The Draft: Looking at Ohio State RHP Alex Wimmers.

   Our look at the draft continues today as we take a gander at Ohio State star right-hander Alex Wimmers.

   While Wimmers isn’t likely to pull a Mike Leake and advance straight to the majors out of spring training, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound junior figures to move quickly through the minors. Possibly the most, polished pitcher in the draft, Wimmer has put up impressive numbers, going 9-0 with a 1.60 ERA. He’s thrown two complete games and in 73 innings has struck out 86, walked 23 and allowed 58 hits.

   Wimmers features a strong three-pitch arsenal. His average fastball sits in the 90-92 range and has bumped 94, with sink. His two-seamer features plenty of movement. Wimmers' change-up is regarded as the best in the draft and is extremely difficult for left-handers to hit. He throws it with the same arm speed as his fastball and the pitch, which moves away from left-handers 3-4 inches, grades as plus. Wimmers' curve also is rated a plus pitch and is a difficult pitch for right-handed hitters to get the bat on. Wimmers consistently throws all three pitches for strikes.

   Wimmers proved himself last season, starring for league champion Bourne in the Cape Cod League, where he significantly boosted his stock.

   Tough on right-handers and left-handers, Wimmers commands multiple pitches as well as anyone in the draft. Baby faced, Wimmers is long and lanky, with powerful legs and an over the top throwing motion that allows him to pitch down in the zone.

   Few pitchers can offer three potential out pitches, but Wimmers can. While very competitive, he sometimes nibbles too much and could trust his fastball more. Wimmers is athletic and fields his position well. He also is no slouch at the plate, as he holds the career record for batting average (.457) at Moeller High School. Yep, the same Moeller where Ken Griffey, Jr., Barry Larkin and Buddy Bell, among others, starred.

   Wimmers has been healthy, save for missing two games with a pulled hamstring in May. He bounces back well from adversity and works extremely hard. Wimmers features excellent poise and mound presence. His catcher and former Moeller teammate Dan Burkhart, also likely will be drafted.

   While scouts don’t project Wimmers as a No. 1, with some saying his sum is greater than his parts, he easily projects as a middle of the rotation starting pitcher. Some compare Wimmers favorably to Bronson Arroyo. He is regarded as one of the safer bets to be a big leaguer among those in the 2010 draft.

   What do we have in Wimmers? The young man is impressive. He’s a safe pick, yet has enough projection to go with his polish that he could turn out to be something more than a mid-rotation guy. At worst, Wimmers figures to be a back-of-the-rotation starter. Wimmers has a legitimate chance to be in the majors by 2012. As a Cincinnati native and an Ohio State product, he likely would be a fan favorite. Wimmers also profiles as the kind of pitcher Walt Jocketty likes. Chances of him winding up in red appear pretty good.