MICHIGAN

2007 FOLLOW LIST  

OVERVIEW: Michigan’s hopes of achieving even an average grade for this draft class were dashed when a number of college players who had expectations of going in the top 10 rounds fell by the wayside—either because of injuries or unfilled expectations. The most disappointing players were a trio of draft-eligible sophomores—Central Michigan righthanders Chris Kupillas and Jeff Richard, andMichigan State catcher Kyle Day—who fell well short of expectations, and almost certainly will return to college for another shot in 2008.

 

The demise of those players, along with an injury to Michigan State righthander Mark Sorensen, pretty much left it in the hands of a pair of big righthanders with sub-90 mph velocities to carry the torch for the Michigan college crop. Meanwhile, strong out-of-state college commitments could see the bottom fall out of the high school crop—particularly if D.J. LeMahieu, the state’s No. 1 prospect, plans to attend LSU and advises scouts of those intentions. His stock could tumble out of the early rounds.

 

STRENGTH: None.

WEAKNESS: Front-line college talent.

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

 

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Michigan Connection: Eric Niesen, lhp, Wake Forest U. (Attended high school in New Boston).

Top 2008 Prospect: Zach Putnam, rhp, U. of Michigan.

 

Highest Pick, Draft History: Mark Mulder, lhp, Michigan State U. (1998, Athletics/1^st round, 2^nd pick).

Highest Pick, 2006 Draft: Dan O’Brien, lhp, Western Michigan U. (8^th round).

 

Best College Team: Michigan .
Best Junior College Team: Kellogg CC.
Best High School Team: Mt. Pleasant HS.

 

TOP 15 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 TWO

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

     1.   D.J. LeMahieu                       SS      Sr.     R-R     6-4     190     Brother Rice HS              Birmingham                Louisiana State 7-13-88

SCOUTING REPORT: LeMahieu has the lean, projectable frame, along with the talent, to be drafted in the top three to five rounds, but his chances of actually going in that area will hinge on his signability. He is heavily committed to Louisiana State , and it is expected to take a significant six-figure bonus to steer him away. He has been up-front with area scouts about his financial demands, however, so there is not expected to be a misreading of his intentions. LeMahieu has good present baseball skills, but it’s all about projection—especially with the bat. He has adequate present bat speed, can handle the bat head and should develop above-average power as he matures physically. He makes plays in the field with soft hands and his arm strength is sufficient to remain on the left side through college and the lower minors, but less than ideal SS running speed is expected to push him to third base eventually—or possibly even to first if his power materializes.