Draft Day 3 Blog - Into the Unknown Which is Day 3

 If there is one comfort in the Guardians 3rd day draft the last couple of years it is that they will find some college pitchers who turn into intriguing (generally relief) pitching prospects.   Not so much with hitteers.  This was obvious when MLB listed all the success stories of rond 11 and beyond draftees playing in the all-star game today.  No current Guardians player or significant position player prospect came that late in the draft except for Bryan Lavastida.  

So we dive into the 3rd day looking for what I am always looking for from this organization: college pitchers who can become prospects or minor contributors (e.g., Tanner Tully) to the major league team.

Here goes:

11th round - Guardians select Magnus Ellerts, 6'5" RHP sophomore Florida Southwestern Junior College.  

Ellerts is currently playing in the Cape Cod Summer League and has struck out 21 in 12 innings so far with a 2.86 ERA.   From what I read his fastball sits at 93 and can touch 96 mph. 

12th round - Jack Jasiak -6'1"  RHP, pre-season All-Amercan, University of South Florida - He is a red-shirt sophomore and their Friday night starter who was injured most of this season.   So there may be some hidden value there (see Zach Plesac) if the Guardians can get him to sign.  He played in the Cape last summer.

13th round - Tyresse Turner - SS - USC - Good OB skills, hits for average.  Junior so might not sign.

14th round - Pres Cavanaugh - LH hitting OF - UNC Greensboro - Another LH outfielder with no power and good OB skills.  I am starting to sense a pattern.  

15th round - Adam Tulloch - LH pitcher from Arizona State - Totally ineffectve this year in college.  He played in the Cape and it looks like our scouts spend a good deal of time there.

16th round - Logan Clark - catcher Taft HS, in California - Committed to CSU Bakersfield

17th round - Angel Zarate - LH Hitting outfielder, U. of North Carolina - Leadoff hitter, good bat-to-ball skills, takes walks. Not much pwer.  Hmmm, stop me if you heard this one before. 

18th round - Zach Jacobs - RHP UC Riverside - hardly pitched in college this year but, wait for it, he is playing in the Cape this summer.

19th round - George Rivera Jr., RHP, Walters State CC - Big bodied (6'3", 260 lbs) pitched in relief.

20th round - Shawn Rapp, LHP, U. of North Carolina - Pitched in middle relief this year for UNC.  Some Ks but lots of hits, walks and HRs for a college pitcher transitioning to pro ball.  Maybe they see something there.  

More thoughts about today and an overall summary of the draft later today.