2015 MLB Draft

[Eminor3rd]

Cool previews, thanks friend!

[Eminor3rd]

More Justin Hooper: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/67-prep-lef...like-potential/.

 

Justin Hooper, LHP, De La Salle HS (CA), UCLA commit (2015 MLB Draft prospect)

 

Hooper was a known prospect last summer when the 6’7 underclassman sat 88-92 mph at the Area Code Games, then created buzz this spring when his velo jumped into the mid-90’s as a junior. Last summer, his delivery forced him to throw well across his body and this held back his potential while he now is much more online, though there’s still some effort and inconsistency in the delivery.

 

The NorCal product hasn’t been on the summer showcase circuit much, so last week’s two appearances at Area Codes (multiple innings) and the Perfect Game All American Classic (one inning) were the first time most scouts have paid close attention to him. Hooper didn’t throw a changeup last year and had no feel for a well below average 82-87 mph changeup at Area Codes, then threw one very good changeup at 80 mph to end his PGAAC inning, so I’m splitting the difference on that grade.

 

Fastball: 55/65, Curveball, 45/55, Changeup: 40/50+, Command: 35/45+�

Kiley

 

Fastball: 55/65

 

At his best, the player’s four-seam fastball possesses above-average cutting life, sitting 94 mph and topping out at 96 mph over the course of a short, one inning burst. In an extending outing, he is presently unable to hold his plus-plus fastball velocity, instead showing more of what amounts to an above-average fastball. When that is the case, he is comfortable switching to his two-seam fastball, which shows sinking life at 88-90 mph.

 

It shouldn’t be an issue in the long-term, accounting for physical maturation of his presently lanky, extra-large frame. However, struggles with repeating his delivery and mechanical issues (as noted below) subsequently lead to a murky present and future command profile, thus making it difficult to project the offering having the complete effectiveness of its true plus-plus potential, hence the half-grade knock on the future potential.

 

Curveball: 45/55

 

In my first look, a heavy dose of the 74-78 mph curveballs the player spun off would have earned just a present 45-grade mark. But it’s worth mentioning the offering looked better than that under the bright lights this past Sunday at PETCO Park. Given his immense size and long levers, there isn’t a need to fight his three-quarters arm slot like many pitchers with similarly lower slots would have to in order to get the desired vertical break of a curveball.

 

The offering shows two-plane break and shape, but needs additional tightening and sharpness as it travels towards the hitter. His highly projectable frame leads me to believe there is additional strength on its way, which will help speed the arm and create a stronger bite in its action. However, consistency is once again an issue, as there’s a clear wrap in the arm action when throwing the breaking ball, creating not only additional stress on the arm, but also making it more difficult for the offering to reach its 60-grade potential, hence the half-grade knock once again.

 

Changeup: 40/50+

 

There is feel for the changeup, but it is largely inconsistent and lagging behind his other offerings in terms of development and confidence. He threw it only a handful of times over five innings, and none of the five ever flashed averaged or better potential. However, the first (and only) changeup he did throw in my second viewing was as good as one could expect. His ability to manipulate his other offerings allow for a full grade projection in the changeup, but issues within his delivery once again are causing him to be inconsistent with his stuff once it reaches the plate.

 

Command: 20/45+

 

The pitcher will be more control than command, but that doesn’t mean he will be a strike-throwing machine. Presently, his fastball command is all over the place, and I don’t think that will ever be completely cleaned up. Furthermore, there are issues within his delivery that need tweaking. He’s made several mechanical changes in the past year, but it’s a mixed bag of good and bad. His back leg and lower half are no longer finishing at the end of his delivery, but that can be improved as he was doing it the year before.

 

Then there is the direction to home plate; he’s striding towards the left-handed batter’s box, in an attempt to create deception, but this only forces him to throw across his body while pitching to the batter’s box rather than home plate. There is a wrap in his arm action, putting additional stress on his elbow and causing his arm to be late at foot strike. These are legitimate issues causing his delivery to fail to reach the “clean” label, but more importantly affecting the player’s present command and consistent ability to tap into the potential of his offerings.

 

Summary

 

Hooper’s arsenal and command presently suggest a mid-rotation arm, the type of profile that usually gets selected in the back end of the first round of the draft. However, “it only takes one team,” and a prep arm with his size and projection could, with a strong spring, sneak into the top 5 as Tyler Kolek did last June. Even if Hooper fails to show much improvement between this summer’s showcase circuit and next year’s draft, some organization could already be dreaming of what their player development system could mold this ball of clay into.

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

Doesn't matter.

 

 

???

[Boopa1219]

Cool previews, thanks friend!

 

More are on the way.

[harfman77]

I think the Sox will look at a college player next year in the first round again to try and add another piece to the core.

 

Vanderbilt has two RHP's that should go in the range that Sox will be picking and OF DJ Stewart from FSU seems like a guy that could move quickly to fill a void in the OF. He hit .351/.472/.557 this season, numbers that compare favorably to this years #10 pick Michael Conforto.

[LDF]

I think the Sox will look at a college player next year in the first round again to try and add another piece to the core.

 

Vanderbilt has two RHP's that should go in the range that Sox will be picking and OF DJ Stewart from FSU seems like a guy that could move quickly to fill a void in the OF. He hit .351/.472/.557 this season, numbers that compare favorably to this years #10 pick Michael Conforto.

 

I too think that they will go the college rt, faster to the big league.

 

I think we are in decent shape with pitching, however you can never have too much. if there is a knockout positional

player, I wouldn't be surprise if the sox go that rt.

 

the sox are really not in great to good shape with OF prospects nor with DH or catching. again, if pitching is the best

at the pick for the sox, then so be it, pitching it is.

[Boopa1219]

Next reports, Ryan Mountcastle, Brendan Rodgers, and Wyatt Cross.

[LDF]

I have been busy with school and work, and I promised these write ups, so I am going to post a few at a time

I have more saved in a document somewhere, but when I'm free expect to see more.

 

Joshua, its ok, we will have a long offseason to enjoy what you write. for me, I appreciate what you

do.

[oldsox]

Doesn't matter.

Sure it does, if they sign a FA who received a QO from his old team.

 

Or. are you just sayin that Sox will not sign a FA, therefore it doesn't matter?

[Boopa1219]

Joshua, its ok, we will have a long offseason to enjoy what you write. for me, I appreciate what you

do.

 

Thanks, and I might have a interview coming up with the Cubs for a intern/scouting position

[TheFutureIsNear]

I have my eye on DJ Stewart from FSU. Big lefty who can mash and play a decent corner OF. Hit .351/.472/.557 with 19 doubles and 7 hr's as a sophomore to earn ACC player of the year. Another big year this upcoming year and he could easily find himself in the top 10.

 

http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2014/02/19/p...ile-dj-stewart/

[LDF]

Thanks, and I might have a interview coming up with the Cubs for a intern/scouting position

 

even tho I really dislike the them, I will wish you nothing but the best

[Boopa1219]

even tho I really dislike the them, I will wish you nothing but the best

 

I called the Sox a million times, and they said they don't offer internships in the scouting department.

[LDF]

I called the Sox a million times, and they said they don't offer internships in the scouting department.

 

that would have too good, working for your team. I wonder why they don't offer internships.

[BigHurt3515]

Thanks, and I might have a interview coming up with the Cubs for a intern/scouting position

 

How do you get into scouting?

[Boopa1219]

How do you get into scouting?

 

I know about filing scouting reports and how to grade players, but I read a variety of interviews and articles, for more info.

 

But your best bet is calling the teams and seeing if they have positions open

[Boopa1219]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/08/phil...2015-draft.html

 

Phil Bickford is going to enter the 2015 draft. The dude is a monster, and he is who I wanted the Sox to draft in 2013. Bickford is a lock for being a top 10 again.

[Chisoxfn]

Dag nab it.

[Boopa1219]

Dag nab it.

 

Beat you to it?

[Chisoxfn]

Beat you to it?

No; I'm a CSUF alum and go to a good amount of games so was looking forward to seeing what he could do in his second year with the squad. On paper there rotation was going to be downright nasty.

[LDF]

 

does anyone know if Brady Aiken is eligible for 2015 draft? I think if he goes some

other rt, or something like that. am I wrong?

[GGajewski18]

does anyone know if Brady Aiken is eligible for 2015 draft? I think if he goes some

other rt, or something like that. am I wrong?

 

It looks like he's going to JuCo so yes he would be eligible for the 2015 draft.

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

It looks like he's going to JuCo so yes he would be eligible for the 2015 draft.

 

Wouldn't that be crazy if he enters, and the Sox nab him? Rodon and Aiken to the Sox. That would be a crazy thing to say a couple months ago.

[Boopa1219]

I would rather have Bickford than Aiken, call me crazy but I really do like him a lot.

 

My Top Targets For The Sox (Assuming They Get A Top 10 Pick)

 

Daz Cameron

Kyle Tucker

Ryan Mountcastle

Justin Hooper

Phil Bickford

Brady Aiken

Edited August 27, 2014 by Joshua Strong

[LDF]

I would rather have Bickford than Aiken, call me crazy but I really do like him a lot.

 

My Top Targets For The Sox (Assuming They Get A Top 10 Pick)

 

Daz Cameron

Kyle Tucker

Ryan Mountcastle

Justin Hooper

Phil Bickford

Brady Aiken

 

if you are saying that these prospects will be available for the sox to pick, est at their time.

I will say forget any hs'er, I still like the 2 of'er I mention the other day, and several other

pitchers. I am a little confuse on Alken and Bickford.

 

again, many thanks for you hard work/

Edited August 27, 2014 by LDF