Jimmy Graham takes a look at the best prospects from last year's draft to be selected after the first round.
Let’s face it, we know the 1st rounder’s get all the pub. But there are plenty of great prospects who were taken after the MLB Network turned off their cameras. Here’s a look at guys picked outside the first round in 2011 who are excelling so far in 2012.
Brad Miller SS Seattle
A talented collegiate draftee that slipped to the 2nd round, Miller has shown pop playing in the California League. Even with the inflated numbers, his line is still impressive. Currently hitting .312, he has 11 doubles and six home runs from the shortstop position. He’s also showing a patient approach at the dish with an OBP of .414 to give him an impressive OPS of 1.029. Miller was a two-time Team USA member and a former ACC Player of the Year at the University of Clemson.
Jackie Bradley, Jr. CF Boston
Many scouts saw Bradley as a top 10 talent before his junior year at the University of South Carolina, but an injury riddled season, along with unimpressive numbers (thanks to a bad case of draft-itis) led to his slip in the draft. He fell to Boston at number 40 overall and has shown the talent that made scouts believe he was a premier prospect. In 25 games at High-A Salem, Bradley is hitting .370 with eight doubles and a pair of homers. He’s also been flying around the bases, swiping 10 out of 11 tries. Walking more times than he has stuck out, he’s posted an OBP of .475 and an OPS of 1.018. Bradley has been a winner before, capturing the 2010 National Championship and then going on to play for Team USA.
Nick Tropeano P Houston
Maybe the steal of the draft thus far, Tropeano has been dazzling for Lexington in the South Atlantic League. A fifth-round selection, he is just 1-2 on the year, but has a 2.36 ERA in five starts. A very polished pitcher, Tropeano’s fastball generally sits in the mid-to-high 80’s, although he has seen a spike in his velocity since college. It’s his changeup, however, that’s special. It’s a true out pitch that has helped lead to 32 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings. He is very advanced for Low-A ball, but without the major velocity we’ll see where he ends up.
Tony Cingrani P Cincinnati
A reliever at Rice University, Cingrani has eye popping numbers for his 2012 campaign. In five starts, he has a 0.32 ERA, while recording 37 K’s in 28 innings, while he’s walked just six. To go along with that, he has been holding opponents to an average of just .126 in the hitter-friendly California League. Cingrani features a mid-90’s heater that can reach as high as 97. He’s already 22-years-old and could shoot right through the Reds system if he continues to dominate like he has. Don’t be surprised if they nix the idea of making him a starter and move the 3rd round pick to the bullpen as a lights out closer.
Nick Maronde P Los Angeles (AL)
A 3rd round selection out of the University of Florida, Maronde is a polished pitcher who has 3 plus-offerings. He throws a heavy fastball that sits around 96, with a “major league changeup”, a developing two-seamer and a slider that devastates both righties and lefties. Throwing from the left, Maronde has had a great start to 2012. In 6 starts he is 0-1 with a 2.83 ERA, while holding opponents to just a .217 average against. Maronde is another college reliever-turned-starter in the pros. Look for him to move quickly through the Angels system, as he is 22 years old already in High-A California League.
Austin Wood P Los Angeles (AL)
Wood had a collegiate career he’d love to forget. Pitching at 3 different schools and never having an ERA under 4.50 for the season, the Angels selected him with their 6th round choice. His primary pitch is a low 90’s sinker, while he is developing a two-seamer, and refining his off-speed offerings. In his second start of 2012, Wood pitched five no-hit innings, while striking out five and walking only two. His numbers for the season are, 2-2 with a 3.67 ERA in six starts. He’s been missing bats, with 32 strikeouts in 27 innings. Wood is another polished college pitcher, so once again look for Wood to move quickly.
Andrew Chafin P Arizona
Overlooked in the pitching loaded Arizona system, Chafin has quietly been one of the best arms in 2012. As a freshman at Kent State, he was a closer, but fell victim to Tommy John surgery and was forced to redshirt his sophomore season. Coming back his junior year, he showed scouts he was back with a fastball that reaches 94, a slurve and a mid 80’s slider. Thus far in 2012, Chafin is 2-0 with a 3.03 ERA in the California League, while fanning 46 batters in 33 innings.
Jimmy Graham is an avid prospect-follower who has been writing about prospects on the web for two years, and is proud to be from America's hometown of Plymouth, Massachusetts.
