'09 1st Round H.S. Arms

[Maow]

Which is the best of the bunch?

Z. Wheeler - SF
S. Miller - StL
J. Turner - Det
T. Matzek - Col
C. James - Fla
M. Hobgood - Bal

Best now?
Most likely to reach their ceiling?

[mblax10]

They're high school pitchers, at this point they all have similar very high ceilings but are all very far away. Turner is the most advanced right now. Matzek is the only other one with any semblance of a secondary pitch. Hobgood's weight is concerning. James may be a little farther away from the rest, but he's also a lefty that throws 96. Right now I rank them:

1.Turner
2.Matzek
3.Wheeler
4.Miller
5.James
6.Hobgood

Tyler Skaggs, Brody Colvin & the 4 Pirate pitchers belong in the conversation for most upside.

[cardinal1975]

I am going to disagree with the assertion that Turner is the most advanced. He may throw the hardest but has to find a reliable 3rd pitch before we can proclaim him as "advanced". I think Matzek is by far the most advanced (due to 3 average to above average pitches) and will move the fastest of all these names. Wheeler and S.Miller are right with Turner as far as stuff but also need to refine their secondary pitches.

I do agree that all of them have higher ceilings but at least 2-3 years away at the soonest. I would rank them:

1. Matzek - most likely to reach his ceiling...arguably the highest ceiling as the best lefty
2A. Turner - a good bet to be above average and could have the highest ceiling...arguably
2B. Wheeler - SF has a great record developing young pitchers and Wheeler looks very good
4A. S.Miller - just a notch below the top 3 in terms of ceiling
4B. C.James - a notch below the top 3 in terms of stuff/ceiling
6. Hobgood - a big projectable body without much room for projection....likely a ceiling as a #3 starter