The Chicago Cubs selected right-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn from Heritage High School in California with the No. 56 overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft on Monday. Here's a scouting report on Blackburn from MLB.com:
Related: 2012 MLB Draft Results: Chicago Cubs Select OF Albert Almora With No. 6 Overall Pick
After a big performance at last summer's Area Code Games, Blackburn has continued pitching well this spring to keep him firmly on the prospect map. The NoCal high schooler has a good fastball that hits 92 mph consistently and will touch a tick or two higher on the radar gun at times. His two secondary offerings – a curve and a changeup – both have the chance to be very effective pitches. He's generally around the strike zone and thanks to his athleticism and sound delivery, his command should only improve with experience. The Arizona State recruit has some projectability, meaning his already pretty good stuff has room to get even better. That should get him off the board early enough to keep him from heading to Arizona.
Blackburn is the Cubs' third pick of the night. The North Siders selected high school outfielder Albert Almaro at No. 6 and Missouri State righty Pierce Johnson at pick No. 43.
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