Draft Round Up S48

Gabrielle  O. Alvarez-Tillman - Contributing Reporter.

It seems the Goat Curse might be broken! Did we just jinx ourselves, perhaps so. 

1. Washington DC - Olmedo Nunez (C) - The 4th straight high school selected #1 overall but will phlsfan regreat this decision in the future? Considering his fitness regiment and durability, if he does end up behind the plate, he should log plenty of innings but can't say the pitchers will be happy with his pitch calling as he's been known to signal for an underhand pitch before.  But where he really shines is at the plate. With 75 grade power, he hit his share of home runs as a kid over State Highway 48 into Old Man Kellar's cornfield. 70 Grade power and his mastery of the righty will definitely translate well into the majors. DC shells out nearly $6M for Nunez to sign. 

2. Florida - Juancito 'Mamacito' Martin (2B) - The North Carolina State star 2B was the prize of many in this year's draft, yet he fell to the second pick. His Range, Glove, and Accuracy should let him play anywhere on the diamond; just watch out if he develops some arm strength. 75 grade contact, splits, with 65 grade eye and speed. He'll get on base plenty and with the right bats behind him, has the potential to set a few run records. Similar to Nunez, his health and durability should keep him on the field. 

3. Philadelphia - Fred Carter (SP) - First High School pitcher off the board whose wicked slider is only topped by his 75 grade sinker. Shows great control, even with someone like the #1 pick Nunez behind the plate. Doesn't have the best speed on his pitches but manages to keep most balls on the ground; likely due to that sinker of his. 200 innings isn't out of question during his prime years

4. Washington DC - Albert Tomlin (P) - DC's second pick of the first round for not signing HS SS Kennedy last year. Where have I heard that before?!? Oh, happened to New Orleans the year before. You just can't trust High School Shortstop's mothers! Surprised he hasn't signed, as a Type D pick DC won't be compensated next year if he fails to sign this one. Time will tell. 

5. Atlanta - Player (Position) - Due to last year's overwhelming media response, we have been advised by our lawyers to not comment on this pick. 

6. Wichita - Wil Johnston (3B) - bjschumacher goes with the hot corner in the S48 draft, comes in with 65 grade power, hits lefties and righties equally, could probably use an eye test and potentially glasses. But really it's that 40 grade contact scouts will be keeping an eye on to see if he can further develop it. For a 22 year old out of the University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa, we'll see if he can make the change from metal bats or not. 

7. Huntington - Jeremi Diaz (RF) - The Sooner slips down the draft board, rumor has it a few teams had him in their top 3. The Tropics pick up a lefty masher. His glove likely sees him shifting to first base, unless he gets traded to Chicago then he'll man Centerfield. His tools are good, but scouts doubt his makeup and if he'll live up to the potential. he also cost cwiddoes a pretty penny, $5.4M. We'll see if he can help turn that franchise around in then coming years. 

8. Los Angeles - Mike Sappelt (SP) - Yup, curse has to be lifted. Haven't seen this much talent this late in the draft since I started covering Cobbfather. Third pitcher off the board, Mike 'Sappy' shows great control, has a 70 grade movement on his pitches. Armed with a 4-seam and curveball he's ready to attack hitters in AA. Luckily he's pitching for Los Angeles, that should help hind the fact that he's a flyball pitcher with weak 3rd and 4th pitches. 

9. Chicago - Leo Newcomb (SP) - The first of six first round picks (+ supp) for slash, and what a draft for pitchers this year. This Floridian should show good signs of control, keep the ball on the ground, but won't strike out too many hitters. Throws a great sinker but might struggle a bit against lefties at times. This pick cost slash a whopping $7.4M, top bonus this season. 

10. Milwaukee - Avisail Gonzales (RF) - With the first of back to back picks, jbburner goes with Right Fielder, AG out of Calhan High School in Colorado. Should hold steady in RF and packs quite a bat with him. If he managed pitchers a bit better, he would have gone top 3 without a doubt. Healthy, durable, has a good eye and 60 grade speed that will help him move around the base paths. Fantastic pick for being so late in the draft. 

11. Milwaukee - Guillermo Tavarez (RP) - With his second pick, jbburner goes with the college reliever. Keone Webster looked alright last year, this sure was the year to not sign a pick from the previous year.  With a 75 grade curveball, he should trick enough hitters to a swing and a miss. His pitching coach better keep an eye on him that he doesn't become a lefty specialist as he's shown to struggle a bit against righties. 

12. Anaheim - Pascual Mijares (SP) - This guys throws his 4th best pitch, a slurve, better than some pitchers throw their best pitch. Will be fun to watch this guy mix up his pitches. Imagine an at-bat where you see a 4-seam, slurve, 4-seam, change-up, and then slider. Balls moving all over the plate! Next thing you are going to tell me is he throws a gyroball. Could use some improvement on his control which would give him a better chance with the htiters but he'll lean on those 4 pitches to get him through the inning(s). 

13. Dover - Curt Spencer (SP) - drichter grabs the starting pitcher out of New Century High School in Chapel Hill. Curt won't give away many free bases and for those lucky enough to get a hit off him, it will likely stay on the ground. Owns three 60 grade pitches (screwball, change up, and a cut fastball. Might struggle with righties but he'll lean on the defense behind him to get the out. At the plate, he's been known to lay down a bunt or two; not that he'll get the chance in the AL. 

14. Houston - Bennie Serra (SS) - With his position scarcity and power, it's interesting to see him fall this far to  Houston with the 14th pick. Struggles a bit to make contact, but when he does; you better watch out with that 80 grade power. Lefty pitchers might as well walk him or get pulled by their managers. Some scouts question his makeup, but the Bennie likes to smash! He might shift off Short due to his range but with that power he'd likely win a gold glove or two if he's moved to the hot corner. We saw many mock drafts that had Serra going #2 to New Orleans but then Martin fell to them after DC shifted directions last minute. 

15. Austin - Ernest Clements (CF) - Should easily stick at 2B with solid power and great speed. A bit slower than one would hope around the base paths and struggles against lefties even with that great eye of his. But boy can he lay down a sweet sweet bunt. If he plays his cards right, he might even be able to compete in the Korea Bunting Derby!

16. Boston - Jim Randall (C) - Even Grandma Alvarez-Tillman has more range then this guy! I think we all know that 200 lbs of muscle on that 5'-7" frame. Drafted as a catcher but will surely Should make good contact against both lefties and rights and won't cost his team a lot of easy outs. But for a DH he doesn't have a ton of power. You don't find an on base guy like this one at this point in the draft very often. Health could be a concern but that make-up is on point. But seriously, don't put him in the field. 

17. Colorado - Matt Tanner (CF) - At quick glance this is a great pick, he'll make plenty of contact and has a great eye, but can't promise he puts in play more than he doesn't. He also likely shifts to 2B before he reaches the majors. has shown great speed and healthy as can be. 

Let's go prospects, it's nearly your time to shine!!