Baseball: Players To Watch For The Draft
June 07, 2009
The MLB Draft starts Tuesday night and these players plan on having their names called.
By Peter Schinkai
pschinkai@themacdaily.com
Just about every young baseball player dreams of growing up to play in the majors. Whether he's a flashy, young pitcher from Chicago that dreams of playing in Wrigley Field or a power-hitting first baseman from Georgia that wants to play for Bobby Cox and his Braves.
For another group of young men, they'll be coming closer to achieving those dreams on Tuesday, when Major League Baseball holds its annual draft at 9 p.m.
Below is a look at the best prospects from the Mid-American Conference.
Marc Krauss
(LF, Ohio)
Marc Krauss is the best baseball player that the Bobcats have had in a generation. He's a home run hitting machine, that also carries a high average. An All-American selection this year, Krauss finished his junior campaign by hitting .402 with an Ohio record 27 home runs and tying the school mark with 70 RBIs.
Despite putting up those incredible numbers, Krauss' stock has dropped in the eyes of some big league clubs. Coming into this season, Krauss was named the No. 27 prospect by Baseball America Magazine, but right now, he's being seen as a late fifth rounder.
There is no doubt that Krauss will get drafted, and that he's ready to make the leap. The only question is if he'd be better served financially by waiting one more season before going pro.
TMD Projection: Late 4th Round
Jon Pokorny
(LHP, Kent State)
It always seems that the hottest commodity in baseball is a left-handed reliever that can get outs. Pokorny is just that.
The Kent State closer finished the year with a stellar 2.20 ERA, a 5-2 record and 5 saves. He also had an impressive 3.31 K/BB ration.
The biggest draw back facing Pokorny right now is not that Kent State is in the MAC or that they didn't reach the College World Series. Instead, his biggest hurdle right now is that he ended up splitting time at closer with freshman phenom Andrew Chafin. Still, that was a dominant 1-2 combo and Pokorny is a great developmental talent for any MLB bullpen.
TMD Projection: 5th Round
Kyle Smith
(RHP, Kent State)
Smith's trip to The Show might not be as easy as Pokorny's or Krauss', but that doesn't mean that he is not worth drafting. His 4.79 ERA was impressive. More so was his ability ability to find ways to win all season.
He doesn't have the hype of his fellow KSU starter Brad Stillings, but he makes up for that by being a little more reliable. That's a trait that every big league team wants.
TMD Projection: Late 5th Round
Other Players To Watch: Brad Stillings (RHP, Kent State); Dan Taylor (LHP, Central Michigan); Jeremy Hazelbaker (CF, Ball State); Kyle Rhoad (OH, Eastern Michigan); Ryan Shay (IF, Bowling Green).
pschinkai@themacdaily.com
Just about every young baseball player dreams of growing up to play in the majors. Whether he's a flashy, young pitcher from Chicago that dreams of playing in Wrigley Field or a power-hitting first baseman from Georgia that wants to play for Bobby Cox and his Braves.
For another group of young men, they'll be coming closer to achieving those dreams on Tuesday, when Major League Baseball holds its annual draft at 9 p.m.
Below is a look at the best prospects from the Mid-American Conference.
Marc Krauss
(LF, Ohio)
Marc Krauss is the best baseball player that the Bobcats have had in a generation. He's a home run hitting machine, that also carries a high average. An All-American selection this year, Krauss finished his junior campaign by hitting .402 with an Ohio record 27 home runs and tying the school mark with 70 RBIs.
Despite putting up those incredible numbers, Krauss' stock has dropped in the eyes of some big league clubs. Coming into this season, Krauss was named the No. 27 prospect by Baseball America Magazine, but right now, he's being seen as a late fifth rounder.
There is no doubt that Krauss will get drafted, and that he's ready to make the leap. The only question is if he'd be better served financially by waiting one more season before going pro.
TMD Projection: Late 4th Round
Jon Pokorny
(LHP, Kent State)
It always seems that the hottest commodity in baseball is a left-handed reliever that can get outs. Pokorny is just that.
The Kent State closer finished the year with a stellar 2.20 ERA, a 5-2 record and 5 saves. He also had an impressive 3.31 K/BB ration.
The biggest draw back facing Pokorny right now is not that Kent State is in the MAC or that they didn't reach the College World Series. Instead, his biggest hurdle right now is that he ended up splitting time at closer with freshman phenom Andrew Chafin. Still, that was a dominant 1-2 combo and Pokorny is a great developmental talent for any MLB bullpen.
TMD Projection: 5th Round
Kyle Smith
(RHP, Kent State)
Smith's trip to The Show might not be as easy as Pokorny's or Krauss', but that doesn't mean that he is not worth drafting. His 4.79 ERA was impressive. More so was his ability ability to find ways to win all season.
He doesn't have the hype of his fellow KSU starter Brad Stillings, but he makes up for that by being a little more reliable. That's a trait that every big league team wants.
TMD Projection: Late 5th Round
Other Players To Watch: Brad Stillings (RHP, Kent State); Dan Taylor (LHP, Central Michigan); Jeremy Hazelbaker (CF, Ball State); Kyle Rhoad (OH, Eastern Michigan); Ryan Shay (IF, Bowling Green).