If there's one position that could dominate the first two rounds of the Major League Baseball Draft, it's left-handed pitcher. At least seven high school lefties have been targeted as potential first round picks.
The MLB Draft is set to begin with the first round on June 6 and the next two rounds on June 7. Left-handed pitchers could be flying off the board during those two sessions as a number have steadily improved their stock over the past summer and during the recent spring season.
Here's a look at the top 10 left-handed pitchers likely to be chosen in the first three rounds of the MLB draft.
Top 10 left-handed pitchers for the MLB Draft
Rob Kaminsky of St. Joseph Regional is likely going to be one of the top left-handed pitchers taken in the MLB Draft.
Photo by Daniel Coppola
An outstanding senior season has raised Kaminsky to the top of the list, and has put him near the top of the prospect list for the class of 2013, regardless of position. In building an 8-0 record, Kaminsky has allowed just one earned run in 51 innings with 107 strikeouts and five shutouts. He has a no-hitter and won a much-anticipated showdown with Gloucester Catholic. All signs point to Kaminsky going in the first round. Without a big frame — Kaminsky is just 6 feet tall — other more projectable left-handers like Trey Ball and A.J. Puk could go ahead of him.
Trey Ball, New Castle (Ind.)
Some scouts believe Ball has a career in the outfield if he doesn't pan out on the mound. He is batting .329 for New Castle this season with nine home runs. However his 6-6, 175-pound frame makes him very projectable and teams will likely try him on the mound first. He's 6-0 on the season with 93 strikeouts and a 0.46 ERA in just 46 innings pitched. Recent mock drafts have Ball going in the top 10 in the draft.
Ian Clarkin, Madison (San Diego)
Ian Clarkin, Madison
Photo by Kirt Winter
At one time Clarkin was considered the top left-hander in his class. He certainly hasn't done anything to damage that initial projection, although others have since passed him up in the mock drafts. Clarkin (6-2, 190) is still a likely first round choice, going somewhere in the latter half or in the compensatory rounds. He's 7-2 on the season with 105 strikeouts in 58.2 innings pitched.
A.J. Puk, Washington (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
Puk may be drafted without even playing his senior season. Since Iowa does not begin play until late May, Puk has given indications that he might sit out his senior season in order to go straight into the minor leagues. At 6-6, Puk is a big pitcher like Ball, but with more bulk (225 pounds). He reportedly has three solid pitches with a fastball that topped out at 92 mph this summer. He is projected to go somewhere in the top 50 selections. A good student, Puk could also honor his commitment to Florida.
Matt Krook, St. Ignatius (San Francisco)
One of the fastest rising players in the mock drafts, Krook has gone from unmentioned to a potential first round pick. He has 69 strikeouts in 49.1 innings pitched with a 1.84 ERA. Krook (6-2) is seen as a player with tremendous upside who needs some work. He has shown that he has the velocity, however, with a 95 mph fastball.
Stephen Gonsalves, Cathedral Catholic (San Diego)
Mentioned as a first round draft pick several months ago, Gonsalves has dropped a bit but should still see some consideration in rounds 2 and 3. Not necessarily a strikeout pitcher, Gonsalves has 55 strikeouts in 46 innings at the high school level this spring with a 2.19 ERA. He has a 6-5 build and throws 92 mph and could also find a career in the outfield.
Jonah Wesely, Tracy (Calif.)
Wesely has made some appearances in the first round of a few mock drafts, but he will more than likely go some time during the second day. He's 6-3 on the season with 110 strikeouts in 64 innings pitched. He's hit 92 mph with his fastball and reportedly has a plus curveball.
Hunter Green, Warren East (Bowling Green, Ky.)
Green's team didn't have a winning season so he didn't get many decisions (3-1 overall), but he did manage 110 strikeouts in 51.2 innings pitched. He has good size at 6-4, 190 pounds, and he has reportedly hit 95 mph with his fastball. He also has command of a curveball and changeup. Could sneak into the compensatory rounds.
Jacob Brentz, Parkway South (Manchester, Mo.)
Brentz worked his way into the top three rounds after showing a 96 mph fastball last summer. At 6-2 and 195 pounds, Brentz is seen by scouts as a very projectable player, however he has an intriguing history. He only threw 4 1/3 innings last year for Parkway South and had an 11.31 ERA with five hits and four walks. Brentz decided not to play high school baseball this year and is instead playing in the Perfect Game Iowa Spring Wood Bat Scout League. Brentz and Puk are playing in the league together on the same team. Both have looked solid during the seven-week season.
Chris Kohler, Los Osos
Photo by Daryl Chan
After playing in a spring league last season as a junior, Kohler has returned to Los Osos and has put up some impressive numbers. Besides sporting a 10-1 record with 106 strikeouts in 65 innings pitched, Kohler also threw a no-hitter against Norco to clinch the league championship. His fastball sits in the high 80s, but the 6-foot-3 prospect is seen as being very projectable.
