[ayaghmour2]

One of the toughest parts about the January draft is there is no stat line created for the players final season. This does make it a bit easier for Amateur Reports, as I don't have to wait until closer to the draft to write the reports. This one will cover some of the interesting prep prospects, and I plan on releasing a college one as well, either later today or next weekend.

1B Bill Barnett
School: Brunswick
1939: .444/.579/.1.025, 107 PA, 12 2B, 3B, 11 HR, 34 RBI, SB
Career: .491/.583/.951, 359 PA, 43 2B, 5 3B, 26 HR, 107 RBI, 20 SB

If you like power, you're going to love Bill Barnett. "B.B." will be a four year starter, but his second two seasons were much more different then his first. He hit .527/.559/.759 as a freshman, but with just 2 homers. The next two seasons he failed to hit .500, but his slugging was well above 1, even with an OPS of 1.729 as a sophomore. He hit 24 homers and drove in 71 runs while raising his walks from 11 to 29 and 25. Barnett sacrificed contact for power, but it was surprising that his plate discipline improved as well. He won't turn 18 until August, but Barnett could follow the Bill Barrett track and fast track himself t o the majors. He's shown outstanding pitch recognition skills and he does an outstanding job working the count. His power scares pitchers, causing them to pitch around him to get him to chase, but nine times out of ten it doesn't work how they think it would. He has a fluid swing that allows him to deposit pitches well over the fence, and his offensive skills are top notch. If he's able to maintain a high average with his power, he will be a legit star, and even though he is a corner bat, he's easily one of the most exciting prep prospects in the pool. I'm not saying I would use a top pick on him, but I'd wager there aren't many bats in this class better then him. His future lies in the cleanup spot of a big league lineup, and he should keep that for years to come.

RHP Hal Hackney
School: Fulton
1939: 11-0, 113 IP, 0.72 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, 22 BB, 298 K
Career: 20-0, 210 IP, 0.81 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, 41 BB, 357 K

A perfect 20-0 in his 28 starts at Fulton, the Missouri native Hal Hackney may be this draft's Harry Sharp. Sure, Hackney has two seasons of stats to back up his talent, but both are talented three pitch pitchers from Missouri who are projected as bullpen pitchers not starters. Hackney has a plus slider and high 80s fastball, but his his change is a well below average offering, and could potentially make it tough for him to find a role as a starting pitcher. His control and movement are both average tools with the potential to develop into more, but that third pitch may make it hard for him to turn into a reliable starter. He just turned 18, but Hackney could be a very decisive prospect as his stats are really good, but his tools aren't overly exciting.

RHP Joe Lund
School: Bennington
1939: 11-0, 116 IP, 0.70 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 33 BB, 205 K
Career: 20-0, 207.1 IP, 0.82 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 56 BB, 357 K

It's hard to perform much better then Joe Lund, who is working on a 27 start unbeaten streak with sub 1 ERAs as a sophomore and junior. Add in a 15.5 K/9 and just a pair of home runs, and Lund looks like a lock for a selection in one of the first two rounds. 18 in March, Lund has a rather unpolished five pitch arsenal, but his fastball sits comfortably in the 87-89 range and he does an outstanding job keeping the ball on the ground. His stuff and command should end up well above average, but he's got a lot of developing left before he reaches that. My scout has some concerns about his stamina, but if he's able to keep his pitch count down it won't matter so much. Lund has the tools to start, but Weinstock and OSA don't give him the nicest scouting reports. It's hard for me to believe a pitcher as successful as Lund not developing into an exciting prospect, but as there is with all high school arms, a lot of risk is involved.

LF Dick Blaszak
School: Morris
1939: .525/.586/.1.059, 116 PA, 17 2B, 2 3B, 11 HR, 43 RBI, 9 SB
Career: .520/.577/.1.035, 234 PA, 29 2B, 3 3B, 23 HR, 85 RBI, 13 SB

B.B. wasn't the only prep bat to hit double digit long balls or record a 1.000 or higher slugging. In fact, "The Polish Hammer" Dick Blaszak did that as both a sophomore and junior, and it would be surprising if he didn't as a senior too. In both seasons with Morris, Blaszak hit over .500/.550/1.000 with double digit walks, doubles, and homers. I have no idea why Weinstock isn't a fan, his offensive skills are quite apparent, but OSA thinks he's the cream of the crop. They think Blaszak will develop into an elite left fielder, and I feel like that's a better prediction then on the "bubble for a big league role", but that's just me. He has 20 homer potential, but I wouldn't be surprised if he reaches 30 on multiple occasions. He makes excellent contact with the hit tool to challenge for a batting title if he reaches his potential. He works deep counts, but he doesn't have the greatest eye at the plate. An imposing 6'2'' from the right side of the plate, he weighs just 185 now, and I imagine the teen will add more strength as he develops. He's a bit holder then Barrett and will be 18 for the first portion of the draft, but I imagine he'll also be a lock for an early round selection. I can't see him falling out of the second round, but as a New Yorker, there is no way he isn't at least a regional selection.

CF John Moss
School: Lexington
1939:.480/.585/.873, 138 PA, 16 2B, 6 3B, 4 HR, 34 RBI, 25 SB
Career: .474/.582/.825, 261 PA, 30 2B, 10 3B, 6 HR, 58 RBI, 38 SB

Cousin of Chiefs outfielder and former #1 Overall Pick Cliff Moss, "Johnny Reb" has done a solid job boosting his draft stock. He increased most of his stats this season, with his WAR, average, OBP, slugging, doubles, triples, homers, RBIs, and steals all increased, and he has the talent to do that again as a senior. 18 in October, Moss is also a reliable defender, boasting excellent speed and range out in center with the possibility of being an elite defender. At the plate, he works the count, and his quick swing allows him to foul off pitches that he can't do too much with. He's patient, will draw a lot of walks, and he has a high ceiling both in the field and at the plate. Unlike a lot of the top prospects in the pool, he plays a premium position, and that will increase his value a lot. The one thing he doesn't really do is hit homers, but that's something that could easily change. He won't be a 20 home run hitter like Cliff, but I could see him having Carlos Montes type pop, good for 10 or so homers a season.

RHP Harry Stewart
School: Bell Academy
1939: 7-2, 93.2 IP, 1.35 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 28 BB, 127 K
Career: 23-5, 292.1 IP, 1.29 IP, 0.91 WHIP, 76 BB, 403 K

Unlike Lund and Hackney, Harry Stewart has had some seasons with an ERA above 1, but that doesn't mean he's not a pitcher worth keeping an eye on. Nicknamed "Crime Spree," Stewart started 40 games in his first three seasons at Bell Academy, and while he has a pair of seasons with an ERA above 1, he's kept his WHIP's below 1 in each season with a 12 K/9 of higher. A bit of a hard thrower, Stewart has a nice low 90s fastball, with a tough change and average splitter. His fourth pitch is a curve, but that's more of a last resort, low usage pitch. His command isn't perfect, walking more batters in each of his seasons, but that's really his only weakness. If he's able to keep his walks in check, he should have a future in a big league rotation, but his stuff and movement, while effective, are not enough to overcome a lack of control.