Brian Ragira
Rumors

The COPABE "AAA" Pan American Championships began this past weekend and the 18-and-under squad from Team USA got off to a very hot 3-0 start with wins over Aruba, Argentia and Panama.  Three stars stood out offensively for Team USA:

Brian Ragira: In Game 1, Team USA beat Aruba 13-3 and Ragira went 2 for 3 with three RBI.

Bryce Harper: The well publicized SI coverboy lived up to the hype in Game 2 against Argentina.  Team USA crushed Argentina 14-0 and Harper had two doubles and two RBI.

Nick Castellanos: Team USA followed up their 14-0 drubbing of Argentina with an identical 14-0 win over Panama on Sunday.  Castellanos was the DH in that game and had an impressive 2 for 4 day with a double, two runs scored and three RBI.

While Bryce Harper and Jameson Taillon dominated the reports from the USA Baseball 18-and-under team trials, a number of lesser-known players also had good performances which landed them on the roster.

Though his speed was mediocre at best, outfielder Brian Ragira impressed scouts with solid swing. Ragira is also intriguing because at 6'2" and only 175 lbs, there's plenty of room to fill out.

Taillon may throw harder than Karsten Whitson, but one scout felt Whitson's fastball was the best because of its movement. Whitson was still throwing 94, not shabby at all. His slider was also impressive, but Whitson did not demonstrate good command of the pitch.

At 5'10" and only 165 lbs, Tony Wolters is not the ideal size for a major league prospect. However, Wolters showed a solid bat at the trials along with above-average speed. His defense is good enough to allow him to play second base and maybe even shortstop.

Nick Castellanos is currently playing third base, but will likely end up at first base as a professional. Nevertheless, Castellanos' hitting was very impressive, pulling the ball and going to opposite field with equal effectiveness.

Left handed batting Tony Wolters

Jonathan Mayo from mlb.com posted a report from the AFLAC All-Star game. Let's see what he had to say about some of the 2010 prospects in attendance.

Pitchers

Jameson Taillon, RHP: Hit 95 on both sides of the plate with his fastball along with a plus slider and a developing curveball. Likely Top 10 pick.
Stetson Allie: Needs to learn how to pitch vs. just throw, but hit 97
AJ Cole: Threw his fastball very well, but unimpressive with secondary pitches.
DeAndre Smelter: Very aggressive with hitters, throwing 95-94 with his fastball
Cam Bedrosian: Did not disappoint, but did not impress either.
Peter Tago: He got knocked around a bit, but Mayo says that "scouts liked his arm action." Hit 94 on his fastball with a good slider.

Hitters

Bryce Harper, C: Always the big name wherever he goes, the presumptive #1 pick of the 2010 draft underwhelmed at the game. He'll still likely be the #1 pick, but his swing demonstrated some flaws.
Tony Wolters, SS/2B: A solid defender who can hit for average. Not much power and slow.
Zach Alvord: SS/2B: A very good defender who Mayo compares to Jiovanni Mier.
Reggie Golden, OF: One of the best overall players available for 2010. Showed power, speed and defense.
Yordy Cabrera: A nice swing compliments his good power.
Brian Ragira: Very good plate discipline and had no trouble hitting fastballs.
Chevez Clarke: Disappointed with his speed, but had a nice swing.

USA Baseball's Tournament of Stars had plenty of 2010 draft talent in attendance and Keith Law of espn.com gives us a review of how they played.

• Bryce Harper lived up to his recent scouting report and struck out twice by not being patient with the pitchers attempting to pitch around him.
• Jameson Taillon from the Woodlands HS in Texas was tracking at 90-94mph on his fastball and a good slider. His curveball and changeup were also decent.
• Kris Bryant from Bonanza HS in Las Vegas showed plenty of power from the right side of the plate along with an arm to throw from third base.
• Brian Ragira out of Martin HS in Texas showed great wrists and the ability to stay inside the ball to generate power with his swing.
• Marcus Littlewood from Pineview HS in Utah was very deft at the shortstop position, demonstrating very smooth hands.
• Nick Castellanos out of Archbishop McCarthy HS in Florida had great power on anything below mid-thigh, but struggled with pitches up in the zone.
• Sam Wilson from El Dorado HS in New Mexico uses an upper cut swing to generate good power, but needs to adjust that to hit higher quality pitching and can do so without sacrificing power.
• Yordy Cabrera from Lakeland HS in Florida is very athletic, playing both thirdbase and RHP. While he has nice power he needs to improve his plate discipline.
• Justin O'Connor plays infield and pitches for Cowan HS in Muncie, IN and while considered more of a prospect as a pitcher, did not throw at the tournament. Nevertheless, he demonstrated one of the most disciplined swings at the tournament. "He is, in the words of one scout who has seen him aI few times, 'obnoxiously talented.'"