Major League Baseball's amateur draft will be held from June 7th-9th, so we're going to introduce you to some of the top players available between now and then.
The 2010 draft class features one truly elite high school righthander in Jameson Taillon, but Karsten Whitson of Chipley High School in Florida isn't far behind him. He offers a nice 6-foot-4, 195 lb. frame that scouts can dream on, but unlike most other prep pitchers, he also offers command and poise beyond his years.
ESPN's Keith Law (sub. req'd) recently ranked Whitson as the fifth best player available this year while Baseball America had him 15th. MLB.com's Draft Report says he throws his fastball in the 91-96 mph range, and also features a swing-and-miss slider, an average changeup and good command. As I already said, it's Whitson's mound presence and polish that really separates him from the pack. The MLB.com link offers video.
High school arms carry the stereotype of being the riskiest demographic among amateurs, so it's often hard to predict where they'll be selected. Baseball America's Jim Callis projected to the Cubs to take Whitson 16th overall, while Law doesn't think he'll last quite that long, instead going 11th overall to the Blue Jays (sub. req'd for both). It's tough to envision him falling past the Red Sox at 20.
Second best pitcher in this draft class.
I think AZ should take him at 6. Why not? Other than Tailon and Harper – there isnt alot out there… Pomeranz is fine. Mcquire? meh. I draft this kid if i am AZ.
Please please please fall to the Jays. They’ve been scouting him heavily and I know they will jump all over a top 5 or 6 guy if he gets to 11.
The Jays seem to do really well with their pitching picks, but I guess I’m just not seeing what’s here to rant and rave about. 3 pitches? He’s still straight out of HS and it’s still a huge crap shoot.
Very good velocity, clean delivery, major league pedigree (Ed Whitson) and absolutely unheard of command for a HS kid. What’s not to like?
Also, a chance at three plus pitches.
I dont think he gets down to Toronto. There just arent alot of pitchers to take ahead of him.