His fastball is nice and fast, and very accurate. That's basically all he's got. Now, that's what Walker had, and we coached him up into being a monster, so if we think we can make Bickford into part 2 of that equation I get it. That's also what Beavan had as a teen, FWIW. And Matt Hobgood (who? right...) and plenty of others.
It's just that prep pitchers are the riskiest of all prospect types. College pitchers have cleared more health hurdles, and almost all bats (either college or prep) are more reliable bets.
I hate drafting prep pitchers highly. Where we drafted Taijuan is one thing. At a pick where several hitting talents should still be available is another.
Bickford and Ball are two prep arms who might be good in 5 years, but I don't think either is Kershaw. If the Ms think one is, they should draft him, and I'll look forward to being proven wrong.
In the meantime I'd avoid that with the 12th pick if possible (and it should be possible). So I guess if you make me color-code it I'd say I'm lukewarm to both fellas even though they both have several items in the toolbag, with an edge to Ball.
Excuse me while I go start preparing myself for a prep pitcher to be drafted... ;-)
~G
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