BB: ASC: American Southwest Conference

[dp643]

Agreed, and I am not knocking it, Im just stating a fact that it doesnt mean you will get drafted.

[Dawgsdad]

Agreed, and I am not knocking it, Im just stating a fact that it doesnt mean you will get drafted.

I agree with you completely dp643 - there is no sure bet when it comes to the draft. Blackcat00 is accurate also, it is an opportunity to show your stuff. We had an 8 hour work out last year with the Nationals, they were all over Jeremy... discussed money about three different times and we left feeling really positive, but on draft day, nothing. The biggest change this year, besides the invites, is we've made it onto the Scouting Bureau's radar - this I understand is huge.  All I know is at least all 30 teams now know of him and have access to all the notes, comments, etc... from all that have seen him this year or in past years. But it's like you've said, it doesn't mean you'll be drafted... it happens when it happens...

[Blackcat00]

The draft is a wierd thing, Ive played with guys that blew my mind that they didnt get drafted and Ive played with guys that got drafted and your blown away at how they got drafted and what the scouts saw in them. Its all about concept and little things these guys see in these young raw athletes.

[dp643]

Congrats to the d3baseball.com All-American players from the ASC!

1st Team - Cody Ross, Javier Arrietta

2nd Team - Jeremy Macklin

3rd Team - Brett Hinson, Reagan Dixon, Jered Smith

Honorable Mention - Joseph Villegas, Brett Holland, Brad Orosey

[Dawgsdad]

Congrats to the d3baseball.com All-American players from the ASC!

1st Team - Cody Ross, Javier Arrietta

2nd Team - Jeremy Macklin

3rd Team - Brett Hinson, Reagan Dixon, Jered Smith

Honorable Mention - Joseph Villegas, Brett Holland, Brad Orosey

Definitely Congrats as well. I do believe that we missed on - Bo Bell of MC was a first team selection. That makes 7 from the ASC as noted in the ASC press release.

In addition to these Seven, there were 23 from the ASC that made the various All-West Region Teams. Note there are 53 slots among these three teams of which the ASC holds 24 of them (Macklin is listed as a UTL (position player and Pitcher). Pretty good showing if you as me

First team Honors:

Regan Dixon - HSU
Tre Lips - MCM
Cody Ross - UTD
Javier Arrieta - SRSU
Brett Hinson - MC (All-West Region Pitcher of the Year)
Brad Orosey - TLU

Second Team Honors:

J. T. Armstrong - HSU
Brock Lemire - UTT
Joseph Villegas - UMHB
Jake Mullin - MCM
Tom Williams - CTX
Jeremy Macklin - TLU
Brett Holland - UTT
Michael Johnson - CTX

Third Team Honors:

Jared Hood - UTT
Adam Huded - UTD
Chad Daleiden - UTT
Kyle Harvey - TLU
Jeremy Harding - UTT
Beau Ziegler - UTT
Blake Booher - UTT

[Blackcat00]

Concrats to CTX pitcher Michael Johnson getting drafted by the New York Mets

[TexasBB]

Congrats to Brett Holland to be drafted by the Padres. This is the second year in a row he was drafted.

So the American Southwest Confernce has 2 pitchers drafted this year. This represents 2 out of a total of 19 DIV III players taken overall.

Given that those taken were pitchers speaks highly of the pitching talent in the league. In addition to those drafted there were several players in the conference that have already signed with independent minor league teams and more will follow.

The talent in the conference is there. We just need to get more teams in the NCAA so we can show our stuff.

TexasBB

[CUAfan]

I must admit to being mildly annoyed that Tom Williams and Javier Arrieta didn't get even a late-round look. Hopefully Arrieta can get drafted next year, and I hope Williams gets a free agent look.

If Jason Winkler (who IMO was solid enough but nothing special) could get a free agent look a few years back, surely players like Williams and Arrieta deserve one as well. Granted, they may wash out after a year or two, but still, give the guys a shot.

Re: UTT pitching

2008 - 378 IP, .304 BABIP, 0.64 HR/9, 2.50 BB/9, 3.02 ERA
2009 - 432 IP, .333 BABIP, 0.89 HR/9, 3.73 BB/9, 4.10 ERA

Regression to the mean on BABIP, an extra quarter-homer every 9 innings, and extra walk every 9 innings. Yeah, that'll bring the ERA up a little bit.

[dp643]

Williams definitely had some special power. I am surprised as well someone didnt take a late round stab. Maybe his defense cost him that?

The ball exploded off his bat.

[CUAfan]

I never got to see him play as much as I'd have liked. From what I saw, though, I find it hard to believe that his defense was bad enough to turn everyone off from his bat. But then, I'm not a pro baseball scout.

[Dawgsdad]

I never got to see him play as much as I'd have liked. From what I saw, though, I find it hard to believe that his defense was bad enough to turn everyone off from his bat. But then, I'm not a pro baseball scout.

I don't want this to come across too critical of Tom, I've watched him play since Macklin and the local Austin guys were little. Tom is what they call a "groove" hitter - if it's in the right place at the right time - lookout, otherwise it's nothing to write home about.  Had it had a season like his Junior year, perhaps he'd get more looks. Honestly, he didn't look good at the National's workout ahead of the draft. Could not throw the ball to second base from right field. Struck out three times during the batting part of the workout.  Just didn't show well.

Macklin is headed to Alpine today to join the Big Bend Cowboys of the Continental league - joining CTX's Szkotak who is also out in Alpine with the Cowboys.

I'm surprised at how low (1.25%) D-III players make up the draft pool. Only two out of the ASC have gotten the opportunity to be apart of an affiliated team. Several have signed with indy teams and it remains possible that we will see some of these guys on affiliated rosters soon. Perhaps Tom will have an opportunity within Indy baseball, but I'm not sure if his desire to play beyond college is that strong... just don't know.

[CUAfan]

Tom Williams 2008: .353 BA/.524 OBP/.814 SLG
Tom Williams 2009: .393 BA/.480 OBP/.827 SLG

From a 1.338 OPS down to a 1.307 OPS doesn't seem like much of a drop to me. He had practically the same season in 2008 and 2009, and he was much less dependent on a high BABIP than comparable OPS hitters as I recall.

I still think of it this way. If Jason Winkler was good enough for the Reds to put in rookie ball, Tom Williams is good enough to get an equal shot with somebody.

[Dawgsdad]

If Drew Headman with his numbers barely missed getting drafted (fouth from the last guy picked) then I can't see how Tom would get a shot. Perhaps in Indy ball, but there are a number of hitter that had better numbers than Williams, and they too are on the outside looking in...  Apparently offensive numbers alone doesn't cut it...

[ATX]

Tom should of got a shot for sure he can flat out hit. But on a good note for him he will be playing with the Bay Area Torros this weekend in the Continental League along with Coburn. So both of them will be getting a start at pro ball to show what they can do and show the scouts that they can play at this level and them maybe get a shot in the future in playing affiliated ball.

[infielddad]

From everything I learned, little to none of the offensive stats at the DIII level makes a difference in getting  drafted.
One issue with Hedman could be his age.  From Milb, he will be 23 on July 20.  That does not at all help him.
Things that help a DIII position player get drafted include speed, athleticism, a short swing/direct to the ball with hand speed through the ball, versatility and playing multiple positions, a plus arm on the 20/80 scale, having demonstrated ability with the wood bat against DI level pitching, and continued and sustained improvement every year of your college career.
Trying to translate DIII offensive stats based on the use of metal bats isn't something scouts spend any time doing, as those stats do not translate to Milb and wood.
As a DIII position player, if scouts feel your talent level has flattened and cannot find projection and ability to get better, the player won't get drafted.