At this point in the 2013 Draft season, there seems to be 26 sure fired first round picks. In no particular order:

          RHPs (9) – Mark Appel, Karsten Whitson, Bobby Wahl, Clinton Hollon, Dylan Covey, Ryne Stanek, Jonathan Crawford, Brett Morales and  Ryan Eades.

          LHP – (5) Stephen Gonsalves, Marcos Gonzalez, Trey Ball, Sean Manaea, and Ian Clarkin.

          C (2) – Reese McGuire and Jeremy Martinez

          SS (2) – Andy McGuire and Oscar Mercado

          3B (2) – Kris Bryant and Colin Moran

          OF (6) – Austin Meadows, Austin Wilson. Clint Frazier, William Abreu, Aaron Judge, and Juston Williams

Regarding October Mocks, St. Augustine Prep H.S. (NJ) P Chris Oakley is becoming a regular late pick in the first round. Oakley throws a 91-93 fastball that hits 95, and a 75-78 change-up. My friend, ‘XMLBScout’ said: clean delivery, a bit deliberate and has arm strength, up to 91, good size and is around the plate, St Augie Prep, Egg Harbor NJ, definitely need to see again for 2013.” C2C said: His delivery is simple and deliberate and there isn’t a large amount of effort.  Oakley repeats his delivery well and shows good body control, both of which are impressive from a guy with his frame. He has some present strength and an easy, smooth arm and some think there’s even more room for a tick more velocity as he improves. With the combination of a huge pitchers frame and good present stuff, Oakley shows the potential to find a place in the middle of a rotation at the next level.”  Observation:  I have him as my 25^th pick overall in the first round. He could fall into the supplemental round, but not much further.

We received a Mock Draft to be added to our data base that was prepared by ML Radar on October 22^nd. They had someone named Drew Ward as the 6^th overall pick in the draft, so we thought we should figure out who he is. PG said: “Drew Ward is a 2014 SS/3B with a 6-4 210 lb. frame from Leedey, OK who attends Leedey HS. Big athletic build, extremely strong. 7.13 runner, moves well for his size, very soft hands at the ball, quick release from low arm slot, ball carries well, future position third base. Left handed hitter, balanced stance with big leg raise trigger, weight back, long powerful swing, very patient hitter, maybe too patient at times, ball explodes off the bat when squared, big power all over the field, best contact now left centerfield, high ceiling young hitter. Good student.” They also have him as a 2014 graduate, so we’ll do the research and get back to you here.

One of the big winners of the WWBA seems to be P Jonah Wesley. No one pitcher has been written about more during this tourney. It will be interesting to see how this is reflected in the mock drafts that come out in November and December. We tried to interview him earlier this year, got two questions deep into it and he had to bail due to a tourney he had to go to. We never were able to hook up again.

WWBA-Day 3-4:

Justin Hlubek‏ – @PGJustinHlubek

          Jack Roberts (2013 RHP) sitting 88-91 for the Richmond Braves on Miami 5

 Billy McKinney (2013 OF) with a triple that registered 91 off that bat. TX Scout Team takes early lead over East Cobb 1-0 top 2

Dan Evans‏ – @DanEvans108

 Excellent defensive play by 2014 SS Dalton Guthrie, diving up middle to stop Nick Gordon ball. He’s former MLB LHP Mark’s son.

Todd Gold ‏ – @TGold_PG

2013 RHP Andrew Lantrip (Goodrich, TX) K’d PG All-American MVP Ryan Boldt on nasty 78 CB before huge crowd of scouts to open game

2013 OF Kendall Coleman (Rowlett, TX) projects to be a monster physically, just lined out on an at’em ball that left the bat @ 94

2014 MIF/RHP Nick Gordon (Windemere, FL) leads off inning for FTB/ #Cardinals Scout Team w scorcher 98 mph off the bat.

Big league AB by 2013 1B Nick Longhi (Venice, FL) ends w 3 Run bomb to pull side. Shown tremendous power oppo & to CF all summer

2014 LHP Justus Sheffield (Tullahoma, TN) throws 92 mph FB for strike to open heavily anticipated nightcap

013 RHP Austin Sexton (Madison, AL) hit 90 & showed + 82-83 CH w good arm spd & spun v tight 76 CB. Projectable body, fast arm

6′ 7″ monster 2014 RHP Bryce Montes de Oca (Lawrence, KS) warming up 93-94, 84 CH, 77 CB…this could be fun to watch

Perfect Game USA‏ – @PerfectGameUSA

 2013 RHP Michael Shawaryn (NJ) very impressive striking out the side on 10 pitches sitting 90-91 MPH for Tri State Arsenal

Conor Glassey‏ – @conorglassey

          2014 KS RHP Bryce Montes de Oca sitting 93-95 mph. Huge kid at 6-7, 265

Aaron Fitt‏ – @aaronfitt

 Kris Bryant just punished an 88 mph fastball up and in on his hands, launching a towering HR a little to left of dead CF. Wow.

Kendall Rogers ‏ – @KendallRogersPG

WMU commit 2013 LHP Daniel Ayers w/ a lights out performance for Giants Scout Team! 12 K’s in 5 IP 91 MPH FB

Here’s an intriguing 2013 uncommitted prospect. LHP Jake Brentz for Mets Scout Team was 93-94 in relief tonight. Wow

Texas Tech 2013 RHP Thaddeus Lowery for SF Elite. 90-92 FB, plus 80-82 split CH. durable frame.

ECU has some very nice prospects here. 2013 commit, RHP TJ McDonald, sitting 89-92 FB (down in zone), 75-78 CV

Yet another solid arm in this thing for #UCF. 2013 LHP Drew Faintich sitting 87-88 FB with a 77 CV

2013 RHP commit Sheldon Neuse is pitching for Scout Team Yanks. Neuse 88-91 FB, 80 SL, 79 CH.

2013 LHP Chris Kohler is up to 91 for YAK Baseball West on Miami 6

Texas Tech, assistant J-Bob Thomas told me RHP Trey Masek has been 94-95 during fall workouts. Gritty pitcher

GeorgeMason got a really good one in 2013 RHP Alec Grosser for Evoshield Canes. Sitting 89-91 FB, 73-74 CV, 80-83 SL