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Post by Dale on Sept 4, 2014 15:50:07 GMT -6
2014 Texas Collegiate League Top 10 Prospects (BA) 4. Cannon Chadwick, rhp, Brazos Valley (So., Arkansas)
At just 6-foot and 200 pounds, the stocky Chadwick doesn’t have the ideal build of a prospect, and with a fastball that sits at 89-90 mph, he doesn’t have the eye-popping velocity of a prospect. But what he does have is a deceptive delivery and a true plus slider that devastated opposing hitters this summer and during his freshman campaign at Paris (Texas) JC. Chadwick struck out 68 hitters and recorded a 1.14 ERA in 71 innings with the Dragons, and he didn’t miss a beat this summer, posting eight saves and 25 strikeouts in 20 innings for Brazos Valley. The Arkansas commit has the chance to make an immediate impact at the back end of the Razorbacks’ bullpen next season, as he has exceptional polish for a young pitcher and the right mentality to go along with his excellent repertoire. He commands both his fastball and slider very well, throws both for strikes consistently, and uses both pitches at any point in the count. His fastball is effective because it’s heavy, and the small hitch at the top of his delivery adds deception that disrupts the timing of opposing hitters. But his slider is his go-to out pitch, as he is capable of throwing it 83-84 mph with sharp, late break that often leaves hitters flailing at the pitch. Bombers coach Curt Dixon also raved about his bulldog mentality and his willingness to go right after hitters in pressure situations. He would be more effective if he added some velocity, which could be possible if he commits himself to the weight room once he gets to Arkansas. But his two-pitch mix and ability to command both pitches should make him an effective reliever in the SEC almost immediately.
8. Carson Shaddy, c, Texas (R-Fr., Arkansas)
The 2013 Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year, Shaddy redshirted for the Razorbacks in the spring. But he may have inserted himself into the starting catching discussion after an excellent summer in which his defensive ability and improving offensive game were on full display. Standing just 5-foot-10 and weighing just 170 pounds, Shaddy isn’t built like a prototypical catcher, but his size and athleticism help him move well behind the plate and coaches raved about his blocking ability. He registered pop times between 1.90 and 1.95 seconds thanks more to his excellent footwork and quick release than his raw arm strength. Shaddy is still a work in progress offensively, but he has a mature approach at the plate and a quick bat that should help him hit for average. At one point in the middle of July he was slashing .324/.440/.471 in more than 100 at-bats, but he seemed to tire down the stretch and finished with a .271/.383/.393 slash line in 140 at-bats to go along with two home runs, 25 walks, and 36 strikeouts. He doesn’t have a lot of present pop and still has trouble recognizing offspeed stuff out of the zone, but he just turned 20 years old and could add plenty of muscle to his smallish frame, so gap-to-gap power is a legitimate possibility.
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Post by Dale on Sept 12, 2014 8:36:20 GMT -6
Futures League Top 10 Prospects (BA)2. Luke Bonfield, of, Martha’s Vineyard (Fr., Arkansas)
The Mets drafted Bonfield in the 21st round this June, but the 6-foot-2 outfielder decided to go to Arkansas instead. He’ll be entering his freshman season this year and had a stellar summer with Martha’s Vineyard in the Futures League.
In 58 at-bats, Bonfield hit .483 with six doubles, two triples and six home runs. That kind of production with the bat was Bonfield’s calling card in the draft—the only reason he slipped so far is because of questions about his arm and running ability. Ranked No. 187 in the BA 500, Bonfield will have to continue hitting in college to overcome a tough profile. He’s got an unorthodox swing at the plate, combining a deep load and high leg kick, but it’s worked out well for him so far. Left field is likely his future position, and one league executive said that Bonfield would be a “legitimate top-five-round pick in a few years.”
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Post by Dale on Sept 15, 2014 16:10:11 GMT -6
Northwoods League Top 10 Prospects (BA) 2. Zach Jackson, rhp, Wisconsin Rapids (So., Arkansas)
Jackson was a second-team All-American out of Berryhill (Okla.) High before becoming a key bullpen arm for Arkansas this spring, throwing 42 innings with 8.8 strikeouts per nine. He showed swing-and-miss stuff in the rotation this summer and was considered one of the most talented righthanders in the league. Jackson brandished a fastball that sat 91-94, touching 95, which he complemented with one of the best breaking balls in the league, a slider. His changeup is still developing and will be one of the keys for him to the stay in the rotation. The 6-foot-3 Jackson registered 14.1 strikeouts per nine this summer while walking 5.3.
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Post by razorbaxfan1 on Sept 15, 2014 18:16:16 GMT -6
Jackson has serious upside. I think he has a breakout year in 2015.
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