2,072 MLB PLAYERS | 14,476 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Create Account
Sign in Create Account
Draft  | State Preview  | 5/17/2013

MLB Draft Preview: Nebraska

David Rawnsley     
Photo: Nebraska
In the weeks leading up to the draft, Perfect Game will be providing a detailed overview of each state in the U.S., including the District of Columbia, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico. These overviews will list the state's strengths, weaknesses and the players with the best tools, as well as providing scouting reports on all Group 1 and 2 players as ranked in Perfect Game's state-by-state scouting lists.  Please visit this page for all of the links to Perfect Game's 2013 Draft Preview content.


Nebraska State-by-State List

The University of Nebraska or Creighton can usually be counted on to produce at least one top 10 round selection each year. But while Creighton has been successful on the field, with a 28-14 record, 11-7 in the Missouri Valley Conference, and Nebraska has improved significantly in Big Ten play (14-7) after a rough start, neither team appears to have that standout professional prospect for the 2013 draft. The Nebraska-Omaha program, in only its second year of Division I competition, has posted a surprising 22-21 record, including 15-5 in Summit League play, to round out the state’s major college teams, and could start producing professional level talent soon.

The good news for scouts in the upper Midwest is that 2014 is shaping up to be a well above average year in the state. Norris High School catcher Jakson Reetz is currently the second ranked catcher in the 2014 class per the Perfect Game class rankings despite playing at a small Class B school south of Lincoln. Creighton second baseman and right handed pitcher Jacob Peter has impressed scouts as a two-way prospect with some juice in his bat and a low-90s arm off the mound as a closer. Nebraska left handed pitcher Kyle Kubat (4-0, 1.99 in five starts) missed the early portion of the Cornhuskers schedule with arm soreness, but has been very strong since coming back and is a polished southpaw with three solid pitches. Each could easily find themselves in the top 10 rounds by June, 2014.


STRENGTH:  2014 prospect class
WEAKNESS:  College prospects
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 1

BEST COLLEGE TEAM: Creighton
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Omaha Westside

BEST OUT-OF-STATE PROSPECT, Nebraska Connection: Andrew Nelson, rhp, Cuesta JC (attended high school in Omaha)
Top 2014 Prospect: Jakson Reetz, c, Norris HS
Top 2015 Prospect: Matt Waldren, rhp, Westside HS, Omaha

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History: Darin Erstad, of, University of Nebraska (1995, Angels/1st round, 1st pick)
2008 Draft: Aaron Pribanic, rhp, University of Nebraska (Mariners/3rd round)
2009 Draft: Mike Nesseth, rhp, University of Nebraska (Angels/15th round)
2010 Draft: Michael Mariot, rhp, University of Nebraska (Royals/8th round)
2011 Draft: Corey Asche, 3b, University of Nebraska (Phillies, 4th round)
2012 Draft: Ty Blach, lhp, Creighton (Giants/5th round)

2012 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed: 7/6
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 0/0
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 0/0


PROSPECTS TO WATCH

CHAD CHRISTENSEN, of, University of Nebraska (Sr)
Christensen has been a four-year starter for the Cornhuskers, playing his first two years at shortstop before moving to the outfield for his junior and senior seasons. He hasn’t hit for the power he did as a junior (.311-10-48), but is a polished hitter with good strength and has put up strong numbers (.372-2-31, 21 walks) this spring. He could sneak into the top 10 rounds for clubs seeking to save money to sign other draft picks under the draft rules adopted last year.

SAM TEWES, rhp, Waverly HS
It is rare for scouts to have to account for a Nebraska high school product, but most had to make the trip to Waverly, a northeast suburb of Lincoln, to see the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Tewes throw. Tewes regularly topped out at 91-92 early in games, but pitched mostly in the 86-88 mph range with developing secondary pitches. He is signed with Wichita State.
PG Special Events
Travel, Lodging, Entertainment
PG Partners
Recommended
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2024 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.