Part II of IMPACT players examines those amateur players who could impact their college teams or their own positions in the 2007 or 2008 MLB First-Year Player Drafts. All players of these players originate, play in or reside in MidwestBaseballMagazine.com’s coverage states.

 Hello again, everybody! Last week I profiled 10 IMPACT players to watch at the professional level. This week I’ll be highlighting 10 players on the amateur scene who deserve your attention this spring, as well.

Amongst this group are some of the elite college and high school players in the country. These are players who will be looking to make a statement about their draft status and/or propel their team to the College World Series and state high school championships.

Max Scherzer – RHP – Under control by Arizona Diamondbacks
HT: 6’2   WT: 210   DOB: 7/27/1984

Scherzer entered the ’06 draft figuring to be the first right-handed pitcher selected. As the spring progressed his stock slipped as he missed time with shoulder tendonitis, which caused in a dip in his velocity. Scherzer also was surrounded by signability concerns due to his representation by Scott Boras. This caused him to slide to the Diamondbacks at No. 11 overall. Scherzer remains unsigned, and it appears he will follow the same route taken by right-hander Luke Hochevar in ’05, using Independent baseball as a showcase to alleviate concerns about his arm and boost his value. When healthy, Scherzer is a classic power pitcher with a fastball that reaches the upper 90s, and a hard, biting slider that rates as a plus pitch. Although some clubs project him as a starter, Scherzer best profiles as a closer at the major-league level.

Jordan Zimmerman – RHP – University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point  
HT: 6’1  WT: 200 DOB: 5/23/1986

The athletic Zimmerman, who came to UW Stevens Point primarily to play football, burst onto the national scene last summer while dominating the Northwoods League, posting a 1.01 ERA in 80 innings of work. He suffered a broken jaw in his first outing of the spring after being hit by a line drive but rebounded in his return with a strong performance in front of crosscheckers March 21 in Port Charlotte, Fla. Zimmerman has a strong, mature frame, and works off a solid average fastball that touches 95. He lacks crispness and feel for his secondary pitches, which currently grade out as below average. Although he’ll be 21 on draft day, Zimmerman does offer some projection as he’s had minimal exposure to elite competition, either at the high school or collegiate level.

Zack Putnam – RHP/1B – Michigan  
HT: 6’2   WT: 215  DOB: 7/3/1987

For draft buffs this is a name to file away for ’08, as the sophomore from Michigan will be one of the top college pitching prospects for next year’s draft. With a quick, loose arm Putnam features a plus fastball with movement, a circle change and a breaking pitch that flashes late life. The two-way star and All-American candidate will have a big effect on the college landscape this spring as Michigan battles for a Big 10 title and a high seed in the NCAA tournament. Through April 11, Putnam was hitting .384 with a team-leading 21 RBIs while posting a 4-2 record with a 1.95 ERA on the mound. Weather permitting, the Wolverines, who are 4-0 in conference play, have a big series this weekend against Ohio State. This match-up will set the pace for the conference title chase.

Jon Gilmore – SS – Iowa City (Iowa) High School
HT: 6’3   WT: 190  DOB: 8/23/1988

A four-tool athlete, with big-time bat speed and a plus arm, Gilmore is one of the top high school position players in the country. His size, and lack of quickness, makes third base his likely destination as he continues to mature physically. This is not a concern for scouts as Gilmore boasts above-average raw power and his bat profiles well for a corner position. An excellent athlete, Gilmore has been recruited as a Division I quarterback, as well.  Although he has committed to Wichita State, it’s unlikely Gilmore ever will step foot on campus, as he should be selected in the Top 2 rounds come June.

Casey Crosby – LHP – Kaneland (Ill.) High School
HT: 6’5   WT: 200  DOB: 9/17/1988

Crosby has created an early buzz throughout Illinois as he’s come out of the gate showing an average fastball and touching 94 mph. For scouting enthusiasts, this kid personifies projectability. Crosby has grown several inches over the last year and added almost 10 mph to his fastball. In addition, like many Northern players, he has just started to devote his full attention to baseball, as he is an all-state football player, as well. He comes from an athletic family; his father wrestled and played football at Kansas State; he has a brother who was drafted by the Yankees and another brother who played football at Western Illinois. Crosby has helium on draft lists and has surpassed Seth Blair as the top pitching prospect in the state.

Jarrod Parker – RHP – Norwell (Ind.) High School
HT: 6’1   WT: 175  DOB: 11/24/1988

Slender and athletic, Parker has a good delivery but is a little on the short side. He commands a low-90’s fastball that he can run up to 95 but showed signs of fatigue on the showcase circuit last summer. Regularly displaying a plus fastball that has been clocked as high as 98 mph, he is rarity for a northern high school pitcher in that he shows feel and command for both his change-up and slider, which also shows flashes of a plus pitch. Parker has committed to Georgia Tech and concern has started to arise over his bonus demands. His advisor choice will be an interesting topic for fans in the Midwest to monitor as draft time approaches.

Derek Dietrich – 3B – St. Ignatius (Ohio) High School
HT: 6’1   WT: 190  DOB: 7/18/1989

Hailing from an athletic family Dietrich’s grandfather, Steve Dementer, played in the big leagues and his older sister is a professional figure skater. The lean and athletic Dietrich has garnered consistent praise for the way he approaches and plays the game. While lacking over whelming physical tools, he has a smooth left-handed stroke that generates plus bat speed and above-average raw power. Defensively, he displays a plus arm but lacks the quickness and hands to play in the middle of the diamond and profiles as a third baseman in the big leagues. Like Jarrod Parker, Dietrich has committed to Georgia Tech and could be a tough sign outside of the Top 3 rounds.

Scott Moviel – RHP – Shadyside (Ohio) High School
HT: 6’10   WT: 245  DOB: 5/7/1988

The North Carolina State recruit has drawn comparisons to 7-foot Andrew Brackman, a fellow Ohio native and NC State standout. In front of scouts from virtually every big-league ballclub, Moviel was impressive during his first outing of the spring striking out 13 while touching 94 on the gun. While his off-speed pitches grade out as below average, and remain a long way off, Moviel will get every opportunity to impress, as it’s easy to envision a future plus-plus fastball out of the 18 year-old as he continues to mature physically.

Ross Detwiler – LHP – Missouri State
HT: 6’4   WT: 175   DOB: 3/6/1986

A virtual lock to be selected within the Top 15 picks in June, a recent rumor has the sleek left-hander as one of five players the Devil Rays are considering with the top pick overall. Detwiler has been nothing short of dominant this spring, posting a 1.79 ERA in seven starts and allowing just 28 hits in 51.1 IP while striking out 60. Although there is mechanical work to be done with the delivery, he has a loose arm action that generates good arm speed. His fastball sits in the low 90s, and along with his downer curveball, projects as a future plus pitch. The change-up also has developed throughout the spring and could become a solid third pitch down the road. There should be no lull in Detwiler’s performance down the stretch as he will be making the “dash for cash” in front of crosscheckers and scouting directors. 

John Ely – RHP – Miami of Ohio 
HT: 6’1   WT: 190  DOB: 5/13/1986

Ely has impressed scouts this spring as he’s taken over the role of the Friday starter while outpitching more highly touted teammate Connor Graham. Ely has posted a 4-2 record with a 3.59 ERA for the 17-10 Redhawks, who by April 11 sat 6-1 in conference play.  In addition to making for an intriguing draft story, the Ely-Graham combination will be vital to the NCAA tournament hopes and success of the MAC favorites who have impressed early with their performance on the road.

Brad Budzinski played junior college baseball at Waukesha (Wis.) County Technical College and has served as an associate scout and baseball operations/scouting intern for the Milwaukee Brewers. Brad is a 2006 graduate of the Major League Scouting Bureau's Scout Development Program.