Dave Saltzer

Blue Devil in Tifton and Brave in Syracuse, Alex Abbott (left) and ex-Florida baseball/football player Gavin Dickey were at the East Coast Professional Showcase. Dickey is currently a scout for the Houston Astros. (1 of 1) August 5, 2013 Abbott showcased in SyracuseBecky TaylorCNHI TIFTON — Bryce Abbott admitted that a 6:15 a.m. Sunday flight back to Georgia was quite early, but for the week he and his son, Alex, spent in New York, it was well worth it. The Abbotts were in Syracuse as Alex, an upcoming senior at Tift County High, was one of a select group of baseball players invited to the East Coast Professional Showcase. "I'm very proud," said Blue Devils head coach Kyle Kirk. "He's just a great young man who has spent a lot of time on his craft." Kirk said the Showcase was invite-only. Alex's news came quite early in the 2013 season, at the Devils' regular season debut against Crisp County on Feb. 19. Bryce Abbott said the invitation came from Baltimore Orioles scout Arthur McConnehead. It would be a day of two recommendations by McConnehead. Alex would be offered a chance to participate in the Showcase and he would also sent a referral to the O's on the player he was initially there to scout. Crisp pitcher Robert Tyler who was selected in the 28th round by the club, though he has opted to honor his scholarship to the University of Georgia. "It was great experience and great exposure for [Alex]," said Bryce. Kirk said Alex went 1-2 on the first day and while he went 0-2 in the final game, he had two sharply hit balls. "Scouts were impressed with his hitting," said Bryce, who also said that his son had done well on skills tests. The East Coast Professional Showcase featured players from east of the Mississippi River, as well as athletes from Puerto Rico. They were divided into six teams, depending on geography. Alex's team, the Braves was comprised of players from Georgia and north Florida players living in the Eastern Time Zone. Central Time Zone Floridians were members of the Mets, along with players from Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana. The Puerto Ricans and south Floridians were given to their geographic opposite, the Rockies. Bryce Abbott said that about 400 MLB scouts were in attendance for the Showcase, which ran from July 31 through Aug. 3.

Looking at another prospect, it referenced Jewel that we drafted. Interesting info here: -- -- Deetz, Dean Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (OK) RHP R/R J2 6'1" 190lbs DOB: 11/29/93 | Scouting videoThe two best arms in Oklahoma this year belong to a pair of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M JC right-handers, Deetz and Jake Jewell. A redshirt freshman, Deetz isn't as refined as Jewell and missed all of 2013 recovering from Tommy John after his final season of high school, but he has better breaking stuff and a chance to make it as a starter.Deetz showed an 89-90 mph fastball and a promising slider in the fall, and his velocity has exploded this spring. He has worked at 92-94 mph and peaked at 98, and his slider has climbed into the mid-80s. He also throws an effective curveball, but his changeup will need a lot of work. Deetz has an exceptionally quick arm but is still learning to harness it. He has trouble throwing strikes and locating his pitches on a consistent basis. He's a good athlete who was a star running back at Nixa (Mo.) High, so there's hope he'll be able to figure it out.

I have a feeling that they are going to try and convert one or both of them into starters. They can always go back into the pen, but, if they have 3 pitches, would be far more valuable as starters.

If he has the changeup, I'd like to see the Angels try him in the rotation. He can always go back to a bullpen role.

I thought about LaValley, but he will most likely end up at 1B where he will mash. He shed 30 lbs to play baseball (after being a center in football), and looking at his build, may put a good chunk of that back on as he fills out.

At this point, yes, but I'm not sure which ones. Lots of teams are feasting on the pitching right now.

4 119 Rhoades, Jeremy Illinois State (IL) RHP R/R JR 6'4" 225lbs DOB: 02/12/93 | Scouting videoRhoades earned all-Missouri Valley Conference honors as a sophomore reliever in 2013, and he has thrived this year while splitting his time between the bullpen and the rotation. He faded a little bit toward the end of the regular season, though that wasn't a major concern because he profiles as a reliever in pro ball. Rhoades' best pitch is a legitimate swing-and-miss slider that can sit in the mid-80s and features late tilt. He commands it better than his fastball, which usually operates at 90-92 mph and tops out at 94. He could add a tick or two of velocity if he reverts to full-time bullpen duty as a pro. Though his strong build gives him the durability to be a starter, Rhoades has some effort in his delivery and doesn't always repeat his mechanics consistently. His changeup lags behind his fastball and slider, and he'll probably scrap it once he focuses on becoming a reliever.

Gatto is listed at 6'3" but he is just coming out of HS.

Started as a reliever, but i think the Angels will work him in the rotation.

Well after Day 1, it looks like the Angels are trying to maximize on their investment to determine the best player available. They could have picked a hitter and instead went with a pitcher. This isn't the safest pick, but if Newcomb pans out (and I think he will) he has big upside. A lefty who can dial it up to the mid-90s isn't all that common, and I'm excited to add a starter of that caliber down the road. The same is true of their second pick--another middle of the order starter. Given the chance to pick plenty of hitters, the Angels once again chose to go with a pitcher early on, which will save them plenty of money down the road. With the high cost to get FA pitching or to trade for a good starter, it's far better to draft and develop it.

And also, yes, bringing in Salas who lets every inherited runner score sure didn't help.

Seriously! While the record books will show it one way, I wouldn't be as upset at him over last night. He got HOSED on several calls.

See you all back in the thread tomorrow for rounds 3-10.

Another good pick, IMHO. Focus on the pitching and get plenty of it in the pipeline.

Bedrosian got royally screwed on the strike calls. He had the last batter struck out.

Angels close the gap even more with a double by Trout. 4-3, 1 out, and Trout on 2B. I'm off to go feed my kids dinner.

Here's a link to the MLB Scouting video on Newcomb: http://www.mlbprospectportal.com/2014/06/sean-newcomb-2014-mlb-draft-video.html

Angels close the gap to 4-2 Top 5.

NEWCOMB!

Dang. There goes Beede

Good. I didn't want him and I'm glad he's off the board. Beede and Zimmer are both possibilities now.

It's 3-1 Astros. Lots of mental mistakes coming back and biting us here on fielding.

Safety squeeze and it's now 2-1 1 out.

1-1 B4 2 on (1st and 3rd) 1 out.

Wow! The Brew crew went with Medeiros. I thought he might slip to the 2nd round. Angels pick is 3 away.