05-24-2010, 09:38 PM
<!--quoteo(post=98072:date=May 24 2010, 04:10 PM:name=Coach)-->QUOTE (Coach @ May 24 2010, 04:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->ESPN has a mock draft up on Insider. They have the Cubs taking RHP Alex Wimmers out of OSU with the 16th pick.
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Wimmers is the closest thing to a Mike Leake this draft class has, although he's not the athlete that Leake is and hasn't pitched in a major baseball conference as Leake did. Wimmers does have a chance to end up with two plus offspeed pitches in his curve and change, and that could very well be enough to offset a grade-45 fastball.
Wimmers will pitch at 88-91 most weeks, maybe showing a few 92s, but he's slight of build, and he's not likely to keep that velocity when he's throwing every fifth day instead of every seventh. At 91, the fastball flattens out, but I've seen some tail on the pitch at 88. His curveball was his out pitch on the Cape last summer, 73-75, sharp with a late downward break, but his changeup has improved dramatically this spring, 77-79 with some downward action of its own. He comes from a slot just over ¾ and takes a long stride, generating good arm speed but still no more than average velocity.
There's some question whether he'll hold up as a starter, but I think average fastball/two plus pitches/control is a starter, until his performance proves otherwise.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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Sounds like they're describing the prospective 116th pick, not the 16th.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->Summary :
Wimmers is the closest thing to a Mike Leake this draft class has, although he's not the athlete that Leake is and hasn't pitched in a major baseball conference as Leake did. Wimmers does have a chance to end up with two plus offspeed pitches in his curve and change, and that could very well be enough to offset a grade-45 fastball.
Wimmers will pitch at 88-91 most weeks, maybe showing a few 92s, but he's slight of build, and he's not likely to keep that velocity when he's throwing every fifth day instead of every seventh. At 91, the fastball flattens out, but I've seen some tail on the pitch at 88. His curveball was his out pitch on the Cape last summer, 73-75, sharp with a late downward break, but his changeup has improved dramatically this spring, 77-79 with some downward action of its own. He comes from a slot just over ¾ and takes a long stride, generating good arm speed but still no more than average velocity.
There's some question whether he'll hold up as a starter, but I think average fastball/two plus pitches/control is a starter, until his performance proves otherwise.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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Sounds like they're describing the prospective 116th pick, not the 16th.
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