The 2010 first-year player draft is fast approaching.  Friarhood will be profiling some players that may be available to the Padres when they pick ninth overall.

RHP Deck McGuire 6’6” 220 lbs

 McGuire is a junior at Georgia Tech.  He’s 8-4 with a 3.01 ERA, .223 BAA, 112 K’s, 31 BB’s, 86 H’s, and 104.2 IP across 15 starts.  McGuire was the 2009 ACC Pitcher of the Year and is on most people’s top 10 draft prospects list. 

Deck throws a low 90’s fastball with a little late tailing action that can reach 94 mph.  His fastball is  thrown on a good downhill plane.  Deck  throws his curveball and slurve for strikes and he also has an average changeup. McGuire has good mound presence and doesn’t get flustered with runners on base. 

With four average or better pitches, no plus pitches, and a large frame, McGuire profiles as a middle of the rotation innings eater.  His pitches have lost some life this year and some scouts have lowered their expectations.  Despite some lowered expectations, McGuire will likely be picked in the top 10 and has an outside chance at falling to the Padres at number nine. 

 MLB Comparison:  Jon Garland