2016 State Draft Report: West Virginia

CROP RATING
	Solid, not spectacular
Rating compares this year’s group to what a state typically produces, not to other states

While the state lacks the impact it had with Aaron Blair (Marshall) in 2013 or the depth of arms from West Virginia it had in 2014 (Harrison Musgrave, John Means and Sean Carley), the Mountain State’s class is generally in line with previous years.

Chad Donato is a former catcher who caught A’s prospect Casey Meisner at Cypress Woods High in Texas, although his draft status is clouded by a UCL strain. WVU teammate Blake Smith has physicality and power stuff. Slap-hitting Marshall speedster Corey Bird has a solid fourth outfielder profile.

As in some previous years, the talent pool is exclusively from the college ranks.

NATIONAL TOP 500 PROSPECTS

BA 500 Scouting Reports

1. Chad Donato, rhp, West Virginia (National Rank: 351)
2. Blake Smith, rhp, West Virginia (National Rank: 404)
3. Corey Bird, of, Marshall (National Rank: 414)

OTHER PROSPECTS OF NOTE

2016 Draft Map

4. Logan Goodnight, ss, Linsly HS, Wheely, W. Va.
5. Conner Dotson, rhp, West Virginia
6. J.D. Hammer, rhp, Marshall
7. Chase Boster, rhp, Marshall
8. Ray Guerrini, c, West Virginia

ADDITIONAL SCOUTING REPORTS

Logan Goodnight, ss, Linsly HS, Wheely, W. Va. – Goodnight has exceptionally smooth hands and the chance to be an above-average defender. He has quick hands at the plate and shows the ability to generate line drives in batting practice, though he will need to catch up to the speed of the game at higher levels. Goodnight is committed to Penn State.

Conner Dotson, rhp, West Virginia – Dotson had an inconsistent 7-4, 4.44 spring for the Mountaineers, but he’s a projectable rigthander with a loose arm who’s touched 94 mph. His slider can be an above-average pitch, but it comes and goes.

J.D. Hammer, rhp, Marshall – A righthanded senior with arm strength, Hammer went 4-2, 4.88 as Marshall’s Sunday starter while touching 93 mph. Hammer gets nailed at times and needs polish, but scouts like his body.

Chase Boster, rhp, Marshall – Boster went 8-3, 3.39 for Marshall this spring, scattering the zone with an 88-91 mph fastball. His slider and curveball are both fringy, but he has an above-average changeup that gets swings and misses. He’s a senior sign.

Ray Guerrini, c, West Virginia – Guerrini has a solid offensive season for the Mountaineers as a junior, but his future will be dictated by his defense. Head coach Randy Mazey said that Guerrini has plus arm strength, also noting that he handles the pitching staff well.