the Padres would consider drafting him at No. 13 as an outfielder if he’s available and he would go in the second or third round if he were strictly a position player. He’s a plus runner with lefthanded power potential, though he has seemed a little anxious at the plate this spring and his bat speed is a tick down from its previous level. He profiles best as a right fielder but would have a chance to play center, and scouts rave about his makeup as well. A Texas recruit, he won’t come close to stepping foot on campus.
WHERE HE FITS: The Red Sox have a good farm system, but Ball would fit somewhere in the top 5, and you could go either way about whether he’s better than another lanky southpaw, Henry Owens.
PICK VALUE: $3,246,000
TREY BALL, LHP, SCHOOL (@South_Paw24)
Area Scout: Blair Henry
PICK ANALYSIS: The Red Sox had their pockets picked, but Ball has premium upside as an athletic lefthander with a fresh arm.
Trey Ball
Trey Ball (Photo by Mike Janes)
SCOUTING REPORT: Coming into the year, the industry was split on whether Ball had a brighter future as an outfielder or a pitcher. That’s no longer a question, as he has excelled on the mound to the extent that he could go in the first five picks overall. He has surpassed Indiana State’s Sean Manaea as the top lefthander available by showing better stuff and more athleticism. Ball’s fastball dipped to the upper 80s when he wore down toward the end of the showcase circuit last summer, but he has maintained a 91-94 mph heater all spring despite cold and wet weather. He still carries just 180 pounds on his 6-foot-6 frame, so he has plenty of room to add strength and velocity. His athleticism is equally impressive, as he does a fine job of maintaining and repeating his delivery for such a young and tall pitcher. His father restricted his use of a curveball before his junior season, but Ball already shows aptitude for spinning the ball and has an above-average breaker. He learned to rely on his changeup, which he throws with deceptive arm speed and nice fade. He has a fast arm and a clean arm action, and in a rarity for a high school arm, he has no obvious red flags. While Ball is a likely top 10 choice as a pitcher, the Padres would consider drafting him at No. 13 as an outfielder if he’s available and he would go in the second or third round if he were strictly a position player. He’s a plus runner with lefthanded power potential, though he has seemed a little anxious at the plate this spring and his bat speed is a tick down from its previous level. He profiles best as a right fielder but would have a chance to play center, and scouts rave about his makeup as well. A Texas recruit, he won’t come close to stepping foot on campus.
WHERE HE FITS: The Red Sox have a good farm system, but Ball would fit somewhere in the top 5, and you could go either way about whether he’s better than another lanky southpaw, Henry Owens.
Re: Draft Folder
2458. KANSAS CITY ROYALS3ds_royals28
PICK VALUE: $3,137,800
HUNTER DOZIER, SS, STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE
Area Scout:
PICK ANALYSIS: This is the first off-the-board pick. Dozier has a good bat, but we ranked him as the No. 39 pick in the draft and expected him to creep into the back of the first round. The Royals probably have a cost-saving deal in place to add another big player later in the draft. Dozier becomes the first player named Hunter to be picked in the first round, but there could be three more.
hunter-dozier-2013-1SCOUTING REPORT: Stephen F. Austin produced just one player selected above the 13th round in the first 48 drafts, and now Dozier should easily surpass Bryson Myles (sixth round, 2011) as the highest pick in school history. Scouts describe him as a Jeff Kent-style player in a Drew Stubbs body. Dozier has adjusted his approach this spring, abandoning a crouch and standing more upright, allowing him to use his hands better in his swing. He’s also doing a better job of managing the strike zone and with a month to go before the draft, he was hitting .404 and ranked fourth in NCAA Division I in doubles (22), homers (14) and slugging (.770). Dozier carries a lot of strength in his 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame, and the righty slugger has exceptional power to the opposite field. He could hit 20-25 homers annually in the big leagues. Dozier also moves well for his size and may be able to stay at shortstop for a while, though he’ll lack the quickness to play there in the big leagues. He has close to average speed and moves well enough to be an asset at third base and possibly at second. His arm isn’t in question, as he showed a 91-93 mph fastball in relief appearances a year ago.
WHERE HE FITS: Dozier will rank in the middle of Kansas City’s top 10.
PICK VALUE: $3,137,800
HUNTER DOZIER, SS, STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE
Area Scout:
PICK ANALYSIS: This is the first off-the-board pick. Dozier has a good bat, but we ranked him as the No. 39 pick in the draft and expected him to creep into the back of the first round. The Royals probably have a cost-saving deal in place to add another big player later in the draft. Dozier becomes the first player named Hunter to be picked in the first round, but there could be three more.
hunter-dozier-2013-1SCOUTING REPORT: Stephen F. Austin produced just one player selected above the 13th round in the first 48 drafts, and now Dozier should easily surpass Bryson Myles (sixth round, 2011) as the highest pick in school history. Scouts describe him as a Jeff Kent-style player in a Drew Stubbs body. Dozier has adjusted his approach this spring, abandoning a crouch and standing more upright, allowing him to use his hands better in his swing. He’s also doing a better job of managing the strike zone and with a month to go before the draft, he was hitting .404 and ranked fourth in NCAA Division I in doubles (22), homers (14) and slugging (.770). Dozier carries a lot of strength in his 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame, and the righty slugger has exceptional power to the opposite field. He could hit 20-25 homers annually in the big leagues. Dozier also moves well for his size and may be able to stay at shortstop for a while, though he’ll lack the quickness to play there in the big leagues. He has close to average speed and moves well enough to be an asset at third base and possibly at second. His arm isn’t in question, as he showed a 91-93 mph fastball in relief appearances a year ago.
WHERE HE FITS: Dozier will rank in the middle of Kansas City’s top 10.
Re: Draft Folder
2469. PITTSBURGH PIRATES 3ds_pirates81
PICK VALUE: $3,029,600
AUSTIN MEADOWS, OF, GRAYSON HS (LOGANVILLE,GA.) (@Austin_Meadows)
Area Scout: Darren Mazeroski
PICK ANALYSIS: The Pirates wanted David Dahl last year and Meadows is a similar player.
Austin Meadows (Photo by Alyson Boyer Rode)
Austin Meadows (Photo by Alyson Boyer Rode)
SCOUTING REPORT: Meadows entered the season as the No. 1 prep hitter in the country before being passed by his neighbor, Clint Frazier. It’s not necessarily because Meadows had a bad spring, though. The physical lefthanded hitter has a 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame, maintaining his athleticism even though he added 10-15 pounds since last summer. Scouts consider it good weight, so it may be a challenge for Meadows to remain in center field down the line. He has modest arm strength but is athletic enough to play all three outfield spots. Scouts have significant confidence in his bat, which projects to be formidable. Meadows has a smooth, easy swing that he repeats and he covers the plate well. His mature approach stands out at the prep level, and he has the leverage to hit for corner-profile power. Some scouts do question his loft power thanks to a flat bat path and a relative lack of looseness, and some others consider him a bit low-energy for their taste. Still, he combines athleticism with one of the safest bats in the draft and should go out in the first 10-12 selections.
PICK VALUE: $3,029,600
AUSTIN MEADOWS, OF, GRAYSON HS (LOGANVILLE,GA.) (@Austin_Meadows)
Area Scout: Darren Mazeroski
PICK ANALYSIS: The Pirates wanted David Dahl last year and Meadows is a similar player.
Austin Meadows (Photo by Alyson Boyer Rode)
Austin Meadows (Photo by Alyson Boyer Rode)
SCOUTING REPORT: Meadows entered the season as the No. 1 prep hitter in the country before being passed by his neighbor, Clint Frazier. It’s not necessarily because Meadows had a bad spring, though. The physical lefthanded hitter has a 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame, maintaining his athleticism even though he added 10-15 pounds since last summer. Scouts consider it good weight, so it may be a challenge for Meadows to remain in center field down the line. He has modest arm strength but is athletic enough to play all three outfield spots. Scouts have significant confidence in his bat, which projects to be formidable. Meadows has a smooth, easy swing that he repeats and he covers the plate well. His mature approach stands out at the prep level, and he has the leverage to hit for corner-profile power. Some scouts do question his loft power thanks to a flat bat path and a relative lack of looseness, and some others consider him a bit low-energy for their taste. Still, he combines athleticism with one of the safest bats in the draft and should go out in the first 10-12 selections.
Re: Draft Folder
24710. TORONTO BLUE JAYS 3ds_bluejays66
PICK VALUE: $2,921,400
PHIL BICKFORD, RHP, OAKS CHRISTIAN HS, WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIF.
Area Scout: Jim Lentine
PICK ANALYSIS: Bickford had as much late helium as anybody. The Blue Jays were continuously linked to high-upside high school players and Bickford fits the bill.
Phil Bickford
Phil Bickford (Photo by Hiromi Fujita)
SCOUTING REPORT: Bickford intrigued scouts with his projectable 6-foot-4, 195-pound body and 88-92 mph fastball last summer at the Area Code Games, and his velocity has jumped this spring, as has his draft stock. He pitches comfortably in the 90-93 mph range and regularly runs his fastball up to 95-96. He has a clean arm action and a three-quarters slot that gives his fastball good life, and he commands it well to both sides, prompting some scouts to grade it as a 70 pitch on the 20-80 scale. He’s a short strider with an upright finish, and sometimes his slot drops below three-quarters, causing him to pitch uphill. Bickford’s secondary stuff lags behind his fastball. He shows glimpses of a fringe-average slider, but he needs to do a better job staying on top of it. He tinkers with a changeup but seldom uses it because he can dominate high school hitters with his fastball. Bickford pumps strikes and works quickly, and his upside could get him drafted in the back of the first round, but many scouts are more comfortable with him as a second-rounder because of his underdeveloped offspeed stuff. Bickford could be a tough sign away from Cal State Fullerton.
PICK VALUE: $2,921,400
PHIL BICKFORD, RHP, OAKS CHRISTIAN HS, WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIF.
Area Scout: Jim Lentine
PICK ANALYSIS: Bickford had as much late helium as anybody. The Blue Jays were continuously linked to high-upside high school players and Bickford fits the bill.
Phil Bickford
Phil Bickford (Photo by Hiromi Fujita)
SCOUTING REPORT: Bickford intrigued scouts with his projectable 6-foot-4, 195-pound body and 88-92 mph fastball last summer at the Area Code Games, and his velocity has jumped this spring, as has his draft stock. He pitches comfortably in the 90-93 mph range and regularly runs his fastball up to 95-96. He has a clean arm action and a three-quarters slot that gives his fastball good life, and he commands it well to both sides, prompting some scouts to grade it as a 70 pitch on the 20-80 scale. He’s a short strider with an upright finish, and sometimes his slot drops below three-quarters, causing him to pitch uphill. Bickford’s secondary stuff lags behind his fastball. He shows glimpses of a fringe-average slider, but he needs to do a better job staying on top of it. He tinkers with a changeup but seldom uses it because he can dominate high school hitters with his fastball. Bickford pumps strikes and works quickly, and his upside could get him drafted in the back of the first round, but many scouts are more comfortable with him as a second-rounder because of his underdeveloped offspeed stuff. Bickford could be a tough sign away from Cal State Fullerton.
Re: Draft Folder
248I posted earlier that I would be ok with either Moran or Frazier.
I was leaning more towards Moran though only because I thought we needed help at third base sooner than we needed help in centerfield. So, my heart was with Moran. I'm really not that confident in Chisenhall, another reason I was hoping to draft Moran. I think the Marlins were lucky to get him in the 6th spot of the draft. Something to keep an eye on I guess.
Now that Moran is off the board, Kipnis primarily played center field in college, but played all outfield positions and second base. He seems athletic enough. I wonder if he would or the team would consider moving him to third base !?!?! We have an over-abundance of middle infielders in the minors but we are woefully short when it comes to third base prospects.
Frazier has a high ceiling. He has the tools to play centerfield. It should be interesting to see who advances the quickest, Naquin or Frazier. I read that Frazier falls right behind Lindor in the pecking order. Although Naquin is more experienced, it appears that Frazier is the more athletic. Something else to keep an eye on.
I was leaning more towards Moran though only because I thought we needed help at third base sooner than we needed help in centerfield. So, my heart was with Moran. I'm really not that confident in Chisenhall, another reason I was hoping to draft Moran. I think the Marlins were lucky to get him in the 6th spot of the draft. Something to keep an eye on I guess.
Now that Moran is off the board, Kipnis primarily played center field in college, but played all outfield positions and second base. He seems athletic enough. I wonder if he would or the team would consider moving him to third base !?!?! We have an over-abundance of middle infielders in the minors but we are woefully short when it comes to third base prospects.
Frazier has a high ceiling. He has the tools to play centerfield. It should be interesting to see who advances the quickest, Naquin or Frazier. I read that Frazier falls right behind Lindor in the pecking order. Although Naquin is more experienced, it appears that Frazier is the more athletic. Something else to keep an eye on.
Last edited by joez on Thu Jun 06, 2013 10:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller
-- Bob Feller
Re: Draft Folder
249Geordy (NJ)
I've seen some Cleveland faithful adamant that Frazier can stick in CF and therefore he's the most logical pick. I've heard future LF from everyone else. Who's right?
Keith Law (3:12 PM)
He's not a CF. Centerfield is hard.
I've seen some Cleveland faithful adamant that Frazier can stick in CF and therefore he's the most logical pick. I've heard future LF from everyone else. Who's right?
Keith Law (3:12 PM)
He's not a CF. Centerfield is hard.
Re: Draft Folder
2502013 Indians 1st round pick: CF Clint Frazier
By Tony Lastoria
June 6, 2013
With the 1st pick in the 2013 Draft the Cleveland Indians have selected center fielder Clint Frazier out of Loganville High School (GA).
Born: 09/06/1994 - Height: 5’11” - Weight: 185 - Bats: Right - Throws: Right
Pre-draft ranks:
Baseball America: 4th
Jonathan Mayo: 4th
Keith Law: 7th
Perfect Game: 4th
John Sickels: 2nd (for hitters)
Tony’s quick take: The draft went as expected as Appel, Gray, Bryant and Stewart all went off the board before the Indians pick, and the Indians followed up with the player we at the IBI predicted all day long. Frazier is a premium bat with amazing bat speed and showed off some big time power in private workouts for the Indians and other clubs. Even though he is only a high school player, his future potential is that of a franchise player because of his incredible makeup and good skills all across the board. His all-out playstyle should be familiar to Indians fans as it is a lot like Grady Sizemore. He is only average sized, but because of some very good strength in his arms, hard and wrists he really showcases some raw power. He has an aggressive approach so may be prone to high strikeout totals, do discipline could be an ongoing issue for him. He is raw in center field but athletic and has above average arm strength, but the Indians believe he can play there. There were other good talents available when they picked, and time may prove that others were better, but this was the right pick to make at the time of the draft because of his impact potential.
Jeff Ellis: I have been saying for a while that the national media is off on the Indians. They might have been extremely conservative in the past but times have changed. Frazier fits everything the Indians have looked for over the past four years. He plays up the middle, though he supposedly will move to left field. He is a very good athlete, great speed, arm, and strength. He also has the grit and fire this team loves. Frazier doesn't take a minute off. He is a gym rat, who will out work you. He loves the game, and it's an obsession, maybe even an addiction to him. He has the best bat speed I have ever seen. He just turns around so quick on a ball. He was fourth on my board, and I had him mocked to the Indians. I think he is a future All Star. This is exactly the player I wanted them to get here and can't wait to see him play later this summer. I am curious about him being listed as a third baseman, as he could do it. He has a better chance there than in center and much more valuable than he would be in left field. For the past month my comp for Frazier has been David Wright. Maybe the Indians really agree with me. End of the day they got a guy who was a near consensus number four player in this draft at the fifth pick, that is a good day.
Andrew Zajac: I love the Frazier selection. For years, the Indians were known as taking "safe" college players and in recent years, they've reversed that trend. This pick had to be between Colin Moran, Braden Shipley, and Clint Frazier. Easily, Clint Frazier was the right pick for the Tribe.
Frazier is considered a center fielder, but in my opinion, projects more as a corner outfielder, maybe right field. He has some of the quickest bat speed seen in a prospect in a long time. He plays with a ton of energy and gives 110 percent effort every time out. Frazier also has some great raw power. In a private workout, he hit 16 home runs on 24 swings. He's average to slightly above average on the bases and also has a strong arm in the outfield which could be considered as a plus tool. The biggest concern with Frazier is his physical projection. Most say that he won't add much power or strength as he adds muscle to his frame, so what you see is what you get out of Frazier. In general, he's unlikely to get much bigger than he currently is.
Frazier has the potential to be a star in this league. Peter Gammons stated that he has a "franchise personality." He won't move very fast through the system, but will quickly become one of the best prospects in the Indians farm system. Indians' fans should be very pleased with this selection.
Press release:
The Cleveland Indians today announced the selection of OF CLINT FRAZIER with the 5th overall selection in the first round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.
Frazier, 18, recently graduated from Loganville High School in Loganville, Georgia, where he batted .485 in his senior campaign (47-for-97) with 17 homers, 45 RBI, 56 runs scored, a .561 on-base pct and a 1.134 slugging pct in 32 games. Following the season, the 5’11” right-handed hitter was named the Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year.
As a junior at Loganville in 2012, he hit .424 with 24 home runs, earning 2012 All-American honors from Aflac and Under Armour while leading the Loganville Red Devils to the AAAA Georgia state championship. In all, Clint hit a school record 63 home runs throughout his prep career. He has a verbal commit to attend the University of Georgia and is the first overall high school position player selected in the 2013 draft. He is attending the draft at the MLB Network Studios.
By Tony Lastoria
June 6, 2013
With the 1st pick in the 2013 Draft the Cleveland Indians have selected center fielder Clint Frazier out of Loganville High School (GA).
Born: 09/06/1994 - Height: 5’11” - Weight: 185 - Bats: Right - Throws: Right
Pre-draft ranks:
Baseball America: 4th
Jonathan Mayo: 4th
Keith Law: 7th
Perfect Game: 4th
John Sickels: 2nd (for hitters)
Tony’s quick take: The draft went as expected as Appel, Gray, Bryant and Stewart all went off the board before the Indians pick, and the Indians followed up with the player we at the IBI predicted all day long. Frazier is a premium bat with amazing bat speed and showed off some big time power in private workouts for the Indians and other clubs. Even though he is only a high school player, his future potential is that of a franchise player because of his incredible makeup and good skills all across the board. His all-out playstyle should be familiar to Indians fans as it is a lot like Grady Sizemore. He is only average sized, but because of some very good strength in his arms, hard and wrists he really showcases some raw power. He has an aggressive approach so may be prone to high strikeout totals, do discipline could be an ongoing issue for him. He is raw in center field but athletic and has above average arm strength, but the Indians believe he can play there. There were other good talents available when they picked, and time may prove that others were better, but this was the right pick to make at the time of the draft because of his impact potential.
Jeff Ellis: I have been saying for a while that the national media is off on the Indians. They might have been extremely conservative in the past but times have changed. Frazier fits everything the Indians have looked for over the past four years. He plays up the middle, though he supposedly will move to left field. He is a very good athlete, great speed, arm, and strength. He also has the grit and fire this team loves. Frazier doesn't take a minute off. He is a gym rat, who will out work you. He loves the game, and it's an obsession, maybe even an addiction to him. He has the best bat speed I have ever seen. He just turns around so quick on a ball. He was fourth on my board, and I had him mocked to the Indians. I think he is a future All Star. This is exactly the player I wanted them to get here and can't wait to see him play later this summer. I am curious about him being listed as a third baseman, as he could do it. He has a better chance there than in center and much more valuable than he would be in left field. For the past month my comp for Frazier has been David Wright. Maybe the Indians really agree with me. End of the day they got a guy who was a near consensus number four player in this draft at the fifth pick, that is a good day.
Andrew Zajac: I love the Frazier selection. For years, the Indians were known as taking "safe" college players and in recent years, they've reversed that trend. This pick had to be between Colin Moran, Braden Shipley, and Clint Frazier. Easily, Clint Frazier was the right pick for the Tribe.
Frazier is considered a center fielder, but in my opinion, projects more as a corner outfielder, maybe right field. He has some of the quickest bat speed seen in a prospect in a long time. He plays with a ton of energy and gives 110 percent effort every time out. Frazier also has some great raw power. In a private workout, he hit 16 home runs on 24 swings. He's average to slightly above average on the bases and also has a strong arm in the outfield which could be considered as a plus tool. The biggest concern with Frazier is his physical projection. Most say that he won't add much power or strength as he adds muscle to his frame, so what you see is what you get out of Frazier. In general, he's unlikely to get much bigger than he currently is.
Frazier has the potential to be a star in this league. Peter Gammons stated that he has a "franchise personality." He won't move very fast through the system, but will quickly become one of the best prospects in the Indians farm system. Indians' fans should be very pleased with this selection.
Press release:
The Cleveland Indians today announced the selection of OF CLINT FRAZIER with the 5th overall selection in the first round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.
Frazier, 18, recently graduated from Loganville High School in Loganville, Georgia, where he batted .485 in his senior campaign (47-for-97) with 17 homers, 45 RBI, 56 runs scored, a .561 on-base pct and a 1.134 slugging pct in 32 games. Following the season, the 5’11” right-handed hitter was named the Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year.
As a junior at Loganville in 2012, he hit .424 with 24 home runs, earning 2012 All-American honors from Aflac and Under Armour while leading the Loganville Red Devils to the AAAA Georgia state championship. In all, Clint hit a school record 63 home runs throughout his prep career. He has a verbal commit to attend the University of Georgia and is the first overall high school position player selected in the 2013 draft. He is attending the draft at the MLB Network Studios.
Re: Draft Folder
251Here is the link to that last article. Contains some video:
http://www.indiansbaseballinsider.com/b ... zier-48446
http://www.indiansbaseballinsider.com/b ... zier-48446
Re: Draft Folder
252We made it through 73 picks today and there is plenty of talent still on the board as we get ready for the third round and beyond. Righthanders Connor Jones and Kyle Serrano are tough signs and Tennessee head coach Dave Serrano—Kyle’s father—has already tweeted that his son will be attending Tennessee in the fall. Jon Denney had first-round buzz all spring, but went undrafted on the first day. Righthander Bobby Wahl had an inconsistent spring, but still offers intriguing upside as a power arm with a good breaking ball. Here’s a look at the next 25 players from the BA 500 that are still on the board:
25. Jon Denney, c, Yukon (Okla.) HS
34. Connor Jones, rhp, Great Bridge HS, Chesapeake, Va.
35. Kyle Serrano, rhp, Farragut (Tenn.) HS
37. Bobby Wahl, rhp, Mississippi
42. Cord Sandberg, of, Manatee HS, Bradenton, Fla.
48. Rowdy Tellez, 1b, Elk Grove (Calif.) HS
49. Trey Masek RHP 4YR Texas Tech
50. Andrew Mitchell RHP 4YR Texas Christian
58. Ryan Boldt OF HS Red Wing (Minn.) HS
61. Kent Emanuel LHP 4YR North Carolina
63. Tyler O’Neill C HS Garibaldi SS, Maple Ridge, B.C.
65. Dom Nunez C HS Elk Grove (Calif.) HS
66. Garrett Williams LHP HS Calvary Baptist HS, Shreveport, La.
67. Cavan Biggio 2B HS St. Thomas HS, Houston
68. Jared King OF 4YR Kansas State
70. Chandler Eden RHP HS Yuba City (Calif.) HS
72. Chris Okey C HS Eustis, Fla., HS
73. Tyler Skulina RHP/1B 4YR Kent State
75. Jacoby Jones 2B 4YR Louisiana State
78. A.J. Vanegas RHP 4YR Stanford
79. Michael O’Neill OF 4YR Michigan
80. Jake Brentz LHP HS Parkway South HS, Manchester, Mo..
81. Trey Michalczewski 3B HS Jenks (Okla.) HS
84. Garrett Hampson SS HS Reno (Nev.) HS
85. A.J. Puk LHP HS Washington HS, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
25. Jon Denney, c, Yukon (Okla.) HS
34. Connor Jones, rhp, Great Bridge HS, Chesapeake, Va.
35. Kyle Serrano, rhp, Farragut (Tenn.) HS
37. Bobby Wahl, rhp, Mississippi
42. Cord Sandberg, of, Manatee HS, Bradenton, Fla.
48. Rowdy Tellez, 1b, Elk Grove (Calif.) HS
49. Trey Masek RHP 4YR Texas Tech
50. Andrew Mitchell RHP 4YR Texas Christian
58. Ryan Boldt OF HS Red Wing (Minn.) HS
61. Kent Emanuel LHP 4YR North Carolina
63. Tyler O’Neill C HS Garibaldi SS, Maple Ridge, B.C.
65. Dom Nunez C HS Elk Grove (Calif.) HS
66. Garrett Williams LHP HS Calvary Baptist HS, Shreveport, La.
67. Cavan Biggio 2B HS St. Thomas HS, Houston
68. Jared King OF 4YR Kansas State
70. Chandler Eden RHP HS Yuba City (Calif.) HS
72. Chris Okey C HS Eustis, Fla., HS
73. Tyler Skulina RHP/1B 4YR Kent State
75. Jacoby Jones 2B 4YR Louisiana State
78. A.J. Vanegas RHP 4YR Stanford
79. Michael O’Neill OF 4YR Michigan
80. Jake Brentz LHP HS Parkway South HS, Manchester, Mo..
81. Trey Michalczewski 3B HS Jenks (Okla.) HS
84. Garrett Hampson SS HS Reno (Nev.) HS
85. A.J. Puk LHP HS Washington HS, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Re: Draft Folder
253Tony Lastoria @TonyIBI
With their 3rd round pick the Indians select RHP Dace Kime out of U of Louisville
With their 3rd round pick the Indians select RHP Dace Kime out of U of Louisville
Re: Draft Folder
255Round 3:
6 79 92 Cleveland Indians Dace Kime RHP Louisville Ky.
He was No. 92nd on BA's 500 prospect list, we took him at No. 79. I'm attempting to copy over their scouting report, but the database isn't opening up for me at the moment.
Think this might be Dice K using a modest pseudonym?
6 79 92 Cleveland Indians Dace Kime RHP Louisville Ky.
He was No. 92nd on BA's 500 prospect list, we took him at No. 79. I'm attempting to copy over their scouting report, but the database isn't opening up for me at the moment.
Think this might be Dice K using a modest pseudonym?
Last edited by civ ollilavad on Fri Jun 07, 2013 1:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.