Braves Draft Update Rounds 3-15

Just a quick overview of the Braves drafts today in rounds three through fifteen.

With all these pitchers you have to have catchers. At least that’s what the draft looks like so far. No high ceiling guys left of course and it appears the Braves are using the dart board to make their picks which is probably as good as any at this stage.

These are just summaries based on scouting reports from Baseball America’s Braves draft database  where available. For details check out the entire listing. Membership is required. I’ve highlighted the ones I found interesting, I’ll explain in the Wrap.

Round 3: Bryan de la Rosa, catcher

• ranked #200
• Short and stocky – catcher’s build at 5’11” 190
• Projects as good defensive catcher throws @ 1.71 seconds to second base
• Good feet, agile, soft hands
• Not an offensive star, think Eddie Perez or Henry Blanco

Round 4: Justin Black, outfielder

• Ranked #474
• Raw talent, fast but without experience; no HS ball in Montana
• Overmatched at the plate during summer showcase may never hit
• Solid college commitment to Nebraska unlikely to sign as he’s eligible again in 2014

Round 5: Blake Brown, outfielder

• Ranked #324
• Good tools but doesn’t always play that way
• Plus speed
• Raw power but hesitant at the plate
• Has trouble with breaking pitches
• Strikes out a lot
• Sounds to me like Rick Ankiel without the experience

Round 6: Josh Elander, catcher

• Ranked #112
• Solid defensive catcher
• Hard working, enthusiastic
• Hard hands mean he’ll likely be move to the outfield
• Plus power with plate discipline
• Strong arm, quick release, very athletic

Round 7: David Starn, LHP .

• Not ranked by BA ranked #15 in Ohio
• Broke Kent State Strikeout record
• FB at about 86, curve ball/slide and changeup
• Compares to Jamie Moyer
• 2012 Louisville Slugger Third Team Pre-Season All-American
• Opening-day starter at #9 Georgia Tech faced only 28 batters in8 shutout innings
• MAC Tournament MVP (video interview)
• Project as a back of the rotation starter

Round 8: David Peterson, RHP

• Ranked 329 in BA’s top 500
• Closer  by trade, 30 appearances 3.19ERA, 39K, 15BB in 37 innings
• 92-95 FB slurvey breaking ball mid 70s
• Strike thrower but commanding the corners needs improvement

Round 9: Steven Schils, RHP (BA currently has nothing on this guy. I found this on the web.)

• Apparently a relief pitcher
• 11 games 10.5 innings 5 saves
• Currently playing for Martinsville Mustangs of the Coastal Plain League

Round 10: Mike Dodig,3B

• Plays SS at Columbia-Greene Community College  NCAA Div III
• All-Conference first team
• .458/.517/.651  (49 for 106) 3 homers, 26 RBI
• 9 doubles, 3 triples

Round 11: Levi Borders, catcher

• Son of 17 yr MLB catcher Pat Borders
• Hit .365 5 homers 18 RBI
• Played SS as a junior hit .435 6 homers 29 RBI

Round 12:  Connor Lien, Outfielder

• Ranked 336 by BA
• Athletic, plus speed, solid arm
• Powerful but not a natural hitter, lacks timing
• Committed to Central Florida

Round 13: Nathan Hyatt, RHP

• Ranked #428 by BA
• FB at 92-95 tops at 97 but lacks movement
• Has a slider but not an out pitch
• Command issues
• 15 saves in 26 appearances, 28Ks 21BB

Round 14: Tyler Tewell, catcher

• Listed as catcher but player 13 games in right field
• Caught 8 games
• Led Appalachian State in hitting .375
• 17 doubles, 4 triples 6 homers
• Only 19ks in 221 ABs

Round 15: After breaking out while no one was looking following round 14 the Braves draft team went for pizza and beer and decided not to return for this round. I don’t blame them.

Okay not really but after the 14th round David O’Brien reported that the Braves draft team were sitting on the infield grass in Turner Field, taking a break. It’s reasonable to assume they had no one they wanted to pick left and decided not to waste time.  We’ll see how they finish up tomorrow.

So at the end of the day the Braves drafted two Georgia pitchers in rounds one and two,a Jaime Moyer clone starter in round seven, a potential closer in round eight, setup man in round nine and another closer type in round 13 for a total six pitchers from14 selections or about 42%.

They drafted four catchers (28%) although two of them (Elander and Tewell) project as corner outfield bats, one a back up catcher and one – Levi Borders – with a pedigree that will probably get him a chance to make it.

They picked up one third baseman and three outfielders. None of the outfielders looks like a genuine prospect on paper. The third baseman- – Dodig – plays SS now so his glove will probably be above average at third and he can hit. Yes the sample is small but he hits for a high average and while he’s young and raw, hitters generally continue to hit. If he signs and if he adjusts to playing every day with all that entails he has possibilities.

That’s A Wrap

As I wrote yesterday once you get through the first four rounds finding a major league caliber player is like winning the lottery and getting struck by lightening and just getting your hair singed. However if you like to root for underdogs I commend to you the following.

• Josh Elander
• Mike Dodig
• Levi Borders
• Tyler Tewell

I’ll try to keep everyone updated if they sign and get into the farm system.  No one expects anyone after the top four or five picks to make it but it’s always nice when someone does. Lets hope we get lucky because we certainly didn’t draft the best available in the first two rounds.