2.79 Tampa Bay Rays - Derek Dietrich, SS, Georgia Tech

The Rays spent the 79th overall pick on Derek Dietrich.

Follow the jump to see his pre-draft profile.

Derek Dietrich   Position: SS   School: Georgia Tech   State: GA   Year: Jr.   Height: 6’1’’   Weight: 195

Bats: L   Throws: R   Birth Date: 7/18/89   Seiler Rating: 1C3   Last Drafted: 2007 (HOU-3)

Derek Dietrich is a well-known shortstop from Georgia Tech. Dietrich came to Georgia Tech from St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was an excellent overall prospect. Unlike many top college players in this class, he didn’t go unnoticed in the draft out of high school, and didn’t slide due to signability concerns. He actually went in the third round to the Astros that year, but they failed to sign him in what was a disastrous draft class that left 2010 draft prospects Brett Eibner, Chad Bettis, Chad Jones, and Brian Fletcher unsigned after the signing deadline. Dietrich has turned out to be the third-best of the unsigned picks so far, though he’s put in his best season at Georgia Tech this spring. Currently a shortstop, most scouts predict that he’ll become a third baseman in short order due to limited range, and the worry then becomes how much power he really has. He is very strong through his wrists and forearms and has plus bat speed, but fails to use the whole field at times, instead relying on turning out pitches that are actually away from him. He does have the potential for an average hit tool, and his raw power is above-average. His speed is below-average, though, and that’s not really a part of his game. He has a plus arm, which should be an asset at third, and he has the potential to start at the Major League level. He should go in the second or third round, where he will be signable.