Aug. 31, 2007

AUBURN, Ala. - Junior Luke Greinke was tabbed by Baseball America as the top prospect to play in the Shenandoah Valley League this past summer while his Auburn teammate, sophomore Scott Shuman, was tabbed as the fourth-highest prospect in the same league.

Nathan Rode of Baseball America said the following of Greinke while tabbing him No. 1. "Greinke simply dominated the Valley League from his first game to the end as both a hitter and pitcher. He led the league in batting (.417), on-base percentage (.517) and slugging (.642) in 120 at-bats and claimed the league's MVP award. He also went 3-1, 2.66 with 48 strikeouts in 51 innings off the mound. Greinke is a gap-to-gap type hitter with good plate discipline (26 walks to 20 strikeouts) who showed the ability to make adjustments, adding power with wood he had not shown with metal in two seasons at Auburn. As a pitcher, his fastball velocity was 88-92 mph and an excellent slider that he uses as an out pitch. He has a violent delivery, similar to Scott Kazmir. Greinke's name is more intimidating than his figure--the brother of Royals righthander Zack Greinke is just 6-feet, 185 pounds. He projects best as a pitcher in pro ball, though he'll be a crucial two-way contributor for Auburn this spring."

Rode then went on to say the following on Shuman: "Teammates with Greinke at Auburn, Shuman has a loose arm and a lively fastball in the 88-92 mph range. He also has an average slider, which can be plus at times. He had a tendency to be wild this spring (4-1, 2.00 with 18 strikeouts and 20 walks in 18 relief innings) and into the summer, but he showed improvement when he had 18 consecutive innings with no walks. Shuman, who was a 23rd-round pick of the Brewers out of high school in 2006, has a good pro frame at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds."