Scouting the Draft: Sleepers

I'm just going to list a few "sleepers" that I'm going to be watching for in the MLB Free Agent Draft that starts this afternoon at 4:00 PM PDT. Of course, with over 1500 players being drafted over 50 rounds by 30 teams, it is extremely unlikely that any of these kids end up with the Giants, but I would be happy if they did. These are kids you won't find on any Top 200 lists or any mock drafts.

Kenneth Gaines Jr. AKA Julius Gaines, SS, HS. John Klima posted scouting video of him over on baseballbeginnings.com and I found a couple of videos on youtube.com. Seems to be a true shortstop who may have been overlooked because he didn't go on the showcase circuit and comes from a small town in Georgia. If that sounds a lot like Chuckie Jones' story from last year to you, it sure does to me. Love the swing, love the way he looks in a baseball uniform.

Greg Larson, RHP, Florida. Non-closer college reliever which is why he may be flying under radar. Huge at 6'8", 240 lbs. Again, Klima has posted scouting video. FB goes 87-90 which is not as fast as you'd think for a kid this big. Klima seems to think there is more there with some tweaking. Here's his college stat line: 1-1, 2.25, 36 IP, 6 BB, 27 K's. The Giants have a long history of drafting guys like this later in the draft.

Jordan Pries, RHP, Stanford. Was last year's Friday starter. Passed on the depth chart by Mark Appel this year. Can pound the lower half of the strike zone with a two seamer that goes 90-92 and has 3 quality secondary pitches to go with it. Had a great start this weekend in the College Regionals against CS Fullerton. Stat Line: 6-5, 3.24, 94.1 IP, 30 BB, 74 K's.

Matt Fleishman, OF, Villanova. 6'2", 200 lbs. Good all-around hitter. Played well despite being on a team that didn't perform well. .325/.381/.542 with 5 HR, 4 3B, 21 2B, 6 SB, 1 CS in 203 AB.