Q & A With Top Prospect Michael Peel

I recently caught up with top prospect Michael Peel, who hails from Glaxton, GA. Still young, Peel will add lots of velocity as he progresses with his 6'6 frame. Already committed to University of Georgia, this sophomore will make a big splash come this spring and summer circuit.

1. Heading into your sophomore year, what are some things you expect this year during the spring with high school and summer with travel teams and showcases.

1. Well during our high school season we lost a lot of talent in the 09 class. I will have to step up and become a big time leader. I am expecting to play on a team near my home town, but they are very well coached and have some big time players.

2. So far I haven't seen that you committed to any schools yet. Who is at the top of your list and what schools have you liked the most so far?

2. I have made a verbal commitment to the University of Georgia.

3. As a pitcher, what pitches do you have in your repertoire, where do they clock in at and what is your favorite pitch to throw?

3.Fastball, comes in about 87 consistently, but i have gotten it up to 89.
Curveball, somewhere around 75-77.
Change-up, 76-78.
Out of all of those i like my fastball the most, it needs to be used early in the count to get ahead of hitters.

4. What was your favorite personal baseball memory?

4. When I was 13 my team was playing in a national tournament in South Carolina. I got up in the bottom of the seventh and hit a walk off homerun.

5. Being a nationally ranked pitcher/infielder, does that have an effect on how you go about playing and on your daily life outside of baseball?

5. I honestly had no idea that I was nationally ranked.

6. Who's your favorite baseball player and favorite team?

6. Tim Lincecum, and my favorite team is the Boston Red Sox.

7. Last question, as a long term goal, do you see yourself on the mound or in the infield?

7. The mound

Q & A With Top Prospect Joey Gallo

Joey Gallo, a 6-4 190 Inf/RHP from Henderson, NV, where he attends Bishop Groman, recently completed some questions for me. As of now, Joey is ranked number 4 in his class and the sky is the limit as far as his potential goes.

1. Heading into your sophmore year, what are some things you expect this year during the spring with high school and summer with travel teams and showcases.

1. Heading into my sophomore year I am expecting to help my team win state. This would be the schools fifth straight win and my second. The summer travel team I played on is my high school team - Southern Nevada Titans. We want to get back to the legion World Series for the third straight year.

2. So far I haven't seen that you commited to any schools yet. Who is at the top of your list and what schools have you liked the most so far?

2. I have been contacted by some schools, but have not had a chance to go visit any of them to make any decisions just yet.

3. As a pitcher, what pitches do you have in your repitoire, where do they clock in at and what is your favorite pitch to throw?

3. Four seam fastball that has topped out at 93, but usually sits at 88-90. My curveball is 70 mph, my change-up is 73-74 mph. My favorite pitch is definitelymy fastball.

4. What was your favorite personal baseball memory?

4. Playing in Cooperstown at 12 years old and winning the championship and alsohitting 14 homeruns.

5. Being a nationally ranked pitcher/infielder, does that have an effect on how you go about playing and on your daily life outside of baseball?

5. It hasn't had an affect on me so far, as I still have to go out there and perform at my best.

6. Who's your favorite baseball player and favorite team?

6. Derek Jeter, I've looked up to him my whole life. And the Yankees are my favorite team.

7. Last question, as a long term goal, do you see yourself on the mound or in the infield at either short or third?

7. I see my self playing the infield at either third or short, as I really love to hit. Pitching is something I want to continue to improve on, but not sure where I would want to go with it just now.

Q & A With Top Prospect Max Foody

I just finished talking with Max Foody, a 6-2 190 LHP out of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. As of now he sits at a well respected number 13 nationally for the class of 2012.

1. First off, congrats on signing with the Florida Gators. Was this an easy decision for you and what made Florida your choice over other top teams recruiting you?

1. ya it was really easy , i chose uf because it is only like an hour and a half from my house , and i am a huge gator fan .

2. Do you see yourself long term as a pitcher or as a postion player?

2.pitcher

3. When pitching, what pitches does your repitoire consist of, where do each of the pitcher clock in at and what is your favorite to throw?

3.well i chopped off half of my index finger on my throwing hand , so my ball moves like no other haha . 4 seam fastball 88-91 and toped out at 93 2 seam 86-87 curve 75-77 change up 78-80

4. Being a nationally ranked player, does it make you want to strive harder and how does it effect your daily life and how you go about your pitching?

4.ya it does. it makes me want to get ranked higher and work harder .

5. What's your favorite personal baseball memory?

5. after chopping my finger i was so happy that i could play again , after pitching in a game after it happen

6. Who's your favorite baseball player and favorite team?

6 .Clayton Kershaw,yankees

7. Last question. Have you talked to any of the other recruits, as there are a lot, that have already signed with Florida? 11's Kelly, Harris, Boyd or 12's McCullers, Winker, Kendall?

7. but yes i have i played on a team with winker and kendall , and i went to the florida , fsu game with MuCullers

Q & A With Top Prospect Nick Travieso

Just completed my q and a with pitching prospect Nick Travieso,6-3 200, who plays for American Heritage in Pembroke Pines, FL. Perfect Game's latest national rankings showed Nick at number 8 respectively.

1. Heading into your sophmore year, what are some things you expect this year during the spring with high school and summer with travel teams and showcases.

Heading into sophmore year, I , as well as the rest of my teammates, am expecting a state championship title. Last year we had a taste of what its like being in the finals, but we fell short. This year we want it all. I'm looking forward to a great high school season as well as a great summer.

2. So far I haven't seen that you commited to any schools yet. Who is at the top of your list and what schools have you liked the most so far?

Right now I'm looking into a lot of schools including UM, UF, UNC, ASU, and LSU. I like all the colleges but I really dont have a top one yet.

3. As a pitcher, what pitches do you have in your repitoire, where do they clock in at and what is your favorite pitch to throw?

As a closer, I have a fastball and a change-up but I'm also working on a cutter. The last time i was clocked, my fastball was topping at 96 and my change-up is in the low to mid 70's.

4. What was your favorite personal baseball memory?

My favorite personal memory was winning a homerun derby during my '08 summer. For winning I was given the chance to throw out the first pitch at the Rays game. I was really excited about that.

5. Being a nationally ranked pitcher, does that have an effect on how your pitch and on your daily life outside of baseball?

To be honest, the rankings really don't mean much to me. Yeah its nice to be nationally ranked, but it has not changed me at all . I'm the same person i was before the rankings were published.

6. Who's your favorite baseball player and favorite team?

My favorite baseball is Roger Clemens and of course, I'm a yankee fan.

7. Last question, as a long term goal, do you see yourself on the mound or in the infield?

People tell me that my future is on the mound. But right now I still have awhile to go to see where my career takes me. I honestly don't mind, I can pitch and i can hit so both work out.

Q & A With Top Prospect Pat Delano

I just finished talking with a top high school hurler, Pat Delano out of Braintree, MA. He stands 6-6 240 and he is currently ranked number 10 respectively, in a loaded class of 2012. With time, the ranking will only go up.

1. Heading into your sophmore year, what are some things you expect this year during the spring with high school and summer with travel teams and showcases.

1. I expect that our highschool team will have a succesful season. I also expect that the 16u East Cobb Astros will have a successful season.

2. So far I haven't seen that you commited to any schools yet. Who is at the top of your list and what schools have you liked the most so far?

2. I dont have a top list yet. There is not particular order to this list but i like Stanford,Virginia Tech, Florida, and Purdue so far.

3. As a pitcher, what pitches do you have in your repitoire, where do they clock in at and what is your favorite pitch to throw?

3. I throw a 4 seam fastball that tops out at 93-94 but is consistantly at 89-91. I throw 2 seam fastball that is usually 86-89. I also throw a changeup at 73-76. The last pitch i throw is a cut fastball at 83-86.

4. What was your favorite personal baseball memory?

4. My favorite baseball memory is a hr i hit when i was 11 in fort myers florida. It tied the game in the 6th inning and we went on to win the game in extra innings.

5. Who's your favorite baseball player and favorite team?

5. My favorite player is dustin pedroia. My favorite team is the Red Sox.

6. As a long term goal, do you see yourself on the mound or 1st base?

6. I see myself on the pitchers mound because i love pitching.

7. Last question. Being a nationally ranked player, does it make you want to strive harder and how does it effect your daily life and how you go about your pitching?

7. Yes it makes me strive harder when i practice and workout. But on the mound i stay withing myself. No it doesnt effect my everyday life.

Q & A With Top Prospect Lucas Sims

I was recently able to talk with Lucas Sims, a RHP/SS out of Lawrenceville, GA and he answered a few questions for me. As of the last rankings on Perfect Game, Lucas sat at number 16 nationally.

1. Heading into your sophmore year, what are some things you expect this year during the spring with high school and summer with travel teams and showcases.

1. I'm lookin for three state champioships for my high school career. I expect to win; nothing less than the best. Travel teams- just kind of to get out there and show my gifts.

2. So far I haven't seen that you commited to any schools yet. Who is at the top of your list and what schools have you liked the most so far?

2. I'm going to have a tough decision to make. Some great schools show interest.

3. As a pitcher, what pitches do you have in your repitoire, where do they clock in at and what is your favorite pitch to throw?

3. 2-seam fast ball- 91 circle change- 76-79curveball- 76working on a sinker for the spring. I want to master those before I get nitpicky.

4. What was your favorite personal baseball memory?

4. Pitching in the state playoffs last year. Great crowd and the atmosphere was amazing.

5. Being a nationally ranked pitcher, does that have an effect on how your pitch and on your daily life outside of baseball?

5. There is a lot of recognition around the community. Sure there is a target on my back but that is just something that comes with the gift that i've been blessed with.

6. Who's your favorite baseball player and favorite team?

6. Justin Verlander. Atlanta Braves

7. Last question, as a long term goal, do you see yourself on the mound or shortstop.

7. I still have some developing to do so we'll see what I best fit in to to help out, hopefully, a major league ball club!

Welcome to the 2012 MLB Draft Blog

Welcome to our blog. Here you will find the most up to date information about the 2012 MLB draft and it appears to be a good one with young lively arms and powerful bats. You will be able to see player q and a's, mock drafts and much, much more. Check back for continual updates and make sure to check out ours on the 2011 MLB draft and the 2010 blog. 2011mlbdraft.blogspot.com 2010mlbdraft.blogspot.com