BleedTechBlue spoke with Greg Zumach of NorthSideBound.com to get some possible projections where a few Diamond Dogs might get drafted.
This is one guys opinion, there obviously could be others that are on draft boards and could get picked up. Personally, I think Fincher has to be in the mix for a draft spot as well.
Jorge Corona, 21, dramatically improved his draft chances this season. The third-year player significantly bumped up his power output (up from a high of 5 home runs to 16 this season). I’d have him currently graded out as above-average power, but below average hit. Corona had a 19.6% strikeout rate, which is higher than average, but tolerable. What may hold him back was a poor showing in the Cape Cod League. This wood-bat league serves as a proving ground for college players since scouts can more accurately gage future hitting prowess with wood bats. Some organizations don’t put as much emphasis on wood bat performance as others. For catchers with an athletic frame and above-average power, there are opportunities available in professional baseball. I would project Corona to be drafted in the 13th-20th rounds, though it only takes one organization to see the projectable frame and see even more power coming.
Taylor Young: High contact/high on-base percentage infielders with a bit of pop senior signings are always in contention of being signed by major league teams. Young will be nearly 24 years old when the draft rolls around so there is little physical projection remaining. Young’s most likely signing path is as an undrafted free agent.
Ryan Jennings: I’m intrigued with Ryan Jennings as a professional player. He generated strikeouts (95 in 90 1/3 innings) and kept his walks to a minimum (3.7 BB/9), but more than that he displayed good velocity and spin to his pitches. I wonder if he (like Crigger) could be in for a repertoire change replacing his bullet slider with a sweeping slider. Jennings is another senior sign candidate and could find himself drafted in rounds 5-10.
Kyle Crigger: Primarily a low spin sinker/slider pitcher, Crigger’s success lies with a heavy slider which falls off the table. These bullet or gyro sliders aren’t as in vogue as they were a few years ago, but it’s hard to argue with the success of a pitch. An organization could look to add another slider to his repertoire with a sweeper slider, which generates horizontal movement to play off his sinker. Crigger has good velocity averaging around 92 mph with the sinker. I’m intrigued by the changeup which averages about 10 mph slower than his fastball. Ultimately, Crigger may fall into an early selection within the draft. He’s a senior bullpen arm with closing experience who has good velocity and an above average offspeed pitch. I would speculate Crigger finds himself drafted as a below-slot deal in rounds 5-10.
Cole McConnell: McConnell may find his role in professional ball as a future reserve outfielder. McConnell is an instinctual baserunner though appears as more of an average outfielder. He also displayed a bit of pop (9 home runs), but his strikeout rate (21%) is concerning. McConnell could be drafted in the 11-20 range or find his way back to campus if he doesn’t receive an offer to his liking.
The draft starts Sunday.
Thoughts? Questions?
