2008 Draft, Rd2, #75, Scott Bittle

Born: 27/08/1986
Height: 6′1″ Weight: 190 lbs
Position: RP
Throws: R
Transactions: Selected in 2nd round (75th overall) of 2008 draft out of University of Mississippi.

Video
MLB Scouting Video
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/player/mp_tpl_3_1.jsp?w_id=701864&w=/2008/open/draft/broll/br_bittle_joseph_400.wmv&mid=200805302799296&pid=gen_video&vid=11071&cid=mlb&v=2
ESPN
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3412849

Photo
http://yankees.scout.com/PictureGallery.aspx?PlayerId=77133&Title=Scott%20Bittle

Pending Pinstripes
http://mvn.com/milb-yankees/2008/06/05/yankees-2nd-round-pick-scott-bittle/
Bittle is the closer for Mississippi, and put up nasty numbers this season, including a batting average against around .100, and 16.1 strikeouts per 9 innings. He was dominant primarily because of his nasty cutter, a pitch that he threw regularly in the high-80’s, but was unhittable. He also has a good change and a 4-seam fastball at 90-91, but he throws the cutter probably 80% of the time. I like this pick as a good bet to be a useful piece for the bullpen to be useful relatively soon. While Bittle doesn’t have the velocity to be a closer most likely, he could be a very good setup man, and improve his cutter even more by learning from Mariano Rivera. He is not a traditional bullpen prospect, but the fact that his cutter dominated metal bats in college is a good sign for future success against wood bats. Bittle was one of the guys I posted about in the days leading up to the draft. The Yanks have evidently been following him for a while, as they drafted him last year in the 48th round, and apparently, they liked what they saw from him this season.

River Ave. Blues
http://riveraveblues.com/2008/06/05/yanks-third-pick-75-overall-2984/
With their second round pick, the Yanks’ selected Scott Bittle, RHP, Mississippi
Scouting Report: Wrote him up here, so I’ll refer you to that (scroll all the way to the bottom). Here’s his scouting video.
My Take: I like the pick. Should move very fast as a power reliever. The cutter should eat wood bats alive.
Outlook: If the Yanks choose to be aggressive with him, they’ll send him to High-A Tampa for the rest of the year. Otherwise he’ll torment the NY-Penn League with Staten Island.

http://riveraveblues.com/2008/06/03/unsigned-gems-2732/
After a rather unspectacular career as a starter at Northeast Texas CC, Bittle transferred to Ole Miss his junior year and served a long reliever/swingman/part-time closer for the Rebels in 2007. The Yanks selected him late after posting a 2.79 ERA with a 59-17 K/BB ratio in 42 IP, but he chose not to sign and headed back to school for his senior year. Biddle has emerged as one of the most dominant relievers in the country this year, going 66.1 IP, 32 H, 13 R, 12 ER, 27 BB, 118 K, and leading the SEC (aka the toughest conference in the college baseball) in strikeouts as a reliever. He operates primarily off of a bane high-80s cutter that he throws 80-85% of the time, but he also mixes in a decent changeup. The cutter and his bulldog mentality have him close to ML ready, and a team not willing to drop its first rounder on one of the top college closers could snatch Biddle up in the 3rd or 4th round and have him in the bigs just as fast.

The Pinstripe Press
http://nyyankeesnews.blogspot.com/2008/06/rhp-scott-bittle-university-of.html
Statheads are quick to point out that Scott Bittle compares favorably with Joshua Fields (selected 20th overall by Seattle). The Yankees second round draft choice doesn’t light up the radar gun however, so he may be overlooked. Instead, Bittle relys on a mid-80s cut fastball – with late life. Bittle commands the pitch well, throwing the offering 80 percent of the time.

Bittle, an All-American taken by the Yankees in the 48th round last season, uses a 91 mph fastball to keep hitters honest and a split-finger changeup, often used with two strikes. All three of Bittle’s pitches are plus pitches when you consider his plus command and pitchability.

Viewed as a potential first-round selection, Baseball America viewed the right hander as a top 50 pick.

In his junior season at Ole Miss, Bittle posted Nintendo-like numbers. He dominated SEC hitters with a 7-1 record, 8 saves, a 1.78 ERA, while holding opponents to a .145 batting average. He struck out 130 and walked 30 in 70.2 innings.

The junior led the Southeastern Conference in strikeouts during the regular season, earning All-SEC Second Team honors as he also was named a semi-finalist for the Clemens Award and the Stopper of the Year.

Bittle profiles as a strong setup man. He should be a fast mover. Depending on when he decides to sign, he could be available for the majors as soon as late 2009.

NYYankeeFans.com
http://www.nyyankeefans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=64983
Drafted by the Yankees in the 48th Round last year. Tall, strong-framed closer with plus command and a plus cutter that comes at hitters on a severe downhill plane. His FB velocity is merely average, but subtracts from it very well and has a late release which lets it play up. He was thrown into the closer's role for the Rebels and has dominated SEC hitters all season, putting up Nintendo type numbers. He has tallied an almost 5 to 1 K/BB ratio, striking out close to two batters per inning pitched. Uncharacteristic for a closer, Bittle's fastball is just an average pitch, with velocity between the 88-91 mph range. However, Bittle pitches mainly off his cut fastball—a devastating late breaking pitch in the mid-80s that has two-plane movement similar to a slider. Bittle is able to command this pitch down in the zone and creates a ton of swings and misses by starting it just above the knees and having it drop just below the strike-zone. He also effectively mixes in a changeup, freezing unsuspecting hitters. Talk that he's big league ready and should reach the majors by next year.

70 IP 1.78 ERA 30 walks 130 strikeouts 3 HR alowed .145 BAA

Baseball America
Taken by the Yankees in the 48th round of last year’s draft, Bittle elected not to sign and transferred to Ole Miss this season from Northwest Texas CC. He was thrown into the closer’s role for the Rebels and has dominated SEC hitters all season, putting up Nintendo type numbers. He has tallied an almost 5 to 1 K/BB ratio, striking out close to two batters per inning pitched. Uncharacteristic for a closer, Bittle’s fastball is just an average pitch, with velocity between the 88-91 mph range. However, Bittle pitches mainly off his cut fastball—a devastating late breaking pitch in the mid-80s that has two-plane movement similar to a slider. Bittle is able to command this pitch down in the zone and creates a ton of swings and misses by starting it just above the knees and having it drop just below the strike-zone. He also effectively mixes in a changeup, freezing unsuspecting hitters. At 6-foot-1, 212 pounds, and without an above-average fastball, Bittle does not fit the typical closer’s profile in the major leagues. He will most likely be a long relief or setup man in the pros. Once signed, he should move quickly as his command and stuff are close to major league ready.

Perfect Game (by Allan Simpson)
On performance alone, there wasn’t a pitcher in college baseball this season that dominated quite like Bittle. He went 5-1, 1.48 with seven saves for the Rebels, but his other numbers were off the charts. In 54 regular-season innings, he allowed just 21 hits—not only resulting in a meager .116 opponent batting average but a hits-to-nine innings ratio of 3.45, easily the best in Division I. His 99 strikeouts represented a nine-inning yield of 16.27, also the best in Division I by a considerable margin. His overall stuff has improved significantly from a year ago, when he was a late-round draft pick of the Yankees, but the pitch that area scouts referred to as “nasty” and “unhittable” was his cut fastball. The pitch was effective at 80-84 mph a year ago, when he went 2-5, 2.79 with seven saves and 59 strikeouts in 42 innings, but it became a significant weapon this season when it topped out at 87-88. Bittle’s other stuff also showed a marked improvement, with his four-seam fastball improving 3-4 mph to 90-91. The greatest improvement in his stuff might have come with his changeup, which he messed with in the bullpen a year ago but became an equalizer pitch this season, giving Bittle three legitimate pitches.

2008 Draftee Info (1)

From Yankees: Looking for the Furture

Draft Recap and Review

Overall, I’d say the Yankees had a pretty good draft. First, I’ll review and grade each notable selection (note that the Yankees selected in every round but not every pick is analyzed):

1st rd., 28: Gerrit Cole, RHP, HS (California): The only reason Cole was available was due to signability concerns coupled with some overrated makeup issues. Either way, Cole has one of the better arms in the draft, boasting a plus 94-97MPH fastball, a sharp slider at 87-88, and a raw but fading changeup. The latter two pitches have plus potential as well. He still has some projection left, so the velocity may eventually rest in the high 90’s. His delivery is concerning as it is max effort along with other small, incorrect mechanics (showing the ball to CF, etc.) that can be injury concerns. However, these flaws will most likely be corrected by proper professional coaching. There is debate about whether he helps out best as a starter or as a dominant closer. I say to begin with him as a starter and to see how things pan out. Grade: A.

1st suppl., 44: Jeremy Bleich, LHP, Stanford: Bleich was on the prospect radar for a while, pitching very well at Stanford in his sophomore year and also doing very well at the Cape Cod League. However, an elbow strain that caused him to miss part of the season really put a damper on his star, and he didn’t have much in terms of stuff (88-91 FB, fading 78-79 change, loopy 72-73 curve), but, according to some reports, Bleich was throwing 93-94 upon returning from his injury late in the year. Apparently the Yankees, interested in a left-handed starter for their system, took Bleich based on seeing that. If he can improve his curve and if the 93-94MPH fastbal report is true, then I like this pick. Last night, at least, he was consistently in the low 90’s and had a very low pitch count throughout the game, which does a lot for me. If he still throws as had originally been reported, then there were certainly better options available–Robbie Ross, Nick Maronde, etc. Grade:B+

2nd rd., 75: Scott Bittle, RHP, Mississippi: Bittle throws a sick cutter in the mid-to-high 80’s with plenty of movement that no one can hit, and which he throws about 80% of the time. He can complement that with an 89-92MPH fastball. He struck out almost 2 batters per inning in college, in the SEC no less. His changeup has the potential to be an average pitch. Bittle is a solid grab here, and he should soar through the system as a college closer. Without the big fastball he projects to be a solid set-up guy in the Yankee ‘pen. He was drafted last year in the 48th round. Grade: B+

3rd rd., 106: David Adams, 2B, Virginia: Adams reminds me of Dustin Pedroia. A great contact hitter with 10-15HR power at best, not a burner but is good with the glove. And don’t forget all that gritty, hard-nosed stuff too. If the Yankees ever get sick of Cano’s slow starts/slumps and decide to trade him he wouldn’t be a bad replacement. Middle infielders are in short supply in the system but there were probably better options out there. Grade: B

4th rd., 140: Corban Joseph, 3B, HS (Tenn.): Joseph is an offensively-minded SS who doesn’t project to stay there for long. He has power to all fields as well as the ability to make solid contact. He has some frame to fill, so there should be more power (and a position change) coming. A good value at this spot and he has good potential. Grade: B+

5th rd., 170: Chris Smith, LF, HS (Cal.): I have mixed feelings on this guy. His coaches rave about his abilities, and one, who coached both him and Coco Crisp liked Smith’s skillset more. He had the highest batting average in the country at any level, batting .708 (that’s right, .708). However, BA had him as only the 109th best prospect in California, a baseball hub. Still, .708 is .708 anywhere you go, and if what his coaches say about him is true, I say it’s a good pick. Grade: B

6th rd., 200: Brett Marshall, RHP, HS (TEX): Another signability guy. This is an insanely good value pick at 200–plus mid-90s fastball and a potentially plus 87-88 slider. His fastball went up about 10MPH from last year to this year, and has pitched very well. He will take $1M to sign, but that shouldn’t be a problem. He needs to learn how to repeat his delivery, but he is relatively new to pitching. Grade: A

9th rd., 290: Michael O'Brien, RHP, HS (FLA): Brown fell because of the so-called “undersized righty syndrome.” Brown is 5′11″, 185, but he has a low-90s fastball with both a solid change and curve. He has a little projection and has plus command. A great value at this spot. Grade: A

10th rd., 320: William Mitchell, RHP, Clemson: Mitchell is a lanky guy (6′2″, 165 lbs) who doesn’t have much in terms of stuff but gets the most out of it by being aggressive. Doesn’t really seem like more than a Grade C prospect until I see otherwise. Could be a back-of-rotation guy. There were better options out there, though. Grade: C/C+

15th rd., 470: Matt Richardson, SS/RHP, HS (FLA): Scouting report from Perfect Game via NoMaas:
Matt Richardson is a 2008 SS/P with a 6′2”, 180 lb. frame from Lake Mary, FL who attends Lake Mary HS.Tall athletic build, projects well, solid bat speed, quick hands, short swing plane, high level hitting tools, runs well, very good raw arm strength in the field, quick actions, good release, hands work well, quick arm on the mound, high 3/4 arm slot, nice late life on fastball, tight spin on curveball, drop and drive delivery, big upside, strong student, highest-level two-way prospect with high draft potential.
According to this report, in the 15th rd., this is an excellent value pick. I would try him as a SS first. Grade: A

27th Rd., 830: Garrison Lassiter, SS, HS (SC): Lassiter is a “major signability case” per NoMaas. According to Perfect Game, again via NoMaas:Garrison Lassiter is a 2008 SS/3B/OF with a 6′3”, 195 lb. frame from High Point, NC who attends West Forsyth HS. Tall athletic build, body projects well, solid hitting mechanics, easy swing, quick hands, good bat speed, stays inside the ball, turns on the ball easily, strong infield actions, quick hands, good transfer and release, raw arm strength, runs well, strong student, highest-level prospect with early round draft potential.Another early round talent falling because of signability. Great value at this time, no let’s get him signed. Grade: B+, A if he signs

30th Rd., 920: Ben McMahan, C, HS (FLA): McMahan is a defense-first catcher with good speed for his position. He can eventually evolve into an above-average-hitting catcher with Gold Gloves at best, but is more likely to end up as a backstop. Still a little frame to fill out. I’d like to see him play before I make judgments Grade: B+

36th Rd., 1100: Chris Dwyer, LHP, HS (CT): I absolutely adore this pick. HOWEVER (big however): He is a huge signability concern. At 6′4″ and 200 lbs., he is pretty much filled out, though that isn’t a concern. Dwyer is an exceptional outfielder, and he also throws 92-94 with his plus fastball, to go along with a “tremendous” curve, per SI. If sign this year, at 20 he’ll be a draft eligible freshman, a rare occurence in the draft ranks. Either way, he may end up being the second best player the Yankees selected in this draft. Grade: A+

So, there are your most important draft picks. There are some other interesting picks (Switch-pitcher Pat Venditte [no gimmick], 1B Luke Anders [massive guy], etc.), but the listed players are the ones who should be on your prospect radar now. Overall, the grade of this draft is A- right now. I truly believe there is a great draft. You can’t compare any draft with the legendary 2006 draft, which produced, Ian Kennedy, Joba Chamberlain, and Dellin Betances. Many of these ‘08 guys are raw and young and have great potential, and could make a huge impact on future Yankee teams. We’ll see it in the future.