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Taillon, Wolters Shine At Aflac
Harper's three K's stand out in San Diego
By Dave Perkin
August 17, 2009
SAN DIEGO—The 2009 Aflac All-America Game was dominated by two distinctly different elite high school baseball prospects. Righthander Jameson Taillon is a near perfect pitching prospect. Middle infielder Tony Wolters, who was named MVP of the game, is noticeably unimpressive in build and tools, but inevitably impressive in results.
Played at Petco Park, pitching dominated the game, which ended in a 4-4 tie after 10 innings. The squads were split into an East and West team.
Taillon (The Woodlands, Texas, HS) is an ideal prep pitching prospect, appearing to be formed out of a scout's dream. Solidly constructed at 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds, he comfortably draws comparisons to Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg.
Taillon easily fires a blistering 93 to 95 mph fastball that peaks at 96. He adds a wicked 82 mph curve, a vicious breaking ball that is already a plus big league pitch.
After registering one strikeout in a quick first inning, Taillon breezed through the second frame, striking out the side while barely breaking a sweat.
"Nooooo contest," a scout said behind home plate.
Wolters (Rancho Buena Vista HS, Vista, Calif.) looks more like the neighborhood paper boy than a top prospect. Charitably listed at 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, Wolters has a squat build and possesses no standout tools. As an example, he ran a pedestrian 7.15 60-yard dash in the SPARQ testing at the Area Code Games.
Wolters' strengths are subtle. He won't hit 500-foot homers, get down the line in 3.9 seconds, or throw a 95 mph heater. As Leo Durocher once said of Eddie Stanky, "All the little (guy) can do is win."
A lefthanded-hitting middle infielder who profiles as a second baseman in pro ball, Wolters is an intelligent hitter with an advanced approach. He ripped an outside 92 mph fastball to left for a hit early in the game. In the ninth, Wolters smartly dropped the bat head down to catch up to a low inside pitch, driving it down the right-field line for a triple which tied the score.
Defensively, Wolters reads the ball coming off the bat unusually well, permitting him to add crucial steps to his lateral range. He exhibits quality fielding actions, an accurate arm and the ability to make difficult and routine plays efficiently and without flash.
Spotlight Burns
Bryce Harper (Las Vegas HS), the 16-year-old catching phenom, was the marquee attraction at the Aflac game, and while he showed his premium defensive tools, his offensive performance was underwhelming. He grounded out twice and struck out three times, rifling his batting helmet into the dugout after his third whiff.
Over the past several weeks, scouts have been whispering that Harper was off of his game. Those suspicions were validated in San Diego. He could not catch up to a decent fastball and was badly fooled by every curve, flailing and missing badly. Harper's swing, sound previously, has gone backwards. He is far too long on the back end, he is lunging and diving at pitches, and his timing is drastically inconsistent.
Harper is the subject of more publicity than any high school player in history, some of the hype coming from this publication. Most of it came when Sports Illustrated placed Harper on its cover and proclaimed him "The Chosen One." Currently, Harper is attempting to finish high school two years early in order to play at CC of Southern Nevada and be draft eligible in 2010.
Judging from his ordeal on Sunday night, no 16-year-old, no matter how gifted or talented, can reasonably be expected to perform at fantastic or unrealistic levels. Harper undoubtedly felt the pressure of outlandish expectations in San Diego. Perhaps everyone—scouts, media, agents, fans, etc.—should back off Harper a shade and permit him to be a teenager and develop at a less accelerated rate.
Arms Impress
For those who watched the game on television, it's important to note that the radar gun readings shown on the broadcast were quicker than the readings obtained by scouts sitting behind home plate. The in-stadium readings posted on the scoreboard were also inconsistent, tending to be rich early in the game and low later on.
With that in mind, several pitchers stood out in the game. They were all righthanders, but that's only because there were no southpaws on the rosters.
Stetson Allie (St. Edward HS, Olmstead Falls, Ohio), a mature-framed righty, comfortably fired a 93-95 mph fastball and added an 85 mph change and sharp 80 mph slider. Allie is a definite candidate to go in the first round in 2010.
Kevin Gausman (Grandview HS, Centennial, Colo.) was an Area Code standout with his tall and highly projectable frame. He showed a 90-95 fastball with terrific natural sink.
Dylan Covey (Maranatha HS, Pasadena, Calif.) hails from a tiny private school and has big-time stuff. He mixes a 91-94 mph fastball, 83 mph slurve, 81 mph change and 77 mph curve effectively.
Son of 1987 National League Cy Young award winner Steve Bedrosian, Cameron Bedrosian (East Coweta HS, Senoia, Ga.) is shorter and more compact than his dad. Bedrosian struggled with his command, but still displayed a 92-93 mph fastball, 79 mph change, 75 mph curve and an excellent 88 mph spiltter.
Pregame festivities were relatively listless. Most hitters struggled significantly in batting practice, failing to hit the ball with authority. Josh Sale, Austin Wilson and Stefan Sabol were among the few to impress in BP. Pregame infield and outfield was also substandard.
The home run derby was won by Yordy Cabrera (Lakeland, Fla., HS). Cabrera is an older, more mature high schooler whose uppercut, pull-oriented swing enables him to drive the ball deep to left center. He'll be 20 years old a few months after his graduation in 2010.
Taillon, Wolters Shine At Aflac
Harper's three K's stand out in San Diego
By Dave Perkin
August 17, 2009
SAN DIEGO—The 2009 Aflac All-America Game was dominated by two distinctly different elite high school baseball prospects. Righthander Jameson Taillon is a near perfect pitching prospect. Middle infielder Tony Wolters, who was named MVP of the game, is noticeably unimpressive in build and tools, but inevitably impressive in results.
Played at Petco Park, pitching dominated the game, which ended in a 4-4 tie after 10 innings. The squads were split into an East and West team.
Taillon (The Woodlands, Texas, HS) is an ideal prep pitching prospect, appearing to be formed out of a scout's dream. Solidly constructed at 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds, he comfortably draws comparisons to Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg.
Taillon easily fires a blistering 93 to 95 mph fastball that peaks at 96. He adds a wicked 82 mph curve, a vicious breaking ball that is already a plus big league pitch.
After registering one strikeout in a quick first inning, Taillon breezed through the second frame, striking out the side while barely breaking a sweat.
"Nooooo contest," a scout said behind home plate.
Wolters (Rancho Buena Vista HS, Vista, Calif.) looks more like the neighborhood paper boy than a top prospect. Charitably listed at 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, Wolters has a squat build and possesses no standout tools. As an example, he ran a pedestrian 7.15 60-yard dash in the SPARQ testing at the Area Code Games.
Wolters' strengths are subtle. He won't hit 500-foot homers, get down the line in 3.9 seconds, or throw a 95 mph heater. As Leo Durocher once said of Eddie Stanky, "All the little (guy) can do is win."
A lefthanded-hitting middle infielder who profiles as a second baseman in pro ball, Wolters is an intelligent hitter with an advanced approach. He ripped an outside 92 mph fastball to left for a hit early in the game. In the ninth, Wolters smartly dropped the bat head down to catch up to a low inside pitch, driving it down the right-field line for a triple which tied the score.
Defensively, Wolters reads the ball coming off the bat unusually well, permitting him to add crucial steps to his lateral range. He exhibits quality fielding actions, an accurate arm and the ability to make difficult and routine plays efficiently and without flash.
Spotlight Burns
Bryce Harper (Las Vegas HS), the 16-year-old catching phenom, was the marquee attraction at the Aflac game, and while he showed his premium defensive tools, his offensive performance was underwhelming. He grounded out twice and struck out three times, rifling his batting helmet into the dugout after his third whiff.
Over the past several weeks, scouts have been whispering that Harper was off of his game. Those suspicions were validated in San Diego. He could not catch up to a decent fastball and was badly fooled by every curve, flailing and missing badly. Harper's swing, sound previously, has gone backwards. He is far too long on the back end, he is lunging and diving at pitches, and his timing is drastically inconsistent.
Harper is the subject of more publicity than any high school player in history, some of the hype coming from this publication. Most of it came when Sports Illustrated placed Harper on its cover and proclaimed him "The Chosen One." Currently, Harper is attempting to finish high school two years early in order to play at CC of Southern Nevada and be draft eligible in 2010.
Judging from his ordeal on Sunday night, no 16-year-old, no matter how gifted or talented, can reasonably be expected to perform at fantastic or unrealistic levels. Harper undoubtedly felt the pressure of outlandish expectations in San Diego. Perhaps everyone—scouts, media, agents, fans, etc.—should back off Harper a shade and permit him to be a teenager and develop at a less accelerated rate.
Arms Impress
For those who watched the game on television, it's important to note that the radar gun readings shown on the broadcast were quicker than the readings obtained by scouts sitting behind home plate. The in-stadium readings posted on the scoreboard were also inconsistent, tending to be rich early in the game and low later on.
With that in mind, several pitchers stood out in the game. They were all righthanders, but that's only because there were no southpaws on the rosters.
Stetson Allie (St. Edward HS, Olmstead Falls, Ohio), a mature-framed righty, comfortably fired a 93-95 mph fastball and added an 85 mph change and sharp 80 mph slider. Allie is a definite candidate to go in the first round in 2010.
Kevin Gausman (Grandview HS, Centennial, Colo.) was an Area Code standout with his tall and highly projectable frame. He showed a 90-95 fastball with terrific natural sink.
Dylan Covey (Maranatha HS, Pasadena, Calif.) hails from a tiny private school and has big-time stuff. He mixes a 91-94 mph fastball, 83 mph slurve, 81 mph change and 77 mph curve effectively.
Son of 1987 National League Cy Young award winner Steve Bedrosian, Cameron Bedrosian (East Coweta HS, Senoia, Ga.) is shorter and more compact than his dad. Bedrosian struggled with his command, but still displayed a 92-93 mph fastball, 79 mph change, 75 mph curve and an excellent 88 mph spiltter.
Pregame festivities were relatively listless. Most hitters struggled significantly in batting practice, failing to hit the ball with authority. Josh Sale, Austin Wilson and Stefan Sabol were among the few to impress in BP. Pregame infield and outfield was also substandard.
The home run derby was won by Yordy Cabrera (Lakeland, Fla., HS). Cabrera is an older, more mature high schooler whose uppercut, pull-oriented swing enables him to drive the ball deep to left center. He'll be 20 years old a few months after his graduation in 2010.
