Competitive Balance Round: Florida Prep Pitcher Gunnar Hoglund

With the 36th pick, the Bucs chose RHP Gunnar Hoglund from Florida's Fivay HS (actually, he attended Dayspring Academy, which didn't have a team). The Gunner went 7-0/0.27 with 105 K and just two walks, both in his last game, in 47-1/3 IP.  Hoglund has a fastball that's high eighties, low nineties (he's touched 96) that he spots well with a work-in-progress change and curve. His arm should be in good shape; his high school held their starters to an 80-pitch limit. And at 6'4", 210 lbs, he fits the Bucco pitcher mold.

Concerns: He's a two-way guy who also plays first base (he played the hot corner last year) and hit .385 w/four homers and 20 RBI, and we don't have to look further than Allie Stetson to know the pitfalls that may entail. Also, Ol' Miss got a commitment from him and is willing to let him play & pitch, so that may factor in the signing decision. The Florida product may have been a bit of a stretch at this spot; he was generally considered a back-end Top 100 prospect by scouting services, although several teams had him higher (like the Pirates) and he was expected to go sometime in the 2nd round.

Gunnar Hoglund (photo source Bandito Baseball Club)

Perfect Game Scouting Report: "He’s a big kid with physicality and projection, and his delivery/overall mechanical profile are clean and have obviously shown that he has elite strike-throwing ability. The fastball, which was more in the 87-92 mph range last summer, has taken a step forward in velocity this spring and now sits more 90-94 mph with obviously tremendous command, which is more a result of just how clean his mechanics are. He throws a curveball and changeup, both of which are in the average range right now, but are plenty good enough at this juncture. It’s within reason to project him to have a plus fastball in time given the mechanical profile, arm speed, and physical projection. He’s one of the more prominent draft stock risers this spring, but I cannot speak to his sign-ability..."

The Bucs got this pick by virtue of being one of the ten smallest/lowest revenue teams in MLB. The player's allotment for the 36th pick is $1,967,900.