Scouting the Draft: 3 College RHP's

Here are 3 profiles of college RHP's, 1 who is consistently ranked in the late first round, 1 who has been linked to the Giants in 1 mock draft and 1 who caught my eye as a possible riser or sleeper who may be available in round 2.

1.  Ryan Eades, LSU.  Eades is consistently listed in the late first round in early mock drafts.  He was a bit overshadowed at LSU by Kevin Gausman but has emerged a breakout candidate based on his stuff.  He stands 6'3", 200 lbs.  His FB sits at 91-93 MPH and touches 95.  He shows command of 3 secondary pitches, slider, curve and change with the curve showing plus potential.  The concern is his performance has not matched his stuff.  Here are  his stat lines from 2 college seasons and his 2011 Cape Cod League when he was named the CCL pitcher of the Year:

2011 NCAA  4-1, 4.81, 43 IP, 18 BB, 31 K.
2011 CCL     3-0, 0.84, 32.1 IP, 7 BB, 23 K.
2012 NCAA  5-3, 3.83, 94 IP, 28 BB, 63 K.

I'm always suspicious of college guys who scout better than their performance, but Eades may be poised for a breakout.  You can find a more complete profile and an 8+ minute video over on Big League Futures linked to the left.  To my eye he has a clean 3/4 delivery with quick arm action. Moderate effort. Strong follow-through I do not have GB ratios, but I would guess he induces a lot of GB's.  Eades is the 12'th ranked college draft prospect by BA.

2.  Andrew Mitchell, TCU.  One mock draft had Mitchell going to the Giants at #27(draft placement will change with the signings of FA's with qualifying offers).  He is listed at 6'3", 220 lbs.  FB goes 90-93, touches 94.  Secondary stuff is developing. He has stronger K ratios than Eades, but has had control issues and his stuff sounds like it is not nearly as developed.  Here's his stat lines from 2 college campaigns:

2011  6-1, 2.84, 76 IP, 31 BB, 73 K's.
2012  5-3, 3.74, 77 IP, 46 BB, 101 K.

Again, there is a more complete profile on Big League Futures with a video clip.  In the video he had an easy motion.  The guy making the video had a radar gun that was registering 88-91 on fastballs.  He struck out a LH batter with a breaking ball at the back foot.  The southwest region is tough on pitchers so his performance there may project to higher levels.  He certainly has a big league body.  He is listed at #62 on BA's college draft prospects, so could be available clear down in rounds 4-5.

3.  Aaron Blair, Marshall.  This guy is actually my favorite of these 3 even though he seems to be not as highly ranked in mock drafts.  He stands 6'5", 220 lbs.  FB 90-92, touches 94.  Has a change and curveball that he commands and can throw in FB counts.  He has performed well for Marshall in 2 seasons and was a Cape Cod League All Star in 2012.  Here are his stat lines:

2011 NCAA  2-3, 2.72, 36.1 IP, 13 BB, 34 K.
2012 NCAA  2-8, 3.98, 83.2 IP, 28 BB, 82 K.
2012 CCL     6-0, 1.17, 38.1 IP, 12 BB, 44 K.

Again there is a full profile on Big League Futures as well as video.  It's the video I fell in love with.  Check out his arm action and tell me what you think.  One more observation.  In the video, he's pitching with a runner on base and for a big guy seems to deliver the ball quickly with almost a slide step.  BA has him ranked at #38 in is college draft prospects list which would make him available in round 2.