2012 Draft Batter’s Box Day 2 Player Board

Tuesday, June 05 2012 @ 08:58 AM EDT

Contributed by: Gerry

Sam and Kelekin did a great job yesterday with their draft board. They didn't get everyone they wanted but getting two of their "wants" in a competitive draft is pretty good. They are back with their day 2 wish list. Drafting for day 2 starts at noon today. Sam and Kelekin will add capsules of some of the drafted players in the comments section as the day progresses.

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Rounds two to fifteen of the 2012 MLB Draft will take place on June 5, 2012. After what was a solid first day of drafting the Jays will look to day two of the draft to continue to add high upside talent. In past drafts, teams drafting early on day two would have likely contacted prospects to re-evaluate bonus demands, and in most cases there would have been an early rush on those prospects that had fallen due to signability. Some teams seem to have set themselves up to perhaps take a run at some of the prospects with bonus demands, but it appears as though most have blown their bonus allotments on their first pick(s). I don’t know if I have a great handle on where the Jays sit at the moment. I think all their picks so far are signable, yet I don’t know if there are any major bargains of the lot. Davis might get done below slot and maybe Stroman, but Smoral will want some money and both Nay and Gonzales will want to be paid to forgo college commitments to Arizona State and Texas respectively. In sum, I don’t think you’ll see the Jays going after any of the guys that are considered tough signs.

Area scouts in the new CBA world will have a lot more to do here with the overall success of drafts. Getting a handle on whether kids want to play pro ball and the relationships cultivated between the families and the organization will be much more important with the new rules. In the coming rounds you’ll really see the area scouts earn their money.

Kelekin and I have listed some names here that might be of some interest to the Jays. The names we feel are the combination of signability, projectability, and high-end tool prospects.

Some links:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft-preview/?srch=byNatRank&top=500&submit=Search#

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/5/25/3042924/2012-mlb-draft-players-with-signability-questions

http://mlb.mlb.com//news/article.jsp?ymd=20120605&content_id=32777766&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

Jake Barrett RHP Arizona State

Many in these parts will remember this name. Barrett was drafted by the Jays back in 2009 in the third round and was one of a number of high draft picks not signed by the Jays that year. Barrett re-enters the draft this year with many of the same questions that plagued him coming out of high school, namely will he be able to start long-term. When I checked in on Barrett last year he was starting and struggling with his command. Kelekin informs me he has since switched back to relieving and has since found his control and dominated. The velocity from high school is still reported to be there with a fastball that sits mid-90s with some good sink and he has developed a nice looking slider to put together a pretty darn good junior season at Arizona State as the teams closer. The delivery needs some real work but he’s got some good stuff and may be another “Blue Jays special.” For those wondering, that’s what Tony LaCava is calling relievers being drafted by the Jays and converted to starters. My understanding is that Barrett would have to have signed a form allowing the Jays to re-draft him. I presume this is merely a formality, but who knows.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx9nVpbItdQ

http://www.twinsdaily.com/entry.php?1012-Profiles-of-the-Top-22-Pitchers-for-the-2012-MLB-Draft-Jake-Barrett

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/#list=draft

Chris Beck RHP Georgia Southern

Beck’s name was in discussion for the first round early on in the draft cycle. He had a big Cape season, but has since faltered this spring possessing perhaps the most “lead” of all draft prospects this year. Beck has a solid pitchers frame, a solid repertoire and delivery yet has been extremely hittable this draft season. There’s still some projection there and a lot to like. Pro instruction may do him well. Pitchers that can hit 95mph consistently on the radar gun will dry up fast in this year’s draft so do expect Beck to go soon on day two.

http://baseballprospectnation.com/2012/04/04/scouting-report-chris-beck-rhp/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJV6uOyIJ10

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/#list=draft

Carson Kelly 3B/RHP HS Oregon

A good looking 3B prospect and pitching prospect. Wonder if the Jays go after him considering the selection of Nay.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/#list=draft

Hunter Virant LHP HS California

Adam Brett Walker 1B/OF Jacksonville

Duane Underwood RHP HS Georgia

Chase DeJong RHP HS California

Tom Murphy C Buffalo

Kyle Twomey LHP HS California