Scouting the 2016 Draft: Round 2 Pick 59 Bryan Reynolds

The Giants had just one pick on Day 1 of the MLB draft as they had given up their first round pick by signing Jeff Samardzija over the winter.   They somehow managed to get a first round talent grabbing the CF from Vanderbilt with their first selection in the second round, #59 overall.

Bryan Reynolds, OF.  DOB:  1/27/1995.  B-S, T-R.  6'2", 210 lbs.

2016:  .330/.461/.601, 16 2B, 3 3B, 13 HR, 8 SB, 49 BB, 58 K's, 224 AB.
2015:  .318/.388/.462, 18 2B, 4 3B, 5 HR, 17 SB, 31 BB, 67 K, 286 AB.
2014:  .338/.395/.480, 24 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 14 SB, 23 BB, 49 K's, 281 AB.
2015 CCL:  .346/.470/.395, 3 SB, 17 BB, 14 K's, 81 AB.

Despite going undrafted in 2014 out of HS, Reynolds started and starred at Vanderbilt from Day 1 of his college career. He improved his walk rates and power over the next 3 seasons while maintaining a 300+ BA.  He also put up good numbers in the Cape Cod League a common denominator of college hitters the Giants draft in upper rounds.

Reynolds is tall and athletic looking.  He is actually listed as 6'4" on the Vanderbilt website while all the draft sites list him as 6'2".  I say he looks a tad taller than 6'2" in videos.  Whatever his height, there is room to fill out his frame.  His batting stance and swing are familiar to Giants as most of their recent high draft picks look similar.  He has a wide stance with no kick and no stride.  He lifts his front heel ever so slightly and boom!  There's the swing!  He also has minimal load in his hands making him quicker to the ball.

MLB had him ranked #23 on their pre-draft ranking and BA had him at #31.  It is not clear why his stock dropped, but the Giants love to hang around and scoop these guys up.  There is some talk of a signability issue, but the Giants have never failed to land their guy.

So here's a rundown of the ways Bryan Reynolds is a Giantsy draft pick:

1.  Up-the-middle position.
2.  Major college program
3.  Played well in the Cape Cod League
4.  Switch-hitter
5.  Stock dropped

The Giants got a first round talent here.  In fact, it is not at all a stretch to think Reynolds would have been the top guy left on their board had they kept their first round pick!