BigEd76 wrote:Rd 15 = Daniel Carpenter, RHP, Martin Luther King HS (CA)
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The Crimson Cyclone wrote:so how did we do?

When Beaver Area High School graduate Austin Ross was forced to miss all of his 2017 season at Radford University after shoulder surgery, he feared his chance of playing at the next level might have slipped away.

Turns out, it had not.

Ross was chosen by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 35th round of the Major League Baseball Draft on Wednesday.

“I was surprised to be honest. They had called me during the 22nd round, but as the rounds got into the 30s, I just figured they had gone a different direction.”

Ross a 6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed pitcher, said that coming into this season, the draft was the furthest thing from his mind.

“After having the surgery, I kind of accepted that the draft might not happen for me. I just focused on working hard and being the best I could be for my team. Then, as the season went along, things kept looking up, and I started hearing from some scouts.”

Ross was named to the Big South Conference first team after beginning this season in a long relief role and joining the starting rotation midway through the season.

In 17 appearances, including 10 starts, he went 9-4 with a 3.54 ERA, striking out 69 batters in 68.2 innings. His ERA ranked fifth best in the conference, and opposing batters hit just .233 against him.

His performance over the course of the season may have drawn the attention of MLB scouts, but Ross believes it was a game against Liberty in the Big South Conference tournament that might have been the difference.

He pitched 5.2 innings and allowed just four hits and one unearned run as the Highlanders won 4-1.

“I pitched pretty well, and I guess my velocity got up to around 95. That’s probably as high as it ever been.”

Ross said he will report to Phillies’ spring training facility in Clearwater, Fla. later this week and expects to be assigned to their short-season Class A team in Williamsport, Pa.

“That will be cool to be that close to home.”

He is eager to take the next step in his career, a step he was not sure he would ever get the chance to take.

“Now it’s just like starting over again. Just like going from high school to college, I am going to work hard, learn as much as I can and see what happens. It should be a lot of fun.”

The junior was a Third Team All-Big Ten selection in 2017 and hit .254 this spring with a team-leading five home runs and 35 RBI to go with a .409 slugging percentage and a .346 on-base percentage. If he returns for his senior year, Matera won't have much leverage, and this may be as high as he'll be selected. There's a good chance he will sign with the Phillies.

Notre Dame center fielder Matt Vierling (5) has a little pop, a little speed and a decent eye, and he doesn't strike out too often. He has really quick hands at the plate, and I think he's the sleeper of the Phillies' crop this year, with everyday player upside if he stays in center.

The other two Pirates drafted — outfielder Dwanya Williams-Sutton in the fifth round by the San Diego Padres and third baseman Connor Litton to the Philadelphia Phillies in the 20th round — also are juniors. All three players are turning pro.
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Litton, who is originally from Big Cove Tannery, Pa., and who transferred to East Carolina from Cowley (Kan.) College, was one of the Pirates’ best defensive players this season along with batting .285 with nine home runs and 38 RBIs in 59 starts.

Wichita State 3B Alec Bohm (1) has 70 raw power and looks like Kris Bryant if you squint, but he needs to make some swing adjustments and improve defensively… Fullerton RHP Colton Eastman (4) sits 90-92 with an above-average changeup and improving curve that’s above average at times. He threw more strikes this year… Notre Dame RF Matt Vierling (5) has above-average raw power, arm strength, and athleticism but likely fits on a corner… Georgia prep SS Kendall Simmons (6) had a rough spring at the plate but looked like a young Addison Russell at times last summer. He’s twitchy and explosive and looks great taking BP but is erratic in games… Seth Lancaster (8) is a rowdy senior-sign shortstop with low-ball power and a terrible mustache. NorCal prep RHP Dominic Pipkin (9) had a down spring, as well. At his best, he peaks at 96 mph with a super loose arm and starter traits… SS Matt Kroon (18) bounced all over the place as an amateur but stuck the landing as a junior at Oklahoma State and had great numbers. He has a utility infield profile, enough arm for the left side, and experience at several infield spots.

The Phillies picked third overall and didn't pick again until the fourth round, pick 107, as a result of signing free agents Jake Arrieta and Carlos Santana. Alec Bohm (1) is a big (6-foot-5, 225), fairly athletic third baseman who projects to hit for average and power, with the arm for third base or right field but a body that might eventually push him to first. He has shown that he can drive the ball to all fields and recognizes off-speed stuff well. He moves better than you'd expect for his size.

Colton Eastman (4) pitches in the upper 80s with tremendous deception in his delivery, and in his two healthy seasons as a starter for Fullerton, he walked 46 total in 204 innings. I think he's a back-end starter because of the command and the plus changeup, even with below-average velocity. Notre Dame center fielder Matt Vierling (5) has a little pop, a little speed and a decent eye, and he doesn't strike out too often. He has really quick hands at the plate, and I think he's the sleeper of the Phillies' crop this year, with everyday player upside if he stays in center. Georgia prep shortstop Logan Simmons (6) probably moves to third base or second, but there's everyday upside in his power if he hits enough to get to it. He'll have to work on his approach and maybe make a swing adjustment or two to get there.

Dominic Pipkin (9) was a two-way player in high school, but his future is on the mound. He's been up to 97 with promising spin on the breaking ball, and I know scouts who think he could hit 100 mph when he fills out, though that would probably be in a relief role.

ReadingPhilly wrote:Seth Lancaster (8) is a rowdy senior-sign shortstop with low-ball power and a terrible mustache. .

Monkeyboy wrote:

ReadingPhilly wrote:Seth Lancaster (8) is a rowdy senior-sign shortstop with low-ball power and a terrible mustache. .

New favorite prospect.

Sorry, smitty