(For extended coverage, check out our SCORES section
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HARDBALL 24/7
Reliving The Highlights
Latest Moves Throughout The Off-Season
RETURNING IN APRIL
THE POWER
RANKINGS
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Backstopping For The Future
There was a level of focus on college baseball's best 1-2 punch in Vanderbilt's starting pitching duo of Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker that they could have gone 1,2 in that order. The Pittsburgh Pirates thought otherwise
The Pirates went behind the plate as they nabbed Louisville catcher Henry Davis as the overall #1 pick. Regarded as college baseball's best hitter this year, he displayed more homers and walks than strikeouts. He is known to be a defense-first type of player. What got the organization's attention is his eagerness to continue to craft his game.
A Vandy player was indeed picked #2 overall by the Texas Rangers. Pitcher Jack Leiter, the son of Al Leiter, came in as a highly regarded incoming Freshman with high expectations. His repertoire of pitches (including two overpowering breaking pitches) screams ace material.
The Detroit Tigers got the best high school player in the draft in Jackson Jobe at #3; he has a slider that is considered among the best in the class. The Boston Red Sox drafted the best high school position player in shortstop Marcelo Mayer; he is being compared to Dodgers shortstop, Corey Seager. Positional needs continued with the next two picks as the Baltimore Orioles went with the Southland's Conference player of the year in outfielder Colton Cowser, and, the Arizona Diamondbacks picking the second best high school shortstop in Jordan Lawlar.
The rest of the Top Ten saw the Kansas City Royals pulled a surprise in a high school pitcher from Connecticut, Frank Mozzicato; the Colorado Rockies taking a speedy high-school outfielder in Benny Montgomery; the Angels going pitcher in Sam Bauchman from Miami (OH). However, the top story in this part of the draft is the New York Mets grabbing the other Vandy pitcher in Kumar Rocker; he was a considered favorite to be a #1 overall but an inconsistent Spring affected his stock value.
These players will participate this Summer in the inaugural draft league. Who will get their first will depend who will move up their respective farm system.
TOP 10 DRAFT PICKS
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NOTABLES
Every single year, sons of former MLB players and present front office personnel will be selected among the pool of high school and collegiate prospects. Even the brothers of present MLB players will have their names called upon to be part of the organization. Notables this year include
The Latest From The Farm
(Baseball Prospectus, D1 Baseball, Our Sports Central, Baseball HQ)