VIRGINIA

2007 FOLLOW LIST  

OVERVIEW: ByVirginia ’s ever-rising standard, this year’s college and high school crop is considered average. It has the potential for three picks by the end of the sandwich round—but possibly none in the true first round, unless Virginia two-way player Sean Doolittle slips in the back end.

There is a pretty clear consensus on the top five players in the state, but opinions vary considerably after that. Most of the college players that will be drafted weren’t heavily cross-checked and will be selected by the area scout that can best sell his team on a player. With the exception of the top two high school talents, righthanders Neil Ramirez and Justin Grimm, most of the remaining high school players of note are set on school and will likely see their stock compromised by signability issues.

Overall, the talent doesn’t measure up to 2005—considered a landmark draft by Virginia standards. A number of the top prospects that year either weren’t drafted or didn’t sign, however, and their turn will come around again a year from now. That draft promises to yield another windfall crop led by Virginia righthander Jacob Thompson and James River High righthander Daniel Marrs—both projected first-roundfers.

STRENGTH: Projectable power hitters.
WEAKNESS: Signable high school talent.
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 3.

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Virginia Connection: Mike Bianucci, of, Auburn U. (Attended high school in Fairfax ).
Top 2008 Prospect: Jacob Thompson, rhp, U. of Virginia .

Highest Pick, Draft History: Justin Upton, ss, Great Bridge HS, Chesapeake (2005, Diamondbackss/1^st round, 1^st pick);
Highest Pick, 2006 Draft: Jeremy Jeffress, rhp, Halifax County HS , South Boston (Brewers/1^st round; 16^th pick).

Best College Team: Virginia .
Best High School Team: James River HS, Midlothian .

TOP 30 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.   Sean Doolittle                LHP/1B      Jr.     L-L     6-3     185     U. of Virginia                     Tabernacle, N.J.         Braves '04 (39)   9-26-86
SCOUTING REPORT: Scouts were split on Doolittle’s worth as a pitcher or position player as a New Jersey high school player, and they continued to debate the issue through his first two seasons at Virginia . But with the need to make a call this spring, they have sided with him as an everyday player. It’s not a clear-cut decision by any means, however, as Doolittle has shown limited power his last two years in college; he hit just seven home runs this spring. Teams are banking the power will come as he adds loft to his swing, gets stronger in the upper body and moves on from Virginia . Doolittle has never lifted weights and his body has room to grow. Virginia ’s spacious ballpark is also not conducive to power, nor is the hitting philosophy at the school which emphasizes contact over leverage. Doolittle makes good, consistent, hard contact from the left side and can really square up a ball. He should continue to hit for average in the future, even as he adds loft to his stroke. He makes excellent adjustments at the plate, and his 42-21 walk-to-strikeout ratio should have appeal to the Moneyball clubs that preach plate discipline. Doolittle is also a Gold Glove caliber first baseman—another factor in his favor as a position prospect. His speed is below average, but a non-factor for his position. Doolittle still has appeal as a pitcher after a 7-3, 2.57 season, but doesn’t have an out pitch for the next level.