Round 2 and Competitive Balance picks - More college pitchers

 The Indians used their 2nd round and competitive balance picks on more college pitchers.   Let's take a look:

58 - Doug Nikhazy - LHP - Ole Miss - 6'0" - college junior - More scouting reports later but he was ranked 56th by MLB and he went 58th.  That seems like a good value even though he is a little short for a ML pitcher meaning it would be difficult for him to pitch downhill.  He appears to be a spike curveball pitcher with a slightly below average fastball.  As is typical of the Indians, Nikhazy is a high-floor guy and a starting pitcher with a 4-pitch mix.  The only downside on him is that he is a late riser, starting as low as the 150th best prospect back in January and moving up significantly as the year progressed.

69 - Tommy Mace - RHP - U. of Florida - 6'6" - college junior.   Mace was #45 on MLB's prospect list making him a good value here, on paper.   It is quite possible that we will see a little of Gavin William's money going to Mace to get him to sign as an overslot for this pick  Mace moved up from #69 earlier in the year on MLB's prospect list meaning that he is not THAT much of a value but, as a 4-pitch pitcher he looks like a starter.  He has average fastball velocity and relies on his cutter.

So, through the first 3 picks the Indians went for college pitchers, none of whom appear to be a reach and one of whom, Mace, looks like a value.  Given that Nikhazy is a high floor guy, it looks to me like Williams was a fallback plan with the original target being McGreevy.   Possibly Nikhazy doesn't get drafted by the Indians if they get McGreevy.  Who knows.   But we start with 3 college pitchers.

Likely the next pick will be a college position player, hopefully an outfielder.  Stay tu although both Ethan Wilson and Jud Fabian went early in the second round, as expected.   Stay tuned.