Holding three selections within the first 36 picks of the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been linked on multiple occasions to college pitchers.
However, the organization can go a multitude of routes with their draft picks, including one being gambling on talented prep pitcher(s) who may fall due to signability concerns. With that in mind, the following youngsters are some to keep in mind.
Ian Anderson, Shenendehowa High School (NY)
Position: RHP
Ht/Wt: 6’3/190
B/T: Right/Right
DOB: 5/2/1998
Anderson is one of the wild cards in this year’s draft. He goes to high school in New York, so he’s had to deal with a very wet Northeast spring, and he’s also been hampered by an oblique injury as well as a case of pneumonia.
However, when healthy, Anderson shows promising stuff and a good deal of projection. He has a whippy arm action, slinging fastballs in the low 90s, touching the mid 90s. His arm is loose and he’s pretty skinny, leading most evaluators to believe there’s more in the tank.
His curveball flashes plus and he also will throw the occasional changeup. A look at Anderson’s delivery:
With few looks this spring and a Vanderbilt commitment, Anderson could end up on campus when all is said and done. However, a team like the Dodgers with multiple early picks could lure him away from college and add yet another promising arm to their stable of pitching prospects.
CONTINUE READING: Local product Matt Manning
Matt Manning, Sheldon High School (CA)
Position: RHP
Ht/Wt: 6’6/185
B/T: Right/Right
DOB: 1/28/1998
A two-sport athlete, Manning is the son of former NBA player Rich Manning. Matt led his basketball team to the playoffs this year, limiting his time on the mound during the spring. However, he’s already shown the athleticism and arm strength scouts covet.
Manning pitched the ninth inning of last year’s Perfect Game All-American Classic, striking out Grant Bodison. This spring he’s been into the mid-to-upper 90s, sitting more comfortably in the low-to-mid 90s.
Manning’s curveball comes and goes but shows the potential to be plus. He’ll need to refine his changeup to remain in a rotation. He gets good extension, which allows his fastball to play up.
Understandably raw, Manning has a huge ceiling but a significant floor. His bonus demands are also believed to be substantial. If the Dodgers take him at No. 20, he’d require more than slot, but he could end up being a bargain.
CONTINUE READING: Left-handed pitcher/first baseman/right fielder
Joey Wentz, Shawnee Mission East High School (KS)
Position(s): LHP, 1B, RF
Ht/Wt: 6’5/210
B/T: Left/Left
DOB: 10/6/1997
Wentz came into the showcase/tournament circuit last year as a top-hitting prospect. He showed prodigious power, winning the Home Run Derby before the 2015 MLB All-Star Game.
However, when the season started and he was into the mid 90s with a promising breaking ball, evaluators decided Wentz’s future was on the mound.
While his velocity dipped as the season wore on, Wentz pitched mainly in the low 90s while touching 96 mph. He shows both a curveball and a changeup, with a potential three pitch mix as well as a repeatable delivery.
He reminds me of Cole Hamels in his build and delivery, though that’s not to say he’ll go on to be as good as the Texas Rangers’ lefty.
It appeared Wentz pitched himself into the top half of the first round, potentially the top 10, early in the spring. However, with his fastball now sitting near 90, teams are shying away from the Virginia commit. He’d likely require an over-slot deal to sign outside of the top 10.
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