Yesterday we had a discussion about overrated players in the upcoming draft, so today we'll switch gears...who stands out to you as an underrated player?

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Prospect of the Day: Michael Fiers, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers turned to rookie Michael Fiers on Tuesday to fill a hole in the starting rotation. Fiers responded with seven strong innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing one run on five hits, walking nobody while fanning three. Fiers is an under-the-radar prospect, but his performance record is excellent and he deserves more chances to show what he can do.

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The current plan (always subject to change):

Thursday: Research day. There will be material for you tomorrow but I don't know about what just yet.
Friday: Top 100 Draft Prospects for 2012
Weekend: Draft Sleepers; a final Mock Draft
Next Monday thru Wednesday: Covering the 2012 Baseball Draft, here at Minor League Ball as well as Baseball Nation
Thursday and beyond: I need to do some scouting. Also expect material from Matt G.

Prospect of the Day: Jurickson Profar, SS, Texas Rangers

Texas Rangers super-prospect Jurickson Profar is in the midst of an outstanding Double-A season for the Frisco Roughriders in the Texas League, solidifying his position as the best shortstop prospect in baseball.

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Minor League Prospect Notes, May 29, 2012

**I haven't talked much about Arizona Diamondbacks phenom Trevor Bauer lately, although I'm getting a lot of questions about him after his promotion to Triple-A Reno. Thus far he's made three starts for the Aces, with a 24/10 K/BB in 19 innings and just 11 hits allowed. Overall, he's fanned 84 in 67 innings this year between Reno and Double-A Mobile, allowing a mere 44 hits with a .186 average against. His walk rate is high (36 free passes) and there's some concern that he could use better command of his otherwise outstanding curveball, but I think Bauer's stuff is just too good for minor league hitters, and that they won't be able to expose any weaknesses. He remains a Grade A prospect for me.

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Prospect Retrospective and Career Profile: Magglio Ordonez

Former Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez has decided to retire. Let's review his career, examining what he was like as a prospect, and where he fits in historical context.

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The next week will be extremely busy around here. I am focused almost completely on the draft right now, although I'll have some minor league notes for you later today. I will try to keep Prospect of the Day going, but that is less important than the draft right now and if something slips, it will be that. I don't have an exact schedule yet (every time I try to publish one something happens), but here are my goals for the next week.

**I am working on my Top 100 draft prospects. I hope to have this finished on Friday.
**On the weekend, I will have some "sleeper draft prospects" to consider.
**On Sunday I will have one final mock draft.
**More draft contributions from Matt G.
**Promoting the The Minor League Ball Gameday thread from the fanposts to the front page is proving to be extremely popular, and that will be a front page staple from now on.
**Tomorrow is my 20th wedding anniversary, and I have plans.

Finishing up the 2012 Community Mock Draft with a review of the National League West.

Have a good Memorial Day, everyone.

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Forward March, to the National League Central Community Mock Draft review.

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More reviews of the 2012 Community Mock Draft, moving ahead with the National League East.

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Moving forward with the 2012 Community Mock Draft Reviews, with the American League East.

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Continuing with reviews of the 2012 Minor League Ball Community Mock Draft, we look at the American League West.

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Today I will take a look at the results for each team in yesterday's Minor League Ball Community Mock Draft, beginning with the American League Central.

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Here is a discussion thread....what are your impressions of the 2012 Community Mock Draft?

I will summarize and analyze each team tomorrow.

96. Astros: Jeremy Gelalich, OF, UCLA
97. Twins: Logan Ehlers, LHP, Howard Junior College
98. Mariners: Brandon Kline, RHP, University of Virginia
99. Orioles: Tim Cooney, LHP, Wake Forest
100. Royals: Kieran Lovegrove, RHP, California HS
101. Cubs: Patrick Wisdom, 3B, St. Mary's
102. Padres: Brady Rodgers, RHP, Arizona State University
103. Pirates: Lex Rutledge, LHP, Samford
104. Marlins: Kyle Hansen, RHP, St. John's
105. Rockies: Walker Buehler, RHP, Kentucky HS
106. Athletics: Buck Farmer, RHP, Georgia Tech
107. Mets: Josh Elander, C, Texas Christian University
108. White Sox: Andrew Toles, OF, Chipola JC
109. Reds: Kevin Brady, RHP, Clemson
110. Indians: Brett Phillips, OF, Florida HS
111. Nationals: Chase DeJong, RHP, California HS
112. Blue Jays: Eddie Butler, RHP, Radford
113. Dodgers: Stephen Johnson, RHP, St. Edward's
114. Angels: Cody Poteet, RHP, California HS
115. Giants: Sam Selman, LHP, Vanderbilt
116. Braves: Dan Langfield, RHP, Memphis
117. Cardinals: Matt Olson, 1B, Georgia HS
118. Red Sox: Alec Asher, RHP, Polk County JC (FL)
119. Rays: Matt Koch, RHP, Louisville
120. Diamondbacks: Damien Magnifico, RHP, University of Oklahoma
121. Tigers: Logan Vick, OF, Baylor
122. Brewers: Kenny Diekroeger, INF, Stanford
123. Rangers: Patrick Kivlehan,3B, Rutgers
124. Yankees: Alex Young, LHP, Illinois HS
125. Phillies: Tomas Nido, C, Florida HS

Supplemental Third Round:

126. Mariners (for unsigned 2011 third-round pick Kevin Cron): Jeremy Rathjen, OF, Rice University
127. Marlins (for unsigned 2011 t third-round pick Connor Barron): Max Foody, LHP, Florida HS
128. Rockies (for unsigned 2011 third-round pick Peter O’Brien): Matt Reynolds, 3B, Arkansas

61. Astros: Fernando Perez, 3B, Central Arizona CC
62. Athletics (Willingham): Martin Agosta, RHP, St. Mary's
63. Twins: Kevin Plawicki, C, Purdue
64. Mariners: Nick Williams, OF, Texas HS
65. Orioles: Mitch Nay, 3B, Arizona HS
66. Royals: Kyle Twomey, LHP, California HS
67. Cubs: Wyatt Mathisen, C, Texas HS
68. Padres: Mitch Haniger, OF, Cal Poly
69. Pirates: Tom Murphy, C, University of Buffalo
70. Padres (Heath Bell): Brandon Thomas, OF, Georgia Tech
71. Mets (from Marlins for Jose Reyes): Brian Johnson, LHP, University of Florida
72. Twins (Cuddyer): Pat Light, RHP, Monmouth
73. Rockies: Paul Blackburn, RHP, California HS
74. Athletics: Daniel Robertson, INF, California HS
75. Mets: James Ramsey, OF, Florida State University
76. White Sox: Onelkis Garcia, LHP, No school (from Cuba, lives in CA)
77. Phillies (Ryan Madson): Brett Mooneyham, LHP, Stanford
78. Reds: Kayden Porter, RHP, Utah HS
79. Indians: Rio Ruiz, 3B, California HS
80. Nationals: Alec Rash, RHP, Iowa HS
81. Blue Jays: Nolan Sanburn, RHP, University of Arkansas
82. Dodgers: Tony Renda, 2B, University of California
83. Rangers (Wilson): Fernelys Sanchez, OF, New York HS
84. Giants: Alex Bregman, INF, New Mexico HS
85. Braves: Adrian Sampson, RHP, Bellevue CC
86. Cardinals: Mason Melotakis, LHP, Northwestern State University
87. Red Sox: D'vone McClure, OF, Arkansas HS
88. Yankees (for unsigned 2011 second-round pick Sam Stafford): Dane Phillips, C, Oklahoma City University
89. Rays: Jesse Winker, OF, Florida HS
90. Diamondbacks: Anthony Alford, OF, Mississippi HS
91. Tigers: Austin Maddox, RHP, University of Florida
92. Brewers: Josh Henderson, OF, Virginia HS
93. Rangers: Teddy Stankiewicz, RHP, Texas HS
94. Yankees: Preston Beck, OF, University of Texas-Arlington
95. Phillies: Duane Underwood, RHP, Georgia HS

32. Twins (for Michael Cuddyer): Mitch Brown, RHP, Minnesota HS
33. Padres (for Heath Bell): Addison Russell, SS, Florida HS
34. Athletics (for Josh Willingham); Nolan Fontana, SS, University of Florida
35. Mets (for Jose Reyes): Clint Coulter, C, Washington HS
36. Cardinals (for Albert Pujols): Pierce Johnson, RHP, Missouri State University
37. Red Sox (for Jonathan Papelbon): Chris Beck, RHP, Georgia Southern
38. Brewers (for Prince Fielder): Stephen Piscotty, 3B, Stanford
39. Rangers (for C.J. Wilson): Dylan Baker, RHP, Western Nevada JC
40. Phillies (for Ryan Madson): Trey Williams, 3B, California HS
41. Astros (for Clint Barmes): Hunter Virant, LHP, California HS
42. Twins (for Jason Kubel): J.O. Berrios, RHP, Puerto Rico HS
43. Cubs (for Aramis Ramirez): Alex Wood, LHP, University of Georgia
44. Padres (for Aaron Harang): Walker Wieckel, RHP, Florida HS
45. Pirates (for Ryan Doumit): Barrett Barnes, OF, Texas Tech
46. Rockies (for Mark Ellis): Tyler Naquin, OF, Texas A&M
47. Athletics (for David DeJesus) Clate Schmidt, RHP, Georgia HS
48. White Sox (for Mark Buehrle): Jake Barrett, RHP, Arizona State
49. Reds (for Ramon Hernandez): Travis Jankowski, OF, Stony Brook
50. Blue Jays (for Frank Francisco): Edwin Diaz, RHP, Puerto Rico HS
51. Dodgers (for Rod Barajas): Nick Travieso, RHP, Florida HS
52. Cardinals (for Octavio Dotel): Ty Buttrey, RHP, North Carolina HS
53. Rangers (for Darren Oliver): Kolby Copeland, OF, Louisiana Hs
54. Phillies (for Raul Ibanez): Adam Brett Walker, 1B-OF, Jacksonville University
55. Padres (for unsigned 2011 Brett Austin): Mitch Gueller, RHP, Washington HS
56. Cubs (for Carlos Pena): Pete O'Brien, C, University of Miami
57. Reds (for Francisco Cordero): Carson Kelly, 3B, Oregon HS
58. Blue Jays (for Jon Rauch): J.V Diaz, SS, Puerto Rico HS
59. Cardinals (for Edwin Jackson): Steve Bean, C, Texas HS
60. Blue Jays (for Jose Molina): Christian Walker, 1B, South Carolina

Welcome to the 2012 Minor League Ball Community Mock Draft.

Make your picks in the comment thread and I will update this list as we go along.

1) Houston Astros: Byron Buxton, OF, Georgia HS
2) Minnesota Twins: Carlos Correa, SS, Puerto Rico HS
3) Seattle Mariners: Mike Zunino, C, University of Florida
4) Baltimore Orioles: Kevin Gausman, RHP, Louisiana State University
5) Kansas City Royals: Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford
6) Chicago Cubs: Max Fried, LHP, California HS
7) San Diego Padres: David Dahl, OF, Alabama HS
8) Pittsburgh Pirates: Albert Almora, OF, Florida HS
9) Miami Marlins: Lance McCullers, RHP, Florida HS
10) Colorado Rockies Kyle Zimmer, RHP, University of San Francisco
11) Oakland Athletics: Richie Shaffer, 3B, Clemson
12) New York Mets: Courtney Hawkins, OF, Texas HS
13) Chicago White Sox: Michael Wacha, RHP, Texas A&M
14) Cincinnati Reds: Andrew Heaney, LHP, Oklahoma State University
15) Cleveland Indians: Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke University
16) Washington Nationals: Gavin Cecchini, SS, Louisiana HS
17) Toronto Blue Jays: Lucas Giolito, RHP, California HS
18) Los Angeles Dodgers: Stryker Trahan, C, Louisiana HS
19) St. Louis Cardinals (from Angels for Pujols): Corey Seager, 3B, North Carolina HS
20) San Francisco Giants: Ty Hensley, RHP, Oklahoma HS
21) Atlanta Braves: D.J. Davis, OF, Mississippi HS
22) Toronto Blue Jays (Failure to sign Beede): Lewis Brinson, OF, Florida HS
23) St. Louis Cardinals: Chris Stratton, RHP, Mississippi State
24) Boston Red Sox: Matt Smoral, LHP, Ohio HS
25) Tampa Bay Rays: Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State
26) Arizona Diamondbacks: Victor Roache, OF, Georgia Southern
27) Milwaukee Brewers (from Tigers for Fielder): Lucas Sims, RHP, Georgia HS
28) Milwaukee Brewers: Joey Gallo, 1B, Nevada HS
29) Texas Rangers: Zach Eflin, RHP, Florida HS
30) New York Yankees: Shane Watson, RHP, California HS
31) Boston Red Sox (from Phillies for Papelbon): Tanner Rahier, SS, California HS

The 2012 Minor League Ball Community Mock Draft begins at Noon CDT. All scouting directors need to show up by noon promptly, at which time a new thread will be created for the draft itself. We will go through the first round, first round supplemental, second, and third rounds.

Each round will have its own thread, and you should post your picks in the comment section when it is your turn. Each team will have two minutes to make their pick. It usually works pretty smoothly.

The 2012 Minor League Ball Community Mock Draft begins at NOON, Central time!

Use this thread to exchange ideas, trash talk, or whathaveyou. I will have a post up at 11 AM laying out the ground rules, and we will begin at noon sharp.

REMINDER: The 2012 Minor League Ball Community Mock Draft begins SATURDAY May 26th at 12:00 NOON Central time.

Following up my recent series of posts regarding the apparently poor rate of return for first-round high school pitchers from Florida, Texas, and California, here is a list of major league pitchers who were drafted out of high schools, who posted WAR values of 2.0 or higher in 2011.

I have organized this by round. I'm not drawing any conclusions here, but some of you have expressed interest in the data.

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This week, we looked at Texas high school pitchers drafted in the first round over the last 30 years, followed by a similar look at high school pitchers from Florida.

Today we'll finish up the big-population warm-weather states with a look at first-rounders who were drafted and signed out of high school in California from '81 through '11.

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Prospect of the Day: Danny Hultzen, LHP, Seattle Mariners

One year ago, Danny Hultzen was the ace starter for the University of Virginia, preparing for the 2011 draft. Now he's the ace starter for the Double-A Jackson Generals of the Southern League, forming a devastating starting trio with fellow Seattle Mariners top prospects Taijuan Walker and James Paxton.

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Some Thoughts on Baseball Player Makeup

As the 2012 baseball draft approaches, one of the key factors that teams must assess for potential draftees is "makeup." This is the essential baseball term for a player's personality and character. The general assumption is that a player with good makeup has a better chance to turn his physical tools into baseball skills than a player with poor makeup. You have to have the tools of course; having great makeup doesn't magically turn a poor prospect into a good one, but when other things are equal, a player with good makeup has a better chance to maximize his ability than a player with poor makeup.

This seems obvious enough. But what exactly are good makeup traits for a baseball player?

I've been having a running conversation with a scout friend for a couple of weeks about this issue, and we've come to the mutual conclusion that "good baseball player makeup" is not necessarily the same thing as "good human being makeup." There is overlap, but they aren't quite the same thing. Here are my thoughts on the matter.

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Prospect of the Day: Zack Wheeler, RHP, New York Mets

One of the most dominant pitchers in the minors this year is right-hander Zack Wheeler of the New York Mets, currently pitching for Double-A Binghamton in the Eastern League. Acquired for Carlos Beltran last summer, he's been everything the Mets could have possibly hoped this spring, solidifying his status as one of the top right-handed pitching prospects in the game.

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Florida High School Pitchers Drafted in the First Round, 1981-2011

A few days ago, we looked at Texas high school pitchers drafted in the first round between 1981 and 2010.

I'm curious if things are different for the other two big-population, warm-weather states of Florida and California. So let's find out. Here is a list of all Florida high school pitchers drafted in the first round from '81 through '11 who signed.

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Prospect of the Day: Christian Yelich, OF, Miami Marlins

Seldom does a first-round draft pick become a positive surprise, but it happens occasionally. Case in point: Miami Marlins outfield prospect Christian Yelich. Two year ago he was a promising high school first baseman, but now he's one of the best center field prospects in baseball.

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Prospect Retrospective: Tyler Greene, INF, St. Louis Cardinals

He's not a rookie or a prospect, but I want to take a look at St. Louis Cardinals infielder Tyler Greene, who raised some eyebrows by hitting a home run on a 101 MPH fastball off of Andrew Cashner Monday.

What was Greene like as a prospect?

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