PAC - 12's Biggest Losers In The Draft

Some commentary.

UCLA
After losing C Tyler Soderstrom to the A’s in the first round, as expected, there was some cautious optimism for the Bruins heading into the second day. LHP Kyle Harrison, the top ranked lefthander in the country, appeared to be opting to go to school, and would have been a major recruiting class victory. However, significant money likely cleared up for the Giants, who had a collection of extra picks, and Harrison was selected 85th overall in the third round. Compounding matters, OF Jake Vogel, a potential immediate starter in the outfield, was drafted 100th overall in the third round by the Dodgers. But perhaps one of the more shocking selections came late in the fourth round when SS Milan Tolentino was selected by the Indians. Tolentino, one of the top shortstops in the country, likely commands a significant amount of money over the slot price, and many thought that he would have been safely headed to Westwood after round three. However, there was one bright spot to come out of great loss that UCLA suffered. RHP Max Rajcic went undrafted even though he was pegged as the 57th best high school player in the country by Prep Baseball Report. Rajcic’s polish, pedigree (a USA baseball standout), and strong reperatorie (90-94 fastball with swing and miss slider) should allow him to compete for immediate weekend innings. Even with a “loss” for its recruiting class as a whole, Rajcic getting to campus is a major win.

ASU
Of all teams that were disappointed to see the 2020 college baseball season come to an end, ASU had to lead the list. The Sun Devils had all the pieces to make a run to the College World Series. Then, Bam! To give an idea of how good the Devils could’ve been throughout the spring, they led all college baseball programs with a whopping five players drafted in the top five rounds, with Detroit taking hard-hitting Spencer Torkelson No. 1 overall. ASU will also lose Trevor Hauver, RJ Dabovich, Gage Workman and Alika Williams. In addition to those losses, the Devils will be without righthander Hunter Barnhart, who went to the Rays in the third round, while they also won’t get two-way player and shortstop/righthanded pitcher Colt Keith, who was taken in the fifth round by the Tigers. Both were impact recruits with 2nd round potential, and their selections came as a bit of surprise as the draft moved into the back half. If the Devils are looking for some sort of silver lining, they will return sure-handed defender Drew Swift and righthander Boyd Vander Kooi, among others, assuming neither signs for that low $20K undrafted bonus.

So the question is how quickly can they reload and be formidable again. My guess is that UCLA will still be talented, but ASU might take a step back for awhile.

Dylan was on a meteoric rise up the boards after word leaked out he had picked up as much as 4-5 mph on his number one from 2019. Increased spin rate on his breaking ball sealed the deal. Rapsodo and iEdge don't lie and the scouts were all over it. Film and metrics - can't beat it.

So how did Mick Abel and Dylan McLean pump up the volume on their heaters in quantum jumps?

The Gunderson Baseball Academy, of course. That rascal Gundy is still working his magic with talented young pitchers.

Dylan was U-Dubs top ranked recruit.

Kevin's on a roll. Big names and high draft picks in his portfolio.

Every time I hear Gundys name I remember Parker saying, Casey calls in Kevin Gunderson and the bullpen goes to the dugout. The game is in Gundys hands. 

Yovan will just be a RS Jr next year, crazy

We have at least 29 returning. Maybe we could lend them some of ours to fill out a lineup for them.

The ducks could pay them like they do their football recruits.

just kidding.....just kidding.