MLB Draft Pt. 2

Last week Cans of Corn highlighted 6 of the top names looking to go in the first round of this years MLB Draft held in June. If you missed them, please check back and give it a gander. This week we'll be focusing on 5 more talented players that will more than likely be chosen in the first round. In case you're wondering what the draft order is I have listed it below and you can also check out http://riveraveblues.com/2011-draft-order/ for an excellent break down on when and why.



1) Pirates
2) Mariners
3) Diamondbacks
4) Orioles
5) Royals
6) Nationals
7) Diamondbacks
8) Indians
9) Cubs
10) Padres
11) Astros
12) Brewers
13) Mets
14) Marlins
15) Brewers
16) Dodgers
17) Angels
18) Athletics
19) Red Sox
20) Rockies
21) Jays
22) Cardinals
23) Nationals
24) Rays
25) Padres
26) Red Sox
27) Rays
28) Braves
29) Giants
30) Twins
31) Rays
32) Rays
33) Rangers

Matt Purke, LHP
TCU - 6'4" 180lbs

Here's a gut that was already drafted in the first round (14th overall) in 2009 by the Texas Rangers, yet turned down the deal to go to TCU (the deal was vetoed by MLB anyways). Purke was hoping to improve his draft selection and get some college time under his belt. In 2010 Purke won Baseball America's Freshman of the Year award after going 16-0 and striking out a whopping 142 batters in just 116 innings.

2011 has been a bit of a different story for Purke. He started off not too bad but then was roughed up pretty bad in a couple of starts, after his velocity dropped a bit TCU shut him down with "shoulder pains". After visiting doctors it was reported that Purke had been diagnosed with Bursitis. Purke has an awkward delivery that has some scouts saying he could be prone to some injury issues down the road (the same was said of Tim Lincecum as well though) so you never know, but Purke hopes to get a few more starts in before the draft.

Purke has a fastball that sits in the mid nineties (92-95mph), he also possesses a fantastic breaking ball. Purke has wonderful control for such a young guy and power lefties are certainly a commodity that any team would love to have. In 2010 he was compared to Kershaw but thought to have a higher ceiling. I doubt Purke will go as high as he hoped, given his recent struggles but he's definitely going to be one of the first couple LHP off the board this June. Shoulder bursitis is quite treatable and generally the shoulder returns to normal after treatment with no real concerns.

George Springer, OF
UConn - 6'3" 200lbs - B/T R/R

Springer is a player that some scouts feel could have an outside chance at beating out Rendon for first overall this June, however that is pretty unlikely. Springer has displayed legitimate 30/30 stuff the past two seasons and after a rough start to 2011, is back on track.

Springer is a legitimate 5 tool player with superb defense (only committed 1 error all last year) and good raw power. Springer can also run with confidence, swiping 33 bags in 35 attempts in 2010. According to Pro Draft Central, they compare Springer to Alex Rios, with a bit more pop.

After an ugly start that had some folks doubting a bit, Springer has turned it on big time, leading his team in nearly every offensive category thus far. He's hitting .379, 47 runs, 69 hits, 10 bombs, 67 RBI and has swiped 25 bags in 31 attempts. With loads of pitching depth this year, I expect Springer to fall out of the top 5 but he will definitely be one of the first positional players chosen this year - no question.

Daniel Norris, LHP
Science Hill HS - 6'1" 170lbs

In Daniel Norris' first start this season for Science Hill, he pitched 6.2 innings and struckout 15 batters with 0 earned. Norris has some serious speed on his fastball and it will still climb as he sharpens his mechanics (still in high school).

Norris' fastball sits around 91-95MPH, he also has one of the best curve balls when compared to other eligible high school pitchers. Norris possesses a plus change that gives him 3 quality pitches and he still has lots of time to improve and get better. In 2010 he had 135 strikeouts in just 61.1 innings and pitched a no hitter (walked 9 guys though). Like I said, high school pitchers are raw.

High school players are always a risky draft pick, especially for teams that typically draft college players. However you can't deny the talent in Daniel Norris, he appears to be the real deal. If he can land on a team that will be patient and allow him to climb through the system at the right pace, that team could have a very good pitcher one day.

Matt Barnes, RHP
UConn - 6'4" 203lbs

This is a guy that I'm super hyped on, Barnes hasn't had the national attention of guys like Purke, Rendon or Cole but has performed just as good if not better. In 2011 thus far he is 7-2 with a 1.04 ERA with 2 complete game shutouts. Barnes has held hitters to just a .149 BAA. Baseball America was quoted "how deep is the 2011 draft? Barnes would have been in the running to be the top college pitcher drafted in 2010".

In 2010, Barnes finished with an 8-3 record and led his team in strikeouts with 75 in 82.2 innings. In the summer of 2010 he pitched for the USA collegiate team going 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA. I've been reading some scouts compare Barnes to John Smoltz, with his ability to battle and stay in games, just his overall competitive drive.

Barnes fastball sits in the mid nineties and it has some good late movement. He has tremendous control of his entire pitching arsenal, throwing everything for strikes. Barnes will likely slide outside the top 10, being a steal for any team that gets him.

Jackie Bradley Jr., OF
South Carolina - 5'10" 175lbs - B/T L/R

After huge seasons in 2009 and 2010, Bradley began the 2011 season with some lofty expectations and hasn't lived up to them at all. Bradley got off to a good start but since hasn't been able to get anything going at all.

In 2011 he's hitting just .259 with 6HR, 26RBI and a .361 OBP. He also has just 1 stolen base in 2 attempts. For a guy that is known for speed, that's just not going to cut it. His power has taken a dive as well, in 2010 he hit .368 with 13 home runs, 56 runs scored and 60 RBI in 67 games. Bradley has been out with a wrist injury since April 23 and was quoted via twitter "something is torn inside there". Turns out he could possibly miss the remainder of the season with a torn ligament. I honestly wouldn't be that surprised, given the depth of this years draft, to see Bradley knocked out of the first round. However, positional players aren't as deep as pitchers, which bodes well for Bradley's draft status.

Thanks for reading and checking back with Cans of Corn. Next week we will bring you 5 more talented young players looking to go in the first round of this years MLB draft.