Player Profile: Nick Castellanos

3B Nick Castellanos 6’4” 210

Castellanos plays for Archbishop McCarthy High School in Southwest Ranches, Florida.  He’s a short stop, but will likely move to third base at the next level.  He’s considered one of the best prep bats in the draft and profiles as an above average third baseman defensively.

Nick has good hands, agility, and plenty of arm for third base.  He’s projected to be a plus hitter with plus power at the next level.  He has had some trouble with breaking balls and has average speed.

He also has a strong commitment to Miami and will probably demand well above slot to sign.  Castellanos will most likely be available when it’s the Padres turn to pick at #9.

2010 Padres Draft Coverage

Updates on player signings and assignments will be posted here by Steve Adler and Mickey Koke.  Check back often!

The MLB Draft kicks off Monday with the first round and will continue through Wednesday.  We will do out best to provide you coverage of the Padres picks and unique analysis from our own Cheri Bell, Brian Koke and resources throught the web. 

I want to invite you to join us and encourage you to participate in the coverage.

The newest Padre: Karsten Whitson

Karsten Whitson  RHP

6-4 190 lbs     Chipley HS (FL)    DOB:  8/25/91

This year’s draft class is notably strong in pitchers, particularly RHP. Karsten is a prime example of the quality of this draft. With a fastball clocked between 91-96mph,  with good movement, he also has a plus slider from 81-83mph that has a hard, sharp break. His third pitch is an 80-82mph changeup that he is working to improve and is average at this point.

Whitson is tall and lanky, with good control and few walks in his starts. He has a repeatable delivery and is athletic.

He started the season strong but had a late season fade that has concerned scouts but has made a good showing in the All Star competition this month. As a result of this up and down season he has moved up and down in the mock drafts. His current surge could help move him back up to his prominent position in the top 15 picks of the first round.

Player Profile: Yasmani Grandal

C Yasmani Grandal 6’2” 210 lbs Bats: S Throws: R

 The Red Sox drafted Grandal out of high school in the 27^th round of the 2007 draft.   Grandal chose to attend the University of Miami instead.   The switch hitter is hitting .418/.546/.746 with 22 doubles, 14 home runs, 56 RBI, and a 55/32 walk to strike out ratio across 201 AB’s.

 There are some scouting report inconsistencies on Grandal.  Some scouts have recorded below average pop times of 2.1 seconds and consider his arm below average while others have recorded him at 1.9 seconds and consider his arm above average.  His arm is accurate and most consider him an average or better receiver.  He is a well below average runner, but he moves well behind the plate.

 Grandal has a good approach and profiles as an average or better hitting catcher at the major league level.  He has average power now, but has the potential for above average power in the future.  His bat is much better from the left side and some scouts think he may abandon switch hitting eventually. 

 Some mock drafts have Grandal as high as forth overall, but the general consensus is that he’s not a top 10 talent.  Catchers are highly sought after on draft day and teams are willing to overdraft to pick one up.  His hitting skills are not on par with recent draft picks like Matt Weiters and Buster Posey and his defensive skills are not on par with last years 4^th overall pick Tony Sanchez whom most considered an over draft.  He still profiles as an above average catcher at the major league level and may be on the Padres draft board at #9.

 Because of the recent comments of Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod, it doesn’t appear that the Padres would draft Grandal unless they consider him the best player available.  Grandal is also reportedly seeking 6+ million dollars which is way above slot.  Over drafting and paying way above slot for Grandal seems like a long shot. 

MLB Comparison:  Ryan Doumit with better defensive skills

Player Profile: Alex Wimmers

Alex Wimmers       RHP          Ohio St          Jr

6-2    195 lbs       Bats:  L  Throws:  R

Said to have the best change up in the draft, Wimmers also has good movement on his 2 seam fastball and a fourseamer that tops out at 94 mph (usually 90-92 mph). He can throw his curve ball for strikes at 71-73 mph with late break. His change is the circle type that he is still working on. He has good control over all his pitches and throw strikes.

Wimmers had a strong season in the 2009 Cape Cod League and was judged by many scouts to be the most polished pitcher o the summer.

Starting the 2010 season strong with 9 straight wins, Alex suffered a hamstring injury which slowed him but he has recovered and is again pitching. But the injury could affect his draft selection.

The Friday starter at Ohio St, he projects to have mid-rotation stuff in the major leagues. He  has excellent mound presence and poise and will probably move quickly through the minor leagues. His fluid delivery prompts comparisons to Scott Williamson.

Player Profile: Bryce Brentz

Bryce Brentz     OF     Middle Tennessee St

6-0  185 lbs   Bats:  R   Throws:  R

Drafted as a pitcher  out of high school in the 30^th round by the Cleveland Indians, Bryce entered college and his hitting ability went to the forefront. Although he has a 93 mph fastball his ability with the bat is more impressive.

A good hitter with power to all fields, Bryce has a short compact stroke that makes him an above average hitter. His biggest weakness is being overly aggressive at the plate with an all or nothing approach that makes for being streaky at times. Although not a classic home run hitter at this point he has a strong body and may develop more home run capacity.

He is a good defender that predominately plays RF with average range and  the strong arm mentioned earlier.

His season was slowed this year by an ankle injury which he has recovered from and has come back to pitch and play the outfield successfully.

MLB Comparison:  Nick Markakis

Player Profile: Drew Pomeranz

Drew Pomeranz   LHP    Mississippi   Jr

6-5   231 lbs   Throw:  L  Bats:  L

Judged  by many scouts to be the best left handed college pitcher in the draft, Pomeranz will go early. Probably in the top 5 picks.

Throwing his fastball at 91-94 mph with good movement, he also has a power curve (77-81 mph) with good tilt. His changeup needs more work but is improving. Drew has good mechanics and improving control (lodging 4.5 walks/9 innings in the past).

As the Friday starter for Mississippi he has been aggressively scouted and the thought is that he will possess 3 above average pitches in the majors.

Drafted by the Rangers in the 12^th round in 2007, he returned to school when his deal fell through.

There was concern and a drop in his expectations in May when he had a pectoral muscle strain but has come back strong and climbed back up the draft charts.