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Refugees Draft Coverage ‘08: A review of last year’s draft
By Jason E | May 12, 2008
We begin our coverage with a review of last year’s draft class.
First Round
Pick went to the Giants for the signing of Moises Alou. (They took HS outfielder Wendell Fairley.)
Supplemental Round
42. Eddie Kunz, rhp, Oregon State
Armed with a heavy, mid-90s sinker that generates tons of groundballs and a biting slider to get strikeouts, Kunz was advertised as a potential closer who could move quickly through the system. His stuff has lived up to its billing. Kunz has a groundball-flyball ratio of nearly 4-1 this season at Double-A Binghamton and has yet to allow a HR as a pro (he only allowed one in his college career, as a freshman). He has struck out 20 batters in 27.2 pro innings. However, poor control and an inability to retire left-handers continue to hold Kunz back. He is walking nearly six batters per 9 innings as a pro. So far this season, Kunz has held right-handed batters to a .125 average, while lefties are hitting .375 against him.
47. Nathan Vineyard, lhp, Woodland HS (GA)
A polished, yet projectable lefty, Vineyard fell victim to a season-ending shoulder injury earlier this month. Using an 88-91 mph fastball, big slider, and solid changeup, Vineyard struck out 105 and walked only 12 in his senior season at Woodland. Vineyard showed promise before going down with the injury, striking out 33 in 27.1 innings in his pro debut with the GCL Mets, although with an ERA over 5.
Second Round
77. Scott Moviel, rhp, St. Edward HS (OH)
At 6-10, 245 lbs, Moviel is enormous. He was considered a project out of high school since he had split his time between baseball and basketball, but Moviel went on to surprise some after signing by posting a 3.38 ERA in 40 GCL innings. It has been a struggle for Moviel this season at Savannah (7.53 ERA through seven starts), but he still has tremendous potential. He features a 90-93 mph fastball that he throws on a downhill plane and a slow, mid-70s curve that he commands well, although it is not considered an out pitch. With his frame, more velocity could come in the future and he continues to work on his secondary pitches.
93. Brant Rustich, rhp, UCLA
Scouts everywhere agreed, Rustich had all the makings of a first round pick. A big, 6-6 frame and power arm that fired mid-90s fastballs and high-80s sliders. What Rustich didn’t have, however, was any idea where the ball was going. He walked 5.4 per 9 innings in his career at UCLA and racked up 23 wild pitches in only 124 innings. Rustich red-shirted with a finger injury during his junior year and has since abandoned his split-finger in favor of a conventional changeup. Control problems were nowhere to be found in his debut, as he racked up 21 strikeouts and only 2 walks in 23 innings on way to a 3-0 record and 1.57 ERA between Kingsport and Brooklyn. The Mets are expected to give Rustich a chance to start this year with Savannah, although he was primarily a reliever in college.
Third Round
99. Eric Niesen, lhp, Wake Forest
Niesen took a major leap forward when he was moved to the bullpen midway through his junior season. His fastball jumped from 88-91 into the mid-90s. In relief, he showed a sharper, harder slider and his command was better. So what have the Mets done? Used him as a starter, of course. So far for St. Lucie this season, Niesen has a 6.28 ERA and 1.71 WHIP. He’s averaged less than four innings per start as a professional due to poor command. At this rate, Niesen is going to pitch himself right back into the bullpen, where he belongs anyway.
123. Stephen Clyne, rhp, Clemson
Clyne took over the closer’s duties for Clemson as 5th year senior (he missed a season with Tommy John surgery) and thrived in the role. He features a 92-94 fastball with sink and a great slider that gets swings and misses. But Clyne has been tattooed this year in St. Lucie, having already given up 18 runs in 8.1 IP.
Other picks of note
7th Rd. Lucas Duda, 1b, University of Southern California
He was a big disappointment at USC, but as a pro, Duda has done nothing but hit. He’s good defensively at 1st and has big time raw power, but at upper levels, his long swing may be exploited.
17th Rd. Brandon Efferson, rhp, Zachary HS (LA)
An undersized righty with a 90-91 mph fastball, Efferson started to receive hype when he was compared by some scouts to Roy Oswalt. The Mets didn’t meet his bonus demands and he chose to attend Southeastern Louisiana, where his ERA is currently over 6.
18th Rd. Michael Antonini, lhp, Georgia College
Prototypical “crafty” left-hander. Has an upper 80s fastball, curve, changeup, and cutter. He’s dominated the lower levels, with a 2.39 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 79 pro innings.
20th Rd. Dylan Owen, rhp, Francis Marion
Owen signed quickly and became the staff ace of the Brooklyn Cyclones and one of the best pitchers in the NY-Penn League last summer. He works with a 88-90 mph fastball, a good slider, and a changeup.
25th Rd. Cole Abbot, rhp, Weber HS (UT)
New to pitching, Abbot reached 93-94 mph before the draft last spring and showed a decent slider. Understandably raw, he was knocked around a bit in 10 GCL games. He has yet to pitch in 2008. (He might be on a Mormon mission. Anyone know for sure?)
Topics: AnyBodyButBengie, MLB Draft |
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