There’s not usually a lot of buzz around baseball prospects coming out of High School in the DC Metro Area, but this year we’re starting to hear things about a couple of local players. Here’s a quick preview of these two local phenoms who may be making news in June’s Rule-4 draft plus links for a few other good local prospects.
- First is someone of particular interest to me, having graduated from James Madison High School in Vienna. Senior shortstop Andy McGuire was named to Baseball America’s 3rd team pre-season All-American team and has routinely been placed on top 50 draft prospect lists (projecting perhaps as a 2nd rounder). He was on the 2012 Under-18 USA team which won the world title last fall in Asia. He’s committed to play for the University of Texas for now; we’ll see what happens if he gets offered a decent bonus by his drafting team. He’s 6’1″ 190lb and some reports say he may not be able to stay at Shortstop (though I don’t see why when such athletic shortstops as Troy Tulowitzki and Ian Desmond are both taller and heavier and play premium defense at the position). Obviously his value is higher at this position as opposed to moving to 2nd or 3rd. He struggled last season with a hip issue that eventually required surgery; it should be interesting to see how he performs this spring and whether he can raise his draft stock enough to sneak into the first round. If you’re interested in more information, Perfect Game has a ton of information on him here.
- Meanwhile, this AllMetSports.com article popped up this week about T.C. Williams hurler Alec Grosser, who showed up at a showcase game and was sitting in the low 90s, touching 94-95 with a wipeout slider and great movement. Suddenly this unknown has put himself in a position to have nearly every team in the majors sending scouts and cross-checkers. He has an ideal starter’s frame; 6’4″ and 195lbs with room to pack on muscle, which has scouts more than excited. He’s committed to George Mason for now but has the whole spring to showcase his talents and possibly move up draft boards.
Other names from prominent teams who might be getting some draft buzz include:
- Matt McPhearson, a speedy leadoff/lefty outfielder for local power Riverdale Baptist with a committment to college powerhouse Miami. Scouting reports from PerfectGame.org say he could be drafted in the first 5 rounds. Not a slap hitter but a line-drive hitter with some power for his size (5’10”).
- Thomas Rogers, a senior LHP with defending Virginia state champ Lake Braddock could hit 89 from the left hand side before suffering a TJ injury; he’s committed to UNC and probably will end up there (instead of the draft) by virtue of missing most of his senior year on the mound. If he can get that velocity back and perhaps hone it while at UNC he has a chance to be an impact player some day.
A good list of eastern regional prospects from Virginia and neighboring states can be found here, at the 2013 Rawlings/Perfect Game pre-season All Atlantic Region teams. There’s plenty of guys in the area with college committments; the guys mentioned on above are the ones who sound like they’re possible draftees or who are committed to “marquee” college programs.