...The Astros select lefty Left fielder Billy Flamion, a 6'1" 195lb 18-year old out of Central Catholic High School in California.
Baseball Beginnings wrote, a couple of weeks ago:
I don’t think there’s a lot of guesswork with this guy. Somebody will take a run at him early to see what becomes of the raw left-handed power in his bat. He’s not going to be a toolsy guy outside the arm, which I can go with a 5 on. Won’t run, won’t cover a lot of ground in the outfield, probably won’t hit for a Wade Boggs-like average. So he’s a power corner with an average arm if he pans out.
Perfect Game wrote last year:
Strong well proportioned athletic build, fairly mature. 6.82 runner, moves well to the ball, very good arm strength, still working on release fundamentals, outfield tools. Left handed hitter, leg raise trigger, very aggressive swing, plus bat speed, shows raw power, short to the ball for a power swing, good contact, ball jumps hard. Also pitched, 86-88 mph fastball, fast paced delivery, good depth to his curveball, nice spin/shape, high 3/4's release point. Top level athlete.
Last August, ESPN Rise covered Flamion in the Area Code Games, and he addresses his signability:
"It'd be cool just to say I got drafted, but I plan on going to Oregon. I want to be the first person in my family to go to college so that's been my goal for a long time."
It'll be interesting to see what he does in the coming weeks.
Here's a scouting video.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
