2012 Pirates Draft Prospects Rundown: 3/26

Trey Williams entered the year with mixed reviews. Some outlets had him as a top ten prospect. Some had him as a player who rated in the late-first round. Some didn’t even have him as a first rounder. One thing is for sure about the prep third baseman: he’s rated highly in the books of opposing teams.

Williams has been pitched around a lot this year, drawing ten walks on the young season. Ten walks might not sound like a lot, but it’s a big number during the high school season. Consider that in the last three years, he’s drawn 12 walks per season every year. That led to a walk rate in the 12-16% range. His walk rate this year? 29%.

Williams has gotten on base 62.9% of the time this season. He’s also hitting for a .435 average, which would be a career best. The problem is that his power has been down and his strikeouts are up throughout the process. Perhaps that’s a side effect of getting pitched around.

The third baseman is one of the players who could be a potential top ten pick, but needs a big boost to be a consensus selection in that range. If his power picked up, along with the walks, it would go a long way toward giving him that boost.

STATS

Mark Appel - 9.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 0 HR, W (3-1)

Chris Beck - 6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, 0 HR, ND

Kevin Gausman - 5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 8 K, 0 HR, ND

Kyle Zimmer – 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, 0 HR, W (2-1)

Deven Marrero - 5-for-18 (.278), 2 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 SB, 4 K, 1 BB

Mike Zunino - 4-for-14 (.286), 2 R, 1 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 1 K, 2 BB

Trey Williams – 2-for-4 (.500), 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 K, 4 BB

NOTES

-Kyle Zimmer didn’t have the best conditions on Friday, throwing in 50 degree weather in the rain. He was throwing 91-94, and both breaking balls were working in his second straight shutout. (via Nick Faleris)

-Kevin Gausman has walked nine batters in his last two starts.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

-Mike Zunino and Florida play a Florida State on Tuesday.

-Deven Marrero and Arizona State play a two game series against Cal State Fullerton starting on Tuesday.

-Trey Williams and Valencia high school play a game on Wednesday.