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The Arizona native is projecting high in all of the major pitching categories. Apparently a former participant at the Fernando Valenzuela Pitching camp -- his No. 2 pitch is a screwball.
2.
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The Texas franchise went middle infielder for the fourth consecutive draft. Ownership is impressed at his offensive projections. His defensive numbers look to be more third base than shortstop.
3.
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St. Louis goes Canuck at No. 3, drafting the first lefty. This kid is all power, mixing a four-seamer and slider.
4.
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Terry Brown brings his cheezy mustache from Lincoln to Rochester. Brown is all finesse, working a forkball, curve, slider and changeup. Snow management is high on this kid. He got slot cash and is already at AA.
5.
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L.A. took the hometown kid. Truman goes from the O.C. to L.A. where he will one day patrol the spacious centerfield at Chavez Ravine. Probably the most intriguing hitter in the draft with high projections in contact, power and eye, although he looks more Johnny Damon-esque than anything with the glove.
6.
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The pride of Cuba (Missouri) is an undersized, well-rounded shortstop. Still wondering how a 5-8/163 shortstop has a 70+ power projection. That's going to be one hell of a growth spurt.
7. Gregory Banks.
No graphic because spanky here hasn't signed. He's looking for slot cash from Santa Fe, so we'll see what happens. Although, I think I know the problem. Banks is a junior at Syracuse University. SU dropped baseball in the 60s. This kid is a fraud.
8.
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Gonzales is a hit and run centerfielder. He projects 90+ in contact and is a high 90s speedster.
9.
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Abdul Lee is a hardthrowing pitcher from Maine. Pretty cut and dry case here. A little worried about his pitch diversity, but if he can make that fastball work for him, he'll be fine.
10.
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The 18-year-old has a great pitching repertoire, mixing a fastball, curve, slider, change up and knuckleball. I'm a big fan of pitch diversity, especially when it comes with 90+ control and velocity.
11.
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Benitez is a) A lefty, 2) With 95+ projected control, 3) his No. 1 pitch is a palmball. This is my kind of pitcher.
12.
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So, it should be noted that the first 14 picks were either pitchers, shortstops or centerfielders. Owen is a nice defense/contact hitter. You'd like to see someone a little faster to make up for the lack of power, but then again, I would have liked to see the Yankees win today.
**
At this point, we have a little bit of turbulence. Picks 13-15 remain unsigned -- Burlington's CF pick is looking at offers for pro football, Houston's pitcher wants slot money and Austin's rightfielder is considering a DI baseball ride.
This year's million-dollar bonus break comes at Pick 34. Colorado Springs' Harry Kolb agreed to a $960K bonus. Pick 33 went to Portland, who is still haggling out a contract, while Pick 32 got $1.1m from Charlotte.
**
This year's Mr. Irrelevant remains unsigned. Ham Holmes went at No. 821. The Clayton, NY native (Hey...I've been drunk in Clayton, NY before) is a lefty reliever with a projected overall rating in the 30s. Holmes has projections in the 70s for control, 80s for velocity, but the 20s for his splits. Of course, he might not sign. This stud will only go if the deal is right...he has been offered several scholarships to play DI. Sure. He's probably going to Syracuse.
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