http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/features/expostop03.html

1. Clint Everts, rhp

Age: 18. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 170. Drafted: HS–Houston (1st round).
Signed by: Ray Corbett.


Background: With the selection of Everts fifth overall, the Expos have taken
a pitcher with their first pick in six of the last seven drafts. Everts and
Scott Kazmir, who went 15th overall to the Mets, became the fourth pair of
high school teammates to be chosen in the first round of the same draft.
There were rumors that Everts had agreed to a predraft deal, but he held out
throughout the summer. He finally signed in late August for $2.5 million,
passing on a scholarship to Baylor. A two-way player in high school, Everts
also attracted interest as a shortstop. He pitched for the U.S. national
youth team in 2000, earning a gold medal at the Pan American Championships in
Monterrey, Mexico.


Strengths: Everts has the potential to be a front-of-the-rotation starter.
He's an outstanding athlete with a slender frame that projects to fill out
as he matures. He has a loose, quick, smooth arm action, using a high
three-quarters arm slot and a balanced delivery to produce three
above-average pitches. Everts had the best curveball in the 2002 draft. It's
a 78-84 mph power curve that falls off the table with good spin, bite and
two-plane break. His curve gets top marks on the 20-80 scouting scale, with
one National League scouting director saying, "If that's not an 80
curveball, I'll never see one." Everts' fastball arrives at 91-94 mph with
late movement. At times his circle changeup is his second-best pitch. He
throws it at 78-81 mph with deception, sink, tumbling action and excellent
arm speed. He has command of all his pitches, is a strong fielder, and has a
good feel for pitching and plus makeup.


Weaknesses: The Expos didn't hold instructional league, so Everts lost his
first chance to gain what he needs most: experience. He has thrown an awful
lot of curveballs at an early age, but hasn't had arm problems. All he seems
to need are repetitions and added strength.


The Future: Though many expected Montreal to draft a collegian, Expos
scouting director Dana Brown was ecstatic to select Everts. He should make
his pro debut at Montreal's new low Class A Savannah affiliate. Though high
school pitchers are a risky demographic, Everts could zoom through the system.