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Branden Kline


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#1 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 05 June 2012 - 11:18 AM

MLB.com: http://mlb.mlb.com/v... ... 4&c_id=mlb

MLB had him as their 65th ranked prospect, saying:

"The Red Sox knew Kline would be a tough sign, as many Virginia commits are. Now, three years later, Boston and the other 29 teams will have the chance to draft one of the better college closers in the country.

With a projectable Brandon Morrow-like frame, Kline has a very live arm with clean action that delivers fastballs regularly in the low-90s, and there might be more velocity in the future. He throws a hard curve and is willing to throw it at all times. He commands both pitches well and has the mentality that works in the back end of a bullpen.

While Kline closes in college, he may not fit that role ideally at the next level, though increased velocity might help in that regard. Even if he doesn't rack up saves, he could reach the big leagues quickly as a setup man."


Mayo saying he believes Kline's future is in the bullpen.

#2 SportsGuy

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Posted 05 June 2012 - 11:19 AM

MLB.com: http://mlb.mlb.com/v... ... 4&c_id=mlb

Mayo saying he believes Kline's future is in the bullpen.

Callis agrees.

#3 SportsGuy

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Posted 05 June 2012 - 11:20 AM

Callis said he could have been a sandwich pick, had an off year.

From Frederick.

#4 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 05 June 2012 - 11:22 AM

UVA Biography: http://www.virginias...TCLID=204859850

#5 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 05 June 2012 - 11:22 AM

nqZOe_UQodE

#6 SportsGuy

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Posted 05 June 2012 - 11:22 AM

Too many walks there.

#7 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 05 June 2012 - 11:23 AM

Perfect Game: http://www.perfectga....aspx?ID=181174

#8 RVAbird

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Posted 05 June 2012 - 11:24 AM

Callis said he could have been a sandwich pick, had an off year.

From Frederick.


He had an off year, but scouts have had three years to see him pitch in a lot of games for Virginia and area scouts have been seeing him for longer than that. Every scout should have a solid opinion of Kline at this point.

If you believe you can stretch him and his arsenal out to be a starter, then you take him here. I personally don't have a lot of faith in that, so he would not have been on my consider list at 65.
@TenthInning

#9 SportsGuy

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Posted 05 June 2012 - 11:25 AM

Callis said he could have been a sandwich pick, had an off year.

From Frederick.


He had an off year, but scouts have had three years to see him pitch in a lot of games for Virginia and area scouts have been seeing him for longer than that. Every scout should have a solid opinion of Kline at this point.

If you believe you can stretch him and his arsenal out to be a starter, then you take him here. I personally don't have a lot of faith in that, so he would not have been on my consider list at 65.

Yep...I like taking relievers but not this early. Seems to be a little bit of a reach and higher ceiling talent was there.

#10 Greg Pappas

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Posted 05 June 2012 - 11:25 AM

I'm disappointed that we're grabbing a solid reliever prospect in the second round, with some high upside guys still on the board. Sure, he may develop into a starter, and I'll be pulling for him regardless, but I don't feel good about this pick-- at this time.

#11 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 05 June 2012 - 11:25 AM

The Baseball Draft Report: http://baseballdraft...hing-prospects/

"Virginia JR RHP Branden Kline: 88-91 FB, 93 peak; FB up as sophomore, hitting mid-90s (92-94) consistently; average or slightly better 80-84 CU with plus upside; good low-80s SL, 82-83 and flashing plus this summer; good athlete; 2012 update: 92-94 FB consistently, 95 peak; 89-92 as starter; 94-95 peak; 82-85 SL flashes above-average with good arm action; 73-78 CB needs work, shows average; FB reliant; big concern as starter is velocity loss: often mid-80s in mid-innings; 6-3, 200 pounds

2011: 12.35 K/9 | 43 IP
2012: 9.51 K/9 | 3.94 BB/9 | 3.51 FIP | 93.2 IP"


#12 SportsGuy

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Posted 05 June 2012 - 11:27 AM

http://camdendepot.b... ... f.html?m=0

#13 SportsGuy

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Posted 05 June 2012 - 11:28 AM

BA had him as the #87 prospect....You had guys still ranked in the 30s on the board...And you go for a reliever that you could maybe get in round 3(or at least someone similar)?
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#14 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 05 June 2012 - 11:30 AM

MLB Dirt: Final Mock Draft
http://mlbdirt.com/2... ... l-edition/

MLB Dirt had the Cardinals taking Kline with the 59th pick, saying:

"Kline has a great power arm and a durable build on the mound. He has an above average fastball sitting in the low 90s and I could see him adding some velocity. He has a good curve and plus slider to go with. The changeup is also improving and he has the makings of a mid rotation starter with a good four pitch mix."

#15 LanceRinker

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Posted 05 June 2012 - 11:33 AM

BA had him as the #87 prospect....You had guys still ranked in the 30s on the board...And you go for a reliever that you could maybe get in round 3(or at least someone similar)?


I think Kline had several things working to his advantage here:

1) He's proven that he can be an effective closer - has the stuff in short outings and the mental makeup.

2) He chose to be the first one in his family to attend college as opposed to signing with the Red Sox when he was drafted in the sixth round (198th overall pick) of the 2009 draft - high character guy if you ask me.

3) He's a local kid - from Frederick, MD.

#16 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 05 June 2012 - 11:40 AM

Will be interesting to hear if the O's plan to have him start. I think I would prefer to use him in relief and really fast-track him.

#17 SportsGuy

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Posted 05 June 2012 - 11:41 AM

BA had him as the #87 prospect....You had guys still ranked in the 30s on the board...And you go for a reliever that you could maybe get in round 3(or at least someone similar)?


I think Kline had several things working to his advantage here:

1) He's proven that he can be an effective closer - has the stuff in short outings and the mental makeup.

2) He chose to be the first one in his family to attend college as opposed to signing with the Red Sox when he was drafted in the sixth round (198th overall pick) of the 2009 draft - high character guy if you ask me.

3) He's a local kid - from Frederick, MD.

The fact that he is local should be meaningless.

We need higher ceiling talent, not a guy with some talent who lived 45 min from OPACY.

I am not saying he won't pan out, just that there was clearly higher upside talent available. Hopefully someone drops to R3 and we grab one.

#18 SportsGuy

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Posted 05 June 2012 - 11:44 AM

BB rate of 4.1 as a starter this year.

http://brittghiroli.... ... ond-round/

#19 SportsGuy

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Posted 05 June 2012 - 11:47 AM

Eric (Baltimore)

Whats your take on RHP Branden Kline from UVA?
Klaw (12:15 PM)

Among the best players still available. I think he has a chance to start.



Law had him ranked 60th. He seems to like him.

Only throwing in the low 90s kind of sucks.

#20 LanceRinker

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Posted 05 June 2012 - 11:49 AM

The fact that he is local should be meaningless.

We need higher ceiling talent, not a guy with some talent who lived 45 min from OPACY.

I am not saying he won't pan out, just that there was clearly higher upside talent available. Hopefully someone drops to R3 and we grab one.


I'm not saying there wasn't better overall talent (in regards to ceiling) available, but I believe the thought process here is that the O's could fast track him through the minors as a reliever and possibly have him up in about two seasons (if he develops well), as opposed to three or four for another selection.




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