from Keith Law on Osich
Osich looked like a first-rounder in the fall of his junior year, potentially a top-10 pick, but blew out his elbow that February and missed all of 2010 as a result. Now he enters a tougher draft class in his recovery year but is making a big, late push to re-enter the first round, starting with his no-hitter of UCLA in late April.
Osich has touched 98 in shorter outings and is sitting more 90-93 now, with his velocity gradually improving as the spring goes on, although his slider still isn't back and he's mostly fastball-changeup, with the latter projecting as solid-average. He stays over the rubber and is very upright through his delivery, with minimal shoulder tilt, a good stride and early pronation. However, there will always be a concern about his arm since he's had Tommy John surgery.
A high pick here is a bet that Osich will eventually sit 92-94 or better again with that above-average-to-plus slider, a smart gamble for a team in the sandwich round that lacks a high pick.
