OVERVIEW:
With the exception of the odd player out of George Washington or Georgetown,
the metro D.C.’s two NCAA Division I programs, the nation’s capital has
normally been a wasteland for baseball talent. But that perception has changed
recently—and in a dramatic way this year—with private high schools in the city
putting baseball as a priority, in the process attracting top talent from
nearby Maryland and Virginia.
St. John’s
College Prep had nine seniors on its roster this season with commitments to
NCAA Division I programs, including outfielder L.J. Hoes (North Carolina) and
lefthander Scott Silverstein (Virginia), who were projected as early-round
picks at the start of this season. Silverstein ultimately hurt his shoulder and
didn’t pitch this season, but just about the time he went down another
lefthander, fellow Virginia-signee Danny Hultzen of St. Albans School, zoomed
out of nowhere and asserted himself as the best baseball talent in town.
Hoes, Hultzen and Silverstein are
major signability risks, however, particularly Hultzen, and it’s possibility
they could all slide significantly in the draft for that reason. But their
talent is unmistakable.
STRENGTH:
Private-school talent.
WEAKNESS:
Inner-city talent.
OVERALL RATING
(1-to-5 scale): 4.
Best Out-of-State Prospect,
Washington, D.C., Connection:
Mike Sheridan, 1b, William & Mary (Attended high school in Washington,
D.C.).
Top 2009 Prospect:
Josh Leemhuis, of, St. John’s College Prep.
Top 2010 Prospect:
Eric Cantrell, rhp, George Washington U.
Highest Pick, Draft History:
Anthony Raglani, of, George Washington U. (2005, Dodgers/5th round).
Highest Pick, 2006 Draft:
Derrik Lutz, rhp, George
Washington U. (Reds/19th round).
Highest Pick, 2007 Draft:
Matt Bouchard, ss, Georgetown
U. (Mets/11th round).
Best
College Team:
George Washington.
Best
High School Team:
St. Albans.
TOP PROSPECTS /
By Allan Simpson
GROUPS (College, Junior
College, High School)
1 Premium-round draft (Rounds 1-3)
2
High-round draft (Rounds 4-10)
3
Mid-round draft (Rounds 11-25)