Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Rounds 11-15

The never-ending draft continues (and all rounds now are capped at $100,000 bonus, with any excess being added to the top ten money pool)...

In round eleven, the team selected SS Christopher Diaz, 21, from NC State. The junior is considered a pretty solid glove guy, and hit .356 with gap power (25 doubles). Diaz isn't tremendously fast or rangy, so he may end up as a utility infielder. He was ranked as the #430 prospect by Baseball America.

In the twelfth round, the Pirates took LHP Dalton Friend, 21, from Jefferson CC, Missouri. The 6'3" 230 lb sophomore was a starter, but profiles more as a reliever in the pros. Friend struck out 68 in 46 IP, and has a fastball-curve combo. He was Baseball America's #328 prospect.

In the thirteenth go-around, the Bucs went for another skyscraper, as is their wont. They chose LHP Tom Harlan from Fresno State. He's a 6' 6", 215 lb senior. Harlan tosses a 90 MPH heater with movement and has a curve, but isn't a big whiff guy with 86 K in 106-2/3 frames. The lefty is a 22 year old senior.

Prep RHP Walker Buehler, 17, of Kentucky's Clay HS was the next pick. Buehler is 6'1, 160 lb, and already throws 90 and touches 94, making him very projectionable, as scouts like to say. He's pretty highly thought of, with a commitment to Vandy and being ranked #50  by Baseball America. If the Bucs sign him, it will be late, after they're sure they have some play money left in their top ten pool to pay for the overdraft.

Pittsburgh ended a long day by selecting CF Jonathan Youngblood, 18, from Meridian CC in Mississippi. A freshman burner, he scored 41 runs and stole 29 sacks though lacking in power. He was drafted last year out of high school by the Braves. 

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