NEVADA
2007 FOLLOW LIST 
OVERVIEW: In
recent years, the top prospect-producing school in Nevada has been the
Community College of Southern Nevada, the 2003 Junior College World Series
champion and a perennial contender since. Part of the reason for CCSN’s success
and ability to attract talent is attributed to the presence of only two
four-year colleges in Nevada and most of the top high school players live in
the Las Vegas area—right in CCSN’s back yard. Most of those high school players
typically either sign out of high school or go the juco route—and they
generally end up CCSN.
This year is no different—although a relative newcomer, Western Nevada CC,
stole some of CCSN’s thunder by unexpectedly advancing to Junior College World
Series, knocking off CCSN along the way. Three of the state’s top four
prospects are junior college pitchers. The top two are righthanders at CCSN.
The third is a lefthander atWestern Nevada,
lefthander Cole Rohrbough, who is under control by the Braves.
Only
one high school player is expected to be selected in the top five rounds,
Taylor Cole, a righthanded pitcher/shortstop at Bishop Gorman High in
Las Vegas
. Cole is a Mormon who has committed to Brigham Young, and that
could play a part in his signability as Mormons are expected to go on missions
for up to two years.
STRENGTH:
Junior-college
pitchers.
WEAKNESS: Position players at all
levels.
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 3.
Best Out-of-State Prospect,
Nevada
Connection: Jesse Craig, rhp, Brigham Young U. (Attended high school in
Las Vegas
.
Top 2008 Prospect:
Nikko
Vasquez, ss,
Durango
HS,
Las
Vegas
.
Highest Pick, Draft History: Tyler
Houston, c, Valley HS,
Las
Vegas
(1989, Braves/1st round, 2nd pick).
Highest Pick, 2006 Draft:
Kyle Smit, rhp, Spanish Springs HS,
Sparks
(Dodgers/5th round).
Best
College
Team:
U. of Nevada.
Best
Junior
College
Team:
Western
Nevada
CC.
Best
High
School
Team: Bishop Gorman HS,
Las Vegas
.
TOP 15 PROSPECTS /
By
Blaine
Clemmens
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
*Draft-and-follow; eligible to sign before 2007 draft
GROUP
TWO
Rank Player
Pos.
Yr B-T
HT WT
School
Hometown
Drafted/(Commit)
B’date
1.
*Chad
Robinson
RHP Fr.
R-R 6-5
210 CC of
Southern Nevada
Las Vegas
Brewers ’06 (12)
11-13-87
SCOUTING REPORT:
The Brewers have signed Robinson, their 12th-round pick in 2006, as
a draft-and-follow. Had they not, it is conceivable he would have been off the
board by the third round this year. He reportedly was offered the equivalent of
low second-round money—appropriate since the Brewers do not have a second-round
pick this year. Had Robinson not had some arm issues early in his high school
career (labrum surgery as a sophomore) that knocked him off track a bit, he
might have gone in the top three rounds a year ago. Scouts in
Las
Vegas
love Robinson’s makeup, work ethic and projectability, not to mention his
present-day ability. He touched 94-95 mph this spring and also showed a very
promising 85-86 mph split-finger that has a good chance of becoming a plus
pitch. For good measure, he also throws his curveball with decent command. As a
freshman at CCSN, he went 2-3, 3.11 with three saves and 48 strikeouts in 46
innings. He was used as both a starter and closer. Robinson has a projectable
body and large hands, which helps him throw his splitter.
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