Kershaw Leaps To Front Of Tepid Prep Class
Position players lacking among high schoolers
By Jim Callis
April 21, 2006
In the eyes of scouts, assessing talent for the 2006 draft has been a challenge. Many of the projected early picks from the college and high school crops haven't lived up to expectations, and precious few players have stepped up to fill the void.
"There hasn't been much performance out of the high school class," a National League scouting director said. "It's been a real tough year, as tough as it's been in a real long time. It's a little more difficult when guys aren't showing the 'usability' of their tools."
One exception is Clayton Kershaw, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound lefthander from Highland Park High in Dallas. Projected as a second- or third-round choice entering the season, he now ranks as the best prep prospect.
"Kershaw has thrown better than any high school pitcher," an American League scouting director said. "He's been up to 95 with life and a plus breaking ball."
Kershaw, who pitched for USA Baseball's junior national team last summer, has a reputation for pounding the bottom of the strike zone, and his stuff has gotten better this spring. His fastball has risen from 88-92 mph in the past, to sitting in the low-to-mid 90s this spring. Even more significant, his curveball has improved to give him a legitimate second above-average pitch.
That he's lefthanded, has a large, athletic frame and repeats his delivery well are more points in his favor. Another is that he has performed consistently well all spring. A Texas A&M recruit, Kershaw fanned 18 in Highland Park's district opener, then broke the school's career record for wins by picking up his 32nd in his next start.
"That's the best I've seen him," said a NL crosschecker on hand for the latter outing. "He was mid-90s with a good curveball and even hit a home run. He would have been good against anybody that night."
Concerns Dog Top Arms
Kershaw stands out the most in a high school class dominated by pitching. But making the 2006 draft all the more confusing, several of the top arms come with question marks.
The Woodlands (Texas) High righthander Kyle Drabek has as much pure physical ability and aptitude as anyone. Though the son of former Cy Young Award winner Doug Drabek stands just 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, he delivers a mid-90s fastball and two quality breaking balls with ease. He's also a gifted shortstop with some power in his bat, and if scouts didn't prefer him as a pitcher he might be the first high school middle infielder drafted.
Kasey Kiker of Russell County High (Seale, Ala.) has arguably the best raw arm strength among prep lefthanders. He regularly hits 95-96 mph for the defending national high school champions.
Yet Drabek and Kiker may not go as high as their talent alone would warrant. Scouts have expressed worries about their makeup, both on and off the diamond.
"(Drabek) will still go in the first round . . . but you better do your homework on him. Kasey Kiker, too," a second AL scouting director said. "On the mound, they're both top 10 picks. But with all the other stuff, it's hard to pick those guys."
Stillwater (Okla.) High lefthander Brett Anderson presents a different puzzle. The son of Frank Anderson, a noted pitching coach at Texas before becoming head coach at Oklahoma State, Brett is extremely polished. One NL scouting director called him a high school pitcher with college-level polish and said, "It's obvious he's been well-schooled by his dad." He has a low-90s fastball that rates as his third-best pitch at times, behind his curveball and changeup.
The only thing that doesn't fit is his lack of athleticism. Anderson's 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame is a little soft, and he has trouble fielding bunts and covering first base. That probably won't keep him from being the second high school lefty drafted.
"He's not athletic, but he has great command for his age," the first AL scouting director said. "I can't think of any lefthanded high school pitcher in the last five or six years with command like he's got. He has a special feel for throwing strikes."
Other prep arms who figure to go in the first round are Fountain Valley (Calif.) High righty Chris Tillman, who's very projectable at 6-foot-7 and 185 pounds; Halifax County High (South Boston, Va.) righty Jeremy Jeffress, who has shown a mid-90s fastball; and Mansfield (Texas) High righty Jordan Walden.
Walden, who ranked No. 1 on Baseball America's preseason high school prospects list, has been inconsistent with his top-end velocity (high 90s on his best days) and command this spring. Two righthanders from Florida, Colton Willems (John Carroll Catholic High, Fort Pierce) and Matt Latos (Coconut Creek High), also could pitch their way into the first round.
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