2009 Draft Preview: High School Infielders

   Today we conclude our position-by-position look at the top prospects for the 2009 MLB First-year Player Draft with a gander at high school infielders. This isn’t a particularly deep nor talented crop. Signability issues abound, as well. Here’s a peep:

Bobby Borchering – 3B – Bishop Vereot HS, Fort Myers, Fla.

  Borchering likely is a bit of a reach where the Reds pick in the first round, especially with the club’s minor league depth at the position. Borchering, though, is a good one. A 6-foot-4, 200-pound Florida recruit, Borchering can hit and has power. Strong, with excellent bat speed, Borchering projects to hit for power and average. Borchering’s glove has improved enough (he’s an average defender) to put him into consideration for the first round, although a move to first base still is a consideration. Such a switch would somewhat waste his strong arm, but would allow Borchering to concentrate more on his considerable hitting skills. Still, Borchering likely can fill out even more without losing athleticism.

   During one nine-game stretch this season, Borchering slammed seven home runs. A switch-hitter, Borchering can turn on very good fastballs. A physical specimen, he hits the ball hard. Borchering is considered one of the safer picks among prep players in the draft.

Nick Franklin – SS – Lake Brantley HS, Altamonte Springs, Fla.

   A switch-hitter who slammed 10 home runs this spring, Franklin is a fine hitter who uses the whole field. He has the bat speed to hit good velocity, although scouts doubt his power will carry over to hitting with wood. Franklin, an Auburn signee, has drawn comparisons to Felipe Lopez and Aaron Hill for his build and ability to run. Athletic, Franklin (6-1, 180) has an excellent chance to remain at shortstop, where his above average arm and slick footwork plays well. Franklin is highly regarded for his makeup.  He is better going to his left than into the hole and is very adept at turning double plays, thanks to a quick transfer. A switch-hitter, he projects to hit for more power right-handed and more average from the left side. Franklin is a hard worker and vocal leader.

Jiovanni Mier – SS – Bonita HS, Pomona Calif.

   High school shortstops often become pro second basemen or outfielders. Mier, however, projects to remain at shortstop thanks in part to a well-above-average arm that has registered 93 m.p.h. throws. A 6-2, 170-pound Southern California signee, Mier is a hard worker with outstanding character. His brother Jessie is a catcher in the Dodgers organization. Mier is athletic and solid defensively, although pro instruction figures to help him become smoother in the field. Mier has been a mixed bag at the plate, ranging from spectacular to struggling. Mier swings a quick bat and, if he can better adjust to breaking pitches, figures to be a line drive hitter as a pro.

Mychal Givens – SS – Plant HS, Tampa, Fla.

   Hitter or pitcher? That’s the decision teams must make in evaluating Givens, who has scouts split. His fastball has been clocked at 97, but some teams see him as a reliever who has more value as a position player. Givens doesn’t strike out as many as scouts would like, despite his heater and an impressive slider. A strong, toolsy player, Givens possesses power potential and might be able to stay at shortstop, thanks to solid range and fast-twitch actions. An Oklahoma State signee, Givens is considered signable if taken in the first three rounds. Smart and hard-working with great character, Givens has starred with the bat since his freshman year. Some question whether he will hit for average.

Jeff Malm – 1B – Gorman HS, Las Vegas

   A left-handed batter, Malm is a tremendous hitter who slammed 15 home runs this season. He has performed well for years, often against older competition. The question is, will Malm (6-3, 215) hit for power using wood? A college or pro weight program could do wonders for Malm, who is limited to first base. Despite his strong arm, scouts say Malm playing the outfield is out of the question, so he’ll need to produce with the bat to have high-round value. Malm could be difficult to sign away from Southern California. The all-time national high school hit king, Malm has helped Gorman to four consecutive state titles.

David Renfroe – SS – South Panola HS, Batesville, Miss.

   Another two-way prospect, Renfroe could star as a hitter and a pitcher at Ole Miss. Renfroe (6-3, 190) is a pro prospect on the mound and with the bat, but prefers to hit. He is considered signable if taken in the first three rounds, although Ole Miss regards him as its most important recruit in years. Renfroe brings an advanced hitting approach, average power and the ability to hit with wood. Defensively, he is smooth enough to remain at shortstop in college and possibly as a pro. A shift to third base is not out of the question. He has plenty of arm. The Yankees are known to have followed Renfroe heavily. A fine athlete, Renfroe quarterbacked South Panola’s powerful football team.

Deven Marrero – SS – American Heritage HS, Plantation, Fla.

   The brother of touted Nationals minor leaguer Chris Marrero, Deven Marrero is one of the most highly scouted players in the country, thanks to the talent on his high school team the last four years. Marrero has the defensive chops to remain at shortstop, as his skills rate excellent. A long swing needs to be corrected and Marrero figures to have much more hitting ability than he presently shows. Scouts opine that his power will develop. An average runner, Marrero features a plus arm, better than average hands and smooth actions in the field. An Arizona State signee, Marrero is thought to be an extremely difficult sign.

Chris Owings – SS – Gilbert (S.C.) HS

   A South Carolina signee, Owings is rising up draft boards because he can hit and has a chance to stay at shortstop. Some compare Owings to White Sox 2008 first-rounder Gordon Beckham for his quick bat, strong hands and ability to hit, although Beckham possesses more power. Owings, a plus runner, hits the ball hard and is solid defensively. Scouts are split. They love the tools more than the player as a whole. Some see Owings as a shortstop, others have him solidly at second base. Some see him as a second rounder, others have him going in the fifth.

David Nick – SS – Cypress HS

   Less likely to stay at shortstop, the athletic Nick figures to make a fine second baseman as a pro, as his arm is a bit short, as is his range. He has the tools to play an average second base, drawing comparisons to Giants 2007 supplemental rounder Nick Noonan. A line-drive hitter, Nick (6-2, 175) allows balls to get deep in the hitting zone before unleashing an extraordinarily quick bat. Nick, a UCLA recruit, figures to have above average speed and power and to hit for a high average. He is said to have tremendous makeup. Nick also is said to, wait for it, here it comes, play the game the right way.

Stephen Perez – SS – Gulliver Prep, Miami

   Despite being just 5-10, 160, Perez has some pop in his bat. A Miami signee, Perez is a switch-hitter with a quick bat and a balanced stance. Perez has plenty of arm for shortstop, but lacks range, meaning a move to second is likely. Perez also must learn to recognize his limitations, as he often tries to hit home runs rather than use the entire field. Perez doesn’t project to get a lot bigger and he’s a fringy runner. He could be a difficult sign. The opposite of Owings, scouts like Perez’s overall package more than his tools. 

   Others to watch: Derek Dennis, SS, Forest Hills Central HS, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Scooter Gennett, SS, Sarasota (Fla.) HS; Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Millikan HS, Long Beach, Calif.