Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

Six more stars generating draft-time buzz

Scouts impressed with Canadian high school pitcher Aumont
March 29, 2007

After a two-week hiatus, the Draft Report is back in full force with a half-dozen new additions to our ever-growing library of files on the draft class of 2007. This week's edition brings us to a grand total of 50 reports on the amateur players generating buzz around North America.

North America, not just the United States. For the first time, the Draft Report travels north of the border to Canada to see a young pitching phenom. Well, technically, he traveled south to Florida where scouts flocked to see him. But he's definitely Canadian.

The rest of the report is split nicely between the college and high school ranks. It includes a report on a top college backstop, as well as one of the highest-rated college closers. From the high school ranks, we've got a power-hitting outfielder from Georgia, more power from a California infielder, and a top-of-the-order middle infielder from San Diego.

It's also worth checking in on three of the top players in the draft class to date that have been highlighted in previous reports. Vandy's David Price, right now the consensus No. 1 player, struggled a bit in his last start. In addition, he's thrown over 260 pitches in his last two outings, enough to surely make some scouting directors cringe. That being said, he's 5-0 with a 2.79 ERA, a .191 batting average against and 79 strikeouts (vs. just 13 walks) in 51 2/3 innings. ... North Carolina State's Andrew Brackman, all 6-foot-10 of him, has been a little up and down. Currently, he's 4-2 with a 3.79 ERA, allowing about a hit per inning while striking out 38 (vs. 15 walks) in 40 1/3 innings. He was the Saturday starter over the weekend and gave up five earned runs on nine hits in four innings. ... Finally, there's the presumed top college bat in the draft, Matt Wieters. He, too, has had some peaks and valleys. He's hitting .311 on the year and slugging .528. That's a far cry from the .360 average and .595 slugging percentage he carried in from his first two years at Georgia Tech. He went 1-for-9 in a weekend series against Duke.

Now onto this week's reports:

Phillippe Aumont, RHP, Ecole Du Versant, Gatineau, Quebec: The big Canadian had to go to Florida to get the chance to pitch outside. He didn't disappoint in a three-inning stint. Complete Report.

Mitch Canham, C, Oregon State: The offensive-minded catcher is hitting .387 with a .640 slugging percentage over his first 20 games for OSU. Complete Report.

Jason Heyward, OF, Henry County HS, McDonough, Ga.: Power-hitting lefties don't grow on trees and Heyward's power potential, and overall hitting ability, is very intriguing. Complete Report.

Daniel Moskos, LHP, Clemson: Considered by many to be the best reliever in the college class, Moskos has five saves with a 2.55 ERA to go along with 23 K's in 17 2/3 innings. Over the weekend against Maryland, he gave up the game-winning hit on Friday, but came back to pitch a scoreless frame on Sunday. Complete Report.

Mike Moustakas, SS/3B, Chatsworth HS, Ca.: His teammate Matt Dominguez gets most of the publicity, but Moustakas is clearly generating some of his own buzz, especially in a recent three-homer game. Complete Report.

Nick Noonan, SS/2B, Parker HS, San Diego, Ca.: Noonan has an interesting set of offensive skills, boasting the ability to make consistent contact and hit for average. There is some question about whether he's a shortstop or second baseman in the future, but his bat should play either way. Complete Report.

Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLB.com.