This is the fourth in a series of college players who have been performing on a higher level and have seen their 2013 MLB draft stock rise because of it. Here are 10 players who have impressed as of late:
Bobby Wahl, RHP, Ole Miss
The 6’-3” right-hander was considered a possible top-20 pick coming into this year. Control problems hurt him early as he had 12 walks over his first 16.2 innings. He has, however, been able to make bats miss all season and always finds a way to get himself out of the jams he created. Over his last seven starts, he has a 0.72 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 40 K/20 BB over 50 innings, holding opponents to a .155 bating average. The stuff is there, including a mid-90s fastball with late life and a slider that looks plus at times. If he can harness the control, he is one of the best arms available in the 2013 MLB draft.
Nick Petree, RHP, Missouri State
Over his last six starts, the 6’-1” right-hander has a 1.40 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 52 K/6 BB over 45 innings. He led the nation in ERA as a sophomore (1.01) in a season that included an incredible run of 73 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run. He features a low-90s fastball, a plus change-up, a slurve and a cutter. He has a great feel for his pitches and commands all of them well.
Hunter Renfroe, OF, Mississippi State
Kris Bryant and Colin Moran have dominated talks about who has the best college bat this season. Renfroe, a 6’-1”, 215-pound right-hander has welcomed himself to the part this year with a powerful bat, and may be the most athletic of the three. Over 37 games, he is hitting .407 with 12 doubles, 13 home runs, 42 RBI and has stolen eight bases. He has drawn 21 walks to just 21 strikeouts for a .485 OBP/.815 SLG. His strong arm and above-average speed will play well in a corner outfield spot.
Ryne Stanek, RHP, Arkansas
Through his first five starts, the 6’-4” right-hander had a 3.75 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 20 K/13 BB over 21.2 innings. His stock was plummeting as people questioned his control and ability to go late in games as his 4.2 IP/per start was concerning for someone considered a frontline starter. Over his last five starts, he has clearly quieted critics and has placed himself back in talks for the top 5-10 picks in the 2013 MLB draft. Over that span, he has a 0.54 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 32 K/8 BB over 33.2 innings.
Kyle McGowin, RHP, Savannah State
The 6’-4” right-hander is second in the nation in strikeouts this season and is one of the best control pitchers around. Over 10 starts, he is 9-0 with a 1.70 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 95 K/14 BB over 79.1 innings. His 10.8 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9 ratios show the kind of power/control pitcher he is. He ranked sixth in the nation in K/BB as a sophomore with a 6.5 mark, and currently sits 6.8 this season.
Over his last 17 games, the 6’-7” right-hander has gone 28-for-66 (.424) with seven doubles, a triple, four home runs and has stolen five bases. He has also drawn 10 walks for a .500 OBP/.742 SLG. He is now hitting .347/.434/.597 over 37 games. His long swing leads to a lot of strikeouts but the power potential is scary with his size.
Matt Oberste, 1B, Oklahoma
Over his last six games, the 6’-2”, 210-pound right-hander has gone 13-for-23 (.565) with four doubles, a triple, two home runs and a .615 OBP/1.087 SLG. He is now hitting .421 over 41 games with 16 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs and a .484 OBP/.761 SLG. He most likely will play first base at the next level, putting extra emphasis on his bat.
Austin Wilson, OF, Stanford
In his nine games since returning from an elbow injury he suffered in the first game of the season, the 6’-5” right-hander has gone 13-for-31 (.419) with five doubles, a home run, nine RBI and has drawn five walks to just two strikeouts for a .526 OBP/.677 SLG. His upside of a power hitting corner outfielder with speed should land him among the top-20 picks in the 2013 MLB draft.
Alex Gonzalez, RHP, Oral Roberts
In his last two starts, the 6’-3” right-hander has tossed 15 innings, allowing two runs on 11 hits, striking out 17 to three walks. He now has a 2.15 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 82 K/17 BB over 75.1 innings, holding opponents to a .222 batting average. He features a low-90s fastball and has excellent command of his pitches.
Adam Plutko, RHP, UCLA
Over his last three starts, the 6’-3” right-hander has tossed 21 scoreless innings, allowing just eight hits. He has also struck out 22 to eight walks over that span. Over 10 starts, he now has a 2.34 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 53 K/18 BB over 65.1 innings. He features an 88-92 mph fastball, a low-80s change that looks plus at times and an upper-70s curveball with nice tailing action.
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