Analyzing Amateur Baseball Talent as it pertains to the MLB Draft

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The Next Aztec: Addison Reed

This story originally appeared on PG Crosschecker. Please visit it here.

During the 2009 season, San Diego State right-hander Addison Reed had the honor to close out games that Stephen Strasburg started. And Reed’s numbers were equally gaudy, posting a 0.65 ERA, allowing only two earned runs all year, with a 38-to-7 strikeout to walk ratio in 27.2 innings of work.

He was also perfect in save opportunities, leading the nation with 20, although his accomplishments went somewhat over-shadowed by his famous teammate.

But Strasburg wasn’t the only pitcher that departed from the 2009 team, as Jon Berger and Tyler Lavigne were also drafted and began their professional careers, meaning the entire weekend rotation has a new look.

Coach Tony Gwynn wasn’t looking to replace the first overall pick from last year in Strasburg, but he needed someone to lead the staff and help replace some of the starts and overall innings that were lost from last year’s team.

And while Reed without a doubt is the best pitcher on the team, seeing him get called upon to become the team’s Friday ace was a surprise since he had been used almost exclusively as a one-inning reliever.

“It will take some time for him to get comfortable with it,” said new Aztecs pitching coach EricValenzuela. “He has never thrown more than four innings in a game in his whole life. (Being a starter) is all new to him, but it will make him a better pitcher no matter how he’s used in the future.”

Reed’s first start of the season didn’t go so well, although it was against one of the best offensive clubs in the nation in the Oklahoma Sooners. He gave up four earned runs in 4.2 innings, although he did strike out six batters.

Reed took a big step forward last weekend, striking out 11 batters in a complete-game effort over Valenzuela’s former team and cross-town rival, the San Diego Toreros, another ranked opponent. That effort led to him being named the Mountain West Conference pitcher of the week.

His stuff has held up well, especially so early in the season. While he’s not routinely touching the mid-90s as he did pitching in short stints, he consistently has sat 92-93. In his nine-inning performance against San Diego, his velocity never dipped below 90, and he remained at 92-93 until the eighth and ninth innings when he was throwing 90-91. His slider remains sharp, and Valenzuela has taught Reed the same changeup he showed to former pupils such as Brian Matusz and Josh Romanski.

“He just picked it up and he’s thrown it really well,” Valenzuela said. “He’s our best arm. He just needs to buy into it, stay with the plan, remain patient and continue to embrace the new role.”

The early-season success continued for Reed against another prominent national opponent as he out-dueled sophomore sensation Alex Meyer of Kentucky on Thursday night. Reed held the Wildcats to two runs over six innings, efficiently managing his workload by tossing 84 pitches, allowing only four hits and two walks.

Solis’ Return

While Reed tossed a dandy last Friday against the Toreros, San Diego lefty Sammy Solis returned the favor on Saturday.

Solis didn’t go the distance, but he didn’t allow a single run in six innings, allowing only four hits and two walks while striking out six. That effort led to him being named the West Coast Conference pitcher of the week, and overall this year over two starts Solis is 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA. That’s an encouraging start considering he missed almost all of last year due to a lower-back injury sustained while lifting weights.

Armed with a 90-92 fastball (and he has thrown harder in the past), he was throwing strikes all afternoon while mixing in his breaking ball and changeup. He has a good three- pitch mix, and with good size there is plenty of reason to believe the best has yet to come.

Frequently compared to former San Diego lefty Brian Matusz, Solis has a different style, attacking hitters with his fastball by constantly challenging them with his best stuff. His former pitching coach compared him to live-armed lefty Aaron Poreda, the key player the Padres acquired when trading Jake Peavy to the Chicago White Sox.

The Toreros have built a reputation on recruiting and developing impact pitching in recent years, and their weekend staff is highlighted by college stars including Solis and fellow potential first-round pick Kyle Blair. Should Solis’ success continue, much like Addison Reed’s, he could find himself taken a lot earlier than initially projected.

Bashin’ Blash

Keeping with the theme of players making an early impression this season, Miami-Dade College outfielder Jabari Blash has also elevated his game from where he left off a year ago.

A ninth-round pick by the Rangers last June, Blash’s season took an unfortunate turn when his brother lost his life in a motorcycle accident. Jabari needed to return home to the Virgin Islands to help manage the funeral arrangements and to honor his brother’s memory while also serving as the primary support system for his family.

That happened 10 home runs and 99 at-bats into a season in which he already was creating a serious national stir in regards to the draft.

It hasn’t taken long for the scouts, and scouting directors, to return to his games. He has put on some shows in batting practice, hitting to the ball to all fields while also launching some bombs. He has arguably the best outfield arm in the country, and at 6-foot-5 and approaching 230 pounds, he also presents one of the more exciting, athletic statures.

Blash’s success has translated well to games. He had five hits in nine at-bats over three games in a recent tournament hosted by Chipola College, and also drew six walks in those games. Patience in particular is something he has focused on, as his plate discipline and big swing were previous areas of concern. He already has drawn more than 20 walks, and it’s only a matter of time before his power stroke follows as he continues to wait for his pitch.

He continues to transform himself from an exciting raw talent into a more polished and true five-tool talent. Since he has shown that he knows what he has to do to continue to get better, many believe he is just starting to scratch the surface of the player he will become in the near future.

Dandy Dozen

SP
 Cameron Bedrosian Son of Steve with big-league curve
SP
 Ryne Stanek Projectable RHP on the rise with big FB
SP
 Seth Blair Sinker/slider RHP with improve velocity
SP
 Zach Cates Former catcher showing big-time arm
SP
 Jesse Biddle Big lefty throwing more in the 90s
CL
 Kevin Munson Power closer with big FB, SL
CL
 Chance Ruffin Son of Bruce has thrived in closer role
C
 Kellin Deglan Good D' tools with improving lefty bat
IF
 Kellen Sweeney Athletic IF with sweet lefty swing
SS
 Mason Williams Speedy, toolsy former CF on the rise
OF
 Drew Smyly Power prospect also strong armed QB
OF
 Ryan LaMarre Five-tool CF prospect from Big Ten

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