27 First Round Draft Picks from the 2009 MLB Draft were Involved with Baseball Factory, from Scouting to Player Development to Showcasing
| The first round of the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft may have ended, but the professional careers of 27 of our own have just begun. Some of the top picks included Donavan Tate, Bobby Borchering, and AJ Pollock. Tate, the best prep athlete in this year’s draft from Cartersville, GA, put on a strong performance at the 2008 Under Armour All-America Game, powered by Baseball Factory, and earned an impressive 3rd overall pick in the first round of the draft. Borchering, a top prep third baseman from Alva, FL, attended the 2008 Under Armour All-America Game and Under Armour Southeast Tournament, powered by Team One Baseball, and earned the 16th overall pick in the first round. Pollock, an athletic outfielder from Hebron, CT, was a member of Baseball Factory’s Exclusive College Recruiting Program. Pollock attended the University of Notre Dame. Pollock’s exceptional performance at numerous Team One Showcases led him to be the 17th pick of the first round. During this year’s draft, Baseball Factory provided MLB Network and MLB.com with scouting video and headshots of many of the top players.
Baseball Factory congratulates the 27 players who were selected in the first round of the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft:
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Donavan Tate | #3 Overall Pick | San Deigo Padres A premium athlete, Tate shows the potential to be a five-tool talent. He is already an above average runner with a ML average arm and should develop into an everday CF who defends, hits and hits for power. Baseball Factory Event: 2008 Under Armour All-America Game, powered by Baseball Factory "I just wanted to write and send a very big thank you to you and the entire Under Armour/Baseball Factory staff for doing such an outstanding job. Donavan and my entire family had such a great time and made many memories that will last a lifetime. So, from the entire Tate family I would like to say thank you for inviting Donavan and allowing him to participate in such a class act event. We appreciate everything you did for us." Best Regards, |
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Matt Hobgood | #5 Overall Pick | Baltimore Orioles Hobgood is a RHP with an extra-large frame and plus raw arm strength. That combination allows him to pitch comfortably in the low 90s with a FB that regularly creeps into the mid 90s, but he needs to refine his breaking ball and change to help his stock this spring. Baseball Factory Event: Baseball Factory Top 100 |
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Zack Wheeler | #6 Overall Pick | San Francisco Giants Wheeler is one of the most projectable arms in the class. His delivery already generates low to mid 90s velocity and he has more in him. Add in glimpses of a tight CB and a change with fade and this 6’4" RHP is an intriguing prospect. Baseball Factory Event: 2008 Under Armour All-America Game, powered by Baseball Factory "Thank you so much and all that the Baseball Factory did for Zack." -Barry Wheeler
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Mike Leake | #8 Overall Pick | Cincinnati Reds Earns Tim Hudson comparisons for lithe, athletic if smallish frame and competitiveness. Baseball Factory Events: 2004 Team One West, 2005 Team One West |
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Jacob Turner | #9 Overall Pick | Detriot Tigers Turner is a big, strong RHP with great downhill plane to his low 90s fastball. His fastball runs into RH hitters at times and he complements it with a CB with tight rotation and a developing change. Baseball Factory Event: 2008 Under Armour All-America Game, powered by Baseball Factory |
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Tyler Matzek | #11 Overall Pick| Colorado Rockies A 6’3" lefty, Matzek has a repeatable delivery with clean arm action. He is aggressive on the mound and throws 3 pitches for strikes , pitching comfortably in the low 90s with his fastball. Baseball Factory Event: 2008 Under Armour All-America Game, powered by Baseball Factory |
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Matthew Purke | #14 Overall Pick | Texas Rangers Purke is a long, lanky LHP with an ultra-quick arm that generates a low to mid 90s FB, a sharp breaking ball and a quality change, all from a 3/4 slot. Baseball Factory Event: 2008 Under Armour All-America Game, powered by Baseball Factory "Thank you, it is an honor to be drafted and 14th overall to the Texas Rangers. God has truly blessed Matthew and our family. Thank everyone at Baseball Factory for all they have done for us over the years. -Lawrence Purke |
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Bobby Borchering | #16 Overall Pick | Arizona Diamondbacks Borchering possesses the body, bat and power from both sides of the plate that make him the top 3B in his class. His hands and feet are playable in the field and he already has an average arm to go along with the actions that draw Chipper Jones comparisons. Baseball Factory Events: 2008 Under Armour All-America Game, powered by Baseball Factory, 2008 Under Armour Southeast Tournament, powered by Team One, 2007 Under Armour Pre-Season All-America Tournament, powered by Baseball Factory Best wishes to you in the future."
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Allen Pollock | #17 Overall Pick | Arizona Diamondbacks One of safer bats due to steady, consistent swing and pro approach. Baseball Factory Event: Exclusive College Recruiting Program, 2005 Team One East, 2005 Team One All-Star, 2005 Baseball Factory Pre-Season All-American Tournament, Hitting Training Weekend, Signature College Recruiting Program |
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Chad James | #18 Overall Pick | Florida Marlins A long limbed and projectable left hander with upper 80s fastball velocity and solid secondary offerings. Has shown spells of good command, which should become more frequent with some work to refine his delivery and back side arm action. Baseball Factory Event: Baseball Factory Top 100 |
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Shelby Miller | #19 Overall Pick | St. Louis Cardinals Miller is another strong RHP from Texas with a prototypical body for the mound. His primary weapon is his heavy fastball with late sink that usually sits between 91 and 94 mph. He has shown flashes of a quality 3/4 tilt breaking ball with depth and is developing a change as a third pitch. The bottom line is that if he can command his lively fastball he can get outs at any level. Baseball Factory Event: Baseball Factory Top 100 |
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Jiovanni Mier | #21 Overall Pick | Houston Astros Mier is a rare prospect these days – a guy who can stay at shortstop. His sure hands, instincts and arm strength allow him to stay on the left side of the diamond and his overall strength gains continue to help him answer questions about his ability at the plate. Baseball Factory Event: Baseball Factory Top 100 |
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Randal Grichuk | #24 Overall Pick | Los Angeles Angels Grichuk is another Team USA alum who just continues to hit. He has some strength in an average-sized frame that produces frequent power, mostly to the pull side. His other tools are average or slightly below average, so teams will need to believe in the bat for this corner outfielder. Baseball Factory Event: 2008 Under Armour Pre-Season All-America Tournament, powered by Baseball Factory |
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Mike Trout | #25 Overall Pick | Los Angeles Angels An excellent athlete with great speed and all around life in his actions. Features bat speed and natural hitting ability, along with arm strength and range in the outfield. Baseball Factory Event: Baseball Factory Top 100 |
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Eric Arnett | #26 Overall Pick | Milwaukee Brewers Strong-bodied Hoosier rising rapidly up boards with power fastball-slider combo. Baseball Factory Event: 2005 Baseball Factory Pro Instructional Workout |
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Nick Franklin | #27 Overall Pick | Seattle Mariners Franklin has a track record of success with Team USA and always seems to shine in big games. He does not possess a stand-out tool, but, aside from power, has ML average tools across the board that play even better. Baseball Factory Event: 2008 Under Armour All-America Game, powered by Baseball Factory "Thanks very much for giving Nick the opportunity to play at Wrigley Field. This was like a dream come true for Nick…The training and events were first class and we thank you for everything" -Debbie Franklin |
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Reymond Fuentes | #28 Overall Pick | Milwaukee Brewers Fuentes is among the better runners in the 2009 high school class, with reports of 60-yard dash times below 6.5. He has base stealing ability, and uses his speed for outfield range. A solid left handed hitter with some extra base pop at times. Baseball Factory Event: Baseball Factory Top 100 |
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Slade Heathcott | #29 Overall Pick | New York Yankees One of the best athletes in the 2009 high school class, Heathcott is also one of the top 2-way prospects. He is a well rounded outfield prospect with speed, arm stregnth, hitting ability and power potential. His fastbal reaches in the low 90s and goes with a solid breaking ball. Baseball Factory Event: Under Armour National Tryout, powered by Baseball Factory |
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LeVon Washington | #30 Overall Pick | Tampa Bay Rays One of the fastest players in the 2009 draft, Washington profiles as an impact leadoff man who can play both 2B and CF at the next level. He understands his role at the plate as a slash and dash guy who puts constant pressure on the defense. Baseball Factory Event: Baseball Factory Top 100 |
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Brett Jackson | #31 Overall Pick | Chicago Cubs Potential five-tool CF failed to capitalize on tantalizing Cap performance due to K’s |
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Tim Wheeler | #32 Overall Pick | Colorado Rockies Still somewhat raw, but Wheeler built off big Cape summer adding power to toolbox. Baseball Factory Event: 2005 Team One West |
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Steven Baron | #33 Overall Pick | Seattle Mariners Baron is an excellent all around defensive catcher with standout catch and throw ability, which on its own likely merits a top 100 spot. However, he is showing signs of potential with the bat – just how far he comes offensively will determine his draft value. Baseball Factory Event: Baseball Factory Top 100 |
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Matt Davidson | #35 Overall Pick | Arizona Diamondbacks In a high school draft class most feel is short on power, Davidson stands out as one of the few with legit thump in his bat. He also features arm strength and enough fielding ability to stay at 3B for the time being. Baseball Factory Event: 2007 Team One West, Under Armour National Tryout, powered by Baseball Factory |
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Aaron Miller | #36 Overall Pick | Los Angeles Dodgers Once better prospect as an outfielder, power portsider was rare consistent Baylor pitcher Baseball Factory Event: 2005 Cape Cod High School Classic, powered by Baseball Factory |
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Tyler Skaggs | #40 Overall Pick | Los Angeles Angels Ankle injury hampered him late in season, but arm works and frame is perfect for pitching. Baseball Factory Event: Baseball Factory Top 100 |
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Christopher Owings | #41 Overall Pick | Arizona Diamondbacks Owings is an athletic player with lots of life in his actions, both with the glove and the bat. In addition to a well rounded set of tools, Owings has the ability to put them to use in games. Baseball Factory Event: Under Armour National Tryout, powered by Baseball Factory |
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Matthew Bashore | #46 Overall Pick | Minnesota Twins Passed by Arnett after rocky start, he rallied to flash average-to-plus fastball and slider Baseball Factory Event: Signature College Recruiting Program |
