2013 MLB Draft: American League East Summary and Review
http://0rz.tw/0uoCR
Baltimore Orioles
1-22) Hunter Harvey, RHP, Bandys HS, Catawba, NC
1S-37) Josh Hart, OF, Parkview HS, Lilburn, GA
2-61) Chance Sisco, C, Temescal Canyon HS, Lake Elsinore, CA
3-98) Stephen Tarpley, LHP, Scottsdale CC
4-129) Jonah Heim, C, Amherst HS, NY
5-159) Travis Seabrooke, LHP, Crestwood HS, North Monaghan, ONT
Others of interest: 7) Drew Dosch, 3B, Youngstown State; 11) Steven Brault,
LHP, Regis; 14) Mike Yastrzemski, OF, Vanderbilt; 18) Reed Reilly, RHP, Cal
Poly
COMMENT: There was a general assumption among mock drafters that the Orioles
might look towards college talent close to the majors, but that wasn't the
case: this was all about upside, beginning with hard-throwing Harvey and line
drive-hitting Hart. Sisco and Heim are athletic but raw types who could
develop into regular catchers, or nothing. Tarpley can hit 93-94 MPH;
Seabrooke is a cold-weather guy who is behind that but is highly projectable.
Tarpley is an interesting case: he's got a load of talent, but is dogged by
very persistent doubts about his makeup. The Orioles switched to polished
college players in subsequent rounds, but the first five will make, or break,
this class.
Boston Red Sox
1-7) Trey Ball, LHP, New Castle HS, Indiana
2-45) Teddy Stankiewicz, RHP, Seminole State JC OK
3-81) Jonathan Denney, C, Yukon HS, OK
4-113) Myles Smith, LHP, Lee University
5-143) Corey Littrell, LHP, Kentucky
Others of interest: 6) Jordon Austin, OF, Florida HS; 8) Forrestt Allday, OF,
Central Arkansas; 13) Jordan Sheffield, RHP, Tennessee HS; 14) Jake Romanski,
C, San Diego State; 16) Jalen Williams, RHP, Louisiana HS; 22) Ryan Boldt,
OF, Minnesota HS
COMMENT: I like this one a lot: Ball is super-athletic and projectable and
has more polish than is often assumed. Both Stankiewicz and Denney would have
been first-round picks in some draft classes, so getting all three of these
guys, assuming Denny will sign, is a coup. Smith throws quite hard; Littrell
doesn't but has superior command. Cheap but interesting college picks in
subsequent rounds will hopefully enable the money to work out at the top. In
the old days, the Red Sox would have showered cash on guys like Sheffield,
Williams, or Boldt. The new draft rules make that much more difficult, but
even without the overslot options I think the Red Sox did well.
New York Yankees
1-26) Eric Jagielo, 3B, Notre Dame
1-32) Aaron Judge, OF, Fresno State
1-33) Ian Clarkin, LHP, Madison HS, San Diego, CA
2-66) Gosuke Katoh, 2B, Rancho Bernardo HS, CA
3-103) Michael O'Neill, OF, Michigan
4-134) Tyler Wade, SS, Murieta Valley HS, CA
5-164) David Palladino, RHP, Howard JC
Others of interest: 7) Nick Rumbelo, RHP; LSU; 8) Brandon Thomas, OF, Georgia
Tech; 9) Connor Kendrick, LHP, Auburn; 26) Cal Quantrill, RHP, Canada HS.
COMMENT: Three picks at the top and I think they handled it well: a strong
power college bat, a college outfielder with unusual upside (though also some
risk), and one of the better high school arms available. After that I'm not
sure what to think, not having a good feel for Katoh or Wade. O'Neill has
good tools but is still erratic about using them despite a college
background. As they often do, the Yankees drafted numerous potential relief
arms from the college ranks, but the three guys at the top are the critical
factors here.
Tampa Bay Rays
1-21) Nick Ciuffo, C, Lexington HS, SC
1-29) Ryne Stanek, RHP, Arkansas
2-60) Riley Unroe, SS, Desert Ridge HS, Mesa, AZ
3-97) Thomas Milone, OF, Masuk HS, Monroe, CT
4-128) Kean Wong, 2B, Waiakea HS, Hilo, HI
5-158) Johnny Field, 2B, Arizona
Others of interest: 7) Ty Young, 2B, Louisville; 8) Roel Ramirez, RHP, Texas
HS; 11) Hunter Lockwood, OF, Weatherford JC; 18) Julian Ridings, OF, Western
Carolina
COMMENT: Ciuffo has a balanced set of offensive and defensive skills and was
widely-rumored to be on the Rays short list, so his selection was no
surprise. It was a surprise that Stanek fell this far, but some teams were
apparently worried about his mechanics and durability. Still, getting him at
29 is a good value. Unroe is a switch-hitter with speed, athleticism,
excellent makeup, and is one of the youngest players in this class, not
turning 18 until November. Milone draws wildly mixed reviews depending on who
is doing the reviewing: some really love his tools, others are less sanguine.
His cold-weather background might give him an unusual development curve. Wong
is considered more advanced than his brother Kolten at the same age. Other
than Stanek, this draft will take time to bear fruit.
Toronto Blue Jays
1-10) Phil Bickford, RHP, Oaks Christian HS, Westlake Village, CA
2-47) Clinton Hollon, RHP, Woodford County HS, Versailles, KY
3-83) Patrick Murphy, RHP, Hamilton HS, Chandler, AZ
4-115) Evan Smith, LHP, Montgomery HS, Semmes, AL
5-145) Daniel Lietz, LHP, Heartland CC IL
Others of interest: 6) Matt Boyd, LHP, Oregon State; 7) Conner Greene, RHP,
California HS; 8) Kendall Graveman, RHP, Mississippi State; 11) Jake Brentz,
LHP, Missouri HS; 14) L.B. Danztler, 1B, South Carolina; 17) Eric Lauer, LHP,
Ohio HS; 30) Rowdy Tellez, 1B, California HS; 36) David Harris, SS, Southern
Arkansas
COMMENT: The good news: Bickford throws extremely hard and could be an ace if
his secondary pitches come around. The bad news: he'll be very expensive to
sign, and the Jays dealt with this by ratcheting down the bonus levels with
subsequent picks, Hollon and Smith being very raw and Murphy being a Tommy
John recovery guy. Pitching was strongly emphasized. Lietz in the fifth round
could be a significant sleeper. There were some interesting Cardinalesque
performance picks in later rounds to fill out roster slots, including college
success story Dantzler and 36th round pick David Harris, a shortstop from
Southern Arkansas who led NCAA Division II in total bases.
--
＊Athletic frame.
＊High baseball IQ. Xander
＊Smooth, fluid swing. Bogaerts
＊Elite batspeed. #01
＊Strong and explosive hands.
＊Above-average-to-better power ceiling, potential 30 home run bat.
--
