| Scott Bittle | RHP | 6'2" | 195 | Mississippi | NYY 2nd Round 2008 |
The consensus best senior coming into 2009, Bittle decided to come back for one more season rather then sign with the Yankees. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff but what he does have is a change up, an 88-90 MPH fastball and a 84-86 MPH cutter which is considered the best in college. He mixes these pitches well and to go with incredible control makes him one of the best pitchers in college. That was until an injury to his shoulder shut him down, making many question what the future holds for this righty.
| Preston Guilmet | RHP | 6'2" | 195 | Arizona | OAK 22nd Round 2008 |
How can one go wrong with this kid? He’s gritty, will have played 4 seasons with a solid winning program and he produces. He may not light up the radar guns, usually sitting between 87-88 MPH with his fastball but he has excellent control and good poise and presence on the mound. Guilmet has a cool, funky delivery that could make him an interesting reliever out of the pen. Given that the Pirates seem to be going for more power arms under the new leadership, Guilmet might seem like an unlikely candidate for them but sometimes these “change of pace” pitchers can pay off for you.
| Miers Quigley | LHP | 6'5" | 220 | Alabama | MIN 36th Round 2008 |
For anyone that follows the college game, this might come as a surprise player but I ask you just go with me on this one. Quigley was considered one of the top high school prospects heading into the spring of 2005 but thanks to some off field incidents and nagging injuries his senior year of HS he fell to the Cardinals in the 19th round thus making it a clear choice to go to college. He has a good delivery to go along with a slurving type curve ball and change up. He is also is a good athlete for a player his size. I’m picturing him being a lefty version of Enrique Garcia who was taken as a senior by Cincinnati in 2008. If his past personal issues and injuries are behind him he could be a real steal.
| Brent Milleville | 1B | 6'4" | 240 | Stanford | LAA 39th Round 2005 |
Milleville is a hulking right hand hitter who I’ve seen compared to Michael Restovich. He originally came to Stanford as a catcher but due to his size and the fact that they also had Jason Castro he was moved to 1st. He’s always seemed to have trouble hitting for average in College so that is a bit of a concern but with a huge upper cut swing, he generates tape measure power. If one wonders, can he hit with wooden bats? He hit 6 homeruns last season and batted .276 while playing for Brewster on the Cape. Is most likely going to be relegated to playing 1st as a pro.
| Adam Warren | RHP | 6'3" | 200 | North Carolina | CLE 36th Round 2008 |
When you pitch at North Carolina, sometimes it easy to get over shadowed by some of the great pitchers who have been there before you. Adam Warren seems to be a good example of a guy who has quietly flown under the radar the last few years in part due to some of the pitchers he’s been teamed with. Coming into this season, Warren has quietly posted a 22-2 record and a 3.49 ERA in his first 3 seasons. In a way, he does remind me some of former Tar Heel pitcher Robert Woodard who somehow got lost in the shadow of Andrew Miller and Daniel Bard despite putting up staggering numbers through his college career. Unlike Woodard though, I think Warren has a better chance to stay in the starting rotation. He should be one of the most interesting college seniors to keep an eye on this season.
Others of note:
| Luke Anders | 1B | Texas AM | NYY 16th Round 2008 |
Another former Yankee draft pick who opted to play one more year of college ball. Anders is one of the best power bats in college thanks to a huge left handed swing. On the down side is relegated to 1st or DH due to his lack of defense. An interesting note to his game is that for a power guy, he has exceptional plate discipline.
| Jason Haniger | C | Georgia Tech | PIT 19th Round 2008 |
Haniger is an impressive young player who can hit for high average and has a potential power bat. He’s finally out of the shadow of Matt Weiters and showing what he is capable of doing. Should be drafted higher in 2009 then he was in 2008.
| Ben Orloff | SS | UC Irvine | COL 19th Round 200 |
A solid steady producer on a gritty Anteaters team, Orloff does a lot of the little things well but nothing spectacular. Players like him seem to find a way to make it to the majors and stick around, see Craig Counsel.
| Luke Murton | OF | Georgia Tech | AZ 33rd Round 2008 |
Luke, who is the younger brother of former Cub and current Rockies’ outfielder Matt Murton, offers some power potential. Unlike his older brother Matt, he is nowhere near as polished or complete a player at the same age.
| Ryan Hinson | LHP | Clemson | PIT 31st Round 2008 |
A power lefty who has been used mostly as a swing man through out his college career, Hinson offers some good options out of the bullpen for any team that drafts him. He was probably a better prospect as a junior then he is as a senior.
| Louis Coleman | RHP | LSU | WAS 14th Round 2008 |
A power bullpen arm and the closer for LSU, Coleman seems to be the type of pitcher the new front office covets with their draft philosophy. Thanks in part to a low 90’s FB and slider, he is tough on right handed hitters with his ¾ release point. With a solid senior year he could improve on the 14th round from last year.
| Nate Freiman | 1B | Duke | TEX 28th Round 2008 |
When it comes to big players, there are few as big as Freiman. Standing 6’8, Freiman has a huge right handed bat and like Anders should be one of the top power hitters available in the draft. Fortunately for him, he’s more then just a big bat as he has a reputation as being a solid 2 strike hitter. With a 3.92 GPA he’s obviously an intelligent player and since he’s a history major, he gets bonus points in my book.
| Chris Fetter | RHP | Michigan | Never Drafted |
Despite his size (6’8 230 pounds) Fetter is not a power pitcher, relying more of pin point control to get his outs. Possibly one of the most decorated pitchers in Michigan history, Fetter can throw at multiple arm angles making his pitches more effective. Despite never being drafted, he would be real late round steal to add depth to any bullpen.
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