Draft prospects

By KEVIN KELLY, STEVE LEE, JAMAL THALJI

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 4, 2000

High schools

LAND O'LAKES

Cory Doyne, RHP: 7-1 record, 1.39 ERA, 502/3 IP, 98 K, 31 BB; 94-mph fastball; signed with HCC; ineligible junior year but rebounded to be rated 142nd-best prospect by Baseball America and No. 22 in the state; very signable.

Kurt Shafer, RHP: 6-2 record, 0.72 ERA, 481/3 IP, 72 K, 17 BB; 90-mph fastball; signed with USF; late-season bloomer impressed scouts and is projected to go in rounds 10-20; very signable.

Derek Thompson, LHP: 9-0 record, 1.75 ERA, 60 IP, 111 K, 26 BB; 93-mph fastball; signed with USF; rated 59th-best prospect by Baseball America and No. 9 in Florida; teamonebaseball.com lists him as state's top prospect; very signable.

PASCO

Alex Cruz, SS/2B: .469 BA, 8 HR; silky infielder and defensive wizard, also solid behind the plate; signed with SPJC; could go anywhere from the 25th round on; very signable.

RIDGEWOOD

Chris Way, RHP/1B: 3-5 record, 3.70 ERA, 53 IP, 56 K, 20 BB, 3 CG; 90-mph fastball; .333 BA, 7 HR, 20 RBI, fielded .981 at 1B; slumped this season but projected to go in rounds 10-40; very signable.

ZEPHYRHILLS

Brett Cimorelli, RHP/C: 10-1 record, 1.40 ERA, 63 IP, 75 K, 17 BB; .402 BA, 16 HR, 54 RBI; signed with FSU and projected starter at kicker; rated 31st-best prospect in Florida by Baseball America; 'Noles connection makes him tough to sign.

Mike Stepp, 3B: 6-1 record, 3.91 ERA, 301/3 IP, 41 K, 31 BB; .400 BA, 12 HR, 53 RBI; signed with HCC; could be taken in later half of draft; very signable.

Colleges

PASCO-HERNANDO COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Alan Green, RHP: Sophomore, 6-0 record, 5.40 ERA, 612/3 IP, 68 K, 35 BB; projected late-round pick if drafted at all.

SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY

Jason Barker, CF: Senior, .342 BA, 13 doubles, 7 triples, 2 HR; projected late-round pick if at all.

Brian Grassing, RHP: Senior, 4-1 record, 2.76 ERA, 452/3 IP, 47 K, 20 BB; converted catcher led Lions with nine saves; projected late-round pick.

Cayetano Landeros, 2B: Senior, .373 BA with 13 doubles, 6 triples, 8 HR, 43 RBI; projected late-round pick if at all.

Pete Maroudis, RHP: Senior, 7-3 record, 3.90 ERA, 921/3 IP, 90 K, 55 BB; Lions ace boasts a first-rate 80-mph slider; projected late-round pick.

Ryan Picard, RF: Senior, .339 BA, 5 triples, 6 HR, 44 RBI; projected late-round pick if at all.

Joe Ricciardi, RHP: Junior, 5-6 record, 4.55 ERA, 91 IP, 89 K, 45 BB; 90- to 91-mph fastball; expected to be picked in rounds 10-20.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.