Cubs 2014 Draft - Day 3
I've got the draft signing block in the left sidebar up already with the Zagunis signing in there. Otherwise the final day has begun and I will be updating very sporadically.
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11th Round Pick #319 - Jordan Brink, RHP from Fresno State - Junior
There have been some interesting pitching prospects in recent Drafts who came late to full-time pitching, including first-rounders Braden Shipley in 2013 and Kyle Zimmer in 2012. While Brink isn't quite that high-profile, he has the chance to do well now that he's focused only on the mound. An outfielder for his first two years at Fresno State, Brink split time between playing that position and pitching as a sophomore then turned to pitching full-time in 2014. He's athletic, if a bit undersized, with the makings of two plus pitches in his fastball and spike curveball, which looks like a hard slider at times. He's working on developing his changeup. The jury is still out on whether Brink can start long-term -- sometimes a bias against undersized right-handers -- or he'll end up in the bullpen. Either way, his arm looks like it has a shot to pitch at the highest level.
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12th Round Pick #349 - Tanner Griggs, RHP from Angelina College (TX) - J2
Had to look up Tanner Griggs. Can touch 95mph, sits 90-92 and adds a solid slider, decent CH, control issues. Could be bullpen.
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13th Round Pick #379 - Kevonte Mitchell, 3B from Kennett HS (MO)
@NathanRode
#Cubs take 3B Kevonte Mitchell. Super raw, but thunder in the bat, lean frame that aces the eye test. Very quick hands.
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14th Round Pick #409 - Chesny Young, 2B from Mercer University (GA) - Junior
@ltblaize
Wow. Young in 204 AB this season, walked 28 times, struck out just 14. Not much speed or power, though.
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15th Round Pick #439 - Jeremy Null, RHP from Western Carolina (NC) - Junior
listed at 6'8", 230 pounds on his school website, MLB has 6'7", 225 pounds
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16th Round Pick #469 - Jason Vosler, SS from Northeastern University (MA) - Junior
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17th Round Pick #499 - Michael Knighton, RHP from Central Alabama CC - J2
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18th Round Pick #529 - Austyn Willis, RHP from Barstow HS (CA)
from same high school as Toronto prospect Aaron Sanchez, committed to UC Santa Barbara
Willis is a tall kid - 6'6" - committed to UC-Santa Barbara. Not a ton of velocity, but "good tilt" and good slider:
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19th Round Pick #559 - Brad Marky, RHP from Virginia Tech - Senior
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20th Round Pick #589 - John Tomasovich, SS from Charleston Southern Univeristy - Senior
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21st Round Pick #619 - Charles White, OF from Maryland Univeristy - Junior
Hope someone tells him during the game. Made a defensive gem to bail out Stinnett in the first today in the super regional.
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22nd Round Pick #649 - Joey Martarano 3B from Boise State Univeristy - Freshman
@DanMKirby
Joey Martarano was a huge name last year and some had him as a possible top 2 RD guy early on. Big kid, can hit the snot out of a baseball.
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23rd Round Pick #679 - Isiah Gilliam OF from Parkview HS (GA)
Just a few months ago, Gilliam was classified as a junior and a member of the 2015 Draft class. But because he began high school in 2010 and his eligibility is set to expire, he was able to move up his graduation to 2014 and become eligible for this year's Draft. The change left scouts scrambling to see him late this spring. Gilliam is a switch-hitter and uses his quick, compact swing to generate good bat speed. He produces solid power and drives balls well from both sides of the plate. Gilliam plays mostly first base now, but he is athletic enough to play in an outfield corner, despite his below-average speed.
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24th Round Pick #709 - Daniel Spingola CF from Georgia Tech - Junior
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25th Round Pick #739 - Tyler Pearson C from Texas State Univeristy - Senior
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26th Round Pick #769 - Zach Hedges RHP from Azuza Pacific University - Junior
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27th Round Pick #799 - Calvin Graves CF from Franklin Pierce University - Senior
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28th Round Pick #829 -Jacon Niggemeyer RHP from Olentangy Liberty HS (OH)
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29th Round Pick #859 - Gianni Zayas RHP rom Seminole State (FL) - J2
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30th Round Pick #889 - Michael Cantu C from Foy H. Moody HS (TX) - Freshman
The position-player crop in Texas is exceptionally thin in 2014, from the colleges down through the high schools. The Lone State State may not have a hitter taken in the top three rounds for the first time since 1981. The best candidate is Cantu, who offers intriguing power potential and raw arm strength. Cantu can put on a batting-practice show that rivals anyone's in this year's high school class, though his long all-or-nothing swing leads to swings and misses in game action. He has a strong arm, but he often records fringy pop times because his footwork and transfer are slow. Scouts love Cantu's makeup and leadership skills, which were also on display when he quarterbacked the Moody football team, coached by his father Mike. While he has two captivating tools, there are enough questions about his bat and his agility that he may not get drafted high enough to lure him away from a commitment to Texas.
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31st Round Pick #919 - Brad Deppermann RHP from East Lake HS (FL)
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32nd Round Pick #949 - Andrew Ely 2B from University of Washington - Junior
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33rd Round Pick #979 - Brad Bass RHP from Lincoln-Way Central HS (IL)
Scouts were excited about Bass' projectability and gave him a chance to pitch his way into the top three rounds this spring. He hasn't lived up to those hopes, however, as he played basketball during the winter and wasn't in peak baseball shape when the spring began. It's still easy to dream on Bass, but whether he'll go high enough in the Draft to be lured away from a Notre Dame scholarship remains to be seen. He's lean and athletic, with plenty of room to add strength in the future. He'll show a 91-mph fastball early in games, though his velocity tapers off to the mid-80s in later innings. Bass' slider has the potential to become an out pitch. It has some bite and reaches the low 80s at times, and he commands it well. His changeup needs a lot of work, and some scouts aren't enamored of his delivery.
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34th Round Pick #1009 - Steven Kane RHP from Cypress College (CA) - J3
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35th Round Pick #1039 - Jordan Minch LHP from Purdue - Sophomore
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36th Round Pick #1069 - DJ Peters OF from Glendora HS (TCA)
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37th Round Pick #1099 - Riley Adams C from Canyon Crest Academy (CA)
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38th Round Pick #1129 - Daniel Wasinger C from Eastlake HS (TX)
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39th Round Pick #1159 - David Petrino C from Central Arizona (AZ) - J2
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40th Round Pick #1189 - Diamond Johnson CF from Hillsborough HS (FL)
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