[Griever20]

2019 First-Year Player Draft

We have to hit on this draft. Fourth overall pick. My first draft in charge, and Bob Melvin and his scouting department was working overtime... and double overtime.

My personal favorite prior to the draft was 18-year old right-hander Matthew Allen from Seminole High School. Fastball, curveball, changeup, good stamina, good control, good makeup, 6'3'' tall.... and the teams ahead of us decided to go with position players, in like a catcher, and two infielders that all looked mighty good.

When our pick eventually rolled around, Bob cheekily remarked that LaRue was still up there, a 17-year old catcher with a good arm, average shot calling, and a decent bat... according to his scouting department. I checked some other scouting reports by public sides... and the consensus was that he won't hit for average... and so I decided to go with the starter.

Round 1 Pick 4: Texas Rangers select RHRP Matthew Allan(18, 4* HS, 4.5* OSA) out of Seminole High School(Sanford, FL)
As mentioned above, things are looking good. 65/50/60 for pitching potentials, 91-93 mph on the gun, and three good pitches. He is regarded to have a professional work ethic and according to both our head scout and the OSA, is the best pitcher in the draft. Wants $2.5M and will get those.

Supplemental round pick, for Beltre, Bobby pointed at a third baseman with little arm strength... and I balked at his suggestion and took another arm...

Suppl. Round Pick 2: Texas Rangers select RHRP Justin Campbell(18, 3* HS, 2.5* OSA) out of Simi Valley High School(CA)
6'7'', the right-hander is tall and should be able to improve on his velocity over the next 3-4 years in our minor league system. 60/50/50 on pitching potentials, he throws 91-93 with a curveball, a slider, and a changeup, so lots of pitches to choose from. Wants $600k, that is $500k under slot.

Round 2 Pick 4: Texas Rangers select C CJ Rodriguez(18, 3* HS, 1.5* OSA) out of Mater Dei High School(Santa Ana, CA)
I had my eye on a quality reliever, but that kid was taken late in the supplemental round, so we went for this young catcher. A right-handed hitter with above average defense, and some good pop that does not want a lot of money. One of our area scouts dug that kid out as he missed most of the high school season with an injury. Wants $340k, half of the slot money.

Round 3 Pick 4: Texas Rangers select CF Tyler Williams(18, 3* HS, 1.5* OSA) out of Redan High School(Stone Mountain, GA)
Another one of those obscure findings by our scouting division. Good speed, but not fast enough to swipe 30 bases, but a good defender that should bring a good OBP to the table. A good leader, which is always a good thing in minors and majors, he will get exactly the slot money, $350k.

Round 4 Pick 4: Texas Rangers select CF Hunter Bishop(20, 2.5* HS, 1.5* OSA) out of Arizona State College(Tempe, AZ)
Our first college guy. Good speed, good pop, good defense, could become a well-rounded corner outfielder. Pull hitter from the left side that developed nicely after not taking the bait as a 24th round selection by SDP last year. Wants the slot, $240k.

Round 5 Pick 4: Texas Rangers select RHRP/IF Gunner Halter(21, 1.5*) out of Mississippi State College(Starkville, MS)
Two-way player that can easily field shortstop, or pitch an inning with a decent fastball and a decent changeup. I'm not convinced, but our scouting department things he will become a fine position player one day...

Round 6 Pick 4: Texas Rangers select SS Jorge Julio Jr.(19, 2.5* HS, 1.5* OSA) out of High School(Weston, FL)
Very good defensive infielder, decent speed, sprays the ball all around the field but needs to get a bit more consistent with the bat, and more accurate towards the gaps to become an MLB caliber prospect.

Round 7 Pick 4: Texas Rangers select SS Josiah Miller(19, 2.5* HS, 1.5* OSA) out of Lincoln High School(Tallahassee, FL)
Carbon copy of our 6th rounder...

Round 8 Pick 4: Texas Rangers select LHSP Spencer Van Scoyoc(21, 2.5* HS, 2* OSA) out of Arizona State College(Tempe, AZ)
Another Arizona State product with a name nobody can pronounce, Van Scoyoc looks like a run of the mill starter with lots of question marks, basically the control and the third pitch, but for this state of the draft, a good choice as a lefty starter.

From here on, I let Bob and his guys to the work, but with the goal of bringing in some more high school talent if possible. Overall, this draft has become a high school heavy one and I personally prefer that given our situation. We are spending the max amount of money into player development, and good some kids into our club that could really benefit from that. Only time will tell tho...