This past weekend I made it to see three Big-12 games so I’m here with reports on performances from Aaron Crow, Kyle Gibson, and Jordan Danks as well as some players who putting up some eye-popping stats nationally.
Hot List
Aaron Crow RHP Missouri Jr
While Crow’s overall line maybe rather pedestrian by his redoubtable standards, he has shown something of the utmost importance that doesn’t appear in a visceral scan of the box score: a true competitor's spirit. Crow last made these pages despite giving up nine runs in 5.0 innings in a whirlwind game versus the Texas Longhorns (4/11). And in the first couple innings of his next start (vs. Oklahoma), Crow looked like he may be in for a similarly long day. However, Crow faced adversity head on and came out better for it. He got better as the game went on, showcasing three potential plus pitches – though he worked predominantly off his fastball/slider combo. Everyone has days when things go wrong, Crow showed that he can handle it. For a more in-depth look at Crow’s outing, check out our College and Draft Talk Forums.
Kyle Gibson RHP Missouri So
After seeing Crow the night before I journeyed back up I-35 to check out 2009 uber-prospect, Kyle Gibson. I admit that I made the terrible mistake of leaving after 4.0 innings of this game so that I would be back in town in time for the Mavericks first playoff game. Gibson actually was fun to watch. The first thing I wrote on my notes watching Gibson warm up was simply the word “Hughes.”
In size and mechanics he really reminds me of Yankees right-hander, Philip Hughes – and to me that is a giant compliment. Gibson has great arm positioning, no recoil, and strong pronation from one of the easiest deliveries you will ever see. He looks the part of a future workhorse who comes at batters from a low three-quarter angle delivery. His fastball sat 88-91 mph with sink and slight run to his arm-side. He threw 22 of 33 fastballs for strikes – he lost his release point in the 4th inning. Gibson induced 7 ground balls with his fastball, 2 flies, 2 pop ups and just 1 line drive in the four innings I charted. His slider had fringy-average break sat at 82-85 mph and lacked the control of his fastball. He threw 18, just 9 for strikes. Only two were put in play with one on the ground and one a fly ball. Gibson also added in 5 changeups, only missing the strike zone once.
In 58.1 innings this year, Gibson has 63 strikeouts and has yielded just 16 walks. His combination of picture-perfect delivery, and production put him in the elite group for 2009. If his stuff improves slightly he will have everything you look for in the pitching prospect.
Jordan Danks CF Texas Jr
On April 20th Danks went 4-for-4 with 3 doubles, a triple, a walk, a steal and made two terrific catches in the outfield. Danks is one of the more polarizing prospects in this draft and figures to be all over team’s draft boards. He’s 6-foot-5 and thin but strong – 48% of his hits this year have gone for extra bases. He’s an impact defender in center who sometimes looses his swing mechanics – as tall, lanky guys have a propensity to do. On Sunday it was all working for Danks and he looked like an elite amateur prospect. He showed great patience, the ability to turn on the ball, and speed on the base paths and in the field. Danks has a shallow follow-through on his swing – he ends his swing with his hands parallel to his right shoulder; not above like most hitters. This could be a contributing factor in his lack of power at the collegiate level, but the numbers are trending up. Danks will may not hear his name called until the mid-second round, but I feel that which ever team drafts him will be getting a very good value.
Scott Bittle RHP Ole Miss Jr
Mississippi’s closer has really turned heads with his performance this spring. In 42.1 innings the Texas-born righty is currently 9th in the nation with 76 strikeouts (Brain Matusz’ 90 Ks are 1st) and he has issued just 18 walks. Bittle’s .121 opponent’s batting average is the lowest in Division-1 ball. While guys like Georgia’s Josh Fields and Arizona’s Ryan Perry have gotten more publicity this spring, Bittle is out-performing them and playing himself into the top 100 picks.
Chris Shehan OF Georgia Southern Jr
With all the attention given to the Beckham brothers in the state of Georgia, it seems like everyone – myself included – has ignored the monster season of Georgia Southern’s Chris Shehan. It is Shehan, not Gordon Beckham or Buster Posey, who currently leads the nation in OPS (1.463). Shehan is top 3 nationally in each of the triple slash categories – he’s hitting .477/.595/.868 which ranks 3rd/1st/2nd. While Shehan plays at a much lower level of competition than Beckham he still deserves credit for the incredible season he has put together. Shehan brings a rare combination of power, patience and speed to the diamond that is an asset at any level – he has 14 home runs, 38 walks and is 17 of 18 in attempted thefts.
Scott Gorgen RHP UC Irvine Jr
In his Friday start against rival UC Riverside, Gorgen gave up just 3 hits over 7 innings while striking out 14 and walking 2. Virtually the only knock on Gorgen is his height – he’s listed at 5-foot-10 – but teams will have to start looking at a really good pitcher at some point soon. Gorgen has excellent control of three potential plus pitches – including a curve that is among the best in the draft class – and great makeup (Mayo).
Cold Spell
Tim Murphy LHP UCLA Jr
Murphy has the stuff and potential to warrant mid-to-late first round selection but his inconsistency will give teams some pause on draft day. Last Friday versus Stanford, Murphy walked seven Cardinal hitters and lasted just 5.0 innings. On the year Murphy has walked 28 hitters in 62.2 innings, but he has struck out an impressive 70. This is the first year that Murphy – a former outfielder – has concentrated solely on pitching, so some control problems are to be expected. Murphy could still enter into the mix towards the end of the first round, but only if he performs at a consistent, high-level from now until June.
Lance Lynn RHP Ole Miss Jr
Lynn didn’t really help my cause of promoting him as a top 5 college pitcher on Friday against South Carolina – arguably the best offensive team in the country. Lynn allowed 10 hits and six earned runs against the Gamecocks with just two punch outs. Good news is that the big right-hander gave up just one free pass against a very patient line-up. I was able to see Lynn early in the season and he featured one of the best right-handed curve balls you’ll find, along with a plus slider, average fastball and a change up that while not used often was effective. Lynn still reminds me of a Kevin Millwood type pitcher and a potentially strong No. 2 or 3 pitcher at the highest level.
Lincoln Hamilton can be reached at lhamilton@dentonoutlaws.com.