Quick Hits -- College Pitchers (#1)

[Stotle]

Getting into full swing with our reports -- I'll try and keep everyone updated here, but am shooting to get a piece out each day starting today so time will be limited. We'll have full reports and "quick hits" (which will be a less formal breakdown of four to six players). All players have been scouted and all info/analysis is our own, so take it as you will.

Here's are the notes for each -- full write-up w/stats here.

Preston Guilmet | RHP | Univ. of Arizona

Ht/Wt: 6-2/195 | B/T: R/R | Born: 7/27/1987

Scouted: Stanford at Arizona, 4/24/2009 (film)

Notes: Guilmet comes with an upright, herky-jerky delivery, giving him some deception. Throwing from an almost directly overhand arm slot, Guilmet can get some solid downward plane on his offerings, particularly his fastball -- a mid- to upper-80s offering with some good arm-side run and solid command. His best secondary pitch is probably an upper-70s to low-80s slider that flashes good tilt and average bite. He also mixes in a splitter and a change-up as offspeed offerings, sitting in the low-80s and upper-70s, respectively. The Arizona righty profiles as a back-end starter or middle-reliever, depending on how successful he is in mixing his offerings and how effectively he can command his fastball against more advanced hitters.

Projected Position: Middle-relief

Suggested Slot: 5th to 7th Round

Josh Spence | LHP | Arizona St. Univ.

Ht/Wt: 6-1/170 | B/T: L/L | Born: 1/22/1988

Scouted: Stanford at Arizona State, 4/17/2009 (film)

Notes: Spence presents a plethora of challenges for college hitters, including four workable pitches and two arm slots, a deceptive hesitation in his leg kick and an ability to mix his offerings in any order and any count. His fastball isn’t overpowering, sitting in the mid- to upper-80s, but it plays due to the quality of his secondary stuff. His curve shows decent bite and enough depth to change the hitter’s eye-level. He generally gets solid shape on the pitch, though he can come around it at times. His slider/cutter is an effective weapon against righties and lefties alike, diving away from lefties and running in hard on the hands of righties. His change-up is a third quality secondary pitch, thrown with good arm speed and above-average fade. The big question for Spence will be whether his collection of secondary offerings will play at the pro level. He’ll need to be surgical with them in order to survive as a starter with below-average velocity and life. If he can command his mix well, he could provide value as a back-end starter. He manages the running game well, mixing three pick-off moves -- a snap throw, a show-me soft step and a high kick.

Projected Position: Middle-relief/Swingman

Suggested Slot: 5th to 7th Round

Todd McInnis | RHP | Southern Mississippi

Ht/Wt: 6-1/160 | B/T: R/R | Born: 3/26/1988

Scouted: Southern Miss at East Carolina, 4/25/2009 (film)

McInnis is an interesting arm. He isn’t overpowering with his fastball, sitting in the mid- to upper-80s when I saw him, but he gets good boring action and throws from an over-the-top arm slot, making it difficult for the hitter to pick the ball up. He gets good extension out of his lanky frame, utilizing a drop-and-drive approach and getting good coil in his core. While he gets good torque, his timing can be inconsistent with his arm lagging behind on occasion, adding strain to his shoulder and leading to periodic control issues. He also shows some slight hyperabuction as he gets his arm into position -- a red flag indicating some added stress on his elbow. He boasts a solid foundation of secondary offerings, highlighted by a potential plus 12/6 curve with good depth, serving as a fine change-of-pace pitch. His slider shows good hard bite with downward action, rather than sweeping, and he’s confident enough to throw it in any count. He throws his change with decent arm speed and average command -- it could eventually be an average Major League pitch. He throws on a good downward plane with all his offerings. His slight build leads to durability questions, making the bullpen a likely destination, eventually.

Projected Position: Middle-relief

Suggested Slot: 8th to 10th Round

Jeffrey Inman | RHP | Stanford Univ.

Ht/Wt: 6-3/190 | B/T: R/R | Born: 11/24/1987

Scouted: Stanford at Arizona State, 4/17/2009 (film); Stanford at Texas, March 6, 2009 (film)

Inman gets good extension towards home and generates his velocity through good shoulder/hip separation. He gets some run on his low-90s fastball and, when keeping his mechanics clean, commands it well. He can bump it up to the 94 range, though it tends to straighten out. In addition to a solid fastball, Inman boasts two secondary pitches that could project to at least Major League average. His breaking ball is an upper-70s 12/6 curve with good bite but inconsistent shape. Inman can struggle to repeat his mechanics, but when he’s on his fastball/curveball is an effective combo. He also mixes in an upper-70s change-up -- a solid offspeed with some fade and good velo differential from his fastball. He throws it with good arm speed and uses it effectively both in and out of the zone. The Stanford righty has endured a less-than-optimal junior year, missing fewer bats than expected and allowing too many baserunners. While the production hasn't been there, he has the physical tools and raw stuff to reasonably maintain his draft stock. He projects as a back-end starter or middle-reliever.

Projected Position: Back-end Starter/Middle-relief

Suggested Slot: 4th to 6th Round