2009 Amateur Draft Mock #4 Second Round
Here's my newest second round mock, which was done before games started today. My Phillies draft preview is coming out shortly. Here's the second round:
50. Washington - DJ LeMahieu, SS, LSU - I expect the Nationals to overdraft a little after the first round, hoping to get some slot signs and possible bargain signs. LeMahieu might opt to return to LSU, hoping to turn into a first rounder next year, but all signs point to this being his best year to make some money. Previously: #46.
51. Seattle - Jeff Malm, 1B, Bishop Gorman HS (NV) - Malm is an interesting prospect, as there are widely-varying opinions on him available. I personally think he's a solid first day prospect, as his bat is as close to pro-ready as a prep can get. His glove isn't that good, but he's a nice prospect. Previously: #49.
52. San Diego - Brad Boxberger, RHP, USC - Boxberger's your typical college starter, one with a solid pitch mix to go with a little less ceiling than the available prep pitchers. However, he'll move fast when teamed with my projected first rounder for San Diego, Alex White. Previously: #48.
53. Pittsburgh - Brody Colvin, RHP, St. Thomas More HS (LA) - I haven't seen many other kids with as much helium as Colvin, who could easily slip into the back end of the first round. He's got a great arm, and I think Pittsburgh would see the value in letting him develop at his own pace. Previously: #56.
54. Baltimore - Jason Kipnis, OF, Arizona State - Kipnis has done nothing but hit this year, and while his ceiling isn't very high, I think he could be a solid Major League starter in the long-run. I expect the Orioles to go after a solid mix of bats and arms in this year's draft. Previously: #45.
55. San Francisco - Brett Jackson, OF, California - As much as I don't like him, the tools have always been there for Jackson. Teams that like athleticism and raw power will see something in Jackson, but his bust potential is high. He's in the area of the Giants, and this pick makes some sense. Previously: #57.
56. Los Angeles (NL) - David Holmberg, LHP, Port Charlotte HS (FL) - The Dodgers like their share of Florida preps, and Holmberg has done nothing to disappoint this year. He's a solid lefty with a good pitch mix, and he could go on a relatively aggressive development schedule. Previously: #60.
57. Cincinnati - Trayce Thompson, OF, Santa Margarita HS (CA) - Thompson's ability in the outfield is fairly unquestioned, but he's quite raw. I've seen a few mentions of him being a legitimate five tool guy, but he'll take some work and some money to take him away from UCLA. Previously: #62.
58. Detroit - Josh Phegley, C, Indiana - Phegley continues to draw a wide range of opinions on whether or not he can catch over the long haul. However, his bat projects to continue to hit for average, and even if he moves to third, he shouldn't be below-average there. The Tigers might want a catcher early on this year. Previously: #53.
59. Colorado - Alex Wilson, RHP, Texas A&M - If they do indeed get Tanner Scheppers in the first round as my mock says, then the next few rounds might need some more affordable players. Wilson is just that, and he can be used as a starter or reliever, where he is now for the Aggies. Previously: #59.
60. Arizona - Angelo Songco, OF, Loyola Marymount - Songco's draft stock has stayed high for the last number of weeks, as he's proven he can hit, which was his biggest question mark. He's not a five tool player, but his solid skillset will mean some team can look at him as a solid Major League starter. Previously: #68.
61. Chicago (AL) - Aaron Miller, OF/RHP, Baylor - Miller has entered my mocks lately as a possible second round choice. I think he's turned himself into a pro hitter, and he'll stick there with most teams that take him. He's become the most coveted hitter in a Baylor lineup with a couple other well-regarded draft prospects. Previously: NR.
62. Texas - Colton Cain, LHP, Waxahachie HS (TX) - I'm starting to expect that it will take a considerable bonus to pry Cain away from his Texas commitment, meaning it will take the Rangers or Astros drafting him. He does merit this spot, but could fall if those teams think he'll be available for over slot in later rounds. Previously: #65.
63. Cleveland - Robbie Shields, SS, Florida Southern - I continue to think that Cleveland will target a middle infielder somewhere in the early rounds of this draft, and Shields would be a nice fit. Though I think he'll move to second, his bat is the type that could fit like Placido Polanco's. Previously: #58.
64. Arizona - Chad Jenkins, RHP, Kennesaw State - Still jockeying with teammate Kyle Heckathorn for the best pitcher on KSU's staff, Jenkins has soared up draft boards this spring. He's a second rounder at worst as it stands now, and I think he'll sign for slot wherever he goes. That's a key for Arizona this many picks in. Previously: #74.
65. Los Angeles (NL) - Austin Bailey, C, Troup County HS (GA) - I've been saying that I think the Dodgers pick a catcher early on, and Bailey's injury might allow him to slip this far to them. With a nice draft budget, the Dodgers could sign him for first round money and rehab him back to stardom. Previously: #21.
66. Florida - Michael Heller, SS/RHP, Cardinal Mooney HS (FL) - It's rather tough to find signable prep middle infielders, but I think Heller is just that if the in-state Marlins give him a call. He could also be developed as a pitcher, so it's up to the team that drafts him to use him wisely. Previously: NR.
67. St. Louis - Ryan Jackson, SS, Miami - The Cardinals like those high-character players, and Jackson's defense and leadership qualities are coveted. I don't think he'll ever even hit .250, but he'll be a second to third round draftee this year. Previously: #63.
68. Toronto - Blake Smith, OF, California - Overtaken by Aaron Miller of Baylor as the best true two-way college draft prospect, Smith is still a nice second round prospect. I think the Blue Jays go for a college outfielder somewhere early on, but might go for a toolsy prep hitter as well. Previously: #61.
69. Houston - David Renfroe, SS, South Panola HS (MS) - There's still a chance that a team picks Renfroe as a pitcher, but I think the Astros would want to develop Renfroe as a potential star shortstop. He's rather raw due to his football background, but he should be signable with the right team. Previously: #66.
70. Minnesota - Daniel Fields, SS, U. of Detroit Jesuit HS (MI) - I still think that Fields ends up with either the Tigers, Brewers, or Twins, mainly for geographic reasons. The Twins covet toolsy middle infielders when they get the chance, and I think Fields is one of the best available in this entire draft. Previously: #70.
71. Chicago (AL) - Brad Stillings, RHP, Kent State - I feel as if Brad Stillings and Chad Jenkins are interchangable as far as draft status. Both have done nothing but improve their stock, though Stillings was more highly-regarded entering the season. He'd be a nice college pitching product for the White Sox. Previously: #79.
72. New York (NL) - Chris Dwyer, LHP, Clemson - I think I've done too little to emphasize the fact that this is the Mets' first pick in the entire draft, meaning they'll likely go over slot for whoever they can get. Dwyer's a high ceiling college freshman who is draft eligible. He'll take some work, but they'd be getting a first round arm with a little more polish than most high schoolers. Previously: #71.
73. Milwaukee - Keyvius Sampson, RHP, Forest HS (FL) - Sampson's a nice prep pitcher from Florida, and there are quite a number of teams that draft heavily in Florida due to having their best scouts covering the state. For that reason, Sampson's exposure has led to him being a prospect harder to peg, as many teams could potentially call his name. Previously: #69.
74. Milwaukee - Kent Matthes, OF, Alabama - After so many picks, the Brewers will need a signable player, and Matthes, a senior, fits that bill. He's had good production, and there's a chance his production explosion this year is legit. Nelson Cruz anyone? Previously: #64.
75. Philadelphia - Devan Marrero, SS, American Heritage HS (FL) - This is the Phillies' first pick, so like the Mets, they'll be looking for the player with the highest ceiling. Marrero's bat is very questionable, but there's very little doubt that he'll stick at shortstop. He reminds me of Elvis Andrus. Previously: #72.
76. New York (AL) - Brooks Pounders, RHP, Temecula Valley HS (CA) - Pounders has a nice arm, and he fits the description of what most would consider to be the typical Yankee pitching prospect. He's a big kid, at 6'5'', and while his bat is good, I think he's more along the lines of a projectable pitcher. Previously: #78.
77. Boston - Mike Nesseth, RHP, Nebraska - Will Nesseth start or close? Even Nebraska can't decide. However, he's got the arm and pitch mix to do either, and that kind of ability usually attracts the Red Sox. He's another guy that could explode into a surprisingly good Major League career. Previously: #76.
78. Tampa Bay - Slade Heathcott, LHP/OF, Texas HS (TX) - I'm back to seeing him as a lefty pitcher, but with the ability to go either way. He's got good velocity on his fastball, and what is described by PG as one of the best curveballs in the entire draft class. That's why I think he'll pitch. Previously: #75.
79. Chicago (NL) - Ben Paulsen, 1B, Clemson - Paulsen marks the beginning of the second tier of college first basemen, though he's not a slouch at the plate. He's routinely stayed in this range on my mocks, and I think he's a solid first day prospect with the ability to eventually hold down a Major League starting job during his prime. Previously: #80.
80. Los Angeles (AL) - Cameron Garfield, C, Murrieta Valley HS (CA) - Though he's much less refined defensively than the other big-time prep catchers in this class, there's a chance Garfield's the best hitter of the bunch. That's an incredible compliment. The in-state Angels would be happy to sign him away from his U. of San Diego commitment. Previously: #73.
That's all for this week's mocks. The usual disclaimer: writeups on draft status going into the draft were a mixture of BA and PG unless otherwise noted. Go to their sites for draft coverage. They're awesome.
What do you think?
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If Houston comes out of the first two rounds with Skaggs and Renfroe I will be happy.
I think Renfroe would battle Ross Seaton for Houston’s top prospect (dis)honor. While Skaggs would likely fall to fourth behind them and Jason Castro. Renfroe is somebody they really need, an impact bat in the middle of the infield, while Skaggs would add a left-hander to what is becoming an impressive group of pitchers in the low minors. Also, Houston has two picks in the third round, so if the draft falls this way, they should be looking pretty good.
by byronlhsdrmr on
May 9, 2025 12:30 PM EDT
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You underestimate Jordan Lyles.
Take out luck, and Lyles has been quite a bit better than Ross Seaton.
by Andy Seiler on
May 9, 2025 12:57 PM EDT
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Tom Mendonca
Where do you see him falling? Is he a third rounder in your eyes?
by James F on
May 9, 2025 1:40 PM EDT
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Yes.
He has major contact issues at the plate. His power is nice, but I doubt he’s a .250 hitter in the bigs with average plate discipline. His power will be sapped without a metal bat and college pitchers.
by Andy Seiler on
May 9, 2025 1:44 PM EDT
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Heathcott
That’s a nice pick for the Rays, we can try him in the outfield also when he’s gone over the innings limit, just like the BoSox are doing with Casey Kelly.
by RWRays on
May 9, 2025 4:46 PM EDT
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Chris Jenkins
He’s in a lot of mocks, many in first or first supplemental. Why are you leaving him out?
by riptorn on
May 10, 2025 6:50 AM EDT
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A couple reasons.
I see him more as an early second day candidate, maybe as high as the third round. In addition, his Stanford commitment will likely scare away some teams, as that’s one of the strongest commitments at the college level.
by Andy Seiler on
May 10, 2025 6:56 AM EDT
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Andy...
I have to ask you about one of my buddies at school named Robbie Erlin, and if you have heard anything about him. I’ve seen him pitch quite a bit, and although he is not very big, he has good polish and a couple nice pitches. He has committed to Cal Poly next year but hasn’t ruled out pro-ball just yet. Do you know the general range you think he could go?
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
by gore51 on
May 10, 2025 5:45 PM EDT
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He's actually an early second day prospect.
Somewhere in the 4th-6th round range if he’s signable. That’s easily in the six figure range for a bonus.
by Andy Seiler on
May 10, 2025 11:12 PM EDT
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Padres taking Boxberger
I may be WAY off base here - but Boxberger seems like soft-tossing control artist…
San Diego Union Tribune posted an article:
For several months, even years now, Padres scouts and some franchise veterans have talked about a crying need for the organization to become more athletic, in particular, to invest heavily in "live-body" athletes and pitchers with powerful arms, even if the player hadn’t piled up big statistics at a high amateur level.
Regarding that quote, I wrote, “Even if we believe the comment above, it really doesn’t point to what the Padres are likely to do with that third pick as nearly every top 10 candidate fits that profile.” - I think that quote says more about who they’ll take in subsequent rounds more than what it says about round 1, pick 3…
by pffriberg on
May 10, 2025 10:49 PM EDT
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Boxberger's much better than that.
While he’s in the low 90s as a starter, that’s more to pace himself throughout the game. He can run it into the mid 90s. As a closer in the Cape last year, he was a mid 90s guy consistently. But he has a legit curve and slider, plus a decent changeup, which puts him in the category of college pitcher who can move fast. I’m probably underselling him by having him in the second round here.
by Andy Seiler on
May 10, 2025 11:16 PM EDT
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Ronnie Mitchell = Jaff Decker???
Jaff Decker is quickly becoming one of the best hitters in all of minor league baseball (.317/.548/.659 as a 19 year-old in Low-A). His hitting was never questioned by scouts - scouts were only concerned about his body… The Padres took Decker in the supplemental round in 2008.
Mitchell, according to this website, is one of the best high school hitters in the entire draft. Much like the Padres did with Decker, I think they could try to grab an underrated player fairly early(because of physicality issues).
Mitchell is a shining example of the kinds of players we love: a left-handed hitting outfielder who can hit for power and average. He deserves to be taken in the first round, but he’ll probably slide given his size.
by pffriberg on
May 10, 2025 11:01 PM EDT
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That site is yanking your chain.
He’s a late second/possibly third day prospect, and I’d say he’ll somewhere in the 20th-30th round range. He should go to school, as he’s supposed to be a good student, and he could make himself into a much better player for the 2012 draft.
by Andy Seiler on
May 10, 2025 11:20 PM EDT
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