2008 Draft

[Mmgord77]

Check back in on this thread tomorrow and Friday to see what Oklahomans have been drafted. I will be updating throughout the day on who goes where.

[Mmgord77]

Here is CoachesAid preview of the draft. I think they are pretty nice to some of these boys and they don't have listed a few that I think will/could go.

But, it's a decent preview:

We're on the brink of this year's Major League Baseball Amateur Draft and several former Oklahoma high school stars could soon be saying "show me the money."

As one scout told us recently, this year's draft is so unpredictable outside of the first handful of picks that many players could go higher or lower than anticipated depending solely on MLB team needs, etc.

We've researched Baseball America, Perfect Game and several other scouting services to try and pinpoint the top prospects that have prepped in Oklahoma. Here's a list of the Top 20 combination of those lists, along with a profile on the top 10 and consensus prediction of range they should be taken:


Jordy Mercer, Taloga HS (Oklahoma State), SS/RHP
The tall, lanky shortstop has skyrocketed to superstar status in three years at Oklahoma State. Scouts love his athletic makeup and his passion for the game. Regarded by some scouting services as the best defensive prospect in the draft with his tremendous footwork and outstanding arm strength. Although he struggled a bit at times on the mound this spring, OSU's all-time saves leader was impressive last summer when he notched a 1.12 ERA, 18 strikeouts and just one walk as the closer for Team USA. His fastball has touched 95-mph and sits comfortably in the low 90s. As a hitter, Mercer has progressed steadily and was a force in the two-hole for the Cowboys this season with an average of .330 to go along with 14 homeruns and 60 RBI (both good for top 10 finishes in the Big XII). He tied for fourth in the Conference with 90 hits on the season. Jordy's stock is scorching hot entering the draft, having hit four homeruns on the final day of OSU's regional play. His walkoff homerun to beat TCU made Sportscenter's top plays.
Predicted Round: 1-2

Bobby Bundy, Sperry HS, RHP
With a fastball clocked in the mid 90s and a great frame (6-2, 215), the wide-shouldered righthander has scouts drooling at his potential. A torn ACL in basketball caused some concern but Bundy bounced back in very short time to still throw 54 innings this spring with 111 strikeouts, a 9-1 record and 0.90 ERA to lead Sperry to the Class 3A state championship. Along with his sinking fastball, the University of Arkansas signee displays an outstanding curve. With playing multiple sports for the Pirates as well as playing third base (hitting .542 with 10 homers this spring), Bundy has never completely focused on pitching, which has some scouts encouraged by his potential once he does make pitching an everday focus.
Predicted Round: 4-8

Brian Flynn, Owasso HS, LHP
Still unpolished, but 6-foot-8 lefthanders that can throw simply do not grow on trees. The southpaw has been clocked in the low 90s but some scouts feel he needs more fine-tuning on his delivery and command in order to become more consistent. The Wichita State signee is very aggressive with a fastball that tends to run. Although he utilized the curve and change-up somewhat during a productive senior season in leading Owasso to another state title, those pitches must be more developed for him to succeed at the next level. Displayed tremendous control, however, while posting a 9-1 record and 0.79 ERA. Flynn struck out 126 and walked just 21 in 70 2/3 innings pitched. Owasso has a good track record with having players go high in the draft, so it won't be a surprise to see Flynn's name called early.
Predicted Round: 5-10

Mark Ginther, Jenks HS, SS/RHP
A two-sport standout at Jenks, Ginther by-passed a college football career in signing with Oklahoma State to play baseball. Most scouts feel he projects as a third baseman at the next level with his 6-3, 185-pound frame. He has great defensive tools but offense is his strong point, hitting .407 with five homers and 40 runs batted in to lead the Trojans to the state tournament this spring. As a pitcher, Ginther is plain filthy with a live fastball and a wide assortment of breaking pitches. Spots the ball very well, as evident by his 7-1 mound record and 0.88 ERA this spring.
Predicted Round: 11-20


ssctrojanbaseball.comJoe Patterson, Owasso HS (Seminole State), C
A Sweet-swinging, lefthanded-hitting catcher, Patterson garnered plenty of attention this spring by hammering 28 home runs at Seminole, which was the second-highest junior college total in the nation. Overall, he posted one of the best hitting seasons ever for the Trojans with a .428 average and 95 runs batted in. The Oral Roberts University signee is solid behind the dish, but scouts say he needs to continue working on his footwork and blocking skills to go with his arm strength. Lefthanded-hitting catchers are a rare commodity in the draft, and Patterson is considered one of the better ones in the country.
Predicted Round: 11-20

Rebel Ridling, Sentinel HS (Oklahoma State), 1B
Like his OSU teammate Jordy Mercer, Ridling is a small school kid that has made it big with the Cowboys. Rebel's most endearing quality with scouts is his ability to put a charge into just about anything he connects with. Scouts have been very impressed with his power from "foul pole to foul pole." He hit .321 this spring. His 18 homeruns fell one shy of Big XII leader Kyle Russell's (Texas) 19. He also was second in the conference in RBI with 67 and led the Big XII in total bases with 155. Maybe more importantly than what he did this spring was what he did last summer swinging a wood bat on the west coast. While playing for a high-powered squad in Santa Barbara, Ridling hit .381 with 11 homers and 59 RBI. He also showed the ability to play leftfield and not just be locked in as a first baseman, which should make him even more attractive.
Predicted Round: 11-20

Josh Rosecrans, Edmond Santa Fe HS, C/RHP
Rosecrans might be the fastest rising high school prospect in the state this spring, putting up sensational numbers while leading Santa Fe to the state tournament. Has a long, powerful swing and seemingly unlimited raw power, helping account for his .424 average, 16 home runs and 67 runs batted in as senior. Outstanding arm strength behind the plate, but some feel he could be an even better third base prospect. The Wichita State signee was also very solid on the mound with a 9-1 record, 2.38 ERA and 57 strikeouts in just 53 innings.
Predicted Round: 15-25

Drew Bowen, Tulsa Memorial HS, RHP
Very athletic righthander that garnered plenty of professional attention with two potential power pitches and a lively arm. With an over-the-top release point, he has a sinking-type fastball that has been consistent in the upper 80s to low 90s range. Many feel the Oral Roberts University signee's best pitch is a hard-spinning curveball that is nearly unhittable when he gets on top of it.
Predicted Round: 15-25

Randy McCurry, Tupelo HS, 3B/RHP
The future looks bright for the strong-armed righthander coming off one of the most productive small school careers in Oklahoma High School history. The OSU signee set new career state records (fall and spring) for doubles and runs batted in while finishing second in state history with 105 home runs. In addition to his big bat, McCurry adds a tremendous pitching background that accounted for 53 victories in four high school years with a fastball that has been clocked in the low 90s and a wicked biting slider.
Predicted Round: 15-25

Ashton Mowdy, Mustang (Eastern JC), RHP
The Mustang High School product jumped on the draft radar last summer with a sensational campaign in the wooden bat New York Collegiate League as he posted a 6-0 record and 1.45 ERA. His fastball has been consistent in the 88-92 mph range to go with a power breaking ball that some scouts love.
Predicted Round: 15-25

Other Draft Notable Names
Chris Ellison, Norman North, OF
Dustin Williams, Norman (Connors State JC), RHP
Chris O'Brien, Bishop Kelley, C/3B
Tommy Luce, Broken Arrow (Seminole State), RHP
Denny Clement, Cascia Hall, RHP
Chance Deason, Piedmont (Eastern JC), LHP
Gunner Glad, Tulsa Union (Eastern JC), RHP/IF
Daniel Meeley, Midwest City, OF
Nate Pettus, Broken Arrow (Eastern JC), RHP/IF
Antonio Horn, Muskogee, OF

[MinerBob]

Some other names from Oklahoma on the draft central board on ESPN are: Uriah Fisher-Clinton HS, Randy Henry-Arnett HS, and Dillion Wilson-Verden HS.

[Mmgord77]

Welcome our country's newest multimillionaire:

Tim Beckham from Griffin HS in Georgia. Plays Shortstop. #1 overall pick.

I think Jordy Mercer will go in the 1st round supplementals or the 2nd round. I will update as the OK boys get picked up...

[DusterDad]

Man time flys by! Has Mercer really been at OSU for 3 years already?! :eek:

[Mmgord77]

Yup... He's a Junior. If he slid to the 3 round, I'm wondering how signable he's making himself. There's a chance he may be back next year and try to get first round money. Quite a few of the scouting reports have him listed as the best defensive SS in the draft and wanted as a relief pitcher.

The only other Oklahoma boy was Swain Carroll, pitcher for Kentucky.

Mercer picked up by Pittsburgh Pirates
Carroll picked up by San Diego Padres


I look for a handful of Oklahoma boys to go tomorrow. There's a couple that I think will be picked before noon tomorrow (draft starts back up at 10:30).

[Mmgord77]

Bobby Bundy, from Sperry, just went in the 8th round at pick 236. I bet he goes to Arkansas instead of signs.

Louis Flores, junior catcher at OSU, goes in the 7th round at pick 221.

[Mmgord77]

Here's a listing through round 13:

Michael Lee - OCU RHP Jr. - Pick 262 - Rd 8
Matthew Hague - OSU 3B Sr. - Pick 264 - Rd 9
Nicholas Farnsworth - Tulsa Union HS. 1B - Pick 289 - Rd 9
Robert Weinhardt - OSU RHP Sr. - Pick 313 - Rd 10
Donnie Webb - OSU CF Jr. - Pick 321 - Rd 10
Juan Perez - Western OSC (Altus) CF Fr. - Pick 387 - Rd 13

[MinerBob]

79, Pittsburgh, Jordy Mercer, SS, Oklahoma State

111, San Diego, Sawyer Carroll, OF, Henryetta (Kentucky)

Seventh round

221, Cubs, Luis Flores, C, Oklahoma State

Eighth round

236, Baltimore, Bobby Bundy, P, Sperry

250, Atlanta, Brett Oberholtzer, P, Seminole JC

262, Boston, Michael Lee, P, Okla. City U.

Ninth round

264, Pittsburgh, Matt Hague, 3B, Oklahoma State

289, Angels, Nick Farnsworth, 1B, Union

10th round

313, Detroit, Robert Weinhardt, P, Oklahoma State 321, Cleveland, Donnie Webb, OF, Oklahoma State 13th round

387, San Francisco, Juan Perez, OF, Western JC

17th round

514, Oakland, Brad Glenn, 3B, Union (Arizona)

18th round

533, Tampa Bay, David Genao, C, Oral Roberts

559, Angels, Adam Younger, SS, Oral Roberts

562, Boston, Brian Flynn, P, Owasso

19th round

565, Kansas City, Miguel Moctezuma, C, Central Oklahoma

572, Houston, Ashton Mowdy, P, Eastern JC

21st round

639, Toronto, Brian Van Kirk, OF, Oral Roberts

22nd round

679, Angels, Ryan Groth, OF, Oral Roberts

23rd round

703, Detroit, Michael Gosse, 2B, Oklahoma

25th round

761, Cubs, Rebel Ridling, 1B, Oklahoma State

26th round

773, Tampa Bay, Michael Jarman, P, Oral Roberts

27th round

812, Houston, Nathaniel Pettus, P, Western JC

28th round

842, Houston, Zach Grimmett, P, Beggs

853, Detroit, David Stokes, P, Locust Grove (Liberty)