2016 State Draft Report: California

CROP RATING
	Not up to par
Rating compares this year’s group to what a state typically produces, not to other states

 

Number of players drafted in 2015: 180

Scouts talked all year about how the talent on the West Coast, especially California, did not live up to normal expectations.

California is so massive, so talent laden that roughly 15 percent of the players taken in the draft come from the Golden State. So even in a down year, there will be lots and lots of California players hearing their names called from round one to round 40.

NATIONAL TOP 500 PROSPECTS

BA 500 Scouting Reports

1. Mickey Moniak, of, La Costa Canyon HS, Carlsbad, Calif. (National Rank: 5)
2. Blake Rutherford, of, Chaminade College Prep HS, Canoga Park, Calif. (National Rank: 9)
3. Matt Manning, rhp, Sheldon HS, Sacramento (National Rank: 11)
4. Jared Horn, rhp, Vintage HS, Napa, Calif. (National Rank: 32)
5. Cal Quantrill, rhp, Stanford (National Rank: 38)
6. Kevin Gowdy, rhp, Santa Barbara (Calif.) HS (National Rank: 39)
7. Reggie Lawson, rhp, Victor Valley HS, Victorville, Calif. (National Rank: 56)
8. Corbin Burnes, rhp, St. Mary’s (National Rank: 57)
9. Daulton Jefferies, rhp, California (National Rank: 61)
10. Nolan Martinez, rhp, Culver City (Calif.) HS (National Rank: 67)
11. Lucas Erceg, 3b, Menlo (Calif.) (National Rank: 72)
12. A.J. Puckett, rhp, Pepperdine (National Rank: 73)
13. Nick Lodolo, lhp, Damien HS, La Verne, Calif. (National Rank: 78)
14. Bryson Brigman, ss, San Diego (National Rank: 79)
15. Brett Cumberland, c, California (National Rank: 90)
16. Dylan Carlson, of/1b, Elk Grove (Calif.) HS (National Rank: 92)
17. Hunter Bishop, of, Serra HS, San Mateo, Calif. (National Rank: 96)
18. Chad Hockin, rhp, Cal State Fullerton (National Rank: 104)
19. Josh Stephen, of, Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana, Calif. (National Rank: 115)
20. Mitchell White, rhp, Santa Clara (National Rank: 138)
21. Ben Baird, ss, Agoura HS, Agoura Hills, Calif. (National Rank: 141)
22. J.D. Busfield, rhp, Loyola Marymount (National Rank: 154)
23. Garrett Hampson, ss, Long Beach State (National Rank: 156)
24. Gio Brusa, of, Pacific (National Rank: 163)
25. Avery Tuck, of, Steele Canyon HS, Spring Valley, Calif. (National Rank: 177)
26. Shane Bieber, rhp, UC Santa Barbara (National Rank: 184)
27. Tyson Miller, rhp, California Baptist (National Rank: 197)
28. Grant Dyer, rhp, UCLA (National Rank: 198)
29. Jeremy Martinez, c, Southern California (National Rank: 202)
30. Dominic Fletcher, of, Cypress (Calif.) HS (National Rank: 209)
31. Cassidy Brown, c, Loyola Marymount (National Rank: 216)
32. Grant Gambrell, rhp, Buchanan HS, Clovis, Calif. (National Rank: 217)
33. Vince Fernandez, of, UC Riverside (National Rank: 223)
34. Blake Sabol, c, Aliso Niguel HS, Aliso Viejo, Calif. (National Rank: 226)
35. David Clawson, c, Dana Hills HS, Dana Point, Calif. (National Rank: 230)
36. Andrew Calica, of, UC Santa Barbara (National Rank: 235)
37. Manny Jefferson, ss, Pepperdine (National Rank: 243)
38. Will Proctor, ss, Mira Costa HS, Manhattan Beach, Calif. (National Rank: 272)
39. Michael Koval, rhp, Cal Poly Pomona (National Rank: 277)
40. Timmy Richards, ss, Cal State Fullerton (National Rank: 283)
41. Brooks Kriske, rhp, Southern California (National Rank: 295)
42. Chris Murphy, lhp, Granada Hills (Calif.) Charter HS (National Rank: 305)
43. Bernardo Flores, rhp, Southern California (National Rank: 312)
44. Kort Peterson, of, UCLA (National Rank: 313)
45. Ryan Kreidler, ss/3b, Davis (Calif.) HS (National Rank: 315)
46. Sam Long, lhp, Sacramento State (National Rank: 322)
47. Sean Reynolds, 1b/rhp, Redondo Union HS, Redondo Beach, Calif. (National Rank: 333)
48. Luke Persico, 3b, UCLA (National Rank: 334)
49. Chris Viall, rhp, Stanford (National Rank: 337)
50. Andre Nnebe, of, St. Mary’s College HS, Albany, Calif. (National Rank: 343)
51. Otis Statum, of, Bishop O’Dowd HS, Oakland (National Rank: 344)
52. Miles Sandum, lhp, Granite Hills HS, El Cajon, Calif. (National Rank: 348)
53. Jason Alexander, rhp, Menlo (Calif.) (National Rank: 391)
54. Jack Dashwood, lhp, St. Augustine HS, San Diego (National Rank: 397)
55. Jeremy Ydens, of, St. Francis HS, Mountain View, Calif. (National Rank: 402)
56. Nate Nolan, c, St. Mary’s (National Rank: 410)
57. Nathan Rodriguez, c, Cypress (Calif.) JC (National Rank: 426)
58. Armani Smith, of/3b, De La Salle HS, Concord, Calif. (National Rank: 446)
59. Peter Bayer, rhp, Cal Poly Pomona (National Rank: 448)
60. Carter Aldrete, ss/3b, Monterey (Calif.) HS (National Rank: 456)
61. Aaron Knapp, of, California (National Rank: 466)
62. Tommy Edman, ss/2b, Stanford (National Rank: 475)
63. Jimmy Lambert, rhp, Fresno State (National Rank: 479)
64. Dustin Frailey, of, Cal State Bakersfield (National Rank: 486)
65. Andrew Daschbach, 3b, Sacred Heart Prep, Atherton, Calif. (National Rank: 490)
66. Alex Schick, rhp, California (National Rank: 498)

 

OTHER PROSPECTS OF NOTE

2016 Draft Map

67. Anthony Bender, rhp, Santa Rosa JC (Calif.)
68. Kyle Stowers, of, El Cajon (Calif.) HS
69. Justin Calomeni, rhp, Cal Poly
70. Austin Sodders, lhp, UC Riverside
71. Blake Cederlind, rhp, Merced (Ca.)
72. Ryan Kirby, of/1b, San Diego
73. Timmy Robinson, of, Southern California
74. Cameron Neff, rhp, Saint Mary’s
75. Tommy Kahle, c, Chaminade Prep, Canoga Park, Calif.
76. Dylan Prohoroff, rhp, Cal State Fullerton
77. Austin Miller, of, Loyola Marymount
78. Brett Barbier, c/1b, Cal Poly
79. Jack Pabich, rhp, Orange Coast (Calif.) CC
80. Kyle Davis, rhp, Southern California
81. Scott Serigstad, rhp, Cal State Fullerton
82. Corey Dempster, of, Southern California
83. Danny Mayer, of, Pacific
84. Brent Wheatley, rhp, Southern California
85. Spencer Steer, 3b/rhp, Millikan HS, Long Beach
86. Mitchell Kranson, c/3b, California
87. Dalton Blaser, of, Cal State Fullerton
88. Marc Huberman, lhp, Southern California
89. Gary Cornish, rhp, San Diego
90. Samad Taylor, ss/2b, Corona (Calif.) HS
91. Nathan Walker, rhp/c, Calsbad (Calif.) HS
92. Jeremiah McCray, of, Martin Luther King HS, Riverside, Calif.
93. Kevin Milam, 3b/rhp, Heritage HS, Brentwood, Calif.
94. Anthony Shew, rhp, San Francisco
95. Devin Carter, of, Point Loma (Calif.) University
96. Coleman Huntley, rhp, Point Loma (Calif.) University
97. Kelvin Sheppard, rhp, Point Loma (Calif.) University
98. Davis Moore, rhp/of, Los Osos (Calif.) HS
99. Nicholas Kahle, c, Chaminade College Prep, Canoga Park, Calif.
100. Ryan Jensen, RHP, Salinas (Calif.) HS
101. Ryan Orr, c/of, La Costa Canyon HS, Carlsbad, Calif.
102. Nathan Walker, c/rhp, Carlsbad (Calif.) HS
103. Austin Roberts, RHP, River City HS, Sacramento, Calif.
104. Landon Silver, of/if, Huntington Beach (Calif.) HS
105. Isaiah Davis, rhp, Wilmer Amina Carter HS, Rialto, Calif.
106. Shane Martinez, ss/3b, John W. North HS, Riverside, Calif.
107. Andrew Brown, rhp, Granite Hills HS, El Cajon, Calif.
108. Tristan Duncan, rhp, El Capitan HS, Lakeside, Calif.
109. Chase Strumpf, ss/3b, JSerra Catholic HS, Gardena, Calif.
110. Jonathan Worley, rhp, High Tech HS, San Diego, Calif.
111. Logan Pouelsen, RHP/3B, Huntington Beach (Calif.) HS
112. Riley Ohl, rhp, Marina HS, Huntington Beach, Calif.
113. Cameron Jabara, rhp, Newport Harbor HS, Newport Beach, Calif.
114. Kyle Mora, RHP, Los Alamitos (Calif.) HS
115. Jordan Prendiz, of, Mt. Whitney High School, Visalia, Calif.
116. Jarron Silva, of, St. Mary’s HS, Stockton, Calif.
117. Ryan Garcia, ss/rhp, La Salle HS, Pasadena, Calif.
118. Jake MacNichols, C, Vintage HS, Napa, Calif.
119. Connor Lunn, rhp/3b, Cathedral Catholic HS, San Diego, Calif.
120. Cole Cardey, rhp, Arlington HS, Riverside, Calif.
121. Chris Lincoln, RHP, Rancho Verde HS, Moreno Valley, Calif.
122. Aaron Greenfield, of/1b, Millikan HS, Long Beach, Calif.
123. Preston Price, rhp, Cathedral Catholic HS, San Diego, Calif.
124. Kyle Cuellar, 2b, La Salle HS, Pasadena, Calif.
125. Conner Bock, 1b/of, Sage Hill HS, Newport Beach, Calif.
126. Connor Riley, rhp, Redondo Union HS, Redondo Beach, Calif.
127. Zack Noll, lhp, Great Oak HS, Temecula, Calif.
128. Kevin Riley, 3b, Chaffey CC (Calif.)
129. Dylan Stowell, rhp, California Baptist
130. Matthew Fraizer, of, Clovis North HS, Fresno, Calif.
131. Tyler Malone, ss, Woodcreek HS, Roseville, Calif.

ADDITIONAL SCOUTING REPORTS

Anthony Bender, rhp, Santa Rosa JC (Calif.) – Bender will be a two-way player at Cal State Northridge if he gets to school. A 6-foot-4, 215-pounder, he was limited by some back issues this spring, tossing just 16 innings. He’s an arm-strength prospect who has hit 95 mph consistently when healthy, with some reports he’s reached higher velocity. His slider earns fringe grades. He’ll close for Northridge if he makes it to college.

Kyle Stowers, of, El Cajon (Calif.) HS – Stowers is a lefthanded-hitting and -throwing outfielder who also plays some first base. He’s a good-bodied 6-foot-3, 200-pounder who has flashed athletic ability that could allow him to play in center field. He’s also flashed some power potential and has a chance to play at Stanford as a freshman if, as expected, he makes it to campus.

Justin Calomeni, rhp, Cal Poly – Calomeni didn’t work out in Cal Poly’s rotation in his first two seasons but unlocked his postential as a junior closer for Cal Poly. His fastball has touched 95 mph and usually sits 90-93 with life. He has an average slider as well and pitches with aggressiveness. He gets most of his swings and misses with his fastball from a full-effort delivery, and had 13.8 K/9 as a junior.

Austin Sodders, lhp, UC Riverside – Sodders’ has deception and down angle from a 6-foot-5 frame that makes his 88-89 mph fastball, which will bump 92, hard to square up. He was UC Riverside’s ace and the son of 1981 Baseball America College Player of the Year Mike Sodders.

Ryan Kirby, of/1b, San Diego – Kirby isn’t a consensus top 10 round selection, but some teams are in on him as a college bat who performed this spring when healthy. Kirby missed six weeks thsi spring with a knee injury but hit a game-winning homer in his first game back, and his game rests on his lefthanded bat and solid-average power. He’s teased scouts in the past but hit a career-best six homers in just 128 at-bats this spring. His other tools are fringy, with scouts hoping he could move back to left field as a pro rather than just play first base.

Cameron Neff, rhp, Saint Mary’s – A Monterey County product, Neff had a strong freshman season at Saint Mary’s that included five complete games. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder struggled with injuries as a sophomore but bounced back as a junior to stick in the rotation all season for the Gaels, who won the West Coast Conference tournament. Neff beat Gonzaga in the title game, using an upper-80s fastball that at times touches 91-92. He tries to set up his slider and above-average changeup, his best pitch.

Tommy Kahle, c, Chaminade Prep, Canoga Park, Calif. – Kahle is a power-hitting catcher whose bat is far ahead of his glove. He has plenty of strength in his frame though he lacks projection. He’s committed to Washington.

Brett Barbier, c/1b, Cal Poly – For Barbier to get drafted, he has to try to catch. A 5-foot-11, 190-pound junior, Barbier caught regularly as a sophomore for the Mustangs but shifted to first base as a junior and became Cal Poly’s top hitter. He controls the strike zone but only profiles with a conversion to catcher due to his modest power.

Jack Pabich, rhp, Orange Coast (Calif.) CC – Pabich has good size at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds and is committed to Cal State Fullerton. He’s still projectable and has hit 93 mph with his fastball.

Kyle Davis, rhp, Southern California – Davis backed up as a senior, in terms of command and sharpness. He was a top 200-caliber prospect at times as a junior thanks to a mid-90s fastball (albeit on a flat plane) and a hard, above-average curveball.

Devin Carter, of, Point Loma (Calif.) University – Carter, a senior, could be a late-round pick as a plus runner who hit for average and power at Point Loma with enough arm to play right field.

Coleman Huntley, rhp, Point Loma (Calif.) University – A 6-foot-4 righthander, Huntley’s 91-92 mph fastball/slider combo gives him a chance to be a senior sign.

Kelvin Sheppard, rhp, Point Loma (Calif.) University – Point Loma’s ace doesn’t have a plus pitch but he survives with an 88-90 mph fastball, playable slider and a splitter.