2009 MLB Mock Draft: Picks 1-10

9.  Detroit Tigers: Jacob Turner, RHP
Westminster Christian High School
Height: 6-5     Weight: 210       Age: 18           Bats: R           Throws: R

Detroit’s Recent First Round Selections: 2008- Ryan Perry, P, 2007- Rick Porcello, P, 2006- Andrew Miller, P, 2005- Cameron Maybin

Fastball – Speed: Low-90s

                 Command: His command is normally there, other times, not so much

                 Movement: Minimal movement, high in the zone

Grade: B+

Slider - Speed: Mid 70s

             Command: Can miss high with this a lot, affects his pitch very much

             Movement: A normal slider movement, if down in the zone it can be dominant
Grade: A-

Changeup – Speed: High 70s

                     Command: Has average command over this, like most high schoolers

                     Movement: Near average movement
Grade: B

Jacob Turner measures in as one of the biggest pitchers in the draft, and that makes Detroit Tigers GM, Dave Dombrowski, drool, as that has been their forte of his first-rounders over the years. Turner’s big frame makes scouts think he could throw mid-90s consistently one day.

Because his fastball is a little slow, he turns to his slider down in the zone, since he misses with the heater up in the zone a lot. The changeup needs work and has very little movement.

He is committed to North Carolina for next season, and could probably use the college ball to ready his arm for professional ball. Turner needs to improve his velocity, he could definitely do that at N.C.

10. Washington Nationals: Alex White, RHP
North Carolina University
Height: 6-3     Weight: 200     Age: 20           Bats: R           Throws: R

Washington’s Recent First Round Selections: 2008- Aaron Crow, P, 2007- Ross Detwiler, P, 2006- Chris Marrero, 3B, Colten Williams, P, Bryan Morris, P, 2005- Ryan Zimmermann, 3B

          Fastball – Speed: High-80s – Low-90s

Command: Nothing to brag about, but this is his best commanded pitch

Movement: Tailing action

Grade: B-

Curveball - Speed: Low-80s

Command: Minimal command over the curve, just tries to get it over the plate

                  Movement: Average curveball ‘curve’
Grade: C+

Slider - Speed: Low-Mid 80s

             Command: Plus command

             Movement: Slips away from righties, most promising pitch from him
Grade: A-

Changeup – Speed: High 70s

                     Command: This needs work on this pitch

                     Movement: When he throws one, its average, at best
Grade: C

The only other pitcher to have four pitches to show in this draft is Alex White, a junior at North Carolina. White was named the 2008 ACC Player of the Year from his successes last season in the Baby Blue uniform.

White has the ideal pitcher’s body. He was a two sport athlete in high school, as he also dominated the hard wood for the basketball team.

His arsenal of pitches are fantastic. A fastball that can hit 94 MPH with a slider that has a ton of potential. The changeup does need to improve though, especially the movement. He struggled early on in the 2009 season until he shut down the University of Miami in mid-April, now he’s back on track.

Others to watch: Kyle Gibson, Zach Wheeler and Mychal Givens.

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