Friday, June 3, 2011

Prep baseball: MLB Draft to tap local talent

(prospectnation.com)

The 2001 amateur baseball draft will be broadcast live beginning 6 p.m. Monday on the MLB Network.
It's a safe bet to say some locals will be watching.
Palmetto's Granden Goetzman had a workout with the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday at Tropicana Field, spending roughly two hours taking batting practice, shagging flies, showing off his arm and running the 60-yard dash.
An outfielder turned shortstop, Goetzman was ranked 52nd overall in Baseball American's draft rankings. He hit .413 this season with eight home runs, 26 RBIs, 14 steals and a .950 slugging percentage.
"I'm excited," said Goetzman.
Goetzman signed with Florida Gulf Coast University in November, but he could get selected pretty high next week. During an online chat in May, Baseball America's Conor Glassey said Goetzman could be a supplemental pick, which would be between the first two rounds, or a second-round pick. R.J. Harrison blogged on theprocessreport.com that Baseball American's reports praised Goetzman's "prodigious power" and drew comparisons of Goetzman to sluggers Jayson Werth - Goetzman's favorite player - and Jay Buhner.
Aside from the Rays, Goetzman has also worked out for the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers and San Diego Padres.
Also drawing interest is Southeast outfielder Michael Suchy, who, like Goetzman, is signed to Florida Gulf Coast next. Suchy worked out for the Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates this past week.
He batted .338 with five home runs, 18 RBIs, 11 steals and a .613 slugging percentage. A contact hitter, Suchy struck out eight times in 108 plate appearances.

No comments:

Post a Comment