The draft is just three days away, so between now and then I’m going to highlight some players individually rather than lump a few together in one post.

Daniel Norris | LHP

Background
After coming into the year as the top high school lefty in the draft class, Norris had a subpar (but not bad) spring at Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Tennessee. He quit playing football after his junior year to focus solely on baseball. He’s committed to Clemson.

Scouting Report
Big and projectable at 6-foot-2 and 180 lbs., Norris has shown three better than average pitches plus a usable fourth offering at times this spring. He legitimately sat 93-96 with his fastball at times, though he mostly worked at 89-92. An upper-70’s curveball with tight spin is his top breaking ball, though he also uses a mid-80’s slider against right-handers. A mid-70’s changeup is his third best pitch and is ahead of the slider. There’s some effort in Norris’ delivery, which leads to inconsistent control and command. He’s athletic though, so adjustments shouldn’t be impossible.

Miscellany
Yesterday we learned that Norris is looking for Tyler Matzek money, referring to the $3.9M the Rockies gave the 11th overall pick in 2009. There’s definite front of the rotation potential here, though he needs to figure out a consistent delivery and shore up that command. Baseball America and Keith Law ranked Norris as the 16th and 33rd best prospect in the draft, respectively, so the Yankees are going to need those bonus demands to scare some teams off if they hope to land him.

The draft is just three days away, so between now and then I’m going to highlight some players individually rather than lump a few together in one post.

Joe Ross | RHP

Background
The brother of Oakland A’s right-hander Tyson Ross, Joe attends Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland just like his brother did a few years ago. He’s a very good student with a strong commitment to UCLA.

Scouting Report
Unlike Tyson, Joe is much more conventional. His delivery and arm action are clean, and he gets good downhill plane from his 6-foot-2, 180 lb. frame. Ross’ fastball typically sits 90-94 mph with some armside run, but he ran it up as high as 96 this spring and there’s reason to believe there’s even more velocity coming with that frame. His breaking ball is more of a curveball but occasionally it morphs into a slider. When right, the pitch is delivered in the high-70’s with some horizontal break to go along with the downward action. Ross also throws a low-80’s changeup. He’s a very good athlete and it’s easy to project three better than average pitches down the line given what he has right now.

Miscellany
Ross doesn’t project as a true ace, but instead a notch below that and there’s ain’t nothing wrong with that at all. The commitment to UCLA and presumably high price tag would have to work in the Yankees favor if they want to have a chance at him with the 51st overall pick. Keith Law and Baseball America considered Ross the 25th and 36th best prospect in the draft in their latest rankings, so he’s a legit first round talent.

The draft is just four days away, so between now and then I’m going to highlight some players individually rather than lump a few together in one post.

Derek Fisher | OF

Background
Stuck in the baseball wasteland known as Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Fisher did not get much exposure with Cedar Crest High School this spring because the weather did not cooperate. He is committed to Virginia.

Scouting Report
Fisher’s calling card is his huge power from the left side, which stems from a lightning quick bat and good leverage. It’s the kind of power that you just don’t find anymore, the kind that can put the ball out of any part of every park. Fisher is also extremely patient at the plate, perhaps to a fault as he often lets hittable pitches go by early in the count. There’s a difference between patient and passive, and he’s passive. Fisher has a problem with breaking balls and is prone to chasing such pitches out of the zone, an obvious obstacle that he will have to overcome. He’s a left fielder long-term because he’s not a great runner and will only slow down as he fills out his 6-foot-3, 205 lb. frame, plus his arm is no weapon. Fisher won’t be a statue on defense, he’s just not fast enough for center and doesn’t have the arm for right.

Miscellany
Figuring out how to hit breaking balls is always a tough adjustment, maybe the toughest part of a hitter’s development, but Fisher’s upside is crazy high given his immense power. It’s from the left side too, which plays right to Yankee Stadium’s strengths. That said, Fisher is obviously very risky and will be a slow mover, but the sudden decrease in power around the game makes his oh so desirable. Both Keith Law and Baseball America listed Fisher as the 66th best prospect in the draft in their latest rankings, and KLaw said he was floating a $2M+ price tag in today’s chat.