2009 MLB Mock Draft: Picks 1-10

5.  Baltimore Orioles: Tyler Matzek, LHP
Capistrano Valley High School
Height: 6-3     Weight: 185      Age: 18           Bats: L            Throws: L

Baltimore’s Recent First Round Selections: 2008- Brian Matusz, P, 2007- Matt Weiters, C, 2006- Bill Rowell, 3B, 2005- Brandon Snyder, C

Fastball – Speed: Low-90s from the windup, high-80s from the stretch

                 Command: Nearly pinpoint command

                 Movement: Moves in on righties

Grade: B+

Curveball - Speed: Mid-high 80s

                  Command: Drops command on purpose with this pitch to get batters chasing

                  Movement: Tight spin
Grade: A-

Slider - Speed: Low-Mid 80s

             Command: Not as good command as the fastball, but not bad

             Movement: Hard bite if he gets out in front it
Grade: B

Changeup – Speed: High 70s

                     Command: Still struggling and getting a feel for this pitch

                     Movement: He throws the change piece a bit weak, so no movement
Grade: C-

Tyler Matzek is the best high school pitcher in this year’s draft class, hands down. As a high school senior he has taken the baseball world by storm with his way above average repertoire.

He has four solid pitches, unlike most any other people entering the 2009 Rookie Draft. His fastball lives in the low-90s and from the left side, that’s dominant. Matzek has a curveball that he will get a little wild with, on purpose though, to get hitters chasing in the dirt.

He has the best command in all of the draft class, as he can place the ball anywhere, effortlessly. He has some risk, as does any pitcher out of high school, but he has the potential to be a No. 2 starter in the big leagues some day.

6.   San Francisco Giants: Donovan Tate, CF
Cartersville High School
Height: 6-3     Weight: 200     Age: 18           Bats: R           Throws: R

San Francisco’s Recent First Round Selections: 2008- Buster Posey, C, 2007- Madison Bumgarner, P, Tim Alderson, P, Wendel Fairley, CF, 2006- Tim Lincecum, P, 2005- No Selection

Hitting – Power: He has solid pop off his bat, could be an average HR hitter

              Contact: His bat speed lets him hit the ball wherever he wants

              Approach: He wants to take over the game with every at bat

Grade: A-

Running - Speed: Dead blazing speed

                 Base running: At this point in time, he’s okay on the paths

                 Smarts: May abuse his speed at times and make poor decisions
Grade: B-

Fielding – Arm Strength: A very solid arm from the outfield

                 Arm Accuracy: His range cuts down the need for this to be great

                 Glove: Above average
Grade: B+

Donovan Tate is the best all-around athlete in the draft this season, without a shadow of a doubt. He is the definition of a Five-Tool Athlete. At 18-years old, this may be the future of the Major Leagues.

Tate has simply blazing speed, he has been clocked in at 6.34 seconds in the 60-yard dash, that’s like running from home plate to second base. He has pop in his bat to all fields and can hit the gaps like no other high school hitter.

Not only can he hit, he can throw. Tate’s arm has been clocked at 95 MPH, so obviously, he has quite an arm from center field. He is represented by Scott Boras so expect a big signing bonus for him, but if he falls out of the top 15, he will play for North Carolina next season.

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