NCAA Top Prospects week #13

This week is another interesting week, based on how I usually write articles. Looking at all the comments, I think that most of you have concluded that you want a pitcher. So I have all pitchers here today, and I’ll start with one who I haven’t covered before, but is another great arm.

Kyson Witherspoon, from Oklahoma, has been pretty dominant this year and has been kind of in the shadows since there are so many great arms. He’s posted a 2.45 ERA over 91 innings pitched and has 104 strikeouts. Along with those strikeouts, he has only walked 20 batters this year. Which over 91 innings is pretty dang good. Here are his stats for the weekend: 5 IP, 6 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, and 5 Ks.

Moving on to a top candidate for the Halos this summer, from Florida State, Jamie Arnold. He has been great all year and could end up being the favorite for the Angels come draft day. He has been consistent all season. He can work deep into games, and he can throw a lot of pitches if needed. Here is his stat line for the weekend: 6IP, 6 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned, 2 walks, and 9 Ks. Another great outing for Jamie Arnold as he continues to make his case for the best pitcher in the country.

Kade Anderson popped on my radar a few weeks ago. It wasn’t even because I was watching him, I was watching Liam Doyle, and was very impressed with how Kade threw. He’s been pretty consistent all year and has stamped himself as a top arm in the country. Here’s how his weekend went: 5.2 IP, 7 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk, and 10 Ks. Kade is another high-strikeout and low-walk guy. This class is loaded with arms.

For our last arm, Liam Doyle has been electric all year. Doyle has really honed in this year; he’s been at 3 different schools all 3 years, and Tennessee was really able to dial him in. He’s racked up over 130 strikeouts and has been lights out. Here are his weekend stats: 7 IP, 3 hits, 0 runs, no walks, and 12 Ks. A great outing, and I’m not surprised at all that he’s continued his domination.

Stay tuned for weekly updates on the best players in college!

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Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
3 hours ago

Arnold is the one guy on the list who has never fallen out of the top 2-3 projections.

Considering Perry’s penchant for polished guys with high floors, I’m thinking Arnold is the pick if he’s there.

But boy is that a smooth delivery for Kyson.

HalosFanForLife
Super Member
1 hour ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Yeah, it really comes out easy. Not enough o’s in smooooth.

HalosFanForLife
Super Member
4 hours ago

Doyle looked rattled yesterday against Texas. Not the same guy I saw a few weeks ago in Knoxville. I think he was pressing. It’s unfortunate there is no Bazzana/Wetherholt option this year. Automatic guys. Perhaps someone will rise in the Playoffs. I have a hard time taking a guy struggling to dominate at the College level. Doyle will be a solid producer for someone. Time will tell to see if he is a true number one. His max effort pitching is scary though for longevity.

Turk's Teeth
Editor
Super Member
13 hours ago

Glad to see Kyson getting some love here – he’s nudged past Arnold for me in terms of personal preference among the college arms, though the two are interchangeable in terms of projection, I think. I just like Witherspoon’s five pitch arsenal, the big easy fastball, and the durability he’s shown this season. He’s consistently posted against good competition, and I think the portfolio plays better in pro ball than Doyle’s largely FB-primary approach.

The four college arms Nolan highlights here are the consensus four who are, alongside prepster Hernandez, expected to go in the first 10-12 picks in round one. Other names out there are Bremner and Riley Quick, but both probably move in the #15-30 range.

TrojanBoiler
Super Member
14 hours ago

I’ve gotta imagine it’s either going to be Doyle or Arnold. I know some on here want Hernandez but that’s not Perry’s style.

Plus with this recent success of the team and the core yutes really starting to play well you think PTP will want a pitcher than can get to the show soon and compliment them in the next year or two.

Turk's Teeth
Editor
Super Member
13 hours ago
Reply to  TrojanBoiler

Or Arquette, which seems very much like a Minasian pick – fast moving, more high floor than ceiling, and quickly plugged into 2b or 3b.

The irony of selecting Doyle over Hernandez is that there are plenty of scenarios where the latter reaches the MLB before the former, because Doyle looks at high risk of injury, and Hernandez is such a smooth operator with a full starter’s arsenal that he could debut at 21, and it wouldn’t be surprising at all.

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
12 hours ago
Reply to  Turk's Teeth

the funny thing about Oregon State players is that it’s Kwan at this point who’s having the best career although Rutschman will likely be better if he breaks out of this slump. But my point is that I think Oregon State hitters are a little overrated and I’m a fan of theirs. I root for Oregon football and Oregon State baseball.

Which means Arquette is having a great season but I don’t know how it will translate to professional ball. He’s a big lad, has lots of HRs, about as many walks as strikeouts. For reference, Aiva has 17 HRs in 258 PAs. Schanny had 19 in his last college year, 289 PAs.

HalosFanForLife
Super Member
4 hours ago

I think you’re being harsh on the Oregon State hitters. A bunch of guys have a hard time adjusting. Madrigal had it going, but injury bug got him. Kwan is a beast. Bazzana will be fine, I have no doubt. Rutschman will be solid catcher for years.

Turk's Teeth
Editor
Super Member
34 minutes ago

Obviously, a player who hits like Schanuel in the middle infield is more valuable than a first baseman alone. I do think there’s a wide range of outcomes for Arquette, from Neto to Will Wilson (just to use Angels benchmarks), but the most likely is a second division regular who hits .270 and puts up 18-20 HRs a year, a 2-3 WAR player who is serviceable, but not transformative. That’s fine, but probably more useful to a team willing to keep him at shortstop, and also the type of player the Angels could affordably pursue in free agency.

Last edited 33 minutes ago by Turk's Teeth
GrandpaBaseball
Legend
15 hours ago

July draft is just around the corner, really enjoy what you have been providing to us. 😊 

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
17 hours ago

Thanks, Nolan. I’m enjoying this series. July is not too far away now. The College World Series will put things in perspective

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