Top Prospect Q and A: Chevez Clarke

Interview with Top Prospect Chevez Clarke. Clarke is a highly ranked outfielder that attends Marietta High School in Georgia. He currently checks in at 13 in the nation by Baseball America.

Jeff Sullivan: Hey Chevez, thanks a lot for taking the time. First off, congrats on signing with Georgia Tech. What made you choose GT, and what other schools were in the running?

Chevez Clarke :I chose GT because I felt like I still wanted my parents to come watch me play for another 3 years and also even if baseball doesn't work out, I have an excellent plan B I can look forward to. I had Georgia, LSU, Florida State, North Carolina, and Miami in the running.

You are ranked 13 by Baseball America, and 17 by PG. Do you look at these rankings, and how do they have an effect on your day to day life?

I don't really read my own press or look at rankings. I hardly know anything about that. It really doesn't have an effect on my everyday life because I just take it one day at a time and get ready for June.

Between now and the Draft in June, what is one thing you trying to improve on?

I am really working on my bunting. I have taken several days out of the month and did nothing but bunt.

Last question, what is your favorite team, and who is your favorite player?

My favorite team is the Philadelphia Phillies and my favorite player is Jimmy Rollins

Top Prospect Q and A: Adam Plutko

An interview with Top Prospect Adam Plutko. Plutko is a 6'3, 180 pound RHP from Glendora High School in California. He is ranked in the top 60 in the country, both by Baseball America and Perfect Game.

Jeff Sullivan: First off, congrats on signing with UCLA. Being from California, was this the school you were looking at all along, and what other schools were a factor?

Adam Plutko: No actually i wasnt looking there at all but Coach Savage really drew me in with his pitching style. I was talking to USC Oregon Fullerton UCI... all the local schools

What pitches are in your repetoire? Where do they usually sit?

I throw 4 seam fastball 2 seam fastball curveball change and slider... slider is kinda a new pitch. I usually sit at around 91-92 and topped out at 94.

You are ranked in the Top 60 prospects in the nation, both by Baseball America and Perfect Game. Describe how that feels, and how it has an effect on your day to day life.

To be honest i had no clue until u just told me about it. i dont look at all of the blogs and rankings i just go about my business and keep working hard because thats whats gonna make the difference not Baseball America rankings.

Describe how the Area Code Games went for you this year, and how is it playing against the top players in the country.

Area Code games went really well! i think i threw 3 innings had 6 K's and just threw the ball really well. I changed speeds well and my change was really on. I threw the ball really well for my second time in the Area Code games.

If there was one thing you would like to improve on between now and the MLB Draft in June, what would that be?

I would like to improve on my fitness level and lower half. That is gonna be the the difference when i go deep into ball games this year.

Last question, what is your favorite team, and what players do you follow?

I am a huge red sox fan!! I love Josh Beckett! any time he throws i sit down and watch what he does. I am also a fan of Jared Weaver and how deceptive he is with his different pitches.

Blue Jays Add First Round Pick

On Friday, the Boston Red Sox signed former Blue Jay Marco Scutaro to a two-year contract. With this signing, the Blue Jays will receive the Red Sox first round pick, as Scutaro was a Type-A free agent. The pick will come near the end of the first round, as pick 29. Although this is a loss for the Sox, they did just get the 20th pick a few days ago, for the departure of Billy Wagner to the Braves.

Harper Officially Eligible for 2010 MLB Draft

Bryce Harper is now officially a part of the 2010 draft class. Harper had to pass his GED in order to become eligible for the draft. On Thursday, news broke that Harper passed the test for high school equivalency, therefore making him official, as part of the draft. As it stands now, Harper is still the front runner to be the #1 overall selection.

Top Prospect Q and A: Josh Sale

Interview with Top Prospect Josh Sale. Sale is currently the number 5 ranked player in the nation, and the number 1 outfielder in the nation, according to Baseball America. Sale has all the tools to be a power hitting corner outfielder at the Major League level. Look for a big spring from him, as he will have no problem with the pitching he faces in Washington.

Jeff Sullivan:Thanks for taking the time Josh. Congrats on signing with Gonzaga. What made you choose Gonzaga over other top schools in the country?

Josh Sale: I chose Gonzaga over other schools because first, it felt very comfortable. Second, I wanted to play somewhere where my parents would be able to see me play, they haven't missed a game in my life. Third, Gonzaga's team was young and having success and still is. Also they offered me a starting spot right away as a freshman. Lastly, they also gave me a great offer, which a lot of other places did at the same time, but Gonzaga fit the criteria I was looking for.

You come into the year ranked as the #1 HS Outfielder in the draft, how does that have an effect on your day to day life?

Getting the news, and seeing my name listed as the #1 HS OF in the draft was fun and exciting. Although, when it come's to my everyday life/school or personal life, it doesn't effect me too much. Sure there are my friends/acquaintances that bring it up in conversation, but when they do I give them an honest answer and try to be humble. (Being cocky is not a good way to make/keep friends). But probably the biggest effect it's had in my day to day life is scouts calling, and trying to schedule in-house visits around all my school work and training.

What is the transition like after playing summer ball against top pitchers in the nation on the biggest stage, and then facing high school pitchers in Washington?

Let me tell you, everything I did last summer and even the summer before that, regarding showcase's and prospect showing's was the time of my life. But what does Washington have to offer? Does it compare at all? Simply, no. I love the big time pitching, it's faster, and the game is much more advanced, which is what I love. Washington's pitching in high school is...well, terrible. It's slow, people can't throw strikes...I just don't like it. But, that said, I have to deal with it. I have to make adjustments, that's what the game is about. So for now, I live with it, and do what I can.

Between now and the draft in June, what are you trying to improve on?

Like everyone, I have my own little things that need work. Personally I believe I need to improve my entire game. I'm working on infield skills, running for my outfield game, and I'm always trying to be more consistent with hitting to be able to drive the ball anywhere with authority. Also, I'm in the gym with my workout partner's working on getting stronger and quicker to help improve my all around game.

Last question, what is your favorite team, and who is your favorite player?

Haha. Some people might hate me for this but that's ok, I don't care. But, honestly, my favorite team is the NY Yankees. Why? Because of the legacy, the dynasty, and the history that has filled that team's rosters over the years. I find it amazing! I've changed my view of my favorite player over and over because there's a lot out there that I like. That said, I'll give someone who I think is a great player, but also a great person. The attitude on and off the field, coupled with his work ethic makes this guy a great model for the game. I won't say he's my favorite but definitely someone that I look up to, and that's Derek Jeter.

Red Sox Land 20th Overall Selection

The Atlanta Braves and former Red Sox reliever Billy Wagner have agreed to a contract. Wagner, 38, agreed to a one year, 7 million dollar contract. With the signing, the Braves lose their first round pick because Wagner is a Type A free agent. As of now, the Red Sox have the rights to the 20th overall selection, and will hold on to the pick unless Atlanta signs a higher ranked player than Wagner. The pick would then go to the team that lost the higher player. This seems unlikely, but players that could still pull away the 20th pick are John Lackey, Jason Bay, Jose Valverde, Matt Holliday, and Marco Scutaro.

The Red Sox also receive a supplemental pick for the signing, which occurs between the first and second rounds.