9 replies to this topic

[The Gray Eagle]

William Middlebrooks, Liberty Eylau HS.
played SS and pitched in high school but might be a 3B in pros.


From MiLB.com:

As a hitter:

"Hitting Ability: Good bat with power potential; very athletic.

Power: Middlebrooks has the kind of power potential you'd hope to see in a 6-foot-4, 200-pounder.

Running Speed: Middlebrooks is a slightly below-average runner.

Arm Strength: As a pitching prospect as well, Middlebrooks has above-average arm strength.

Fielding: Middlebrooks is an average fielder with decent hands.

Range: He has average range, at best, and will likely move to third at the next level.

Physical Description: Big and athletic, Middlebrooks is a two-sport star who was the team's quarterback and was an all-state punter.

Medical Update: Healthy.

Strengths: Athleticism, makeup, arm strength, power potential.

Weaknesses: Running speed, range.

Summary: Middlebrooks is a legitimate two-way threat. Aside from running speed, he possesses the tools scouts like to see at the plate (and on the mound).

As a pitcher:

Fastball: Middlebrooks' fastball topped out at 94 mph and he threw it between 88-94 mph in his outing.

Curve: He threw his curve in the 75-79 mph range and has the makings of an above-average power curve.

Changeup: Middlebrook's changeup grades out as average right now and he threw it in the 77-80 mph range.

Control: His overall command is a little below average right now.

Poise: Middlebrooks has terrific makeup and is extremely competitive on the mound.

Aggressiveness: Middlebrooks is very aggressive and went right after hitters.

Physical Description: Big and athletic, Middlebrooks is a two-sport star who was the team's quarterback and was an all-state punter.

Medical Update: Healthy.

Strengths: Athleticism, makeup, three-pitch mix.

Weaknesses: Command, particularly of his curve.

Summary: Middlebrooks opened some eyes with the start of his 2007 season. A two-sport star who is also a position player prospect, he hasn't done that much pitching. If he were to focus solely on pitching, he could take off in the future.

[SoxScout]

Going into yesterday's (Thursday) playoff game, Middlebrooks had 12 victories and a .559 batting average on the season.

Last season he went 15-2, ~1.00 ERA and 136 K, while hitting .464 with seven homers and 33 RBI.

[SoxFanPJ]

Height 6'4
Weight 215
40 Yd Dash 4.55
Vertical Jump 33"
GPA 4.0
Class 2007

http://www.texashsfo...ebrookswill.htm

[jsinger121]

Very happy with this pick as I want him as at third over a pitcher if we can get him signed away from Texas A&M.

[Omar's Wacky Neighbor]

Very happy with this pick as I want him as at third over a pitcher if we can get him signed away from Texas A&M.

Wonder if that 4.0 is one of the things that has him leaning toward an institution of higher learning......

[SoxFanPJ]

Very happy with this pick as I want him as at third over a pitcher if we can get him signed away from Texas A&M.

Though he touched 94 mph on the radar gun at Liberty-Eylau (Texas), the Red Sox project him as a position player. That is, unless he opts to fulfill his scholarship at Texas A&M.

http://boston.redsox.......sp&c_id=bos

Above link also has a link at the top of the story to the conference call with Theo, McLeod and Hagadone.

[AZBlue]

Almost all of the mlb.com bios have significant negatives about players that did not appear on many other websites. That does not mean that mlb.com's sources are wrong, nor does it mean that the other Internet sources are correct. There is one fact that suggests that mlb.com is not correct about Middlebrooks having below average speed. If Middlebrooks runs a 4.55 40, he has above average speed.

[SouthPaw21]

A time of 4.55 in the 40-yard dash is a very solid time. As a matter of fact it is fringe NFL running back speed. Looking over this past season's NFL Draft Combine, you can see how Middlebrooks' time stacks up against the running backs that were drafted (I used the numbers from the NFL because they are easier to find then those for MLB players)....

Rounds 1-4
Adrian Peterson (RB, Oklahoma) - 4.40
Chris Henry (RB, Arizona) - 4.40
Kenny Irons (RB, Auburn) - 4.46
Marshawn Lynch (RB, Cal) - 4.46
Brandon Jackson (RB, Nebraska) - 4.54
Michael Bush (RB, Louisville) - 4.60

Rounds 5-7
Antonio Pittman (RB, Ohio State) - 4.40
Kolby Smith (RB, Louisville) - 4.50
Thomas Clayton (RB, Kansas State) - 4.63
Ken Darby (RB, Alabama) - 4.75
Nate Ilaoa (RB, Hawaii) - 4.77

Middlebrooks is no burner like Chris Henry or Adrian Peterson, but with a time of 4.55 he has anything but below average speed. The Wikipedia page on the "40" says that ... "Times between 4.4 and 4.6 seconds are good for the NFL." Who knows what type of baserunning ability he has, but his speed in general should be above average.

[Hendu Candu]

A time of 4.55 in the 40-yard dash is a very solid time. As a matter of fact it is fringe NFL running back speed. Looking over this past season's NFL Draft Combine, you can see how Middlebrooks' time stacks up against the running backs that were drafted (I used the numbers from the NFL because they are easier to find then those for MLB players)....

Rounds 1-4
Adrian Peterson (RB, Oklahoma) - 4.40
Chris Henry (RB, Arizona) - 4.40
Kenny Irons (RB, Auburn) - 4.46
Marshawn Lynch (RB, Cal) - 4.46
Brandon Jackson (RB, Nebraska) - 4.54
Michael Bush (RB, Louisville) - 4.60

Rounds 5-7
Antonio Pittman (RB, Ohio State) - 4.40
Kolby Smith (RB, Louisville) - 4.50
Thomas Clayton (RB, Kansas State) - 4.63
Ken Darby (RB, Alabama) - 4.75
Nate Ilaoa (RB, Hawaii) - 4.77

Middlebrooks is no burner like Chris Henry or Adrian Peterson, but with a time of 4.55 he has anything but below average speed. The Wikipedia page on the "40" says that ... "Times between 4.4 and 4.6 seconds are good for the NFL." Who knows what type of baserunning ability he has, but his speed in general should be above average.

There's no telling where the 4.55 came from ... could have been provided by his own school or coaches or publicist or parents. High school types are prone to fudging if there are no checks and balances (check any high school football roster, then weigh and measure the players yourself). But it seems safe to say that he is at least not below average in speed.

[reggiecleveland]

There's no telling where the 4.55 came from ... could have been provided by his own school or coaches or publicist or parents. High school types are prone to fudging if there are no checks and balances (check any high school football roster, then weigh and measure the players yourself). But it seems safe to say that he is at least not below average in speed.

I was going to say that. Until they actually started doing the 40 times at the combine there were all kinds of 4.3s floating around and a few 4.1s even.