Chevez Clarke
Rumors

The 2009 World Wood Bat Association World Championships wrapped up its five day tournament recently in Jupiter, Florida.  With 85 teams in attendance and 13 games going on simultaneously at any one given time, there was plenty of talent that will be picked at the 2010 draft on display. 

One event of the championships that draws a lot of attenion is the Bo Jackson Five-Tool Championship.  Players show off their wares in different "tool" competitions: hitting for power, hitting for average, arm strength, fielding and running speed.  Unfortunately, the hitting competitions were held with metal bats, something professional scouts are not interested in watching.

Chevez Clarke and Kaleb Cowart were two of the standouts from the tool competition.  Specifically, Cowart was clocked with a 100-mph reading throwing from right field, clearly dominanting the "arm strength" tool competition.  Clarke did not have anything stand out quite as significantly as Cowart, but throughout all five tools submitted arguably the top performance. 

Chevez Clarke at the AFLAC All-America Game at Wrigley Field

Unfortunately, top prospect Jameson Taillon did not play at the tournament as many had expected.  For more on the 2009 Wood Bat Association World Championships, check out Baseball America's original report.

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.

Jonathan Mayo of mlb.com has a report from the 2009 East Coast Showcase and highlights who he was told stood out. Mayo claims that there will be several 2010 first round draft picks at the showcase and points to guys like Zach Wheeler, Bobby Borchering, Mike Trout and LeVon Washington

Hitters

• Stetson Allie, RHP/3B: Based off of his 97-92mph fastball and an 91-88mph slider, one would figure his future is as a pitcher. However, his command is below average and some scouts think he'll be a more productive hitter. Either way, he was an impressive athlete.
• Eric Arce, C/1B, Lakeland HS: Called the best hitter at the draft. Demonstrated good power along with an ability to use the entire field. His catching skills are questionable, so he may be a 1B professionally.
• Yordy Cabrera, SS, Lakeland HS: One of the rare prep shortstops who projects as a professional shortstop because of his excellent hands and strong arm. Also has a nice swing that results in solid contact.
• Chevez Clarke, OF/INF, Marietta HS: The epitome of a "tools" player as evidenced by his ability to play almost any position in the infield or outfield.
• Delino DeShields, OF/INF, Woodward HS: Like Bedrosian, he's got a former big league father in Delino DeSheilds Sr. Similar to Clarke, he's got the tools to play several different positions.
• Manny Machado, SS, Miami Brito HS: While he was probably not in the first round discussion before the showcase, he played really well and impressed scouts.

Pitchers

• Cam Bedrosian, RHP, East Coweta HA: Threw fastballs at 95-92 and a 79-77 breaking ball and has a great pedigree with his father as a former major league player.
• AJ Cole, RHP, Ovieda HS: Reminded scouts of Rick Porcello and threw up to 96 mph
• DeAndre Smelter, RHP, Tatnall HS: Draws comparisons to Edwin Jackson displaying a 95-92 mph fastball and a 77-75 breaking ball.
• Karsten Whitson, RHP, Chipley HS: Has thrown up to 96 mph, but only reached 92 at the showcase. Nevertheless, he still threw a solid breaking ball clocking in at 81-78.
• Bobby Wahl, RHP, West Springfield HS: Mayo downplays Wahl's ability by saying that he's riding on his command right now. He defends Wahl by by saying he still has plenty of "stuff." Frankly, I'd rather have the control.