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Draft  | State Preview  | 5/24/2013

MLB Draft Preview: Maine

Frankie Piliere     
Photo: Maine
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.


Maine State-by-State List

Perhaps as much as any state in the nation, Maine relies on one major college team. The University of Maine has steadily generated draft picks over the last decade, including picks in the top ten rounds in the last two years. And, they have an outside chance of another top ten round selection this year in right handed pitcher Tommy Lawrence.

Mike Fransoso and Alex Cabick, also on the Maine team, represent the state’s next best hopes of draft selections, but both have been leapfrogged by Lawrence this spring. Forrest Chadwick of Southern Maine, known for his raw power in scouting circles, has hope of a late round draft selection as well.

On the high school side, one name to keep an eye out for perhaps in the late rounds is Anthony Capuano, who is the son of New York Islanders’ head coach, Jack Capuano. Capuano is committed to Maine.


STRENGTH: University of Maine talent
WEAKNESS: Prep prospects
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 2

BEST COLLEGE TEAM: Maine
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Oxford Hills

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Maine Connection: Matt Pare, c, Boston College (Attended high school in Portland)
Top 2014 Prospect: Scott Heath, 1b, University of Maine

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History: Billy Swift, rhp, University of Maine (1984, Mariners/1st round, 2nd pick)
2008 Draft: Billy Cather, of, University of Maine (Nationals/33rd round)
2009 Draft: Regan Flaherty, 1b, Deering HS, Portland (Mariners/28th round)
2010 Draft: None
2011 Draft: Taylor Lewis, of, University of Maine (Pirates/10th round)
2012 Draft: Jeff Gibbs, rhp, University of Maine (Diamondbacks/9th round)

2012 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed: 2/2
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 0/0
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 0/0


PROSPECT TO WATCH

TOMMY LAWRENCE, rhp, University of Maine (RS Jr.)
Lawrence is a major wildcard heading into this year’s draft. There’s a sense that while most teams are slotting him as a 10th-12th rounder, that there are some teams view him as a candidate as high as rounds 7-8. And, it’s been an interesting path to get to this point for Lawrence. After beginning his collegiate career at Winthrop, a Connecticut native, he transferred to Maine and red-shirted the 2012 season. But, a stint with the Chatham Anglers in the Cape Cod League made 2012 far from a lost year for him. He worked 38 innings of the Cape, compiled a 3.55 ERA in the process, and struck out 35 while walking only seven in that span. But, more importantly, Lawrence showed an 89-92 mph fastball that peaked as high as 93, and was able to locate it consistently. His big curveball also showed above average depth, and it was another pitch he located exceptionally well. Lawrence has only built on that success this spring, becoming Maine’s most dominant starting pitcher, and earning a reputation as a bulldog on the mound. He walked just 25 batters over 104 2/3 innings this spring, which also speaks to his superb command. Being a 6-foot right-hander limits Lawrence’s long term projection, but his ability to throw strikes with two quality offerings could make him very intriguing from rounds 8-12.
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