SOUTH CAROLINA

2007 FOLLOW LIST  

OVERVIEW: No state in recent years has had more disparity between the caliber of its college talent and its high school talent than South Carolina —and the difference is reflected on the accompanying list of top prospects for this year’s draft. Of the 30 players listed, 28 are from college, two are high school. Among the 28 college players, 20 were groomed at out-of-state high schools.

A majority of the college talent is concentrated at two schools, national powers Clemson and South Carolina , which between them could produce 20 draft picks this year. Clemson’s impact on the early rounds is especially noteworthy as the Tigers have a possibility of five selections in the first five rounds, led by lefthander Daniel Moskos, who is projected to be among the top 10-12 picks.

Spartanburg Methodist Junior College has had a noteworthy season, advancing to the Junior College World Series with a largely home-grown lineup. But no player was heavily scouted this spring—especially with the draft-and-follow rule being phased out with this year’s draft. Outfielder Allen Caldwell, the team’s best hitter, attracted the most interest—and could slip into the top 20 rounds. Third baseman Keon Graves, who received a lot of pre-season attention off his performance in the Coastal Plain League last summer, did not have a good season—especially at the plate, where he was vulnerable to breaking balls.

STRENGTH: Clemson pitching staff.
WEAKNESS: High school talent.
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 3.

Best Out-of-State Prospect, South Carolina Connection: Matt Wieters, c, Georgia Tech (Attended high school in Goose Creek ).
Top 2008 Prospect: Justin Smoak, 1b, U. of South Carolina.

Highest Pick, Draft History: Kris Benson, rhp, Clemson U. (1996, Pirates/1^st round, 1^st pick).
Highest Pick, 2006 Draft: Tyler Colvin, of, Clemson U. (Cubs/1^st round, 13^th pick).

Best College Team: South Carolina .
Best Junior College Team: Spartanburg Methodist JC.
Best High School Team: A.C. Flora HS, Columbia .

TOP 30 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

*Draft-and-follow; eligible to sign before 2007 draft

GROUP ONE
Rank  Player                                  Pos.       Yr     B-T      HT     WT     School                              Hometown                 Drafted/(Commit) B’date
     1.   Daniel Moskos                   LHP      Jr.     R-L     6-2     205     Clemson U.                      Alta Loma, Calif.         Never drafted  4-28-86
SCOUTING REPORT: Moskos is the kingpin on a Clemson pitching staff that could yield four pitchers in the top three or four rounds. He began the year as a potential top 10 pick and almost certainly will be one of the first dozen players selected—even as he was bounced from a closer role to a starting job for the Tigers and didn’t have a particularly inspiring season. He went just 3-5, 3.07 with six saves. In 59 innings, he struck out 68 and walked 31. He settled in as Clemson’s closer a year ago (5-5, 2.52 and 10 saves) and was thoroughly dominant in that role last summer for Team USA, going 0-0, 0.96 with six saves, along with 31 strikeouts in 19 innings. He was expected to establish himself as the premier closer in the college game this season but never reached a comfort level in the role this season, constantly working deep into counts, and relished the opportunity to become a starter when Clemson shook up its pitching staff at midseason. Moskos has the max-effort delivery and fiery temperament inherent in a closer, but scouts have always whispered that his four-pitch stuff may play better as a starter. His best offerings are his running 94-96 mph fastball and hard, firm put-away slider with electric life—the pitches that made him so dominant as a closer—plus an average curve and change. It remains to be seen what role he will be used in pro ball, but he likely would move to the big leaguers quicker as a reliever. Scouts like to compare him top ex-big league closer Randy Myers in terms of his build, stuff, delivery and temperament. He is pretty much who he is, as there is little projection left in his small but powerful frame.