By John Cackowski
State Director 

Colorado had good representation in the 2015 MLB draft. Congratulations on all of the players who were drafted over the last three days. Below is a our comments we had on each player who was drafted this year.

Nick Shumpert, SS, Highlands Ranch (#220 overall, Detroit Tigers)

3-16-15
Currently is ranked No. 1 in the 2015 class and No. 9 overall. Committed to Kentucky. A 6 foot 180 pounds. Shumpert had a good day at the plate. He came up with the bases loaded and 2 outs and easily turned on an inside fastball for a double that broke the game wide open. In first at-bat drove a ball to very deep center field that was run down in the spacious Coors Field outfield.

10/25 (Jupiter)
Colorado’s No. 1-ranked prospect, SS Nick Shumpert (Highlands Ranch HS, CO), had a strong showing Friday playing for the Tri-State Arsenal. The highly athletic 6-foot Kentucky recruit crushed a home run that just hooked foul in his first at-bat. Although he grounded out later in the at-bat, Shumpert ripped a double down the left-field line in his third and final at-bat in the Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Cangelosi Baseball.

Spring 2014
A 6 foot 180 pound Junior at Highlands Ranch High School in Highlands Ranch, CO.  A top prospect in 2015, Nick has the skills and the tools to play all three infield positions and has had an excellent start to his high school career.  Nick is most at home at shortstop where he makes the difficult play look easy.  Nick has great range and an above average arm with velo of 90 across the diamond, and recently ran a 6.44 60 time. At the plate, Nick swings a very aggressive bat from the right side.  Primarily being used as a lead off hitter, he is explosive at the plate to all fields and has the speed to turn singles into doubles.  Nick is currently verbally committed to Kentucky and is projected to be a MLB draft pick.

Greg Picket, OF, Legend High School, (#234 overall, Philadelphia Phillies)

4-30-15
No. 2 ranked 2015 and No. 26 overall, currently committed to Mississippi State. 6-foot-4, 215 pounds. Big body, thick athletic frame/build.  Physical specimen that can continue to add strength at the next level.  Plays right field with good instincts.  Has a strong arm which he flashed in infield, firing the ball on a line with carry on a one hopper to the catcher.  At the plate, he is an intimidating hitter.  Slightly open stance, hits from the left side. Short load, with quick hands.  Has a smooth, long finish driving through the ball.  Great hip explosion on contact displayed on a 3-2 count bomb that carried over the centerfield wall on a line.  Shows patience at the plate.  Doesn’t leak front-side on off-speed, keeps his hands in the hitting position.  Good projection for the next level, will be a player to watch at Mississippi State.  Greg went 1-5 with 1RBI

4-20-15
Currently ranked No. 3 in the 2015 class and is a Mississippi Commit. 6-foot-4, 215 pounds. Pickett is really starting to come on this season. The big left handed hitter showed opposite field power driving a home run to left center field. Shows advanced bat speed at the plate and you cannot ignore his presence. One of the top left-handed hitting prospects in the country. After a slow start to the season in his last 5 games he has hit 4 homeruns, has 11 RBI's, and has 3 doubles. On the year he is hitting .452.

10/24 (Jupiter)
Few left-handed hitters in the 2015 class has drawn a bigger buzz than OF/1B Greg Pickett (Legend HS, CO), a 6-foot-4, 220-pound Mississippi State recruit. Pickett, who hits cleanup for Chandler World, has shown big left-handed power over the summer and fall. Against the Chicago Scouts Association, Pickett went 1-for-4 with a single.

Cole Anderson, OF, Rocky Mountain (#287 overall, Colorado Rockies)

5-2-15
Committed to New Mexico and currently ranked No. 9 in the 2015 class. 5-foot-11, bats and throws right. Short quick compact line drive swing took the first pitch he saw to lead off the game over the center field wall. Athletic frame with very good speed with a 4.55 home to first time. He has a quiet load and does a good job exploding with his backside to hit the ball to all fields. Good tracking ball in CF, 2-run bomb in 6^th, tall athletic stance, quick hands, strong hands, gap to gap power. On the season Anderson finished hitting .400 with 7 doubles, 2 triples, 25 RBI's and 7 homeruns.

4-8-15
Committed to New Mexico and currently ranked No. 9 in the 2015 class. 5-foot-11, bats and throws right. Short quick compact line drive swing took the first pitch he saw to lead off the game over the center field wall. Athletic frame with very good speed 4.4-4.65 Home to first time. He has a quiet load and does a good job exploding with his backside to hit the ball to all fields. Finishing the day 2-4 with a HR.

Spring 2014
As a junior Anderson set the table all year for the 5A state champions Rocky Mountain Lobos. Anderson hit .494 on the season, leading 5A with 37 runs, and Cole also led the Lobos with 14 doubles, 13 SB, and a .574 OBA. Cole also had an impressive OPA at 1.362. The speedy outfielder also played his best during the 5A state championship run. In 7 playoff games and 21 AB's Anderson hit .523 in the playoffs accounting for 9 runs, 2HR, and 7RBI's.

Logan Soole, LHP/OF,  Monarch High School (#679 overall, Arizona Diamondbacks)

5-25-15
6-1 185 lb. LHP/OF, 2015. Soole is the top LHP in the state of Colorado. Throws from a quick and short high three-quarter slot. Has an explosive lower half with long stride with great extension to the plate. Fastball lives from 86-87 mph. Curveball has tight spin with 1-7 action. From outfield throws in upper 80's to low 90's. Wide, slightly crouched stance with good bat speed. Has level swing through zone producing good power. Very good student. Had an outstanding season for the Monarch Coyotes. On the year Soole finished the season with a .518 batting average with 7 doubles, 3 triples and 3 home runs, and stole 15 bases. One the mound Soole pitched 55 innings and had an impressive 92 K's only giving up 33 hits.  Soole won 7 games and finished the year with a 0.83 ERA including the playoffs. 

Wyatt Cross, C, Legacy High School (#977 overall, Colorado Rockies)

Fall 2014
The 6-3 185lb North Carolina commit will once again be behind the dish for the Lightning from Legacy High School. Cross has been getting national attention for his abilities. Cross has been invited to participate in the 2014 Under Armour All-America Game 8-16-14 at Wrigley Field, and Cross recently participated in the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars event in Cary, N.C. Cross who has outstanding movement behind the plate and great arm (pop time 1.90-1.95) and will be asked to handle a pitching staff that lost ace Lucas Gilbreath.  At the plate Cross is an imposing left handed swinger with above average power to both gaps.  Cross will be a three-year starter this spring and will be the corner stone of a Lightning team competing in a tough Front Range League. We also look forward to see how far Cross can move up the MLB Draft Board in 2015. 

Ryan Madden, RHP, Fairview High School (#1037 overall)

5-12-15
Currently ranked No. 3 in the 2015 class (No. 180 overall) and committed to Oklahoma. Madden continues to prove he is the best pitching prospect in the state. Madden has a choppy delivery that makes him deceptive and uses a quick pace, and showcases an impressive 3-pitch mix. Against Mountain Vista FB sat at 93-94 mph, and he hit 95 mph four times in the game. Fastest we have seen fastball before today was 93 mph. Fastball has a little run into right handers, 3/4 arm slot, athletic, dominated the entire game.  His curveball had 12/6, sharp late break and comes out just like a fastball. CB was 75, CH was 79-81. Shows different looks with runner on first base. Home to first times were 1.1, then 1.39, then 0.9. Also had a walk off Grand Slam in first game against Montbello proving why he is going to Oklahoma as a two-way player. Athletic, quick hands, gap to gap power with good speed. Good athletic base in stance, explosive to ball. On the regular season finished with a 7-1 record with a 1.80 E.R.A. in 50 innings pitched striking out 62 giving up only 40 hits. Madden hit .460 with 6 doubles, 6 homeruns, and 24 RBI's.

5-2-15
Currently ranked No. 5 in the 2015 class (No. 180 overall) and committed to Oklahoma. Madden continues to prove he is the best pitching prospect in the state. FB sat at 89-91 mph, quick pace, little run into right handers, 3/4 arm slot, athletic, dominated the entire game. Throwing a complete game 8 hitter, had 10 k’s and gave up 4 runs against possibly the top hitting 5A team in the state. His curveball at 12/6 was untouchable all day. Sharp late break, comes out just like a fastball. CB was 75, CH was 79-81. Also has 2 hits on the day, one being a 3 run HR in the 5^th proving why he is going to Oklahoma as a two-way player. Athletic, quick hands, gap to gap power with good speed. Good athletic base in stance, explosive to ball. On the regular season finished with a 7-1 record with a 1.80 E.R.A. in 50 innings pitched striking out 62 giving up only 40 hits. Madden hit .460 with 6 doubles, 6 homeruns, and 24 RBI's.

10-14-14
Madden, opened eyes in his start against the St. Louis Pirates at the World Wood Bat Championship. Pitching for Mountain West, the lanky 6-foot-2, 180-pound Madden showcased an impressive three-pitch mix, including an 88-90 mph fastball in the first inning. He settled in at 86-88 for the remainder of his five-inning stint. Madden’s choppy delivery proved deceptive early on, and his 77-79 mph slider served as an effective out-pitch. Madden struck out seven and allowed one run on four hits and a walk in five innings.

Marc Mumper, SS/RHP, Mountain Vista High School (#1097 overall, Colorado Rockies)

5-12-15
Committed to Grand Canyon University and is currently ranked No. 7 in the 2015 Class. 5-foot-10, 155 pounds.  At the plate is a right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, good weight transfer and lower body drive through the ball.  Hit's 3-hole for the Golden Eagles. Last year he hit lead off. Advanced speed on the bases and good baserunner. Hit a bullet lind-drive right back at Ryan Madden on 93 mph fastball that knocked Madden out of the game. On the season Mumper is leading the team with 2 home runs, and 21 RBI's hitting .353 while playing a very tough in and out of state schedule. On the mound Mumper was dominating in first game throwing a complete game shutout giving up only 3 hits. On the mound, utilized quick, short, loose, arm action with a 85-86 mph fastball and touched 87. Threw 74-76 mph changeup for strikes down in the zone. Had a late breaking slider from a lower arm angle was thrown for strikes consistently and sat at 74-76 mph.

4-13-15
Committed to Grand Canyon University and is currently ranked No. 7 in the 2015 Class. 5-foot-10, 155 pounds.  At the plate is a right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, good weight transfer and lower body drive through the ball. Flashed quick twitch in swing, above average bat speed, line drive approach with some extension, works both gaps. Hit's 3-hole for the Golden Eagles. Last year he hit lead off. Advanced speed on the bases and good baserunner. On the day showed good action in the field looking good on a 6-4-3 double play, and also ranged deep in the hole and showed strong arm throwing runner out. Came up with bases loaded and drove a ball that no doubt would have been extra bases but went for a sac fly because of the strong cross-wind. On the season Mumper is leading the team with 2 home runs, and 16 RBI's hitting .366 while playing a very tough in and out of state schedule.

3-31-15
Committed to Grand Canyon University and is currently ranked No. 7 in the 2015 Class. 5-foot-10, 155 pounds. On the mound, utilized quick, short, loose, arm action with a 85-86 mph fastball. Threw 74-76 mph changeup for strikes down in the zone. Had a late breaking slider from a lower arm angle was thrown for strikes consistently and sat at 74-76 mph. At the plate is a right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, good weight transfer and lower body drive through the ball. Flashed quick twitch in swing, above average bat speed, line drive approach with some extension, works both gaps. Advanced speed on the bases and good baserunner.

3-1-15
5-foot-10, 155-pound shortstop, medium build, shows good athleticism. Above average runner. Defensively displayed soft hands, feet work quickly and athletically, played through the baseball showing body control. Arm action is short, high ¾ slot, 85 MPH across the diamond, tops for his position at this event.   Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, good weight transfer and lower body drive through the ball. Flashed quick twitch in swing, above average bat speed, line drive approach with some extension, worked both gaps, 85 MPH exit velocity from the tee.

8-15-15
5-foot-10, 155-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder/right-handed pitcher with good swagger impressed hitting from a balanced athletic setup, hands load back smooth with a short strided leg kick. Bat speed is fast with a short path and level extension which creates line-drive, gap to gap power and produced an 89 mph exit velocity off a tee (Top speed in the games) Showcased a short, loose, athletic, arm action in the middle infield with soft hands and quick footwork fielding the baseball. Threw 84 mph across the diamond and ran an impressive 6.62 60. On the mound, utilized the same quick, short, loose, arm action with a 85-86 mph fastball. Threw 74-76 mph changeup for strikes down in the zone. Had a late breaking slider from a lower arm angle was thrown for strikes consistently and sat at 74-76 mph. Collected multiple hits during the games.

Mathew Schmidt, 3B, Regis Jesuit High School (#1113 overall, New York Yankees)

3-14-15
Committed to Texas. Currently ranked 24 in the 2015 class and No. 342 overall. 6-2 195 lb. Bats and throws right. Hits from a tall athletic stance with slight uphill swing with good bat speed. Can produce gap to gap power with leverage at the plate and has a quiet and simple approach. When Schmidt gets in the box he looks like he wants to rake. Has good speed for position. Good arm across diamond with accuracy. Big strong kid at plate, great weight transfer, hit a bomb dead center, very projectable.

Fall-2014
6-2 195 lb. 3B. Hits from a tall athletic stance with slight uphill swing with good bat speed. Can produce gap to gap power with leverage at the plate and has a quiet and simple approach. When Schmidt gets in the box he looks like he wants to rake. Has good speed for position. Good arm across diamond with accuracy. One of the top 3B in the state. Good student.

Brent Schwarz, RHP, Regis Jesuit High School (#1157 overall, Colorado Rockies)

4-13-15
Committed to Rice. Currently ranked No. 4 in 2015 class and 105 overall. 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Has squared shoulders to the good extension that is in-line to the plate. Fastball was up to 88 in first inning, and was consistently 86-87 until the 4th inning. He was able to carry that velocity longer this outing than last time we saw him. Settled back down to 85 for next two innings. nnings. Flashed a 77 mph change with good arm speed. Curve ball had 11/5 action at 72 mph with late tilt. In the stretch was 1.02 to the plate. Defense let him down today making 6 errors behind him. On the season has had some bad luck. Schwarz is 1-3 on the season with a 1.52 ERA in 27 innings striking out 35. Defense has allowed 12 unearned runs and offense has not scored a lot of runs in his outings this year.

3-16-15
Committed to Rice. Currently ranked No. 4 in 2015 class and 105 overall. 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Has squared shoulders to the good extension that is in-line to the plate. Fastball was up to 88 in first inning. Settled back down to 85 for next three innings. Flashed a 77 mph change with good arm speed. Curve ball had 11/5 action at 70 mph with late tilt. In the stretch was 1.02 to the plate. Struggled a little early but settled down for a quality start.

Fall-2014
The 6-3, 215 lb Regis Jesuit pitcher is committed to Rice and will also be committed to help reloading a Regis team that saw a lot of players graduate on a team that went the the National High School Invitational and also made it to the 5A State Championship game in 2014. The tall right-hander lives in the mid 80's, with big frame. Has a lot more room to grow. Pretty effortless 3/4 arm slot to the plate and can throw all three pitches for a strike anytime in the count. When he fills out can project into upper 80's to low 90's.

8-30-14
A 6-foot-3 215 pound pure pitcher.  Smooth, effortless motion to the plate makes the ball appear to jump out of his hand.  Over the top arm motions produces good down and in movement on his 85-87 mph fast ball and sharp break on a 71 mph curve ball.  Can work both sides of the pate and uses curve ball second time through to set up fastball.  5 K’s on the day