[ayaghmour2]

Happy Draft Day! The Detroit Tigers opened the draft and selected RHP Robby Barfield, one of the few guys my scout likes. OSA has him as a 5 star, so it would seem they got this pick right.

1st Round, 26th Overall: SP Kevin Sturgeon (3): "Obi Yan" was literally the only player worth selecting, and he's not willing to sign... The 19-year-old has excellent stuff, with three excellent pitches. His slider is devestating, especially to other righties, and has the stamina to pitch deep into games. He hit's 96-98 consistently with his fastball and has an excellent work ethic. I'm willing to spend a lot to encourage him to forgo college.

2nd Round, 65th Overall: CF Zaire Cudjoe (2.5): The Braves selected the 21-year-0ld in the 19th round back in 2020, and he's improved significantly since. He can play a little bit of everywhere, and will turn into an elite outfielder at either of the three spots. He's got great speed and will hit for a solid average, but he strikes out a lot. He won't be a starter, but with a little work he can be a solid everyday player.

3rd Round, 98th Overall: 1B Ben Kemph (2.5): Really hoping picks roll over, as here's another guy who won't sign. He's got a great bat, with 83 contact and 70 power potential, but is limited to just first base. Chances are I won't spend too much on him, but his bat is really impressive and advanced for a teenager. The Michigan native has lots of scholarship offers lined up.

4th Round, 130th Overall: CL Jake Parker (2.5): I never like taking relief arms early, since you can find a lot of gems late, but with such a weak class it's what I'm almost forced to do. He started 15 games (4 relief appearences) in his junior year at Oral Roberts, but lacks a third pitch. He's well developed and can jump to the big leagues quick to be a solid middle reliever. His fastball is his best pitch, and he can hit triple digits on occasion.

5th Round, 160th Overall: CF Chris Purcell (2.5): He's an elite defender with elite speed and an excellent eye. Despite the eye, he strikes out alot due to his lack of contact. But when he connects, he can hit it a long way. He's got 73 power potential, although OSA doesn't see it that way. I wish he was my 12th rounder, but instead, he's a lottery ticket in the 5th round.

6th Round, 190th Overall: SP Alfredo Minjares (2): He's got three plus pitches in his arsenal and can hit 94-96 with his fastball and sinker. He's got great stamina and is extremely durable. He's not the best starter ever, but the New York native can fill a back of the rotation spot or long relief role.

7th Round, 220th Overall: C Chris Poullard (2): As a high school senior, he was undrafted, but he improved a lot in college at Centennial. He's got a decent bat for a catcher and calls a great game. He does great with his staff and is a fierce competitor that brings the best out of his teammates.

8th Round, 250th Overall: SP Daniel R. Lowing (1.5): It's a reach pick,but I could use another starter and he can throw 6 pitches. He doesn't have much velocity, averaging 87-89 with a poor fastball, but his offspeed is much better. His change up is plus=plus and the lefty does a good job of keeping runners close.

9th Round, 280th Overall: CF Sean Bair (2): Likely, he won't sign, as he wants $3,000,000 and I don't really trust him. He's got great speed and range in the outfield, but doesn't have much of an arm or base running skills. He's got excellent power, but swings and misses a lot. I think college will do him well.

10th Round, 310th Overall: SS Jimmy Hutson (2): He won't make contact very often, but he's got a great eye and solid power. He's good on the bases, and is a solid enough defender. He'll end up at either second, third, or shot, but isn't exactly going to be great at either. His infield defense will be a lot like Scott Kingery.

11th Round, 340th Overall: CF Steve Armstrong (2): He's got great speed and baserunning abilities as well as great range in the outfield. He's got great pop and makes good contact, but doesn't have much of an eye. He's a switch hitter who can develop into a solid centerfielder.

12th Round, 370th Overall: Kikuchi Laday (1.5): Half Japanese, the 18-year-old has a ton of stamina and a devestating curveball. He's a lefty that throws over the top and has good stuff. He needs more developing, but he could fill a spot start role.

13th Round, 400th Overall: SS Danny Deliso (1.5): He's got great range and could stick at short, or move to third with his cannon. He's got great speed and a great eye, but will attend college.

14th Round, 430th Overall: SS Chris Hartley (1.5): He's more of a second basemen, but he's got a solid bat. He'll make good contact, lay off tough pitches, and avoid strikeouts. His glove could use work, and he doesn't have the best arm.

15th Round, 460th Overall: CF Ken Ormand (1.5): Won't sign. He's got good gap power and an absolute cannon. He's got decent foot speed and outfield range, but won't steal many bases. I'm guessing the Stillwater native will go to a school near home.

16th Round, 490th Overall: CF Jeremy Page (1.5): Won't sign. Great power, speed, and range in the outfield, and should hit for a high average. He's not the best at catching fly balls, and doesn't have an arm. Strikeout problems may develop.

17th Round, 520th Overall: SS Mike Owen (1.5): We're running out of quality players left, but Owen has elite defensive potential. His arm is a bit weak, but he's as surehanded as it gets and his instincts paired with foot speed are unmatched. He's not the best hitter, but won't kill you.

18th Round, 550th Overall: CF Mike Harbour (1.5): He's better suited for left, but can play all three spots fine. He's got great power, but his most notable feature maybe be his brilliance when bunting. Other then that, filler player.

19th Round, 580th Overall: SP Juan Arteaga (0.5): Yes, he looks bad, but the Puerto Rican is intriguing. He also won't sign, so there is that. He's got an excellent change up that he uses frequently. He needs to work on his fastball, but that is what college is for.

20th Round, 610th Overall: RP Kevin Hunt (1.5): Selected out of Florida International in Miami, he may be on the fast track to a back of the pen role. He's got great stuff, but needs to work on his movement and control. He averages around 93-95 with a big league quality fastball.

21st Round, 640th Overall: CF Josh Lands (1): No more talent left, and he won't sign. He's a decent hitter, but makes a ton of errors in the outfield. He'll probbaly end up in right due to his arm, but has the range for center.

22nd Round, 670th Overall: CF Sean Scyoc (0.5): He's listed as a center fielder, but I like him more as a starter. He's got a ton of stamina with a devestating curveball. His stuff as a whole is plus plus, but he doesn't throw too fast. He'll work as a two way guy.

23rd Round, 700th Overall: CF Robby Rawdon (0.5): Same story as Scyouc, I like him better as a pitcher, although he has a cannon in the outfield. He's got a plus cutter and change, and solid control. He's not too special, but worth a shot.

24th Round, 730th Overall: 1B Geoff Vaughn (0.5): A terrible defender, but he has an amazing bat. His first four tools are rated 64-68-60-66, but he strikes out a ton. His bat could lead him to a bigger role, but probably not with me.

25th Round, 760th Overall: SP Juan AlyArez (0.5): Won't sign, drafted because of the interesting last name (not a typo). He can eat innings, but that's about it. College for him!

26th Round, 790th Overall: 2B Luis Arzola (0.5): He's not much of a fielder, but has a great bat. Lot's of power and a good eye make him a interesting prospect. Not good, but interesting.

27th Round, 820th Overall: 2B Brendan Lackey (0.5): I love fast players. I love switch hitters. He's both. He's not much of a defender and doesn't have much of a bat, but all the picks now are based off tools and luck.

28th Round, 850th Overall: SP Josh Stewart (1): He's more of a reliever, based on his stamina, but with work he can start. He's got three great pitches and a slow, straight fastball. He's like a less good Edward Cabrera.

29th Round, 880th Overall: SP Breadon Chiasson (0.5): Won't sign. Three pitches, two are above average and he has a slow fastball. A lot of those guys in this draft... Not much control either.

30th Round, 910th Overall: CF Sean Addis (0.5): Won't sign. Decent defensive outfielder with a decent extra base hit bat. No power or speed, but a solid eye. More of a smart outfielder then fast.

31st Round, 940th Round: SP Dwain Tilly (0.5): The Canadian youngster has had injury problems, but still exhibits solid stuff, especially with his curveball. Solid stamina as well, with developing control.

32nd Rounder, 970th Overall: SP Dave Hanks (0.5): He's not really good, but can throw 5 pitches and has 96 stamina. None of the pitches rank higher then a 36 (his fastball), but he doesn't throw 85 and can actually reach past 91.

33rd Round, 1,000th Overall: C Jonathan Hall (0.5): Won't sign. No power, but decent bat for a catcher. Not the best behind the plate, however, so he's not too interesting.

34th Round, 1,030th Overall: CF Juan Rivera (0.5): Different Juan Rivera, this one from Puerto Rico. He's got good foot speed and defensive ability, but doesn't really know how to hit. Solid eye. Won't sign.

35th Round, 1,060th Overall: CF Nate Cody (0.5): Won't sign. Massive power and is a great baserunner, although not so much stealer. Decent speed and outfield ability.

36th Round, 1,090th Overall: 3B Chad Tinucci (1): Massive power, but can't really hit the ball. Great speed and a canon at third. Expect a million strikeouts from the switch hitter.

37th Round, 1,120th Overall: SP Luis Ospina (0.5): This one is really cool, he went to my high school, Jones College Prep! Well, not actually, as he is a fictional player, but that is the high school the game assigned him. If this was true, the Puerto Rican from Bayamon would be the first from my school to be selected out of high school. He's got great stamina and 3 solid pitches. I'll try to follow him a little bit. He won't sign, however...

38th Round, 1,150th Overall: SP Murdoch Pardy (0.5): Won't sign. Great contorl of his four awful pitches. Well, his fastball is decent, registering 89-91 consistently, but isn't special.

39th Round, 1,180th Overall: 2B Luis Montero (0.5): He's an intersting hitter and fielder. Kind of shocked he fell this far honestly. He's got average power, a great eye, and will get his fair share of doubles.

40th Round, 1,210th Overall: SP Tommy Clasrk (0.5): Finally, the draft is over... This lefty has great stamina and three average to above average pitches. He'll give up a ton of homers, but he's not the worst last pick of a class ever.

I've had a lot of bad classes, but this one might end up being the worst one ever...

In case you're wondering what happened to the class of 2020 unsigned guys:

11th Round: CF Ayden Canada: Selected by Houston in the 18th Round, later released. I actually was going to draft him, so I offered him a minor league deal.
12th Round: 3B Kevin Connolly: Went undrafted and will return for his senior year.
21st Round: CF Juan Molina: Went undrafted and will return for his senior year.
22nd Round: SP Asa Lacy: Went undrafted and became a free agent.
24th Round: CF Ben Wenner: Selected by Minnesota in the 7th Round
26th Round: RF Kevin Bennett: Selected by Boston in the 14th Round and released.
31st Round: RF Dan Harris: Went undrafted and will return for his senior year.
32nd Round: SS Joel LaBonte (0.5/0.5): Went undrafted and will return for his senior year (he reminds me of Joe LaBrie and how much I wish I still had him...)
37th Round: SP Alpha Asante: Went undrafted and will return for his senior year.

Quick draftee report: Josh Weske has reached AAA after 6 elite starts in A+ Jpiter and 5 amazing starts in AA Jacksonville. He's not quite big league ready, but with all the SP injuries, I might need to call up the 2020 1st Rounder. He actually is a good player, rated 4* potential.

2019 2nd Rounder Jaheim Meggett went through A Greensboro and A+ Jupiter, and made his 1st start in AA Jacksnoville. He got the win, pitching 5 innings with an earned run, 6 walks, 2 hits, and 3 strikeouts. Wasn't perfect, but good for the young lefty. He's rated 3* potential.

2019 10th Rounder Brody Cook is hitting really well in AA, .299/.369/.449 with 5 hoemrs and 24 RBI's in 47 games. He's not a top prospect, but his excellent speed and ability to play anywhere, but catcher and pitcher makes him an interesting candidate to watch.

2021 1st Rounder Ken Adeniran tore up Greensboto and is taking Jupiter by strom as well. He's hitting .311/.342/.368 with 11 RBI's in 25 games, so he's showing promise, but needs to draw more walks and record extra base hits. As a pitcher, he hasn't pitched too much, but will get more reps on his off days.

Now, on to more baseball!