Rockies set sights on closer

Weathers' fastball can reach 98 mph

Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Because of the Rockies' struggles in the National League West in recent years, scouting director Bill Schmidt has had the benefit of consistently choosing from among the top 10 players in the draft.

The Rockies this year can only hope Schmidt maintains his success rate of the past five years.

The first round of the draft will be televised today (noon MDT, ESPN2) from Orlando, Fla.

The Rockies appeared to be leaning toward right-handed closer Casey Weathers of Vanderbilt, a junior college outfielder who has dominated hitters at the major-college level.

His fastball runs 95 mph to 98 mph, complimented by an 89 mph silder.

Also in consideration are left- handed reliever Dan Moskos of Clemson, third baseman Mike Moustakas of Chastworth (Calif.) High School and right-handed pitcher Phillippe Aumont, a high schooler out of Quebec.

Aumont, closely watched since a spring trip to Florida when his fastball reached 98 mph, worked out for the Rockies at Coors Field on Wednesday.

Moustakas is one of eight potential first-rounders using Scott Boras as an adviser, which combined with his commitment to Southern California, promises to make him a difficult sign.

In the Rockies' past five drafts, Schmidt has used the first-round pick to select two players who are establishing themselves in the majors, pitcher Jeff Francis, the ninth selection in 2002, and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, the seventh selection in 2005.

Two other picks are close to making the majors, third baseman Ian Stewart, the 10th player taken in 2003 who is with Triple-A Colorado Springs, and right--hander Greg Reynolds, the second pick last year who is with Double-A Tulsa (Okla.).

The only thing most likely set is Tampa Bay, with the No. 1 pick, has settled on left-hander David Price of Vanderbilt. After that, teams still were finalizing decisions.

Teams have until Aug. 15 to sign selections, but if a team does not sign its first-round choice, it will receive a pick in the first round next year after the slot it had in 2007.

So if the Rockies are unable to sign their first-round pick, they would receive the ninth pick next year as compensation.

Tracy Ringolsby's first-round draft forecast

No. Team Player, position School Ht. Wt.

1. Devil Rays David Price, LHP Vanderbilt 6-5 215

• Comment: Was a potential No. 1 as a freshman and has reaffirmed that status.

2. Royals Josh Vitters, 3B Cypress (Calif.) HS 6-3 190

• Comment: Right-handed hitter has the top high school school bat; committed to Arizona State.

3. Cubs Sean Dolittle, 1B Virginia 6-3 185

• Comment: Left-handed power potentioal with gold glove fielding ability.

4. Pirates Matt Dominguez, 3B Chatsworth (Calif.) HS 6-2 180

• Comment: Right-handed power bat and athleticism; committed to Cal State Fullerton.

5. Orioles Ross Detwiler, LHP Missouri State 6-4 180

• Comment: Live fastball that hits 95 mph and impressive breaking ball; consistency lacking.

6. Nationals Matt Wieters, C Georgia Tech 6-4 205

• Comment: Switch hitter is quality prospect. But agent Scott Boras is his adviser, and talk is he wants more than $8 million.

7. Brewers Jarrod Parker, RHP Norwell (Ind.) HS 6-1 175

• Comment: Preference is hitters, but Parker is the hardest-throwing high school player; committed to Georgia Tech.

8. Rockies Casey Weathers, RHP Vanderbilt 6-0 195

• Comment: Junior college outfielder became a power closer with a fastball that hits 98 mph and a hard slider.

9. D-backs Nick Schmidt, LHP Arkansas 6-5 220

• Comment: Relies on pure stuff but slipped when his fastball went from mid-90s to 80s this season.

10. Giants Beau Mills, 3B Lewis-Clark State 6-3 205

• Comment: Exceptional left-handed bat speed; son of former major leaguer Brad Mills.

11. Mariners Daniel Moskos, LHP Clemson 6-2 205

• Comment: Draws comparisons to Randy Myers; mid-90s fastball; started this season.

12. Marlins Jason Heyward, OF Henry County (Ga.) HS 6-4 220

• Comment: Left-handed power potential with speed and athletic ability; committed to UCLA.

13. Indians Blake Beavan, RHP Irving (Texas) HS 6-7 210

• Comment: Has a fastball that runs in low to mid-90s with a solid slider.

14. Braves Josh Smoker, LHP Calhoun (Ga.) HS 6-2 190

• Comment: One of the most consistent pitchers sionce he turned 14; committed to Clemson.

15. Reds Phillippe Aumont, RHP Ecole Du Versant HS 6-5 210

• Comment: Canadian caught scouts' attention with fastball that hit 98 mph.

16. Blue Jays-a Kevin Ahrens, SS Memorial (Texas) HS 6-1 187

• Comment: Switch hitter with solid bat figures to move to third base or catcher; committed to Texas A&M.

17. Rangers-b Matt Harvey, RHP Fitch (Conn.) HS 6-4 194

• Comment: Struggled with command early but finished strong; committed to North Carolina.

18. Cardinals Rick Porcello, RHP Seton Hall (N.J.) Prep 6-5 190

• Comment: Could go No. 2, but Boras is talking $10 million; committed to North Carolina.

19. Phillies Devin Mesoraco, C Punxsutawney (Pa.) HS 6-1 200

• Comment: Right-handed hitter is best athlete among catchers; can run and play other positions; committed to Virginia.

20. Dodgers-c Madison Bumgarner, LHP S. Caldwell (N.C.) HS 6-5 220

• Comment: Throws 95 mph consistently; committed to North Carolina.

21. Blue Jays Peter Kozma, SS Owasso (Okla.) HS 6-0 170

• Comment: Right-handed hitter is solid across the board but has no super tools; committed to Wichita State.

22. Giants-d Aaron Poreda, LHP San Francisco 6-5 220

• Comment: Great size; 95 mph fastball with sink but average, at best, secondary pitches.

23. Padres James Simmons, RHP UC Riverside 6-3 190

• Comment: Has best command of three pitches; attractive to performance-oriented teams.

24. Rangers-e Mike Moustakas, SS Chatsworth (Calif.) HS 6-0 185

• Comment: Left-handed hitter moved up charts this year with big power display; committed to Southern California; Boras is adviser.

25. White Sox Tim Alderson, RHP Horizon (Ariz.) HS 6-7 208

• Comment: Intimidating size, command and velocty (mid 90s); committed to Oregon State.

26. Athletics Brett Cecil, LHP Maryland 6-3 240

• Comment: Three-pitch mix with a fastball that runs 91 mph to 95 mph.

27. Tigers Matt LaPorta, 1B Florida 6-2 215

• Comment: Came back from injuries in 2006 to reaffirm his right-handed power; the senior is represented by Boras.

28. Twins Matt Mangini, 3B Oklahoma State 6-4 222

• Comment: Has shown ability to hit with a wood bat and the bat speed to develop left-handed power.

29. Giants-f Kyle Blair, RHP Los Gatos (Calif.) HS 6-4 200

• Comment: Solid fastball in low 90s with power curve; committed to University of San Diego.

30. Yankees Julio Borbon, OF Tennessee 6-1 190

• Comment: Left-handed hitter broke ankle in preseason and slowed some; reminds scouts of Johnny Damon.A-From Rangers For Frank Catlanotto; B-From Astros For Carlos Lee; C-From Red Sox For Julio Lugo; D-From Dodgers For Jason Schmidt; E-From Angels ...