Cliff Kirkpatrick

The 50-round Major League Baseball amateur draft is Thursday and Friday. There are a few Oregon State players with pro potential. Here’s my chart that is running in Thursday’s GT. It highlights who have the best chances, after talking with scouts.

Top prospect
+ Mike Stutes, Sr., RHP: Didn’t have a strong season after not signing last year, but feels he became a better all-around pitcher. He will be a steal if left around too long.
Should get a look
+ Drew George, Sr., INF: Switch hitter who can play every infield spot. He’s a streaky hitter with some pop, and was drafted in the 44th round two years ago out of JC.
+ Mark Grbavac, Jr., RHP: Has a durable arm as a middle reliever. His fastball is in the middle 80s, and has a great curveball.
+ Chris Hopkins, Sr., OF: Speedster can track down balls in the gap and be a threat to steal, but inconsistent at the plate. He was drafted in 44th round last year.
+ Jason Ogata, Jr., DH/2B: Swings a big bat, but fielding is his weakness. That might cause him to be left on the table for next year.
+ John Wallace, Jr., OF: Strong arm and plays good defense. He runs well and makes solid contact, but lacks power. Being a left-handed hitter gives him an edge.
Possible free agents
+ Lonnie Lechelt, Sr., INF: Runs hot and cold on defense and at the plate. His versatility makes him a good roster addition.
+ Jordan Lennerton, Sr., 1B: Great defender who saved many throwing errors. He can hit well at times with some pop. However, he’s terribly slow.
+ Daniel Robertson, Sr., OF: Small stature plays against him, but hits, defends and runs well. He’s a classic overachiever who someone may give a shot.
+ Braden Wells, Sr., OF: A versatile player who has the ability to fill out a roster, and then develop for the future. He has speed, good defense and makes contact.
Draftable recruits
+ Ryan Gorton, RHP/OF, Tigard High: Rated No. 93 high school player in the country by Baseball America, and rated No. 1 in Oregon by Baseballnorthwest.com.
+ B.J. Hermsen: RHP, West Delaware High (Masonville, Iowa): Baseball America rated him a four-star prospect and No. 28 among high school players.
+ Doug Kincaid, OF, Jesuit High: Baseballnorthwest.com rates him as the No. 2 Oregon prospect.
+ Logan Lotti, OF, Sierra College: A standout hitter but is under the radar in the national ratings. That may help the Beavers keep him.
+ Devin Shepherd, OF, Southern Nevada College: A fifth-round selection by the Twins in 2006. He originally went to Oklahoma but transferred after one season.
+ Niko Vasquez, SS, Las Vegas Durango High: Has power, a strong arm and good defensively. A little slow. He missed time due to academics, which might keep away from college.
+ Brent Warren, OF, Xavier High (Robins, Iowa): Baseball America listed him as a four-star prospect, and ranked him No. 73 among high school players.

- Cliff

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