The 2012 amateur draft is just two days away, so between now and then I’m going to highlight some prospects individually rather than lump them together into larger posts.
Zach Eflin | RHP
Background
A Florida kid out of Hagerty High School in the Orlando suburbs, Eflin caught some major helium thanks to a velocity spike this spring. He missed time with triceps tendinitis in April but has since returned to the mound. He’s committed to Central Florida.
Scouting Report
A classic projectable high school right-hander at 6-foot-5 and 200 lbs., Eflin went from throwing in the upper-80s to sitting in the low-90s and touching 96 this spring. His fading changeup is one of the best in the high school crop and his inconsistent breaking ball morphs between a slider and curveball. Because he’s still growing into his body, he’s struggled to repeat his delivery and it’s led to command problems and that sketchy breaking ball. His baseball acumen and pitchability are considered pluses. Eflin’s total package screams workhorse starter down the line.
Miscellany
Keith Law (#14), MLB.com (#25), and Baseball America (#31) all consider Eflin a first round talent even after the triceps injury, and for what it’s worth, Baseball America had the Yankees selecting him with their first round pick (#30 overall) in their most recent mock draft. I’m a sucker for big high school arms and I like that Eflin has already shown three pitches, a rarity among prepsters. The triceps issue is a concern but it’s not like it’s his shoulder or elbow, plus he’s thrown fine in recent outings. I’m very intrigued and I sorta wish I hadn’t seen that latest mock draft because now my hopes are up.
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