USA Baseball Tournament
of Stars
by Blaine Clemmens
After scouting the single most impressive display of amateur baseball talent ever
assembled at the 2006 Perfect Game National Showcase, I made the 70 minute drive
up to Joplin (MO) to scout the first three days of USA Baseball’s Tournament of
Stars. Of the 106 ’07 grads in Joplin, 67 of them were at PG National, meaning
that I had the opportunity to see some of the nation’s best ’07 grads perform over
the course of six days.
By now most of the nation that cares has heard that more than 50 pitchers touched
90 mph or above at PG National, including at least 14 that touched 94 mph or above.
In a showcase scenario, most pitchers get two innings on the bump and for those
two innings they blow it out, showing their top end velocity. Sometimes we
don’t get to see the best of their secondary stuff or their ability to pitch.
In Joplin, I, along with dozens of other scouts that attended both events, got to
evaluate many of those hard throwers again, but this time in a little different
environment, with a little something different at stake. PG National is the
premier showcase, primarily allowing the most talented players in the nation to
showcase their tools, whether it is raw power and plus bat speed in BP, raw speed
in the 60, a plus arm from the OF, 1.90 or lower pop times from behind the plate,
or a big fastball on the bump.
In Joplin the players are competing for a spot on the USA Baseball Junior National
Team and they not only have to show their tools, but more importantly, they must
show the ability to use their tools in the game. That different environment
(the same environment as the WWBA and BCS tournaments) starts to separate the “players”
from the “talents”.
At this point it looks like the 2007 draft class is exceptionally strong at the
high school level. Many of the top players were in Joplin and frankly, after
the last game I saw (Thursday night), I left thinking that there is no way the USA
staff can go wrong with their selections for the Junior National Team. At
one point in that last game I started to plug in names of those I’d pick as starters
at the eight defensive positions around the diamond (’07 grads only) and it quickly
became apparent that some very talented players are not going to make that team.
At first I was going to give a recap of each of the three days I spent in Joplin
at what is called “historic” Joe Becker Stadium. However, after starting to
fill in the names of the players on “my National Team”, I thought that would make
for more interesting reading. Anyway, USA Baseball uses CSTV’s Gametracker
to give live updates of the games in Joplin and at the end of each day they gave
a recap of the days highlights on the USA Baseball website (www.usabaseball.com).
They don’t provide details like the top 60 yard runners or top fastball velocities
or best breaking balls or most raw power or best defensive arm, but like I said,
those raw tools are not as important to making the National Team as the usability
of the tools in the game.
So, with only a little further ado, let’s get to my selections for the National
Team, based on what I saw in Joplin, but also taking into consideration what I saw
of the players that were also at PG National. If you have seen a player
on more than one occasion, you have to factor in each time you have seen that player
in your evaluations of him and ultimately in the amount of value you place on each
player. Otherwise, why would you bother to see the players more than one time?
We know that USA Baseball had someone in Fayetteville to scout PG National, and
well they should have, to get a more complete picture of the players.
Good for them, because they got to see OF Rafael Thomas from Texas and invited him
to come to Joplin based upon what he did at PG National.
Here are my selections for the USA Junior National Team, along with the other players
I considered for each position, if there were multiple players I considered.
Shortstop
The most important position on the field (outside of pitching) was perhaps the easiest
position to select. There are a number of very talented middle infielders
in the ’07 class, but at this time none compare to Justin Jackson of TC Roberson
HS (NC). Not only is Jackson a most polished defender, his combination of
arm strength and accuracy is also the best in the class. He has excellent
range and has shown the ability to make all the plays. Even if he didn’t hit
a whole lot, he still might be my selection. However, we don’t have to worry
about the bat because Jackson has rapidly developed into a top third of the order
bat and is already starting to hit for power, something that at this time last year
he looked quite a ways from doing.
Like I said, this was the easiest selection to make, but that does not mean there
weren’t other extremely talented shortstops to choose from. John Tolisano
(FL), Christian Colon (CA), Nick Noonan (CA), Derek Dietrich
(OH), and Mike Moustakas (CA) are all high end talents. But at this
time only one of them has an all-around polished game that compares to Jackson.
All the above except Moustakas were at the PG National last week.
2nd Base
Up the middle this team is ridiculously strong, as most great teams usually are.
The one player that compares favorably to Jackson in terms of polished ability and
tools is Christian Colon of Canyon HS (CA). If a team has a shortstop
better than Colon, they have a great middle of the infield because he is about as
good as it gets as a defensive player. But on this team, Jackson’s defensive
abilities are a notch better than Colon’s, so we get to put one of the nation’s
top shortstops at 2nd base, where Colon looked like a natural in Joplin.
For me, Colon’s selection for this position was also a slam dunk.
He has soft hands, a quick release, took great angles to the ball, made the tough
play on the slow roller just past the mound, and turned the double play like a Gold
Glove caliber two-bagger. But like Jackson, Colon is not only a stellar defensive
player, he is an offensive force. He is an excellent hitter, hitting from
gap to gap with some power. With his excellent bat control, he would be a
phenomenal two-hole on this team, sort of like what Derek Jeter brings to that spot
in the order… the ability to execute team at-bats but if the situation calls for
it, the ability to drive the baseball and produce runs.
The other shortstops mentioned above could also be considered for 2nd
base, along with players like Garrett Nash (UT) and Victor Sanchez
(CA), but with Colon and Jackson, this team has air tight defense, two legitimate
top third of the order bats, along with big-game savvy and moxie. All three, Colon,
Nash and Sanchez were at the PG National last week.
3rd Base
I move to this position next because I have already mentioned the name of the player
I picked to man the hot corner. When I look at the names of the players I
did not pick to play 3rd base, I just shake my head and say “wow” because
I like all of them, a lot. However, when I write Victor Sanchez from
Gahr HS (CA) on my line-up card, I feel like I have made the right decision.
Sanchez may have made the most of his opportunity at PG National and in Joplin of
any player in the nation. Most that had seen him in the last two years knew
he was a good player, but now he is an exceptional player, particularly with the
bat.
Like Jackson and Colon, Sanchez is a very good defensive player. He has soft
hands and a legitimate 3B arm. Watching him play it is clear that he also
has a baseball clock ticking in his head and an aptitude for the game that few young
players have. There are other players I could have picked for this position
that may have more raw power or a tick better arm, but for me, those players do
not have the complete game that Sanchez has. He is a polished, professional
type hitter, a legitimate three-hole on any team he plays for. Sanchez has
easy power to the pull side and also lashes line drives to the opposite field, all
done with very easy effort. Sanchez simply appears comfortable in the game,
no matter the caliber of pitcher he is facing or the players around him. Like
Colon, he is the type of player that can slow the game down and that is a very rare
ability.
Like I said, the players I did not pick are so good it makes me shake my head to
think that I passed on them. Some of them I am on record as projecting as
future 1st round picks, so clearly I like them. Could I have gone
wrong with the massive raw power of Josh Vitters (CA), or the switch-hitting
power of John Tolisano, or the middle of the line-up bat of Hunter Morris
(AL), or the developing power of slick fielding Matt Dominguez (CA), or the
big time arm, high energy, and power of Derek Dietrich (I know he struggled
with the bat, but I am staying on him as a big time talent), or the versatile Mike
Moustakas? The answer is no, but for me, Sanchez is the right guy. Sanchez,
Tolisano, Morris and Dietrick were all at the PG National.
1st Base
The right player for this position is clear, at least for me. Having seen
Freddie Freeman of El Modena HS (CA) on numerous occasions (starting last
June at the USA Baseball Youth National Team trials), there is no doubt he is the
four-hole for this team. Freeman has massive raw power and is also capable
of hitting for high average. On pitches in his zone he makes plus contact
and is a threat to leave the yard on every swing. When he is down in the count
or even when he gets beat on a pitch, he still gets to the ball and is strong enough
to flip balls over the infield or roll them through a hole in the infield.
Freeman is not the most accomplished defender, but he has adequate hands and a rocket
arm. Range is a concern and so is his motor on defense, but his bat overcomes
any and all concerns about his other abilities.
The only other player I would consider at 1st base would be Iden Nazario
of Southridge HS (FL). Nazario is another big time left handed bat and also
brings the added dimension of being a 88-91 mph lefty with a good breaking ball.
Frankly, I love Nazario’s bat, but just not as much as Freeman’s. I don’t
know if Nazario has ever played the outfield, but if he were capable of playing
RF, then there might be a spot for him. Both Freeman and Nazario were at the PG
National.
Catcher
There are a number of strong candidates to make this team at the catcher position.
There is Danny Rams with his power arm and power bat (the right combo for
a pro catcher profile), Daniel Elorriaga-Matra and his + catch-throw abilities
(not to mention a nice hitting stroke), Curtis Casali who has excellent power
and excellent catch-throw abilities (and a pro body), and Kawika Emsley-Pai
with his switch-hitting bat and quick catch-throw skills (not to mention his value
as a utility player). Any one of those players would look good in the starting
line-up for this team, but for me, the right player for this spot is Robert Stock
of Agoura HS (CA).
Not only is stock a strong left handed, middle of the order bat, he doubles as a
power armed pitcher, capable of reaching up to 95 mph with his fastball and also
featuring a power breaking ball. As electric as his arm is, he is a better
offensive player. He drives the ball from gap to gap with power and behind
the plate is a quality receiver with a plus arm. One of the other catchers
will make my team as the back-up catcher, possibly even two of them because of Stock’s
status as a two-way player. Rams, Elorriaga-Matra, Casali, and Emsley-Pai
all attended the PG National Showcase.
Outfield
The choices in the outfield are numerous. There are players with power,
players with plus speed, and players with a combination of the two. With the
middle of the diamond already featuring the likes of Stock, Jackson, and Colon,
a centerfielder with plus defensive abilities might make this one of the finest
defensive teams up the middle ever assembled at the amateur ranks. There are
many quality players to consider, but because of his game-changing speed and ability
to use it, the player for this team is Rafael Thomas of Lufkin HS (TX).
Thomas was clearly the most exciting player to watch in Joplin. Yes, it was
fun to see Michael Main on the mound touching 98 at PG National and then to watch
him use his plus speed as an offensive player, but no one came close to creating
the buzz of Thomas. He is not only a burner, but man he can play. He
is contact hitter with the ability to use the whole field, yet he also has surprising
power. He seemingly only hit line drives that found the outfield grass and
ground balls that he either beat out or found a hole. As a lead-off hitter,
he could rate as the top player in the nation for that role.
Other players that earned consideration as the centerfielder for this team were
Quincy Lattimore of Middle Creek HS (NC), Michael Main of Deland HS
(FL), Kentrail Davis of Theodore HS (AL), Garrett Nash of Jordan HS
(UT), and Matt Newman of Brophy Prep (AZ). More than one of those players
will make my team, but I just could not imagine not having Thomas in centerfield
and leading off. Thomas, Davis, Main, Nash, and Newman attended the PG National
Showcase.
I chose Kentrail Davis as the left fielder. He is an outstanding hitter
with power to all fields. Davis is a left handed hitter and he impressively
drove the ball hard to the opposite field for the three days I was in Joplin.
His bat would play anywhere in this line-up, though I think the six-hole is about
where he will end up. Davis is a powerfully built player and also has a good
arm. He covers a lot of ground in the outfield and as a left hand thrower
I know that I can shade him more toward the line with Thomas able to cover the outfield
from gap to gap. Depending on who my right fielder is, there will not be too
many balls falling in this outfield.
The last starting outfield spot is a tough one to fill. There are so many
players that could be selected, including many of the talented infielders that did
not crack a starting spot in the infield. Ultimately I decided to choose a
player that performed well with the bat and one that in the past I have seen play
outstanding outfield defense. That player is Sequoyah Stonecipher of
Mission Bay HS (CA). Stonecipher is developing legitimate corner outfield,
loft-type power and is a plus defender. He breaks on balls well, takes good
angles, makes strong and accurate throws, and enjoys the defensive half of the game.
He swung the bat with authority in the three days I was in Joplin so I went with
him.
I also wanted to have a right handed thrower in right, for the same reason that
I wanted a left hand thrower in left… having Thomas in center allows both corners
to cheat a bit to the line, which will allow this outfield to take away cheap hits
that could result from soft or late contact against what promises to be a very powerful
pitching staff.
I could have selected any of the following players as a corner outfielder and still
had a wow outfield… Brett Krill (CA), Steven Brooks (NJ), Chris Epps
(GA), Evan Chambers (FL), Chad Jones (LA), Kelvin Clark (GA).
I think Epps has a Big League future and leaving him out of the starting line-up
was tough… Krill is an accomplished player with international experience... Chambers
swung one of the hottest bats in the time I was there, including taking Michael
Main deep… Clark has real power, evidenced when he took Erik Goeddel deep by digging
out a down and in 90 mph fastball… Brooks has wow speed and has performed well in
big events the last year… Jones has a powerful left handed bat and a RF arm… It
was not hard to pick the three I did pick, but at the same time, it was not easy
to leave off some of the other players. Every outfielder mentioned above with the
exception of Chad Jones was at the PG National Showcase.
Pitchers
I think USA Baseball takes 18 players for their team. I would imagine that
in addition to the eight starting position players, there is at least one other
catcher, one other infielder, and a fourth outfielder. That leaves seven spots
for the pitching staff. Stock also pitches, so really I could get away with
only choosing six pitchers, allowing me to build more position player depth.
Now, it must be stated here that before I left I did not see all the pitchers in
Joplin. However, the main ones I did not see in Joplin (Blake Beavan,
Neil Ramirez, Cole Green) I did see at PG National (and a few other
times) so I feel comfortable with them, if I decided to pick one of them.
I figure that this staff should have a decent, if not exact balance of right handers
and lefties. The lefties are Josh Smoker (GA), John Gast (FL), and
Tanner Robles (UT). Smoker is about as polished as it gets in this
’07 class and though he did not have his best night in his outing on Thursday, I
have seen him plenty of other times and know that he is a big-game pitcher.
With his 88-91 mph fastball, hard biting breaking ball and change-up feel, Smoker
should be able to consistently get deep into games.
Gast simply showed great stuff in Joplin, better than he did at PG National.
He did register up to 91 on the radar gun, but it was his breaking ball that stood
out to me, particularly those that he threw in the 79-81 mph range with hard downer
bite. Gast also has an excellent move to 1st base so he has another
weapon to get out of jams.
Robles has been showing a plus fastball for most of the spring, going at high as
95 on the radar gun, but more importantly, has vastly improved the effectiveness
of his curveball. He has always been able to spin it, but has adjusted his
release point and is now getting later action on it, powering below bats to give
him two legitimate strikeout pitches.
Picking the right-handers is a bit more difficult because there are so many to choose
from. Now that I am at this part of the roster, I think I will decide to take
five righties, giving me eight primary pitchers and ten position players.
The right handers are going to be Greg Peavey (WA), Erik Goeddel (CA),
Matt Harvey (CT), Robert Broach (LA), and Kevin Rhoderick (AZ).
Before you get all huffy wondering where Michael Main is, he will be on the
roster filling a spot as the fourth outfielder but also will be a member of the
pitching staff. Peavey, Main, Goeddel, and Harvey I consider starters and
Rhoderick is my closer. Main obviously has that electric arm (pitches 93-96),
topping near triple digits, but also has feel of his curveball and change-up and
in the past has shown the ability to maintain his stuff all game. Not only
does he fill a role on the pitching staff, but having him on the team allows for
more depth in the outfield. Oh yeah, it is also probably a good idea to have
the most purely talented high school player in America on this team.
Peavey simply as wicked stuff. His fastball is 91-94 with life on the arm
side and good command. His curveball is very tight and he throws it firmly
(79-82 mph). He has power stuff and a power pitcher approach, but he also
has pitchability. Peavey also has successful National Team experience and
is a steadying presence on the mound.
Goeddel is for me the most polished pitcher in the ’07 class. He has four
pitches he can go to at any time and best of all, has plus command of his 89-92
mph fastball. His curveball is a plus pitch, his slider is good, and his change-up
is also above average. Goeddel has won many big-game match-ups over the years
in WWBA events and just seems so unflappable on the mound. He also provides
a legitimate bat with above average power if needed.
Harvey may have been the most impressive pitcher I saw in Joplin. He was dominant
with his 91-93 mph fastball, tops at mid 90s, and the ability to pitch with his
breaking ball. He changed velocity with his breaking ball, from the 73-75
mph range up to the 80-81 mph range. The harder one was likely a slider, but
the shape was not that different from what I would guess he considers his curveball.
He is long and loose and throws with easy effort, telling me that he can go deep
into games and hold his stuff.
I had not seen Broach before, but man, if there is a better curveball in the ’07
class I have yet to see it. Broach is a 6’0” righty but he has giant stuff.
His fastball was 91-92 with late life down in the zone and came out of his hand
with pretty easy effort. His curveball had ++ depth and action, powering below
bats late in the hitting zone at 74-78 mph. For me his curveball compares
with former Texas prep right hander Kyle Hancock’s. Broach was able to use
that pitch for strikes or for outs and was able to ratchet up the velocity without
losing feel. For good measure he also has a very usable change-up thrown with
good arm speed.
Lastly there is closer Kevin Rhoderick. Rhoderick has that closer’s presence
and energy, not to mention an explosive two-pitch repertoire. He fastball
can go as high as 94-95 and he showed that he has some resilience in his arm, making
appearances on back to back days and losing very little on his fastball. In
Joplin he was 89-92 with his fastball that has a lot of sink. Rhoderick’s
out pitch is a hard, slurvy curveball with 76-78 mph velocity. There are times
there is so much action on that pitch it looks like he is throwing a whiffle ball.
His high energy delivery has some deception from a bit of a cross body stride. Basically
Rhoderick has all that most successful closers have.
Obviously I have left off some incredibly talented pitchers… Rick Porcello,
Blake Beavan, Tim Alderson, Neil Ramirez, Kyle Blair.
Wow, I cannot believe I actually did not choose any of them… but alas, I felt that
I had to have three lefties and I wanted the right-handers to have not only a big
fastball, but I wanted good command of the fastball and an above average curveball,
both in quality and usability. Beavan, Alderson, and Blair stand out as the
three that were the hardest to keep off because all have very good fastballs and
good breaking balls.
Main, Beavan, Ramirez, Alderson, Blair, Porcello, Green, Rhoderick, Harvey, Goeddel,
Smoker, Peavey, Robles, and Gast were all at the PG National Showcase.
Bench
With Main as the fourth outfielder, and eight primary pitchers, that leaves me with
only one other spot to fill. I am going to need a second catcher, but I also
want that player to be able to play other positions, including the infield and outfield.
I would like to pick Danny Rams and his big time power or Curtis Casali and his
excellent catch-throw skills or Daniel Elorriaga-Matra and his + ability to receive,
block, and throw, but the only player that fits the description of my last roster
spot need is Kawika Emsley-Pai. Emsley-Pai is a frontline caliber catcher
but I feel that he can play three of the four infield spots and both corner outfield
spots. He is also a switch-hitter so he makes the most sense for that last
spot. Stonecipher catches a bit so he can be the third catcher. If it
weren’t for Main’s two-way player status, I think my fourth outfielder would have
been Chris Epps.
There you have it. The opinions of one man who scouted both the PG National
Showcase and The Tournament of Stars in Joplin. What a team!
Of course, there were several who were at the PG National, but did not play in Joplin,
who easily could have been selected if they would have participated. PG National
Showcase players like OF Michael Burgess (FL), 3B Jon Gilmore (IA),
RHP Paul Demny (TX), SS DJ LeMahieu (MI), OF Kevin Keyes (TX),
OF Joseph Leftridge (TX), C Cameron Rupp (TX), LHP Madison Bumgarner
(NC), OF Jason Heyward (GA), RHP Evan Danieli (NJ) and many others
could have (maybe would have) made the USA National Team.