When Montclair Prep (Van Nuys, Calif.) shut down its athletic program following the 2011 school year, baseball fans across California's Southern Section had one question: Where would ultra-talented Max Fried spend his senior year?
Regarded as one of the top left-handed pitchers in the country, Fried was sure to bolster any lineup he joined. The fact that he decided to play at Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.), which already had one of the nation's best pitchers in Lucas Giolito, likely made the rest of the Southern Section coaches wince at the thought of having to face not one, but two potential first-round draft picks from the same team.
However, the pairing of Fried and Giolito on the same squad is a boon for Major League baseball scouts as they can now track two of the nation's best pitchers on the very same team.
Fried and Giolito are two of the top high school players expected to go early in this year's Major League first-year player selection in June. Giolito has been listed as high as No. 1 overall (although Stanford pitcher Mark Appel is the consensus choice among the mock drafts that are already appearing), while Fried has been listed as high as No. 6 overall.
Here's a look at 10 of the top high school players expected to be drafted early in this year's MLB draft.
Lucas Giolito, Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.), Pitcher, 6-6, R/R, UCLA
The Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Player of the Year as a junior, Giolito went 9-1 with 78 strikeouts in 70.1 innings pitched last year. He reportedly has five pitches with a fastball that averages in the mid-90s with a top speed of 98 mph. He may end up sticking with his commitment to the Bruins.
Max Fried, Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.), Pitcher, 6-4, L/L, UCLA
The top high school lefthander in the draft, Fried's top pitch is his curveball, however he can also reach 94 on his fastball. He was 7-3 with 100 strikeouts in 69.2 innings pitched at Montclair Prep. Several mock drafts have Fried as the second high school pitcher chosen and the fourth pitcher overall. Expect Fried to go among the Top 10 selections.
Lance McCullers, Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.), Pitcher, 6-2, L/R, Florida
If there's a high school pitcher out there capable of breaking up the Harvard-Westlake monopoly it's McCullers. Ranked by at least two services as the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, the consensus is that the Jesuit standout will be the fifth overall pitcher chosen and the third among the prep pitchers. McCullers is reported with three plus pitches, including a changeup, a curve and a fastball that has reportedly reached 100 but is consistently in the mid 90s.
Byron Buxton, Appling County (Baxley, Ga.), Outfield, 6-1, R/R, Georgia
The only position player to get any consideration as the No. 1 pick so far among the mock drafts, Buxton's stock has risen considerably since last season. Regarded as a five-tool outfielder with great speed and a strong arm, he is also an outstanding all-around athlete, making the Georgia AA All-State Team as a defensive back. Most drafts have Buxton going among the top five picks. He is the top outfielder on the board and he will likely be the first or second position player chosen overall.
Trey Williams, Valencia
Photo by Larry Gasinski
Teams needing a hard-hitting third baseman will fill their need with Williams, who has 26 home runs in his career at Valencia. While his junior season didn't quite match up to his sophomore year, Williams had a strong summer with some strong defensive plays in the Perfect Game All-American Classic. Look for Williams to go somewhere between picks 10-20.
Stryker Trahan, Acadiana (Lafayette, La.), Catcher, 6-1, L/R, Mississippi
Mock drafts from last summer find Trahan near the bottom of the first round or nowhere at all. However a strong showing at the Area Code Games, where he was the event's leading hitter with a .600 average, has boosted Trahan into the mid-teens. Although he had just five home runs last season, Trahan is noted for his power. He also has a strong arm and is an athletic presence behind the plate.
Walker Weickel, Olympia (Orlando, Fla.), Pitcher, 6-6, R/R, Miami
Like the duo from Harvard-Westlake, Weickel is part of a tandem of players from the same team that could go in the first round. Teammate Jess Winker, an outfielder, is also targeted as a potential first-round pick. Weickel could go somewhere in the late teens thanks to a fastball that is in the low 90s with a high of 94. He has three pitches, using a curve and a changeup to go along with the fastball.
David Dahl, Oak Mountain (Birmingham, Ala.), Outfield, 6-2, L/R, Auburn
The 2012 draft is strong on high school outfielders and Dahl is one of the best when it comes to defense. He has good speed with a strong arm. He batted .316 for Team USA 18U this fall at the Pan-American Games. He only had three extra-base hits in the tournament and had just two home runs in his junior year at Oak Mountain. More of a contact hitter, Dahl rarely strikes out. He is expected to go anywhere between 15-25.
Joey Gallo, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), Infield, 6-5, L/R, LSU
Joey Gallo, Bishop Gorman
Photo by Jann Hendry
Considered the top all-around player among high school players, Gallo can pitch and hit. While Gallo's fastball reaches around 94 mph, he will likely end up a position player due to his hitting skills. He has 25 home runs as a junior and reportedly has power to all fields. Has a strong arm but he can play just about any of the infield positions, including the left side and first base. He could possibly go around pick No. 20.
Albert Amora, Mater Academy Charter (Hialeah Gardens, Fla.), Outfield, R/R, Miami
A veteran of the Team USA since he was 13, Amora was recently named the 18U Most Valuable Player after leading the squad to the gold medal at the Pan-American Games. Almora has a strong arm and good speed and he is also expected to hit for a high average in the big leagues. He could land somewhere between No. 20-25.
