The Draft: Keeping it together
Jul 17, 2024 0:51:14 GMT -8
justdamwin, justheretoread, and 1 more like this
Post by chinmusic on Jul 17, 2024 0:51:14 GMT -8
Oregon State has eight prep pitchers in their 2024 recruiting class. Three of them were Pro prospects with high exposure in this just concluded MLB Draft. How did we fare?
THE PRIMER: When high school baseball players are selected in the MLB Draft, a decision-making process begins. Chances are the prep athlete is committed to a college program after making a choice from several suitors. Once the athlete is drafted, another decision will be necessary – college or the Pros?
The player has 5 options, 1) he may be firmly committed to playing college baseball and putting in three years of classroom work towards a college degree. With the advent of NIL, college will become more attractive for more prospects. He will make it clear to MLB Scouts what his intentions are. He will go undrafted or may be selected in the final rounds in case he happens to change his mind. 2) he may indicate a preference of attending college but will leave the door open for an offer. 3) he may red-line a dollar figure informing the Scouts of a hard number on the signing bonus with instructions of meeting that number or pass me on draft day. Recent known Beavers that used this option were Madrigal, Grenier, Turley and Caraway. 4) he may want a professional career, ready to get started and is wide open to the MLB Draft process. 5) if he’s tired of school, baseball and can’t hit the curve ball, he can join the U.S. Marines Corps.
There is no question about the Beaver’s 2024 recruiting class being all about pitching and I mean outstanding pitching on the high school level. Oregon State entered MLB Draft day with no less than 3 Pro pitching prospects projected to be selected in the first seven or eight rounds of the draft.
DAX WHITNEY: MLB.com scouting projected Dax Whitney to be the 56th player drafted which translated to the 16th pick in the second round of the draft with a slot value of $ 1,603,400. The 6-5, 195 right-hander from Blackfoot, Idaho HS began drawing more pro scouting interest early in the spring when his fast ball ramped up from the low 90’s to 96 mph and his breaking ball benefitted from the increased velo with a tighter wrap and improved shape. His outings became a “whiff-fest” with an eye-popping K:BB ratio. Baseball America had him going 46th in the draft, Perfect Game 64th and Prep BB Report 57th. When he was still on the board at the beginning of the 3rd round, it became obvious he had chosen one of the first 3 options listed above in the Primer, probably number 3. The Beavers recruit a front line starter and maybe a strong candidate for next year’s rotation.
ADAM HAIGHT: MLB.com projected Adam to be the 187th player drafted which translated to the 24th pick in the 6th round with a slot value of $ 323,400. Adam was drafted by the NY Mets with the 593rd pick or 8th selection in the 20th round. This like Whitney’s, was an obvious exercise of the 3rd option listed above. Promising prep arms do not slip 14 rounds in any draft. Haight had a plan and teams were made aware of that plan. Haight is an exceptional mound talent, he touches 94 with his heater and has an arsenal of effective secondary pitches. Poised and polished for his age, in addition to being one of the better SS prospects in the west, Haight had high draft value. Has a Top notch hit tool and may be coming to OSU as a shortstop. He was projected as a 6th round selection by Baseball America, and a 4th round pick by Perfect Game. Great future ahead with the Beavs.
ZACH SWANSON: MLB.com projected Zach Swanson to be the 178th player selected which converts to the 15th pick in the 6th round with a slot value of $ 348,200. He was drafted with the 11th pick in the 9th round by the Detroit Tigers with a slot figure of $ 199,100. Zach has a pitcher’s profile at 6-2 and 193 and a good mix of pitching weapons. Throws low 90’s but dials it up to 95 when needed. Has a plus slider at 85 mph and over 2,700 rpm. High ceiling with some refinement ahead and an elite prospect. Zach was a 5th round projection by Baseball America, and 7th round by Perfect Game. His stock had dipped from the last fall when he was included in several Top-50 projections. For Detroit to draft him in the 9th round, he had to be receptive to starting his pro career this summer. MLB teams are not in the habit of losing 9th round picks over “signability” issues. His Father is the High School hoop coach and I believe a Teacher at TLHS. I had hoped the love of education might trump bonus money here but that now appears very uncertain.
In summary, I think Whitney and Haight are Beavers . . . and Swanson is a Tiger.
FWIW: The Beavs have 15 prep recruits in this 2024 class in addition to 5 transfers. At this point in time, Swanson appears to be the only risk of loss in the class. Our coaches did a great job with the recruits while at the same time, promoting seven roster players to professional baseball.
THE PRIMER: When high school baseball players are selected in the MLB Draft, a decision-making process begins. Chances are the prep athlete is committed to a college program after making a choice from several suitors. Once the athlete is drafted, another decision will be necessary – college or the Pros?
The player has 5 options, 1) he may be firmly committed to playing college baseball and putting in three years of classroom work towards a college degree. With the advent of NIL, college will become more attractive for more prospects. He will make it clear to MLB Scouts what his intentions are. He will go undrafted or may be selected in the final rounds in case he happens to change his mind. 2) he may indicate a preference of attending college but will leave the door open for an offer. 3) he may red-line a dollar figure informing the Scouts of a hard number on the signing bonus with instructions of meeting that number or pass me on draft day. Recent known Beavers that used this option were Madrigal, Grenier, Turley and Caraway. 4) he may want a professional career, ready to get started and is wide open to the MLB Draft process. 5) if he’s tired of school, baseball and can’t hit the curve ball, he can join the U.S. Marines Corps.
There is no question about the Beaver’s 2024 recruiting class being all about pitching and I mean outstanding pitching on the high school level. Oregon State entered MLB Draft day with no less than 3 Pro pitching prospects projected to be selected in the first seven or eight rounds of the draft.
DAX WHITNEY: MLB.com scouting projected Dax Whitney to be the 56th player drafted which translated to the 16th pick in the second round of the draft with a slot value of $ 1,603,400. The 6-5, 195 right-hander from Blackfoot, Idaho HS began drawing more pro scouting interest early in the spring when his fast ball ramped up from the low 90’s to 96 mph and his breaking ball benefitted from the increased velo with a tighter wrap and improved shape. His outings became a “whiff-fest” with an eye-popping K:BB ratio. Baseball America had him going 46th in the draft, Perfect Game 64th and Prep BB Report 57th. When he was still on the board at the beginning of the 3rd round, it became obvious he had chosen one of the first 3 options listed above in the Primer, probably number 3. The Beavers recruit a front line starter and maybe a strong candidate for next year’s rotation.
ADAM HAIGHT: MLB.com projected Adam to be the 187th player drafted which translated to the 24th pick in the 6th round with a slot value of $ 323,400. Adam was drafted by the NY Mets with the 593rd pick or 8th selection in the 20th round. This like Whitney’s, was an obvious exercise of the 3rd option listed above. Promising prep arms do not slip 14 rounds in any draft. Haight had a plan and teams were made aware of that plan. Haight is an exceptional mound talent, he touches 94 with his heater and has an arsenal of effective secondary pitches. Poised and polished for his age, in addition to being one of the better SS prospects in the west, Haight had high draft value. Has a Top notch hit tool and may be coming to OSU as a shortstop. He was projected as a 6th round selection by Baseball America, and a 4th round pick by Perfect Game. Great future ahead with the Beavs.
ZACH SWANSON: MLB.com projected Zach Swanson to be the 178th player selected which converts to the 15th pick in the 6th round with a slot value of $ 348,200. He was drafted with the 11th pick in the 9th round by the Detroit Tigers with a slot figure of $ 199,100. Zach has a pitcher’s profile at 6-2 and 193 and a good mix of pitching weapons. Throws low 90’s but dials it up to 95 when needed. Has a plus slider at 85 mph and over 2,700 rpm. High ceiling with some refinement ahead and an elite prospect. Zach was a 5th round projection by Baseball America, and 7th round by Perfect Game. His stock had dipped from the last fall when he was included in several Top-50 projections. For Detroit to draft him in the 9th round, he had to be receptive to starting his pro career this summer. MLB teams are not in the habit of losing 9th round picks over “signability” issues. His Father is the High School hoop coach and I believe a Teacher at TLHS. I had hoped the love of education might trump bonus money here but that now appears very uncertain.
In summary, I think Whitney and Haight are Beavers . . . and Swanson is a Tiger.
FWIW: The Beavs have 15 prep recruits in this 2024 class in addition to 5 transfers. At this point in time, Swanson appears to be the only risk of loss in the class. Our coaches did a great job with the recruits while at the same time, promoting seven roster players to professional baseball.
