Top 15 Players In 2011 MLB Draft; Mets Hold Pick No. 13
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- The Mets have a good chance to land a talented young hurler in this year's MLB first-year player draft.
With pick number 13, the Amazin's are at least guaranteed one of the players listed below. As for the Bombers, well... Sorry Yankees fans, you're out of luck.
The Yankees gave up the 31st and 38th overall selections when they signed ailing setup man Rafael Soriano.
So without further adieu, here are the top 15 players eligible for Monday's draft (with position, school, height, weight and college class):
TREVOR BAUER
RHP, UCLA, 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, junior
Pac-10 pitcher of year has outshined teammate and possible No. 1 overall pick Gerrit Cole statistically, breaking school records for wins, strikeouts and innings pitched with low- to mid-90s fastball. Collegiate Baseball newspaper's college player of year has solid repertoire of pitches, including terrific curve and solid changeup to go along with good slider and split-finger. Has gone 13-2 with 1.27 ERA and Division I-leading and Pac-10 record 203 Ks. Has thrown nine straight complete games, 15 for career, and was first UCLA pitcher with 10 or more wins in two seasons.
ARCHIE BRADLEY
RHP, Broken Arrow H.S. (Okla.), 6-4, 225
One of top prep pitchers in nation is also considered one of country's best quarterback prospects. Possibility he could play both sports at Oklahoma, but is likely to go in top half of baseball draft. Struggled to get velocity up early in season, but worked on mechanics and was absolutely dominant late in season. Reportedly touched 100 mph when he struck out 14 in two-hit shutout in state championships. Curveball also considered a nasty pitch. Went 12-1 and fanned 133 against just 11 walks in 71 1-3 innings while posting 0.29 ERA.
DYLAN BUNDY
RHP-3B, Owasso H.S. (Okla.), 6-1, 200
Could be first high school player selected, with Baseball America rating him as prep pitcher with best fastball, command and secondary pitch. Went 11-0 with 158 strikeouts and only five walks in 71 innings, including no-hitter and six one-hitters. Bundy was solid at plate with team-leading 11 HRs and 54 RBIs, but future is undoubtedly on mound. Has smooth mechanics and hits mid- to upper-90s with fastball. Curveball sits in upper-70s and has changeup that hits mid-80s to go along with solid cut fastball.
GERRIT COLE
RHP, UCLA, 6-4, 220, junior
Despite mediocre numbers during season — 6-8, 3.31 ERA — is still in mix for No. 1 overall pick to Pittsburgh because of what many consider to be best pure stuff in draft. He was first-round pick of Yankees in 2008 but refused to even listen to an offer and instead attended UCLA. Fastball is consistently around 95 mph and gets up to 97-99, but was up around 100 late in the season. Changeup and slider are also outstanding pitches. Pitched for USA College National Team last two summers and was rated team's top prospect by Baseball America both years.
SONNY GRAY
RHP, Vanderbilt, 5-11, 180, junior
Co-ace of Commodores staff — along with Grayson Garvin — won't go as high as former Vandy star David Price (No. 1 overall in 2007), but could join him as a top-10 pick. Started college career as a closer, but moved into rotation during freshman season. Is 11-3 with 2.01 ERA this season with fastball in low- to mid-90s and knee-buckling curveball in low-80s. Still developing changeup, which could make him intriguing pick as starter or as a closer. Was considered a top prospect coming out of high school, but broken ankle dropped him to 27th round.
TAYLOR GUERRIERI
RHP, Spring Valley H.S. (S.C.), 6-3, 195
Transferred from North Augusta H.S. (S.C) for senior year and was terrific, going 6-1 with 1.10 ERA and fanned 72 in 51 innings. Scouts love his power arm, which ranks second perhaps only to Dylan Bundy's among high school pitchers. Throws between 93-96 consistently and his solid curveball sits in the low-80s. One small concern about Guerrieri is his command, but expected to go early in draft to give team a potential front-line starter.
DANNY HULTZEN
LHP-DH, Virginia, 6-3, 200, junior
Two-time ACC pitcher of year being mentioned as potential No. 1 pick to Pirates. He's the school's career leader in victories and strikeouts, going 11-3 with a 1.57 ERA with 148 Ks this season. Hultzen is also impressive at plate as one of nation's top two-way players, but being looked at as a future ace on mound in pros. Fastball is mid- to low-90s and has good command of outstanding changeup, to go along with good slider.
TAYLOR JUNGMANN
RHP, Texas, 6-6, 220, junior
A big presence on mound, Jungmann throws his fastball in low- to mid-90s, has nasty curve, good slider and induces plenty of groundballs. He also has lots of big-game experience, helping Texas into regionals three straight years and going 32-7 in career with Longhorns. Had 15-game winning streak — longest in nation — snapped in loss to Kent State in NCAA regionals, also his first career home loss.
FRANCISCO LINDOR
SS, Montverde Academy (Fla.), 5-11, 170
Defensive whiz who can also swing bat from both sides of plate, hitting .528 with six HRs in 21 games, and run the bases — 20 for 21 in steals and 31 runs scored. Could be first high school position player drafted. Has quick hands that some scouts say make him major league-ready defensively. Lindor's power might be the only question mark, but he's a solid gap hitter with a line-drive stroke that could develop into consistent pop.
ALEX MEYER
RHP, Kentucky, 6-9, 220, junior
A former 20th-round pick out of high school, Meyer has greatly improved since and has learned to trust his stuff. Went 7-5 with 2.94 ERA for Wildcats with 94-96 mph fastball that can get up to 100 mph, solid slider and effective changeup. Walked 46, but his command has gotten better consistently and that is encouraging to scouts. Expected to go within first 15 picks and give a team an intimidating presence on mound with his size.
DANIEL NORRIS
LHP, Science Hill H.S. (Tenn.), 6-3, 180
One of top high school lefties in this year's draft has fastball in low- to mid-90s, to go along with curve and changeup that could be outstanding pitches. Was 33-3 during high school career, and adjusted mechanics which concerned some because of inconsistencies. Clemson recruited him to be ace on mound and play center field, which is something Norris enjoys but going early in the first round might change all that.
MATT PURKE
LHP, TCU, 6-4, 180, sophomore
One of draft's most intriguing players because he entered season as possible No. 1 pick, but has seen stock drop because of shoulder bursitis that limited him this season, as well as blister problems. Has solid numbers despite missed time, going 5-1 with 1.71 ERA and 61 Ks in 52 2-3 IP. Hype started a few years ago when he was the 14th pick by Texas in the 2009 draft, but went to TCU when the MLB wouldn't approve deal he agreed to with Rangers. Was incredible last year, going 16-0 while leading TCU to first College World Series appearance. Draft-eligible sophomore has outstanding fastball that hits 92-96 mph, terrific slider and solid change when he's healthy. Could be late first-round steal.
ANTHONY RENDON
3B, Rice, 6-foot, 190, junior
If Pirates decide to go with position player with No. 1 pick, Rendon will be their man. Slick-fielding third baseman with smooth stroke has been hampered by a strained shoulder for most of this season, limiting him to DH although he played some 2B in postseason. Hit .327 with 6 HRs and 37 RBIs for Owls; production down from last few seasons, but teams have stayed away from him — Division I-leading 80 walks — and scouts convinced he could be best all-around hitter in draft. Pirates could eventually move Pedro Alvarez, their 2008 first-rounder from 3B to 1B if they take Rendon.
GEORGE SPRINGER
OF, Connecticut, 6-3, 200, junior
Power-hitting outfielder with impressive speed was unanimously selected as Big East player of year despite slow start that had some wondering if first-round talk was too much hype. Ended those concerns by hitting .350 with 12 HRs, 75 RBIs and 31 SBs for Huskies. Rated by Baseball America as Cape Cod League's No. 2 prospect last summer.
BUBBA STARLING
OF, Gardner-Edgerton H.S. (Kan.), 6-5, 200
One of most impressive all-around athletes in draft. Has eye-popping power — 500-foot HRs — and Royals have had their eye on him since he was 14, even bringing him to games. But Starling has committed to Nebraska to play quarterback after rushing for 2,471 yards and 31 touchdowns, and throwing for 790 yards and eight TDs last season. Can also fling it on mound with fastball that hits 95 mph, but his powerful swing and five-tools ability have scouts drooling. Likely won't get past Royals at No. 5 — if he even makes it that far.
Who should the Mets pick? Sound off in the comments below...
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