KENTUCKY

2007 FOLLOW LIST  

OVERVIEW: This is a solid draft byKentucky standards, but just wait till next year. The 2008 crop promises to be the best in state history with six or seven players already lined up to go in the first or second round.

 

The strength of the class is high school pitching, led by righthanders Daniel Webb (Heath HS, Paducah) and Zack Cox (Pleasure Ridge Park HS, Louisville), and lefthanders Robbie Ross (Lexington Christian HS) and Nick Maronde (Lexington Catholic HS). The college crop also is bountiful, led by Louisville third baseman Chris Dominguez and Eastern Kentucky lefthander Christian Friedrich. Should Kentucky ’s highly-touted but oft-injured righthander Scott Green elect to wait a year to come out, that would add another big-time arm to the mix.

 

For this year, the resurgent college programs at Kentucky and Louisville will present the bulk of the picks. Each school could have six or seven players drafted. One of the more intriguing selections could be 5-foot-3 Louisville shortstop Chris Cates, an exceptional defender who can makes things happen on offense much the way another pint-sized shortstop, Freddie Patek, did in a long big league career. With the exception of Lexington Catholic High teammates Ben Revere and Wes Caldwell, most of the top high school players appear better suited for college.

 

STRENGTH: Depth of Kentucky, Louisville talent.

WEAKNESS: High school arms.

OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 3.

 

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Kentucky Connection: Shawn Kelley, rhp, Austin Peay State U. (Attended high school in Louisville ).

Top 2008 Prospect: Daniel Webb, rhp, Heath HS, Paducah .

 

Highest Pick, Draft History: Drew Hall, lhp, Morehead State U. (1984, Cubs/1^st round, 3^rd pick).

Highest Pick, 2006 Draft: Ryan Strieby, 1b, U. of Kentucky (Tigers/4^th round).

 

Best College Team: Louisville .
Best Junior College Team: St. Catharine JC.
Best High School Team: Lexington Catholic HS.

 

TOP 20 PROSPECTS / By Allan Simpson

 

GROUPS (College, Junior College, High School)

      1   High-round draft (Rounds 1-3)

      2   Mid-round draft (Rounds 4-10)

      3   Late-round draft (Rounds 11-25)

      4   Chance draft / Player to follow

 

GROUP ONE

Rank  Player                                  Pos.       Yr     B-T      HT     WT     School                              Hometown                 Drafted/(Commit)  B’date

     1.   Ben Revere                      OF/2B      Sr.     L-R     5-9     165     Lexington Catholic HS   Richmond                   Georgia                     5-3-88

SCOUTING REPORT: If he was three or four inches taller, Revere would be in the first-round mix in this year’s draft. He has excellent athletic ability and his speed ranks with the swiftest players in the country. He has been clocked in the 60 in 6.3 seconds, has a very quick first step and his speed is a game-changing tool at the top of a lineup. He is adept at putting the ball in play and keeping a defense on its toes. But Revere is more than just a slash-and-dash hitter. He has a patient approach at the plate, makes solid contact to all fields and can even square up a ball. He hit 10 home runs this spring for his nationally-ranked Lexington Catholic High team. Revere ’s blazing speed is also a dynamic tool on the bases and in center field. Scouts have abandoned most talk of his possibly moving to second base and becoming a Joe Morgan-type player as he lacks the hands, arm and actions required to play in the middle infield. He moves like a football player—appropriate since he has football on his resume. He was a prominent defensive back and kick returner on Lexington Catholic’s 3-A state football championship team as a junior, his father is an assistant football coach at Eastern Kentucky and his brother J.R. was the starting quarterback on the Georgia Southern team that won the Division I-AA national title in 2000. Revere, who is solidly built in his small frame and bears a physical resemblance to Orioles outfielder Corey Patterson, has significant development ahead of him as he is still raw in most areas, but he has a chance to be a first-round quality talent down the road—so long as he plays within his physical limitations.