2012 MLB Draft: Padres Select High School Lefty Max Fried

Max Fried, LHP, Harvard-Westlake HS, Studio City, CA: The best lefty in the draft, the 6-4, 180-pound Fried offers both projection and present skill, throwing strikes with an 88-94 MPH fastball, a nasty curve, and an effective change-up. His feel for pitching is excellent and he will require less development time than most high-school pitchers. Like his teammate Lucas Giolito, Fried is committed to UCLA, but it is unlikely he will attend college with this draft slot. Scouts compare him to Cole Hamels or a young Barry Zito. His personality and mound presence are very well-regarded, which will help him maximize his full potential. Fried has few weaknesses, at least as high-school pitchers go.