May 27, 2005

Andy Ferguson
TeamOneBaseball.com

The first year event drew 19 players. Many of the invited prospects were still competing in high school state playoffs, or were still alive in college competition. The players that were able to attend really put on a great show in an afternoon showcase, and a controlled evening game under the lights.

Given the number of players we had, we decided to not only select the Top 5 prospects, but to also write about the best tools and write scouting reports on each player. The talent was too good to leave any player out. This story contains the Top 5 prospects along with the top tools, click the link below to see the complete group of scouting reports.

The Top 5 prospects were selected based on their value today as professional prospects. They were selected by myself, Steve Bernhardt (Baseball Factory VP of Baseball Operations) and Jeff Spelman (Founder and Director of Team One Baseball).

Special thanks to Matt Kirby (Baseball Factory DV Director) and Jeff Spelman for the pictures below.

1. Seth Bobbitt RHP, 6-1, 188, Birmingham, AL
Drafted in 2001 by the Houston Astros out of Birmingham Southern University (where he was an NAIA All American), played 2001 and 2002 seasons in Astros organization
There just are not that many guys that can throw 97 mph. Bobbitt is one of them, and he did it in only his second outing in three years (he threw a bullpen a week before throwing for us May 24). Through the two innings I had him on the gun (JUGS), his fastball sat between 93 and 95 mph and touched 96 and 97 mph several times each. He pitched mainly from an over top slot, but did show a two-seam fastball from a three quarter angle (it was 90-91 mph with occasional plus run). His curveball (77-82 mph) had tight spin and wanted to break, but never really turned over like I think it could. His shoulders get uphill some in his delivery, which flattened out some fastballs and didn't allow him to snap the curveball. He also threw a nasty change-up (81-84 mph) a few times, he showed as much feel for this pitch as any of his others. His arm is lightning quick, and his delivery is balanced and easy. He has three years of rust to work off, and it showed in his outing as would be expected. His arm is young given his time off, and once he starts throwing regularly again he has potential to move quickly through a minor league system. We will post photos, video and have a full feature of Bobbitt in the next 4-5 days.

2. Denny Duron SS/2B, R/R, 5-11, 175, Evangel Christian (LA) HS
Signed with Pepperdine University
Duron was the most complete player at the event, it is hard to find a weakness in his game. He was the best runner (6.68 60yds), best defensive player, had the third ranked throwing arm, and was third in power frequency. He was not out of the top five in any tool. He is amazingly gifted athletically, and even more gifted with natural baseball ability. At the plate, his stroke was loose and easy. His barrel stayed in the hitting zone for a long time and he created great backspin which allowed him to drive the ball easily though the gaps with a wood bat. He has some wrap in his setup and load that would make you think he would struggle to get the barrel into the zone, but he showed no trouble with this against Seth Bobbitt's mid 90's fastball. He had four quality at bats and stole several bases, is the kind of offensive player that makes things happen. Defensively, he could probably play anywhere on the field and be among the best. His infield actions were quick and easy, and his arm is good enough to play anywhere on the field. He relies on his athletic ability right now, if there is somewhere to nitpick it would be his mechanics (but that really digging?). He reminds me of Michael Young, shortstop for the Texas Rangers. If he does not get drafted high out of high school, he certainly will be after three years at Pepperdine.

3. Neil Wagner RHP, 6-0, 200, North Dakota State University
Wagner featured a fastball with great downward plane. It also had steady arm side life from his over top slot, and was anywhere between 86 and 94 mph. He pitched in the 90-93 mph range mostly, both from the windup and the stretch. He commanded the arm side of the plate very well with his fastball, and showed he could use the opposite arm side of the plate as well. He mostly went to that side of the plate with his curveball (73-78 mph). The first few he threw were a little flat, but had tight spin. As he settled in, the pitch showed more depth and a sharper break with slight tilt. He had great feel for the pitch, threw it both for strikes and for outs. I saw a change-up between innings that had big arm side run, but never saw it while I was behind home plate. He worked quickly, and filled up the strike zone ? went right after hitters. He showed the best control and pitchability of any pitcher at the workout. His body can improve some, can tighten up and add some strength. Has the stuff and ability to pitch, along with a simple and repeatable delivery, that allowed me to look at him as a guy that can throw a lot of innings.

4. Jeremy Synan 2B/OF, L/R, 6-1, 185, NE Guilford (NC) HS
Signed with NC State University
Synan was without question the best offensive prospect at the workout. His hands were excellent to the ball and through the zone. He featured a short stroke, and stayed closed very well with his body ? allowing him to whip the barrel through contact and create tremendous backspin. He drove the ball consistently to center and left center fields, with home run power to that part of the field. He had rhythm to his prep and overall stroke, and showed a sweet and low effort left handed swing. He worked out as a middle infielder, and showed good body control. His actions were a little slow and big, at least too much so for the shortstop side of the bag. He looked better at second base, especially on double play balls. His arm would be playable from shortstop, his throws had some carry despite a slightly stiff release where his front shoulder flew open. He kept his feet underneath him well, which is the most encouraging thing for him as an infielder in my opinion. Our consensus was to try him at second base to start with, in order to try and give his offensive ability as much value as possible. If that does not work out, he does all the things you would want from a corner outfielder (6.80 and 6.85 60yds, arm in the 40 range on the 20-80 ML scale, has athletic ability) ? though his bat would lose some value there.

5. Milton Sistrunk OF, R/R, 6-2, 200, Northwest Shoals (AL) CC
Sistrunk is the classic body, run, throw guy. He is an impressive young man to look at ? I wrote "wow" on my notes because of his high waist, long limbs, and gradually widening frame. He ran 6.71 twice in the 60-yard dash, along with a 6.77. His arm was the best we saw all day, would grade out in the 55 range on the 20-80 ML scale. Just looking at the run and throw numbers, you could see giving him a shot at any of the outfield positions ? he never really got tested on any balls hit his way during the games. At the plate he showed a loose stroke. His bat speed is a little of a question, mostly because of a tendency for his front shoulder to move up and out to start his hands into the zone. He also lost his hold on the ground with his front foot, causing him to lose some torque and to make contact too far out front with a slight uphill plane through the zone. He hit several balls hard, and drove some to left field. There is offensive potential to work with, though the flying front side is a slight concern. He is no doubt athletic enough to learn, and the balance to his stroke is there to hit ? just not there for consistent power quite yet. He was recruited to play Division I football out of high school, yet another indicator to the athletic ability and potential he has to work with. He may be a little farther away than some other guys right now, but his upside is high and worth the money to sign him and time to work with him.

The rest of the players are listed alphabetically below.

Click the link below to see the scouting reports for these players.

Complete Player Reports

Brett Basham C, R/R, 6-2, 185, Bearden (TN) HS
Signed with Ole Miss

Hunter Davis RHP, 6-2, 180, Jacksonville (FL) University

Stephan Davis 1B, R/R, 6-0, 215, Hillsborough (FL) HS

Neal Frontz RHP, 6-4, 190, Jacksonville (FL) University

Ryan Grant C, R/R, 6-3, 195, Bishop Hendricken (RI) HS

DeWayne Johnson IF/OF, R/R, 6-3, 200, Rust College (MS)

Jordan Karcher RHP/1B, S/R, 6-5, 215, Shaler (PA) HS

Joshua Labiche RHP/OF, R/R, 6-2, 170, Riverside Academy (LA)

Michael Lobacz 3B, L/R, 6-2, 195, Blessed Trinity (GA) HS
Signed with Young Harris College

DeAngelo Mack OF, L/L, 5-10, 180, Airport (SC) HS
Signed with University of South Carolina

Justin McClanahan SS/2B/3B, S/R, 6-1, 190, Northwest Shoals (AL) CC

Bradley McPeek 1B, L/R, 6-1, 200, Cumberland Gap (TN) HS

Chris Novikoff RHP, 6-6, 215, Christian Academy (TN)
Signed with University of Memphis

George Pope 2B/3B, R/R, 6-2, 190, Savannah State (GA) University

Best Tools

Running (60-yard dash)
6.68 Denny Duron
6.71 Milton Sistrunk
6.80 Jeremy Synan

Arm Strength
1. Milton Sistrunk
2. Brett Basham
3. Denny Duron

Hitting
1. Jeremy Synan
2. Justin McClanahan
3. DeAngelo Mack

Raw Power
1. Jeremy Synan
2. Justin McClanahan
3. Stephan Davis

Power Frequency
1. Jeremy Synan
2. Justin McClanahan
3. Denny Duron

Fastball
1. Seth Bobbitt
2. Neil Wagner
3. Neal Frontz

Curveball
1. Hunter Davis
2. Neal Frontz
3. Neil Wagner

Control
1. Neil Wagner
2. Neal Frontz
3. Hunter Davis