2012 MLB Draft: National League Western Division Commentary

2012 MLB Draft: National League Western Division Analysis

Arizona Diamondbacks: This class emphasizes position players and looks average to me. First-rounder Stryker Trahan (C-OF, Louisiana HS) at 26^th overall is a solid choice in my opinion, due to his strong offensive upside with a shot at being a catcher and enough athleticism to play OF if needed. Second-rounder Joe Munoz (3B, California HS) has third base offensive and defensive tools but an erratic track record, while fourth round pick Charles Taylor (OF, Texas HS) is speedy but undersized. Third-rounder Jake Barrett (RHP, Arizona State) could be in a major league bullpen in less than two years with power stuff, while fifth rounder Ronnie Freeman (C, Kennesaw State) will certainly move more quickly than Trahan even if his tools aren't as impressive. Sleepers: Danny Poma (OF, Hofstra, 10^th round), and Ben Eckels (RHP, California HS, 11^th round).

Colorado Rockies: A balanced draft with a mixture of hitting, pitching, high school, and college talents. First-rounder David Dahl (OF, Alabama HS) is solid across the board and should get on base. Second-rounder Max White (OF, Florida HS) isn't as polished as Dahl but has a similar center field toolset profile. Third-rounder Tom Murphy (C, University of Buffalo) was a late-first round candidate at one point and has power and defensive skills, while seventh rounder Wilfredo Rodriguez (C, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy) provides longer-term hope behind the plate. Pitching-wise, the key arms are supplemental first rounder Eddie Butler (RHP, Radford) and local talent Ryan Warner (RHP, Colorado HS, third round). Butler has a power sinker, while Warner is super-projectable. Sleeper: Jeff Popick (OF, 16^th round, Mesa State) a local talent with speed and power potential.

Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers went with hitting early, grabbing promising pep bats Corey Seager (3B, North Carolina HS) and Jesmuel Valentin (2B, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy), which should provide the foundation for a future infield. Fourth-rounder Justin Chigbogu was a bit of a surprise, but the monster power hitter (1B, Missouri HS) is signable and has loads of upside, as well as risk. Polished college arms Paco Rodriguez (LHP, Florida, 2^nd round) and Ross Stripling (RHP, Texas A&M, 5^th round) may not have huge upside but they also won't need very long in the minors. Third-rounder Onelkis Garcia (LHP, California) is a live-armed Cuban defector who could turn into anything. There was also a bevy of interesting college choices with some sleeper potential, including Duke von Schamann (RHP, Texas Tech, 15^th round) and Jharel Cotton (RHP, East Carolina, 20^th round) who provide some pitching depth to the system.

San Diego Padres: It always helps to have extra picks, and with three supplemental first-rounders the Padres had a chance to make a big splash. They chose one intriguing college outfielder, speedy Stony Brook product Travis Jankowski, but the biggest impact could come from three highly-promising high school arms: Max Fried (LHP, California HS), Zach Eflin (RHP, Florida HS), and Walker Weickel (RHP, Florida HS). Fried is the best of the group, but both right-handers were first round candidates a couple of months ago. This was followed by a pair of college bats: Jeremy Baltz (OF, St. John's) and Dane Phillips (C, Oklahoma City University) in the second round. Both of those guys have a chance to be major league regulars, at least projecting as role players with solid bats. Third round choice Fernando Perez (3B, Central Arizona JC) hit well in a wooden-bat JC league at age 18, while another JC talent, OF Maallex Smith (5^th round, Santa Fe JC) provides blazing speed. They also got the best name in the draft: Goose Kallunki, a 3B-1B from Utah Valley State, in the 27^th round. Overall, I like this class a lot.

San Francisco Giants: College pitching is the theme here. Nabbing Mississippi State ace Chris Stratton at 20^th overall in the first round could be one of the steals of the draft, while Martin Agosta (RHP, 2^nd round, St. Mary's), Steve Okert (LHP, 4^th round, Oklahoma), Ty Blach (LHP, 5^th round, Creighton), Stephen Johnson (RHP, 6^th round, St. Edward's), and E.J. Encinosa (RHP, 7^th round, Miami) are all excellent values in those slots, with Johnson's upside standing out in particular. There isn't much hitting, with Wake Forest OF Mac Williamson (3^rd round) the main hope. He's got a lot of power and draws walks, but also strikes out quite a bit. Sleeper: OF Tyler Hollick (14^th round, Chandler-Gilbert CC) who has tools including very impressive running speed and a good track record of hitting.