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Day 2 of the MLB Draft continues today with rounds 3-10 at Cotown Coliseum in Fort Worth at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Draft coverage continues on MLB Network and MLB.com. You can follow the draft right here.

The Blue Jays first pick of the day will come in the third round with the 95th overall selection. Their fourth-round selection is at 125 and they get a competitve ballance pick at 156 due to Matt Chapman signing as a free agent with San Francisco.


Image from Naples Daily News

Round 3 - 95th overall. LHP Johnny King, Naples HS (FL). Bats Left, Throws Left. 6-foot-3, 210 pounds. Born Jully 26, 2006. Slot Value $767,200.

MLB.com Scouting Report - As baseball has raced into the analytics era, one thing that makes a team's Draft model very happy is a young Draft-eligible player. When that player is a left-handed pitcher with potential plus stuff, that's even better. King, who was generating a lot of buzz as the spring progressed in Naples, Florida, ticks off a lot of those boxes as a southpaw with electric offerings who will still be just 17 years old when the Draft rolls around. King is tall and athletic with an NFL quarterback kind of build. The 6-foot-4 southpaw could eventually have three plus pitches in his arsenal. He already can miss bats with a lively fastball that sits in the low 90s and will touch 94-95 mph regularly, and it's easy to envision him throwing harder given his frame and already upward trajectory. He combines it with what is often a nasty high-spin power curve thrown typically in the upper 70s that can be a true out pitch. He will use a harder slurve to finish off left-handed hitters, and while his changeup is developing, he shows feel for it and throws it with excellent arm speed. A terrific athlete who is the best hitter on his team and could be a position player prospect if he focused on that, King does have a lot of energy and effort in his delivery, and not all scouts like his arm action. That can impact his command, though many scouts think the Miami recruit will be able to find a repeatable delivery and throw enough strikes at the next level, with a ceiling as a mid-rotation starter. Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45 Video

Twitter Reaction

Ben Nicholson-Smith @bnicholsonsmith Wow, the Rays just picked the Blue Jays' pocket, taking Nathan Flewelling – an 18-year-old catcher from Red Deer Alberta, 94th overall. Blue Jays were up next at 95th overall and had scouted Flewelling extensively...Blue Jays then take HS LHP Johnny King. Slot value of pick: $767.2K. One scout likes the King pick for the Blue Jays but still – that may have been a near-miss on Flewelling.

Tyler Kotila @tyler_kotila Johnny King's FB works into the low-90s w/ a tough angle and things to like about it. Put up unreal HS numbers and the breaker has continued to come a long way as well. Just tremendous upside from the southpaw here...Toronto gets an absolute steal in Johnny King at 95th w/ their 3rd round pick. Has taken serious strides on the mound over the last year & is going to be special. Jays continue to reach into the FL prep arm scene -- a trend lately. #PGDraft x #MLBDraft // #TOTHECORE

Alex “Juicy” Jensen @jensen_juicy Johnny King is a Blue Jays pick if I've ever seen one. Nobody loves Florida prep arm like the Jays

Taylor Blake Ward @TaylorBlakeWardBlue Jays 3-95: Johnny King, LHP, Naples HS (FL) -- young/model-friendly toolsy projection prep, lively low 90s FB and high-spin hammer CV could project abv/plus w/ usable SL and some feel for CH, needs to harness it all but dreaming on solid rotation upside (Miami commit)


Image from Bucknell Bison

Round 4 - 125th overall. 3B Sean Keys, Bucknell. Bats Left, Throws Right. 6-foot-2, 225 pounds. Born May 26, 2003. Slot Value $572,200.

MLB Scouting Report - Bucknell University in Pennsylvania has had just one player get drafted and reach the big leagues -- right-hander Eric Junge, a 1999 draftee -- and has had just two players get taken in the top 10 rounds in school history. Keys put himself on the map with a solid sophomore season for the Bison in 2023, followed by posting a 1.254 OPS in the Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League and slashing .385/.422/.769 in 10 Cape Cod League games last summer. He followed it up with a huge junior year, finishing with a .405/.535/.798 line to go along with 13 homers en route to winning Patriot League Player of the Year honors. Big and barrel-chested, Keys is a left-handed hitter who likely will be an analytics darling. He's improved his approach, walking more than he struck out in 2024, and makes consistent hard contact. He rarely swings-and-misses or chases and showed the ability to handle all kinds of stuff, particularly punishing fastballs. He's hit 26 homers the last two years combined at Bucknell, and while some scouts aren't sure the power will play at the next level, his pop with a wood bat in the summer leagues does provide a little more confidence. There's less surety about where Keys will play defensively at the next level. He's been a third baseman throughout his college career, but he's not athletic or agile enough to stick at the hot corner, and he made 11 errors there in 2024. A move to first is the most likely outcome, and there will undoubtedly be teams on Day 2 willing to roll the dice that his left-handed bat will play professionally. Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 35 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40 Video

Twitter Reaction

Bucknell Baseball @Bucknell_BB 𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗗! Sean Keys goes to the @BlueJays in the 4th round (125th overall) of the @MLBDraft. He's our highest draft pick by round in team history and second-highest by overall selection. So proud of everything Sean has done to make this day possible. #rayBucknell

D1Baseball @d1baseball A brief, but excellent summer in the @OfficialCCBL (.385/.422/.769, four home runs in 45 plate appearances) set the stage for Sean Keys to be selected in the fourth round by the @BlueJays

! Taylor Blake Ward @TaylorBlakeWard Blue Jays 4-125: Sean Keys, 3B, Bucknell -- physical/mashing LHH corner, big/physical cuts w/ plus raw, fantastic wood bat track record, solid approach w/ dev focus on more quality contact, strong arm but bulky phys/blw-avg actions likely move to 1B/LF

Ben Nicholson-Smith @bnicholsonsmith In the 4th round Blue Jays took Sean Keys, a left-handed third baseman from Bucknell University. Keys hit .405/.535/.798 with 13 HR this year with more walks than strikeouts. (not seen as the splashiest pick, but possible Jays are trying to balance books to sign Trey Yesavage)

Brian Recca @brian_recca This feels like a lifetime ago but here's some Sean Keys footage from March. Such a polished hitter with fantastic batted ball data. Has hit everywhere he's played. Was #206 on the @ProspectsLive draft board. Great pick for the Blue Jays.

Jeffmlbdraft @jeffMLBdraft Sean Keys was one of the best guys left on my board, he did everything well. Super smart, great cape, power, contact, low chase. Only issue was position and small school


Image from Indiana Daily Student

Round 4 (Free Agent Compensatino)- 136th overall. OF Nick Mitchell, Indiana. Bats Left, Throws Right. 5-foot-10, 185 pounds. Born September 3, 2003. Slot Value $515,100.

MLB.com Scouting Report - After playing his first two college seasons at Western Illinois, Mitchell transferred to Indiana and batted .335/.458/.512 despite missing the first six games of the season with a broken hand. He'll flash plus-plus speed but isn't a prolific basestealer and has spent more time in college in right field than center. He's a smaller-framed guy with a quick left-handed swing and an understanding that his primarily role is to get on base. He has performed well with wood bats, earning all-star honors in the summer Northwoods and Cape Cod leagues.

Twitter Reaction

Tyler Kotila @tyler_kotila Old look at Nick Mitchell, who was a #Hoosiers xfer, where he settled in nicely & finds himself joining Toronto as a 4th rounder. Finds ways to do damage & while staying true to his approach. Does things the right way on both sides of the ball #PGDraft x #MLBDraft // #TOTHECORE


Image from Kansas State Athletics

Round 5 - 158th overall. RHP Jackson Wentworth, Kansas State. Bats Right, Throws Right. 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, Weight. Born August 8, 2002. Slot Value $414,600.

MLB.com Scouting Report - Part of a 2021 bumper crop of Iowa high school pitchers that also included likely 2024 first-rounder Brody Brecht, Wentworth went undrafted and headed to college as Kansas State's top recruit. He missed his first college season following Tommy John surgery and struggled to an 8.72 ERA when he returned last spring. He has pitched his way into the top five rounds after opening the season in the bullpen and joining the rotation in late April. Wentworth's fastball is fairly ordinary, sitting at 92-94 mph and peaking at 96 without much life, but his slider and changeup have posted swing-and-miss rates better than 50 percent this year. His low-spin slider parks in the mid-80s and features tremendous depth, while opponents have batted just .074 against his fading mid-80s changeup. His upper-80s cutter gets a lot of chases and shows signs of becoming a solid offering. Wentworth has some shoulder tilt in his delivery and throws with some effort, but he repeats his mechanics well and creates some deception while providing regular strikes. He has a sturdy 6-foot-1 frame and a chance to make it as a starter in pro ball if he can add some velocity or movement to his fastball. He may be better suited as a reliever who can work heavily off his slider and changeup. Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Cutter: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40 Video

Twitter Reaction

Thomas Hall @Hall_Thomas_Jackson Wentworth's secondary weapons (CB, SL & CH) look pretty nasty, ngl. Seems like a decent arm, whether it's as a SP or RP. #BlueJays

Joe Doyle @JoeDoyleMiLB Kansas State RHP Jackson Wentworth probably goes early on day two of the Draft. 87 IP, 115 K. 27 BB. 5 pitches, up to 96, secondaries are the headline. CB is sharp w/tilt. SL is firm w/dynamic shape. CH has made solid strides. Also throws a cutter.

Taylor Blake Ward @TaylorBlakeWard Blue Jays 5-158: Jackson Wentworth, RHP, Kansas St -- bat missing swing arm, low/mid 90s FB, SL/CV combo pair well w/ pwr CUT as counter horz/vert movement breakers, CH flashes abv, solid control w/ full arsenal to start in dev w/ multi-weapon relief fallback


Image from UC Santa Barbara Gauchos

Round 6 - 187th overall. C Aaron Parker, UC Santa Barbara. Bats Right, Throws Right. 5-foot-9, 200 pounds. Born January 17, 2003. Slot Value $323,400.

Twitter Reaction

Taylor Blake Ward @TaylorBlakeWard Blue Jays 6-187: Aaron Parker, C, UC Santa Barbara -- honey badger RHH thumper behind plate, size (5'9/210) sneaks up on you w/ impressive bat spd & pwr production, frequent/hard contact give offensive upside, if stature doesn't limit he has solid future as C/2B bench projection


Image from UNLV Rebels

Round 7- 217th overall. RHP Austin Cates, UNLV. Bats, Throws. 6-foot-1, 200 pounds. Born May 20, 2003. Slot Value $253,300.

MLB.com Scouting Report - A two-way standout for two years at the College of Southern Nevada, Cates moved on to Nevada-Las Vegas and focused on pitching only, settling in as UNLV’s Friday night starter and earning an All-Mountain West First Team nod. Cates is an extreme strike-thrower, walking just 1.5 per nine in 2024, with largely average stuff across the board. He has a fastball that typically sits 90-93 mph, a short 81-84 mph slider and a splitter in the low 80s that he uses to finish off hitters.

Twitter Reaction

Taylor Blake Ward @TaylorBlakeWard Blue Jays 7-217: Austin Cates, RHP, UNLV -- control specialist starter, lively upper 8s/low 9s FB, CH w/ SP actions is real abv-avg weapon, show me/change of straight line breaker in bag, arsenal needs more pwr to see backend rotation upside


Image from Tech Sideline

Round 8 - 247th overall. C/INF/OF Eddie Micheletti Jr, Virginia Tech. Bats Left, Throws Right. 6-foot-1, 220 pounds. Height, Weight. Born October 16, 2005. Slot Value $208,700.

Twitter Reaction

Taylor Blake Ward @TaylorBlakeWard Blue Jays 8-247: Eddie Micheletti Jr, OF, Virginia Tech -- priority senior sign LHH 1B/OF, solid bat-to-ball skills w/ fringy pwr, patient approach/draws walks, 4 yr wood bat track record adds bat value, could add value if he proves he can play LF/RF over 1B


Image from CBS Sports

Round 9 - 277th overall. RHP Colby Holcombe, Mississippi State. Bats Right, Throws Right. 6-foot-6, 250 pounds. Born December 12, 2002. Slot Value $189,100.

Twitter Reaction

Taylor Blake Ward @TaylorBlakeWard Blue Jays 9-277: Colby Holcombe, RHP, Miss St -- mass framed FB reliant reliever, super lively mid 90s FB, tight SL w/ some feel, blw-avg control while dreaming on phys and pwr gains to see pwr relief upside

Robbie Faulk @robbiefaulkOn3 Colby Holcombe won't be transferring after all. He was just taken in the 9th round by the Blue Jays. Joining Khal Stephen.


Image from American Athletic Conference

Round 10 - 307th overall. OF Carter Cunningham, East Carolina. Bats Left, Throws Right. 6-foot-4, 211 pounds. Born November 6, 2000. Slot Value $180,000.

Twitter Reaction

State of the Pirates @makedowdyrowdy UPDATE!! So far: Trey Yesavage: Blue Jays (1st round) JJC: Marlins (8th round) Ryan McCrystal: Reds (9th round) Carter Cunningham: Bluejays (10th round). Almost 1/2 of the starting lineup has been drafted in the top 10 rounds, that’s insane.

2024 MLB Draft - Day 2 | 67 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
John Northey - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 01:22 PM EDT (#449443) #
So what's the best ever for each of these picks?
  • #95: Amos Otis (42.8 bWAR), 2 others over 10 WAR. 32% reached the majors
  • #125: Garret Anderson (25.7), 1 other over 5 WAR. 23% reached
  • #136: Ángel Pagán (18), 1 other over 5 WAR, 32% reached
  • #158: Rheal Cormier (9.5), Davey Lopes was drafted but DNS. 25% reached
  • #187: Erik Bedard (17.4), 2 others in the 5-9 range, 22% reached
  • #217: A.J. Burnett (28.8), 3 others in the 2-9 range (inc Charlie Lea who old Expos fans will remember), 20% reached
  • #247: Jeff Reboulet (10.0), 1 other above 1 WAR, 17% reached
  • #277: Luke Scott (11.8), only one over 2 WAR. 12% reached
  • #307: Josh Outman (2.7) only guy over 0.1 WAR. 13% reached.
Remember, each pick had 58+ people drafted. Total of 10 who cracked 10 bWAR. So very low odds of getting anything today of real value, but it could happen. After all Albert Pujols was a 13th round pick, 402nd overall. Or more extreme, Mike Piazza 1390th overall (62nd round). You can win the lottery on day 2 or 3, but odds are low. Odds are 2 of the guys picked by the Jays today will reach the majors, and neither will have a significant impact. But there is always that chance they'll find a Pujols or an Otis. Or for a Jays reference a Jesse Barfield (233rd overall, 9th round 1977) or a Dave Stieb (106th overall, 5th round 1978 drafted as an OF - shows the value of good scouting).
Kelekin - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 01:31 PM EDT (#449448) #
Porting over my list of potentially exciting names to look out for on Day 2.

Catcher
Kevin Bazzell (21) - great freshman year, dealt with mono this year
Cole Messina (21) - decent pop, good makeup
Anderson French (18) - good power
Ryan Campos (21) - super underrated due to his size
Nathan Flewelling (17) - Canadian kid, good power potential

Infielders
Jared Jones (20) - huge power bat, can't play D
Corey Collins (22) - insane senior year, but age + inconsistent results working against him
Jeremiah Jenkins (21) - tons of power, consistent, lefty
Ty Southisene (19) - would be rated higher if not for his size
Jay Abernathy (18) - all the makings of a good leadoff hitter
Brendan Lawson (18) - another Canadian kid

Outfielders
Mike Sirota (21) - power, speed, dropped due to less good jr year
Garrett Shull (19) - good all-rounder
Noah Franco (18) - Interesting two-way player
Terrence Kiel II (18) - Fast switch-hitter, leadoff potential
Austin Overn (21) - lightning fast, needs to improve offensively
D'Marion Terrell (18) - huge raw power
Sawyer Strosnider (19) - good power/speed combo

LHP
Ryan Prager (21)
Josh Hartle (21)
Mason Russell (18)
William Kirk (18)
Johnny King (17)
Jakob Wright (21)
Brandon Clarke (21)
Talan Bell (19)

RHP
Joey Oakie (17)
Dax Whitney (18)
Carson Wiggins (19)
Chase Mobley (18)
Tyson Neighbors (21)
Daniel Eagen (21)
Connor Gatwood (18)
LP Langevin (21)
Nate Dohm (21)
Dane Moehler (18)
Sam Stuhr (21)
Luke Sinnard (21)

Mike Green - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 01:40 PM EDT (#449450) #
Or Kevin Pillar or Orlando Hudson.

Of the Blue Jays top 12 players according to the BR franchise pictures, three were 1st rounders (Halladay, Wells and Moseby), seven were 3rd round or later and two were IFAs.
Kelekin - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 02:21 PM EDT (#449459) #
Wow, Flewelling taken way early by TB (#94).
Kelekin - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 02:23 PM EDT (#449460) #
Jays take 17-year-old LHP Johnny King (he's on my list above).
Ducey - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 02:23 PM EDT (#449461) #
Johnny King. Sounds a lot like a Ricky T clone. Good stuff. Hopefully they can sign him.
metafour - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 02:24 PM EDT (#449462) #
17 year old HS LHP is the Jays' 3rd round pick.

The FO is obviously feeling pressure to draft safe/close to the majors players.
Kelekin - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 02:25 PM EDT (#449463) #
Baltimore with Bradfield, Honeycutt, and Overn. If even one of them pan out, that's great for them.
bpoz - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 02:33 PM EDT (#449464) #
I will not worry about signability.

So far 3 pitchers picked.
Kelekin - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 02:35 PM EDT (#449465) #
Damn. Campos was my catcher 'steal' of the draft. 4 of the 5 catchers on my list are already gone.
ISLAND BOY - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 02:37 PM EDT (#449466) #
" The front office is obviously feeling pressure to draft safe/close to the majors players."

I always thought HS players were the complete opposite. They can be harder to sign, take years of development, and can blow out their arms or just never be as successful against tougher competition in the minors.
Glevin - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 02:38 PM EDT (#449467) #
If you have 1,000 pitchers, they can't all need TJ surgery, can they? Jays badly needy need pitching prospects I guess. Are rounds 2 and 3 both under slot?
Kelekin - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 02:40 PM EDT (#449469) #
I think he was being facetious there Island Boy.
Kelekin - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 02:50 PM EDT (#449471) #
4th rounder - Sean Keys, 3B. Definitely a "hit tool" pick; maybe more along the lines of Roden but possibly more power potential.
uglyone - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 02:55 PM EDT (#449472) #
Alwyas love getting the youngest player in a draft, in any sport. Especially when he has excellent athleticism. Good stuff.

Hopefully he can add a few mph because the package would be pretty impressive at that point:


"King’s development and success have led to an increase in professional attention. Scouts believe King is the top pitcher in the Florida high school ranks. They also project him as a potential first-round pick in July’s MLB draft.

King doesn’t turn 18 until after the draft, making him one of the youngest players in this year’s class.

“The draft doesn’t really affect me as much as it did at East Coast Pro and Team USA,” King said. “Last summer was my first time seeing them, and it was kind of intimidating. Now, it’s just not a problem at all. I don’t get nervous.”

King is a 6-foot-4, 205-pound left-handed pitcher who throws a fastball, curveball and changeup from a three-quarters arm slot and athletic delivery.

King relies heavily on his fastball and curveball combination. His fastball is a solid offering in the low 90s with sinking action. His curveball is his best offering and serves as his go-to strikeout pitch. He can land his curveball for strikes and generate swings and misses out of the strike zone.

Over the last year, King has made strides with his changeup. He has gained more feel and confidence in the pitch, which shows the potential to be a quality swing-and-miss pitch in the future.

“The biggest strength in my game is my ability to have every pitch be competitive,” King said.

Scouts rave about King’s overall potential, especially since he is still 17 years old and has room to fill out. King figures to continue to increase his velocity as he matures physically while also honing in on his overall control and command of his pitches."



ISLAND BOY - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 02:58 PM EDT (#449473) #
Thanks, Kelekin. I missed the sarcasm font on his comment. Lol.
ISLAND BOY - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 02:58 PM EDT (#449474) #
Thanks, Kelekin. I missed the sarcasm font on his comment. Lol.
Ducey - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 03:03 PM EDT (#449475) #
Keys might have a Horwitz comp.
Glevin - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 03:04 PM EDT (#449476) #
Keys is interesting because his batting data is apparently fantastic but comes from playing against lesser talent although he apparently looked really good with a wood bat as well.
Ducey - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 03:17 PM EDT (#449477) #
Nick Mitchell.

Another short levered hitter who controls the strike zone. More walks than K's, but little power. I guess he is speedy.

I like the first 4 picks, but this one doesnt seem too interesting. I dont see the upside. Maybe they save some money here.
uglyone - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 03:20 PM EDT (#449478) #
i don't know if we were picking him or not but i'm glad we have King instead of Flewelling.
85bluejay - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 03:23 PM EDT (#449479) #
I'm hearing that the Jays are booking Johnny King's TJ surgery for June 17th 2027.
Kelekin - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 03:23 PM EDT (#449480) #
Wentworth is an interesting pick. Two potential plus pitches. Needs to improve his FB though to be a starter.

Jared Jones still available. He's basically a DH but the bat is so tantalizing that I am surprised no one has gone for it yet.
uglyone - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 03:31 PM EDT (#449481) #
Trying to calculate Keys' Cape Cod league wooden bat stats:

12gms, 56pa, 8.9bb%, 19.6k%, .333avg, .393obp, .601slg, .268iso, .994ops

I think.



Kelekin - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 03:44 PM EDT (#449482) #
Uglyone, I'd check out thebaseballcube for Cape Cod stats.

https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/240866/
Ducey - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 03:47 PM EDT (#449483) #
Aaron Parker. 5'9" 208lb C.

Looks like he can rake. 351/437/592 over 3 seasons (so not a one yr wonder). 379/460/632 last year with UC Santa Barbara
Kelekin - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 03:50 PM EDT (#449484) #
More on Parker - type 1 diabetic, good power, good arm. May have more speed than he showed due to suffering a knee injury in the season opener, was a running back in high school.
Ducey - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 03:55 PM EDT (#449485) #
I like Parker a lot better than the C picked right after him, who was ranked higher but lacks bat speed or the ability to stay behind the plate.

Of course I know nothing about Parker's D. But here is blob from the team website:

".379/.460/.632 with 12 doubles, 12 home runs and a team-high 51 RBIs … Maintained a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage behind the plate, catching 12 of 26 would-be base stealers on the season … Ranked among the top five Big West hitters in batting average, slugging, OPS, RBI, home runs and runners caught stealing"
uglyone - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 03:55 PM EDT (#449486) #
thanks Kelekin. looks like baseballcube didn't include the 2 playoffs games for Keys in the cape cod league though.
uglyone - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 03:57 PM EDT (#449487) #

Love "but short!" picks. Especially for a C. Amazing how many will pass on a guy just cuz he's short.
uglyone - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 04:00 PM EDT (#449488) #
I'm liking today's picks for the most part tbh. I can squint and see real upside in most all of them.
Kelekin - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 04:09 PM EDT (#449489) #
Undersized players are usually some of my favorites too (why I really liked Slade Caldwell in the 1st round, Carroll a few years ago, etc).

Nick Mitchell is the only pick I'm meh on.

There is only one college junior left on my Day 2 list: 1B Jeremiah Jenkins.
Kelekin - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 04:25 PM EDT (#449492) #
Some random site has Austin Cates as their #66 pick, and has this to say:

"Although his name is not even listed in MLB’s top 250 draft prospects, Austin Cates comes in on my list at #66 overall due to an absolutely disgusting splitfinger that helped result in 107 strikeouts in 90 innings this season. Cates started 14 games for the Rebels and averaged 6 1/2 innings per start, showing impressive stamina, getting through 8 innings on multiple occasions and throwing as many as 114 pitches. Cates was never pulled before 5 innings. He has a large frame with a very strong lower half and although his fastball isn’t completely overpowering, it still clocks in in the low 90’s and sets up the splitter extremely well. He could add some more velocity in the minors, but Cates value might be in staying healthy and eating innings somewhere in the rotation. He may not dominate every time out, but he rarely gets lit up and keeps his team in the game pretty much every time out."

Also fun fact - noticed his teammate at UNLV is Alex Overbay (Lyle's kid).
Mike Green - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 04:25 PM EDT (#449493) #
I've seen enough. I like this draft, and anything from here on out is gravy. I think that they are going to do far better than average from this collection of talent. Kudos.
John Northey - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 04:33 PM EDT (#449494) #
So today's picks so far...

  • King: 95th overall, ranked 124, link to perfect game profile
  • Keys: 125th overall, ranked 211, in 2023 led in Slg, OPS, ISO, top 10 in avg, obp, hbp, HR, RBI, 2B, H
  • Mitchell: 136th overall, unranked, led his summer league in SB in 2022, top 10 in summer all over the place in 2023 (avg, obp, slg, 2B, BB, etc.)
  • Wentworth: 158th overall, ranked 164
  • Parker: 187th overall, unranked
  • Cates: taken #217, unranked, nothing jumps out at me on the stat line (no leaderboards), but did hit 10K/9 this year for the first time. Could be a surprise guy who just started to figure it out at 21.
Still 11 of the top 100 ranked on the board. Highest is #16 William Schmidt who others mentioned said he won't sign. Then #56 Dax Whitney (RHP HS), #76 Garrett Shull (HS OF). Of the top picks not drafted the vast majority are HS (highest college undrafted is #116 Jalin Flores (SS). Doubt the Jays will draft any significant players at this point today - rounds 1-10 are critical to how much you have to spend, so I expect the rest of the picks to be unranked guys who will sign for peanuts. Could still be good - Kendall Graveman will always be the prime example of that ($5k bonus, was a decent starter for a bit, then a solid reliever).
John Northey - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 04:35 PM EDT (#449495) #
Kelekin - sounds like Cates is the opposite of the Jays usual - a pitcher who can stay healthy (!) Gasp! Shock! What a concept.
Glevin - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 04:46 PM EDT (#449496) #
Draft seems pretty good especially in a weak year. Don't love all the picks and way more pitching heavy early than I like but Jays needed an infusion of some talent and needed pitchers and got it and got a lot of different kinds of talent.
Mike Green - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 04:56 PM EDT (#449497) #
Eddie Micheletti dob is 29.12.2001. A Chip Cannon type, it seems.
Kelekin - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 04:59 PM EDT (#449498) #
Micheletti is definitely a "senior sign". But he's really not a bad one.
Mike Green - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 05:11 PM EDT (#449499) #
I agree with that. The odds are against him, but youneverknow.

Betting on a player who controls the strike zone and has some pop, works for me.
Kelekin - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 05:19 PM EDT (#449500) #
Colby Holcombe - another upside pitcher. Tall and strong power pitcher, control issues and a bit of a project.
metafour - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 05:21 PM EDT (#449501) #
Holcombe is interesting - he is massive and has hit ~99 in the past. He was a higher ranked prospect out of JUCO and was terribad for Miss State after transferring there. Could be a guy who figures it out as an MLB reliever.
Kelekin - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 05:50 PM EDT (#449502) #
Two very clear senior signs. Guessing overslot for both Yesavage and King (King possibly looking at a Maroudis like bonus).
Ducey - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 06:05 PM EDT (#449503) #
Cunningham is 23, so pretty elderly.

But 6'4" OF how hit 367/464/653 and wait for it... controls the strike zone (38 BB v 38 K's in 63 games). Also 17 HR. Looks like corner OF. Hit well with wood last summer 372/481/535.

Overall, a Tiedeman, Horwitz, 3 relief pitchers, a Kirk, a couple of sluggers and maybe a KK (Mitchell).

I really like the look of King, Keys, and Parker, with Holcombe and Cunningham having some potential despite where taken.
bpoz - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 06:11 PM EDT (#449504) #
I agree possible overslot for Yesavage and definitely King. I would like to see some money saved for day 3.

I liked the Nick Mitchell & Aaron Parker picks as money savers. Mitchell maybe becoming a K Pillar and Parker becoming a good defensive C.
scottt - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 06:16 PM EDT (#449505) #
Colby Holcombe and Khal Stephen played together at Mississippi State.
Trey Yesavage and Carter Cunningham played together at East Carolina.

That's very unusual.
Ducey - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 06:34 PM EDT (#449506) #
"Mitchell maybe becoming a K Pillar"

Good call. Pillar with maybe a little less power but much less swing and miss would be a useful player.
John Northey - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 07:17 PM EDT (#449509) #
Quick links to stats for the picks so far...
  • Trey Yesavage: taken 20th, ranked #11. In 2022 led in K's, in 2023 top 10 in IP, K, ERA, K/9, etc. 2024 13.98 K/9, 93 IP.
  • Khal Stephen: taken 59th, ranked #88 - in 2023 top 10 in W, GS, IP, but a 5.21 ERA.  This year 96 IP 3.28 ERA (switched schools) K/9 went from 7.82 to 10.03.
  • King: 95th overall, ranked 124, link to perfect game profile
  • Keys: 125th overall, ranked 211, in 2023 led in Slg, OPS, ISO, top 10 in avg, obp, hbp, HR, RBI, 2B, H
  • Mitchell: 136th overall, unranked, led his summer league in SB in 2022, top 10 in summer all over the place in 2023 (avg, obp, slg, 2B, BB, etc.)
  • Wentworth: 158th overall, ranked 164
  • Parker: 187th overall, unranked
  • Cates: taken #217, unranked,
  • Eddie Micheletti Jr: taken #247 unranked, has hit 325/431/513 in college lifetime.
  • Colby Holcombe: taken #277 unranked, lifetime in NCAA-1 8.43 BB/9 vs 12.02 K/9 - yikes.
  • Carter Cunningham: taken #307 unranked, a nice 367/464/653 line in 2024.
So some interesting guys but no John Olerud's there.  The still undrafted top picks are pretty much identical to my earlier post.  Basically guys who won't sign.  I'd draft any that local scouts think might sign as picks 11-20 are very, very unlikely to ever make an impact (Pujols being the super-rare exception).
Glevin - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 07:18 PM EDT (#449510) #
All these guys are crapshoot really but I like the kind of crapshoots generally. Small school guys, undersized guys, guys who can fill out etc...get the guys signed and get that talent in to the system.
Marc Hulet - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 07:27 PM EDT (#449511) #
I see it as a very "meh" draft beyond Yesavage and King - I doubt the draft gets much love from the post-draft analysts like Law, BA and MLB Pipeline. I'll hope for something interesting with the 11th round pick but I'm not holding my breath. Too computer model driven for my liking...
John Northey - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 07:27 PM EDT (#449512) #
Agreed Glevin - always best to go for guys who might have been underrated by others. They tend to sign for less, be more determined, and thus more likely to provide more value for the dollar. Lets hope for some lightning in a bottle.
uglyone - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 08:38 PM EDT (#449513) #
I don't think pillar is a comp for mitchell. Mitchell doesn't have that kind of defensive upside but already has a much better approach than pillar ever had.
Mike Green - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 08:43 PM EDT (#449514) #
Mitchell played mostly right field. 
Mike Green - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 08:49 PM EDT (#449515) #
I don't know, Marc; I see it as a draft with balance between statistic and observation, and without too much reliance on any kind of cant.  The big money picks, Yeasavage and King, are not stat-driven.  And those are the ones most likely to succeed.  I think that one of those will turn out to be good and one for the four or five others will turn out to be useful and then a one a spare part.  That would be an excellent outcome from a weak draft. 
uglyone - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 09:05 PM EDT (#449516) #
I think i have these numbers right tho the isolated powers were a little tricky on some of them. Cape Cod numbers include playoffs games.


* RH T.Savage (20, NCAA-1): 15gms, 6.2ip/gm, 102pc/gm, 40.4k%, 8.9bb%, 2.02era, 2.02ra/9, OPP: .154avg, .240obp, .063iso

* RH K.Stephen (21, NCAA-1): 16gms, 6.0ip/gm, 80pc/gm, 27.9k%, 5.5bb%, 3.28era, 3.47ra/9, OPP: .213avg, .289obp, .138iso
* RH K.Stephen (20, CapeCod): 6gms, 4.4ip/gm, xxpc/gm, 24.1k%, 9.8bb%, 2.73era, 4.10fa/9, OPP: .188avg, .286obp, .176iso

* LH J.King (17, HighSchool): 12gms, 4.0ip/gm, 62pc/gm, 60.6k%, 9.4bb%, 0.73era, 1.51ra/9, OPP: .089avg, .210obp, .026iso

* 1B S.Keys (21, NCAA-1): 213pa, 16.4bb%, 12.2k%, .421babip, .405avg, .393iso
* 1B S.Keys (20, CapeCod): 56pa, 8.9bb%, 19.6k%, .380babip, .333avg, .313iso

* OF N.Mitchell (20, NCAA-1): 260pa, 15.4bb%, 13.9k%, .375babip, .335avg, .177iso
* OF N.Mitchell (19, CapeCod): 150pa, 9.3bb%, 13.3k%, .285babip, .266avg, .125iso

* RH J.Wentworth (21, NCAA-1): 28gms, 3.1ip/gm, 48pc/gm, 31.5k%, 7.4bb%, 4.11era, 4.67ra/9, OPP: .229avg, .323obp, .122iso
* RH J.Wentworth (21, N-West): 7gms, 2.1ip/gm, xxpc/gm, 27.4k%, 9.6bb%, 6.60era, 9.00ra/9, OPP: .288avg, .356obp

* C A.Parker (21, NCAA-1): 224pa, 12.1bb%, 17.0k%, .420babip, .379avg, .253iso
* C A.Parker (20, CapeCod): 49pa, 18.4bb%, 16.3k%, .258babip, .205avg, .026iso

* RH A.Cates (21, NCAA-1): 14gms, 6.5ip/gm, xxpc/gm, 28.0k%, 3.9bb%, 4.08era, 4.09ra/9, OPP: .285avg, .311obp, .196iso

* UT E.Micheletti (22, NCAA-1): 240pa, 20.0bb%, 13.3k%, .309babip, .311avg, .288iso
* UT E.Micheletti (21, CapeCod): 201pa, 12.3bb%, 9.5k%, .285babip, .266avg, .088iso

* RH C.Holcombe (21, NCAA-1): 12gms, 1.8ip/gm, 35pc/gm, 26.9k%, 11.5bb%, 10.38era, 10.38ra/9, OPP: .302avg, .400obp, .302iso

* OF C.Cunningham (23, NCAA-1): 307pa, 12.4bb%, 12.4k%, .373babip, .367avg, .287iso
* OF C.Cunningham (22, C.Ripkin): 60pa, 13.3bb%, 11.7k%, .350babip, .320avg, .140iso



I thought the day started off real well but really tapered off poorly as it went on. Too bad.

uglyone - Monday, July 15 2024 @ 09:17 PM EDT (#449517) #
yeah looking at the numbers a bit more I think Keys is a real standout. The ISO he shows there even with the wooden bat is legit eye popping, and the scouting reports seem to be underrating his power. Combine that with a very nice zone control and that profile looks pretty exciting to me.

I was riding a bit high on King and Keys early in the day, and now on closer look some of the latter picks i liked don't look quite as good. Especially Parker whose power disappeared on the Cape, albeit in a small sample.


Hopefully Yesavage makes me look like a real dummy too. I can dream a bit on him, King, and Keys I think. And the rest have some interesting possibilities with a key improvement here and there - though they'll have to show some things pretty early in pro to get too excited at their generally advanced ages.


John Northey - Tuesday, July 16 2024 @ 03:13 AM EDT (#449518) #
Keys is interesting the more I look the more I like. His scouting report at MLB.com is odd....
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 35 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40 - how do you get a 40 score when only one item is below a 45 - one of the least critical too in running (we can all think of dozens of solid ML'ers who couldn't outrace a snail). His report also says "Big and barrel-chested, Keys is a left-handed hitter who likely will be an analytics darling." also "There’s less surety about where Keys will play defensively at the next level. He’s been a third baseman throughout his college career, but he’s not athletic or agile enough to stick at the hot corner, and he made 11 errors there in 2024. A move to first is the most likely outcome." Of course the Jays have shown a willingness to work with players to keep them from being locked in at 1B (Vlad having time at 3B, even this year, Horwitz at 2B).

Given Keys was a 4th round pick (the cursed round for the Jays) pretty much just reaching the majors will be impressive. Anything beyond that is gravy.
scottt - Tuesday, July 16 2024 @ 07:28 AM EDT (#449519) #
Happy to see Teo win the Derby.
Marc Hulet - Tuesday, July 16 2024 @ 09:38 AM EDT (#449520) #
Keys was not playing in a top conference against the best pitchers. His body is also fully maxed out and he's likely a 1B in pro ball (that the Jays will play at 3B for as long as they can). I'm guessing he was a value pick to save money.

I like the King pick ok but he was a computer model darling because he was 17 at the time of the draft. I believe it was a Law writeup that I read that talked about him being attractive to model-driven clubs.
Ducey - Tuesday, July 16 2024 @ 11:53 AM EDT (#449521) #
Looks like Joe Vogatsky, a relief pitcher, who the Jays drafted in the 14th round last year, but didnt sign, is eligible this year again. His stats are a tad worse than last year.

Maybe they draft him again today. The Jays didnt draft anyone exciting last year that actually signed.

Maybe they can put away their calculators this year and just draft good athletes that they can develop.
uglyone - Tuesday, July 16 2024 @ 12:02 PM EDT (#449522) #
"Keys was not playing in a top conference against the best pitchers."

Does his similar performance in the Cape Cod league not allay that worry a bit for you? Sure it was a fairly small sample (45pa) but he had by far the highest ISO in the cape cod league for anyone who had more than 10ab.

He was also similarly monstrous in the Hamptons League (he split his time between the two leagues) but i have no idea what level of competition that is.
Glevin - Tuesday, July 16 2024 @ 12:13 PM EDT (#449523) #
If Keys were in a big conference with those numbers he'd go high in first round. You aren't getting any fourth rounder without questions and these are the types of risk that I like. I just went back and had a look at 2014 draft. In first/comp round you have about 10 guys with decent careers to stars. In 2-5 have maybe another ten guys with careers. Rounds 6-10, maybe 3-4 guys. After round 10, I see two major leaguers both taken in round 11. Draft failure rate is just enormous.
bpoz - Tuesday, July 16 2024 @ 12:53 PM EDT (#449524) #
Ducey, for me if Kai Peterson, Aaron Munson and Chay Yeager finisher the year on the brink of entering AA for next year then I am happy for round 11-20 2023.

BTW I am not excited by this years draft because there has been too much disappointment from prospects like CJ VanEyk, Tiedemann, Mauradis and Barriera due to injury. I need some successes to rekindle my spirits.
John Northey - Tuesday, July 16 2024 @ 12:54 PM EDT (#449525) #
From what I'm reading the league is just below the Cape Cod League - basically guys who don't make the Cape Cod one go to the Hamptons next.

Keys in 2022 Hamptons: 295/419/476 129 PA
Keys in 2023 Cape Cod: 385/422/769 45 PA - top OPS for anyone with 15+ PA on the team
Keys in 2023 Hamptons: 367/454/800 108 PA
Keys in 2024 Cape Cod: 177/263/177 in 19 PA (ouch)

Very similar stats in the two leagues the same summer, improvement over the previous. All good signs. This years I take with a grain of salt as he would've been very distracted by the draft. Like I said, for a 4th round pick you can't complain. 3 of the top 4 WAR guys the Jays ever drafted in round 4 are relievers (Janssen, Dyson, and Xavier Hernandez), with the 4th being a utility guy (Ryan Goins) every other 4th rounder is sub 1 WAR lifetime. Last years 4th rounder was Landen Maroudis who is doing well in Dunedin in limited playing time (0.84 ERA in 10 2/3 IP 4 BB 12 SO), others in the 2020's are Ryan Jennings, Chad Dallas (in AAA but getting hit hard but excellent last start - 4 IP 0 R 0 BB 8 SO), and Nick Frasso (traded, now hurt). Mix in Will Robertson and Sean Wymer before you reach the last 4th rounder to reach (Kevin Smith who I thought would take over as the best 4th rounder the Jays had pre-trade, but now has flopped).
Ducey - Tuesday, July 16 2024 @ 01:04 PM EDT (#449526) #
"Last years 4th rounder was Landen Maroudis who is doing well in Dunedin in limited playing time"

Was doing well. Then underwent elbow brace surgery in May
bpoz - Tuesday, July 16 2024 @ 01:22 PM EDT (#449527) #
I knew about Barriera having elbow surgery but not Maroudis. So they will be healed mid 2025 I presume.
ayjackson - Wednesday, July 24 2024 @ 09:37 AM EDT (#449864) #
Knowing nothing about thes picks aside from what has been printed here, I'm intrigued by Jackson Wentworth. If he can locate his fastball and "pitch backwards", could be a fun one. I wonder if they aim to increase his pitch counts and get him starting games.
2024 MLB Draft - Day 2 | 67 comments | Create New Account
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