Draft Targets: Eric Hosmer and Kyle Skipworth

In continuing our look at draft prospects we take a look at two of the more well known high school prospects, who both Arizona State commitments. From Florida we have first baseman Eric Hosmer from American Heritage High School in Plantation and out in California we have Kyle Skipworth, a catcher from Patriot High School in Riverside.

Eric Hosmer
Hosmer is one of the best hitting prospects in the high school ranks in the country. The 6-4 lefty first baseman is an Arizona State commitment, but it seems highly unlikely that this potential first round pick will ever suit up for the Sun Devils.

Old school scouts love his size and his work around the bag at first base. He has extremely soft hands and there are reports of him also having a strong arm, though what that does at first base I don't know. His strong arm has led some to say that he could someday end up in the outfield. He also has power to all fields and has a great presence at the plate. Many would love to have this tremendous high ceiling guy in their system.

The one huge down fall to Hosmer is the fact that is represented by Scott Boras. He too is supposedly asking for a king's ransom to sign, asking more than Wieters got last year. While again we can say that this might be a bluff, we cannot say for certain. I'd imagine that his scholarship to ASU would also be used as some sort of leverage as well, though as I said, I don't expect him to actually go to school. Boras representing this high school talent will scare a ton of teams away. The Bucs, who have historically avoided Boras, would make a statement by picking him, but because he is younger that might mean more leverage for a bigger payout for the high school senior. The looming bonus has made Hosmer slip down the draftboard, but he does have big time talent.



Kyle Skipworth
Skipworth, like Hosmer, is one of the better position players from the high school draft pool. His a 6-4 catcher, who looks as though he could grow into a very powerful player. Many like his swing and feel that his approach to the plate will allow him to become a successful professional hitter. He is a very good athlete and student, making some think that his raw talents could be quickly honed with the correct instruction.

He has the skills to become a five tool type catcher, but if his bat progresses as some project he might end up being moved elsewhere on the diamond. He has experience in the outfield and at first base. Young high school catchers are very risky, and sometimes may move positions, just like Neil Walker did.

The Pirates may be taking a good reach if they went for Skipworth. It might qualify as a bit of a shocker. I would not expect them to take him, but he might be a name that get thrown around a bit in speculation (as is the case here). That is not to say that Skipworth is not top talent, he will definitely be a first round pick, just most likely not a Pirate.