The Padres spent the 91st overall pick on Zach Cates.
Follow the jump for his pre-draft report.
Zach Cates Position: RHP School: Northeast Texas JC State: TX Year: So. Height: 6’4’’ Weight: 220
Birth Date: 12/17/89 Seiler Rating: 1C3 Commitment: Oklahoma State Last Drafted: Never
|
Year |
W |
L |
ERA |
G |
GS |
SV |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
HR |
BB |
SO |
|
2009 |
1 |
0 |
2.57 |
3 |
|
0 |
7.0 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
6 |
10 |
|
2010 |
7 |
2 |
2.54 |
13 |
|
0 |
67.1 |
45 |
26 |
19 |
|
32 |
91 |
Zach Cates is a fast-rising right-handed pitcher from Northeast Texas Community College. Cates is originally from Conway High School in Conway, Arkansas, a town about 30 miles north of Little Rock. He came to NTCC as a two-way player, and he was forced into action as the starting catcher as a freshman due to an injury to the starter, meaning he was limited to seven mop-up innings in relief on the mound. However, he moved into a full-time pitching role this spring, and the result has been absolute domination as a starter. Blessed with a natural pro body and a projectable frame, he has seen his stuff mature into a mid-rotation starter’s arsenal, though he still has work to do with his command and control, which are understandably below-average due to his lack of experience with pitching. His fastball is easily his best current pitch, and it’s already plus, sitting 93-95 in most outings, touching 97 a few times late in the spring. His changeup is his best secondary pitch, and it gets above-average grades with good late fade. His curveball is more of a fringe-average pitch with potential to be simply average with time, but with two above-average pitches, scouts aren’t as reliant on him developing that third pitch, though it would be nice. He has upside as a number three starter, which is quite good at the junior college level, and there have been whispers about him becoming a supplemental first round pick, though he fits better in the second or third rounds, where he should be signable.