The Aflac All-American Baseball Classic features an East versus West
matchup of the nation’s top 38 high school players following their junior year. The Aflac Baseball Classic is considered
the country’s marquee prep All-American event. Participants must have just completed their junior year of high school;
be in good academic standing; and display qualities off the field that embody baseball’s ideals, including discipline,
determination, and hard work. Perfect Game USA serves as the team selection partner for the Aflac All-American Baseball Classic.
-From the official Aflac All-American Baseball Classic Rosters Page.
This year marks the eighth incarnation of the Aflac All-American Baseball Classic, and the third consecutive year
the event is played at PetCo Park in San Diego. The 38 players selected for the game include a majority of the currently projected
top high school arms in the 2011 Draft Class, as well as a multitude of potential early-round candidates on the position player
side. DiamondScape Scouting will provide quick hits on in-game action (updates will come through our twitter account, which
can be followed here). The full 38-player roster can be found here, at the Aflac AABC Official Page. Below are some quick notes on ten players to watch on Sunday, whether live at PetCo (tickets here) or on television (starting 8pm Eastern/7pm Central on your Fox Sports Regional Sports Network).
Pitchers to Watch
1. Tyler Beede, RHP, Lawrence Academy HS (Mass.) -- Beede's stuff was down some at the Area Code Games, but
he still produced easy 90-91 velocity (touching 92 mph) with a loose arm and clean actions. His change-up flashes above-average
with fade and dive, sitting in the 78-79 range and coming with solid arm speed. Beede's breaker is a mid-70s downer curve
with solid shape. He can bury the pitch or use it as a freeze pitch after setting it up with the fastball. He could be a tough
sign come next summer considering his strong commitment to Vanderbilt.
2. Archie Bradley, RHP, Broken Arrow HS (Okl.) -- Bradley is one of the more imposing arms
on the slate at Aflac, standing at 6-4/215 and producing easy low-90s fastball velocity. His breaker is a hard low-80s offering
with tight spin, which he throws with confidence. Like Derek "Bubba" Starling (who participated in Under Armour's
All-America Game this weekend), much of the excitement surrounding Bradley stems from the fact that his attention has been
divided between baseball and football, and big growth could come in short order should he decide to focus on the mound. Also
like Starling, the talented Oklahoma two-sport standout is highly touted as a quarterback -- he'll be playing college
ball (baseball and football) in-state should he forgo professional baseball next summer.
3. Dylan Bundy, RHP,
Owasso HS (Okl.) -- Bundy lacks the prototypical big
league pitcher's frame but boasts a powerful build (a result of his tireless workout efforts) and more than enough "now"
stuff to project as a potential front-end starter or power closer. His fastball is a lively low-90s weapon that regularly
produces soft contact or empty swings. Equally effective is a low-80s slider with late bite that he matches well to the plane
of his fastball. Though a step behind his fastball and slider, Bundy's mid- to upper-70s curve also shows promise, and
could be an average or better offering with more consistent shape. He is committed to Texas.
4. Dillon Maples, RHP, Pinecrest HS (N.C.) -- Maples shows low-90s velocity with his fastball
and was clocked as high as 95 mph earlier this summer. He has a small arm circle and quick release, causing the ball to jump
at hitters -- a formidable hurdle considering the already plus velocity. Maples's best secondary offering may be his mid-70s
curve that comes with two-plane action. He'll also drop a low-80s off-speed. Though there is not a ton of physical projection
left, some clean-up with his motion that could potentially lead to more velo. Committed to UNC.
5. Daniel Norris, LHP, Science Hill HS (Tenn.) -- Norris is the top lefty high school arm
in the class right now, and perhaps the top high school arm overall, showing big power stuff in a solid 6-2/180 frame. His
fastball sits comfortably in the low-90s, showing some life, and he pairs it with a hard breaking mid-70s
curve. He also boasts a low-80s change that is his third best offering but shows promise. Norris's stuff is impressive
on its own, but he also comes with a quick arm and some deception, shielding the ball very well from the batter.
Position Players to Watch
1.
Shawon Dunston, Jr., OF, Valley Christian HS (Calif.) -- Dunston is a burner that recently recorded home-to-first times
in the 4.1 to 4.2 range and shows good technique on the bases, helping his plus speed to play-up even more. He gets solid
reads off the bat in the outfield and shows enough arm strength for center. Son of former Major Leaguer of the same name,
it is no surprise that Dunston Jr. shows a firm understanding of the game, and he puts it to use regularly. Two weeks ago,
Dunston Jr. took off from second base on a swinging third strike in the dirt and, picking-up the first baseman's eyes
as he approached third, rounded and took home without breaking stride -- scoring easily.
2. Travis Harrison, OF/CIF, Tustin HS (Calif.) -- Harrison's stock has fallen some since
last October when he squared ball after ball down in Jupiter during the WWBA World Championship. Owner of some of the best
raw power at the high school ranks, Harrison has developed some leak in his swing and had a tough time barreling the ball
in Long Beach last weekend. He entered the summer as a favorite to go in the 1st Round, and his upside is impossible to ignore,
but the results have not sparkled over the past few months. However, a strong showing tonight against the elite arms of the
high school class could assuage a lot of fears that he has stagnated offensively.
3. Christian Lopes, MIF, Edison HS (Calif.) -- Lopes is a patient hitter with a solid understanding of the
strikezone and a comfortable demeanor in the box. He shows good bat speed that, when coupled with his ability to seek-out
his offering, produces linedrives from pole-to-pole. In his first two at-bats at the Area Code Games, Lopes showcased his
eye by laying-off a handful of close pitches before sending two linedrives up-the-middle for base hits. He shows smooth actions
and good balance at short, with enough body control to throw from multiple angles. His range may force him off the position
eventually, but he should get a chance to stick at the next level.
4.
Blake Swihart, C, Cleveland HS (N.M.) -- Swihart was perhaps the best bat at the Area Code Games earlier this month,
and possesses one of the best arms in this year's catching crop. Swihart produces consistent hard contact from both sides
of the plate, showing the potential to grow into some power (he thrives gap-to-gap right now). His receiving will be tested
tonight by an impressive collection of arms on the West roster, giving him the chance to solidify his hold among scouts as
the top HS catcher in the 2011 class. His pop times are routinely sub-2.0 and often sub-1.9, and he gets excellent carry.
While not a speedster, Swihart is a good enough athlete to move around the field as needed. He is committed to Texas.
5. Joshua Tobias, 2B/SS, Southeast Guilford HS (N.C.)
-- Tobias is an interesting talent, with a short and strong frame that belies both his plus-plus speed and upside power. Another
switch-hitter, he utilizes a compact swing to maximize barrel acceleration through contact, which allows him to generate force
without swinging from the heels. He gets solid natural loft but can also run into issues keeping his swing plane in the hit
zone from time-to-time. His arm strength will limit him to second base as a pro, where his hands and athleticism should allow
him to succeed.
