NEW YORK

2007 FOLLOW LIST  

OVERVIEW:New York ’s draft crop is decidedly weighted towards college players—primarily senior pitchers and catchers, and power-hitting corner infielders. None of the college talent, however, is expected to be drafted in the top three rounds.

 

The New York high school ranks have two prime-time prospects in righthanders Brian Dupra and Greg Holle, but both could easily become late-round afterthoughts. Dupra, a Notre Dame recruit, carries a big price tag, while Holle spent the bulk of the 2007 season on the sidelines with an injury, pretty much nullifying his chances of going in the early rounds.

 

An interesting twist in this year’s draft that will impact the state’s pool of talent will be the inclusion of two players from the U.S. Military Academy, lefthander Nick Hill and righthander Milan Dinga. Players from the nation’s service academies have played almost no role in the draft in the past, but a loosening of regulations that allows players to serve their two-year post graduation commitment in a reserve capacity will enable players like Hill and Dinga to begin professional careers with limited military obligations.

 

STRENGTH: College power hitters.

WEAKNESS: High school bats.

OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 3.

 

Best Out-of-State Prospect, New York Connection: Michael Ambort, c, Lamar U. (Attended high school in Rockville Center ).

Top 2008 Prospect: Scott Barnes, lhp, St. John’s U.

 

Highest Pick, Draft History: Shawon Dunston, ss, Thomas Jefferson HS, Brooklyn (1982, Cubs/1^st round, 1^st pick).

Highest Pick, 2006 Draft: Glenn Gibson, lhp, Center Moriches HS,  (Nationals/4^th round).

 

Best College Team: St. John’s .
Best Junior College Team: Herkimer CC.
Best High School Team: James Monroe HS, Bronx.

 

TOP 25 PROSPECTS / By Allan Simpson

 

GROUPS (College, Junior College, High School)

      1   High-round draft (Rounds 1-3)

      2   Mid-round draft (Rounds 4-10)

      3   Late-round draft (Rounds 11-25)

      4   Chance draft / Player to follow

 

GROUP ONE

Rank  Player                                  Pos.       Yr     B-T      HT     WT     School                              Hometown                 Drafted/(Commit) B’date

     1.   Brian Dupra                         RHP      Sr.     R-R     6-4     200     Greece Athena HS          Rochester                   (Notre Dame)  12-15-88

SCOUTING REPORT: Dupra and righthander Greg Holle were pretty much neck-and-neck on the hierarchy of New York high school players at the start of the year, but Dupra clearly separated himself this spring—as much because of his own improvement as the injury-plagued Holle’s demise. Dupra has nicely filled out his 6-foot-4 frame and gotten stronger, and came out of the gates throwing a heavy 91-93 mph fastball, touching 95—an upgrade from 88-91 a year ago. His fastball became an especially effective pitch when he kept it down in the strike zone consistently. He also showed the ability to hold his velocity deeper into games. His secondary pitches remain works-in-progress, but a slurvy breaking ball has evolved more into a true curveball; his feel for a changeup is improved. Dupra overpowered upstate New York high school hitters when all three pitches were working. Dupra’s pitches come from a power arm slot, but he has a little head jerk in an otherwise clean delivery that is a minor concern to scouts. The other issue that troubles scouts is his signability. He has a high price with Notre Dame as leverage, and he could slide in the draft if teams determine he’s unsignable in the round his talent warrants.