Monday, June 27, 2011

Round 40: Stephen Collum, OF, Cartersville HS (Georgia)


One sentence analysis: Toolsy switch-hitting HS prospect who was drafted as an OF, but pitched in HS and also played 3B.

More analysis and notes: Still haven't been able to dig up a college commitment or much other information about Collum.

From Perfect Game USA, 8/22/10: "Slender athletic frame, room to add more strength. High leg raise delivery, loose easy arm action, good arm speed with little effort, consistent mid 80's fastball, commands FB to both sides of the plate, slider is hard and tight at times, nice feel for change up, has deception to his delivery, plus command potential, athletic actions on the mound, projects well. Switch-hitter, good bat speed right handed, has power and lift, good swing, less bat speed and longer path left handed, good extended finish. Solid actions both at 3B and in the outfield. Very good all around athlete, two-way prospect who is going to get better. Good student.
12/29/09: "Tall athletic build, fast-twitch athlete, 3/4 arm slot on the mound, clean arm circle, arm works well, velo projects down the road, feel for 11 to 5 curveball, good life on change-up, fills up the strike zone, solid delivery, switch-hitter, LH-good bat speed, consistent solid contact, stays on the ball well, RH-line-drive approach, smooth swing, aggressive, good bat speed, similar from both sides of the plate, runs well, 6.99 sixty, huge throwing arm in the outfield, good footwork, accurate, athletic actions, strong student. Named to Top Prospect Team."

From Baseball Web TV: Scouting video.

Collum has not signed with the Nationals

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Round 42: David Kerian, SS, Bishop Heelan HS (Iowa)

Baseball-Reference
Perfect Game profile (includes scouting videos)

One sentence analysis:
Switch-hitting middle infielders are not easy to come by, and Kerian sounds more eager to sign than most 40+ round high schoolers do, but I'm still not getting my hopes up.

More analysis and notes:
Kerian sounds excited to be drafted, but is signed with the University of Illinois. Interestingly, his father Steve is a legendary fastpitch softball player.

From Jerry Giese, The Sioux City Journal, 6/13/11: "'(The Nationals) said switch-hitting is a big asset for me,' said Kerian. 'I'll continue to do it until something happens or hope to continue. I'll continue to work hard.' 'He's an elite hitter from the right side and from the left, he's good,' said Osborne. 'When he's ahead in the count, he's dangerous. Down the road, will he switch? I think his coach will convince him to swing from one side or the other.'"

From Michael Klos, KTIV, 6/8/11: "'Ever since I was little, I always wanted to be drafted right out of high school, so I put in the hours to be able to do that, working hard in the off-season,' said David Kerian, Bishop Heelan Senior. 'If the opportunity to sign with the Nationals comes up and I get a good enough deal, then there is a chance I might go. Right now I just want to stay in school and continue my education.' Kerian says he's still looking at offers to play baseball at the collegiate level (note-he verbally committed to Illinois on 6/13/11)."

From Baseball Web TV: Scouting video.

From All Sports Tube, 7/3/09: Scouting video.

Kerian has not signed with the Nationals.

Round 43: Mitch Morales, SS, Wellington Community HS (Florida)


Baseball-Reference

One sentence analysis:
The speedy infielder has a great glove but could probably use his time at Florida Atlantic to improve his batting.

More analysis and notes:
The Florida Atlantic University signee is a lefthanded hitting shortstop with good speed and a nice arm. Former Brewers and Braves scout Alex Morales' son likely will not sign since he is a late-round HS pick.

From Prospect Wire, 5/25/11: "Mitchell Morales is an undersized slick-fielding shortstop who has signed with Florida Atlantic. His glove is enough to get him some pro attention, but his hitting is not quite ready for that level."

From Josh Hyber, Town-Crier, 7/2/10: "He doesn’t hit for power, and he doesn’t throw 95 mph. He does, however, have passion. He does have speed. And he does have knowledge of the game. Wellington High School shortstop Mitch Morales also has one trait every baseball team needs on its roster: heart."

Morales has not signed with the Nationals.
Follow @MitchMorales07 on Twitter

Round 44: Matt Snyder, 1B, Ole Miss

Ole Miss Bio
Baseball-Reference

One sentence analysis:
Future DH with size, power, bloodlines and health concerns.

More analysis and notes:
Snyder is the younger brother of 2005 Orioles 1st rounder Brandon Snyder and a graduate of Westfield HS in Chantilly. He hit .301/.425/.534 with 14 2B, 9 HR, 28 BB and 40 K. With one more year of eligibility, Snyder could return to school. Snyder has a lengthy injury history that limited him to a DH role for the entire 2011 season, so his bat needs to stay strong if he wants to be an successful player.

Snyder has not signed with the Nationals.

Round 46: Tyler Thompson, OF, University of Florida

(from AP/Eric Francis via Kitsap Sun)

University of Florida Bio
Baseball-Reference

One sentence analysis:
The junior had mediocre numbers in 2011, possibly due to injuries, so he will likely go back to school unless he has a killer season wherever he plays summer ball.

More analysis and notes:
Thompson is the son of former San Francisco Giant Robby Thompson, now the bench coach for the Seattle Mariners. As of 6/27/11, Thompson is hitting .274/.330/.377 with 14 runs, 17 RBI and 8 extra base hits in 106 at-bats. His Florida Gators are playing for the College World Series against 30th round LHP Bryan Harper's South Carolina Gamecocks.

From Jason Lieser, Palm Beach Post, 6/9/11: "Given the list of injuries Florida Gators outfielder Tyler Thompson sustained, this could have been a lost season. He tore his hamstring early in the year. He had an infection under a fingernail on his throwing hand. He injured his groin. Most recently, he was hampered by back spasms."

Thompson has not signed with the Nationals.

Round 47: TJ Montgomery, Rockmart HS (Georgia)

Baseball-Reference

One sentence analysis:
The 6'5" lefty only tops out at 85 mph, but with his frame, he has plenty more velocity to gain.

More analysis and notes:
Montgomery throws the standard 4-seam fastball/curve/change-up combination and is working on a cutter.
From USportStar, 4/29/11: Scouting video on Montgomery.

From SportsNetAmerica, 4/29/11: Another scouting video.

From Perfect Game, 8/22/10: "Touched 84 and sat between 82-83, showing a smooth, repeatable delivery, some arm-side run, easy effort, and tight spin on his 2-8, 73-mph curve."

Montgomery has not signed with the Nationals.

Round 48: Mike Bisenius, OF, Wayne State College (Nebraska)

Wayne State Bio
Baseball-Reference

One sentence analysis:
Former Nats pitcher Joe Bisenius' younger brother had a prolific batting career at NCAA Division II Wayne State College.

More analysis and notes:
From My Wayne News, 6/9/11: "Bisenius was named to Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association 2011 NCAA Div. II third-team All-American honors after leading Wayne State in batting this past season with a .401 average with eight homers and 48 RBI’s. The first-team All-Northern Sun Conference selection ranked in the top 10 in nine different categories in the NSIC this season, leading the league in on-base percentage (.483) while ranking third in average, slugging percentage (.704), doubles (18) and tied for third in home runs with eight. He also ranked fifth in total bases (107) and tied for fifth in run scored (47) while ranking sixth in RBI’s (48) and ninth in hits with 61."

Bisenius has not signed with the Nationals.

Round 49: Hunter Cole, OF, Dorman HS (South Carolina)

Baseball-Reference

One sentence analysis:
Hunter is committed to the University of Georgia, and I mean committed.

More analysis and notes:
He's got solid speed and a 90 mph arm. Would have been drafted higher, but he sent a letter to scouts asking that they not draft him, as he is set on going to Georgia.

From Georgia's Official Site, 11/16/10: "'Hunter might be the best hitter in the country, he’s a really good baseball player and an outstanding student,' said (Georgia coach David) Perno. 'We’re going to take a hard look at him as a centerfielder, but he can play anywhere. He has a great approach as a hitter and has the ability to put up huge numbers in college. When you combine his academics and his athletic talent, he’s an exciting prospect.'"

From John Whittle, The Big Spur, 9/2010: "Easily the best power bat in the state of South Carolina. Complete hitter that showed more defensively this summer than he has in the past."

Cole has not signed with the Nationals.