2018 MiL Draft 1st Round Recap (cont.)

September 21, 2018, 01:01:12 PM

1st Round Recap (cont.)
by: Renton Brews

#11. Dustin May (Ankeny ACL’s)
   With long red locks flowing, May looks every bit the flame throwing Texas phenom, and he acquitted himself very well in the low minors as a teenager. Promoted in 2018 to High-A, and then to AA, May continued to impress while still showing the potential for further improvement. Much of that improvement may come once May begins to fill out his lanky 6’6”, 190 pound frame. The added strength should allow him to hold his velocity later into games, if not add a mile or two per hour to his fastball. Through adjustments made by professional coaching he has already added three to four miles per hour, sitting in the mid 90’s and touching 98. As a tall and lanky teen, and with a whip-like delivery, May shows surprising command and control. He throws a high number of strikes and with the sinking action of his fastball, he induces a high rate of ground balls and keeps his pitch counts in check. Since turning pro, May has also worked to refine his breaking pitch. In high school there was little to distinguish his slider from his curve, so he has ditched the slider and worked to develop a hard curve. The pitch has progressed to above-average level and also induces a high rate of ground balls, leading May to a 56% GB rate in 2018, one of the highest in the minors among starters. May’s change is still a work in progress, but he shows the aptitude to develop it into at least an average major league offering as well. With the mid 90’s sinking fastball, a pair of potential plus off speed pitches, excellent control, and a high ground ball rate, it is easy to see why most in the organization (and many in baseball) see May as a possible front of the rotation anchor in the majors.

#12. Jonathan India (River City Cutthroats)
   India signed with the Florida Gators in 2015 as a largely unheralded infielder. He emerged as a potential middle of the order bat. Pushed hard in his first taste of professional ball, India blitzed through two Rookie ball levels, showing the power and patience that got him drafted so high. Promoted to A ball in his first season, he continued to show the patience, even as his power took a step back. That step back is not considered long term though, as India was pushed aggressively and was coming off a full season in college as well. Long term his outlook is still that of a middle of the order run producer. India played third in college, but the path to the majors at third base may be blocked for him so his versatility may become very important. India is capable of playing any one of the infield positions and with work could prove to be an asset defensively at any one.

#13. Osiel Rodriguez (Windy City Rattlers)
   Despite not pitching this season after signing late, Rodriguez nonetheless brings with him an impressive scouting report from Cuba. The 16 year old already throws in the mid 90’s and tops out as 98 mph, with more velocity possible as he fills out and matures. Better control could also come with further refinement of his delivery, which some term as ‘violent’. No matter the description, Rodriguez’ delivery will all but certainly be revised as he has been known to throw from multiple arm angles with all his pitches. His repertoire may need to be simplified as well, from the multiple types of off speed pitches he has thrown to a more simple fastball, breaking ball, change up type arsenal. His breaking stuff tends to all run together with no real differentiation to the shape of them. Simplifying his repertoire and his delivery will help sharpen his control as well, and once those take hold and he matures into his body he could take off. A #1 type body, repertoire, and attitude are in there just waiting to be tapped.

#14. Nolan Gorman (Walla Walla Sweets)
   Gorman was the most powerful hitter in this year’s draft class, hands down. And his first run through professional pitching did little to dissuade that opinion. Gorman launched 17 home runs in less than half a season, a pace that would predict 40-45 home runs over a full season, and compiled an impressive .281 ISO. That is the realm of Mike Trout, Giancarlo Stanton, Kris Davis, J.D. Martinez, and Joey Gallo. And it is Gallo he is most often compared to. Along with the power, Gorman has plenty of swing and miss to his game. He struck out 76 times in 63 games (a 27.7% rate) and his rate jumped noticeably as he advanced from Rookie ball to Low A. He will have to curtail those K’s if he hopes to be more a complete hitter. He has the potential (he hit .291 with a .380 OBP), but the development still needs to happen. Never the less, a .291 average and a .380/.570/.950 slash line with a .281 ISO in one’s rookie professional season is nothing to overlook.

#15. Diego Cartaya (Scurvy Dogs)
   Another young international signing that did not see game action this season, Cartaya nonetheless also comes to the professional ranks with an impressive scouting report. As a 6’1”, 195 pound 16 year old, Cartaya still has plenty of physical maturity and projection left, but the baseline talent he already possesses is considerable. Compared favorably with Salvador Perez, Cartaya is a mobile receiver with excellent footwork and instincts and a strong makeup. He is already an outstanding defender with a strong arm capable of limiting the running game, but is also praised for his work ethic and willingness to work on his craft behind the plate. Cartaya’s offense is well above average as well. He has advanced pitch recognition skills and the ability and focus to concentrate on hitting the ball to all parts of the field. His power is still developing, but signs point toward at least average power at maturity. Even though he will be just 17 years old, most expect Cartaya to jump directly to the States when he debuts next season.

#16. Peter Alonso (Arizona Asterisks)
   One of the most improved players in all the minors this season, Alonso has advanced beyond the incredible power that was his sole calling card previously. Power is still in the forefront for Alonso and he tied for the minor league lead with 36 home runs this season, but now he is more than just an all or nothing slugger. He has held his batting average as he has risen through the system when most thought his average would drop as he faced more advanced pitching. Alonso has also learned to be more patient in his approach, now willing to work walks if he does not find a good pitch to drive. Across AA and AAA this season, Alonso hit an impressive .285 with a .395/.579/.975 slash line. Along with the minor league leading home run total, Alonso led the minors with 119 RBI. Alonso’s most apparent improvement has taken place on the defensive side of the ball though. He is limited to first base as he is a well below average runner, but where he was previously thought to be a liability defensively, he has worked diligently to improve his work around the first base bag and is now seen as an average defender. Alonso’s next step is the major leagues as he has nothing left to prove in the minor leagues.

#17. Garrett Hampson (Data City Cache Hogs)
   Hampson just hits. He has hit at every level he has played. .301 at Low A; .326 at High A; .304 at AA; .314 at AAA. And they are not empty .300's either. His wRC+ numbers at those same levels are 138, 130, 141, and 121, and his wOBA numbers are equally impressive. Hampson controls the strike zone well and has good pitch recognition and plate discipline. He has compiled a .390 OBP over his three year minor league rise, and while he is not known as a power hitter he has hit with enough power to compile a .457 SLG over those same three seasons. In his brief major league time this season, Hampson's numbers are similar, with a .280 average and a .438/.400/.838 slash line. Defensively, Hampson is a second baseman by trade, but is capable at short when needed and also in centerfield. He is above average at second and no worse than average at short and center. Given the opportunity, Hampson could be a reliable complimentary player on a playoff caliber team for the next decade or more.

#18. Sean Murphy (Brooklyn Kraken)
   Another fast riser, Murphy is now in the discussion as the best catching prospect in baseball. Undrafted out of high school and without much in the way of scholarship offers, he attended Wright State where he developed into one of the best college catchers and earned a third round selection in 2016. He has continued his fast rise, moving through the system in just a matter of two seasons and finishing this season at AAA. Murphy is known for his athleticism, agility and defensive tools behind the plate. He has excellent receiving skills and calls a good game, but what really separates him is his arm. He is said to have an arm to rival Matt Chapman, who is considered to have the strongest arm in baseball, and runners basically don’t even try to steal bases against Murphy. He will carve out a long career in the majors on his defense alone. The offensive side is what will be the deciding factor. So far the offense has improved each season and he compiled a .285 average with a .361/.489/.850 slash line this season, mostly at AA. A similar line, with 12-15 home runs could be in the offering in Brooklyn very soon.

#19. Danny Jansen (Ann Arbor Landlubbers)
   Another catcher who took huge strides this season, Jansen was afforded an opportunity at the major league level and he has acquitted himself quite well. Strong defense has accompanied a .346/.433/.779 slash line in a little less than 100 at bats and followed a AAA line of .275 and a .390/.473/.864 slash line. Jansen is an athletic backstop with advanced defensive skills and handles pitchers well, but he will have to improve his pop times and throwing in order to control the running game. Full health from a 2016 hand injury and physical maturity are the main factors in his offensive improvement. He continues to manage the strike zone well and has begun to tap his power. If his offensive production continues to improve as he matures, he could rank as one of the best catchers in the game within the next few seasons.

#20. Cole Winn (River City Cutthroats)
   A high school starter, Winn was held out of competition after signing. He comes to the professional ranks with the makings of a front line starter and has the poise and makeup to be the first high school arm from his class to reach the majors. Winn has a four pitch mix, three of which are already rated as above-average to plus offerings. Leading his arsenal is a mid 90’s fastball that touches 98 and has good movement. His 12-to-6 curve also sits in the plus range already and buckles the knees of righty hitters. This past spring, Winn introduced a slider to his repertoire and it flashes plus at times as well. He has the feel for a changeup and once he begins using it more often against professional lineups, it should rate as at least an average pitch, if not as a fourth plus offering. Winn has a clean delivery and the athleticism to hold his delivery and his stuff late into games. Current above-average command and control should develop into the plus range as well with more experience.