These are players ranked in the 60-90 range on my board that could be targets.
Kevin Cron is the brother of a potent Utah Utes 1B C.J Cron and looks to be bigger and stronger than his older brother long term.
Kevin Cron (1B/C, Mountain Pointe HS)
Kevin Cron is the brother of potent Utah Utes 1B C.J Cron and looks to be bigger and stronger than his older brother long term. He has a nice, short compact swing with solid extension through massive forearms and powerful wrists. He should hit well for power in the future and may exceed my expectations for contact. You think with this bat that he would go higher, but I am bullish on his ability to play any position and he should be a Billy Butler style DH. The Orioles would be a getting a great stick, but other tools may never reach major league average and should make him available after 60 selections.
Adrian Houser (RHP, Locust Grove HS)
Another Oklahoma boy (Bundy, Bradley), Adrian Houser shows more projection than talent at this stage. I feel he has another two gears in him long term. He is long and light in the pants and should grow into a solid starting pitcher long term. He has some feel for a nice fastball in the 92-94 mph range and has hit 96 mph, but is very raw with everything else in his game. I do like his curveball at times, but he tends to throw it way too hard for my taste. If he draws it down a few ticks and moves to a more traditional power curve, it has the chance to be an above average pitch. He has some slight feel for the change up. His mechanics could use some slight cleaning, but I think he is still growing into his body. I suspect that if he were to honor his OU commitment he would be a 1st round pitcher in the future. It is wise to draft and over slot it for him, definitely if he’s available come the 3rd or 4th round.
Tony Zych (RHP, Louisville University)
Tony Zych has a fastball that touches 97-98 mph and slider in the mid to upper 80’s, which makes for a future closer. He has a bulldog approach and his drive matches it. I feel that he should be stuck in the bullpen and worked off both of his high graded pitches, but he is a bit rushed in his delivery. I think it is slightly over the border mechanically, but with two plus potential pitches and improved control it is not out of the question to see him in a major league bullpen as soon as 2012.
Adam McCreery (LHP, Bonita HS)
Adam McCreery is 6’8” and all projection. He is very frail yet still gets his fastball above 90 mph. He shows at times a two plane tight slider. He did battle some arm issues earlier this season, but I feel it is the result of his slight frame and not mechanical,. He gets the ball out late with his enormous stride and quality follow though. I think he is a big man that could have quality command and control. If he gains 30 pounds and starts to get the massive plane potential in his arsenal using his size to a full advantage, he could be a top of the rotation arm.
Daniel Norris is a real projectable left handed pitcher with a solid fastball, a projectable change up, and a workable curve that will have to improve.
Daniel Norris (LHP, Science Hill High)
Daniel Norris is a real projectable left handed pitcher with a solid fastball, a projectable change up, and a workable curve that will have to improve. He’s a pitcher with solid makeup that could make a solid #2 starter. He will likely command over a million at this point which might be too much for many teams.
Anthony Meo (RHP, Coastal Carolina)
Meo is a solid 6’2” pitcher and a guy who has a real heavy fastball that sits in the mid 90’s. He shows a solid slider and a projectable change up that give him the chance to be a solid mid-rotation starter. If he can improve the curveball, you are talking a solid #3 starter who should quickly advance through the system.
Josh Bell (OF, Dallas Jesuit HS)
Josh Bell is likely not in the Orioles’ plans, but a switch hitting outfielder with all of the tools is appealing to anyone. He shows the ability to hit for contact and power as he matures. I see him as a corner outfielder because he should grow into that position if necessary. He is a high risk selection because he most likely will not forgo college. Adding a few million could change the turn, but the Orioles would have one of the best prep arms (Bundy) and best prep hitters in the 2011 draft if they could get him to sign.
