2006 Clark Griffith League Top 10 Prospects
| By Aaron Fitt |
| August 29, 2006 |
1. Adam Olbrychowski, rhp, Vienna (Pepperdine)
After striking out just 20 in 41 innings for Pepperdine this spring, Olbrychowski dominated Clark Griffith League hitters, going 4-2, 1.10 with a 56-17 strikeout-walk ratio in 49 innings. His physical 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame allows him to maintain his 89-92 mph velocity late into games, and his fastball has good movement. Olbrychowski didn't really need his secondary stuff to get hitters out this summer, but his mid-70s curveball seemed to get better as the summer progressed, and he flashed a few low-80s changeups as well.
2. Jordan Flasher, rhp, Herndon (Geoge Mason)
Flasher had more success as the closer for Herndon than he did as the closer for George Mason this spring, though he did lead a horrendous Patriots staff with a 4.34 ERA and four saves. At just 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, Flasher's slight build gives scouts pause, but he can pump out 90-92 mph fastballs with his quick arm. He flashes a dirty slider, but he relied almost exclusively on his fastball this summer.
3. Xavier Qualls, of, Vienna (Southeastern Louisiana)
Qualls, who is transferring from Copiah-Lincoln (Miss.) JC to Southeastern Louisiana, tied for the league lead with five home runs this summer while also leading the circuit in RBIs (31) and slugging (.542). Qualls has a physical 6-foot-2 frame and moves well in the outfield, but his best attributes are at the plate. A switch-hitter, Qualls showed average to slightly above-average power from both sides of the plate. At the very least, he looks like a solid college player entering his junior year.
4. Franco Valdes, c, Vienna (Broward, Fla., CC)
Valdes tied with Qualls and Fauquier's Matt Hinson for the league homer title, and he was second to Qualls with a .538 slugging percentage. A 15th-round pick in June by the Tigers out of Monsignor Pace High in Opa Locka, Fla., Valdes is another switch-hitter with even better power than Qualls from both sides of the plate. He needs to improve his footwork and arm slot behind the plate, but his 5-foot-10, 205-pound frame is well suited for catching.
5. Anthony Scelfo, ss, Vienna (Tulane)
Scelfo is also a backup quarterback for the Tulane football team, whose head coach is his uncle and whose offensive coordinator is his father. Scelfo hit just .241 in 54 at-bats as a freshman for the Green Wave this spring but showed a little bit of every tool this summer. Not surprisingly for a quarterback, Scelfo has a very strong arm at shortstop, where he also has good range. Offensively, Scelfo has good power to the gaps and the ability to turn on balls inside, and he has a patient approach that allowed him to lead the league with a .434 on-base percentage.
6. Dave Kellerberg, rhp, Vienna (Florida Southern)
Kellerberg tied for the Clark Griffith lead in wins (six) and strikeouts (58). Kellerberg has a good pro body (6-foot-3, 195 pounds) and solid command of a heavy 85-89 mph fastball. The rising junior, who is transferring from Valencia (Fla.) CC to Division II Florida Southern, also flashes a 12-to-6 hammer curveball that he needs to learn to command better.
7. Ryan Woolley, rhp, Herndon (Georgia)
Woolley has big-game experience, going head-to-head with first-round pick Jeremy Jeffress in front of loads of scouts in a high school playoff game this spring. He more than held his own against older competition in the Clark Griffith League this summer, going 2-1, 1.95 with 33 strikeouts and 13 walks in 32 innings. His fastball is fringe-average right now, touching 90-91, but his 6-foot-1 frame still has projection. He also has a feel for a breaking ball, but like the rest of his repertoire, it needs to be refined.
8. John Zorich, lhp, Herndon (CC of Baltimore County-Dundalk)
Zorich matched Kellerberg with six wins and 58 strikeouts, while posting an even better ERA (0.92 to 1.76). Zorich also played outfield for CC of Baltimore County-Dundalk, but he figures to be a difference maker on the mound for a Division I school in the spring--he is transferring, but it has not yet been determined where he will land. Zorich is not overpowering but spots his mid-80s fastball well and also has good command of a 74-77 mph curveball.
9. J.B. Blixt, rhp, Fairfax (Radford)
Like Kellerberg, Blixt has good size (6-foot-4, 215) and a decent fastball that topped out at 92 mph. He has a chance to add velocity as he fills out, but he is already an intriguing package. He also features a slider and a changeup, which he commands fairly well, although he needs to cut down his walks a bit. He issued 20 free passes while striking out just 28 in 48 innings. Blixt did, however, tie for the league lead with six wins.
10. Carlos Del Rosario, of, Fairfax (Indian River, Fla., CC)
Del Rosario, who moved to New York City from the Dominican Republic at a young age, remains raw but has undeniable physical tools. A 42nd-round pick by the Angels out of New York's George Washington High in 2005, Del Rosario battled for playing time at Indian River this spring and hit just .230 with one home run in 74 at-bats for Fairfax in the summer, but he put on impressive shows in batting practice thanks to his huge raw power from the left side. He also runs the 60-yard dash in 6.8 seconds and has a strong outfield arm.